Strange which bike question....

[Johnny Monsoon]

Here's some weirdness in the moto-world concerning seat height and offroading:

While it may be somewhat problematic having a higher seat height if you happen to drop the bike on odd terrain, it is actually beneficial to have a higher seat height/longer suspension for reasons other than clearing obstacles.  You actually have an easier time riding and correcting for surface anomalies with a bike that has 'long legs' because it slows your 'drop' time.  This is the same reason it is easier to ride a tall unicycle than a shorter one.

When I first started dirt riding I'd put my feet down everywhere.  Now I barely ever put them down, and it is easier to accomplish on my 'leggy' XR650R than it ever was on my KLR with a much lower seat height.  Even in areas where gravel is the only issue, it is easier to correct and control the bike.

Just food for thought.

[Albie]

Sand is a great environment to learn technique. Not only should you keep your feet on the pegs you should be standing up. You have much more control over the bike. It's a bit unnerving at first but once your brain processes the fact that it is much easier to ride in sand and deep gravel that way then you're golden.

[1moreroad]

Quick review of a short ride on a DRZ 400 S (not SM)

In short it is a terrific bike for what it is.  I did a 4 mile test ride on a bike with 0.4 miles on it before I got it.  I rode it pretty much exclusively on road, too, with just one "shortcut" through a lot covered with a few inches of pea gravel.  I have all of 8 miles on a KLR so I'm also an internet expert on dual sports!  For handling, vibes, and acceleration up to about 60 it is, IMO, better than the KLR.  Seriously, after I test rode the KLR almost a year ago, I got off it saying, well it didn't really grab me but if folks ride them around the world, maybe there is something I'm missing. 

Not the DRZ -- me likey!  Much better handling with less wallowing.  Obviously there is brake dive, but the bike didn't feel too soft.  Vibes were acceptable -- the KLR had more of a buzz that made my hands tingle while the DRZ has more of a steady bass beat.  I might like some thicker, softer grips, though.  At 60 mph, the wind doesn't hit you much differently than Miles' old Speed Triple.  It's fine for a naked.  Bone stock, it gets up to 40 mph with maybe the same oomph as my old EX500.  It cruises at 60 no problem (fastest I had it).  The seat IS hard but at least the edges didn't cut into my legs.  I could see that being the limiting factor on long rides.

So this is how it happened....

I'm heading home from a weekend in the Smokies and decide to swing by KC's Powersports in Hunstville since they advertise a DRZ400SM.  I'm in full gear and my sportbike has Mississippi plates and saddlebags, a compression pack across the passenger seat and a very full tankbag.

The saleswoman was a motorcycle enthusiast, and rides a Katana as her first bike.  I mention this because I know some folks on this board get upset when motorcycle sales people don't ride -- I wonder if they know there are male gynecologists?  She really couldn't tell me anything about dual sports, but she could have listed every significant spec on any sportbike in their inventory.

Still, friendly woman in full-on sales mode.  I "test sat" the DRZ400S they had in stock.  Could I ride this brand new bike, I asked?  I told them I would not be buying today but that I will be in Hunstville about once a week on business indefinitely starting next month (both statements are true).  Sure if I don't mind signing a waiver and please consider them for the purchase.      Test rides to an out of stater and no sales pressure!  They go install a battery, add a bit of gas, warm it up for moment and take me out back to ride it.  Don't go too far, they say.  After promptly stalling the bike, I rolled out no problem and rode the highway in front of the shop, a little neighborhood, and a shortcut across a lot full of gravel.

I've ridden a handful of very different bikes in the last few weeks.  Up until today I could always say that my bike fit me the best.  Today I could see myself riding the the DRZ on the same types of roads that I enjoy riding my sportbike at similar real world speeds.  Not sure how I'll knock out the distance to get to the fun roads, though.....

[Mac]

I too have a drz s. The seat is a killer, but I bit the bullet and bought a corbin for it. Night and day.

Its narrow up front so off raod stuff is similar to the stock seat, but its twice as wide in the back. Just scoot back on longer trips and theres much more for your butt to rest on. Its still hard, but the pressure points are gone. Its the best investment I've made for my drz except for maybe the 4 gal clarke tank.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Best not ride a Husky, son...

[Biggs]

Honestly, my favorite bike is still a DR650 with Avon Gripsters and a 16 tooth front sprocket.  Beats the Buell and DRZ, fits somewhere between the two, and can be found for dirt cheap.  

[1moreroad]

Best not ride a Husky, son...

Yeah, I know.  There's even a good shop about 1.5 hours away.

I just keep reminding myself how expensive the Husky is, that is buzzes more, and that is has no front damping adjustment or something like that that thumpertalk has devoted several threads and many pages to.  If I ride it, I might find out that 2 out of 3 of those things are unimportant to me.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Yeah, I know.  There's even a good shop about 1.5 hours away.

I just keep reminding myself how expensive the Husky is, that is buzzes more, and that is has no front damping adjustment or something like that that thumpertalk has devoted several threads and many pages to.  If I ride it, I might find out that 2 out of 3 of those things are unimportant to me.

I've never heard of the TE being buzzy...  That 6 speed tranny is supposed to cure a lot of ills.  Being a lightweight, high power bike with an e-start and simple, proven design should make anyone drool.  The new '08s come with EFI, but I could see that being a curse in the wild...  Then again, maybe not; just gotta keep that battery charged, because you aren't going to bump start it.  The new one also doesn't have an aftermarket tank option yet, so you're stuck with some limited range.  The manufacturers say they don't have plans to make bigger tanks (the pump is in the tank; therin lies the problem) but they will, eventually.  On the plus side, you can get a used one for not much money at all and it won't have the EFI dilema that a new one will.

Read the TE thread on ADV.  If that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will.  It almost displaced my XRR, but I had too good of a deal, on a nice bike, from a fellow ST-Ner and a great shop to support me...

You should drop by sometime and I'll let you spin the XRR.  Can't tell where ya live though; fill out your profile!!!  

[Biggs]

You can still push start an EFI bike, the injectors need a lot less juice than the starter does.  Assuming you don't run it down to almost nothing you're fine.  I've pushed my 600rr and R1100S with almost dead batteries.

[DogBoy]

I've ridden a handful of very different bikes in the last few weeks.  Up until today I could always say that my bike fit me the best.  Today I could see myself riding the the DRZ on the same types of roads that I enjoy riding my sportbike at similar real world speeds.  Not sure how I'll knock out the distance to get to the fun roads, though.....

Some idiot rode a DRZ400SM to the WCRM from Sacramento. 340 miles to get there. Just under 300 on the return. Now, I realize that R.Markus does that kind of mileage before he gets out of bed in the morning but I heard this DRZ guy was old and out of shape.  




I'm not saying the DRZ is the answer, just pointing out that mid-range mileage on small Dual Sports isn't as bad as the barge riders would have you think.

[Mac]

Please, I personally have had my drz 400s at an indicated 102 on the highway once. And no, it wasn't on a steep down hill, with a tailwind and drafting a semi.

[Johnny Monsoon]

The DRz misses on a few points for me.  It's just too damn buzzy on the highway compared to other bikes.  The offroad performance is decent, but the KLX250S does better.  The new Yammi does too.  Both the Kaw and Yammi are at least as good on the road.  While the DRz is anything but a bad bike, I think the market has eclipsed this machine, which owned its niche not too long ago.  These days it is a very heavy 'lightweight' offroad bike, or a very limited commuter bike.  You can do as much distance on any bike as you like, but it'd be tough to find a bike worse suited for it than the DRz.

HOWEVER, it's a 'tool for the job' type of thing.  If you really want a factory street-legal bike that will do dirt, and will commute well (especially at lower than highway speeds), and want that all at a 'bargain' price, the DRz is tough to beat if you're looking at a new bike.  When you start looking at used bikes, which is where I recommend any newer dirt rider start, I think the field becomes much broader and begins to include vastly more capable bikes.

[XLR8]

Husky exhibit A - pic



exhibit B, it's time for snow to melt so I can get up here again

[1moreroad]

It's just too damn buzzy on the highway compared to other bikes.  The offroad performance is decent, but the KLX250S does better.  The new Yammi does too.  Both the Kaw and Yammi are at least as good on the road.  ...

HOWEVER, it's a 'tool for the job' type of thing.  If you really want a factory street-legal bike that will do dirt, and will commute well (especially at lower than highway speeds), and want that all at a 'bargain' price, the DRz is tough to beat...

All good points.  The local Kawasaki dealer can't keep a KLXs in stock long enough for me to test ride one.  I'll have to ask again next time I go if they have one sitting out.

As many of us so often tell new riders, this is will be my first dual sport bike, not my last.  Once I figure out where I really go -- mostly dirt, mostly street or whatever -- I can get the "better" bike for what I want.

Husky exhibit A - pic



exhibit B, it's time for snow to melt so I can get up here again
...

[rocking gently in a fetal position]All I see are red Xs... all I see are red Xs....[/rocking]

Nice pix.  

When you start looking at used bikes, which is where I recommend any newer dirt rider start, I think the field becomes much broader and begins to include vastly more capable bikes.

I would love to look at used bikes, but all I see are folks asking premium prices for either well used or questionable machines.  This is a general statement for all kinds of bikes.  Maybe in the age of free ads, guys can tell their wives, honey, I'm advertising on three different sites but the bike just isn't selling.  Guess I have to keep riding it, while asking a premium price.  Maybe at a time of cheap credit, they're underwater or they need a certain amount of money to cover some other debt.  

At the same time, it looks like some dealerships overstocked on 2007 DRZs and are offering up to 20% price discounts on cycletrader.  The MSRP on a DRZ is $5600.  Would you pay $4800 on a 2 year old used bike with 10,000 miles with race numbers that was "only used for highway commuting" with no upgrades incl tax or $5300 OTD incl tax on a brand new bike with zero miles?

A friend has noted that when good bikes are good prices do show up on Craigslist they are gone within hours.

I have only ever looked at used bikes to buy.  You go through a lot of crap to find that prize pig.

Also thanks for all the ideas and suggestions on this thread.  It has helped shape my thinking.

[Johnny Monsoon]

www.advrider.com  Look in the Flea Market.  You'll find something.

[Mac]

Get the 07 drz! You know you want it.


Besides, then you'll be cool like me!