My comments:
This struck me: "One of the faster guys at the Taste of Dakar had a 2010 DR-Z400SM, converted to dirt, and he said he had to do a lot to it to really get everything out of the engine and improve the suspension and brakes and handling. When I asked him what modifications were important, he said most guys did a 3×3 carb mod, upgraded to JD jets, added exhaust, installed a kickstand switch and removed the charcoal box so the overflow would’t run into the exhaust lines and flood the engine. Riding off road sloshed gas around in the tank (the legal reaosn for doing this mod). He personally had also completely upgraded the suspension and brakes."
I agree - after having all the mods on mine, I rode my brother's stock 400sm and it was S.L.O.W.
I have a 08 SM model. Have all those same mods, blah blah blah. I don't know HOW this guy was comfortable doing long freeway jaunts - I've got an aftermarket seat and it's STILL uncomfortable on a 300 mile ride. I commute almost everyday and while everything he said was spot on, all the negatives were right on as well - a lot of his issues could be eliminated just by getting the SM model. It's an easy switch to dirt mode. Freeway speeds are noticeably vibrating (it's a single cylinder) and I hope to eliminate a lot of this by switching to a 39tooth rear sprocket to lower the revs at 75mph - it sounds like it's screaming. While this isn't bad for it, I just don't like it. I also will be getting handlebar risers because I'm 6'0'' and like the author said, I'm hunched over offroad standing up...makes it harder. Gas mileage is right on, but I found that at 55 fully loaded that you can eek out 50-55mpg pretty consistently...albeit slowly, so quiet backroads are efficient.
Although maybe getting a larger displacement supermoto and dirt setup might be better - Husqvarna 610sm? KTM? Just at what price?
