buellconvert
Active member
I have owned a KLR650 and I would highly recommend the KLX250S instead or like others have said you cant go wrong with the TW200.
Well, I finally did it....
- Thread starter FurthurOnTheFly
- Start date
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
After much great advice and thought I've decided on the DRZ400. I think this will be a good all-around bike for me to start with and will cover all of my bases well.
Now, the hunt is on.....to find the right bike and to find things to sell to obtain said bike! Anybody wanna buy a Taser?? :REOutShootinghunter
Now, the hunt is on.....to find the right bike and to find things to sell to obtain said bike! Anybody wanna buy a Taser?? :REOutShootinghunter
deserteagle56
Adventurer
Here's one:
http://reno.craigslist.org/mcy/1566182470.html
It's a long way from you, but still, with only 1300 miles on it, it might be worth it!
http://reno.craigslist.org/mcy/1566182470.html
It's a long way from you, but still, with only 1300 miles on it, it might be worth it!
MarcFJ60
Adventurer
This is how mine was set up before I sold it . . .(I had Ortleib soft bags to attach to the racks)
As you can see, I replaced the tank with an IMS tank (~100 mile range vs. 175 miles). If I kept it, I would have absolutely replaced that seat - it truly is miserable. My only complaint was riding it at 60mph plus. Heck, it will cruise at 80 . . .you just won't like it. You can always get taller gears though.
Thumpertalk.com is a great resource for DRZ info. I would suggest the following as absolute musts in terms of mods (most used bikes will probably already have these done):
3x3 mod to the airbox and rejet the carb (cheap and totally transforms the bike)
Case savers
HIGHLY recommend the following:
Radiator protection
MCCT instead of the standard ACCT
Handguards
If it still has the stock Trailwings and you plan to do any type of offroad, I would swap tires. (IRC GP-1s pictured)
But then again, there's nothing so wrong with it you couldn't ride it as is for quite awhile.
I really liked my DRZ (it was my first bike, not including a Honda 50 - 30 years ago).
(By the way - 2002+ is generally considered the preferred years for DRZs due to some suspension changes. 2005?+ had the improved ACCT, but people still change those out for peace of mind). I sold mine as above for $2500 with under 2K miles about a year and half ago.
As you can see, I replaced the tank with an IMS tank (~100 mile range vs. 175 miles). If I kept it, I would have absolutely replaced that seat - it truly is miserable. My only complaint was riding it at 60mph plus. Heck, it will cruise at 80 . . .you just won't like it. You can always get taller gears though.
Thumpertalk.com is a great resource for DRZ info. I would suggest the following as absolute musts in terms of mods (most used bikes will probably already have these done):
3x3 mod to the airbox and rejet the carb (cheap and totally transforms the bike)
Case savers
HIGHLY recommend the following:
Radiator protection
MCCT instead of the standard ACCT
Handguards
If it still has the stock Trailwings and you plan to do any type of offroad, I would swap tires. (IRC GP-1s pictured)
But then again, there's nothing so wrong with it you couldn't ride it as is for quite awhile.
I really liked my DRZ (it was my first bike, not including a Honda 50 - 30 years ago).
(By the way - 2002+ is generally considered the preferred years for DRZs due to some suspension changes. 2005?+ had the improved ACCT, but people still change those out for peace of mind). I sold mine as above for $2500 with under 2K miles about a year and half ago.
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RHINO
Expedition Leader
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
Clay, looks like that one might be the E model and I'd like to try to get into an S, but the price was too much to ignore so I emailed him. We will see what he comes back with.
Are there any major differences between the E and S models other than the S is touted specifically for Dual Sporting and the E as a dirtbike? I do know they are geared differently.
There is one that is for sale in Tucson I've been trying to get in contact with. He's posted up both on craigslist and ADVR and has had it for sale for a month now. http://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/1563955766.html I asked him to send me more pics and he did but they are all taken at night!
$3k seems a little high to me?
Are there any major differences between the E and S models other than the S is touted specifically for Dual Sporting and the E as a dirtbike? I do know they are geared differently.
There is one that is for sale in Tucson I've been trying to get in contact with. He's posted up both on craigslist and ADVR and has had it for sale for a month now. http://tucson.craigslist.org/mcy/1563955766.html I asked him to send me more pics and he did but they are all taken at night!
$3k seems a little high to me?
scarysharkface
Explorer
The E model is tuned for more sprightliness and has a different cam and gearing I believe. I have the dirt-only version of the DR350 that's had the Baja Designs dual-sport kit installed and it's been titled for the street and I'm quite happy with it. Plenty of pep and I can pick it up, although I find I drop it less than I do my KLR. :bike_rider:
John
John
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
So we just went to a local dealer to check out the DRZ in person. I have to say I'm really surprised at how tall the S model was. I could still get the balls of my feet on the ground but it was a little intimidating. Then I sat on the SM and I loved it. It was comfortable, I could get my feet flat, and I felt like I could ride it all day.
So, I know the gearing is different on the SM, and it comes with slicks And smaller wheels, but I'm looking for opinions on using one of these as a dual sport with different tires. I'm posting on ADV too but I'd like to hear what the expo crowd thinks.
So, I know the gearing is different on the SM, and it comes with slicks And smaller wheels, but I'm looking for opinions on using one of these as a dual sport with different tires. I'm posting on ADV too but I'd like to hear what the expo crowd thinks.
scarysharkface
Explorer
I believe people are doing just that. I think the forks are better on the SM as well (inverted).
John
MarcFJ60
Adventurer
IIRC, the E model has an FCR carb, different cams, different base gasket. In short, it has more power and many people mod their S engines to be like the E. Buying an E model that has been dual sported (all else being equal) would be the preferred thing to do. Or if you're willing to go to the trouble of making an E street legal you will have a better bike.
BUT, IIRC, the E does not have the same subframe as the S. So you can't stick as much luggage, much less a passenger on it.
After around 2005 (I think), the E and the S had the same Mikuni carb. Sop there is really no reason to buy an E if you want to dual sport it.
The more I see and sit on SMs, the more I like the idea. The DRZ-SM is geared taller, but with the smaller wheels it ends up with the same ratios as the DRZ-S. SM owners frequently gear them taller since they are more street biased. People take SMs in the dirt all the time. Dirt tire choices are more limited, but I am certain you could find a tire combo that will do every bit as well as the Dakar you will be with. Also, don't underestimate the extra confidence you have when you can plant your feet well. I could barely get my toes down on my DRZ and if I was on a hillside trail I would be screwed if I tried to get a foot down on the downhill side.
A lot of dual sports now come in SM versions, from the 250s to the 650s. It's a crying shame the DRZ didn't come with a 6 speed or at least a wider ratio 5 speed.
BUT, IIRC, the E does not have the same subframe as the S. So you can't stick as much luggage, much less a passenger on it.
After around 2005 (I think), the E and the S had the same Mikuni carb. Sop there is really no reason to buy an E if you want to dual sport it.
The more I see and sit on SMs, the more I like the idea. The DRZ-SM is geared taller, but with the smaller wheels it ends up with the same ratios as the DRZ-S. SM owners frequently gear them taller since they are more street biased. People take SMs in the dirt all the time. Dirt tire choices are more limited, but I am certain you could find a tire combo that will do every bit as well as the Dakar you will be with. Also, don't underestimate the extra confidence you have when you can plant your feet well. I could barely get my toes down on my DRZ and if I was on a hillside trail I would be screwed if I tried to get a foot down on the downhill side.
A lot of dual sports now come in SM versions, from the 250s to the 650s. It's a crying shame the DRZ didn't come with a 6 speed or at least a wider ratio 5 speed.
FurthurOnTheFly
Glamping Society
These look ok in the 17's http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/29/393/15048/ITEM/Shinko-700-Series-Dual-Sport-Rear-Tire.aspx
I guess the way I'm feeling right now is that if I'm too intimidated by the ride height on the S model then I won't want to ride it, or worse I'll ride it and be nervous the whole time. I'm not getting this bike to take around the world, I'm getting it to learn and commute to work. When I think about us using them for DS purposes I'm thinking cruising up to the Grand Canyon to camp on the north rim, or maybe up to Payson or Sedona for a weekend campout....all still involving about 75-80% pavement.
Gravel roads, dirt roads, fire roads...are the smaller wheels really going to make that much of a difference?
Oh yes and I guess my other option would be just sticking with the S model but adjusting the shock down a bit? Lower seat?
I guess the way I'm feeling right now is that if I'm too intimidated by the ride height on the S model then I won't want to ride it, or worse I'll ride it and be nervous the whole time. I'm not getting this bike to take around the world, I'm getting it to learn and commute to work. When I think about us using them for DS purposes I'm thinking cruising up to the Grand Canyon to camp on the north rim, or maybe up to Payson or Sedona for a weekend campout....all still involving about 75-80% pavement.
Gravel roads, dirt roads, fire roads...are the smaller wheels really going to make that much of a difference?
Oh yes and I guess my other option would be just sticking with the S model but adjusting the shock down a bit? Lower seat?
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goodtimes
Expedition Poseur
I know it can be a bit intimidating for a week or two, but if you can get the balls of both feet firmly on the ground . . . your golden. If you don't plan on any sort of technical terrain (and it doesn't sound like you are), you're even better.
Marisa rode the TW a grand total of 3 times before she sat on a DR650. She (and anyone over the age of 12) can flat foot the TW -- on the DR she is just barely on the balls of her feet. Now she wants a DR. She is not an aggressive rider at all, and outgrew the flat foot thing in 3 rides . . .
Becky (author of 50 ways to dump your KLR) lowered her KLR as soon as she got it, in order to accomidate her inseam (or lack there of). 3 months later, it's back at stock height, with a low seat. She is more aggressive than Marisa, but still on the balls of her feet, assuming level ground.
I can barely get the toe of each boot onto level ground when I ride my 800GS, and it is rarely an issue (I only have a problem when backing it uphill into a parking spot).
It is a little intimidating at first, but if that is the only reason you are removing a particular model from your 'want list', I encourage you to reconsider. It's usually not an issue after riding for a week or two.
Marisa rode the TW a grand total of 3 times before she sat on a DR650. She (and anyone over the age of 12) can flat foot the TW -- on the DR she is just barely on the balls of her feet. Now she wants a DR. She is not an aggressive rider at all, and outgrew the flat foot thing in 3 rides . . .
Becky (author of 50 ways to dump your KLR) lowered her KLR as soon as she got it, in order to accomidate her inseam (or lack there of). 3 months later, it's back at stock height, with a low seat. She is more aggressive than Marisa, but still on the balls of her feet, assuming level ground.
I can barely get the toe of each boot onto level ground when I ride my 800GS, and it is rarely an issue (I only have a problem when backing it uphill into a parking spot).
It is a little intimidating at first, but if that is the only reason you are removing a particular model from your 'want list', I encourage you to reconsider. It's usually not an issue after riding for a week or two.
MarcFJ60
Adventurer
Have you considered the DR650?
It has about a 2 inch lower seat height, better on the highway, and possibly the most reliable bike ever built. Generally a bit cheaper on the used market (vs. a DRZ). When I bought my DRZ I was actually in the market for a DR650. I'm fairly certain that if I had bought the DR650 rather than the DRZ, I wouldn't be riding my XChallenge right now.
Come to think of it, I guess I'm glad I bought the DRZ over the DR, otherwise I wouldn't be riding my XChallenge :bike_rider:
It has about a 2 inch lower seat height, better on the highway, and possibly the most reliable bike ever built. Generally a bit cheaper on the used market (vs. a DRZ). When I bought my DRZ I was actually in the market for a DR650. I'm fairly certain that if I had bought the DR650 rather than the DRZ, I wouldn't be riding my XChallenge right now.
Come to think of it, I guess I'm glad I bought the DRZ over the DR, otherwise I wouldn't be riding my XChallenge :bike_rider: