Can the DRZ400 Handle the Highway

ah that "thought I had another gear" moment

For DRZ400S model, try this to get more top end (90MPH), 75MPH easy with this set up on the highway. Leave the stock gearing for both the front chain gear and the rear sprocket. Change the front fender to the SM front fender which is a lot smaller to drastically reduce the speed wobbles (the big front fender is what is causing the speed wobbles due to catching so much wind when you hit 70MPH+) change the rear tire to a 120/100/18 DOT which will is a bigger tire. Its a dirt tire, its loud up to 60MPH due to road noise, but after 60MPH you wont hear any road noise with speeds over 60MPH. You wont believe how much you reduced your RPM at 75-80MPH. Its a game changer for sure. Muti shops said that tire size wouldn’t fit because its to big, but it absolutely does fit. It will increase your ride height so you will need to be a taller guy for this set up. This is just a suggestion and what I did to my DRZ. I didn’t want to change the stock angle of my chain, so this is why I went to a bigger rear tire.

Just drove a 2001 drz400 from San Diego to Arlington WA, with stock gearing and aggressive tires was able to stay around 60+-5 the whole time. You definitely fight the high wind areas though

Oh man 18 wheelers. Even in my Jeep, that soft top just catches wind like a parachute! Truckers can push you around for sure, kinda scary lol

After owning Drz 400sm for 2 years I truly believe this is the only downfall of this bike. I changed the rear sprocket to 39 tooth which helped temporarily. Bottom line it’s only a 400 and never meant to be going 80mph. The perfect place for SM is the twisties and the street.

I fitted an ACT gear set to my DRZ400E model (road legal in Oz) with 14/47 sprockets. In effect 5th gear is now an overdrive ratio. The bike has a 28L Safari fuel tank fitted and a small windscreen. The bike pulls well at 70 mph and will go faster , but that is the maximum speed limit in some States. My local speed limit is 60 mph and the bike feels as if it is not revving sufficiently hard at that speed. The DRZ gets blown around in the wind , especially with our triple trailer trucks. I guess it is the low weight and most of it up high that unsettles it.

just bought a drz400. i love it but i noticed cars just flying past me. now i could pass them up im sure if i went top speed but this bike i think isnt heavy enough to withstand the winds when going so fast. i felt like a strong wind could knock me over. its a great bike for commuting but certainly not long travel. 650 is id say a standard bike if u wanna be going down the highway fast with not many issues in terms of speed or wind

I run my SM with a 16t upfront and a 36t in the rear. It cruzes at highway speeds and low rpms no problem. 1st gear is still perfectly fine for street and gravel roads. I wouldn't recommend this gearing for technical riding tho. I typically don't shift to 5th till I get above 60mph. Top speed is around ~102mph(gps)/ ~109mph(indicated). It does 75mph effortlessly now without screaming. Edit: After switching to a fcr41/mrd/k&n/and opening up the air box I'm just over 42hp and top speed is around 112mph (gps)

Good, informative video. Thanks bro!

This was a useful video, thanks! Have you ever been up a steep mountain road with it? How did it do?

I absolutely freakin rip mine on the freeways everyday.

Great video! I love my 400sm, but riding it in the wind is miserable. I've never been beaten up so bad on a bike. It's like flying a kite. Super bummed too, because I was all ready to sell my Vmax and have just one bike for everything, but the Dr.Z is just too light for highway use. Will a windscreen help, or just make it a bigger sail?

How did you mount your GoPro on the left mirror bracket??? Please send me the parts you purchased, I’ve been struggling for a front mount on my DRZ

Switching from 1200 Sportster, the gearing is set for 70-75mph cruising and gets kinda smooth. It's kinda weird switching between both, the Drz400 feels like it's screaming and way too vibratyy even at 60-65. Still an awesome bike though, guess I'll just put some knobby tires on it an load it up on my truck.

What kind of helmet do you use to record also do you like the mirrors that you have on your bike can you see well with them

Does it need a steering stabilizer?

I agree, it gets wobbly on the highway; sort of scary. Yes it will do 65-70, but thats not an ideal situation. Its an around town bike, no more than 60 mph

This is a great video!

39T in the rear and it's much better on the freeway rpm wise. Still enough power on local streets too especially if jetted and pipe. It'll do freeway ok but in LA people go about 80-85 and sometimes more with less traffic especially after covid (angry psychos need to slow down doing 90 down the twisty 110...dumbasses). At those speeds tough to stay up but if you learn to chill out and not need to pass everyone it's plenty doable.

Drz rips it up 😎✌