Things To Know When Buying A DR-Z400S

I purchased a 2002 DRZ400 about 4 months ago after some of my friends started getting into dual sport riding. I am 63 years old, I have ridden motorcycles since I was 16, I took about 20 years off of the dirt bikes until I bought the DRZ. I used to ride and race dirt bikes, When I purchased the DRZ I was not expecting much out of the bike. I just wanted to see if I could still ride off road and if I still liked it doing it without spending a lot of money. At first I was not that impressed, it was just a dual sport bike but the more time in the saddle the more impressed I am with the bike. I just rode my friends 2020 Husqvarna FE350 and to tell you the truth I liked the DRZ better. Yes the suspension was better on the FE but the DRZ had better power and just felt better all around, To tell you the truth I was hesitant to ride the FE, I knew that if I really liked it I would buy one and I didn't want to spend $13,000. A drag race on the street my DRZ will beat the FE by 30ft from zero to 70 MPH. the low end torques is a lot better too, so bottom line I see no reason spend the money on a newer bike , Thanks for listening, stay safe and have fun

Finally linked to this video in my "DRZ  quick review" video. Still feel kinda bad about using the footage in two places... but hopefully people will find value in both videos. If you want me to take mine down I definitely can.

Just so you know this is the video that convinced me to buy my DRZ. Many thanks.

Dude, I'm 1:10 into your video and you just summed up every 20-min "should you buy a DRZ" video. That's a good educator who knows his craft, and his audience. Subscribed.

As far as the tires, a common theme I'm hearing makes me offer up a tidbit of advice for everyone: I had the stock Death Wings for 8,000 miles. They tried to kill me many times, on-road and off-road. Since this is my first bike, I assumed it was all MY fault. Then I wore them out and got a set of 606s on both ends. The ride home from the shop was hairy. It felt like it was floating. Oh yeah, it was also pouring rain in Texas where that doesn't happen every day.  Anyways, the ride home and the first day or two were a bit... nervous... but I warmed up, and the tires broke in a bit, and now I cant imagine any other tire, on-road or off. They are FINE for on-road. I know they say 90/10, but I never got hooked on hard-cornering a bike yet. I don't take on-ramps at 80 like some super bike friends I know. I can still take em at 50 on these knobbies. If you don't have ridiculous sport-bike cornering expectations and just drive like you have knobbies, you'll be FINE. Once they got about 100 miles on them they become very predictable. I spent a few moments in big parking lots getting used to them at speed... and rippingthrough industrial areas on weekends just getting used to the tires and how the bike handles on the road with them. you can totally learn to adapt to them. Now, I make right hand turns from stop-signs with some drift action and often a low wheelie... if you work your way into it painfully slow over 8000-10000 miles you get a great confidence with the bike! AND, the BEST part is... in conjunction with my worst rider-fear... if I get run out into a median strip or onto the shoulder or a curb... I don't immediately wipe out in the grass... etc... I have had several near-misses that most people would have probably braced for impact, but I just made a right turn and went around. Several times now. Also they are GREAT for getting through construction zones and when I'm going to a game or a concert and really could benefit from getting off the freeway and hitting the back streets for the last 2 miles of stopped traffic. I can scoot between guardrail gaps and fences and go where I need to. Suzuki DR-Z 400 S and 606s... ALL THE WAY!

I love my DR650.. with the Dunlop D606 at the rear and the Pirelli MT 21 Tire up front . A combo made in heaven

I got a 18 drz my first street legal bike I love it. Just ordered a new pipe air filter and new jets can’t wait to get her out

Jus found one, 6k miles. picking it up tomorrow. super excited

smart people that we are..... tons of research..... I have a doctorate in YouTube and a bachelors in Wiki. yes that must be me. lol

Thanks, man... this was really helpful when choosing between a DR650 and DRZ400 as a second bike to compliment my V-Strom!! Between you, Hermit, and Everide, I got all I needed to know to choose a used DRZ! Luckily, I found one with most of the required mods already done, with the exception of the seat and the tank (Yoshi exhaust and header, jetting, bar risers, airbox, manual cam-chain tensioner, etc.) Your time and knowledge helped me greatly and I thank you for that! Great job, and keep up the good work (You do an awesome job... and that from a 27-year professional broadcaster!) Cheers, man!

Thank you! About a year ago I was doing all of this research and trying to make a decision on which bike to buy! It's crazy that I've been riding for less then 1 year. My head spins when I try to think about everything I have learned. It has been a great journey.

Just want to say thanks for all the info and opinions you have on the bike. I have a "99 DR 350 SE that I love. I have been toying with getting a 400 but I am trying to decide if it's worth it and your videos have helped a lot! Also, I think it's awesome that your wife rides with you! My wife rides a TW 200 and all of my friends are jealous that she not only supports my riding, but rides with me as well. My 15 year old and 11 year old boys both have bikes as well and I cannot think of a better family activity than to ride together! Thanks for all of the videos and keep them coming!

From Colorado, just started riding off pavement, love it!!! Never ending trails in Colorado!! Riding a Royal Enfield Himalayan. Great video...

My mods cont'd: 3x3 airbox, jetted carbs, Pro-taper bars with risers and bark busters, Scorpion rad guards, heavy duty wrap around skid pan, contoured stock seat, Skeene conspicuity lighting system with 6 running lights to wake up the brain dead 4 wheelers, and most importantly: a small windshield on the number plate to get the wind off my chest at speed. Yesterday I did 250km.(150 miles) of backroads..all pavement..total comfort....no fatigue. A guy I know ran a 1988 DR600 around the world(over 100 countries)for 5 years...200,000km(125,000mi.). Hey people don't be afraid to run one of these cheap and cheerful little beauties anywhere!

You don't have to replace the seat. If you've got hemorrhoid cream.

Yeah you can run tires backwards too the tread is only for the rain. I'm getting a second set of rims for my DRZ and puting a set of KR108 track slicks. 

on procycle.com  they sell clutch/casing guards ,there thin pieces of metal that protect the motor from being punctured by the break lever and or shifter i highly recommend. also if your into knobby tires the star-cross is great for the front tire, and the Terra flex is the biggest and baddest rear tire your you purchase

People can find a lot to complain about with any bike. I prefer the manufacturer hit the price point with accessories that will get you through the initial period. Then you can build what you want. The higher cost bikes come with cool bits but they are not always what you want. Good advice.

I would have to disagree on the long distance highway riding. With a better seat, larger fuel tank, basic performance mods and some luggage this thing has no problem cruising as far as you want to take it. Its only limit is its riders endurance. Lower the final drive ratio a bit if the higher rpms make you nervous. I realize all these mods can put it closer to the price range of something designed for highway riding but you wont get the dirt performance out of some of the bigger heavier bikes.

Sorry old bean but your first statement is absolute mis-informantion! DRZ is a famous long-haul ride! I have a friend who took one around the world for 5 years....200,000 km with only one top-end rebuild. I have an '07 DRZ400S that I ride almost exclusively on road...long adventures....73,000km so far.With 80/20 tires, an absolutely essential small windshield to get the wind off my chest, and some major modifications to the seat, it's a smooth, reliable little babe. My big gripe is with the stock close ratio gearing....ridiculous with such a torquey, forgiving engine. Right now I've got her split down the middle..installing ACT wide ratio gearset. With 14/47 sprockets she'll be my perfect all-rounder. Inspection of the internals shows virtually no deterioration. She'll be good for as long as I need 2 wheeled freedom.