Another New Toy Thread DR-Z400SM

Brett · 08-15-2009, 04:50 PM

Picked this up a week ago, she's about ready for her 1st service now. I wanted something fun and light as an addition to my 919. I'm going to unfairly compare my 919 to it in this post - but the 919 is great at what she's built for. Not ready to mod her yet but open to suggestions...

I feel much more comfortable on this bike in the wet, and I've been caught in a couple storms on it - I would have ridden the truck before. Of course bumps, potholes, speed bumps, the odd low speed curb hop are no problem. I did back off the rear rebound damping a couple of clicks and it seems close to perfect. I may back off a little on the high speed compression damping in the front next - seems a little too stiff for my "style".

There's a rolling, twisty, bumpy, steeply crowned, (not to mention HAUNTED, LOL) road nearby that I like to ride every chance... I haven't hit the same top speed on the straights as I've done on the 919, but I'm sure the ET is the same or better. I feel more confident in the real tight twisty narrow part. Also I've taken that road in the wet on this bike - something I avoid on the 919. I don't go all out on either bike there. The 919 uses all of her suspension there, while this bike might use half.

I need to learn to put down the inside foot more often! Never road dirt so I don't have that background.

P7160003.jpg

mattf · 08-15-2009, 06:53 PM

it takes a little while to get used to putting your foot out when you come from street riding, but once you get used to it you hardly even notice you are doing it half the time. congrats on the new toy.

sbeau1960 · 08-15-2009, 08:50 PM

Looks like fun, enjoy!

BDAZXX · 08-19-2009, 05:40 AM

Congrats! We were looking at a 400 for a first bike for my girl but decided on a WR2fittyX instead. DRZSM's are literally bulletproof with tons of aftermarket available.

Where is this road you speak of? I have been looking for good Motard road to ride my 610 on. I haven't found anything in the VB area that sounds like what your road.

justintyme73 · 08-19-2009, 08:03 AM

Cool bike, congrats!

Brett · 08-19-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDAZXX

Congrats! We were looking at a 400 for a first bike for my girl but decided on a WR2fittyX instead. DRZSM's are literally bulletproof with tons of aftermarket available.

Where is this road you speak of? I have been looking for good Motard road to ride my 610 on. I haven't found anything in the VB area that sounds like what your road.

I like the WR because it's fuel-injected and even lighter than the 321 lb DRZ. I don't believe there would be a huge difference in power. while I was looking for a bike, I did check out A DRZ that was heavily modded, it had the 450 dirt bike carb and full yoshi system and lots more, it was posted for sale on Craigslist here in NN, almost bought it but the wait for the title would have been a couple weeks.

I'm gonna send you a link to the road, it's only a couple miles long. It's fairly close to me so I hit it daily to work on my skills and have a little fun. There's all kinds of rumors of hauntings but I haven't experienced anything weird there day or night - not far from there however... while hiking with the dogs...

BDAZXX · 08-19-2009, 09:02 AM

Yeah they are comparable on power. The biggest difference in the two is ergos (the 2fiddyX is super skinny in the waist) power delivery with FI and weight. The X is a smooth runner thats a hoot to ride. Mine is bone stock with a lowered suspension and cut down seat for K8. We should get togather and I'll bring Micheal along on one of the tards as well. Like most street tards, they are happiest on slower twisties but the cool part about playing in the urban jungle is you can go hooligan whenever and whereever you want.

Brett · 08-19-2009, 09:23 AM

That would be really cool, I'll be in touch about that, or let me know when I can ride along with y'all.

I took the 400 across the JRB to Suffolk for the Chili Dog Social at Tidewater Motorcycle last night. Bunch of neat characters, maybe 20 bikes of all sorts. Surprising amount of interest in the Suzuki, but then again some of those guys have ridden about everything else. Came back on the Jamestown Ferry. It was a nice ride doing 60ish on the highways. Beautiful evening, darn shame I couldn't get any pals to ride with me last night.

kingbrian24 · 11-11-2009, 12:07 AM

ive been droolin while lookin at the drz-sm for a couple weeks now. the only problem is i would trade in the 919.... i am afraid ill regret it cuz ive never ridden the 400.. i really wanna test ride one though.. i just dont really ride the 919 to any of its potential, when i do even ride it. and often times i get myself into situations where she intimidates me a bit. call me an amateur or wuss but i grew up in the dirt and went to a nighthawk 450 then within a year the 919 now four years on the 919 she still shocks me sometimes.. wuddya think would i regret it?? would you???

McCrimmon · 11-11-2009, 02:43 AM

Cool bike, congrats...Did someone mention a new road

sike · 11-11-2009, 09:15 AM

Congrats! I got a little WR250 a few months ago and I'm loving it. The supermotos are just awesome for running around the backroads.

nd4spdbh · 11-11-2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattf

it takes a little while to get used to putting your foot out when you come from street riding, but once you get used to it you hardly even notice you are doing it half the time. congrats on the new toy.

and visa versa.... im 20 been riding dirt since i was 10, and started riding a crusier 2 yrs ago then just recently switched to a 919... i have caught myself a coupla times stick my inside foot out when im on my 919 and i go... wow i must look like a goon hahah.

when i went to get a more performance street bike i looked at the supermotos and the drz was up there but i got an awesome deal on the 919 ... If i could have my way id have the 919 and a supermoto like a drz but money isnt there LOL.

ratdog · 11-11-2009, 01:55 PM

getting your foot down is overrated

put it down and hook it up, it's all over

pegleggin in the dirt when needed, well that's a different story

having said that, i've been busted more than once puttin my foot down on the 919 rounding intersections and goofin off

great buy btw, congrats

Ridge · 11-11-2009, 01:58 PM

I have an '09 DR-Z SM collecting dust in the garage.

Simpson · 11-11-2009, 02:53 PM

More than happy to mixed it up with you all on my CL360. Last time I rode with F4iguy, BDAZXX's tard over heated because he had troubles keeping up with a 35 year old bike.

New haunted road?

sike · 11-11-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simpson

More than happy to mixed it up with you all on my CL360. Last time I rode with F4iguy, BDAZXX's tard over heated because he had troubles keeping up with a 35 year old bike.

New haunted road?

Must have been the Husky.....

Brett · 11-11-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingbrian24

ive been droolin while lookin at the drz-sm for a couple weeks now. the only problem is i would trade in the 919.... i am afraid ill regret it cuz ive never ridden the 400.. i really wanna test ride one though.. i just dont really ride the 919 to any of its potential, when i do even ride it. and often times i get myself into situations where she intimidates me a bit. call me an amateur or wuss but i grew up in the dirt and went to a nighthawk 450 then within a year the 919 now four years on the 919 she still shocks me sometimes.. wuddya think would i regret it?? would you???

I think that if I could only have one or the other, I'd have the 919. Now if I had to watch every dime I spent and lived a couple miles up a gravel road I might go with the motard, but I live in the burbs a mile from the interstate.

The 919 is far more comfortable on the highway (and I'm going to install a Plexifairing, for the winter at least), passes quickly, carries a lot of weight and volume in the top and side cases, better for 2-up.

I do ride the motard more, had to put new tires on it last week, the rear Dunlop was showing a spot of cord where I slid the rear, 3700 miles. Replaced with Avon Distanzias. The motard is my commuter, short ride fun bike, gas saver, run to the store for snack/beverage/lotto ticket bike, bad weather bike.

What's making me drool right now is the KTM 690 SMC, one of those might be able to replace both bikes!

Brett · 11-11-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratdog

getting your foot down is overrated

put it down and hook it up, it's all over

pegleggin in the dirt when needed, well that's a different story

having said that, i've been busted more than once puttin my foot down on the 919 rounding intersections and goofin off

great buy btw, congrats

I agree, now. Somebody on WT said you can ride these with the usual technique and that is true. Sometimes though, especially if I suspect I'm going into a situation where the rear may slide out, I'll keep my upper body vertical and lean just the bike so it'll be easier to catch it with my foot if I have too. I've come close to backing it in but that was not the original intention, just me pushing my envelope a little further than I should. I've scared myself - then backed off for a while - scared myself again...

Brett · 11-11-2009, 07:03 PM

OK, here's something about the road:
Crawford Road
Actually it's Crafford but it shows up as Crawford on some maps.

Don't want to give anyone the impression like it's the most awesome road within 100 miles but I enjoy it.

Maybe 2 miles long, and a little out of the way, but fun on any bike. Parts are pretty rough, and the closest I've been to a real tank slapper on the 919, was after hitting a pothole in a curve here. Also there are some blind sections - especially in summer, and there's the occasional deer or turkey. Stays wet a long time after a rain. Road has a decent crown on it. The 919 is better suited for some parts, the motard for others. It ain't the Dragon but it's the closest thing in my neighborhood.

I have ridden it at night a few times, only once did I get a slightly creepy feeling, like being followed,

Brett · 11-16-2009, 02:35 PM

And now thanks to the nor'easter there's pine straw on the edges of this already narrow road, and a flooded area...

08-15-2009, 04:50 PM	#1
Brett **** Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 73	Another New Toy Thread DR-Z400SM Picked this up a week ago, she's about ready for her 1st service now. I wanted something fun and light as an addition to my 919. I'm going to unfairly compare my 919 to it in this post - but the 919 is great at what she's built for. Not ready to mod her yet but open to suggestions... I feel much more comfortable on this bike in the wet, and I've been caught in a couple storms on it - I would have ridden the truck before. Of course bumps, potholes, speed bumps, the odd low speed curb hop are no problem. I did back off the rear rebound damping a couple of clicks and it seems close to perfect. I may back off a little on the high speed compression damping in the front next - seems a little too stiff for my "style". There's a rolling, twisty, bumpy, steeply crowned, (not to mention HAUNTED, LOL) road nearby that I like to ride every chance... I haven't hit the same top speed on the straights as I've done on the 919, but I'm sure the ET is the same or better. I feel more confident in the real tight twisty narrow part. Also I've taken that road in the wet on this bike - something I avoid on the 919. I don't go all out on either bike there. The 919 uses all of her suspension there, while this bike might use half. I need to learn to put down the inside foot more often! Never road dirt so I don't have that background. P7160003.jpg

11-11-2009, 07:03 PM	#19
Brett **** Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 73	OK, here's something about the road: Crawford Road Actually it's Crafford but it shows up as Crawford on some maps. Don't want to give anyone the impression like it's the most awesome road within 100 miles but I enjoy it. Maybe 2 miles long, and a little out of the way, but fun on any bike. Parts are pretty rough, and the closest I've been to a real tank slapper on the 919, was after hitting a pothole in a curve here. Also there are some blind sections - especially in summer, and there's the occasional deer or turkey. Stays wet a long time after a rain. Road has a decent crown on it. The 919 is better suited for some parts, the motard for others. It ain't the Dragon but it's the closest thing in my neighborhood. I have ridden it at night a few times, only once did I get a slightly creepy feeling, like being followed, Last edited by Brett; 11-11-2009 at 07:15 PM.

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08-15-2009, 06:53 PM	#2
mattf Tirone is my middle name Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Howard Lake, MN Posts: 1,232 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	it takes a little while to get used to putting your foot out when you come from street riding, but once you get used to it you hardly even notice you are doing it half the time. congrats on the new toy.

08-15-2009, 08:50 PM	#3
sbeau1960 Easily Bored Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 8,330 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 6	Looks like fun, enjoy!

08-19-2009, 05:40 AM	#4
BDAZXX President of FOG Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 93 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Congrats! We were looking at a 400 for a first bike for my girl but decided on a WR2fittyX instead. DRZSM's are literally bulletproof with tons of aftermarket available. Where is this road you speak of? I have been looking for good Motard road to ride my 610 on. I haven't found anything in the VB area that sounds like what your road.

08-19-2009, 08:03 AM	#5
justintyme73 I am BATMAN!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ft. Collins CO Posts: 4,632 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	Cool bike, congrats!

08-19-2009, 09:02 AM	#7
BDAZXX President of FOG Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 93 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	Yeah they are comparable on power. The biggest difference in the two is ergos (the 2fiddyX is super skinny in the waist) power delivery with FI and weight. The X is a smooth runner thats a hoot to ride. Mine is bone stock with a lowered suspension and cut down seat for K8. We should get togather and I'll bring Micheal along on one of the tards as well. Like most street tards, they are happiest on slower twisties but the cool part about playing in the urban jungle is you can go hooligan whenever and whereever you want.

08-19-2009, 09:23 AM	#8
Brett **** Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 73	That would be really cool, I'll be in touch about that, or let me know when I can ride along with y'all. I took the 400 across the JRB to Suffolk for the Chili Dog Social at Tidewater Motorcycle last night. Bunch of neat characters, maybe 20 bikes of all sorts. Surprising amount of interest in the Suzuki, but then again some of those guys have ridden about everything else. Came back on the Jamestown Ferry. It was a nice ride doing 60ish on the highways. Beautiful evening, darn shame I couldn't get any pals to ride with me last night.

11-11-2009, 12:07 AM	#9
kingbrian24 fat guy on a little bike Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: so cal Posts: 56	ive been droolin while lookin at the drz-sm for a couple weeks now. the only problem is i would trade in the 919.... i am afraid ill regret it cuz ive never ridden the 400.. i really wanna test ride one though.. i just dont really ride the 919 to any of its potential, when i do even ride it. and often times i get myself into situations where she intimidates me a bit. call me an amateur or wuss but i grew up in the dirt and went to a nighthawk 450 then within a year the 919 now four years on the 919 she still shocks me sometimes.. wuddya think would i regret it?? would you???

11-11-2009, 02:43 AM	#10
McCrimmon *Wing Chun* Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 3,726 Blog Entries: 1 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 3	Cool bike, congrats...Did someone mention a new road

11-11-2009, 09:15 AM	#11
sike Sike Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,622	Congrats! I got a little WR250 a few months ago and I'm loving it. The supermotos are just awesome for running around the backroads.

11-11-2009, 01:55 PM	#13
ratdog Heavy Metal Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: swamp in the wood Posts: 4,242 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 5	getting your foot down is overrated put it down and hook it up, it's all over pegleggin in the dirt when needed, well that's a different story having said that, i've been busted more than once puttin my foot down on the 919 rounding intersections and goofin off great buy btw, congrats

11-11-2009, 01:58 PM	#14
Ridge Chuck Norris has lost in battle with this Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Posts: 10,057 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 6	I have an '09 DR-Z SM collecting dust in the garage.

11-11-2009, 02:53 PM	#15
Simpson Shiraz Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,684 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 7	More than happy to mixed it up with you all on my CL360. Last time I rode with F4iguy, BDAZXX's tard over heated because he had troubles keeping up with a 35 year old bike. New haunted road?

11-16-2009, 02:35 PM	#20
Brett **** Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 73	And now thanks to the nor'easter there's pine straw on the edges of this already narrow road, and a flooded area...