[Zenvolution]

Hey again everyone. Well I am really stoked when I read about Suzuki’s DR-Z400. It sounds like the perfect bike I want. 400cc, Highway capable, decent riding position, and can go offroad for a back country fishing trip! I am having a lot of trouble getting any reliable leads for used z400’s in my area (Minneapolis). I am moving to MS at the end of the year but am looking in the meantime.

Are there any cheaper alternatives for this bike? I checked with kawasaki and read some reviews but it didn’t seem like they had anything that was as capable as this bike. Any words?

Oh and is the S(more off-road) and SM (more on-road)?

[megaspaz]

Is alabama close enough to MS (assuming MS == mississippi)?

http://www.cycletrader.com/find/listing/2008-Suzuki-DRZ400-92834609

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Matt]

SM stands for Super Moto. That is, a dual sport or dirt bike with sport bike wheels and brakes. Because they run road tires, their off road capabilities are limited. The S is the standard street legal one (I believe) with standard dual sport tires.

The Yamaha WR-250 is also an option. The reviews for it are that it handles highways just fine, it very high tech, yet resilient, and plenty of fun. It also comes in both dual sport and Super Moto configurations.

[Ben]

My dad has the WR-250 and he loves it.

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[wishpool]

It’s unfortunate there’s an all-too-small market for dual sports these days. The used market’s not exactly brimming with them. There’s not much in the way of direct competition for the DR-Z400SM either. KTM makes a nice SM but they’re very expensive.

[SuperMotoRider]

Go with the DR-Z400SM and get the Avon Distanzia tires for it. That would most fit your 70% road / 30% offroad riding.

I have an SM, it’s a blast. Highway riding is no problem even when it’s stocked.

check out thumpertalk.com if you wanna learn more about the motards. they got experts for a lot bikes over there even DR-Zs and KTMs.

-SMR

[Zenvolution]

The way I intend to use the bike would probably be about 70%road/30%off. I’d like to get to school/work (which will be highway) and have fun on it too! Thanks for your comments.

It seems that they are about the same price. I will have to suck it up and save my dough for the next half a year, though it does give me more options to look for used bikes.

What about the Kawasaki KLR 650? Doesn’t seem like it gets too wild in the reviews I have read.

[Zenvolution]

Thanks for the added advice! The drz400 is on the top of my list. I just wish it was a little cheaper…they seem rare used. Another reason I was thinking about the KLR is the price; it is almost 1000 cheaper :p

[SuperMotoRider]

Are you talking about the Kawasaki KLR650? Trust me, that bike is pretty heavy to take off road. That bike will be too powerful for trail riding (which I’m not saying it’s not offroad capable cause it is). Of course, the knobbies on that bike won’t make it that traction friendly on the road either. If you want a 650cc bike, you’re better off with a cruiser, standard, or a sport bike for the road. The DR-Z 400S is perfect for offroad (if you’ve ridden dirtbikes before because a 400cc dirtbike is still pretty powerful). I personally feel any dirt/dual-purpose bikes that are higher than 450cc is not that fun offroad because your always worrying about how much power and weight your controlling on the bike instead of having fun. The thing you’ll notice about DR-Z owners are no matter which DRZ400 they have first, the S or SM, they always want to convert it to the other and vice versa.

Used DR-Z400 are rare to find because the owners are actually happy with their bike. I know I’m happy with mine. It’s showing up more and more on Craigslist that people want to trade their R1s and R6s and Hayabusa for a supermotard.

If you want something cheaper, I would recommend the KLX250. Awesome bike, ridden it, even thought about trading-in my DR-Z for one.

-SMR

[Zenvolution]

I don’t see the klx250 going far on the highway…

[SuperMotoRider]

It’s a 6 speed, I have followed my friend’s klx going 70mph on the interstate. My friend says the bike gets whobblie after 65 mph. He wouldn’t recommend highway riding with the knobbies. But convert it to a motard and thats fixed. He gets better gas mileage than me too, kinda pissed about that… lol.

[Zenvolution]

What is a motard? Sorry I am clueless…:p

[SuperMotoRider]

Motard is short for Super Motard (aka Supermoto).

[Anonymous]

Kawasaki just introduced the KLX250SF, a motard for beginners….I am thinking about getting one for commuting to work. Honda also introduced the CRF230 Supermoto for less that 4500 bucks. Nice….the WR250X is a great bike, and the DRZ is awesome too. I’m REALLY interested in the Kawi and the Honda though.

[Author]

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