Newb with a DRZ

[Savage]

Picked me up a DRZe. Don't really have any questions yet but I would like any pointers and suggestions from you guys. Here's what the owner told me about it. After talking with him, found out I kind of know him and I trust his word.
"I have a 2001 Suzuki DRZ 400e which has been made street legal. It has the Yosh 450 big-bore kit, full Yosh exhaust, Race Tech syspension, carbon skid plate, trail tech speedo, hand guards, DOT tires, stock &/or pro com computer, FMF jet kit, E sub-frame &/or S subframe (which has the buddy pegs)."

I've never ridden a stock DRZ to compare it to but it has plenty of power for me.
Anyone know anything about the 450 big bore kit?

The front end wants to shimmy at 65-70mph. I think it's the front tire which is a Metz and the centermost lugs jog back and forth from side to side.

Thanks for any tips.

[Hank Moody]

Anything you ever wanted to know about a DRZ can be found at:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Just do a search and I'm 99% sure it has been discussed. Burned is a great moderator and loves the DRZs. Good bike I had a DRZ 400 S and it was okay? No comparison to the Husky, but with the big bore kit and the full exhaust you should be smoking!

[Savage]

I'm in there. I asked a couple questions but I got the feeling they didn't believe me that it has a 450 kit (because I know nothing about drz's yet) or else they didn't like my questions. I guess I understand because sometimes I get annoyed on the forums I frequent when newb's come on and ask the same questions over and over.

[safiri]

IIRC, IIRC, IIRC ....

The early DRZs came in three flavors: K, E, and S. The K was for kick only, the E was electric start, the S for street (dual sport, electric start).

The K and E models had higher compression and a higher performance carb. The S models dropped the compression by using a thicker gasket between the cylinder and motor housing.

Try searching for a DRZ big bore kit using Google to see what you can find. Like you said, I get annoyed on KTM Talk when somebody asks a question that has been answered and would be easy to find with a search. Of course then I find out the search function hasn't been working for a few days ...

Enjoy the ride.

[Savage]

Another newb question: What is IIRC? lol

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

[katbeanz]

IIRC = if I recall correctly or something along those lines. Nice bike!

[slimtrader]

You should just trade with me for my S model before you have any problems with the big bore kit and fancy race tech suspension. The front end shimmy chould be the knobby tire but it could also be the big front fender. Some say changing to a smaller front fender to one like the motard comes with doesn't catch as much air and solves that problem. Changing the highth of the forks in the triple tree also affects the handeling but I'd have to read up before telling you to move them up or down. I'd change the tire first especially if you plan on lots of street riding.

Not much to tell you about this bike otherwise. If you haven't owned a bike before just know that you souldn't use regular car oil because it has additives that can harm your wet clutch. Checking the oil level in this bike is kinda a pita and unreliable. You have to run it 3 min. let it sit for 3 min. and then while holding the bike level screw the dipstick in and then out. I seem to get a different reading every time so I just change it often and a small amout of oil between changes.

[Savage]

The previous owner used Amsoil and gave me a quart so I'll stick with that. Gave me a couple K&N filters too.
Took it out for a spin this evening through some neighborhoods here and there and to Pot 2 Lake and the trails. Mainly cruised in 4th gear so we'll see what kind of gas mileage it gets. Looked in the tank and it don't look purty. My butt got tired after only 35 miles of riding.
I haven't ridden a stock DRZ or KLR to compare it to... but to me it's crazy for a thumper.

[slimtrader]

The bike looks really nice in the pics. No, the seat isn't comfortable but you can try an aftermarket one. Some suggest a Corbin seat. You will probably get 40mpg or a little less with the pumper carb and 450 upgrage. But i'm just guessing. I can get close to 60mpg with my S if I baby it or as low as 30s if I'm on the throttle and in the trails. Just keep reading thumpertalk for ideas and tips.

[Savage]

It has a gel seat on it, but I still got fatigued.

[Savage]

Got in a mag and I'm making a list. One of the things I will be ordering is a new rear sprocket. Right now it's geared 15/48 so I'd like a smaller one for lower rpm's while cruising 50-60 mph.
What do you guys suggest? 15/44 15/43 is kind of where I'm thinking, but it's a stab in the dark. Will I notice much difference? I have a spare 14, so if I feel the need for more bottom end I can put it on with the smaller rear. Would it be best to get a Renthal aluminum one?

Might order some cheap boots and offroad type helmet as well....

I would just change the counter shaft sprocket, try a 16 if it will fit. A rule of thumb I heard is 1 tooth change in the counter shaft sprocket = approx. 3 teeth on the rear sprocket. I do this change from time to time on my Husky to make it more road friendly. Again do a search on Thumper Talk and the answer should be there.

[Savage]

Uhh, who answered me in my post? Strange.
My 15 is basicly touching my chain slider, so I wasn't sure if 16 would fit?

[safiri]

Uhh, who answered me in my post? Strange.
My 15 is basicly touching my chain slider, so I wasn't sure if 16 would fit?

Uhhh, not me, but I am glad it has happened to some other moderator. On my screen I have a choice of "edit" and "quote." The other day I ended up "editing" though I thought I had chosen "quote". I figured it was old age screwing with me!

[tim]

try riding with your left hand in the tuck position against the rad shroud. sounds dumb but its stopped the shimmy for me at highway speeds (areodynamic thing).

[Savage]

I checked my tire pressure yesterday just for the heck of it and both tires read 0. They didn't feel flat at all. My trakmaster II was obviously flat when I had a tube leak, so I didn't suspect them to be flat.

I wonder if having some air in the tires will help my 70 mph shimmy and my 35 mpg?

[david h]

0# pressure is not good, but your gage probably isn't accurate lower than 8/10# anyway. Soooooo the very best test is to hop on the bike get going about 60, stand up and do the Macareana dance . If you happen to live thru that, your tires are fine and quit worrying about a little shake. By the way on the last Arkansas ride this group did we had a guy ride a flat front tire for about 90 miles He was following me at least for a while. I was going moderately fast hopping logs and rock ledges and he kept up just fine. The last 30 miles was asphalt with lots of corners ( highway 215 from Oark to hy 23) at 45 to 65 mph I kept an eye in the mirror just to see if he was going to fly off the road. He made it fine so I guess his karma was very good that day

Seriously, good luck finding your problem, David h

[KC]

Soooooo the very best test is to hop on the bike get going about 60, stand up and do the Macareana dance . If you happen to live thru that, your tires are fine and quit worrying about a little shake.

Yeeaaahhh...OK David, if you do that, I'll bring the helmet camera to record the spectacle AND buy the beer afterwards