nklr - drz400? (was "stolen a13, arcata ca")

[jwflower53]

My stolen KLR hasn't turned up.  Before it disappeared I was thinking of adding a lighter, more dirt-oriented bike.  There are no good KLRs available around here, but there is a 2005 DRZ400, 15k miles, stock except for a rack and Acerbis brushguards.  He wants $3500, which seems too much by $500 or so.  Anyone have thoughts on these bikes?

Thanks- JW

[SniperOne308]

JW, In the past couple years I have bought two DRZ 400S bikes.   A 2006 with 2500 miles that the PO put an additional 3k into the big bore kit, FMF header, Q4, some known issues fixes, and sprockets.  I consider it among my best finds...yet of course I have spent a ton additional in upgrades (tank, skid, racks, seat, panniers, wolfman, pro-taper bars, JD jet kit, etc).  I paid 3k for it. More recently a 2009 with 2500 miles in pristine stock condition.  This one cost me 3200 and all I have done is a JD jet kit. I've noted DRZs are a little harder to find than KLRs in the southwest and seem to either hold their value or be completely trashed machines. Since you didn't say (other than dirt) what you plan to use it for I can only suggest including the cost of any upgrades you think are necessary and then determine if the total price is worth it. Randy Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: "jwflower53@... [DSN_KLR650]" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Date: 07/26/2015 10:29 PM (GMT-07:00) To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] DRZ400? (was "Stolen A13, Arcata CA")   My stolen KLR hasn't turned up.  Before it disappeared I was thinking of adding a lighter, more dirt-oriented bike.  There are no good KLRs available around here, but there is a 2005 DRZ400, 15k miles, stock except for a rack and Acerbis brushguards.  He wants $3500, which seems too much by $500 or so.  Anyone have thoughts on these bikes?Thanks- JW

[John Biccum]

I've had a few of them and have one now. He has room in his price for sure. Best DRZs engines are in the E-model (DRZ400E) as they have the better cams and the FCR carb.  The S model has  the Mikuni emission carb and milder cams.  The E33 models are CA bikes and are equipped with all the S-model emissions so best to pass on them. None of the Es are street legal stock but can be made so with little expense if that conversion is legal in your jurisdiction. The stock DRZ suspension isn't too bad. The engine was designed (by Yoshimura) to make 45 hp yet remain reliable. S-models are detuned from there so its easy  (but expensive) to get that power back. The automatic cam chain tensioner is problematic in earlier (pre 2005?) models, fit a later OEM tensioner or a manual tensioner. It's 50 pounds lighter than the KLR,makes more power and has a better suspension so its a nice addition to the stable. But its no match for the KLR for loaded adventure touring.From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: 7/ 26/ 2015 10:29 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] DRZ400? (was "Stolen A13, Arcata CA")   My stolen KLR hasn't turned up.  Before it disappeared I was thinking of adding a lighter, more dirt-oriented bike.  There are no good KLRs available around here, but there is a 2005 DRZ400, 15k miles, stock except for a rack and Acerbis brushguards.  He wants $3500, which seems too much by $500 or so.  Anyone have thoughts on these bikes?Thanks- JW

[The entire original message is not included.]

[Paul Streeter]

 jwflower53 asked:    

>My stolen KLR hasn't turned up.  Before it disappeared I was thinking of adding a lighter, more dirt-oriented >bike.  There are no good KLRs available around here, but there is a 2005 DRZ400, 15k miles, stock except for a >rack and Acerbis brushguards.  He wants $3500, which seems too much by $500 or so.  Anyone have thoughts >on these bikes? Thanks- JW

I used to own a DRZ 400E model, not street legal, and now own a green DRZ (KLX 400) street version.    Compared to the KLR, it is a much better dirt bike, and a lot lighter to pick up when you drop it.   It is not as good for street riding, especially on the freeway.     I have an oversize gas tank, seat, rack, skid plate, bark busters, radiator guards, bags, etc. on mine.   It just depends on what  you want to do with the bike.   Good luck, Paul Streeter

[James W Flower]

Thanks John, for the input.  I wasn t planning any distant adventures anyway.  I was/am learning to ride dirt, and the DRZ400 makes more sense for that.   There s a used KLX250 at the local Kawa dealer, 500 miles, about $4365 out the door.  A safer bet, but I think it weighs the same as the DRZ, with less power.  I d be on asphault on the way to the dirt, so the DRZ makes more sense in that way too.  The KLX has that sixth gear though,  I m finding differing claims about weight.  KLX curb weight seems to be 298;  for the DRZ I get dry weights of 249 and 291.  I found (purported) gear ratio specs, but I don t really understand them:DRZ:  1st 2.26; 2d 1.73; third 1.38; fourth 1.09; fifth 0.86; final reduction ratio 2.93.KLX:  1st 3.000 (30/10); second 2.000 (30/15); third 1.500 (27/18); fourth 1.250 (25/20); fifth 1.050 (21/20); sixth 0.952 (20/21); final reduction ratio 3.000 (42/14).        So, which is spinning slower in top gear?Any tips gratefully appreciated.-JW 

On Jul 27, 2015, at 6:55 AM, John Biccum wrote: I've had a few of them and have one now. He has room in his price for sure. Best DRZs engines are in the E-model (DRZ400E) as they have the better cams and the FCR carb.  The S model has  the Mikuni emission carb and milder cams.  The E33 models are CA bikes and are equipped with all the S-model emissions so best to pass on them. None of the Es are street legal stock but can be made so with little expense if that conversion is legal in your jurisdiction. The stock DRZ suspension isn't too bad. The engine was designed (by Yoshimura) to make 45 hp yet remain reliable. S-models are detuned from there so its easy  (but expensive) to get that power back. The automatic cam chain tensioner is problematic in earlier (pre 2005?) models, fit a later OEM tensioner or a manual tensioner. It's 50 pounds lighter than the KLR,makes more power and has a better suspension so its a nice addition to the stable. But its no match for the KLR for loaded adventure touring.From: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Sent: 7/ 26/ 2015 10:29 PM To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_KLR650] DRZ400? (was "Stolen A13, Arcata CA")   My stolen KLR hasn't turned up.  Before it disappeared I was thinking of adding a lighter, more dirt-oriented bike.  There are no good KLRs available around here, but there is a 2005 DRZ400, 15k miles, stock except for a rack and Acerbis brushguards.  He wants $3500, which seems too much by $500 or so.  Anyone have thoughts on these bikes?

Thanks- JW [The entire original message is not included.]