Suzuki DRZ400 review: commuter/adventure/heavy enduro combo?︱Cross Training Enduro

[@crosstrainingenduro]

This vid originally appeared on our adventure channel a few years ago but we regularly come across guys using their DRZ as a dirt bike... a very heavy one lol. So we figured we'd post it to this channel as well for viewers who aren't subcribed to the dual sport/adv channel. DRZEEEE or DRZED - HOW DID THE USA GET IT SO WRONG? 😂 But seriously, 'zed' came first. It started with the ancient Greeks calling it “zeta.” “Zeta” evolved into the French “zede,” which in turn gave us “zed” as English was shaped by Romance languages like French. After the Revolutionary War, Americans were trying to establish an identity separate from the British, and words and language played a big role in this. And Noah Webster spearheaded this movement when he began publishing standardized dictionaries of “American” English, with deliberate changes from British English, in part based on his hatred of the French. I actually could care less about how anyone says 'z' as English is such a bastardised mongrel language. But I always get a laugh when Brits or Yanks claim their way is the right way. 😎

[@idiotbox.]

Any chance you could put a link to the site where they shaved 13kg off their bike please. I had no luck finding it.

[@gasdive]

I was asked by a guy for a recommendation for their first bike to learn on. That was 20 years ago. He's had several bikes since, but he still has his DRz 400.

[@johnfherron]

I originally got my DRZ400E in 2017 for offroad riding on weekends. MPE upgraded the suspension for a 112kg rider, and I put a 20 litre tank on it, some barkbusters, and Yoshimura system. It did alright out in the bush and I could definitely keep up. Then the kids came along and I turned it into a commuter by putting Harley Davidson tyres on it and 15/32 sprockets and a LED headlight, and of course, rack with a milk crate wired to it. Now it's even better!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

The milk crate mod. Love it!

[@jonwoodworker]

It's always good to see videos on the DR and DRZed.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yep, I kinda love an old dinosaur that refuses to change lol

[@jonwoodworker]

@crosstrainingenduro Here in the US, the Supreme Court just ruled against the Cheveron deal. I'm still trying to understand everything, but it could put an end to mandates, EPA rules, and allow manufacturers to challenge EPA guidelines. This could be good news for bikes like the DR and DRZ.

[@MidCoastAdventures]

Just got mine the other week - with all the mods done, what a terrific light adventure bike! So glad we still get them in Australia. Great review as always mate 😎👍

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Cheers! Yeah I hope we get it here for at least a few more years...

[@Yourfriendwasmagnificent]

Love my '22 banana e zed . An fmf powerbomb header, Wr450f muffler and good jetting made a big difference.

[@NealZ31]

2018 DRZ400SM with almost 7000miles. Bought it used at 2000miles and I’ve done Wyoming BDR, 2024 Sandblast Rally, and countless beer runs and quick errands at home. Recently add the stiffer rear spring and will be doing the front like you mentioned. I’ve got the bigger fuel tank 21/18” wheels and with soft bags and a small windscreen my supermoto can do it all, albeit still not great at long pavement hauls but doable.

[@tezzaupnorth]

I bought my 2010 DRZ400 sm new and 30k km later 20k road 10k dirt, all I've had to do is shim the valves and new timing chain at around the 17k km mark. Die for new valves and chain now. I swap the 17" roadies for 18"- 21" dirt wheels, soften the suspension a little and it cruises the bush tracks. Young fellows were surprised how well it went while doing the creb track.

[@bobrenk5518]

I bought a 2013 DRZ400 S as a lighter replacement for my 2003 KLR650. The DRZ already had most of the mods I had in mind. I managed to trim 20lb from the KLR650 which was getting to be too much of a handfull to pick up repeatedly when I inevitably crashed on the single track which I prefer to ride. The DRZ is quite noticeably lighter when having to pick it back up but still quite top heavy. With the pumper carb and E model cams, it has enough power for someone at my skill level and age (70 years old). Uprated springs, bash plate and Seat Concepts seat round it out. Not a great road bike for the inevitable transit between riding areas but unicorns are a myth. Paying double or more for a KTM690 or 500 is wasted on someone of my skill level, so now I have two bikes to cover all eventualities. It's more important that you ride than what you ride. Cheers.

[@smiththers2]

i only got my 2003 model 2 years ago, and i really love it. ive not done much in terms of mods other than a lithium battery, but im also not sure what has been changed on the bike before i got it. its def got the 3x3 mod and a yoshi rs3. its got plenty of power for me, and i like it so much on the street that i sold my cb500x because i simply didnt care about it anymore. i love that its been around 23 years and no shortage of parts, its "simple" compared to modern bikes. and it most certainly has been on a ride with a fellow KTM rider that needed to be towed home LMAO

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Towing the oranges lol

[@evildogbilly]

I have a 2001 400e and it does everything I need, it’s easy to work on, and never lets me down

[@take5th]

Ok, I think this video is quite old and just reposted, but where is the link to that guy who dropped 13 kg from a DRZ??? I couldn’t identify a location of his info from that snapshot you provided. Thanks!!!!!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Fairly sure it was Thumpertalk, If you type the first sentence into Google it will probably find it.

[@rotorhead5000]

Recently made a friend that has a drz, it's his first bike, and thus far he really likes it, he's quite tall so it seems to suit him well. Had me take it for a short trip down the road to diagnosis a noise, and it generally felt pretty good (for comparison I usually ride a wr250r, the drz didn't like to Rev out the same, but definitely had more low end grunt). For what we have around here for riding, where it's almost not worth having a non-street regesterable bike, it seems like it's a pretty good choice.

[@ktmhaka]

I purchased a stock 2013 Doctor 400e in 2015. I had the springs and valving upgraded to suit my riding style & weight, installed a full aftermarket exhaust system, changed bars and pegs to improve ergo’s and added standard enduro protection. I rode a few reliability trials here in SA, commuted to work every Friday just to ease the work pain and be on 2 wheels and cruised around town just to pick up a six pack because the Doctor just loved to get things done. I miss the bike.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Sounds like a DRZ in its element... just doing everything. 😎👍

[@Dagnatic]

They used to be crazy cheep too, I think in ‘09 we picked up a brand new DRZ for sub 9k AUD. It’s mostly been used as a farm bike for its whole life. On the odd occasion my bikes been out of action I’ve taken it out, and it’s still been plenty of fun.

[@ckenealy8]

I have owned many bikes, IDK what it is about the DRZ400E but it really is my fav. I did a full build on dr650 and then proceeded to miss my drz. Coming back to Australia soon and I will be getting a job and saving for the DRZ again. Hopefully I can get one that comes with the motard build out of the shop, they did a few of these at Coleman's in NZ and I always thought that was so cool to be able to go from street hooligan to weekend warrior in 30 mins

[@robbo6799]

Great bike for learner or like me older and getting back into off-road riding. Rode it for a year and realised I love off-road and upgraded to an Austrian 500.

[@nickg2431]

An "austrian" 500 nice😀The older models parts actually used to have"made in austria" cast into the casings!

[@Dan2257]

I have my DRZ400SM for 3 years and i love it ! My bike was fully modified for offroad use by the last owner who really know what he was doing. My entire family has dirt bikes and dual sport bikes and I cannot say that i would change mine for a wr250 ou a KTM350 exc-f. I can follow anyone just has easily even my cousin with his cr450r. Good mods with this bike can make it a very good offroad bike and you can mod it for your own needs for farly cheap

[@crosstrainingenduro]

That's what I love about bikes like the DRZ or DR650. You can leave them stock, or just modify them into whatever suits.

[@idiotbox.]

Should put a post about your sm, always good to see mods on these bikes

[@andrewlindley4865]

I once took a Drz400e that we had hotted up for Supermoto racing, whacked the stock rims + some mx tyres and threw it out in a local clubday in open class. Ripped the holeshot and then immediately sunk back to mid pack once i realised the big pig didn't love the creek stepup extension that the better sprung bikes were taking on. Still an absolute hoot though, very tempting to pick up another just for some off-road missions.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Holeshot on a DRZ!

[@motoadvenchabiken]

I've signed up. Had many Adventure bikes including a fully optioned Dr650. Still have my T7 but find it difficult to ride in tight terrain for a 60+ year old. Had many an adventure with a few XR400s owned. The DRZ should be perfect with a few common mods. 👍

[@rushiiiop]

3 days ago got me self a little crf230f and omg, this little thing can go anywhere, now I don't have to trash my t7

[@Wheelsandwilds]

I love my dr zee 😉 is the E model still in production in Australia? I’ve noticed it’s a popular bike over there

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Still a big seller! They dropped the S and SM models a while ago...

[@joshdoddadbod]

Hoping they revamp this model with well ratioed gear box, and efi. If they came.oit with a rally style model id be all over that for a lightweight adv bike/heavy dual sport.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

A pile of us waiting for that!

[@DanWA]

If they had a 6 speed I would have kept mine. It should of had 6 gears from the start.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

100% agree. It seems a lot of Japanese designers only count using one hand sadly.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

Especially because the DR350, on which it was based, _DID have a 6 speed_ . 'Zuki dropped the ball.....

[@roybatty2030]

I would have kept mine if it wasn’t stolen… a do anything bike that can take a lot of abuse

[@wsl5585]

Back in 2006 I got the chance to ride a new DRZ400e off road for a couple of days. At the time my own bike was a 1997 Honda XR400R. I could hardly tell a difference between the two.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Agreed, very similar. Very strange Honda stopped making it. The DRZ is a huge seller in Australia and other countries...

[@stevenllewellyn8906]

This video made me want to break out my 2001 drz-s out of storage. Haven’t rode it in a few years. Waiting on my suspension to come back for my 22’ te300i

[@LostnRunning]

They're a faithful all-rounder. Reducing the weight up high on the bike helps make them feel a bit lighter. The oem mirrors weigh over 350gr each, bin them and run one 200gr folding mirror, there's half a kilo taken off the highest part of the bike. The oem headlight, associated brackets and oem speedo (inc cable) weigh nearly 3kg, I use a lightweight Rtech headlight with an ebay led bulb and my phone with the gps DMD app for a speedo and navigation with a little Garmin 530 for backup. Safari fuel tanks are good as they hold the first 10l of fuel lower than the oem unit. All up I dropped around 2.5kg off the handlebar area which is noticeable when tipping the bike over in tight turns or just moving it around the house 👍

[@crosstrainingenduro]

All good tips. The DR650 has the same heavy mirrors. It's great they don't vibrate but too much weight high up ain't good off road.

[@glennalderton1313]

Yeah, been there, done that. Best armchair ride around. Easiest way to lighten it was go on a diet. Gotta say though, it was a lot of fun commuting.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yep, great fun in traffic!

[@ronanrogers4127]

Bought an 01 model with 1800km for $1500. Spent a small fortune on springs, gold valves, big bore stroker, wide ratio gears, MX41 pumper, Safari tank and custom seat…became a good little adventure bike that crossed the Simpson and all up it cost me $6500.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

$1500? Bargain.

[@aTuWitty]

I've got a street legal 2000 DRZee 400E (yep, Americans use a glottal stop, y'all don't, get over it, at least we don't put R's between words that end in a vowel and subsequent words that start in a vowel, and at least our "o" sound isn't 17 syllables long 🤣) and it's fantastic. Nowhere near as light or powerful or good offroad as my FE501S, but I can also rag on it all day and neglect it and put big highway miles on it and not worry about it in the slightest. The FE501S is a fantastically reliable bike, but I still feel like it's a precious commodity when I'm using it for big trips, where the DRZ is a total consumable that I just don't worry about at all. Love all my bikes, but there's something nice about a bike that you just never have to worry about.

[@Pompomgrenade]

Dude that thing is the Japanese Wonder Pig. Every part is good 💯

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😁

[@leanit5756]

I've owned a DRZ400 and DRZ400SM. Now I have a KLX300. I like the KLX better. Feels a lot lighter, has a bit better stand up ergonomics, has a comfortable seat, fuel injected with good fueling, and the seat height isn't so damn tall.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Heard lots of good things about the lean green machine. Like to try it one day.

[@jarrod1687]

Considered one as a first bike, glad I went with a crf450L in the end

[@nickg2431]

Yes if the old bikes were"better" there wouldnt be any new bikes.I think the drz makes a great trail bike for some people but not my cup of tea

[@jarrod1687]

Yeah I get why they are as popular as they are, but I'd rather a newer bike with drastically better technology even if I have to service it every 2000kms

[@glennboy66]

upgraded the suspension and put a big bore 440 kit in it with stage 2 cams, the biggest issue was the 5 speed, my wr250r handles better and its almost as powerful so I sold it.

[@rickstrandberg6398]

The off road version hasn't been available in usa for years and years

[@kianschmeling3893]

I have never ridden a DRZ before but I have ridden a YAMAHA XT 600! And my Honda XLR 250 R.

[@BillyBoblovesthedirt]

Would love a lighter bike but cost and robustness is more important and the Dizza just gets the job done and quite well when sorted properly.

[@Biake22]

Could you tell me if the current AUS DRZ comes stock with FCR carb? Or did it switch to CV Mikuni like in the US?

[@nevillestark8099]

Aus DRZ400e comes with FCR

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Sorry, not familiar with the current setups.

[@nickabrahall1412]

Ive found the DRZ the most forgiving bike to ride in the bush and can be modded to fill any role If you own more than one bike then make one of them a DRZ If you’re Ltd to 1 then it has to be a DRZ

[@-CHeWy-]

Nothing wrong at all with these for a dirtbike/enduro bike. Bullet proof fun that is not intimidating. Exhaust system and a jet kit, these things move.

[@foxxygearreviews7754]

I have a 2003 model - it’s basically ok at everything but the seat is uncomfortable, it gets speed wobbles on the highway, it’s kind of underpowered, the gearing is terrible and I really, really wish it was fuel injected where I live in Canada and it needs work every spring to get it going. But it’s reliable otherwise and it can tractor along trails better than anything else I’ve ever owned.

[@craigdurand2532]

I had the green love child I had chads off road do the suspension Sprocket ratio change to lower gearing and carby mod and jetting change Turned it into a dirt beast

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😁

[@ultimateoutdoors7934]

I have the 4th model the drz400k. Kick only. I have had it for about 13 years and just bought a CRF450RL. I feel like my drz is better for enduro than the CRF. But the CRF is faster.

[@pineapyula3169]

Can confirm my DRZ400 has also towed a KTM out of the bush

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂👍

[@daniellydon8760]

I had a DRZ400 for a few years and just hated it - mostly because that transmission was way too narrow and it forced final drive gearing that was either way too tall for the dirt or way too buzzy on the street. Also the street legal dirt version I had was way too heavy and made all it’s power on top. Way happier now on an old YZ450F

[@crosstrainingenduro]

yep, they need to overhaul those ratios.

[@painsrides3616]

I bought mine to "dual-sport" ride with it.... My mistake was selling my KTM 250XCw to get it. It didn't take me long to figure out dual-sport was boring and not for me... Problem was I also bought a Honda Goldwing just before the DRz... and I was in no position to buy another bike. What was I to do but "enduro-ize" the DRz and make the best of it... Turns out(for a bigger guy like me) the DRz with right mods is very capable in the harder stuff and its right there with my 2storke buds in our non-racing out having fun style of riding.

[@nickg2431]

a honda goldwing a honda goldwing a honda goldwing (echoes in room)😀

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😎👍

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yep, Goldwing with knobbies... best dirt bike out there!

[@painsrides3616]

@@crosstrainingenduro My wife won't let me ☹ She's seen me watching Matt Spears videos and said; "Don't even think about it", you have a normal dirt bike" ....Sometimes it sucks getting older 🤣😂

[@painsrides3616]

@@nickg2431 I know.. one day I'm riding around in moto-luxury and the next I'm eating dirt 😉 its a tough life

[@GroovyVideo2]

I had a DRZ SM fun bike suspension was Good

[@6226superhurricane]

street legal aus drz400e is 138kg wet 39.8hp at the rear wheel stock. i just have one bike a drz400e because it does everything better than most bikes. stators aren't an issue until you remove electrical load eg by fitting an led headlight that uses less power. less power used equals more power shunted back across the stator windings and lost as heat. either fit a solid state regulator rectifier or leave the electrical system loads stock (using more power is a non issue, using less is the problem)

[@nickg2431]

39.8 at the rear wheel stock!

[@Ozsmallbore]

😂 39.8 hp is at the crank, champ.

[@6226superhurricane]

@Ozsmallbore 48hp at the crank ol mate. 39hp at the crank is the detuned s and sm models that have lower compression, smaller cams, smaller exhaust diameter, smaller CV carb, different ignition timing and a lower rpm limit.

[@nickg2431]

@@6226superhurricane Im genuinely suprised to learn the more powerful models are almost 49hp at the rear wheel.its strange that they are not more popular than they already are.

[@6226superhurricane]

@@nickg2431 39.8hp at the wheel stock. they have always been popular in australia but a lot of people don't understand the difference between a 400e and the s/sm and write the e off thinking it's less powerful and heavier than it actually is.

[@daz.r1994]

The brakes suck on my DRZ 400S. So i am upgrading the brakes front disc 320mm and doing the back disc at the same time. Stainless steel braided brake lines. And full brake caliper rebuild and then these brake should do the job. 30+ years riding bike and never hade brake like this on the DRZ.

[@Biake22]

I really want to find a 2002 kicker

[@lophophorawilliamsii9740]

I put a pumper carb fcr39mx on my drz400s and it's way better.

[@Foredore]

I got 14,000 KM on my DRZ400SM before the piston rings decided to blow. I think its junk. My Aprilia SXV has 44,000 km, ideally the DRZ would last longer, but not in my case. So my whole plan of buying a fuel efficient reliable low maintenance bike I can find many parts for, has gone bust. So now I have 8 Aprilias. Still lots of headache, but at least they work for me and look good.

[@markhalden3922]

It's a slow carby fed POS but nothing really close for the price. Talking from sumo perspective.

[@tahoehiker]

DR ZEE!

[@johnguilbert1349]

I listen to DRZZ Top

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😁

[@DrRumsmuggler]

Suzuki we are literally all begging for a revise on this or the DR. 6 gears, fuel injection, come on already

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😎👍

[@Sean-xm5sp]

Three Bent Broken Exploded KTM's later The ole DRZ just keeps on truckin.......28,000 miles later.......She May be Top Heavy But she will treat ya like a King!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😎👍

[@matthewayrton2786]

We had a bloke ride with us on a DRZ 400E, steady rider with all that weight of radiator etc. I had an XR400R at the time and we swapped mid ride, i gave it back within minutes on the trail. Awful, cumbersome to ride 😢 the XR Felt lighter and nimble compared to the extra +20KGs. The guy now rides a KTM300, he is quicker and have to watch out for him up the inside on trails 😂😂😂

[@nickg2431]

And no offfence intended XR is a wonderful but older enduro bike.I do understand the jap dual sport love but for me a real enduro does everything(off road) better and is much more exciting.

[@marcelackle1279]

Long live the mighty banana

[@JoeReed-v4z]

Bench mark, every day millions of people say i should have got a DRZ

[@crosstrainingenduro]

True!

[@chrisjohns9631]

I'd love to lose 13kg from my CB500X!

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yeah bit of a shame they weigh so much. Only 9kg less than a T7....

[@DrSweetshaft]

Way too tall, way too soft in stock form.

[@rodneyhinkley7910]

Just for your imformation Crosstrainingenduro, The Hp ratings are not 34 hp S,Sm are 39 hp with mikuni carb and the E is just shy of 48hp or 35kw as the E has the fcr carb stage 1 cams and better valves and head porting from factory

[@crosstrainingenduro]

A pile of variables. Measured at the rear wheel or countershaft? Derestricted or not? Humidity? Choice of tyre (knobbies lose some due to flex). Manufacturers and aftermarket guys often have a few tricks up their sleeves to improve the figures.

[@treggs]

@@crosstrainingenduro I haven't had my Aussie DRZ400E dyno'd, but with a 434 big bore, JD Jet kit and a pipe, my mate on his tricked out CRF450L doesn't get away from me. If you know what you are doing with the carby, the ol Aussie E is no slouch.

[@rodneyhinkley7910]

@@crosstrainingenduro Its in the official suzuki workshop manual per in our workshop standard readings ,Not sure how Suzuki test them over there , In a drag race drz400e and dr 650 are neck and neck as tested in our workshop on a road test together, with similar weight riders running 14/44 sprockets( normally 14/47) on the drz !

[@crosstrainingenduro]

Yes, we drag raced a DRZ400 and DR650 and they were neck and neck. Makes sense as both are 34hp at the rear wheel on most dyno tests.

[@rodneyhinkley7910]

@@crosstrainingenduro and now your saying rear wheel HP? twist it again

[@andrewwebster13]

Beee Ceee Deee geee peee my favorite teee and wait! Zed. Yah that makes sense. How the hell do you say Z without an E and claim it needs a D? If anything needs a D it’s the Canadian who made this rule up.

[@crosstrainingenduro]

😂 Actually if you really get into it it was originally 'zeta' from ancient Greek and it's still zeta or something similar in European languages. Old English changed it to zed.

[@je7647]

Cops dirt bike on these