Does the DRZ suck on the highway?

I had to post a video on this just to help some people out. If this is a question you've had then have a look for yourself.

[@TSMotoADV]

The fastest I've gotten my DRZ is 88mph going down hill in Vermont with 90/10 knobbies and a full ADV buildout plus my big ass haha. It was wild, but it's definitely a fine bike to ride on the highway, it's just not super fun for hours on end... Then again, no highway is.

[@EMTY700]

@@TSMotoADV haha I’m sure those tires made it a bit more wild. Sounds like it did pretty good 😂

[@kevinwarner3533]

60-65 MPH is a good sweet spot on the highway. Once you hit 75 MPH+ the MPG drops to about 3/4 with a stock DRZ SM. A lesson to be learned with no fuel gauge and distance to cover. (Tested by a professional driver on a closed track. Do not attempt.)

[@nvmcrider8475]

With stock gearing the DRZ is comfortable at 65 mph for extended periods. It will easily do 75 mph, but it feels like the rpm’s are too high. The real shame is that it only needs to have a wide ratio trans to be dramatically better at dual sporting. I sold mine and converted a wr450f to street legal status. It’s lighter, wide ratio trans, more power, and better suspension. The drz can get close to the wr with some mods, but it will still be too heavy and hindered by the gearbox.

[@EMTY700]

I've looked at those bike and heard nothing but good things. I can definitely see why people love them.

[@rich_mc]

Can it? Yes... It just sucks... 60-65 all day no problem... I, once, rode longer with buddies than i should have and was running late to get back home for a family thing... Ended up pinning it on the highway between 80 and 90 for like 2 hours - bike was fine, but i felt literally beaten after that...

[@SJ-oxy]

Goes on a highway as well as a bagger goes on gravel roads. Sure you can, but you'd get off as soon as possible.

[@USAltefore]

It's good to see a practical demonstration of the DR-Z's highway capability. I don't expect it to feel like riding a Goldwing, but it looks like it can handle short jaunts decently enough. What's the longest you've even ridden it on the highway? Thanks for sharing!

[@EMTY700]

@@USAltefore I’ve done 300 miles in a day recently and it went great. The whole ride was 60-65. I figured it’s a common misconception with this bike

[@USAltefore]

@@EMTY700 Good to know! I had a hunch that (like with the carburetor) most critics were being a bit dramatic about performance at those speeds. I'm trying to get into motorcycling, and the DR-Z seems like the most exciting option! I don't even plan to use the highway regularly, let alone for long trips. That isn't the DR-Z's strong suit, but it seems capable enough.

[@machupikachu1085]

@@USAltefore I've done 300+ mile days on mine, and it will do it. It is a little too light for the open road without a windscreen (get the National Cycle) and better seat, but it can be done. I would recommend the SM version. It is a better street bike than the S, has better components from the factory, holds its resale value better, and is still very capable off road with decent knobbies. Plus, it is literally a track bike. It will be the best first bike one could ever buy. Cheers!

[@rabbitfootedkitty1339]

Eh, my klx300r, that actually just got stolen, has 6 gears, and I believe I had it geared to the highest I could possibly with what sprockets were readily available, and I think it would cruise 60 mph at around 7.5k rpm LOL. But at 60 mph, most of the time the handlebars would vibrate to the point where the mirrors vibrate with them so much, they are basically useless at that point, and which also kind of hurts my hands after a few minutes. I also have this problem with my right hand on the throttle where some nerves are getting pinched or something where I couple of my fingers go asleep specifically underneath my nails, and the vibration can just make that worse, but it’s something I’ve just learned to deal with. I say most of the time the bars vibrate because some days for whatever strange reason, at 60 mph the handlebars wouldn’t vibrate much, and I could still feel my hands and see with the side mirrors. I was concerned about the ~300 cc motor for long periods of time down the highway, but a lot of people say those Kawasaki 300cc engines could survive a nuclear war and are still in the brake in period at 60k miles, so idk. I’ve changed the oil several times just to be safe but it also burned a bit of oil I would add a couple ounces every week or two on my way to work 45 minutes one way. With only 300cc at 7.5k rpm, I’m not to sure where the throttle is sitting maybe at least halfway to 3/4 open, but with only one small cylinder, it might not be as efficient for fuel mileage compared to something with 2 cylinders with more displacement, like an inline 2 or a 90 degree v twin. Worst part about all that was it can just be the biggest bitch to kick start back up again when hot with a carburetor, even while holding the throttle wide open like it’s partially flooded or something, no electric start from 2007. I was hoping eventually to get, maybe this winter, either a liter bike death machine, or only a 600 to have cheaper insurance, or something a bit more economical but not as fun, some random inline 2 bike.

[@EMTY700]

@@rabbitfootedkitty1339 sorry about you luck. I’ve head people like those klx’s. Anything 600 and up is going to be loads of fun. They still have a lot of power

[@rabbitfootedkitty1339]

@@EMTY700 I actually literally just got my bike back from crack town USA the police found it in the backyard of this crack house

[@EMTY700]

@@rabbitfootedkitty1339 Hopefully its in one piece! let me know how it goes

[@bounceorbreak]

Pfft mine bogs in 5th if I'm doing less than 90km

[@bushmaster9576]

what would be the reason to get this for touring or going on an adventure over something like a klr650 that has 6 gallon tank a windscreen and sidebags

[@EMTY700]

@@bushmaster9576 purely because I wanted to do it on a supermoto. There’s Definitely way better bikes for the job.

[@Jaszczur-sp2tx]

It can go on the highway but not very fast nor comfortable