DRZ400 || Why You Don't Want It.

[@Slapshod]

Everyone is missing the point, I’m not saying it can’t cruise at 80 I’m saying that the optimal cruising speed is 55-65 which is slower then avg highway traffic

[@mikeandrews1899]

It won't live long if you buzz it 80mph on the freeway for hrs at a time . I have ridden mine on the interstate for short distances , but do all I can to avoid it . The DRZ is optimal for back country rds , dirt mtn rds , jeep trails , and the occasional moderate signal track

[@armanrgun47]

Agreed, I live on the french alps and the drz is awesome. Really wouldn't recommend it for flat straight roads, unless you use it for stunts in a parking lot or off road riding

[@nicksgarage5395]

I ride mine 40 miles a day to and from work, cruising anywhere from 75-85, stock gearing, still running strong. Oil change every 1k

[@thelonewolf666]

ridiculous, oil at 5000 is still more than it needs

[@trvsball]

Meanwhile I highway ride a Honda grom passing old ladies like no one’s buisness 😂

[@leshittygamer9012]

These bikes are fine to do 70mph all day, but i do agree a 6th gear would be nice

[@Slapshod]

Ya 65 to 70 isn’t much of a difference they just rev higher then I’d like at that speed

[@bug0420]

Road one for 4yrs 1.5 hrs one way and it did 95 with my fat ass on it 🤷‍♂️

[@Slapshod]

@@bug0420 nice I’m on year 6 with mine never did I say u can’t just that it’s revving higher then liked while doing that for extended periods

[@xander4218]

@@bug0420 not everyone enjoys a vibrator under their ass

[@bug0420]

@@Slapshod i agree that poor motor was crying the whole time lol. But this is why the top 4 jap. Bikes are some of the best IMO.

[@OnlyDamp]

I think you mean its not really an interstate bike, highways is pretty much most of the riding I do on my drz. Roads 25-55mph the bike loves, when you get more up into the 80-90mph range it doesn't like it as much. Seems like in the video you've got quite as bit more in it. But also with a few mods you can wake the bike up a bit more. I'd recommend doing the 3x3 airbox mod, paired with the jd jet kit. I also did the pair valve delete which also seemed to help it run a bit smoother and not pop and bang excessively (still has the nice pops though). One more thing I'd also recommend if you haven't is a manual petcock but that's just preventative maintenance.

[@Slapshod]

Ya it’s not a interstate bike is a good way to put it I’m not saying it can’t just that your revving pretty high if you do, rn it’s got hot cams, exhaust, and jetted all ready I like some pops though and rn it’s the perfect amount where I can make it pop or not pop depending on my throttle

[@OnlyDamp]

@@Slapshod Oh okay that's interesting, how did the cams change the powerband? Did you do the 3x3 mod too? I like the pops too, that's basically how it seems to me with the delete just sometimes it seemed excessive. Also just deleted it because I did the manual petcock which the vacuum system was tied together.

[@Slapshod]

@@OnlyDamp the cams make it feel more like a race bike not as fast but has that initial punch

[@nedmacallen]

Even 70 is fine, yes 55-60 is easier on the engine. I know what you mean but also the bike can handle it just fine.

[@Slapshod]

@@nedmacallen ya these can handle 80 easy just feels wrong holding the revs high like that on highways

[@LunkerLovinBj]

Drz's are not intended for highway riding. They are a commuter at best in the SM configuration. Typically best for track use honesty and stunting. I have a dual sport that is modified heavily, i use it for a light weight adventure bike. Its nothing for me to take multiple 500 to 700 mile trips a year and it does it flawlessly. The 6 speed thing is 100% accurate. Act makes a wide ratio kit ive heard is a game changer with the right sprockets.

[@slakk5093]

People here in Australia do hours and hours of cruising at 120km/h across the country

[@Slapshod]

Idk what it’s like over there but over here Highway is like only way ppl travel

[@ricsim78]

Sadly, in the USA, even if you do 121 km/h+ in a 105 km/h zone, you will have people riding your behind or flying past you. I live in Illinois, and anyone who has traveled through here can attest to this.

[@Slapshod]

@@ricsim78 eh it’s nice when ur not on a bike with slower cruising speed

[@kevinharrison9831]

Do you have a sixth gear on the Aussie model?

[@ericweber1969]

Doesn’t sound like you’re even close to redline, what gearing do you have? That bike sure sounds like it has a lot more left in it.

[@Slapshod]

Stock gearing/sprockets and it does have a lot more I was just showing the cruising speed in this video. Ive never redlined fifth gear but got it to 112 in a sport bike helmet, this video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWSmipevr8loptk&ab_channel=Slapshod ) is with a dirt bike helmet and shows top speed attempt at 9:55 if you are interested

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

Yup. Discovered the same on my sm after day two. A couple exits on the interstate and when I checked the oil, it was aerated horribly. Even messing with the gearing, its just not fit for speeds above 70mph for long at all. JD and 3x3 mod on mine, stainless lines etc... Passing 18 wheelers at 70-75 is sketch at best. She wants to start tank slapping around those speeds. No dampener for me, I just ride it within its limits. I dont ride mine on highway anymore, 65mph is its speed. I llive in rural mountains, this bike was meant for the back roads. I HAD a a coupe cbr1100xx's for a couple decades for highway. Sold them recently, as traffic prevented me from using the cbr properly. Thanks for the vid!

[@machupikachu1085]

Great points! Have you tried 16/39 gearing? Even with the stock setup, it will run 75 all day long while still getting 45mpg, and top speed will break 100mph.

[@Slapshod]

@@machupikachu1085 no just stock gearing it’s not a personal issue just one I could think of it can cruise at 80 or even 100 it’s just revving higher then I would like

[@machupikachu1085]

@@Slapshod Right on. I finally tried the 16/39 gearing, and I doubt I'll go back. Unless it's a hardcore week of serious off roading perhaps. With this gearing, we don't even need a tach. Shift right at 20, 30, 40, and 50 mph. I'll bet mine isn't even spinning much past 6k at 75mph now. And with proper jetting, a snorkel drop and a decent pipe, there is enough throttle response to counteract any loss of torque the higher gearing causes. I'm honestly not sure why the SM does not come this way from the factory. It's hands down a far better street bike now. Off roading is still pretty effortless, too. A little more clutch and a little less engine braking, but totally doable. It may crawl stall now tho. It hasn't yet however. Besides, if you end up doing a weekend of expert single track, just take your old 15 tooth with ya. Something to think about. Cheers!

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@machupikachu1085 they come choked from factory for emissions reasons. Same reason the bike hasnt changed in forever. If they change it too much, itll have to meet newer rules and face re-certs. Maybe more tax for import? Im not sure, but i bet its something along those lines.

[@machupikachu1085]

@@shanesplanetshane3795 how would making the bike rev lower at any given speed, therefore using less gas make it less compliant?

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

@@machupikachu1085 I dont think those two are related, unless the testing was done at certain wheel speed. I dont know how the old emissions testing worked. I know that the drz was leaned from factory, to comply with the standards of the day. The gearing was probably chosen from factory, with consideration of emissions. The drz couldnt pass todays emission standard regardless, but they don't have to. I geared mine way down for highway. I assume it gets better fuel mileage, but I dont know how that relates to emissions. One would think that less fuel= less emissions. My bet would be on that. However, perhaps less overall emissions doesnt correlate to less emissions of a specific gas. I guess it depends mostly on cruise rpm and where the motor is most efficient.

[@1n2k3v4m]

Not only is the 5th gear to low, the 1st gear is way to high for single track work. The ratios are much to close.

[@Slapshod]

@@1n2k3v4m for real I forgot about that I’m stalling like crazy if it’s a technical trail

[@Antonio-li5vp]

Is it modified? Like exhaust and bigger gears to increase top speed

[@zdogbikelife450]

I always liked how reliable drzs are, my wr450 I have to change the oil every 620 miles

[@Slapshod]

lol the main reason I went drz instead of wr450 was the maintenance, urs might be a bit faster and lighter but I don’t have touch my valves until 15,000 miles

[@rob100289]

Every 620 miles... there's no way. Glad I went with the DR 650 where oil changes intervals are measured in months instead of triple digit miles.

[@Slapshod]

@@rob100289 I mean it’s a motor cross race bike with street tires on it, it’s lighter and faster it’s gonna be more maintenance

[@zdogbikelife450]

@@Slapshod to me the high maintence is worth the performance. and the bike is light too it makes it a tank. ive looped it before like 4 times and its been good every time

[@Slapshod]

@@zdogbikelife450 Im sure it is thats the bike I wanted since I was like 12 watching jakethegardensnake lol, I went with the drz since I bought as 16 years old dishwasher that was worried about the money side of it

[@xxjason96]

I have mine jetted at “ 170 “and 3x3 mod with a full exhaust. I can ride it 80-82 all day no problem.

[@Slapshod]

@@xxjason96 u could ride at 100mph all day stock if u wanted too, my point was the cruising rpm for highway riding

[@jeffjohnon4223]

Put a 1 tooth bigger countersprocket on it, that is not going to ruin the low end torque all that much.

[@johnnyofast5924]

If im going to do a lot of road riding ill slip on a 16 tooth countershaft spkt. Helps a bit for sure but if you do any single track with it you will probably be using the clutch a lot but ive done it and it's not so bad. I came from a DR350 with a 6 speed and bought my DRZ in 2000 when they first came out. Was stunned and disappointed to find out it had a 5 speed. I just assumed they be six speed like the DR. ~ FCR carburetor helps with the highway cruising too.

[@AnabolicBobBarker]

60 mph with stock gearing and tires is around 6,000 rpm... not even close to overrevving.

[@Slapshod]

@@AnabolicBobBarker lol u think 6000 is a good cruising rate? if u thought for a second you’d understand that’s what I was saying not that it’s physically over revving past the limiter

[@giovanhagar]

​@Slapshod it's a water cooled small engine, 6000 rpm is nothing. Piston speed is what you need to know, not rpm. It has a light piston and a short stroke. My Z1000 redline is at 12000 rpm. The drz400 max hp is at around 8500 rpm the max rpm is probably around 10,000 rpm but the bike won't pull it because it doesn't have the power.

[@wheeleking9049]

Yes, Most would agree, a DRZ400 is not a good street bike. Too light and under power. The DRZ is mostly known for being a great all-round dual sport bike. Designed for 20% road and 80% off-roading. If yr going to ride mostly street get 650 or bigger.

[@jessemeanlt1]

My 2023 klx does 84 - 91 depending on the wind. I am doing a 5hr trip in 2 weeks. And definitely modify your bike wirh good parts so you dont mess with the reliability.

[@Slapshod]

@@jessemeanlt1 nice I managed to hit 116 once full tuck lol but the front started to wobble so I let out

[@jessemeanlt1]

@@Slapshod wow thats fast a.f! We understand your point but we like pushing it to the limit a little.

[@diggy-d8w]

This bike is in the top of my list as I'm researching dual sports to buy. I like her for many reasons but no tall 6th gear and to go highway speeds you are riding at an uncomfortable REVV Range as in towards the upper end of this bike's engine & I don't think you ride your bike like that. Riding at 85% of a bikes power feels bad or wrong & you can hear/feel this as you ride. Some people have changed up the "Sprockets" to give a taller ability but if the speeds were like in the old days, 55, this bike would be all the sH!T ! 75mph for more than 1 hour is really too much revv & taxx on the engine but that's me. Thanks for this video

[@Slapshod]

@@diggy-d8w ya the only reason I have is very nitpicky I’ve had this bike over 5 years and I love it

[@diggy-d8w]

Yeah & that's cool, kool, or kewl.... and I listen to you & ask questions/comments to you because I know you've got all that going on. See, I'm only looking for the right bike & I like this bike, truly I digg it but I'm looking thru everything you say & others so I don't miss a good/bad point. Everything has value & it's more worthy from a man riding the bike ! I like "nit-picky" & I honestly have not met one person who doesn't like the bike once they own it. There's a handful of dinosaur bikes...lol, I call them that but they are reliable & that is, "Priceless" !! My only concern is I'm gonna need it 80% on roads & my local speeds are 75MPH, you know the story & I'm digging deep even to the point of making her taller w/ both sprockets. It can squeeze a little out for the top end & when I find someone who's got my speed issues, perhaps I'll go with this bike. And if I did come across a used one in decent shape & priced right, I'd snag her & make it work. It is that good of a bike. Thank you for taking the time to do these & to post up. peace

[@noahrobin1941]

There are a couple of companies which make wide-ratio gearsets for the DRZ; Nova and ACT; I’m not aware of anyone making a six-speed, but I don’t claim to be all-knowing. The two wide-ratio sets have slightly different characteristics and pros/cons; they’re not cheap, but they are cheaper than buying a 500EXC. :)

[@ayedee6681]

I put a larger sprocket up front on my DRZ. Made a world of difference. You could always put on a 38 rear.

[@Slapshod]

Do u do any slow speed 1st gear stuff, thats the main reason I havent is because its allready such a tall 1st

[@nojusdomarkas3572]

Ive heared they are tall so im thinking of buying one and what height should you be to ride it comfortably

[@Slapshod]

@@nojusdomarkas3572 depends on ur weight too but probably a heavy 5’5 or a normal 5’7 to be able to put enough foot on the ground when stopping

[@ericl9830]

Drz excels at the Twisties, not so great going fast on the highway

[@giovanhagar]

I hit 95 mph on a demo ride. You aren't over-revving. Why say you are over revving it? You don't even know what your revs are because you don't have a tachometer.

[@Slapshod]

for a cruising pace on the highway it is revving too high. read other comments if u want more in depth im done explaining the same thing to every person who is taking it as literal overrevving past red line

[@giovanhagar]

@Slapshod because you are wrong, that's what everyone is trying to explain to you. The engine isn't overheating or exploding because of your feelings.

[@Slapshod]

@@giovanhagar read other replies if u want or don’t idc

[@billwelch9431]

I'm considering getting one of these, but trying to decide between the DRZ and DRZSM. I like the look of the SM better with the inverted forks. Is the SM just as good/suited for off road? I'd also like to be able to go longer distances on highway, but with the intent of getting to cool places to ride off-road. Help me decide! lol Also, is it worth getting the 2024 with the aluminum piston and I believe better suspension?

[@Slapshod]

@@billwelch9431 I’ve never had dirt tires so I can’t say everything for off road, only problem I run into is technical slow speed stuff as 1st is a pretty long gear. And you can ride as far as you’d want I personally don’t like to cruise faster then like 65 because that’s the top of the cruising rpm range but as u can see from the other comments some ppl don’t care

[@shanesplanetshane3795]

sm suspension is from an rm250 iirc. I have the 07 sm model and some spare big rims with knobbies. Tbh, its more a big for the twisties, than off road. With the street tires on mine, grass is like ice. The smaller front doesnt like trees and holes either. My xr200 was better on trails, the rm250 was better on motoX and the drz is a basic all rounder that is better on street. I dont know if any of this helps answer your question at all.

[@billwelch9431]

I went with the XR650L and very happy I did. Thanks

[@leboinator7621]

what are dem mirrors breh

[@Slapshod]

lol the stock ones it’s nice being able to see who’s behind u

[@itouchipods]

@@Slapshodi dont hate the big 90s style mirrors tbh

[@Merc399]

Have you modded yours out yet? Mine after the stage one mods will cruise at 80 all day and tops out at like 95-100mph (fcr carb, yoshi exhaust, emissions delete, etc) also get the supermoto version its got wider gear ratios for the highway!!

[@Slapshod]

@@Merc399lol it is the supermoto version with stage 2 hotcams full exhaust and jets, it can cruise at whatever it wants but the optimal cruising speed on these are 55-65 any higher and it’s revving higher then desired for just cruising I’ve gotten it up to 115 but it started wobbling so I let off

[@Merc399]

@@Slapshod what tires you have? She cruised all day at 80/90 for 2 years before she was stolen and I got the husky701sm (fully modded with the power commander etc now) never had a problem. The wobble on mine was from tires that were too off-road biased. I don't think cruising at 6k RPM is too high on a bike that revs out to 10.5k RPM but I do more preventative maintenance than the average joe so I do dog my engines harder than some might be comfortable with. I also always bring an extra qt of oil everywhere cuz during the summer these thumpers get hot

[@Slapshod]

@@Merc399 sorry to hear that thieves suck, to each their own but if I’m cruising for a extended period of time I don’t wanna be over 3/4 rpm, I don’t remember what tires were on it when I did the top speed but I have been running rossa 2’s since I’ve changed the tires and I haven’t had wobble so maybe it wouldn’t anymore but I don’t think I’ve tried to get it up that high since, and she gets oil changed every 1k but it’s a drz it could probably go 10k and be fine lol

[@AmoneyC]

If I wanna ride highways I’m gonna get a tenere, Africa twin, etc

[@Max_G43]

I don't like riding over 65 on this bike anyway

[@nunyabizznizz7326]

re-gear the sprokets if you drive highway alot.......or get a 650

[@Slapshod]

If not a drz400 I’d get a 701 don’t wanna be any chunkier then it is and first gear is already too low for technical stuff off-road

[@chrro466]

Not a highway cruising bike, this bike is perfection for twisties, suburbia and commuting🔥 your review is spot on. Why gear it for highway cruising ? Get a more appropriate bike( figuratively speaking ). Nice wheelieing (is that a word ) 😁🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@nedmacallen]

3:34 wtf did you pull off the e highway for what am I watching lol

[@mrsmel269]

nice scooter we love our 22 the only thing is they need bigger tanks 70 miles to pushing sucks enjoy the day and #livetoride

[@Xcitebike]

I get about 80 to 85 miles before I go on reserve, I have a full system Delkevic air box mod and it's jetted

[@BillySBC]

Not sure why someone would choose this over a DR650, a more capable all-around bike.

[@Slapshod]

@@BillySBC the 400 already weighs a ton another 50ish pounds on top of that would be why lol

[@BillySBC]

@@Slapshod They are both pushing about 10 pounds of weight for each 1 horsepower, so weight is a wash. It's about the DR650 being way more highway capable and still able to do the offroad thing. Also the DRZ is liquid cooled with all the additional offroad problems that presents.

[@Slapshod]

@@BillySBC I wasn’t talking abt power to weight I was talking abt how the extra weight feels. obviously the bigger bike will be better on highways but the bike that weighs less will feel better for every other scenario

[@BillySBC]

@@Slapshod But that is a pretty big drawback of the DRZ, you can pretty much highway a DR650 while you're kind of winding out a DRZ to do that. The DRZ is a better offroad bike though, so long as you don't get too far off the main road, because if your water pump quits or your thermostat sticks shut or a stick goes through your radiator or you gash your radiator hose on something way out in the bush you're going to need a helicopter to come get your bike out of there. So there's two things, the DR650 is a way better highway capable bike, and it has a lot less to go wrong in a remote place.

[@itouchipods]

Big subb Slapshod.. keep em coming

[@Slapshod]

Thank you!! much appreciated

[@redbear1935]

Throw 39T on SM or 41T on S and you good to go.

[@bushmaster9576]

bro what the hell is wrong with the audio sounds like you're screaming from a dungeon

[@nedmacallen]

Sounds like your just scared I love riding my drz down in LA on interstate and highway it’s a blast haha

[@Slapshod]

lol look at any of the other riding vids on this channel this is one of few chill rides

[@THE1BMANY]

Do you get it up to the 80s?

[@Slapshod]

@@THE1BMANY I get it up to the 100’s

[@THE1BMANY]

@@Slapshod dope! I live in La too. You have any mods?

[@natvega1]

So don't try to keep up with a ninja 400....👍

[@Slapshod]

lol

[@dukesilver2019]

Xr400 all day.

[@MrPARAS04]

One of the worst purchases ever ever made I bought mine in 2020 and I’ve had it ever since and for the last three years I’ve been trying to get rid of it and no takers. I loved it at first for the first two years, but I’ve had nothing but issues with it always having a mess with the carburetor Issues with my motor as well supposed to be one of the most reliable bikes, but I’m pretty sure mine unfortunately was just a lemon 🍋

[@dauntlessentertainment4922]

I'd be willing to check it out. If you interested I have a gsxr 600 I'm getting rid of since I got a 2nd bike

[@Slapshod]

Dang that really sucks but it does sound like a lemon as you said thats not the norm for these

[@wheeleking9049]

Horrible as a street bike. I'm on my 2nd DRZ400. For the money, probably one of the best buys for using as dual sport riding. 90% dirt, 10% street. Way too lite and under power for most street riding. If all I did was ride on the street and did wheelies, I'd rather get a larger engine street bike.

[@Slapshod]

@@wheeleking9049 I love it for street just not highways

[@nedmacallen]

6:57 now your talking!

[@KiplingGeorgia-e6p]

Taylor Robert Lee Donna Anderson Maria

[@nedmacallen]

Fake news