THE BEST ADVENTURE BIKE EVER BUILT!!!

[@MidCoastAdventures]

DR650 rider here- Suzuki make amazingly good, simple reliable machines. I'd happily own the DRZ400E also, but one bike its, I'll have to stick with the 650. Nice video mate 😎👍

[@MicroSprint22]

Just this last weekend I took my first trip on my new-to-me DR650 to the OHV trails in the nearby national forest. I got a good bit of weird looks from all the other guys on their KTM's and Huskies, but at the end of the day I completed the same trails they did (much slower of course) and then was able to jump back on the highway and cruise the 80 miles back home, all without even having to get fuel, while they were loading all their stuff in trucks to take home to do their weekly oil change. No hate of course, just trying to highlight the charm of bikes like the DR and DR-Z.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Yeah nothing wrong with a DR or DRZ, we can buy three of them to the price of one high end bike and still have spare change. 👍

[@humdinger5701]

I have a Dr650 as well and upgraded to the 790 big bore kit a few years back. I'll never get rid of it because I don't think there's any other bike out there that fits the specific role it fills for me, and like you said it's very simple and very reliable.

[@martyn_g]

I ❤️ my DR👌🏾🙂

[@SAFFmv]

Until you’ve owned one, you just wouldn’t understand. I originally bought mine as a stepping stone to transition from enduro to adventure riding. I never intended to keep it more than twelve months. But three years later and I still own it because it’s just so damn good. Every time I think of upgrading, I can’t bring myself to sell it. Absolutely fantastic video mate! Very entertaining and informative.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Yeah I’m the exact same. I’m now six years later. I will upgrade one day but think I’ll never sell mine and will always try to keep it running for a keeps sake heirloom.

[@kymstock1852]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer I bought mine in 2010. Then I ' upgraded" to a Tiger 800 in 2015 and rode that for 5 years. After two years of lock down, I sold the Tiger and pulled the sheets off the DRZ. Ready to go riding tomorrow.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@kymstock1852 nice one, I bet she starts first go to.

[@kymstock1852]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer Not so. It needed a carb rebuild to replace O rings and clear some jets. Now it runs better than ever.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@kymstock1852 mate you can’t put such comments on a video calling the item in question the greatest 😉

[@traviswalker-restrepo]

Legend vid. If this doesn’t get Suzuki throwing a new submarine at you they are out of their minds.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate they won’t get any complaints from me. I am due for an upgrade to.

[@andrewdowd3997]

Love it. Great video. Informative and funny. Great adventures! Cheers from Montana

[@PaulOff-RoadDownunder]

Bloody good vid mate 👌......had a good laugh too, and the underlying message so true !!

[@rickkin6386]

You convinced me to get one a few months ago, i love it.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

I need Suzuki to start paying me some commission for sure. Lol. You bought yourself a great bike.

[@lukecarrigan2472]

Great video Lance, a good laugh mate. I couldn't agree more. Love my DRZ

[@toddclarke2348]

The DRZ400E is my go to drug. It takes me high, fast and always gives me love whenever I twist the throttle. What more can a man want in life? Great video mate.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@Todd Clarke, I Just finished up another 6 day adventure ride on it. I just need some more love from the seat. Lol. Just a little more.

[@toddclarke2348]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer how many kms on your beast now?

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@toddclarke2348 mate only 22000, but they are all pretty rough kilometres. I never use it for commuting.

[@toddclarke2348]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer that's sick mate. What a workhorse indeed! 78,000 to go buddy! Your dad is watching you mate and so are we. Awesome channel and always looking forward to your next adventure!

[@nathanoconnor7491]

I bought mine 3 years ago stock standard. Tried to sell it when covid first hit and changed my mind. Now it’s heavily modified and every time I think of selling it, I just can’t bring myself to do it. Such a beautiful simple bike.

[@guhoon]

Couldn’t agree with you more. I haven’t set mine up for adventure riding yet, it’s used exclusively as a big, heavy enduro and exploring machine and as you stated, it isn’t the best at anything but it does everything. It’s actually better an some enduro situations than my exc250 2 stroke believe it or not. Perfectly summed up Lance, awesome video 👍🏻🚜

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Thanks mate, yeah my bike goes alright when In enduro mode as well. Obviously only as good as the rider though. Lol. 👍

[@NZCycletherapy]

Thanks, that just made my day...now I just have to sell enough of my possessions to buy a new one.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Hopefully you got a few laughs from it. Yeah mate since covid they have jumped up in price. Bit of a stitch up if you ask me.

[@papashirt]

next time you go through Adelaide , drop for a beer ! ) nice vid, keep it on !

[@davyboycolon530]

Im rockin on a 2020 DR 650 and I couldn't agree more ... all set up for back country riding in the U.S. ... great video

[@ZX6R-w6y]

Love all the episodes mate but this 1 in particular as I’m tossing up between a DRZ400 and a XR400,I grew up racing motocross and now it’s adventure bike time.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@Roamin life, mate wait for my next video in a few weeks. The last day of my latest ADV ride I met up with a XR400 and we took on some hard terrain. The two old girls. 👍

[@ZX6R-w6y]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer oh brother bring it on,this will be the ultimate comparison with 2 heavy hitters Suzuki and Honda. 🤙

[@bensparks9467]

Loved the video. I had an 09 model for four years. Put 40,000km on it with a mix of ADV enduro and mortars riding. I miss that bike

[@AM-lc9ub]

Fnn hilarious, " 2 zip ties and a branch" true though.

[@JohannesDalen]

Great video! I own the S version and I absolutely love. But I also own a 701 enduro, and when I’ve ridden that for a few days and jump onto the DRZ I get a mild shock each time 😅

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Yeah I really like the 701. Quite a unique bike itself compared to the market.

[@deltabravo1257]

16 year DRZ S owner here. This will be my 17th riding season on it. It survived a dunk in the river. It has 16k miles on it.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Just awesome.

[@onthemark3480]

Couldn’t agree more brother. Great bikes!

[@4x4maximus]

I'd say the best is whatever you have, because it's yours and gives you adventure. Even if it's a postie bike

[@winta2028]

You Have inspired me to buy a bike. I love adventuring mostly central and west Qld. I would love a bike like yours to travel far and camp. Unfortunately I am very skinny guy with not alot of strength, what bike should I be looking at? Is size a thing?

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate the DRZ, WR250 or CRF250L would be the ones to look at. All long range capable and are the lighter bikes out there for adv riding. Can also get a lowering link so you can reach the ground easier. 👍

[@jimperry4420]

Here in the states, we only get the S. I bought a new one last year and love it.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Yeah it’s weird how each country has their own little version or availability.

[@1962clarky]

Yep, can't argue with you Lance..

[@chazlyle41]

I’m a big fan of location specific bikes. For touring the US it may be under-highway-capable. For touring SE Asia a little Serrow may be plenty. But for most other continents worth riding, especially S. America, I can’t think of another bike I’d take over the DR650!

[@robsmall3372]

Good video mate. I like your editing.

[@gumbysenduro6546]

Bloody brilliant :)

[@philmenzies2477]

Bit late to the party. But that was a great overview and laugh all rolled into one

[@6226superhurricane]

the drz400e is the best at being good at everything and that's what makes it excellent.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@Michael close, absolutely.

[@soundslikeaplan841]

hahaha awesome video mate. I'm happy to say I'm a proud owner of the big yellow bush pig. I've owned it since 20*** K's and now I have 130*** K's. the poor bike just won't die 🤣

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Bloody hell that's some serious kilometres. Hope my bike makes it that far.

[@soundslikeaplan841]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer thanks man yeah I use it for work in the week with some sm wheels, then go on rides and trips on the dirt wheels. Love theses bikes!!

[@MrShrimpy72]

Funny stuff. Love it.

[@manandbikeadv]

Not gonna lie, the DR-Z and DR650 are my go-to bikes for the zombie apocalypse

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Hahaha, well there will be plenty of them to choose from should that happen.

[@mjl8115]

Today I've finished mastering of my DR-Z 400S. I've installed JD Jetting kit that was the base of 3x3 mod for better breathing. First ride done. Oh yeah, I really do not need more power in off-road situations. I considered many ADVs and enduro bikes, but luckily I made good decision buying DR-Z last year. Sadly I could buy DR-Z 400E in perfect condition from my friend 10 years ago but I was young and stupid so I didn't. But now everything is fixed :)

[@JoshSinnott97]

Hey mate, i just came across your channel How do you find the drz400e on the freeway? Do you wish you had a 6th gear? Im trying to decide between the drz400e and the crf300 rally

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate I’d love a 6th gear for sure. But with the right gearing it gets the job done no problems at all. I’m so use to it now it doesn’t even cross my mind anymore.

[@JoshSinnott97]

Thanks for the reply mate, I appreciate it What gearing did you end to going for out of curiosity? If 100k/h isn't an issue then it looks like I'll be buying a drz > a crf

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@JoshSinnott97 for an out back trip with big distances or 100km per hour plus stuff I’ll run a 15-44, no dramas at all.

[@ramboexcess4469]

Nice video mate

[@Whatnow458]

I have a USA E model. No subframe for me, but I’ll still see how much I can pack on it!

[@danielryle5596]

Thanks for the video, very practical and good review, I had always been steered away from this bike with its 5 speed transmission so I bought a brand new klx300 back in 2005 that I have now ridden for 100,000kms that's Japanese reliability! I have wondered if the wide ratio transmission along with a 440cc kit would make the drz into that unicorn bike that doesn't exist in my eyes!

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

For sure such an upgrade will make it heaps better. However the cost to do so is a big factor I guess. I just hope Suzuki bring out an updated version soon. That would be awesome.

[@coolbythepoolaus]

M8, you’ve convinced me and I’ve bought a DRZ. I’m off to the most northern tip of Aus in June. 🙈

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Ah awesome. I have been wanting to do the Cape for ages but haven’t had the time to date. Good luck. That will be an epic trip. Are you going with a tour group or solo?

[@digitalswaggie6076]

Love the DRZ, but I think you're going over the top with the truck towing. It's a great bike but it does have its limitations, comfort is one of them for long distances, because you sit high on a DRZ you tend to get hammered by wind on the highway. 110 continuously?

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@Digital Swaggie, haha mate just a bit of tongue and cheek that’s all. Yeah even with a visor the wind still hits the helmet quite a bit.

[@Skoto1000]

Hello, tell me where to buy such a windshield and such a tank? Thanks

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Safari tanks and Bajaworx windscreen.

[@MrBlunders70]

Completely agree.

[@kyleparrott4020]

Lyndon Poskitt Basil Bike, look it up. Unreal bike!

[@coobye]

Thanks for calling it by it's proper name, a DR "ZED"👍.

[@allaussietraveller9879]

Nice one mate 👍 5:16 future trip idea?

[@Noastrenght]

Love my DR and moded it 100% to my liking but still wonder if a DRZ would do for me. I do not give 2 shits about speeds greater than 130km/h but low-end torque is something I would not wanna part ways with. How different do the two feel? , do the 20kg weight difference take care of the missing cc´s?

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate I have not had the chance to ride the DR unfortunately. Although my DRZ in my opinion has plenty of torque. Unless I have the gearing set for highway speeds and loaded up. Then the low speed torque isn’t quite there. Day to day though it’s spot on.

[@hazcat640]

Came out in 2000, so it's relatively modern compared to my 1987 created TW. ;)

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Hahaha fair call. Compared to my 1967 Zundapp the DRZ is a bloody spaceship.

[@hazcat640]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer But the DR is damn amazing. Lots of people call the TW the SHTF bike but as long as the carb model DR 400 exists I think it takes that tile.

[@stuartpoulton4750]

Haha good vid Lance

[@timsilva1944]

Had a DRZ S for a while. Was OK, but lower power than an E and felt a bit heavy. Sold it when I found a real E (significantly lighter in rhe States) in mint condition. Great bike, but not so much for long miles/pavement and not street legal. Enter the DR650. A little heavier than the DRZ S, but more appropriate for longer mile days and still good off road after working over suspension. Got both with many mods for less than 1 Orange. Little maintenance. Win/win.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate you have had the whole range 👍. Why is the E model not street legal?

[@timsilva1944]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer In the U.S. the E doesn't meet EPA (smog) requirements for street due to the bigger cams, FCR carb and higher compression. It also doesn't have indicators, mirrors, instrument cluster, heavy headlight and bracket, steel tank, passenger pegs or rear subframe. So it's around 30 lbs./13 kg. lighter than our S model. Some states do allow the E to be plated for the street with accompanying mirrors and indicators. My state of California, continues to squash any form of fun, so its not allowed. Our S is essentially your E , minus the E engine specs. Regulations...

[@mickdundee5360]

For Aussie conditions, the DRZ400E is the perfect all rounder. It’s not sexy but it gets the job done with absolute confidence.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Absolutely. Where pretty lucky here, I ‘THINK’ we are the only country that gets the E model jetted right and good to go from the floor.

[@thegan9143]

Best adventure bike is the one you own.

[@maxhewitt4381]

Great vid cob, just got yourself a sub

[@kevingreen_boating]

Agreed - Rugged simplicity!

[@hachewie]

Now I want to buy a DRZ400E

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Do it mate. End of financial year sale time coming up.

[@agro1942]

so funny mate, lol

[@TheWanderingGeezer]

I had a DRZ but upgraded to a DR.

[@mattandshazzasmotoadventures]

Great videos mate, just came across your channel today. Been looking at a DRZ, just not sure if I could live with it for longer stints on the highway. How tall are you, and how do you find it on long paved stints? Cheers

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@Matt Williams, mate I’m 193cm and 100kgs. I have often straddled that thing for 10hours straight doing 800km days. Rough as after a while but it doesn’t phase me for the other benefits the bike allows me to have. If your on freeways sitting still you’ll hate it but on long outback dirt roads you’ll love it as you move around alot more on the bike dodging pot holes and loose stuff.

[@mattandshazzasmotoadventures]

Cheers mate. You’ve got 5cm and 10kg on me, so I should be right. I ride a V Strom 1000 which is awesome, but a real handful off-road

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@mattandshazzasmotoadventures yeah you’ll be right. I do have a aftermarket concept seat in their high model as they do a low and high seat. Plus my lambs wool seat cover. FYI Overall size wise the DRZ is quite large off the ground.

[@Simulationaviationnz]

I hope Suzuki gave u a free one after that lol soo good!!

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate please write in for me. Yet to receive a free one.

[@jasonhedges8578]

I can relate to all of that :-)

[@mototrailz]

🙌

[@mikeisland7382]

"If you're going to do the dumb/fun shit, better bring a DR/DRZ". I would fall for this advertising having owned two DR's (350/650).

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Hahaha, mate no advertising just a proud owner and some good old Aussie smack talk.

[@Liberty4Ever]

One Word: Carburetor It's probably a result of stupid government regulators grandfathering the DR emissions that prevents Suzuki from making it better because they can't make it good enough for Euro 5, but it's stupid that they're still selling a carbureted bike. I had a 1997 DR350 that I used as a UAB (urban assault bike) and I loved it for that. I'd speed up for speed bumps. 55 MPH in a parking lot. Duh dut. Couldn't even feel them. I loved that. My DR350 was easy to work on but I did a fair amount of work on it considering I wasn't thrashing it off road or riding long days on the road. I now have a BMW G310GS (I'm old now and don't ride hard off road) and I've put more miles on it with nothing but the very simple 600 mile break-in service.

[@behindthebarsdownunder]

Use to have one and loved the simplicity. Hated not having a 6th gear and just a bit low on power for me. Now on a 690 which for me is the ultimate do everything bike.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Come on mate, you know you miss your DRZ 😉

[@behindthebarsdownunder]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer not even a little bit. Although it was nice to be able to buy every part for it off ebay.

[@kymstock1852]

@@behindthebarsdownunder had two 690s on our cross Oz trip. Neither made it!

[@behindthebarsdownunder]

@@kymstock1852 out of curiosity what was the cause and what age bikes where they?

[@bilbottles1339]

Tops vid

[@2wheelsinmotion]

my new 701 😜😜

[@2wheelsinmotion]

Bit like me really for the wife......... I'm a no fuss bloke that simply works.... come to think of it .... she doesnt know how lucky she is!

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate i say the same to my other half. If only they knew. lol

[@scottrat3537]

klr drz dr xr . the true adventure series bike before the 30/ 40 k i'm rich mob came along

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Haha absolutely.

[@alternativeperception6949]

If I could kick myself in the knackers I would because in 2009 I bought a 400cc KTM new and it was shite quality and the maintenance was endless with oil and filters every 27 revolutions of the crank . At that time there was still immaculate XR400'S and obviously new DRZ's and I wish I went for either one of them instead

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Haha yeah I’d be kicking myself to. I nearly bought a KTM over the DRZ and so glad I didn’t. You can still get yourself a DRZ though 😉

[@mstanton1ful]

Picked up my drz400s new in 09 and I have 10,000 hard offroad miles on it. Every time I think about sailing it I see my friend laboring all week for the next ride. No thanks.

[@jwest764]

$11,000 new. I had to settle for a second hand yamaha.☹️

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

That’s rubbish hey. That’s the covid mark up. Mate I seriously go mine for $7999 ride away with the adventure pack added and fitted.

[@jwest764]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer oh wtf!! What a mark up! 🤬 And so many bikes have discontinued in Oz because of ABS, which my bike doesn't have.

[@queenslander954]

Nah mate , just a very good trail bike.

[@holeshot1721]

Chain drive does not even come into battle of best adv bike. Yamaha Super Tenere is best adv. btw with chain drive the ktm adventure 990 would be the best winner

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Maybe mate. Each to there own I guess in this department. I don’t like the bigger bikes.

[@JDHetzer]

I used to say my wee-strom could do anything. It just wouldn't do any of it well.

[@jamolljamoll2937]

The best adventure bike is the one you have…

[@TheXaelem]

It is a dualsport not an adventure bike Sorry to burst your bubble

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Mate it’s an everything mode bike for me. All good though, I know not everyone will agree 👍

[@kaktus977]

😂

[@NZ2STROKE]

It does everything but it's just boring to ride.

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Oh man your breaking my heart over here. Lol. Yeah I get it though. She is a bit cumbersome.

[@ethics3]

So... this is the only adventure bike you have owned and ridden , yet this lets you claim it is the best ??? OOOKEYYYYYY. lol

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

Nah I had a BMW before. Hated the thing hence selling up.

[@ethics3]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer Ok. Fair enough. You have had 2 adventure bikes.. I am not saying your 400 is good or bad. I am sure you like it a lot , but no bike has no flaws. My 1987 Honda 600 XLV Transalp has 142,000 km on it and has never broken down . Been up to the Canadian arctic a couple of times , through snow storms and hot weather ( not close to what you experience brother... I have been to OZ..yikes..) . and off road , but I can still find things that could be improved... well , like you , the seat was torture so i bought a " Rick Mayer" custom made seat. I installed an oil on the go chain oiler and a host of other things . It can cruise the northern hwys comfortably at 150 km hr when the cops are scarce and give me 175 kmhr in a pinch . I guess all I am saying is you have to first COMPARE the various bikes before you call one the best Kudos for your outback riding. Looks like fun , but the hear must be frightening .

[@The_Apprentice_Adventurer]

@@ethics3 as a bloke said in the comments somewhere in here. “The best bike is the one you ride” I love my DRZ for as long as I own it and no doubt my next bike will be a different brand to try something new. So for me for now the DRZ is the best ever. Of course there will be 1000’s of riders who would disagree. Just a nice little cheeky video from a proud DRZ owner.

[@ethics3]

@@The_Apprentice_Adventurer Just because some " bloke " says it doesn't make it true. My first bike was a Hodaka Super Rat... Had to repair it very often. It was a pile of junk compared to my friends DT 100 , but it started me on my way to being a motorcycle mechanic and racer . haha Anyways , just enjoy the riding while you can. Here the gas is 8 $ a gallon. Omg !

[@M4NAH1MEK0]

Nice one of the most idiotic comment ever, you probably ride your chair....🤣

[@GregoryJByrne]

Ok "your bike can actually tow the road train" was just a bit over the top ;) The climate changes due to the GALACTIC Milankovitch not you & not CO2. Eccentricity 235,000 year rotation of galactic bulge outside force, Obliquity climate trends & Precession climate cataclysms every 12,000 years NOW when our solar system eclipses our galaxies double torus electromagnetic/gravitational plane for a 1,000 years. Antikythera device, Gobekli tepe. "All shall seek shelter under rocks or in caves." The climate disasters your witnessing now are just the birthing pains Mother Earth's east to west WATER will break with the conjunction of the planets in 2033 & every 40 years thereafter for the millennia it takes to cross the galaxies magnetic plane. Jesus he warned us about the self proclaimed Chosen people = Yatzi Master Race & these the END of DAYS with the book of REVEALTIONS & the cause with the 7 north stars of the PRECESSION of the Alpha/Omega Equinoxes cycle he held in his hand. Covid is Baby Boomer Bust due to usual suspects of seasonal FLu which leads to pneumonia & old age. Ezekiel Musk is a self proclaimed chosen person and is LYING to humanity about the cause of climate change being you & Co2 as well as his satellites falling from the sky. Comets from the Oort cloud are being pushed into our atmosphere not Musk's satellites. "The Families who control the timelines of the past control the future. Descendants of Abraham who control the present Media & Money control the past." Orwell Hess

[@tedecker3792]

Antikymoto device!