DRZ400S for Newbie

[Ares]

I started green landing on a drz400s last year, my first dirt bike ever, bike is big and heavy, Im 175cm, couldnt reach the floor, even with the gel seat I was on tip toes, the uneven terrain it makes it even harder to reach. Also you will be dropping the bike a lot and will get real tired of picking it up.

Id recommend you to learn on something lighter, I ride a wr250f now and Im much more confident, in a bike like this you will become a better driver faster.

Best,

Al

[Beerbelly]

Try and ride one and make up your mind? Do you know any one with one? If you want to try a crf 450 for size your welcome to have a go on mine. I also have a ttr 250 you can try.

[Ewan]

As a newcomer to trail riding, I would recommend that, for trail riding alone, you go for a lightweight bike. You will find it easier to manage and have a lot more fun. If you need a bike that is dual purpose and will be used as general transport as well, then a DRZ400 is probably a good option, but it won't be as easy for trail riding, at least until your skills and confidence improve. Enjoy whatever bike you decide to go with.

[retryrider]

Hi Ewan, it is going to need to be that kind of compromise at least until I know more. Just means I guess ill have to stick to the easier trails to start with.

Have been watching a few youtube vids and there were a least a couple thay showed what a noob could do with the DRZ.

[leejerome]

I've got a crf450x it's way more capable on the trails than il ever be but each time out my confidence grows and my skill improves .
I guess it's only a matter of confidence and practice to home your skills with the particular bike you chose to go for because as we know they will all behave differently on the trails

Good luck with your choice

[Dave]

Just in a grab the metaphorical drill and drill this in:

I agree with Ewan. If you need to sacrifice a little road pleasure for fun on the trails, so be it. You won't regret any frequent oil changes or slower road speeds because you'll be riding a bike which is more fun on the trails which is what you spent that morning faffing about to go out and do. You will have more smiles and be a happier n00b and develop quicker.

Also as Arez said: If you get a big lump you will enjoy the road more. But when you get back on the trails which is what you want to enjoy you will be annoyed, unless your aim is to trundle along at 10 miles an hour fighting the weight.

When your confident on a light bike go bigger if you want to because its going to do things you'll need to correct unless you yourself are a fat lump that can muscle it.

But I see people on WR250's and 250EXC's eating up road miles anyway.

To summarise: weight is without doubt the biggest factor. Don't compromise on the trails. If its your initial investment / bike go light, enjoy yourself and have a good beginning.

[retryrider]

To be honest the bike is still going to be used 70% road, the trails are just an added bonus.

If i have to stick to the easier trails so be at. At the moment im not looking to get involved with anything really narlly.

My though at the moment is that the DRZ will do both (skill dependant) trails and travelling but a full on trail bike wouldnt cope that well with longer distance. If i find that the trails are for me then the DRZ may be replaced.

On the flip side, the DRZ is given pretty favorable response on the Horizons Unlimited forum which is more adventure travel orientated.

No one has given a flat no, so at the moment its still looking like the DRZ or something similar for for me.

[Dave]

Ok then. I'm giving you a flat NO.

Get a WR250(R). It is exactly what you want.

[big yellow tractor]

Get a WR250(R). It is exactly what you want.

No, we all know that you have to have a 1200 GS ADV for off-road.

Seriously though, a mate of mine bought a new XR650R as a first trail-bike; coming from a ZXR10RRRR he thought anything less than 650cc must be a girl's bike. After it had spat him off, pinned him down and failed to restart on many, many, many occasions, he changed his mind.

Over perhaps a 12-year period, he went to a DRZ400E, KTM400, KTM525, KTM450. He now has a 350F (and a 690 enduro for touring) To be honest though, if KTM made underpants, he'd buy them......oh, they do......and he has. !

To the OP, As others have said, if you've convinced yourself to get a DRZ then go ahead; you won't be a million miles wrong but you'll learn the required skills and gain confidence quicker on a small bike.

I'd go for a cheap 250; WR250F or CRF250X perhaps. Ride it, drop it, crash it and have way too much fun for a year or so then make your mind up.

[Beerbelly]

Get what you want!

[retryrider]

Get what you want!

Thanks I will. Just need to decide what i want first :-/

[Dave]

Recently a member posted a vid of a Honda C90... Looks like the best frickin fun to be had on a bike ride ever. Nearly bought one when I saw the mpg is 100+ what a perfect little commuter