DRZ400S for Newbie

[retryrider]

Hey Everyone,

Can anyone give a nod or shake of head as to whether a DRZ400S would be a good bike for a Newbie to get to grips with our local trails?

I've posted a similar query on the national forum and the results have been pretty negative (couple of positives) but they've not really given any reason why other than it's too heavy, the other suggestions (CRF250L) don't appear that much lighter from the specs.

What I like about the DRZ is that it's still got enough on-road grunt whilst not being overly powerful, enough people have done RTW trips on these which much stand for something. It's also old enough to be fairly cheap and I'm hoping that it'll be a much simpler bike to do my own maintenance. An additional plus is that there are enough accessories to make it as least as capable as my Tiger was for a bit of short touring/camping trips.

Still looking to have a year or so away from bikes but I've pretty much convinced myself the DRZ could be one for me, just don't want to end up with a lemon.

Thanks

Lee

[leejerome]

If you like them why not have one as long as you can manage ok with it
I don't think it matters what you ride these days.. I was out with some guys a while back and one of them was running a 1982 dr 125 and he had no issues at all

[big yellow tractor]

Anyone who knows me will know that I love the DRZ (I have two) but even I couldn't fully recommend one for a total beginner unless you're quite big, burly and pig-headed (that'll be me then)

For your first forays off tarmac, you want a bike that is easy to have fun on and that will inspire confidence.

I started with a little XLR 250. In theory it was too small for me but it was easy to ride (and pick up) The DRZ is a bit of a barge and it's pretty tall and heavy. This is fine if you've got some muscles and stay upright all day but you'll quickly become knackered and pissed off if you're picking yourself up all day. When you gain some skill and confidence, they will do almost all you ask of them. They don't do MX very well though.

My E has raced lots of enduros, thrashed around Wales, Normandy, the Pyrenees and done a load of local trail-riding. I've had it 10 years without any serious issues. It's a little smokey now so engine may be due some attention. Also, the wiring is starting show the effects of years of being dunked in rivers and clarted with mud. Oil changes are at thousands of miles rather than x-number of hours (I change mine when it's mucky and depending on how hard I think it's been working)

My DRZ S has toured France and Spain loaded with camping gear and done hundreds of miles of trails in the Pyrenees (will be doing so again this year)

I'm a bit out of touch with the market but based on bikes I have ridden ,other bikes to consider depending on your size / weight might be Wr250F(I like a lot) or CRF250X or of course the KTM EXC400. A plastic tanked TTR250 would be great starter bike and they seem to hold their value very well.

It's worth noting that whatever you buy at around the £2k mark will not drop in value much. As long as it's in reasonable nick, you'll get your money back.

Keep us posted on what you end up with. If you're local to Aldershit, I could probably let you have a cabbie on a DRZ to see how you feel about it.

[Stewie]

The DRZ400s is a great bike for the local lanes as there not that technical, OK it's a bit on the heavy side but then it is a duel purpose bike .

[Dave]

Too heavy sums it up then

[Kilbs]

A little heavy yes, but don't get washed away in fast flowing river crossings

Good enough for Guy Martin. But they do sink rather quickly!
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/spee ... martin/4od

[retryrider]

I started with a DRZ400S. Only issue was the weight (short legs ) but its a good strong bike and as said spares are plenty.The Honda CRF250L is even heavier and its a 250 .Plus Ive been out with some peeps on them and bits fall of them.The exhaust needs changing on them as it weighs as much as a 250 EXC-F Ktm .DRZ good strong engine. Get started on one

Cheers Muddy, thats what got me confused everyone says go for the CRF but as you say its just as heavy, twice the price (for new model) and in a way half the bike. The DRZ is tried and tested with plenty of accessories for RTW wanna-be once he gets the hang of things.

So its still a contender.

[Beerbelly]

Crfx all the way but not the 250l

[retryrider]

Crfx all the way but not the 250l

Agreed but £6599 new for the XRL I think not.

In terms of used, whats the best way to spot the X over the L? Many on autotrader dont say which they are.

[leejerome]

The crf250x is very easy to spot but easy to confuse with the motorcross R MODEL
They use a slightly de tuned motor cross engine ( more torque I think )
Alloy frames
They normally have a mileometer instead of a speedo
Older models will have a plastic tank with a non locking cap
Twin radiators
Much lighter
Smaller lights
Electric start
Kick start
Servicing is quite frequent
Engine oil every 3-4 rides
Gearbox oil every 4-5 rides
Clean air filter in between
Valve clearance check every 6 months
You can also open the left side panel via a Zeus fastener to reveal the airfilter on the x model


Just look for signs of wear when buying and allow the bike to get hot to see if it's easy to start other wise your looking at doing valve clearances straight away...

The crf250l

Uses the cbr250 engine
Has a steel frame
Metal tank
Single radiator
Much better lights
Is a heavy little bike
Service every 6000 miles
Softer suspension
Digital speedo
No kick start

[Phil (CRF 250L)]

I think the service interval is 8000 miles for the L.

Regarding advice on what to buy - you have obviously decided what you want already (for whatever reasons you have). It's not going to be a bad decision unless you were buying a sports bike to go trail riding on. You don't need to convince other people for a fairly logical/sensible decision. Just go for it.

[retryrider]

Thanks Phil.

So if we ignore other options for now, S or SM?

From what I can gather the difference is in suspension, Brakes and wheel sizes. The S having a bigger front where as the SM has stronger brakes.

On this basis im leaning more to the S but theres not many locally (within 100 miles) although have found one that looks good in yorkshire.