DRZ 400 for UK -> Mongola?

[agour]

Hey all,

So after finally making a decision, I went and sold my 800GS.

Now, I'm in the market for something to replace it. Originally I was looking at an x-challenge, but I narrowly missed out on one.. and there doesn't seem to be many of them about for sale.

Hopefully next year I'll make it to Mongolia, if I can get the funds in place first. So really I'd like to buy a bike with that trip in mind.

The DRZ seems to be a great choice, and it would leave some money in the bank to go towards the trip. The only thing that puts me off, is the fact it's not great at motorway speeds.. and there would be a lot of highway to cover before getting out of Europe.

I would go for a DR 650, however any after 2003 seem impossible to find here in the UK.

Any thoughts on a DRZ?

Cheers!

[mollydog]

Regards the DR650, the "new" model came out in 1997. So any DR650 after
'97 would be OK, but I know they are "rare" everywhere in UK, EU. They are readily available in USA, Canada or Oz.

I've spent many hours on the DRZ400S and owned the E model. S is the one you want for travel. ... and it's true ... at HIGH motorway speeds it is not ideal. You can gear up the "S" model a bit but even so, the DRZ is more comfortable between 60 to 65 mph. It will go over 80 mph but it's screaming a bit up there.

But once through the EU roads will get smaller and slower. And that's where the DRZ will come into it's own. For most of the world it would be fine. Biggest problem I see is comfort ... it needs a really good custom seat.
Sheepskin ain't gonna cut it.

The other thing is carrying capacity. You'll have to pack super light, perhaps reinforce subframe. Lighting may need upgrading as well. Beyond all that, not a bad bike, reliable, owner serviceable ... and quite good off road.

Everything you will ever want to know about DRZ's is here:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...d-set-up-82596

[robtho]

I'm in Mongolia now on my 1996 DRZ400S. Ridden in from Japan via Sakhalin and the BAM from Tynda west to the lake and then south to here. I've got a 15T sprocket up front and a 41T on the back. It cruises comfortably on 100kph but I wouldn't like to run it continuously at much more than that. I fitted a 48T on the back for the BAM just to give the clutch less work but probably didn't need to.
For seat comfort my bike came with a "Seat Concepts" seat which is an improvement over standard but still not much good for all day every day riding. I've opted for a "Sweetcheeks" seat pad and love it.
I'm using Andy Strapz Expedition bags without frames and a Pelican case for a top box and it's been no problem at all. Following The Front Wheel on FB if you want pics or PM me for more info on the bike.

[mollydog]

Hey Rob,
Sounds like a great ride! Good to hear your DRZ is doing well!
Any other problems, fixes or suggestions from the road you can make?

You might want to check your VIN number for the production year of your bike.
The DRZ400S was not for sale in 1996. First year sold for the "S" model was 2000 (2001 in USA).

Maybe you meant you have a 2006 DRZ? Not a '96?

Good luck, ride safe ... have fun!

[tmotten]

Had an E and didn't like the gearing in the gear box. You can get a sixth gear setup but not sure how that runs practically. Moved to a WR250R and really like that. Much better dirt touring bike. Don't be fooled by the smaller displacement. It's not like a typical 250. Just returned on a two week two though the U.S. north west which is mostly dirt and at altitude. The thing was awesome! Need to downshift a bit more but the gear box is great for dirt touring and it's got everything you need for a dirt touring setup. Smooth power, you can pin it all day, comfortable seat (compared to the suzi), big stator output, no screen needed, bulletproof, big tank available, large service interval.... The E is a much better trail bike though. Shame about the gear box and carby. If only Yamaha would make a 450 super trail.

[colebatch]

There is a pristine, very low mileage, very well prepped XChallenge, built for a dakar rider on the market now:

BMW G650 X Challenge - Adventure Custom - | eBay

I know both the bike and the owner well. You wont find a better one

[agour]

Yeah I did some research, and post 2003 seemed the best to prevent a few of the issues. Although some of them could be fixed, getting that year onwards would just mean less work.
Most of the time if I’m doing 70mph+ anyway it’s because I’m sitting on the motorway bored, so perhaps this might force me to take smaller roads even in Europe, and thus enjoy the journey more.

Good to hear you’re getting along fine with the drz there robtho! How much luggage are you carrying with it? Seems ultra light oacking is the only way to go on a drz (which isn’t much of an issue for me).

Tmotten, apart from the dirt, how is the wr250r on long road sections?

Yeah I saw that one Colebatch, but unfortunately it’s way over my budget.

[tmotten]

Better than the E. It's way smoother. Took it loaded at altitude with stock seat spending around 6-8 hours on the thing at altitude 2500-3500m fully pinned in sixth. No issues with wind much. I worked it too hard and the overheat light came on twice. Both on the highway. Just stopped and let it cool. I contribute that to the altitude coupled with the load and having it pinned. It's got on board diagnostics and all the warning features of a big bike. I've overheated the E twice to the point the coolant was boiling. On a big distance trip I would have never have known.
I duck down a bit more on the motorway where you're a bit more exposed because the road is a bit higher. And you're in a constant position. On the dirt and twisties at the same speed this isn't necessary. I'm not getting a screen. The compromise is way off on benefit vs nuisance. All singles suck on the straight long roads as you're in the same vibration frequency too which your muscles respond to.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonic_vibration_reflex
I've had this on every single I've ever owned from 650's to my current WRR. But on the WRR I get it less quickly because it's way smoother.

Still though. Singles are not for highway. Dirt and back roads they're awesome for. Through planning highway can be avoided and short sections ensured.

[Gipper]

tmotten,


if you guys are in Banff/Canmore area give me a shout and we should meet up for a drink sometime, not sure if we met at Nakusp HUBB meeting (maybe I was drunk?)


If not, see you in Nakusp in August hopefully!

[Lowrider1263]

I no this bike off the bmw forum, he dose marroco with this bike, I think he has sold it now, lot of bike of a lot of money