I'm pushing 300 lbs and my 07 DRZ400s handles it just fine. I too lowered the back 1" and stiffened the dampening on the front. Really great riding bike but it is really tall. Yes, the gearing could be a little better at low end but it's still very functional. I'm usually in 2nd or 3rd on the rutted back roads anyway.
I've owned a few of them and my biggest complaint is the weight and how the bike caries it. The weight wouldn't be so bad if it was lower down. The bike is super top heavy..
i just got a drz 400 last august, i'm 37 and have been riding both on and off road for 12+ years, had a couple of 200-250cc dual sport and many street bikes. i have not yet driven the drz off road much yet due to the stock form being terrible for me off road. I'm 5' 9" 145 LBs, so first off 1 it's too tall, had to lower it. 2 Bridgestone trail wings tires are trash in slippery stuff. 3 Gearing is way too tall/road oriented. that being said i really like the bike and after just completing all the mods over this winter i cant wait to take it off road. i agree with everything you said but would also argue that it's not really a beginner bike in my opinion, yes as a street bike maybe but as a first dirt bike i wouldn't recommend it for a first time dirt biker unless your min 6ft tall. even as a well experienced rider i do feel this bike is all i need, at least for me, ive had a big street bike and a 200 dual sport at the same time and i just never use my big bike much, i live on my dual sport, problem is when i want to go riding with my friends with big street bikes the 200cc-250cc just isn't enough. the drz 400 though? oh yeah did a all day ride in the white mountians with nothing but liter bikes and kept up just fine. so in conclusion its the perfect bike for me, but not everyone. great video keep it up!
I got a 02' with all the mods plus bigger tank, and suspension. currently upgrading the brakes rn for fun. I'm 5'10 170 its my daily its OK at 65mph even with D606s in the 15/44 gearing. currently lowering tooth from 44 to 41 for more freeway comfort. wait till you get more willing to send it, I treat it like a dirt bike, so I've hit barbed wire fences, trees and jump it daily. I even am learning to wheelie it. it wakes up every morning ready to ride rain, snow, or shine. a good mod you should get is some bark busters, it gives ya that extra confidence to try harder things with less fear of dropping it and a light bar from harbor freight and a switch from cycle gear for those times you wanna get adventurous at night.
A great bike. Tons of power compared to the smaller 200-250s, and not much power off of a lower compression carb fed 650. A little tall for those shorter than you, but you can work with it. Good luck with the channel
It’s called an Ultimate MX Hauler, I made a video on it! th-cam.com/video/TQbFmC3-5Xk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wGLf15UOtBLXarkh check it out. They are still available online and you can find similar ones local classifieds!
Iv had a ton of dual sport and enduro bikes all over Ramona when I lived out there. I picked up a DRZ this past summer as a project, after never ridden one before. Wanted to see the hype for myself. And I did. I ALMOST made it my solo bike....but got annoyed with its woods/enduro shortcomings. Power, fit/ergo's for big guy, suspension, reliability are all very impressive. In fact, my 2003 with 15k on it {Yoshi, JD, 3x3} with 15/47 was legit faster to 0-60mph than my bone stock CRF450L cuz that goofy trans was made for holeshot speed. I have a '24 KLX300 too now, and do more woods/single track but if i was doing more traveling/trips the DRZ would be the better choice. I will 100% say these 2 bikes are the best dual sports on market right now.
I think the CRF300L finally took that crown, but I cannot deny that it's still a really good platform. I owned a "green" version for seven years alongside the 250L before upgrading that to a 300 Rally.
I'm not sure why anyone would think that a bike with the same weight as a Dr.Z but with 50% less horsepower and torque, abysmal suspension, a fragile subframe, and worse build quality would be the new king of mid size dual sports, but, right on. Enjoy that.
Dual sports are the best ... ride safe brother. Between culterville and Yosemite there is lot of nice nf roads abandoned mines and some fire lookout towers if you ever in that aera that probably my favorite around here
I saw these sorts of videos for years and finally decided to pick up a DRZ last year to see for myself. Nope. I agree that with the claims about the specs, I just didn't like the thing. It makes more sound than power in my experience, and just lacks the smoothness of my CRF250L. Was the extra power nice? Yeah, but it wasn't world-changing. If you've never had anything else, you'll probably like it. But if you've had a Yamaha or Honda, it just feels less than. I liked my DR650 better, but still sold it to go back to Honda. Like most people, if Honda would make a CRF400L (not the 450L race bike they made instead), the conversation would be over.
3000 is a steal for one of these. I see used ones going for 5k abd above with tons of miles. Not saying they're not worth it, but at that point just buy a new one.
@@machupikachu1085 I think they're about $7,100 new. I might be off with that number. I would shop around if dealer fees and title and taxes totaled 3k. Now that the inventory is going up, you can probably wheel and deal a little more.
damn that speedometer make you go 0-60 in milliseconds lol but hey who am i to talk, i don't even have a speedometer anymore, just a ram mount with a seedo app on an old iphone
A DRZ is an outstanding first bike, you chose well.
Accurate! Been riding 50 years, the drz400s is one sweet bike for the exact reasons stated here. Good video!
I'm pushing 300 lbs and my 07 DRZ400s handles it just fine. I too lowered the back 1" and stiffened the dampening on the front. Really great riding bike but it is really tall. Yes, the gearing could be a little better at low end but it's still very functional. I'm usually in 2nd or 3rd on the rutted back roads anyway.
I've owned a few of them and my biggest complaint is the weight and how the bike caries it. The weight wouldn't be so bad if it was lower down. The bike is super top heavy..
But here is the thing, until I get another bike, I won't really notice hahah
i just got a drz 400 last august, i'm 37 and have been riding both on and off road for 12+ years, had a couple of 200-250cc dual sport and many street bikes. i have not yet driven the drz off road much yet due to the stock form being terrible for me off road. I'm 5' 9" 145 LBs, so first off 1 it's too tall, had to lower it. 2 Bridgestone trail wings tires are trash in slippery stuff. 3 Gearing is way too tall/road oriented. that being said i really like the bike and after just completing all the mods over this winter i cant wait to take it off road. i agree with everything you said but would also argue that it's not really a beginner bike in my opinion, yes as a street bike maybe but as a first dirt bike i wouldn't recommend it for a first time dirt biker unless your min 6ft tall. even as a well experienced rider i do feel this bike is all i need, at least for me, ive had a big street bike and a 200 dual sport at the same time and i just never use my big bike much, i live on my dual sport, problem is when i want to go riding with my friends with big street bikes the 200cc-250cc just isn't enough. the drz 400 though? oh yeah did a all day ride in the white mountians with nothing but liter bikes and kept up just fine. so in conclusion its the perfect bike for me, but not everyone. great video keep it up!
I love the portable floor mat!
I got a 02' with all the mods plus bigger tank, and suspension. currently upgrading the brakes rn for fun. I'm 5'10 170 its my daily its OK at 65mph even with D606s in the 15/44 gearing. currently lowering tooth from 44 to 41 for more freeway comfort. wait till you get more willing to send it, I treat it like a dirt bike, so I've hit barbed wire fences, trees and jump it daily. I even am learning to wheelie it. it wakes up every morning ready to ride rain, snow, or shine. a good mod you should get is some bark busters, it gives ya that extra confidence to try harder things with less fear of dropping it and a light bar from harbor freight and a switch from cycle gear for those times you wanna get adventurous at night.
Ya I need a new pair, the amazon ones did not last long.
A great bike. Tons of power compared to the smaller 200-250s, and not much power off of a lower compression carb fed 650. A little tall for those shorter than you, but you can work with it.
Good luck with the channel
Thank you!
love the video
What is that bike carrier? Good video, I'll put one on the watchlist. Thanks!!
It’s called an Ultimate MX Hauler, I made a video on it! th-cam.com/video/TQbFmC3-5Xk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=wGLf15UOtBLXarkh check it out. They are still available online and you can find similar ones local classifieds!
Thanks Hoss!!!!
Iv had a ton of dual sport and enduro bikes all over Ramona when I lived out there. I picked up a DRZ this past summer as a project, after never ridden one before. Wanted to see the hype for myself. And I did. I ALMOST made it my solo bike....but got annoyed with its woods/enduro shortcomings. Power, fit/ergo's for big guy, suspension, reliability are all very impressive. In fact, my 2003 with 15k on it {Yoshi, JD, 3x3} with 15/47 was legit faster to 0-60mph than my bone stock CRF450L cuz that goofy trans was made for holeshot speed. I have a '24 KLX300 too now, and do more woods/single track but if i was doing more traveling/trips the DRZ would be the better choice. I will 100% say these 2 bikes are the best dual sports on market right now.
Ramona! We should ride sometime
@@Dualsportdisciple was in La Mesa from 2012-2020. Back in North Coast Wisconsin now
nice stuff, keep making cool voiceovers like this if u have good ideas 👍
Thanks, got any ideas?
@@Dualsportdisciple anything you’re passionate about. this rant/emotional style was great.
I think the CRF300L finally took that crown, but I cannot deny that it's still a really good platform. I owned a "green" version for seven years alongside the 250L before upgrading that to a 300 Rally.
Ya I love the rally, if they make a 450 rally that will forsure be next bike
I'm not sure why anyone would think that a bike with the same weight as a Dr.Z but with 50% less horsepower and torque, abysmal suspension, a fragile subframe, and worse build quality would be the new king of mid size dual sports, but, right on. Enjoy that.
Dual sports are the best ... ride safe brother. Between culterville and Yosemite there is lot of nice nf roads abandoned mines and some fire lookout towers if you ever in that aera that probably my favorite around here
Lived in Oakhurst for 4 months, gotta get back soon
That’s a dr650 on your thumbnail
Shhhhhh no one will no 😅
@@Dualsportdisciplehaha first thing I noticed
You show a dr650 in your thumbnail?
The dr650 must disagree it keeps appearing on your video 😂
hahah
Title says “Buy a DRZ400”
Thumbnail shows a DR650
shhhhh
Top speed on my DRZ400 is about 81mph, but I have the keihin FCR39MX carb.
What are you running for gearing?
The Bike At :43 Looks Like A DR-350. Thank You.
I was also told a 650, but it was copyright free so I used it
@@Dualsportdisciple its the Dr 650.
You know your thumbnail picture is a DR650? Which makes a better ADV bike, but you can't go wrong with either.
ya it was just copyright free
I saw these sorts of videos for years and finally decided to pick up a DRZ last year to see for myself. Nope. I agree that with the claims about the specs, I just didn't like the thing. It makes more sound than power in my experience, and just lacks the smoothness of my CRF250L. Was the extra power nice? Yeah, but it wasn't world-changing. If you've never had anything else, you'll probably like it. But if you've had a Yamaha or Honda, it just feels less than. I liked my DR650 better, but still sold it to go back to Honda.
Like most people, if Honda would make a CRF400L (not the 450L race bike they made instead), the conversation would be over.
Ya again I have 0 experience on other bikes, but I kind of like that. I have no comparison but I’m sure I will look back with future bikes
3000 is a steal for one of these. I see used ones going for 5k abd above with tons of miles. Not saying they're not worth it, but at that point just buy a new one.
Sadly new ones are over 10k after dealer fees. Then you still gotta mod them.
@@machupikachu1085 I think they're about $7,100 new. I might be off with that number. I would shop around if dealer fees and title and taxes totaled 3k. Now that the inventory is going up, you can probably wheel and deal a little more.
damn that speedometer make you go 0-60 in milliseconds lol
but hey who am i to talk, i don't even have a speedometer anymore, just a ram mount with a seedo app on an old iphone
My speedo is so broken hahah