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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Stephen072774 on January 30, 2006, 07:37:06 AM

Title: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Stephen072774 on January 30, 2006, 07:37:06 AM
I picked up a new (used) bike this weekend... a 2005 DRZ400SM.  It was bought in August and only has 400 miles on it.  I rode it for about a hour yesterday in some twisty roads and I was afraid my face would become stuck in some sort of perma-grin. :icon_mrgreen:  Its so lightweight it feels like riding a mountain bike with 35hp.  Its a hoot to ride.  That thumper sound will take some getting used to, but so far I'm in love.

(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Stephen072774/drz3.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Stephen072774/drz2.jpg)
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a73/Stephen072774/drz1.jpg)
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Jake D on January 30, 2006, 08:23:44 AM
Wow!  That is a cool bike.  An '05 huh?  That is sweet.  Congratulations, man. 

Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Alphamazing on January 30, 2006, 09:43:02 AM
Dude... one word.

Supermoto.



Sweeeeeeet.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Vball24 on January 30, 2006, 12:14:37 PM
Welcome back!!!   :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: natedawg120 on January 30, 2006, 12:30:15 PM
That is a real nice bike you got there.  Now get a set of nobbies and get it dirty  :cheers:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Alphamazing on January 30, 2006, 12:31:36 PM
Quote from: natedawg120 on January 30, 2006, 12:30:15 PM
That is a real nice bike you got there.  Now get a set of nobbies and get it dirty  :cheers:

You're crazy. He needs to keep the slicks on it and get it road-grimey, not dusty.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: RVertigo on January 30, 2006, 01:20:04 PM
YAY!!!

Glad to hear it...  They're having a raffle at a local shop for a dual-sport...  I should have entered. :icon_lol:

Looks like a fun bike...  Now get a set of nobbies! :thumb:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Chris_B on January 30, 2006, 05:48:59 PM
Why nobbies?
Very nice bike, my buddy was interested in getting one, whats the power like?
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: ninja_steve on January 30, 2006, 06:42:55 PM
if he wnats knobbies he should probably regear and get different wheels- that thign would be a slug offroad. 

cool bike, but get rid of those nasty dunlops and get some pilot powers.  yosh makes an exhaust that sounds cool too  :thumb:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: scratch on January 30, 2006, 07:14:44 PM
I'm jealous. :icon_mrgreen: :thumb:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: buzz on January 30, 2006, 07:57:11 PM
Sweet! I hope to see you on the road soon.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: lumpoffire on January 30, 2006, 08:02:39 PM
Not only a cool bike but a cool P/U truck to haul it or rescue it with. 

Some guys have all the luck  :)
D.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Budrick320 on January 30, 2006, 08:42:55 PM
Sweet. I saw one exactly like that in the campus motorcycle parking lot today. I like the fat tires. :thumb:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: dgyver on January 30, 2006, 08:55:42 PM
Nothing like coming back in style!  :thumb:

That is the same bike I have been looking at getting.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: FearedGS500 on January 30, 2006, 09:12:26 PM
SUPERMOTO!!! fun sport .. would like to try it :)
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: john on January 30, 2006, 10:49:53 PM
I'd put knobbies on it and wale the tar out of it in the dirt.  Dirt riding rules!  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Alphamazing on January 31, 2006, 12:26:56 AM
Quote from: john on January 30, 2006, 10:49:53 PM
I'd put knobbies on it and wale the tar out of it in the dirt.  Dirt riding rules!  :icon_mrgreen:

You crazy, man. Supermoto is where it's at.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: RVertigo on January 31, 2006, 12:56:00 AM
Quote from: john on January 30, 2006, 10:49:53 PMI'd put knobbies on it and wale the tar out of it in the dirt.  Dirt riding rules!  :icon_mrgreen:
Even on a small bike, dirt/mountain/off-road/trail riding is a friggen BLAST!!!!!!!

Plus, it hurts a little less when you fall over.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: Stephen072774 on January 31, 2006, 07:34:54 AM
The power is very different... its more low end torque.  The first time I rode it I slammed thru the gears and looked down and was going 60mph.  So its not super fast, but it accellerates just fine for me.  I can see that it will probably pull wheelies pretty easy, that low torque lightens the front end from take-off.  Its topped out at 90mph.  But it will cruise at 70 with no problems.  I'm gonna be riding it like it is for a while, I can't wait to take it in some mild off-road conditions.  It will be interesting to see how the street tires do on some well packed trails.  I might end up getting an extra set of dirt wheels to swap out.  Not sure yet.  First thing I'm gonna do is case guards, hand/lever guards, skid plate, and axle sliders... stuff to protect it.

Oh and another thing, I just thought the insurance was cheap on the GS, this thing is super cheap to insure.
Title: Re: Stephen's back on two wheels!!
Post by: scratch on January 31, 2006, 09:00:48 AM
And, definitely get the DeVol radiator guards!  There's a lot of info on Thumpertalk.com specifically for the DRZ400.

And, get that suspension set-up for you.