...errr, I mean MOTARDED!!!

I am now the proud owner of a practically new 2005 Suzuki DR-Z400SM. I love it already.

To those of you who don't know, a supermoto is essentially a dirt bike with bigger brakes and sticky tires on wider rims. They weigh in between 250 and 300lbs, typically, and have an AMA race class all their own.

I have only ridden the thing 30 miles or so, mostly highway, but I am in love already. It has comparable power to the GS, but weighs about a hundred pounds less. It only has a 5 speed gearbox, but the gears are tall and the powerband is as wide as the RPM range. The thing is very light and very tossable. It has a practical top speed of about 80, but it can go higher if you give it the room. But below that... and look out.

I can honestly say that I have never laughed as much as I did when I rode home on the DR-Z than I ever have in my life. I was laughing so much and so loud that my friends could hear me; inside the truck; with the windows up; and the engine on. It's not exactly the quietest engine, either. It's a 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel (F-250). I am still laughing and giggling about it now.

The suspension is fantastic for my weight. The front springs are perfectly matched for a 130 lb rider, and they are fully adjustable inverted forks. The rear is a bit stiff for my weight according to RaceTech, but I didn't notice a problem with it yet. The front springs are actually about as soft as the stock GSes, but since it is dirt bike derived they are supposed to be that soft. All that weight transfer leads to easy stoppies under heavy braking (don't worry, I was in a parking lot).

The gearing is wide, as noted above, so wide in fact that you have to give it a lot of gas in 1st and slip the clutch otherwise it stalls out. However, if you let the clutch out too fast the tires will stick pretty easily and power the front up faster than I ever expected. Again, don't worry, I was in a parking lot.

But seriously. It's a f%$king hoot.

Pictures later.

Yeah those things are awesome

Definately buying either that or a GS when I'm 16.

Congrats Brian!

Your names Brian? I thought it was someting else.

-ash

total lies without pics

You thought his name wasn't brian?  I magine how suprised I was when I found out he was black.

Quote from: ashman on November 16, 2006, 08:40:45 PM
Your names Brian? I thought it was someting else.

-ash

His name is actually retard, but some call him brian. 

Alpha, post some pics, congrats. 

Quote from: makenzie71 on November 16, 2006, 08:41:42 PM
total lies without pics

You thought his name wasn't brian?  I magine how suprised I was when I found out he was black.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on November 16, 2006, 07:50:48 PM
Pictures later.

Stop kissy-kissy'ing your new retard....er....motard..... We want pics NOW!!





Oh....and...CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

you sure you're ready for a 400?

I have no picture that I have taken, but here's one the guy took for his ad:

Sweet!

Chilly

Ok...that pic'll hold us over.....'til tomorrow when you can take a pic! 

What Chilly Willy said....SWEET! 

I'm still calling the bluff.

sweet on the track too...with equal riders it can easily keep pace with a 600 supersport on a tight track. one straight and its done for though...

Quote from: pantablo on November 16, 2006, 10:51:30 PM
sweet on the track too...with equal riders it can easily keep pace with a 600 supersport on a tight track. one straight and its done for though...

Curves are more fun than straights anyways, as we all know.

It's just better matched to the type of riding I do. Commuting, mainly, with the occasional sport ride and the occasional track day. I got passed in the straights by the GS, but I don't care, frankly. It's just more time for me to set up for the next curve.

I have an old video of me at streets of willow trackday taken by a rider I met there who was on that very bike...and he had no trouble keeping up with me. it was a blast as my other friend was on a xr650 converted to motard as well...

sweet man, glad you got it.  I told you... perma-grin

How did you come out on the mods? You get them or did you buy the bike stock? 

Grats on the new bike

I got the modded bike! Already plan to replace the front fender with an Acerbis one, and what is the tail light you are using, Stephen? I like it a lot.

I really need to take it easy on the bike for the next couple of weeks as I get used to the whole instant torque, super high first gear, etc...

It's still a fuggin' hoot though.

i got the DRC edge original (not the edge2) from Forrest at wheeling cycle supply... It looks like the tail light that Suzuki should have used stock on the drz.  I've been thinking about a new fender, let me know if you get it and the difference it makes on the highway.  Has the previous owner done the 3x3 air box mod?  I've been putting off untill i'm ready to rejet. 

I guess you know about the drz forum at Thumpertalk...