Drz400 Thread

[ptgarcia]

Originally Posted by 150ron

Awesome, thanks for all the info and details pauly, when i get the bike ill check back in and put up some pics.

i allready know i want to do the edge red taillight assembly to clean up the bck, and if i can find an affordable small rear rack.

They're great bikes, you're going to love yours.

I really like the Pro Moto Billet rack but they aren't cheap. I'm not a rack guy but if I ever need one its what I would get.

[150ron]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

They're great bikes, you're going to love yours.

I really like the Pro Moto Billet rack but they aren't cheap. I'm not a rack guy but if I ever need one its what I would get.

Thanks, ill look into that one, the thing i like about this bike is that theres tons of aftermarket stuff for it, my previous bike.. lol, not so much.

So is there a drz specific website where people buy parts and accesories from? or is it usually ebay and amazon?

[ptgarcia]

Originally Posted by 150ron

Thanks, ill look into that one, the thing i like about this bike is that theres tons of aftermarket stuff for it, my previous bike.. lol, not so much.

So is there a drz specific website where people buy parts and accesories from? or is it usually ebay and amazon?

No real DR-Z specific site to speak of. I buy a lot of parts from the ThumperTalk store. They have good prices, no tax, ship quickly and since they're in Las Vegas parts arrive quickly once shipped. They also carry just about everything DR-Z related and package up commonly needed parts (such as their oil change kits) for our bikes.

[Starchamp]

Originally Posted by 150ron

So is there a drz specific website where people buy parts and accesories from? or is it usually ebay and amazon?

Wheeling Cycle Supply, Procycle, Rocky Mountain ATV and Langston Racing are good places to start, along with the bigger chains like Motorcycle Superstore, BikeBandit, and Dennis Kirk.

[150ron]

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

No real DR-Z specific site to speak of. I buy a lot of parts from the ThumperTalk store. They have good prices, no tax, ship quickly and since they're in Las Vegas parts arrive quickly once shipped. They also carry just about everything DR-Z related and package up commonly needed parts (such as their oil change kits) for our bikes.

Originally Posted by Starchamp

Wheeling Cycle Supply, Procycle, Rocky Mountain ATV and Langston Racing are good places to start, along with the bigger chains like Motorcycle Superstore, BikeBandit, and Dennis Kirk.

Thank you guys!!

much appreciated.

[955616846]

I've had a good run and saved quite a few bucks with Mike at Power Barn. There is some DR-Z gear on the website and for the gear that isn't, just call or email. He gets top marks for communication... Poor communication more than anything will make me walk away a store.

[bondbmw]

Having just completed a 2626 mile trip in a week I can safely say that I should have gone the drz route first. I bought a R1150gs to start dual sporting but as a novice I really struggled off road. Plus given the weight of the bike I was a little afraid to venture off alone.... Dropping the bike off horizontal and burying it in sand meant I couldn't extract it on my own.

The Drz changed all that. Sure I miss the big 'ol bimmer on the freeway but not as much as I thought. Get some tunes in the lid, a comfy seat and get happy at 65mph

Love it.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831346

[coarsegoldkid]

Some use them as a fix for poor riding technique in for example sand. Others use them as a band-aid fix for a badly behaving bike..

So for the newbie rider what is the proper technique for riding in sand? I've come across some deep stuff in turns mostly and the bike doesn't steer where I want it. It plows and bucks and shakes it's pointy little head. Running a front and rear knobby.

[mr. matteeanne]

Originally Posted by coarsegoldkid

So for the newbie rider what is the proper technique for riding in sand? I've come across some deep stuff in turns mostly and the bike doesn't steer where I want it. It plows and bucks and shakes it's pointy little head. Running a front and rear knobby.

Power is the ONLY way through sand.

[DR650SEDDY]

Originally Posted by coarsegoldkid

So for the newbie rider what is the proper technique for riding in sand? .

If terrains u choose that day is mostly sandy/deep sand washes then the following could help:
dial ur front & rear supension to harder setting (see owner manual), medium to soft terrain rear tire can help a lot (Trakmaster760 II) or the like. Have low gearing sprocketwise (14/47 or 14/48), keep tire pressure the lowest possible without havin' pinch flat (10-12psi if rim locks excist), keep ur butt on da rear seat stand up, open throtle & enjoy da ride...... Don't forget Steering Stabilizer can come handy that day.

[Gadget678]

Originally Posted by coarsegoldkid

So for the newbie rider what is the proper technique for riding in sand? I've come across some deep stuff in turns mostly and the bike doesn't steer where I want it. It plows and bucks and shakes it's pointy little head. Running a front and rear knobby.

How much of your forks can you see from the top of your tripple clamp? The further through the clamps the forks are (theoretically) the sharper it will turn. That might help with some of the wash out.
Lean the bike, while trying to keep yourself as vertical as possible.
ALWAYS hit corners under power. If you need to slow down, do it before the corner, then get back on the throttle to go around.
It is hard to get used to, but the bike will wobble & move.... just try to relax and let it. A death grip doesn't help
I wouldn't go too harsh on suspension unless you're really getting into it. A plush action will help keep the rear wheel on the ground getting drive, which will help get you through. My suspension turner set mine up to be plush-ish, but can handle hard hits well.
Not all knobbies are equal. The Mitas C-21 I ran on Safari had the tendancy for the side knobs to bite (thus pull on the bars) when cornering in sand ruts at times, but it never really worried me. The Pirelli Scorpion that I have on at the moment behaves better. If you're doing a lot of sand, try Michelin S-12.

[150ron]

Got the bike

2007 with 1200 miles, love it so far, did the oil and filter change allready, installed my garage door opener on the bike allready with a small momentary switch, got to put together a tool kit and clean it up some,

quick question the PO replaced the stock 15t front sprocket with a 14t front sprocket, but hes still got the stock 15 that i want to put back on, is the nut to loosen the sprocket reversed thread? i tried really hard, the thing wont budge!!

If it is reversed thread, ill go try that, if not, ill have to take it in to the shop, for them to use the air gun or whatever they use, also do you guys put the bike in 1st gear to loosen that nut? or just in neutral and step on the rear brake while loosening it?

thanks.

ill post up some pics tomorrow.

[Starchamp]

Sprocket nut is NOT reverse threaded. Sounds like the PO might have done the loctite fix when switching gears. You can try using just a little heat on the nut, or just power through it. Bike in gear, rear tire on the floor, full rear brake, and a cheater bar is usually what I do.

[wingam00]

The Sprocket nut also has a lock tab that is folded over the nut. You need to ben that tab back before trying to take off the nut.

[150ron]

Yeah, i bent the tab back, but my gawd, this thing wont even budge, i changed sprockets on my previous bikes with ease, im afraid if i put it in first gear and really give it power it might break the gear??