I am considering one of these new bikes. They seem to be really promising. I was curious about everyone's impression about the low end. Is there enough to pull the front wheel of the ground in 1st/2nd? If not, would a different front sprocket help this at all?
I read that in the latest dirt something, that the bike (E-With the starter) doesn't feel as heavy as it actually is. What is your impression?
Answers to these questions, as well as any other likes/dislikes would be greatly appreciated!

is there enough low end to raise the front end,he asks?

i have to laugh.

really it is a very good quetion, what with all the recent wimpy 4-strokes running around. i'm comming off the best year for a KX 250('98) in terms of overall power and i don't miss a bit of power. actaully, on top, there might be more on the DRZ!

so YES the DRZ is plenty powerful!! you won't be sorry in the slightest.

i race in the Mid South Harescramble Series and the bike FEELS very light in the woods. it does, however, start to feel it's weight in open riding with lots of g-outs. in just open riding it's a blast. but it is truly at home in the tight stuff.

[This message has been edited by DR.billZ (edited 03-23-2000).]

Dr. Billz,

Great site....just ordered my 400 this week , from a shop down in Memphis. They had a killer deal on the E version, $4600. Even after getting it shipped up here to central Va. still saved about $600.
Anyhow, you say mid-south...where do you ride, always looking for new places in southwestern Va., or western NC.

See ya,

B. Myers

Damage...You will love the DRZ its the best bike ive ever owned and Im one of the guys complaining a little about low-end.First off you would have to see the hills thats giving me trouble.This bike will scream up most hills without thinking twice,like Bill said its plenty powerful!!!Ive not talked to anyone who owns or has ridden a drz who doesn't love it.

B.Meyers.congrats on the DRZ!!

B.Meyers, when did you get your bike. i was trying to keep that bike in Memphis a secret for a buddy of mine.......oh well.

Dr. Billz,

I started working with them on Mon., Fed-Ex. the "green" stuff Wed., they confirmed it was done yesterday (check cleared, etc.). They still got the kick start version, for $100 less...atleast the when I talked with Gina last. The next best deal I found was with Comp. Acc. otta OH, they wanted $5149, but sounded like they would "deal"; shipping on that was round $250. Still below what I could get it instate for.

Hope your buddy can find a good deal too!

B. Myers

Congrats on the new bike man!

holy old posts batman!!!!!
only 6 years old
it's not a new bike anymore!!!!!!

Check out Tennesse_Thumper's avatar! That's what he looked like in the old days!

**DONOTDELETE** said:

It depends on what you're used to and what you expect. Compared to an old school thumper (like a big bore XR or a TT500) the DRZ really doesn't put out much in the way of stump pulling torque. But a DRZ, like most modern thumpers, will leave an old school 4-stroke for dead in mid-range and top-end power. In many situations, bikes like the DRZ are actually easier to ride. You don't get this big lurch of power when you're trying to get out of something tricky. Once you learn to keep the revs up a bit, be ready to clutch it a bit if it lugs, and keep it in the correct gear, you'll love it. The rush as it starts to build RPMs is definitely worth the trade-off. And yes, it'll pull the front up in a 1st or 2nd gear roll-on. But I have to say, a 435 piston will wake this bike up like you wouldn't believe!

Low end does not seem to be one of the things that a DRZ 400 lacks. Front wheel comes up easily with street gearing in 1st and 2nd, 3rd if you know the right technique. My E will LAUNCH the front wheel if there's any traction in 1st and 2nd without clutching at all.

I've done wheelies in 5th gear on my DRZ, however that requires you to be going fairly fast like 60mph or so. First/second gear wheelies happen when your not even trying, way easy.....

I've seen some old threads bumped and even bumped a few myself, but I think this one is the oldest thread I've seen bumped. :eek:

bump!

HotCorner said:

With my BB kit and Yoshi exhaust and several other mods it will easily pull the front wheel off the ground in the first 4 gears and 5th it will but you have to work at it because of how it's geared down so 5th doesn't have a lot left. This was with a blown headgasket :eek:


Yeah this post is way way old.