Hi, kinda new to the world of motorcycling.
I enjoy ATVing, and haven't ridden a dirtbike in years.(think 8 years old)
Family has a camp 150 miles away , ride there pretty often. Put 150miles a weekend easy on gravel trails just moving around fishing and stuff.
Other then that theres just some trails across the street that i can atv on, or just wait till we go to camp.

So i was thinking of getting my motorcycle license this october. Could ride it to camp and use it while there. How well would this bike handle a 200mile trip?


I was looking at some of the smaller bikes 250 range, and while i think they'd be great , im use to bigger atv's and assume i would get a bit bored on a 250 eventually so i looked at the 400.
Oh, btw im 6'2 215lb's

How is this for a first time bike?

I was also thinking of grabbing a new exhaust right of the bat with purchase. Should i wait a bit first?

Ive been looking around reading and stuff but hey, it never hurts to ask opinions.
This has prolly been asked alot so im sorry also.
Anyhow, thanks in advance!

The DRZ400S is a good first bike. It sounds like it would be ideal for what your talking about. I would skip the exhaust and get all the protection you need first, like skid plat, rad protection, hand guards, etc...

The DRZ is really not the best bike for long 150 mile straight rides but in this case I think it would be kind of fun because its all fire roads, gravel, etc...

I would also have it sprung for your weight and a visit to the MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) will help with getting the license and staying safe.

kman780 said:

Well getting there isnt all fire road's/gravel, but at there is along with trails.
It starts off i get on the highway and go down a few exit's, turn off then its pretty much you just follow that road forever. It has alot of hills, turns, and straightaway's alike. Mostly all 40-50mph area.
Real old roads tho. Faded line's, potholes.
Real scenic stuff.
Some of it probably isnt even open to traffic in the winter.

Thanks for reminding me of protection, i had forgotten about skid plates.

And yessir, i planned on the MSF course at the college.

TBH tho i think id be 75% street 25% dirt. Its just if you go offroad, you need something like this IMO. You either go really well street, and your no fun in the trails , or go something like this and have awesome trails, and ok street.
If theres something better tho, feel free to tell me so. I looked at the DR650SE but im just not sure. I hear its better for street's and stuff? Grocery store is just a few miles away. Part of the way i can play on the trails but i hafta hop back onto the road to finish the trip.

Ok, i have another question
How diffrent is the gearing on the S vs the SM ?
I know the SM can hit 75-80MPH on highway but gets slightly shakey,but how about the S? Will the rev's start to get high sooner or is it the same?
Im a little unsure. The highways here are 55mph posted, but the cars all do 65-70, so the ability 75 would be nice if i get the S.

An 'S' with stock gearing and stock tires hit 90mph for me on flat or slightly downhill, no shaking. It actually wasn't too bad off road on hard pack, even in muck the rear Trailwing would keep pushing, but the front Trailwing is unpredictable in mud. I put on Dunlop D606's both ends and it was better off-road, but new they wandered above 60mph. Nothing crazy, but enough to tell you not to push.

If you are doing a lot of road miles to start with, keep the Trailwings.

As far as I know the stock SM gearing adjusts for the difference in rear tire diameter, not much different beyond that.

If you change the exhaust, plan on rejetting, perhaps doing the 3x3 at the same time. Look in the DRZ FAQ for details.

By hit do you mean holding the throttle wide open for like 15minute?:smirk:
Or can you actually accelerate to 90 and make a quick pass?

DFGum said:

90 on a stock S is a little bit of a stretch. You may get there, its hard to say. I think when mine was totally stock I did get it up there.

We are about the same size, I'm just a little taller and a little heavier. To say you would get bored with the 250 is an understatement, the 400 is a much better choice. The power is manageable on the 400 enough to be a good first bike, not as mellow as a 250 but you can grow with the 400 as your abilities develop.

Tire choice for what you describe is pretty much the way I ride. I'm on my second MT-21 rear but unless I can find a spare set of rims they (mt 21s) will be my last set. I love them off road but the pavement eats them up to fast. I got 800 miles out of the first rear, probably could have pushed it further legally but the off road handling had dropped off to nothing. I can't bring myself to shell out a $100 for a new rear tire every other month, ain't gonna happen. I'm going to try TKC 80's next and if they don't work I'll just go cheap and spoon on a set of Kenda 270's. Mileage has got to get better.

Good thought on the MSF. I get a 10% discount on insurance, doesn't mean much as the bill is only $112 per year but every bit helps.

I rekon judging by my S on 15/44 standard gear the tarmac road cruise speed should be no more than 60/65 mph and as long as your butt holds out you could sit at that all day long.
My Transalp has done 3500 so far on its TKC rear and theres still a bit left on a lighter DRZ it should last just fine