I currently have an 01 DRZS bored out to a 440 with E cams, RHC valves/springs, 3X3, FCR 39 carb and MRD pipe. I was wondering what would be the cost of going up to a 470 and what parts and pieces would be required to benefit from it? I really like my Z as it is but there are so many times out on the interstate or highway that I wished it had more. Since it is getting colder out now would be a good time to start the 470 kit. Either that or I am looking at a SV650 for the higher speed adventures and start using the Z more for my offroad adventures and pull it back out of SM trim since I wouldn't be riding it to work everyday. For those of you that have gone the 470 route are you happy on the street with that? Anyone else picked up a SV and gone that route?

I just had eddie put the 4mm stroker crank in my drz with a set of rhc 187 cams. The difference between the 462 and 434 was huge for me. Worth every penny. I had purchased the fcr 41 for my 434, which was a mistake. With that carb i lost a lot of low end. The crank really brought everything together. With your current set-up i would highly recommend the stroker crank and cams. It brings everything together. You will love it.

I take it you have to go with the FCR 41 to get full benefit. What do the hp and torque curves look like? Will have to see where it comes out in price on whether I do it or not.

If you want to go fast , it will cost.
My best mod was a new head from Eddie.
Stroking is a costly mod , as it demands several hours of
work to fit

The 470 is just what the DRZ needed. Hitting the highway, running 80 mph, nailing the gas makes the bike accelerate compared to a stockers with a FCR that creeps slowly faster.

William1 said:

80 mph and accelerate. But that would be a violation of motor vehicle laws. :smirk:

I haven't even bothered to see top speed. It was still pulling like a train at 100 mph.

But yes it does so very well. I am pleased with mine. Not sure how it would compare to your build. I had previously done everything I could short of the BB though. It just isn't the same league. It does vibrate more than I expected but baring that it rocks. 15/39 with SM wheels and it will power up in 3rd. :banana: I was either going to sell the DRZ and upgrade, or just upgrade the DRZ. I think it was worth it.

I keep looking at the cost to do a 470 vs an SV and think I can almost have two bikes instead of just one. One for offroad and one for onroad.

do it you wont be disappointed , the are super reliable and make great torque

screechingdemon said:

You really do need two bikes, maybe three, as there is no one bike that can do it all. For me, I would like to have dual sport, canyon carver and tourer. The closest bike would be a KTM 990 adventure, but its not much of a canyon carver, and it is limited in the dirt.

I used to have an SV650, but I outgrew the power on that, and moved up to a 1000cc. The 650 will be much faster than the drz, but it didn't have that punch from 60 - 80 that a liter bike has. First I moved up to a z1000, and currently have a Multistrada 1000s.

So, forget the stroker, get the SV. Better to have two bikes. ;)

One motorcycle :moon: sacriledge. :banghead:

I figure 4 is tolerable (bear in mind I only have 2 right now), not counting the obvious collecting.

1 dirt bike (plated)
1 sport bike (Italian red would be nice)
1 commuter (Nuclear Pumpkin anyone?)
1 big dual or quasi dual (GS or Adventure)

It all depends or your needs. I have 2 already, the rework for me made a nice alternative to the upgrade. Given used bike prices right now it would be very reasonable to opt for a second machine. Unfortunately maintenance goes up quite alot till you hit the critical mass of multiple machines.

i bought an sv for commuting and higher speed stuff. it really is a great bike. as much as i wanted to, i couldn't see making the drz my do everything bike. the sv is SOOOO much more stable on the hwy and in wind and for days where you are over 65 for the whole time.

I was down to one bike,DRZ, for a while. Usually have three. Dirt,Dual sport,Street.
Came across a deal I couldn't turn down,so I picked up a DL-650. No comparison on the street(although I don't have a SM setup for the DRZ),I can jump on the Vstrom and put 200-300 miles on it on a morning ride.The DRZ can do that to but not as comfortably .

As far as maintenance ,yes, keeping batteries charged/oil changed/ect..,seems like more work,but your only riding one bike at a time ,so that extends service work on each bike.

My DRZ is a good time with all the mods on it... and I've been thinking about doing a stroker crank to get into the 50hp range. It really is a different bike with the extra HP. Also, if you mod the DRZ... you can run a 16/40-38 final drive, and it makes a huge difference in highway drivabillity. I'm running a 16/40, and I can run 65 mph, and it's only spinning around 5900 rpm, but you have to do the mods to be able to push that gearing. I think a 470 motor is worth it, if you really like your DRZ, and don't plan on selling it any time soon. (my mods are 94.5mm BB, FCR39, Yosh RS3, E cams, E base gasket, 3x3)

With that said... I'm with Plane Dr. Right now, I have 6 bikes in the garage, and they all have a different use.

1) WR250 for dirt (2-stroke)
2) XR250L for adventure (on/off road)
3) DRZ converted to SM
4) XB12Ss for rippin up the twisties
5) CBR1000 for a speed rush
6) Victory Vegas for ridding with the old guys.

Oh... and 7) my kids XR50

OK... most people don't want that many bikes... but I have a hard time deciding on one, and they all do something better than the others, but none of them are a "Do it all" bike.

Just an FYI... the CBR may get traded on a B-king this summer. Those bikes are scarry fast!!! Second gear, 65mph, 7500 rpm... whak the throttle, and the front tire comes right up. You can do right around 75 mph in first gear!

Eddie Sisneros said:

what size piston and stroker is that?

u-might-have-seen-me said:

I'm thinking 4 and 4. Millimeters.

I really love my DRZ but in the last year I have spent all my time on the highway going to and from work. It has been a blast since I converted it to SM trim. I used to take it for more adventure riding on the weekends, but due to the time it took to swap wheels and other things going on I haven't done much of that. If I had the dirt wheels on it all the time I am would spend more time offroad especially in the evenings. Guess we will see if the deal on a SV I am working on comes thru, if not I will be going up to a 470 on the DRZ.

It sure would be nice to have a bike for everything, but I don't have the garage space or the $ to do that.

I noticed a couple people mentioned more vibration with the 470 kit, how noticeable was it? I noticed a fair amount more when I went to the 434 kit, which I didn't think was bad till I go on longer rides.

Not to thread-jack, but to all you guys with more than one bike: :moon::p:moon::p


That being said, I will someday own something with 'desmodromic' in its spec sheet... someday...

I have a buddy here in DAL with 10+ bikes. He rides the Wee Strom the most.

The vibration isn't "bad" just more than I expected. With the higher gearing it helps, but it is noticeable. Around town I don't notice it.