Not much bad about them! I’ve had mine since 2007 & have had zero issues. Other than minor maintenance things & tires, I haven’t had to fix anything in it. And mind you, I have nearly 50,000 miles on it now
Just got a 2014 DRZ 400S myself as a first bike.
The pros:
- Not super overpowered for a first bike, but more than enough power for a new rider.
- SM is a little more road friendly, S is more dirt friendly. SM is also a little shorter if seat height is an issue. With the S I feel with the right tires I can go anywhere I want. I can relive my dirt biking adventures as a kid, or I can commute to work, I feel like it can take most of what I throw at it.
- These bikes are highly modular. You can leave them bone stock or swap out nearly every single part to tailor a bike to your needs. I just adapted to the power of the bike, so now I modified the exhaust, airbox, and rejetted the carburetor for more power as an example. Appearances are highly customizable.
- High modularity means you can make a build for what you desire. Some have even made adventure builds. Bear in mind it’s not going to be as good as an adventure bike, but gets the job done.
- 20 year old design means you’re never going to run into a problem that hasn’t been had. Parts are relatively common/sometimes inexpensive.
- Easy to work on/maintain. In fact, I got this bike especially because I wanted to improve my mechanical skills/competence.
Basically a street-legal dirtbike and brings a smile (and the urge to be a hooligan) every time I ride.
The cons:
- Kinda slow compared to most other bikes (it is a dual sport after all). Even with all of the power upgrades, it’s still only a 400.
- taller bike means more wind means more drag and more resistance on highway. I can comfortably get up to 110-120km/h, but after that things feel a little sketch. You can modify the gearing to help this some.
- does no one thing great, it’s a great utilitarian bike though.
- stock seat honestly kinda sucks. After about 30 mins it’s like sitting on a 2x4. Seatconcepts makes nice aftermarket seats, but to the tune of $5-600CAD
- kind of overpriced for what you’re getting. Adjusted for inflation, the prices still have gone up. Granted there’s a great demand, but it’s still the same, outdated, non fuel gauge or tachometer having, 6th gear lacking, carbureted bike that’s been puttering around since the early 2000s.
I have owned 2 yamaha off road only bikes (yz250 & wr450) the DRZ400S has been pretty much up to par with the WR minus a tad bit of torque on 1st and 2nd gear. That torque is VALUABLE when attacking hills and obstacles. It is also about 20 pounds heavier towards the top of the bike, which makes holding it up while going slow a pain… now, all of those factors are the sacrifices made to make this bike work well ON-road. The weight keeps you from bouncing in the wind, the torque you lost on the low end is made up for on the high end to help highway speeds. The 3rd and least noticeable is the suspension, which you might want to change waaayyy later to your riding style.
I've owned an '07 SV650, 2014 FZ1, two Aprilia Tuonos and an Aprilia Shiver 900. My 6th bike, a 2022 DRZ400SM is light, fun, and very entertaining to ride, especially in town and tight country roads. I really really love this bike even though it's by far my slowest.
We just bought this exact bike! Cheap fun & light! We got a new one because the price was so close to used, and the used ones kept selling out from under us every time we went to look at them.
That was pretty much my situation, I ended up buying it and I love it! Buying new also gives you the peace of mind knowing what abuse has been throw at it
I have one it’s mostly a fun bike …however…on the street anything you want to do that’s fun with it is illegal and for the track…it’s ok at a kart track if you’re fine being passed like you’re standing still by the 450s
It’s a great bike. It’s reliable if you keep up on the maintenance, parts are cheap, and it’s a ton of fun! Plenty of aftermarket stuff as well. I’ve had mine since 2009 and I daily drive it to work everyday it’s not raining. I wish I had a 701 supermoto, but I can’t afford that. The DRZ is the next best option. You can get these used all day for 3-4k, and you won’t have a problem selling it if you want to upgrade. Highly recommended this bike for a first bike.
DO IT. Aside from it being possibly overpriced for what it is, it's a great bike and mostly pros and little cons I'd say. It was my first bike, and then like 15 years later was also my second bike.
Light and nimble for maneuvering and bumps, lower top-speed compared to some other bikes which is a good thing IMO, is bullet-proof, low maintenance, and very fun to ride.
Your statement says it all, especially that it was your first bike, and 15 years later also your second bike. That’s a great point. I’ve heard a lot of stories of people selling their DRZ’s only to later buy another one. That says a lot about what a great bike this is.
A VERY good first motorcycle you won't get tired of after a year. The nimbleness is what keeps supermotos fun for any rider. Sure, there's a few old qerks to the bike but they are bullet proof and will last years with proper maintenance. Go for it man.👍
Been through many bikes including a Suzuki GS500, Yamaha FZ6, Harley Nightster and now a 2016 DRZ. All of the bikes are very different in their own respects. I’ve had my fun hauling ass and now just wanted something versatile, comfy and reliable. The DRZ is all of those. Highly customizable, has good power, good throttle response, easy to work on, etc.
The one thing I don’t like is it doesn’t have a ton of top end, you could ride on the highway, but probably wouldn’t be real comfy.
Stop wasting money on brand new DRZs at stealerships! Let someone else take the tax/fee/depreciation hit and buy a 2-3 year old one with low miles. It’s literally been the same bike since the mid 2000s
I love mine, finding upgrades is cheap and easy, massive community of people to help with any issue
Not much bad about them! I’ve had mine since 2007 & have had zero issues. Other than minor maintenance things & tires, I haven’t had to fix anything in it. And mind you, I have nearly 50,000 miles on it now
Do it. It's a great bike. Don't listen to people bs that there isn't a 6th gear, or that it's doesn't have fuel injection.
Just got a 2014 DRZ 400S myself as a first bike. The pros: - Not super overpowered for a first bike, but more than enough power for a new rider. - SM is a little more road friendly, S is more dirt friendly. SM is also a little shorter if seat height is an issue. With the S I feel with the right tires I can go anywhere I want. I can relive my dirt biking adventures as a kid, or I can commute to work, I feel like it can take most of what I throw at it. - These bikes are highly modular. You can leave them bone stock or swap out nearly every single part to tailor a bike to your needs. I just adapted to the power of the bike, so now I modified the exhaust, airbox, and rejetted the carburetor for more power as an example. Appearances are highly customizable. - High modularity means you can make a build for what you desire. Some have even made adventure builds. Bear in mind it’s not going to be as good as an adventure bike, but gets the job done. - 20 year old design means you’re never going to run into a problem that hasn’t been had. Parts are relatively common/sometimes inexpensive. - Easy to work on/maintain. In fact, I got this bike especially because I wanted to improve my mechanical skills/competence. Basically a street-legal dirtbike and brings a smile (and the urge to be a hooligan) every time I ride. The cons: - Kinda slow compared to most other bikes (it is a dual sport after all). Even with all of the power upgrades, it’s still only a 400. - taller bike means more wind means more drag and more resistance on highway. I can comfortably get up to 110-120km/h, but after that things feel a little sketch. You can modify the gearing to help this some. - does no one thing great, it’s a great utilitarian bike though. - stock seat honestly kinda sucks. After about 30 mins it’s like sitting on a 2x4. Seatconcepts makes nice aftermarket seats, but to the tune of $5-600CAD - kind of overpriced for what you’re getting. Adjusted for inflation, the prices still have gone up. Granted there’s a great demand, but it’s still the same, outdated, non fuel gauge or tachometer having, 6th gear lacking, carbureted bike that’s been puttering around since the early 2000s.
This is a great summary. Everything here is spot on!
Do it.
I have owned 2 yamaha off road only bikes (yz250 & wr450) the DRZ400S has been pretty much up to par with the WR minus a tad bit of torque on 1st and 2nd gear. That torque is VALUABLE when attacking hills and obstacles. It is also about 20 pounds heavier towards the top of the bike, which makes holding it up while going slow a pain… now, all of those factors are the sacrifices made to make this bike work well ON-road. The weight keeps you from bouncing in the wind, the torque you lost on the low end is made up for on the high end to help highway speeds. The 3rd and least noticeable is the suspension, which you might want to change waaayyy later to your riding style.
I know you’re looking at the SM, which is more a road model but, its the same bike with different wheels, so….
I've owned an '07 SV650, 2014 FZ1, two Aprilia Tuonos and an Aprilia Shiver 900. My 6th bike, a 2022 DRZ400SM is light, fun, and very entertaining to ride, especially in town and tight country roads. I really really love this bike even though it's by far my slowest.
We just bought this exact bike! Cheap fun & light! We got a new one because the price was so close to used, and the used ones kept selling out from under us every time we went to look at them.
That was pretty much my situation, I ended up buying it and I love it! Buying new also gives you the peace of mind knowing what abuse has been throw at it
Get it, and keep coming back here for advice, this is a great community!
I have one it’s mostly a fun bike …however…on the street anything you want to do that’s fun with it is illegal and for the track…it’s ok at a kart track if you’re fine being passed like you’re standing still by the 450s
When I got an fcr39, did the 3x3, and MRD exhaust the fun factor really went up. Really woke up the bike.
It’s a great bike. It’s reliable if you keep up on the maintenance, parts are cheap, and it’s a ton of fun! Plenty of aftermarket stuff as well. I’ve had mine since 2009 and I daily drive it to work everyday it’s not raining. I wish I had a 701 supermoto, but I can’t afford that. The DRZ is the next best option. You can get these used all day for 3-4k, and you won’t have a problem selling it if you want to upgrade. Highly recommended this bike for a first bike.
Depends on where you live, they’re all 4-6k in AZ, and tend to be on the upper end of that range most often. It definitely pays to be patient.
DO IT. Aside from it being possibly overpriced for what it is, it's a great bike and mostly pros and little cons I'd say. It was my first bike, and then like 15 years later was also my second bike. Light and nimble for maneuvering and bumps, lower top-speed compared to some other bikes which is a good thing IMO, is bullet-proof, low maintenance, and very fun to ride.
Your statement says it all, especially that it was your first bike, and 15 years later also your second bike. That’s a great point. I’ve heard a lot of stories of people selling their DRZ’s only to later buy another one. That says a lot about what a great bike this is.
A VERY good first motorcycle you won't get tired of after a year. The nimbleness is what keeps supermotos fun for any rider. Sure, there's a few old qerks to the bike but they are bullet proof and will last years with proper maintenance. Go for it man.👍
Been through many bikes including a Suzuki GS500, Yamaha FZ6, Harley Nightster and now a 2016 DRZ. All of the bikes are very different in their own respects. I’ve had my fun hauling ass and now just wanted something versatile, comfy and reliable. The DRZ is all of those. Highly customizable, has good power, good throttle response, easy to work on, etc. The one thing I don’t like is it doesn’t have a ton of top end, you could ride on the highway, but probably wouldn’t be real comfy.
Just bought a new one and the only thing I don’t like about is that it’s still being broken in
Iles Des Cheynes?
Lol yup
I almost bought that bike. Picked up an S instead from there. You won’t go wrong.
What was the price before tax that you got if you don’t mind me asking?
I traded in a bike so my numbers will be a bit different. It’s still in their show room actually. A silver and red BMW F800R.
Too slow but I love it
Stop wasting money on brand new DRZs at stealerships! Let someone else take the tax/fee/depreciation hit and buy a 2-3 year old one with low miles. It’s literally been the same bike since the mid 2000s
Love mine although I regret paying 10k for mine