Bandit Alley

GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => GENERAL MOTORCYCLE => Topic started by: Desolation Angel on March 28, 2006, 07:47:55 PM

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Desolation Angel on March 28, 2006, 07:47:55 PM

What do you guys think of these Suzuki Supermotos?  I kinda like 'em and wonder if I'm too big for it (240)?

(http://www.suzukicycles.com/images/ProductImages/colorVariations/500/DRZ400SMK6_Black_000000.jpg)

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: curiousmike on March 28, 2006, 08:07:48 PM

It looks great, and from I've read, makes a great intro motard.  ( Huskys and KTMs the "pro" bikes for now.)

Your size will flatten the stock suspenders... but your size will flatten any motorcycles stock suspenders are you're aware.

There are sites specializing in the motard thang... google it up.
 :beers:

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Desolation Angel on March 28, 2006, 08:19:18 PM

He hurt my feelings!  :crybaby:

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: PitterB4 on March 28, 2006, 09:13:55 PM

Quote from: "Desolation Angel"

He hurt my feelings!  :crybaby:

LOL!!!  

I think they are really cool.  I love the whole motard thing.  I saw a wera guy making a bunch of guys on sportbikes look silly at a track day on one.

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: snofrog on March 28, 2006, 10:04:36 PM

cool bikes but at 240 I`d look at something a little (or a lot ) bigger.jmho...btw I can say it cause i weigh about the same lol :motorsmile:

Title: SM
Post by: B12NScott on March 29, 2006, 01:21:33 AM

They are a blast.  Just like an other bike, you can upgrade the springs.  I have a 05 DRZ 400S that I convert to SM.  I was using it for a commuter before I picked up the Bandit.  The DRZ is a little buzzy @70.  Roughly 6800 rpm.  :motorsmile:

Title: i really like them
Post by: b4cruz on March 29, 2006, 02:11:55 AM

I wanted to convince my short friend to get one instead of a
ninja 250, but the 400 might be too high for him.

Suzuki put big bar ends and some other stuff stock to help
with the big-single vibrations but I don't know how much it
actually cuts at high RPMs. I sat on one, its SOOO light =
less than 300lbs I think even with the bigger tank.

Its cheap and legal!
KTM is too expensive.
The dual sport Kawis and Hondas are just too heavy =
touring bikes not SUPERMOTARDS.
So in the USA its one of the few round town fun duals, but short people
and heavier people need to make suspension adjustments.
I haven't sat on or talked to anyone about a 650 BMW single
or the Yamaha/MZ black thingy (this one gets so many mixed writeups)
hard to know what to believe.

Maybe you can find a bigger single locally used?

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Red01 on March 29, 2006, 10:14:58 AM

I think they rock!
The thing that turns me off about the KTM's is their maintenance schedule and the expense of keeping one up with all their filters and fine tuning. I suppose that's to be somewhat expected of a more race-bred machine. If you're going SM racing, the Suzuki probably wouldn't be the best choice, but for turnkey fun off the closed circuit, I think they'd be great. I'd love to add one to my garage, but then there's a lot of bikes I'd like to add.

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Desolation Angel on March 29, 2006, 11:20:18 AM

I just thought it was a good looking bike.  I don't really want it.  Like to test drive one, though.

Title: motard
Post by: tacoman on March 29, 2006, 02:15:01 PM

All the mags have written this up well.  Some jetting and silencer changes and you can wake this thing up.  I think it would be a cool adventure tourer.  You could put on a large IMS tank, some nice trials or flat track tires, and go.

Title: SM
Post by: B12NScott on March 29, 2006, 05:29:54 PM

I bought my S in Oct 04 and put 4400 miles on it mostly in SM trim.  The seat is like sitting on a 2x4, so it just depends on how long you can stand it.  I did a Ride from Bellevue to Ellensburg back to North Bend(roughly 140 miles round trip).  I was glad to get off that seat.  The two harley guys and one Honda Davidson guy was more comfortable than I.  Thats why I bought the Bandit.  You can buy Gel seats, but most of the people end up putting the stocker back on.  Then for $250 you can get a Corbin. I have heard mostly good about them.  I still have my S,  and I have not used my SM gear since I bought my Bandit,but can't get myself to sell it off.  To much fun. :banana:  :banana:  :banana:

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: curiousmike on March 29, 2006, 07:02:57 PM

I think this bike would be the ultimate second bike in the garage.

It does all the things the bandit (1200) doesn't do well (serious sunday morning shredding on the gnarliest of roads... i.e., weighs 180lbs less than the bandit)  )

The Bandit 1200 does all the things better it don't. (Power !  Comfort ! )

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Swamp Rat on March 30, 2006, 06:42:34 PM

Up grade to a full Yosh exhaust and 450cc kit and that thing would really rock.
  Been thinking about making mine street legal. :motorsmile:

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: billybandit on April 01, 2006, 03:53:39 PM

Nice looking bikes them.

I also like supermotos, had a go on a KTM 640 - was a right hoot. Don't like the idea of having to stick my foot out for stability though

Title: DR-Z400SM
Post by: Red01 on April 03, 2006, 10:22:19 AM

You don't have to do that... just saw a video someone had linked to on another board that was of Biaggi, Hayden and a few other MotoGP stars mixin' it up on Supermotos. They were all riding them with feet on the pegs, knees down, roadracer style.

Edited to add video link
Click here for the video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8462378466997568582&q=supermotard&pl=true)