DR-Z 400 SM? Enuff power?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 410
From: Atlanta, GA USA
RE: DR-Z 400 SM? Enuff power?
ORIGINAL: tennisman
Hey, I have an '06 KLX250; it's been modded a bit, but ultimately I need a more powerful bike. Has anyone ridden a modded DR-Z 400SM and a KLX250 to compare power? I'd like to go SM model and throw some Distanzias on it for fire roads, moderate trails, etc.
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Hey, I have an '06 KLX250; it's been modded a bit, but ultimately I need a more powerful bike. Has anyone ridden a modded DR-Z 400SM and a KLX250 to compare power? I'd like to go SM model and throw some Distanzias on it for fire roads, moderate trails, etc.
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Don't dick around with a Slosuzki! You need to go right up the street on Canton Hwy to the KTM dealer and be done with it. You will find what you want there and never look back. Sure you will get a couple more HP out of a DRZ but it is heaver than the KLX. It's a little faster but still SLOW. If you want arm stretching power and never feel like you made the wrong choice then you know where to go. The KLX is a great trail bike, the DRZ is a starter SM.
My KTM 625 SM is awesome on the street and great on fire roads but the KLX still rules the tight off-road stuff.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: DR-Z 400 SM? Enuff power?
it's simple really.........these guys don't like the DRZ simply because I had one. Another simple thing that these KLX owners hate to admit or even think about- the DRZ makes TWICEthe horsepower of the KLX, possibly more than twice the power if you base it off of 16 horse which was quoted around here from dirtbike television and these guys can't get enough of that or the guy that runs it who they worship. The DRZ makes documented 35 horse bone stock. Also, if you can DS a bike easily in your state, you can buy the "E" model DRZ which weighs in at exactly the same weight of the terribly slow and underpowered KLX. If you could do that, then you'd have twice the power of the KLX in a bike that weighs the same. If not, the "S" model is only like 25lbs. more. Knock off a few accessories and it could easily lose 10-12lbs making it even closer. The KLX isan awesome bike, but will never match the capability of the DRZ series. If they would put inverted forks and a 6th gear on the DRZ S and E, I wouldn't even consider a KLX again.
One more thing I might add- the other bikes these guys are mentioning like the KTM's and the TE's; they're nice and mega powerful not to mention thousands more, but they will never last or take abuse like the DRZ engine. And if anyone even argues with that they are simply doing that- just wanting to argue. Those bikes are maintenance intense and will not take abuse like the DRZ will.The DRZ or LTZ for the quadis quite possible one of the best engines put in an off-road motorcycle/quad currently. And that's a fact.
One more thing I might add- the other bikes these guys are mentioning like the KTM's and the TE's; they're nice and mega powerful not to mention thousands more, but they will never last or take abuse like the DRZ engine. And if anyone even argues with that they are simply doing that- just wanting to argue. Those bikes are maintenance intense and will not take abuse like the DRZ will.The DRZ or LTZ for the quadis quite possible one of the best engines put in an off-road motorcycle/quad currently. And that's a fact.
Senior Member
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,332
RE: DR-Z 400 SM? Enuff power?
ORIGINAL: Iowaguy
One more thing I might add- the other bikes these guys are mentioning like the KTM's and the TE's; they're nice and mega powerful not to mention thousands more, but they will never last or take abuse like the DRZ engine. And if anyone even argues with that they are simply doing that- just wanting to argue. Those bikes are maintenance intense and will not take abuse like the DRZ will.
One more thing I might add- the other bikes these guys are mentioning like the KTM's and the TE's; they're nice and mega powerful not to mention thousands more, but they will never last or take abuse like the DRZ engine. And if anyone even argues with that they are simply doing that- just wanting to argue. Those bikes are maintenance intense and will not take abuse like the DRZ will.
Maybe you should go back to school and not be jealous of the other kids toys. 
Senior Member
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 724
From:
RE: .
All I know is that every time I get out on the KLX, I have a blast. More fun than I ever immagined. I blew past 3 Harleys through some twisties (Old Pipers Gap rd from NC into VA) and got into the next turn way too fast. Slammed on the brakes and survived it by the skin of my butt. The KLX is about the only DS bike that could make that turn. Even with the stock Knobbies! I love my KLX but I know I need a ZX6R to make me truly happy on the street. Obviously the KLX is awesome or IG wouldn't want another one.
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Posts: n/a
RE: .
that's right, I do think it's awesome and I plan on buying another one (maybe). But as I've said before, had the DRZ been designed with a 6-spd and inverted forks on the non SM version, one of them would be in my garage as I type. again, I challenge for someone to provide all of the proof that these 450's produce tons more torque if any than a DRZ 400. I don't think they do.
ps. checking valves and REPLACING them are two very different arguments in which to rationalize owning one of those owner proclaimed maintenance intensive bikes. The difference with the DRZ and a KTM, CRFX, etc is (the TE series I take back because thoseengines arejust as tough as a DRZ's) you don't HAVE to check the valves, and you don't HAVE to replace valves with the DRZ.
pss. I am back in school, currently working on my Masters in Administration. Drake University. Check them out, (I know you will) it's like the top school in the country in stated program. Yeah, I'm bragging a bit.
ps. checking valves and REPLACING them are two very different arguments in which to rationalize owning one of those owner proclaimed maintenance intensive bikes. The difference with the DRZ and a KTM, CRFX, etc is (the TE series I take back because thoseengines arejust as tough as a DRZ's) you don't HAVE to check the valves, and you don't HAVE to replace valves with the DRZ.
pss. I am back in school, currently working on my Masters in Administration. Drake University. Check them out, (I know you will) it's like the top school in the country in stated program. Yeah, I'm bragging a bit.
Admin
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,269
RE: .
My 450 EXC is way more bike than I need ... but it sure is fun having more than you need.
Regarding valve checks, they are very simple - they are rocker arm so they are simply set using a screw and a lock nut. Just place the feeler gauge in the gap, lightly seat the screw, lock it in place with the lock nut, and slide out the feeler - perfect clearence is set. That's a pretty small maintenance price to pay for a high performance engine. I hear the 2008's are shim-under-bucket, though, so they would be similar to the KLX, I'm assuming, I haven't seen the manual.
As for longevity, you'll be hard pressed to find a more reliable and maintenance friendly performance engine than the KTM RFS. Folks with older bikes are reporting 30,000 miles with only routine maintenance. Sure there are lemons like a few of the KLXs here or any bike type, but overall the concensus is that KTM RFS reliability rival the best the industry has to offer in its class.
Don't take any of this as dissing the KLX or DRZ in any way whatsoever. Like Thunderchild, I generally find little satisfaction in the "my bike is better than your bike" BS arguments. I'm just trying to help dispell the myth that the maintenance is hellish on these bikes which Iowaguy stated above. I can't speak for the TE's or any of the other bikes, but the KTM RFS is a ***** cat when it comes to maintenance and is not any trouble at all. I'm sure it requires more maintenance than the DRZ, but I've never been one to neglect maintenance so if that is an advantage of owning a DRZ, it wouldn't be an advantage for me since I'd do the maintenance anyway. And handling wise, I don't think you can really compare the two, they are made for different purposes - apples and oranges.
I'm sure the DRZ is a fine bike, but it never really turned my head like the KTM or other Euro-styled performance enduro bikes, nor was it designed for the purpose I had in mind. Lot's of people love'em though, and that's great. It's no skin off my back either way - more power too them, why would I care? I did my research and bought the bike I wanted and I'm happy. What else is there to say?
Regarding valve checks, they are very simple - they are rocker arm so they are simply set using a screw and a lock nut. Just place the feeler gauge in the gap, lightly seat the screw, lock it in place with the lock nut, and slide out the feeler - perfect clearence is set. That's a pretty small maintenance price to pay for a high performance engine. I hear the 2008's are shim-under-bucket, though, so they would be similar to the KLX, I'm assuming, I haven't seen the manual.
As for longevity, you'll be hard pressed to find a more reliable and maintenance friendly performance engine than the KTM RFS. Folks with older bikes are reporting 30,000 miles with only routine maintenance. Sure there are lemons like a few of the KLXs here or any bike type, but overall the concensus is that KTM RFS reliability rival the best the industry has to offer in its class.
Don't take any of this as dissing the KLX or DRZ in any way whatsoever. Like Thunderchild, I generally find little satisfaction in the "my bike is better than your bike" BS arguments. I'm just trying to help dispell the myth that the maintenance is hellish on these bikes which Iowaguy stated above. I can't speak for the TE's or any of the other bikes, but the KTM RFS is a ***** cat when it comes to maintenance and is not any trouble at all. I'm sure it requires more maintenance than the DRZ, but I've never been one to neglect maintenance so if that is an advantage of owning a DRZ, it wouldn't be an advantage for me since I'd do the maintenance anyway. And handling wise, I don't think you can really compare the two, they are made for different purposes - apples and oranges.
I'm sure the DRZ is a fine bike, but it never really turned my head like the KTM or other Euro-styled performance enduro bikes, nor was it designed for the purpose I had in mind. Lot's of people love'em though, and that's great. It's no skin off my back either way - more power too them, why would I care? I did my research and bought the bike I wanted and I'm happy. What else is there to say?
