Can anybody top the DRZ-400SM?

"Dude... the DRZ is a pig. Go with a KTM/Aprilia/Husky..."

SuperMoto, in general, has blown up... like BMX did back in the late 90's with the X-games (seems the X-games does a lot for resurging, old sports). With this increase of interest comes new ridership or current riders getting in on the action. If the demand is high, manufacturers will act accordingly, and so in the last few years, we've seen a few players from the big four (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) and the Euro companies (Husqvarna, KTM, Aprilia, Ducati) set out to create a street friendly SuperMoto.

In the years I've been involved with SuperMoto, I've just about owned every type: conversion, Euro racer, dual-sport (sportsman), and now, a factory stocker - the 2007 Suzuki DRZ-400SM. My DRZ purchase was influenced by my sweety peety... as she was fed up with watching me wrench more than ride. So as I sold off all my "mechanics specials" I went down to the dealership and bought it (along with a CRF250X - write up on that, soon to come!).

Now, admittedly, I was a little disappointed with the stock power. I mean, it's enough to get you around and loft a front wheel into the air every once in while, but for the demand I expect out of my motorcycles, I went with some minor modifications to get some "oomph" and still keep it from becoming a "mechanics special". Very simply, my DRZ is bone stock with the exception of a Stage II jet kit, a 3 X 3 air box mod, a drop in one tooth on the countershaft sprocket and a few suspension adjustments. That's it. Done. Let's go ride.

For outright hooliganism, the DRZ is just about the best bang for your buck. It wheelies, stoppies, burns, climbs stairs and handles any type of urban trials riding you may dish out. The weight is very unnoticable even dressed in lights, mirrors and street controls. It slides nice and the clutch is smooth and responsive.

People seem to complain and swap out the stock Dunlop SM tires immediately, but I actually like them since they have "breakloose" point: even as they lose traction they don't feel like you are going to slide out of control. For those of us that ride dirt, this is a nice feature. However, if you like to be ultimately stuck to the ground, I would recommend Continental SM tires or something similar. With the style of riding I do, I've completely thrashed my rear Dunlop in 1,000 mi. and I will be switching to the Conti's simply because of the price difference. If the Dunlops didn't cost a small fortune, I'd probably stay with them.

If you plan on riding on the freeway, I would suggest swapping out your gearing. Stock, the DRZ can do a steady 70MPH, but you are not only ringing the little single cylinder wonder machine, but you are being passed by the nutcases that fill our streets. With my gearing, I DO NOT go on the freeway unless it's for a short distance.

Now, the argument always comes into effect when judging between a Euro Hot Rod and the simple DRZ. Euro Hot Rods and StyleMotos are great. They handle great and have GOBS of power (as Euro bikes are known for). However, with that power comes great responsibility: in the form of high maintenance. When I owned my Husqvarna, it was constant oil changes and adjustments. They are finicky motors, and dealerships are few and far between, unlike Suzuki dealerships. Like anything Euro, parts are expensive, and the aftermarket is limited. Getting a Euro Hot Rod is fine... but just expect the maintenance and care. If you can handle all that AND the high sticker price for the bike itself, then looking into a Euro just might be for you.

The DRZ requires less frequent oil changes, gas and a rider. When I was going over the maintenance schedule, I had to look for other things in the book to be sure I wasn't mistaken. But sure enough, the DRZ is a very user-friendly bike. The trade off is a slightly less powerful bike, but in return you get a bike that you ride into the ground and it just keeps going and going and going.

The other three of the big four recently have attempted to copy Suzuki's success with a street legal SuperMoto, and we have yet to determine how good they really are; I've heard mixed things. What makes the DRZ so good is its platform - the modern'ish water cooled dual sport. In comparison, Honda's only street legal dual sport is the big pig called a XR650L (I had one some years ago). Yamaha plugged up a WR to meet street legal specs and created a SuperMoto, as well. We are still waiting on Kawasaki, but the only platforms they have to work with are the KLR650 (I had one) and the KLX300, which is not street legal in California and other states. In the meantime, the aftermarket is booming and supporting the almighty DRZ400-SM.

Some words of caution regarding the aftermarket and tinkerers out there. The DRZ-400SM will always JUST BE a DRZ-400SM. That means, don't waste your time with big bore kits, exhaust, weight saving, etc. Buy or own a DRZ with the intent to ride it and not hassle with it. It's a great bike with great parts and there's no need to dump a bunch of money into something that will take a lot of work to keep up with the Euro's. I know this from experience. If you want to get fast, work on your skills instead of the bike. Maybe some minor mods to the DRZ, and stop right there and have fun.

In conclusion, I would recommend the DRZ-400SM to just about anybody wanting the hooliganism factor in their life without a lot of hassle and without spending their life savings. Tweak it a little here and there and just ride and maintain it for miles and miles and hour and hours of good riding.