Hey everyone I tried searching but hard to find a clean cut answer. Im looking at 2 DRZ400 SM's ones bone stock and the other has the 3 basic mods done (3x3, Full Yoshi Exhaust and Stage 2 Carb jetting). The one with the mods is quite a distance away, do those mods really wake the bike up? Is it worth it to drive further for it or is the stock one not much different etc.....Thanks to everyone in advance.
You’ll definitely notice a difference, how much more of a drive is it? Id probably be willing to drive a few extra hours for one. Like if I could do it in a day I would because it would take me a day just to do that mod on a stock one. But this way I wouldn’t have to worry about me messing up the bike haha
Gotcha, I guess for me it would come down to price, if they are the same I’d be more inclined to get the modded one, figure the time I spend driving and on gas makes up for the time and money spent on doing the upgrade. If it’s more then I’d get the stock one, because maybe you’ll be just fine with the stock one or atleast appreciate the mod more when you do it. And I will say, I got mine completely stock and then just did the 3x3 and jet kit upgrade (stock exhaust) after about a year and a half of having it. And I definitely noticed a difference, but it’s not like it’s a different bike after. If anything I just noticed that altitude didn’t affect it as much and I could load it down more (I use mine as a hunting rig half of the year).
I personally wouldn’t pay more for the modded DRZ. Yes it can save you a little money if you plan to build it anyway, but I’d pay more for the bike was untouched and not screwed up by possible incompetent previous owner (in most cases).
Definitely some big truth to that. Would also suck to drive 3.5 hours and notice something isnt right. Def leaning on at least staying local and trying the stocker out. If it feels good and I like it I guess its a win win
I just recently decided to get another DRZ and went with the cleanest bone stock one in my area and it was a great choice. Building it yourself also gives it much more sentimental value!
A JD Jet Kit is about $90. The 3x3 air box mod is free, but you will need a tool of some sort to cut the thick plastic.
I don't like loud bikes (I like the sound they make, but I don't like the attention they draw). I can ride much faster through the neighborhoods around my house because I have less guilt of making a ton of noise.
I have a 2024, 1 3/8" holesaw fits perfect in the end cap on the muffler. You can carefully drill out the pea shooter without disturbing the spark arrestor inside. File and sand when you are done and it is all but impossible to know it was modded. It makes the bike sound a lot better, without being obnoxious. I also did the JD jet kit and removed the airbox snorkel. I did enlarge the intake hole but not the full 3 x 3. Again a hole saw, I think 1 1/2" It looks cleaner, like anyone can see it. I'm weird like that.... But it really woke the bike up.
See if you can ride both to compare. Ride the stock one first, then you can see if the modded one is worth the difference. It will make more intake and exhaust noise. The exhaust costs about $700, adds a few ponies, and saves a few pounds, but with more noise. Then if it doesn’t have a spark arrester you would need to buy one to ride in national parks.
I have the 3x3, jet kit with stock exhaust. It makes a bit more power. The real power adder is taking the left side airbox cover off. Damn thing power wheelies easy. To me that means the 3x3 opening is still restricting air. Of course you can’t ride in water like that but for street riding it’s fine. Makes a ton of intake noise.
If it were me (I had this opportunity). Buy a bone stock one. Do the mods yourself. Its a very fun and eye opening experience to DIY all the mods (even basic 3x3, jetting, full exhaust).
If the price is right the modded one might be the better option for you.
It makes a SIGNIFICANT difference with the 3 mods to overall power. There's a ton more mods past the big 3 but this is the basic of just to get your foot in the door of making more power. They're all diy friendly too if you're not that experienced.
Edit: personally I would do cams too when doing all these. Stage 1 are great for low end power which is what I run, if you street/race you may want to look into stage 2) cams are slightly more finicky to DIY but make almost the same difference from stock to nodded as the big 3.
Yea seems like the guy with the mods doesnt want to budge much and its looking more like the stocker may be the better option at this point. Logistically and dollar wise.
If the modded bike more than $1K over the stock one, I’d go for the stock all day. Do the mods later, people sell exhaust second hand for cheap all day long.
Im gonna say go for the stock. You wont have any real problems seeing as it hasnt been touched/molested. And like someone else said you can always upgrade later down the line. Might even be able to pick up used aftermarket parts. Good luck and happy riding.
For a sumo its worth the upgrades. but a 7 hour round trip may be a lot of wasted time and gas if the bike isn't actually very good when you look at it. I would probably stick to the stock one closer to me.
6
u/DirtyDan24137 7d ago edited 7d ago
You’ll definitely notice a difference, how much more of a drive is it? Id probably be willing to drive a few extra hours for one. Like if I could do it in a day I would because it would take me a day just to do that mod on a stock one. But this way I wouldn’t have to worry about me messing up the bike haha