SM a Suzuki DR-Z400S

[Rickster]

Looking to maybe switchover the DR to street only (super moto).

Anyone done this? if so how?

Motostrano has a kit Clicky

a bit spendy at $1899.

any other options out there?

 

[Toecutter]

I think CAJW did something like that. Maybe shoot him a PM.

 

[GA CYCLE RIDER]

sell your current DRZ, then take the money and buy a nice DRZ-SM already supermotoed by the factory. This will cost less than buying all the parts for the changeover of your current bike. A good used DRZ-SM should only be in the low to mid 4K price range

 

[CAJW]

Looking to maybe switchover the DR to street only (super moto). Anyone done this? if so how?

Motostrano has a kit Clicky

a bit spendy at $1899.

any other options out there?

I completed this conversion about 2 years ago at a cost of about $1400. I had paid $3200 for a used 2002 DRZ400S (199 miles!) so total investment is about $4600. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still do it the same way as I have three bikes in one, Dirt, Street and SM for the track or street. If you don't want to mess with getting a 320mm front rotor (I used the stock caliper with a stand off adapter), wheels, tires, chain and sprocket, then buy a SM model. The chain and sprocket is optional, but I needed more speed for the track as the revlimiter kicked in about 90 or so. The down side of the SM model is that you won't have the dirt bike wheels to go thrash about in the dirt, but if that isn't important the don't get an "S" model. I also put on Moose hand guards to the tune of about $75, but they have paid for themselves and shouldn't be considered an option IMHO. You might get a better deal on the wheels on Ebay or Thumpertalk, but be sure and go for a max rear width of 4.00 instead of the recommended 4.25. Chain slap will shave off the edge of certain tire profiles (Dunlop 208GP) so check clearance if you go wider.

You can't go wrong with this setup, much more fun than my CBR600F4i and the lap times prove it! Enjoy!

https://store.eastcoastwheels.com/tahuexri.html

https://store.eastcoastwheels.com/motomaster.html

https://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-9366/Moo...andguards_.html

 

[Rickster]

CAJW:

thanks! east coast doesn't list the 4.00" wide rear -- I guess I'll call 'em Monday.

What size front/rear gear/sprocket are you running?

 

[CAJW]

CAJW:
thanks! east coast doesn't list the 4.00" wide rear -- I guess I'll call 'em Monday.

What size front/rear gear/sprocket are you running?

If memory serves me correct, stock gearing is 15/44. I change the front to a 13T for dirt riding (read wheelie machine), but for SM use I use a 15/41 with a shorter chain that seems to help top end by about 10-12 mph. HTH

 

[Rickster]

you're a great help CAJW!! I think i'll reduce the front by one tooth (14), and call east coast in the am.

 

[Rickster]

went for it... will post when i get the 'stuff'.

eastcoastwheels.com building talon/excel wheels, EBC brake relocator, both rotors, and gear, Conti tires/tubes -- 100% done and balanced -- all i gotta do is bolt them on when they come!

They said it'd be about 7-10 days -- i guess now it's just about being patient and waiting....

waiting sucks.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

we want before, during and after pics!!!

 

[Rickster]

I'm starting to get irritated with eastcoastwheels.com --

Ordered on 11/14 in the morning, and they said it'd be getting wheels in 7 to 10 days!!

Last week they said they would ship last Friday,

This week they say the will ship this Friday.....

So -- 7 to 10 days has turned into a friggin MONTH!

I'd rather have them built right than built fast -- but this seems rediculous.

Anyone have an opinion of them?

 

[Rickster]

Starting to wonder... Last call they promised to ship and/or call me today -- no call.

Tried to call - but got the answering machine...

got in touch -- should ship soon.

EDIT: 12/21 -- should receive stuff from eastcoastwheels tomorrow.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Well, Monday I get to pick up my DRZ400SM that I just turned into an S (except it still has the good forks and brakes), and of course I can swap it back and forth from SM to S in less than 30 minutes

 

[Rickster]

EDIT:

So today Jan/6th I did the convert!

Mounted the disks/sprockets, balanced the wheels -- and bolted them on. put on new EBC pads F/R, relocated the front caliper.

Ok -- let's ride....

Very cool!

320mm front rotor and caliper relocator make HUGE difference in braking! Conti tires seem great!

What a smile maker!

Total Cost for a complete around $2K. worth it? :yahoo: oh yea.

Now I can run Kenda trackmaster II on 21"s or Conti Force on 17"s with 320mm wave rotors -- change over -- about 10 minutes.

 

[Rickster]

400S to 400SM conversion pictures:

Orig 21 next to 17:

EBC 320mm disk with caliper relocator (required a little re-routing of the hydraulic line - but nothing substantial. Everything fits just fine.

150 on the rear, new EBC pads, 44 tooth sprocket.

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

very nice!

My DRZ400SM is now is S mode ;-)

 

[Rickster]

I've had the SM conversion done for a week, here are my observations:

SM is very cool.

I enjoy the ability to hop curbs etc. and not worry about trashing the aprilia or FJR.

cajw was right -- the 4.25" causes minor chain and tire interference, a 4.0 wide rear rim would be better. The chain will ultimately win, so as long as the interference doesn't wear a hole in the tire (and it won't), i'll live with the 1/32" interference.

320mm brakes are the ticket. i believe converting the S to SM you get better brakes! EBC 320 and caliper relocator are the ticket!

Changed the stock gearing from 15/44 to 14/44. I like the change.

I also got a 47 for the rear, and will try the 14/47 (can you say wheelie monster?) in a week or so.

bottom line? do it. zero regrets, maximum smileage!

next up? yosh pipe, and dynojet stage one 142 main with 25 pilot....

got any ideas? im all ears.....

 

[E1Allen]

i considered this bike before the FJR, glad I got the FJR though.

 

[Toynut]

Rickster,

How do you find the bike as an all-around town machine. Can you recommend a specific sprocket ratio that would be more livable in the higher average speeds in suberbs, say 40-75mph.

How far off was your speedo? I was thinking of converting my '02 DRZS (Tech Suspension, Corbin seat, rejetted, KN, Renthal bar) for just poking around town fun, loaning to my buddies, etc., but with some highway work in mind.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Can you keep the front sprocket size constant and just change the rear cog for dual sport mode? The question is how many teeth in the rear sprocket can I change without forcing me to change chain length too (I would rather not go through that hassle)?

The rest of the changes I would consider would probably include plastics/lights.

 

[markjenn]

Very cool mod, but sinking $2K into an extra set of wheels for a $5K bike is tough to swallow.

I'm thinking of doing a "poor man's" version of this by just replacing the front wheel with a White Bros pre-built 17-inch SM front wheel (Talon hubs, Excel rims, Bulldog spokes - about $500 from ThumperTalk), and leaving the rear at 18-inch. Put reasonably sticky Avon AM26 road tires on it and see how it goes - hopefully I'll have 2/3rds the function for 1/3 the cost. I'll have to swap a rear tire and a front brake disc to make the conversion, but I can add a rear and larger brake later if I find myself swapping back and forth much.

An even cheaper option is just to run the AM26 tires which come in a 21. But I think the big benefit of a SM setup is the 17 front end.

- Mark