So I'm at the cycle shop buying some small turn signal/marker lights for the front fenders of the Cruiser and figured I'd check out the dual sport bikes.

Big Mistake!

I actually had to force myself to climb back in the Cruiser and drive away. They had about 6 DRZ400's on sale for 3,999.00 <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0"> I thought they were damn nice bikes. I wanted so bad to test ride one, but I knew I'd be in the finance dept if I had. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

Check it out!


<IMG width=600 height=364 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/drz400.jpg">

Same situation as I was in when I saw the DRZ-400e.

If it weren't for the red sticker I would have bought one and dual sported it.

The s model is the streel legal version with a steel tank different steering geometry and a whole lot of smog and electrical stuff.

I'm just gonna save up and get the Honda XR400 and dual sport it.
I like the idea of real dirtbikes turned street legal.
Too bad the DRZ400e isn't a green sticker bike, I'd pick one up today If I could gat plates for it without jumping throught hoops.

I thought they were are street legal.? It had all the stuff on it. License plate mounting bracket, signals, etc. Did I look at a differnt model? Maybe they were "s" models?

Now I'm cornfused. They did have knobby tires on them too though.? I guess if I do decide to buy a new bike I had better get the skinny on the green/red stickers! Duh I didn't even think of that issue.

[ 10-25-2001: Message edited by: Dog House ]

Yep the green sticker issue.
That puts a damper on the DRZ 400.
There are 3 DRZ-400 models.
There is the fully street legal model as I mentioned before.

Then there is the other two that are real dirtbikes one with an electric start the other with standard kickstart.

The drz 400 e is the electric start bike.
For a few hundred dollars more you can add a kickstarter to compliment your e start button <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> If your battey were to die.

The whole issue with the green sticker and red sticker bike is were the problem is.

Red sticker bikes are limited as to when and were you can ride the bike and can never be setup with liscence plates for street use in CA.

Some people have managed to green sticker the bike in CA and proceed to dual sport the bike and get Plates for it.
The problem is that the fact that it is a red sticker bike is encoded in the VIN so it'e only a matter of time before you try to re register it and they giv you your red sticker instead of your new plate tags and green sticker <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

I have heard that you can register it out of state then wait 90 days that bring it here to register it nd bypass the whole red sticker thing but this is just way to much trouble.

So I have decides to go with the Honda XR 400
I'll get the dual sport kit from bajadesigns then I'll have myself a dirt bike that I can ride to work <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

So is this a DMV deal or more CARB crap for us to deal with? Fawking nazis!

California state emmisions crap <IMG SRC="smilies/flipoff.gif" border="0">
The DRZ can be made street legal in pretty much every state put California.

Suzuki needs to try to put some emissions stuff on the bike to get it approved by the CA state emmisions nazis.
We inturn can buy the bike dual sport it. get plates for it then remove this stuff to gain the power back that is lost with the emmisions stuff.

I like the blue DRZ400S! <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

<IMG width=600 height=379 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/dr400s_blue.jpg">


Rocktoad what's the difference in the fork rake angle between the S and the Z or E model? 2-3 degrees? Also how much power is lost with the smog crap on 'em? Sounds like you've researched this model.

Thanx for the info man! <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/smokin.gif" border="0">

Before you get the Bajadesigns kit, check out the E-line kit. The switch for the turn sigs is WAY cleaner.


I thought the 2002 DRZ400s was going to have the same frame and suspension???

But I think the XR250 or XR400 is a better bike.

Originally posted by Rocktoad:
<STRONG>Same situation as I was in when I saw the DRZ-400e.

If it weren't for the red sticker I would have bought one and dual sported it.

The s model is the streel legal version with a steel tank different steering geometry and a whole lot of smog and electrical stuff.

I'm just gonna save up and get the Honda XR400 and dual sport it.
I like the idea of real dirtbikes turned street legal.
Too bad the DRZ400e isn't a green sticker bike, I'd pick one up today If I could gat plates for it without jumping throught hoops.</STRONG>

Hey hun, they are not all red stickered!!! We just got a brand new cr 125 from the dealer and it is green stickered. It all depends on the last 3 numbers in the ID number. I called DMV 3 diffrent times and got the same answer. Thats why also the 125 I am trying to sell is green stickered.

I know for sure that the 2001 drz400e is a red sticker bike though <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0">

Hey Rocktoad, why not just borrow someone from Nevada's address? Buy it in Nevada and register it there for the 90 days, then re-register it here in Nazifornia? Sure it would be a pain, but not that tough. If it is possible that is? I'm sure you could find someone here to help you out.

Kyron, why is the Honda XR a better bike? I've always been a Honda man myself, but have been out of riding since I hit my third car about ten years ago. I'm curious since I really don't have any experience with either bike what makes the Honda a better bike?

FoxMotoGirl, what did the DMV tell you about the Red/Green sticker crap? Is there a way to tell which color a bike would be designated by the numbers? Would it be possible to pick out a green sticker one by the numbers? I am reading that it is a random sort of thing? <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

Thanx you guys for any info you can share. <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

Registering it out of state for 90 days is an option but an inconvienence.

Maybe I'll have my dad in montana purchase on for me then I'll make a trip up there and import it into california.

Here's my thinking on why (for the average rider) the XR is the better bike....

The Suzuki DR400 was made to be light, they cut corners on alot of the parts just to make it a few grams lighter because grams = ounces and then the pounds will come off. Some people will buy bikes just based on weight alone...(look at Husaburg)... All that weight savings is fine for Supercross where even if you drop the bike once you lose, BUT I'm talking about trail rideing with your friends.
The XR has no radatiors to get mangled, the break pedal will not punch a hole in the clutch cover and it has more low end power which makes it easier to ride in tight singletrack.
Sure the Suzuki has electric starting which is VERY nice for sure, BUT you have to have a key and a battery and too me thats just more things to go wrong with the bike... keep it simple...

I see the XRs like a tool and the DR's like a toy..


<IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">Any of this make sence <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Remeber a couple of years back Dirt Rider dual-sported a YZ400F? They had it super-motard'd for the street, and swapped wheels for the dirt....I have a friend who is in the process of doing that to his YZ250F..It is going to sweet. As for getting it registered, it is as easy as getting a car done..gotta love Alabama <IMG SRC="smilies/trooper.gif" border="0">