Help needed picking up the right 400sm

[CharlyTT]

Hi all,

 

another noob trying to leech your knowledge.

 

So I finally decided to pick up riding again. Haven't since I first got my license aeons ago, so I'd clearly say I've got to be counted as a beginner. 

 

What do I want to use the bike for? Main use is supposed to be daily city commute in usually heavy traffic. Rest is going to be trips to the beach and exploring the island on all available paved and dirt roads. (Oh yeah, so I don't live in the States but in Trinidad). Long term I want to be able to do longer trips in latin america as well. All day everyday I'm gonna be mostly on (badly) paved road so I guess street tires are best for me, but having an option to change to lite trail tires for Trips, oversea travel will at some point be needed. 

 

On my journey through finding out which bike it's supposed to be I went through several classes and models. Started of with BMW 650 Sertao over Duke over F800 over XR650...

I think I finally came to a conclusion in buying a DR-Z400SM. My reasoning being the following: adaptability, light weight, cheap parts, availability of parts. In short it seems like a fun bike that I don't have to fear putting down once or twice and I can adapt easily to further uses.

 

I guess this being a dedicated forum i'm preaching to the choir here - just wanted to show where I'm coming from 

 

Since prices in Trinidad are pretty mental I wanna buy the bike in Florida and ship it to me via Miami.

 

I don't really see the point in buying new so I've been looking up craigslist. At first I thought a stock bike would be just fine but after reading up quite a lot I decided that buying a used one with some modifications already in, might be a better course for me, since it's always going to be a pain to get new parts in and I have basically no prior knowledge of working on a bike.

 

Here are the ones I picked out as options right now in wide price range, any input would be much appreciated.

 

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/5395819142.html

 

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/mcy/5402069610.html

 

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/5347630765.html

 

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/mcy/5363033072.html

 

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/5350323469.html

 

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/for/5364604559.html

 

 

Thanks,

Charly

[BlueHeart]

Good luck Charly! I don't really have any input on the bikes you listed as I feel it's more a gut feeling of what will work for you. Although the last one sounds expensive, maybe you like what they have done to it.

[38super]

Hallo Charly,

 

Tires are easy to change, S or SM will fit your needs.

[DeeAreZee]

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/mcy/5402069610.html

 

^ Would be my first choice if the price is negotiable. Closer to 4k would be good and the miles are low.

 

The 2015 is ok but the miles are a little high for my taste. Price isn't too bad considering what it has > https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/5350323469.html

 

Lastly, the 2014 has good parts and low miles but the price is high > https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/for/5364604559.html

 

I lived in Ja for several years so I know what bad roads are like ? So if it was me, I'd check out the 07 first.

[Mitch2296]

Hi all,

another noob trying to leech your knowledge.

So I finally decided to pick up riding again. Haven't since I first got my license aeons ago, so I'd clearly say I've got to be counted as a beginner.

What do I want to use the bike for? Main use is supposed to be daily city commute in usually heavy traffic. Rest is going to be trips to the beach and exploring the island on all available paved and dirt roads. (Oh yeah, so I don't live in the States but in Trinidad). Long term I want to be able to do longer trips in latin america as well. All day everyday I'm gonna be mostly on (badly) paved road so I guess street tires are best for me, but having an option to change to lite trail tires for Trips, oversea travel will at some point be needed.

On my journey through finding out which bike it's supposed to be I went through several classes and models. Started of with BMW 650 Sertao over Duke over F800 over XR650...

I think I finally came to a conclusion in buying a DR-Z400SM. My reasoning being the following: adaptability, light weight, cheap parts, availability of parts. In short it seems like a fun bike that I don't have to fear putting down once or twice and I can adapt easily to further uses.

I guess this being a dedicated forum i'm preaching to the choir here - just wanted to show where I'm coming from

Since prices in Trinidad are pretty mental I wanna buy the bike in Florida and ship it to me via Miami.

I don't really see the point in buying new so I've been looking up craigslist. At first I thought a stock bike would be just fine but after reading up quite a lot I decided that buying a used one with some modifications already in, might be a better course for me, since it's always going to be a pain to get new parts in and I have basically no prior knowledge of working on a bike.

Here are the ones I picked out as options right now in wide price range, any input would be much appreciated.

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/5395819142.html

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/mcy/5402069610.html

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/mcy/5347630765.html

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/mcy/5363033072.html

https://miami.craigslist.org/brw/mcy/5350323469.html

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/for/5364604559.html

Thanks,

Charly

hey Charly if I were you id just keep an eye out for a bit cheaper bikes idk if it's the area of Florida by those prices seem a bit high to me , got me a 2013 s with 1800 miles with upgrades (3x3, jetted , came with sm tires and rim) for 3500, and because you have to ship it you'd probly be trying to save the most money possible ! , I'm a trini native as well from port of Spain good luck !

[CharlyTT]

Thanks guys for your answers so far. It thought those 6000+ bikes a bit to expensive as well. I guess they wanna get there input parts money back which is understandable. I guess I keep lurking around on the market a bit more, shipping from Miami is luckily pretty quick. Probably gonna call the fort myers guy. 

 

Is there a big benefit in the 2013-2016 models vs the ones until 2009?

 

@ Mitch see you on the road in a while, after all Port-of-Spain ain't that big and anything on two wheels which isn't a KFC delivery Scooter still sticks out ?

[Mitch2296]

Thanks guys for your answers so far. It thought those 6000+ bikes a bit to expensive as well. I guess they wanna get there input parts money back which is understandable. I guess I keep lurking around on the market a bit more, shipping from Miami is luckily pretty quick. Probably gonna call the fort myers guy.

Is there a big benefit in the 2013-2016 models vs the ones until 2009?

@ Mitch see you on the road in a while, after all Port-of-Spain ain't that big and anything on two wheels which isn't a KFC delivery Scooter still sticks out ?

i don't the bike has changed that much , pretty much the same probly just want to find one with low miles , but there great bikes I have 2 friends one with a 2003 and one with 2009 as long as you keep them in good shape they run fine ... You probly just gonna want to make sure you have the correct upgrades ....3x3..jetting..

And yea port of Spain is pretty small when I do come to the islands were in caranage