DRZ400SM or SV650

[nx2000]

I've been riding a Ninja 250 for about a year, and I'm tired of fighting my g/f for it, and riding two-up on an already underpowered bike is annoying. I'm not tired of the bike, but I like to ride with my g/f...on a seperate bike.

I'll be purchasing either an SV650 or a DRZ400SM, and I've pretty much decided on the DRZ. Reliability is probably one of the largest deciding factors, and if the SV is going to have significantly longer maintenance intervals or be more reliable in the long run, I'll probably purchase the SV.

So, what type of maintenance/oil changes/valve checks/etc are required on the DRZ? How easy/time consuming are the procedures?

Other comparisons/comments are welcome, and if you have owned both bikes, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks!

[Spensersdad]

I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Kind of an apples and oranges thing though, twins and singles are two very different animals.

[TexasSergio]

What type of riding will you be doing? For city streets the SM rocks. Highway and weekend trips the SV would be better.

[codgemiser]

if you have to ask this question, you should get the sv650. People that get a DRZ know why they are getting it.

[nx2000]

I don't ride much on the freeway (usually under 10 miles at a time), and most of my riding is on 25-55 mph roads. I'm not a speed freak or anything and I absolutely love the twisties...

The SM definately suits me a bit better, but if it is going to cost a bunch more to maintain it, I'd probably rather have the SV.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Codgemiser--I'd definately prefer the SM over the SV for performance reasons/hooliganing, but I go to school/work full time and don't have a ton of extra cash. The SM saves quite a bit on ins., and it'll also save me money if I lay the bike down.

Everything I've read says that the DRZ400SM is extremely reliable...for a thumper. I'm trying to figure out how the apple compares to the orange in reliability.

[TLRDoug]

I have both, and I usually ride my DR-Z SM as the SV is my daughter's. That said, I am pretty happy with either one. The SV wins hands down for compfort and with some modification has proven to be a good hooligan bike also. I put a TLS front end on it, a set of six pot calipers, and a Penske shock, Yosh system and re-jetted it. The little bike is great. you can wheelie it, stoppie it or scream dow the road on it. I run both at the racetrack and they are great. Cannot go wrong with either one. If you can, I would get a first generation SV as I like the looks better than the new ones and they are pretty easy to find with good race prep mods done already. Maintenance intervals are exactly the same. The DR-Z has lots of mods also.

Here is the DR-Z

Here is the SV

[BryanK]

If you are short on cash, the DRZ may be much cheaper on insurance. Anything less than 500cc usually has a huge discount.

[flip18436572]

I own a DRZ for dual sport, but would love to have an SV650S as a street bike. I think it would depend upon how long I was going to be riding. If it was more than 30 minutes, I would get the SV.

[-Y-]

Here is a thread where this question has already been dicussed

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3395372#post3395372

Some good info there.

Good luck.

[nx2000]

Thanks for the link!

I won't be riding two-up any more, and I can probably handle a bit of discomfort. Plus, I doubt my g/f would ask/try to ride the SM...so I think my decision is pretty much made.

Plus, I like the idea of having something a bit less popular. And with the money I save on insurance, I'll be able to afford lots of mods.

[NX2000Gf]

So he thinks!!

[MXJunky]

For cruising around with your woman on a Ninja 250, go with the SM. The supermoto will probably be more fun to ride, too.

[Speckypete]

Howzabout a DL650 Vstrom??

[scythe]

A Ninja 250 you say? Well my my.. with that kind of power to keep up with you should definitely get the 650!

Just kidding, be a man and get the SM. You'll thank me later.

Thing's made for mods, insurance is cheap as hell, nice on gas, and you can still take it down some trails.

DRZ400SM

[seehenry]

I lived in the burly/ollala (sp?) area for several years. It would be idle to own an S in those conditions.

As it has only been subtly hinted at before..don't let the GF ride the SM..or you are goin to end up with two of them (motorcycles not girlfriends)

[Bear on a bicycle]

I lived in the burly/ollala (sp?) area for several years. It would be idle to own an S in those conditions.

As it has only been subtly hinted at before..don't let the GF ride the SM..or you are goin to end up with two of them (motorcycles not girlfriends)

...two girlfriends wouldn't be bad either!!!

[NX2000Gf]

Dont let me ride!!?! really now, I think he's decided on the SM.... and oh I will ride it!

[xxxlenxxx]

hey nx2000....you betta get your pimp hand out!!!! nx2000gf<<pimped slapped!!

[nx2000]

She's too short to ride the SM, so I think I'm set! Now I only have to figure out what year to get...06 or wait a bit for an 07...hmmmm.

[Motor-N]

Dont let me ride!!?! really now, I think he's decided on the SM.... and oh I will ride it!

DAMN straight

The value of a woman that can ride beside ya (probably out front,really):Priceless