Budget Suzuki DRZ400S Adventure Build Review -- Sub $5K Lightweight ADV Motorcycle

The Arizona BDR is a rough, long ride for any adventure motorcycle. This $5K Suzuki DRZ400s adventure bike crushed it and didn't have a single real problem. A BDR motorcycle has to be off-road focused, carry camping gear and be ready for rocks, rain, snow, hail with a great navigation system. Typically an adventure bike costs $10K or more and even with that high price tag, the Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route would put any of them to the test. This little DRZ400 adventure bike cost right around $4900 totally adventure-ready and it did excellently!

Take a look at this video to see some amazing sights that the Arizona BDR brings you too like the desert, mountains, saguaro cactus, Coconino National Forest, Navajo Nation, the San Francisco Peaks, and of course The Grand Canyon. This is a must-do adventure for any motorcycle adventure connoisseur.

#DRZ400AdventureBuild #BudgetAdventureMotorcycle #ArizonaBDR

This video is part of a multi-episode build series:

AZBDR Ride and Bike Review -- *THIS VIDEO*

Items on the DRZ400 "Arizona Adventure Motorcycle Build"

-Acerbis 3.7 gallon fuel tank
-Garmin 610 GPS
-JNS Engineering LED headlight
-Tusk Rackless Motorcycle Luggage System -- Excursion
-Factory Suzuki kickstart kit
-Tusk heavy-duty clutch kit
-Tusk fat bar kit
-ODI grips
-Billet aluminum rear rack
-Dunlop D606 tires
-Yamaha YZ450f front fender
-JD Jetting kit and 3x3 Mod
-Wrap around handguards
-Aluminum skid plate

To subscribe and follow the build and other dirt bike/adventure/enduro/truck videos, click here:

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🕒 TIMESTAMPS / Table of Contents:

00:00 Start
00:05 Project Overview
00:27 Arizona BDR Footage
01:51 Arizona BDR Route Overview
02:45 Three Likes & Dislikes
03:10 Tusk Excursion Rackless Luggage System
03:58 Positive: Reliability
06:25 Negative: Suspension
08:20 Positive: Smoothness
09:08 Negative: High-Speed Vibration
09:45 Positive: Bike Roominess
11:15 Negative: Bike Power
12:20 What Is It Perfect For?
15:30 Outro

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[danstaten]

Love the DRZ, I can overlook the quirks in favor of dependability. I've ran both gpsKeven's (west to east) and Sam's (east to west) Transamerica Trails, a couple of BDR's and the bike has never let me down... never not started and performed well at over 13, 000ft. Very impressive for a 20+ year old school bike. Another 10, 000 mile adventure in the wings for 2023. Thanks for the video...

[speedtoad]

I revalved my suspension with racetech valves. That really helps as well as replacing the top triple clamp because the stock clamp puts handlebars in your lap.
I'm happy. I bought it for $1000 bucks. It's not my race bike but I'd race it in a pinch.

[DevilDogHP]

Rode my used drz on GCD. It was outstanding. Only issue I had was a carb failure in Montana. Greatest all around dual sport that's not FI. I will ride it until either it quits or I do.

[kwatts]

Nice video, looks like we got a new fuel injected DRZ on the way!

[mikemrkacek]

Great video! I currently use a DR-650 for BDR rides. I recently rode the CABDR which now has me thinking about a more off-road capable bike. The DRZ really interests me. I don’t want to give up the DR reliability but would like something easer to ride in the sand or tougher single track trails.

[whoisthis]

I’m currently looking into bikes to build a SHTF build and the DRZ400 or 650 is so far at the top of my list. Thanks for your review and added info to think about.

[butcherknifeknife]

Enjoyed you build! Im sure I know why I but the newest bikes I can find. Subbed your channel . Looking forward to some more build it ride it. Around Bend Oregon on 2 wheels

[UncleMattsGarage]

Doing the New England bdr in September on a drz400, carbs already done and suspension will be all racetech

[billybud]

Great am about to ride this bike thru Namibia, Africa. Interested to see all mods, Panniers, etc. Ride safe!

[lifeoff-road]

I've ridden a DRZ with a pumper carb and it was absolutely insane! Too much for me at the time, so I will wait a bit to put a pumper on mine. That and I have the SM's USD forks so suspension is perfect on and off-road.

[kyjelly]

I love my drz. I want to keep it and get something more road oriented too. T7 or Africa twin. I’m not sure yet. Either way I want to get a better seat and bigger tank for the drz. Maybe one day I’ll have all 3

[kirkmulhearn]

Totally agree about the d soft suspension and the slow throttle, I moved up to a t7, but you are so right about 16:37 this bullet proof bike, I’m definitely going redo the suspension -wish it had fuel injection…did you do the jetting?

[garydavis]

Really enjoyed this series. You made no mention of tires and I'm curious what you used.

[bradrussell]

hey bro, if you want more of a snappy responsive throttle, install a pumper carby, it'll even whistle dixie for ya all LOL

[sebreenWA]

What suspension upgrade do you suggest?

Funny. I bought the seat concept and agree with you. I could have purchased the mad dog and put that money into suspension.
I have upgraded to Lectron carb. Why? It’s simplicity and reliability. One more thing that makes the DRZ so reliable.
Great videos. Thanks.

[Syreious]

I'm looking for a DRZ to take some weekend adventures and wondering if you still have yours. I don't see that you have any recent videos so I'm curious if you plan on making anymore or a side by side comparison. Great series! 👍

[Socal_adv]

If you put a new end cap on the exhaust and take out the snorkel it sounds way way better and it adds a bit more hp too. Or you can put a pipe and do the jd jet kit.

[zapster]

Yoshimura RS2 header and pipe and a jet kit give you that additional power you're looking for.

[markalan]

I ended up purchasing that tank in black, and also a kickstart kit for my Drz400. I haven't installed the tank yet.

I did some research prior to purchasing the tank, as I was concerned with the possibility of having clearance issues between the tank and kickstart lever.

Based on information I came across, several people claimed they didn't have any problems with clearance, and even posted photos of their bikes to demonstrate this.
And just to be clear, I am referring to the Acerbis 3.9 gallon tank designed for the Drz 400S, not the 3.7 gallon tank made for the E model. I also read that the 3.9 gal tank is mistakenly labeled and sold as a 3.7 gal tank by several online vendors.

Anyways, I'm wondering why some people are having fitment issues, while others clearly are not.
Then theres another guy that said he had to cut the tank mount pegs off of his frame and reposition them... what the heck is that about? Lol

[rideyourbike]

Cool. Useful review. It seems that you maybe be ready to test ride the AJP PR7.
BTW did you installed the kickstarter yourself?
Cheers, mate.