The madness starts here...

[oregoncoast]

Well, my OMRA competition numbers were issued, so the old S will be starting its transformation into a cross-country racing machine!!!

Although it will be mostly XC (cross-country), GP with a sprinkle ISDE, I am going to see how long the DRZ will last (or more realistically, how long I will last).







Stay tuned for more madness...

[Lynk]

That looks like my number! Congrats.

[miracle bubbles]

Very cool!

[SMGranny]

............. looks good

[Eddie O'Dell]

Very cool.... If you can afford it, you may want to deep 6 that 88lbs exhaust muffler.

[JoshV]

That is cool that you are going to start to race but in the long run it might be better to park your S and start with another bike. I have seen some good looking E bikes for a good price on line. Then you would still have a bike to tool arround town on.

[Eddie O'Dell]

That is cool that you are going to start to race but in the long run it might be better to park your S and start with another bike. I have seen some good looking E bikes for a good price on line. Then you would still have a bike to tool arround town on.

He could for @ $185.00 ish install the Suzuki kick start kit and remove the:
1. Starter motor.
2. Starter torque limiter assy.
3. Starter one way clutch.
4. Idler shaft and gear.
5. Starter ring gear.
6. Starter solenoid and its wiring.
7. Can the stock battery and use the little light weight batteries.
Serious weight savings here, as is with the exhaust.

[oregoncoast]

That is cool that you are going to start to race but in the long run it might be better to park your S and start with another bike. I have seen some good looking E bikes for a good price on line. Then you would still have a bike to tool arround town on.

I've noticed that you have said this in other threads to anyone who mentions racing the S

I will be using the DRZ-S because that is the "bike I brung" for this year. Also, I have a V-strom for tooling around town. The S is very capable, and like I said, I hope to finish, not podium

Of course there are a other bikes better suited, but I purposely want to use a plated $2500 bike to see how far it will go..that way others can see that you might be able to have fun in organized races on what you have...and not have to dump 8k on a KTM or Husaberg or RMZ.

If nothing else, you can watch and laugh and then say I told you so

He could for @ $185.00 ish install the Suzuki kick start kit and remove the:
1. Starter motor.
2. Starter torque limiter assy.
3. Starter one way clutch.
4. Idler shaft and gear.
5. Starter ring gear.
6. Starter solenoid and its wiring.
7. Can the stock battery and use the little light weight batteries.
Serious weight savings here, as is with the exhaust.

Yeah, I might install a kick start, but would not be removing the electric start..that is one reason I upgraded to a DRZ from an XR.

The DRZ-S is a pig and does not have the power...yada, yada, yada....this I know..and this is why I am doing this. BTW, my racing partner is on a 1997 XR400...so that's gonna be fun too.

[JoshV]

I've noticed that you have said this in other threads to anyone who mentions racing the S

I will be using the DRZ-S because that is the "bike I brung" for this year. Also, I have a V-strom for tooling around town. The S is very capable, and like I said, I hope to finish, not podium

Of course there are a other bikes better suited, but I purposely want to use a plated $2500 bike to see how far it will go..that way others can see that you might be able to have fun in organized races on what you have...and not have to dump 8k on a KTM or Husaberg or RMZ.

If nothing else, you can watch and laugh and then say I told you so



Yeah, I might install a kick start, but would not be removing the electric start..that is one reason I upgraded to a DRZ from an XR.

The DRZ-S is a pig and does not have the power...yada, yada, yada....this I know..and this is why I am doing this. BTW, my racing partner is on a 1997 XR400...so that's gonna be fun too.

Ok i get it . So let the hacking begin LOL off come all of the lights?

For some reason it just drives me nuts to see a perfectally good S get chopped up. That is the only reason I said that.

Why does your rear brake line hang down like that?

[oregoncoast]

Very cool.... If you can afford it, you may want to deep 6 that 88lbs exhaust muffler.

Wow, I had no idea that nearly 1/3 of the bike's weight came from the exhaust

That seems like a lot.

[oregoncoast]

Ok i get it . So let the hacking begin LOL off come all of the lights?

For some reason it just drives me nuts to see a perfectally good S get chopped up. That is the only reason I said that.

Why does your rear brake line hang down like that?

No chopping up. Might pull the little blinkers off the front, already took the back ones off.

I believe the brake line was replaced by PO and he probably used a differnt connector on the end so it does not ride along the swingarm...that will be replaced.

But, this might not be the thread for you Josh, because it sounds like it might go counter to everything you believe in

But, if you look in my first post, I clearly state that I am

And although crazy, there are some others that race heavy (400+ lb) dual sport bikes cross country...ever heard of Dakar??

[Eddie O'Dell]

Wow, I had no idea that nearly 1/3 of the bike's weight came from the exhaust

That seems like a lot.

Just a metaphor, but it is very heavy. I'm guessing it would take 10-13 MRD Cans to equal its weight.

[Eddie O'Dell]

I have a great deal of respect for you racing the S, and you have good reasons for doing so............

[oregoncoast]

Went out today and got the DRZ good and muddy.


Luke, Allan and I went out to ride some single track..about 40 miles today. My racing buddy Luke and I specifically set out to try out our new Tubliss tire systems. Here's the verdict:
1) It was nice running about 10-12 psi and not have to worry about pinch flats.
2) No issues at all, unless you think added traction is an issue
3) Wheels felt considerably lighter as well..which was sweet.

Ironically, Allan got a pinch flat on his bike...he thinks he might get the Tubliss for his front at least It was fun watching him change a tube on the trail, while eating a granola bar....or course, he had no tools and had to use mine (and he lost a socket ). Fun, dirty day.

I lowered the forks in the triple trees a few MM in hopes of getting a little quicker steering in the tight, muddy, steep single track we did today. The difference was amazing...like a different bike!! I will be messing with different settings in prep for the racing.

Tomorrow, probably another 100 miles of deep soft sand trails and dunes Man I hate sand...but its gotta happen.

Would have had video, but forgot my gopro mount in my garage

Here's a pic for Lynk:

[Eddie O'Dell]

YOU Da MAN.............. If there is anything I can do to help or contribute to your competing your bike just let me know !!.........On behalf of our forums, our members and Mr. Lynk,.....Just let me know and thanks for your efforts and Z manship spirit.
Eddie O'Dell,.....................

[oregoncoast]

YOU Da MAN.............. If there is anything I can do to help or contribute to your competing your bike just let me know !!.........On behalf of our forums, our members and Mr. Lynk,.....Just let me know and thanks for your efforts and Z manship spirit.
Eddie O'Dell,.....................

Thanks for your words of support

[Lynk]

Wish I'd thought of that... My headlight was the perfect canvas, until it got washed today. VERY COOL, OC.

[PeteN95]

I lowered the forks in the triple trees a few MM in hopes of getting a little quicker steering in the tight, muddy, steep single track we did today. The difference was amazing...like a different bike!! I will be messing with different settings in prep for the racing.

Wow, you must like really quick steering?! I've done that on Hondas and Yamahas, but Suzukis have crazy quick steering to begine with. The only thing my DRZ made me want was a steering damper because it started tank slapping as soon as I hit 3rd gear on a dirt road! Good luck!

[C~Style]

awesome man, looking forward to videos and pics!

[oregoncoast]

Wow, you must like really quick steering?! I've done that on Hondas and Yamahas, but Suzukis have crazy quick steering to begine with. The only thing my DRZ made me want was a steering damper because it started tank slapping as soon as I hit 3rd gear on a dirt road! Good luck!

Tank slappers in third???

Or is that another exaggeration??

I swear, I have never met a bunch of people more dead set on hyperbole when discussing motorcycles than this group

I have had the DRZ at 70 indicated on choppy sand flats with some head shake, but not tank slappage..but today, noticed some headshake at lower speed with the forks dropped from yesterday, but nothing unmanageable.



I appreciate the comments, though, supportive or otherwise. I told my riding buddy I was posting on this site and that I actually had people telling me I should just start with a different bike if I wanted to race.

He said, "You would think that of all of the forums on the internet that you could post that you were going to race a DRZ-S in cross country competition, DRZ-Forums would be the one place where everyone would say, 'Cool. Awesome. Can't wait to see how it goes!', not, you really should start with a different bike."

It'd be like people on a Beemer GS forum telling everyone to buy a V-Strom

Luckily, most are onboard to see what breaks first

I am uploading some video of the sand adventures from today, of course could not find my gopro mount again....

I also tried to see what was up with the messed up brake line on my DRZ. After removing it, seems as though the PO just put the wrong line on. Of course, I stripped the bolt heads trying to put it back and make it work

But the beauty of the DRZ, and many dirt bikes, is that the calipers are Nissin, so I just went to the local Honda dealer and got new banjo bolts and washers for some kind of Honda Quad and fixed her right up. Brilliant.

Two pics from today:






Stay tuned for video from today.......