Suzuki DRZ400E
I had booked in for a Dirt Bike Skills Day in the Watagan State Forest, southwest of Newcastle, on Good Friday, 2009. (You can read about that adventure here.)
One month later, after phoning around a number of dealers, I decided to buy a new Suzuki DRZ400E from Chris Watson Motorcycles in Cessnock. Not only did Chris offer a great price on the bike, but he also had his workshop set it up with a few extras. These included an alloy bash plate, hand guards, light and flexible tail lights and rear indicators, as well as the engine de-restriction modification.
When the day came to pick it up, three of my mates (Scott, Burgo and Jimmy) decided to ride their bikes up to Cessnock, so that they could help me “christen” the new bike.
Shiny New Bike, Squeaky Clean Gear
As you can see, I was looking pretty happy with myself! We decided to roll out through Cessnock, then out to Congewai, up through the Watagan State Forest, then back over to Freeman’s Waterhole and back to Newcastle.
Suzuki DRZ600, DRZ600, and BRAND NEW DRZ400E
Burgo, Jimmy, and me. All on Suzuki DRs. Scott was also with us. Sorry Scott, there was only room in that photo for Suzukis! (He’s got a KTM 640 Adventure.)
The bike got well and truly christened! There was plenty of mud at the base of the Watagans. I think from memory, the bike got acquainted with terra firma on more than one occasion. When we got home, there was no hint of that “new bike shine” any more.
Levi, sniffing out the new toy
One thing I found when I got home was that I’d collected a vine around the back wheel somehow. It wrapped itself tightly and got stuck between the rear disk and the wheel.
Look carefully, there's a vine wrapped around the rear disk brake
It took a little bit of effort to remove it, but a bit of deft work with a chisel did the job. It doesn’t appear to have done any damage, but I’d think that the disk would have gotten fairly warm for a while there!
You can see the vine wrapped around the disk here
All up, a very successful “christening”.
First impressions
Tough
I fell off at least twice. The bike bounces off the dirt better than I do.
Heavy
It’s a hell of a lot lighter than my mates’ 600 / 640 bikes, and a ton lighter than the big BMW adventure bikes. Having said that, it is still hefty, particularly when you have to pick it up whilst on a steep incline.
Powerful
It has a lot of grunt! Sure, less than the larger bikes, but I wasn’t being held back by a lack of power.
Tall
I think I may have to get it lowered just a tad. I feel like I’m struggling to keep it upright at times, wrestling with it when I’m on tip-toes. This may just be because I need more dirt-bike experience.
Fun
I’m kicking myself that I didn’t buy one years ago!
2009 DRZ400E Specifications (NB: Australian Model)
Note: The Australian model Suzuki DRZ400E comes with instruments, indicators, lights and a horn, and is road-registrable.
