Difficult decision

[125SMash]

in the last issue of CycleWorld i was pleasantly surprised to find out that Suzuki will be releasing its DR-Z400SM in the US as well.
(DR-Z400S was one of my original choices when shopping for my 1st bike, but it was no contest after i saw MZ 125SM)

now over a year later this new option is available, and its from suzuki, two dealers of which i have about 5 minutes away from my house with no bridges or ferries to cross. i love my 125sm, but i end up having to rely on dealer for any and all kind of issues, which is a $100-200 truck drive away into a neighbouring town. its starting to really get to me.
i wish some dealer began offering and covering mz's around here, but that could take 'a while' heh

so now i'm finding myself with a choice of keeping my unique mz and struggling with service each time or going to a local zuki dealer, hopefully trading it in for a new z400sm this spring...

any insight/opinions guys?

[micheleen]

Unless you're an all-thumbs type of person , why not service it yourself ?
I find mine quite easy to work on without any special tools,
though the workshop manual can be vague in places

Cheers, Mike

[keithcross]

I looked at the Suzuki 400 SM in the flesh on Saturday . Looks like a nice bike. Diffeent swinging arm to the normal DRZ. It onlt has a 140 section rear tyre though and I am not sure what tyres will be available to fit it. I know that maxxis dont make one this small and Avon dont make the rain tyre that small either, so I think tyre chioce will be limited.

Keith

[jim grace]

Hi guys i have owned a DRZ and found it excellent apart from the tank cappacity which used to be 10 litres including reserve thus on the highway 70 miles was the range. At one tine found a supplier in the U.S. that made a 14 litre tank finnished in factory coulors. The servicing is a doddle or in the U.K. mobile motercycle mechanics will visit your workplace or home. On the downside a Suzuki is commen at the same time an M.Z. is different CHEERS JIM.

[phlat65]

I hate to see you leave the MZ community, but the suzuki is a good choice. very reliable, parts and service available everywhere, and good build quality. it was between a DRZ with 17's and the MZ 3 years ago when I bought my bike, but even with my racer discount (was currently racing enduros for local suzuki shop) it was still $7500 plus tax for the DRZ.

the 140 tire is a concern though....

[micheleen]

The specs don't give the rim size but 140/70 is normally fitted to a 4.25" rim so a 150/60 tyre should be fine.

Cheers, Mike

[hulagun]

Or buy a used DRZ400S for $3000, a set of used DRZ supermotard rims (can be found online for $700-800 pair) and KEEP your MZ too.

[gedge]

What he said best of both worlds... retain some MZ individuality and get some bigger CCs for a different bit of fun

[DAVID THOMPSON]

i have six bikes and ride the rt125 the most

think real hard befor you let the 125sm go

i did not put tags on any of the bmw's this year or last
and i dont switch tags around and sneek a ride like some people

i was just having tooooo much fun on the rt125
ps if you dont have at least 6000 miles on it its not broke in yet
and will run even better when it is
ar dave

and remember how too fix it it pictures can be sent from here
if needed

[keithcross]

Or even keep the 125 and buy a good secondhand bahira Street Moto or mastiff.

Keith

[125SMash]

thanks for responding folks

micheleen: thats the truth, neither i nor any of my friends have any mechanical experience or knowledge. the biggest problem for me is i dont have a garage and my job and school leave me no day light what so ever to comfortably pull it apart, aknowldege myself with it hands on, learn and get to the bottom of problems.
and they never seem to be as simple as what a self fixer books can help me with anyway

re: buying a baghira or any other heavier mz bike - street moto was the original bike that made me look mz side but the problem remains - no local MZ support !

re: buying a used drz and keeping the sm, i dont have a garage its enough for me to shake over a chained-up 125sm in the drive way, two bikes would be too much plus i think i could probbaly trade in my 125sm and get the drzSM for ~3-4k (i hope anyway)

i just want a reliable bike that would start at a moments notice , and get me from point a to point b and back home reliably. (i already have an experiece of pushing the bike 20 blocks or so through a bad neighbourghood heh. i am SURE that 125sm can be that bike, but for it to be taken to such a level of reliability and remain there, the owner would have to be a bike guru, which i am not, or have easy access to an honest, meticulous dealer which i dont have.

i'm gonna try one more time and bring it to a dealer and ask him to do a complete check-up/overhaul, if thats something i can afford and it keeps runnig well after that i'll keep it.

if not its drzsm for me ..

[micheleen]

If you have a local dealer with a trustworthy reputation you could always ask them if they're prepared to service your bike and you'll supply them with the workshop manual for it (or a copy, keep the original yourself).
I know the problems with not having a garage as I don't either, but at least I can work in daylight, except in the rain

[RichBeBe]

I am incredibly busy as I am a school teacher, a graduate school program and design websites on the side. But I also live in NYC (forest Hills) and I worked in the motorcycle industry from 1985-2003. I do have a good knowledge of motorcycles and actually I have an excellent knowledge of tuning and building high performance bikes.
I am not saying I could absolutely help you anytme you need it, but I should be able to find a few hours here and there if you need a problem with your 125.
Drop me a pm or an email and we cna talk if you need something looked at or done

[hulagun]

125smash said "plus i think i could probbaly trade in my 125sm and get the drzSM for ~3-4k (i hope anyway) "

Keep hoping!


Now that I have reread what you wrote I see that my earlier reply was a bit off base. But honestly, if you are having troubles maintaining the MZ then you will have same troubles maintaining the DRz... although at least you will have better dealer support.

It sounds like you are in a stuation where you have to treat your bike like a mule.... just feed it, hose it off now and then, and when it is sick take it in to the doctor.

I agree - You will be best off buying new with a warranty, establishing a good relationship with the selling dealer (use them for service faithfully too). Also learn how to do basic upkeep so you dont end up pushing it home!