14-08-12, 08:37 PM
I was looking at getting one of these before I bought a fazer. They've got an excellent reputation for reliability and seem to hold their value like nothing else. Some dealers were even advertising s/h ones for more than what Suzuki were selling them for brand new! (think they were going for £3800 before they were discontinued). Not sure what the problems you were having on the way home, could be something basic like a dirty air filter (especially if it's done a bit of off roading). Maintenance may not have been top priority for the previous owners.
Never had one myself but the gist I got from Thumpertalk & Supermotojunkie was that they're great little bikes but after a while they get a bit...well...boring. For the amount you would have to spend to increase the bhp to a more spirited 50+ you might as well save and put toward a 'proper' purpose-built enduro/SM like a KTM or Husky (the DRZ is essentially a 'road' bike). But the problem with these steroid thumpers is that the maintenence schedule is truly shocking! This is why I went for the 'sensible' option & bought the fazer.
It should be a fun bike to own for a while but I wouldn't spend too much on upgrades myself. When you sell it you might even make a couple of quid. Then go nuts and buy an SM510!
Never had one myself but the gist I got from Thumpertalk & Supermotojunkie was that they're great little bikes but after a while they get a bit...well...boring. For the amount you would have to spend to increase the bhp to a more spirited 50+ you might as well save and put toward a 'proper' purpose-built enduro/SM like a KTM or Husky (the DRZ is essentially a 'road' bike). But the problem with these steroid thumpers is that the maintenence schedule is truly shocking! This is why I went for the 'sensible' option & bought the fazer.
It should be a fun bike to own for a while but I wouldn't spend too much on upgrades myself. When you sell it you might even make a couple of quid. Then go nuts and buy an SM510!