[Ironhead401]

Definitely a better off road/ride to the trail and back home type bike. Im sure having roughly 30 pounds less would make a big difference in tight trails and picking it up etc. What gearing do you run on the bike?

I run 13t up front and 50t on the rear. I wouldn't be opposed to going bigger in the rear. It's suggested not going lower than 13 on the front.

 

[PopsK5]

I think a 12t sprocket would accelerate chain wear pretty quickly having to go around such a small sprocket at the front... Do you ride the bike on the road at all, to the trails? or strictly dirt? If i ran 13/50 on the z it would be screaming its head off! I run a mixture of combos 15-44 in road motard trim, 15-48 at the motard track, 14-47 in really tight stuff and 15-44 for adv touring/fire trail/ride to the trail type stuff.

 

[Ironhead401]

I think a 12t sprocket would accelerate chain wear pretty quickly having to go around such a small sprocket at the front... Do you ride the bike on the road at all, to the trails? or strictly dirt? If i ran 13/50 on the z it would be screaming its head off! I run a mixture of combos 15-44 in road motard trim, 15-48 at the motard track, 14-47 in really tight stuff and 15-44 for adv touring/fire trail/ride to the trail type stuff.

The problem with the 12t on the wr isn't so much chain wear as it is the chain will quickly eat through the chain guide at the front of the swing arm and eventually will eat into the metal. It does it will a 13t too but at a slower rate. Previous owner of my bike did not pay attention and it ate into the swing arm but it's alright. Larger rear sprocket helps with that too. You can google pictures.

I ride on the road between trails but not at highway speeds. It's fine on the roads but not something I'd want as a daily street rider the way it sits. Properly geared most guys don't have complaints.

Some guys do a 14t front on not 15 that I've seen.

 

[PopsK5]

The problem with the 12t on the wr isn't so much chain wear as it is the chain will quickly eat through the chain guide at the front of the swing arm and eventually will eat into the metal. It does it will a 13t too but at a slower rate. Previous owner of my bike did not pay attention and it ate into the swing arm but it's alright. Larger rear sprocket helps with that too. You can google pictures.

I ride on the road between trails but not at highway speeds. It's fine on the roads but not something I'd want as a daily street rider the way it sits. Properly geared most guys don't have complaints.

Some guys do a 14t front on not 15 that I've seen.

Damn! just had a quick look online and it eats down through the guide and into the swing arm by a fair bit. Definitely worth keeping an eye on!

Well, id like to thank you for getting me fired up for some trail riding, i have just fitted up my dirt wheels and have lined up a weekend ride with a buddy haha

 

[Ironhead401]

Damn! just had a quick look online and it eats down through the guide and into the swing arm by a fair bit. Definitely worth keeping an eye on!

Well, id like to thank you for getting me fired up for some trail riding, i have just fitted up my dirt wheels and have lined up a weekend ride with a buddy haha

Yeah man, love talking about these bikes. I'm jealous you're hitting the trails. It has been ridiculously cold up here in the northeast and it just snowed so no riding for a while. :crying

 

[PopsK5]

Yeah man, love talking about these bikes. I'm jealous you're hitting the trails. It has been ridiculously cold up here in the northeast and it just snowed so no riding for a while. :crying

Ouch! Im lucky in Sydney, Aus the lowest temp we will see in winter would be 10 degrees C, about 50f so its all year round riding here! Don't have to winter proof the bike or pack it away etc just ride ride ride.

Whats next on the mod list then? Sounds like you tinker with the bike yourself a lot, i do the same with my bikes, im lucky to have some time off during the week and i spend one day tinkering and one day riding.

 

[PopsK5]

Here's a more recent photo of my DRZ, started out stock and evolved into a pretty capable trail/motard bike.

 

[Ironhead401]

Here's a more recent photo of my DRZ, started out stock and evolved into a pretty capable trail/motard bike.

Love it :thumbup