Buying a DRZ that has been sitting for over 16 months?

matt220

matt220

Well-known member
So I recently got offered a 2007 DRZ400SM with good mods barely used tires(1000kms, but the tires are 20 months old), and about 7500kms on it. My only concern is that the owner says the bike has been sitting in his garage since the summer of 2011 because he got into a car accident and couldn't ride any more.


Here's a rundown of the bike:

-2007 DRZ400SM, 7500kms

-Engine has not run in 16+ months, oil was changed 16 months ago (I guess he changed the oil before putting it away in the garage)

-Sitting in garage for 16+ months

-Whether fuel was drained or stabilizer was used, I dont know yet (waiting for an email back, I will update)
Edit: gas was drained from the tank and carb before storage

-Tires 20 months old and only have about 1000kms on them, but bike has been sitting on the tires for the 16 months it has been in the garage (owner says even though it was on the tires, he moved it around to keep off the same spots)

-Owner says it needs a new battery, but would get one if I was interested in buying the bike


I know having any vehicle sit for an extended period of time is bad, but if it was stored properly would it be ok? What problems could I run into with the engine? (I will update when he replies about if he drained or stabilized the fuel)

Finally, even though the tires have 1000kms on them, they are 20 months old and the bike has been sitting on them for 16 months (moved around to prevent flat spots). What problems could I expect with the tires? If there are no flat spots will they be fine? Could the tire age even be an issue here too?
 
Last edited:
Wow. Thats a long time to just be sitting. but Ive seen bikes sit for way longer. Your gonna need a fresh oil change, gas tank drained (could be rusted), carb disassembled and cleaned with carb cleaner all jets and diaphragms inspected, new battery forsure. In the end the parts are plenty and cheap for anything you need for the DRZ. With respect to the tires, a good look will tell you everything you need to know, if they look dry, cracked or withered. If its been sitting for 2 years with almost flat tires you will need new ones, but really for peace of mind I would grab some pilot powers from Petes superbike, like 240 for both. Depending on the price say around 2000-2500$ I would go for it, in good running shape easy 4000$ with lower k's. It's all about what he did before storing it. if the carb was drained, gas tank filled and treated (mind you the treated fluid like stabil doesnt last for 2 years) oil change and good battery all should be good after new fluids. I would not try and start it until everything was freshened up. Maybe even loosen the oil drain plug and see what the oil looks like when it drips out a bit. SInce the oil circulates through the frame while running it would all be in the motor for those 2 years, hopefully protecting some vital parts. I bought a bike that sat for 5, no maintenance done before it was left outside! New fuel, oil change x2 (once again after fired up and ran for a bit), carb clean, battery, fuel lines and she fired right up! Also,there are a ton of DRZs for sale if hes asking too much just keep looking. Saw a 2010 for 4700$ with like 2000km's on kijiji

D
 
Well he is asking a price ($4500) that would suggest it would be in perfect running order if the battery was changed and gas was added. I'll bring a flashlight to see if the gas tank is rusty on the inside and also check the tires when I go see the bike this weekend, from the pictures they looked pretty much new. The bike itself in the pictures looked pristine and has a full Yoshi carbon exhaust.

I bet I can get him down to $4200 (not too bad for an 07 with 7500kms), but he said he doesn't need to sell it and would be perfectly fine keeping it until he is recovered enough to ride again if my price was too low.

The 2010 you mentioned doesn't have a nice expensive exhaust system like this 2007, has been dropped, and also had been sitting for a long time (the ad said he rode it for one spring 2 years ago). So in reality that 2010 will cost me $5700 if I want to put a new full carbon exhaust system on it.

One question though, why does the oil have to be changed again before firing it up if it was changed before the bike was stored?
 
Dave L said:
Here is a 2005 DRZ400SM for $5000 in guelph - http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...ikes-2005-Suzuki-DR-400-SM-W0QQAdIdZ452017802

For the difference in price I wouldnt even bother looking at the bike that sat, just too many possible issues.
Click to expand...

$5000 is way overpriced for an '05 especially since it doesn't look pristine.

KarGo said:
Seen this ad for a long time...

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-2007-drz400sm-W0QQAdIdZ448214000
Click to expand...

Yeah I've been in contact with this guy, this is basically my fallback bike (going all the way to Sudbury is gunna suck) if the '07 that sat looks to have problems.
 
matt220 said:
$5000 is way overpriced for an '05 especially since it doesn't look pristine.



Yeah I've been in contact with this guy, this is basically my fallback bike (going all the way to Sudbury is gunna suck) if the '07 that sat looks to have problems.
Click to expand...

Holy hell. 4500$. No way. Just from what I listed there could be more expensive repairs. Especially if you cannot do the work yourself. For example forks could have issues, carb could need a full rebuild its probably so gunked up etc. keep looking there easy to ride maintain cheap insurance and with some searching and asking questions easy to work on. Here's a site that knows everything about the drz. Thumpertalk.com. Go to dirt bike-Suzuki-drz400. Be prepared for weeks of reading. With a bit of help from a few simple mods it really wakes the bike up. And if you have $$ get close to 50hp from 30 stock. Good luck and ask questions!

D
 
matt220 said:
Well he is asking a price ($4500) that would suggest it would be in perfect running order if the battery was changed and gas was added. I'll bring a flashlight to see if the gas tank is rusty on the inside and also check the tires when I go see the bike this weekend, from the pictures they looked pretty much new. The bike itself in the pictures looked pristine and has a full Yoshi carbon exhaust.

I bet I can get him down to $4200 (not too bad for an 07 with 7500kms), but he said he doesn't need to sell it and would be perfectly fine keeping it until he is recovered enough to ride again if my price was too low.

The 2010 you mentioned doesn't have a nice expensive exhaust system like this 2007, has been dropped, and also had been sitting for a long time (the ad said he rode it for one spring 2 years ago). So in reality that 2010 will cost me $5700 if I want to put a new full carbon exhaust system on it.

One question though, why does the oil have to be changed again before firing it up if it was changed before the bike was stored?
Click to expand...

i wouldn't worry about the exhaust. Carbon is no big deal plus it's probs just a slip on not full. I have a like new power core 4 with powerbomb header I'd sell for 400$. The best exhaust for it is only 500$. Mrd is designed for the z, I have it on mine just got it. Did the 3x3 jet kit and full exhaust so far and it's like a different bike. If the bike ran well it would be a good deal forsure. There will be plenty for sale soon. Hook up the alerts through kijiji you'll get an email when one is posted. And it's a dirt bike your supposed to drop it lol

D
 
DRZSMDUDE said:
Holy hell. 4500$. No way. Just from what I listed there could be more expensive repairs. Especially if you cannot do the work yourself. For example forks could have issues, carb could need a full rebuild its probably so gunked up etc. keep looking there easy to ride maintain cheap insurance and with some searching and asking questions easy to work on.
Click to expand...

Well you did say in your first post "Depending on the price say around 2000-2500$ I would go for it, in good running shape easy 4000$ with lower k's."

So if it seems in good running shape you said $4000 would be a good price, which is not far off my $4200 after haggling estimate. I don't see why it wouldn't be in good running shape since he changed the oil before storage and assuming he drained the fuel before storage I don't see how the carbs could gunk up. I'm probably going on Sunday just to take a look and do a fairly thorough inspection on the major concerns, and then if it seems alright I'd go again for a test ride and try and work out a deal.

If he says he didn't drain the fuel and just let it sit there for 16 months, I'm just going to walk away.

DRZSMDUDE said:
i wouldn't worry about the exhaust. Carbon is no big deal plus it's probs just a slip on not full
Click to expand...

I am 100% sure it is a full system, and I just checked Yoshi's website where it says it's $625 in the US, so add on like $200+ extra to buy it in Canada with our higher tax and stupidly high price mark-ups.
 
Lol. You'd think the bike would explode at the push of the starter by reading the posts on here.

16 months isn't that long. Change the oil, clean the carb, flush the tank and you should be good to go. A 5 year old bike is probably due for a carb cleaning anyway. And even if your not used to wrenching, the DRZ is a great bike to learn on.
 
matt220 said:
One question though, why does the oil have to be changed again before firing it up if it was changed before the bike was stored?
Click to expand...

It doesn't...motor oil is essentially old *** fossilized **** that's been sitting for years and years. Its not going just to break down if it wasn't subject to any stress.
 
LoneRonin said:
It doesn't...motor oil is essentially old *** fossilized **** that's been sitting for years and years. Its not going just to break down if it wasn't subject to any stress.
Click to expand...

The oil isnt going to break down as it would if it were run through the engine for 5000km but oil is hygroscopic. Engines typically dont really like water in the oil and given the cost of oil its just better to change it out.
 
N3WMAN said:
That thing is a good deal with both sets of wheels.

Those offroad wheels + SM rotors will cost you $400-600 to buy seperately.
Click to expand...

Thats what I thought too, on a bike for $5000, offer $4500 and if the wheels arent needed sell them off for a couple hundred.
 
Through numerous temperature cycles, condensation builds up on the internal of the engine and ends up in the oil. Having it sit for a long enough time and there will be a substantial amount of water in the oil.

I wouldnt be worried too much about it IF the price reflected the condition....it doesnt....

LoneRonin said:
It doesn't...motor oil is essentially old *** fossilized **** that's been sitting for years and years. Its not going just to break down if it wasn't subject to any stress.
Click to expand...
 
matt220 said:
Well you did say in your first post "Depending on the price say around 2000-2500$ I would go for it, in good running shape easy 4000$ with lower k's."

So if it seems in good running shape you said $4000 would be a good price, which is not far off my $4200 after haggling estimate. I don't see why it wouldn't be in good running shape since he changed the oil before storage and assuming he drained the fuel before storage I don't see how the carbs could gunk up. I'm probably going on Sunday just to take a look and do a fairly thorough inspection on the major concerns, and then if it seems alright I'd go again for a test ride and try and work out a deal.

If he says he didn't drain the fuel and just let it sit there for 16 months, I'm just going to walk away.



I am 100% sure it is a full system, and I just checked Yoshi's website where it says it's $625 in the US, so add on like $200+ extra to buy it in Canada with our higher tax and stupidly high price mark-ups.
Click to expand...

Yes I did say that. A bike that doesn't start up an you can't ride. But I wouldn't start it until all fluids are changed up. Oil, brake fluid, are cleaner, coolant. These motors are bullet proof if maintained. Full system is better, guessing its jetted too if it does have a header on it. You seem to like it so just go with your gut after a really good inspection. If the carb was drained than it will not be gummed up but still may need some love. Easy stuff though. The parts are plenty out there. Used and new.

D
 
LoneRonin said:
It doesn't...motor oil is essentially old *** fossilized **** that's been sitting for years and years. Its not going just to break down if it wasn't subject to any stress.
Click to expand...

huh? its been sitting for 16months...thats why. I would put some cheap oil in it run it for a bit say 100k's and change it again. Thats just me.

D
 
I think the theories about oil breaking down just by sitting and containing so much water by going through temperature changes is an nice fairy tale without any scientific evidence. Maybe there's more water now then oil....LOL

Also someone called 05 DRZ for 5K a good deal???? That's just crazy, I don't care what it comes with.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom