Hey everybody, I am sure this is 205, but, for some reason my search wouldn't work. :huh Anyhow, I was thinking of street licensing my '04 DRZ 400. I want to be able to use it for little weekend excursions to explore the local mountain roads (dirt, paved, rock, etc, etc) My understanding is that around here (Az.) all I need to do is get it inspected, and make sure I have a DOT brake light, horn, mirror, DOT headlight, and DOT tires. The part I am a little concerned about is the brake light. I want to make sure I can get it wired properly to have it work. Has anyone done this? I know that there are kits to get is street legal on the market (only a couple hundred), but, I think I can do it for even less. Not to mention that the kits come with a REALLY ugly taillight. I've seen an LED one that I like. Anyhow, if any of you have any thoughts, let me know! Thanks, Greg
You can mod the stock led for a functional but not nearly bright enough for most brake light. Instructions for that can be found at www.thumpertalk.com. they have by far the most active DRZ forum in existance. I used an edge2 from Wheeling Cycle along with a wiring harness and led blinkers. I've changed the blinkers since this pic, but the taillight is still working fine, now even has a plate hanging from it...
i used the Baja Designs LED tail kit. Be aware that the LED clusters like I had are VERY sensitive to proper voltage. There's lotsa discussion on TT about doing wiring mods to the DRZ to get the voltage stable throughout the system. AS is from the factory they are not great. If you're NOT going to fix the bleeding circuits, be sure to pigtail it and keep a charger handy, and used conventional lights.
Not sure, but it hasn't gotten me any odd looks from LEO's... I don't think it has the coveted DOT molded into it , but I'll check.
I would just order it all up from Baja Designs. They're good people. Some people have had luck with cobbled together DS kits and have done if for less money though. YMMV. http://www.bajadesigns.com/2005 Web Site/dsk.htm Does the AZ DMV actually do the inspections or do you take it to an approved bike shop? If it's the latter they could probably help you out too as far as what flies and what is overkill, eg DOT tires, front and rear activated brake light etc...
I bought a little tail/brake light made by Emgo from my dealer. I think it was in a Tucker Rocky or Parts Unlimited catalog. Cost 10 bucks and it has worked fine for 2 years. It is kind of ugly, but it mounted easily and had a simple two wire set up with a dual element bulb. I used a plunger switch from an auto parts store which already had a spring loaded wire to attach to the rear brake pedal. I didn't worry about a switch on the front brake lever. In Arkansas you don't need blinkers unless you ride at night, then they can ticket you if they want, but they rarely bother. They are picky about a good horn, high and low beam headlight, and one mirror. Thats about it. You can add either a brighter or less bright headlight anyplace on the front of the bike instead of a high and low beam as long as one is brighter than the other. I added a quality 55 watt Halogen bulb in place of the stock crappy bulb, and a small 35 watt fog light purchased at Wally World. Voila, two headlights. For a horn I used an air canister horn for boating duct taped to the handlebars. It was loud as hell, but they recently decided the horn has to be powered by the bike. Oh, and of course liability insurance.
I have a dual sported E model in AZ, good bike for this state with all of the offroad riding you can do. I bought mine with a kit already installed from Electrosport, the Dakar model. Works great! Enjoy!
Dear All! I am looking for some accessories for my new Suuki DR-Z400E e.g. engine skid plate, a kind of a computer, maybe custom exhaust, etc. Can I count on your advise, please? Thanks in advance!
I have a White Bro's skid plate on mine, and it is good and bashed up, but, I am not terribly happy with the mounting setup. It uses small metric bolts that go into the stock holes. I have a Utah Sport Cycle plate for my YZ, and am much happier with the set up. It's lots more rugged.