Hey guys im thinking to go aroundo the world on 2003 suzuki dr400. Anyone know anything about this bike?

Why not I say, It's a pretty tough bike.

They have closer service intervals than its bigger older brother the 650 but a bit more power that might be welcome in the harder offroad stuff. I really like both bikes but currently have a 650.

I can't offer you much more.

Sure you CAN do it on a 400, or even smaller, as has been proven numerous times. But if you´re looking for the best choice (for you, naturally, as there is no one best choice for everyone!) then I´d say it fully depends on what kind of RTW-tour you´re planning. And also what kind of bikes YOU like, which is a very personal choice. Can´t really answer to that on your behalf.

I´ve ridden the 400 a bit in SE Asia, and it´s a great bike for trail riding, and more off-road oriented stuff. But it has clear downsides, too: it suffers (and makes YOU suffer!) on the big highways, it does vibrate, the wind protection is almost nonexistent... and it hates a lot of luggage, at least if you compare it to some other, bigger options.

In fact I would only consider the 400, if I was certain I was going to travel extremely light, AND also planned to do the smallest byways in 3rd world countries a lot (... but doing that regularly would require a looooot of time on a RTW-tour, so how much time have you got??)

For anything else: any longer stretch of main roads, any significant amount of more developed countries (with better roads), and any more luggage than what you´re able to fit in a backpack, and I´d go for at least a DR650, because it is just plain and simple much better for those purposes.

(..Just my opinion of course.)

TNX guys,i thinking smal bike ,coz me and my wife we hv done from Alaska to ushuaia on Honda africa twin(105.000 kms) 23 countres and all states and capitals in Brazil ,now we r loking for smal bike ,125,250 or 400 .
We prefere gravel roads them motorways .
we will keep surching for a smal bike .
thx guys

Have you looked at the DR350?

There have been quite a few successful long distance trips on them, and the 6th gear makes motorways alot more comfortable without sacrificing offroad ability by adding alot of weight, and they get great fuel economy to boot.

The later years 97-99 have better suspension than the early 400s that replaced them too.

You mention you are traveling with your wife, is she planning to go pillion?

No we r planing 2 bikes

We're 16,000km (or more) into a trip from London to Australia on two DRZs, and they've been great. A guy we were riding with had a famous motto from a previous riding buddy "not once in this trip have I wished for a heavier bike with more power...". The only time I've wished for more power from the DRZ was on the European motorways, but that's not really what our trip has been about.

Although, having read this thread I would probably look at the WR250 for next time.

Let me know if you end up wishing for that heavier bike with more power (assuming you don't buy one!)

I second the above comment. We had DR650's and even though they were simple, light bikes, I wished I had the XT250 with some soft luggage. Oh well, it's all part of the learning curve for the next trip.

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Central America, South America & Africa on DR650's - BLOG

We get about 28km a litre out of our DRZs on 15/44 gearing at speeds of about 80-90km/h. They will happily go 100km/h, but 110 is a bit of a strain. I haven't been faster than that. I've got a 15 litre Clarke tank and it will happily do 320km on a tank (200 miles), and at a stretch would probably make 250 miles... just.

Not once on this trip have I longed for a heavier bike with more power!!

I'm wondering why is it so poor consuption on a 450cc? I get the same consumption out of my 14 years old R1100GS (1100cc), doing 90-100kph it gives me around the same economy - 4.6L/100km. If I cruise 70-80kph like those small bikes usually do I can get almost 800 kilometers out of a 32 liter tank (4L/100km).

Is there a 250-450cc EFI dual sport bike that gives better than 2-3L/100km going around 70-80kph like they're supposed to? I'm possibly looking one for my wife.

Aha, a bike for the wife ... :-)

What about the Diesel Enfield .... 1.7 liter/100km, but no dual sport though :-)

Greets Thomas

My 400 E only manages about 11 miles / litre (50mpg) which is pants.
(hoping to get more from the S)
My car will do well over 40 mpg at 80mph with four adults and luggage. Makes the economics of three of us hacking down to spain on the bikes seem a bit daft, doesn't it; we'd do it in a car for 1/3 of the fuel !!