Cooling Fan For DRZ400

[voids]

Has anyone installed a cooling fan on a DRZ400E I'm thinking of installing one on my 07' model as a preventetive measure. In the brochure the drz400S comes with a cooling fan so i am wondering if the wiring harness is the same for all the DRZ models making installation easier. And is the fan on the 400S controlled by a switch or automatically by a temp sensor? Can anyone confirm this?

[Vash]

Don't need one. Ride faster..
I havent boiled over my DRZ ever since i bought it new in early 06. Its probably got 500+ hours on it

[bobc]

Voids, I am also going to install a fan. I have enquired and can get the factory fan set up from the s from suzuki for about $350. This is the email response I got back from my dealer


"You can fit a radiator fan to your motorcycle. you will have to make up
some mounts to fit it. As the drz400s has a thermostat to control the
fan and the drz400e doesn't, you will have to make a switch to go on
the handle bars.
The fan will cost $364.00."


I have heard many people have installed computer fans. i would think that the first time they got wet or mud or dirt in it then it would stop (anyone done this?).

One dealer did also tell me that you can install a radiator cap with a higher pressure number on it to assist with cooling issues (ie 1.4 instead of 1.1 whatever that means). Anyone done this?

Vash, yeah ride faster! That's fine. DRZ doesn't have a problem riding around normally, but try and tell that to the cattle I am mustering. Reckon i have boiled my 07 six times, all when chugging along at walking speed pushing up cows. Would also reckon it would boil if stuck on the side of a hill for extended time.

Saw quiet a few bikes of all makes boiling during the hard sections at Killarney Trail ride on the weekend.

[2bikes]

[QUOTE=bobc;366372]One dealer did also tell me that you can install a radiator cap with a higher pressure number on it to assist with cooling issues (ie 1.4 instead of 1.1 whatever that means). Anyone done this?QUOTE]

Given that DRZs have a bit of a reputation for leaking past the waterpump seal I wouldn't fit a higher pressure cap. Just make it leak more I reckon. Or make it start if it isn't already.

Why can't Suzuki make a decent waterpump seal and proper cam chain tensioners? My road bike is on it's third waterpump in 35,000 kilometres. Of course the first one lasted 2 years so no warranty.

2bikes
long term memeber of the pin it to the stop and pray stunt team.
Of course I am drunk Officer, I am not an FMX rider.

[AussieE]

I ran a higher presure cap on my 2000DRZ and also ran silkolene pro cool in the radiator after doing this it never boiled again in the snotting $H!T
many guys have run the computor fans and they do stand up well to the mud and water,I have one on my sons KTM Prosenior for enduros and it's going ok even after a presure washing.
Mudrat has one on his KTM 450 and he spends more time (the next phase has been deleted in the name of keeping the peice^tng ^ton )anyway his has lasted well,Hey Glenn!!^nana
"E"

[voids]

i dafenetly agree if you are doing slow riding like mustering or even slow up hills you probly wil get the bike a touch on the hot side, $360 for a fan seems a bit rich, might have to look ar other fan motors around. i think the computer fan idea will work just make it so it can be replaced easially and have a spare on hand they are probly only going to cost you under $20 each in that case. besides i hardly do any mud riding because it never rains in central Qld.

what about thoes toy hothercrafts they had a few years ago one of thoes little fans on the back of them could move some air, they would be perfect. you could even run it through a thermostat and little current draw also.

[bardo]

Has anyone installed a cooling fan on a DRZ400E I'm thinking of installing one on my 07' model as a preventetive measure. In the brochure the drz400S comes with a cooling fan so i am wondering if the wiring harness is the same for all the DRZ models making installation easier. And is the fan on the 400S controlled by a switch or automatically by a temp sensor? Can anyone confirm this?

Send a PM to Testie, he put a computer fan on his DRZ4
Ride on, Bardo.

[DRStuZ]

Vash, yeah ride faster! That's fine. DRZ doesn't have a problem riding around normally, but try and tell that to the cattle I am mustering. Reckon i have boiled my 07 six times, all when chugging along at walking speed pushing up cows. .

perhaps you just need faster cattle?

:)

[Big Willy]

I've attached 2 computer fans to the lefthand radiator guard of my WR450. They blow rather than suck. Zip tied a switch to the inside of the plastic headlight surround. So far they work great and they have had a couple of washes.
It doesn't make sense imo to put one on the right hand radiator where it will be sucking hot air off the exhaust into the radiator.
Also thinking of insulating the exhaust where it passes underneath the radiator.

[WikdBeemer]

Check the boiling point of your coolant.

I just replaced mine because at 50% Castrol antifreeze boils at something like 112 deg. but Nulon boils at about 120 deg C

So I put in 60% with distilled water (no impurities) and I figure it's good for about 125 degrees.

Also make sure the air is bled out properly and then install a cattle prod on the front guard - wont take 'em long to remember that!

Computer fans will last as long as their bearings stay clean, no brushes to wear out but the bearing (bushes) are their weak point.
I think dust will kill them quicker than water and mud.

[DrDad]

Been running a PC fan on my DRZ for well over a year with no problems. And I wash the bike thoroughly after every ride. Been through very heavy dust and mud.

Even if it does eventually fail, for $10 why worry?

[cda051]

Hi DrDad,

Can you post some pics of the fan setup... Also how did you end up wiring it in ?

I have an 07 DRZ400E and have also boiled it over on some really long steep up hill sections.

Thanks

[DrDad]

Definitely need the fan, especially if you do any road riding in traffic. Sitting at the lights on a hot day can cause overheating. On a ride a few months ago several bikes were pouring out steam after a particularly tight and rough section of trail, but the DRZ was cool as.

I'll try and get some shots today and post them up. Install was simple... just cable tie it onto the radiator and splice the wiring into any of the wires that have power when the iginition is on. No switches needed as it comes on when the ignition is turned on. Current draw is minimal but it's wide to kill the igintion if you are stopping for a while. Mind you, the headlight will kill the battery way quicker than the fan.

[dirt rider x]

FWIW the local Suzuki dealer here fit a genuine DRZ-S fan (to bikes sold to cattle properties) because it moves much more air than any of the computer fans. They dont bother with the thermostat as far as I know, just a separate switch to turn it on. Its always surprising how often bikes that have a fan and thermo switch standard (TE610E and KTM640 Adventure) have the fan running.

[WikdBeemer]

FWIW the local Suzuki dealer here fit a genuine DRZ-S fan (to bikes sold to cattle properties) because it moves much more air than any of the computer fans. They dont bother with the thermostat as far as I know, just a separate switch to turn it on. Its always surprising how often bikes that have a fan and thermo switch standard (TE610E and KTM640 Adventure) have the fan running.

Now I'm thinking this might be a good idea.

Do the S model fans fit an E with radiator guards?

Any idea how much they are?

Some genuine parts are ridicously priced, like $30 for 1 rear wheel bearing!