Suzuki motorcycles typically sit in a weird spot in the market. The manufacturer is known for making some of the most iconic motorcycles ever, including the legendary 1999 Hayabusa and the trailblazing 1985 GSX-R750. Plus, over the years, its creations have come to be known for their high-performance engines and exceptional handling.
But on the other hand, Suzuki is often criticized for not being up-to-date with the latest performance standards, and it is also often seen as a budget-friendly alternative to Honda or Yamaha. But there are still a few Suzuki motorcycles that stand out from the crowd, standing as something that you can buy and keep riding happily for years to come.
What Makes Some Suzuki Motorcycles So Special
Suzuki is no stranger to making motorcycles that perfectly fit a one-bike garage, whether you’re looking for a sports bike, an adventure tourer, or an off-roader. These motorcycles offer a kind of balance that’s pretty uncommon in the market; they are good enough for intermediate riders to build their confidence on while being capable enough to run with the big dogs of the segment.
At the same time, Suzuki likes to overengineer its motorcycles to survive the worst. In other words, Suzuki bikes are super reliable, a reason why they often find their way into the hands of squids. Even something like the liter-class GSX-R1000 can survive squid abuse on the road and still keep running for years to come. This gives some Suzuki models a special kind of balance where they only get better the more you ride them.
One of the best examples of such a bike is the ever-awesome SV650, a bike that has brought many motorcyclists into the fold while keeping naked bike-enthusiasts entertained for years on the road. Other such bikes that strike that balance include the GSX-R750, the V-Strom 1050, and the Hayabusa. But Suzuki’s latest dual sport motorcycle just ups the ante even more as a reliable dual sport that can teach you and then push your skills once you get the hang of it.
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The Suzuki DR-Z4S Is The Evolution Of The DR-Z400S
The Suzuki DR-Z400S, launched back in 2000, is considered one of the best dual-sport motorcycles ever made. But in recent years, it had started to feel long in the tooth. So, Suzuki gave it its biggest update after nearly 25 years on the road in the form of the DR-Z4S. This is the next evolution of the Suzuki dual sport heritage, and it offers to refine everything that made the DR-Z400S so special in the first place.
The DR-Z4S is also thoroughly modern today, thanks to a brand-new liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single-cylinder engine and a new perimeter frame. Add its low curb weight, and it’s easy to see why the DR-Z4S is such a special thing in the segment. It’s not only versatile enough to double up as a commuter, but on trails, it has all the goodies to keep up with actual dirt bikes.
That’s not why the DR-Z4S is chosen here, though. The DR-Z4S strikes the perfect balance by, first, retaining the good ol’ Suzuki reliability. It’s also pretty approachable for new-to-intermediate riders who want to get into proper off-roading. At the same time, it has enough capability that you’d have to be really good at off-roading to ever push the bike to its absolute limits.
The Price Starts At $8,999
The refreshed Suzuki DR-Z4S starts at $8,999, which seems kind of high compared to its rivals. But it makes up for it with enough versatility and capability. Suzuki offers this bike in two colorways: Champion Yellow no. 2 / Solid Special White no. 2 or Solid Iron Gray. You can also spend $300 more to get the DR-Z4S+, which comes outfitted with Suzuki Genuine Accessories, including an aluminum skid plate, hand guards, and disc brake covers.
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A Thoroughly Modern Single-Cylinder Engine With A Focus On Versatility
The biggest change the Suzuki DR-Z4S brings over its predecessor is the powerplant. It now features a fully redesigned 398cc single-cylinder engine that’s also thoroughly modern, with four valves and DOHC. The engine reportedly produces 38 horsepower and 27 pound-feet of torque, with Suzuki saying it offers a smooth, controllable spread of torque right from the low rev range. The only downside here is a lack of a sixth cog in the transmission.
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Plenty Of Power For Everything
With this performance, the engine should feel accessible enough to help you learn the ropes of throttle control while off-roading without the bike flying off from under you. At the same time, this is more than enough power to have crazy fun on trails and keep up with traffic on the road. The engine is also liquid-cooled, which should give it plenty of thermal stamina to push through long off-road sessions.
Nifty Tricks Up The Engine’s Sleeves
Suzuki has gone to great lengths to make the engine modern. It features electronic fuel injection and ride-by-wire throttle, which are said to improve engine response, idle speed control, and peak power output. Other cool bits include the Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Materials (SCEM) cylinder that’s lightweight and durable, a dry-sump system that improves ground clearance, and Suzuki Dual Spark Technology that improves combustion efficiency and smoothens power delivery.
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A Properly Capable Off-Road Ready Chassis And Suspension Setup
The bike also features an all-new twin-spar steel frame and aluminum subframe, which are said to offer exceptional torsional rigidity to the bike while improving its handling characteristics. The bike is suspended on fully-adjustable KYB suspension. A long-travel fork with 11-inch travel is at the front, and Suzuki has updated the rake and trail specifications to balance nimble handling and straight-line stability. The rear features a monoshock with 11.6-inch travel, connecting to the aluminum swingarm via a progressive linkage system.
Combined, this setup should give the DR-Z4S enough agility to handle everything that comes its way on the road and off-road trails. So, if you’re a new motorcyclist, the DR-Z4S should feel very easy and predictable to handle. But once you start pushing it on trails, the underpinnings should inspire plenty of confidence to keep you going. It’s the kind of bike that should help intermediate riders learn advanced off-roading techniques without trying to intimidate them too much.
Off-Road Ready Tires And Brakes Round Out The Underpinnings Package
The DR-Z4S runs a 21/18-inch spoked wheel setup. These are shod in IRC GP-410 dual-purpose tires that feature an interior structure designed for the DR-Z4S. These tires feature large blocks and deep grooves, which should offer plenty of traction and grip in the dirt. Braking duties are taken care of by a 270 mm rotor up front with an axially mounted dual-piston caliper up front and a single-piston caliper gripping a 240 mm rotor at the back.
Trail-Ready Ergonomics And Features Pack
The DR-Z4S is made for off-roading, and the ergonomic components show just that. The bike features a tapered aluminum handlebar that is said to be light, strong, and flexible to resist damage while dampening vibrations. The bars feature half-waffle grips for added comfort, and they are set 1.10 inches higher than the predecessor, which should improve comfort both on and off the road.
Similarly, the footpegs are wider than before, and set 0.27-inch higher and 0.90-inch farther back. These pegs feature removable vibration-damping rubbers for when you want to putter around town, but you can quickly remove them for added grip for off-roading. Suzuki says the seat is also optimized for comfort and now sits at 36.2 inches, which should feel manageable for most riders. If not, the bike is still pretty light at just 333 pounds, making it easy to tiptoe.
Finally, there’s the Suzuki DR-Z4S’ tech package, including the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.) This system puts riding aids at your fingertips, including three-level Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), four-level traction control, switchable ABS, and Suzuki Easy Start. There’s also a new LCD for essential information and LED lights all around.
Combined, everything makes the Suzuki DR-Z4S a kind of motorcycle that an intermediate rider can buy today and become a pro over the next few months. It is approachable enough to help you progress as an off-roader, and when you get there, it has enough capability to entertain you for years to come. The bike only gets better the more you ride it and learn on it, and you’d have to be seriously good to ever exploit its full potential.
Source: Suzuki Cycles