The Suzuki DR-Z400 is dead, long live the Suzuki DR-Z400. After more than 20 years of production with basically no changes, Suzuki has updated its classic 400-class machine with many useful upgrades. Now, we get the new DR-Z4S dual sport and DR-Z4SM supermoto for 2025.
The biggest updates are all related to the new fuel injection system (!) and ride-by-wire throttle (!!). We’ve come a long way from the old carburetor and cable-throttle, baby! These new electro-parts allow Suzuki to include three ride modes on the bike, as well as clean up emissions. Of course, they had to do some tinkering with the top end to fit that EFI system, adding new valves and changing the intake and exhaust ports, as well as re-shaping the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, the bike lost a bit of muscle, dropping to 37.5 hp and 27.3 lb-ft of torque—muscle the Dizzer could barely afford to lose. But at least Suzuki says the new engine has very little vibration.
It still has a five-speed gearbox, which will sour some potential buyers, who wanted a six-speed, but if the gear ratios are carefully picked, it should be OK.
There’s a new LCD dash that displays speed, RPM and other useful info and also lets you know what Drive Mode you’re in. There are also three traction control modes to switch from. That’s right, the DR-Z400 has traction control and even switchable ABS!
The bike gets a new twin-spar frame, and Kayaba suspension that’s adjustable front and rear. The dual-sport S model has a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear, and the supermoto SM model gets 17-inch rims front and back. Both models’ rims require tubed tires.
The chassis is based around a new twin-spar frame. As before, the dual sport version (DR-Z4S) has a 21-18 wheelset, while the DR-Z4SM supermoto has 17-inch wheels front and back. Both machines use tubed tires.
Seat height is 920 mm for the dual sport model, and 890 mm for the supermoto. Curb weight is 151 kg for the S model, 154 kg for the SM model. Both bikes have an 8.7-liter fuel tank.
Suzuki doesn’t have the new 400 on its Canadian website yet, but we expect to see it on the show circuit this winter, for sale in the spring.
