Last fall, Suzuki did the near-unthinkable: They released a new dual sport. After more than 20 years of building the DR-Z400 with almost no changes at all, they brought out the new DR-Z4S street-and-trail and DR-Z4SM supermoto. But months later, with spring buying season just around the corner, we’re still waiting on a price tag—but we might get a hint at CAD pricing from the U.S. market.
In the States, Suzuki is selling the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM for introductory pricing of $8,999 USD (plus taxes and other fees). Converting straight to CAD, that would work out to about $12,800. Thankfully, motorcycles are almost never priced as a straight USD-to-CAD equivalent in our market; we typically save a bit on that dollar-to-dollar exchange rate.
So what will the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM cost up here? In the US, the previous-generation 400 Suzook sold for $7,199 MSRP in 2024. That means the new 400 goes up about $1,800 USD in pricing.
Converting that straight to CAD is a price hike of $2,550ish for 2025, theoretically. Let’s just call it $2,500; adding that to the $8,599 MSRP for the 2024 DR-Z400S, and you’re looking at $11,099.
Again, this is just a guess. Suzuki might hike the price $1,000, or $1,500, or not at all. But what would you be getting for that extra money?
The biggest changes on the Suzuki DR-Z4 series are a ride-by-wire throttle, fuel injection and ABS brakes. The gearbox is still a five-speed, but Suzuki says it’s updated to run more smoothly. The clutch is still cable-operated, but it’s a slipper clutch now for easier gear changes. The ergonomics are moved around as well.
Does that mean people would pay $10,000, or more, for the bike? With Kawasaki selling the KLR650 for $8,099 for the base model (add $300 for ABS), Suzuki would have its work cut out, especially as Honda and Kawi also have competing 300-class dual sports for well under $10k. But, the DR-Z has always been priced as a more premium product and as far as we know, it’s still made in Japan, not in an offshore Thai factory. Some people will pay more for that feature alone.
My local dealer price is a 1000 less then what you are saying for the 2025 drz
$12 675.00 + fees. Really disappointed.
I didn’t see that on the Suzuki Canada site. Is that what your local dealer is quoting? If so that is high.
To be fair the new Suzuki would be competition for the KLX300 and CRF300L more than the KLR650. I have owned both 300’s and had to spend a decent amount of money upgrading them and neither one of them would be as good as the new DRZ stock. The only area the 300’s have an advantage is weight but that’s a small margin. The 400 is too small for serious ADV touring so a buyer of the KLR would potentially consider the DR650 if looking to compare similarly capable machines.
I suspect $11,000 would be the upper limit Suzuki would charge as the CRF450RL would be slightly more in price yet you’d get a lot more value with the Honda.
I’m reserving judgment on the 5 speed transmission for now. If the ratios are spaced properly an extra gear isn’t necessary. First gear on my CRF is pretty useless and I could live without it. I’m looking forward to finding out more once the new Suzuki’s come out.