The brand new, slimmer 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S goes straight to the guts of dual-sport using. No stranger to this Suzuki mannequin, I turned a 2003 DR-Z400S into a light-weight journey bike with a number of key updates. That bike has stayed with me, proving its off-road capabilities on the Idaho BDR and different adventures. Individuals say, “You’ll be able to’t kill these issues,” and I’ve discovered that to be true.
I traveled to Portland, Oregon, to journey the up to date Suzuki DR-Z4S over mountains and thru canyons on the world press launch.
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A bunch of adjustments to the 398cc DOHC Single, from titanium consumption valves to twin spark plugs and a brand new cylinder head, enhance energy output sufficient to offset losses in assembly the Euro 5+ emissions customary. That effort additionally included tackling pumping and mechanical losses, a brand new airbox for elevated effectivity, and becoming two catalysts to the exhaust system. General, it’s a really efficient replace, as we found throughout the journey.
After a 25-year run with minimal adjustments, and with extra stringent air-quality necessities closing in, the carbureted DR-Z was ripe for revision. The 2025 DR-Z4S is the results of an entire makeover that created a brand new however acquainted motorbike. On the press briefing previous to our journey, Suzuki turned the mic over to the Japanese engineers who designed the brand new elements and programs. Every gave a slideshow discuss that impressed us with the variety of updates, the cautious consideration that went into them, and the the reason why they had been essential.
As a DR-Z400S rider, my favourite enchancment is gas injection: no extra twiddling with a carburetor, plus smoother fueling, simpler beginning, and improved mileage. The place the check bike averaged near 60 mpg with aggressive use, my 2003 mannequin nudges 55 if ridden with a light-weight throttle hand. The engine continues to be a dry-sump design with oil carried within the body.
A brand new compact show takes centerstage within the cockpit. Although nonetheless an LCD unit and missing a tachometer, it now contains a gas gauge, standing and controls for brand new digital aids, plus a mileage readout and tripmeters. LED lighting guidelines on this machine, with a shiny mono-eye headlight and small however eye-catching turnsignals that I may simply see in daylight on bikes a number of riders forward of me.
The Suzuki Clever Rider System, an efficient and easy-to-master suite of digital rider aids that’s been provided in numerous types on Suzuki’s streetbikes and journey bikes, is now customary tools on the DR-Z4S. S.I.R.S. includes drive modes, traction management, and ABS. The three drive modes make a big distinction in acceleration whereas arriving on the similar full-throttle energy output. The modes are labeled as A, B, and C, and I bought to know them as honk-on, regular, and chill (C is ideal for brand new riders).
Traction management permits the suitable quantity of rear-wheel spin for off-road use at any throttle setting, and it has 4 choices: Off, 1, 2, and G (gravel) mode. Everybody I spoke to agreed that G mode offers wonderful management, whereas ranges 1 and a couple of appeared middling by comparability. They could come into their very own on different slippery surfaces like moist pavement. Drive mode B with TC mode G made for simply manageable single-track using, with A being preferable for strafing apexes on the tarmac or power-sliding on forest roads.
The “All Off” ABS setting is a primary for a Suzuki manufacturing machine and a welcome addition. The opposite two modes are On (each ends) and Rear Off. The All-Off function was particularly helpful for finessing the steep, rocky downhills we encountered. The 8-second button push to disable ABS on startup is annoying, however as soon as set, this step will be bypassed through the use of the kill swap to cease the motor fairly than turning off the ignition.
One factor that’s all the time bothered me about my DR-Z is the 5-speed transmission. It’s simply too buzzy at freeway speeds, and the bike has sufficient energy to deal with an overdrive. Certainly the brand new bike would have a sixth gear, proper? Uh, no. When requested why, the engineer stated that including one other gear would increase the price and widen the instances, that are at present fairly slender, and that 5 speeds are sufficient for the bike’s objective. The tranny shifts with a contact of the toe, with or with out the assistance of the light-pull, cable-actuated Suzuki Clutch Help System.
KYB entrance and rear suspension bolts to a stiffer metal body and new aluminum swingarm, enhancing the Z’s dealing with on each floor. The inverted 46mm, 11.0-inch journey fork (no extra fork boots!) absorbed every part Oregon’s Tillamook State Forest dished out, as did the Professional-Linked shock with its 11.6 inches of journey. Each are totally adjustable. Floor clearance stays the identical at 11.8 inches.
Bigger rotors adorn each brakes, the one entrance disc going from 250mm to 270 and the rear from 220mm to 240. Each brakes pack loads of stopping energy, however the rear binder is very robust. The brand new brakes have extra to cease: claimed curb weight is 333 lb in opposition to the earlier mannequin’s 317.
The Z4S’s blacked-out aluminum rims carry IRC GP410 rubber made particularly for this bike. I’d price them as 50/50 tires – they actually look the half – however discovered traction exhausting to acquire on among the steeper, rockier pitches. Deflating them a bit would little question assist. The GP410’s caught to pavement as effectively or higher than any 50/50 I’ve used, simply dealing with the tight twisties by the forest.
Small adjustments to the Z4S’s ergonomics make it each extra snug and extra accessible to smaller riders. The footpegs are wider and barely rear-set, with rubber inserts over grippy metal, and the brand new handlebar is larger by simply over an inch. The seat is 0.6 inch decrease (36.2 inches) and 0.7 inch wider with snug chamfered sides. My 31-inch inseam is simply tall sufficient to swing a leg over with out scraping a boot on the seat, put the balls of each ft on the bottom, and settle into some of the snug inventory seats I’ve examined. Vibration shouldn’t be a difficulty for off-road using, however it’s noticeable on the road within the seat, handlebar, and pegs. Issues get downright buzzy over 60 mph.
A 2.3-gallon gas cell and a claimed 155-mile vary are sufficient for dual-sport obligation, which is correct the place Suzuki locations the Z4S. However identical to my 2003 mannequin, this machine is just a few easy mods away from changing into a light-weight ADV machine. With a greater skid pan (Suzuki presents a full aluminum skid plate), extra gas capability, and baggage, it’s prepared for a BDR.
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Suzuki’s styling objectives had been to create a motorcycle as smooth and svelte as potential whereas preserving the DR-Z look we’re all accustomed to. Mission achieved, they usually even tamed the earlier machine’s bulge over the exhaust cannister. And naturally, the Z4S is available in Suzuki’s manufacturing facility two-tone Champion Yellow No. 2 / Strong Particular White No. 2 colours, with Strong Iron Grey as an non-compulsory selection.
Kudos to Suzuki for taking a motorcycle that each dual-sporter is aware of and updating it to be one they may wish to personal. The DR-Z4S felt prefer it was all the time working with me to remain on the dicey downhills, gnarly uphills, and twisted tarmac we skilled. Like a well-trained canine, it did what I requested with out grievance and was desperate to do extra.
For a motorbike that gained every part however horsepower, the DR-Z4S guarantees to be one other dual-purpose success for Suzuki.
2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S Specs
- Base Value: $8,999
- Web site: SuzukiCycles.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., Unltd. mill
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled Single, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 398cc
- Bore x Stroke: 90.0 x 62.6mm
- Horsepower: 38 hp @ 8,000 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: 27.3 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Transmission: 5-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Last Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 58.6 in.
- Rake/Path: 27.5 levels/4.3 in.
- Seat Top: 36.2 in.
- Moist Weight: 333 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gasoline Capability: 2.3 gal.
Arden Kysely has contributed to Rider for 30 years, testing bikes, writing journey tales, and evaluating using gear. He began adventuring earlier than it was fashionable, exploring the pink rocks of Utah on a 1987 Kawasaki KLR650. In the present day he rides a 2003 Suzuki DR-Z400S and a 2021 Yamaha Ténéré 700.
