If you know anyone who owned Suzuki’s original DR-Z400 they will almost certainly have told you how they loved it and regret selling it.
The original all-rounder, off-roader trail bike launched at the start of this millennium, and the later supermoto version, became a cult classic but fell foul of stricter UK emissions rules.
It lived on in America but now Suzuki has revived the single-cylinder thumper with a highly-evolved engine, that meets Euro5+ emissions standards, and fly-by-wire fuel injection.
With small-capacity retro singles now big business, the DR-Z4S trail bike and SM supermoto could not have been better timed.
Many people will go for the trailie but do not dismiss the supermoto until you have ridden it.
I have two bikes. One for long distance, the other an everyday, all-year runaround. A supermoto had never been on my radar until I rode this Suzuki. My short test ride got longer and longer… I could have happily run the 1.9-gallon tank dry!
OK, that long narrow seat is not built for comfort but is bearable with supple suspension that has 260mm front travel and 277mm rear. Front and rear suspension is adjustable for compression and rebound, the rear monoshock also for preload.
Combined with a new chassis, comprising a steel twin-spar frame and separate lightweight aluminium subframe, the SM feels stable and surprisingly agile at just 154kg.
This is not a motorbike for long, fast A-road hacks but on winding country roads you rediscover what biking is all about.
The 398cc engine is flexible but thrives on revs, spinning freely. It develops 38PS at 8,000rpm and 37Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.
The five-speed transmission is slick but an extra ratio would make cruising less wearing above 60mph.
There are three riding modes – it feels flat in the softest C setting, B is fine for everyday riding but the sharpest A mode gives plenty of punch for brisk, safe point-and-squirt riding from corner to corner on B-roads.
Traction control can be easily adjusted via the intuitive switchgear and the SM’s rear ABS can be switched off. Front ABS can also be turned off on the S version.
Ridden enthusiastically I saw 67mpg on the US gallon trip computer which equates to a real-world imperial 80mpg… not bad for a tight engine.
The SM’s brakes are more than up to the job with the 310mm front disc biting confidently for strong stopping power. It is backed up a 240mm rear disc. The S version has a 270mm front disc.
You get used to the firm ride, or rather the firm seat which was still fine after an hour, and the SM tipped into corners confidently once the road tyres on the 17in wheels were warmed up. The trail version has chunkier tyres on 21in front and 18in rear wheels.
The wheels are also a deal-breaker if you are a shortie like me. I could just about manage the SM’s 890mm seat height on tiptoe but the S sits at 920mm so I would need the 30mm lower accessory seat.
Now we come to what might be the sticking point – the £7,999 price for both models. Monthly PCP payments might make it more bearable.
That said, if we worried about money, comfort and practical transport we would stick to cars!
So, if you plan to buy your Suzuki DR-Z4 outright, keep it long term, enjoy it as an everyday ride… and then you will never regret parting with it!
