Suzuki has taken the wraps off the DR-Z4S road-going dirtbike and DR-Z4SM supermoto, and both of these bikes debut the brand’s new 398cc, single-cylinder motor. Making the same 38hp and 37Nm of torque in both bikes, Suzuki’s engine is on par with the Bajaj-made engines seen on small-displacement KTM and Triumph models.
- Main frame and swingarm are the same on both bikes
- Suspension, brakes and tyres are different
- 3 riding modes, traction control and switchable ABS present here
Suzuki DR-Z4S, DR-Z4SM: New Suzuki 400s
The new 398cc engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch. Nestling this motor is a twin-spar frame with an aluminium subframe and swingarm. The bodywork and feature-set is the same on both the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM but these bikes come in two different colours each.
With all of the above similarities, there are also some differences between the two, which boils down to the suspension, brakes and tyres used. As expected, the DR-Z4SM runs on 17-inch tubeless spoked wheels shod with sticky Dunlop tyres sized 120/70-R17 (front) and 140/70-R17 (rear). The front brake disc is larger on the SM too, at 310mm, and both bikes get switchable dual-channel ABS.
Seat height stands at a towering 890mm, but considering this is a slim single-cylinder supermoto, getting your feet down should be easier than the figure suggests. It has 260mm of wheel travel at the front and 277mm of travel at the rear. With its puny 8.7 litre tank brimmed, the DR-Z4SM weighs in at a lithe 154 kilos.
If you thought the SM’s 890mm seat height was tall, the DR-Z4S has an even taller 920mm seat height. Wheel travel numbers are also longer with 280mm of travel available at the front, with 296mm of travel at the rear. The S has the same fuel tank capacity as the SM but it weighs in at 151kg, 3 kilos less than the SM.
Since the DR-Z4S is a proper off-roader it is running on dual-purpose rubber sized 80/100-21 (front) and 120/80-18 (rear). It also has a smaller 270mm front disc.
There are three riding modes on both bikes – A, B and C – with A being the sharpest, C being the softest and B striking the balance between the two. There is also a traction control system on offer with two levels and it can also be switched off. Both the SM and S also have a dedicated Gravel mode, which changes throttle response and the electronic aids’ intervention.
Suzuki currently sells three 125cc scooters, two 150cc bikes and three 250cc bikes, all of which are locally made in India. In terms of big bikes, Suzuki offers the GSX-8R, V-Strom 800DE, Katana and Hayabusa. Between the two categories, there’s a yawning delta which is where the new 400cc twins would slot in perfectly. It remains to be seen if Suzuki brings either of these new models to India.