DR-Z4s Ride Review

[Eric Larsen]

I have never written a motorcycle review, so bear with me.

I really like this bike. I am sold on ABS, and Traction Control. Plenty of power, good suspension. I would buy this bike again. The DR does not make a very good canoe, but everything else is fantastic.

Things Suzuki could have done better: I can’t see the oil on the black dipstick, too many bolts to get to the air filter and the “tool kit” was laughable. Also, I broke the spark plug on the left side of the engine, the first time I dropped the bike.

Five speed gearbox: Works just fine. No complaints. (I have owned 5 speeds and 6 speeds that need regearing.)

Mods: IMS 3.3 gallon tank, Seat Concepts XL Comfort seat, hand guards, skid plate, rear rack, 2″ handlebar risers, and Motoz Desert tires (which bumped the seat height up to 37″).

In summary and conclusion: You probably don’t need to run out and get a new DR-Z, but if you want a new dual-sport, from Japan, this is the only option, in my humble opinion.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments. Thanks for reading.

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Dennis Larry]

Love that bike Eric. Well suited for your riding preference/style.
Dennis

[Kurt138]

That’s a thorough ride review. I don’t think any fancy magazine editors tried crossing deep bodies of water with a DR-Z4s.

It’s interesting that Eric likes the traction control, I thought he would leave it turned off and go manual all the time. It must work really well.

It is also surprising that it is possible to break a spark plug with a drop, or maybe you just have to be really unlucky?

Is there an oil sight glass in the crankcase, or is the oil dipstick the only way to check your oil level?

Aside from the FI, one area where I think the new bike really delivers over the old DRZ400s is with the modern front fork. If you add up all the improvements over the old version the price starts to look pretty good.

Overall, the bike looks to be the complete package. We might be seeing a lot of these in the Club as time goes by,

Suzuki doesn’t come out with many new bikes, but when they do they seem to be nailing it. For another example, the V-Strom 800DE has been winning magazine tests against the T7 and Transalp.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Kurt138. Reason: added a question

[Eric Larsen]

Thanks Kurt,

There is no sight glass. Probably because there is oil in the frame also.

Fun fact: I never used the traction control on the Sheetiron ride. I only tested it once, but it worked great. If I got into a crazy hill situation, I may use it again.

P.S. The spark plug may have been broken by the dealer. They did drop it in the showroom on the left side.

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Kurt138]

The only other bike from Japan that I think matches up with the DR-Z4s is the Honda CRF450RL, which I think is about $1000 more than the DR-Z4s (without traction control or ABS).

The 450RL is a motocross bike that Honda massaged into a dual sport. The DR-Z4s was designed by Suzuki to be a dual sport. The Honda would have an edge if you took both bikes to a motocross track, but elsewhere in the dual sport world the DR-Z4s might win. You would expect the Honda to be reliable too, but maybe not as bulletproof as the DR-Z4s.

Here are dyno charts at the rear wheel, not manufacturer HP numbers measured at the crank. The DR-Z has the same HP and torque as the 450RL at 3000 RPM. The DR-Z also hits its power peak closer to its redline (doesn’t fall off as much as the 450RL). The 450RL has more peak power (+5 HP), but the numbers show that the DR-Z has the broader powerband.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Kurt138.
• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Kurt138. Reason: looking at dyno charts

[RenoDeano]

At least you do not have to take the tank off to get to it. Looks good.

H. D. Chaney

[Eric Larsen]

There is another plug under the tank!

Eric
DR-Z4s, KLX 300, Monkey 125
InReach Add. larseneric27@inreach.garmin.com

[Kurt138]

2026 AMA Supercross champ Ken Roczen out riding his DR-Z4s last weekend.

Rides: KLX450R, KX500 (Project)

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