2025 Suzuki DR-Z400 S and SM
Suzuki brings back super-skinny supermoto and dirtbike after 20 years
It’s remarkable that Suzuki has taken so long to do this we reckon – the old Suzuki DR-Z400 was one of the firm’s real gems from the early to mid-2000s. A skinny, light, chuckable single-cylinder dirtbike/supermoto, with sharp styling, sound performance and cheap pricing, it made for a brilliant urban bike in SM supermoto form, and a top green lane machine in dirt form. Many people bought one with spare wheels, and swapped in the 17” rims with supersport tyres for the road or track, and kept the bigger knobbly-clad wheels for winter dirt use.
2025 Suzuki DR-Z400 SM
Tightening emissions rules, and the abject laziness of Suzuki kiboshed the DRZ around 2007, in Europe at least. The old bike had a carburetted engine, which meant it couldn’t even pass the basic Euro 3 emissions rules, and restricted its sale to countries with limited rules, where they continued to buy it with glee. And we waited here in blighty in vain for an updated replacement model with a clean motor, fuel injection, and modern technology.
It was a long wait – but we’re there now. An all-new Suzuki DR-Z400, in S dirt and SM supermoto form released for 2025, and it’s a proper full update for the old plugger. The engine meets Euro 5+ regs, thanks to a new engine design, and the chassis, tech, and equipment is also all-new, though the 2025 bike keeps a strong family resemblance to the original machine.
2025 Suzuki DR-Z400 S
Suzuki says almost every part in the engine is new – although the fundamentals are the same: a 398cc DOHC single cylinder water-cooled engine, with four valves, a bore and stroke of 90×62.6mm and a five-speed gearbox. Basic layout aside, there’s new valves, with a pair of titanium intake valves and two sodium-cooled exhaust valves for extra life.
Cams are new with updated profiles, there’s a new cylinder head shape with altered ports and flatter combustion chamber, and a dual-spark plug design. You also get a new piston with reduced friction. Fuelling is now by a ride-by-wire fuel injection system with a 42mm bore and a ten-hole injector.
2025 Suzuki DR-Z400 SM
Airbox and exhaust are also all-new. The result of all this? Well, peak power is down on 2005, as you might fear: a claimed 37bhp versus the claimed 40bhp from 20 years ago. Progress, eh? They also haven’t added a sixth gear, which is one thing that many people wanted to extend its usability…
The chassis front has fewer fundamental changes, though all the running gear is up-to-date, with KYB suspension, USD fork and rear monoshock. The steel frame is also new, but shares the basic layout with the old bike. Here is where you find the big changes between the S and SM bikes: the dirtbike S has 21” front and 18” rear wheels with IRC GP-410 dirtbike tyres, and the SM has 17” rims both ends, with Dunlop Sportmax Q5A rubber in 120/70 front and 140/70 rear profiles.
2025 Suzuki DR-Z400 SM
The other big change for 2025 is of course electronics, and the new DRZ has plenty of them: traction control, switchable ABS, and power modes. You also have LED lighting and a compact LCD display that’s miles away from the old bike’s basic instrumentation.
There’s no word yet on prices for the new DR-Z400 models – but we do know they won’t arrive until next summer, so plenty of time to save up… https://bikes.suzuki.co.uk
2025 DR-Z400 tech highlights
ENGINE
– New 398cc single-cylinder engine, four-valve, DOHC engine
– New fuel injection system uses 10-hole injectors to maximise fuel atomisation for better combustion efficiency and lower fuel consumption.
– The new exhaust system features a dual-stage catalytic converter that helps meet Euro 5B emissions standards. It also uses a double-wall design that helps protect the rider’s legs from heat and contributes to a slim profile.
– Dual spark plugs aid combustion efficiency and performance across the engine’s operating range.
– Lightweight titanium intake valves and hollow, sodium-filled exhaust valves further boost combustion efficiency and performance.
– A new, 42mm bore electronic throttle body helps improve power output and deliver a smooth response to throttle inputs.
– Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) slipper clutch provides positive clutch engagement and provides smoother deceleration and gear changes.
– New radiator with a larger fan diameter improves cooling.
– New cam profiles contribute to greater low-end torque output, low fuel consumption, and Euro 5B emissions standards.
– Revised air box and inlet tube design helps reduce resistance, improving low-end torque production and power output.
– New piston design helps achieve smoother engine operation while reducing mechanical loss.
CHASSIS
– Brand new steel, twin-spar frame is robust to handle rough terrain and riding conditions while also enabling agile handling characteristics.
– A separate, bolt-on aluminium subframe is strong and lightweight.
– Both models use long-travel, adjustable KYB inverted front forks and a fully adjustable KYB rear shock to deliver precise steering, with optimised damping characteristics.
– 21” and 18” wheels on the S make it capable of taking on even the roughest terrain, while a pair of 17” wheels in the SM bring the fun to the asphalt.
– Front and rear disc brakes provide sure and stable stopping power, with a compact and lightweight ABS unit.
– Tapered aluminium handlebars give a solid grip and absorb shocks on rougher surfaces.
– A standard-equipment aluminium skid plate protects the engine and adds to the DR-Z’s purposeful image.
– Wide footpegs provide great control when negotiating trails, whether standing or sitting.
– The fuel tank is lightweight and slim
– The mirrors adopt a new tough-looking parallelogram design.
ELECTRONICS
– Suzuki Drive Mode Selector gives the rider a choice of three engine maps, to suit riding conditions.
– The Suzuki Traction Control system allows riders to choose from two modes, plus a G gravel mode for use off-road and on looser surfaces. It can also be turned off completely.
– ABS can be disengaged at the rear or at the front and rear on the new DR-Z4S. On the DR-Z4SM it can be disengaged at the rear.
– A new ride-by-wire throttle gives riders a linear response, with the ability to adjust throttle play for finer control over the throttle action.
– Suzuki easy-start means the single-cylinder engine fires with one push of the starter button.
– Compact dash displays important information clearly
– LED headlight incorporates both the high and low beam into one bright projector module.
– Front and rear LED indicators.
– New LED rear combination light and licence plate light feature compact designs.
– Handlebar switches are intuitive and easy to operate.
STYLING
– Bodywork takes design cues from Suzuki’s RM-Z range.
– Minimalistic styling embodies performance with modern appeal, with emphasis on sharp, flat lines.
