And talking of Japanese bikes with looooong shelf lives, how concerning the DR-Z400S? Suzuki offered the primary one in 2000 as a severe enduro machine you possibly can journey round on the road, too. And so they’ll promote you one in the present day, full with 36mm Mikuni carburetor, for simply $7,099 – which is $1750 greater than 22 years in the past. That properly tracks the value of actual property. Wait, that’s not fairly correct… Take it away, Tommy Roderick:
A dual-purpose bike the ultimate
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Missing any competitors from the opposite Japanese OEMs, the 50/50 dirt-to-street Suzuki DR-Z400S guidelines the mid-displacement dual-sport class.
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The 400cc DR-Z bridges the hole between the modestly powered 250cc fashions and the oftentimes obese and street-biased 650cc fashions. In contrast in opposition to its DR-Z650SE stable-mate, the 317-pound curb weight of the 400 bests its kin by 49 kilos and produces surprisingly related horsepower numbers. Our 400S cranked out 31.2 hp, whereas the 650 we examined in our 2007 Three for 5: Finances Bombers article pumped out 35.3 ponies. The large DR’s further displacement shines by way of within the torque readings, churning out a big 10.4 ft-lb greater than the 400’s 23.5 ft-lb.
Whereas the 650’s further torque is definitely useful, in terms of finessing a motorbike over and round varied off-road obstacles, we’ll take the lesser weight of the 400 fairly than the facility benefit and heavier weight of the 650.
 Navigating slim singletracks in unfastened circumstances is way simpler on the DR-Z400 than its bigger-displacement rivals.
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Once we examined Yamaha’s WR250R final 12 months, the 298-pound (moist) machine output 27.7 hp and 17.0 ft-lb of torque. With the DR-Z weighing solely 19 kilos greater than the Yamaha however boasting 3.46 extra horsepower and 6.52 ft-lbs of torque, we’re interested in the sensible chance of shedding among the 400’s weight, bringing it nearer to that of the 250’s fairly than trying to shut the 50-pound hole between the 400 and 650.
After a day of swapping the Suzuki for the Husky TE250 (see our forthcoming shootout), it’s our opinion that by lowering the DR-Z’s weight, stiffening its suspension and putting in some aggressive rubber on its rims the DR-Z could be reworked right into a severe off-road weapon. Whereas shaving the DR-Z all the way down to the TE’s 255-pound moist weight is impractical, getting it near or under 300 lbs is inside purpose.
A totally adjustable fork and powerful entrance brake can deal with a higher stage of off-road problem than the inventory entrance tire. A extra aggressive tread will do wonders for rider confidence on technical terrain.
A totally adjustable, 49mm entrance fork with 11.3 inches of journey mixed with a rear shock adjustable for preload and compression damping with 11.8 inches of journey are formidable suspension parts. Plush inventory settings clean minor road imperfections however are simple to backside out throughout aggressive off-road driving. Stiffening each entrance and rear parts permits a rider to raised discover the DR-Z’s capabilities.
Not the most effective we’ve examined, however stopping energy from the DR-Z’s 250mm entrance disc brake with a dual-piston caliper and a 220mm rear disc brake with a single-piston caliper is greater than sufficient. The entrance brake delivers a robust preliminary chew and is straightforward to modulate which is essential when off-roading with the small-knobby inventory entrance tire.
It’s blocky and unattractive, however the DR-Z’s instrument cluster gives all of the features needed for each on- and off-road driving.
Along with its streetable rubber, Suzuki outfitted the DR-Z with road-going niceties corresponding to a digital instrument cluster with twin-trip meters (with addition/subtraction functionality), a clock, timer and stopwatch features. There’s additionally passenger footpegs, a helmet lock and a thick, though slim, seat offering comparatively extra consolation than true filth bikes.
Whereas the 398cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled Single produces usable quantities of low-end torque, Suzuki outfitted the DR-Z with a five-speed gearbox that limits a rider’s selection of energy supply. Whereas most 650cc D-P bikes additionally make the most of 5 gears, we’d desire the 400 to have a six-speed gearbox like nearly all of small- and mid-displacement D-P bikes.
Southern California highways and their frequent 80-mph stream of visitors (when visitors is flowing) is a little a lot for the DR-Z. The engine is spinning fairly quick to maintain that tempo which makes for a buzzy expertise. At 65 mph and underneath the single-cylinder engine thumps alongside at a tolerable cadence. A sixth cog within the DR-Z’s transmission would go a great distance in making the DR-Z a greater freeway machine.
 Grime, pavement or water, the DR-Z assaults all of them with aplomb.
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A evident oversight of DR-Z engineers is the easy omission of brush guards. Actually not a deal breaker however when Suzuki’s personal DR650SE – a much less filth worthy mannequin than the DR-Z400S – comes with these off-road-inspired gadgets as commonplace gear, it simply makes you marvel why they didn’t set up them on the 400. One other un-dirtbike-like aspect of the DR-Z is its metallic tank. One mistaken dismount (which is an accepted side of aggressive off-road driving) and the DR-Z’s metallic tank will eternally put on a dented reminder of the occasion.
The Suzuki DR-Z400 has no direct competitors when it comes to displacement and value, making its efficiency and $6,200 MSRP a mix that’s arduous to dismiss. The DR-Z is equally competent on the road as it’s within the filth. For the individual wanting an enduro that may navigate a single-track or hearth highway in addition to carry out day by day commuting duties and even some brief adventure-touring journeys, the DR-Z is a D-P bike worthy of consideration.
Associated Studying
2012 KTM XC Enduro Line Opinions
2011 Yamaha WR250R Evaluation
2010 Husaberg FE570 Evaluation
2009 Kawasaki KLX250S Evaluation
2008 Light-weight Twin-Objective Shootout
2005 Suzuki DRZ 400 SM
All Issues Twin-Objective
All Issues Off-Highway
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