The Suzuki DR-Z400S has been a staple of the dual-sport world since its introduction in 2000. It has also remained relatively unchanged over the past 25 years, which many riders see as a good thing due to its simplicity of design. However, stricter Euro 5+ emission standards have required all such old-school bikes to get with the times or fade into history and Suzuki has chosen to finally update the venerable DR-Z and bring the design into the 21st century. They have even gone so far as to update the name of this motorcycle to the DR-Z4S. There will also continue to be a supermoto version, the DR-Z4SM, which receives many of the same updates.

As we previously reported, the most notable change is a switch to electronic fuel injection, undoubtedly to meet Euro 5+ standards. Changes to the overall design of the 398cc powerplant are numerous including updates to the valves, camshaft profiles, head, piston, spark plugs, and crankshaft.

The air intake and exhaust system have also been redesigned. The result of these updates is not only cleaner emissions but improved starting, a more stable idle and also a broader torque curve with better low end and extended power in the upper RPM range. Max output of the updated engine is now 38 horsepower and 27 lb-ft of torque. 

We’ve never complained about a heavy clutch pull on the DR-Z400S, but the Suzuki Clutch Assist System promises to make clutch operation even lighter and easier than before. As part of the Clutch Assist, you also get a slipper clutch that partially disengages under deceleration to help smooth out potential wheel hop during hard downshifts. A new radiator with a larger diameter cooling fan should help keep temperatures down as well, whether in city traffic or on the trail. In addition, access to the air box has been made easier for quick filter changes.

Keeping the same basic engine layout means the DR-Z4S will continue to have a five-speed transmission, despite many DR-Z400S owners wishing for a sixth gear to reduce buzzy RPMs at highway speeds. That would have required a significant transmission redesign, and Suzuki seems to have decided not to bite off more than it can chew with this update. Kawasaki made the same choice when updating the KLR650 despite many owners having the same complaint, and perhaps Suzuki didn’t feel pressure to add a sixth gear as a result. 

One update Suzuki made that Kawasaki didn’t is switching to Suzuki’s Ride-by-Wire Electronic Throttle System. This opens up numerous throttle control possibilities, of which the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S) takes full advantage. Three ride modes are available, featuring an aggressive throttle map, one that’s more linear, and one with a softer response for fine control over loose surfaces. Suzuki has also added an Easy Start System that starts the engine with just one quick press of the starter button.

We also get ABS now as standard equipment, and Suzuki has done it right, allowing it to be disabled for the rear wheel or turned off completely. (The supermoto only lets you turn off the rear ABS, always leaving the front enabled.) New front and rear rotors, each 20 mm larger than on the DR-Z400S, should help, too. 

Also part of the S.I.R.S. suite, the Suzuki Traction Control System offers four modes: one for dry roads, one for wet roads that activates more quickly, a dedicated gravel mode (not available on the supermoto) that allows some wheelspin to keep you moving but not enough to lose momentum or control, and you can turn it off completely. Some riders may lament the loss of the simple carburetor and cable throttle, but these electronics should improve your ride while leaving you in control of how much or little they assist.

KEY DR-Z4S FEATURES

• New twin-spar steel frame and aluminum subframe
• New long-travel adjustable KYB inverted forks and fully adjustable KYB rear suspension
• New Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S) suite including:
  • Three-mode Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS)
  • Four-mode Suzuki Traction Control System* (STCS)
  • Switchable ABS
  • Suzuki Easy Start System
• Thoroughly updated 398cc single-cylinder four-valve DOHC engine with:
  • Electronic Fuel Injection
  • Ride-by-Wire 42mm electronically controlled throttle body
  • 10-hole injector
• New higher-lift cam profile and new piston design
• New titanium intake valves and hollow, sodium-filled exhaust valves
• Now features Suzuki’s Dual Spark Technology with two iridium spark plugs
• Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS)
• All LED lighting, including new bifunctional LED headlight
• New LCD instrument panel
• New air cleaner box and inlet tube design with easy filter access
• New compact and lightweight fuel tank
• New radiator with larger diameter cooling fan
• New ergonomics including new: aluminum tapered handlebars, wider footpegs, and redesigned seat.
• New exhaust with slim body profile and double-wall design

The DR-Z4S features a new twin-spar steel frame and lightweight aluminum sub-frame. A more-compact fuel tank holds 2.3 gallons (previously 2.6 gallons) of gas while giving the rider more room to maneuver. While this may help keep the weight down, the bike still tips the scale at 333 lbs — 16 more than the outgoing model. That’s a difference you may feel on the trail. However, the new KYB suspension may help mitigate that. The new inverted fork features 11 inches of travel with compression and rebound adjustments. The rear shock also features compression, rebound, and preload adjustments, provides 11.6 inches of travel, and connects to a new, lightweight aluminum swingarm through a progressive linkage system. The supermoto version offers slightly less travel (10.2” front/10.9” rear) with a more street-tuned suspension but the same adjustability.

With the new name comes an all-new look for the DR-Z4S. All lighting is now LED, with a slim bifunctional headlight replacing the large rectangular sealed beam of the DR-Z400S that looked straight out of the 1980s. A slim tail light and turn signals also replace the dated look of the previous ones. The new LCD instrument panel may not be a TFT display, but it provides all the information you need in a more aesthetically pleasing package than the old one. It looks good centered behind the small front fairing rather than off-center as it was before. New Aluminum tapered handlebars, wider footpegs, and a redesigned seat also help comfort and control. The overall design remains minimalist but modernized rather than chunky in places like the previous model.

Only a few details remain unknown about the DR-Z4S. Suzuki has not yet announced when it will go on sale or how much it will cost. With so many updates, an increase from last year’s price of $7,199 seems inevitable, but hopefully not too much. The DR-Z’s affordability has always been one of its strong points. Hopefully, it will retain that advantage while offering significantly more bang for the buck with its numerous updates for the modern age.

Suzuki DR-Z4S Specs

Author: Justin Hughes

Justin has been an automotive and motorcycle journalist for the past 10 years. After learning to ride on a series of Suzuki GSs, he took up touring on a Honda Silverwing and PC800 before turning his attention to off-road adventures. His racing experience is mainly with cars, although he did do a track day once on a KLR650. He has traveled with his cat, Lister, to 44 states in his “moto-glamping” camper van, Smokey Da Van, with his V-Strom 650 in tow.