Bike Test – Suzuki DR-Z4S On & Off-Road

The king of dual-sport riding is back with more than just a new look. The first DR-Z400 entered production in 2000, replacing the ageing DR350. From the start, the bike was a hit, loved for its dual-sport capability and its ability to reach places heavy adventure bikes could only dream of.

It could tackle steep hills one day and handle grocery runs the next. As time moved on and competition increased, the DR-Z began to fall behind. It lacked the technology newer bikes were bringing to the market and it lost its edge.

Heading into 2026, Suzuki introduced an all-new evolution of the platform in the form of the DR-Z4S. I’ve had the opportunity to push the transformed DR-Z4S to the limit to see whether it’s simply new plastics and great marketing or a genuine contender in the dual-sport market. To see what’s new, we need to look at what has changed.

I spent time on a 2013 DR-Z400 and jumping from the older bike straight onto the new DR-Z4S highlights just how much has changed. It was obvious the whole bike had been reworked. The older version runs a 398cc carburetted engine, but Suzuki moves to a modern fuel-injected set-up with the 2026 model.

This eliminates any feeling of the engine bogging, gives the bike more low-end grunt and means the bike isn’t going to hesitate when climbing a rock face. Along with Euro-5 compliance, selectable ride modes are another major step forward. It’s something you take for granted on modern bikes, but riding the older model I found myself instinctively trying to change modes to suit the terrain, only to remember there weren’t any.

The new DR-Z4S comes with three selectable modes: A, B and C. Whether you want hard-hitting power for the trails or a softer delivery for commuting, it’s a must-have feature on a modern dual sport. As is switchable ABS and traction control, which the DR-Z now has for the first time.

And on-the-fly controls make it really easy to turn traction control and ABS back on when the trail ends and you’re back on the road. The DR-Z stays true to its roots with engine size and character, but the way the DR-Z4S delivers power is night and day compared to the outgoing model. Back in the 2000s it was common to have bikes that delivered their power so aggressively they were almost unbearable to ride.

In tougher terrain, controllable power is more important than aggression. Any good enduro bike has to deliver controllable power and those carburetted animals are well and truly in the past. The DR-Z4S is a perfect example of what modern fuel injection brings to the table.

Power delivery is so smooth it feels like you’re gliding forward rather than grabbing a handful and risking looping the bike. Don’t be fooled by that smoothness though. The 398cc liquid-cooled engine can still put the hammer down when you twist the throttle.

What I find addictive is how easily you can lift the front wheel over a log or up a rock face. A dual-sport bike’s purpose is in the name. And the DR-Z4S is just as capable around town as it is in the tightest trails.

The smooth power delivery, combined with the ability to change power modes, makes it a great ride. The power mode I used most on the road was C. This is the most mellow mode and works well for improving fuel economy, yet it still has enough torque to take off faster than traffic at the lights.

Engine performance means nothing without a solid gearbox. A clunky or poorly geared transmission can be a deal-breaker on a dual sport, as trail riding highlights any shifting issues immediately. I found no shortcomings here.

The five-speed gearbox shifts smoothly and I didn’t hit a false neutral once, whether on the trails or cruising around town. Fuel consumption was another pleasant surprise. I expected the combination of knobby tyres and a five-speed gearbox to make it thirsty, but at just 3.6 litres per 100km with an 8.7-litre tank, the DR-Z4S proved me wrong.

It’s impressively fuel-efficient. The DR-Z4S chassis has been completely reworked as part of the update. That difference was extremely noticeable after jumping back on the outgoing DR-Z400.

The older model felt heavier and less precise, especially when you’re trying to change lines mid-corner or thread through tight trees. The new bike is a different story. A new frame and aluminium swingarm make it feel sharper and more precise.

I had great confidence carving through the trees and the bike did exactly what I asked of it. A new chassis is nothing without great suspension. The new model features a KYB suspension package with inverted forks and a fully adjustable rear shock using a KYB linkage system.

This is a tried-and-true setup and you can feel that quality immediately when riding over rocks, roots and even speedbumps. On steep climbs, the rear shock keeps the power planted, stopping the bike from stepping out or spinning up the rear wheel while still soaking up hits from deep ruts. That alone is impressive for a completely stock suspension system.

Once you reach the top though, you have to come back down, and that’s where the front suspension is really put to the test. Loading it up and using all 280mm of front suspension travel, I never once felt a harsh sensation through the ’bars while standing. Everyone makes mistakes at some point, so what matters is having suspension that can forgive them.

I launched the bike a little too far off a rock at one stage and landed well past where I intended to. Going that deep could have ended the day early, but the suspension handled it without drama and I was able to keep riding. Braking performance matched the bike’s confidence everywhere else.

Even under heavy braking, I experienced no fade or sponginess. The front brake had plenty of feel, which is extremely important when coming into corners off-road. The rear brake told much of the same story: not too sensitive to the point of locking the wheel, but progressive enough to get the perfect amount of braking as and when I needed it.

Tyres can make or break a bike and the DR-Z4S rolls on IRC Trail Winner GP-410s (a 21-inch front and an 18-inch) on tube-type wire-spoked wheels, a proper off-road-biased dual sport setup. On sealed surfaces, apart from some road noise at low to mid speeds, grip never faltered. Overall, the DR-Z4S is an excellent-handling bike.

It’s light enough to throw around in the bush, yet stable on the road at speed. I thoroughly enjoyed how confidently the bike handled and steered. It’s only possible to ride all day if you’re comfortable and comfort is absolutely imperative on a dual-sport bike.

I’ll admit I had some concerns heading into the test, as I’m a fairly tall rider and generally prefer higher ’bars and lower ’pegs. When I first got on the bike though, I was pleasantly surprised by how natural the ergonomics felt, which gave me a stable and comfortable position while seated. Sitting is one thing.

Standing, however, is a whole different ball game when riding trails. Around 95 per cent of the time off-road is spent on the ’pegs and having the right setup is critical. The DR-Z4S nails this.

The ’pegs are positioned low enough to avoid feeling cramped and both the ’bar height and width felt like a perfect match for me and, I suspect, most weekend warriors. That said, if you’re a more serious rider, investing in aftermarket ’bars or even adjusting the stock setup will make a noticeable difference. The rider’s cockpit also receives a refresh.

A new LCD dash – no colour TFT unit yet – ensures all information is easy to read, even at night. The updated mirrors feature a more modern shape, making it easier to see behind you compared to the previous generation. Switchgear on the ’bars has been modernised as well, with a cleaner layout that makes it easy to adjust ride modes on the go.

And let’s be honest: Suzuki delivered on styling. The new DR-Z4S wears sleek, sharp plastics and modern, simple graphics. LED lighting is used throughout, including the headlight, tail light and indicators, giving the bike a genuinely modern look and feel.

The indicators themselves have been slimmed down and updated, adding to the overall sleek and sporty appearance. What really seals the deal for me though are the handguards that come standard. It’s a small detail, but an important one, reinforcing that even though the styling has evolved and components have been upgraded, the DR-Z4S is still a capable off-road machine at heart.

Suzuki has taken a much-loved platform that already worked well and modernised it with the equipment dual-sport riders expect today, while staying true to the bike’s heritage. The result is a machine that feels just as capable off-road as it is enjoyable on the road. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie who enjoys drifting off the beaten track, or someone looking for a reliable daily commuter that can handle weekends in the bush, Suzuki’s new DR-Z4S delivers in spades.

Bike test: Axel Martin Photography: RBMotoLens

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