The Suzuki DR-Z400 is a dual-sport motorcycle that Suzuki has built since 2000. Its 398 cc single is carburetted and liquid-cooled, and the model has been offered in four quite different forms, from a bare off-road machine to a supermoto.
Suzuki DR-Z400 at a glance
| Production | since 2000 |
|---|---|
| Type | dual-sport motorcycle |
| Engine | 398 cc single, liquid-cooled, carburetted, four-stroke |
| DR-Z400 | kick-start only |
| DR-Z400E | electric start |
| DR-Z400S | street legal with lights, indicators and mirrors |
| DR-Z400SM | supermoto from 2005, 17-inch wheels, bigger brakes |
| Supermoto chassis | RM-Z rear swingarm and inverted forks |
| Kawasaki version | KLX400, almost identical |
| Military use | Australian Army |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Suzuki DR-Z400.
History of the Suzuki DR-Z400
One engine, four bikes
The DR-Z400 appeared in 2000 with a 398 cc liquid-cooled four-stroke single fed by a carburettor. Suzuki sold it in four forms: the DR-Z400 with kick-start only, the DR-Z400E with electric start, the DR-Z400S with lights, indicators and mirrors for the road, and from 2005 the DR-Z400SM supermoto. The SM uses 17-inch road wheels, oversized front and rear brakes, an RM-Z rear swingarm and inverted forks.
Beyond Suzuki badges
Kawasaki sold a private-label version called the KLX400, nearly identical apart from bodywork and some accessories. The Australian Army also uses the DR-Z, slightly modified for military service.
Why it lasted
The formula of a light, simple single with long-travel suspension made the DR-Z400 a favourite for trail riding, commuting and supermoto racing alike, and the model has stayed in the range for more than two decades.
Design and features
- Four versions: off-road, enduro, dual-sport and supermoto from one basic design.
- Supermoto package: 17-inch wheels, big brakes, RM-Z swingarm and USD forks on the SM.
- Shared with Kawasaki: sold as the KLX400 with different bodywork.
- Military service: used by the Australian Army.
Suzuki DR-Z400 versions
- DR-Z400: kick-start, not street legal in the United States.
- DR-Z400E: electric start, street legal in Australia.
- DR-Z400S: fully road-legal dual-sport.
- DR-Z400SM (2005): factory supermoto.
- Kawasaki KLX400: the private-label twin.
The DR-Z400 is the modern enduro in the line that includes the DR350, and its supermoto style is shared with the RM motocross family’s chassis parts. More Suzukis are in the Suzuki collection.
Video: YOSHIMURA RS3 FULL SYSTEM SUZUKI DR-Z 400 E
Video by Bruno Botelho on YouTube.
Sources
- Suzuki DR-Z400, English Wikipedia: engine, variants, KLX400, military use
