Suzuki DRZ400S: Detailed Technical Specs and Performance Review

The Suzuki DRZ400S stands on top of the list of the most perfectly built dual sports bikes. It is a perfect bike to define what a dual sports bike is. The Suzuki DRZ400S is one of the most successful, popular, and high-selling motorcycles the company has produced so far, which is why it has been running successfully for more than 22 years. Introduced in 2000, the Suzuki DRZ400 established a separate market of its own worldwide. It is a taller motorcycle with an appropriately sized engine, ideal for all-round performance and capabilities. Continue reading this article to learn more about the detailed technical specs and performance review of the Suzuki DRZ400S.

The Suzuki DRZ400S is a decent-looking motorbike in the dual-sports motorcycle category. Due to its dual-sports nature, the DRZ400 is not known for its ideal aesthetic appeal in the market. It looks more like a dirt bike or motocross with features that make it road-legal. However, the Suzuki DRZ400S is a tall bike with an overall height of 48.4 in and a seat height of 36.8 in, making it less approachable for many riders. Being a dual-sports bike, it features a typical single-piece, flat, and narrow saddle for solo riding. The overall slim shape of the Suzuki DRZ400 offers several other benefits, allowing the rider to easily grip the bike with both knees pressed against the gas tank for better control and stability.

The Suzuki DRZ400 is a very basic motorcycle with no extra and luxurious parts. Its body parts and covers are made of plastic to keep the weight on the lower side. A curb weight of 143.79 kg makes it one of the lightest bikes in the 400 cc category, providing unmatched dual-purpose capabilities.

It is a fairly balanced motorbike with an even front and rear end. The front end comes with a long-stroke fork fitted with a 21-inch wire-spoked wheel. Toward the rear, an 18-inch wheel is installed, wrapped around dual-purpose knobby tires. The Suzuki DRZ400S has one of the highest ground clearances of 11.8 inches in the lightweight dual-purpose bike category.

The Suzuki DRZ400S is one of the very few modern bikes still being produced and fitted with a carburetor instead of a fuel injection system. Even the smallest variants in the Honda CRF lineup come with a programmed fuel injection system. There are several benefits of using fuel injectors in a motorcycle as they provide better fuel economy and reactive throttle response. However, being a carbureted dual-sports bike, the delay in the throttle response is not quite evident in the Suzuki DRZ400S and is negligible.

Almost every modern bike, including the dual sports bike that is produced nowadays, is equipped with a six-speed gearbox, ensuring several benefits. However, in the Suzuki DRZ400S, the sixth gear is also missing, even in the 2024 model. It is a major drawback for riders who want to use the Suzuki DRZ400S as an on-road tourer. While riding on highways and open roads, you need to have the sixth gear as the motorbike starts to vibrate when you are riding in the fifth gear at full throttle. However, in other riding conditions, you will not find the sixth gear as important as it is while riding this bike on highways.

The Suzuki DRZ400S, with its taller and less approachable seat height, is more suitable for taller riders. Despite being a 400 cc small displacement bike, it does not attract most beginner riders due to being slightly overweight in the dual-sports category. A 36.8-inch seat height is one of the tallest, not only in the dual-sports bike category only but also in other motorcycle categories. The taller overall stature means that most of the motorcycle’s weight is centered at a height, increasing the chances of tipping while riding on unpaved terrain.

Other than the Honda CRF series, the Kawasaki KLR650 is a serious competitor to the Suzuki DRZ400S, offering a bigger engine, more power, and better features. The Kawasaki KLR650 is a proper adventure motorcycle with more comfortable ergonomics, and it is available at a lower price than the Suzuki DRZ400S despite having better parts and features. Suzuki must consider this and upgrade the motorcycle with trendy and more reliable parts and features to continue selling.

What makes the Suzuki DRZ400 an incredibly popular dual-sport motorcycle model is its durability. You can find a more powerful and budget-friendly motorcycle in this category, but the Suzuki DRZ400S has a special place. The company has been successful in producing a tough and durable machine for dual-purpose use.

The Suzuki DRZ400S bike may not be the complete and perfect dual-purpose bike in the market if you prioritize high power output to dominate the on- and off-road tracks. However, what makes it the most impressive in its class and category is its capability to deliver peak power output at a low rev range, making off-roading moderately easier and more comfortable. The DRZ400S also provides quick throttle response, and a good amount of power is readily available to the rider, which is quite helpful in off-roading conditions.

The Suzuki DRZ400S is quite an elementary bike available in the market, lacking modern high-tech equipment to attract young and new riders. When it comes to safety aids, there is no ABS or traction control. Even the basic elements, including the tachometer, gear, and fuel indicator are missing on this motorbike.

A tough decision the manufacturer has to make while designing a dual-purpose bike is the choice of suspension. The manufacturer can either build a bike with a softer suspension to ensure an ideal off-roading performance or make something more suitable for paved surfaces. Soft suspension makes riding easier on uneven and bumpy tracks and also allows for comfortable maneuvering over obstacles.

The Suzuki DRZ400S has long-stroke, softer suspensions, with the front forks providing a wheel travel of 11.3 inches and the rear mono-shock providing a wheel travel of 11.6 inches.

The suspensions installed on the Suzuki DRZ400 are one of the best in the dual sports bike category. However, you may need to change or adjust the suspensions if you want to use this motorcycle for long-distance traveling or cross-country rides.

The Suzuki DRZ400 is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a budget and beginner-friendly dual-sports motorcycle. However, you must be tall enough to ride this bike comfortably due to its seat height of 36.8 in. The Suzuki DRZ400 is an immensely popular dual-purpose bike, particularly due to its reliable build and low maintenance. Having more resemblance with the dirt bike, this bike performs exceptionally well due to its more off-road-biased features. The suspensions, ground clearance, and design all go in favor of a perfect off-roading experience. However, you may need to make certain alterations to the Suzuki DRZ400 if you choose to use this bike for long-distance on-road traveling.

Several add-ons can help you improve your adventure touring experience. You can purchase the best-fitted aftermarket parts and luggage bags for your adventure tourer at the Viking Bags’ online store to make it more touring capable. For your Suzuki Adventure Tourer, Viking Bags offers backpacks, duffel/tail bags, and accessories & organizers.