2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S First Look [9 Fast Facts, 54 Photos, Specs]

November 5, 2024

In a shocker from EICMA 2024, we get word of the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S. Yes, after a decades-long run, the aged DR-Z400S dual-sport motorcycle gets a modern replacement. It looks to be an interesting build—it’s not based on the RM-Z450 motocrosser—so let’s get started.

EFI! Yes, the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S has fuel injection. Welcome to the 21st century. There’s a 42mm throttle body with a 10-hole fuel injector. Air is inducted from a new airbox.

The 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S has a powerplant inspired by the outgoing DR-Z400S motor. Like the DR-Z400S, DR-Z4S’s moto has DOHC architecture, the same bore and stroke, and a five-speed transmission. However, almost all the parts are new, including the crankcase, cams, valves, twin-plug cylinder head, piston, and a slip-and-assist clutch. The exhaust system is also new, with the catalytic converters early in the header and at the muffler. The package meets Euro 5B standards. Suzuki claims a peak of 37 horsepower at 8000 rpm and 27 ft-lbs of torque delivered at 6500 rpm. The motor starts with a stab of a button—no need to hold it in until the engine fires up.

The new DR-Z4S motor has three power modes and four levels of traction control, including off. The A mode provides full power from the first crack of the throttle, with throttle response backed down in B and C modes. At the redline, all three modes put out full power. There are two traction control modes for the street, one for gravel (G mode, inspired by the V-Strom line), plus off for the dirt.

Bosch ABS is part of the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S package. The system has two-wheel, front-wheel only, and off modes.

IRC GP-410 dual-sport rubber is mounted on the aluminum rims. The wheelset is de rigueur for off-road, with a 21-/18-inch pairing.

Suspension is handled by KYB. Full damping adjustments are on tap at both ends, with the shock also getting spring-preload adjustment.

There are plenty of details that dual-sport riders will appreciate. The footpegs are wide with rubber inserts, the LED headlight/taillight, the mirrors are minimalist, the handlebar is tapered aluminum, and a skid plate is standard. You’ll have to pay extra to get handguards. The LCD dash keeps track of the electronics, but does not have any sort of navigation features and does not appear to be pairable with your smartphone.

At 333 pounds with the 1.9-gallon fuel tank filled, the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S is not a lightweight. We will hope that is reflected in the price. Also, while the fuel tank capacity seems meager, the estimated fuel consumption is a miserly 80 mpg. However, it will remain to be seen what the mpg is in real-world off-road dual-sport conditions.

We don’t have a price yet for the 2025 Suzuki DZ-Z4S. The arrival on showroom floors has also not been announced.

2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S Specs

ENGINE

Type: Single
Displacement: 398cc
Bore x stroke: 90.0 x 62.6 mm
Maximum power: 37 horsepower @ 8000 rpm
Maximum torque: 27 ft-lbs @ 6500 rpm
Compression ratio: 11.1:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 valves
Fueling: EFI w/ 42mm throttle body and 10-hole fuel injector
Cooling: Liquid
Lubrication: Dry sump
Transmission: 5-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Steel twin-spar w/ aluminum subframe
Handlebar: Tapered aluminum
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable-damping KYB inverted fork; 11.0 inches
Rear suspension: Link-assisted fully adjustable KYB shock; 11.7 inches
Wheels: Wire spoke w/ tube-type aluminum rims
Tires: IRC GP-410
Front tire: 80/100 x 21
Rear tire 120/80 x 18
Front brake: 270mm disc
Rear brake: 240mm disc
ABS: Bosch Standard (adjustable and defeatable)