Motorcycle specifications SuzukiDR-Z 400 S 2003 No question of being bored

i've decided to talk to you about a motorcycle that belongs to a category that has almost disappeared and is now unloved: trail bikes! And yet, in these times of repression, riding a road bike means running the risk of seeing your precious pink cardboard box quickly broken into 12 little pieces.
On a trail bike, the road is approached differently.

The 400DRZ(S), for that's what it's all about, is a sporty, off-road trail bike.this allows it to be at ease on both asphalt and dirt, something few motorcycles are capable of today.
Of course, comfort on the road is severely tested by the high, hard seat (94cm) and the total absence of protection. But what an efficiency on small roads! The 130kg (dry weight) are a delight to swing into corners, and the braking system will effectively slow you down if need be. In town, the height of the seat will penalize the "low on legs", but at 170cm (which isn't very tall after all) I was never in any difficulty.the high suspension and ground clearance make it easy to negotiate all urban obstacles (sidewalks, queues of cars, etc.).
Performance-wise, it's not a sports bike, but the 40hp of the engine easily take the bike to forbidden speeds (150km/h on the track), but once again, it's not the top speed you're looking for from the handlebars. In fact, it's a modern 4-stroke. The sensations of the gros-mono of yesteryear - the kick in the butt, the banging at the bottom - have all but disappeared with the arrival of the engines pioneered by the 400 Yamaha YZF. it's very linear and surprisingly long-lasting (we regret the absence of a rev counter on the real on-board computer), losing in feel what we gain in performance.

But what makes the DRZ so special is its off-road capability, at a time when leisure enduros (Yamaha TT, Honda XR) have all but disappeared from the catalog, at a time when real enduros have become a thing of the past.at a time when real enduros cost almost €10,000, at just over €6,000 the little Suzuki is a bargain, which, if fitted with real TT tires, allows you to have fun and even take part in an enduro without any complexes. It's a trail bike, so the turn signals, the sheet-metal tank, the dashboard, the big glass headlight and the plastic engine guards will be the first elements to be modified before venturing onto technical trails. combined with the excellent suspensions borrowed from the enduro version (with separate compression and rebound settings), this little DRZ will go where others go! On the subject of suspension, it's worth noting that the fork is a classic model, which ensures longer life for the spinnaker joints and protects the tubes from the aggression of mud or rocks, compared to an inverted fork. And what about the motor? Although it delivers at least 10hp to the DRZE (enduro) version and to most 400/450 4T enduros, you'll need to be a damn good rider to push it to its limits.

the riding position is natural, the controls are supple and well positionedwe're not on a 450 KTM, but it shouldn't be too far ahead. In technical conditions, the weight makes itself felt, and the ground clearance, a little lower than that of real enduros, can be surprising in ruts, but the DRZ never takes you for a ride. You have to ride it gently, at your own pace, but in the end, it's effective. Finally, the original all-steel exhaust system may be heavy, but its discretion is exemplary, an asset in these days of Olin circulars....

so, of course, there's no chance of becoming French Enduro champion on this bike, but if it's well ridden, it'll make a lot of riders with much more prestigious bikes look ridiculous. On the road, it's no match for the 500s, except perhaps in the mountains. Conclusion: a good-for-nothing DR? Certainly not! It's not perfect anywhere, but it's good at everything. And with a little preparation, it'll become perfect for a specific use, and Suzuki made no mistake when it launched a super-motard version. The 400DRZ family is complete: the DRZE for hardcore enduro riding, the DRZSM for city riding and the DRZS for all-round use. Wasn't that the spirit of the old DTMX and other XT bikes?

Philippe M.
(manufacturer's photos)