Love It or Hate It, Iconic Dual-Sport Motorcycle Gets Modern Updates: Suzuki DR-Z4S

The Suzuki 2025 DR-Z4S will receive highly anticipated modern appointments, like fuel injection, ride-by-wire throttle control, and ABS brakes. But hardcore dual-sport and adventure riders have clamored for the outgoing DR-Z400S for decades due to its simple, nothing-to-break, easy-to-repair nature. This new Suzuki DR-Z is a drastic departure from the old-school steed that has proved reliable for many since 2000.

The changes are so significant that Suzuki elected to change the model name entirely. “DR-Z400” will no longer be said in arguments about what the best world-traveling motorcycle or the best bang for the dual-sport buck is, which has been the case for so long.

Bringing the Suzuki DR-Z to the Modern Era

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The outgoing Suzuki DR-Z was a staple for adventure riders, especially those who ventured across foreign countries. Its simple, entirely mechanical build made it easy to diagnose and service, and OEM replacement parts were plentiful worldwide.

The 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S has major updates that improve performance and efficiency, but it’s yet to be seen whether die-hard dual-sporters will appreciate the changes.

DR-Z Chassis Updates

The 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S chassis is strikingly different than the one from the venerable DR-Z400S.

Suzuki built an all-new twin-spar steel frame and mated it with an aluminum swingarm and subframe. New, fully adjustable inverted KYB forks and a KYB adjustable shock keep it under control.

The subframe houses a new air cleaner box with easy access, feeding a new inlet tube. A new compact fuel tank resides on the frame’s spine. Aluminum tapered handlebars, wider footpegs, and a redesigned seat round out the touchpoints.

Modern, motocross-style bodywork brings the aesthetics up to par with today’s dual-sport and adventure bikes.

New 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S Powerplant

The engine and related structures mark the most significant changes to the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S. The biggest update is fuel injection, which includes and generates a host of related changes. This was most likely to conform to stricter Euro 5+ emission standards.

A fly-by-wire 42mm electronically controlled throttle body feeds a 10-hole injector, which delivers the air/fuel mixture to a “thoroughly updated” 398cc single-cylinder four-valve DOHC engine.

A new higher-lift cam profile, titanium intake valves, hollow sodium-filled exhaust valves, and Suzuki’s Dual Spark Technology, with two iridium spark plugs, finish out the combustion cycle.

Spent gases are routed through a twin-wall, slim-body exhaust system. Suzuki claims this new setup produces 38 peak horsepower and 27 pound-feet of torque, representing increases in both low-end torque and high-end horsepower. A more stable idle is also a claimed benefit.

The advent of electronic fuel injection on the 2025 DR-Z4S brings the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (SIRS) with it. SIRS delivers a three-mode drive mode selector and a four-mode traction control system with a dedicated Gravel mode.

The new engine is cooled by a new radiator with a larger cooling fan.

Same Transmission With an Updated Clutch

Although the top end of the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S powerplant received significant fresh updates, Suzuki only slightly modified the bottom end.

Retaining the same basic engine layout meant keeping the same transmission, so the new DR-Z still has a five-speed transmission. DR-Z400S fans have long desired a sixth gear to tame highway buzz, but this would have required a major overhaul to an already radically changed bike.

However, Suzuki did install its clutch assist system, which keeps the lever pull light but increases clutch plate pressure when accelerating. Along with this improvement, a new slipper clutch quells rear-wheel hop under hard deceleration.

Modern Braking, Lighting, and Instruments on the New Suzuki DR-Z4S

Another large update is the addition of ABS to the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S, a change that even old-schoolers will applaud, along with improvements to lighting and the instrument cluster.

And, unlike some dual-sport or adventure motorcycles, Suzuki allows switching off the ABS system for both front and rear brakes. Yes!

Finally, Suzuki installed a modern LED lighting system with a bifunctional headlight and LCD instrument panel, rounding out the changes to an aging bike to make it more in line with modern dual-sport and adventure steeds.

The DR-Z has enjoyed an almost cult-like following among motorcyclists who venture far from civilization. Its legendary reliability and easy serviceability have given it a well-deserved iconic status among two-wheeled globetrotters.

The changes to what was an entirely “analog” bike to bring it into the “digital” era will definitely raise performance at the cost of DIY access. We shall see if the backroad wanderers will embrace the 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4S.

Suzuki also offers a supermoto version dubbed the DR-Z4SM and has yet to release MSRPs or an availability date.