Track Review: 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4SM

The 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4SM is proof that even legends can evolve without losing their soul. After two decades of carbureted chaos, Suzuki finally gave its iconic supermoto the modern makeover it deserved — fuel injection, updated chassis, sharper styling, more tech, and brakes that actually believe in stopping. We took it to the track to see if this reborn hooligan still knows how to misbehave, and it absolutely does. The thumper may be smoother and cleaner now, but it hasn’t lost an ounce of attitude. It still wheelies on command, begs to slide into corners, and rewards every ounce of commitment with that unmistakable DR-Z grin — only this time, it starts instantly and doesn’t smell like raw gas.

The DR-Z4SM finally looks as sharp as it rides. Gone are the bulbous plastics and dated square headlight — in their place is a clean, aggressive silhouette that feels purpose-built for the modern supermoto scene. The new LED headlight gives it a futuristic look, flanked by slim radiator shrouds and tight bodywork that looks more race replica than retro commuter. Even the rear section has been trimmed down to look lighter and more agile, with a sleeker tail tidy and full LED lighting all around. Suzuki also tucked the exhaust in tighter to the frame, refined the seat shape for better mobility, and wrapped it all in bold new graphics that finally make the DR-Z look as fast as it feels.

What’s refreshing is that Suzuki didn’t go overboard. The DR-Z4SM still feels like an old-school dirt bike. It’s simple, mechanical, and a little bit rugged — like something that could survive a season of dirt or track abuse and still ride home. The aluminum bars feel purposeful, the controls are familiar, and that clever side panel with tool-free access to the air filter reminds you this bike was built by people who actually ride. It’s the same lovable hooligan, now wearing sharper clothes and a far more modern face.

Under the skin, Suzuki has grafted a surprisingly sophisticated electronics suite onto this thumping hooligan, finally joining the modern age of electronics — but without losing that raw edge. Suzuki added a traction control system and multiple ride modes, both tucked neatly into the new handlebar controls. The traction control has just enough intervention to keep things tidy without neutering the fun — think of it more as a helpful friend than a strict babysitter.

Perhaps you can switch the traction control off entirely if you’d rather let the rear tire write its own story through a corner. In typical dirt bike fashion, the DR-Z4SM allows you to disable rear ABS for maximum fun — you just have to come to a complete stop to do it. The ride modes tweak throttle response for road, rain, or aggressive riding, and while this isn’t a tech-laden superbike menu, it’s more than enough to make the DR-Z feel alive in different environments — especially on the track where throttle precision matters more than raw power.

Suzuki didn’t just modernize the 2025 DR-Z4SM — they re-engineered its heart while keeping its lovable thump intact. The old carb is gone, replaced by a precise 42mm fuel injection with ride-by-wire throttle control that finally gives the DR-Z the smooth throttle feel it’s always deserved. No more cold-start rituals and mid-corner hiccups — it fires up instantly and delivers power with clean, predictable urgency.

Underneath, the 398cc DOHC single is still unmistakably DR-Z: simple, durable, and eager to rev, but now with new internals that make it tighter and more responsive. Suzuki tweaked the cam timing, lightened the valves, and redesigned the piston to give it a broader torque curve and quicker throttle pickup. It still doesn’t chase big horsepower numbers, but it now pulls harder off corners and hangs onto revs longer before the limiter steps in.

The gearbox remains a five-speed, which feels charmingly stubborn in 2025 — but paired with the new slipper-assist clutch, it’s more forgiving than ever. Downshifts are smoother, lever effort is lighter, and clutch feel is crisp whether you’re sliding into a corner or hammering out of it. The exhaust tone is still pure single-cylinder bark — raspy, mechanical, and honest — but now with a slightly cleaner note thanks to revised flow and emission tuning.

On the road, the 2025 DR-Z4SM is still the hooligan you remember — light, flickable, and hilariously over-caffeinated. Every on-ramp becomes an invitation to lift the front wheel, and every backroad feels like a playground. The throttle response from the new EFI setup is crisp, making the bike feel more eager without being too twitchy. Around town, it’s absurdly fun — you’re always doing the speed limit but somehow feel like a criminal.

The only real catch is the five-speed gearbox, which holds the DR-Z back from true high-speed comfort. At 110 km/h, it’s buzzy enough to rattle your fillings, and you’ll find yourself wishing for a phantom sixth gear that just doesn’t exist. Still, if your commute involves more curves than concrete, you won’t care — this thing thrives on chaos, not calm.

If you are brave enough to take a supermoto off-road, it’s shockingly capable for something wearing 17-inch wheels and sticky street rubber. Fully adjustable KYB suspension has enough travel to soak up dirt road chatter and handle light trail work. The tall seat and upright posture give you great leverage when standing up over rough patches, and the new traction control system helps keep the rear end in check when the surface gets loose. It’s not a dirt bike in disguise — but it’s close enough to make you laugh the first time you back it into a gravel corner.

On track, the DR-Z4SM is a momentum machine. You can’t brute-force your way down a straight; you have to carry corner speed, stay smooth, and let the chassis do the talking. The balance is brilliant — predictable, playful, and forgiving — but the stock Dunlop Q5A tires aren’t the ideal match. They are terrific on the street, but on the track, the rear’s flatter profile makes the bike feel a little nervous when leaned hard on the edge. It’s not dangerous, just sketchy enough to keep your heart rate up.

The 2025 Suzuki DR-Z4SM isn’t trying to be perfect — it’s trying to make you laugh, and it succeeds spectacularly. It’s a machine built for mischief, not mileage, a bike that trades top-end speed for raw personality. The updates finally make it feel current — smoother throttle response, a touch of tech, and sharper manners — yet it still delivers that wild, mechanical thrill few bikes can match. Sure, it buzzes on the highway and the stock tires protest when pushed hard, but those quirks fade the moment you dive into a corner and let it dance. It’s playful, scrappy, and utterly addictive — the kind of bike that doesn’t care about lap times, only how wide your grin is when the session ends.

Engine

Type	398 cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC (4-valve)
Bore × Stroke	90.0 mm × 62.6 mm
Compression	11.1:1
Fuel System	EFI, 42 mm throttle body, 10-hole injector
Ignition	Electronic; dual iridium spark plugs
Starter	Electric
Clutch	Wet multi-plate, SCAS (slipper/assist)
Transmission	5-speed, constant mesh
Final Drive	O-ring sealed chain

Chassis, Brakes & Tires

Frame	Twin-spar steel with aluminum subframe
Front Suspension	KYB inverted fork, adj. compression & rebound; 260 mm (10.2 in) travel
Rear Suspension	KYB link-type shock, preload + comp/rebound adj.; 277 mm (10.9 in) travel
Front Brake	310 mm disc, 2-piston axial caliper
Rear Brake	240 mm disc, 1-piston caliper
ABS	Standard; Rear ABS OFF mode
Wheels	17-in spoked aluminum rims
Tires (OEM)	120/70R17 (F), 140/70R17 (R), tube-type; Dunlop Sportmax Q5A

Dimensions & Capacities

Overall Length	2195 mm (86.4 in)
Overall Width	885 mm (34.8 in)
Overall Height	1190 mm (46.9 in)
Wheelbase	1465 mm (57.7 in)
Ground Clearance	260 mm (10.2 in)
Seat Height	890 mm (35.0 in)
Fuel Capacity	8.7 L (2.3 US gal)
Curb Weight	154 kg (340 lb)

Official Canadian model page: suzuki.ca/product/2025-dr-z4sm/