16 January 2025

Suzuki DR-Z makes a welcome return

Visiting last year’s bike shows, Paul Browne couldn’t help but shrug his shoulders and spit out the odd “meh”.

With the occasional exception there was, he opined, nothing very fresh among the supposedly fresh metal.

But, on catching sight of the revived Suzuki DR-Z, his spirits lifted. Fun is clearly coming back in fashion.

 

 

The jaded motorcyclist could be forgiven for having seen more of the same at last year’s motorcycle shows.

While a few stood out – Ducati’s new Panigale twin for one – there was a lot more of the same with some of the biggest manufacturers in the world talking about new paint schemes.

But one I was delighted to see was the new DR-Z.

Yes indeed, the DR-Z is back!

Suzuki’s bike, a stalwart among the smaller cc end of the market, now boasts a reimagined engine.

While they were getting it up to speed on the emissions front they took the time to tune it for a bit more torque. There’s now 37Nm of the stuff along with just shy of 38 bhp on tap.

Twin spark plugs, titanium intake valves with sodium filled ones on the exhaust end along with a new camshaft and a newly designed piston and crankcase make for a genuinely new motor.

Pipe works

It lives in a new frame made from simple steel pipe. This has also been reworked to handle more of the engine vibration.

The geometry has also been changed to allow for a comfortable riding position when using the bike to its full potential.

It’s married to an aluminium swingarm and comes on a set of cooler- than-cool spoked wheels.

The suspension is by KYB and is fully adjustable on both ends.

Button up

Like just about everything else on the market there are buttons. The buttons that activate all the acronyms.

There’s a power mode selector, a traction control selector, a gravel mode and an off button for the rear ABS.

Just like that big row you had with your other half the other night, sometimes it’s better to let things slide.

New lines, new paint and weight-saving LED lights all make for a bike that has something to offer the new rider as well as those of us who should really know better.

Clean up

A bigger radiator and a quiet exhaust help keep things clean. The latter can, of course, be replaced with something throatier, the kind of pipe that better belongs on a bike like this.  Just dispose of the original responsibly!

A new clutch now has an assist system.

‘A’ allows you to have as much fun as the bike can offer.

‘B’ is softer and allows the rider to get the power down in a more predictable manner.

Then there’s the ‘C’ mode, which makes the bike more predictable in the wet.

There’s also a traction control system with two settings and an off switch.

My advice? Get a DR-Z, run it in, switch everything off and go out for a spin.

To get in on the action click here to find and chat to your local Suzuki dealer.

Suzuki bike insurance quote? Call our specialist two-wheel team on 0818 945 950.

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