Suzuki DR-Z400 - Bike Review

Suzuki makes this thumper in an electric-start, kickstart or electric-start dual-sport version. Of the off-road competition sales, most are E-start editions. The kickstart version starts very easily and consistently, costs less, is lighter and runs better. All those attributes, plus the fact that the KLX400 is identical to the E-start DR-Z, led us to ask Suzuki to bring the kickstart bike to our test. It has been a while since we rode a stock DR-Z, and we were again impressed at how much performance Suzuki gets out of a bike this quiet with this little vibration. Not only is its performance very strong, the vast majority of the power gets to the ground. Open the throttle, and you accelerate with little drama or wheelspin. The shifter is very short, but you get used to that. The handlebar is low and back--you may or may not adjust to that. We usually install a taller bar, and height-enhanced riders will even pop for a triple clamp that moves the bar position forward.

The $5349 DR-Z earns a demerit for no green sticker, plus it is a little on the wide side. Its cushy seat will seem too soft for some, but it also slopes downhill toward the rear fender, so some riders feel like they are sliding off the back. Between IMS, CEET and the other seat foam and cover folks, most of these issues can be resolved.

Even the kickstart version is up a few pounds on Honda's XR400R; it is in the low 270s. That isn't exactly light and the ultra-plush suspension is on the soft side, so pushing the bike to 80 percent of race pace is fun with the bike soaking up the trail and the miles with little effort. At 90 percent, life isn't nearly so happy. Sure, the aftermarket can do wonders, but it doesn't take long to hop it into Yamaha and KTM land.

The Suzuki's strong points are the easy chair comfort, plush suspension and smooth vibrationless power. Call it a truly great trailbike, and move on to other colors for serious race machinery. Note: There's nothing wrong with a great trailbike.

I've always liked the kickstart version of this bike. On hard terrain, the performance feels the same, but the kick model is stronger in sand and mud and is lighter and cheaper. I don't feel comfortable pushing the stocker to race pace, but at 85 percent of my race pace the DR-Z eats up the miles without tiring me or beating me up. Karel Kramer

A plush riding position with good suspension action and nimble handling made this a great all-around package. The kickstart Suzuki lights easily and maybe runs a little stronger on top. I'd ride one. Ed Tripp

The DR-Z felt like a good compromise between the mild-mannered KLX400 and the 450 E/XC in both motor and suspension. It started on the first kick, every time (aren't modern four-strokes great?). This would be an excellent do-everything bike. It's down on power to the 450s. Kip Temple

The DR-Z has ultra-plush suspension and smooth, linear power. The bike's biggest fault is how much you can feel its weight on a trail. Due to the soft power, I prefer the kickstarter over the electric for more power, less weight. Jason Webb

The DR-Z400 is surprisingly easy to kickstart. Soft suspension and a soft seat make this bike good for long trail rides. The power is not hard-hitting and is very controllable. I found sitting a more comfortable position on this bike, so it would need a fair amount of setup to race competitively. Elmer Symons

Suzuki had a nice setup for the DR-Z400. It seems to get better each year, which shows the stock bike works well and the dry conditions suited the smooth power. The soft suspension and relative weight hold the bike back. Mark Getzfrid

The bike felt a little cramped; nevertheless, it's my first choice as a replacement for my XR600. When pushed it would bottom pretty hard. At less than race speeds the suspension felt pretty good, so I am seriously considering selling my XR600R and buying the street-legal version. John Bumgarner