The short ratio 5 speed was always the biggest flaw of the DR-Z400. I'd be perfectly happy with a wide ratio 5 speed but if its the same its going to be a flop. A low 1st gear for tight off road and a high top gear for the highway is essential for this type of bike. The CRF300 and WR250R got this right.
Exactly. Husqvarna didn't have good spacing in my fe350s. 6 speeds.....6th gear by 45 mph and only gets buzzier. Though it isn't meant to be a dual sport but an enduro. The point remains: proper spacing, not number of gears, is what matter.
The fact that they have not made ANY marketing regarding the transmission it’a a clear indication that they DID NOT CHANGE the spacing. The management in all Suzuki Moto should be fired!!! The ONY mayor issue of the drz was the trasmission..
@@carenzaguidoseems like most everyone who TH-cam’s and reads comments have never gone on the website to see the photo with the engine and wvery part they highlighted in yellow has been revised which is almost the entire engine. Including a bunch of the gears. Hard to say if it’s the gear shape for less oil drag or ratio. They did mention the drag though. Reguardless seems most people miss that part, solid even called it the same engine right at the start of the video, yes it’s the same but yet not as it’s nearly fully updated.
I'm just happy that it's back, The 5 speed doesen't bother me so much. Also I like the headlight. It's very low profile, so much less likely to get damaged off road. I'll be buying one when they come out.
As far as the headlight goes, that’s just how technology works, over time everything gets smaller and yet somehow becomes more powerful and efficient. People learn to get over the change and eventually everyone starts saying how good it looks simply because it usually exceeds their expectations. It’s been happening with every little detail in the automotive industry for decades.
My first truck was a _3_-speed. My first bikes were 4-speeds. They all ran at highway speeds just fine. I rode 5-speed bikes for decades. I’m still riding a DR650. All over the country. On the highway. If the gear ratios are right, a 5-speed is perfectly fine.
Your truck and that DR are higher cc and thus rev way less on the highway. I don't want to be sitting on a single cylinder buzzing away at 7k rpm below my butt to reach the trails
The sad thing is that the ratios already exist as nova racing has had wide ratio gears for the DRZ for over a decade. Suzuki didn't even need to start from scratch they just needed to copy.
I completely agree. If they fixed the spacing (not mentioned on their website) then it is a non issue. If the spacing is the same I'd truly prefer the old.
@@musguelha14 Yeah. They changed the composition and there is supposed to be less friction. But they didn't say if they actually addressed the ratio, which they had to know is the main complaint. Makes me a tad suspicious.
I’ve owned both the DR350 with the 6 speed trans and the DRZ with the 5 speed, I loved my DR350 I even put a 441 big bore kit on it which really brought the bike to life, I wish Suzuki would mount the DRZ400 head to a DR350 6 speed gear box and be done with it, we don’t want fancy, we want reliability and functionality out of a dual sport, if they would just take advantage of modern technology and create a dual sport DRZ with a 6 speed tranny (which seems to be standard today) and give us a bike that’s in the 400-500cc ballpark but sub 300lbs it would absolutely dominate the market, I’ve been waiting for Suzuki of which always seems to be 10 years behind everyone else to come out with a product that we want. We don’t necessarily care about the weight as long as they address the transmission and power issue, the reliability factor is why we love Suzuki so much and want to see a solid bike from them, a new transmission in a 6 speed and potentially a 440cc motor at a sub 300lbs bike is easily achievable and if they would just bite it in the ass and get it done I guarantee it would be a hit!!!!!
@TheParaxore Well, if the need of highways are so great maybe it's the wrong bike? But of course it would be much better to have the opportunity to do both. I know I miss a sixth gear on my old KTM 625. It's either sky high first gear and clutch riding offroad or change gearing and stay under 100kmh. I chose under 100kmh 😄 Much better that way. Best of the bad would be a tall fifth gear. Can't really use it off-road anyway. But as far as I know no brand has done this to any good effect. Doubt Suzuki will be any different. Jap companies still use fax machines - I'm not holding my breath.
Ya for extremely poor people, but what is few hundred dollars, or a thousand here and there really matter, most people go wild anyhow buying this that and the other thing anyhow....I think ball park is the idea...pick the bike you like, buy it, ride it, and less nit picking is what the M/C world needs, more specifically, the ADV world.
I thought it was a fail until watching this video. You make some good points. If the gearbox is tractor-2-3-4-highway, I would be happy with that (I bet it isn't though). Would have liked to see 490cc and close to 50hp. Too heavy for me though - would have liked to see low 140s wet. My DR650 is 159kgs with 20 L in the tank - I think I'll just keep it until some manufacturer comes up with something better. It is refreshing to hear "DRZ" pronounced correctly on youtube!
Updated but the same. Still need to strip weight. Still need more power, but not cheap now, like just carving up the air box and jetting with a slip-on. Probably still needs pegs, different mirrors, conformal signals, new seat. There have been a lot of engine changes, so we will have to wait and see. I personally do not care about 6th gear, modes, fuel gage, or gear indicator, and ABS. Better throttle response will be nice. Glad it lives on.
Thank you for reporting with realistic views and expectations. More of this needed in an environment where hype around new motorcycles is based on what less than 5% of the riders want, can afford or handle imo 👌
I have a 18 Drz and a 91 dr250 and the 250 has a 6 speed lol but the drz is still a better all rounder bike not a huge fan of the new one but love my 18 I'll just end up doing the 470 kit and wide ratio myself and plan to get something else for anything over hr on the highway and I want to walk lol that has nothing to do with the speed just comfort issue I regularly run my drz 70-80 mph just fine
My Suzuki X6 Scrambler had a 6 speed in the 60's. Mt DRZ 400S does fine with 5, but I do wish that it were wider ratio. I just might buy the aftermarket kit for that.
This bike looks amazing. I just bought a 2023 DRZ 400 and I love it. No EFI, still carb, but that's OK. Everything else great, speed power, seat height pretty good.
Better than losing it. Suspension suspension suspension, the most expansive upgrade for most of us, about time. As far as frame geometry and the rest, will have to wait and see. We were never going to get 6 speed. But the biggest missed opportunity is that pussy 8lt fuel tank, what were they thinking, 13-14lt is a no-brainer & save the average weekend camper upgrading or carrying extra.
@@ShadowVonChadwick That's aftermarket territory. Most of us ride a few hours over the day and for that it's enough. I have 9 liters on my current KTM and it's enough for a day of misbehaving. Or at least it's enough for us to tire. 😅
It's worth a test ride for sure, and you could easily bring the weight down a bit with mods, but it is a shame that it's still a 5 speed. Hopefully the suspension works well and certainly the EFI brings this bike into the modern age, along with the USD forks. It will be interesting to compare this back to back with the previous DRZ400, and to compare the new bike with bikes like the CRF300L and KLX300. I think that comparison will show whether the extra weight is ok given the HP and whether the 5 speed is also ok given the torque and HP.
@@airadaimagery692 It's very simple, because to reach the off road terrain on the paved road (not using a trailer). This is very relaxed and comfortable with my CRF300.
Having owned 3 different Drz400 bikes over the years I am excited for this bike and have a bit more positive view than most of the speculation I have read online. Nearly all the criticisms I have read are directly related to the things Suzuki has had to do to meet Euro 5 regulations. Common complaints are about the electronics including the abs and traction control which of course it doesnt need but it does to meet Euro 5. The extra weight also comes from all the crap needed to meet euro 5. The lowish horsepower again is because of Euro 5 and emissions regulations. Suzuki has to do these things to be able to sell these bikes in the new world we live in. The great thing is if I buy this bike I can do whatever I like to it. I can toss the catalytic converter exhaust system de-restrict the airbox change the fuel mapping and instantly lose weight and gain HP. If I want to I can also disconnect the abs system fit direct braided brake lines and toss the abs control module and pump saving more weight. The five speed gearbox is really not a deal breaker on a trail bike. If you want to go fast on the road get a different bike a trail bike is not what you need. The only real issue I have with this bike is the headlight. Aside from looking terrible visibility to other road users is going to be terrible and a safety hazard. That headlight will make you look like a push bike and hardly visible at all to other road users at night. Fuel injection upgraded suspension and better handling have got me excited to check this bike out in person and I can't wait for it to hit the dealerships.
Agreed, I'd be tempted to do all this too, and I'll possibly buy one. I think I'll just ride it a few weeks and see what I want to do. Maybe put a bigger tank on and leave it at that if it's good enough as is.
best comment right here! i mean if Suzuki didn't put tc and abs all the people would have said "omg this is a bike from the dark ages " or something like that, now that it has all those things people are complaining. Let's not forget 2 things : there were people that smuggled new drz from africa to europe and changed the engine codes so that it matched the one on the papers from old drz , and 2 : now the owners of old drz can chill a little with those high prices of 20 year old drz ..i mean 5k for an old drz is just exagerated . Can't wait to try it .
I bought a 2006 drz400s, and have been riding it and fixing it up. I have about 400 some miles on it so far, and it feels really good despite its seat height. It's a great bike, and it's been a lot of fun to ride so far. I'll definitely be buying the new version of this bike next year!
I agree about the headlight. It’s not a rugged,off road look! However,the plastic surrounding it gives it a little more shape and definition,so that makes it look a little better! And about the gears, my Honda 300 Rally has 6 gears,but it doesn’t have the power to really do anything with it! I’ve never really ridden a 5 speed besides an old KLR 650. Sometimes I thought about a 6th gear on that bike,but really,these bikes aren’t really made to go much over 70 anyway. And besides,I’m not sure why you’d really want to go faster than that! These are just be-boppin around bikes,not race bikes! But yeah,I can agree that another gear would be a nice feature.
Swap sprockets and you can harness some more of that torque of the 300. Cheapest and most effective upgrade by far. I run a 13/52 and it'll come up in 2nd... break dirt in 4th (on stock tires tho).
03:00 the headlight of the DRZ4S is wayyyyy better than the CRF300 Rally! I know the Rally is supposed to be an "ADV" version of the 300L but Honda's 300 Rally looks like an escaped Minion lol. So, this DRZ4S ain't that bad, although I agree, I would still want to replace it with a rally tower.
300 Rally looks like wearing a gas mask from WWI, I simply can not swallow it. DRZ4S headlight won't win beauty contests, but compared to the Rally it wins even in a total dark.😁
Already had one. Sold it to make room for something better. So did Solid, if I remember correctly. And thousands of other riders who were bored with the DRZ. Unfortunately, Suzuki did the Japanese thing (bare minimum effort) again and only fixed half of the things that needed improvement. Instead of bringing a 90s era bike into 2025, they brought it into 2010s.
@@glennwr450here in UK mate, we really can't go tearing around. I've got a 501, which I'm happy to give moderate beans to in empty France or Portugal but in our crowded island, a quiet and calm dual sport is pretty good.
Keeping a tried and true motor outputting well within its spec for horsepower is a smart thing for reliability. EFI should help a lot with fuel economy and range, hopefully it's mapped cleanly for great response and smooth fueling at low throttle inputs.
The only issue I could have is the size of the fuel tank, but that's par for the course with dual sports. Oh, and they didn't do a Rally version, but overall, looks fantastic.
I think you nailed it Solid. Not the end of the world. Its great to see the update as opposed to the DRZ fading off into the sunset. Currently I think it will be my pick next year over the new 390 as it seems KTM won't be able to keep the weight close to the DRZ even with its few extra pounds. A true dualsport.
Hey Solid. Definitely a miss for me. Don’t want the electronics and 330 lb is 80 lb more than my 2017 250 excf. The last nail in the coffin for me is that I anticipate the price to be around 10000 Can$ out the door, that is based on the fact that the 300L is 8500 out the door here in Canada. Not sure why moto companies think that adding more crap to bikes is a good thing. Rider modes on a wheezy dual sport is ridiculous. Might as well include training wheels while they are at it.
There is no way to get around electronics if you want to make a Euro5+ bike. TC and riding modes are just software, except of the switches no additional hardware required that could break.
Hi Solid. Finally did it just bought a CRF 300L. Thanks for all the info and enthusiasm for them. It will sit next to my 1150 GS very nicely. Hope you’re well. Regards William.
The headlight Looks better than 1995 does on the 400. Bet it works 2000% better aswell. Also less realestate for flying projectiles trying to smash it. Projector lenses are way more efficient, cheaper to produce and brighter than reflectors. This is why torches are no longer the size of a dolphin torch while struggling to complete with a candle. All the reviews (and the Suzuki websitr) talk about ride by wire yet in the gallery on theit website there is a pic of the cockpit and it clearly has 2 throttle cables exiting the throttle housing.
Love it! Would prefer 6 speed but if they have reworked the 5 speed ratios so it can stretch its legs then it won’t matter. Also like to see it go head to head with the KTM 390 Adv R in the the real world… 🍻
Also for me in Germany, fuel tank is o.k. but the 5 speed gearbox is not helpful for paved roads. I drove a DRZ400E in Namibia with 5 speed, but there were the most roads gravel.
No doubt Safari tanks will make a larger capacity tank like they did for the current DRZ , after all what is a proper sized fuel tank, 15,20,25,30,40 litres ? I somehow don’t think that Suzuki is building the bike purely for the Australian market, so point one is null and void. For the past 20+ years of existence people have done big rides on the DRZ both here in OZ and around the world, so I don’t see why the lack of 6 gears is an issue, I can cruise all day at 100 Kph on my DRZ.
Love my ‘adventurized’ DRZ and am excited about the FI model. I am very curious regarding gear ratio since it will remain a 5 speed and pray that the 5th gear is taller for the pavement portions to the trails. I hope it’s a hit and the aftermarket goodies are available quickly for those of us who modify bikes to suit tastes and riding style (who doesn’t). A 2.3 gallon tank doesn’t give me the range and I am done lugging bladders and tanks around.
They had decades to respond with a new DRZ With an enthusiastic fan base waiting for it . They could’ve and should’ve really done something better! In my opinion.
If they’ve followed the ACT gearing that was available for years as a relatively straightforward modification, then it could address the need for a taller top gear while keeping the low gearing for the dirt.
Has anyone seen Yamaha lately? Where are they in the sub-500cc game? BMW’s stepping up, KTM’s bringing new rides, Royal Enfield’s dropping fresh ones, and China’s flooding the market. But Yamaha? Feels like they’re just cruising in neutral. What’s their move?
this is a a drz400s replacement compared to the s model it's 6kg heavier and a couple of hp less. they added the emissions and safety gear and kept it very close in specs to the old one. which is great for everywhere the s model is sold and the places where it can now be sold. not so great for australia as we lose the E model which is 13kg lighter and 11hp more. but i don't think it will be as bad as appears on the surface for us australians either. like every other new bike an exhaust and a tune will ditch some weight and add power. and the new motor looks like it has more potential than even the current E model due to it's larger ports, 42mm throttle body. the crf450rl makes less power than the E model i can see the drz4s easily making over 40hp at the wheel and being the same bulletproof bike as we have now.
I think it's perfect and they will sell tons of them if they don't raise the MSRP too much. I don't understand why everybody is upset about the 6th gear. It's a dual sport. Why are you riding it on the interstate?
@@salazam I do plenty of "dual" sport riding without ever riding on the interstate. If you need a 6th gear for interstate riding, then you should buy something besides a DRZ400.
Great take, as always! I think the wider ratio 5 speed would be nicer than a 6 speed in that you’re shifting a lot less during daily riding. My Harley gearbox was always nicer than my FJR and VFR1200x gearbox for that reason…. Less busy! From a design standpoint, Suzuki has always excited me, so I’m reasonably comfortable with the looks. I would honestly say that it’s quite tempting to want to trade my dr650 for one of the yellow ones. Let’s see what pricing looks like!
In the US, Kawasaki lowered the price of their KLX300 by $750 this year. That's nuts. Nothing is decreasing in price. That's going to put pressure on the new DRZ4S.
A hit. Don't let the DR-Z4S 5-speed bother you if the ratio is wide. For example, the high-torque DR650 with 5-speeds is easier to ride than the low-torque 300L with 6-speeds. The weight is still good overall, considering that KTM 390 Adv is about 50 lbs heavier. The throttle by wire should also allow an aftermarket cruise-control system as well.
6th gear would have been nice, though it's not a show stopper for me. I've had my 2002 DRZ S model since 2006. Right after I bought it I swapped to 14/47 gearing, which was perfect for trail riding as well as dirt roads. It wasn't great on highway, but it's rare that I need to run at highway speeds of 50mph+. At the beginning of the 2024 riding season, I went back to stock S gearing which is 15/44. It was like adding a 6th gear, so it's not hard to go 60 mph+ now, but highway riding is still a rarity. I switched gearing back to stock because I don't trail ride my DRZ any longer. For me, the new DR-Z is a hit! As an all-around, low maintenance dual sport motorcycle, the DR-Z is still a very decent and capable motorcycle. That's why I've had mine for so long. If something breaks, it's easy to find parts on eBay from a bike someone has parted out. I've done that a few times. I do plan on buying the new model. I doubt I will sell my '02 model though.
I am very tempted. Wish they dropped seat height a couple inches, but NBD. I liked my klx300 but it just lacked the oomph it needed to be good at highway and offroad and have that little zip that makes riding more fun.
Have you ridden the crf300l to compare to your klx? And I agree on the seat height...all of these bikes are getting too tall which makes the crf300l tempting to me as I'm only 5'7".
@@JohnnyBoy919 I have and I actually much preferred the KLX. 300cc just isn't enough for me it's that simple. I would have thought Suzuki would lower the seat height to make the bike appeal to a wider range of riders. Not a huge deal, but a bit perplexing.
I think this bike is a work of art. As it will most likely be built in Japan the quality will be outstanding. So happy Suzuki will build this. The attention to detail in design is amazing. I will be buying one.
I would have preferred on of these over my 23' 690 enduro R, as I am sure they would have been a bit cheaper and still offered me enough power for what I do. Too late now, I'm not downgrading. But I really like these.
If Suzuki prices the DR-Z4S the same as the Honda CRF300L, they’ve got a real winner on their hands. Let’s be honest, the 300L is down a solid 10HP compared to the DR-Z4S, and those shock absorbers? Absolute garbage. Suzuki’s got the edge here, no doubt about it.
Doesn't need to be the same price, Even at $1500 more than the Honda it is good value. The Honda needs $ spent on the suspension to make it half decent, and you can't buy the extra 10+ hp and torque .
Owned the previous DRZ with a wide ratio gearbox so will be very keen to compare the ratios when released. On paper it looks like torque is better. Can always put lightweight exhaust and lithium battery to lighten up.
the instant you swap the exhaust to something that isn't euro 5 compliant the bike will drop ~5kg, has been the same with every enduro bike that roll through the shop , they even ship from factory with "off road only" exhaust and get swapped before sale.
The new bike will do “fine” and sell decent, but had Suzuki simply added a 6th gear, they could have taken a healthy chunk of Honda/Kawasaki/etc’s share of the market. A 6th gear wouldn’t have drastically altered the price or weight, but it would have made the drz400 an even better all-arounder. This is less of a problem for larger displacement bikes like the klr650 & dr650 (but perhaps a similarly missed opportunity). For all you guys saying “5 gears is okay”, for YOU it probably is. But more sales is good for Suzuki right? Well there are hundreds of millions of people in metropolitan areas etc who have no dirt nearby. Freeways are usually required at some point. For those people (like me), this is where Honda actually makes the crf300l/rally viable by simply giving it an overdrive. Now ask yourself, how many people do you think would buy a drz400 with 6 gears over the Honda? If you don’t think it matters or is “fine/better/okay”, ask yourself why a bike with 25% less engine capacity has a 6th gear and look at the sales. At least Kawasaki acknowledges the importance of a 6th gear on their 300 bike. Suzuki tells those people to go buy their 650… else buy a Honda, Kawasaki, or even consider the incoming wave of actually good Chinese/Indian bikes like the cfMoto 450 for a similar price (and yes, for now, heavier less suspension travel etc). Innovation in any competitive market is important to stay relevant or else get whipped by smaller, more agile companies. Suzuki just mailed it in on the new drz. Honda is mostly doing the same with (likely) modest changes to the crf300 suspension, but Honda dominates sales every year by an insane margin. That gives them more room for dealing with something like the cfmoto 450mt, and the rapidly-improving Chinese and Indian bikes. In another 20 years, Suzuki, Yamaha, and even Honda might be wondering why they didn’t build the best products they could at every price point, because they are all using Chinese labor, too. Royal Enfield, Kove, etc might seem like small threats now, but that could change in a hurry. I remember when Triumph, Ducati and KTM were irrelevant. 30 years later and just a few rounds ago, Ducati bikes took the top EIGHT positions in a MotoGP race. You think after all these decades of domination Honda/Yamaha like seeing a tiny company destroy them in the world’s most-watched motorcycle events? I was very excited at the prospect of a buying a new drz400 with fuel injection and a 6th gear. Oh well, that was a deal-breaker for me. How many sales do you think Suzuki would have lost by *adding* one more gear? I’ll bet it would have been a lot less than the decision they went with.
There is no price until summer next year. Where did you get this information? Bike comes not before fall 2025 to Europe. That what Suzuki said at EICMA on their stand.
Everything is great except the 330 lbs. how is that even possible for a dual sport of this size??? Are they trying to make it heavier? The CRF450L is 290 lbs.
Only a miss with the tank and the seat for me. It's a dual sport not a dirt bike. Would have loved to have seen the tank and seat from the 94 DR650 on there.
Then this might simply not be the right bike for you in Germany. Here in Scandinavia, with it’s tens of thousands of kilometers of unpaved roads and speeds from 50-90km/h, this bike is perfect - it just needs a slightly bigger tank = more reach to work up here. There is no ”One fits all!” when it comes to motorcycles!
Yes, as many have already pointed out, there are both upsides and downsides. While there are some clear improvements, there are also areas of disappointment. Ultimately, I believe the price will be the deciding factor in whether it succeeds or falls short. If it’s priced within 10% of the CRF300 or KLX300, it will likely be a hit. However, if the price exceeds that by more, people will likely look for alternatives.
As a competitor for the CRF300L and the like its' OK, but the DRZ400 had that well covered anyway. I suspect in a few years they will add a few HP and reduce weight a few KG
I have long since sold my DRZ but the only thing that would get me to move from my old modded one to the new one is if the gear spread was just too good to say no to.
The headlight is a little odd at first. But I think its a good thing. Less likely to be damaged. Ive seen many comments about not enough gears and too much weight. If you can not ride one of these bikes somewhat quick and have fun in the bush. It's not a problem with the bike. Too many get caught up on spec sheets. These are the kinds of bikes that create great riders because they are down on power. But instead of doing maintenance after every ride. You just get to ride more often. As long as its a wide ratio box, add a little more fuel capacity. This thing will be great. Suzuki's are Toyota of the bike world. Just go and enjoy a simple (in todays market) and reliable bike.
Hey Solid. Duncan here on the east coast. Can you do an artical on the reasons why we dont get to see the Rieju adventura 500 in Australia to me it seams like the perfect bike for long hall.
920mm seat height eh?. I'd love to see a video of the diminutive japanese design engineers ride this bike through town after a country ride and deal with traffic lights and road camber.
If suspension is the same, engine is a bit down but EFI, and ergos are similar I’m OK with the 5spd gearbox BUT ONLY if they either reduced 1&2 a bit and increased 5 a bit. If they did, I’m sold. Take my money!
@azzogathor definitely understand that. I really wanted the new DRZ in addition to my heavily modified DR. Can't really justify it with the weight. My DR weighs 353lbs with a full 4.9 gallon tank. So saving 20lbs with less power and fuel makes very little sense.
Five years ago, Rocky Mountain ATV did a shootout between the Honda CRF450L and KTM 500 EXC-F. In that video there were other bikes on the ride including the DRZ and 701. When the track got a bit trickier, and considering they were carrying luggage, the DRZ burnt out its clutch and the 701 was touch and go, both having issues because first gear was too tall for the conditions. It was very obvious in the video that the 6 speed Honda and KTM had a much easier time of it, both in the trickier sections and on the highway. Worth a watch. kez3YA19w-I
I agree with your assessment. We'll have to see if it has personality because that could make a big difference. Not holding my breath though. I think die hard Suzuki fans will buy it and enjoy it, but there's more exciting bikes coming for all of us looking for the unicorn. I'm ready to pay what I need to for a magic machine with character.
Like the Spanish inquisition, nobody expected a new DRZ, while its lacking in some spots, I totally understand why the KLR Treatment was done, price, and to be honest, I feel it’s mostly going to be around the same as the KLR 650 is, they may have a Acro full or slip on exhaust from the factory, they have a rack, a safari tank should solve the problem with the petrol. I think Suzuki may take the Wild Card reward, especially with both the S & SM its will sell quite well, I plan on getting the S version. I stopped testing or thinking about what? I just have to decide on 1 or two😊 **So Its Dec 2024, fast fwd every one screaming Flop, terrible, shame on you Suzuki and the first shipment has already been pre-sold, its going to be around 10-11K depending of what you put on. Ordered. The Renault Trafic arrives first (support van) Now thats just me thing, what works for may not work for you. I run my own business, group rides, bushwalking, rucking with weighted backpacks. for Mental Health.
This is a win all the way around. No we didn't get a 6th gear but hey, the wide gear ratio will help. The best part is that no gear ratio numbers have been released yet so nobody knows what to expect. As long as the price is still somewhat in line with normal mid-weight single cylinder thumpers we'll be golden!!!
It should've had a 6-speed, but that's not a deal-breaker. The weight doesn't bother me. It's probably mostly in the exhaust, and a full exhaust and ECU are pretty much a requirement these days due to regulations. Cruise control would've been nice.
if you ride the E model i think the DRZ4s will be a slight let down , buut if you have the old S model then the new one will be not much different , a little heaver but i could live with that 😁 as long as it does have a better gearbox 😉👍 like the look buuut that light 😧 keep well Solid and stay safe-ish 😉🍺
I Understand EFI For Emissions But I Believe FortNine's Explanation Of EFI Vs. Carburetion. I Want A Carbureted DRZ. Thank You. (Like #875 - Comment #304)
The KTM 390 Enduro R looks like it might be coming for the DRZs spot. It'll be the typical Performance & Features vs Reliability. DRZ is looking really good right now with all these updates though.
I didn't check it,but the KTM 690 is 158 dry, wet is around 175 , depends on the tank size. My friend have 701 with extra petrol tank and rally tower,and it is more than 170kg. KTM gives always dry weight specs.151 kg for drz is ok. It is a dual sport,not a race bike. For me it looks ok. It's not amazing,but it's ok.
Living in Europe and riding the TET, this is definitely a hit.
The short ratio 5 speed was always the biggest flaw of the DR-Z400. I'd be perfectly happy with a wide ratio 5 speed but if its the same its going to be a flop. A low 1st gear for tight off road and a high top gear for the highway is essential for this type of bike. The CRF300 and WR250R got this right.
Exactly. Husqvarna didn't have good spacing in my fe350s. 6 speeds.....6th gear by 45 mph and only gets buzzier. Though it isn't meant to be a dual sport but an enduro. The point remains: proper spacing, not number of gears, is what matter.
I geared my 300 down and almost never use 1st, lol. It's like I have a 5-speed but the granny gear is there if I need it.
@@salazam I have an enduro. 6 gears that max out by 45 mph lol. Only gets buzzier from there (anything above 60 mph gets real uncomfortable).
The fact that they have not made ANY marketing regarding the transmission it’a a clear indication that they DID NOT CHANGE the spacing. The management in all Suzuki Moto should be fired!!! The ONY mayor issue of the drz was the trasmission..
@@carenzaguidoseems like most everyone who TH-cam’s and reads comments have never gone on the website to see the photo with the engine and wvery part they highlighted in yellow has been revised which is almost the entire engine. Including a bunch of the gears. Hard to say if it’s the gear shape for less oil drag or ratio. They did mention the drag though. Reguardless seems most people miss that part, solid even called it the same engine right at the start of the video, yes it’s the same but yet not as it’s nearly fully updated.
I like the front headlight, no angular nonsense.
As long as it shines where you ride , it will be fine
That’s why I’m not buying the Suzuki 8S, an otherwise great bike. Hideous headlight.
@@kignacio Ugly headlights are what make a Suzuki a Suzuki. They haven't had a good one on their gixxer since '89.
I'm just happy that it's back, The 5 speed doesen't bother me so much. Also I like the headlight. It's very low profile, so much less likely to get damaged off road. I'll be buying one when they come out.
Exactly. It's about time they cater to the homosexual market!
Ripped Italian company, TM off there...being Italians,they got it just right though!
As far as the headlight goes, that’s just how technology works, over time everything gets smaller and yet somehow becomes more powerful and efficient. People learn to get over the change and eventually everyone starts saying how good it looks simply because it usually exceeds their expectations. It’s been happening with every little detail in the automotive industry for decades.
My first truck was a _3_-speed. My first bikes were 4-speeds. They all ran at highway speeds just fine. I rode 5-speed bikes for decades. I’m still riding a DR650. All over the country. On the highway. If the gear ratios are right, a 5-speed is perfectly fine.
Your truck and that DR are higher cc and thus rev way less on the highway. I don't want to be sitting on a single cylinder buzzing away at 7k rpm below my butt to reach the trails
a dr650 gearbox is fine at 120kmh a drz is absolute shit--- ive had 4 dr650s and 1 drz--- never again
@@tolga1cool Neither do I! 😉
@@thelonewolf666 That’s kinda my point - it’ll be OK _if_ they get the gear ratios right! 😃
The sad thing is that the ratios already exist as nova racing has had wide ratio gears for the DRZ for over a decade. Suzuki didn't even need to start from scratch they just needed to copy.
I honestly have no complaints. Everyone is moaning about the 5 speed, but a 5 speed is fine if the spacing is well judged.
I completely agree. If they fixed the spacing (not mentioned on their website) then it is a non issue. If the spacing is the same I'd truly prefer the old.
@TommyNitro well, the engine diagrams show that there are differences in the gearbox, but the ratios are not mentioned.
@@musguelha14 Yeah. They changed the composition and there is supposed to be less friction. But they didn't say if they actually addressed the ratio, which they had to know is the main complaint. Makes me a tad suspicious.
The CRF300l basically has 4 gears. I start in 2nd and 6th is useless so 5 usable gears is a win for me
Can’t you just put a smaller sprocket on it? I know it won’t be an overall fix but it should help on the highway with Redlining
I’ve owned both the DR350 with the 6 speed trans and the DRZ with the 5 speed, I loved my DR350 I even put a 441 big bore kit on it which really brought the bike to life, I wish Suzuki would mount the DRZ400 head to a DR350 6 speed gear box and be done with it, we don’t want fancy, we want reliability and functionality out of a dual sport, if they would just take advantage of modern technology and create a dual sport DRZ with a 6 speed tranny (which seems to be standard today) and give us a bike that’s in the 400-500cc ballpark but sub 300lbs it would absolutely dominate the market, I’ve been waiting for Suzuki of which always seems to be 10 years behind everyone else to come out with a product that we want.
We don’t necessarily care about the weight as long as they address the transmission and power issue, the reliability factor is why we love Suzuki so much and want to see a solid bike from them, a new transmission in a 6 speed and potentially a 440cc motor at a sub 300lbs bike is easily achievable and if they would just bite it in the ass and get it done I guarantee it would be a hit!!!!!
I think it looks great. What will make it hit or miss is the pricing.
Also if in fact those gears are spaced better it will be a huge win
@TheParaxore Well, if the need of highways are so great maybe it's the wrong bike? But of course it would be much better to have the opportunity to do both. I know I miss a sixth gear on my old KTM 625. It's either sky high first gear and clutch riding offroad or change gearing and stay under 100kmh. I chose under 100kmh 😄 Much better that way. Best of the bad would be a tall fifth gear. Can't really use it off-road anyway. But as far as I know no brand has done this to any good effect. Doubt Suzuki will be any different. Jap companies still use fax machines - I'm not holding my breath.
..and yes, that 'missing' gear
Ya for extremely poor people, but what is few hundred dollars, or a thousand here and there really matter, most people go wild anyhow buying this that and the other thing anyhow....I think ball park is the idea...pick the bike you like, buy it, ride it, and less nit picking is what the M/C world needs, more specifically, the ADV world.
If it goes up more than a grand, into the garbage it goes
I thought it was a fail until watching this video. You make some good points. If the gearbox is tractor-2-3-4-highway, I would be happy with that (I bet it isn't though). Would have liked to see 490cc and close to 50hp. Too heavy for me though - would have liked to see low 140s wet. My DR650 is 159kgs with 20 L in the tank - I think I'll just keep it until some manufacturer comes up with something better.
It is refreshing to hear "DRZ" pronounced correctly on youtube!
Updated but the same. Still need to strip weight. Still need more power, but not cheap now, like just carving up the air box and jetting with a slip-on. Probably still needs pegs, different mirrors, conformal signals, new seat. There have been a lot of engine changes, so we will have to wait and see. I personally do not care about 6th gear, modes, fuel gage, or gear indicator, and ABS. Better throttle response will be nice. Glad it lives on.
Thank you for reporting with realistic views and expectations. More of this needed in an environment where hype around new motorcycles is based on what less than 5% of the riders want, can afford or handle imo 👌
"old blokes who grew up with 5 speed"
I'm 62 and I've had 6 speed gearboxes on bikes built in the 70s!
My 2006 Honda FMX650 is a 5sp...never bothered me!
I'm 64, had a 6 speed Yamaha RD 350 that was built in 1975. Several other 6 speeds were on the market in the 70s
I have a 18 Drz and a 91 dr250 and the 250 has a 6 speed lol but the drz is still a better all rounder bike not a huge fan of the new one but love my 18 I'll just end up doing the 470 kit and wide ratio myself and plan to get something else for anything over hr on the highway and I want to walk lol that has nothing to do with the speed just comfort issue I regularly run my drz 70-80 mph just fine
My Suzuki X6 Scrambler had a 6 speed in the 60's. Mt DRZ 400S does fine with 5, but I do wish that it were wider ratio. I just might buy the aftermarket kit for that.
This bike looks amazing. I just bought a 2023 DRZ 400 and I love it. No EFI, still carb, but that's OK. Everything else great, speed power, seat height pretty good.
Better than losing it. Suspension suspension suspension, the most expansive upgrade for most of us, about time. As far as frame geometry and the rest, will have to wait and see. We were never going to get 6 speed. But the biggest missed opportunity is that pussy 8lt fuel tank, what were they thinking, 13-14lt is a no-brainer & save the average weekend camper upgrading or carrying extra.
@@ShadowVonChadwick That's aftermarket territory. Most of us ride a few hours over the day and for that it's enough. I have 9 liters on my current KTM and it's enough for a day of misbehaving. Or at least it's enough for us to tire. 😅
It's worth a test ride for sure, and you could easily bring the weight down a bit with mods, but it is a shame that it's still a 5 speed. Hopefully the suspension works well and certainly the EFI brings this bike into the modern age, along with the USD forks.
It will be interesting to compare this back to back with the previous DRZ400, and to compare the new bike with bikes like the CRF300L and KLX300. I think that comparison will show whether the extra weight is ok given the HP and whether the 5 speed is also ok given the torque and HP.
@@morkys2410 Way too heavy for real off road riding in difficult terrain and the 5 speed gearbox is not helpful.
@@stefanmolter1826why you need more than 5 gears to ride off road?
@@airadaimagery692 It's very simple, because to reach the off road terrain on the paved road (not using a trailer). This is very relaxed and comfortable with my CRF300.
Having owned 3 different Drz400 bikes over the years I am excited for this bike and have a bit more positive view than most of the speculation I have read online.
Nearly all the criticisms I have read are directly related to the things Suzuki has had to do to meet Euro 5 regulations. Common complaints are about the electronics including the abs and traction control which of course it doesnt need but it does to meet Euro 5. The extra weight also comes from all the crap needed to meet euro 5. The lowish horsepower again is because of Euro 5 and emissions regulations.
Suzuki has to do these things to be able to sell these bikes in the new world we live in. The great thing is if I buy this bike I can do whatever I like to it. I can toss the catalytic converter exhaust system de-restrict the airbox change the fuel mapping and instantly lose weight and gain HP. If I want to I can also disconnect the abs system fit direct braided brake lines and toss the abs control module and pump saving more weight. The five speed gearbox is really not a deal breaker on a trail bike.
If you want to go fast on the road get a different bike a trail bike is not what you need. The only real issue I have with this bike is the headlight. Aside from looking terrible visibility to other road users is going to be terrible and a safety hazard. That headlight will make you look like a push bike and hardly visible at all to other road users at night. Fuel injection upgraded suspension and better handling have got me excited to check this bike out in person and I can't wait for it to hit the dealerships.
Spot on - it is probably the optimum they could achieve under Euro 5. Be happy that you live in a free country!
Agreed, I'd be tempted to do all this too, and I'll possibly buy one. I think I'll just ride it a few weeks and see what I want to do. Maybe put a bigger tank on and leave it at that if it's good enough as is.
best comment right here! i mean if Suzuki didn't put tc and abs all the people would have said "omg this is a bike from the dark ages " or something like that, now that it has all those things people are complaining. Let's not forget 2 things : there were people that smuggled new drz from africa to europe and changed the engine codes so that it matched the one on the papers from old drz , and 2 : now the owners of old drz can chill a little with those high prices of 20 year old drz ..i mean 5k for an old drz is just exagerated . Can't wait to try it .
"The only real issue is the headlight🤣
wow that's a lot of cope
I bought a 2006 drz400s, and have been riding it and fixing it up. I have about 400 some miles on it so far, and it feels really good despite its seat height. It's a great bike, and it's been a lot of fun to ride so far. I'll definitely be buying the new version of this bike next year!
That is a very pretty bike and I want one.
I agree about the headlight. It’s not a rugged,off road look! However,the plastic surrounding it gives it a little more shape and definition,so that makes it look a little better! And about the gears, my Honda 300 Rally has 6 gears,but it doesn’t have the power to really do anything with it! I’ve never really ridden a 5 speed besides an old KLR 650. Sometimes I thought about a 6th gear on that bike,but really,these bikes aren’t really made to go much over 70 anyway. And besides,I’m not sure why you’d really want to go faster than that! These are just be-boppin around bikes,not race bikes! But yeah,I can agree that another gear would be a nice feature.
Swap sprockets and you can harness some more of that torque of the 300. Cheapest and most effective upgrade by far. I run a 13/52 and it'll come up in 2nd... break dirt in 4th (on stock tires tho).
03:00 the headlight of the DRZ4S is wayyyyy better than the CRF300 Rally! I know the Rally is supposed to be an "ADV" version of the 300L but Honda's 300 Rally looks like an escaped Minion lol. So, this DRZ4S ain't that bad, although I agree, I would still want to replace it with a rally tower.
300 Rally looks like wearing a gas mask from WWI, I simply can not swallow it.
DRZ4S headlight won't win beauty contests, but compared to the Rally it wins even in a total dark.😁
I'd rather install a badass Baja Design light or something on the front if no rally tower options haha.
@@bigcornel9302 Hahaha right?!
@@ganuvien Same
Despite the looks, they work really well, especially compared against market peers.
On the whole a good bike. Get one. Get outside. Get it dirty and enjoy the freedom you still have and stop whining. Life is too short.
exactly
Well said!!!
Already had one. Sold it to make room for something better. So did Solid, if I remember correctly. And thousands of other riders who were bored with the DRZ. Unfortunately, Suzuki did the Japanese thing (bare minimum effort) again and only fixed half of the things that needed improvement. Instead of bringing a 90s era bike into 2025, they brought it into 2010s.
Nope get a ktm exc or one of its cousins and send it, life is too short for boring motorbikes 😂
@@glennwr450here in UK mate, we really can't go tearing around. I've got a 501, which I'm happy to give moderate beans to in empty France or Portugal but in our crowded island, a quiet and calm dual sport is pretty good.
Keeping a tried and true motor outputting well within its spec for horsepower is a smart thing for reliability. EFI should help a lot with fuel economy and range, hopefully it's mapped cleanly for great response and smooth fueling at low throttle inputs.
The only issue I could have is the size of the fuel tank, but that's par for the course with dual sports. Oh, and they didn't do a Rally version, but overall, looks fantastic.
I think you nailed it Solid. Not the end of the world. Its great to see the update as opposed to the DRZ fading off into the sunset. Currently I think it will be my pick next year over the new 390 as it seems KTM won't be able to keep the weight close to the DRZ even with its few extra pounds. A true dualsport.
But that headlight!!! Ughhh!!
It was telling that KTM made no mention of the 390 ADV weight.
@@chroniclesofsolid I think it will be a respectable weight for a light ADV, but not for a dualsport.
I've ridden the 390 and didnt like it. It's small and doesn't feel very off road capable.
@@chrro466 I like the looks of the new 390's. If it was a beauty contest the 390ADV would beat the new DRZ4S hands down. In my opinion of course.
Great but I'll wait for reviews for vibration at 100kph and rpm at the same speed.
Yamaha needs to pay attention..and come out with a wr350r
Agreed
Hey Solid. Definitely a miss for me. Don’t want the electronics and 330 lb is 80 lb more than my 2017 250 excf. The last nail in the coffin for me is that I anticipate the price to be around 10000 Can$ out the door, that is based on the fact that the 300L is 8500 out the door here in Canada. Not sure why moto companies think that adding more crap to bikes is a good thing. Rider modes on a wheezy dual sport is ridiculous. Might as well include training wheels while they are at it.
Absolut richtig ihr Kommentar💯👍
I pre-ordered mine with training wheels. You got a problem?
There is no way to get around electronics if you want to make a Euro5+ bike. TC and riding modes are just software, except of the switches no additional hardware required that could break.
PS: This is a dual sport. Not an enduro. EXC is another class of bike.
@@kai-uweoch1159 Absolut unnötiger und überflüssiger Schnickschnack!
Hi Solid. Finally did it just bought a CRF 300L. Thanks for all the info and enthusiasm for them. It will sit next to my 1150 GS very nicely. Hope you’re well. Regards William.
Congrats William, it will be a great little dual sport👍 Let me know how you get on with it.
The headlight Looks better than 1995 does on the 400.
Bet it works 2000% better aswell. Also less realestate for flying projectiles trying to smash it.
Projector lenses are way more efficient, cheaper to produce and brighter than reflectors.
This is why torches are no longer the size of a dolphin torch while struggling to complete with a candle.
All the reviews (and the Suzuki websitr) talk about ride by wire yet in the gallery on theit website there is a pic of the cockpit and it clearly has 2 throttle cables exiting the throttle housing.
If they get the gear ratios right, and with the torque of the DR-Z, it’s an all around win in my opinion 😉👍.
Nice assessment! I’m happy to see this revamp, I’m more of a street rider so I’m likely to pick up the SM if the reviews are good.
Love it! Would prefer 6 speed but if they have reworked the 5 speed ratios so it can stretch its legs then it won’t matter. Also like to see it go head to head with the KTM 390 Adv R in the the real world… 🍻
For me its a miss opportunity,, for Australian conditions needs a proper size fuel tank and a 6 gear for the open road.
Definitely.
Maybe a different bike would fit the needs better.
Also for me in Germany, fuel tank is o.k. but the 5 speed gearbox is not helpful for paved roads. I drove a DRZ400E in Namibia with 5 speed, but there were the most roads gravel.
No doubt Safari tanks will make a larger capacity tank like they did for the current DRZ , after all what is a proper sized fuel tank, 15,20,25,30,40 litres ? I somehow don’t think that Suzuki is building the bike purely for the Australian market, so point one is null and void.
For the past 20+ years of existence people have done big rides on the DRZ both here in OZ and around the world, so I don’t see why the lack of 6 gears is an issue, I can cruise all day at 100 Kph on my DRZ.
Love my ‘adventurized’ DRZ and am excited about the FI model. I am very curious regarding gear ratio since it will remain a 5 speed and pray that the 5th gear is taller for the pavement portions to the trails. I hope it’s a hit and the aftermarket goodies are available quickly for those of us who modify bikes to suit tastes and riding style (who doesn’t). A 2.3 gallon tank doesn’t give me the range and I am done lugging bladders and tanks around.
Would like to have seen a rally version
This.
Looks are starting to grow on me.
Love the SM version. And I love the headlight.
They had decades to respond with a new DRZ With an enthusiastic fan base waiting for it . They could’ve and should’ve really done something better! In my opinion.
I like the front light. It makes it look cleaner or motocross like. What I don't like is NO 6th gear.
If they’ve followed the ACT gearing that was available for years as a relatively straightforward modification, then it could address the need for a taller top gear while keeping the low gearing for the dirt.
Has anyone seen Yamaha lately? Where are they in the sub-500cc game? BMW’s stepping up, KTM’s bringing new rides, Royal Enfield’s dropping fresh ones, and China’s flooding the market. But Yamaha? Feels like they’re just cruising in neutral. What’s their move?
They seem to have put all their eggs in one basket. The T7. With all its variants now, it's sad that we only get the base model here in the states.
this is a a drz400s replacement compared to the s model it's 6kg heavier and a couple of hp less. they added the emissions and safety gear and kept it very close in specs to the old one. which is great for everywhere the s model is sold and the places where it can now be sold.
not so great for australia as we lose the E model which is 13kg lighter and 11hp more.
but i don't think it will be as bad as appears on the surface for us australians either.
like every other new bike an exhaust and a tune will ditch some weight and add power.
and the new motor looks like it has more potential than even the current E model due to it's larger ports, 42mm throttle body.
the crf450rl makes less power than the E model i can see the drz4s easily making over 40hp at the wheel and being the same bulletproof bike as we have now.
11 hp more...😂 try 3.
drz400s has 39hp at the crank.
drz4s has 38hp
drz400e has 48hp
you know sfa
Dear Mr Solid, thank you once again for an excellent review ☺️👍
Thanks for watching 👍
That was fast lol. Great video, I agree with the TC point.
I think it's perfect and they will sell tons of them if they don't raise the MSRP too much. I don't understand why everybody is upset about the 6th gear. It's a dual sport. Why are you riding it on the interstate?
Some people want a do it all bike. But yea a dual sport over 110km/hr is the opposite of a pleasant experience regardless of power or gearing.
Because that's the "dual" part of dual-sport?
@@salazam I do plenty of "dual" sport riding without ever riding on the interstate. If you need a 6th gear for interstate riding, then you should buy something besides a DRZ400.
@@GLHS592 5-speed cope
@@salazam nah it's a response to snowflake mope.
Great take, as always! I think the wider ratio 5 speed would be nicer than a 6 speed in that you’re shifting a lot less during daily riding. My Harley gearbox was always nicer than my FJR and VFR1200x gearbox for that reason…. Less busy! From a design standpoint, Suzuki has always excited me, so I’m reasonably comfortable with the looks. I would honestly say that it’s quite tempting to want to trade my dr650 for one of the yellow ones. Let’s see what pricing looks like!
won't know how good or not until we get to ride it.
In the US, Kawasaki lowered the price of their KLX300 by $750 this year. That's nuts. Nothing is decreasing in price. That's going to put pressure on the new DRZ4S.
A hit. Don't let the DR-Z4S 5-speed bother you if the ratio is wide. For example, the high-torque DR650 with 5-speeds is easier to ride than the low-torque 300L with 6-speeds. The weight is still good overall, considering that KTM 390 Adv is about 50 lbs heavier. The throttle by wire should also allow an aftermarket cruise-control system as well.
the 390 is the worst bike ever, comparing any bike to that is low hanging fruit. "Hey well at least it's not complete dogshit, right?"
@@chrro466 We have riding to do to get to trails. Having cruise control means you get there without being pre-tired.
6th gear would have been nice, though it's not a show stopper for me. I've had my 2002 DRZ S model since 2006. Right after I bought it I swapped to 14/47 gearing, which was perfect for trail riding as well as dirt roads. It wasn't great on highway, but it's rare that I need to run at highway speeds of 50mph+. At the beginning of the 2024 riding season, I went back to stock S gearing which is 15/44. It was like adding a 6th gear, so it's not hard to go 60 mph+ now, but highway riding is still a rarity. I switched gearing back to stock because I don't trail ride my DRZ any longer.
For me, the new DR-Z is a hit!
As an all-around, low maintenance dual sport motorcycle, the DR-Z is still a very decent and capable motorcycle. That's why I've had mine for so long. If something breaks, it's easy to find parts on eBay from a bike someone has parted out. I've done that a few times. I do plan on buying the new model. I doubt I will sell my '02 model though.
I am very tempted. Wish they dropped seat height a couple inches, but NBD. I liked my klx300 but it just lacked the oomph it needed to be good at highway and offroad and have that little zip that makes riding more fun.
Have you ridden the crf300l to compare to your klx? And I agree on the seat height...all of these bikes are getting too tall which makes the crf300l tempting to me as I'm only 5'7".
@@JohnnyBoy919 I have and I actually much preferred the KLX. 300cc just isn't enough for me it's that simple. I would have thought Suzuki would lower the seat height to make the bike appeal to a wider range of riders. Not a huge deal, but a bit perplexing.
Thinking the market is getting crowded. This is one that will have to be ridden to tell if the whole package works.. maybe it doesn’t need a 6th gear.
🤞
Man, I had the new KLR, everyone complained about no 6th gear, the 5 speed was just fine !
@@markcollins5026 people complain… that’s what they do.. with that much torque they can spread out the gearing.
I think this bike is a work of art. As it will most likely be built in Japan the quality will be outstanding. So happy Suzuki will build this. The attention to detail in design is amazing. I will be buying one.
I would have preferred on of these over my 23' 690 enduro R, as I am sure they would have been a bit cheaper and still offered me enough power for what I do. Too late now, I'm not downgrading. But I really like these.
If Suzuki prices the DR-Z4S the same as the Honda CRF300L, they’ve got a real winner on their hands. Let’s be honest, the 300L is down a solid 10HP compared to the DR-Z4S, and those shock absorbers? Absolute garbage. Suzuki’s got the edge here, no doubt about it.
Not a chance. Will be a $12k AUD bike.
I'd guess it's going to edge up between the current drz400 and crf450rl in price. No way it will be anywhere close to a 300L.
Doesn't need to be the same price, Even at $1500 more than the Honda it is good value. The Honda needs $ spent on the suspension to make it half decent, and you can't buy the extra 10+ hp and torque .
Not gonna happen, it was $7299 in the US last year for the carbureted version.
@@ericweber1969 Last year (2023 model year) it was $7099, not $7299. 2024 Model year it is $7199, not $7299 US.
Owned the previous DRZ with a wide ratio gearbox so will be very keen to compare the ratios when released. On paper it looks like torque is better. Can always put lightweight exhaust and lithium battery to lighten up.
unless yamaha launches a wr 350r or similar, this will be my new bike
the instant you swap the exhaust to something that isn't euro 5 compliant the bike will drop ~5kg, has been the same with every enduro bike that roll through the shop , they even ship from factory with "off road only" exhaust and get swapped before sale.
New 2024 DRZ 400S in yellow at my local shop was discontinued to $4995. when these debut! Should I grab it?
Yeah Mate!!!!!!
The new bike will do “fine” and sell decent, but had Suzuki simply added a 6th gear, they could have taken a healthy chunk of Honda/Kawasaki/etc’s share of the market. A 6th gear wouldn’t have drastically altered the price or weight, but it would have made the drz400 an even better all-arounder. This is less of a problem for larger displacement bikes like the klr650 & dr650 (but perhaps a similarly missed opportunity).
For all you guys saying “5 gears is okay”, for YOU it probably is. But more sales is good for Suzuki right? Well there are hundreds of millions of people in metropolitan areas etc who have no dirt nearby. Freeways are usually required at some point. For those people (like me), this is where Honda actually makes the crf300l/rally viable by simply giving it an overdrive. Now ask yourself, how many people do you think would buy a drz400 with 6 gears over the Honda? If you don’t think it matters or is “fine/better/okay”, ask yourself why a bike with 25% less engine capacity has a 6th gear and look at the sales. At least Kawasaki acknowledges the importance of a 6th gear on their 300 bike. Suzuki tells those people to go buy their 650… else buy a Honda, Kawasaki, or even consider the incoming wave of actually good Chinese/Indian bikes like the cfMoto 450 for a similar price (and yes, for now, heavier less suspension travel etc).
Innovation in any competitive market is important to stay relevant or else get whipped by smaller, more agile companies. Suzuki just mailed it in on the new drz. Honda is mostly doing the same with (likely) modest changes to the crf300 suspension, but Honda dominates sales every year by an insane margin. That gives them more room for dealing with something like the cfmoto 450mt, and the rapidly-improving Chinese and Indian bikes. In another 20 years, Suzuki, Yamaha, and even Honda might be wondering why they didn’t build the best products they could at every price point, because they are all using Chinese labor, too. Royal Enfield, Kove, etc might seem like small threats now, but that could change in a hurry. I remember when Triumph, Ducati and KTM were irrelevant. 30 years later and just a few rounds ago, Ducati bikes took the top EIGHT positions in a MotoGP race. You think after all these decades of domination Honda/Yamaha like seeing a tiny company destroy them in the world’s most-watched motorcycle events?
I was very excited at the prospect of a buying a new drz400 with fuel injection and a 6th gear. Oh well, that was a deal-breaker for me. How many sales do you think Suzuki would have lost by *adding* one more gear? I’ll bet it would have been a lot less than the decision they went with.
Too much electronics, too heavy, too expensive. Price in Finland 12k€ - 4k€ more than CRF300L. What is the point?
There is no price until summer next year. Where did you get this information? Bike comes not before fall 2025 to Europe. That what Suzuki said at EICMA on their stand.
it's twice the bike a crf300l is though.
The old drz was twice the bike. Not this one.
@@6226superhurricane Honda poops Suzy's. I say that as a gixxer owner and Schwantz fan, I'm sorry but it's true.
Not sure how either new or old drz is twice the bike. It has a little bit more power and better suspension. Not twice the power
Everything is great except the 330 lbs. how is that even possible for a dual sport of this size??? Are they trying to make it heavier? The CRF450L is 290 lbs.
Not sure but I bet it is because of the exhaust system due to emission regulations
It has ABS, a big cat in the header, and Suzukis rider aids system. All that adds weight.
I'm more excited about the KTM 390 Enduro R than this updated DRZ4S.
Sitting next to a 990RC R...sorry,it was hard to notice the 390...that thing is stunning!
I fear that being based on the Duke it's going to be around Duke weight. All KTM needed to do was put the LC8c in 690 ER with a budget build.
@@burddog0792it's A2 it will be around 175kg
@@hergaster4443the 390 adventure will be, but the 390 enduro r should be lighter than the 690🤞
@@johnvollebregt917 they're a2 bikes they can't weigh any less than 175kg
Seat and wiegh too high for my taste. I am planning to move from my DR650 to a klx300 this spring and this updated DRZ wont make me change my mind.
You got the crf300l as well.
Love the looks of the yellow one. Headlight doesn't kill it for me.
Thanks for that. Interesting. I am looking forward to seeing the BMW 450gs as it is twin cylinder. I will be interested to hear what you think.
Only a miss with the tank and the seat for me. It's a dual sport not a dirt bike. Would have loved to have seen the tank and seat from the 94 DR650 on there.
Man, nice it is a dual sport, that 2x4 seat stinks, and could use a bigger tank !
5 gears will be a MAJOR problem imho. Especially living in europe were legal trails are few and far between and 100-130kph is the norm in between
Then this might simply not be the right bike for you in Germany. Here in Scandinavia, with it’s tens of thousands of kilometers of unpaved roads and speeds from 50-90km/h, this bike is perfect - it just needs a slightly bigger tank = more reach to work up here.
There is no ”One fits all!” when it comes to motorcycles!
I like it. I would like to put the front forks on my 250sx.
Yes, as many have already pointed out, there are both upsides and downsides. While there are some clear improvements, there are also areas of disappointment. Ultimately, I believe the price will be the deciding factor in whether it succeeds or falls short. If it’s priced within 10% of the CRF300 or KLX300, it will likely be a hit. However, if the price exceeds that by more, people will likely look for alternatives.
I think I prefer the orange one.
As a competitor for the CRF300L and the like its' OK, but the DRZ400 had that well covered anyway.
I suspect in a few years they will add a few HP and reduce weight a few KG
They should release it in a 4 wheel version too. Id buy it in a heartbeat.
I like it a lot, even the headlight😎
Suzukis are GREAT bikes....reliable and good price as always.
What there be enough changes to warrant trading up From your older DRZ for the new model ?
I have long since sold my DRZ but the only thing that would get me to move from my old modded one to the new one is if the gear spread was just too good to say no to.
Heavy beasts I remember 4 guys had to help get mine out the mud lol
The headlight is a little odd at first. But I think its a good thing. Less likely to be damaged.
Ive seen many comments about not enough gears and too much weight. If you can not ride one of these bikes somewhat quick and have fun in the bush. It's not a problem with the bike. Too many get caught up on spec sheets. These are the kinds of bikes that create great riders because they are down on power. But instead of doing maintenance after every ride. You just get to ride more often.
As long as its a wide ratio box, add a little more fuel capacity. This thing will be great. Suzuki's are Toyota of the bike world. Just go and enjoy a simple (in todays market) and reliable bike.
Hey Solid. Duncan here on the east coast.
Can you do an artical on the reasons why we dont get to see the Rieju adventura 500 in Australia to me it seams like the perfect bike for long hall.
Updated 300 rally coming , updated suspension , different graphics🤔..if they had released a 400 rally that would have been better.
920mm seat height eh?. I'd love to see a video of the diminutive japanese design engineers ride this bike through town after a country ride and deal with traffic lights and road camber.
I’d love to see a comparison between several makes the same size.
If suspension is the same, engine is a bit down but EFI, and ergos are similar I’m OK with the 5spd gearbox BUT ONLY if they either reduced 1&2 a bit and increased 5 a bit. If they did, I’m sold. Take my money!
It isn't the number of gears, it is how they keep you in the sweet spot of the power band that matters.
How can I trade a E model and be happy? I'm going from 270 lbs and 40 Hp at the rear wheel to 330 lbs and 31 Hp at the wheel.No thank you
Pretty much. Weight is too close to the DR650 to not just get the 650.
@@caseymckeeborrego This release is more for the heavily-emission-controlled areas where they don't sell the DR650.
@azzogathor definitely understand that.
I really wanted the new DRZ in addition to my heavily modified DR. Can't really justify it with the weight. My DR weighs 353lbs with a full 4.9 gallon tank. So saving 20lbs with less power and fuel makes very little sense.
Five years ago, Rocky Mountain ATV did a shootout between the Honda CRF450L and KTM 500 EXC-F. In that video there were other bikes on the ride including the DRZ and 701. When the track got a bit trickier, and considering they were carrying luggage, the DRZ burnt out its clutch and the 701 was touch and go, both having issues because first gear was too tall for the conditions. It was very obvious in the video that the 6 speed Honda and KTM had a much easier time of it, both in the trickier sections and on the highway. Worth a watch. kez3YA19w-I
Is that small headlight going to be good in low/high beam or both turned on?
If the FI and fly by wire malarkey allows for wider ratio and/or taller gearing?
That could be an acceptable compromise to a 6 speedy box.
I like it. And like he said at the end... Honda XR 400?!
I think you *migh wanna see* what *FANTIC(?)* has shown at EICMA .. . I was blown away . . food 4 thought
I like it a lot. I wonder if they will make a V-Storm 400.
I agree with your assessment. We'll have to see if it has personality because that could make a big difference. Not holding my breath though. I think die hard Suzuki fans will buy it and enjoy it, but there's more exciting bikes coming for all of us looking for the unicorn. I'm ready to pay what I need to for a magic machine with character.
Like the Spanish inquisition, nobody expected a new DRZ, while its lacking in some spots, I totally understand why the KLR Treatment was done, price, and to be honest, I feel it’s mostly going to be around the same as the KLR 650 is, they may have a Acro full or slip on exhaust from the factory, they have a rack, a safari tank should solve the problem with the petrol. I think Suzuki may take the Wild Card reward, especially with both the S & SM its will sell quite well, I plan on getting the S version. I stopped testing or thinking about what? I just have to decide on 1 or two😊 **So Its Dec 2024, fast fwd every one screaming Flop, terrible, shame on you Suzuki and the first shipment has already been pre-sold, its going to be around 10-11K depending of what you put on. Ordered. The Renault Trafic arrives first (support van) Now thats just me thing, what works for may not work for you. I run my own business, group rides, bushwalking, rucking with weighted backpacks. for Mental Health.
This is a win all the way around.
No we didn't get a 6th gear but hey, the wide gear ratio will help.
The best part is that no gear ratio numbers have been released yet so nobody knows what to expect.
As long as the price is still somewhat in line with normal mid-weight single cylinder thumpers we'll be golden!!!
I like the Headlight
It should've had a 6-speed, but that's not a deal-breaker. The weight doesn't bother me. It's probably mostly in the exhaust, and a full exhaust and ECU are pretty much a requirement these days due to regulations. Cruise control would've been nice.
if you ride the E model i think the DRZ4s will be a slight let down , buut if you have the old S model then the new one will be not much different , a little heaver but i could live with that 😁 as long as it does have a better gearbox 😉👍
like the look buuut that light 😧
keep well Solid and stay safe-ish 😉🍺
Cheers Jeff 🥃
I Understand EFI For Emissions But I Believe FortNine's Explanation Of EFI Vs. Carburetion. I Want A Carbureted DRZ. Thank You. (Like #875 - Comment #304)
The KTM 390 Enduro R looks like it might be coming for the DRZs spot. It'll be the typical Performance & Features vs Reliability. DRZ is looking really good right now with all these updates though.
I didn't check it,but the KTM 690 is 158 dry, wet is around 175 , depends on the tank size. My friend have 701 with extra petrol tank and rally tower,and it is more than 170kg. KTM gives always dry weight specs.151 kg for drz is ok. It is a dual sport,not a race bike. For me it looks ok. It's not amazing,but it's ok.
A bit late, but so worth it!!!