2025-on Suzuki DR-Z4SM review: An A2 compliant supermoto

In terms of agility and ease of use, the DR-Z4SM is a seriously impressive bit of kit. Weighing in at around the 160kg mark fully fuelled, it’s incredibly light, and the balance to the chassis makes slow-speed manoeuvring a doddle.

The suspension is sprung relatively soft, which makes it very forgiving; however, Suzuki haven’t gone too far, and it can still hold up to a decent level of abuse too. There’s also the option of adjustability at the front and rear, which is a nice touch.

The brakes are strong enough and offer an ample amount of stopping power and feel, with an ABS system that allows for relatively heavy braking before intruding on the lever, too.

However, the DR-Z4SM isn’t a comfortable place to be; the seat is incredibly hard, even on a shorter journey, and taller riders may find that the footpegs are too high.

The 398cc single-cylinder motor works well in the off-roading DR-Z4S model for cutting around in the dirt and doing odd miles on tarmac between trails, but as a strictly road-going motor it is a little underwhelming.

The motor is an evolution of that used in the DR-Z400S that stopped production in 2009 with a very similar architecture, although 80% of the internals are new for the 2025 models. However, due to stringent emissions regulations, the power and torque figures haven’t moved on in that time, and because of that, it is a little gutless on inclines or if you’re a gear or two too high.

*Performed on a closed road

It’s still only got five gears, too, which Suzuki say is to keep things lighter and thinner around the motor. However, it means that anything over 60mph holds the revs high, and it’s very buzzy through the bars as a result, even for a short stint on an A-road or motorway.

But on the flipside, it has a really soft throttle response, which makes it a doddle to ride in each of the riding modes, and if you want to push on and ride it like a supermoto, the slipper clutch is impressively efficient for bashing down through the gearbox and keeping everything in check.

Although the latest DR-Z4 platform hasn’t been around long enough to test for any serious, big-mileage reliability testing, all the signs point to a machine that should be pretty much bulletproof.

The original DRZ400 is still a seriously reliable tool based on its owners' reviews, and by utilising a similar concept of keeping things simple, we expect the DR-Z4SM to be both frugal and dependable.

However, it would’ve been nice for Suzuki to address a few of the finer details; for example, the ABS setting is still dubbed off-road and not supermoto, and they haven’t removed the gravel traction control mode either, which is pointless on a supermoto that won’t be venturing off-road – essentially just leaving things identical to the off-roading DR-Z4S model.

At £7,999, it’s hard to argue that Suzuki’s DR-Z4SM is good value, for a single cylinder, low capacity supermoto; especially compared to its closest rival, the KTM 390 SMC R, which will set you back £5,699 with a similar level of componentry, and even comes with more power.

Even if you want to go bigger, KTM’s 690 SMC R costs £10,399, while Ducati’s Hypermotard 698 Mono is available at the upper end, for £11,295.

For a sub-400cc supermoto, there doesn’t need to be a great deal of equipment, but the DR-Z4SM does have a reasonable amount of goodies.

Adjustable suspension and decent brakes take care of the componentry, while it also features three rider modes that alter the throttle response, switchable ABS to turn off the rear, and three levels of traction control, along with an off mode.

On the subject of electronics, the dash is very easy to use, but its design is somewhat simplistic, as is the switchgear.