Unicorn inbound! Suzuki re-joins the dual sport market with all new DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM thumpers

Suzuki are stepping back into the small-capacity singles market with the introduction of a new DR-Z4S trailie and DR-Z4SM supermoto.

For decades, Suzuki’s ‘old as the hills’ DR-Z400 has maintained a healthy fan club amongst trail riders, supermoto enthusiasts, and round-the-world adventurers alike and now, finally, it’s undergone a ground-up refresh to bring it into the 21st century.

• Related: MCN’s best trail bikes

Both machines appear almost identical at first glance – barring the obvious difference in wheel size, however the differences go deeper still, with the S featuring longer-travel suspension and subtly different electronics – including the ability to fully disengage the ABS at both ends.

Suzuki has stuck to the tried and tested dual-sport formula, calling upon a low-stressed single-cylinder, fuel-injected, dual-spark motor sporting 398cc (just like the original), which is good for a claimed 37.4bhp at 8000rpm and 27lb.ft of torque at 6500rpm. While it shares the same displacement as its predecessor, almost every component is new.

The S rolls on an 18/21-inch (tubed) wheel combo, which should support everything from full-on enduro rubber to road tyres, whereas the SM deploys a pair of spoked 17-inch hoops.

The frame is a steel perimeter affair, with a separate, full-length aluminium subframe, capable of carrying a passenger or enough luggage to head away to the farthest corners of the globe.

Suspension duties are taken care of by KYB, with the off-road-orientated DR getting 280mm up front and 296mm at the rear (that’s 46mm more out back than you get from a KTM 690 Enduro). Both have compression and rebound damping adjustment, front and rear. As you might expect, the road focussed SM has shorter travel at 260mm (front) and 277mm (rear) bounce.

The standard fuel tank holds just 8.7 litres, which should translate to roughly 150 miles of range if the quoted 80mpg holds true, but as with the original bike, the aftermarket is soon likely to fill with options to increase the DR’s distance-covering capacity considerably.

Although the recipe may be simple, Suzuki has thrown a few modern touches at the new DR duo, without detracting from their simple, ‘go anywhere’ appeal.

Thanks to a ride-by-wire throttle, there are three throttle maps to take toggle between, with ‘A’ being the most aggressive and ‘C’ offering the softest response. There are also three levels of traction control to suit a range of conditions, one of which is a ‘gravel’ mode that allows some level of wheel slip, plus the ability to disable the system entirely. Like all modern Suzukis, the DRs also get the single-push ‘Easy Start’ system.

For years, the trail riding community have been crying out for a low-maintenance, lightweight dual sport with a sturdy subframe for carrying luggage, a five-speed gearbox, and circa 40bhp.

Yamaha’s WR250R was ahead of its time, and Honda’s popular CRF300L and Rally also came close, but with power figures south of 30bhp and softly sprung standard suspension, the niche remained unfilled for many.

Up-and-coming brands such as Kove, Voge and CF Moto have been keen to appease the demand, but now Suzuki have joined the fight, showcasing a machine that, on paper at least, looks to tick all the right boxes.