Suzuki DR-Z4S at Home Tearing Up Trails And Tarmac.

Suzuki has brought back the DR-Z with the trailblazing DR-Z4S, and buyers will track down their dealers to purchase one. The bike fits perfectly into a sector which is growing and growing. Riders want a lightweight machine to ride on the road to get into the country and tackle some trails and green lanes. Road Tests and Reviews did this and enjoyed getting dirty on the DR.

My first experience riding motorbikes was off-roading on an 80cc motocross bike, and I loved it. I got a Yamaha DT100 early in the ‘80s when its competitor was the Suzuki ER, which developed into the DR range. Suzuki strangely stopped bringing DRs into the UK in 2009, but now they are back and causing a buzz.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S has KYB 46mm forks, a pro-link mono-shock, and an aluminium swingarm, producing a soft feel for the rider and enabling them to concentrate on the ride.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S is forgiving, and you can confidently recover from errors. The brakes are fabulous and have enough power if you squeeze hard, but a progressive build from a soft initial touch allows precise matching of braking effort with the available traction. The machine is easy to throw around and won’t wear you out even on extended rides. It’s agile, stable, and exceptionally well balanced.

Surprisingly, you only get five gears, but they are well gapped and are all you need to cope with dirt and road riding. Combine this with smooth power and torque delivery, and the bike is user-friendly, providing so much confidence to the rider. Suzuki states that not having a sixth gear reduces weight, and they don’t believe most riders would need the speed range that six gears would bring.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S has three modes that control the throttle response.

A, B, and C allow the torque to be increased gradually, with A being the quickest and the best option for road use. A mode is too torquey for off-road when the going gets technical, and you must get on the pegs. You should use B-mode when this happens, so you don’t get any sudden power surge. Regarding trials type terrain, engage C it is a slow power delivery.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S is all you need to take on trails and green lanes unless you participate in a full-blown enduro.

The power delivery and the new clutch make riding the dirt bike a breeze.. One finger use of the clutch is all you need, and the clutch prevents locking the rear wheel from back torque.

All the fittings on the Suzuki are robust, from the clocks, switchgear and mirrors, and they have to be when traversing chalk paths at steep descents or muddy climbs, because the slightest tumble and bits can break, leaving you high and dry miles away from roads and recovery.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S is well equipped and built, and its £ 8k price tag is probably correct. It competes with the popular Honda CRF300L, so it will be interesting to see how the two compare in sales.

Fuel consumption is claimed at 80mpg, which is set for road use, but we reckon this will be halved when riding on the trails.

Trail bikes lack clutter and superfluous features, but the Suzuki DR-Z4S is equipped with all you could hope for. The rider aids are a bonus, and the suspension and braking are up for the job. You can get some accessories for the bike, such as hand guards, a small rear rack and a sump guard.

The impressive package the Suzuki DR-Z4S offers in build quality, kit, and specs is completed by describing how well the bike performs for riders of all levels. If you are an experienced dirt rider and green laner, you won’t find the motorcycle wanting for fun and capability within its boundaries. It will also allow newcomers to the scene to ride with confidence and build their experience. The Gravel mode for Traction Control is convenient for the inexperienced at off-road riding, which prevents over-revving in situations where the rear may slip or when an extreme drift might catch you out. If you're comfortable playing with rear traction, you won't need this; it can be disabled entirely.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S is simple, easy to ride, and a breath of fresh air for off-roaders and green laners. Owners will adore it; it is balanced, agile, and powered right for the target audience. It will grow with you, but if you are already at a good level of skill, you can push it hard for serious riding.

Fantastic fun, and I want one.

£8000