I am looking for a dual sport, and the 400cc suzuki drz bikes are pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. At my local dealer there is this beautiful drz400sm, white and black plastics with gold rims with only 7000 km on it. But my dad says no, I must get a bike with TC and ABS (btw, this is not my first bike; I have ridden dirtbike for a few years most of the time on the road too). He says he will help me pay the extra (double the price) for the drz4s which doesn't look nearly as good and, imo, aren't as comfy from sitting on them at the dealer. Is the new one really that much better to justify paying double for it, or should I try and convince my dad to let me get the old one, which will save both of us money for a bike I like more?
I've ridden the drz400s the actual dual sport. It's capable, but stiff, harsh and a bit disconnected feeling.
I've also rode the drz4s and it reminds me of a fixed wr250r with better suspension and much more power.
It doesn't show up on the spec sheet but Suzuki did something special with the chassis and suspension on the 4s it's confident, playful and just feels really good. If I didn't have my husky 701 it would be on the top of my dual sport buying list over another 701.
It doesn't show up in a feature comparison but Suzuki did a lot more than add efi and turn the forks upside down. Everything is redesigned and feels great. Also the engine feels significantly better at all rpm. It doesn't make significantly more power, but it pulls harder and revs out smoother.
The drz400s had high quality suspension 20 years ago. The 400sm has street tuned suspension. The drz4s has very good suspension by modern standards.
Already told yah on the last post but ive had both and its not that the drz400 is bad in anyway but the drz4s is better in everyway the only people that will say different haven't rode it
Thats understandable and im not saying you wouldnt be happy with the drz400 but anyone thats ridden both or any youtube video will tell you the drz4s is better and it really is. The geometry of the bike is better and feels more nimble, the suspension is great, throttle modes, slipper clutch all make the bike more rideable without wearing you out and fuel injection is a big plus in my opinion. Ultimately its you and your dad's decision to make
I can say I do agree on the older supermotos lookin good especially with the gold wheels so I understand that lol the only thing iffy on the drz4s for me is the headlight lol but with graphics they look pretty good
I do like the look of it; I don't really like the headlight much, but I can stand it. My friend says he will clown on me every day until I change the stock headlight lol. Also, what's the company that makes the decal kit you sent the photo of?
Skda-just Google drz4s graphics, and actually I just looked at pics of my old drz400 and my new drz4s I def like the drz4s look better and I had a white sumo
My friend is thinking of renting a graphics printer for his online business, and if it is worth it, he is going to buy one. He said he can make me a full set if he gets one
Yeah they def look better with graphics but overall just the plastics and everything look more modern and way less bulky now that im looking at the 400 again and if dont miss that big metal tank either
Only other thing I can say is try to test ride both if they allow it and you can see for yourself if your fine with the 400 or would prefer the 4s, but just from my experience the carb and front end not feeling very nimble would be my main complaints of the 400 and the drz4s nothing really now that ive ridden it lol, beforehand I didnt like the idea of it being heavier and still 5 speed but after riding it, theres nothing better in the low maintenance dualsport category in my opinion, the only one I haven't tried is a wr250r
Thats all I could find atm, the sm plastics r the same as the s fit wise just front fender is smaller on the sm, so if you could order the oem blue sm plastics it'd fit on the s
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u/Username15555551212 19h ago
The SM is meant to be a road/street bike. If you want a bike that goes offroad, get the S.