2009 Suzuki DR-Z400S Review

Introduction

When deriving the DR-Z400S from their middleweight dual-sport bike, Suzuki made the smart choice of liquid-cooling the DOHC engine, something that would prove terribly effective on the long run. The best proof is the 2009 model year which makes use of that very same engine and also the “SM” model.

Due to the user-friendly approach and versatile character, the bike is the choice of many riders who plan to use it for practical purposes or simply to have fun on the trails and it makes it with no “scratch” in both situations.

History

2000 Suzuki DR-Z400S

The Suzuki DR-Z400S started life together with the new millennium and it was built to last, both on the market and on the tough roads. It had where to inspire so it featured modern looks and Suzuki’s 2000 model year colors (Blue, Yellow and Black). As I mentioned before, the key was its engine, but it did had a disadvantage: the kick starter.

Salvation of rider’s right legs was to come in 2002 when Suzuki finally decided to fit an electric starter on the street-legal DR.

By 2003, the water-cooled 398cc single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valved engine developed a decent 40 hp at 7,600 rpm and 39 Nm at 6,600 rpm so an adventurous rider would have had a hard time passing this chance over. There was also the DRZ400E off-road model which developed significantly more power and torque.

In 2005, Suzuki increased power to 48 hp at 9,000 rpm, together with the introduction of the DR-Z400SM model, while maximum torque was now 41 Nm and it was obtained at higher revs (7,500 rpm). Though the “E” and “S” models were equally powerful, no exterior changes marked the 2005 model years.

2006 Suzuki DR-Z400S

Compared to the DR-Z400E, the 2007 DR-Z400S stood out due to the on-road legal lighting with bright 60/55 watt halogen headlight, compact tail/stoplight, lightweight, rubber-mounted turn signals and horn. As any proud worthy modern dual-sport motorcycle, the 2007 “S” model featured a compact digital instrument cluster with speedometer, odometer, twin-trip meters with addition/subtraction capability, clock, timer and stopwatch functions. The engine suffered a compression ratio reduction (from 12:1:1 to 11:3:1) in order to make operation on 87-octane fuel possible and that also required the adding of the Mikuni BSR36 CV-type carburetor. Colors were Suzuki Yellow and Blue for 2007.

In 2008, the Yellow was replaced with Black and 2009 brings White instead of Blue.

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