2009 Suzuki DR-Z400SM Preview

Test Drive

Getting a feel of the Suzuki DR-Z400SM is quite a unique opportunity as Suzuki is the only Japanese manufacturer to produce a supermoto of the given displacement an implicit the right abilities.

The build quality and finish touches are all features worth being mentioned, but the real fun begins when you get that key in the “ON” position and hit the starter button. The single-cylinder gets to life easily and provides a decent exhaust note while letting it rev freely at idling speed when worming up in cold mornings. As we all know, which better time to test a commuter than in a chilly morning, but we first wanted to see how it performs on short distance riding. First gear is fairly short and you’ll be fast learning how to play with the throttle in order to get the best out of the liquid-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder, DOHC, 4-valve engine in order to compensate for that.

Nice purring and a decent power provider, the engine makes for the versatile character that the DR-Z400SM is known for (we haven’t got to chassis yet) and is quite enjoyable even when you try to do wheelies. Simply select second gear and prepare to pull a little bit of the Renthal handlebars as you accelerate and if you’re the right mass and skill, there won’t be any struggle to keep that front wheel off the ground for significant distance.

Also, quick shifts will be required when trying to stay on top of traffic as you leave a red light behind, but notice that the engine transmits its fair share of vibrations first through the handlebars and then through the frame as you go through the higher half and top end of the rev range. I had a lot of fun first trying to leave cars behind and then trying to do the very same thing without bussing my ass off.

At first, the seat seems forgiving while the ergonomics actually are, but a longer period on it would have you looking for a rest place very often right where you can’t find it: on the freeway (finally). While you won’t be feeling any disturbing vibrations when cruising at 50 mph in top gear, the hours of riding and the lack of movement that freeway riding implies sets you in search of an aftermarket seat as soon as you get back home.

Overall, the bike is light (321 lbs curb weight) and the nimble chassis completes the versatile character as it makes the bike suitable for being ridden both in down town and through the rough grounds of the industrial area. The Showa 47mm inverted fork and link-type rear suspension allow for incursions on all kinds of grounds, even trails as long as things don’t get rough.

Probably, the engine could have had lost the MIKUNI BSR36, single carburetor and add a fuel-injection system, something that would had pointed out the chassis abilities even better with the implicit retuning, but we would have to wait for that upgrade on the 2010 model year.

Still, the engine is powerful enough to solicit the best of the performance front and rear disc brakes. There is enough stopping power so that you can push the bike beyond what you believe that are its limits and notice that the brakes set you back on track in an instance as long as you go easy on that front one. Also, the grippy tires are the perfect choice for the SM.

Even though we haven’t got something to compare it with, the 2009 Suzuki DR-Z400SM leaves us with a sweet supermoto taste and the hope of a totally revised 2010 model. 

Price

At least if the bike isn’t upgraded, the MSRP doesn’t add more than $100 compared to the previous model year, reaching a more than fair $6,299. This is part of Suzuki’s strategy to conquer the masses with this supermoto model. We’ve seen that it is pretty recent on the scene, it looks good and has nice finishing touches, rides awesome and it is good for beginners so what could you ask more? Yes, an extremely low manufacturer’s retail price…”here you have it!” Suzuki says.

Conclusion

With the 2009 Suzuki DR-Z400SM, the Japanese manufacturer shows that getting a head start for the production of a bike that pretty much everybody expects, but doesn’t find the right words to put it in, is an inspired choice which doesn’t need any new approaches for quite significant periods of time. The thing is to keep the price low and production going, exactly what they are doing now.

Previous page

1  2  3

Next page