RETRO REBOOT
Suzuki off/on-road DRZ rebooted as a twin!
Nineteen years ago the charismatic DR-Z400 thumper arrived on the scene. It came into the UK in two main flavours: the ‘S’ trail version in 2000 and the Supermotard-styled DR-Z400SM in 2005 which featured smaller wheels, bigger brakes and different suspension. Both bikes turned out to be underpowered, especially when compared to today’s competition, but that didn’t stop them becoming immense fun to ride off-road as well as on. Amazingly, both bikes are still available new in some parts of the world but as you’d imagine, they’re long overdue an update so here’s ours… With a claimed (and optimistic) 39bhp at the back wheel, the original DR-Z would struggle with pulling that rice pudding skin, which is why we’ve opted for the characterrich 76bhp SV650 powerplant. With almost twice the grunt in Suzuki’s proven V-twin matched with lower gear ratios you are looking at a season ticket to Wheelie City and a frugality to match the original 400 single – if you ride it sensibly. The exhaust is now high level to make the most of the ground clearance. Sure, this makes the DR-ZV a heavier beast but the 400 was no lightweight back in the day either… The 400 single used a simple cradle frame but we’ve opted for a trellis-style option as used on the SV650 and Gladius. The upside-down front forks are fitted to both our models and the Supermoto version gets a bigger front disc along with smaller 17in wheels while the trail version sticks with a 21in and 18in mix and smaller, lighter front disc. A strong but sturdy alloy swingarm is ready for any abuse you can throw at it. And abuse it would get, off-road or in the urban jungle. Leg guards protect the forks from flying gravel and the Gsx-r-style nose cowl tries its best to take weight off the wrists during the odd dual carriageway jaunt. The sleek minimalist bodywork highlights the trellis frame nicely and the SM version comes with a hugger. The DR-Z seat is notoriously uncomfortable, so we’ve fitted ours with a gel insert that makes it more pleasurable. cmm