The DR-Z Chase Finally Likes

Suzuki's DR-Z has been a cult classic for 20 years, and Chase has never liked a single one. On camera, directly: "I've been a little critical to the DR-Z. It just never, I never understood the bike. I never enjoyed it." Every generation felt underpowered, under-equipped, or just stuck in 2004.

The 2025 DR-Z4SM is the one that changes his mind. Fuel injection replaces the carburetor. Ride-by-wire enables three power modes. Traction control is standard. ABS has an off-road toggle. The lights are LED. And the chassis, still the 398cc thumper everyone knows, finally has a platform that matches what a supermoto is supposed to be.

"I'm kind of a DR-Z guy now, I guess." That's Chase's line. That's a meaningful shift in opinion from a guy who has ridden 1,800 motorcycles on camera.

Performance highlights

398cc single, 38 horsepower, 28 lb-ft of torque, 340 lb wet, 2.3-gallon tank. Throttle response scores a 7. There's a noticeable jump between power modes (C is tame, B is lively, A is full send), and the punch in A mode is genuinely fun. The caveat: "the punchy low-end dies off a little quickly." Singles live low in the rev range; revving this engine past its sweet spot just wastes the delivery.

Agility is the flat 9 and the reason this class exists. 340 lb wet plus wide handlebars plus supermoto geometry equals a bike that goes wherever you point it with less effort than a bicycle. "In the city, if the city is a jungle, the DR-Z is definitely a Jaguar. This is where this bike wants to live."

Acceleration earns a 6. The 40–80 roll-on is where a 398cc single meets its limit. Chase had to shift to fifth (the top gear. This is a 5-speed) and still barely crested 80. "It wasn't the fastest 40-80 we've ever done, definitely wasn't the slowest." Highway cruising works; interstate drag-racing doesn't.

Brakes rate 5. The initial bite is soft. Combined with the plush off-road-biased suspension, braking produces dramatic fork dive. On a supermoto, you expect sharper stopping with better feel. And you don't get it stock.

Suspension is the pleasant 8. Adjustable front AND rear on a sub-$9k supermoto. Chase called this specifically as a highlight. Stock setting is soft-leaning for off-road comfort. Anyone riding aggressive on pavement should firm it up; the adjustability is there for that exact reason.

Rider experience & tech

Comfort is the honest 5. The seat is a plank of wood. Chase's on-camera description: "a 2x4 used as a seat. It's thin, it's very hard, it's not very comfortable." Seat height is 35". Tall riders land neutrally, short riders tippy-toe. The bars are wide, which makes low-speed maneuvering easy; the saddle makes long rides painful.

Tech scores 7. The most important tech is what's finally present: fuel injection, ride-by-wire, three ride modes (A/B/C with customizable power), traction control with multiple levels + gravel mode, ABS with an off-road toggle that disables rear ABS, LED lighting, and a digital dash. The dash is LCD-style and looks a generation behind what Suzuki puts on the GSX-8TT, but it works.

Ease of use is 8. This is where the bike shines for new riders. C mode neuters the power enough that a first-time rider can learn the clutch without drama. The easy-start system is a one-button press. The menu is three buttons deep. Nothing complicated. A supermoto used to be expert-only. This one isn't.

Versatility is 7. City: exceptional. Light off-road (gravel roads, fire trails): good with the right tires. Highway: survivable up to ~70 mph with wind pushing you around. Touring: no. Track: yes, supermoto track days love this platform.

Fun-for-the-money is 8. $8,999 is up from the previous generation and people will complain about it. But what you get for it (fuel injection, traction control, adjustable suspension, three ride modes) is genuinely new to the platform. "It's a riot in the city and great for hooligan fun."

The Chase Score & final thoughts

With a Chase Score of 70/100, Good Tier, the DR-Z4SM finally makes the supermoto case on Suzuki's terms. 35 ride points + 35 usability points = a balanced machine that knows what it is.

Buy it if you're a new rider who wants a single bike to learn on AND have fun with, OR if you're an experienced rider who's been missing a lightweight asphalt-focused hooligan in the garage. Skip it if you need highway speed / long-distance comfort / a seat you can actually sit on for more than an hour. Chase's closing move: "Riding this bike around has me rethinking if I need a supermoto in my garage." From a guy who's owned a WR250X and swore off the class. That's a shift.