2025 Suzuki DRZ SM First Ride Review
The DRZ is back — and it’s finally modern. After what felt like 25 years of “same bike, different year,” the 2025 DRZ SM gets the update it always deserved: fuel injection and ride-by-wire that completely change the day-to-day ride. It’s a lightweight urban weapon with real hooligan energy… as long as you’re okay with supermoto compromises.
- FI + ride-by-wire glow-up: No more choke drama — the updated fueling makes it feel like a new bike.
- City agility: It feels weightless and ultra-flickable in traffic (supermoto cheat code).
- Modern modes + traction control: Three maps (A/B/C) + TC options (including a “gravel” vibe) add real versatility.
- Seat is a 2×4: Comfort takes a back seat — this is a tool, not a couch.
- Soft setup / brake dive: Suspension is adjustable, but stock tune leans comfort and can dive when you get on the brakes.
- Budget touchpoints: Levers/grips/mirrors/exhaust feel “day one upgrade” territory.
Performance Highlights
The DRZ SM isn’t about top speed — it’s about instant direction changes, quick hits of torque, and being a menace in the city. The updated fueling and ride-by-wire make throttle response feel clean and predictable, and the mode options give it a wider range: tame in the soft map, punchy and playful in the aggressive one.
It’s not big horsepower — it’s how light it feels that makes it fast where it matters: stoplights, backstreets, and tight corners.
Rider Experience & Tech
Ergonomics are classic tall supermoto: upright posture, tons of leverage, and a seat height that can be a stretch for shorter riders. At 5'10", flat-footing is not guaranteed — but once you’re moving, the bike feels unbelievably easy to place.
Tech is the headline for 2025: ride modes and traction control finally bring the DRZ into the modern era. Pair that with fully adjustable suspension and you’ve got a legit platform — just be ready to dial it in and fix the “budget” contact points.
The Chase Score & Final Thoughts
With a Chase Score of 70/100, the 2025 DRZ SM lands exactly where it should: a supermoto that’s insanely fun and finally modern, but still asks you to accept comfort trade-offs. If your world is city riding, wheelies, and tight roads, this thing is a “jaguar in the jungle.”
Who it’s for: city riders, supermoto fans, and anyone who wants a lightweight hooligan bike with modern fueling and modes.
Who should skip: long-distance commuters, comfort-first riders, or anyone who hates tall seats and heat-of-the-moment slow-speed weight shifts.