Suzuki invited us along to the Nasrec Expo Centre, where The Hobby Show 2025 was making its debut with the buzz of model trains, RC drones, craft stalls, specialist tools from Tork Craft, a cool and innovative bungee cord idea, a photography stand from our mate Megan McCabe Photography and lots more cool and interesting stuff, including a really special display by the local knife making fraternity. However, it was Suzuki Motorcycles South Africa that we came to see and the anticipated unveiling of five fresh models slated to hit local roads and trails in 2026. For Dirt & Trail readers, the real gems were the all new DR Z400S, the serious looking DR-Z400SM, and the versatile DL800 V-Strom. Suzuki’s unveling firms up their commitment to dual sport and adventure riding in a market hungry for affordable, reliable machines. With South Africa’s diverse terrain, think coastal dunes, highveld plains, and Lesotho border runs, these models do seem set to bridge the gap between urban commutes and weekend epics. The DR-Z duo revives Suzuki’s dualsport offerings, evolving the DR-Z line with modern tweaks for better handling and efficiency, while the DL800 V-Strom ups the ante for long-haul adventurers seeking comfort and usability.
The All-New Suzuki DR-Z400S: From R 159 950.00
In South Africa’s riding scene, where potholed backroads meet pristine game reserves, the DR-Z400S appears to be a “do-it-all” dual-sporter. Priced for accessibility, it’s aimed at weekend warriors and daily commuters who crave off-road capability without the premium tag of full adventure bikes. Its refreshed chassis and lighter feel make it ideal for novice to intermediate explorers building skills on mixed terrain, potentially boosting Suzuki’s slice of the growing entry level adventure market.
Here are some highlights of the new tech available on the DR-Z400S:
- Ride-by-wire throttle with two power modes (Full / Rain-reduced)
- Two-level traction control (plus off)
- Switchable ABS (front-only or full disable for off-road)
- Revised ECU mapping for Euro 5+ compliance
- LED headlight and tail-light
- New LCD instrument panel with gear position and TC/ABS status
The spec sheet does make for interesting reading as well and has us chomping at the bit for the first ride.
| 398cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC |
| 90.0 mm x 62.6 mm |
| 11.1:1 |
| Fuel injection |
| Approx. 38 hp @ 8,000 rpm |
| 27.3 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm |
| 5-speed constant mesh |
| Telescopic fork, 260 mm travel |
| Link-type, 260 mm travel |
| Disc / Disc |
| 21-inch front, 18-inch rear (spoked) |
| 144 kg |
| 10 litres |
| 890 mm |
Suzuki DR-Z400SM: From R 159 950.00
The DR-Z400SM looks like a wheelie ready rascal to lure budget conscious riders from the street scene with its agile looking supermoto stance, it does seem to be targeted at the riders seeking thrills and spills, from evading traffic to shredding pavements, drawing thrill-seekers who want versatility without the full ADV commitment. It sports the same electronic suite as the DR-Z400S (ride-by-wire, TC, switchable ABS) plus has the all important, for the supermoto market, 17-inch cast wheels and wider radial tyres.
The DR-Z400SM Spec Sheet reads pretty much the same as the “S” model, but with an extra 2kg’s in weight as well as a 55mm lower seat height and those 17” rims and tyres.
| 398cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC |
| 90.0 mm x 62.6 mm |
| 11.1:1 |
| Fuel injection w/ 42mm throttle body |
| 38 hp @ 8,000 rpm |
| 27.3 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm |
| 5-speed constant mesh |
| Inverted telescopic fork, 260 mm travel |
| Link-type, 260 mm travel |
| Disc / Disc |
| 17-inch front & rear (cast aluminum) |
| 146 kg |
| 10 litres |
| 835 mm |
Suzuki DL800 V-Strom: Pricing was not available at the time of publishing.
The new Suzuki DL800V-Strom is set to drag the traditional DL650X market into the 21st century. It has most of the tech and features available its on the full adventure sibling such as 776 cc parallel twin with 270° crank, Ride by wire with three riding modes and a customisable “User” mode, Two level traction control with Gravel mode (just with reduced intervention), switchable ABS with rear off setting, Bi-directional quickshifter standard, 5-inch colour TFT display with smartphone connectivity, Adjustable windscreen, hand guards and centre stand fitted as standard – just with a more manageable seat height and mag wheels.
The DL800 V-Strom Spec Sheet reads as impressively as its full adventure sibling:
| 776cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel-twin |
| 84.0 mm x 70.0 mm |
| 12.8:1 |
| Fuel injection |
| Approx. 84 hp @ 8,500 rpm |
| 78 Nm @ 6,800 rpm |
| 6-speed constant mesh |
| Inverted telescopic fork, 220 mm travel |
| Link-type, 220 mm travel |
| Dual disc / Disc |
| 21-inch front, 17-inch rear (spoked) |
| 230 kg |
| 20 litres |
| 850 mm (adjustable) |
And that is as much as we can tell you for the time being, all of these machines are going through the homologation process and will only be available for us to ride sometime in late January 2026. We promise to put them through their paces and bring you a proper South Africa focused review on each of these new bikes as soon as we can.
