With some dirtworthy extras…
Photos by Black Rock Studio.
For 2026, Suzuki went the Full Monty on their most famous trail machine, including very modern tech like rider modes, Electronic Fuel injection and dual-stage catalytic converters to meet the somewhat excessive Euro 5+ emissions standards.
They also fitted some top-line suspension in the form of fully adjustable KYB suspension and LED lighting all round. The trail oriented tyres tell you that this bike was never intended to be a hardcore dirtbike – it is absolutely a seriously capable, fun to ride bush whacker that’s equally happy on the road as it is in the dirt.
It might look similar to its legendary tractor-like reliability, old-school simplicity predecessor, the DRZ400, but – that basic platform has been dragged into 2026.
Under the slick new plastics and electronics there beats that legendary 398cc single-cylinder engine that’s been taking on all kinds of terrain for what feels like forever.
It’s just… more evolved than its predecessor and it has to be.
Emissions regulations, rider expectations and road versatility don’t leave much room for 1990s tech anymore. This one is more refined, more user friendly, and features stuff that didn’t exist when the first arrived in dealerships all those years ago.
The old steel frame is gone, replaced by a new twin-spar pipe steel chassis with focus on rigidity and feel. Braking is handled by big front and rear discs, and yes, there’s switchable ABS on both ends.
The Suzuki Intelligent Ride System includes Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) – offering different throttle maps depending on terrain and rider preference. The bike also boasts Suzuki Traction Control System (STCS) – with the Gravel mode specifically tuned for off-road conditions.
You’ll have seen our take on the latest DRZ4-S from Suzuki, you can read that HERE – you’ll know we like it. But, if you have paid attention, we feel that them Euro restrictions are perhaps limiting this bikes capabilities.
The stock bike is enormously capable and fun, especially when the trails get tighter and more twisty, but… perhaps the bike borders on being a bit too tame, a bit too user friendly?
That’s not a bad thing, Suzuki knows what their target audience likes, but we South Africans do like a bit more “Houding” when it comes to a machine like this.
A thumper needs to sound like a thumper. It needs to snap like a thumper and it needs some decent hookup…
Three smallish updates have turned a capable tracker into a far more snarly fun to ride machine…
Knobbly tyres – from Michelin. Suzuki’s choice is a set of Trackers – that already makes a world of difference in the dirt.
Stiffer front suspension. The KYB fare is fully adjustable, three clicks stiffer and you have a more aggressive ride.
A Black Widow slip-on pipe. The star of the show. It sounds the business, delivers more snap and looks oh so good!
All our guys rode it.
All our guys love the improvements. The bike has become more immersive and more fun to ride. We don’t have horsepower figures, this bike is not about that. The pipe has made the world of difference, knobblies, of course and just knowing what to do with your suspension can be a real game changer.
“I’d tow this bike to ET and go and ride all the fireroads and then some!” Ryan Hunt.
“The upgrades on this bike are a game changer – they have changed an easy to ride trail bike into a fun to ride play machine. One bike that does it all…” Mike Wessels.
“It’s not your traditional dirtbike, but I got some airtime… It’s a great big comfortable trail machine. Ride to the track, play with it, ride home again…” Enrico Narbonese.
“It just feels so familiar! Dirtbikes have come a long way since I rode one of these, but this bike has carved its own niche. It’s an incredibly comfortable, easy to ride trail bike that you can do just about anything you like with. Would I invest in the pipe and all that? Absolutely!” Glenn Foley
