T
his one is easy: the Suzuki
DR-Z4S.
I always feel a little
sentimental about the DR-Z400S,
the earlier model designation of
the new DR-Z4S. I've owned a few
over the years, drawn to them for
their simplicity, gentle disposition,
practicality and affordability. Be
-
lieve me, I know: the DR-Z400S is
far
from perfect, but it didn't take
much tinkering to improve the few
issues that it had to turn it into a
pretty darn good dual sport bike.
Still, the DR-Z400S needed a re
-
boot, and after so many years, the
ol' girl finally
got one. So much so,
it was rebadged.
In a nutshell, the DR-Z4S is
improved in every way over the
previous generation. It's simply a
far better performing bike, both
on and off the road, and it didn't
lose hardly any, if any, of its previ
-
ous DR-Z charm, even with the
switchable
engine modes, traction
control, and some of the other
modern trickery that was added.
I know the 4S has a few draw-
backs: it's pricey, and it still uses
a five-speed transmission,
but I
don't mind the five-speed at all,
though I know many of you do,
and I get that.
So, is another DR-Z in my fu
-
ture? I'd say of all the motorcycles
out there
right now, yes.
KIT
PALMER
FAVORITE:
2025 SUZUKI DR-Z4S
VOLUME 62 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 16, 2025 P175
