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Suzuki DRZ400: A Beginner’s Guide To Dual-Sport Riding

suzuki drz400

A bike that meets all the requirements for a perfect adventure bike is a mythical beast. The Suzuki DRZ400, however, satisfies the criteria and can be considered a decent adventure bike for riders who like off-road rides. In addition to its powerful engine and robust brakes, it is much more convenient for riders.

If you want to know more about this bike, read the full article for a better understanding.

What Is Suzuki DRZ400?

Suzuki DRZ400

The Suzuki DRZ400 has a 398 cc four-stroke engine with a liquid cooling system. It has a 5-speed transmission. You will get a 49 mm SHOWA conventional fork with rebound damping and adjustable compression for the front side and Link type, SHOWA shock with rebound damping, spring preload, and adjustable compression (High & Low Speed). 

Suzuki DRZ400 is also equipped with a 250 mm disc brake with a Nissin twin-piston caliper for the front wheel and a 220 mm disc with a Nissin single-piston caliper for the rear wheel along with the 80/100-21 M/C 51P front tire and 120/90-18 M/C 65P rear tire.

Specification

Here are The specifications of this Suzuki DRZ400 given below.

Engine398 cc (24.3 cu in) 4-stroke Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
25.6 lb-ft (34.7 NM)90.0 mm × 62.6 mm (3.54 in × 2.46 in)
Compression ratio11.3:1
Top speed94 mph (151 km/h)
Power33.4 hp (24.9 kW)
Torque25.6 lb⋅ft (34.7 NM)
Transmission5-speed manual, constant-mesh, chain-drive
Front Suspension49mm SHOWA conventional fork with adjustable compression and rebound damping
Rear SuspensionLink type, SHOWA shock with adjustable compression (High & Low Speed) and rebound damping and spring preload
Front BrakesNissin twin-piston caliper, 250mm disc
Rear BrakesNissin single-piston caliper, 220mm disc
Front Tire80/100-21 M/C 51P, tube type
Rear Tire120/90-18 M/C 65P, tube type
Length2310 mm
Width825 mm
Height1235 mm
Seat height935 mm
Wheelbase1475 mm
Weight319 lb (145 kg) (wet)

Suzuki DRZ400 Models

Suzuki DRZ 400 is available in four different versions, though only two are available brand-new for purchase from dealers. Its different models include.

  • DRZ400 – Trail bike for off-road riding.
  • DRZ400E – Electric-start off-road trail bike.
  • DRZ400S – A dual-sport motorcycle legal for street use.
  • DRZ400SM – Supermoto with road wheels and tires that is street legal.

Top Speed of the Suzuki DRZ400

Top speed

Suzuki DRZ 400 Top Speed is 94 mph(151 km/h), along with 33.4 hp (24.9 kW) horsepower and 25.6 lb-ft (34.7 NM) Torque. It has quick acceleration, that’s why some riders claim that they even reach 100 mph on this bike.

What Factors Affect the Top Speed of Suzuki DRZ400?

In order to reach the top speed of the Suzuki DRZ 400, you have to do a lot of modifications which are given below.

  • Installing Pamper-type carb
  • 3X3 modification
  • Big Bore Kits
  • Lightweight Aftermarket Exhaust

Installing Pamper-type Carb and Rejetting

The first thing you can do is replace the stock carburetor with the after-market pamper-type carb. This will improve your bike’s performance, but you can do rejetting first and then replace the carburetor for even more improvement.  

3X3 modification

The 3×3 modification increases the size of the air box by 3×3 square inches. In this way, air will be able to flow more freely into the carburetor, allowing the engine to breathe more easily. This one-of-a-kind modification will increase your bike’s throttle response, leading to better performance.

Big Bore Kits

You can install big Bore kits for better performance. You can also use other Bores along with the big one to increase the overall displacement even further. There are no complicated steps involved in the installation of this kit. Furthermore, you can pair it with the set of camshafts, resulting in a 50-hp boost.

Lightweight Aftermarket Exhaust

You can use aftermarket exhaust which has a chance of getting some increased performance. The stock exhaust is heavier than the aftermarket one and does not even have an edgy sound (Preferred by most people). Therefore, replacing the stock one with the aftermarket will reduce the bike’s weight, which may increase its speed. Although if you don’t want your bike to be noisy, you can go with the stock exhaust.

Engine

DRZ400 Engine

It has DOHC 398 cc four-stroke engine that has a single cylinder. The engine has a liquid cooling system that prevents the engine from overheating. Its Bore & stroke ratio is 90.0 mm × 62.6 mm (3.54 in × 2.46 in), and its compression ratio is 11.3:1. 

This bike comes with a 5-speed constant-mesh manual transmission. Although the engine has enough power, you have to do a lot of modifications to get the best engine performance, or you can try the Suzuki DR650, which has a Top Speed of 100 mph.

Suspension & Handling

DRZ400 suspension

It has a 49 mm SHOWA conventional front fork with rebound damping and adjustable compression. For the rear side, it has link type, SHOWA shock with rebound damping, spring preload, and adjustable compression (High & Low Speed). 

This bike is good for short rides and not so appropriate for highway rides. These suspensions are not made for long rides. You will feel back pain and high bumps on a long ride.

Brakes

DRZ400 brakes

For controlling its fast speed, it has a 250 mm disc with a Nissin twin-piston caliper front brake and a 220 mm disc with a Nissin single-piston caliper. These brakes are adequate and work well with this bike.

Weight & Seat Height

Gel Seat

It is a lightweight bike with a total wet weight of 319 lb / 145 kg (base variant). You can easily take this bike anywhere without any hesitation or concern. Along with its lightweight base variant has a 935 mm seat height and 1475 mm wheelbase that ensures a smooth and calm ride. All four models have almost identical dimensions, although there is a slight difference in their overall appearance.

Price & Buyer Guide

For a minimal price, you can get your hands on a brand-new DRZ400SM. This bike is available for $ 6,999 – $7,399 (depending on different models). It has excellent fuel efficiency, which results in a significant economic benefit.

Additionally, it won’t require much maintenance, so you won’t have to spend extra money on it. It has elegant movement and moderate power, which makes this bike ideal for beginners as well so that they can learn and grow.

Conclusion

This dirt bike is perfect for those looking for a dual-sport dirt bike that can be ridden on the road but is also suitable for some mild trail riding, particularly if you are a larger guy. It is an economical bike that requires less maintenance when maintained properly.

Suzuki DRZ 400 is the perfect bike for trail rides. It has a strong tire grip and can do deep water crossing effortlessly. If you need a powerful bike for the trail, there’s nothing better than this bike. Beginners can also use this bike and enjoy its ride.

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