Suzuki Is Developing a New DR-Z
DR-Z400 marks 25th anniversary in 2025
Suzuki’s DR-Z400 debuted in 2000 and it remains a part of the brand’s lineup nearly a quarter century later in both dual sport and supermoto versions. Despite its longevity, it’s been ages since the DR-Z last received an update that didn’t involve a fresh coat of paint. That may be about to change, as Suzuki has filed patent applications that hint at an updated model with an electronic throttle, a new frame and modern styling.
The two patent applications, just published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, are for an updated engine design. More specifically, the patents address the challenges of fitting an electronically-controlled throttle on a motorcycle originally designed for a more compact mechanical throttle, without having to increase the size of the bike.
This problem may seem quaint here in 2024 where most new motorcycles are designed with electronic fuel injection and Ride-by-Wire in mind, but it’s still an issue that comes up on occasion. (A lot of people would also be surprised to learn how many new patents filed by motorcycle manufacturers focus specifically on how to package various parts on a bike.)
The illustrations included in both patent applications show a motorcycle with styling cues from Suzuki’s RM-Z dirt bikes, and an engine that looks an awful lot like the DR-Z’s liquid-cooled 398cc DOHC Single. The fuel tank has the same distinct shape as the DR-Z’s, and the frame has a similar-looking design. Other elements are missing from the illustrations, such as hand and foot controls, brakes, drive chain, lighting and mirrors, but they were likely omitted because they aren’t the focus of the patents.
The exhaust system also looks different, in large part because the routing needed to be changed to accommodate the new throttle body. The silencer has a different shape as well, with a shape that resembles the mufflers on the RM-Z models. The patents don’t provide detail on the engine’s components, and we don’t even know if the displacement is the same 398cc as the DR-Z400 models. We also don’t know anything about the transmission, though I’m sure some DR-Z fans would welcome a sixth gear.
There’s also no indication of how far along development of this new model has gotten, but as our friends at ADVRider.com pointed out, the DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM were conspicuously missing from Suzuki’s first few batches of 2025 model announcements. We can confirm that Suzuki has not certified either DR-Z model with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or California Air Resources Board for 2025 as of this writing. For a bike as infrequently updated as the DR-Z models, recertifying for a new model year is a relatively simple process.
As we noted, 2025 would mark the 25th anniversary of the original DR-Z400, and what better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than with a significant update?
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Electronic fuel injection, tubeless spoke rims, switchable ABS, and big tank with six gears would make it a contender for the pint size ADV crowd who already favor the current DRZ.
The whole DR line-up including the 650 need the updates. Honda the same with their 30 + year old 650.