Which Is The Best Off Road Suzuki
This drz400s vs. drz400sm review will help you make the right purchasing decision regarding bikes. We will examine each bike's key features and compare them against the other.
We are all looking for some outdoor adventure, and what better way to do it than with your favorite off-road bike? Suzuki’s DRZ400 line of bikes has done remarkably well in the outdoor section. You can use the bike for cruising on road at speeds of over 100 km/h courtesy of a 398cc engine. At this speed, the bike is capable of revving to an rpm of up to 6250.
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Both bikes are capable of on/off-road rides, but the DRZ400S has a slight advantage over the SM. For one, you get the same kind of suspension that dotted the DRZ series. This allows you to take the bike to a variety of terrain. In this review of DRZ400S vs. DRZ400SM, we compare the bike's top features against each other and tell you which bike is better.
Drz400s vs. Drz400sm –How They Compare
| Model | Drz400s | Drz400sm |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic oil damped/coil spring/11.3 in (288 mm) | Inverted telescopic, oil-damped, coil spring 10.2 in (260 mm) |
| Rear Suspension | Coil spring, link type, oil damped 11.6 in. (295 mm) | Link type, oil damped, coil spring 10.9 (276 mm) |
| Trail | 4.21 in (107 mm) | 3.7 in (94 mm) |
| Caster | 27˚ 10’ | 26˚ 15’ |
| Front tires | Tube type 80/100-21 M/C 51P | 120/70R17 M/C 58H |
| Rear Tires | 120/90-18 M/C 65P | 140/70R17 M/C 66H |
| Final Drive | RK520KZ0 112 links | RK520KZO 110 links |
Drz400s vs. Drz400sm – Key Differences
The Chassis
A 4-stroke 398cc liquid-cooled single engine powers both bikes. The starter is electric, but the bikes are running on a single-carburetor fuel system. Lubrication is semi-dry-sump, while the transmission for the bikes is a 5-speed constant mesh.
Since the Drz400S is designed for the off-road, you will find Suzuki packing in some accessories like a cargo rack, hand guards, low 35-36 inch gel seat. You won’t find any handguards in the SM bike. Suzuki has included a chromium molybdenum alloy for the tubing to keep the bike lightweight to handle.
Suzuki placed a double cradle with a skid plate to protect the engine. You can use the SM and S for dual sports, but the S has been optimized for more off-road rides. To help you easily navigate the rocky terrain, the S is fitted with a 49 mm fork suspension that gives you a ground clearance of 11.3 inches. An adjustable spring preload for your rebound and compression stroke is coupled with these. At the rear, you have a clearance of up to 11.6 inches.
Braking
The braking for the drz400s is fitted for off-road terrain with 250mm front disc brakes and 220 mm for the rear. At the front, you have a twin-pot caliber to lock in your brakes with a single pot to handle the rear. For the rims, you get 80/100-21 for the front and 120/90-18 for the rear. The SM operates on 17-inch front and rear rims, with the tires being 120/70 front and 140/70 hoops for the rear. You have 300mm front and 240mm rear disc brakes for better traction on-road.
Drivetrain
Suzuki 398cc liquid-cooled engines in both bikes come with 38mm and 29mm exhaust valves. This works wonders when taking in air and removing exhaust gas from the engine. For both bikes, you get a compression ratio of 11.3.1. With an electric starter and single carburetor fuel system, the S offers enough power to handle a variety of terrain. To help carry the heat from the engine, Suzuki has installed a pressurized oil jet that sprays the oil to the piston crowns hence helping in heat dissipation.
DRZ400S vs. DRZ400SM – Overview
Drz400S – Overview
If you are looking for a bike that is more off-road oriented, then the Suzuki Drz400S is your choice. The bike is ideal for escapades deep into the woods or desert crossroads. For starters, you get a high seat that gives you a good grasp of the terrain.
To enable you to handle a variety of terrains without having to hit the gas stations, the Drz400s comes with a 2.5-gallon tank. The gas tank is narrow enough to navigate through tough terrain without worrying about any destruction being caused to it.
Regarding the engine, Suzuki chose a carburetor-based fuel system instead of the direct fuel injection system common in other dirt bikes. The six-liter air box has quick-release fasteners that give you a flawless air supply. To boost your visibility deep in the woods, the Drz400S comes with adjustable low-profile mirrors.
You can opt for a low gel seat if you find the 35 to 36-inch seat too high. You also get off-road accessories like a toolbox, cargo rack, and hand guards. It is equipped with adjustable spring preload 49 mm forks that offer 11.3 inches of clearance to push the S into the off-road section.
At the rear, you have more travel at 11.6 inches with an aluminum swingarm progressive-link mono-shock. All these allow for preload and compression damping adjustments.
When it comes to braking, you need nothing but the best. The Drz400S has 250mm front disc brakes with 220mm on the rear. To bind the front, you get twin-pot calipers and a single pot for the rear.
The tires are large and strong enough to handle a variety of terrain. You get 80/100-21 M/C 51P for the front and 120/90-18 M/C 65P for the rear.
The Drz400s belongs to a special bike class, especially street-legal motorcycles. This allows the bikes to handle both on-road and off-road. Since they are street-legal bikes, you will have the mirrors, lights, speedometer, and license plates registered.
This kind of bike is as sold as the evolution of bikes. It allows them to be used for both pavement riding and off-road. Yamaha was one of the first bike manufacturers to introduce this kind of bike in the 1960s when it introduced the DT-1 based on a two-stroke engine.
The bike was 250cc. Honda also followed suit with their Honda CL350 scrambler, a rendition of their popular Honda CB350. The bike had larger front wheels, exhaust pipes, and lower gearing.
As time passed, more bike manufacturers ventured with their versions of dirt bikes based on the four-stroke engine. The bikes were less focused on the dirt part and combined power, durability, comfort, and performance.
Suzuki's foray into the dirt bike section was introducing the DR350 in 1990. The bike now comes with license plates enabling one to ride it off-road and on the streets.
Pros
- Great suspension for handling off-road terrain
- High seat for better visibility
- Slim-designed gas tank
- Offers great power over varying terrain
Cons
- The 2.5-gallon gas tank may need constant refueling
Drz400SM – Overview
A liquid-cooled 398cc four-stroke engine powers the Drz400SM. Weighing in at 146kg, the SM is versatile enough to tackle a variety of off-road terrains. The seat is high but also comfortable enough.
An inverted telescopic coil spring suspension supports your ride for the front, and a link-type coil spring is an oil damped for the rear.
The thin, tall seat is comfortable for various terrain, though it can feel hard the longer you ride. The design is basic and simple. You have plastic controls, tall mirrors, and adjustable Renthal bars.
The gearing is short, and the fuel system works great with better control through linear power generation and closed throttle. You can go fast on the highways, but if you want something to tackle the hard off-road terrain, the S would be your ideal bike.
The SM comes with 47mm front forks that offer compression adjustment and rebound to support your weight. For the brakes, you get single large 310mm front rotors supported by Nissin twin-piston calipers.
The brakes offer you enough stopping distance despite your driving speed. You get 240mm rotors for the rear that works well to manage city traffic and some off-road action. They are also well able to absorb larger bumps and potholes.
Regarding the bike's frame, Suzuki extended itself with chromium-molybdenum thin-walled tubing. This enables the bike to handle vigorous cross-country events with ease. The bike is cleverly designed to reduce weight using the single downtube and backbone as the engine oil bag.
The bike is fitted with USD Showa front forks to help the SM reduce unsprung weight while boosting torsional resistance. This also features low friction aluminate coated tubes, rebound damping, and adjustable compression.
To further help curb additional weight, you have a tapered aluminum swingarm and mono-shock that both high and low-speed compression damper adjustment.
The SM is quite a capable bike with 17-inch front and rear rims. The bike has 120/70 and 140/70 front and rear street tires. The 398cc DOHC engine comes with 38mm and 29mm exhaust valves that boost air to the combustion chambers.
Regarding pricing, the SM is about $600 more expensive than the S bike. You can have it in a variety of colors that includes blue or red accents. You have a 12-month warranty with unlimited mileage.
Finding a solid competitor for the SM is hard due to the limited bikes in the under 400cc category, but you will find plenty of challengers in the 650cc range.
Dual bikes like the DRZ400SM are often categorized into three main sections. You have the first category of lightweight dual sport bikes that weigh roughly 110 to 140 kg/250 to 300 lbs. Long travel suspension, high fenders, and high ground clearance symbolize the bikes.
The lightweight bikes are so close to the name dirt bikes as you can use them on rough rails and even two-track roads.
Next, we have the middle dual-weight category. Here we have bikes weighing 140 to 160 kg/300 to 350 lbs. The bikes are meant to act as a bridge between pavement riding and dirt. This means their suspension and ground clearance isn’t as high as in the first category. These bikes are ideal for riding on pavements, graded dirt roads, and smooth rails.
Lastly, we have heavyweight dual sport bikes which weigh more than 160 kg/350 lbs. These categories of bikes are largely suitable for long-distance travel and for people comfortable riding on pavements.
The bike does not perform as well in off-road rides as the lightweight dual sport bikes. You will notice that the bikes offer a more comfortable riding position, the ability to carry luggage, and reasonable range, and they weigh less than the touring bike. If you love adventure and are seeking a touring bike, go for these bikes.
Preference for dual sport bikes is largely due to the ability to customize them as you deem fit. You can change the tires, handlebars, foot pegs, and bash plates. Most riders will also repaint them to make them look more aggressive and colorful.
If you are intending to use the bike for long-distance travel, most bikers will change the racks, petrol tanks, and windscreens.
Pros
- Duel road bike
- Power braking system
- Large exhaust valves for enhanced compression
Cons
- It does not handle off-roads as well as the S
Conclusion
The Drz400s and the Drz400sm come with the same 398cc four-stroke engine that delivers when it matters on/off-road. You can comfortably hit speeds of over 100 km/h on tarmac roads.
But, if you are looking for a better off-road bike, go with the Drz400s. Its suspension, braking, and seats have been customized to handle a variety of terrain that you throw at it.
