Suzuki Drz400sm Review

Used Buyer Review

The DRZ400SM is one of those rare bikes that's genuinely hard to kill. Suzuki built this thing with a bullet-proof single-cylinder thumper that'll run forever if the previous owner wasn't a complete idiot. Check the valve clearances first — they're cheap to do but often neglected, and a rattly top-end tells you everything about how the bike was maintained. The supermoto wheels are a magnet for bent rims, so spin them carefully and look for wobble before handing over cash. What you're getting is essentially a dirt bike wearing road shoes, and that's exactly the appeal. It's nimble, flickable, and will embarrass sportbikes through tight urban traffic. Power is modest at around 40hp, but it's delivered in a way that never catches you out. Fuel injection would've been nice, but the carb is simple and responds well to a jet kit if the previous owner hasn't already done it. Expect high mileage examples to need a carb clean, fresh chain and sprockets, and possibly a rear shock rebuild. Budget accordingly.