The rise in popularity of dual-purpose motorcycles has pushed manufacturers to develop ever more capable motorcycles. Today, we are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to adventure and dual-sport motorcycles. Pretty much every manufacturer has at least one great option on the books, some have several that cater to different kinds of riders.
What bike you choose will essentially come down to what kind of riding you really want to do. For riders looking for a bike that can handle dirt, but want to cover long distances on the road, a modern adventure bike certainly makes a lot of sense. For those looking to spend a little more time off-road, adual-sportwill be the better option. If you are after a Japanese dual-sport that can really do it all, we feel this is by far the best choice.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced fromSuzuki Cycles.Whereas the opinions are our own.
The Suzuki DR-Z4S Can Do It All
MSRP: $8,999
If you want the best tool for a job, it is pretty rare that that tool is cheap. The one thing theSuzukiDR-Z4S is not, it's cheap. If you want a bike that can truly do it all, the asking price is $9k. Saying yes to this is the same as saying no to several other equally good options, including a handful of ADVs. Suffice to say, this is something of a niche product that will only appeal to a certain kind of buyer. The other marginally less versatile Japanese dual-sports are certainly worth a look.
TheKawasaki KLX300It is almost half the price of the DR-Z4S, but it is not half the motorcycle. Off-road, it is perfectly capable and most riders won’t ever find its limits there, but its lack of top-end power will be felt on the road. It is an old platform, so it doesn’t get any of the sophisticated electronics you will find on the new Suzuki, but the same could be said for just about any of the other Japanese competitors.
Honda offers two very different options that sit on either side of the DR-Z4S. First, we have the CRF300 Rally. It just got a much-needed update to its suspension, which should make it a fair bit better off-road. On-road, it is going to be one of the better options thanks to the added wind protection and relative – we are talking about dual-sports here – comfort. Like the Kawasaki, it hasn't got much in the way of power, and that is a limiting factor, especially if you plan on using the bike for extended highway runs.
What is not down on power is Honda's other option. The CRF450RL is very much a dirt bike with lights. Service intervals are going to be very short as a result, but they will certainly be a little more durable than the more exotic European rivals. Long rides on the road are not going to be ideal due to the glaring lack of comfort, but off-road it will certainly come into its own. It is a fair bit more expensive than the DR-Z4S, but you will get what you pay for in off-road capability.
Rivals
- Kawasaki KLX300
- Honda CRF300 Rally
- Honda CRF450RL
The New DR-Z4S Has A Modern Single
Power: 38 Horsepower
While the same architecture remains, this is a thoroughly reworked engine. The cylinder head has been completely redesigned and, for the very first time, it gets fuel-injection. In terms of power, there is not much difference between this and the old bike. 38 horsepower is ample for both on- and off-road use, and is also more than enough to get up to, and maintain highway speed.
Engine Specifications
The most critical part is that this engine is nowEuro5+Compliant. This means that this is now a global model again, and should be around for several years to come. With this in mind, the price increase is certainly quite understandable, but one frustration remains. The decision to retain the old bikes' 5-speed transmission is hard to understand, and reeks of cost-cutting.
The DR-Z4S Is A Feature-Rich Dual-Sport
The First Japanese Dual-Sport To Embrace Tech
In the past, Japanese dual-sports have traditionally been simple machines, almost to a fault. All that has changed with the latest DR-Z4S: it gets a ride-by-wire throttle, ride modes, switchable traction control, and switchable ABS. ABS is mandatory in several other countries, so that much was always to be expected, but the rest came as something of a surprise. None of the Japanese competitions offer these features. The only bike competing in this more streetable class is theKTM 390 Enduro R. It offers a lot of value, but the quality gap is clearly visible from a distance and represents a very different proposition. A more realistic comparison actually comes from the ADV world in the form of the Honda Transalp, which only costs $1k more, and will always be worth the extra investment for those looking for a more "travel-ready" all-around motorcycle.
Chassis, Suspension, and Weight Specifications
A defining feature of the old DR-Z was its capable, if outdated, suspension. The new DR-Z gets a big upgrade in this department with a fully adjustable USD KYB fork up front and an adjustable rear shock at the rear. The steel perimeter frame is a brand-new design, and while the new bike is a little heavier thanks to all those electronics, it is still light enough to remain competitive. That said, this is still something of a niche offering. For those that really want a genuinely reliable dual-sport which can handle the daily commute, weekend trips out of town, and some serious off-roading, this is ideal. But, for the luxury of owning a bike that can do all that, you end up paying for it, so much that it becomes hard to justify the outlay. Especially when you can buy an equally capable dual-sport bike and a small commuter for around the same amount of money.
Features
- Switchable ABS
- Traction control
- Ride modes
- LED lighting
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