2024 Suzuki DRZ400S

Specs From Suzuki’s Website

Engine 398cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, single cylinder, DOHC

Bore x Stroke 90.0 mm x 62.6 mm (3.54 in. x 2.44 in.)
Compression Ratio 11.3:1
Fuel System Mikuni BSR36, single carburetor
Starter Electric
Lubrication Semi-dry sump
Clutch Wet multi-plate
Transmission 5-speed constant mesh
Final Drive Chain, RK520KZ0, 112 links
Suspension Front Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable damping force
Suspension Rear Link type, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable spring preload and damping force
Brakes Front Disc brake, single rotor
Brakes Rear Disc brake, single rotor
Tires Front 80/100-21 M/C 51P, tube type
Tires Rear 120/90-18 M/C 65P, tube type
Fuel Tank Capacity 10.0 L (2.6 US gal.) / 9.5 L (2.5 US gal.) CA model
Color Grand Blue No. 2 & Solid Black
Ignition Electronic ignition (CDI)
Spark Plug NGK CR8E or DENSO U24ESR-N
Headlight 12V 60/55W (H4)
Tail Light 12V 21/5W
Overall Length 2310 mm (90.9 in.)
Overall Width 875 mm (34.4 in.)
Overall Height 1230 mm (48.4 in.)
Wheelbase 1485 mm (58.5 in.)
Ground Clearance 300 mm (11.8 in.)
Seat Height 935 mm (36.8 in.)
Curb Weight 144 kg (317 lb.)

I am a firm believer that an exhaust on your motorcycle does two things.

1 - Loud pipes save lives. Being heard by traffic brings awareness to you. At this point society is so focused on their phones and social media while driving we need all the help we can get.

2 - Makes it easier to have more control over the bike. Being able to tell exactly what RPM you’re at comes with practice. Once you’re in tune with it you’ll find its easier to get over obstacles or just make u turns.

Yes in some cases you can shave some weight or pick up a horsepower or two. For me the DRZ does need a little wake up. I do not believe there is any gains in replacing the muffler other than increased sound. May shed a little weight, maybe. But the header pipe from Yoshimura unlocks a few HP when jetted properly.

I went with the Yoshimura RS-2 Full Exhaust with Carbon Can. It looks beautiful and sounds absolutely amazing. Why the full exhaust? Two reasons, 1) I jetted the bike to wake it up a little. There is gains to be had in the Yoshimura header pipe & 3x3 air box mod. 2) The factory header pipe is painted black and the Yoshimura system is stainless. That mis match would drive me crazy.

Yoshimura RS-2 Carbon Exhaust Suzuki DRZ400S — Yoshimura RS-2 Carbon Exhaust DRZ400S

Yoshimura RS-2 Header Pipe Suzuki DRZ400S

Off road protection for the bike is an important topic. All fun and games ripping around looking cool, then find yourself with a cracked case or something else that could have been prevented with a simple part.

I believe the basics in bike protection are skid plate, hand guards, and some type of engine and/or radiator braces. Basically protecting the bikes vital organs. Here is what I have done to mine.

The stock skid plate thing sucks on the DRZ. Simple upgrade to the Tusk Skid Plate.

The stock bike does not include any type of bracing for the radiators. Devol makes these thick radiator braces to protect both radiators in a crash. *** With the Acerbis oversized tank you will need to notch the brace on the left side to clear the tank. ***

Tusk D Flex Pro Handguards protect: Your hands from flying objects, weather, and levers from contacting the ground when you go down. Such good memories as a kid - I rode woods a lot in Florida. Lucky me would split two trees and a vine would grab my front brake lever and down in the sugar sand I went! A tip over could result in a lever breaking. Most levers have break away cuts in them towards the end of the lever. This doesn’t always work and results in a lever that’s broken off much closer to the pivot point. Imagine snapping one of your levers off and then having to ride off the trail and then back home. No thanks I will pass. While you’re at it toss some ASV Shorty Levers on there. Makes off road riding so much easier, especially being able to use one finger on the clutch and not bash your other fingers. Plus they look amazing, have tons of adjustability, and if you don’t want to use hand guards they have a pivot feature preventing them from breaking in a tip over.

Tusk D Flex Pro Handguards Suzuki DRZ400S

Tusk D Flex Pro Handguards with ASV Levers Suzuki DRZ400S

The stock headlight is basically a big lighter inside a reflector. No fault of Suzuki when the bike was designed. That’s what we had on dual sport bikes. While I like simple over tech stuff, being able to see and more importantly BE SEEN is more important than simple. JNS Engineering answers with their Morimoto headlight for the DRZ. Looks amazing and the light output is insane!

JNS Engineering Morimoto Headlight Suzuki DRZ400S

I am a fan of knowing where I’m going. Many ways to mount a GPS of your choice to the DRZ. I chose to mount it to the bars between the clamp. Being able to swap this unit back and forth between my Tenere is a major plus!

Other Add Ons:

Tusk Small Tank Bag makes holding things easier. I bought a second strap kit so I could swap it between this and the Tenere.

Sargent Seat. Makes me feel old needing a seat! Seriously the stock seat is not meant for clicking off miles. It’s super narrow and very 2x4ish. This seat is super comfy and well made.

Acerbis 3.7 gal tank for increased range. I average 48 - 50 mpg on this bike so that gives me an easyyyy 150 miles of range before reserve.

This bike gets a pure 50/50 divide. Die hard cult classic to the end of time motorcycle or stupid pos with no 5th gear and a carb. Lets touch a few points:

Yes it is absolutely in my opinion an end of time motorcycle. It’s dead simple and reliable. Plus has a 20 year track record that proves that. Are there bikes that have blown up or failed by such and such fill in the blank? Yes absolutely. Everything in life has a failure rate, nothing is perfect. Lets be honest though… Most of the failed bikes I’ve seen usually have their IG handle on the bike and can be seen on street takeover wheeling the bike for zipcodes. Improper lubrication or insufficient airflow over the radiators or just eating the revolution ceiling for eons will burn up the best engine design.

The 5th gear thing like c’mon be realistic about a bikes performance and expectations. I do agree that first gear could be a bit lower. I do agree that from time to time I find myself trying to shift to 6th gear. More so out of habit because the Tenere has 6 gears. I’ve never found myself wishing I had a 6th gear cruising at an indicated 55mph on two lane country road. I have aftermarket pegs with no inserts and aftermarket bars without end weights so I would feel any buzz if their is one to complain about. Whatever is present doesn’t bother me.

Carb conversation is fair as it does take more effort than fuel injection. Carb you need to be mindful of tank petcock position. This is no problem for me so not a negative. Carb you need to choke when starting cold, fuel injection will have this mapped in. I jetted my bike very well and it starts instantly hot or cold, so again no issue for me. Carb yes is less efficient than fuel injection you got me there. But a carb works regardless of voltage… Just saying. Lastly yes a carb can get clogged if left sitting for awhile. Easily solution… Go ride it!

In short yes I chose the simple bulletproof bike for my dual sport. With the mods I have made to it I can honestly say I love it. It can and will do whatever I ask of it. Is it the lightest or most powerful? NO! For me simple, reliable, long service intervals, and proven track record mean more.

2024 Suzuki DRZ400S

2024 Yamaha Tenere 700