The bike that time forgot
20 years unchanged
The DR-Z400SM was launched in 2005 and ran in production virtually unchanged until 2024 — same engine, same chassis, same forks, same brakes, same instruments, same carburettor (yes, carburettor — into the 2020s). Suzuki simply did not update it. Then in 2025 Suzuki finally redesigned it as the DR-Z4SM with fuel injection, ABS and TFT.
Engine architecture
Single throughout
The 398cc liquid-cooled single in the DR-Z400SM is essentially the same engine as the 1990s DR-Z400 enduro — DOHC, four valves, dry sump. The architecture has not changed in 30+ years. Suzuki sometimes updates the carb to the FCR pumper carb but the engine itself is virtually unchanged.
Why Suzuki kept selling it unchanged
Niche + cheap to make
The DR-Z400SM sold in small numbers but consistently. The tooling was paid off decades ago. Each unit was cheap to build (no electronics, no complex chassis, no fuel injection). Suzuki could keep selling it at £5-6k forever and still make money. Eventually Euro 5 emissions forced the redesign — they could not legally sell the carb-fed bike in EU/UK anymore.
Power similar to the singles
−2 to +2bhp
40bhp DR-Z400SM throughout. About 30bhp less than the KTM 690 SMC R. Smaller engine, less aggressive tune, simpler engineering. The DR-Z400SM was always positioned as an entry-level supermoto — easier on the licence (A2 friendly with restrictor), easier on the wallet, easier to live with.
Weight competitive
146-151kg
146kg dry / 151kg wet — competitive with the KTM 690 SMC R despite the smaller engine. Suzuki engineered the DR-Z400 chassis well from the start; modern materials would not save much weight on this bike.
Real cost change
−£1.5k
DR-Z400SM was £5,400 in 2006 (£9,050 today). DR-Z4SM is £7,999 — about 12% cheaper in real terms. The 2025 redesign brought the bike up to modern emissions, modern electronics, modern instruments — and Suzuki still priced it as the cheapest supermoto on sale.
Cheapest way in
£2.5k
A clean DR-Z400SM from 2006-2012. The original — carbed, simple, no electronics, no ABS. Just a 40bhp single in a supermoto chassis. Probably the cheapest road-going proper supermoto on the UK used market. The bike is bulletproof if maintained properly.
