In production since 2000, the DR-Z has been one of the most popular dual-sport motorcycles from Japanese automaker Suzuki. Particularly primed for off-road rides, it has won accolades from critics and fans alike as an affordable, reliable, powerful, and practical bike. One of the best-known model years for the DR-Z is the 2007 entry, released at a time when the nameplate had several models available.
Altogether there are four models of the 2007 Suzuki DR-Z: DR-Z125, DR-Z400E, DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM. Suzuki set the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices at $2,299, $5,199, $5,599 and $6,199, respectively.
At the lowest end is the 2007 Suzuki DR-Z125, which derives its suffix from its engine displacement: 124 cubic centimeters (cc), rounded up to 125 to classify it as a ""125cc"" motorcycle. The year 2007 marked its debut under the Suzuki imprint; it was produced as the Kawasaki KLX-125 from 2003 to 2006. Targeted at customers younger than the intended DR-Z demographic, it is the smallest and lightest of the four models. The 2007 DR-Z125 is also the least powerful and slowest; it can attain a top speed of 50 miles per hour (mph), which is basically half of the high mark from the other versions.
The other three models, which can be collectively referred to as the DR-Z400 series, share the same engine displacement, which is estimated at 398cc. The DR-Z400E has a kick-start ignition and is not ""street legal."" By contrast, the DR-Z400S and the DRZ400SM are ""street legal"": with front and rear halogen lights, dual rearview mirrors, bike horn, and rubber-mounted turn-signal indicators. The 400S and 400SM have an electric ignition, as opposed to the manual kick-start on the 125. According to Suzuki, their four-stroke single-cylinder engine produces 33.4 horsepower and 33.4 lb-ft of torque. All 400-series bikes have digital instrumentation that includes a clock, odometer and speedometer.
The 2007 DR-Z400SM stands apart from the other models in that it has same-size aluminum wheels (17-inch one in the front, 17-inch one at the back), as opposed to a bigger front wheel and smaller rear wheel. Also, its telescopic-fork front suspension is inverted, thus making the driving experience even smoother.
For the 2007 model year, the DR-Z400SM is clearly the top-of-the-line choice of the DR-Z series and is thus the bike with the highest recommendation. However, if you do not mind lessened power or amount of convenience features, the DR-Z125 is not a bad choice, although next to the 400 series, it is understandable why Suzuki halted its production in 2009.