For riders who are looking for the best of both worlds when it comes to riding on and off road, the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S is a dual-purpose motorcycle that is difficult to beat. One of the main difficulties encountered when creating a dual-purpose bike is providing a bike that doesn’t emphasize on discipline over the other. The 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S has a compact and lightweight design that provides precise handling for twisting trails, as well as a comfortable ride on the road.
The 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S is fitted with a compact 398cc engine that provides plenty of power at low RPMs so it can tackle the ups and downs of trail riding. The advanced suspension provides for traction and control as it absorbs whatever the terrain throws at the bike. The transmission is a five-speed, which some may find as limiting when compared to competitors that are equipped with six-speed transmissions. Although the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S looks like a trail bike, it is completely street legal and comes with the conveniences that would be expected with a road bike.
The chassis of the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S is narrow and made up of a sturdy network of thin chrome-moly steel tubes. These tubes provide torsional rigidity while keeping a lower overall bike weight. Weight of the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S is also kept down through the use of a bolt-on aluminum sub-frame, which also helps make maintenance significantly easier. For the 2012 model year, the Suzuki DR-Z 400S comes in solid black only.
The four-valve cylinder is equipped with large intake and exhaust valves, which produces plenty of power and torque at higher speeds and rpms, making the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S a great choice for the daily commute. An electric ignition and a well-designed instrument cluster mean that road riding is easy and comfortable. A clock, timer with stopwatch capabilities, and twin trip meters are included in the instrument cluster. The twin trip meters are equipped with addition and subtraction functionalities. The precise handling and design of the frame mean that on road maneuvering is as easy to complete as at lower speeds on the trails.
Other conveniences included for street riders include the rubber on the tires that is fully street worthy. Foot pegs are included for a passenger, and while the seats are narrower than touring bikes, they are wider and more comfortable than those included on pure dirt bikes. The 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S also comes fitted with a helmet lock as standard. Depending on the speed limit of the road, the engine of the 2012 Suzuki DR-Z 400S may find keeping up with highway speeds taxing. The addition of a sixth gear in the transmission could help improve the power and speed available to the bike while on the road.