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2026 Suzuki DR-Z4SM Review – Who Is This Bike REALLY For?

Usernamekate

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The 2026 Suzuki DR-Z4SM is here!

In this review, I take the new DR-Z4SM out to see what it’s really like - from its punchy engine and supermoto handling, to how it performs in real-world riding.

If you’re after a lightweight, playful bike for pure road fun, this is everything you need to know.

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20 Comments

@scottsheppard6077 2 months ago

Just purchased a new white one for $7300 out the door here in Florida. Great motorcycle!

@martinheuser4781 4 months ago

Small track racing and wheelie artist. Stunt bike one of the best in its class.

@Obstweedle 4 months ago

As a 68 year old at 5f 8inch this woman is perfect for me to inform me of this seat height and how to ride.

@bdydrppup 4 months ago

I have a 2025 drz4sm. I was very interested but not for $9k USD plus fees. I found a leftover marked down and got it for $2k USD off of msrp($9k) with no added fees. It was worth that price to me.

Also the SM is still surprisingly capable on hard pack dirt and gravel roads even with the slicks. I also bought a set of S wheels to swap out.

@Digidi4 4 months ago

I love the look of this bike, especially in this color

@StuartNaylor-o5t 4 months ago

Great review as always, I had one of these 20 years ago. Loved it. They really hold their price second hand but it's not worth 8k today. The bikes we can buy for that nowadays.

@Skiamakhos 4 months ago

Maybe Suzuki should do 2 variants of this - an A2 variant, heavy and a little weak, and a non-A2 version where they go all-out, make as fast and light a bike as they can.

@neilreid9005 4 months ago

Great review Kate, thank you. IMO it's too expensive for what you get. You can buy a lot of used bike for that same amount. Great bike other than that- good value in the mid sized machines.

@marvinmartian4186 4 months ago

I think you nailed it when you talked about Suzuki footage of wheelies, skids, and such. It's not a bike for the average rider.

@giorgipiorgi 9 days ago

Love the look of it. For exploring the Yorkshire Dales it would be perfect. I’ve yet to ride one but at just over 6ft it seems it would be really ergonomic too

@gazman3568 4 months ago

Stuff the A2 license holders give us a proper light weight mid range SM. Out of the ridiculous amount of bikes owned over far too many decades the best one owned for over 15 years was the KTM 950 sm . Stonkingly good engine and sound, could plod along or play silly buggers , best bike ever made.

@ragerider6283 4 months ago

Interesting review. I tried one of these out but didn't really get on with it. Although it was a short test ride on unfamiliar roads so I feel I need to give it another proper go really.

@jandudl74 4 months ago

I am thinking about buying this drz. I am 63y.o. and i want to go riding again. But i don't want to manouvre in and out of the garage with a heavyweight bike. I want fun. No big trips on motorways. So i thing this one is perfect for me.

@RayPalmer-v9g 4 months ago

Own a 2022 DRZ400sm and a Honda NX500. Short rides DRZ, longer rides NX. The simularities between the two is price and reliability. BOTH ARE LIKELY to last twenty years without need of a rebuild, the way I ride them. This point, reliability, represents the cost, plus recouping the R&D cost, the DRZ will have the same price for the next twenty years, as has the first version. Suzuki thinks in the long term, as far as goals go...This has work out well for them, so far.

@winditon1523 4 months ago

Great bike. Has one in 2007 in NZ, topped out at 82 mph but oodles of fun

@digger8180 4 months ago

I had one of the original DR-ZSM bikes; great little machine, the Achilles heel on the first gen was the cheap suspension and magnesium cases. It was a lot cheaper back then, for the money today I'd opt for a KTM or Husky.

@simoncollins6529 4 months ago

Excellent review in my opinion

@jackweta 1 month ago

I stiffened the shocks by adjusting, changed rear sprocket from 41 to 39 5% change, Bark buster hand guards. Motul 7100 full service. bike is now perfect

@Tommy-Atkins 4 months ago

Fab practical and honest review Kate!…I think you’re spot on the money with its “appeal issues”…I know something like the Honda NX500 isn’t quite a “supermoto “but it’s £6999 price tag( with e-clutch)..green lane capability..17.5L fuel tank…and 10 more ponies are hard facts to ignore!….I know where my hard earned would rather go!…..👍😎

@artiexr222 4 months ago

A very very honest review Kate which is why I enjoy watching your video,s.
I have a 2007 SM as my only bike and it does everything motorways and even over Rivington I love it (even at 65yo)would I like a new version of course would I pay 8k
definitely not especially when I saw Suzuki put the GSX8R on special offer at 7.5k recently just madness really.