Suzuki DR-Z400

Suzuki's DR-Z400 is a good trail bike, no doubt about it. The only problem is that the thing just isn't that good looking. If it were a bloke looking for a date it'd lose the chick to hot hunks like the Yamaha WR450F, the sophisticated and smooth KTM EXC, or a bunch of Euro lovers like Mr Gas Gas, Husky, VOR or TM.

But while the DR-Z is no Brad Pitt, more like a John Goodman, that's not a problem. Sure we're poking fun at the bike, but there wouldn't be a Suzuki dealer this side of Bourke who wouldn't love to see Dr Zed get a make-over. He needs a front guard that wasn't designed in the mid '90s, that's for starters. They can dump the old PE400 tank too, and while they're at it they can have a look at what the rest of the civilised world uses for handlebars and grips.

Looks aside though, the DR-Z has some hot features for trail riders. Sure it might be a little past winning those enduro titles the big blue hunk and the Euro boys brag about, but put it in the hands of Mr Joe average, the weekend warrior, and you've got yourself a winner. There are nice little touches like the digital speedo, with tripmeter and a clock, and the little tool bag on the rear guard, although occasionally it does bang you in the bum when you're standing through whoops.

The thing about the DR-Z is that you can jump on and ride it to work every day, then come the weekend, ride out to your favourite trails and get it on. Even if the bitumen is a couple of hundred kays, Dr Zed won't complain. The Suzuki mightn't be flash compared with some of the more exotic 400s on the market but it sure is a good all-rounder. It doesn't mind being ridden on the bitumen and will sit on a hundred kays without revving its guts out - with standard gearing. You don't have to change the engine oil every 10 minutes or take out a bank loan to keep the supply of oil filters flowing either. Every couple of thousand clicks you drop the oil, slip in a $12.50 filter, some decent oil, then off you shoot. The job takes about 10 minutes and even the most mechanically inept should be able to handle it. This is a bike anyone can own.

GETTING DIRTY
Right, lets forget the black stuff and get into the dirt. Yes, the DR-Z goes hard for sure, and being a big bike it loves fire trails and open going, but it's a new generation four-stroke and that means it's a hell of a lot lighter than the dinosaurs we rode back in the bad old days (five years ago). The DR will handle just about anything the bush can throw at it. In tight going you'll definitely find the bike a bit heavy, but it isn't annoyingly overweight.

The suspension package is adequate for trail riding but a set of heavier springs all round would be nice, specially for fast and/or heavy blokes. The fork is a conventional set with black gaiters and all, very '80s, but is in fact a good reliable setup for trail riders. It bottoms in G-outs and off jumps though, so take it easy when you're doing that Chad Reed impersonation. The rear suspension works well at trail speeds, but like the fork it's a bit overwhelmed by the mass of the bike at speed. Armidale Suzuki dealer Greg Frost rode a DR-Z400 in the NSW GNCC series a couple of years ago and his only mod was heavier springs front and rear, with no other internal changes. Frosty met with some success in that series so we take it his setup works.

Before you spend a dollar on anything, we'd recommend you remove the stock handlebars and fit something more in line with what modern riders prefer. The standard bar is a hopeless low bend that does nothing for the ergos of the bike, while a higher bar will do wonders for your riding position and make more room at the front of the bike.

The engine is great. There's plenty of torque if you like to short-shift, or you can rev the guts out of it. Either way the DR-Z has a good off-road engine that so far has proven reliable, and capable of stacking up plenty of clicks before a rebuild. There's also that electric starter, which is now an industry standard but was partly pioneered by Suzuki.

Fuel economy is good; you can expect to do about 150kms on the standard tank in trail mode. The exhaust note is a bit loud for a registerable bike but if you're tempted to change the stock pipe for something lighter, or that gives more power, you may be disappointed. The stock pipe, as un- trick as it looks, works pretty well.

So there you have it, the DR-Z400 is a bit of a tubby boy up against a group of tanned and toned athletes. Don't be put off though. Old tubby boy is a proven worker and doesn't ask for a lot in return, in fact for the average punter he could end up being a better mate than the more popular pretty boys.

TRAIL TIPS FOR THE DR-Z400
Higher, stronger handlebar; Hand-guards; Four teeth more on the rear sprocket for steep country; Smaller more durable indicators; Alloy sump-guard for rocky terrain; Acerbis-style tail-light; Remove front sprocket cover in muddy conditions; Stiffer springs for faster or heavier riders; Smaller trail-type mirrors; Check the counter-shaft sprocket regularly - it works loose.