The Suzuki DR-Z makes a welcome return
The cleanest one of these things is ever going to be
The jaded motorcyclist could be forgiven for seeing more of the same at this years motorcycle shows. While a few exceptions stood out, Ducati’s new Panigale twin is one, there was a lot more of the same with some of the biggest manufacturers in the world talking about new paint schemes.
One of the ones I was delighted to see was the new DR-Z. Yes indeed, the DR-Z is back!
It wasnt my fault your honour, it was in the 'A' mode
Suzuki’s bike, a stalwart among the smaller cc end of the market, now boasts a re imagined engine. While they were getting it up to speed on the emissions front they took the time to tune it for a bit more torque. There’s now 37Nm of the stuff along with just shy of 38 bhp on tap. Twin spark plugs, titanium intake valves with sodium filled ones on the exhaust end along with a new camshaft and a newly designed piston and crankcase make for a genuinely new motor.
Small, yet mighty
It lives in a new frame made from simple steel pipe. This has also been reworked to handle more of the engine vibration. The geometry has been changed to allow for a more comfortable riding position especially when one is ‘on the pipe’ as my country cousins would say. That’s a pipe on the pipe joke right there. It’s married to an aluminium swingarm and comes on a set of cooler than cool spoked wheels. The suspension is by KYB and is fully adjustable on both ends.
Well sprung
Like just about everything else on the market there are buttons. The same buttons that activate all the acronyms. There’s a power mode selector, a traction control selector, a gravel mode and an off button for the rear abs. Just like that big row you had with your other half the other night, sometimes it’s better to let things slide.
Buttons are kept to a minimum
New lines, new paint and weight saving LED lights all make for a bike that has something to offer the new rider as well as those of us who should really know better.
Kim F, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 circa 1999
Keeping it clean includes a bigger radiator as well as a quiet exhaust. The latter can be replaced with something that belongs on it and disposed of responsibly.
Its new clutch now has an assist system. ‘A’ allows you to wheelie it pretty much effortlessly. ‘B’ is softer and allows the rider to get the power down in a more predictable manner. Then there’s the ‘C’ mode. If you’ve made a mistake and bought yourself a DRZ instead of a super scooter then ‘C’ is the one for you. There’s also a traction control system with two settings and an off switch.
The original giant slayer
Get one, run it in, switch everything off and go out for a spin. You might want to give your solicitor a heads up beforehand though. It always helps to let them get that little bit ahead of the curve.
Prices are available in January. Garda car pictured is not included in the price...
