2026 Suzuki DR-Z4S, DR-Z4SM launched in Malaysia, intro price from RM39,888

KUALA LUMPUR: Suzuki Malaysia has launched the all-new 2026 Suzuki DR-Z4S and Suzuki DR-Z4SM in Malaysia, reviving the DR-Z name with two distinct takes on the same 398cc platform.

Both models are priced at RM42,988, although the first 50 buyers for each bike can get them at a special introductory price of RM39,888.

Also Read: 2025 Suzuki SV650 final edition launched in Malaysia at RM 29,900

This marks Suzuki’s return to a nameplate that has long had a following among riders who want something simple, light and versatile. In this case, the brand is splitting the formula into two directions, one for riders who want a proper dual-sport machine, and another for those after a sharper, road-focused supermoto.

“A dual-sport motorcycle is designed for riders who want one bike that can handle daily roads and still be ready for off-road exploration whenever the adventure calls.”

That line more or less sums up what Suzuki is trying to do here. The DR-Z4S is aimed at riders who want a motorcycle that can deal with both tarmac and loose surfaces without feeling out of place in either setting.

The DR-Z4SM, meanwhile, leans harder into supermoto territory, trading some off-road ability for a more playful and responsive feel on paved roads and in town.

Both bikes are powered by the same 398cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC engine. Suzuki says the motor now gets fuel injection, ride-by-wire throttle and dual spark plugs, with output rated at around 37.5 hp.

It also complies with Euro 5+ emissions standards, which should mean cleaner running, better efficiency and smoother throttle response than older-school setups.

The two bikes also get Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, or SIRS, bringing a bit more electronic control into what is traditionally a fairly raw and straightforward segment. Included here are three ride modes via the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, a four-mode traction control system with Gravel mode, and switchable ABS. On paper at least, that gives both motorcycles a wider spread of usability depending on where and how they are ridden.

Where the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM start to separate themselves properly is in their wheel setup and intended use.

The Suzuki DR-Z4S runs a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel, the classic dual-sport combination. That setup is better suited to off-road work, giving the bike better ability to roll over obstacles and maintain stability on rougher surfaces such as dirt trails and gravel roads.

The Suzuki DR-Z4SM, on the other hand, uses 17-inch wheels front and rear, which is the more typical supermoto recipe. That should translate into quicker steering, stronger grip on paved roads and a more eager feel in corners, making it the more street-biased option of the two.

So while the two bikes share the same basic engineering and styling direction, they are clearly aimed at different riders. One is built for those who want to leave the pavement behind when the mood strikes, while the other is for those who prefer their fun served up on asphalt.

The DR-Z name itself is not new, of course. Suzuki first introduced the DR-Z400S and DR-Z400SM in the early 2000s, and the bikes built up a loyal following thanks to their durability, light weight and all-round usability.

They were never especially glamorous, but that was part of the appeal. They were honest motorcycles that could take abuse, handle mixed conditions and still be used day to day without too much drama.

That reputation is what Suzuki Malaysia is tapping into here. Rather than chasing outright power figures or turning the DR-Z into something overly complicated, the company appears to be banking on familiarity, versatility and the appeal of a platform that already has credibility among enthusiasts.

In the current Malaysian market, that gives the DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM a fairly clear identity. They are not trying to be full-blown adventure tourers, and they are not pretending to be litre-class performance machines either.

Instead, they sit in a space that still appeals to riders who want something lighter, more manageable and a lot less intimidating, but still characterful enough to be interesting.

The price, however, puts them firmly in enthusiast territory. At RM42,988, neither bike is exactly cheap for a single-cylinder machine, even with the updated tech and the DR-Z badge carrying some weight.

That makes the RM39,888 introductory offer for the first 50 customers more important than it might initially seem, because it gets the bikes under the psychological RM40k mark.

As for colours, the Suzuki DR-Z4S is offered in Champion Yellow and Solid Iron Gray, while the Suzuki DR-Z4SM comes in Sky Gray and Solid Special White.

Both models are now available in Malaysia through authorised Suzuki Big Bike World and Suzuki Station Plus dealerships nationwide.

From a broader product point of view, this launch looks like Suzuki Malaysia adding some enthusiast flavour back into its line-up rather than chasing pure volume.

The DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM are niche bikes, but they are the kind of niche bikes that can still matter for brand image, especially among riders who value lightweight fun over outright spec-sheet bragging rights.