Suzuki new DR-Z4SM vs Yamaha T7

Sochi

Sochi

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Price for the new DRZ is out, do you think they overpriced it?
The Tenere is so close and a way better bike IMO. I wish Yamaha had a middle size Tenere based supermoto...
These are Can MSRPs

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not a dirt guy but if you're riding terrain that requires a very small bike, then dr is the way to go, otherwise by every measurable metric the T7 is superior.
 
I hear a few people that own that 700 tenere really like them
 
Scuba Steve said:
I was referring to the KTM vs the zuki not the Yamaha

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The KTM 350/500's are most focused on off road performance, at the expense of on road comfort and higher maintenance.

The DRZ competes with the KTM690's, and other more street friendly dual sports and have higher weight, more comfort through overall higher gearing and softer suspension, less intensive maintenance, and long term reliability if unmodified. They're all entirely capable of traversing more technical off road terrain at a reduced pace or higher effort with lower final gearing and perhaps suspension work/attention.

When I lived in Pickering I didn't hesitate to ride my XR650L to the Ganaraska for a day. As I had regeared it and modified the suspension it was fine in single track though heavy. I was also 20+ years younger, stronger and lighter. I wish I kept it. I wouldn't consider making that trip on my previous KTM530 or my current Husky 250, and I don't think I would have 20 years ago either.

I'm contemplating getting a CRF450l as it seems to combine bland Honda reliability with pretty high off road competence, and to be honest I realize that I don't need that high off road competence anymore, but you never know. I could have one more good & fast ride in me somewhere.
 
xrljoel said:
The KTM 350/500's are most focused on off road performance, at the expense of on road comfort and higher maintenance.

The DRZ competes with the KTM690's, and other more street friendly dual sports and have higher weight, more comfort through overall higher gearing and softer suspension, less intensive maintenance, and long term reliability if unmodified. They're all entirely capable of traversing more technical off road terrain at a reduced pace or higher effort with lower final gearing and perhaps suspension work/attention.

When I lived in Pickering I didn't hesitate to ride my XR650L to the Ganaraska for a day. As I had regeared it and modified the suspension it was fine in single track though heavy. I was also 20+ years younger, stronger and lighter. I wish I kept it. I wouldn't consider making that trip on my previous KTM530 or my current Husky 250, and I don't think I would have 20 years ago either.

I'm contemplating getting a CRF450l as it seems to combine bland Honda reliability with pretty high off road competence, and to be honest I realize that I don't need that high off road competence anymore, but you never know. I could have one more good & fast ride in me somewhere.
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Not the 350 the 390 enduro with the street based engines similar to a dr but less expensive.

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The new DRZ is definitely coasting on its history and nameplate. It's a cult bike and Suzuki is hoping the cult-following will swallow the new kool-aid.

"Upgrades" have been way too mild to justify such a price increase. 20 lbs heavier and still a 5-speed.

And the kicker: almost $3500 up from the previous gen. 🤪

There's inflation, sure.

But then there's also smoking crack.
 
I was at the dealership yesterday and last years DRZ was it the 9K range and the new one in the 14K. Even the dealer said last years model is a better choice.
 
Scuba Steve said:
What's the difference both are low maintenance enduro bikes. I would say they are very similar.

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I've ridden a DRZ in single track. Very doable. I don't think the T7 would be very single track friendly.
 
I believe as of Jan 1, 2025, non-Euro5+ bikes cannot be sold or manufactured any longer in Europe. Dealers will have till the end of 2025 to clear MY2024 stock.

Some motorcycle models have gotten ahead of this curve by lazily slapping on EFI on their dated carbed bikes and/or increasing displacement/lowering compression ratio at the expense of weight so the new Euro5+ models stay "competitive" to the outgoing models. Examples of this are the KTM 790->890 and KLR650.

However, other models have come out with brand new powerplants (Suzuki's P800 and Ducati's 890 L-twin) shaving off weight while still increasing horsepower.

The DRZ, unfortunately, falls in the former camp...

If it had come out with a brand-new redesigned engine, I could see how it would (maybe) justify such a huge price increase.

I mean, the newly designed P-Strom is only ~20% more expensive than the V-Strom. Not 50%!
 
timtune said:
I've ridden a DRZ in single track. Very doable. I don't think the T7 would be very single track friendly.
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A DRZ was my first dual sport bike. It was ok in single track, but once I found myself looking to upgrade everything to make it better, I decided to just move onto a proper dirt bike. I think they were great bikes to see what you like better, single track/gravel/pavement. I'm just flabbergasted at the price of them now.
 
T7 is 460 lbs. Wet. Great gravel road bike, but not double and single track; at least not at a reasonable pace, and not when things get difficult.

Ktm 390 enduro is going to weigh in at 351lbs. Bolt on some handguards and a skidplate, and you'll be around 360... pretty porky. Moreso than a bush pig (xr650L, dr650).

Crf450L is just over 300lbs. Vibey. Flameout issues (common 450 issue), needs $2 grand in mods to cure or reduce flameouts (ecu, pipe). High maintenance intervals.

Old drz is nearly 320lbs. Wet. Not quite pig status, but she's an old girl.

New drz, 25lbs more? $3500 increase? Nope...

Ktm 350/500. 260lbs. Maybe 275 wet. High maintenance. High power. High price. Ktm's future is questionable.

Seems I'm keeping my wr250r, unless Yamaha makes a wr350r. 10hp more, 10lbs less. Same maintenance schedule... I'd be sold.

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Yep, not many people are cross-shopping a T7 if they're looking to get a DRZ.

It's like saying, "$55K for Tacoma?!? I can get an Acura TLX for that price!"

Apples-to-apples competitors for the DRZ I'd say are CRF300L, KLX300/SM, WR250R/X (now discontinued). Similar use case.

All hover around the 300-330 lbs wet weight, 25-35 hp, streetbike maintenance intervals and Japanese-level pricing, quality and parts availability.

Funnily enough, if someone is actually eyeing a 2025 DRZ4S/SM, its stiffest competition is probably a NOS 2024 DRZ400S/SM...
 
Lightcycle said:
Yep, not many people are cross-shopping a T7 if they're looking to get a DRZ.

It's like saying, "$55K for Tacoma?!? I can get an Acura TLX for that price!"

Apples-to-apples competitors for the DRZ I'd say are CRF300L, KLX300/SM, WR250R/X (now discontinued).

All hover around the 300-330 lbs wet weight, 25-35 hp, streetbike maintenance intervals and Japanese-level pricing, quality and parts availability.

Funnily enough, if someone is actually eyeing a 2025 DRZ400, its stiffest competition is probably a NOS 2024 DRZ400...
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Agreed. I'd hope the new drz4s drops the prices of the outgoing model.

Good time to buy a tried and true 24 year run proven dualsport.

If the new model was a 6 speed, Lighter, More power - not enough of a performance increase to justify the price.

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