Suzuki new DR-Z4SM vs Yamaha T7

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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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this conversation went all the way to dirtbike riding. I was actually thinking more along supermotard lines. I really want SM Jap reliability made and more than 300cc, 600cc would be perfect and so far only Duc (too expensive for "real" sm style riding learning) and KTM which is in the dumpster right now plus never was bullet proof like jap bikes... as I said Tenere T7-SM would be the dream :)
So, end of story I am currently looking for an old(ish) DRZ400SM for cheap...
 
Sochi said:
this conversation went all the way to dirtbike riding. I was actually thinking more along supermotard lines. I really want SM Jap reliability made and more than 300cc, 600cc would be perfect and so far only Duc (too expensive for "real" sm style riding learning) and KTM which is in the dumpster right now plus never was bullet proof like jap bikes... as I said Tenere T7-SM would be the dream :)
So, end of story I am currently looking for an old(ish) DRZ400SM for cheap...
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Ah, nothing more fun than beating on a Stupid Retard! (Can we say that in 2025?)

Unfortunately, more cubes comes with more weight, especially when you start getting into multi-cylinders, so we're straying a bit from the classic thumper SM formula And you're right, the 690/701 and 698 are really the only options in that 350 lb, higher horsepower SM category.

If you're in love with the T7 platform, check out this DIY SM conversion:

IMG_20200411_104817-01.jpeg.79bc2e5ac87ae33e94118143bd0e23f4.jpeg



I just came off a couple of weeks on a Tenere 700 vacation. Fun bike!
 
Fz/mt-07 feels like a big motard.

I don't see why anyone would put supermoto wheels on a t7. Maybe, If the mt07 didn't exist???

500 exc-f supermoto would be fun, just not for any kind of distance. Its pretty vibey. By the time you convert a new bike, you are knocking on $20 grand...

Drz400sm is fun, and indestructible. Not exactly performance oriented. Neither is my wr250x to be honest... but its cheap to insure, fast enough in the corners, tops out screaming at 130kph.

I lead many Thursday night rides on it. Fast enough where it counts.

Is the 690 platform still eating cams? Or snapping them?



Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk
 
matt365 said:
I don't see why anyone would put supermoto wheels on a t7. Maybe, If the mt07 didn't exist???
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If there's a motorcycle out there, there's a motorcycle owner who will try to SM it. (No, not S&M)

Here's a Norden 901 Supermoto conversion.

norden_sm.webp

Not something *I* would have done, but it's not my money...
 
matt365 said:
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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I listened to an ADVRider podcast where Neil Graham and Michael Uhlarik were talking about the DRZ and its missing 6th gear. According to MU (I'm paraphrasing) engineering, designing and developing a transmission is the biggest issue with building a motorcycle. Many new and current bikes have transmission components that have been part of that manufacturers transmissions for years and years. Suzuki decided that developing an entirely new set of gears wasn't worth what it would have cost, given only a marginal benefit.

As for lighter and more power, that's the recipe for increased maintenance and potential reduced reliability for a model and group of models where reliability has been a hallmark.

Riders who've never owned a DR have complained long and hard about the lack of a 6th gear, just as people who haven't or wouldn't buy other brands complain about their reliability, performance etc. I've seen a bunch of guys ride a near-stock DR pretty quickly in the woods and I haven't met anybody who has complained about owning one of the DS ones. I have heard people with the SM model complaining about the lack of power and they're likely the origins of the, "Why no 6 speed?" chorus.

The new DR is still far too expensive given it's competition in 2025. Since Suzuki tends to leave models untouched for years perhaps it will look like a bargain in a couple years.
 
matt365 said:
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.
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Maybe that's the game? Sitting on a bunch of 2024's and hope people jump and buy them close to MSRP. After you run out of 24's, drop MSRP on the 25's to close to the 24 MSRP. Dick move but more profitable in the short term than discounting NOS to get them sold.
 
GreyGhost said:
Maybe that's the game? Sitting on a bunch of 2024's and hope people jump and buy them close to MSRP. After you run out of 24's, drop MSRP on the 25's to close to the 24 MSRP. Dick move but more profitable in the short term than discounting NOS to get them sold.
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Maybe.

If I was in the market for a drz, I'd rather have the last year of production, than the first year of a "new model". The engine is essentially identical (- fuel injection). Let the problems get sorted out first.

They're going to have to drop the price at some point.


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