Australian_Trailrider_2016_02_03

WHEEL TO WHEEL
TWO BIKES GO HEAD TO HEAD IN A SPEC-CHECK SHOWDOWN

SUZUKI DR-Z

Suzuki’s DR-Z250 is one of those bikes that just

keep going with little to no attention from the

factory whatsoever. Why mess with a good thing,

right? Suzuki has a habit of coming up with solid

designs and making them last for, well, decades in

fact, and the DR650 is a perfect example of that.

The DR-Z250 is an air-cooled 249cc trail bike in the

most pure sense of the term. Cleverly, there’s an oil

cooler included but the smart additions don’t stop

there. There’s an auto-decomp and electric start,

as well as a six-speed gearbox that makes freeway

speeds possible. The bike is built to last and it has

proven it can do just that, but in these days of big

numbers and horsepower ratings ruling the decision

process, a bike like the DR-Z is often overlooked.

Seen as a relic of a bygone era, the DR-Z is

thought of as lumbering and slow but that’s a very

narrow-minded view. The bike isn’t built to win

enduros — there are other bikes for that including

Suzuki’s own RMX450; it’s a perfect model for new

riders, someone getting back into riding, commuters

with a little trail thrown in, or someone looking for a

bike that doesn’t breathe fl ames but can still hold its

own on the trails. And the DR-Z does handle the bush

well. The suspension is adjustable but it will be the

fi rst point where you’ll fi nd its limitations. The engine

will keep you humming along at a solid pace, though,

much like we used to love about the XR250.

The low seat height, good fuel mileage and a

12-month unlimited kilometre warranty are several

more drawcards for the DR-Z, which will serve

any rider year after year with little need for

intense maintenance.

It’s a perfect model for new riders,

someone getting back into riding,

commuters with a little trail thrown

in, or someone looking for a bike that

doesn’t breathe fl ames