The Suzuki DR-Z400S weighs 144kg wet, has a seat height of 935mm and 300mm of ground clearance, and makes 39hp. Expect about 65 mpg, for a range of around 140 miles from its 10-litre tank.
10/10
Holloway Green Lane Score
An analogue, bombproof green-laning benchmark, light and gutsy off-road, though its tall seat and buzzy gearbox make it less relaxed on the road. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
4/5
Road usability
2/5
Technical off-road capability
5/5
Green-lane suitability
5/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£4,000
Engine398cc
Power39hp
Torque39Nm
Weight (wet)144kg
Seat height935mm
Fuel tank10L
Real-world range~140 mi
Economy~65 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance300mm
Suspension travel (f/r)288mm / 295mm
ABSYes
Traction controlNo
Ride modesNo
Service interval6,000 miles
Licence requiredA2
Stock tyre sizes (f/r)80/100-21 / 120/90-18
Where the Suzuki DR-Z400S sits
Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.
Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.
Will your feet reach?
The Suzuki DR-Z400S has a 935mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Range against similar bikes
Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.
Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.
Tyres that fit the Suzuki DR-Z400S
It runs a 80/100-21 front and a 120/90-18 rear. 21 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
Owners revere the DR-Z400S as an analogue, bombproof benchmark for green laning. Riders consistently praise its carburetted 398cc single for instant low-rpm punch that lofts the front wheel over logs and rocks with ease. With 300mm of ground clearance and a 144kg weight, it tackles hard terrain effortlessly, though owners frequently mention that the close-ratio 5-speed gearbox buzzes heavily on sustained motorway links.
Pros for green laning
Rugged, simple mechanics: carburetted 398cc engine is mechanically straightforward, field-repairable, and supported by a massive aftermarket.
Exceptional 300mm ground clearance: 288mm front and 295mm rear suspension travel easily swallows massive boulders, tree roots, and deep ditch crossings.
Sub-145kg wet weight: at 144kg kerb weight, it is lightweight, nimble, and easily recovered single-handedly from mud holes.
Immediate low-end torque: 39Nm of torque provides instant, analogue throttle pull from idle for popping the front wheel over trail obstacles.
Cons and limitations
Intimidating 935mm seat height: towering seat height makes touching the ground on off-camber trail stops difficult for anyone under 6ft.
Buzzing 5-speed gearbox: short gearing makes 65-70mph motorway links feel strained and vibrate heavily through the footpegs and handlebars.
Zero electronic aids: lacks ABS or traction control, requiring precise right-wrist and brake control in slick chalk or frozen mud.
Cold-start carb finickiness: requires manual choke management on freezing winter mornings and can flood if dropped upside down on a hill.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
