The 2008 Suzuki DR-Z400sm K8 Supermotard
With its keeper still out of the country, I nicked the brand new 2008 Suzuki DR-Z400sm's keys two nights ago. Since then we've done around 130 joyful kilometers on bumpy B-roads, long enough for me to wish I were keeping the K8 Suzuki DR-Z400sm, SuperMotard style motorcycle, all year round.I spent 10 minutes lubing the chain and adjusting the controls, then softening the fork compression by three clicks to stop the front kicking off bumps so much. It's more stoppie-prone now, but my main concern is its stability over bumps. A bit more rear preload should help too, the sail-tail riding position always compresses the rear of bikes like this at speed.The sticky Dunlops its wearing are both an encouragement and a worry, they're already chewing up and showing wear after 500 running-in kilometers. Above all, it's only a baby. A 400cc single is cheap to run and makes a brilliant short-distance commuter. With about 40 horsepower and unmatched road handling, it is a perfect bike to drive in busy traffic. With the Suzuki DR-Z400sm we able to zip through traffic like the smaller Thai bikes, and still feeling you drive a real motorcycle. For crisp handling, it features a lightweight, compact design, complemented by advanced suspension front and rear, including an Suzuki RM250-derived inverted fork.
The engine is a lightweight 398cc, DOHC, liquid-cooled, dry-sump engine produces strong, tractable low-rpm power. The compact 4-valve cylinder head with 36mm intake valves, 29mm exhaust valves, narrow 28º included valve angle and shim-under-bucket valve adjustment system. Suzuki uses a SCEM-plated cylinder which is lighter and more durable than an iron liner with excellent heat transfer properties.
Downside? The new K8 Suzuki DR-Z400sm will be staying at a beach town, the salty weather, will probably quickly gnawed the fasteners. Maybe, I can advice the owner in buying stainless steel fasteners.
