Suzuki is one of the most popular dirt bike companies in the world. They have had plenty of success manufacturing high quality dirt-bikes for over 50 years. Nowadays, Suzuki is a number one choice of thousands of motocross riders all over the globe.
The 8 best Suzuki dirt bikes are:
- Suzuki RM125
- Suzuki RM-Z250
- Suzuki RM-Z450
- Suzuki DR-Z400S
- Suzuki DR350SE
- Suzuki DR650
- Suzuki DR-Z125
- Suzuki DR200S
These 8 models are all quite different from each other. They have different proportions, offer different performance and each provide a different riding feel. Therefore, we have also included a buying guide to help you pick the ideal one for you.
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Suzuki Dirt Bike History
The first motorised bike Suzuki made was called “Power Free” and was produced in 1952. It was a standard bicycle with a 2-stroke engine mounted on it. After some time, they changed the name from Suzuki Loom Company to Suzuki Motor Company.
In 1963 Suzuki opened the US Suzuki Motor Corp., which was a subsidiary of the main company. After 2 years they released the T20 motorbike which was advertised as the fastest 250cc motorcycle in the world.
At the beginning of the 1970s, Suzuki released the TM400, which was their first motocross bike. Nowadays, almost everyone recognizes the brand as they manufacture a wide range of products. Aside from dirt bikes, they also manufacture cars and board motors for boats.
Buying Guide: How To Pick The Right Dirt Bike
Finding a dirt bike that will suit your needs can often be tricky. There are many different factors you need to consider in order to find the ideal one. If you don’t explore every possible angle, you could end up with a dirt bike that is too big, too heavy, or too powerful for you.
Skill Level & Riding Experience
Dirt bikes give you quite a different feeling while riding compared to street bikes. If you have tried riding a cruiser or a chopper around the city, you will be shocked by how different riding a dirt bike feels. Still, if you have a lot of experience with dirt bikes, you probably wouldn’t be reading this. So, we will assume that you are a newer rider!
One thing you need to remember is that dirt bikes are, most of the time, quite lightweight. Street bikes, on the other hand, are usually much heavier. That’s why a dirt bike with a 250cc engine can accelerate like a heavier street bike with a 650cc engine.
If you haven’t ridden a dirt bike before, we highly recommend you stick in the 125cc to 200cc range. Riding anything more powerful in the beginning can be extremely dangerous as you may not be able to control that amount of power.
Stay Reasonable With The Size
Aside from the size of the engine, another important factor is the actual size of the bike. Some dirt bikes are bigger, taller and heavier than others. It can be tricky to find a dirt bike that is perfectly sized for you.
Your weight and height have the biggest impact on how big your dirt bike should be. A good way to find the right size is to try sitting on the bike and putting your feet down. Only one third of your feet should be in contact with the ground. If you can flatfoot it the bike is probably too small, and if you can only touch the ground with the tip of your toes, the bike is probably too big for you.
Tire Sizing
Another thing that makes dirt bikes very specific is the size of their wheels. Dirt bikes usually have a smaller rear wheel and a bigger front wheel. This allows them to navigate smoothly over rough terrain and accelerate faster than street bikes.
Dirt bikes designed for off-road trail riding will usually have smaller wheels with bigger tires and more rubber. Bigger wheels make a dirt bike more comfortable, especially for a beginner. The bigger the tire, the smaller the rock!
Consider Your Age
Although the ideal engine displacement has a lot more to do with the overall riding experience than the actual age of the rider, it is still something you should keep in mind. If you are looking for an ideal dirt bike for kids, stay in the 50cc to 150cc range.
Most kid-sized dirt bikes are in that engine displacement range. Anything more powerful than that is not only dangerous for kids but also most likely too tall. On the other hand, if you are an adult, you don’t need to consider your age in order to find the ideal engine displacement, but only your riding experience.
The 8 Best Suzuki Dirt Bikes
1. Suzuki RM125
The Suzuki RM125 is definitely one of the most popular and desirable dirt bikes among motocross riders. It features a liquid-cooled 125cc, single-cylinder, 2-stroke engine. This dirt bike is ideal for beginners, but is also a very common choice for advanced riders as well.
Aside from a powerful and efficient engine, this bike comes with a 6-speed transmission and a fuel tank with a capacity of 8 liters (2.11 gallons). Due to the yellow color, this model is bold, but is still very stylish and eye-catching.
Another factor that makes this dirt bike ideal for beginners is the weight. The Suzuki RM125 is on the light side, weighing only 191.8 pounds (87 kg). Plus, this dirt bike has an adjustable seat height with 37.4 inches being the lowest setting.
The front tire dimensions of the RM125 are 80/90-M21 while the dimensions of the rear tire are 110/90-M19. The rear suspension is fully adjustable and has 16 low-speed and 4 high-speed compression settings. The front suspension is telescopic and has 20 rebound and 22 compression settings.
PROS:
- Customizable suspension
- Lightweight
CONS:
- Seat height might be too high for some
2. Suzuki RM-Z250
The RM-Z250 is one of the heaviest bikes in this class. The Suzuki RM-Z250 weighs 237 pounds and is the heaviest bike without an electric starter. Although this dirt bike is not the most comfortable one to ride, it handles quite well and is very fun to ride.
The single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine of this dirt bike is liquid-cooled, has the engine displacement of 250cc and can produce 36.4 horsepower. The aluminum twin-spar frame is quite durable. The seat height of this dirt bike is 37.3 inches.
With the Nissin 2-piston caliper front disk and the Nissin 1-piston caliper rear disc, Suzuki RM-Z250 does a pretty good job when it comes to braking. It also has a fuel tank with a capacity of 1.7 gallons (6.3L).
The Suzuki RM-Z250 has a constant mesh, 5-speed transmission. Plus, the cable clutch lever, as well as the front brake lever, have a really nice, ergonomic shape. The clutch itself is super light and has a quick adjuster wheel that spins freely with ease.
Suzuki also spec’d the RM-Z250 with a new KYB AOS fork. Although the fork’s spring rate is fairly stiff, it can be improved with some adjustments. Closing the rebound as well as opening the compression helps the fork move deeper into the stroke.
PROS:
- Great brakes
- Super light clutch
- Quite powerful
CONS:
- The fork’s spring rate is very stiff
3. Suzuki RM-Z450
Due to its consistent, torquey character, the engine of the RM-Z450 runs pretty well. At about 8900 rpm this engine produces 49.9 horsepower. The rear Showa Balance Free suspension requires some tuning, while the Showa 49mm front fork is quite good and only requires tiny adjustments to get to the right setting.
This dirt bike easily lays into turns with a lot of front wheel traction. It weighs 251 pounds and so feels a little heavy on the track. However, just like the previous model, this one does a great job when it comes to braking as it features the same brakes.
The fuel tank of the RM-Z450 has the same capacity (1.7 gallons) as the one on the RM-Z250. This dirt bike also has a 5-speed transmission and a seat height of 37.8 inches. The design of this dirt bike is quite cool-looking and is considered to be one of the best in its class.
Another very important factor to mention is that the RM-Z450 is very comfortable to ride. You can easily move backwards and forwards as the seat is nice and flat. Even though it is very comfortable, for the majority of weekend racers, it may be a little stiff on choppy outdoor tracks.
PROS:
- Very comfortable
- Powerful engine
- Nice aesthetic
CONS:
- Quite heavy
4. Suzuki DR-Z400S
Are you looking for a 400cc compact and powerful liquid-cooled dirt bike? Then the DR-Z400S might be the ideal choice for you. Its dry-sump engine is capable of producing a lot of power at low rpm. Plus, it also features an electric starter, which is handy in cold weather.
The DR-Z400S also features a cable-operated clutch with a magnesium outer cover, simplifying maintenance. This dirt bike also has a compact 5-speed transmission. Its O-ring type of drive chain offers longevity and makesminimal noise while riding.
The frame of the Suzuki DR-Z400S is quite narrow and combines the chrome-moly thin tubes made out of steel for torsional rigidity and minimal weight. This dirt bike has a 220mm rear disc brake and a dual-piston 250mm front disc brake, making for some decent stopping force.
The electric starter motor is very lightweight, compact and convenient. The digital instrument cluster is also compact and includes the odometer, speedometer, timer, clock, stopwatch, and twin trip meters with subtraction/addition capability.
PROS:
- Compact design
- Produces minimal noise
- Features an electric starter
CONS:
- A little heavy
5. Suzuki DR350SE
If you are looking for an affordable yet powerful and high-quality dirt bike, the DR350SE makes a great choice. The suspension of this model is soft, making the bike very comfortable to ride.
The fuel tank holds up to 2.4 gallons (9 liters). Another useful feature of the DR350SE is the electric starter, again ideal for those in colder climates. The 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC engine is air-cooled and features a dry sump.
Unlike the previous model, this one has a 6-speed transmission and can produce up to 30 horsepower at 7600 rpm. Both the front and rear suspension are fully adjustable, which is ideal for those that want to be able to really customize the ride for different terrain. The top speed of the Suzuki DR350SE is 145.7 km/h.
Although this bike has an engine displacement of 350cc, the dry weight of this dirt bike is still only 287 pounds (130 kg). The Suzuki DR350SE has a compression ratio of 9.5:1, and in terms of brakes it’s equipped with a dual-piston front 250mm disc and a single-piston 220mm rear disc.
PROS:
- Very comfortable
- Features an electric starter
- Has a 6-speed transmission
CONS:
- Not an ideal bike for racing
6. Suzuki DR650
The Suzuki DR650 offers the combination of smooth street performance and off-road agility at a very affordable price. This dirt bike also features an electric starter and electronic type of ignition, but the wet clutch of the Suzuki DR650 is cable operated.
Given that this dirt bike has an engine displacement of 650cc, the total weight of 324 pounds is not actually that heavy. Due to its 13-liter fuel tank, the wet-weight of the DR650 is a hefty 357 pounds. The average fuel consumption of this dirt bike is around 5L/100km.
The engine itself is air/oil-cooled and can produce up to 43.5 horsepower at 6400 rpm, giving a top speed of 160.6 km/h. The link-type rear suspension is fully adjustable. Plus, the single cradle frame of the DR650 is made out of steel and so it’s quite durable.
The Suzuki DR650 has a very wide powerband and a 5-speed transmission. The bike uses a wet sump type of lubrication and has a compression ratio of 9.5:1. If you’re an absolute beginner, you will probably find this bike too difficult to control. But if you’re looking for power, and have the experience, this is a good choice.
PROS:
- Great fuel capacity
- Wide powerband
- ● Very durable construction
CONS:
- Not ideal for beginners
7. Suzuki DR-Z125L
The Suzuki DR-Z125L makes an ideal choice for various dirt bike riders, especially for kids and for those who have graduated from the sub-100cc bikes. It also makes a great choice for someone who no longer needs the high seat height and long-travel suspension offered by some of the other bikes on this list.
This dirt bike has an extraordinarily reliable engine and a two-valve, air-cooled single cylinder that can last for decades if well maintained. As the oil and air filters can be easily swapped or cleaned, the maintenance of this engine is fairly easy if you have a bit of mechanical knowhow.
With its 1.1-gallon fuel tank filled to the brim, the Suzuki DR-Z125L weighs less than 200 pounds and so is fairly lightweight. The power that this dirt bike produces is quite controllable and easy to handle, especially when paired with its lightweight nature. Its seat height is a fairly small 32 inches, and so is ideal for those on the shorter side.
A drawback of this Suzuki dirt bike is the fact that it doesn’t feature an electric starter. Therefore, if that feature is a must for you, you might want to consider another option. However, the design of this model is quite simple and doesn’t feature any batteries that can go flat, making maintenance even easier.
PROS:
- Simple design
- Ideal for beginners
- Very lightweight
CONS:
- Not very powerful
- Doesn’t feature an electric starter
8. Suzuki DR200S
The SOHC, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine of the DR200S is ultra-reliable and provides a decent amount of horsepower and torque. The DR200S also features an electric starter powered by a reliable, compact and maintenance-free battery.
The quick-action clutch is cable operated and ensures simple operation. Both the single shock rear suspension and the front telescopic fork offer an adjustable spring preload. The tires are very durable and have special tread patterns to ensure a smooth riding experience.
The Suzuki DR200S features a wet sump lubrication system. Due to the 33.3-inch seat height, this model is a great choice for beginners as well, as it’s lower than a few of the other bikes on this list. However, if you are an advanced rider you might want to find a bike with a bigger engine displacement, as this bike offers just 199cc.
PROS:
- Provides a comfortable riding experience
- Durable tires
- Reliable and compact electric starter
CONS:
- Not very powerful
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a reliable, liquid-cooled, 2-stroke dirt bike, the Suzuki RM125 makes for the perfect choice. It’s quite lightweight, has an adjustable seat height and an engine displacement of 125cc, making it ideal for beginners as well.
Still, if you are an advanced rider in the need of something more powerful, you should check out the RM-Z450 or DR650. They are a lot heavier and more difficult to handle, but they offer a huge amount of power.