Lets get one thing straight: the DR-Z400S may wear street-legal clothing, but underneath its coat and tie you’ll find a full-on dirt bike that’s ready to roost.

There's no hiding the DR-Z400S's heritage. It uses the same advanced suspension as the incredible DR-Z400 dirt bike, and that means its engineered for exceptional responsiveness on all kinds of trails. One of the keys to its versatility is a wide range of adjustability that lets you tune the suspension for practically any riding condition, from gnarly whoop-infested trails to wide-open desert roads. Another key is its lightweight design, which lets you flick it around tight trails at will.

Like any great dirt bike, the DR-Z400S boasts a gutsy engine that's built to run hard. It has strong torque across the powerband and crisp throttle response for tight, technical trails. At the same time, its big-bore, short-stroke design gives it maximum high-rpm performance, providing a top-end surge that lets you run strong on wide-open fire roads. It’s also liquid-cooled for consistent performance even on long, hot summer rides. And, oh yes, when its time to run across town, the DR-Z400S is well equipped to make the trip enjoyable. It's remarkably smooth on the street, and it even has such niceties as electric starting for civil and convenient operation.