Adventure and dual sport have always been cornerstones of Suzuki’s lineup. Long before “ADV” became a marketing buzzword, the brand was putting out bikes like the DR-Big and DR-Z400S, machines that proved you didn’t need a race team behind you to explore the dirt. That legacy carries into 2026 with a refreshed family of V-Stroms and an all-new take on the DR-Z, showing Suzuki still knows how to build bikes that thrive on the road less traveled.
At the top of the adventure touring pyramid is the V-Strom 1050DE, priced at $16,449. It takes the familiar 1037cc V-twin and drops it into a reinforced twin-spar aluminum frame with extended swingarm, more ground clearance, and 21/17-inch spoke wheels on Dunlop Adventure tires. Electronics come courtesy of the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, which adds Gravel Mode traction control, a bi-directional quickshifter, and switchable rear ABS for dirt duty.
Cruise control and cornering ABS are standard too, making it just as happy pounding out highway miles as it is sliding through a gravel turn. Aluminum engine protection and an accessory bar finish the package, along with ADV-themed Pearl Tech White and Glass Sparkle Black paint that nods back to Suzuki’s Dakar roots.
If your focus is more asphalt with a touch of dirt, the standard V-Strom 1050 at $15,499 leans toward the touring side of the equation. You still get the same 1037cc V-twin, cruise control, bi-directional quickshifter, and a vivid 5-inch TFT display, but with 19/17-inch cast wheels and a narrower chassis setup that makes long road trips effortless. Styling remains true to the beaked Suzuki DNA, now finished in Glass Sparkle Black with Matte Black accents.
Moving down the ladder, the mid-size 800 platform gives riders a fresh balance of weight and performance. The V-Strom 800DE Adventure comes in at $13,249 and is the most dirt-focused of the group, with a 776cc parallel twin using a 270-degree firing order and Suzuki’s Cross Balancer system to keep it smooth. It rides on long-travel Showa suspension with the highest ground clearance in the family, a 21-inch front wheel, aluminum skid plate, and accessory bar. Suzuki equips it from the factory with 37-liter aluminum panniers, making it a ready-to-go travel rig straight off the showroom floor.
The regular 800DE, priced at $11,799, strips things down to essentials but keeps the same tall stance, spoke wheels, Showa suspension, and rider aids like Gravel Mode traction control and switchable ABS. Paint options include the classic Champion Yellow No. 2 or Pearl Tech White, both paired with Dakar-inspired bodywork. For riders who prefer more street bias, the V-Strom 800 slots in at $10,249 with cast 19/17-inch wheels, SHOWA SFF-BP forks, and Dunlop’s new D614 touring tires. It’s the friendliest of the three but still packs the same 776cc parallel twin and a full suite of electronics including multi-mode traction control, quickshifter, and ABS.
While the V-Strom family handles big trips and mixed terrain, Suzuki hasn’t forgotten the riders who grew up on the DR-Z. The new DR-Z4S brings the beloved 400 platform into the modern age with ride-by-wire fueling, selectable ride modes, traction control, and switchable ABS. Starting at $8,999, it retains the 398cc single-cylinder character but now runs through a steel twin-spar frame with KYB suspension, 21/18-inch wheels, and slim LED bodywork. The electronics suite even includes Gravel Mode, making it a proper bridge between dirtbike and dual sport.
For riders who want more protection straight from the factory, the DR-Z4S+ at $9,299 adds a skid plate, handguards, and rotor guards as standard. It shares the same EFI-fed 398cc single with titanium intake valves and hollow sodium-filled exhaust valves, a redesigned stator for better electrical output, and updated LCD instrumentation. With its sharp Champion Yellow plastics or stealthy Solid Iron Gray trim, it looks every bit as modern as it rides.
What ties all of these together is Suzuki’s refusal to overcomplicate things. The V-Stroms offer a clear step ladder from mid-size to big-bore, each with just enough electronics to make them versatile but not intimidating. The DR-Z4S keeps its rugged single-cylinder charm while finally stepping into the EFI age with a suite of rider aids that make it friendlier to new riders without watering down its grit. Prices range from just over ten grand for the base V-Strom 800 to over sixteen for the fully loaded 1050DE, leaving plenty of options depending on whether your adventures are measured in backroad afternoons or border-crossing odysseys.
Suzuki knows its audience here. These aren’t halo machines designed to wow on a spec sheet; they’re practical, durable, and ready for the kind of everyday adventure that actually matters to most riders. Whether you’re throwing soft bags over a DR-Z4S for a weekend trail escape or kitting out a V-Strom 1050DE for months on the road, the 2026 lineup makes it clear the brand hasn’t forgotten its dirt DNA.
Source: Suzuki Cycles
