One of Suzuki’s most dependable and fun-loving bikes turns ten this year, and what better birthday bling to give than the gift of gold? The Suzuki DR-Z400SM.

In the often ill-defined world of Super Motard, the Suzuki DR-Z400SM stands out as the longest-running example with true dirt bike credentials, having been in production and virtually unchanged since 2005. But, that’s still nowhere near as long as the DR-Z400E trail bike from which the SM model is derived has been around. Suzuki’s trusty battle-axe of the bush has been in service since 1999, and is also still in production much as it was originally designed.

It’s one of those bikes that makes you realise LAMS legality, and fun and frisky, aren’t mutually exclusive – the SM loves a stunt or two, and will drift just as a good dirt bike should given the right conditions. Not antics I’d recommend for riders planning on attaching a L-plate to the SM, but as this is a bike you could happily grow old with, perhaps something to enjoy in the future. The SM would even be right at home flying on the occasional track day, ideally at one of our more technical race circuits.

Read the full story in the current issue of AMCN Vol 65 No 25 ON SALE THURSDAY 23 JUNE!