2025 Suzuki DR-Z125L Preview

Suzuki Motor USA has confirmed its popular DR-Z125L dirt bike will be returning for the 2025 model year with no updates to speak of. Everything from the engine to the graphics will be a rerun of last year’s offering, but if you’re in the market for a beginner-friendly off-road bike, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

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Truth be told the big-wheel 125 hasn’t changed much at all since its introduction in 2003, and that comes with a few upsides. The DR-Z-L’s air-cooled 124cc engine is a known factor when it comes to reliability, as is its smooth-fueling Mikuni carburetor and no-frills front disc/rear drum brake combo.

All that simplicity also helps to keep costs down, making the DR-Z125L among the most affordable bikes in the segment. Suzuki has confirmed a modest price increase of just $20 for 2025, bringing the 125′s total MSRP to just $3,619.

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That’s a big chunk of change saved compared to the DR-Z’s big-wheel competitors, with Honda’s CRF125F Big Wheel retailing for $3,899 this year and Kawasaki’s KLX140R L commanding a $3,999 premium for the added displacement. Yamaha’s TT-R125LE currently undercuts the Suzuki by about $20, but pricing for the 2025 model has yet to be confirmed.

For your money you’re getting the standard list of “big wheel” trail bike features. A 19-inch front wheel, a low seat height, a lightweight clutch, and a smooth, easygoing motor that’s nearly impossible to stall. Soft suspension with 7.1 inches of travel up front and 6.9 inches out back is ideal for new riders and low-speed shenanigans.

The biggest difference between the Suzuki DR-Z125L and its competitors is that DR is the only bike in the segment that doesn’t include an electric starter. Kickstart-only will be a major drawback to some and added street cred to others, but for better or worse, the DR-Z125L remains a time capsule for the trail bikes of yesteryear.

The 2025 DR-Z125L is available in showrooms now nationwide.