Suzuki DR Big revealed while testing in Italy

Bruno Gomes

April 17, 2019

The new DR Big is already being tested on the road and getting ready to be officially revealed this Autumn before arriving in Suzuki dealerships by 2020

For the next few years, Suzuki plans include a list of as much as 10 new motorcycles. We know about the new Hayabusa turbo, there’s rumors pointing to a new GSX-R1000 featuring a brand-new variable valve timing system, the GSX-700T Recursion with a turbo is also arriving soon, and for the small displacement segment, Suzuki is working on a GSX-R300.

But now, spy shots revealed by American website RideApart in their official Twitter account, show what seems to be the next generation of the classic Suzuki DR Big trail bike.

Unlike the original DR Big that Suzuki sold back in the ’80s, the new DR Big for 2020 will be based on the current V-Strom 1000 platform. That means the frame, other chassis components and mainly the twin-cylinder engine will be transplanted from the V-Strom to the new DR Big.

The development prototype was caught covered with camouflage while testing in Italy, but even all that camouflage isn’t able to hide some details. The front end of the Suzuki DR Big is very similar to what the original model had, with a rectangular headlight inserted in the front beak, using LED lights.

Unlike what the first rumors said, the wheels on the new DR Big won’t be 21’’ with spokes, since Suzuki opted to go for a 21’’ and cast wheels’ setup.

Some might point to the fact that this is just Suzuki trying to do a makeover on the V-Strom 1000, and that might also be true. But Suzuki insiders have been hinting to the arrival of a new DR Big in 2020, and since the design of this test bike is so close to the original DR Big with which Suzuki raced the Dakar Rally, we’re almost sure that by next Autumn the Hamamatsu factory will indeed present us the new DR Big.