THE RETURN OF LIGHT IS RIGHT That pendulum is starting to swing back once more. Smaller machines are cheaper, easier to manage and more often than not, more fun. Enter our test machines, the Suzuki DR- Z4S and the KTM 390 Adventure R. The Suzuki needs little introduction. Over the years, the 400 has gone from a successful off-road racer and trail bike( I even had one as a farm bike for a while) to this latest iteration, which is a full-on‘ exploring’ bike with power modes, ABS and TC, while retaining its long travel suspension and slim dirt-bike layout. The KTM is a new model, with a pukka adventure bike layout with a tall screen, hand guards, a lowish seat, but also power modes, ABS and TC. Our KTM 390, 399cc to be exact, had full dirt terrain knobbies fitted, while the DR-Z4S had the standard 80 / 20 road / gravel type rubber. Not comparable tyres, but we’ ll take that into account. The test was covered over tarmac, gravel and serious sandy terrain. Some will say
34 KIWI RIDER