VOL. 55 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 P87
making up for an unim pressive
power output, too. Of the bunch,
the Suzuki has the softest initial
power delivery and slowest rev-
ving engine, challenging riders to
clear the triples from the inside
line. Lousy? Not a bit. In fact, the
mellow nature of the RM-Z's
powerplant makes it rider-friend-
ly over the course of the long
moto, with testers saying that it's
the least exhausting and most
confidence-inspiring at day's end.
Suzuki softened the spring
rate of the RM-Z's Balance Free
Cushion rear shock (BFRC) in
hopes of im proving chassis bal-
ance, but the majority of testers
struggled to find liking in the new
setting. U nder hard deceleration
or downhill sections, the Suzuki
feels heavy on its nose, robbing
confidence to pull hard on the
brake lever and throw the bike
into the corner. Likewise, Su-
zuki's coil-spring fork struggles
to find a happy medium between
top-of-the-stroke plushness and
bottom-of-the-stroke resistance
from bottoming. The result is an
increasingly harsh ride as the
track deteriorates.
We have a strong belief that
the RM-Z could move further up
the finishing order with changes
aimed at bringing it up to date
with its com petitors. You know,
like adding an electric starter.
We'll admit it; we've been spoiled
by ES systems on the other
bikes. The thing is, after spend-
ing time on the other bikes, kick
starting the Suzuki is a pain in the
butt, especially in the event of a
midrace crash or stalled engine.
Combine that with an outdated
coupler system requiring track-
side attention to swap ignition
maps—well, you see our point.
Though being known as a
great all-around performer,
there's no denying that the RM-
Z450 has grown long in the tooth.
Should Suzuki throw updates at
its suspension package, pum p
up the power output or add an
electric starter, the RM-Z might
just catapult up the rankings. U ntil
then, it'll have to settle for sixth
place in this year's shootout.
