There was a time when the RM-
Z450 was the best handling bike out
there, especially in the turning depart-
ment. It's still an excellent handling
machine, but most of its competitors
have caught up to or even surpassed
it in certain areas. As usual, smooth
ruts don't stand a chance against the
sleek Suzuki. The bike has a narrow
feeling up front that tracks straight
through the corner while the fluid
power plant helps keep the chassis in
line. And the Suzuki is still very com-
fortable. The rider cockpit and peg-to-
bar ratio are still very neutral and felt
comfortable right from the get-go.
Suspension has been a little bit of
a sticking point with the RM-Z450
as of late. When the track is good,
the suspension is good. I had nearly
no complaints prior to the 12-o'clock
exodus; you know the time of day
when the track gets dry, and most of
the fair-weather riders start heading
home. As the track roughs up, well,
it doesn't do the Suzuki any huge
VOLUME 58 ISSUE 18 MAY 4, 2021 P137
(Above) Suzuki's
BFRC (Balance
Free Rear Cushion)
Showa shock has
improved since
its debut a few
years ago.
