QUICKSPIN I 2022 RM-Z250 & RM -Z450
P98
(Above) It's still a
looker. The RM-Zs
are attention
grabbers despite
five-year-old plastic.
(Right) The RM-Z250
is still a good-
handling machine
that likes to be
thrown around
and ridden hard.
> GOING BIG
Let's start things off with the
RM-Z450. It got a significant
makeover in 2018, and just before
that, it was busy winning titles with
Ken Roczen before his switch to
Honda. At that time, the RM-Z
received a new frame, suspension
and bodywork but kept much of
the previous engine. This included
the three-map coupler system
and (unfortunately) the traditional
manual kickstarter. Since its rede-
sign in 2018, which is an eternity
by motocross standards, the bike
has seen virtually no changes.
For '22, it again returns as it
was with its fuel-injected 449cc,
liquid-cooled, four-stroke, four-
valve, DOHC engine. This mo-
tor is strong and reliable but
doesn't pack the same punch as
its competition. It puts out right
