VOL. 50 ISSUE 49 DECEMBER 10, 2013
>> QUICK REVIEW
The Suzuki RM-Z450 is unchanged for
2014. Well, it did get rid of the white number-plate backing for all-yellow plastic and
changes to its ECM ignition programming to
improve starting, but it's basically the same
bike as the 2013, which took on its first major revamp since getting EFI in 2008.
Two things quickly come to mind with
the RM-Z - its motor and incredible turning
prowess.
The RM-Z's mill is still one of the best
out there in the 450 class. Power is robust
across the board, but its strongpoint is in
the middle, where it really feels good. It
pulls well off the bottom, has okay upper
rpm performance, but the RM-Z works best
when kept in the middle part of the powerband. You can leave the Suzook in third or
fourth gear, or bounce back and forth between the two, and you'll be happy on most
tracks. But if things open up or get really
tight, the RM-Z can easily handle it.
The Suzuki is just plain fast, too, plus
throttle response is crisp and clean. Its
fuel-injection system is one of the best in
the business, and we're a fan of the RM-Z's
adjustable ECU couplers. There just isn't
much we don't like about the RM-Z's motor.
It also shifts well and clutch pull is reasonably light.
P45
Of course, the Suzuki is well known for
its outstanding turning abilities. Tighter the
turn, the better the Suzuki works, yet it still
performs just as well outside in the sweeping berms or on flat ground, and it won't
fight you in the ruts either. Supercross racers love the RM-Z.
Last year, Suzuki went to the latest generation Showa Single Function Fork (SFF) for
the RM-Z. We struggled with set up and were
never quite fully impressed. The SFF fork is
extremely sensitive to "clicker" changes, so
we found the fork hard to fine-tune. We managed to get the fork to a happy medium but
could never find that magic setting. With Suzuki suspension technicians at our disposal
this time, we focused a lot of time on the
RM-Z's fork and managed to get it working
better than ever before. We smoothed out a
harsh point in the middle of the stroke, which
gave us more confidence on the bike, especially when entering a turn over nasty braking
bumps. Still, we want more from the Zook's
forks. We had, however, no complaints with
the RM-Z's back end.
The Suzuki still handles well and feels
fairly light and agile, even though it's the
heaviest bike of the "big six" in its class.
Overall, the Suzuki is a very good allaround bike that is highlighted by great turning and a great motor. Suspension, however, still has us scratching our heads a bit.
