2015 SUZUKI RM-Z450
FIRST RIDE
P42
new inner-pipe.
A welcomed addition to the
RM-Z450 is the new Suzuki
Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC),
which is operated by a button on
the handlebar. Unlike Kawasaki's
similar Launch Control Mode,
which has one setting, the RM-
Z's S-HAC system gives you two
launch modes to choose from:
one, Mode A, for concrete (slip-
pery) pads and one, Mode B,
for dirt (good traction) pads. For
Mode A, hold the button for about
a half second until it starts blink-
ing, for Mode B, hold it down for
about a full second until it starts
blinking more rapidly. The system
will revert back to original at 1.2
seconds or until you catch fourth
gear, whichever comes first.
The new RM-Z450 carries an
MSRP of $8749, which is an in-
crease of only about $50, which
is amazing when you consider
the new forks, which are much
different than the works forks
on James Stewart's factory race
bike. Suzuki also offers a lucra-
tive contingency program for its
big-bore motocrosser. You can
get all the details at www.suzuki-
cycles.com.
>>CLIMB ABOARD
We can say now that our love/
hate relationship with the RM-
Z450 is now pretty much all love.
What a difference! The new fork
is a huge improvement over the
previous RM-Z450, and all of the
changes they made to the chas-
sis seem to be all of the right
ones!
Right from the get-go, the 2015
RM-Z450 has a much-improved
feel on the track, which has a lot
to do with the new fork. Fork ac-
tion is now more compliant and
has better absorption through out
the stroke than before, and the
chassis doesn't quite feel as rig-
id. The bike just doesn't beat you
up as much as the previous two
RM-Z450 models did, though it
is still just as agile and easy to
throw around. Maybe even a little
easier, thanks to the lighter front
end.
Despite some changes to the
frame, the RM-Z still carves
the turns like no other.
