VOL. 53 ISSUE 50 DECEMBER 20, 2016 P147
6
th
PLACE
SUZUKI
RM-Z450
F
or 2017 the Suzuki RM-Z450
received just minor cosmetic
changes, otherwise, this is
the same machine as 2016.
All riders, from beginner to
pro, agreed the Suzuki engine
is great. It isn't the outright most
powerful, but it is super easy
to ride and makes very strong
and usable power. We preferred
using the white coupler (lean
fuel mixture and more aggres-
sive power delivery) because it
added a little more excitement
out of corners and stronger pull
on loamy track conditions.
In a class that is ever chang-
ing, the famous-for-turning
RM-Z450 is stuck in the past
when it comes to suspension.
Air forks were supposed to be
the new cool thing for the dirt
bike world but they didn't live
up to the hype. The Showa TAC
air fork is simply the RM-Z450's
downfall and holds it back from
finishing higher in the shootout.
The Kawasaki KX450 uses the
same Showa TAC fork as the
Suzuki but with different—and
better—settings.
