2018 SUZUKI RM-Z450
FULL TEST
P66
Despite its aging looks, the
RM-Z450 has remained a staple
in the 450 class and a favor-
ite among many. Heck, it won
a 450MX Championship just
last year (2016) in the hands of
Ken Roczen, so even though it
might've looked outdated, Roc-
zen proved that it was indeed still
very competitive. When Suzuki
went about giving the RM-Z450 a
major overhaul, it was careful not
to harm any of its already proven
attributes, of which—when you
think about it—it had many. Cor-
nering is for sure one of them.
What's New?
The RM-Z450 is known for its out-
standing cornering prowess, and
it is for this reason why the RM-Z
has remained so successful in re-
cent years. After all, they say that
races are won in the corners, so
why not be on the Suzuki then?
And that's why a lot of people still
bought the RM-Z. Still, Suzuki
gave the 2018 RM-Z450 a fairly
significant update to the bike's
chassis to improve ergonomics
and to make it turn ever better
but was careful not to not mess
with what was an already good
thing. After all was said and done,
Suzuki came up with a slimmer,
flatter and lighter chassis pack-
age, which also includes a new
and lighter swingarm, straighter
handlebars and a lighter seat.
Suspension is all new, too.
Coil-spring forks are back. The
recent trend towards cheaper-to-
Finally, the RM-Z450 has a fresh
new look, but a lot more went into
it than just cosmetics.
Suzuki nailed it with the RM-Z's rear shock.
