2018 SUZUKI RM-Z450
FULL TEST
P72
The RM-Z still comes with three
(total) couplers to adjust map-
ping and engine characteristic;
we found the lean coupler to
work quite well on most tracks. It
just gives the bike a little more-
lively feel without being too
aggressive.
Suspension is a big improve-
ment over the '17. We flat out
did not like the previous Showa
SFF air forks the RM-Z used to
have, so we are happy to see
them go. We're much, much
happier with the new spring
forks that are similar to what the
2017 and 2018 Honda CRF450R
use; the new spring forks just
have a more comfortable feel,
track better in the turns and are
easier to dial in, and they tend to
stay that way. Out of the crate,
though, they're set up a little
on the soft side for aggressive
riding and tend to bottom easily.
Our fast riders stiffened up both
the fork and shock significantly,
and went with 108mm of sag and
were pretty satisfied, but they
said stiffer springs would be in
their future if they owned it.
Except for perhaps being a
little on the soft side, the rear
shock got nothing but praises
from our testers. It does a fan-
tastic job soaking up the bumps,
which results in improved control
and traction while exiting the
turns. One pro-level veteran
rider said that it felt better over
The RM-Z is still rather heavy,
but the new, narrower and flatter
chassis keeps it feeling fairly
agile in the air.
