MX -2016 Suzuki RM-Z450
Posted by Team Motorcycle on Jul 30th 2016
| If you are after an incredibly responsive machine when the pavement ends and the dirt begins, consider the 2016 Suzuki RM-Z450. It’s not yet out, but will be soon. This is the big boy in the RM line. The other two models are the Z250 and the RM85. |
| When Suzuki’s own promotions for this ride are headlined “Control Freak,” that should say volumes. If you are a casual off-roader, this one is not for you. If you race, either MX tracks or cross country and need a machine that lets you feel everything, this is a ride to consider. |
| The RM-Z450 is not for everyone, in part, because of air forks on the front end. There’s more to this bike’s high level of response, but these forks are going to grab your attention immediately. You can adjust the spring rate with an air pump instead of changing springs. While hauling a pump may not be everyone’s idea of fun, it does allow for more mid-ride adjustments, provided the rider has a manual pump. Suzuki promises a hand pump is enough for the task. Each cylinder has three chambers that work together to provide more control and a lot more response than a single chamber. |
| The Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control system (S-HAC) is yet another adaptation that was refined for the 2016 model. This puts a different kind of acceleration control literally under the rider’s thumb. Designed for racers, S-HAC lets you immediately adjust for ride conditions from slick and hard to rich and loose. Pick one of the options to set the timing to what you need to come out in the lead. S-HAC automatically turns off when you hit third gear or 1.2 seconds out. |
| The kick start has seen a few adjustments and a longer lever. When coming right off the showroom floor, it does fire right up. Since the bike is only available for test drives and is not yet put through the paces on tracks by hordes of riders, no one can say if this factory promise is going to deliver long term. Given Suzuki’s record, and the improvements elsewhere in and on this bike, we’re going to side with the manufacturer and say it will work. |
| The frame is four percent lighter. For the casual rider, this won’t matter. For the serious racer, that’s a lot. Changes to the down tube and the main frame tweak handling in corners. This is one bike that will respond. |
| People who need to make mid-ride adjustments will appreciate Suzuki including several fuel couplers that the rider can change out on the spot with no tools. Run richer or leaner than standard in about a minute. |
| Did we say “control freak?” |
| TECH SPEC |
| 449cc 4-stroke |
| Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-valve |
| 12-hole fuel-injected |
| Aluminum rims |
| Very lightweight brake disc rotors |
| Kick start |
| 86.2 inches long |
| 32.7 inches wide |
| 37.6 seat height |
| 58.9 wheelbase |
| 12.8 inches ground clearance |
| 5 speed |
| Front tire 80/100-21 51M, tube type |
| Rear tire 110/90-19 62M, tube type |
| 1.4-gallon fuel tank |