Suzuki RMX 450Z
The off-road motorcycle shares much
of the same DNA as Suzuki’s RM-Z450, including its 4-stroke, liquid-cooled 449cc
engine. The DOHC lump does have a few tweaks, like a modified inlet tract and
revised cam profiles aimed at increasing low and mid-rpm power, while the
5-speed constant mesh transmission has wider gear ratios. It’s also got a new
engine protector plate to defend against obstacles enduro riders might
encounter. The RMX450Z’s frame, suspension, and bodywork meanwhile are also
almost identical to the RM-Z450.
"The public has been asking us for this bike for some time now, so it's a bike
whose time has come,” said Suzuki Great Britain’s David Taylor.
In its conversion from motocrosser to enduro, Suzuki outfitted the RMX450Z with
an electric starter and a lighting kit. It does have a back-up kick start,
though, and is equipped with a large magneto-generator that charges the battery
and powers the lights. Other road-friendly goodies like a side kickstand and
digital instruments delineate the enduro from its MX brother. The instrument
cluster has a standard and sport mode, with the standard mode displaying speed,
time, two trip lengths, and voltage, while the sport mode is more specialized,
displaying the timer, tripmeter, average speed and tire-diameter correction. It
also comes with a low fuel light because running out of gas in the middle of
nowhere is never fun.
The RMX-450Z will sport an 18-inch rear wheel that caters to serious enduro
off-road riding. Showa supplies the suspension, with an adjustable 47mm
telescopic fork teamed with a Showa piggyback reservoir-style rear shock with
two-way adjustable rebound damping and preload adjustments. The suspension’s
spring rates have been retuned to meet enduro demands.
Suzuki’s newest off-road motorcycle features the proven Keihin fuel injection
system from the RM-Z. The only noticeable difference is that the enduro’s airbox
comes with a hinged lid to make it easier to maintain and to try and keep dust
out better.
The 2010 RMX450Z sports the slim, aggressive styling of its motocross
counterpart, and weighs in with a claimed curb weight of 272.3 lbs. Its
1.6-gallon tank is the same size as the RM-Z450, which begs to question why the
enduro didn’t get a little larger fuel cell to give it a broader range.
|
Make Model |
Suzuki RMZ 450Z |
|
Year |
2010 |
|
Engine |
Liquid cooled, four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder. |
|
Capacity |
449 |
| Bore x Stroke |
96 X 62.1 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
11.6:1 |
|
Induction |
Fuel Injection |
|
Ignition / Starting |
Digital CDI / electric |
| Clutch | Wet multi-plate type |
|
Max Power |
|
|
Transmission / Drive |
5 Speed / chain |
| Gear Ratio | 1st 2.153 (28/13) 2nd 1.611 (29/18) 3rd 1.250 (25/20) 4th 1.000 (19/19) 5th 0.826 (19/23) |
|
Front Suspension |
SHOWA 47mm telescopic forks, pneumatic/coil spring, oil damped |
|
Rear Suspension |
Swingarm, link type, SHOWA piggyback-reservoir shock |
|
Front Brakes |
Single 250mm disc 2 piston caliper |
|
Rear Brakes |
Single 220mm disc 1 piston caliper |
|
Front Tyre |
80/100 - 21 |
|
Rear Tyre |
110/100-18 |
| Seat Heigtht | 37.6 in. |
|
Weight |
123.5 kg / 272.3 lbs. |
|
Fuel Capacity |
6.1 Litres / 1.6 gal |
