WHY SHOULD THE RM-Z450 WIN THE SHOOTOUT? The 2013 Suzuki RM-Z450 blends a solid powerband with the absolute best cornering of any bike made. WHY SHOULD THE RM-Z450 LOSE THE SHOOTOUT? Suzuki’s switch to Showa SFF single-spring forks for 2013 was not a good trade. Suzuki’s SFF fork setup is confused and harsh. The bike is the heaviest bike in this shootout and has a spotty reliability record in MXA’s hands. Although great in the corners, the RM-Z450 is very busy at speed, with a front end that flicks left and right when you least expect it. HOW MUCH HORSEPOWER DOES THE RM-Z450 MAKE? 54. 10 horsepower at 8700 rpm. WHAT IS THE POWER LIKE? Although Suzuki’s hop-up program for 2013 lost horsepower over the 2012 model, they actually came out ahead. Not because the 2013 RM-Z450 is faster on top, but because it has more torque and more thrust down low. This makes it much more tractable, gives it more hit out of corners and makes it more manageable. It is, however, at a slight disadvantage in straight-line, rpm-to-rpm showdowns with the big power-meisters in this shootout. WHAT DOES THE RM-Z450 WEIGH? 242 pounds. The big weight saver for 2013 was the Showa SFF fork. Since the SFF forks only have one fork spring, they save about a pound. WHERE DID IT PLACE IN LAST YEAR’S MXA SHOOTOUT? Third. It had a strong overall finish in 2012, and with better forks and a little more top end, it might have moved up a spot in this shootout. HOW DOES THE RM-Z450 RATE IN THE MAJOR CATEGORIES? Power output: Fourth Powerband usability: Third Forks: Sixth Shock: Third Overall handling: Second Cornering: First Brakes: Fourth (tied with CRF & KX-F) Clutch: Sixth WHAT WOULD WE CHANGE ON THE RM-Z450? Where should we start? This bike is an accept- able race bike when it comes to fit, feel, power and cornering, but it can’t win shootouts with feeble brakes, a weak clutch, inadequate cooling, bad forks and more tonnage than any other bike in the class. If we were Suzuki, we’d fix the basics first, because the handling, power and ergos are okay. How hard is it to offer contempo- rary radiators, brakes, clutches and fork settings? WHAT’S NEWSWORTHY ON THE RM-Z450? Suzuki gave it the old college try for 2013. Instead of sitting back and letting the world pass them by, Suzuki changed the forks, lightened the piston, added lift to the cam and redesigned the muffler. The news story is about the effort they put in, not the results. THE FINAL WORD? Singular. This bike loves corners—that’s its reason for being.
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