Ryan Mills' RM-Z450
Bike: Suzuki RM-Z450
Rider: Ryan Mills, #40
Mechanic: Ed Longacre
Sponsors: Rockstar Energy Drink, Suzuki, Bill's Pipes, Moto Metal, Dunlop, Renthal, Torco, One Industries, 661, Sunline/ARC, PPG Racing, Hinson, UFO Performance Products, MotoMasters, AC Racing, Quicksilver, Endless Powder Coating, Lift, Competitive Edge, K&N Racing, RG3, VGI Graphics, Vortex Racing, Wiseco, VP Fuel, Nut Ind, Lightspeed Racing
The Rockstar Suzuki team is a little different than most of the big-rig professional teams. They're a little punk rock. A little rebellious, you might say. And they're absolutely diverse. Mike Brown's veteran skills, Jason Lawrence's restless and rambunctious rookie talent and Ryan Mills' combination of energy and experience make for a team dynamic like no other. Unsure what to expect from such a team, I gingerly walked toward Mills' race bike. Would his bike be gnarly and aggressive, mirroring the youthful exuberance of the team, or would it be more mellow, methodical and efficient like the battle-worn Brown?
When I saddled up some things were obvious, like Mills' size. The Renthal bar wasn't short and low in the normal sense; it was flat with the grips nearly level to the crossbar. The pegs seemed like they had a lift kit installed, and when I settled the shock spring under my 175 pounds, I thought it might bottom in the parking lot. But it didn't. So I kicked it over. It started with amazing ease. And I idled to one of the toughest motocross tracks in the world.
I honestly didn't think I'd get used to Mills' setup. The bar was so low and I was simply too big. There was no way I could get comfortable turning, let alone wheelying through the voracious sand traps that dimpled the track. Then something strange happened.
Our photographer was organized in the first turn of the track, right in view of the mechanics, who were kind enough to let us magazine brats sandblast their bikes. I approached the corner tentatively, expecting the unexpected as I attempted to slay the sweet sandy bermness. I lined up, set the bike over with ease and, with a little clutch and a lot of throttle, rocketed out of the corner like I was on a bike built just for me. It was great. I couldn't believe the bike didn't blow through the stroke and punt me out of my line. I was stoked to say the least. Thus began a session of joy.
Ryan Mills has been around long enough to know what he likes. When chatting with his mechanic after I had pleasantly romped around on the bike, I found out the 150-pound New York native likes the smoothest possible power delivery from his bike. There were times I forgot I was on a 450 because the power character this bike threw to the rear wheel was the smoothest I've ever felt. The Bill's Pipe-built motor lacked the major, aggressive hit I was expecting and made efficient power from the crack of the throttle to the stop. Also, it started effortlessly every time. Mills' setup was a pleasant surprise after I initially doubted its performance because of the ergonomic differences between him and me. Corners were really a treat. The bike would settle nicely, build rpm methodically and pull around and out of the tightest, deepest berm. The only beef I had with the suspension was with bottoming it and lacking some straight-line stability in the rear. Even though the components worked magic in the turns, I couldn't get the same miraculous result when I flat-landed or came into some of those infamous Southwick bumps a little too hot. The springs were undoubtedly burdened by my weight. And I was working them extra hard since I wasn't exactly on the pegs as much as someone of Mills' skill would've been. Despite our minor differences, the bike and I got along surprisingly well. I could loft the front over massive mountains of sand and let the rear walk a little. I could pin it (for a second) up a straight and skip across a braking bump or two. And I couldn't get enough of the smooth power and excellent cornering. The Rockstar Suzuki team might be a little different with its mix of flash and function, but wrapped up inside the shiny aluminum frame of Ryan Mills' race bike, different is good. Real good.
Opinions
Mills' bike had a unique handlebar and clamp setup, with a flat, pulled-back feel. This positioning was most noticeable to me in corners, though the RM-Z still turned like a champ in the Southwick sand. It felt like the #40 Suzuki has a very light spring in the rear, and I was able to bottom it out a few times over some of Moto 338's bigger braking bumps, though it was still stiff enough to be forgiving. There was a chunk of power on the top-end of this bike that I was barely able to get into given the track's huge chop and braking bumps, but it was here that the bike was an absolute rocket. The RM-Z really shined in this higher rpm range, and I am sure that this frightening area is where Ryan Mills gets paid to ride the thing! -Chris Denison
Ed Longacre said his rider weighs about 150 pounds and Mills' setup definitely makes the RM-Z450 feel small. That is until you open the throttle and the Bill's Pipe-modified motor rips your arms straight. The riding position made it difficult for me to comfortably ride this bike hard, but I could still appreciate the controlled suspension action provided by RG3. -Sean Finley
The Rockstar bike had a smooth power curve. It was gentle off the bottom, picked up around the mid and never signed off. The suspension and controls were set up definitely for a little guy. It had a low bar, and the suspension was pretty soft for my taste. -Ryan Orr