The big news with Suzuki is an off-road specific model, the RMX450Z, is coming to dealership showrooms soon. And that's not the only big news. The 250F is getting fuel injection as well as several other big changes to the frame and motor. And the 450 is getting some less dramatic, but still significant, changes with a new frame and engine revisions aimed at increasing mid and up power.
Below is all the information Suzuki is providing as of right now, so take a good look at the photos and read up on all the changes. We'll have a test of the bikes as soon as we can, and tell you all about them right here with bike tests on our website, and even more thorough tests to follow in the pages of the magazine.
Heart of a champion, a taste for adventure.
Racing improves the breed; Suzuki has proven that time and time again. Now it's time to rewrite the rules for the serious off-road rider. Introducing the 2010 Suzuki RMX450Z.
Descended from the Championship winning RM-Z450, the first motocross bike to offer high-performance Suzuki fuel injection, the RMX450Z is a serious off-road bike for serious trail riders. Its powerful and torquey 449cm3, liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine shares all core technology with Suzuki's winning open-class motocrosser. Its frame, suspension and bodywork are all nearly identical to the RM-Z450's-maintaining that model's slim, aggressive styling. Only changes to make the RMX450Z a superior trail machine have been made-maximum performance - no compromises.
That's like taking your hard-core motocross machine out onto the trail.
Only better. Much better.
Fuel Injection
Suzuki pioneered fuel injection for motocrossers, and the RMX450Z shares all key technologies with the stunning RM-Z450. Fuel injection improves fuel efficiency, throttle response and reduces emissions, allowing the RMX450Z to be "green sticker" eligible in the state of California. On every trail in the world, the RMX450Z's fuel injection provides unmatched smoothness of power delivery and trail-ready reliability thanks to a KEIHIN throttle body with progressive linkage. This advanced fuel injection system also eliminates the need for re-jetting at higher elevations. To best suit the RMX450Z to life on the trail, the airbox features a hinged lid for quick air-filter maintenance and better protection from dust. Suzuki's vast experience with motorcycle fuel injection both on and off-road help make this among the best systems available.
Electric Start
The trail is no place to wear yourself out kick-starting a bike, so the RMX450Z comes with an electric starter, energized by a compact battery centrally located to reduce its influence on weight distribution and balance of the bike. To charge the battery and power the RMX450Z's lights, a larger magneto-generator is fitted. It's a win-win situation.
Engine & Transmission
Suzuki has made minimal modifications to the all-conquering RM-Z450's potent four-valve, DOHC engine for the RMX450Z. This lightweight engine now features a modified inlet tract along with revised cam profiles to increase low and mid-rpm power. Wider gear ratios in the 5-speed constant-mesh transmission that work with revised primary and final-drive ratios are ideally suited for a broad range of conditions, from scaling steep trails to high-speed open-terrain riding.
The addition of a coolant reservoir tank increases on-trail reliability, while a relocated filler cap improves access. Because the trail can be a rocky place, a new engine protector plate is fitted. No stone was left unturned.
State of the Art Chassis
Suzuki's light and effective aluminum alloy twin-spar frame construction is used in the RMX450Z, employing both cast and extruded sections for the utmost benefits of both: low weight, high rigidity, and high durability. The RMX450Z's aluminum alloy swingarm is derived from the RM-Z450's to maintain ideal balance, while the rear suspension linkage benefits from reduced free play. Its geometry combines the RM series' renowned turning-on-rails abilities with optimized handling performance that all serious trail riders want.
World Class Suspension
Derived from the RM-Z450, the RMX450Z's trail ready suspension features the same phenomenal action as the race bike. The RMX450Z suspension utilizes high performance rebound and compression damping adjustable Showa forks combined with a Showa piggyback reservoir style rear shock featuring two-way adjustable compression damping with adjustable rebound damping and preload adjustments. Spring rates have been optimized for off-road riding. Every aspect of the RMX450Z's performance envelope has been carefully considered for serious off-road riding without compromising a millimeter of quality.
Superior Ergonomics
Sit on an RM-Z450. Now go sit on the new RMX450Z. Feels just about the same, right? That's right. With an ideal riding position resulting from the motocross-developed seat, slim bodywork and low-profile aluminum alloy fuel tank, the RMX450Z allows the rider to concentrate on the terrain. A comfortable rider is a fast rider.
Instruments You Need
A durable, ultra-compact enclosure houses a full-function instrument cluster on the RMX450Z-and can be configured for two modes, standard and sport. The sport mode simplifies the display so the rider can concentrate on terrain; it shows the timer, tripmeter, average speed and tire-diameter correction. In the standard mode, the display also shows speed, time, two trip lengths, and voltage. An integrated tire diameter calculator allows precise fine tuning for different tires to ensure accuracy of the speed and distance displays. The RMX450Z also features a low fuel level warning light for confident off-road riding anywhere you go.
Continue to page 2 for a look at the 2010 Suzuki RM-Z250.