Ryan Orr praised the RM-Z...
Ryan Orr praised the RM-Z for its solid motor, but just couldn't get used to the suspension setup. Still, Orr threw down some great trail test times aboard the PMB Suzuki.
There is one item that really doesn't fall into the performance or the bling category, but in our opinion, no bike should be without. That is a ProMoto Billet Kickstand. We are not sure where along the way it became a good idea to buy a new bike and then lay it on its side or tote around a big bulky stand. The ProMoto Billet Kickstand swings up out of the way and will not come down in even the worst flat landing. It tucks up behind the number plate on most bikes and the improved 2009 model features a 20% lighter leg.
There is one part that is imperative in making this bike the "Ultimate" all around machine. This bike will be subjected to a top-speed test, which penalizes low gearing. The bike will also be subjected to an extreme enduro test which penalizes high gearing. How do we build a bike that can rail the desert at 70 miles per hour, but still chug through the enduro sections? This is where the Rekluse automatic clutch comes into play. Since the Rekluse mimics great low-speed clutch control, it helps eliminate the bogging and flame-out usually experienced with a tall geared motocross bike. It also helps eliminate rider fatigue by lowering clutch requirements.
Everyone likes the steering on the Suzuki claiming it can turn on a dime. However it has also been characterized as a little nervous at high speed. To make the "Ultimate" bike that turns on a dime and has great high speed stability, we added an Elka Steering damper. Elka has spent many years perfecting the technology which provides consistent feel and excellent tunability.
Since this is the all-around "Ultimate" bike, it would not be complete without additional fuel capacity. IMS is well known for making tanks that increase fuel capacity without being bulky. Their solution for the RMZ is 2.6 gallons, innovative, sleek and right on target.
One of the durability areas that we usually address on any new bike are the sprockets and chain. Suzuki already provides a great DID o-ring chain. It is nice to see an OEM provide a high quality chain from the factory. To insure the ultimate longevity of this system, we contacted the guys at Dirt Tricks for a Stainless Steel Ironman Sprocket set that features a one-year guarantee. The o-ring chain and the quality sprockets insure your long ride is not cut short with a stretched chain.
Arguably the most important components on a motorcycle are the points where the rider and the motorcycle meet. These points of contact are the footpegs, the hand grips, and the seat; although most of us have touched many other parts of the bike at some point. Regardless of how good a bike is or how good a rider is both the bike and rider must work together to achieve outstanding performance. For footpegs, the Fastway EVO3 pegs are the ultimate solution. The wide surface provides a nice comfortable platform and the replaceable cleats provide three options to insure you always have the ultimate traction. In addition, the pegs can be lowered for taller riders to provide a little more leg room. The pegs are stainless steel which results in a durable peg that can take a hit and not result in a DNF at the track or on the trail. To increase durability, we added a set of Acerbis footpeg pivot covers to keep the muck out of the pivots. For the grips, we chose the Renthal Dual Compound Grips with Kevlar. These grips provide great wear resistance and a nice soft tacky feel. For the seat, we chose the Stomp designs seat cover which provides additional traction for those times when the knees need to lock on.
Just because it has a headlight...
Just because it has a headlight and a sweet kickstand doesn't mean that you can't air it out. DR Executive Editor Jesse Ziegler takes flight aboard the RM-Z450 and loves every second of it.
Of course our opinion of the "Ultimate" bike is influenced by where we live and ride. Riding in the deserts and mountains of Idaho, sometimes there is not enough daylight to experience all our state has to offer. Besides, would the "Ultimate" bike really be without a headlight? We chose the new LED Vision headlight from Acerbis. Not only does it fit well with the styling of the RM-Z, but it provides great fitment and excellent all purpose lighting.
The only things left to take care of were protection and bling. At ProMoto Billet and Fastway Performance, we specialize in functional parts that enhance and protect your riding experience. The "Ultimate" bike must have good hand protection. Fastway Performance provides the toughest hand guards available. The inner mount is connected to the handlebar clamp and provides resistance to rotation while allowing the bars to flex for vibration damping. A new part for ProMoto Billet/Fastway is the Evo Case Saver. This evolution of the case saver attaches to the frame at the upper chain roller which transfers the chain energy into the frame during a failure. This reduces the chance of mass destruction during a chain breakage. For skid plate, engine guards and radiator guards we chose the components offered by Works Connection. These parts are a functional work of art. The fit is perfect and the design is well thought out. We were not interested in adding weight to the bike that did not also have a function. The quality components from Works Connection fit this bill. Also falling into the category of well designed functional parts are a front brake rotor guard from Acerbis and a rear brake rotor guard from Zip-Ty racing.
The final focus for us was the bling components. First and foremost, the "Ultimate" bike has to look like the ultimate bike. We turned the graphics requirements over to Patrick at RidePG.com. RidePG.com has great artistic style and provides durable graphics that protect the plastic. Their new Riverside design was the perfect combination for our "Ultimate" bike. There are many companies offering trick little anodized aluminum components. We stuck with the class leader, Works Connection. The brake covers and engine fill plugs really set off the color theme of the bike. In years past, we have stripped our wheels down, anodized the rims and powder-coated the hubs. This provides an affordable good looking wheelset but takes a lot of time and elbow grease. Due to time constraints, we chose not to undertake that effort this year. Luckily we came across the wheelsets offered by Warp 9. These great looking wheels come in a variety of colors and are durable and affordable. The Warp 9 wheels come with brake rotors and a sprocket and are basically ready to run. For the "Ultimate" bike, it is nice to have an extra set of wheels with fresh tires. Trust me...this bike is going to get some miles put on it.