SUZUKI'S RM-Z450 has been quite the success story over the past few years, with some of the biggest names in the sport claiming the world’s most prestigious championships on the big bore Suzuki.

During 2010 Ryan Dungey was almost unbeatable on the big Suzuki, and for 2011 Aussie Brett Metcalfe will also be RM-Z450 mounted on the bike which has more 450-class victories and titles than any other bike in AMA motocross and supercross history.

What’s new for 2011

Suzuki invested in some major updates on their 2010 model and has refined the model for 2011
Suzuki engineers started off with the exhaust, with noise laws becoming the focus of the world these days Suzuki developed a new pipe to help keep the noise down without impacting power output.
The compression ratio was beefed up to 12.5:1 and a new set of camshafts were thrown into the new Suzuki, this was to compliment the new exhaust as well as further improve the incredible power that the RM-Z has. Once you modify the engine to this degree it only makes sense that the Suzuki engineers developed three new EFI settings to match the newer engine characteristics, with two spare couplers in the spares kit to allow the rider or mechanic to switch between curves to suit the rider's needs. Suzuki also took some steps towards improving the durability of the 450, with new EFI injectors, new crankshaft bearings and an improved crankcase breathing channel.

Engine

The Suzuki powerplant is awesome. The power starts off strong, but not jerky, unlike some of its other 450cc competition, and begins to wind up into the mid-range. The bottom to mid range curve is very user friendly and comes on quite smooth with no abrupt power hits. The RM-Z then builds power to a very strong mid-range and even stronger top end. The best way to describe the mid-top power curve on the Suzuki would be that it simply blows away most of the competition once you get revving. The power is easy to stay on top of and is very fun to ride, it’s just that there is plenty of it.

The RM-Z450 was the first open-class motocross machine to feature fuel injection and that's a lead Suzuki's managed to keep hold of, with the best fuel delivery in the business. It certainly seems as though Suzuki has worked out the EFI technology, the Keihin EFI unit works great and worked flawlessly for us under any circumstances we could throw at the bike.

Suspension & Chassis

Suzuki is known to have great handling bikes and the 2011 RM-Z450 is no different. After a few laps around any MX track you will quickly notice how well the RM-Z steers and navigates around the track. It takes minimal effort to point the 450 into a rut or make a change in direction, it steers in accurately and easily making cornering a breeze. The straight line stability hasn’t been compromised either, as the Suzuki behaves well on the long bumpy, and chopped out straights.

Showa take good care of the Suzuki 450 when it comes to suspension. The forks are the latest technology cartridge style models, with a Showa piggy-back reservoir rear shock. For 2011 Suzuki has revised the spring rates and damping.
The standard setup works well and will please most riders in your everyday conditions. We found that once the track began to roughen up and we began to push a little harder, the RM-Z begged for a more personalised setup and the rider would benefit a great deal from a more finely tuned suspension setting.

The Verdict

The 2011 RM-Z450 is certainly a winner. It has an awesome motor that is so much fun to ride and doesn’t require all your energy to punt in a few fast laps, the handling is great and it is a breeze to steer the big RM-Z around the track.
The suspension works well and has a lot of potential once you find the right settings.