IMAGINE you could take Suzuki’s championship winning RMZ450 and turn it into an enduro weapon capable of decimating any offroad obstacle put in front of it. What do you think you might end up with? You’d have an RMX450Z. That’s right readers, the RMX is back! Suzuki has previously relied on its top selling DR-Z400 to fill the void of its competition offroader, but the RMX450Z will now headline Suzuki’s offroad range.

One of my first thoughts was that the RMX may replace the user friendly DR-Z, but due to the DR-Z’s top selling power (highest selling offroader in 2009), it will be a permanent fixture in its line-up for now.

Around the bike

If your initial glance of the RMX led you to believe you’re looking at an RMZ450 with a light on the front, you would be pretty much on the money. There is a deliberate agenda from Suzuki to keep as much of the DNA the same on the two models. Make no mistake, Suzuki want this bike to be a ‘race ready enduro machine’.
Electric start is now usually standard on enduro bikes; there is a centrally located compact battery with a larger magneto generator to charge it. On the ’bars there is a multi function digital speedo with two modes of standard and sport, with sport mode giving timer, trip meter, average speed and tyre diameter correction for accuracy of functions. Standard mode gives speed, time, voltage and two trip lengths. A low fuel warning light is also a handy feature with a 6.2L fuel tank.
Suzuki was one of the first Japanese manufacturers to put fuel injection into a race bred motocrosser, and the proven EFI system is put into the RMX, eliminating the need for re-jetting at altitude. A quick hinge airbox is a handy feature for ease of air filter maintenance.
To meet the demands of long trail riding, the RMX has an extra coolant reservoir tank, relocated filler cap and a bash plate for undercarriage protection.

Power to the Ground

Suzuki has made minimal changes to the RMZ450 engine, and rightly so. If you’re breeding a race ready enduro weapon it makes sense to use proven technologies. Improvements to low and mid power are needed in tighter bush sections and Suzuki has altered its RMZ engine via revised inlet tracts and revised cam profiles. For this power to suit a wider range of conditions, Suzuki has also widened its gear ratios on the five-speed transmission. 18” rear wheel is also standard.
The engine was tested in a broad cross section of pretty much every type of terrain you would come across. From tight trails to hill climbs, open riding areas, slow log and creek crossings and even an MX track thrown in for good measure. The RMX450Z is a serious weapon! Its ability to slowly idle into unfamiliar sections, power on, or hold it wide open with no signs of bogging is a credit to Suzuki's R&D department.

Handling?

Suzuki has fitted race proven Showa suspension in the RMX. Once again race technology is the order of the day here. Changes to spring rates make for easier rides in a wide variety of trails (spring rates of .47 in the forks and 5.5 in the shock are standard)
After initial sag and bike setup, there was no need for any changes to be made to the RMX. Having also tested a DR-Z400 I can safely say if speed and the ability to push your machine hard into turns is what you are after, then the RMX is the bike you would choose. Suspension setup on the RMX was firmer than expected. Usually if you were to test an enduro bike through different offroad terrain and then hit an MX track, you would notice the plush suspension significantly on the larger jumps, but the Suzuki blended the different terrain far more seamlessly than expected – a very pleasant surprise.

Final Word

When I was informed there was no ADR on this model, I was pretty surprised? Yes, true, for 2010 the RMX450Z – which retails for $11,790 – will not be able to be road registered. For now it is built with competition in mind. The RMX will pass recreational rego in Victoria and stay tuned for an ADR compliant model in the very near future, but for now it's private property only for riders in most states of Australia.
But take comfort in knowing the RMX is built for the serious trail racer who needs a mount requiring little or no modifications to be super competitive, regardless if they are on a competition course, or find themselves battling their mates for pride.