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2005 Suzuki RM-Z450 SuperMoto
Written By Darrick Lucchesi, Owner/Instructor, West Coast SuperMoto School
Suzuki's long awaited RM-Z450 is finally here! After riding and seeing the same old red, blue and orange motorcycles as well as seeing every go fast part available for them, it was refreshing to get an all-new motorcycle and build a supermoto from zero.
I was lucky enough to get one of Suzuki's early release RM-Z450's. First look and you think it sure looks like a yellow Honda. Like the Honda, its frame is aluminum and does look similar, but that is where it all ends. The Suzuki's motor uses twin cam shafts and a four speed transmission. The RM-Z does come with a few nice touches such as Ti pegs, Renthal Fat Bars and a quick
adjust clutch lever.
Time to get wheels and brakes. Sounds easy enough, right? WRONG! All new motorcycle wtih little to no aftermarket parts yet. Most companies had not even seen the RM-Z yet. As I write this, most companies are gearing up for products. After making a lot of calls I came to the conclusion that I would have to lace up my own wheels with stock hubs. That was until Kurt from Factory Pro Racing called with, “I will have you a set of wheels in a week!” Very Cool! The brakes had the same problem. Nobody made a brake adapter for the RM-Z yet. More calls, concluding with a no-go this time. So, I made one myself. Its ugly, but worked great. I mounted a Motomaster caliper and a Factory Pro Racing front rotor with a steel braided brake line.
The only motor mods done was to install a Leo Vince Ti exhaust and jetting change. That was the easy part. They had pipes in the USA before the RM-Z arrived. Leo Vince has done all exhaust for the factory Suzuki GP MX team in Europe the last two years. They have two pipes; a high pipe and a low pipe. I tried both and the high pipe works the best for Supermoto, as it gave more top end. Not only was the Leo Vince a lot lighter, but also much quieter than stock and the fit was perfect.
The wheels arrived in a cool ,flat blue finish with polished hubs. I mounted up Dunlop slicks. I am using a 16.5" front and a 5" in rear. It's a tight fit on the rear of the RM-Z with the 5", but Kurt got the off set just right, so the fit was perfect.
Since I wanted to try the RM-Z first with its stock suspension and
no other mods. The only other thing I added was a Power Sport
Grafz kit with the GripZ shrouds to give it that factory look and I must say it sure looks it.
Time to ride! I knew the motor was good, but my biggest worry about the RM-Z was its four speed gear box and the stock suspension. Right off the bat I must say the RM-Z is really good. I had every intention to fully modify the RM-Z before I raced it but no need. The Suspension has just enough adjustably to get by with out a revalve and the spring rates are very close, even for an overweight me. Only a very fast expert or pro will want to revalve the suspension and once you do, it's a Supermoto bike only now. Turning was the RM-Z strong point. With the 16.5" front, I was not getting any wheel chatter at Stockton Motorplex, but I have heard of others getting chatter using a 17" front. So the RM-Z likes a 16.5 front for sure.
The four speed gear box took some time to get used to but once you do, it works. Since we ride mostly in the USA on cart tracks or smaller parking lot race tracks, the four speed works good. I found myself shifting less and less, letting the RM-Z strong motor pull off the corner with its broad power band and good gear ratios. I ended up using a 14/47 sprocket combo. It is sensitive of sprocket changes and even one tooth makes a difference. So it
would be a good idea to bring gearing changes to other tracks.
What the RM-Z ended up being is a very versatile motorcycle. Race one weekend MX the next Supermoto with minimal mods. Just switch your wheels and brakes, adjust you suspension and your good to go.
Factory Pro Racing wheels sets
16.5" front/5" rear
$950.00
Rotor
$250.00
Leo Vince full Ti exhaust
$865.00 High pipe
$899.00 Low pipe
Power Sport Grafz kit with GripZ shrouds
$99.95
Dunlop Slicks (set)
$395.00
Supermoto Engineering wheel sliders
$79.00
Special Thanks to Cycle West in Petaluma, CA
Photos by Brett Saunders
http://www.thumpertalk.com/ 2005 Suzuki RM-Z450 SuperMoto
Written By Darrick Lucchesi, Owner/Instructor, West Coast SuperMoto School
Suzuki's long awaited RM-Z450 is finally here! After riding and seeing the same old red, blue and orange motorcycles as well as seeing every go fast part available for them, it was refreshing to get an all-new motorcycle and build a supermoto from zero.
I was lucky enough to get one of Suzuki's early release RM-Z450's. First look and you think it sure looks like a yellow Honda. Like the Honda, its frame is aluminum and does look similar, but that is where it all ends. The Suzuki's motor uses twin cam shafts and a four speed transmission. The RM-Z does come with a few nice touches such as Ti pegs, Renthal Fat Bars and a quick
adjust clutch lever.
Time to get wheels and brakes. Sounds easy enough, right? WRONG! All new motorcycle wtih little to no aftermarket parts yet. Most companies had not even seen the RM-Z yet. As I write this, most companies are gearing up for products. After making a lot of calls I came to the conclusion that I would have to lace up my own wheels with stock hubs. That was until Kurt from Factory Pro Racing called with, “I will have you a set of wheels in a week!” Very Cool! The brakes had the same problem. Nobody made a brake adapter for the RM-Z yet. More calls, concluding with a no-go this time. So, I made one myself. Its ugly, but worked great. I mounted a Motomaster caliper and a Factory Pro Racing front rotor with a steel braided brake line.
The only motor mods done was to install a Leo Vince Ti exhaust and jetting change. That was the easy part. They had pipes in the USA before the RM-Z arrived. Leo Vince has done all exhaust for the factory Suzuki GP MX team in Europe the last two years. They have two pipes; a high pipe and a low pipe. I tried both and the high pipe works the best for Supermoto, as it gave more top end. Not only was the Leo Vince a lot lighter, but also much quieter than stock and the fit was perfect.
The wheels arrived in a cool ,flat blue finish with polished hubs. I mounted up Dunlop slicks. I am using a 16.5" front and a 5" in rear. It's a tight fit on the rear of the RM-Z with the 5", but Kurt got the off set just right, so the fit was perfect.
Since I wanted to try the RM-Z first with its stock suspension and
no other mods. The only other thing I added was a Power Sport
Grafz kit with the GripZ shrouds to give it that factory look and I must say it sure looks it.
Time to ride! I knew the motor was good, but my biggest worry about the RM-Z was its four speed gear box and the stock suspension. Right off the bat I must say the RM-Z is really good. I had every intention to fully modify the RM-Z before I raced it but no need. The Suspension has just enough adjustably to get by with out a revalve and the spring rates are very close, even for an overweight me. Only a very fast expert or pro will want to revalve the suspension and once you do, it's a Supermoto bike only now. Turning was the RM-Z strong point. With the 16.5" front, I was not getting any wheel chatter at Stockton Motorplex, but I have heard of others getting chatter using a 17" front. So the RM-Z likes a 16.5 front for sure.
The four speed gear box took some time to get used to but once you do, it works. Since we ride mostly in the USA on cart tracks or smaller parking lot race tracks, the four speed works good. I found myself shifting less and less, letting the RM-Z strong motor pull off the corner with its broad power band and good gear ratios. I ended up using a 14/47 sprocket combo. It is sensitive of sprocket changes and even one tooth makes a difference. So it
would be a good idea to bring gearing changes to other tracks.
What the RM-Z ended up being is a very versatile motorcycle. Race one weekend MX the next Supermoto with minimal mods. Just switch your wheels and brakes, adjust you suspension and your good to go.
Factory Pro Racing wheels sets
16.5" front/5" rear
$950.00
Rotor
$250.00
Leo Vince full Ti exhaust
$865.00 High pipe
$899.00 Low pipe
Power Sport Grafz kit with GripZ shrouds
$99.95
Dunlop Slicks (set)
$395.00
Supermoto Engineering wheel sliders
$79.00
Special Thanks to Cycle West in Petaluma, CA
Photos by Brett Saunders
