2015 Suzuki RM-Z450: Ride Impression

After throwing a leg over Suzuki’s much-updated RM-Z450 at Suzuki’s international launch in SoCal last week, Transmoto’s David Pingree lists his five major observations about the new machine…

1. THROTTLE RESPONSE

Whatever changes were made to the ECU, they sure had a significant affect on the throttle response. The throttle now feels absolutely connected to the rear wheel; the instant you even think about cracking the throttle, this bike gets up and goes. Yes, Suzuki nailed the fuel mapping this year. With the 2014 bike, the standard gearing often left you in-between gears; especially in tight corners, where you were forced to either add a tooth or drop a tooth to stay in the meat of the power. Even though the final drive sprocket combination hasn’t changed for 2015, the standard gearing now feels perfect, largely because the improved fuel mapping has delivered more low-rev torque.

2. CHASSIS STABILITY

The reshaped internal dimensions on the now 4% lighter alloy main frame are designed to allow the bike to flex where it needs to and maintain rigidity when it needs to. Suzuki’s RM-Z450 has always been known for its cornering prowess and nimble feel on the track, and that characteristic remains, thankfully. But the chassis’ sometimes-nervous-at-speed feel seems to be diminished for 2015 – the new bike has noticeably more straight-line stability and handles more predictably in choppy, rough conditions. This improvement can be credited largely to the frame changes, no doubt aided and abetted by the new air fork.

3. ADJUSTABILITY & TUNABILITY

The Showa SFF-Air TAC fork is a great, factory bike-inspired addition, but don’t expect to hop on and love the TAC with the stock settings, because that won’t happen. This new air fork has the potential to be better than any production fork before it, but you won’t get there without first putting in the time to set it up properly. If you take the time to learn how the fork works and make adjustments accordingly, you will love the TAC. If you prefer to just hop on and go for a ride, you won’t. Once this fork is dialled in, expect better front-end traction than you’ve ever had, more positive feedback from the front tyre, superb compliance from the smallest chop to the biggest hits, and a range of adjustability you’ve never even dreamed of.

4. STARTING

I’m not saying the RM-Z was ever a particularly difficult bike to start, but one full kick brings this 2015 RM-Z to life easier than ever before. How did Suzuki engineers achieve this? For 2015, they redesigned the bike’s de-compression system, revised the kick-drive gear ratio, relocated the kick idle gear, added a breather gear and fitted a longer kick-starter lever. That’s a lot of effort to save you a kick or two, but it can save precious time on the racetrack.

5. LOOKS

Okay, this isn’t going to help you win races, but the 2015 colour scheme is a step in the right direction. Last year’s bike was so ugly, I was embarrassed for the guy who designed it. There is something to be said for the confidence that comes with having a good-looking machine as you head to the start line. For 2015, Suzuki owners won’t be defeated before the gate even drops.

2015 UPGRADES…

Want to remind yourself about the specific upgrades Suzuki performed on its 2015-model RM-Z450 and RM-Z250? Click the links and you’ll find all you need to know. And for a cool official launch video on the new RM-Z450, which was shot and produced by Aussies, Anakt Digital Cinema’s Jay Rynenberg and Jason Macalpine (formerly from Team JDR/KTM), click here.