Garage Build
Garage Build 2019 SUZUKIRM-Z450
Garage Build 2019 SUZUKIRM-Z450
Garage Build
2019 SUZUKIRM-Z450
BIKE BUILD BY DAVID PINGREE // www.racerxonline.com
WORDS: DAVID PINGREE
PHOTOS: SIMON CUDBY
The 2019 RM-Z450 is a good bike with an abundance of potential, but there is certainly room for improvement from the stock setup. We could have gone all-in on this build, but I wanted to make changes that were the most cost-effective for those who pick up this machine.
PRO CIRCUIT
Race Piston, Suspension Revalve and Setup, Linkage
procircuit.com
SUPERSPROX
Rear Sprocket, Front Sprocket, Chain
supersproxusa.com
WORKS CONNECTION
Bike Stand, Axle Blocks, Engine Plugs, Rotating Bar Clamp, Steering Stem Nut, Hour Meter and Mount, Radiator Braces, Brake Caps, Full Elite Perch, Oil Filter Cover, Skid Plate, Holeshot Device, Rear Master Cylinder Guard, Pro Peg Ti Footpegs
worksconnection.com
DUNLOP
MX33 Front Tire (80/100-21)
MX33 Rear Tire (120/80-19)
dunlopmotorcycletires.com
MOTOSEAT
Custom Cool Seat Cover
motoseat.com
POLISPORT
Plastic Kit
polisport.com
FCP RACING
Engine Mounts
fcpracing.com
VP RACING FUELS
U4.4 Fuel
vpracingfuels.com
ODI
Grips, Oversized Bars
odigrips.com
LIGHTSPEED
Carbon Chain Guide, Carbon Tank Cover
lightspeedcarbon.com
FACTORY BACKING
Custom Graphics Kit
factorybacking.com
MAXIMA RACING OIL
Gear Oil, FFT Filter Oil, Pro Filter Air Filter
maximausa.com
REKLUSE
Full Clutch Kit
rekluse.com
The 2019 RM-Z450 is a good bike with an abundance of potential, but there is certainly room for improvement from the stock setup. We could have gone all-in on this build, but I wanted to make changes that were the most cost-effective for those who pick up this machine.
The 2019 RM-Z450 is a good bike with an abundance of potential, but there is certainly room for improvement from the stock setup. We could have gone all-in on this build, but I wanted to make changes that were the most cost-effective for those who pick up this machine.
PRO CIRCUIT
Race Piston, Suspension Revalve and Setup, Linkage
procircuit.com
SUPERSPROX
Rear Sprocket, Front Sprocket, Chain
supersproxusa.com
WORKS CONNECTION
Bike Stand, Axle Blocks, Engine Plugs, Rotating Bar Clamp, Steering Stem Nut, Hour Meter and Mount, Radiator Braces, Brake Caps, Full Elite Perch, Oil Filter Cover, Skid Plate, Holeshot Device, Rear Master Cylinder Guard, Pro Peg Ti Footpegs
worksconnection.com
DUNLOP
MX33 Front Tire (80/100-21)
MX33 Rear Tire (120/80-19)
dunlopmotorcycletires.com
MOTOSEAT
Custom Cool Seat Cover
motoseat.com
POLISPORT
Plastic Kit
polisport.com
FCP RACING
Engine Mounts
fcpracing.com
VP RACING FUELS
U4.4 Fuel
vpracingfuels.com
ODI
Grips, Oversized Bars
odigrips.com
LIGHTSPEED
Carbon Chain Guide, Carbon Tank Cover
lightspeedcarbon.com
FACTORY BACKING
Custom Graphics Kit
factorybacking.com
MAXIMA RACING OIL
Gear Oil, FFT Filter Oil, Pro Filter Air Filter
maximausa.com
REKLUSE
Full Clutch Kit
rekluse.com
W

e went to Pro Circuit to squeeze the most performance out of the bike. With the addition of a high-compression piston and a complete exhaust system, we were able to get the horsepower numbers up to a very competitive level. You don’t need to run race gas with this setup, but we ran VP U4.4 to get the most out of it. We also removed the screen on the air filter cage to improve air flow. Rekluse sent us a complete clutch kit to handle the extra horsepower of the motor; their manual clutch is an excellent addition to any bike for added durability and performance.

The handling is the biggest hurdle with the Suzuki, and even though there were changes made from 2018 to 2019, balance is still an issue. Pro Circuit spent days testing with several test riders, myself included, and found a very good setting for the RM-Z. With the addition of their link arm and fork/shock valving, the Suzuki begins to handle like a race bike instead of a shopping cart with a bad wheel. With a couple clicker adjustments, I was as comfortable on the RM-Z as I have been on any other 450 in recent memory. Another addition that added comfort was the FCP engine mounts. The front mount is titanium, and both have a shape and design geared toward adding a more compliant feel to the bike. The Suzuki turns incredibly well, and that feel wasn’t lost. The FCP mounts just gave it a softer touch.

W

e went to Pro Circuit to squeeze the most performance out of the bike. With the addition of a high-compression piston and a complete exhaust system, we were able to get the horsepower numbers up to a very competitive level. You don’t need to run race gas with this setup, but we ran VP U4.4 to get the most out of it. We also removed the screen on the air filter cage to improve air flow. Rekluse sent us a complete clutch kit to handle the extra horsepower of the motor; their manual clutch is an excellent addition to any bike for added durability and performance.

The handling is the biggest hurdle with the Suzuki, and even though there were changes made from 2018 to 2019, balance is still an issue. Pro Circuit spent days testing with several test riders, myself included, and found a very good setting for the RM-Z. With the addition of their link arm and fork/shock valving, the Suzuki begins to handle like a race bike instead of a shopping cart with a bad wheel. With a couple clicker adjustments, I was as comfortable on the RM-Z as I have been on any other 450 in recent memory. Another addition that added comfort was the FCP engine mounts. The front mount is titanium, and both have a shape and design geared toward adding a more compliant feel to the bike. The Suzuki turns incredibly well, and that feel wasn’t lost. The FCP mounts just gave it a softer touch.

The other complementing features included Works Connection titanium Pro Peg footpegs—one of the best platforms you can find. Works Connection brake caps, bars clamps, clutch perch, engine plug kit, axle blocks, and more were also added to improve the look and overall function of the bike.

The wheels were left stock because, well, they look good and they work great. We added Supersprox sprockets and chain and Dunlop tires.

Polisport sent us plastic in all yellow, which is a look I really like. Manufacturers still think riders are sticking single black numbers on their number plates, apparently, so they think they’re doing us a favor by making white number plates. A solid color all the way around looks better. The boys at Factory Backing made our graphics, and they did an outstanding job. They built us exactly what we were looking for, right down to the yellow racing stripes on the wheels. (Full disclosure: In case you were wondering, Paleo Ranch is a food company that’s owned by a group inside the motocross industry, myself included. Their products include game-changing protein bars, beef jerky, and bacon jerky.) The seat was built by MotoSeat to match the graphics.

LightSpeed provided the gas tank cover and the chain guide for a nice carbon-fiber touch, and we used Maxima products including chain lube, SC1, and a Pro Filter air filter. We used ODI bars and lock-on grips to complete the controls up top; they have an amazing feel and finish to them.

On the track, I could tell our engine package was potent. We could have squeezed more out of it with head mods, Pro Circuit valves and seats, and ignition mapping, but the upgrades we made were affordable and made this bike competitive. The suspension was the real revelation. Not only was the bike balanced, but the forks and shock were plush, planted, and progressive like actual race suspension should be. As impressive as that alliteration was, what Pro Circuit did with the handling here was even better. The Works Connection footpegs were great, as always, and I was stoked with how comfortable the ODI bars and grips were. The stock brakes provided enough braking power for anybody not competing at a high level of professional racing, and the Rekluse clutch had a great feel to go along with its bulletproof reputation.

All in all, I was stoked with the performance improvements we made. We really brought the magic back into this yellow machine. Go to racerxonline.com to see the complete test.

2019 SUZUKI RM-Z450
2019 SUZUKI RM-Z450
2019 SUZUKI RM-Z450
2019 SUZUKI RM-Z450