HITS:

-Awesome power delivery

-Initial throttle response is great

-New plastic gives the bike an updated look

-Like most Suzuki mxers, it turns great

-Fuel injection doesn’t add weight

-Oversized bars

MISSES:

-Fuel injection might be difficult to work on if needed

-Suspension stiff for slower or lighter riders

Supplemental Video: Behind Electronic Fuel Injection

            Yes we finally got a chance to swing a leg over, and spin some laps on, the all-new 2008 Suzuki RM-Z450. After years of development, the yellow machine is probably one of the most highly anticipated bikes in years, and for good reason, as it comes equipped with fuel injection, an all-new chassis, updated suspension, and a five-speed gearbox, just to name a few features. Needless to say, it’s probably the most updated bike to be released this year.

            For years now, fuel injection has been the next step in the evolution of the now highly advanced four-stroke technology for many of the factories, however, Suzuki is the first one to step out on a limb and make the decision to release it. So how does it work? Well, we’ll get to that, but first a quick run down on some of the new features found on the big yellow four-stroke.

WHAT’S NEW?

            Like we said, pretty much everything is new from the engine to the suspension to the chassis, but well start with perhaps the most significant change—the electronic fuel injection. Years of development went into creating this aspect of the new RM-Z and it shows. The battery-less system charges via the magneto and stores enough energy to power the injection for numerous hours. If the system is completely drained of power, all it takes are a few kicks to bring it back to life, and after that, simply riding the bike continues to charge it up. The fuel is delivered to the engine by an internal fuel pump, which is housed inside a trick aluminum gas tank. The whole goal of the fuel injection is to improve role-on throttle response as well as increase low-to-mid power. For more information of this high-tech system, be sure to check out the supplemental video detailing just how it works. Another area that Suzuki focused on to improve power was the combustion chamber, which was redesigned to increase low-to-mid range throttle response and power, while the flywheel inertia was increased to smoothen out the improved power delivery all throughout. As far as other engine improvements go, Suzuki also added another gear, equipping the new RM-Z with a five-speed gearbox rather than four.

            Moving on to the chassis, Suzuki engineers nearly went back to the drawing board with the goal of retaining the exceptional turning prowess of the Suzuki while saving weight and improving performance. To achieve this, they kept the same basic geometry as last year’s bike, but instead slimmed things down significantly and improved the overall rigidity for improved handling and turning prowess. Suzuki claims that this slimmed down chassis also opens up the rider compartment, making for a much more comfortable ride. To complement the new chassis, new cartridge forks were added that reduce weight and help better absorb hard hits and rough tracks, while the shock received equally as many improvements as well as a new damper case and a modified internal structure. Moving towards the rear of the bike, you’ll find a new swingarm that at first glace doesn’t look drastically different from ’07, however, it’s what you can’t see that makes the difference. The inner wall thickness is decreased to reduce weight and better improve handling.

            Finally, in the cosmetic department, Suzuki obviously updated the plastics and graphics, but they also added yellow anodized rear axel blocks, flatter and wider footpegs, wave brake rotors for improved stopping power, and a relocated hot-start lever on the throttle side of the bars, just like the factory bikes.

HOW IT WAS

            When we first sat on the RM-Z, we knew that this bike was drastically improved over the ’07 model. Even just sitting on it, we could tell it was slimmer, lighter, and just more comfortable than its predecessors. Once we fired it up and took to the track, our excitement only grew. The fuel injection does exactly what Suzuki was hoping for, as it improves the initial throttle response and helps to broaden the power—smoothening it out throughout the low-to-mid range of the powerband. Since most four-strokes have a small lag when you initially crack the throttle, it almost took a little while to get used to the way the power was delivered on the bike, but once we did, like we said, it was impressive. Perhaps the biggest improvement in the engine department on this bike from last year is just that, as the actual power doesn’t feel greater than other 450cc four-strokes, it’s just delivered much better and without any hesitation or bog. The bottom end power is awesome, though, continues on through the mid, and pulls up top. We rode the bike at Perris Raceway, and unfortunately didn’t get to experience fifth gear on too many occasions, however, we’re sure that on a faster track we would have been able to. One thing is for sure, though, the fifth gear helps to broaden out the power and help make the bike more fun to ride.

            As for the suspension and chassis, at first we were a little skeptical, but once we got accustomed to how the bike handled, just like the motor, we became fans. Our initial impression of the suspension led us to believe that the forks needed to be softened up. Two clicks on the compression, however, proved to be too much, and after going back to the stock settings, we discovered that the harder you ride the bike, the better it handles. Turning the big Zook is just as good as previous years, as it wants to stick in ruts, and rail through berms. Throughout our time testing it, we never experienced it pushing or washing out, which is exactly what you want from a bike. Complimenting the handling of the bike nicely are the new ergonomics. The bike now has a slim feel to it and feels far more nimble and lightweight when compared to the ’07 version.

CONCLUSION

            Like we have said throughout this test, we came away impressed with the new RM-Z450. The fuel injection works really well, and in the short time we spent on the bike, we never had any problems with it. The new chassis also is a welcomed change as it improves the feel of the bike while also dropping weight. Time will only tell how this new generation RM-Z holds up, and since we haven’t done any long-term testing aboard it, there is no way of knowing the amount of abuse the new injection system can withstand. One thing is for sure, though, we would be happy to ride this bike any day of the week. Yes, it’s that good.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Price                                    $7,199

Engine                                 449cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, 4-valve

Bore Stroke                          96 x 62.1mm

Compression Ratio              12.2:1

Fuel System                         Electronic Fuel Injection

Lubrication                          Semi-dry sump

Ignition                                Digital CDI

Transmission                       5-speed

Final Drive                          #520 chain

Overall Length                    2185mm (86.0 in)

Overall Width                     830mm (32.7 in)

Overall Height                    1,260 mm (49.6 in)

Seat Height                         955 mm (37.6 in)

Ground Clearance              350 mm (13.8 in)

Wheelbase                         1480 mm (58.3 in)

Dry Weight                        101.5 kg (224 lbs)

Suspension Front               Telescopic, cartridge-type fully adjustable rebound, compression and pre-load settings

Suspension Rear                Link-type, spring preload fully adjustable rebound, compression and pre-load settings

Brakes Front                      Single hydraulic disc

Brakes Rear                       Single hydraulic disc

Tires Front                         90/100-21

Tires Rear                         120/90-19

Fuel Tank Capacity           6.2 liter (1.6 gal.)

Color                                 Yellow