Factory Bike Friday: Mike Alessi’s RM-Z450

A look at the MotoConcepts "factory killer"

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Factory Bike Friday: Mike Alessi’s MotoConcepts RM-Z450

Story and photos by Shan Moore

Mike Alessi is one of the few non-factory riders who has been able to challenge the factory elite in both supercross and motocross this year, thanks to the rocketship bike provided by his team: MotoConcepts Suzuki. Alessi actually prefers a lot of the stock items, like the triple clamps, over some of the aftermarket items that a lot of other satellite teams are using. But overall, the bike is basically a production model with lots of readily available aftermarket items.

Alessi’s mechanic, Chris Laredo, gives us some insight into the bike.

“Mike is actually not too hard on the bike and he’s really easy to work with,” says Laredo. “We have MB1 doing our suspension and Mike Batista does an incredible job with that. Mike doesn’t like the bike to be rigid, and Batista gets the setup perfect for Mike’s needs.”

“As far as the motor,” adds Laredo. “We get components from TUF Racing and then we build them in-house. TUF does the heads and a few other little things.”

MotoConcepts uses Hinson clutch components, and everything they use can be bought off the shelf.

Alessi prefers the stock Suzuki triple clamps.

“Pretty much everything on the bike is off the shelf,” says Laredo. “Although, it’s just tweaked to Mike’s liking.”

The footpegs are by Raptor and Mike has a small tab welded to the outside edge to help keep his feet closer to the frame.

Leo Vince provides the carbon fiber skid plate and guards, while FMF supplies the exhaust system, which are special-built to Alessi’s liking.

Other itesm include TCR Hubs, and UFO plastic.

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Comments

mark theel
January 17, 2013 9:26 am

mike’s bike is looking pretty sick this year. iv never thought of welding little pieces to the end of my foot pegs to keep my feet closer.

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