Spoke with my wallet, RMZ450 edition

Aceofspades 1/27/2017 8:33am
1/27/2017 8:33am Edited Date/Time 1/27/2017 8:34am
Bruce372 wrote:
Did you get my pm reply ace?
I cant find where to read my pm's! Ill get on the computer in a bit and re check.
Bruce372
Profile picture for user Bruce372
Posts
6329
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
Bruce372 1/27/2017 8:36am
1/27/2017 8:36am
Text is easier 858 775 two two 31
Aceofspades 1/27/2017 8:50am
1/27/2017 8:50am
Bruce372 wrote:
Text is easier 858 775 two two 31
Thanks!
gb4mx
Profile picture for user gb4mx
Posts
162
Joined
12/24/2010
Location
Clinton Township, MI US
gb4mx 1/27/2017 4:53pm
1/27/2017 4:53pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2017 4:53pm
Ace.....Yeah it's a tall seat. Meant the bike doesn't feel tall, (even with that tall seat) because of good bike setup. Both feet flat on the ground now. Couldn't when it was new. BTW, how is the weather and riding down there now and in the near future?

The Shop

See All »
Aceofspades 1/28/2017 3:24pm
1/28/2017 3:24pm
gb4mx wrote:
Ace.....Yeah it's a tall seat. Meant the bike doesn't feel tall, (even with that tall seat) because of good bike setup. Both feet flat on the...
Ace.....Yeah it's a tall seat. Meant the bike doesn't feel tall, (even with that tall seat) because of good bike setup. Both feet flat on the ground now. Couldn't when it was new. BTW, how is the weather and riding down there now and in the near future?
Its cold but weve had a few days of almost spring-like weather. Its supposed to snow a couple inches tomorrow as well. I think Im taking delivery tuesday if it doesnt snow badly. I hope to get at least one nice day to break it in because feb 13th Im having rotator cuff surgery (after 3 years of telling doctors it was killing me) and Ill be in a sling for 3 to 4 weeks. Perfect timing to buy a bike lol.
Aceofspades 1/31/2017 10:43am
1/31/2017 10:43am
On our way home Smile




walent215
Profile picture for user walent215
Posts
2513
Joined
12/6/2014
Location
Ridgecrest, CA US
walent215 1/31/2017 4:50pm
1/31/2017 4:50pm
Nice!
Aceofspades 1/31/2017 5:20pm
1/31/2017 5:20pm
Got a quick ride in after I unloaded it, and holy cow these 450's have power lol. The last new bike I bought was a 1985 cr80, and I'd forgotten how nice and tight a fresh bIke is. Full ride report tomorrow.
JB 19
Profile picture for user JB 19
Posts
4331
Joined
3/8/2009
Location
Marion, OH US
JB 19 1/31/2017 6:17pm
1/31/2017 6:17pm
Those bikes are the best kept secret in the sport. The thing I hate the most about mine is that I can't get myself to sell it and buy the new 350 that I want because my Suzuki is so good .....and at a fraction of the price. Laughing
Aceofspades 1/31/2017 7:02pm
1/31/2017 7:02pm
This was in my accessory kit; what are these things? Can't find them in the manual.

Rotaholic
Profile picture for user Rotaholic
Posts
1712
Joined
4/2/2013
Location
NZ
Rotaholic 1/31/2017 7:28pm
1/31/2017 7:28pm
When you clean the fuel tank and bike. They are yellow for the fuel petcock and black for the fuel line
mxwrench66
Profile picture for user mxwrench66
Posts
220
Joined
5/22/2008
Location
Ozark, MO US
mxwrench66 1/31/2017 8:03pm
1/31/2017 8:03pm Edited Date/Time 1/31/2017 8:03pm
I just picked up a used 14 last month for 3400. I've been motoing the shit out of it and it's working like a champ. Spring forks baby!!!!!
machine
Profile picture for user machine
Posts
6404
Joined
1/5/2011
Location
Collettsville, NC US
machine 1/31/2017 8:04pm
1/31/2017 8:04pm
Awesome man, have fun with it. That's a good deal!
Aceofspades 1/31/2017 9:21pm
1/31/2017 9:21pm
I rode for a few more minutes on my new bike and i just cant believe how different bikes are these days. It feels so rigid and solid compared to the old style bikes! That 4 stroke motor is like butter! Just gobs of traction on these bikes Smile I get the feeling that ill be resigning my comission in the 2 stroke taliban before its all said and done. Never dreaned Id admit it, but I can honestly see why these bikes are dominant.
Flip109
Profile picture for user Flip109
Posts
3460
Joined
6/15/2007
Location
TX US
Flip109 1/31/2017 9:44pm
1/31/2017 9:44pm
Aceofspades wrote:
I rode for a few more minutes on my new bike and i just cant believe how different bikes are these days. It feels so rigid...
I rode for a few more minutes on my new bike and i just cant believe how different bikes are these days. It feels so rigid and solid compared to the old style bikes! That 4 stroke motor is like butter! Just gobs of traction on these bikes Smile I get the feeling that ill be resigning my comission in the 2 stroke taliban before its all said and done. Never dreaned Id admit it, but I can honestly see why these bikes are dominant.
Yeah love those zook 450's. And very reliable man! You stole that thing! Congrats! Looking for another one myself in a few months.....once the 18's hit the market and the price drops on the 17'sCool
Aceofspades 2/1/2017 7:44pm
2/1/2017 7:44pm Edited Date/Time 2/1/2017 7:48pm
Things Ive learned from my first long riding session on my 1st 4 stroke:
1. I kept waiting for the power to knock my socks off- but it didnt. Its just a long, linear spread of pure traction. You can feel the torque like a tractor compared to any 250 2 stroke ive ridden.
2. Theres absolutely no engine braking that I can perceive. In fact, i didnt realize til about 30 minutes had passed that there wasnt any lol. It might be there but its not enough to turn me off.
3. Its easy as hell to start as long as I dont forget and give it gas.
4. The suspension feels great, probably because im heavy enough to overcome the harshness lol.
5. 1st gear is wayyyyy to tall for woods riding. Matter if fact, i think 1st gear has the exact same ratio as my old 2000 kx250... and i sold that bike because 1st gear was too tall to trailride with. On the kx, i went up 6 teeth on the rear and 1st was STILL too tall so regearing doesnt bode well. Oops!
6. Its amazing how far mx bikes have come. I love it even though I may not be hitting tight trails.
Aceofspades 3/28/2017 5:03pm
3/28/2017 5:03pm Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 5:06pm
One month later update!
- Ive got 4.5 hours of riding so far. I am so in love with the power of this bike! Just so, so smooth and tractorish. The steering is awesone, but its scary as hell at high speed due to headshake. Ill lower the forks to see if it helps.
- Ive changed oil and filter twice, and only found a tiny bit of metal flash and a very few copperish colored bits. Ive switched to synthetic oil and shifting is like butter
-the cool looking graphics the shop applied only lasted a few days and started to curl up like a 1920's moustache. I trimmed away the curled up parts which left only the 'suzuki' part of the stickers. Ill get new graphics later.
- i added red billet engine plugs, oil filler cap, and brake clevis. Found them super cheap on ebay!

My only fault with the bike is that i constantly worry about my engine blowing up lol. Other than that, I just totally love the 4 stroke engine. Its so much fun to ride. I ended up just backing out all of the adjusters on my suspension sunce i ride so slow, and its like a pillow lol. I need heavier springs in the future.
- any 2 stroke holdouts that fear buying a 4 stroke- dont worry. You will love it...as long as it dont blow up. Lol




malachi177
Profile picture for user malachi177
Posts
2281
Joined
12/18/2010
Location
B.C., BC CA
malachi177 3/28/2017 5:24pm
3/28/2017 5:24pm
Aceofspades wrote:
One month later update! - Ive got 4.5 hours of riding so far. I am so in love with the power of this bike! Just so...
One month later update!
- Ive got 4.5 hours of riding so far. I am so in love with the power of this bike! Just so, so smooth and tractorish. The steering is awesone, but its scary as hell at high speed due to headshake. Ill lower the forks to see if it helps.
- Ive changed oil and filter twice, and only found a tiny bit of metal flash and a very few copperish colored bits. Ive switched to synthetic oil and shifting is like butter
-the cool looking graphics the shop applied only lasted a few days and started to curl up like a 1920's moustache. I trimmed away the curled up parts which left only the 'suzuki' part of the stickers. Ill get new graphics later.
- i added red billet engine plugs, oil filler cap, and brake clevis. Found them super cheap on ebay!

My only fault with the bike is that i constantly worry about my engine blowing up lol. Other than that, I just totally love the 4 stroke engine. Its so much fun to ride. I ended up just backing out all of the adjusters on my suspension sunce i ride so slow, and its like a pillow lol. I need heavier springs in the future.
- any 2 stroke holdouts that fear buying a 4 stroke- dont worry. You will love it...as long as it dont blow up. Lol




Awesome, glad you like it! Are you running Motul 800v? Don't be scared of it blowing up, they've come along ways in the last 10 years! 100+ hrs are not uncommon on these bikes.

Pit Row

See All »
Aceofspades 3/28/2017 5:48pm
3/28/2017 5:48pm
Im running rotella 5w40 synthetic. Really helped shifting a lot.
Aceofspades 3/28/2017 10:40pm
3/28/2017 10:40pm
Funny story about the front disc guard: I looked it up on motosport.com and it was listed for $7! I thought it was a typo, so I checked the 2013 and 2015 prices on the same disc guard, and it was listed for $34. I went ahead and ordered it, and actually got it for $7! Now its listed for $34, same as the 2013 and 2015 lol. For some reason it didnt fit well at all, and I had to trim it a little.


RussB
Profile picture for user RussB
Posts
991
Joined
7/12/2014
Location
GB
RussB 3/29/2017 12:16am
3/29/2017 12:16am
The high speed head shake is very easy to iron out and shouldn't take any drastic adjustments to do so.
The real key is getting the chassis set perfect with the correct springs and sag measurements, don't try and improve the headshake with clicker adjustments until you have the chassis set perfect (these bikes like a lot of rider sag 105-108mm).
Also nip up the steering stem bearings a little, not tight but enough so the bars cant drop down to either steerer stop under their own weight.
Dropping the forks through and opening out the HS compression on the shock also helps.
I haven't experienced any head shake on my RMZ for months since getting the set-up perfect.

Oh and you will absolutely love a Rekluse clutch on this bike. Shell out and get the full EXP Core 3.0 kit, its pricey but if you want a useable 1st gear then this is a great method, it also makes the bike unstall-able!
Rotaholic
Profile picture for user Rotaholic
Posts
1712
Joined
4/2/2013
Location
NZ
Rotaholic 3/29/2017 12:31am
3/29/2017 12:31am
Your chain is too short, run the axle blocks further back so they are flush with the end of the swing arm. Way more traction and no more head shake, try it when you replace the chain
Aceofspades 3/29/2017 12:38am
3/29/2017 12:38am
Good advice! I think a lot of it is that the frame is so stiff and Im not used to it. As for the chain; it definitely needs a non o-ring chain. The driveline drag from the chain is unfuckingbelievable. On the stand the rear wheel will barely complete a full spin without the chain dragging it to a stop. The oring is awesome for wear and trail riding, but holy shit lol.
RussB
Profile picture for user RussB
Posts
991
Joined
7/12/2014
Location
GB
RussB 3/29/2017 12:47am
3/29/2017 12:47am
The RMZ is definitely rigid. I also came from riding steel frame 2 strokes before getting my RMZ so it has taken some getting used to!
After a while it starts to feel normal. But I'm still experimenting with motor mount modifications etc to try and get a little more give out of the chassis.

Good spot by Rotaholic. I can also vouch for the longer chain improving the bike. Not sure on the science behind it but the longer wheelbase really seems to help with the stability. Definitely worth doing when you replace the chain.
Aceofspades 3/29/2017 3:31am
3/29/2017 3:31am
My last bike was a 2000 kx250 I sold last year. I swear that this rmz feels exactly like the kx in seating position, width, and peg and bar relationship. The kx was a lot more rigid than any other 2 stroke ive owned due to the perimeter frame. The rmz feels like a comfortable pair of shoes now lol. Its just such a fun bike! Oh man, its sooo much better than my 2 strokes. Despite the tall 1st gear, its a killer trail bike.
wwoberg
Profile picture for user wwoberg
Posts
749
Joined
11/19/2010
Location
Soddy Daisy, TN US
wwoberg 3/29/2017 3:47am
3/29/2017 3:47am
Aceofspades wrote:
This was in my accessory kit; what are these things? Can't find them in the manual. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/01/31/172980/s1200_20170131_204759.jpg[/img]
This was in my accessory kit; what are these things? Can't find them in the manual.

Those are fuel line plugs that you will use when taking the tank off.
Aceofspades 3/29/2017 4:19am
3/29/2017 4:19am
wwoberg wrote:
Those are fuel line plugs that you will use when taking the tank off.
Someone else pointed that out. I finally found it in the manual as well. Thanks tho Smile
DC323
Profile picture for user DC323
Posts
119
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
DC323 3/29/2017 4:38am
3/29/2017 4:38am
I had a 13 RMZ450 that I used for offroad. A rekluse core 3.0, Scott's steering stabilizer, and some revolved suspension and the bike was awesome in the woods. Given, it will never be a 300 2 stroke enduro bike in the tight stuff. But if you are riding gncc style stuff, it's awesome.
shaffstall721 3/29/2017 6:00am
3/29/2017 6:00am
Aceofspades wrote:
One month later update! - Ive got 4.5 hours of riding so far. I am so in love with the power of this bike! Just so...
One month later update!
- Ive got 4.5 hours of riding so far. I am so in love with the power of this bike! Just so, so smooth and tractorish. The steering is awesone, but its scary as hell at high speed due to headshake. Ill lower the forks to see if it helps.
- Ive changed oil and filter twice, and only found a tiny bit of metal flash and a very few copperish colored bits. Ive switched to synthetic oil and shifting is like butter
-the cool looking graphics the shop applied only lasted a few days and started to curl up like a 1920's moustache. I trimmed away the curled up parts which left only the 'suzuki' part of the stickers. Ill get new graphics later.
- i added red billet engine plugs, oil filler cap, and brake clevis. Found them super cheap on ebay!

My only fault with the bike is that i constantly worry about my engine blowing up lol. Other than that, I just totally love the 4 stroke engine. Its so much fun to ride. I ended up just backing out all of the adjusters on my suspension sunce i ride so slow, and its like a pillow lol. I need heavier springs in the future.
- any 2 stroke holdouts that fear buying a 4 stroke- dont worry. You will love it...as long as it dont blow up. Lol




That thing shouldnt be getting headshake, you said you adjusted everything out on the suspension settings? The rebound on the forks may be "fast" then.

Try screwing in (tightening) the rebound on the forks. That may help? someone correct me if this is incorrect.

Nice bike!
Forty
Profile picture for user Forty
Posts
3035
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
Forty 3/29/2017 8:07am
3/29/2017 8:07am
They do head shake a little at speed in certain situations however it can be tuned away or at least to a minimum. Some good ideas here.

Post a reply to: Spoke with my wallet, RMZ450 edition