2018 Suzuki RMZ450

motofool
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motofool 2/14/2018 7:19am
2/14/2018 7:19am

I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow" I put FMF system on to waken it up. Rear shock didn't bother me I'm also a bigger guy at 270lbs just put stiffer spring may send it in to get revalved at some point. Great bike. Just waiting for snow to melt so I can get back on it!
motomike894
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motomike894 2/14/2018 7:36am
2/14/2018 7:36am
motofool wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/14/244014/s1200_20180214_090934.jpg[/img] I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow"...

I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow" I put FMF system on to waken it up. Rear shock didn't bother me I'm also a bigger guy at 270lbs just put stiffer spring may send it in to get revalved at some point. Great bike. Just waiting for snow to melt so I can get back on it!
How does that FMF work compared to stock ?

Also if you do have suspension revalved, Tom Zont Racing in Illinois does my stuff and I weigh 290-300 and go pretty good still and he has mine dialed with what he did, still haven’t been able to ride it anywhere super rough cause weather too but just thought let you know in case.
ThreeFiveSix 2/14/2018 8:50am
2/14/2018 8:50am
motofool wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/14/244014/s1200_20180214_090934.jpg[/img] I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow"...

I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow" I put FMF system on to waken it up. Rear shock didn't bother me I'm also a bigger guy at 270lbs just put stiffer spring may send it in to get revalved at some point. Great bike. Just waiting for snow to melt so I can get back on it!
motomike894 wrote:
How does that FMF work compared to stock ? Also if you do have suspension revalved, Tom Zont Racing in Illinois does my stuff and I...
How does that FMF work compared to stock ?

Also if you do have suspension revalved, Tom Zont Racing in Illinois does my stuff and I weigh 290-300 and go pretty good still and he has mine dialed with what he did, still haven’t been able to ride it anywhere super rough cause weather too but just thought let you know in case.
I'm interested to hear an opinion on the FMF exhaust as well. I'll probably get an exhaust at some point. I've been running Yosh but I've had problems with the mid pipe mount breaking on them.

The Shop

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motofool
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motofool 2/14/2018 9:33am
2/14/2018 9:33am
motofool wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/14/244014/s1200_20180214_090934.jpg[/img] I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow"...

I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow" I put FMF system on to waken it up. Rear shock didn't bother me I'm also a bigger guy at 270lbs just put stiffer spring may send it in to get revalved at some point. Great bike. Just waiting for snow to melt so I can get back on it!
motomike894 wrote:
How does that FMF work compared to stock ? Also if you do have suspension revalved, Tom Zont Racing in Illinois does my stuff and I...
How does that FMF work compared to stock ?

Also if you do have suspension revalved, Tom Zont Racing in Illinois does my stuff and I weigh 290-300 and go pretty good still and he has mine dialed with what he did, still haven’t been able to ride it anywhere super rough cause weather too but just thought let you know in case.
ThreeFiveSix wrote:
I'm interested to hear an opinion on the FMF exhaust as well. I'll probably get an exhaust at some point. I've been running Yosh but I've...
I'm interested to hear an opinion on the FMF exhaust as well. I'll probably get an exhaust at some point. I've been running Yosh but I've had problems with the mid pipe mount breaking on them.
I had an fmf on my 15 as well as this one and It gives it a little more snap off the bottom which I really like. As far as quality I had 50+ hours on fmf on my 15 with no issues. The motors are basically identical this year. You can actually swap the 18 with a 17 it bolts right in per jgr mechanic. I've only rode with it once on my 18 and it definitely improves low end as well as dropped a few pounds off bike.
Meister
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Meister 2/14/2018 3:32pm
2/14/2018 3:32pm
I read that the pipe won't swap. Mounting hole is too far forward.
dadofagun
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dadofagun 2/14/2018 4:15pm
2/14/2018 4:15pm
Great looking scoots boys, looking as we speak for my new one. I’m torn in a sense, I can literally steal a holdover 16 for next to nothing, or grab an 18. Haven’t ridden an 18 yet, probably a good thing! But damn those things look so good!!
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 2/14/2018 4:50pm
2/14/2018 4:50pm
Picked up a Ti/Carbon Yosh system & all their billet aluminum bits. Should have something to report on next week in Bike Builds when Allan Brown is done bolting things on and checking under the hood. I think we might throw it on the scale and see how he whole Jenny Craig thing is really going.
rmgsxr
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rmgsxr 2/14/2018 6:04pm
2/14/2018 6:04pm
Meister wrote:
I read that the pipe won't swap. Mounting hole is too far forward.
17 pipe will not work on 18. For sure on that.
bultokid
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bultokid 2/14/2018 6:23pm
2/14/2018 6:23pm
motofool wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/14/244014/s1200_20180214_090934.jpg[/img] I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow"...

I'm loving mine so far. Big improvement over my 15 feels slimmer and lighter even though it isn't. People that complain about them being "slow" I put FMF system on to waken it up. Rear shock didn't bother me I'm also a bigger guy at 270lbs just put stiffer spring may send it in to get revalved at some point. Great bike. Just waiting for snow to melt so I can get back on it!
Thats a beauty...big boy here as well, 260lbs, absolutely love my '12 RMZ450 but really ride vintage more than modern. Would love a new Husky to go with the vintage Huskys but have heard from some that they dont fit the big boys as well as the RMZ. Thinking I could get a sweet deal on an '18 RMZ when the '19s come out
Meister
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Meister 2/14/2018 6:29pm
2/14/2018 6:29pm
How's come all us fat bastards are looking at the rmz? Lol.i currently go 245-250. Will get back down before season but it just seems ironic. My main reason for consideration is $$. I wanted a new honda but the price difference is enough to build some bad ass suspension. Throw a pipe n some bling on it and that should be enough.
JB 19
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JB 19 2/14/2018 6:37pm
2/14/2018 6:37pm
gsxr6 wrote:
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my...
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my 14 yz450f, 1 oil change. Starts on a couple kicks like it always did, flatout rips. Not even a loose spoke ever lol. I go over the spokes on my 17 crf450 every ride, as it's necessary. Bottom line, I think everybody has a buddy or two with a Suzuki story lol. Like, one buddy's coolant nipple came out the head!?! Lol toast in minutes. 11 rmz450. The hose was still clamped to the nipple lol. No thanks pass
80 hours on an oil change? All of your credibility just went out the window........forever.
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 2/14/2018 7:01pm
2/14/2018 7:01pm
Meister wrote:
How's come all us fat bastards are looking at the rmz? Lol.i currently go 245-250. Will get back down before season but it just seems ironic...
How's come all us fat bastards are looking at the rmz? Lol.i currently go 245-250. Will get back down before season but it just seems ironic. My main reason for consideration is $$. I wanted a new honda but the price difference is enough to build some bad ass suspension. Throw a pipe n some bling on it and that should be enough.
250lbs is the beer drinking class..... there isnt a lot of cash left for that $10K KTM if one is throwing back a sixxer of craft IPA every night! Smile
bultokid
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bultokid 2/14/2018 8:18pm
2/14/2018 8:18pm
Meister wrote:
How's come all us fat bastards are looking at the rmz? Lol.i currently go 245-250. Will get back down before season but it just seems ironic...
How's come all us fat bastards are looking at the rmz? Lol.i currently go 245-250. Will get back down before season but it just seems ironic. My main reason for consideration is $$. I wanted a new honda but the price difference is enough to build some bad ass suspension. Throw a pipe n some bling on it and that should be enough.
Bruce372 wrote:
250lbs is the beer drinking class..... there isnt a lot of cash left for that $10K KTM if one is throwing back a sixxer of craft...
250lbs is the beer drinking class..... there isnt a lot of cash left for that $10K KTM if one is throwing back a sixxer of craft IPA every night! Smile
LOL, The I Forgot To Push Away From The Plate Class.....hell at 55 I'm in the WGAS Class, love to eat and have fun riding MX....Team Bultaco ain't signing me up anytime soon...or ever for that matter
Meister
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Meister 2/14/2018 8:40pm
2/14/2018 8:40pm
Wanna race? Lol

Last time I hit loraccos leap I was well over the 200 mark.

PS, I'm allergic to beer.

It's the damn winter coat affect. Usually around 215 during the season. Come hunting season n holidays it's time for a winter coat. I don't drink anymore and I don't do drugs. Winter food is my dope. Then I do the reshape reclaimed diet for a couple months and I'm right back where I wanna be.

dadofagun
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dadofagun 2/14/2018 9:09pm
2/14/2018 9:09pm
gsxr6 wrote:
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my...
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my 14 yz450f, 1 oil change. Starts on a couple kicks like it always did, flatout rips. Not even a loose spoke ever lol. I go over the spokes on my 17 crf450 every ride, as it's necessary. Bottom line, I think everybody has a buddy or two with a Suzuki story lol. Like, one buddy's coolant nipple came out the head!?! Lol toast in minutes. 11 rmz450. The hose was still clamped to the nipple lol. No thanks pass
JB 19 wrote:
80 hours on an oil change? All of your credibility just went out the window........forever.
Thank GOD I’m not alone on this.... Hell, I don’t even run my 427 SOHC that long on an oil change....
Brent
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Brent 2/14/2018 9:20pm
2/14/2018 9:20pm Edited Date/Time 2/14/2018 9:24pm
mark_swart wrote:
I know two dudes who bought '18 RMZ 450s and had them sold or up for sale within five months. One went to a CRF 450...
I know two dudes who bought '18 RMZ 450s and had them sold or up for sale within five months. One went to a CRF 450, another to a KTM 350 FWIW.

My last one was a '12, I ended up selling it because I didn't like the weight.
Wait, What?

If I remember right the first one I saw was at REM at Glen Helen in Late September , It was the MXA test bike.

That was less than 5 months ago? Why would someone pay almost 9 grand for a dirt bike only to sell it that soon?

TWO people?
mark_swart
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mark_swart 2/14/2018 10:52pm
2/14/2018 10:52pm
Brent wrote:
Wait, What? If I remember right the first one I saw was at REM at Glen Helen in Late September , It was the MXA test...
Wait, What?

If I remember right the first one I saw was at REM at Glen Helen in Late September , It was the MXA test bike.

That was less than 5 months ago? Why would someone pay almost 9 grand for a dirt bike only to sell it that soon?

TWO people?
One was a long-time KTM guy, and went back to KTM. The other had been on RMZs and looked good on the new one, but next thing I knew he had it listed. I don't know him that well, but yeah he put it up for sale pretty quick and got $7750 for it, but he had added some bling.

Pit Row

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RussB
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RussB 2/15/2018 3:00am
2/15/2018 3:00am
I've always thought the same. 50 hours on my 15 RMZ450 and not experienced clutch fade once.

It did drag from new however. Simple fix though, I removed the judder spring and spacer, drilled the hub in the same pattern as a Hinson and had some clutch spring seating washers made (to hold the springs central to the bolt and stop them rubbing on the pressure plate). The clutch is perfect and it cost me £12 (for the spacers).

You can blame MXA for the bad RMZ450 clutch rep as they slander it in every RMZ review they've ever done.

motomike894
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motomike894 2/15/2018 5:07am
2/15/2018 5:07am
I have been trying to decide to go with FMF or Yosh system, I have had both and never really had an issue with either one, other then breaking a carbon Yosh I had once, I wish FMF showed their dyno / numbers on the system like Yosh does, I just want to get whichever ones going to work the best.
miketherider 2/15/2018 5:11am
2/15/2018 5:11am
I believe for "the average guy," it's a solid all around package that has a predictable motor, great chassis and suspension that needs a little love, but certainly can be made great. I already see some great deals on them.
Beeler341
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Beeler341 2/15/2018 5:44am
2/15/2018 5:44am
I see the resale argument a lot. The only bike that’s got a decent resale is the KTM. The RMZ is easily the best looking bike out there.
kiwifan
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kiwifan 2/15/2018 2:56pm
2/15/2018 2:56pm
Beeler341 wrote:
I see the resale argument a lot. The only bike that’s got a decent resale is the KTM. The RMZ is easily the best looking bike...
I see the resale argument a lot. The only bike that’s got a decent resale is the KTM. The RMZ is easily the best looking bike out there.
the ONLY bike that has decent resale value????
Meister
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Meister 2/15/2018 3:35pm
2/15/2018 3:35pm
I made out selling my 09 rmz compared to selling my 16 Ktm. Ktms, imo, are no longer better for resale than anything else. You buy an rmz cheaper, you sell for cheaper. The % difference is probably negligible.
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Meister
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Meister 2/15/2018 7:32pm
2/15/2018 7:32pm
What have you guys paid OTD for your 18?
Superdave19
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Superdave19 2/15/2018 7:53pm
2/15/2018 7:53pm
Meister wrote:
I made out selling my 09 rmz compared to selling my 16 Ktm. Ktms, imo, are no longer better for resale than anything else. You buy...
I made out selling my 09 rmz compared to selling my 16 Ktm. Ktms, imo, are no longer better for resale than anything else. You buy an rmz cheaper, you sell for cheaper. The % difference is probably negligible.
This^^^. Completely correct.
reded
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reded 2/15/2018 8:01pm
2/15/2018 8:01pm
RussB wrote:
I've always thought the same. 50 hours on my 15 RMZ450 and not experienced clutch fade once. It did drag from new however. Simple fix though...
I've always thought the same. 50 hours on my 15 RMZ450 and not experienced clutch fade once.

It did drag from new however. Simple fix though, I removed the judder spring and spacer, drilled the hub in the same pattern as a Hinson and had some clutch spring seating washers made (to hold the springs central to the bolt and stop them rubbing on the pressure plate). The clutch is perfect and it cost me £12 (for the spacers).

You can blame MXA for the bad RMZ450 clutch rep as they slander it in every RMZ review they've ever done.

That's the thing that I find frustrating with Suzuki. The clutch has been getting poor reviews for many years now and Suzuki has done nothing to remedy the issue but you were able to solve it for $12. They could do the same thing for $.12 and put the issue behind them.
gsxr6
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gsxr6 2/17/2018 12:07am
2/17/2018 12:07am
gsxr6 wrote:
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my...
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my 14 yz450f, 1 oil change. Starts on a couple kicks like it always did, flatout rips. Not even a loose spoke ever lol. I go over the spokes on my 17 crf450 every ride, as it's necessary. Bottom line, I think everybody has a buddy or two with a Suzuki story lol. Like, one buddy's coolant nipple came out the head!?! Lol toast in minutes. 11 rmz450. The hose was still clamped to the nipple lol. No thanks pass
JB 19 wrote:
80 hours on an oil change? All of your credibility just went out the window........forever.
Lol 40 hours, changed. Coming up on 79 now, so 39 on current oil.
Helder
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Helder 2/17/2018 12:35am
2/17/2018 12:35am
gsxr6 wrote:
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my...
I avoid Suzuki's from buddy's who never made fifty hours before issues. Anecdotal personal evidence would suggest even kawi are better imo. 80 hours on my 14 yz450f, 1 oil change. Starts on a couple kicks like it always did, flatout rips. Not even a loose spoke ever lol. I go over the spokes on my 17 crf450 every ride, as it's necessary. Bottom line, I think everybody has a buddy or two with a Suzuki story lol. Like, one buddy's coolant nipple came out the head!?! Lol toast in minutes. 11 rmz450. The hose was still clamped to the nipple lol. No thanks pass
JB 19 wrote:
80 hours on an oil change? All of your credibility just went out the window........forever.
gsxr6 wrote:
Lol 40 hours, changed. Coming up on 79 now, so 39 on current oil.
lol 40 hours to an oil change how the hell is that bike still going?
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