2018 rmz450 reliability?

bb252
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bb252
Edited Date/Time 12/11/2018 6:21am
Looking at getting a new bike this winter and seeing some good deals on leftover rmz's. I haven't owned a Suzuki before but have ridden a couple rmz450's and gotten along with them great. Just wondering what issues people are having if any? Thanks for the help!
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mattyhamz2 11/30/2018 2:51pm
11/30/2018 2:51pm
They are good to go! Go get one and rip it dude!
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motomike894
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motomike894 11/30/2018 3:15pm
11/30/2018 3:15pm
No issue here other than normal wear stuff ( if even that ) , I’m at 49 hours and still have original break pads on it lol.
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Gilby122
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Gilby122 11/30/2018 3:32pm
11/30/2018 3:32pm
Put a lot of hours on mine since august and love it. I still suck, but the bike is cool.
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bb252
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bb252 11/30/2018 4:40pm
11/30/2018 4:40pm
Any valve movement at 49 hrs?

The Shop

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Rotaholic
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Rotaholic 11/30/2018 6:25pm
11/30/2018 6:25pm
There's a reason why the suzuki is so heavy, these things are built like a tank and last very very well. You will have no issues. Valves are good, I dont even check them anymore, still in spec after 120 hours of hard riding on my last RMZ450.
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colvin227
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colvin227 11/30/2018 6:38pm
11/30/2018 6:38pm Edited Date/Time 11/30/2018 6:47pm
There is no reliable issue with Suzuki at all. Maybe the notion of them being cheap and braking came from years past. anyone remember early model CRFs? Fast yes, but if you breathed on the valves they would come out of spec and they eat seats for breakfast. All bikes have gone through their “years” and growing pains. But anymore all the bikes are solid. My 2017 RMZ has been great and is honestly very well built and just SOLID feeling. I wouldn’t think twice about buying an 18-19 from a reliable standpoint cause Suzuki has that dialed. My only issue is I don’t get to ride mine enough
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bb252
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bb252 11/30/2018 11:03pm
11/30/2018 11:03pm
Damn 1000 hrs that's putting in some work!
I'm going to scout out a couple local dealerships tomorrow, I will see howwhat deals can be had.
Also looks like Suzuki contingency is pretty good also!
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Talisker
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Talisker 12/1/2018 1:35am
12/1/2018 1:35am
Modern 4 strokes are way more reliable and cost effective than 2 strokes ever were. Saying this, i own both 2 and 4 stroke motorcycles. Suzuki still has a bad rap from bikes of the mid 90's. Its ashamed people have a certain perception of this brand. I buy and have owned a lot of bikes. Suzuki's reliability can rival that of a Yamaha, and i wish this topic was brought up more often.
Buy this bike and save beaucoup $$$$$$$$$
Buy this bike and get 0% financing for 60 months
Buy this bike and love this bike.
Change oil and clean air filters is all you need.
Bike is a blank slate. Upgrades( like suspension) is a-la-carte!!!
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Markee
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Markee 12/1/2018 4:42am
12/1/2018 4:42am
My buddy has a 18, raced all year, went to Loretta Lynn's, never had a single issue. Zero.
drt410
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drt410 12/1/2018 6:49am
12/1/2018 6:49am Edited Date/Time 12/1/2018 7:03am
Theyve kept “essentially” the same thing going since 2008 lol with upgrades here n there along the way. Theyve got all the kinks worked out. People bash on em for not changing all that much but its more a testament to how well rounded they are that a circa 2008 bike can still compete today with minor improvements.. Thats absolutely not the case with KTM a 2008 450 sxf today would be a dog with no linkage and a pretty crappy dohc carburated engine thats a tank- bulk wise. They were electric start tho even back then, they have an eye for the future n since 15’ theyve been phenominal...
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urbanlift707
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urbanlift707 12/1/2018 8:24am
12/1/2018 8:24am
39 hours outta the stock chain and sprocket.....I’d calll bullshit if I didn’t get 42 outta my 2015 rmz450 Tongue my 2017 Ktm 250sx I got 19 before they were toasted...

I put 120 hours on a 12 and 75 on a 15 without a single mechanical issue and like it noted, even the wear parts last a good while. I also got my 15 so cheap I was able to spend $2k on it making it exactly as I wanted and still be cheaper than my friend bone stock Ktm.
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yz133rider
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yz133rider 12/1/2018 10:56am
12/1/2018 10:56am
I vote new one with spring forks. After 2 years on air forks, getting this 18 rmz with the 49mm spring forks has been amazing. So plush and so much better with slap down landings or rough landings in general. Better really everywhere
And no more chasing pressures and feelings.

Couple clicks in or out is a massive difference.
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 12/1/2018 1:51pm
12/1/2018 1:51pm
When the apocalypse comes, the rmz450 will be the bike to have
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mxracerjohn250 12/1/2018 7:56pm
12/1/2018 7:56pm
As long as you hold onto it for a long time. Here in Ohio you can not give them away. The resale on a used Suzuki is almost nothing.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/1/2018 8:27pm
12/1/2018 8:27pm
I’ve got a thread over in Bike Builds where I kept the 2018 RMZ450 Shoot-Out bike and rode & raced it for over a year.

It should answer your dependability questions.
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bb252
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bb252 12/2/2018 7:48am
12/2/2018 7:48am
So I found an 18 for 6700 otd, I need to clean up my 15 yz450 for a trade but just curious if anybody else knows of a better price in the Midwest for an 18???
bb252
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bb252 12/2/2018 7:49am
12/2/2018 7:49am
Thanks for all the info boys! I'm starting to get pumped for the new scoot!
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Pit Row

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Underground 12/2/2018 11:42pm
12/2/2018 11:42pm
Keep up the updates. Will be interesting to hear from someone new to Yellow and seemingly not afraid of the bad press
Talisker
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Talisker 12/3/2018 2:45am
12/3/2018 2:45am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2018 2:46am
Underground wrote:
Keep up the updates. Will be interesting to hear from someone new to Yellow and seemingly not afraid of the bad press
X2.... i would also like to hear feedback on the new bike. I am considering getting a 18-19. I am only concerned about the new frame. Especially in high speed straights (4th or 5th gear). On my last RMZ when the track would get rough and chewed up i would do everything to go around the bumps. Needless to say i had quite a few high speed "Oh Shit" moments due to the rigidity of the bike.
SweetDaddy
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SweetDaddy 12/3/2018 7:06am
12/3/2018 7:06am
I put 57hrs on a 2015 and it was bulletproof
Rotaholic
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Rotaholic 12/3/2018 10:52am
12/3/2018 10:52am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2018 10:53am
Underground wrote:
Keep up the updates. Will be interesting to hear from someone new to Yellow and seemingly not afraid of the bad press
Talisker wrote:
X2.... i would also like to hear feedback on the new bike. I am considering getting a 18-19. I am only concerned about the new frame...
X2.... i would also like to hear feedback on the new bike. I am considering getting a 18-19. I am only concerned about the new frame. Especially in high speed straights (4th or 5th gear). On my last RMZ when the track would get rough and chewed up i would do everything to go around the bumps. Needless to say i had quite a few high speed "Oh Shit" moments due to the rigidity of the bike.
Running the axel further back in the swingarm and running a longer lowering link. Also doing the steering stem nut up super tight so the steering doesn't flop on the stand really helps. Aftermarket engine mounts help soften the frame a lot.
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Hammer 663s
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Hammer 663s 12/3/2018 2:34pm
12/3/2018 2:34pm Edited Date/Time 12/3/2018 3:47pm
18s listed new locally for $6499. I bet I can get it for 6000 OTD. For $2k I can trick that bad boy out really nice. I loved my 2010 RMZ450. Anyone want to buy a 2013 CRF450, 70 hours, vet owned, oil changed every 1/2 ride? Wink

Mike
Underground 12/3/2018 3:52pm
12/3/2018 3:52pm
Prices like that, why would you ride an old bike
Bud224
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Bud224 12/3/2018 4:04pm
12/3/2018 4:04pm
We have a good local dealer and I have owned 3 model years . Only down side was the years with the air fork but motor was
bullet proof. More than good enough for 99% of us none AMA speed guys. Getting a Gold valve kit put in an 18 now. ??? oldnslow224
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bb252
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bb252 12/3/2018 4:30pm
12/3/2018 4:30pm
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and get a different one or is it fixable with a revalve?
yz133rider
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yz133rider 12/3/2018 4:36pm
12/3/2018 4:36pm
bb252 wrote:
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and...
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and get a different one or is it fixable with a revalve?
Ive ridden my 18 twice and liked the shock. Like the suspension better than my husky front and rear
mattyhamz2 12/3/2018 4:39pm
12/3/2018 4:39pm
bb252 wrote:
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and...
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and get a different one or is it fixable with a revalve?
Talk to TeamGreen. 50+ intermediate with lots of time with the shock and adjustments. He raves about it in his build thread. Check it out
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 12/3/2018 5:38pm
12/3/2018 5:38pm
bb252 wrote:
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and...
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and get a different one or is it fixable with a revalve?
The shock I have was revalved by Factory Connection and works pretty damn good. There are a few places that have this shock figured out.

If I do another RM-Z 450 (19) I’ll be taking a look at a KYB from a ‘09-‘14 KXF and have it done by Enzo. I’ll probably spend $700-800 on it. It’s a GREAT shock.
Preston412
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Preston412 12/4/2018 11:40am
12/4/2018 11:40am
bb252 wrote:
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and...
I'm hearing bad things about the shock, I'm a b vet type of guy and wondering if the shock is junk, like throw it away and get a different one or is it fixable with a revalve?
TeamGreen wrote:
The shock I have was revalved by Factory Connection and works pretty damn good. There are a few places that have this shock figured out. If...
The shock I have was revalved by Factory Connection and works pretty damn good. There are a few places that have this shock figured out.

If I do another RM-Z 450 (19) I’ll be taking a look at a KYB from a ‘09-‘14 KXF and have it done by Enzo. I’ll probably spend $700-800 on it. It’s a GREAT shock.
Trying to understand this shock thing, the 06-08 KX450 shock is confirmed to fit but you say the 09-14 KX450 shock will work as well?

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