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In the Pastrana / Roczen video, Roczen said he is running stock 250 triple clamps..
Are they different than 450 clamps ??
In the Pastrana / Roczen video, Roczen said he is running stock 250 triple clamps..
Are they different than 450 clamps ??
Go to partsfish, look up the part numbers and let us know.
Thanks.
Haha, yep. Like the one poster above mentioned, it is predictable. So Anderson and Roczen can push it to the limit, with no weird hiccups.
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Yes.
If they weren’t he would like just say hes running stock 450 clamps no?
Careful, thats heresy language 'round here. The consensus is, Zooks are antiques and not worth owning due to lack of "updates".
Because the truth is, you cannot get a plastic trophy on Sunday at your local Lickskillet MX without these hallowed "updates".
Youre best option would be to listen to what some random A&B riders say from a shoot-out.
Yes, if you look at them side by side, you'll easily tell.
Just shows how little bikes have advanced in the last few decades... that suzi is every bit as fast as the rest... hell, maybe even faster...
Remember that 80s honda smoker killing it at the ranch?? Sucks... but a 2025 is barely faster around a track than bikes from the 80s...
The 450 lower clamps grab the tube lower down. I think they might also be using a custom made steering stem as well from JGR, they have more rigid and more flexible options. Paul at Armored Graphics can sell you the stems, I think they're $65.
Pic of the difference in clamps
It looks like the outer fork tube has a lower and larger clamp point on the Showa (450) than the KYB (250). A KYB fork in the 450 clamp would have a reduced range of height adjustment. Kenny is running KYB suspension.
Yes. A few years ago, many of the 450SX privateers were on Kawasaki's because they were giving night show or main event contingency. I can't recall which one specifically, but it was well know that there was money available for the guys on Kawi's that weren't necessarily placing at the top of the field.
I don't think they're switching to the clamp just because of the KYB fork. You can swap the KYB and Showa stuff between the clamps no problem. Have personally done it several times and have a couple guys racing AX on KYB's in stock 450 clamps. Both have outer tubes spec'ed specifically by Suzuki to have 59mm lower diameter and I think 55mm upper diameter (for comparison, almost every other Japanese OEM specs 54mm upper bore size). There's plenty of room to slide the forks up with either clamp, and frankly I've yet to see someone want the forks more than 5mm up on an RMZ on even the tightest tracks.
Best I can figure (purely a guess), is Suzuki wanted the clamps grabbing further apart to give more leverage on the outer tube, creating a more rigid and planted feel at the front end, and the HEP guys wanted a more forgiving front end feel. What I was told about the stem Roczen runs would also back that up.
Kenny is running stock 250 clamps on his bike.
Yes he has in numerous videos including the latest from his last race. He is on record saying he likes OEM stuff on factory bikes.
Yeah, that for sure explains Roczen's preference, but my comment addresses why Suzuki would be making two different interchangeable parts.
Yes you guys are correct. The stock 250 clamp has a different clamping position on the fork and gives us a different/better/preferred feel. We also chose the kyb suspension as well. I spent a lot of hours doing all of the chassis set up on the bike for the team before Kenny rode the bike the first time. And we all felt it is the best set up for the current bike.
I spy your wizard hat on passenger seat!
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Even a better argument to get a Zook. Nothing sucks worse than buying a bike new and two years later they change the platform and none of your parts are the same. With longer release cycles you can hold parts longer, buy every 3-4 years and not have to worry about compatibility.
thanks for clarifying
What's "wild" about them racing the Zook? It's not far off from any other production 450. The weight and power argument always trips me out, it's something someone said in like 2020 and nobody did any research just hopped right on with "it's fat and slow!" lol. The only thing that the RM-Z is missing, realistically, is electric start.
RMZ450 was first with EFI. Ahead of it's time. All the others are playing catch up !
Actually Cannondale was.
1992 ATK:
Suzuki hasnt changed the basic engine since like 2009. It still has smaller (36mm) intake valves, where every other manufacturer has increased to 37 or 38mm intake valves. Also has a smallish 40mm throttle body vs a 44 or 46 on most other bikes. I think this is part of the reason it has an old school feel without as much top end as the other mfgrs. I thought I read where the Ken's Suzuki has larger valves, but not sure. I'm sure his bike has lots of titanium also, so weight prob doesn't come into play with their bikes.... I would think with all the mods that they do to that bike, the only disadvantage is the kickstarter.
Seems like there would be a market for an "HEP Suzuki"
Suzuki RMZ450 has a 44mm Mikuni throttle body, as does the Yamaha
The Honda, Kawi, and KTM have 44mm Keihin throttle bodies.
my bad... thanks for the correction. I kept thinking they had an older smaller throttle body too. Its just the intake valves.
Also the stock 450 cams were updated for more intake lift/duration in 2018.
Did not know that, thanks for setting the record straight !!
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