Just picked up a 2018 Rmz 450 w 1 hour, suggested mods?

Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 6/8/2022 1:28am
6/8/2022 1:28am
crc245 wrote:
Recently had the chance to spend some time on a 22' RM-Z450 and came away impressed. As others have mentioned, a few bare-bones are tires and...
Recently had the chance to spend some time on a 22' RM-Z450 and came away impressed. As others have mentioned, a few bare-bones are tires and shock revalve. Really think a Dunlop MX3S front and a 110/90-19 MX33 would've been the ticket for winter/spring SoCal testing. Rode our test bike last week after a RaceTech service/overhaul, and they did an excellent job with the BFRC. Didn't have the chance to play with gearing, but would be curious what long-time owners prefer...Would probably start with 14/52 and tinker from there. Tested an FMF assembly on our project bike, and would prefer either a Yosh or PC unit, personally. Lots of bark for a bike that already has good torque/bottom, but the increased dB's were instantly apparent (and I'm an earplug guy). Don't forget on your 18', I believe it had a one-year only stiffer shock spring. That can only increases balance issues, just to note it.

Congrats on the new scoot and enjoy!


Long form: https://www.dirtrider.com/story/tests/suzuki-rm-z450-review-2022/
I’m running 14/52, I would like to try a 53 but don’t think I can fit it in the chain guide. I’ve heard you can modify one from an older RMZ to fit and allow for a bigger sprocket.

I think the 18 had a 5.4 spring and the rest come with 5.6. I would find a 5.6 asap because my stock BFRC was very soft.
Ted722
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Ted722 6/8/2022 11:31am
6/8/2022 11:31am Edited Date/Time 6/8/2022 11:34am
Ted722 wrote:
I went the Ride link route on stock suspension for a long time. I could run somewhat normal sag settings and just liked the overall feel...
I went the Ride link route on stock suspension for a long time. I could run somewhat normal sag settings and just liked the overall feel vs stock link.

Go with your favorite front tire asap.

When it came time to re-valve/re-spring the suspension, went the RMZ250 shock route and had a local tuner (Roth Racing) re-valve / re-spring the fork. Overall, it's much more confidence inspiring. I still run the Ride link with with the new shock.

Exhaust? Certainly helps the power delivery, but I wouldn't call it a bare minimum mod for an amateur. Bike has plenty power stock. My Yoshimura just makes everything a little better (including high rpm). Find one 2nd hand.

I still enjoy riding my '18 and I'm sure you will too. Congrats!

Sandusky26 wrote:
Did Roth revalve your 250 shock?
No, not yet, but maybe I will when I get the suspension oil changed. Called Factory Connection about springs choices and based on my ability / weight, they recommended the 5.7 and I bought it (spring) from them and Roth put .52 springs out front.

The stock KYB (RMZ250) shock has a more "damped" feel (thru entire compression/rebound stroke) compared to the stock BFRC. Using close to baseline settings.

I'm sure the re-valved / sprung BFRC is very nice. I just felt like going this direction (shock change).


McG194
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McG194 6/8/2022 11:40am
6/8/2022 11:40am
CPR wrote:
Best looking bikes of the last decade in my opinion. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/06/08/554079/s1200_F8EE6B40_3227_497B_9AE8_C1CEF1FA41EC.jpg[/img]
Best looking bikes of the last decade in my opinion.


I liked this one better.

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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 6/8/2022 2:17pm
6/8/2022 2:17pm
Ted722 wrote:
I went the Ride link route on stock suspension for a long time. I could run somewhat normal sag settings and just liked the overall feel...
I went the Ride link route on stock suspension for a long time. I could run somewhat normal sag settings and just liked the overall feel vs stock link.

Go with your favorite front tire asap.

When it came time to re-valve/re-spring the suspension, went the RMZ250 shock route and had a local tuner (Roth Racing) re-valve / re-spring the fork. Overall, it's much more confidence inspiring. I still run the Ride link with with the new shock.

Exhaust? Certainly helps the power delivery, but I wouldn't call it a bare minimum mod for an amateur. Bike has plenty power stock. My Yoshimura just makes everything a little better (including high rpm). Find one 2nd hand.

I still enjoy riding my '18 and I'm sure you will too. Congrats!

Sandusky26 wrote:
Did Roth revalve your 250 shock?
Ted722 wrote:
No, not yet, but maybe I will when I get the suspension oil changed. Called Factory Connection about springs choices and based on my ability /...
No, not yet, but maybe I will when I get the suspension oil changed. Called Factory Connection about springs choices and based on my ability / weight, they recommended the 5.7 and I bought it (spring) from them and Roth put .52 springs out front.

The stock KYB (RMZ250) shock has a more "damped" feel (thru entire compression/rebound stroke) compared to the stock BFRC. Using close to baseline settings.

I'm sure the re-valved / sprung BFRC is very nice. I just felt like going this direction (shock change).


I ran a revalved BFRC for 80 hours, and it’s way better than stock. I only have one ride on my KYB and I already like how much calmer the rear feels. It’s feels kinda soft, but it doesn’t bottom hard like the BFRC. I’m running .51’s in the forks, I’m wondering if I’ll need a stiffer rear spring. I’m around 8 to 9mm of preload with 107 race sag, and I weigh 175 pounds.
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stone881
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stone881 6/15/2022 9:40pm
6/15/2022 9:40pm Edited Date/Time 6/15/2022 9:53pm
How do I change the map plugs on this bike?

I see what are clearly the white, gray and black plugs next to each other behind the right shroud and it looks like its plugged into the black one, but they are all different sizes, w black being smallest. I like the power as it is, but eager to see the difference and going to the dunes and want to run the rich map (grey??).

Definitely notice the "skatey" feel on choppy corners and just small choppy bumps in general, but so far don't hate the shock. I did put a Ride link on and will mess around with sag at the 5 hour mark.

Not really enough time on the fork yet, but it is definitely harsh on initial movement or slap downs, sort of reminds me of the AER fork feeling, but worse.

Screwing around with some different torque on the motor mounts, have been running without the very top bolt.

We have lots of really long winding turn tracks out here and I was impressed that aside from choppy turn entry/exits
the bike can just lug around corners and over larger bumps/whoops. It seems to be when you are on decel that the bike is ping ponging around the most. There was one particular small turn with large bumps, where the bike sort of deflected back and forth in a violent head shake manner, but seemed to be all in the forks, didn't upset the back end badly.
-eagle-
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-eagle- 12/23/2025 6:55am
12/23/2025 6:55am

When you remove the judder springs and thin friction do you just replace it with one full sized friction?  

DB505
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DB505 12/23/2025 7:25am
12/23/2025 7:25am
-eagle- wrote:

When you remove the judder springs and thin friction do you just replace it with one full sized friction?  

Yes

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