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14
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6/6/2017
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Phoenix, AZ
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Riverrat139
9/23/2019 8:39am
9/23/2019 8:39am
Edited Date/Time
9/30/2019 5:35am
What are YOUR thoughts? Are these bikes as 6th place like all the shootouts say?
The Shop
Get a bike and ride it, ride/race what you can afford. Make your own determination based off your own findings/test ride, not someone else's.
Look around for test ride days at your local tracks, i.e. Honda test ride day, Yamaha test ride day, etc etc. Take one of them for a spin around the track.
They used to have these at Milestone, Pala, etc etc. Just go with your gear, sign their waivers, ride 2 laps and make your judgment from their.
The power delivery is nice but it does sound off a little early, the suspension isn’t bad once it’s reworked, the weight isn’t that noticeable when riding (very noticeable when putting it on the stand). The handling isn’t bad, I think my old KX handled better but that was also a loose chassis vs the rigid so it’s apples to oranges. If you’re on the fence about one I really suggest riding one first.
Easy to get caught up in the shootouts, but it's the most affordable bike and does everything I'll ever need in the 30+ and 40+ classes. I'd love a new Honda, but at $11,995 for the 2020 450, I'll get another leftover RMZ for $7k next spring.
Nevertheless, ask JS7 about the Suzooki...he won plenty on one of those.
If you're ok with a kickstart instead of the button, I say put your money on yellow.
Don't let a shootout dictate what you buy.
I know people who are high level riders that prefer the yellow bike over the apparent winner of everyone's shootout (Yamaha), one of which was actually a test rider for one of the mags. haha
shootouts arent the be all end all but i also rode the 19 yz450f. It is literally 15x better in every measureable way comared to the rmz.
front feels loose than out of no where wants to knife, its not a predicatable bike (in my experience) i think with some suspension work and maybe a different rear shock it has potential, but all the other oems have stepped it up huge the last few years.
And suzuki has a "new bike" that is a step down from the 08-17 rmz450.
i want to like yellow i really do but they are making it very very hard
Pit Row
Am I faster on a Suzuki than my Honda? No, that is why I dont race one, but not because I hate them
I have put less money into the RMZ than the KXF over the past year and that is including repairs like clutches, chain and sprockets.
Suzuki is slated to have hydraulic clutch and electric start for 2021 RMZ450, so time will tell if they stick to their schedule on this.
Post a reply to: New Suzuki 450 Owners..