New Suzuki 450 Owners..

Riverrat139
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Phoenix, AZ US
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?


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fourfourone
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86oh, CT US
9/23/2019 8:56am Edited Date/Time 9/23/2019 8:59am
Making another Suzuki thread wont make the bike magically finish above 6th place.
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BobPA
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9/23/2019 9:03am
Who cares, ride what you like.

The Shop

fourfourone
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9/23/2019 9:07am
most the shootouts have a variety of different riders including height and weight.
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9/23/2019 9:29am
What are YOUR thoughts? Are these bikes as 6th place like all the shootouts say? [img]https://dirtbiketest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2019-RMZ450-impression-1.jpg[/img] [img]https://dirtbiketest.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2019-RMZ450-impression-5.jpg[/img]
What are YOUR thoughts? Are these bikes as 6th place like all the shootouts say?


Unless you plan on racing it, what does it matter.....???? Do you even RIDE...? A bike and it's setup is only half if the equation, you can be a shitty rider and have a great bike/setup, but that still won't change your poor riding ability. Vise versa....

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.
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motomike894
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Waterloo, IN US
9/23/2019 9:29am
I love mine, and pretty confident I would do very well in a vital mx member race lol as far as speed in concerned, I know a lot of other fast guys riding them too they love them, with a little work they are super solid and extremely reliable unit.
buzz06
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4/26/2019
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Frederick, MD US
9/23/2019 9:43am
I have one, it’s not a bad bike by any means. I have not ridden the others so I can’t say for sure that they are worlds better. I will say for me personally the bike is to rigid, I prefer a more loose feeling bike and this definitely isn’t it. It’s not a bad thing, it’s just not my preference. I got the bike for a really good deal so I thought I would give it a try.

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.
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Gilby122
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WY US
9/23/2019 9:54am
I sold a 350sxf with gold valves to get my RMZ450. I'm getting the same results, if not better, with the stock zook. Can't tell its heavier and damn glad to have the kickstart 99% of the time - especially if the temps are cool outside.

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.
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MotoMan12345
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Woodbine, NJ US
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9/23/2019 9:58am
Hilarious seeing all these people hate on Suzuki’s. I rode one...was just as fast on it as I was on my Honda. Also blew by every KTM squid like they weren’t even moving. No wonder they’d pull off after 2 laps and start messing with suspension clickers TongueLaughingLaughing
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Boomslang
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Cape Town ZA
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9/23/2019 9:59am
Geezuz....off season is a nut ache.

Nevertheless, ask JS7 about the Suzooki...he won plenty on one of those.
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Zaugg
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Not California, CA US
9/23/2019 10:02am
It doesn't matter what color bike you choose...they're all pretty darn good.

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

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VilloFan951
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Moreno Valley, CA US
9/23/2019 10:03am
I’m looking to get a bike again and I got my mind set on the new Suzuki’s I’ll take a 17 18 or 19 lol whatever I can get a good deal on. I’ve seen the 18s out here for as low as 5,800 before all the other crap they tack on but for a new bikes that’s a hell of a deal
Steve125
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CT US
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9/23/2019 10:36am Edited Date/Time 9/23/2019 10:38am
I was having a great season on mine til I broke my leg last month. FC suspension, Rekluse auto clutch, FMF ti system, dyno tune and she's a ripper. Not down on power at all in real world racing conditions. Got many holeshots and finished 3rd in the NESC 50 + championship this spring with my "heavy old Kickstart" Zook.
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NicNak
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Palm Desert, CA US
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9/23/2019 10:43am
I love mine, and pretty confident I would do very well in a vital mx member race lol as far as speed in concerned, I know...
I love mine, and pretty confident I would do very well in a vital mx member race lol as far as speed in concerned, I know a lot of other fast guys riding them too they love them, with a little work they are super solid and extremely reliable unit.
MotoMike!!! We're teammates right now. I usually ride a 2019 Kaw 450 but had an electrical issue so i've been riding my buddies 2019 Suzuki 450 and after the shootouts I had extremely low expectations. However the bike has been ultra impressive. It hits corners like no other. I weigh 148 pounds and I have the suspension almost as soft as it can go because it's stock and definitely stiff. Even with no suspension,I feel extremely comfortable on the bike and the confidence when leaning into turns, whether there is a rut or not, is awesome. I'm clocking similar lap times on the Suzuki as my Kaw, guaranteed. The power is not very good compared to the Kawi. However if you throw a pipe and get it remapped it's 4-5 horsepower and better bottom end pull. I'm a fairly decent A rider, for speed reference. RMArmy is reallll. The bike is sikk and people who are hating on it have no idea what there talking about IMO.
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adam8781
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CA
9/23/2019 11:26am
ive ridden 2 18-19 rmz450s. Not for me. And thats coming from a suzuki guy who still has his 14 rmz450.

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

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9/23/2019 11:40am
Pretty much every shootout I've seen has testers of a wide range of sizes and lists their input with regard to ergos.
byke
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Auburn, CA US
9/23/2019 12:03pm
I like the implied notion that all you need is a picture of a good looking bike and that's how the tests should be sorted out.
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kiwifan
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CA US
9/23/2019 12:17pm
Hilarious seeing all these people hate on Suzuki’s. I rode one...was just as fast on it as I was on my Honda. Also blew by every...
Hilarious seeing all these people hate on Suzuki’s. I rode one...was just as fast on it as I was on my Honda. Also blew by every KTM squid like they weren’t even moving. No wonder they’d pull off after 2 laps and start messing with suspension clickers TongueLaughingLaughing
Hilarious seeing another "people hate on Suzuki's" comment

Am I faster on a Suzuki than my Honda? No, that is why I dont race one, but not because I hate them
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Preston412
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Saint Augustine, FL US
9/23/2019 12:20pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2019 12:28pm
10 yrs on a Kawi and decided to buy a RMZ last Sept. I enjoy the bike, it handles better, I get more holeshots, I finish more in the top 3 and it pays better....I get $125 from Suzuki for this past weekend when Kawi would have only paid $50.
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.

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JM485
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Davis, CA US
9/23/2019 12:25pm
Please make it stop. . .Pinch
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VetMX.com
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Magnolia, TX US
9/23/2019 12:44pm
90% rider, 10% bike. I prefer the bike that turns the best so I can run a shorter track.
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FIREfish148
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Kirkland, WA US
9/23/2019 1:01pm
that is a damn good looking bike i must say.
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Ted722
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9/21/2011
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Sacramento, CA US
9/23/2019 1:05pm
JM485 wrote:
Please make it stop. . .Pinch
Did I tell you I rode at MMX Sand on my RMZ this weekend!!! Laughing (...bunch of Off-Road dudes were hauling ass getting ready for event next weekend)
Lightning78
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Huntington Beach, CA US
9/23/2019 1:09pm
JM485 wrote:
Please make it stop. . .Pinch
Ted722 wrote:
Did I tell you I rode at MMX Sand on my RMZ this weekend!!! :laugh: (...bunch of Off-Road dudes were hauling ass getting ready for event...
Did I tell you I rode at MMX Sand on my RMZ this weekend!!! Laughing (...bunch of Off-Road dudes were hauling ass getting ready for event next weekend)
We. Rented that MMX sand track for the day a little over a year ago and its real fun… ..especially fun on a 2 stroke
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280driver
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VA US
9/23/2019 1:23pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2019 4:53pm
I️ can’t wait for Joey Savatgy to sign with JGR because he’ll tell us the truth about Suzukis and settle this debate once and for all 😬. Until then, pick a color and go have fun.
Excaliburbmx
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Indianapolis, IN US
9/23/2019 2:21pm
If you are not an AorB class rider they will all suit you for how well you can ride.
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mxman
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Armpit, TX US
9/23/2019 2:40pm
Your're misunderstanding the results. The higher the number, the better the bike. 6th makes it the best bike.
ktmdan
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Houston, TX US
9/23/2019 2:55pm
Looks sick
Shawn142
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Burleson, TX US
9/23/2019 3:56pm
Hilarious seeing all these people hate on Suzuki’s. I rode one...was just as fast on it as I was on my Honda. Also blew by every...
Hilarious seeing all these people hate on Suzuki’s. I rode one...was just as fast on it as I was on my Honda. Also blew by every KTM squid like they weren’t even moving. No wonder they’d pull off after 2 laps and start messing with suspension clickers TongueLaughingLaughing
Good on you for passing a bunch of beginners and being impressed enough by it to come share your story on Vital. Makes me wanna go out and buy a Suzuki right now and tell all the people who bought KTMs that they're fools, because everyone of them is surely just another squid you can blow by. Long as we got humble unbias opinions like yours around we'll always get the straight scoop on bikes.
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