2015 Suzuki RM-Z450
Holeshot assist and the new separate function fork are the biggest movements on the RM-Z450 front, as well as a redesigned frame and improved coolingSuzuki has gone early with the announcement of its 2015 RM-Z450 motocross bike, which features holeshot assist, a new air front fork, redesigned frame and a suite of improvements to engine starting, gear shifting and cooling – all derived from the factory bikes currently being raced by Clement Desalle, Kevin Strijbos and James Stewart in the world motocross title and American national competition.
The 'Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control' system features two different modes
- For hard surfaces or slippery conditions, A-Mode alters ignition timing to reduce wheel slip and deliver smooth acceleration. After 1.2 seconds (or when you reach third gear), the system returns to normal ignition timing.
- When conditions at the starting gate provide better traction, and a more aggressive launch is needed, B-Mode advances ignition timing to allow increased throttle response and stronger acceleration off the line. One of three conditions will then return the ignition to normal operation: after 4.5 seconds has passed since launch, when you shift to fourth gear, or when the throttle is closed (whichever happens first).
Holeshot assist can also be turned off.
Also brand new for 2015 is the state-of-the-art Showa SFF-AIR (Separate Function front Fork-AIR) which is advancement on the 2014 model SFF fork, which featured a coil spring in one side and an oil-damper in the other fork-leg.
The latest forks do away with any need to buy different rate springs and then having to make further adjustments to suit the rider's weight or skill level. Now, the forks are tuned and dialled-in via a pump and the heaviest part – the coil spring – is now eliminated, producing a weight saving of 1.1kg.
The weight saving has also allowed Showa to increase the tube diameter (now 49mm from 48mm in 2014) and also increase the piston (39mm from 38mm) and rod size (14mm from 12.5) for greater suspension performance. Adjustment and tuning is now carried-out via three separate air valves – an inner and outer air pressure valve on the top of the fork and a balanced air pressure valve on the lower fork.
Other changes to the 2015 RM-Z450 are:
- Redesigned frame: internal frame parts are reshaped to optimise rigidity and weight reduced by four per cent without sacrificing rigidity.
- Improved engine starting: A longer, reshaped kickstarter lever, redesigned de-compression system, revised kick-drive gear ratio, relocated kick idle gear and the addition of a breather gear to improve engine starting.
- Improved cooling: The water hose routing is now revised, along with a redesigned water pump cover for more efficient cooling.
- Smoother gear shifting: Gear-matching precision is increased, along with a revised gear-shift cam for more precise and smoother operation.
Local availability and pricing is yet to be announced.
The RM-Z450 was first introduced in 2005 and then went under the knife for a major redesign in 2008.
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