2024 Suzuki Intro
Story by Jeff Belknap, Photos by Tyler Belknap
Suzuki invited us out to Fox Raceway for their launch on the 2024 RM-Z models. First question everyone wants to know – did they add an E-start? Unfortunately, no they did not. While we’d love to have an electric start on all dirt bikes, there is something to be said about the simplicity of the Suzuki platform and the more affordable costs that come with it. However, Suzuki didn’t completely rest on their laurels for the new year.
What is new for 2024, if you purchase a new bike before December 31st, you will receive the RM Army edition for free. They have switched from a Yoshimura Exhaust system to a Pro Circuit Ti-6 exhaust system that is paired up with a new fuel mapping coupler. The RM Army kit also includes a Throttle Syndicate Graphic kit. And we must say, these bikes look pretty dang good with the graphics kit and exhaust system.
Both RM-Z bikes feature the same chassis, Suspension and Engine as the 2023 models. The two models are still equipped with different brands of suspension and tires between them. The RM-Z450 boasts Showa Suspension and Bridgestone Tires, while the RM-Z250 employs KYB Suspension and Dunlop Tires.
Suspension:
The RM-Z250 is equipped with KYB suspension and is set up on the firm side. It worked well for the freshly prepped, larger sized jumps Fox Raceway supplied us with,but when you get onto a dryer, choppier track, you will want to soften it up. We worked with TCS Powersports on a past RM-Z250 and made huge improvements in the suspension department. You can read about that HERE.
The big brother RM-Z450 is equipped with Showa suspension. The RM-Z 450 is not as dramatically stiff as the RM-Z250 model and we’re thankful for that. We softened up the fork compression two clicks throughout the day which made a big difference in the right direction.
Both of our test riders felt the RM-Z models are on the stiff side and we feel some suspension work will go a long way as we build these into project bikes.
Tires:
The RM-Z250 is Equipped with Dunlop MX33‘s. It is hard to beat the amount of time and effort that Dunlop puts into their tire program, they did not disappoint on today’s conditions.
The RM-Z450 is equipped with Bridgestone X30 tires, something we don’t have much time or experience on. The X30 tires worked well in the morning, but as the track got dryer throughout the day, the performance wasn’t quite as good as what we’re accustomed to. Some of this could be bike setup and we’ll experiment with the bike and setup as we put some more time on it coming up.
Engine:
The RM-Z250 motor feels responsive at the crack of the throttle and has good bottom end, but tends to falls off in the middle and upper RPMs. The Pro Circuit Exhaust gave the engine a different engine character over the Yoshimura, and one that we liked today.
The RM-Z450 motor is easy to ride. Has a good responsive feel and pulls through the mid and top end smoothly. We did feel like a gearing change would be beneficial as we had to shift between 2nd and 3rd gear a lot. We like to use third gear in corners on 450’s and we feel going up 1-2 teeth in the rear would allow us to do so.
Chassis:
RM-Z models are known for how well they corner. With the nimble feel the chassis gives, this allows both models to lean into corners and stay in ruts and has an overall light feel to them. Both models have a comfortable rider triangle for ergonomics – very open and neutral feel for all rider sizes.
Overall, we want to thank Suzuki and HEP Motorsports for having us out today. We are looking forward to more testing time on these models and eventually building these into off-road bikes with a little work.
