Hard to find info. Looking for your experience on these as a snowbike. Found a good deal on one, but not sure if they work good. Start good in cold? Front springs? Electric output for led light and grips?
14 RMZ 450 PROS and CONS?
- Thread starter jprdave
- Start date
They work awesome! Start fine in the cold. You will need a Thermobob, and a good engine jacket. I highly recommend the Powercommander 5 to lean out the fueling to give you better performance and increased fuel economy.
Stiffer springs are nice, but not a must have for the models with the spring forks. Models with air forks can increase the air for a stiffer ride.
I would not recommend taxing the electrical system any more than stock and we use a good Nightrider handlebar light that can be clamped on when needed and A'ME grip heaters with a rechargeable battery.
Stiffer springs are nice, but not a must have for the models with the spring forks. Models with air forks can increase the air for a stiffer ride.
I would not recommend taxing the electrical system any more than stock and we use a good Nightrider handlebar light that can be clamped on when needed and A'ME grip heaters with a rechargeable battery.
As mentioned, the Suzuki RMZ450 works wonderfully in the snow and has been my chosen ride since 2011. After having such great luck with my former 2009 RMZ, I snagged another 2014 and it is shown here. It brings me nothing but smiles each ride. Even having an Orange, Blue, or sometimes a Red bike available in the fleet to pull out of the trailer, guarantee I'll be on the Zuk most often.
The supreme turning/handling that they're touted for on the MX Track is amplified in the winter making tight turns fun and quick -- especially when there's a 137" kit pushing it around....still rides like a shorty
The adjustable fork spring preload is a great feature (this bike becomes my woods bike in the summer) to crank em up in the winter while staying soft in the summer.
They're always a 2-3 kick bike even when cold - pull the high idle button out and it purrs to life easily. Once warm, 1 solid kick all the time.
For electrical output, I install a 27W round LED light running off the stock system when I know I'll be night riding. The 450 comes with a cool 2-pin plug to run accessories behind the right radiator shroud making connecting a breeze. I've never run heated grips and instead opt for the large handguard muffs.
The Dynojet Fuel controllers (PCV or PCFC) have worked wonders for these Zuk's, as well as any other Fuel injected bike. Never worry about fuel in the oil, run around 170-200* engine temp all day without a thermostat, and they accept Nitrous readily
. Truly is one of the easy bikes to set up and get rolling quickly when wintertime comes around....It's a bummer you don't see many of them, but it's also nice being different!
The supreme turning/handling that they're touted for on the MX Track is amplified in the winter making tight turns fun and quick -- especially when there's a 137" kit pushing it around....still rides like a shorty
The adjustable fork spring preload is a great feature (this bike becomes my woods bike in the summer) to crank em up in the winter while staying soft in the summer.
They're always a 2-3 kick bike even when cold - pull the high idle button out and it purrs to life easily. Once warm, 1 solid kick all the time.
For electrical output, I install a 27W round LED light running off the stock system when I know I'll be night riding. The 450 comes with a cool 2-pin plug to run accessories behind the right radiator shroud making connecting a breeze. I've never run heated grips and instead opt for the large handguard muffs.
The Dynojet Fuel controllers (PCV or PCFC) have worked wonders for these Zuk's, as well as any other Fuel injected bike. Never worry about fuel in the oil, run around 170-200* engine temp all day without a thermostat, and they accept Nitrous readily
. Truly is one of the easy bikes to set up and get rolling quickly when wintertime comes around....It's a bummer you don't see many of them, but it's also nice being different!
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