Racer X Tested: 2007 Suzuki RM-Z450
Suzuki’s theme for their all-new RM-Z250 is “Return to Dominance.” The team that used to be referred to as “yellow magic” has won more 125cc/Lites championships than any other brand. Suzuki started their
|
The 2007 RM-Z250 is completely new. In fact, there isn’t one part number that is the same as last year. The entire bike looks just like its older brother, the RM-Z450. From a short distance you would have a hard time telling the two apart. To help me get a feel for the new RM-Z at Competitive Edge MX Park, I enlisted Malcolm McCassy, front man at Alpinestars Racing, as my official test rider. While he may not have the supercross wins or national motocross experience that some of our other test riders possess, he does have his own action figure. And he’s still got game on a dirt bike. That didn’t stop nerves from getting the best of him, as he warned that he could be a little rusty.
|
“Oh, man, this bike is fun! I felt really comfortable on it right away,” he said. “The last 250F I had was, like, a 2005 model, and this feels quicker than that did for sure. The cornering is awesome and the suspension is really good. It seems like you could just jump right on this thing and go racing. The power is really smooth, too. It never hits too hard or pulls out of your hands. I got arm-pump because I haven’t ridden in a while, but I think this bike would be really good for that. The power delivery is so smooth and it turns so easy that you don’t have to fight the bike at all. Most people could probably ride this bike longer without getting pumped up. I really like it.”
|
|
Thanks to Joe and Dave at Suzuki and to Malcolm, who took a day off to come riding with me. Check back soon as the Racer X Tested crew gets ready for our 2007 shootouts.