PRESS INFORMATION May, 2014 2015 NEW MODEL 1 INTRODUCTION RM-Z450 History of RM-Z450 The RM-Z450 was introduced in 2005, Suzuki’s first four-stroke motocross model. Suzuki redesigned RM-Z450 in 2008, being first production motocross machine with fuel injection system. As with the last decade, RM-Z450 continues to evolve delivering higher level of performance. 2005 RM-Z450 2008 RM-Z450 2013 RM-Z450 Along with the evolution of the product, the RM-Z450 won a number of Supercross and Motocross championship titles around the world. FIM Motocross World Championship Year Country Championship Rider 2007 World MX1 World Motocross Steve Ramon AMA Pro Motocross/Supercross Chmpionship Year Country Championship Rider 2005 USA AMA Motocross Championship Ricky Carmichael 2006 USA AMA Supercross Championship Ricky Carmichael 2006 USA AMA Motocross Championship Ricky Carmichael 2009 USA AMA Motocross Championship Chad Reed 2010 USA AMA Supercross Championship Ryan Dungey 2010 USA AMA Motocross Championship Ryan Dungey National Championship Year Country Championship Rider 2005 Australia Australian Motocross Nationals Daryl Hurley 2008 New Zealand New Zealand Motocross Championship Daryl Hurley 2008 New Zealand New Zealand Supercross Championship Daryl Hurley 2008 Australia Australian Supercross Championship Chad Reed 2009 Germany ADAC MX MASTERS Championship Ken Roczen 2010 Japan All Japan Motocross Championship Yoshitaka Atsuta 2010 Germany ADAC MX MASTERS Championship Ken Roczen 2012 Germany ADAC MX MASTERS Championship Marcus Schiffer 2013 Australia Australian Motocross Nationals Matt Moss 2013 Australia Australian Supercross Matt Moss 2 ENGINEERING TARGET RM-Z450 Product concept is; “Elevate the Winning Balance” To deliver a higher level of performance, the RM-Z450 continues to evolve for 2015 and beyond, while maintaining the great balance of the current model. Engineering target of 2015 model ・ Performance upgrades derived straight from factory race bike: Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC) SHOWA SFF-AIR front fork. ・ Improve engine starting : Longer kick starter lever. Redesigned de-compression system. Revised kick drive gear ratio. Relocated kick idle gear. Addition of breather gear. ・ Improve cooling performance: Revised water hose routing. Redesigned water pump cover. ・ Weight reduction: Redesigned frame. SFF-Air front fork. ・ Comply with AMA sound control: Redesigned muffler. 3 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC) Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC) is a selectable launch mode system derived straight from factory race bike. S-HAC helps rider in launching from starting gate for an early lead. S-HAC switch and indicator light (located on the left handlebar) James Stewart / Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing Team / AMA Supercross Championship Clement Desalle / Rockstar Energy Suzuki Racing Team / FIM Motocross World Championship The S-HAC switch is relocated on the factory machine. It is located on left handlebar in case of production model. 4 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 S-HAC has three selectable modes so riders can choose the best option for the conditions and their skill level. Mode Character Indicator Good for Mechanism light A Smoother Slippery conditions Alter ignition timing engine Slow flash Or (Only in start) response Novice rider B Aggressive Good grip conditions Advance ignition engine Fast flash Or timing response Skilled rider (Only in start) Off Normal - - Standard map For hard surfaces or slippery conditions at the starting gate, choose A-Mode. In this setting, Holeshot Assist Control alters ignition timing to reduce wheel slip and to deliver smooth launch to take you into the lead. Then 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, choose B-Mode. For these conditions, Holeshot Assist Control advances ignition timing to allow increased throttle response and stronger acceleration off the line. Then one of three conditions will return the ignition to normal operation: after 4.5 seconds from start; when you shift to fourth gear; or when the throttle is closed (whichever happens first). You can turn the Holeshot Assist Control system off when no holeshot assistance is desired. To select the mode, hold down the S-HAC switch on the left handlebar for more than 0.7 second, the indicator light starts slow flashing. Then release the button, the map is set for A-Mode. To select B-mode, hold down switch for more than 1.8 second, the indicator light starts fast flashing. Then release the button, the map is set in B-mode. 5 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 Improve engine starting To improve engine starting, the following changes have been made for the 2015 model. 1. Longer kick starter lever. 2. Redesigned decompression system. 3. Redesigned kick drive gear. 4. Relocated kick idle gear. 5. Newly added breather gear. * Yellow highlited parts are new for 2015. 1. Longer kick starter lever The kick starter lever is reshaped and redesigned for easier operation, now 30mm longer. 2014 model 2015 model With a longer kick lever, the kickable radius is increased, allowing for easier starting. 6 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 2. Redesigned decompression system Decompression system is redesigned for more precise operation. Working angle is smaller than the previous model. Return spring is relocated for precise operation. 2014 model 2015 model As a result, decompression system works more precisely and more efficient decompression is enabled and hot starter system has been removed. 3. Redesigned kick drive gear 4. Newly-added breather gear 5. Relocated kick idle gear Kick drive gear is larger than the previous model, this increases the crankshaft rotating efficiency. Kick idle gear is relocated and a breather gear is added for more efficient starting. Kick drive gear Kick idle gear Breather gear 2014 model 2015 model 7 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 Increased cooling performance To increase cooling performance, the following changes have been made for 2015. 1. Redesigned radiator hose connection. Radiator hose connection is changed from T-shaped to Y-shaped design, for more equalized water flow between right and left radiator. 2014 model 2015 model 2. Redesigned water pump cover/ relocated water hose connection. Water pump cover is redesigned. Water hose is now directly connected to water pump for smoother water flow. 2014 model 2015 model With these changes, water flow is increased by 16% than the previous model. 8 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 Improved gear shift feel By reviewing the machining process of each gear, gear matching precision is increased, that result in smoother gear shift feel. Gear shift cam is revised for more precise operation. Comply with AMA sound control (US spec only) Muffler internal pipe is added to comply with AMA sound control. 9 ENGINE DESIGN RM-Z450 Power / torque curve comparison With these engine changes, low-rpm range power & torque is enhanced while maximum output is maintained. 10 CHASSIS DESIGN RM-Z450 SFF-Air suspension SFF-Air is an evolution of the SFF (Separate Function front Fork) system. No coil spring. Reduced weight. Increased inner tube diameter. Increased damper rod/piston size. Carry over SFF construction. 2014 model 2015 model 11 CHASSIS DESIGN RM-Z450 Benefit of SFF-Air system Adjustability With coil spring, the rider needed to change soft or hard spring depending on rider’s weight or skill level. With the new SFF-Air fork, the rider don’t have to buy any extra springs. Instead riders change spring rate with an air pump to find their desired setting. Light weight Coil spring - the heaviest part of spring fork – is eliminated. SFF-Air is lighter than previous SFF by 1,100g. Stable suspension performance As per the SFF construction, spring and damper functions are separated, air spring is free from the influence of damper heat. This means stable suspension performance. SFF-Air takes over that benefit. SFF-Air Mechanism Outer air chamber Max length Inner air chamber Balance air chamber SFF-Air is made of 3 chambers. Inner air chamber----- Main reaction force Balance air chamber-- Opposite reaction force Outer air chamber----- Sub reaction force Minimum length At Maximum length - Inner air chamber volume increase = Smaller Main reaction force. - Balance air chamber volume decrease = Stronger Opposite reaction force. At Minimum length - Inner air chamber volume decrease = Bigger Main reaction force. - Balance air chamber volume increase = Smaller Opposite reaction force. 12 CHASSIS DESIGN RM-Z450 Adjustability of SFF-Air Spring rate is adjustable by changing air pressure of each chamber. Inner air pressure valve Outer air pressure valve Balance air pressure valve Damper side is also adjustable both damping and compression. 13 CHASSIS DESIGN RM-Z450 Suspension specifications 2015 2014 RM-Z450 RM-Z450 Front fork type SHOWA SFF-AIR SHOWA SFF Inner tube diameter 49mm 48mm Damper piston diameter 39mm 38mm Damper rod diameter 14mm 12.5mm Stock settings for 2015 RM-Z450 Damper Oil level Inner damper 314cc Outer damper 320cc Adjustability Damping 13 clicks Compression 8 clicks Spring Oil level Inner 100cc Outer 250cc Balance 10cc Air pressure Inner 1200kPa Outer 0kPa Balance 1200kPa 14 CHASSIS DESIGN RM-Z450 Redesigned main frame The weight is reduced by 4%. Frame internal parts are reshaped to optimize rigidity. The rigidity is maintained regardless of weight saving. Main frame of 2015 model Combined with lighter frame, lighter suspension and upgraded features, the 2015 RM-Z450 is 1kg lighter than the previous model in Curb weight. 15 OTHER FEATURES RM-Z450 Renthal Fatbar® Renthal Aluminum Fatbar® is standard equipment. It has more strength and less vibration than aluminum straight handlebars. EXCEL aluminum rims Excel aluminum rims are made specifically to withstand rugged racing environments, including Supercross, Motocross and off-road conditions. Rich/Lean couplers For quick fuel adjustment setting to suit riding condition, two couplers are enclosed. One is for rich and another for lean fuel setting compared to stock setting.