Ride Report for 06 RMZ450

[huffdaddy70]

*Keep in mind that this is coming from a diehard Yamaha fan.*

I have ridden it two times and both have went pretty well. Basically it turns better than the Yamaha, has more power than the yamaha, looks better than the Yamaha, cranks easier than the Yamaha and it turns better than the Yamaha (I know, i said it twice, but it really turns way better . Well, thats it for my report.

Nah, just kidding. To go into a little more detail, the Suzuki really jumps into tight ruts and makes it really easy taking the inside line and making it stick in turns. The bike does not feel top heavy like the Yamaha does and feels to have a low center of gravity. The engine is also very good on the Suzuki. It is alot more stable on the rev limiter unlike the Yamaha. The Yamaha has a real chattering feeling while on the rev limiter which causes it to kind of lose power, while the suzuki just stops turning more rpm's while still running smoothly at peak rpms. The Suzuki pulls real hard all the way through the powerband just like the Yamaha while feeling like it has quite a bit more power (this is in stock trim compared to my piped and jetted Yam). The suspension is a little bit stiff to begin with but i'm sure that is with all new bikes. I took it off the bike Sunday and it is at Moto Works right now being resprung and revalved for my weight and speed. After this, i'm sure it will work great.

Complaints: The engine is a little more noisy than I would like (hopefully after break in it will quiten down). The engine also is alot tougher to kick over than the Yamaha engine while starting, although it cranks usually first or second kick, even if it is dropped and flooded. I guess I am just not used to the aluminum frame and my ankles were hitting the frame alot, so I made 1/4 aluminum spacers to go behind the pegs (the peg mounts bolt on) which helped alot and I am not hitting my ankles as much now. I also done a mod that I have done on my Yamaha's to the pegs, which is cutting the barrel off the bottom and putting it on the top and flipping the springs from side to side which lowers and moves the pegs back. This helps taller riders like me alot by opening up the "cockpit" of the bike.

Overall this is a great machine and I love it. I believe I am now fully converted to the Yellow side. Thanks for reading my ride report. I can't wait to get the FMF Factory 4.1 installed and get my suspension back on. This weekend should be fun!

[Satch0922]

Good write up Huffdaddy! Glad your diggin the new bike....it sounds sweet!

[yz250guy]

What Yamaha are you comparing it to?

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by yz250guy

What Yamaha are you comparing it to?

I believe the 05 in his sig. Can't wait to see how the 06 YZF goes!

[yz250guy]

Originally Posted by Aus_Rider_22

I believe the 05 in his sig. Can't wait to see how the 06 YZF goes!

That's what I would think too, but I thought maybe he rode the 06 YZF before buying his new Zook.

[Woody_393]

Excellent write up. thank you for the information. A buddy that rode one (has an '05 yzf450) said the same thing. It turns really good.

I hope longevity is as good.

[MotoMan]

Great write up man, glad to hear you are enjoying your new ride.

[DCox]

Nice write-up. Funny, you are the first person I have ever heard complain about how a 450 functions off the rev-limiter (dang).

Does Suzuki still have a manual cam chain tensioner for '06? Also, how do you like your new FMF pipe? One last thing: Let us know what you think of this bike after you get a chance to ride the '06 YZF450.

[huffdaddy70]

Unfortunately, Suzuki still has the manual adjusting cam chain tensioner (I have had to adjust it already) and I love the FMF pipe, it works real well (and looks sweet too!). The price was definately right on the pipe, bought it brand new off eBay for 399.99 plus shipping!

[bikepilot]

I'd say the manual cam chain tensioner is a big plus. Auto tensioners usually either don't apply enough tension and eventually the chain skips (i.e. DRZ400) or apply more than needed which leads to accelerated wear on the cams, chain and sprockets. A manual cam chain tensioner is a very popular mod for DRZ guys as well as GSXR-1300 guys (the tensioner is interchangeable between the two). That said, if you really want an auto tensioner, I suspect the busa/DRZ unit would be a direct fit.

great write-up