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• November 08 2005
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Suzuki’s New Race Quad!

Sneak Preview of the Z450

“It’s fuel injected.”

Those words-uttered by our Suzuki insider in Japan- totally caught us off guard. He was talking about the new Suzuki Z450 sport quad-the most anticipated release this year. It is one of the biggest secrets in the industry, and there’s no way we could keep it to ourselves.

“Yes, it has fuel injection,” he said, quelling our disbelief. “And a whole bunch of other features that you are not going to believe,” he added. “Even I was surprised when we first announced it as a goal, but we have more fuel-injected models out there than anyone, so it makes sense. We have led the forefront of fuel-injection technology for years,” he said.

After the fuel-injected bomb was dropped on us, it got even more interesting. “Our testers told us it has the best suspension they have ever ridden-even Doug Gust told us that it is better than all the aftermarket suspensions he has used in the past.”

Suzuki is bringing some serious heat to the ATV racing world. The philosophy of this release is to treat it like one of their RM250 dirt bikes-all you’ll have to do to race the new 450 quad is slap on some numbers and, well, some nerfbars! Think we’re BSing? Read on.

“If you are a good A-level rider, you won’t need to do a thing to get the best out of this machine,” our spy said. He told us when Suzuki approached the Z450 platform, it had to exceed all the performance levels set by Gust’s 2004 Championship-winning racer. Just when we thought we’d run out of shock, our Suzuki insider incited our shock reserves. Here are the specs that did it:

_ The Z450 is going to be considerably wider (by approximately three inches) than either the Yamaha YFZ or Honda 450R. It is also extremely low to the ground, designed to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Wheelbase is very similar to the competition, but the quad will be much closer to the earth.

_ Team riders Gust and Jeremiah Jones will race it with stock A-arms, shocks, and swingarm. Why? Because each item is going to be built to full race specs. Right off the showroom floor, this machine will look like it has been decked out with aftermarket suspension components. It will be equipped with wide, long-travel front arms, and-get this-a chromoly swingarm!

_ We were told that this Suzuki has a very trick exhaust system. When we pressed for more details, our contact got quiet. “You’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “It’s that good.” Though he did mention the exhaust was designed to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

_ The battery compartment has been placed low on the bike somewhere. We couldn’t get any specific location on the battery compartment, only confirmation that it would be placed somewhere lower than expected.

_ The headlight comes off easily and can quickly be replaced with a number plate.

_ As of right now, the Z450 will be available in yellow and white color schemes.

_ Special, exclusive track-ready tires are being designed just for the Z450.

_ And-perhaps be the biggest news of all-it will only cost $100 to $200 more than the competition.

Be sure to tune into the next issue of Quad Off-Road Magazine for a special look at this off-the-floor racer.