Dirt Bikes

2025 Suzuki RM-Z450 RM Army Edition Technical Overview

Features and specifications of Suzuki’s 450 motocrosser with promo items.

Updated: December 13, 2024

Suzuki’s RM-Z450 has seen the least changes of all 450cc motocross bikes in the past seven years with its last mechanical revisions being in 2019, just one year after it was heavily updated. To inspire some more consumer enthusiasm for its long-in-the-tooth motocross bike platform, the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer introduced an RM Army Edition kit for the RM-Z250 and RM-Z450 last year.

To celebrate 2025 marking its 50th year of the RM motocross bike line, Suzuki is offering five unique era-themed graphic designs by Throttle Syndicate with the RM Army Edition kit, which serves as a cool throwback and enhances the RM-Zs’ already-amazing appearance. Before turning laps and getting it dirty, we pointed our cameras at Suzuki’s flagship motocross model with 1980s era-inspired graphics to give it some static and detail photo attention, and hopefully help readers learn more about it.

With 2025 being Suzuki’s 50th year of RM motocross bike production, the Japanese motorcycle company is offering consumers their choice of five era-themed graphic designs by Throttle Syndicate with its RM Army Edition kit. Our RM-Z450 is outfitted with the 1980s era theme.Jeff Allen

Yes, Suzuki’s fuel-injected liquid-cooled DOHC four-stroke 449cc single-cylinder engine still fires to life via kickstart. In 2025, it’s good for 52.8 hp and 33.9 lb.-ft. of torque on the Dirt Rider dyno.Jeff Allen

Pro Circuit's T-6 exhaust system is the performance-oriented item in Suzuki’s RM Army Edition kit, and the header pipe is constructed of stainless steel.Jeff Allen

A minor cosmetic difference is the 2025 model’s header pipe has this Pro Circuit emblem, whereas last year’s was bare.Jeff Allen

Burned gases are expelled from a Pro Circuit titanium muffler with carbon fiber end-cap that feature custom RM Army decals.Jeff Allen

Silencer comes equipped with a United States Forest Service (USFS) approved spark arrestor installed, and it can be removed with an Allen key.Jeff Allen

Suzuki isn’t the only manufacturer to still spec a cable-actuated clutch on its flagship motocrosser. Yamaha does too.Jeff Allen

Showa’s 49mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork has been employed for front suspension duties on the RM-Z450 since 2018. Tuning is simple with compression damping adjusters situated on the fork caps and rebound damping clickers on bottom of the fork lugs.Jeff Allen

Suzuki switched to a Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) shock in 2018 and continues to be the only manufacturer to spec it on a motocross bike.Jeff Allen

Instead of low- and high-speed compression damping adjusters on the shock body, the BFRC features compression and rebound damping screws that are measured in turns rather than clicks. There’s no adjuster on the clevis either.Jeff Allen

Shock spring rate on the RM-Z450 has been 54 Nm since 2019.Jeff Allen

Aftermarket engine mounts are a popular modification for the RM-Z450 given its rigid aluminum twin-spar frame. This angle provides a good look at how beefy the left-side head stay is.Jeff Allen

Suzuki is the lone manufacturer to spec Bridgestone tires on its flagship motocross machine. The Battlecross X30 rear is a 110/90-19, which is skinnier than all but what’s found on Beta’s 450 RX, GasGas’ MC 450F, and Triumph’s TF 450-RC Edition—all of which run that same size, but different rubber.Jeff Allen

Gearing is same as the RM-Z250 with a 13-tooth countershaft and 50-tooth rear sprocket.Jeff Allen

Like Honda and Yamaha, Suzuki specs Nissin brakes with a dual-piston front caliper and single-piston rear caliper on its full-size motocross bikes. Disc sizes are the same as the Tuning Fork brand as well with a 270mm front and 240mm rear.Jeff Allen

Suzuki, Honda, and Kawasaki all spec a Renthal Fatbar handlebar on their respective full-size MX models. However, instead of a 839-bend like Big Red and Team Green, the RM Army opts for the 827-bend.Jeff Allen

Suzuki’s RM-Z450 RM Army Edition continues to be heaviest in class with a Dirt Rider–measured wet weight of 250 pounds.Jeff Allen

2025 Suzuki RM-Z450 RM Army Edition Specs

MSRP:	$9,299
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder; 4-valve
Displacement:	449cc
Bore x Stroke:	96.0 x 62.1mm
Compression Ratio:	12.5:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Dirt Rider Measured Horsepower:	52.8 hp @ 9,100 rpm
Dirt Rider Measured Torque:	33.9 lb.-ft. @ 7,100 rpm
Fuel System:	EFI w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate; cable actuation
Frame:	Aluminum twin-spar
Front Suspension:	Showa 49mm closed-cartridge coil-spring fork, compression and rebound damping adjustable; 12.0 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Showa Balance Free Rear Cushion (BFRC) shock, spring preload, compression damping, and rebound damping adjustable; 12.3 in. travel
Front Brake:	Nissin 2-piston caliper, 270mm disc
Rear Brake:	Nissin 1-piston caliper, 240mm disc
Tires, Front/Rear:	Bridgestone Battlecross X30; 80/100-21 / 110/90-19
Rake/Trail:	27.8°/4.7 in.
Wheelbase:	58.3 in.
Ground Clearance:	13.0 in.
Dirt Rider Measured Seat Height:	37.6 in.
Fuel Capacity:	1.7 gal.
Dirt Rider Measured Wet Weight:	250 lb.
Availability:	Now
Contact:	suzukicycles.com