Atving,

The 454 is basically a small bore 500, so yes it could get up to 60mph like I did the other day. I might have been going faster since the speedometer was maxed out.

 

Atving, the 454 motor is mounted exactly like the 500. I think its the same block even. Suzuki took the 454 AC motor and then bored it out to the 493 that the big Suzi's and AC's have now. Actually, the 98 model 454 is set up just like the 500's. The newer ones have a couple newer features, but other than the size of the motor, the 98 454 and late 98 500s are exactly the same. For a thrifty buyer, a person could actually find a dealer that still has a brand new 1998 454 leftover, and pay a whole lot less for it than a new 500. Save a bunch of money and have the smallest miniscule bit of dropoff in performance. Unless you just like the number 500 on the sticker, the 454 is a great way to save some major cash and still get a bike that will go anywhere a 450s will and outrun it back to the house. And for a little over $1000 less. I say this for the 98 model only, too many improvements were made from the 1997 model.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*