I still think you got it right, they just improved the atc to a atv[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

They came out with the first sport quad, and for a year were the only company with one. They sold like hotcakes and did a number on the atc's.

 

In a recent article in ATV Sport, they asked Doug point blank if he was going to ride a new 450 and he said he wasn't getting an '05 to race next season, that they were going to keep the modded Z400 for next year. I know I'm not quoting exactly, but in his answers, he indirectly let the cat out of the bag as he refrenced the Z450 by sayin he won'tbe getting a "new" quad this season.
You can bet however, that all the data they culminate with the race program will go into the new 450. That is where Suzuki can seperate itself in that Yamaha and Honda both built 450's and then raced them, where Suzuki raced the "400" and gained much knowlege from their program to engineer it into a quad.

All this coming from a Honda Guy....Secretly awaiting the Z-450, just look at my pics...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

The sponcered racers like Doug pretty much remove almost every 'stock' part from the ATV, thus hardly making it 'suzuki' Other then some stickers.. So not getting the newest model makes since because why build a whole new atv, when they already have their highly modified one that would be probably the same specs even if they upgreaded to the '05..

Doug races a 450cc engine, it isn't so called suzuki's engine (Which goes back to the above statement) but it is a Yoshi 450, so it's not like he is really racing a 400cc ATV in a class with Everyone else running 450CC ATV's and beating them... He is racing the same class, just not a 450 engine that 'came with the ATV' However none of the top racers race with what 'comes with' the ATV.. So its all pointless to say "Look the #1 racers has a ______" Because really they have maybe a frame, some stickers a a few small parts from that company and the rest is just $$$ piles of aftermarket performance parts..


That's the same with any form of professional racing... NASCAR just for example. It may be a monte carlo style body, but under that body there is not 1 part from a monte carlo.

Not to start an argument... But there's no real proof that one is in the making... But with the way the market is going, its only a matter of time.. Just because doug said he isn't going to get a 'new' ATV this year doesn't suggest any sort of information about a 450cc model being made...

Even If/when one is made, doug's will be modified anyway by Yoshi, so again it wont really be the 'suzuki 450' Its all marketing.. Really if they wanted to make racing more competitive, they would make the pro racers racing with ONLY parts made by the manufacturer of the ATV.. but Racing is all about money, and money is all about selling products, selling products is about getting people to believe that they are buying the same product as the Pro racer is racing..

-ThaChad

 

Hey, don't get me wrong, I was not implying that Doug raced a "factory" Suzuki, only running "400cc's" (notice the quotes). I am fully aware of the modifications done to factory bikes to make them race ready, including using a Yoshi built motor. I have raced Bombardier 650's in the desert and aside from the basic motor, frame and plastics, there was nothing "stock" or should I say production about them. Hell even RC and McGrath never raced a motorcycle near stock.
My point was in the article as well as numerous other accounts, including those within the atv community with ties to Suzuki,and various magazine and internet blurbs have mentioned a 450 is in the works. More than likely there will be an announcement/unveiling next summer for a winter or spring 06 release.
Understand this, I am not formulating an opnion, I am operating on pieces of fact that have been forwarded to me from people whom I trust very much and have been very reliable in their knowlege. You may not have heard any"hard evidence" but I have and if I were to divuge my sources or specifics that would violate our trust and probably get them in trouble.
My family is involved in racing of all levels, from MX to ATV all the way up to Indy Racing League and I take all of it very seriously. There is a certian code of ethic all follow regarding upcoming products so using the Gust article to point out that his phraseology in that article leaves the door wide open for all with an open eye to see that there are changes in the works, just not this year.
My response was simply for those who are looking for some light on somthing they are hoping comes to fruition without causing controversy by naming people wo actually know what is going on.

And of course, I'm not trying to start an arguement.

 

No Problem [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I was just trying to keep the rumor's in prospective..

Really, unless it comes from someone working at Suzuki's mouth direct, it could be a rumor.. because even if something is based on fact, each person that gets told the information little pieces of the information change...

I'm not saying your 'sources' are wrong, just that Nothing is solid untill its offically announced...

Who knows, in the next year the 400cc class could fall apart and 500cc class could take over... who knows!

But with the huge popularity of the 400cc class, it would be a real bad business decision for suzuki not to release a 450cc production model... Especially with Yamaha's yfz450.. Suzuki is gonna show them up... Suzuki isn't gonna stand down to them.

They are taking their sweet time though... so they'd better make it one heck of a release!

* ThaChad stands in line behind jaycekarl10 to buy his Z450 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

-ThaChad

 

So... are you guys gonna get that novel you just posted, published? J/K[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I saw one of last year's GNCC event's on Speed and the president of zuki mentioned that they were in developement on the quad everyone has always wanted. I'm assuming it will be a very high tech, very fast LTZ450.

 

i caught a pic of supposedly the new z450 the other day and its not an animated pic either

 

post it