Hey what ever happened to the "rumor" of a z450 comin to town?? Did everyone just forget about it or what?? Anyone got any more info about this

 

Someone just started a topic on this a day or two ago and its still on the first page or so.

 

Dirtwheels had mentioned something about it. I think its going to come out cause of honda and yamaha's new 450's. even though that dude doug gust had a Z400 wit a yoshi kit and hes kickin ***...

 

its going to be similar to Doug Gust's. then their probobly going to have a Doug Gust version with all the stuff he has on his... (graphics, Yoshi, ect..)

 

I have the yoshi kit and that thing DUMPS. It has Raptor Torque and gobs of power top end.

 

this is like the 999th thread about this

 

We are all waiting, hoping, wishing for a z450. And hating for the long wait. After all this time it better be way better than the others.

 

as much as imexcited for the 450 to come out. i am dreading it. I know that my z400 i just bought is gonna seem crappy compared to the new 450[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] o well I guess I cant have the best sport quad suzuki offers forever something better always comes along.

 

Actually, this is only the 998th thread on this topic, ... so there[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]. And does anyone know if Suzuki is developing their own 450cc engine, or whether it will be a joint effort with Kawasaki? The reason I ask is because if it is a joint effort with Kawasaki then you might have to wait another season (at least) to see that engine in an ATV. The Team Green racers that race the Hare & Hound National desert race series are having to race their left over last years KX500s until May, because the 450cc dirt bikes are not going to be ready untill then. And you know the dirt bikes are going to get the 450cc engine at least a season before the ATVs do.

 

Let me set things straight here: The 450cc motocross bikes from Suzuki and Kawasaki will have NOTHING to do with each other, except that they both have 450cc engines and two wheels. That's it. Both Kawasaki and Suzuki made it very clear over a year ago that they would not develop the 450s together. The only motorcycle that was jointly developed was the KX/RMZ 250. Kawasaki still has a very bad taste in their mouths from that because the only thing that Suzuki did was design the engine. Kawasaki built the entire bike. Suzuki didn't make one piece of the 250, and they still don't. As far as the big bikes go, Suzuki already has a 450 bike that is out. It should be hitting showrooms around the first, if they haven't already. Kawasaki's 450 is still being finalized. It does exist, and it has raced, but it's not ready for production just yet. They plan on releasing it for the 06 model year. I would be very surprised if it comes out as a late 05.

Now, about the Suzuki 450 ATV. I wouldn't anticipate seeing one for over a year. They need to get some real-world experience under their belt with the engine. Also, I wouldn't think that they would just slap the new engine into the Z400's chassis and be done with it. They will more than likely develop an all-new chassis that is comparable to the YFZ and 450R in the handling department. It's a good bet that they would re-design the transmission to suit the needs of ATV buyers. The RMZ450 is a four-speed, so they will have to add at least one more gear to satisfy quad buyers. Don't expect reverse. Electric starting maybe, but not reverse. The Z450 will be an ultra performance quad, not a trail machine. That's what the Z400 is for.