i just read an article about the rmz450 in my friends mag and it said how the power on it is not that great...although they all liked it, it just didn't have what a CRF had. Hopefully they will get some power into that thing before they put it into the ATV version, also wouldn't mind the 5th gear and electric start. Yamaha's YZF 450 is a 4 speed as a dirt bike and 5 as an atv so im sure suzuki will make it a 5.

 

I also read that the rmz-450 was the slowest out of yamaha and honda.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] I guess we'll just have to keep on waiting and losing hope.

 

Translating a MX engine to an ATV is an interesting thing, I read that the RMZ 450 engine is the most "Thumper" of the 450's, big torque, breoad powerband and a smooth delivery. That sounds promising to me as you are adding 100+LBS of weight to the mix with a quad. I personally like a torque motor and await the unveiling next month.
Also consider this, a carbed DS 650 dyno's out at 42HP, while the same engine with EFI runs 5oHP (BRP's numbers), so it could be interesting if the EFI rumor is true, what the power output and delivery will be.

The Phantom.......is not Blackbird....

 

If it does have the low end advantage then I would predict that it would outsell the others for trail use, you dont want to have to rev to the moon when you are riding 20mph with utility quads.

 

its going to be a 5 speed tranny.suzuki is also working on a 450 offroad bike and its going to be a 5 speed tranny,same as the quad. going to steal some of the wr yamaha 450 dirtbike sales.suzuki's 450 quad is somewhat base off the yfz 450,but better.it will be all good