Fuel-injected MX'er world's first, says Suzuki

Suzuki has announced what it says is the world's first mass-produced, fuel-injected motocross bike - the 2008 RMZ-450.

It's been developed using experience gained from the company's GSX-R sport bikes and the LT-R450 racing quad and has Keihin fuel-injectors in a dual-butterfly throttle body fed by an electric fuel pump in the tank.

It's all powered by a magneto and operates without a battery.

The combustion chamber, ports and valve timing have been amended to benefit from fuel-injection's accurate metering and a heavier flywheel has smoothed out the jerkiness inherent in fuel-injected motorcycle engines.

The engine is now a semi-dry sump design, using the gearbox as an oil tank, and the transmission now has five gears rather than four.

The hot-start lever has been moved to the right handlebar so it can be used while hanging on to the clutch with your left hand after a stall.

The 2008 RM-Z450 has petal brake discs for, Suzuki says, cooler running and better mud deflection, a new seat-cover pattern to stop you from sliding around when you get muddy, a new frame with a slightly different rigidity balance and a new swing-arm with thinner walls to reduce unsprung weight.

The new body panels aren't just for looks; according to Suzuki the front number plate and mudguard are shaped to direct cooling air to the radiators and there's an air intake on either side of the seat unit for better intake flow.