SUZUKI'S new RM-Z450 four-stroke motocrosser is taking two of the world's top motocross championships by storm in the hands of 25-year-old American, Ricky Carmichael, and 36-year-old Belgian ace, Joel Smets.

World Supercross and American Supercross double champion, Carmichael, currently leads the prestigious AMA Outdoor Motocross series with four overall victories from four rounds, and five-times World Motocross champion, Smets, has just moved into second place in the World MX1 Championship aboard the 2005 race-specification model after eight of 17 rounds.

Suzuki's flagship motocross machine - still in its first year of production - has also won praise from the world's off-road media. It has consistently topped back-to-back tests against its MX1 Class opposition, with its smooth power delivery, nimble handling and light weight, earning praise from both expert and clubman class testers alike. These media tests have frequently suggested that the new four-stroke RM-Z450 feels more like a 250 to ride, and at just 100kg, it's only a fraction heavier than the two-stroke Suzuki RM250 that shares similar physical dimensions.

In production trim the RM-Z450, which is available now in the UK at £4,999, is the result of Team Suzuki's ongoing championship-winning motocross and road race development programmes and it incorporates all the major features of the factory machines being developed on the professional circuit by Carmichael and Smets.

At the heart of the machine is a lightweight and compact 449cc liquid-cooled four-valve engine with double overhead camshafts. Weight is kept to a minimum by an abundance of ultra-light and durable alloys and an automatic decompression system makes kick-starting the four-stroke into life an easy operation. The broad powerband reduces rider fatigue and allows the use of a four-speed transmission, which has also helped the engine crankcase dimensions and weight to be minimised.

For racers aiming for the top level of the sport with the likes of Ricky Carmichael or Joel Smets, or for those simply looking for a fun, easy-to-ride reliable race machine, the Suzuki RM-Z450 is designed to fit the bill on both counts. Further information can be obtained from authorised Suzuki Off-Road dealers or by visiting www.suzuki.co.uk.