When deciding on a high-performance 450, there are several options. The Suzuki is a bit higher-priced, but for this added dough you get EFI and a low and wide machine ready for the motocross track. This last trait gets the LT-R passed over by many trail junkies, even though most racers and weekend woods warriors alike will opt for stronger aftermarket long-travel A-arms and suspension-regardless of model. The Suzuki has just as much to offer for the tree-banging woods fanatic as the competition, and that was our goal with this project: Could we convert the moto-oriented LT-R into a viable LT-Z trail option without breaking the bank? The project turned out to be simpler than expected, as the Suzuki only needed to lose a few inches and gain more trail-savvy shocks. The rest of the mods were no different than what we'd make on any 450. The only thing better would be if Suzuki offered the 450 in this optional guise from the start.
Suzuki Project ZPartsCycra: 740/929-0188; www.cycraracing.comProbend hand guards: $109.95
Fasst Company: 562/601-8119; www.fasstco.comFlexx bar: $299.99
HiPer Technology:877/464-4737; www.hiper-technology.com10x5 single beadlocks, front: $364/pair; 9x9 double beadlocks, rear: $462/pair
IMS Products: 800/237-9906; www.imsproducts.com3.6-gal. fuel tank: $225
Lone Star Racing: 800/457-7223; www.lsracing.com+1 steering stem: $377; -2 XC A-arms: $840; chrome uppers with custom-color lowers: $89.50; Axcalibur racing axle: $420
LRD Performance: 503/885-9200; www.lrdperformance.comPro 4 Racing Edition full system: $574.95
Maxxis Tires: www.maxxis.com21-in. Razr2, front: $220.36/pair; 20-in. Razr, rear: $189.84/pair
Motion Pro: 650/594-9600; www.motionpro.com+2-in. throttle cable: $31.90; +2-in. clutch cable: $31.90
MotoWoz Suspension: 763/390-9549; www.motowoz.comTriple-rate, fully adjustable front: $1285/pair; dual-rate, fully adjustable rear: $935
One Industries: 619/263-9880; www.oneindustries.comGraphics: $59.95
Precision Racing Products: 209/365-1850; www.precisionracingproducts.comSteering stabilizer: $485
Pro Armor: 951/270-0559; 888/312-7667; www.proarmor.comFull chassis armor: $124.95; swingarm armor: $146.95; racing bumper: $124.95; Pro Race grab bar: $79.95; Fat Peg nerf bars: $349.95; kill-tether: $29.95
Pro-Tec: 951/698-8988; 888/698-8990; www.pro-tecperformance.comMoflow airbox lid: $85.95
Streamline: 800/310-5519; www.streamlinebrakes.comBraided-stainless front brake lines: $92.99; braided-stainless rear brake lines: $42.99
Yoshimura: 909/628-4722; www.yoshimura-rd.comCherry Bomb: $39.95
Total: $8119.92