MXA TEAM TESTED: 2020 PRO CIRCUIT SUZUKI RM-Z450 EXHAUST

WHAT IS IT? The Pro Circuit full exhaust system improves the power characteristics of the 2018-2020 Suzuki RM-Z450s. Pro Circuit sells both titanium and stainless steel systems that offer identical performance, but the stainless system is a little heavier and $230 cheaper. We tested the stainless steel system.

WHAT’S IT COST? $1049.96 (Ti-6 ti or Ti-6 Pro ti), $818.96 (T-6 stainless steel).

CONTACT? www.procircuit.com or (951) 738-8050. 

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Pro Circuit 2018–’19 full T-6 exhaust system.

(1) Stock trim. It is no secret that the 2018–’20 Suzuki RM-Z450 lacks that get-up-and-go feel at the low end of the powerband. This is really noticeable in tight corners and U-turn sections where you really have to be on the clutch to get the bike up and out of corners, especially if there is a jump coming up fast. We wanted to find bolt-on power that would fill in the low-end gap. 

(2) Details. Pro Circuit’s system is a three-piece unit that mounted to our test bike perfectly. The system has a solid mount for the muffler to bolt up to the subframe that requires a shorter bolt (included) than the stock system, which is rubber-mounted. Immediately after removing the stock system, we noticed a weight difference. We tested Pro Circuit’s heavier T-6 stainless steel system, and on the scale it was still 2 pounds lighter than stock. 

(3) Performance. How did the Pro Circuit exhaust work on the track? As well as we could have hoped. It gave the RM-Z450 the excitement factor we were looking for, especially off the bottom. The MXA test riders were able to take advantage of the RM-Z450’s great turning characteristics, knowing that we now had the power to pull out of corners without relying on the already weak clutch. Is it rip-your-arms-off power? No, but it is noticeably more powerful than with the stock system. We also noticed a difference in the over-rev. With the stock system, as the power climbed towards the rev limiter, the powerband would go flat before the soft limiter came into effect. In fact, the 2019 RM-Z450 peaked at 54.67 horsepower at 8800 rpm. In comparison, the Honda CRF450 peaked at 60.21 horsepower at 9500 rpm. The Pro Circuit T-6 exhaust system closed up that gap so that we were able to pull third gear far enough to get to the end of long straightaways without having to upshift to the next gear.

(4) Options. The Pro Circuit T-6 stainless system retails for $818.96. If you are looking for something lighter, Pro Circuit offers a Ti-6 system that retails for $1049.96 and a Ti-6 Pro system that also retails for $1049.96. The Ti-6 is designed to meet the AMA/FIM 2-meter-max sound test, while the T-6 is designed to meet the AMA Amateur 94-decibel sound standards, plus the T6 comes with a removable spark arrester and the Ti-6 Pro does not. Both the Ti-6 and Ti-6 Pro systems come with a carbon fiber end cap, while the T-6 system comes with a stainless steel end cap. 

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? No complaints. 

MXA RATING: This is an any-port-in-a-storm exhaust system. The 2018-2020 Suzuki RM-Z450 needs all
the help it can get in the power department. The bolt-on Pro Circuit exhaust offers power where it is needed most.