Suzuki is now in sync with its Japanese counterparts by announcing the addition of a hard-edged 450cc enduro racer to its arsenal.
The company will make a return to the hotly contested enduro market with the RMX450Z, based on the RM-Z450 motocross bike.
The RMX450Z wil retain the RM-Z's fuel injection, and also features retuned suspension, a lighting kit and a smaller 18-inch rear wheel.
It will also have electric start (and kick) and digital instruments, and presumably wider gear ratios to befit its enduro stance.
When it's released, the Suzuki will bang heads with Honda's CRF450X, the Kawasaki KLX450R and Yamaha WR450F, and European hardware such as the KTM 450EXC and Husqvarna TE450.
Suzuki Australia has confirmed the RMX450Z is due to land in very late 2009, but it will not be ADR-compliant for 2010. That is, it won't be road-registerable.
While Suzuki understands there will be strong market demand for the new bike, it has made the decision not to pursue ADR compliance based on the "current economic climate and high costs of compliance modifications".
The company will continue to evaluate the potential of a commercially viable street-legal version.
Once the RMX450Z is released, Suzuki will have a hardcore machine to sit alongside its massively popular off-road alrounder, the DR-Z400E.