#Suzuki

Suzuki has been eerily quiet on the ATV front since the 2009 model year, pretty much leaving the lineup untouched. We’ve seen the first signs that things may be progressing this week as Suzuki unveiled an updated KingQuad 500AXi for 2015.

According to Suzuki, the KingQuad 500AXi receives a few new changes designed to provide smoother acceleration, quicker throttle response, and a stronger feel in the mid-high RPM range. The front end of the ATV receives a newer aggressive stance, while a side panel change allows you to more easily check your oil level without removing any body parts.

Suzuki, one of the cornerstone OEM exhibitors at the American International Motorcycle Expo, will return again this year. Suzuki will showcase its new 2015 models to the public for the first time as AIMExpo returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. October 16-19, 2014.

Suzuki utilized both indoor exhibit space and an innovative demo area at AIMExpo Outdoors! at last year’s event in order to take full advantage of the unique AIMExpo platform. This allowed the manufacturer to interact with dealers, consumers and media by exposing them to a multi-faceted brand experience. Suzuki will return to the event this year with even more demo and showcase presentations for AIMExpo attendees.

American Suzuki has agreed to a number of sanctions including an $885,000 penalty for importing ATVs and off-road motorcycles that do not meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s emission control standards.

The EPA and Suzuki negotiated the monetary penalty as well as other sanctions for the 25,396 units of the 2006-2009 LT-R450 ATV and the 62 units of the 2010 RMX450Z. While the models in question were tested and certified by the EPA, the testing was done on the electronic engine control module’s standard map.

What Suzuki did not disclose in the certification process was the RMX450Z and LT-R450 also had a racing map that would push emissions outside the accepted control standards. These racing map were only accessible from a third-party aftermarket product known as the “Cherry Bomb“, but because the map was pre-programmed into the stock machine, Suzuki was required to disclose the ability to adjust the air-fuel mixture through engine mapping when filing for the certificate of conformity. We actually tested out the Yoshimura Cherry Bomb on a 2009 LT-R450 (along with other Yoshimura products), which you can read about here.

In addition to the $885,000 fine, Suzuki agreed to a three emissions mitigation projects that would reduce the emission of over 210 tons of hydrocarbons.