2014-15 RMZ250 reliability? Losing power fast?

huck2flat
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huck2flat
Edited Date/Time 10/20/2015 9:12pm
So I'm in the market for a new 250 here pretty soon, and I have it down to two bikes. An rmz250, and a kx250f(because they're the cheapest). Both brand new, either 2014 or 2015 models. I had my mind set on the Suzuki because I would rather have the better handling over the better motor personally, but after hearing about how supposedly the rmz's motor starts to drastically "lose power after 20 hours" and that you should "keep up on valve and piston maintenance like your life depended on it" or something along those lines, has me a bit worried. I think it was MXA that said it, I read it a while back so I'm not 100% sure.. I've heard this from a couple different sources, but I was just curious if anybody else besides them had any issues with the rmz250's losing power.
I haven't really heard anything bad about the Kawi, other than it handles like a semi. If anybody has heard anything, please comment below. I'm sure it's an awesome bike and its handling traits can be sorted out with some suspension work(which I planned on getting anyway regardless of the bike) and aftermarket triple clamps, maybe a link as well. But, I still would prefer the rmz. That is, if the motor doesn't turn to crap after a short period of time. If that's indeed the case, I will be going with the kx250f. I'm not against being good with maintenance, it just seems like the things you need to do in order to keep the rmz running at its peak (according to what I read) is a little excessive if actually true. It seems like I would've heard a lot more about how unreliable they were if a good amount of people had issues.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
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racinstation 8/19/2015 10:02pm
8/19/2015 10:02pm Edited Date/Time 8/19/2015 10:02pm
I have had great luck with the Suzukis reliability. Had a 2009, 2012, and now a 2014. No reliability issues with any of them. Use good oil, change it every two tanks of gas and change the filter out every other oil change. Keep your air filter clean and oiled properly and you will be fine. I would recommend a new piston on any 250f being raced every 35 or so hours and recreational guys should be able to double that easily.
malachi177
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malachi177 8/19/2015 10:28pm
8/19/2015 10:28pm Edited Date/Time 8/19/2015 10:30pm
Bought a new '14 RMZ250 at the end of May. Amazing bike, no issues and is very reliable. I use Motul 300v, change the oil every 4 hrs and the oil filter every second time. There's a round filter screen just before the countershaft sprocket that I pull out and clean every time. I clean the air filter regularly, check the coolant level regularly and zero issues. The bike has 26hrs on it now and still runs awesome. It's getting a new piston at the 30hr mark.The valves were still in spec when they were checked at 20hrs. It's a fantastic bike. There is alot of BS myth about Suzuki reliability.
malachi177
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malachi177 8/19/2015 10:36pm
8/19/2015 10:36pm


Benihana225
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Benihana225 8/19/2015 10:52pm
8/19/2015 10:52pm
A friend of mine had 300+ hours on his 13 rmz250 with a Stock top end and stock clutch. Beat the absolute piss out of it and it still ran like a champ when he got rid of it. All he did was change like oil and air filter and put gas in it. They are great bikes

Maintenance is key.

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mattyhamz2 8/19/2015 11:06pm
8/19/2015 11:06pm
As far as the Kawi "handling like a semi" I've never had a Kawi 250f handle that way and I've ridden almost every year. The 450 on the other hand does turn like a semi compared to the other 450s. The Kawi 250f is a great bike as is the rmz250. I rode a 2012 rmz250 from dirt bike mag and it was awesome! But there were maybe 3 hours on it when I rode it. The forks that year were horrible, but I hear they have gotten way better since then. Either way you'll be getting a good bike.
huck2flat
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huck2flat 8/19/2015 11:40pm
8/19/2015 11:40pm
racinstation wrote:
I have had great luck with the Suzukis reliability. Had a 2009, 2012, and now a 2014. No reliability issues with any of them. Use good...
I have had great luck with the Suzukis reliability. Had a 2009, 2012, and now a 2014. No reliability issues with any of them. Use good oil, change it every two tanks of gas and change the filter out every other oil change. Keep your air filter clean and oiled properly and you will be fine. I would recommend a new piston on any 250f being raced every 35 or so hours and recreational guys should be able to double that easily.
Yeah, that's good to hear. I do race but I'm good about maintenance. My plan was to replace the piston at around 35 hours or so like you stated.
Thanks for the reply
huck2flat
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huck2flat 8/19/2015 11:44pm
8/19/2015 11:44pm
I like what I'm hearing so far. Hopefully those guys that experienced the issues just had a couple lemons.
68
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68 8/20/2015 12:16am
8/20/2015 12:16am
you've only had it for 2 months
huck2flat
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huck2flat 8/20/2015 12:20am
8/20/2015 12:20am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
As far as the Kawi "handling like a semi" I've never had a Kawi 250f handle that way and I've ridden almost every year. The 450...
As far as the Kawi "handling like a semi" I've never had a Kawi 250f handle that way and I've ridden almost every year. The 450 on the other hand does turn like a semi compared to the other 450s. The Kawi 250f is a great bike as is the rmz250. I rode a 2012 rmz250 from dirt bike mag and it was awesome! But there were maybe 3 hours on it when I rode it. The forks that year were horrible, but I hear they have gotten way better since then. Either way you'll be getting a good bike.
"Handles like a semi" was a slight exaggeration, haha. But it's definitly not the best handling bike in the class. Actually, I think it's the worst. That's just based off of what I've heard and read.. I can't say from personal experience.
mattyhamz2 8/20/2015 12:29am
8/20/2015 12:29am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
As far as the Kawi "handling like a semi" I've never had a Kawi 250f handle that way and I've ridden almost every year. The 450...
As far as the Kawi "handling like a semi" I've never had a Kawi 250f handle that way and I've ridden almost every year. The 450 on the other hand does turn like a semi compared to the other 450s. The Kawi 250f is a great bike as is the rmz250. I rode a 2012 rmz250 from dirt bike mag and it was awesome! But there were maybe 3 hours on it when I rode it. The forks that year were horrible, but I hear they have gotten way better since then. Either way you'll be getting a good bike.
huck2flat wrote:
"Handles like a semi" was a slight exaggeration, haha. But it's definitly not the best handling bike in the class. Actually, I think it's the worst...
"Handles like a semi" was a slight exaggeration, haha. But it's definitly not the best handling bike in the class. Actually, I think it's the worst. That's just based off of what I've heard and read.. I can't say from personal experience.
Haha well I can tell you from experience the kx450 does handle like a semi compared to other 450s. You can make them turn especially if you've ridden them for a long time but it sure doesn't turn like a Honda or a Suzuki 450. Although I hear the 16 is much better.

The kx250f handles like a dream. It's a stable bike with decent suspension and a great motor. The worst handling definitely goes to the Honda. Idc what anyone says, whether the crf250 or 450, they handle like crap. They are easy to over and under steer and they don't go in a straight line very well. Although if you have the money and time you can fix those issues.

Like I said though, kx250f or rmz250, either one is a good choice and will serve you well. I tend to lean just a little more for the Kawi, but your opinion may be different. Now if you had the opportunity to go blue I'd say do that! Lol
tempura
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tempura 8/20/2015 4:27am
8/20/2015 4:27am
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 8/20/2015 5:26am
8/20/2015 5:26am
tempura wrote:
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
I see you've met the world's biggest bullshitter.
Torco1
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Torco1 8/20/2015 6:01am
8/20/2015 6:01am
tempura wrote:
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
nytsmaC wrote:
I see you've met the world's biggest bullshitter.
Maybe he rides it to work.....
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Mx Wildcat 8/20/2015 6:20am
8/20/2015 6:20am
I haven't ridden the RMZ250 but I just bought my son a 2015 Kx250f. I ride a yz250 2-stroke usually, and we went riding at Daniel Boone mx in London, Ky on the kx's maiden voyage. I gotta say I was really impressed with the bike. It tracks well, has good power, and the suspension is a little firm but still supple. It seems like the SFF forks stay higher up in the stroke than my yz's which gave it the feeling that the were stiffer but still soaked up the little stuff. I think my only gripe was that the front end could bit a little better in the flat hardpack corners but we didn't adjust anything on the bike. We could have dropped the forks in the tubes a little, went out on compression, or it could be the tire. We are going to do some testing this weekend I think. I also tried out a 2012 CRF250 and it turned easier and has a smaller bike feel to it. It felt really light and easy to throw around. However, the difference in the power was apparent. I struggled to get over this double right out of a corner on it. I tried revving the piss out of 2nd gear and come up short a few times. I had to come out of the turn carrying momentum perfectly (for me anyway) shift to 3rd while giving it the business and would just clear it. The KX, I would rev 2nd and clear it. I would short shift to 3rd and clear it easy every lap. I would recommend the KX. It is easy to ride and handles good. You can't go wrong.
731chopper
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731chopper 8/20/2015 7:27am
8/20/2015 7:27am
I'm not here to champion you purchasing the Kawi instead, buy whichever bike you like the most. I honestly think any modern bike is adequate for 90% of us. I just want to defend the handling of the KX a little. I have a '14 KX250F and in my experience it is very stable at speed through the rough stuff but the front end does seem to suffer from not wanting to stay in ruts through tight corners as well as other bikes. It isn't that bad but I do have access to a 15.5 Factory Edition SXF250 and I will say that the KX I have doesn't corner as well in the tight stuff as that bike. I haven't ridden a current RMZ but I think its turning characteristics are similar to that KTM. I've read that you can make the KX turn better in the tight stuff with a different triple clamp offset but, again, it isn't that bad and the tradeoff is that you get a stable bike at high speed. I will also say like many others already have that the motor is killer. I LOVE the motor in my KX250F!
aFACEdismembered 8/20/2015 10:41am
8/20/2015 10:41am
tempura wrote:
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
nytsmaC wrote:
I see you've met the world's biggest bullshitter.
That also includes time spent driving to and from the track as well as time on the stand while at the track. I know a guy who does the same math.
seth505
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seth505 8/20/2015 10:57am
8/20/2015 10:57am
60 hours per month? whaaaaat
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seth505 8/20/2015 11:08am
8/20/2015 11:08am
Dammit, that does not sound like my summer...

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seth505
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seth505 8/20/2015 11:19am
8/20/2015 11:19am
30s is the new teenager....or something Cool
Gringoe
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Gringoe 8/20/2015 11:24am
8/20/2015 11:24am
tempura wrote:
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
nytsmaC wrote:
I see you've met the world's biggest bullshitter.
He should be fuckin smoking everyone in c class or whatever he rides right? Jesus
huck2flat
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huck2flat 8/20/2015 4:05pm
8/20/2015 4:05pm
I'm sure the kx is a solid bike, I'm just leaning towards the Suzuki. Just waiting to hear a few more opinions and past experiences before I decide on one or the other. I appreciate everybody's input so far.
BobPA
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BobPA 8/20/2015 4:19pm
8/20/2015 4:19pm
Kawi's are excellent handling 250's, I do not know where you are getting your info. They are incredibly stable and predictable...have been for years. Not to mention the KX motor is much better outta the box. Fit and finish is also better on the Kawasaki, and OEM parts are wayyyyy cheaper. The Suzuki would honestly be the last 250f on my list.....there is a reason there are so few at the tracks.
mx836
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mx836 8/20/2015 4:21pm
8/20/2015 4:21pm
I haven't had a late model rmz 250 but have had RM 80, 125, 250f, and 450. I have a Kawi now but only because I'm big and the KXF is more stable. Get the Suzuki. You won't be disappointed. They are all good bikes. Like others have said, maintenance is key with any bike.
malachi177
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malachi177 8/20/2015 4:33pm
8/20/2015 4:33pm Edited Date/Time 8/20/2015 4:39pm
BobPA wrote:
Kawi's are excellent handling 250's, I do not know where you are getting your info. They are incredibly stable and predictable...have been for years. Not to...
Kawi's are excellent handling 250's, I do not know where you are getting your info. They are incredibly stable and predictable...have been for years. Not to mention the KX motor is much better outta the box. Fit and finish is also better on the Kawasaki, and OEM parts are wayyyyy cheaper. The Suzuki would honestly be the last 250f on my list.....there is a reason there are so few at the tracks.
At what tracks Bob?.....cause there are a shit tonne where we are. In the Pro's?, yes and it's directly linked to contingency, and no Factory 250 team. Which is changing next year! There is also nothing wrong with the bloody fit and finish on the RMZ, and the Kawi is not a better fit and finishLaughing .Kawi's look roached after 5hrs. OEM parts are a little more yes, the only drawback is the stock 8 and 10mm bolts are soft, but change them out. Big friggin deal. The bike is awesome.

By your logic, aside from Mitch's PC team, how many privateer's were on Kawi?...not many. This past year is was Red and Blue for the most part.
tempura
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tempura 8/20/2015 4:37pm
8/20/2015 4:37pm Edited Date/Time 8/20/2015 4:38pm
tempura wrote:
Wow, that's an average of 2hours per day, 7days a week. Don't you have a job or something to do?
nytsmaC wrote:
I see you've met the world's biggest bullshitter.
aFACEdismembered wrote:
That also includes time spent driving to and from the track as well as time on the stand while at the track. I know a guy...
That also includes time spent driving to and from the track as well as time on the stand while at the track. I know a guy who does the same math.
Not to mention time spent in maintenance, tire changes etc.. Full time job for that young man..lol you'd need a full time job to pay for that kind of lifestyle.
You should be smoking the pack...lol...
BobPA
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BobPA 8/20/2015 4:55pm
8/20/2015 4:55pm
District 6 and 34 tracks...northeast area. There are a bunch of 450 Suzukis but 250's are all but none existent around here. you need to lay off the Labatts bro
user760a
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user760a 8/21/2015 7:36pm
8/21/2015 7:36pm
I have seen several newer RMZ250's with broken crankcases due to a kickstart gear issue. its not a quick or easy fix
tylermx967
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tylermx967 8/21/2015 7:44pm
8/21/2015 7:44pm
I SAY TO U GUYS BEFOR I THINK THAT SUSUKI MAKE THE FASTIST BIKE THATS IN THE LITES
huck2flat
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huck2flat 8/26/2015 9:35pm
8/26/2015 9:35pm
Looked around some other sites and forums as well. By the sounds of it the Suzuki seems to be a reliable bike.. I've noticed it's really only some of the magazine reviews that say it loses power rapidly.
Calhoun117
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Calhoun117 8/27/2015 9:31am
8/27/2015 9:31am
Wow EK I'm impressed. An average of 2hrs Moto time per day, plus bike maintainece of probably 1 hour per day, plus 18 hours on vital per day only leaves you three hours to sleep and jack off to all your new FMF platinum silencers

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