Well another year the guy on the rmz 450 assembly line can just hit go

zuk338
Profile picture for user zuk338
Posts
204
Joined
5/22/2017
Location
North Tonawanda, NY US
zuk338 5/23/2019 1:08pm
5/23/2019 1:08pm
I’ve gotten numerous new riders into the sport via cheap low hour RMZs. Keep em coming, its hard to pass up a reliable bike thats 2/3 - 1/2 the cost of the other colors.
5
1
kiwifan
Profile picture for user kiwifan
Posts
9705
Joined
10/31/2009
Location
CA US
kiwifan 5/23/2019 1:09pm
5/23/2019 1:09pm
I rode a 2019 RMZ450 about a month ago, it was near new....I actually loved the bike, am I faster on it than my CRF ? no but still a great bike. For the mass this bike is perfectly fine.
3
Dropbear
Profile picture for user Dropbear
Posts
1568
Joined
5/7/2008
Location
Adelaide AU
Dropbear 5/23/2019 1:30pm
5/23/2019 1:30pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2019 6:26pm
Suzuki have always had long production runs. Even in the hyper development 1980’s. The 125 ran for 3 years at a time. Went from 1st to last. Also, the DRZ400 is a relic, but obviously profitable.

It’s their business model.
c0ncEpT
Profile picture for user c0ncEpT
Posts
1311
Joined
5/13/2015
Location
Harrison Twp., MI US
c0ncEpT 5/23/2019 1:37pm
5/23/2019 1:37pm
nascarnate326 wrote:
Higher ups are thinking " Hey we have zero R&D costs and Vet guys buy the bike as is and a DRZ125 for their kid for...
Higher ups are thinking " Hey we have zero R&D costs and Vet guys buy the bike as is and a DRZ125 for their kid for less than a KTM"

Changes cost money. The bike is decent for 90% of people the way it is. How many people are really winning races because of their updated fork settings, ecu changes, and other tiny changes? Very few and they dont pay retail for bikes anyways. Suzuki is targeting the professional practice rider and its doing it really well with damn good bikes at a decent price.
"and they dont pay retail for bikes anyways."

This is the problem. Every bike they have to discount 1-3K to sell is lost revenue. This is how manufactures die a slow death.
2

The Shop

See All »
Hammer 663s
Profile picture for user Hammer 663s
Posts
3073
Joined
6/2/2016
Location
Forest Grove, OR US
Hammer 663s 5/23/2019 1:52pm
5/23/2019 1:52pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2019 1:57pm
I seriously thought about a NOS 18 RMZ. I had a '10 that I liked a lot. I knew I could get one for under $6k OTD and customize it for me for another $2-3k. But man, the NOS 18 Husky FC350 I bought for $7k OTD instead really needs nothing but a slip-on (which I got at 20% off at time of sale). It has everything else I need (ok, want!) and weighs a good 20lbs less. That right there was the deal maker. I'm tired of 58 HP bikes that weight 240 lbs..

Hammer 663s
4
1
sandtrack315
Profile picture for user sandtrack315
Posts
2827
Joined
7/19/2013
Location
Philadelphia, PA US
sandtrack315 5/23/2019 3:21pm
5/23/2019 3:21pm
colvin227 wrote:
EXACTLY!!! Well said
sandtrack315 wrote:
I mean, how much are you really saving by buying an RMZ250 over a YZ250F? MSRP difference is 300 bucks. In the big scheme of riding...
I mean, how much are you really saving by buying an RMZ250 over a YZ250F? MSRP difference is 300 bucks. In the big scheme of riding costs, that's trivial. Even if you could save 500-600 bucks, I doubt that's worth it for a far inferior bike for most customers. This isn't comparing an iMac to a Unix box in price range / performance, where you can get similar performance, albeit bare bones, for about 40 percent less money.

I am all for a manufacturer making a cheaper bare bones 250F. This could be good for the competitive market keeping costs down. But that's not what the 2020 Suzuki 250F is.
colvin227 wrote:
How is the new RMZ250 a bare bones inferior bike? The only thing it doesn’t have is E start, well neither does the KX. has better...
How is the new RMZ250 a bare bones inferior bike? The only thing it doesn’t have is E start, well neither does the KX. has better suspension package than most, just needs new springs. People do that anyways. The motor is much quicker and improved than the previous version and most “shootouts” preferred the engine over other models. I’d say inferior and bare bones on the new 250f is a stretch. But different strokes for different folks. And you won’t pay anywhere near the same for a new RMZ vs YZ,or CRF. Suzuki offers amazing rebates and discounts almost immediately which is great for consumers,
Fair enough, but have you rode the 19 Yamaha 250F? Thing pulls like a mini 450 and the KYB suspension is tits. Front wheel is sticky and the bike is very stable. I’m sure the RMZ is fun to ride as well, but if I’m investing in a bike for 2 years of riding, its not gonna be a Suzuki. I wish it was an option, though. Loved my early 2000 RM125s.
2
2
nascarnate326 5/23/2019 6:38pm
5/23/2019 6:38pm
nascarnate326 wrote:
Higher ups are thinking " Hey we have zero R&D costs and Vet guys buy the bike as is and a DRZ125 for their kid for...
Higher ups are thinking " Hey we have zero R&D costs and Vet guys buy the bike as is and a DRZ125 for their kid for less than a KTM"

Changes cost money. The bike is decent for 90% of people the way it is. How many people are really winning races because of their updated fork settings, ecu changes, and other tiny changes? Very few and they dont pay retail for bikes anyways. Suzuki is targeting the professional practice rider and its doing it really well with damn good bikes at a decent price.
c0ncEpT wrote:
"and they dont pay retail for bikes anyways." This is the problem. Every bike they have to discount 1-3K to sell is lost revenue. This is...
"and they dont pay retail for bikes anyways."

This is the problem. Every bike they have to discount 1-3K to sell is lost revenue. This is how manufactures die a slow death.
I meant fast guys that need the changes that KTM gives you s the rmz don’t pay retail.

Is the yz250 lost revenue? All r&d has been paid for, for years. They wouldnt sell them if they weren’t making money.
3
mxtech1
Profile picture for user mxtech1
Posts
1968
Joined
7/21/2011
Location
Galesburg, IL US
mxtech1 5/23/2019 6:45pm
5/23/2019 6:45pm
Suzuki doesn't invest enough in their product development to be able to make major releases every year. They are consistently 2-3 years between major releases.

Being able to just hit go on the assembly line for 2-3 years with only minor running changes funds the next product development cycle.

KTM is doing in one year what Suzuki will only do every 2 or 3.
1
2
Drtbykr
Profile picture for user Drtbykr
Posts
2059
Joined
10/29/2006
Location
Fredericton CA
Drtbykr 5/23/2019 7:10pm
5/23/2019 7:10pm
Good, hope they get down to $4999. Be great to get an awesome price on a great bike for 98.4% of the population.
5
1
77Moto
Profile picture for user 77Moto
Posts
512
Joined
1/31/2019
Location
CA
77Moto 5/23/2019 7:37pm
5/23/2019 7:37pm
They are very popular with the supermoto crowd. You could buy a new 18 450 in March of 18 for 6500 USD Out the door.
What you saved paid for the light kit and 17 wheels and sprockets.
2
Premix
Profile picture for user Premix
Posts
1504
Joined
1/5/2014
Location
AS US
Premix 5/23/2019 7:50pm
5/23/2019 7:50pm
The Supermono is coming:

Texas Built
Profile picture for user Texas Built
Posts
867
Joined
5/30/2018
Location
Houston, TX US
Texas Built 5/23/2019 8:52pm
5/23/2019 8:52pm
The kick start would actually be a selling point to me.
7
5
RexEasely
Profile picture for user RexEasely
Posts
584
Joined
2/4/2019
Location
Pomona, CA US
RexEasely 5/23/2019 8:57pm
5/23/2019 8:57pm
Mike_Lawlor wrote:
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and...
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and if you ride one you think it’s fine. Until you ride any other manufacture then your like woah. I also get that you can get a leftover one for like $5500. But the motor is still literally the same sense 2008. They are the slowest out of all 6 and the heaviest and they don’t even have electric start. I’m not trying to bash Suzuki but what are the higher up’s thinking when they see all the other manufactures leaving them in the dust.
I would say get out of the C class before bagging on a bike that is half priced.
2
4
RexEasely
Profile picture for user RexEasely
Posts
584
Joined
2/4/2019
Location
Pomona, CA US
RexEasely 5/23/2019 8:59pm
5/23/2019 8:59pm
Mike_Lawlor wrote:
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and...
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and if you ride one you think it’s fine. Until you ride any other manufacture then your like woah. I also get that you can get a leftover one for like $5500. But the motor is still literally the same sense 2008. They are the slowest out of all 6 and the heaviest and they don’t even have electric start. I’m not trying to bash Suzuki but what are the higher up’s thinking when they see all the other manufactures leaving them in the dust.
I would say get out of the C class before bagging on a bike that is half priced.
2
2
Dropbear
Profile picture for user Dropbear
Posts
1568
Joined
5/7/2008
Location
Adelaide AU
Dropbear 5/23/2019 11:27pm
5/23/2019 11:27pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2019 11:30pm
It's not about being the best or even being as good as. It's about positioning in the market. Marketing 101.
2
GoonRider93 5/24/2019 12:05am
5/24/2019 12:05am
Suzuki have found their Niche in the sport and they sell bikes, I for one am an admirer of the new Zooks and they do stand out at the tracks! I'd even get one myself if I wasn't so keen on getting a Husqvarna next.

On a side note did they ever address the issues with the rear end? On the last models a popular mod was a new lowering link. Wondering if they took that on board and changed it?
1
Turbojez
Profile picture for user Turbojez
Posts
2419
Joined
8/5/2015
Location
PL
Turbojez 5/24/2019 12:50am
5/24/2019 12:50am
sandtrack315 wrote:
Fair enough, but have you rode the 19 Yamaha 250F? Thing pulls like a mini 450 and the KYB suspension is tits. Front wheel is sticky...
Fair enough, but have you rode the 19 Yamaha 250F? Thing pulls like a mini 450 and the KYB suspension is tits. Front wheel is sticky and the bike is very stable. I’m sure the RMZ is fun to ride as well, but if I’m investing in a bike for 2 years of riding, its not gonna be a Suzuki. I wish it was an option, though. Loved my early 2000 RM125s.
RMZ 250 comes equipped with pretty much the same suspension, as YZF 250. Seems like no one noticed...


5
1
Permeance_Flux 5/24/2019 1:02am
5/24/2019 1:02am
RexEasely wrote:
I would say get out of the C class before bagging on a bike that is half priced.
You’re right, I just started racing this year in the C class so my opinion is not as valid as other more experienced racers. In the same vein, I’ve been riding for 20 years now and have owned a 05 yz125, 04 SX250, 11 CRF450, 14 RMZ 450 and now a 18 FC350 so I’m not a complete newb when it comes to bikes.

I never shitted on the RMZ either just stated the lack of innovation is impossible to ignore.
6
1

Pit Row

See All »
aees
Profile picture for user aees
Posts
2676
Joined
8/20/2015
Location
US
aees 5/24/2019 1:14am
5/24/2019 1:14am
I think Suzuki is doing the right thing, if they where to focus on lowering cost of the bike. That segment is not covered for MX and it is really needed.

Going in to compete in the high end segment with 3 other Japs + 2 Austrians for low volume would kill them.

RC and Roczen did nothing for bike sales or Suzuki would have been number 1 at some point during last 10 years. So keep out of factory teams, focus on a low cost bike with smaller refinements every year.
4
1
PJRAUS
Profile picture for user PJRAUS
Posts
1531
Joined
5/28/2016
Location
AU
PJRAUS 5/24/2019 1:19am
5/24/2019 1:19am
sandtrack315 wrote:
I mean, how much are you really saving by buying an RMZ250 over a YZ250F? MSRP difference is 300 bucks. In the big scheme of riding...
I mean, how much are you really saving by buying an RMZ250 over a YZ250F? MSRP difference is 300 bucks. In the big scheme of riding costs, that's trivial. Even if you could save 500-600 bucks, I doubt that's worth it for a far inferior bike for most customers. This isn't comparing an iMac to a Unix box in price range / performance, where you can get similar performance, albeit bare bones, for about 40 percent less money.

I am all for a manufacturer making a cheaper bare bones 250F. This could be good for the competitive market keeping costs down. But that's not what the 2020 Suzuki 250F is.
colvin227 wrote:
How is the new RMZ250 a bare bones inferior bike? The only thing it doesn’t have is E start, well neither does the KX. has better...
How is the new RMZ250 a bare bones inferior bike? The only thing it doesn’t have is E start, well neither does the KX. has better suspension package than most, just needs new springs. People do that anyways. The motor is much quicker and improved than the previous version and most “shootouts” preferred the engine over other models. I’d say inferior and bare bones on the new 250f is a stretch. But different strokes for different folks. And you won’t pay anywhere near the same for a new RMZ vs YZ,or CRF. Suzuki offers amazing rebates and discounts almost immediately which is great for consumers,
sandtrack315 wrote:
Fair enough, but have you rode the 19 Yamaha 250F? Thing pulls like a mini 450 and the KYB suspension is tits. Front wheel is sticky...
Fair enough, but have you rode the 19 Yamaha 250F? Thing pulls like a mini 450 and the KYB suspension is tits. Front wheel is sticky and the bike is very stable. I’m sure the RMZ is fun to ride as well, but if I’m investing in a bike for 2 years of riding, its not gonna be a Suzuki. I wish it was an option, though. Loved my early 2000 RM125s.
I agree with your opinion on the 19 yz 250f...I got to do a couple decent sessions on one at our local track...thing wasnt set up for me..dont know where the sag was at...bar and lever position was that of the owner and foreign to me..all that and I feel absolutely certain that I was going faster after 2 laps on that thing than I ever have on any of my 4 bikes...so ridiculously easy to ride at any speed..especially fast! The motor is phenomenal as is the suspension and handling..extraordinary bike!
I will buy one as soon as I can after I buy a new yz125...I love 125"s...but yep that 250 f is the best bike I have ever ridden...and I'm not even a 4 stroke guy..got 2 of them right now and only ever had one before that back in 2001.
Not one fucking chance in hell I would ever drop coin on an rmz 250 over that new yz..dont care what the price difference is...in Australia...Im not really seeing the kind of price difference between Suzuki and the rest yyhat you see in the USA
2
twnorton
Profile picture for user twnorton
Posts
261
Joined
11/25/2014
Location
New Castle, PA US
twnorton 5/24/2019 6:22am
5/24/2019 6:22am
dtl210 wrote:
They added a darker blue stripe to the graphics.
Bold new graphics!
Dropbear
Profile picture for user Dropbear
Posts
1568
Joined
5/7/2008
Location
Adelaide AU
Dropbear 5/25/2019 4:18pm
5/25/2019 4:18pm
Suzuki don’t have to spend a lot on marketing and racing. Just need a bike finishing top ten in the odd National to lend credibility and justify purchase in buyers mind.
1
Dropbear
Profile picture for user Dropbear
Posts
1568
Joined
5/7/2008
Location
Adelaide AU
Dropbear 5/26/2019 3:36pm
5/26/2019 3:36pm
Strategy seems to work for the 400.

1
3
Ebs
Profile picture for user Ebs
Posts
841
Joined
6/1/2014
Location
MI US
Ebs 5/26/2019 7:02pm
5/26/2019 7:02pm
I don't know if it's any good, but a little bummed they dropped the RMX450Z. I like seeing the off-road offerings, and in that regard if you want to talk rehashed old stuff, it only took Honda about 15 years to update the 450x.
1
1
Eddieg15
Profile picture for user Eddieg15
Posts
232
Joined
1/26/2018
Location
Pontotoc, MS US
Eddieg15 5/29/2019 6:27pm
5/29/2019 6:27pm
77Moto wrote:
Light =less reliable.

Ever see many Suzukis break down or break in general?
Now that is funny
1
1
Keating
Profile picture for user Keating
Posts
153
Joined
7/4/2018
Location
Spring, TX US
Keating 7/31/2019 4:17pm
7/31/2019 4:17pm
You guys that think Suzuki has inferior, non-competitive scoots should check out the Loretta Lynn nationals on racertv.com
Suzuki has a bike in the top 5 of just about every big bike class I've seen!! The racers are also making double to triple the contingency money...!!!
That's something that hasn't been mentioned.... Suzuki's contingency program is head and shoulders better than every other brand!! Much more affordable bikes and Way Better contingency!!
Sounds like a Great Deal to me! My $0.02

Gotta Pin it to Win it! On any brand.... Hahaha
11
2
Dropbear
Profile picture for user Dropbear
Posts
1568
Joined
5/7/2008
Location
Adelaide AU
Dropbear 7/31/2019 4:21pm
7/31/2019 4:21pm
It’s what riders have been wanting for years - simple, cheaper bikes. Now that there is one people bitch.
20
3
Mr. Afterbar
Profile picture for user Mr. Afterbar
Posts
2410
Joined
5/13/2019
Location
Green Bay, WI US
Mr. Afterbar 7/31/2019 6:10pm
7/31/2019 6:10pm
Keating wrote:
You guys that think Suzuki has inferior, non-competitive scoots should check out the Loretta Lynn nationals on racertv.com Suzuki has a bike in the top 5...
You guys that think Suzuki has inferior, non-competitive scoots should check out the Loretta Lynn nationals on racertv.com
Suzuki has a bike in the top 5 of just about every big bike class I've seen!! The racers are also making double to triple the contingency money...!!!
That's something that hasn't been mentioned.... Suzuki's contingency program is head and shoulders better than every other brand!! Much more affordable bikes and Way Better contingency!!
Sounds like a Great Deal to me! My $0.02

Gotta Pin it to Win it! On any brand.... Hahaha
Yep, they are being represented well this year. Some seriously fast dudes riding yellow this year.
5
2
Monk
Profile picture for user Monk
Posts
864
Joined
1/11/2017
Location
CA
Monk 7/31/2019 6:28pm
7/31/2019 6:28pm
Mike_Lawlor wrote:
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and...
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and if you ride one you think it’s fine. Until you ride any other manufacture then your like woah. I also get that you can get a leftover one for like $5500. But the motor is still literally the same sense 2008. They are the slowest out of all 6 and the heaviest and they don’t even have electric start. I’m not trying to bash Suzuki but what are the higher up’s thinking when they see all the other manufactures leaving them in the dust.
Here's a thought...

People complain about e-start being unreliable and if you got stranded you could not start you bike. Suzuki keeps a kicker and people complain there is no e-start?

People complain that a hydro clutches can fail and not work. Suzuki keeps the cable and people complain?

People complain bikes cost too much. Suzuki is considerably cheaper then the Austrian brands, people complain?

People complain a lighter bike could affect reliability. Suzuki is heavier, people still complain?

What's the flipside? Suzuki give you all those things, but bump the cost up, and people will still complain... It's a no-win


35
colvin227
Profile picture for user colvin227
Posts
431
Joined
8/1/2017
Location
Alamogordo, NM US
colvin227 7/31/2019 8:51pm
7/31/2019 8:51pm
Mike_Lawlor wrote:
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and...
How many years can Suzuki just stay the same before people stop supporting them and buying them. I get it there not a bad bike and if you ride one you think it’s fine. Until you ride any other manufacture then your like woah. I also get that you can get a leftover one for like $5500. But the motor is still literally the same sense 2008. They are the slowest out of all 6 and the heaviest and they don’t even have electric start. I’m not trying to bash Suzuki but what are the higher up’s thinking when they see all the other manufactures leaving them in the dust.
Monk wrote:
Here's a thought... People complain about e-start being unreliable and if you got stranded you could not start you bike. Suzuki keeps a kicker and people...
Here's a thought...

People complain about e-start being unreliable and if you got stranded you could not start you bike. Suzuki keeps a kicker and people complain there is no e-start?

People complain that a hydro clutches can fail and not work. Suzuki keeps the cable and people complain?

People complain bikes cost too much. Suzuki is considerably cheaper then the Austrian brands, people complain?

People complain a lighter bike could affect reliability. Suzuki is heavier, people still complain?

What's the flipside? Suzuki give you all those things, but bump the cost up, and people will still complain... It's a no-win


You sir, hit the NAIL SQUARE ON THE HEAD!!!! Well said and it’s a sad fact.
4
1

Post a reply to: Well another year the guy on the rmz 450 assembly line can just hit go