2019 rmz 250

geeZ177
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geeZ177
Edited Date/Time 8/25/2019 9:38am
Looking for honest reviews from people who own these bikes, the good, bad and the ugly. Thanks for any input. Let's keep this to first hand knowledge, not hearsay and repeating what the shootouts have already told us.
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Autismmx110
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Autismmx110 8/21/2019 9:36pm
8/21/2019 9:36pm
I’ve ridden one, The bikes super solid! Has a stink bug feel in the rear but it’s easily fixable, power seems to be on par and handles like a dream get one
racinstation
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racinstation 8/21/2019 10:33pm
8/21/2019 10:33pm
Great bike! Get softer springs and rip it. Great feel, and a solid bike!
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colvin227
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colvin227 8/21/2019 10:45pm
8/21/2019 10:45pm Edited Date/Time 8/21/2019 10:47pm
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and shootouts. Unfortunelty it will get trashed again in the shootouts cause of the stiff suspension. Just curious how the stock stuff would be for a 190 lbs vet novice........suspension setup is easy and most people do it anyhow no matter the bike so I don’t see it as a deal breaker like some make it out too be.
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racinstation
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racinstation 8/21/2019 11:06pm
8/21/2019 11:06pm
colvin227 wrote:
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and...
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and shootouts. Unfortunelty it will get trashed again in the shootouts cause of the stiff suspension. Just curious how the stock stuff would be for a 190 lbs vet novice........suspension setup is easy and most people do it anyhow no matter the bike so I don’t see it as a deal breaker like some make it out too be.
Completely stock the bike is fine. It is stiff,but rideable. I am 170 and it was very stiff for me. $250 for springs and a couple hours labor and you are rocking. I will tell you that in the vet class you would be way ahead with the 450. Just modulate the throttle instead of shifting so much and it is much more forgiving. You could get a carryover 450 for same or less than the 250 I would guess.

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colvin227
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colvin227 8/22/2019 12:03am
8/22/2019 12:03am Edited Date/Time 8/22/2019 12:03am
colvin227 wrote:
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and...
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and shootouts. Unfortunelty it will get trashed again in the shootouts cause of the stiff suspension. Just curious how the stock stuff would be for a 190 lbs vet novice........suspension setup is easy and most people do it anyhow no matter the bike so I don’t see it as a deal breaker like some make it out too be.
racinstation wrote:
Completely stock the bike is fine. It is stiff,but rideable. I am 170 and it was very stiff for me. $250 for springs and a couple...
Completely stock the bike is fine. It is stiff,but rideable. I am 170 and it was very stiff for me. $250 for springs and a couple hours labor and you are rocking. I will tell you that in the vet class you would be way ahead with the 450. Just modulate the throttle instead of shifting so much and it is much more forgiving. You could get a carryover 450 for same or less than the 250 I would guess.
Oh yeah I already have a RMZ450. I just love a 250f for fun factor
Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/22/2019 12:04am
8/22/2019 12:04am
colvin227 wrote:
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and...
Would love to see a good review of one that has the suspension setup because that seemed to be the only Hangup in the reviews and shootouts. Unfortunelty it will get trashed again in the shootouts cause of the stiff suspension. Just curious how the stock stuff would be for a 190 lbs vet novice........suspension setup is easy and most people do it anyhow no matter the bike so I don’t see it as a deal breaker like some make it out too be.
racinstation wrote:
Completely stock the bike is fine. It is stiff,but rideable. I am 170 and it was very stiff for me. $250 for springs and a couple...
Completely stock the bike is fine. It is stiff,but rideable. I am 170 and it was very stiff for me. $250 for springs and a couple hours labor and you are rocking. I will tell you that in the vet class you would be way ahead with the 450. Just modulate the throttle instead of shifting so much and it is much more forgiving. You could get a carryover 450 for same or less than the 250 I would guess.
Shifting gears is riding. It's part of the fun. Unless you're super fit, 450's suck.
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geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/22/2019 3:49am
8/22/2019 3:49am
Anyone know how the clutch is holding up as well as the overall motor? I'm on the fence about get a 19 rmz 250 or the 19 rmz 450. For a begginner vet rider I can see the benefits of either bike.
Cortami79
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Cortami79 8/22/2019 4:25am
8/22/2019 4:25am
RMZ250's are solid. Great for cornering especially. Depending on your budget you could get some better suspension, I had an A-kit when I rode one. The only thing is that the power sucks compared to a KTM or Yamaha. All depends if you are competitive or just riding for fun.
Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/22/2019 5:29am
8/22/2019 5:29am
geeZ177 wrote:
Anyone know how the clutch is holding up as well as the overall motor? I'm on the fence about get a 19 rmz 250 or the...
Anyone know how the clutch is holding up as well as the overall motor? I'm on the fence about get a 19 rmz 250 or the 19 rmz 450. For a begginner vet rider I can see the benefits of either bike.
Unless you're a larger bloke. the 250 for sure. Confidence is a big deal, you'll have more confidence on the 250.
geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/22/2019 6:00am
8/22/2019 6:00am
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output. I'm currently 215 but want to get down to 200 or 190 ideally. Just don't want to get in over my head with the 450 power but at the same time don't want to be under powered on a 250, being forced to fan the clutch and shift like a mad man. I haven't raced in like 18 years, so I know I will be a lazy sloppy rider until I get laps under my belt and get back in the swing of things. Pros and cons to both bikes I suppose.
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SEMAC
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SEMAC 8/22/2019 6:26am
8/22/2019 6:26am
I Just bought one, i dont feell is under powered., i have another 3 diferent years, stock clutches still, suspensión is a little stiff, go buy one is a great bike
Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/22/2019 6:29am
8/22/2019 6:29am Edited Date/Time 8/22/2019 6:29am
geeZ177 wrote:
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output...
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output. I'm currently 215 but want to get down to 200 or 190 ideally. Just don't want to get in over my head with the 450 power but at the same time don't want to be under powered on a 250, being forced to fan the clutch and shift like a mad man. I haven't raced in like 18 years, so I know I will be a lazy sloppy rider until I get laps under my belt and get back in the swing of things. Pros and cons to both bikes I suppose.
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO.

I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the first season, then stepped up to the 450 the following season. I'm glad I did that.
geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/22/2019 6:44am
8/22/2019 6:44am
geeZ177 wrote:
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output...
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output. I'm currently 215 but want to get down to 200 or 190 ideally. Just don't want to get in over my head with the 450 power but at the same time don't want to be under powered on a 250, being forced to fan the clutch and shift like a mad man. I haven't raced in like 18 years, so I know I will be a lazy sloppy rider until I get laps under my belt and get back in the swing of things. Pros and cons to both bikes I suppose.
Drop-Bear wrote:
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO. I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the...
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO.

I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the first season, then stepped up to the 450 the following season. I'm glad I did that.
You are glad you switched to a 450 or glad you did a 250 first?
Pgd09yz450 8/22/2019 10:18am
8/22/2019 10:18am
Hey im also interested in some info on a 19 rmz250, 200lb vet novice coming off a 16 350sxf, curious about the spring rates
UGOTBIT
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UGOTBIT 8/22/2019 11:04am
8/22/2019 11:04am
Pgd09yz450 wrote:
Hey im also interested in some info on a 19 rmz250, 200lb vet novice coming off a 16 350sxf, curious about the spring rates
Why did you move from the 350?
Smith922
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Smith922 8/22/2019 12:09pm
8/22/2019 12:09pm
My son has about 15 hours on his 19 rmz 250 and absolutely loves it. We played with the suspension until we got it dialed in for him (for reference he is about 5'9 and 145lbs) and once we got the changes he wanted he wouldn't trade it for anything. He came off of a built 16 yz250f with reworked suspension and his lap times dropped almost 3 seconds per lap on the rmz. I will tell you this if you have enough patience and someone to help you the stock suspension can be made to most folks liking. My son does prefer really stiff suspension but he's also pretty fast and likes to find the biggest jumps lol.
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Pgd09yz450 8/22/2019 12:29pm
8/22/2019 12:29pm
Pgd09yz450 wrote:
Hey im also interested in some info on a 19 rmz250, 200lb vet novice coming off a 16 350sxf, curious about the spring rates
UGOTBIT wrote:
Why did you move from the 350?
350 is a fast fun bike, mainly looking for a change, doing a lot of practice days an not racing much so a 250 is plenty fun for me
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Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/22/2019 6:14pm
8/22/2019 6:14pm
geeZ177 wrote:
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output...
Yeah I'm much bigger than what the OEMs set the 250s up for, so I probably would like the suspension, just unsure on the motor output. I'm currently 215 but want to get down to 200 or 190 ideally. Just don't want to get in over my head with the 450 power but at the same time don't want to be under powered on a 250, being forced to fan the clutch and shift like a mad man. I haven't raced in like 18 years, so I know I will be a lazy sloppy rider until I get laps under my belt and get back in the swing of things. Pros and cons to both bikes I suppose.
Drop-Bear wrote:
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO. I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the...
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO.

I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the first season, then stepped up to the 450 the following season. I'm glad I did that.
geeZ177 wrote:
You are glad you switched to a 450 or glad you did a 250 first?
Glad I did 250 first. Not sure going 450 straight up would have ended well for me tbh.
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chewy4063
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chewy4063 8/22/2019 7:14pm
8/22/2019 7:14pm Edited Date/Time 8/22/2019 7:14pm
Drop-Bear wrote:
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO. I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the...
I'm 200 without gear on, 215 no real biggy on a 250 IMO.

I stopped at 18, came back at 35, rode a 250 for the first season, then stepped up to the 450 the following season. I'm glad I did that.
geeZ177 wrote:
You are glad you switched to a 450 or glad you did a 250 first?
Drop-Bear wrote:
Glad I did 250 first. Not sure going 450 straight up would have ended well for me tbh.
Get the 450, I went from a 125 at 160lbs and was absolutely fine on an RMZ450. At your weight you’re going to be wanting the bigger motor soon after you buy the 250. You said it yourself, you’re going to be lazy, perfect for the 450. Don’t let people on here scare you. If you have any sense of throttle control you have no issues.
Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/22/2019 8:41pm
8/22/2019 8:41pm Edited Date/Time 8/22/2019 9:14pm
geeZ177 wrote:
You are glad you switched to a 450 or glad you did a 250 first?
Drop-Bear wrote:
Glad I did 250 first. Not sure going 450 straight up would have ended well for me tbh.
chewy4063 wrote:
Get the 450, I went from a 125 at 160lbs and was absolutely fine on an RMZ450. At your weight you’re going to be wanting the...
Get the 450, I went from a 125 at 160lbs and was absolutely fine on an RMZ450. At your weight you’re going to be wanting the bigger motor soon after you buy the 250. You said it yourself, you’re going to be lazy, perfect for the 450. Don’t let people on here scare you. If you have any sense of throttle control you have no issues.
There's more to consider.

Firstly. You went from a 125 to a 450. With an 18yr gap in riding? Just curious.

You think you can be lazy and get away with racing a 450? WRONG!
You need to train twice as hard. You need to be fitter, and stronger to ride a 450 compared to a 250.

Throttle control is great. but, when you're racing a 450. you're going to get arm pump. The worse the arm pump. The higher the chance of a whiskey throttle. I've had my hand size at WOT on a 450. Luckily, I was on a straight section of track.

Twisting a throttle is more fun than throttle control.

"Best you learn to walk. Before you try to run"

OP. Do you have access to demo bikes?

If you haven't been on a bike for 18 yrs. You're in for a shock to your system.

I don't care what you get. But, I'd recommend thinking it through properly. Consider all the angles.

I'm guessing you'd be looking at getting started next yr? If so. Who's to say you won't be at 190 before you start racing. Extra motivation to lose weight?

Will racing the 250 be better for learning race craft? Most likely. It's a more competitive class. "Race smarter. Not harder". you'll be less prone to injury.
Being a heavier rider on the 250 will force you to race smarter and learn good race craft.

"Don't get your ambitions mixed up with your ability's". That never ends well.

A high side on a 250 can hurt. A high side on a 450 "Will" hurt. lol 99% chance It'll knock you rotten.

There's a good reason most pro's transition from a 250 to a 450. Even if they're winning on the 250. It's gonna take some time to adjust to the big boy class and transition to the 450's extra weight and power. Do you think they make that transition look easy?

Blah, blah, blah. I could go on all day with reasons why the 250 would be a smarter choice.

Now consider why a 450 would be the better choice. Weight up the pro's and cons.

But. Don't for one second believe you can be lazy, and race a 450. That's absolute BS. At best, you'd be just making up the numbers. Not "racing"
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chewy4063
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chewy4063 8/23/2019 2:54am
8/23/2019 2:54am Edited Date/Time 8/23/2019 2:56am
Drop-Bear wrote:
Glad I did 250 first. Not sure going 450 straight up would have ended well for me tbh.
chewy4063 wrote:
Get the 450, I went from a 125 at 160lbs and was absolutely fine on an RMZ450. At your weight you’re going to be wanting the...
Get the 450, I went from a 125 at 160lbs and was absolutely fine on an RMZ450. At your weight you’re going to be wanting the bigger motor soon after you buy the 250. You said it yourself, you’re going to be lazy, perfect for the 450. Don’t let people on here scare you. If you have any sense of throttle control you have no issues.
Drop-Bear wrote:
There's more to consider. Firstly. You went from a 125 to a 450. With an 18yr gap in riding? Just curious. You think you can be...
There's more to consider.

Firstly. You went from a 125 to a 450. With an 18yr gap in riding? Just curious.

You think you can be lazy and get away with racing a 450? WRONG!
You need to train twice as hard. You need to be fitter, and stronger to ride a 450 compared to a 250.

Throttle control is great. but, when you're racing a 450. you're going to get arm pump. The worse the arm pump. The higher the chance of a whiskey throttle. I've had my hand size at WOT on a 450. Luckily, I was on a straight section of track.

Twisting a throttle is more fun than throttle control.

"Best you learn to walk. Before you try to run"

OP. Do you have access to demo bikes?

If you haven't been on a bike for 18 yrs. You're in for a shock to your system.

I don't care what you get. But, I'd recommend thinking it through properly. Consider all the angles.

I'm guessing you'd be looking at getting started next yr? If so. Who's to say you won't be at 190 before you start racing. Extra motivation to lose weight?

Will racing the 250 be better for learning race craft? Most likely. It's a more competitive class. "Race smarter. Not harder". you'll be less prone to injury.
Being a heavier rider on the 250 will force you to race smarter and learn good race craft.

"Don't get your ambitions mixed up with your ability's". That never ends well.

A high side on a 250 can hurt. A high side on a 450 "Will" hurt. lol 99% chance It'll knock you rotten.

There's a good reason most pro's transition from a 250 to a 450. Even if they're winning on the 250. It's gonna take some time to adjust to the big boy class and transition to the 450's extra weight and power. Do you think they make that transition look easy?

Blah, blah, blah. I could go on all day with reasons why the 250 would be a smarter choice.

Now consider why a 450 would be the better choice. Weight up the pro's and cons.

But. Don't for one second believe you can be lazy, and race a 450. That's absolute BS. At best, you'd be just making up the numbers. Not "racing"
You are overthinking. By lazy I mean keeping it in two gears over the entire track. Yes you need to be in shape, with any bike and life in general. I was on ten year hiatus. Rode a 125 a handful of times and hopped on the 450. Never had an issue, maybe because the RMZ has less hit than the others. Everyone on here makes the 450 out to be some mythical creature that no one should be riding, it is the perfect Vet bike. Get over it.

If you’re going to drop $7k on a bike, get the one that will last. Instead of riding a 250 for 6 months taking a huge hit on depreciation and no one wanting to buy a used 250f never mind a Suzuki.
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colvin227
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colvin227 8/23/2019 7:03pm
8/23/2019 7:03pm Edited Date/Time 8/23/2019 7:05pm
The manufacturer set them up for like 145-160 for 250f suspension settings. As that is their target weight range. But as a older vet rider at 190lbs I had much more fun when I rode my 2016 KX250f than I do my 450 now. The 450 is great cause it has the torque out of a corner so you can kind of get away with maybe a sloppy corner entry or setup and the power will pull you through and jump anything right out of a corner with ease. Where 250f you have to carry momentum and it forces you to ride “better” IMO. Fun factor I think 250f is great for a vet. But competition and actually wanting to be fast fast sure a 450 may be the way to go. Too me honest I could ride the crap out of my 250f and I still never even reach its limits. I run out of talent much faster than any bike can powerwise 250/450 and I’m smart enough to realize that. I felt “faster” on my 250f because it’s easier to ride And I could hold on much longer. My next bike will more than likely be back to a 250f and I’m loving that new RMZ
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Drop-Bear
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Drop-Bear 8/23/2019 7:25pm
8/23/2019 7:25pm Edited Date/Time 8/23/2019 7:26pm
Pfffft. Get a 150 2T. More fun than sex.

At our age,We race for fun, and fun only. none of us are gonna turn pro lol. Might as well ride the bike that's the most fun to ride.

I'm 200lbs No Gear. 6/2".My 125 and 155cc's pull my ass around a track no worries. Shifting is riding.
geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/24/2019 6:59pm
8/24/2019 6:59pm
Ended up pulling the trigger on a 2019 rmz 250 today. Looking forward to getting back on a bike! Thanks for the replies everyone.
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Pgd09yz450 8/24/2019 7:22pm
8/24/2019 7:22pm
geeZ177 wrote:
Ended up pulling the trigger on a 2019 rmz 250 today. Looking forward to getting back on a bike! Thanks for the replies everyone.
Lets see some pictures!!
geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/25/2019 5:33am
8/25/2019 5:33am Edited Date/Time 8/25/2019 5:40am
Just your run of the mill 2019 RMZ 250. My last bike was my 2001 RM 125 back in 2001, now I'm fortunate to have it's new counterpart.

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geeZ177
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geeZ177 8/25/2019 5:41am
8/25/2019 5:41am

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malachi177
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malachi177 8/25/2019 9:38am
8/25/2019 9:38am
geeZ177 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/08/25/368319/s1200_IMG_20190824_195409510.jpg[/img]

Have fun on it man. Sexy looking bikes. I was going to buy one back in Feb but they had’t arrived yet. Ended up getting the ‘19 zook 450 instead. Love it! The suspension should be good for you because of their spring rates. I’m well over 200lbs with gear and the suspension on the 450 works fine for me. Its the lighter riders that have issues finding a comfy setting. 👍
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malachi177
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malachi177 8/25/2019 11:43am
8/25/2019 11:43am

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