2021 RMZ 250 [no longer frugal build, informative thread]

seth505
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seth505 6/17/2021 6:53am
6/17/2021 6:53am
JWACK wrote:
Well there went the mostly frugal!

Can’t wait for the ride report.
Haha, seriously. My mind went in different directions since purchasing this thing. I always wanted to have a motor built by someone reputable and ended up deciding F it, worth a try now. I'm actually in PT right now for some injuries but hope to be on bike soonish.
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seth505
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seth505 6/17/2021 6:55am
6/17/2021 6:55am
deez387 wrote:
Interested to hear how you like the Baker mods. My motor was also built by Dean when he was at JGR. Probably very similar to what...
Interested to hear how you like the Baker mods. My motor was also built by Dean when he was at JGR. Probably very similar to what you have minus the ignition.
How has your reliability been? Also, did you ride yours much stock beforehand? I'll try to give my honest impression of what has changed and how it feels compared to stock.
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biondo
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biondo 6/17/2021 7:03am
6/17/2021 7:03am
seth505 wrote:
Haha, seriously. My mind went in different directions since purchasing this thing. I always wanted to have a motor built by someone reputable and ended up...
Haha, seriously. My mind went in different directions since purchasing this thing. I always wanted to have a motor built by someone reputable and ended up deciding F it, worth a try now. I'm actually in PT right now for some injuries but hope to be on bike soonish.
Hey Seth hope you’re back on track soon 👍 I’m hoping to be back out there after my UCL ligament thumb surgery in pt as well seems like Forever! Hope to see you at Cahuilla sometime soon...Warren
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deez387
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deez387 6/17/2021 8:05am
6/17/2021 8:05am
deez387 wrote:
Interested to hear how you like the Baker mods. My motor was also built by Dean when he was at JGR. Probably very similar to what...
Interested to hear how you like the Baker mods. My motor was also built by Dean when he was at JGR. Probably very similar to what you have minus the ignition.
seth505 wrote:
How has your reliability been? Also, did you ride yours much stock beforehand? I'll try to give my honest impression of what has changed and how...
How has your reliability been? Also, did you ride yours much stock beforehand? I'll try to give my honest impression of what has changed and how it feels compared to stock.
So far, about 20 hrs on it. 5 were put on from previous owner of the motor. Motor is just as strong as it was first ride. It will pull forever. Mine just uses the stock ECU though. Dean designed the cam to stock rev limit. Coil bind and piston to valve clearance. Similar to the JGR stage 2 kit. I can run pump gas but usually put 100 octane in it. Runs great. I am using the black coupler, found it to work best for me with this engine setup. I also run a 14/54 gearing. I highly recommend it! Smooths out the power initially and really helps settle the bike. Will def need to modify the chain guide, im running an Acerbis one, and I have a 120 link chain pretty slammed all the way back.

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seth505
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seth505 6/17/2021 8:31am
6/17/2021 8:31am
deez387 wrote:
So far, about 20 hrs on it. 5 were put on from previous owner of the motor. Motor is just as strong as it was first...
So far, about 20 hrs on it. 5 were put on from previous owner of the motor. Motor is just as strong as it was first ride. It will pull forever. Mine just uses the stock ECU though. Dean designed the cam to stock rev limit. Coil bind and piston to valve clearance. Similar to the JGR stage 2 kit. I can run pump gas but usually put 100 octane in it. Runs great. I am using the black coupler, found it to work best for me with this engine setup. I also run a 14/54 gearing. I highly recommend it! Smooths out the power initially and really helps settle the bike. Will def need to modify the chain guide, im running an Acerbis one, and I have a 120 link chain pretty slammed all the way back.
Man, that's awesome. I'm excited to try it. He considered this a stage 3 kit and I'll need to run race fuel (configured for T4) but I don't ride a ton these days so I was ok with that. We talked about reliability because I wasn't willing to compromise that for a more powerful bike, glad to hear yours has been good. I'm so comfortable on this bike overall, with a more powerful top end it's going to be so fun.

I think I threw every possible question at Dean. We talked about gearing and his suggestion was just keep it as is and go from there after trying it, which I agree with. Great info on your gearing though, I wonder how much that helps settling the bike with the larger 14 on the front.
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deez387
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deez387 6/17/2021 10:08am
6/17/2021 10:08am
deez387 wrote:
So far, about 20 hrs on it. 5 were put on from previous owner of the motor. Motor is just as strong as it was first...
So far, about 20 hrs on it. 5 were put on from previous owner of the motor. Motor is just as strong as it was first ride. It will pull forever. Mine just uses the stock ECU though. Dean designed the cam to stock rev limit. Coil bind and piston to valve clearance. Similar to the JGR stage 2 kit. I can run pump gas but usually put 100 octane in it. Runs great. I am using the black coupler, found it to work best for me with this engine setup. I also run a 14/54 gearing. I highly recommend it! Smooths out the power initially and really helps settle the bike. Will def need to modify the chain guide, im running an Acerbis one, and I have a 120 link chain pretty slammed all the way back.
seth505 wrote:
Man, that's awesome. I'm excited to try it. He considered this a stage 3 kit and I'll need to run race fuel (configured for T4) but...
Man, that's awesome. I'm excited to try it. He considered this a stage 3 kit and I'll need to run race fuel (configured for T4) but I don't ride a ton these days so I was ok with that. We talked about reliability because I wasn't willing to compromise that for a more powerful bike, glad to hear yours has been good. I'm so comfortable on this bike overall, with a more powerful top end it's going to be so fun.

I think I threw every possible question at Dean. We talked about gearing and his suggestion was just keep it as is and go from there after trying it, which I agree with. Great info on your gearing though, I wonder how much that helps settling the bike with the larger 14 on the front.
You are going to love it, I am very pleased with my motor and will def be sending out to him after this season to freshen it up and any some other upgrades. As far as the gearing It was very noticeable. I ran the stock 13/50 for a few hrs and then went to the 14/54 and even tried a 14/53. IMO, the 14/54 just helps smooth everything out with the chassis and provides the best mix of low and top end for what I ride. I would put the 53 back on for larger more wide open tracks as it helps the top more.
seth505
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seth505 6/17/2021 3:12pm
6/17/2021 3:12pm
deez387 wrote:
You are going to love it, I am very pleased with my motor and will def be sending out to him after this season to freshen...
You are going to love it, I am very pleased with my motor and will def be sending out to him after this season to freshen it up and any some other upgrades. As far as the gearing It was very noticeable. I ran the stock 13/50 for a few hrs and then went to the 14/54 and even tried a 14/53. IMO, the 14/54 just helps smooth everything out with the chassis and provides the best mix of low and top end for what I ride. I would put the 53 back on for larger more wide open tracks as it helps the top more.
Hell ya, that's awesome.
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seth505
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seth505 7/9/2021 12:21pm
7/9/2021 12:21pm
Still in PT for an injury and the CR 125 is gone so doing some more nonsense. Replacing a bunch of fasteners with Ti and cleaned up the upper engine mounts.
I didn't drill the upper mounts yet because I haven't felt the need to. I'll be interested to see when I ride the bike at a track like Glen Helen if it feels extra rigid in that type of setting.





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Rickyisms 7/9/2021 1:44pm
7/9/2021 1:44pm
Rainbow Ti goes great with your graphics!
seth505
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seth505 7/9/2021 3:12pm
7/9/2021 3:12pm
Rickyisms wrote:
Rainbow Ti goes great with your graphics!
Thanks dude! That's what I was thinking, normally wouldn't use it but it works on this wacko Suzuki Silly
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seth505
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seth505 8/16/2021 11:12am
8/16/2021 11:12am
Think I’m close to finally riding with this stupid back injury. Anyway, planned on doing a wider 2.15 rear wheel with 110 tire setup so I couldn’t pass up this fresh set with works Suzuki hubs.


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mxav8r
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mxav8r 8/16/2021 8:21pm
8/16/2021 8:21pm
Awesome build! Did Dean upload custom GET maps for you?
Those works Suzuki wheels are just so so nice.
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seth505
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seth505 8/16/2021 9:56pm
8/16/2021 9:56pm
mxav8r wrote:
Awesome build! Did Dean upload custom GET maps for you?
Those works Suzuki wheels are just so so nice.
He did (a max power map and a traction map) & thank you very much.
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seth505
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seth505 8/23/2021 9:42am
8/23/2021 9:42am
Finally rode yesterday! Decided to ride a track with same layout (other than 1 turn) as when I rode the bike stock. Still waiting on Galfer bracket for the works Suzuki 280mm rotor and didn't put the yellow wheels on as I wanted to try it with the stock wheels/gearing so I could get a better feel for the engine mods alone.

Bike ran awesome and the most noticeable difference was that I could pull 2nd gear on 3 to 4 sections of the track where I definitely had to click to 3rd when it was stock. Also, it was so snappy in turns. I was already impressed with the torque off the bottom but now it snaps to life so fast, it feels awesome in ruts.

Unfortunately, I had also added the works Suzuki linkage knuckle and after I torqued everything (months ago) I totally forgot I had to reset my sag and the bike was choppered out. Too much sag and it felt like a chopper in turns.

Also bit the bullet and ordered a Twin Air powerflow kit as I wasn't pumped on using the hacked up stock cage anymore.



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Keating
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Keating 12/5/2021 9:36am
12/5/2021 9:36am
So, where are you at with your bike? Any new updates??
seth505
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seth505 12/6/2021 10:16am
12/6/2021 10:16am
Keating wrote:
So, where are you at with your bike? Any new updates??
With my freak back injury earlier this year and life with little girl I haven't ridden half as much as I'd like. Bike has been great though. Only things I haven't tried yet are the 280mm front rotor and factory Suzuki wheels with the bigger 2.15" rear rim. Will hopefully try those out soon and decide on stock gearing or trying another combo. The bottom end is so snappy that I want to try going down a tooth on the rear but with more traction from the bigger rear rim/tire stock might feel damn good.
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Sandusky26
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Sandusky26 12/6/2021 2:16pm
12/6/2021 2:16pm
Keating wrote:
So, where are you at with your bike? Any new updates??
seth505 wrote:
With my freak back injury earlier this year and life with little girl I haven't ridden half as much as I'd like. Bike has been great...
With my freak back injury earlier this year and life with little girl I haven't ridden half as much as I'd like. Bike has been great though. Only things I haven't tried yet are the 280mm front rotor and factory Suzuki wheels with the bigger 2.15" rear rim. Will hopefully try those out soon and decide on stock gearing or trying another combo. The bottom end is so snappy that I want to try going down a tooth on the rear but with more traction from the bigger rear rim/tire stock might feel damn good.
The poster above has me really interested in running a 14T sprocket. I would have to cut a good amount off the case saver on my 450 to make it work. I feel like it has to be better, I see all the pros using the 14T.

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seth505
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seth505 10/16/2022 3:10pm
10/16/2022 3:10pm
Never got to post with some of the other stuff on the bike. Factory Suzuki parts added in the new photos: wheels, rr axle/nut/blocks, 280mm front rotor. Didn’t put chain on due to temperature being 103 💀








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biondo
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biondo 10/16/2022 3:32pm
10/16/2022 3:32pm
seth505 wrote:
Never got to post with some of the other stuff on the bike. Factory Suzuki parts added in the new photos: wheels, rr axle/nut/blocks, 280mm front...
Never got to post with some of the other stuff on the bike. Factory Suzuki parts added in the new photos: wheels, rr axle/nut/blocks, 280mm front rotor. Didn’t put chain on due to temperature being 103 💀








Very Nice Seth..! Will you be @ Cahuilla /pala fox anytime near future...ciao Amico
seth505
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seth505 10/16/2022 5:34pm
10/16/2022 5:34pm
seth505 wrote:
Never got to post with some of the other stuff on the bike. Factory Suzuki parts added in the new photos: wheels, rr axle/nut/blocks, 280mm front...
Never got to post with some of the other stuff on the bike. Factory Suzuki parts added in the new photos: wheels, rr axle/nut/blocks, 280mm front rotor. Didn’t put chain on due to temperature being 103 💀








biondo wrote:
Very Nice Seth..! Will you be @ Cahuilla /pala fox anytime near future...ciao Amico
Thanks! What days do you go? I’ll hopefully hit them up.
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biondo
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biondo 10/16/2022 7:55pm
10/16/2022 7:55pm
seth505 wrote:
Thanks! What days do you go? I’ll hopefully hit them up.
Hey Seth trying for Friday @pala or Cahuilla Wednesday...
JWACK
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JWACK 10/17/2022 9:24am
10/17/2022 9:24am
So good!
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seth505
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seth505 2/27/2023 11:31am
2/27/2023 11:31am

Meant to make an update a while back but never did... I tried 51 tooth rear and I don't like the change for how I ride/at the tracks I ride.  I tend to rev out a gear going up a jump rather than short shift. Even with the engine mods where my bike revs a little further than stock, I am at a point where I should be shifting to 4th for some bigger jump faces rather than just holding 3rd.  I'm actually surprised I can notice the change so easily but for me, I'd like to go back to a 50t.

Sort of related, I scooped up a big brother (or sister) rmz 450 with very low hours.  Kinda neat, it was a bike that Ricky Carmichael rode at arena cross intros and signed the plastics and frame.  I put his plastics on just to photo and then took them off to store. Just rode the bike yesterday (in the dez) and it was really fun. Even the BFRC shock felt fine in sand/whoops/jumps, so I imagine that most people complain about it with choppy/bumpy motocross tracks.

IMG 7213

 IMG 7901 0

 

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Pgd09yz450 2/27/2023 12:05pm
2/27/2023 12:05pm

No way that 450 is awesome🔥🔥🔥

YZ125H1
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YZ125H1 11/27/2025 7:07am
11/27/2025 7:07am

Awesome build like all the works parts. 🤩

I’m considering one of these bikes. Mainly ride a tighter jumpy track. Seems like the perfect bike for that.

What’s your recommendations for bare minimum to improve the stock bike? Is a revalve needed or just new springs? If I can get one cheap enough I will go for the Rmz.

seth505
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seth505 12/15/2025 12:16pm
12/15/2025 12:16pm Edited Date/Time 12/15/2025 12:16pm
YZ125H1 wrote:
Awesome build like all the works parts. 🤩I’m considering one of these bikes. Mainly ride a tighter jumpy track. Seems like the perfect bike for that.What’s...

Awesome build like all the works parts. 🤩

I’m considering one of these bikes. Mainly ride a tighter jumpy track. Seems like the perfect bike for that.

What’s your recommendations for bare minimum to improve the stock bike? Is a revalve needed or just new springs? If I can get one cheap enough I will go for the Rmz.

Definitely will be a fun bike on that type of track, just based on the fact it turns great and has great low end grunt. On gnarlier outdoor tracks that get really bumpy, I could see where a revalve would help me but I just did proper springs and it's still pretty great.

Bare minimum, I'd just say cut the filter cage (get the aluminum Twin Air type setup) and aggressive suzuki map. Past that, exhaust, Vortex or GET ecu and a 2.15" rear rim.  The rear wheel probably isn't a huge deal for most people but I feel the skinner 1.85" lets the bike get sketchier more easily and overall feels less planted.

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