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What a stupid idea not to develop the bike to have an electric start. It must be costing them millions in sales
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If everyone ran business off "the good old days" everyone would go out of business. Suzuki doesn't owe anybody anything. They have absolutely ZERO responsibility to you, me, or any other motorcycle fan to develop updated bikes. Does it suck? Sure it does. I'm a life long Suzuki guy. Only brand I've ever ridden outside of KX 60's. But obviously their focus is somewhere else.
Look at that latest 250/350/450 shootout and actually listen to Jacob Hayes (who is pro level fast). He rode on the mellow map with the 450 and felt better/more in control on the smaller bikes. Yet the average C rider thinks they need a high comp piston and engine work to make the RMZ competitive in their local C race. Get outta heeeeere
I’ve become way better of a rider as of lately since switching to a kx250f. The 450 was just too much for me at my skill level, but when I go back to the rmz, I will make sure to change the engine mount torque, and swap the BFRC for a 250 shock. Hopefully I can buy the 2018 I sold when I’m ready.
Pit Row
It only takes one time where you’re stuck in a tight spot, stalled, and have to kick a hot bike over a few dozen times to get it started. And then you stall it again. Meanwhile, your buddy has started and stopped a few times trying to help you and each time simply pushed a button to get moving again. To make damn sure you never get kickstart bike again..
That’s why bikes need electric start, and especially why newbie bikes need electric start. And it’s why the idea of a RMZ as a entry level race bike/trail bike is shot down by the kickstart. An experienced rider can deal with a kickstart just fine, but he’s probably riding a bike with a magic button already..
As to what KR ends up riding, I generally don’t care as long as he makes it to A1!
2019 mxa CRF450 test:
"Ken Roczen removed the electric starter motor, battery, starter gear sets and wiring harness during the 2018 AMA 450 Nationals... but we doubt that Honda will let him do that again."
Brayton also was running the kickstart in his huge Daytona win the same year:
It’s been a full day riding his new “$12,800 + factory edition”, he’s tired but glad he didn’t buy an outdated bike with a caveman kick start level, as he adjusts his Oakley goggles he chuckles to himself about the caveman kicker.
Ready to go the quick 30 or so minutes back to his truck he pushes the “magic” button and click click click…………………….
But in 17 years of riding e-start bikes, I’ve never been surprised by a dead battery. Had a few, but the way the battery failed gave plenty of warning, usually when the motor spins but doesn’t start quickly. Now the guys who take a bike out of storage directly to the track/trail might have a lot more trouble, but I just don’t feel sorry for that kind of crappy ride prep. To your point though, I did go from an auto clutch to a standard clutch and one of the reasons was easy bump starts if needed..
Aimlessly looking down at the bars rocking back and forth pushing the button, you’re kicking a few dozen times you got another problem.
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