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Go Blue! The 2023+ Yz450 turns on a dime. As a 125 rider, it's the first 450 I'd consider buying.
Justifying the $ for a dirt bike is difficult enough for many of us, and if you can go moto racing and enjoy it with $6,000 instead of $12,000.00 all the better. I ride and race an old RMZ450, not as much as I used to, but it gets the job done. And when it sits for a month or 2 I'm not concerned about letting it sit, it's paid for itself. Also, every OG over 50 has a KTM now, they are the flavor of the month, and rightfully so, KTM have made all the right moves. I do enjoy passing them on the outside with my 10 year old sled.
I like Suzuki and I have that nostalgic bias / fondness due to their history like many of us do, plus they still look killer in my opinion, but you are right looking at the facts.
Yeah the RMZ is capable and no there is absolutely nothing wrong with buying or riding one, I'm glad people still have the option.
But they ARE the only brand not actively improving, or trying to improve, their bikes. And even the budget thing is questionable after thinking about the resale angle... Not that most of us think that deep about throwing money at a toy.
If they work for you, awesome, it's always cool to see a yellow one and remember how badass they were... Just wish they'd put some effort in again.
I threw some shade at Suzuki but I'm on board with this!
If it's down to buying a Suzuki and actually riding or not being able to afford another bike....buy the damn Suzuki and rip it!
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Because KTM invests into making bikes that my whole family can ride no matter their age while Suzuki has been parading out Bold New Graphics on the same 2 bikes for about 15 years?
probably the wrong thread for this, but why the hell does KTM not make child/wife-friendly trail bikes? For a brand that is known for making bikes that no one else will, it seems very strange that they don't have a trail version 50/110/125/230
You would choose the orange one because that's the one you want and it's worth the premium to you. And you wouldn't if the premium wasn't. It's a pretty self contained decision.
I have not seen them for $5K difference. If that was the case than sure by the Suzuki. But if its like $2K go with the better bike all day. It has $2K worth of better parts you will be changing out on the Suzuki right away.
I guess the only reason you pass them is because of the Suzuki?
Seriously without the Pipes family and Barx crew Suzuki isn't racing. Austria races from MotoGp to AMA flat track, they support the sport I love. That and I keep a bike three years and put a shit ton of hours on a bike keeps me on Austrian. Suzuki gives fuck all about the sport and uses consumer's sentimentality and their history to sell bikes. Their betrayal of their MotoGp team is unforgivable to real fans. And KTM does make wife bikes, that is what my wife rides, a lowered xcfw350.
If you’re in the market for a 450 you buy a cheap suzi and spend money getting her to handle and look how you want it, 450’s have too much power for everyone.
Now if you’re a sane person who’s in the market for a 250f… different story. Austrian bikes seem pretty bomb proof I’d rather shell out a little extra to be confident the engine won’t grenade so long as I keep on top of basic maintenance.
I have some real world experience with this. I ride my shit hard and I’m a 450 guy (although I do have a 23 sxf250 too). Grew up on the yellow 2 strokes so I will always have a soft spot for them. In 2019 I got a deal on a barely ridden (5 hours)18 rmz450 for 5400, coming off a 07 yz250 smoker. Performance wise, the rmz was ok, nothing special, other than starts I’m not sure if in my 2 and 1/2 years on the thing I ever did as well as I did on the ol smoker…..but BRO I had to put so much fucking money into that thing. Multiple thousands, multiple DNFs. Suspension, lowering link, 2 transmissions, 2 top ends blew, 1 bottom end blew, even the goddam front caliper stopped working and was replaced, that’s just what I remember I’m sure there was even more, it had 100 hours when I sold it during Covid for 4000 (good luck getting that now)
in 2021 I bit the bullet and paid full price (10 gs) for a new 22 sxf450. It’s got 85 hours, and other than a couple suspension revalves, and basic things like brake pads, I have had to replace NOTHING on that bike. Not only that, but I have had some of the best rides of my life on it, it’s truly a joy to ride and race. Everything about it is better than the Zuk. This winter I bought a 23 450 for 8 gs (rebates). I got the 22 up for sale, selling anything is tough right now but I guarantee I will get more than I did for the yellow one, and I won’t be bitter at all. Love that bike
The suzuki needs a shock:
2008 Kawasaki kx450f shock works… $200
the suzuki also has very bad flame out, due to throttle mapping fuel injection percentage intervals…. Bike goes from 0% to 15% throttle input very quickly and that 15% is a very rich 15%
so your gonna need an ecu to clean that up, in order for it to ride only as decent as a stock ktm, and it still might not do it due to its flywheel weight… $750
gonna need some kyb springs for the front forks, if you can source some stock yz250f/450f springs from 2014-15 for cheap then you got the bike rideable for cheap, but if your gonna do fork springs you might as well get the progressive damping polished springs… $275
when doing the forks your gonna need skf low friction seals and kyb s1 fluid to get the fork to feel as smooth as a ktm air fork in stock condition…. $130
also, they (cp carillo) haven’t made a piston for the new head and released it to the public, at least to my knowledge… they did for the 17 motor though, so to get KTM durability you would have to buy a 2017 head and cylinder. You would have to split the crank and install carillo A-beam rod and comp piston for 2017 engine buy a 17 cylinder, 17 head, fill the head with del west valves, springs, spring seats, collets, valve stem seals… $1500
To get the braking power and durability you would have to do stainless brake lines: these are tricky cause the cheaper lines either wind up way too long or way too short every time so your gonna need to go with a good line like Galfer, braking, or streamline would produce. Front and rear. $200
now to get to the air box, your gonna want something decent when coming to the air filter, maybe like a DT-1. That is around $39
Tires: the tires on that ole zuk are straight up trash from the factory. With no exceptions. If doing moto, you’re gonna need some MX33 tires and you know that. I’ll put the price at $100 cause the pull offs you can install on a bike you’re flipping or something at the moment. So their not completely useless.
stock sprocket gearing is pretty much useless, gonna need some gearing for it too, with decent durability, as the stock rmz 450chain I wouldn’t even trust it to put on my sons 85cc bikes, they get ragged out extremely fast…. Gearing and chain: $300
last but not least, the weight on the girl, it’s a big ole bitch so getting anything lightweight is a genius move! But that’s optional so I’m keeping the price tag : anonymous;
So to add to it, a $5700 bike, to get it as useful as a stock KTM group bike is actually gonna take around $3500 that’s on the low side.
so when you do the math, you just bought a ktm basically, and you have no re-sale value either, you’ll be selling that zuk for somewhere around 3900 after one seasons full use.
Because I don't plan on racing in the vintage class next season.
Yeah, but everyone that doesn't ride or has never ridden says the RMZ is good enough for everyone but them.
There must be 100 rmz threads, all the same... I ride a Honda, kawi, Yamaha, etc and the RMZ is good enough for you mortals.
Some of you are crazy, do any of you even know of anyone who has blown up an RMZ? Acting like they are timebombs compared to a KTM is silly. I bought new KTMs for years, I got an RMZ and Suzuki let me go to a free ride day. So to say they don't give a shit is also a little off. Lastly, NO DEAD BATTERY EVER.
I believe it has something to do with their business model of “ready to race”. All of their bikes are more “race” oriented. The beginner off road market isn’t popular or big enough for them to put money/R&D into it when Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki are dominating that portion of the market.
Been there on both chassis,
I can tell you this, the 17 chassis is better than the 18 chassis.
in stock form….
Pit Row
Oh well now that I know Suzukis are good enough why would I ever want something better. Shit I guess an above ground pool works, why have in ground. Trailer park is good enough, why buy a house.
I wouldn’t know if RMZ’s are selling in my neck of the wood or not, I’d guess not. Everyone I see for sale Facebook marketplace etc is over priced, but everything in Houston Metro is overpriced.
Even if they put in the RMZ450X version of the engine and it weighs a couple pounds more, I’d almost buy the Suzuki on looks alone and to be a little unique compared to the general riding population.
I’m somewhat of an OLD KTM guy (owned a 78 MC5 250 and an 83 495 back when I was younger) but I could care less about who rides them today.
Agreed on looks. The zooks are the best looking bikes made. You can't beat the look of yellow.
That is correct. I told someone high up from KTM they should turn the Gas Gas brand into the family friendly brand and have KLX, TTR and CRF beating bikes available so someone can outfit their whole family at the same dealer. They gave me the whole line of how they don’t want to make lesser quality machines and all KTM’s group bikes are race ready.
Sounds stupid to be leaving money on the table from slow beginner bikes when they could put the profits towards racing, but wtf do I know. The small electric bikes are the only things that can be detuned for beginners.
“They gave me the whole line of how they don’t want to make lesser quality machines ”
Ask him why they built a facility in China to build their bikes.
I’ve owned both brands and will say this …
No doubt the RMZ 450 is a great bike and depending on the year, has pretty good suspension. It’s an easy bike to ride and is very stable, in my opinion.
But, the resale value has not been good, if you can find a buyer. I built a nice one and other than the kickstart, it was one of my favorite 450’s and Ive owned several KTM 450’s that were also pretty equipped.
As far as KTM goes, Once I bought a 350, I don’t think I’d ever own another 450. No need… I’ve had 3- 350’s and they were all great bikes. But either way, you can not compare the build quality between the two brands. I own several other KTM motorcycles and the quality is superior to Suzuki in every way.
Seen my pops go through a 13. 15, 17, 20 and myself a 17 and now have his old 20 only issue I saw at all was 1 stock piston cracked on his 17. It was a small bad batch of pistons. Replaced it and never had another issue. The guy that bought his 17 is still riding it to this day and hasn’t touched anything other than oil and filters.
The RMZ’s are solid, very easy to ride and as many have said they have more than most of us will ever need. Like I’ve said before, I have ZERO money involved or invested into the RMZ’s that I’ve had/have so I have no reason to justify a purchase. What’s nice is we have 8 colors to choose from and 2 more coming next year. There really is zero reason to go back and forth and x bike being better than y.
Why do you ever eat this for $40?
When you can eat this for $1.89?
Because on special occasions it is worth spending more for the best! Every time I ride it is a special occasion.
(that…and the electric start thingy)
Most logical comment in this thread.
"Why would you want to spend 10+k on a KTM?"
-"Because fuck you, that's why"
"Why would you buy a suzuki that hasn't been updated since 2018?"
-Because fuck you, that's why"
Who cares what bikes other people decide to buy? It's not your money...
You lost me at KYB springs.
Post a reply to: Seriously... would you choose the orange one? Why??