How long can Suzuki keep going?

I really would love feedback on what people think. It would almost be worth putting betting odds on if they ever update their 250 or 450, or just discontinued them. 
 

Poll

New bike 2027 or “Bold New Graphics?

Choices
2
19
|
3strokemx
Posts
2414
Joined
9/2/2010
Location
US
1/1/2026 11:53am Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 11:54am

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

18
5
1/1/2026 11:56am

Why would they discontinue them? The design & tooling is paid for. They bikes cost them very little to wheel out the door and people are still buying them. As the saying goes, “it’s money for old rope”.

plus there’s these recent rumours about Suzuki Japan showing an interest in racing again. 
Suzuki isn’t going anywhere. 

14
LJR243
Posts
34
Joined
2/1/2019
Location
Ijamsville, MD US
1/1/2026 12:10pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

A couple? Isn’t that engine from like 2002, literally lol 

2
LJR243
Posts
34
Joined
2/1/2019
Location
Ijamsville, MD US
1/1/2026 12:12pm

It’s suddenly, from media outlets, getting kudos and being praised. People are just hung up on the kicker. 

3

The Shop

1/1/2026 12:16pm Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 12:17pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

LJR243 wrote:

A couple? Isn’t that engine from like 2002, literally lol 

Technically they made changes to the crank and flywheel in 2003, but the rest of it has been pretty much untouched since 1999. Frame change in 2005, form change in 2004 and another fork change in 2006, lugs changed in 08 I believe. Engine wise though like I said was pretty much 1999.

5
1
Press516
Posts
5583
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
1/1/2026 12:18pm

I think there will be new bikes at some point…. But I also think most of the changes will just be to accommodate the button.

5
Flatliner
Posts
4098
Joined
11/3/2009
Location
CA
1/1/2026 12:27pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

Some tweaks, especially with the 250 wouldn't hurt.   Oddly sprung for an over 200lb rider, drop the rate and less valving.

uncledaddy69
Posts
2325
Joined
4/2/2011
Location
Huntington Beach, CA US
1/1/2026 12:33pm

They’re allegedly racing MXGP in 2027, which likely means they’ll be running a works/prototype bike. If this happens, we may see a new bike here in 2028 or 2029. 

30
Nairb#70
Posts
3668
Joined
2/25/2020
Location
Ivoryton, CT US
1/1/2026 1:04pm Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 1:06pm

The survival or continuance of their RMZ 250 and 450 have absolutely no bearing on the future of the company whatsoever. Suzuki has some dead wood in their lineup which desperately needs to go, but the same can be said about the other big 3.

2
rogers
Posts
268
Joined
5/26/2020
Location
Anaheim, CA US
1/1/2026 1:41pm

They will likely keep making them as long as Kick Start Kenny keeps riding them and doing well on them.

3
1/1/2026 1:49pm Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 1:52pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

Yz125 got a complete overhaul in 2022. YZ250 received all new bodywork, intake and ergos the same year.

 

5
Tiki
Posts
10590
Joined
8/1/2006
Location
Corona, CA US
Fantasy
1/1/2026 1:49pm Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 1:49pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

LJR243 wrote:

A couple? Isn’t that engine from like 2002, literally lol 

I thought it was 2018

Why change what works. Porsche ran with that concept for decades. 

1
Press516
Posts
5583
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Gilbert, AZ US
Fantasy
1/1/2026 2:38pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

Flatliner wrote:

Some tweaks, especially with the 250 wouldn't hurt.   Oddly sprung for an over 200lb rider, drop the rate and less valving.

A racer for over 5 decades and there is just something odd to me about how this is still an issue.  I’ve had a shelf of binders with setup info…. I can’t believe that they don’t have data from various race teams that would give them a better baseline on their suspension.

As a mfg, I would pay a top suspension guy to set up the shock and forks for a 170.  Make that the production settings, valving, oil and springs.  Then in the manual, show the baseline setup for a 150 and a 190…. I was 165 most of my mx career, I would be close at 170.

I would expect Suzuki to have this capability in house, but since the suspension setup is a top complaint for the production bikes, maybe not?  This seems like an easy fix and not horribly expensive.

Plus, if they did, it would fix the BNG complaint and imagine the stoke in the Suzuki fan base if it just worked that much better off the showroom floor.

4
1/1/2026 2:45pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

Yz125 got a complete overhaul in 2022. YZ250 received all new bodywork, intake and ergos the same year.

 

It received further updates for 25/26 as well. 

1/1/2026 2:50pm Edited Date/Time 1/1/2026 4:47pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

Yz125 got a complete overhaul in 2022. YZ250 received all new bodywork, intake and ergos the same year.

 

It received further updates for 25/26 as well. 

They have both received numerous small updates over the years in addition to the more major changes.

JAFO92
Posts
5632
Joined
3/21/2016
Location
BFE, TX US
1/1/2026 2:54pm
2
3
Cortami79
Posts
1907
Joined
1/11/2016
Location
NL
1/1/2026 3:20pm
They’re allegedly racing MXGP in 2027, which likely means they’ll be running a works/prototype bike. If this happens, we may see a new bike here in...

They’re allegedly racing MXGP in 2027, which likely means they’ll be running a works/prototype bike. If this happens, we may see a new bike here in 2028 or 2029. 

Heard these same rumours. With an electric start on the 450 first. 250 the year after. 

1
chasetwo79
Posts
1575
Joined
12/1/2019
Location
Truckee, CA, CA US
1/1/2026 3:27pm
They’re allegedly racing MXGP in 2027, which likely means they’ll be running a works/prototype bike. If this happens, we may see a new bike here in...

They’re allegedly racing MXGP in 2027, which likely means they’ll be running a works/prototype bike. If this happens, we may see a new bike here in 2028 or 2029. 

Cortami79 wrote:

Heard these same rumours. With an electric start on the 450 first. 250 the year after. 

This. New 450 in 2028. 10 year cycle. Tbh, once they sort out the electric start we'll be fine for the next 10 years. The aftermarket can do the rest. 

4
Spoonguy
Posts
3425
Joined
2/28/2022
Location
Mc Kean, PA US
1/1/2026 3:38pm

MX bike sales are a blip on the radar of profitability for a company Suzuki's size. The company has garnered much brand recognition from previous years or decades of racing achievements. On a corporate level why would they? Their cash cow is cars in Asia, nobody cares about MX.

9
JAFO92
Posts
5632
Joined
3/21/2016
Location
BFE, TX US
1/1/2026 3:46pm
Spoonguy wrote:
MX bike sales are a blip on the radar of profitability for a company Suzuki's size. The company has garnered much brand recognition from previous years...

MX bike sales are a blip on the radar of profitability for a company Suzuki's size. The company has garnered much brand recognition from previous years or decades of racing achievements. On a corporate level why would they? Their cash cow is cars in Asia, nobody cares about MX.

Exactly.  The bean counters at the upper levels dont GAF what some MX forum bubbas in the USA think about their reasons for what they do.

Lots of excellent stuff they are selling all over the world.

https://www.globalsuzuki.com/automobile

 

4
OwenJakes
Posts
1699
Joined
6/30/2023
Location
sebree, KY US
1/1/2026 3:48pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

LJR243 wrote:

A couple? Isn’t that engine from like 2002, literally lol 

No it’s not. It got big internal updates from the 2008 “base” in 2018. 

1
1
1/1/2026 3:57pm

Bring back the RM250 Make Suzuki Great Again

12
2
OldTech
Posts
1224
Joined
1/13/2024
Location
Decatur , AL US
1/1/2026 4:02pm
OwenJakes wrote:

No it’s not. It got big internal updates from the 2008 “base” in 2018. 

Really? I thought it got a carb needle

PRM31
Posts
3507
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA US
Fantasy
1/1/2026 5:16pm

I’ll say BNG for ‘27. If they had a bike in development to support a new 2027 bike I’d like to think we would have seen something. 

RDnutz
Posts
594
Joined
2/13/2021
Location
Dolores, CO US
1/1/2026 5:30pm
PRM31 wrote:
I’ll say BNG for ‘27. If they had a bike in development to support a new 2027 bike I’d like to think we would have seen...

I’ll say BNG for ‘27. If they had a bike in development to support a new 2027 bike I’d like to think we would have seen something. 

like that new Kawasaki 2T we were teased with a year ago

1
LJR243
Posts
34
Joined
2/1/2019
Location
Ijamsville, MD US
1/1/2026 5:44pm
3strokemx wrote:
Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's...

Why would they update it?  It's a solid bike and they have a contender in SX.

It's not even the oldest platform being sold, YZ125s and YZ250's are a couple years more senior.

They might take some heat at times but anyone having to buy a new starter clutch, or having their battery die at the track, or damaging their start button, has considered the merits of a kickstarter.

LJR243 wrote:

A couple? Isn’t that engine from like 2002, literally lol 

OwenJakes wrote:

No it’s not. It got big internal updates from the 2008 “base” in 2018. 

It did not get any notable updates in 2018 sir. What do you mean base 2008? 

mwssquad827
Posts
1466
Joined
8/4/2016
Location
Twin Falls, ID US
1/1/2026 6:35pm
LJR243 wrote:

It’s suddenly, from media outlets, getting kudos and being praised. People are just hung up on the kicker. 

The sudden praise is funny to me also…  the mags have bagged on the Suzukis since the early 2000 maybe before that even.

2
The Wolf Man
Posts
518
Joined
12/18/2025
Location
Suburb, NSW AU
1/1/2026 6:46pm

As long as there are Suzuki riders...

1
PRM31
Posts
3507
Joined
8/7/2009
Location
Northern, VA US
Fantasy
1/1/2026 7:34pm

Anyone know what a RMZ450 motor weighs? 

Post a reply to: How long can Suzuki keep going?

The Latest