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If you mean working as a whole like sales, performance, image, etc. then it’s not ideal. Idk man, I’ve got one. It rocks. You should ride it lol.
It just won the world championships.
Vital: Let's demand they change it!"
Is it? He would be leading the championship if he had electric start.
While this may be true, Honda has a larger budget, more support and Ken is still giving them fits. Suzuki abandoned racing years ago.
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I know Suzuki Japan is showing some focus here in the US this year and there is rumors of a return to MXGP. However, Suzuki showed that racing is not there main focus anymore considering they won the MotoGP title and many races in 2022 but still folded the team and support. If Kenny wins it will be a huge deal in the sport. But I don't think it will change much from the brass in Japan
If his bike had electric start it might also have a different frame, handling characteristics, power envelope, etc. Would it be better? Hopefully. But that's not guaranteed.
If his bike were exactly the same but with an electric starter, sure he wouldn't have lost as many points when he got torpedoed by Hunter and couldn't restart. But maybe he wouldn't have won when he did at other times. Ken has tested with electric start and has gone back to the kick. Why? Presumably it affects other parts of the bike in a detrimental way.
The point is, he likes the bike as it is.
If I were buying a new 450 today, it would be an RMZ. Since I am a tall guy, no bike is great for me out of the box. I can get the Zook for $7K and if I wanted, throw another $5K at it would be every bit as good as any other bike out there, and probably more reliable. Plus, it would look better, because, well, Suzuki.
I remember when K-Roc first went to Honda he had the "Option" of having the E-start that was an available option on the Showroom CRF. He chose to go with the kickstart because he didn't like the engine feel with the added rotational weight of the ring gear. Its amazing how sensitive these guys are to any changes in the bike. As for the RM-Z, I think it can stand to go on a diet. I raced one in 2019 and remember there being around 8-10 bolts just holding the shrouds on. There's plenty of meat on the bone that can be redesigned and simplified to compensate for any added weight the E-start would add.
So you are saying he is glad it doesn't have electric start? Don't be so certain that is the case at the end of this SX season.
So you would put $5k in a Suzuki?
If Suzuki could get the weight down to the 220lb class minimum they would sell every unit manufactured, even with a kickstart.
it's not as easy as bolting on a e start. The team tried different options. It messes with the whole current setup too much. Larry Brooks worked endlessly on this. A lot goes into it, and it has to be engineered in a whole new model. Frame changes, battery, wiring, motor movement and trying to compensate the newfound weight on a already heavy bike.
Sandman New England I took that (your profile) picture of JoJo at the 'Wick in 88. 😎
I'm saying that could be the case. There is evidence that he likes the kickstarter over the e-start on that platform for one reason or another.
As I'm sure you already know, there was NOTHING better than the JOJO era of NESC!!! He was a hero to me
How's that??
Let's say no electric start gains him .4 seconds per lap... every lap, for the entire season.... wouldn't you love to be 4 tenths faster every single lap?? As long as you don't stall, kickstart is an advantage.. one that probably far outweighs button start over the course of a season...
I think ken would be in this spot this year no matter the color of the motorcycle. He is ripping.
If you think a kickstarter could in any way make you faster why is every other race bike manufacturer using electric start? Even on a race by race basis? Why didn't Chase and Webb run kickstarters during their tight championship battle? Think what you want, it makes no sense to me.
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It's pretty easy to do. Suspension $1500, Exhaust $1000, Head work and ignition, $1500, Other misc and ergos, $1000. Still cheaper than buying a new Honda or KTM special edition and needing to mod it.
Worth it!
450 is working, but I really do wish they would improve the engine on the 250 to make it more competitive with the other bikes. Regardless, the more yellow out there, the better.
That yoshi is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen
Suzuki's dropping out of MotoGP was much more complex than just folding the team, they betrayed contracts they had ongoing with people and businesses. There were rumors for months of it happening but people in the know kept denying it happening because it would be such a shitty move for such a large company. It tarnished Suzuki's image forever.
Jojo must have went through 10 88RM 250”s to finish a series…..great bikes but fragile…great photo
I understand the Suzuki fan's emotional tie to the brand. But the company shits on its consumers every bit as much as the company did to the MotoGP paddock. The company knows certain people will always buy their bikes, they are not stagnating the development of their bikes just for the benefit of the consumers, the stagnation of development is to save money. If they can sell a basically decade old bike, when other manufacturers invest in technology, race teams, sponsorships, riders and mechanics multiple times as Suzuki does it's a win for them. To the Suzuki buyers, you are buying a bike from a company that does not support the sport you love, they are farming you. Honda, KTM, Yamaha, Kawasaki have MX/SX, Off road, Road racing teams in multiple championships throughout the world, Suzuki couldn't give a shit less about supporting the sport.
Nice bike. That's one of the best looking RMZ's I've ever seen. I hope Suzuki doesn't fuck up such a great looking machine when they are updating it.
I believe the exact same thing about SMX ticket sales.
To me that will always be how a 'zuk should look, yellow and blue with yellow rims. Honorable mention to the Makita era red/black/yellow color scheme.
I'm going to lob the following grenade then close my browser for the rest of the day - Roczen's current bike looks like shit.
Suzuki this, Suzuki that. This guy doesn't seem to be having any problems. Lol
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