Is the RM-Z the best 450 ever built?

Spoonguy
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Spoonguy 5/9/2026 5:27pm
5/9/2026 5:27pm
Pop Shmoke wrote:
I hope that this creates a bit of a change in mindset where the mfg’s dont think they HAVE to change the bike just to change...

I hope that this creates a bit of a change in mindset where the mfg’s dont think they HAVE to change the bike just to change it. Like when ktm went from the previous gen to the new gen, by all accounts the previous bike was near perfect and its taken a while just to get back to baseline. 

On top of that though I think engineering wise were also at a point where you cant get as huge advancements each generation as you could 10 years ago. The high revving, race, off road 4 stroke is a mature platform now like the 2 stroke was at the end of its race life. The motogp stuff has basically all been brought over by this point into mx.. fingers followers, downdraft intake, centerport exhaust, dlc coatings..etc. Its hard to jump as far each gen now so maybe they can not have to change as much.

I don't think electric start is change just for change's sake. Many of us riders have long lasting knee damage, an electric starter makes riding still possible, electric starting is a Godsend and revelation, prolonging our riding into the years we can actually afford new bikes. Suzuki loses a lot of sales not upgrading. Electric start is a convenience, but not updating the bike in anyway for years and years encourages potential brand customers to look for low hour used machines rather than buy new machines identical to an eight year old barely ridden. Poor sales technique and kills resale.

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