Keefer 250 Podcast Mentions New Suzuki 250 per Michael Lindsay

SFellure33
Profile picture for user SFellure33
Posts
149
Joined
12/21/2019
Location
PA, PA US
SFellure33 1/14/2022 5:16am
1/14/2022 5:16am
TJMX947 wrote:
Has this been discussed in the forum yet? In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if...
Has this been discussed in the forum yet?

In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if anyone had heard anything or if it's come up in this forum yet?
I haven’t heard anything, but ML also mentioned a new Suzuki 450 as well. Well see if it comes to fruition, we would all love to see Suzuki back in the MX game.
15
b_kowalsk
Profile picture for user b_kowalsk
Posts
476
Joined
3/27/2016
Location
Thomaston, CT US
b_kowalsk 1/14/2022 5:39am
1/14/2022 5:39am
Hopefully the new bike looks as good as the outgoing model.
15
ML512
Profile picture for user ML512
Posts
15458
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
45th
ML512 1/14/2022 6:22am
1/14/2022 6:22am
TJMX947 wrote:
Has this been discussed in the forum yet? In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if...
Has this been discussed in the forum yet?

In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if anyone had heard anything or if it's come up in this forum yet?
I said 450, not 250.
15
MotofactioN
Profile picture for user MotofactioN
Posts
655
Joined
6/25/2020
Location
Gloucester, VA US
MotofactioN 1/14/2022 6:38am
1/14/2022 6:38am
Can’t wait to add a new Suzuki 250 to my stable when they come out. Love my 18 RMZ 450
3

The Shop

See All »
garasaki
Profile picture for user garasaki
Posts
200
Joined
1/20/2021
Location
Mount Vernon, IA US
garasaki 1/14/2022 6:45am
1/14/2022 6:45am
I saw a tiktok (I can't believe I'm saying this) that was reportedly a Zuke 450 in an R/D riding session in So Cal.

It's a real sketchy source but is at least consistent with the idea of ML knowing about a new 450 being developed.
6
SND
Profile picture for user SND
Posts
61
Joined
3/14/2008
Location
Valencia, CA US
SND 1/14/2022 6:58am
1/14/2022 6:58am
TJMX947 wrote:
Has this been discussed in the forum yet? In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if...
Has this been discussed in the forum yet?

In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if anyone had heard anything or if it's come up in this forum yet?
I've been told about the new Suzuki 250 and 450....both with Electric start too!
1
Markee
Profile picture for user Markee
Posts
3544
Joined
4/15/2013
Location
Suffolk, VA US
Fantasy
1890th
Markee 1/14/2022 7:00am
1/14/2022 7:00am
I thought there was a rumor of a 125 swap kit for the 250 a few years ago? Suzuki, produce a 125, affordable 250/450 4t and you are golden.

I can't believe all manufactures don't make a 125. It's to the point of being ridiculous.

13
1
neysbo
Profile picture for user neysbo
Posts
1827
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edelstein, IL US
neysbo 1/14/2022 7:01am
1/14/2022 7:01am
Ya it will be called a Triumph
14
kb228
Profile picture for user kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
kb228 1/14/2022 7:46am
1/14/2022 7:46am
I bet it will still have a kick start
7
Zycki11
Profile picture for user Zycki11
Posts
5944
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Ankeny, IA US
Zycki11 1/14/2022 8:24am
1/14/2022 8:24am
TJMX947 wrote:
Has this been discussed in the forum yet? In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if...
Has this been discussed in the forum yet?

In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if anyone had heard anything or if it's come up in this forum yet?
ML512 wrote:
I said 450, not 250.
Have any info you can relay?
ML512
Profile picture for user ML512
Posts
15458
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
45th
ML512 1/14/2022 8:40am
1/14/2022 8:40am
kb228 wrote:
I bet it will still have a kick start
E-Start.
12
seth505
Profile picture for user seth505
Posts
9369
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
SD, CA US
Fantasy
1092nd
seth505 1/14/2022 8:52am
1/14/2022 8:52am
Vital: once they plop e-start on that bike it will finally be competitive for me to slay C class on.
21
3
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10110
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
798th
Falcon 1/14/2022 9:00am
1/14/2022 9:00am
Markee wrote:
I thought there was a rumor of a 125 swap kit for the 250 a few years ago? Suzuki, produce a 125, affordable 250/450 4t and...
I thought there was a rumor of a 125 swap kit for the 250 a few years ago? Suzuki, produce a 125, affordable 250/450 4t and you are golden.

I can't believe all manufactures don't make a 125. It's to the point of being ridiculous.

That was just that: a rumor. My erstwhile colleagues in the R&D department here in the states at the time built a few RM125s using RM-Z250 chassis and some creative engine mounting. The bikes were trick and actually worked pretty well, from what I was told. I never got to ride one, sadly. They also built an RM250 that Broc Tickle rode a few times. Our guys could never convince Japan to produce any prototypes.

I do not work at Suzuki any longer, but from what I know about the company, I'd say the outward appearance of a lack of interest in motocross is simply a holding period. They will update the RM-Z models, but I would be willing to bet Suzuki intends to build an electric MX bike soon. That's probably where they are spending the bulk of their R&D efforts.
17
KONG
Profile picture for user KONG
Posts
783
Joined
9/2/2021
Location
FR
KONG 1/14/2022 9:04am
1/14/2022 9:04am
kb228 wrote:
I bet it will still have a kick start
Yeah, with this E-start thing being a bold new tech, they'd better keep a back-up just in case.
Laughing
6
Hi Side
Profile picture for user Hi Side
Posts
710
Joined
9/19/2013
Location
NC US
Hi Side 1/14/2022 10:23am
1/14/2022 10:23am
TJMX947 wrote:
Has this been discussed in the forum yet? In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if...
Has this been discussed in the forum yet?

In Keefer's 250 setup podcast he mentioned Michael Lindsay has alluded to an all new RMZ250, wondering if anyone had heard anything or if it's come up in this forum yet?
SND wrote:
I've been told about the new Suzuki 250 and 450....both with Electric start too!
Go on...
5
mbw479
Profile picture for user mbw479
Posts
373
Joined
12/5/2021
Location
AU
mbw479 1/14/2022 12:18pm
1/14/2022 12:18pm
If it was any other brand it would be a minor point, go Suzuki.
JJO741
Profile picture for user JJO741
Posts
2917
Joined
10/7/2010
Location
Orange, CA US
Fantasy
3035th
JJO741 1/14/2022 2:40pm
1/14/2022 2:40pm
I really hope we get new Suzukis in the future. I don’t know why, but yellow bikes are my favorite looking on the track and it’s an iconic brand in moto. If they were to make the 250 a little more competitive, I’d definitely be in line to buy one. E-start and a little more engine performance would go a long way for them.
11
enketchum
Profile picture for user enketchum
Posts
3822
Joined
2/6/2012
Location
Pasadena, CA US
enketchum 1/14/2022 4:19pm
1/14/2022 4:19pm
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
10

Pit Row

See All »
SX_336
Profile picture for user SX_336
Posts
370
Joined
12/29/2021
Location
Archdale, NC US
SX_336 1/14/2022 5:27pm
1/14/2022 5:27pm
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
That was 2004.
1
Magoofan
Profile picture for user Magoofan
Posts
6412
Joined
5/4/2021
Location
Shadow Glen (for those who remember), CA US
Magoofan 1/14/2022 5:32pm
1/14/2022 5:32pm
I would love to see Suzuki come out with new models and DOMINATE. Glad to hear they are revamping the lineup.

7
1
BryceO766
Profile picture for user BryceO766
Posts
22
Joined
1/19/2017
Location
Anaheim, CA US
BryceO766 1/17/2022 5:49pm
1/17/2022 5:49pm
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
They worked together to develop their four strokes. I believe Kawi did the R&D on the chassis and Suzuki did the motor.
1
1
tek14
Profile picture for user tek14
Posts
4586
Joined
1/26/2014
Location
Vantaa FI
tek14 1/18/2022 12:21am
1/18/2022 12:21am
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
BryceO766 wrote:
They worked together to develop their four strokes. I believe Kawi did the R&D on the chassis and Suzuki did the motor.
And that motor didnt survive more than 10-20 hours before rebuild.
1
mattyhamz2
Profile picture for user mattyhamz2
Posts
10866
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
Fantasy
767th
mattyhamz2 1/18/2022 5:58am
1/18/2022 5:58am
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
BryceO766 wrote:
They worked together to develop their four strokes. I believe Kawi did the R&D on the chassis and Suzuki did the motor.
tek14 wrote:
And that motor didnt survive more than 10-20 hours before rebuild.
Mine went 200+ hours with only replacing the piston and clutch once. We did the transmission twice during that time, but that was the only issue we ever had with it.
1
Flatliner
Profile picture for user Flatliner
Posts
2856
Joined
11/3/2009
Location
CA
Flatliner 1/18/2022 6:37am
1/18/2022 6:37am
All 250f's were junk in the early 2000's.

My 04 crf ate valves no matter what I did to it. If I remember, I think kibblewhite made some better ones I ended up using.

They weren't the bikes we know today.
4
TJMX947
Profile picture for user TJMX947
Posts
746
Joined
3/6/2017
Location
Indian Trail, NC US
TJMX947 1/18/2022 7:28am
1/18/2022 7:28am
BryceO766 wrote:
They worked together to develop their four strokes. I believe Kawi did the R&D on the chassis and Suzuki did the motor.
tek14 wrote:
And that motor didnt survive more than 10-20 hours before rebuild.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Mine went 200+ hours with only replacing the piston and clutch once. We did the transmission twice during that time, but that was the only issue...
Mine went 200+ hours with only replacing the piston and clutch once. We did the transmission twice during that time, but that was the only issue we ever had with it.
I knew multiple people at the Loretta's B & A class level who couldn't keep them together. They were adjusting and replacing valves all of the time. They all rode Kawis/Suzukis in 2004 then switched brands in 2005. One kid actually went back to a 125 briefly in 2005 for local races to keep his 3 250Fs for bigger amateur races. These guys were in no way a resemblance of average speed or anything but their dads were not happy with the reliability issues they had for sure.

At the Pro level it's super interesting to listen to Mitch Payton discuss the things they did on those bikes. I believe by the end of the year they had use an external plate on the cases to keep them from twisting. I believe he mentioned there was one national that year that they went through 15 engines in the truck.
2
mattyhamz2
Profile picture for user mattyhamz2
Posts
10866
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
Fantasy
767th
mattyhamz2 1/18/2022 8:46am
1/18/2022 8:46am
tek14 wrote:
And that motor didnt survive more than 10-20 hours before rebuild.
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Mine went 200+ hours with only replacing the piston and clutch once. We did the transmission twice during that time, but that was the only issue...
Mine went 200+ hours with only replacing the piston and clutch once. We did the transmission twice during that time, but that was the only issue we ever had with it.
TJMX947 wrote:
I knew multiple people at the Loretta's B & A class level who couldn't keep them together. They were adjusting and replacing valves all of the...
I knew multiple people at the Loretta's B & A class level who couldn't keep them together. They were adjusting and replacing valves all of the time. They all rode Kawis/Suzukis in 2004 then switched brands in 2005. One kid actually went back to a 125 briefly in 2005 for local races to keep his 3 250Fs for bigger amateur races. These guys were in no way a resemblance of average speed or anything but their dads were not happy with the reliability issues they had for sure.

At the Pro level it's super interesting to listen to Mitch Payton discuss the things they did on those bikes. I believe by the end of the year they had use an external plate on the cases to keep them from twisting. I believe he mentioned there was one national that year that they went through 15 engines in the truck.
There’s no shortage of people that had issues with them, that’s for sure. Mine though, never touched the valves until I believe last year. And that’s only because it was running funky so our family friend who was borrowing it for his son took it to a local shop thinking the valves needed to be adjusted. They didn’t, still we’re in spec after all these years and abuse. I found the issue and it was the slide plate, but I’ve seen that multiple times on different bikes.

I had friends with the RMZ’s and KX’s as well that never had issues either. Almost seemed like there were hit or miss on whether you got a good one or not.
1
queen of spodes 1/18/2022 12:51pm
1/18/2022 12:51pm
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
SX_336 wrote:
That was 2004.
they also didn't copy it was a business relationship.

Suzuki provided the dual sport 400 platform, so you had DR400Z and KLX400S - same bike other than plastic color and graphics.

Kawasaki provided the 250 four stroke mx platform. So the RM250Z and KX250F were identical (kawasaki bike) with different plastic color and graphics. The 125s of that year were not shared platform, same with the 250 two stroke.

I believe some of the pitbikes were also "partnered".
1
mattyhamz2
Profile picture for user mattyhamz2
Posts
10866
Joined
7/6/2015
Location
So Cal, CA US
Fantasy
767th
mattyhamz2 1/18/2022 12:57pm
1/18/2022 12:57pm
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
SX_336 wrote:
That was 2004.
queen of spodes wrote:
they also didn't copy it was a business relationship. Suzuki provided the dual sport 400 platform, so you had DR400Z and KLX400S - same bike other...
they also didn't copy it was a business relationship.

Suzuki provided the dual sport 400 platform, so you had DR400Z and KLX400S - same bike other than plastic color and graphics.

Kawasaki provided the 250 four stroke mx platform. So the RM250Z and KX250F were identical (kawasaki bike) with different plastic color and graphics. The 125s of that year were not shared platform, same with the 250 two stroke.

I believe some of the pitbikes were also "partnered".
The 60, 65 and 110 were as well.
2
TJMX947
Profile picture for user TJMX947
Posts
746
Joined
3/6/2017
Location
Indian Trail, NC US
TJMX947 1/18/2022 12:59pm
1/18/2022 12:59pm
enketchum wrote:
Maybe they copied the KX like in 2005
SX_336 wrote:
That was 2004.
queen of spodes wrote:
they also didn't copy it was a business relationship. Suzuki provided the dual sport 400 platform, so you had DR400Z and KLX400S - same bike other...
they also didn't copy it was a business relationship.

Suzuki provided the dual sport 400 platform, so you had DR400Z and KLX400S - same bike other than plastic color and graphics.

Kawasaki provided the 250 four stroke mx platform. So the RM250Z and KX250F were identical (kawasaki bike) with different plastic color and graphics. The 125s of that year were not shared platform, same with the 250 two stroke.

I believe some of the pitbikes were also "partnered".
The 65 was a shared bike too I believe, based off the KX65.
crockett
Profile picture for user crockett
Posts
442
Joined
8/30/2017
Location
CA
crockett 1/18/2022 10:54pm
1/18/2022 10:54pm
This thread makes me so thankful for the simplicity of bikes today. Working on the 04 Rmz was not fun never got the jetting very good on it either . I love efi

Post a reply to: Keefer 250 Podcast Mentions New Suzuki 250 per Michael Lindsay