Bought a basically brand new 2020 rmz250 (I know, poor decision) and I feel like this thing is just struggling to pull me around the track. The track I mainly ride has a section that has pretty deep sand, the rest is dirt, but they always heavily water it and disk it deep so I feel like I’m going no where and going to blow this thing up.
I am 6’2” and around 230lbs without gear. I’ve always told myself I don’t need a 450 but I’m starting to think otherwise. I was thinking of finally going the 450 route but, I know I would basically have to give away my rmz, and even if I priced it insanely low, no one (other than myself) wants a Suzuki so I feel I’ll have a difficult time selling it.
The other route I could go would be to get an aftermarket ecu for my 250. I have heard they do wonderful things for these bikes. But I’m wondering if it will be enough? I’d hate to get rid of this bike as it’s very low hour and in great shape, but would an ecu make enough of a difference?
Spending $1000 on an ecu seems like the easier route, as I wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of trying to sell a perfectly good bike for next to nothing, and then trying to find an equally nice 450 for a decent price. But it also seems like things are over exaggerated on the internet and maybe an ecu won’t make a big enough difference and I’ll have spent that money for nothing. I did reach out to twisted development and explained my situation and asked what kind of changes and power increase I could expect to see on an rmz250 with their vortex ecu and they just told me to watch a YouTube video lol.
Get the 450 and move on
Get a 350.
6’2” and around 230 lb. is KX450 and 23+ YZ450F territory…The 24’ KX450 is the easiest to ride 450 currently available, and sounds like it may be right up your alley. Hard to justify modifying your RMZ250 as that only decreases reliability and you lose more money on the back-end when selling. I say it’s time for an upgrade!
450…for the price of modding the 250 plus repairs after it grenades the first time you can have a 450…or a 350…
The Shop
350 or 450. You can mod the 250, but in my opinion (especially the RMZ), you’re simply going to end up with a high-strung 250, not a mini 450. In fact, you might like it even less if the power increases end up focusing on mid-up power. You could big-bore it, but I think you’d either find the same problem or the opposite (more torque, but no rev).
Despite the bad rep, 450’s can be plenty mellow and in my opinion easier to ride, assuming you ride them like a 500 two-stroke instead of a 250. At your height and weight, a 450 should suit you much better and will have the power you’re looking for (and then some). If you have access to a 350 I’d recommend taking a ride to see if this might work for you as well. I was close to buying one instead of my 450, but I rode one and just didn’t mesh with it (I ride low in the power and a gear high generally-450 just suits me better).
I hate putting money into something I don't like. Sell it and get what you want, you'll be happier in the long run.
It's tough, being an RMZ is thebike in question. I think if you had a Yam, Hon or even KTM then it would be worth considering a TD Vortex. If you aren't raising the rev limiter more than 200rpm, I don't think it's going to make the 250 high strung or unreliable. And of course there are a lot of positives to having a 250, as far as handling and if it fits your riding style. That being said, I'd lean to a 350 or 450. But if it was a different brand 250 then it would be a harder decision.
If you like to live in the upper RPM range get a 350. But 450s were built for guys your size.
Big guy= 450
24 KX450 or 23/24 Yz450. Save yourself the headache of building and maintaining a bike. Those other options are turn key and better in almost every way in my opinion.
450
Im 200 5'10. I started with an rmz450 and went to a 250 and am happier for it.
Its easier to ride fast and the weight/power of a 450 got me into more trouble than i could handle.
I added the ecu, slip on and cut open the airbox and it rips as much as i could want
Mod 250! Not a grenade if the right builder does it and you take care of it(change the filter & oil).
CR500
350 or 450. Modding a 250 to make more power can be expensive to invest in and to keep going long term.
Kx450 would be a pretty easy transition from a RMZ.
Before you mod the 250, have you even tried any gearing changes?
I appreciate all the feedback. The bike has a yoshimura RS-4 system on it already. Other than that 100% stock. I wasn’t planning on doing any internal engine mods as the engine hours are so low, seems like a waste to open it up at this point. Plus, you could spend thousands going down that rabbit hole. I was hoping the ecu would be enough to make a big enough difference I could keep the 250. I personally don’t see that being the case and it sounds like I’m probably right.
Pit Row
Modding a 250 is like trying to control a crack habit. One more hit…. Then another…. This is the last one…
Get a 250 2 stroke, it’ll keep you entertained for a few years, then a 450.
I thought about going up a tooth in the rear, but I just don’t know if I’m wasting my time with this thing.
I have a 250 two stroke and it is a night and day difference from this rmz lol. I have had it for years now and just recently restored it so I try not to ride it much these days lol.
a tooth will shorten the power spread, while an ecu is pricey when ive done it, I dont know if it gave more power but it ran crispier and revved better/longer
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