Suzuki Bringing back the RM125 and RM250 for 2018?

[KXDINO]

it getting to the stage were i believe when i see it with a new jap 2 stroke , as for the new rmz 450 it playing catch up to the rest , then after this year it wont hardly get touched again or it could end up like the 250 were they did all these changes to the engine and was no better.

[umberto]

Dirt Bike is going to feature that aluminum frame conversion in an upcoming issue. Looks like it was built for the two stroke world championship.



And yes Dirt Bike, if Suzuki built it people would buy it.

[kxpegger]

I'll be watching the KTM's with their new fuel and oil injection. The Japanese IMO will have to offer something similar with electric start and weight to be competitive.

[umberto]

The sad part is that all Suzuki really needs to do to make the conversion on a production bike is to update a couple of frame pieces.  They can use the plastic, seat, suspension, tank (with simple block off plate), etc.  It looks like the factory exhaust would even work.  It would be pretty low buck to update the chassis to work with the two stroke motors, and would lower the per unit costs on the four strokes as well because they are buying more of the same pieces. 

[sandblaster]

It's strange... I wonder if the Japanese are blind as to what happens in Austria and anywhere else besides a Super Cross track?
It wasn't that many years ago that Orange bikes were a oddity in just about any race in the USA.
And now..... It's totally flipped, they are everywhere and, they are expensive in comparison to the Asian bikes.
So what is the lessons that Suzuki could learn from KTM?
Cheaper doesn't mean more sales...
Give riders their choice, 2t vs 4t.
Build good versions of either.
Sure, Suzuki could come out with a 07 2t motor in a new chassis but I think they need more..
Fuel injection would be a good start but you can still do a lot with a carb.
Electric start would be nice.
Better brakes could be had for a minimal investment, just make the rotors 10mm bigger then your competitors..
Suspension... It's not brain surgery, take a look at what aftermarket companies are doing in their re-valve kits and offer a upgrade.
Lighten it up skippy... We love how lite our 2ts are... Make them lighter without sacrificing reliability. How?
Engineer it.... Then toss in some titanium where it will matter the most.. and use some titanium Bolts.. They are already buying Chinese parts why not get some cheap Chinese bolts where they are non critical?
Engines... Just drop in a KX500.... Or, redesign your setup with a better exhaust valve system.
I'll be happy to help
Do some micro polishing, Cryo, WPC, coatings... Something..
Bigger bore sizes... We are so stuck on 250T's or 500's... Give us a 300 350, 400... 403.5 I don't care... More displacement... More torque... Torque is good right?
Balance the crazy thing...
Offer lights... Not a dull yellow bulb but a serious night time flame thrower....
There are a multitude of different things they can do.... We are all sitting here waiting for someone to take the first step... Well, second step since KTM has probably already been there and done that...

[umberto]

It's strange... I wonder if the Japanese are blind as to what happens in Austria and anywhere else besides a Super Cross track?
It wasn't that many years ago that Orange bikes were a oddity in just about any race in the USA.
And now..... It's totally flipped, they are everywhere and, they are expensive in comparison to the Asian bikes.
So what is the lessons that Suzuki could learn from KTM?
Cheaper doesn't mean more sales...
Give riders their choice, 2t vs 4t.
Build good versions of either.
Sure, Suzuki could come out with a 07 2t motor in a new chassis but I think they need more..
Fuel injection would be a good start but you can still do a lot with a carb.
Electric start would be nice.
Better brakes could be had for a minimal investment, just make the rotors 10mm bigger then your competitors..
Suspension... It's not brain surgery, take a look at what aftermarket companies are doing in their re-valve kits and offer a upgrade.
Lighten it up skippy... We love how lite our 2ts are... Make them lighter without sacrificing reliability. How?
Engineer it.... Then toss in some titanium where it will matter the most.. and use some titanium Bolts.. They are already buying Chinese parts why not get some cheap Chinese bolts where they are non critical?
Engines... Just drop in a KX500.... Or, redesign your setup with a better exhaust valve system.
I'll be happy to help
Do some micro polishing, Cryo, WPC, coatings... Something..
Bigger bore sizes... We are so stuck on 250T's or 500's... Give us a 300 350, 400... 403.5 I don't care... More displacement... More torque... Torque is good right?
Balance the crazy thing...
Offer lights... Not a dull yellow bulb but a serious night time flame thrower....
There are a multitude of different things they can do.... We are all sitting here waiting for someone to take the first step... Well, second step since KTM has probably already been there and done that...

Those are all great points.  What does Suzuki have to lose?  They are a distant fifth in everything, and people aren't buying their 4Ts anyway.  Maybe they should take a page out of KTM's book and offer the bikes that no one else does (350 2T?).  That's what got KTM going in the early years.

[sandblaster]

Those are all great points.  What does Suzuki have to lose?  They are a distant fifth in everything, and people aren't buying their 4Ts anyway.  Maybe they should take a page out of KTM's book and offer the bikes that no one else does (350 2T?).  That's what got KTM going in the early years.

+1

[big green]

Those are all great points.  What does Suzuki have to lose?  They are a distant fifth in everything, and people aren't buying their 4Ts anyway.  Maybe they should take a page out of KTM's book and offer the bikes that no one else does (350 2T?).  That's what got KTM going in the early years.

+1
[/quote

+2

[pidgeon]

NO 2-strokes from suzuki. RMZ will be the only new bike from suzuki this year XD

"Suzuki Motorcycles Australia Thanks for your comment from a die hard fan. Our goal is to keep the bike at a sub $8000 rrp which we have achieved. This motorcycle has sold over 18000 units in Australia and we have many happy customers. The RM85 does have new bodywork, check our dealerships in Australia. In fact we are offering a race kit valued at over $1000 and it is the second best selling 85 in Australia. Not far behind the KTM in fact. In regards to a RM250 our focus is on 4 stroke machines. Yes we'd love both but the market does not justify making 2 strokes."

Source (comments) - https://www.facebook.com/Suzuki.Motorcycles/posts/10154822851757865

[umberto]

I guess that makes sense if you use Suzuki logic. Why give people what they want when you can just declare bankruptcy?   

[pidgeon]

I guess that makes sense if you use Suzuki logic. Why give people what they want when you can just declare bankruptcy?   

According to the financial reports, suzuki has had big double digit growth for the last couple of years already so they should be flushed with cash. It seems though they are pushing into cars instead of motorcycles sadly.

[big green]

If all the Japanese manufacturers keep ignoring the off road enthusiasts they better all start making more cars...

[umberto]

Suzuki Motorcycles USA had to declare bankruptcy a few years back, so I think you are right about focusing on cars.  I pretty much write them off when they make the ridiculous statement, "Yes we'd love both but the market does not justify making 2 strokes.".  They might want to try running that statement by KTM, Beta, Sherco, Gas Gas, and even Yamaha.  By the way, KTM sells more two strokes than you sell dirt bikes Suzuki.  Have fun being fifth (or sixth if you count Husqvarna separately) in every test.

[umberto]

If all the Japanese manufacturers keep ignoring the off road enthusiasts they better all start making more cars...

Amen!

[mikectanker]

NO 2-strokes from suzuki. RMZ will be the only new bike from suzuki this year XD

"Suzuki Motorcycles Australia Thanks for your comment from a die hard fan. Our goal is to keep the bike at a sub $8000 rrp which we have achieved. This motorcycle has sold over 18000 units in Australia and we have many happy customers. The RM85 does have new bodywork, check our dealerships in Australia. In fact we are offering a race kit valued at over $1000 and it is the second best selling 85 in Australia. Not far behind the KTM in fact. In regards to a RM250 our focus is on 4 stroke machines. Yes we'd love both but the market does not justify making 2 strokes."

Source (comments) - https://www.facebook.com/Suzuki.Motorcycles/posts/10154822851757865

Well thats a bummer. but atleast i have an 05 rm250 and the 500 conversion.

Press release was yesterday for the 2018 RMZ450.
Sounds like a great bike in the suspension department.
We'll see what the tests say about it.