Just HOW TRICK is Ken Roczen's Suzuki RM-Z450?

From the moment news broke that Ken Roczen signed with Progressive Insurance/Ecstar/Suzuki, interest in the Suzuki RM-Z450 has spiked. Several dealerships we know of have sold through their previously stagnant inventory, and Suzuki loyalists around the world have become the vocal minority. With a solid fifth at the Anaheim One season kickoff, Roczen looked solid on the yellow machine and we wondered just how much he changed it over the past few weeks since he first threw a leg over it. KR's mechanic Justin Soules was glad to answer our questions about the number 94 bike before the racing got underway at Angels Stadium of Anaheim.

[@ohiomoto]

This proves two things: 1) The bikes keep advancing but the gains over a 10-year period are marginal. 2) This sport is 99% about the rider's skill combined with the confidence they have in themselves and their equipment.

[@tommills9631]

I agree with both of your statements. I also wonder what the next “advancement” will be and which manufacturer will produce it. Obviously it won’t be engine development as these bikes are already extremely powerful. Possibly EDS (Electronic Dampening System) on the suspension (which I believe BMW has the patent).

[@gpsportmgmt]

1) the Suzuki's chassi gets very minor updates EVERY year. It's an evolution. They just never publicize it. 2) Everything but the chassis is aftermarket on these bikes anyways so it's easy to keep up with the joneses IF there is factory support.

[@Griffin283]

All about that comfort on the bike

[@MXRiderFiftyTwo]

75% Rider 15% Bike 5%. Luck So I've been told by a Pro rider

[@Griffin283]

@@MXRiderFiftyTwo where’s the other 5%?

[@jcobra09]

That’s the best looking bike IMO. I love the look of the old RC4 RM250, JS7 450, and now this bike. They just look sick.

[@Efemedio1]

Thank you Donn for the great content! Huge KR94 fan and I wish this young man all the best in the world! Travis comes across as a very nice guy and talented mechanic! I really pray this team and Kenny put the screws to all the nay sayers!

[@hfr8343]

Just glad KR is still doing his thing, rooting for him and Mookie to do big things this year!!

[@jonashworth3827]

i ride a 2021 rmz250 and its awesome seeing suzuki in the mix. go ken!

[@neilreid2298]

What a nice, grounded guy. Great interview.

[@Steezy_Mx]

Kenny is going to be building hype for Suzuki and they will bring upcoming riders aboard for Kenny to train. Expect big thing from Suzuki these next couple years. I wouldn’t count them out just yet.

[@AZMOTOMTB]

Suzuki is out of top level motorcycle racing (road or dirt), period.

[@motoxman541]

H.E.P. Suzuki is a small privateer team. They don’t receive ANY support from Suzuki of Japan at ALL. Suzuki has dropped out racing all together due to lack of money which is evident from them just dropping the road racing teams. I’ve been in the industry since 1988 as an engineer and Suzuki is years behind of development of a competitive race bike. ( Evident from the kick start and old chassis design) The bike that ProCircuit built Kenny is currently for sale from ProCircuit for 30,000 and is probably more modified than the Suzuki he’s riding now. This is because of Kawasaki’s continued R&D and development of competitive bikes. Kenny took the only ride that he could get. Remember he was released from Honda. He bashed Honda when he posted his broken parts on his PRACTICE bike. His agent made him take down the post ASAP but the damage was already done. There was not one team that was beating down Kenny’s door offering him a ride. Kenny isn’t getting a lot of money from H.E.P because they receive absolutely NO funding from Suzuki. Kenny money is from his two big sponsors RedBull and Fox. The amount he gets from those sponsors is contingent is what he places at each race. ( Ex. The better he does the more money he gets ,5th place DOESNT pay a lot ) Sponsors wanna see podiums that’s where they get their exposure. MY opinion is that if SUZUKI doesn’t start to put money into R&D you will probably see Suzuki drop out the charts. The industry is changing at a rapid pace and Suzuki isn’t keeping up.

[@Mbowman223]

😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@Steezy_Mx]

@@Mbowman223 And you’ve got a picture of the 2nd worst bike in Kawasaki. All that bike does is hurt riders, front end tuck and can hardly make it through rhythms clean.

[@Steezy_Mx]

@@motoxman541 They are putting up money to fund the motocross side of things as we speak. This is the route where they have chosen to focus there efforts. Which is why they bought a brand new trailer for Kenny’s motocross ventures. If they are doing so bad then why wa Suzuki trying to sign Cianciarulo last year? Didn’t know that did you, Mr.1988?🤣 If they weren’t putting money up they wouldn’t have paid for “Suzuki” to be digitally plastered onto the track before the start of races.

[@SpeakerKevin]

Bike is so beautiful when in new condition.

[@DonGH97]

With the little time Kenny had on the Suzuki, he did great. Maybe call it an underrated performance. A1 was gnarly, i think he rode smart and will keep on building his confidence this season. Cool to see him back on a suzuki, and man that team has such a great vibe around them! Awesome 👍🏻

[@henrikrudehvid3067]

That bike looks dope.

[@bencampbell6173]

Dude, all the best to that team and KR ! KTM guy myself but I like seeing this kind of hustle

[@barneyrebel0123]

Well, if anyone can put Suzuki back up there, it's Ken. I REALLY want to see Ken win a Supercross championship. It was amazing seeing the team Suzuki put together some years back with Ricky Carmichael. It was nice seeing the Yellow bike up front again.

[@bradleyhetherington2145]

Congratulations team Suzuki getting back into the game it would be an absolute shame if you guys stepped away from history❤❤❤

[@ec3489]

Love Suzuki and what they have done in racing. Would love to see Suzuki beat the orange curtain for some wins/podiums. And Roczen can do it.

[@stevenl8687]

Awesome! interview what a great guy down to earth! Lets go! 94

[@WIREDin1]

Suzukis are hands down the best looking bikes.

[@ThePizzaCobra]

Great interview. Love the vibe of the mechanic. I’m sure that’s going to translate well in Kenny’s riding this season. I’m on board with Kenny winning one of the next two races, especially with the surprise off week that gives them some extra testing time. Going to be an epic season

[@gpsportmgmt]

much better chance that Kenny drops out mid season. All this false enthusiasm is pretty transparent.

[@subl1minal]

Great interview, hope for more over the season. I hope Kenny keeps that thing at the front of the pack this year, it's cool to see this team getting some exposure.

[@lotharluder2743]

He will......

[@Natedoc808]

Love how he has to explain the hot start for anyone who didn’t have to kick the early big bores to death once they heated up!

[@clrbrk9108]

I'll never forget my buddy racing the YZ426. If he killed it in a race, he might as well just start pushing it back to the trailer lol

[@Natedoc808]

@@clrbrk9108 there were some very serious factory jetting issues, however once you jet it properly it’ll start right up even when hot. Mine is first or second kick every time, hot or cold

[@kylelangworthy9641]

Thank you Don for this. I'm a Suzuki lifer and for the last few years I've been kind of worried they were bowing out I think this is the spark they need to redevelop the RMZ. And honestly do they really need to it's only a little while before Kenny wins one on this model I guarantee it

[@stevesmith756]

Suzuki is done. Cooked

[@aydenrich262]

@@stevesmith756 no, they’re not

[@mx-bmx-lyfe]

That's what I Was thinking to..everyone's still buying yammies Honda's and kawis

[@Tcurry04]

I would really consider buying a Suzuki as my next bike if they would add electric start. I’m still kicking my 2008 YZ250F but couldn’t imagine buying a modern bike and still needing to kick it. I had a Suzuki when I was young that I loved and no doubt would feel the same way on a new one if they would just update it a little bit. Hoping they feel some pressure to update a little bit!

[@aydenrich262]

@@Tcurry04 I feel the same way, my last bike was a Suzuki and have nothing but good things to say about it, but after having e-start on my new bike, I would really like it on a zuke, but the good thing is they start really easy like first or second kick

[@dougmaddog373]

Team looks fresh as . Great work!!!!

[@fhartse]

This was great! Thanks Donn!

[@Adub31]

I like how he said he is waiting for the truck factory parts and knows what could be from the 2016 bike. Even Kenny in a interview said he didn’t know how tricked out that bike was until his mechanic explained it all to him.

[@swdiosdiosdado]

Hopefully Kenny can stay healthy and have a successful injury free season and motivate Suzuki to at least give a half a 💩 about their brand. As a lifelong Suzuki fan it has been sad seeing blue, green and orange bikes in my garage.

[@70sport37]

Foot under brake for leverage that’s a first ! Cool

[@yukonjon5964]

we gotta try this

[@bprickard]

Rewatch A1 practice and qualifying. You'll see him fumbling with his right foot to position it under the peddle.

[@bprickard]

I do it too

[@bprickard]

Damon Bradshaw had the highest brake pedal I've ever seen. They welded an extension to the top of it.

[@doug_errickson]

Stock triple clamps, wow. Dig the PC exhaust 🤙🏼

[@gearhead366]

Apparently, Ken just gels really well with yellow. My experience with Suzuki was way back in the 70's, but I had a decent amount of saddle time with YZ's and RM's, and the RM's gave me WAY more confidence than the YZ's.

[@KacKLaPPeN23]

I remember watching Kenny at a local event many years ago. He was 14, technically not allowed to race for points but they let him in as a wildcard. He was running a 250 Suzuki back then and it was a dream to watch. It was very clear that he was by far the fastest guy that day, running against people up to 8 years older than him. He just crashed a lot so "only" finished second.

[@resistthesystem6145]

All this Suzuki hate makes me want to go buy one just to piss everyone off!

[@maxracingteam23]

Me too!!!

[@yukonjon5964]

i bought a 2012 RMZ250 a few months before all this happened. feeling proud. best year too... 3rd year of EFI and last year it still had the good old spring fork. great combo. wanted the new Honda 250, but that had to wait.

[@stevesmith756]

You can have those heavy pigs

[@MichaelAMyers1957]

@@stevesmith756 sure doesn't feel heavy when riding it. It Feels lighter than the 2020 ktm 450 I had.

[@Mbowman223]

I doubt people would be pissed off at you! No one knows or cares who you are!!😂😉👍

[@rbmcrew47]

Well , time to go binge watch James Stewart raw edits on the Suzuki !

[@SereneSaturnPlanet-ps4bl]

tzke it easy. eat well. train hard. stay healthy for all the rounds. kick some ass Ken! awesome bike man.

[@paulussuwandi7503]

Nice video.. bit out of topic, what is the background music at the opening? :)

[@nickp8373]

Never been a Suzuki fan but I’m pulling for them

[@andrewmarshall360]

Every time I see a Suzuki it reminds me of a bike a friend of mine from school had . 71 or 2 400 with a pipe , ported,oversized mikuni 38mm? And of all things they shaved the flywheel a few ounces. One of the fastest bikes I have ever ridden . This one looks pretty good as well !

[@microsoft790]

TM400 widowmaker

[@rickydlayaute5387]

Suzie the most beautiful bike n the track!!! Go Kenzuki!!👍😎🇫🇷🏁

[@Lilmickcrocodiledundee0001]

Suzuki will always be my favorite

[@manuelmignemi7574]

It’s cheaper marketing to pay KR than projecting a new bike.

[@motoxman541]

Top talent don’t wanna race a TURD. Kenny is only on that bike because is agent pulled that ride out of his ass H.E.P. is not receiving any support from SUZUKI at all. They are a small privateer team with a small budget. NO money NO PARTS from Suzuki in order for Kenny to keep his title sponsors ( RedBull and Fox ) he had to find a team that would allow him to use those logos. H.E.P. changed the logo on the 450s to Progressive ( instead of Twisted tea) so Kenny could keep the sponswho are basically paying his salary.

[@zacharyradford5552]

They haven’t done changes since 2018 and since they dropped they 100 million a year MotoGP team they should fix there dirt bikes.

[@motoxman541]

@@zacharyradford5552 I agree 100%.

[@manuelmignemi7574]

@@zacharyradford5552 At least e-start, basic for racing. I see this like a topic that could have save the bike, although is not improved since 2017. I love this bike even today, but no e-start is no racing ( today ).

[@MrYAMAHA32177]

Suzuki recommends that all RM-Z450 team riders do right leg squats off season to prepare for the absence of an electric start button.

[@ernazcrazed]

You already must have strong legs in order to race dude...domt be a snowflake

[@johnnybgood5384]

🤣

[@kimkristensen2816]

Just goes to prove the rider makes the difference. If all top riders rode the yellow bike, it would reflect in the results. Tanks for providing a great price point in the basic bike

[@phifedig34]

yeah i guess 5th place is ok for some people…

[@snowzZzZz]

what we need is a multiverse moto series where multiple tomacs multiple ken roczens and multiple chase sextons and multiple jett lawrences all race eachother (not intentionally excluding anyone of course) on the different brands resembling the options that racers have here

[@maxracingteam23]

5th place in a 450 supercross… you have to be a world class rider to manage that. Don’t tell me 5th place isn’t good

[@jakelyon2155]

@@phifedig34 yeah 5th place in front of factory kawi, ktm, and husky..

[@declaredjeans7555]

@@phifedig34 Yeah, that's really bad for the first time racing on the bike.. And 5th in this stacked field, is bad🙄

[@tylersvensson4468]

Your making me want a suzuki now

[@gregorygrubb6126]

I'm so happy he is riding SUZUKI I've been a fan for years but SUZUKI RULES !!

[@legenderekonwheels]

What is he referring to when he says "hangers made in house"? What are "hangers" on a dirtbike??

[@loganclark312]

Did they add an electric start kit? Is that allowed? I assume ken is the only guy out there without electric start

[@themountain59]

Sellers are pretty happy about KRs move ....those old ass bikes fly off the shelfs right now😂

[@adamevo6]

That bike is 🔥

[@jpaul5387]

The only bikes I ever regret selling are my 09 rmz450 which I sold for a pristine 06 Suzuki RM250 2 stroke. and my 09 Suzuki ltr450 quad was an old pro race bike built by a pro Suzuki mechanic with 4000$ Ella stage 5 suspension and every other part upgraded and a factory engine that was way too fast for me at first lol

[@juliandp1768]

Why they dont use de rmx450 cases with the electric starter

[@cvdavis]

Good content.

[@keatonwright4313]

What year is the bike?

[@maxroberts5593]

RM army for life!

[@johnsully7222]

Kenny is sooo super talented that he may make the bike look good Kenny is such a super talent….go Kenny!

[@thefridaynetwork]

Factory ECU when?

[@channel1_channel]

2:05 "Hot start" - press a button when the bike is hot and it starts? Kick it when it is cold?

[@WS_00]

It’s a lever that you push in while you kick start the bike.

[@bprickard]

Freaking awesome!

[@boonedawg1506]

Lets GOOOOOOOOOOO Kickstart Kenny!

[@someoneyouknow96]

Suzuki might be the best looking bike out there. The body lines and everything are just amazing. I’m talking just the bike, not using the graphics as a factor.

[@zacharyradford5552]

Cant win might as well look good.

[@bazzillbrush8607]

that was a k@;@l interview ✌

[@RadioReprised]

Is it at minimum weight rolling to the line?

[@bretshipley6327]

It’s only like 3 ibs lighter then stock he still uses stock cast clamps

[@hunterabernathy7252]

I think its funny he asked about the hot start. 🤣🤣

[@Marcelo-cc3dj]

Question, so they as an factory team could make suzuki light as the other brand bikes?

[@aydenrich262]

They have the ability to

[@zacharyradford5552]

The only thing they can’t touch from stock is the frame, sing arm, and crank case.

[@chrisjamesbewley7683]

i thought he ride 2 stroke for super x ?

[@davidciesielski8251]

Thanks

[@dbmbrbkb]

Yeah, Kenny makes Suzuki great again!

[@Mbowman223]

🤣😂

[@zacharyradford5552]

He couldn’t do it with Honda doubt it will happen with Suzuki.

[@dbmbrbkb]

@@zacharyradford5552 he already did. ist! Everybody Talks about Suzuki!

[@fifthpinnedracing]

He starts off at 1:17 saying the hangers are the same, and ends at 5:13 saying they have different hangers that were made in house... Interesting.

[@kirkdunn1379]

Had all of the brands in 2011 and RMZ was one of my favs....quality was kinda eh, but bike performed unreal Shame they havent kept up with jones and all but pulled out of the sport

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Riding this thing is a real handicap! Roczens a great rider so I wish him the best.

[@santaclaracycle]

What caught me off guard on this bike is the Fly Racing logos on the side panels. I understand it’s probably a team sponsor, but I’m just surprised that KR’s conflicting sponsor would allow this 🤷🏻‍♂️.

[@jhamelin119]

Maybe he is wearing their underwear? Who knows right. Could be like golf where you could have multiple club sponsors. Maybe he has a deal with fox where he is obligated to wear their boots, helmet, jerseys and pants? IDK

[@llLeezy]

Everyone else on the team is in fly, it’s like how Hondas merch is all fox but none of there riders wear fox

[@ogasi1798]

could be production model for all i care - it is soooooooooooooooo beautiful, proper beauty - i dont care if its 100% factory or bog standard

[@Shortie0428]

Roczen!! 😚😚💛💛

[@benjim_]

Yellow Represent.... 🤘

[@devarskinnee8760]

Kick ass Kenny, he's kanetic!!!!

[@derekdreke4990]

Suzuki for life 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@vinceedwards3978]

Suzuki bikes just look amazing! But they weighed the same as my 1980 YZ 250. Much more power though

[@danielhamilton1341]

Kenny couldn't be competitive on that "oh" he was... Kenny couldn't pass Tomac on that "oh" he did and that was just at A1..#kickstartkenny

[@promx96]

yamaha smokes suzuki

[@danielhamilton1341]

@@promx96 I know right technically many years advanced lighter and faster in every aspect....so how can Kenny even compete.....yellow magic!

[@llLeezy]

😂😂 you probably had him down to win like a bunch of other people relax. I like how ‘he passed tomac’ is a big thing these days lmao I think most real fans would be more surprised if he didn’t get 1

[@windycityjohn400]

Ummmm.....🤔 Kenny got a great start and didn't really pass anyone who didn't fall on their own 1st. Eli fell, got up, and was able to catch and pass Kenny. Even Malcom was doing better. He sure didn't do much to hold off Cooper Web.

[@zacharyradford5552]

What race did you watch?

[@marcusfistarol8270]

I am glad Suzuki is still on the map. They should ask kenny to work as a test- Ruder and built a new bike from the ground up.

[@MichaelAMyers1957]

The suzuki doesn't need to be re built from the ground up.

[@marcusfistarol8270]

@@MichaelAMyers1957 make it lighter

[@windycityjohn400]

Out of 44 riders in 2 different classes, only ONE SUZUKI finished racing on the lead lap. He got a great start and had the lead, but 4 other racers passed him, Eli fell, caught him, and passed him. As usual, Cooper Web was Ken's Kryptonite, and Ken let him pass like he was lap traffic.

[@bangs2ndshotgarage865]

I think he has the bike to win but idk if he has the speed of Tomac, Anderson, Sexton, Webb. Those are 4 really fast guys to contend with.

[@timjohnson8725]

Anyone try ZuPoo yet?

[@HillDogTV]

dude seemed cool, legit. uppa Roxxanne

[@samwittstruck.6685]

It apears to have a trick lever on the right side of the engine nobody else has one.

[@kevinlong2074]

About six months ago I put a comment about Suzuki getting better riders.I got like fifty comments saying Suzuki sucks.I wonder what happened to the people that made them comments I don't think they left a comment. All Manufacturers sooner or later get beat, Kawasaki had the worst suspension then came the Uni-trac and all manufacturers had to come up with a better suspension to be competitive with the company that had the worst suspension

[@zacharyradford5552]

Suzuki does suck they haven’t made any changes in about 10 years.

[@TheSteveSteele]

@@zacharyradford5552All Japanese bikes have had their bad years. Yamaha in the ‘80s were embarrassing. White, pink and slow. Now Yamaha is dominating the big 4. Suzuki just needs to make up their minds that they want a winning bike again and it will happen. They’ve done it many times in the past. The RM125 2-stroke is one of the most legendary bikes of all time. The 2000’s RM250 is one of the great 250 2-strokes ever, along with the CR500, etc…

[@thomasavision9997]

Did anyone else’s see the square and campus on his bike

[@justinfee819]

It's been awhile since he had been able to feel confident in the whoops ohhhhhh!! 🤭 Sorry Honda 😂

[@zacharyradford5552]

Sounds like bullshit.

[@keithwilson8235]

Duuude was ripping!!!

[@christophersmithsonian3350]

I miss Janet Brooks (Larry's sister) ⚡🤙

[@bikersoncall]

I love the absence of black rims. These rims look great.

[@douglasgrosch228]

There going get smooth power faster than hard power .supercross..Suzuki all over it..

[@nickjones6337]

The real trick stuff sits in NC. 😎

[@Davido50]

NC !? Hahaha 😆

[@StandlyRichards25]

Always funny to see people talking about how a certain bike will make a the rider better.

[@zacharyradford5552]

Bikes matter way more than you think. While not 90-10 like F1 it’s probably 45-75. I remember David Pengree going from fighting for a championship on Pro Circuit Kawasaki 125 to bike literally snapping in half KTM 125.

[@millerskillers1414]

They need to get J-Law338

[@ej2civicb736]

Cant be that hard to adapt a starter motor for it unless Suzuki wont let them idk he is at a disadvantage having to kick if it stalls

[@polarbear751]

I'm a Honda man but that's one nice looking bike 👌 I think enough seat time and rounds Kenny can put Suzuki on top of perch and put Suzuki back on the map . Uppa ken prove them all wrong 🤙🤙 #KR94

[@imawaylonfan1]

Suzuki back on top. like the Dungey days...

[@windycityjohn400]

Can you say that when he finished 5th?

[@zacharyradford5552]

He had one good year on a Suzuki.

[@Raydio6]

Bike looks baddass I think Kenny will get some wins on it this year

[@grecoconduris6716]

Comments for A1 didn’t age well

[@wakeup8052]

Easily the meanest looking bike.

[@windycityjohn400]

Too bad that doesn't make them fast. Cute fact: Only ONE Suzuki 250/450 finished the Anaheim 1 race on the lead lap. The ONE bike that did....didn't pass anyone unless they crashed in front of him. And Eli crashed, caught him, and passed him.

[@stevesmith756]

At least the fuel pump doesn’t cut out over a rhythm section and almost kill its rider

[@zacharyradford5552]

Fuel pump didn’t cut out.

[@bilboswaggens2975]

Answer: Very

[@Seth505Seth]

YELLOW MAGIC

[@geraldbradley4156]

#Go-Roc#94

[@driftmax5180]

Suzuki bestt 😍