Kris Keefer Testing Marshal Weltin’s Twisted Tea/HEP Motorsports Suzuki RM-Z450

Recently, Kris Keefer had the chance to test ride the Twisted Tea/HEP Motorsports Suzuki RM-Z450 of Marshal Weltin at Glen Helen Raceway. Keefer put some time in on the banana and talks with Twisted Development’s Jamie Ellis, who does the engines for the team. Weltin raced this exact machine to five top-ten overall finishes in the 2022 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Check out what Keefer says about the race machine-which he honestly admits had a lot more positives than initially expected!
Video: Dallas Dunn
Edit: Simon Cudby
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#KrisKeefer #Suzuki #MarshalWeltin

[@hammtweezy2192]

Really hoping to see Kenny jump on this thing, and Suzuki make a comeback.

[@dougderby9454]

The Suz is the small block Chevy in the mx world. Hard to argue with their reliability.

[@Natedoc808]

Funny because growing up racing the Suzukis were always breaking, grenadine engines left and right. Ah the two stroke days

[@BikesandBlickeys]

You get some extra style points in my book if your at the track shredding a suzuki.

[@MDZac2024]

Now that Ken Roczen is signed with HEP, I'm hoping Suzuki gets back in the game on the stock side. I've heard several people say how good the HEP Suzukis are, but stock Suzukis need some help.

[@littlecandyvann3868]

I’m new to supercross. How do I watch races

[@Jellyrollrider]

Peacock

[@MikeDieringer635]

People don't really understand that Suzuki still makes a lot of sales even though their bike hasn't changed much in years and that's because the cost is low which is perfect for your average joe working a 9-5 job and just wants to have a bike to ride on the weekend. On a professional level when you get someone like Jamie who makes competitive engines makes this bike even more special compared to the other brands out there.

[@Davido50]

We are all average Joe's! Near me a new '23 RMZ450 is $7999 or $9k out the door!

[@lukekelly5115]

@@Davido50 lmao someone just got one for 5500 out the door

[@merdith6]

And lots of parts available too

[@cwpitsenbarger3295]

The main reason I own one. I raced local pro class in harescrambles back in the day. And days I feel young and wanna twist on it the rmz is more than plenty to do fast laps, plus it don't have a retail of 12k. I work for a living 😉

[@FastMav347]

@@Davido50 I picked up my 22 RMZ 450 for 7200 out the door last year at the height of bike shortages. Had to drive an hour away to find a dealer that didn't charge all the bs fees but saved a few grand.

[@braaap6292]

For the past couple decades (since 2001), Suzuki always had the best looking bikes, and the best chassis/handling. It's crazy what they could have done if they continued developing it.

[@jrod1076]

I agree 100%

[@waynemarcotte1654]

More like since 1976

[@salubobryan1032]

I hope this brand get in the top again and dominate the sport

[@mikeandrews1899]

Man , after starting out on little honda's riding on the farm, my first mx bike was a 1977 RM100. And at the tracks the gates (rubber bands) were full of yellow bikes ( yam's included)

[@jhamelin119]

2005 RM 250R

[@kimkristensen2816]

RM125

[@mikeandrews1899]

@@kimkristensen2816 my first RM125 was the 1981 water-cooled full floater 👍

[@mikeandrews1899]

@@kimkristensen2816 my last zuki was the 2010 RMZ450 .,.. excluding my current DRZ400s (a perfect bike for an old , fat , brokendown former MX'r)

[@briandevriendt4882]

In the90's and begin 2000 the Suzuki was susch a nice bike ill never forget that greatings from Holland

[@HillDogTV]

2012 rmz 450 pilot ere. looooveee the big yellow donk

[@chaseiv58]

I am 27 years old I grew up riding Suzuki‘s and they were always great it is so weird to me that they are considered a lower tier brand now

[@merdith6]

I agree

[@josephforcino6399]

The reason is people are getting weak and need that e-start button to compensate for their lack of strength.

[@mxgp33]

Don't fix what's not broken! It's also nice to have an affordable 250f and 450f option out on the Market.

[@brianvaller6589]

it's funnt that a battery company is sponsoring a video on the only mx bike that still has a kicker.

[@MDZac2024]

Give a stock RMZ450 a slight makeover, drop 15 lbs out of it, redo the suspension and add 5HP and it’s at the top of the class.

[@traavdasav]

I think ping said that too

[@Davido50]

Ohhh that's all eh??

[@bingbong5939]

Just Redo the entire bike and the rmz's gonna be a the good he says

[@reese3407]

That's all?

[@Motoinc]

love the look on Suzuki's

[@michaelblough3509]

Awesome job Kris and Jamie! If only Suzuki wanted to increase their support a bit, I think that bike can still win.

[@johnfryman4428]

Suzuki doesn't care enough to make a competitive Bike.

[@TraviNomotion]

It Seriously could if Suzuki got off their ass and did something it’s a depressing time to be a Suzuki guy Rmarmy

[@mikeb4708]

What kills me is that Triumph is investing on building a bike from the ground up to get into the market yet Suzuki who has 50 years of R&D in the sport chooses not to update their existing platform

[@Xxjoeynumber1xX]

It's not all the bike that's holding them back. It's getting a top tier rider to race for them too

[@k.h1365]

Wow that baby looked fast and the suspension looked great!

[@JDeezle21]

This bike looks great!!!

[@shadowkick2852]

My man and my team.

[@pranramsamooj8187]

Give it to KROC. He could help the brand revive itself. After all, he did say he's not in it for the money.

[@erinderind259]

suzuki still the best,, 😀😀👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MGARAGE051]

I'm from Indonesia, greetings, I'm also a motocross lover

[@kjayclowers12]

I have always loved Suzuki

[@wayneswrld1557]

Low key the best bikes in the game!

[@rmatvmc]

You got your "secret" tree this time!

[@Spanky974]

Best looking bike 😍

[@chrisbracken7889]

Great Bike Great Review 👍

[@1017cutlass]

All they need to do for me to buy one is add e start and update the engine a little bit and get a different fork and shock on there, or even put the 250f stuff on there, Suzukis look great to me and offer pretty good contingency perks compared to other brands

[@josephforcino6399]

Why does the engine need updating. I have an 18 and the throttle response is amazingly very fast and responsive and free reving like he said.

[@shepherd_mx]

Wow such an elaborate video....

[@stpbasss3773]

I can't believe with how soft the 🌎 is that there's a team sponsored by an alcohol company. I love it.

[@josephforcino6399]

I noticed they didn't replace the motor mounts with the titanium mounts to give the chassis more flex . That's a biggy.

[@jamieargent7139]

With a little work the bike is good love my 19 rmz 450

[@Alex-dv6ro]

Would it be possible to know which sprocket size they use front and rear please?

[@keithtarrier4558]

Cool!

[@hencetirta7633]

suzuki . still beautiful .just need rider like j law ken webb ryan james .

[@donbrashsux]

Go Kenny

[@MGARAGE051]

very cool his voice is great😍

[@kennyrichard2971]

Now just imagine how much fun that bike would be if it had a 500 two-stroke Engine in its frame

[@whothat4684]

If you think having all your fillings fall out then definitely 😂

[@Davido50]

No thanks !

[@rickvisser8296]

They should move to Beta. Guess they would get loads more support from the brand than from Suzuki...

[@Natedoc808]

And Beta USA being based out of Paso Robles is only a short drive from the HEP headquarters in Madera; betas are the most under rated bikes IMO

[@PushandGlide365]

I remember a time when Yamaha and honda didn't change much year to year and they still had winners and podiums

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

If you say it is free revving, and more felt vibration, could it be they did away with the counter balance?

[@Bikelife_Simon450]

Anyone know where I can get a Showa kit for a 20233 rmz250

[@jonathondavis170]

Why would you replace the stock KYB kit?? It's soooo much BETTER!!! And this is coming from someone with both kinds of suspension on my bikes - Showa on my Honda Red Moto CRF450RX, and KYB on my TM Racing EN300ES. Kayaba is the gold standard to me...I'm actually thinking about getting the Technical Touch Factory Kit KYB Suspension for my Honda...it's either that or MX Tech National Shock and Blackjack forks! DON'T trade the KYB - big mistake! Most people try to get the KYB to replace their Showa on the RMZ-450...just saying!

[@cheepchicken]

First bike I ever had was a 83 RM250. I’ve just needed a yellow bike ever since

[@shredspectrum356]

So how come suzuki won’t upgrade their bike

[@promx96]

the kickstart is funny to look at

[@MrSuperflydude]

That is a sexy lookin machine

[@Slipvayne1]

Hire Kenny HEP lol

[@yukonjon5964]

and... they just did.

[@jodybarnes6353]

The average 'Jo Shmoe' looks at the pros and think they need that brand of bike to go quick, 80% of riders will be as quick on a Suzuki as any other brand.

[@josephforcino6399]

Haters are going to deni this video.

[@bblake2757]

Suzuki just kicking it

[@mikeandrews1899]

I'm 58yrs old .... I get a little bent hearing guys crying about having to kickstart a 250f with auto decompression . And damn , it looks weird to me when a guy falls off in SX , gets back up on his bike and just sits there puss'n a button 🤣

[@mikeandrews1899]

kzbin.infozVo32lFoU-8?feature=share

[@dr00andrew]

what is it with the obsession over these all red boots? they are without doubt the ugliest looking mx boot i have ever seen and people are paying 500+ for these. reminds me of the ridiculous red cowboy boots ted mosby wore in an episode

[@johnfryman4428]

Great Vintage bike review !

[@wyattlarson1104]

I wonder how much free twisted tea they get

[@ericd.4253]

By the end of the year Suzuki will be electric start

[@davidhall8114]

um..... ummmm.... ummm.... ummmm. umm

[@mikemurphree1348]

Seriously this isn't a Suzuki. It doesn't even remotely resemble a bike you but off the showroom floor.

[@lukekelly5115]

I don't think there is anything besides maybe showa doing the work that you can't get ahold of lol

[@drkaymotorsports]

Neither is any bike being raced in AMA pro racing. What's your point?

[@mikemurphree1348]

@@drkaymotorsports Anyone at that level can win on any bike. Your right these bikes don't really represent the stock manufactures bikes. Why do we say team Honda , Kawi?

[@npage.]

Oh look, it's the obsolete dinosaur FUDster

[@danielresch2975]

Oh it takes is a good Rider which takes more money which state I want to spend cuz every good rider in the past has won the championship with honest Suzuki must I tell you Stewart Carmichael the list goes on all it takes his money

[@danielresch2975]

Okay talker now tell us what we really want to know can it compete with the rest of the bikes you didn't answer that question come on back

[@drkaymotorsports]

You can't ride good enough for it to matter.