MXA BUYER’S GUIDE TO THE WIDE WORLD OF 2024 FOUR-STROKES

With the 2025 models just peeking over the horizon, it’s a good chance to catch up on the bikes that are still on the showroom floors—the 2024 250, 350 & 450 four-strokes

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2024 SUZUKI RM-Z250

The best selling point for the Suzuki is that it comes with the lowest MSRP out of all the new 250 four-stroke; however, the forks are so stiff that you’ll have to use some of the money you saved to fix the forks.

TEN YEARS AGO TODAY! 2014 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT: CRF VS. KX-F VS. SXF VS. RM-Z VS. YZ-F

The MXA wrecking crew tested, documented, inspected, theorized and calculated every conceivable facet of the 250 four-stroke class for 2014. Your future bike now!

2024 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: THE WRITTEN WORD ON HOW ALL SEVEN BIKES RANK

We tested each bike in its stock form, and put 20 hours on each bike to, try to make them ultimately comparable to each other and to keep things equal we installed the same tires on each bike

2024 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

You may not like our opinion, but you have to respect it. We ride, race, and test all seven of the 2024 250cc four-strokes to give you the pros and cons of each new bike

TEN YEARS AGO TODAY: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2013 SUZUKI RM-Z250

Looking back a decade ago at the 2013 RM-Z250: There’s no denying that the 2013 RM-Z250 was a winner—unless you were seeking maximum horsepower

MXA’S 2023 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: THE FINAL WORD ON THE 2023 CROP

GasGas MC250 vs. Honda CRF250 vs. Kawasaki KX250 vs. Husqvarna FC250 vs. KTM 250SXF vs. Yamaha YZ250f vs. Suzuki RM-Z250

MXA TECH SPEC: 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250

Be careful when spending money on making the Suzuki RM-Z250 faster—We spent $5000 and it didn’t make more horsepower than a stock KTM 250SXF

BUDGET BIKE SHOOTOUT: 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FOUR-STROKE “VERSUS” YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

You may not think they are comparable, but the AMA rulebook says they are. Which one is better?

SUZUKI SHOOTOUT! STOCK RM-Z250 VERSUS BARX FULL-RACE RM-Z250 VIDEO

It seemed unfair to test a National caliber race bike against a stocker, so we didn’t go to a National caliber track to give the stocker a boost

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE 2023 SUZUKI RMZ250

The RMZ250 is still the slowest bike in the class and it still has a kick starter, but it’s not all bad. Josh Mosiman and Brian Medeiros talk all about it here

MXA RIDES DILLAN SCHWARTZ’S BARX SUZUKI RM-Z250

When a small, underfunded race team with minimal support from its manufacturer (bikes and parts only) turns head with its results that is a feel good story—MXA wanted to test this feel good machine

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2022 SUZUKI RM-Z250

A really good entry-level race bike at an affordable price — Not for everyone, but it’s flaws are fixable and its power is manageable

2022 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE…TO GO FASTER

This year’s MXA 250 four-stroke shootout includes seven race machines. MXA lived with these seven 250cc four-stroke bikes for months—racing them, working on them and deciphering each ones hidden code

THE REAL DEAL! 2022 MOTOCROSS ACTION 250 SHOOTOUT VIDEO

What are the best and worst aspects of the seven 250 motocross machines on the market? We dive into that and rank them from first to seventh here

WE RIDE DILAN SCHWARTZ’S BAR-X SUZUKI RM-Z250

Who’d a thunk it? The low on power and high in weight Suzuki RM-Z250 is suddenly making the top ten with Larry Brooks’ BarX team

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2021 SUZUKI RM-Z250

Remember when Suzuki was at the top of the motocross food chain? In fact, the 2011 RM-Z250 took top honors in the 250 four-stroke class. But, the last decade has not been kind to the RM-Z250.

THE 2021 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: ALL SEVEN BIKES IN ONE TEST

Breaking down the fastest 250 four-strokes — everything you need know, most of it applicable to your actual riding

THE REAL DEAL! 2021 MOTOCROSS ACTION 250 SHOOTOUT VIDEO

It’s finally here! We rank all seven 2021 250 models from seventh to first and share our opinion on the best bargain bike, best entry level bike, best working class bike and bike of the year

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE RYAN SIPES’ ROCKSTAR ENERGY 2013 SUZUKI RM-Z250

What Rockstar Energy Suzuki has managed to accomplish in 2013 was a major feat—they built a super-competitive bike, developed one-off parts and hired the best racer possible

FIRST LOOK! 2021 SUZUKI RM-Z450, RM-Z250 & RM85—THE WAIT IS OVER!

For 2021 Suzuki offers all the things it has been famous for over the years

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE RYAN DUNGEY’S 2009 CHAMPIONSHIP SUZUKI RM-Z250

In 2007, Dungey was the Rookie of the Year, in 2008, Dungey finished second in both the 250 Supercross series and 250 outdoor series and in 2009 he won the 250 West Coast Supercross series and the 250 AMA National Championship

WE RIDE PRO CIRCUIT’S HOT-ROD SUZUKI RM-Z250

The Pro Circuit RM-Z250 proves that you can keep up with the Joneses with enough time, money and know-how

THE REAL 2020 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT

Our goal is to help you find out what bike is best for you—so, we pull no punches in the search for knowledge

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2020 SUZUKI RM-Z250

MXA test riders want to love the 2020 Suzuzki RM-Z250 and, at times, we do, but then a big hill appears in front of us

MXA 2020 250 FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS SHOOTOUT VIDEO

RM-Z250 vs. CRF250 vs. KX250 vs. 250SXF vs. FC250 vs. YZ250F. Find out who takes the cake for 2020

FIRST LOOK! 2020 SUZUKI RM-Z450 & RM-Z250

The 2020 Suzuki motocross models have arrived with a minor color update

MXA SHOOTOUT: THE REAL 2019 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT

Japan versus Austria versus the MXA wrecking versus your wallet

MXA RACE TEST: 2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250

Suzuki is trying to fight back from the 250 cellar, but they have to fight harder than this

2019 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT | MOTOCROSS ACTION ORIGINAL VIDEO

This is Motocross Action’s detailed 2019 250 Four-Stroke shootout — raw and unfiltered

MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO | 2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250

The 2019 Suzuki RM-Z250 is here and we all agree that it’s better than last year. Watch Landon Currier shred the new bike around a freshly prepped Glen Helen track

2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FIRST RIDE VIDEO FROM JAPAN

MXA head test rider, Dennis Stapleton fly’s to Japan to test the 2019 RM-Z250. Here is footage of the new bike along with some POV shots of Dennis riding on the ancient land

FIRST FULL DETAILS ON THE 2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250 (UPDATED)

But don’t hold your breath, it is 5 months away — in the showrooms in February

FIRST LOOK! 2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250, RM-Z450 & RM85

Suzuki tells us the 2019 Suzuki RM-Z250 is all-new. Although we have to guess what they changed

2018 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT: WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?

We have been called “Honda Action,” “Yamaha Action” and, most recently, “KTM Action, but we are “Motocross Action.” All that matters to us is finding the best race bike.

BITE-SIZE 2018 MXA 250 SHOOTOUT: READ IT OVER A CUP OF JOE

This 2018 250 Shootout is for people in a hurry, home schooled racers will have to wait for the picture book shootout

MXA MOTOCROSS RACE TEST: 2018 SUZUKI RM-Z250

A classic case of deja zoom. Five years ago the RM-Z250 was second in the “MXA 250 Four-Stroke Shootout.” What happened in the last five model years?

WE RIDE PHIL NICOLETTI’S LONELY JGR SUZUKI RM-Z250

Make no mistake about it; JGR has a potent Suzuki RM-Z250

20 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT RACING A SUZUKI RM-Z250

Some things were valuable and some weren’t

MXA’S 2017 BITE-SIZE 250 SHOOTOUT

The short version for people in a hurry

2017 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: DECIPHERING THE $8000 TRUTH

Real tests for real racers

MXA RACE TEST: 2017 SUZUKI RM-Z250: BEWARE OF SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECIES

The RM-Z250 tape measure is a foot short

2016 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: POWER RANGERS VERSUS ARISTOTLE

Things no one told you

250 DYNO SHOOTOUT: WHO MAKES THE MOST? WHO MAKES THE LEAST? WIN BETS

Fast & faster

2016 SUZUKI RM-Z250 MXA RACE TEST: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Real tests for real people

2015 MXA 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: AND THE WINNER IS…

The whys and wherefores of quarter-liter thumpers

MXA’S 2015 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

See the video now and read the test in MXA

MXA’S 2015 SUZUKI RM-Z250 MOTOCROSS TEST: GLASS HALF FULL?

A classic motocross case of of benign neglect

FIRST LOOK! SUZUKI UNVEILS 2015 MODELS

Take a look at the all-new RM-Z450, and the RM85 is back!

SUZUZKI RM-Z250 VERSUS BIG BORE SUZUKI RM-Z270

Go big? How big? Is 270 enough? Too much?

MXA’S 90-SECOND TEST: 2014 SUZUKI RM-Z250

MXA’s short version of our 2014 RM-Z250 test: We cut to the chase

MXA’S 2014 SUZUKI RM-Z250 MOTOCROSS TEST: A VERY GOOD BIKE THAT COULD BE A GREAT BIKE WITH A LITTLE TLC AT THE FACTORY

FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2014 RM-Z250 BETTER THAN THE 2013 RM-Z250? A: Yes, but not resoundingly so. We are mildly happy to get any changes at all. The Japanese manufacturer did very little to improve the latest edition of the RM-Z250, instead relying on a product that was introduced in 2013. Still, the MXA […]

WE RIDE RYAN SIPES’ ROCKSTAR ENERGY RACING SUZUKI RM-Z250

Behind the glitz and glamour of the 18-wheelers, AMA Nationals and Supercross stadiums lie the not-so-pleasant realities of running a race team. In truth, support is limited, money is tight, expectations are high and the odds of winning are slim. With great risk and little reward, many teams are shrinking, going into debt or pulling the plug. It’s a sad state of affairs when Suzuki can only afford a one-man team and Yamaha doesn?t even field a factory effort. Amazingly, there is one team that is bucking…

MXA’S 2013 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: WE AREN’T TELLING YOU WHAT TO BUY? JUST WHAT WE WOULD BUY (PLUS VIDEO)

It has been a long and winding road, fraught with peril and surprises around every corner. But, the MXA wrecking crew managed to get through testing the 2013 250 four-strokes with nary a scratch. As for our six bikes, they took the brunt of our countless hours on tracks around the United States. It was all in the name of finding out the good, the bad and the ugly of each bike. What’s so unique about our 2013 shootout? You might have noticed that Husqvarna has joined the party. We welcome the Italians an…

MXA’S 2013 SUZUKI RM-Z250 MOTOCROSS TEST: A GOOD SOLID 2013 RACE BIKE?LOOKING OR THE RIGHT KIND OF RIDER

FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2013 RM-Z250 BETTER THAN THE 2012 RM-Z250? A: To be precise, a better question would be ?Is the 2013 RM-Z250 better than the 2011 RM-Z250.? Why? Suzuki didn?t make any major changes to the RM-Z250 in 2012. Aside from a fuel-pump assembly material update, shorter breather hose, new graphics and a red stripe extending the length of the seat cover, the bike was untouched. Perhaps you?ll recall that the 2012 Suzuki RM-Z250 finished second place in MXA’s 250 four-stroke shootout. T…

FIRST LOOK AT THE 2013 SUZUKI RM-Z250 AND RM-Z450

2013 SUZUKI RM-Z450  For 2013, the RM-Z450 is also redesigned to give riders an even greater edge. Its powerful, four-stroke liquid-cooled four-valve engine features updates including a new lighter piston, revised piston pin and connecting rod as well as a new intake cam ? together, all of these updates help provide stronger mid-range torque and crisper throttle response. Complementing the engine improvements is a transmission update featuring revised gear shapes to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th gears, along …

2012 250 DYNO SHOOTOUT! HOW MUCH HORSEPOWER DO THE 2012 250s REALLY MAKE: WE REVEAL THE INNER SECRETS OF THE 2012 POWERBANDS

The MXA wrecking crew spends the majority of its test time racing and riding brand-new production motorcycles, but early on in each test session every bike gets its day on the dyno. It really isn?t all that revealing because by the time its strapped down it has already been ridden to break in the engine, seat the muffler packing and get a feel for where it rates. Test riders form their opinions in the saddle and rely on the dyno numbers to reinforce what they already know. When the dyno numbers are spit…

MXA’S 2012 250 FOUR-STROKE SHOOTOUT: OUR BRUTAL & HONEST OPINIONS OF THIS YEAR’S 250 CLASS

    Let’s face it, not everyone is in the market for a 2012 250 four-stroke. That’s okay with us. There are many choices when it comes to purchasing a motorcycle?two-stroke, four-stroke, 125, 250 and 450. Depending on your wants and needs, a 250F might not be your cup of tea. But whatever you decide to spend your hard earned cash on, don?t overlook the positive attributes of a 250 four-stroke. The MXA wrecking crew can attest to the utter delight of holding a motorcycle wide open and blas…

MXA’S 2012 SUZUKI RM-Z250 MOTOCROSS TEST: IS IT JUST ANOTHER REHEATED 2011 MODEL?

Q: FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE 2012 RM-Z250 BETTER THAN THE 2011 RM-Z250? A: That depends on who you ask. Our aesthetically focused test riders were enamored by the feng shui of the red stripe on the seat cover in relation to the red accents on the shroud graphics. They felt a calm sense of peace and tranquility while riding the 2012 RM-Z250, and thus believed that the 2012 model was better than the 2011 version. The colorblind MXA test riders didn?t experience any warm fuzzies. All sarcasm aside, the 20…

MXA PERFORMANCE GUIDE 2011 SUZUKI RM-Z250

The first generation of Suzuki RM-Z250s weren?t built for the average motocross racer as far MXA is concerned. Suzuki’s original target rider was an anorexic 12-year-old who never revved his engine. The fork and shock springs were soft, and all the power was on the bottom. Thankfully, in 2010, Suzuki made tons of changes, but no one celebrated for the simple reason that nobody had the motorcycle (it was a very late release). Kudos to Suzuki for making a considerable number of changes (34 by our count) o…