Dumb move by Suzuki...

Suzuki just announced their 2006 model line up:

RM250 (2-stroke)
RM125 (2-stroke)

and

RM-Z450 (4-stroke)
RM-Z250 (4-stroke)

Okay, so far so good, just like last year. But they also have a new Ricky Carmichael/Team Makita replica, using the 2-stroke RM250 as a basis. So what do they call this bike?

The RM250Z.

Why not RM250C, or RM250RC, or RM250M... Basically, could they have used any other letter than "Z"???

So now we have an RM-Z250 and an RM250Z, which are completely different bikes, in different classes, with almost the same exact name. DUMB!

Anyway, details can be seen at http://www.motorcycledaily.com

Funny stuff!

I bet the salespeople are the ones that will be the most confused, they usually are.

In related news, Ford just announced that the Ranger pickup has been re-named the 150-F.

buyer: i need a top end rebuild kit for my RM250Z

Dealer: Here it is $800 new valves cam etc etc..

Buyer: No i need those parts for my RM250Z not for a four stroke bike..

Dealer: but the RM250Z is a four stroke sir!!!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AZ Scott &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In related news, Ford just announced that the Ranger pickup has been re-named the 150-F. </TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AZ Scott &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In related news, Ford just announced that the Ranger pickup has been re-named the 150-F. </TD></TR></TABLE>

and on a Yamaha giggle,,,,

what about all those Yamaha Road Stars, seems they are all named Road Stars.

what kind of bike you got, uugh "it's a Yamaha Road Star" which one?

I'm a salesman, and it makes sense to me. An RM is a two-stroke, an RMZ is a four-stroke. A CR is a two-stroke, a CRF is a four-stroke. A YZ250 is a two-stroke, and a YZ250F is a four-stroke. Sounds to me like the CUSTOMER is confused. I find this situation absolutely par.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by aces anugal &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm a salesman, and it makes sense to me. An RM is a two-stroke, an RMZ is a four-stroke. A CR is a two-stroke, a CRF is a four-stroke. A YZ250 is a two-stroke, and a YZ250F is a four-stroke. Sounds to me like the CUSTOMER is confused. I find this situation absolutely par. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Are you serious? You really think it makes sense that an RMZ250 is a 125-class 4-stroke, while an RM250Z is a 250-class 2-stroke???

To use your Yamaha analogy, you're right - A YZ250 is a 2-stroke, and a YZ250F is a 4-stroke. Do you know how many people routinely call Yamaha 4-strokes "YZF's"? If Yamaha actually made a "YZF250", it would be a small, 4-stroke sport bike.

So what happens when someone comes into your store asking about the "RMZ"? Are you going to know for sure which bike he's talking about?

I'm not confused at all. I know for certain that Suzuki was stupid for coming up with that designation. No confusion here at all!

What about a CRF and a CR? I've honestly never seen a customer that didn't know. RM, RMZ - two TOTALLY different machines that normally don't get confused. I find myself explaining ZX-6R and ZX-6RR more than anything else. Or how 'bout CBR600F4, and CBR600F4i. Or how 'bout YZFR6 and YZF600R - customers seem to get a kick out of that one. A Hayabusa is a GSX1300R while a GSX-R1000 is a completely different animal.