Suzuki Mx Bike: Electric Starter Absence Explained

Suzuki is one of the smaller Japanese manufacturers of off-road motorcycles, and some people wonder why they haven't added an electric start to their MX bikes. Some people think there is too much emphasis on this, but others wonder how it was possible for Suzuki riders to win national championships in 2018 and 2019 on kickstart bikes against nearly all electric-start competition.

Suzuki is a smaller manufacturer with a limited engineering budget

There is a lot of emphasis on Suzuki's lack of an electric start, and some people wonder if there is too much focus on this issue. It is possible that Suzuki is taking a long time to add an electric start because they are a factory privateer and are focusing on other aspects of their bikes, such as the seat colour.

However, it is worth noting that Suzuki riders have still been able to win national championships, even without an electric start. For example, Tomac won a national championship in 2018 and Cianciarulo in 2019, both on kickstart bikes against mostly electric-start competition. This suggests that Suzuki's lack of an electric start may not be a significant disadvantage.

Electric starts are more reliable

There is a lot of emphasis on the fact that Suzuki does not have an electric start, but this does not seem to have impacted the performance of their bikes. For example, Tomac won a national championship in 2018 and Cianciarulo in 2019, both on kickstart Suzuki bikes against mostly electric-start competition.

While some people may worry about the reliability of electric starts, this is usually only an issue if the battery is not maintained properly. As long as the battery is taken care of, electric starts are a reliable option.

Overall, electric starts are a more reliable option than kickstarts. They are easier to use and more convenient, especially if the bike stalls. While Suzuki has not yet added an electric start to their MX bikes, this does not mean that electric starts are not reliable.

Suzuki is a factory privateer

While other manufacturers have moved towards electric starters, Suzuki has stuck with kickstart bikes. This has not prevented Suzuki riders from winning national championships, with Tomac and Cianciarulo both taking the title in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Some riders feel that there is too much emphasis on Suzuki's lack of an electric start. They argue that modern e-starts are just as reliable as kickstarts, and that proper maintenance of the battery can prevent any issues. However, others point out that in a race, a rider on a Suzuki would automatically lose if they stalled and had to restart manually.

Suzuki's position as a factory privateer means that it has limited resources and must prioritise its spending. This may be why the company has not yet invested in electric starters for its MX bikes.

Electric starts are more convenient

Electric starts are more reliable than kickstarts. If two riders crash and stall, the one on the Suzuki will automatically lose as they have to kickstart their bike. Electric starts are also more convenient for riders who may not have the strength or flexibility to kickstart their bike.

Electric starts are also safer. If a rider is stalled on a hill or in a dangerous position, an electric start can get them moving again quickly and safely.

Electric starts are also more comfortable. Riders do not have to worry about getting their foot caught in the kickstart lever or banging their shin on the bike.

Overall, electric starts are a more modern and convenient feature that many riders prefer. It is unclear why Suzuki has not added this feature to their MX bikes, but it may be due to a lack of resources or a focus on other areas.

Electric starts are the norm

Firstly, Suzuki is one of the smaller Japanese manufacturers of off-road motorcycles, and it's possible that they don't have the budget to invest in electric starters. They may be doing the bare minimum when it comes to their MX bikes, and an electric starter could be seen as an unnecessary expense.

Another reason could be that Suzuki simply hasn't got around to it yet. It's possible that they're waiting to see how the market develops before committing to electric starters. After all, there can't be that much R&D involved, as other bikes already have them.

Some people have also suggested that there is too much emphasis on the fact that Suzuki doesn't have an electric start. It's possible that the lack of an electric starter is not a big deal, and that Suzuki is focusing on other aspects of their bikes.

Whatever the reason, it's clear that Suzuki is bucking the trend by not offering an electric starter on their MX bikes.

Frequently asked questions