Weight is very relative when it comes to motorcycles. Suzuki always does a great job having a balanced bike that turns incredibly well, and this one will be no different. Maybe even better than the previous generation. So if I have my thoughts straight, the only things that the weight affects is handling, and power. We're talking about the 450, so power is out the window for anyone on the local/regional level. It'll be in the top 2-3 in handling ability as it always is, maybe even the best for all we know. So, uh, what are we worried about weight for again? It's funny though, everyone is so enamored with weight, new designs, air forks, e-start, etc...So the most outdated, heaviest, old-looking air-fork-having bike won the most prestigious title in motocross last year (going away)....now they're improving upon that very bike, with much needed updates admittedly, and we're worried about the weight. LOL.
With all of that being said, I won't be buying one and I don't work for Suzuki. I do think they are some of the best bikes a local motocrosser could buy though. They do everything well that a local guy needs a bike to do well.