Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1060787
2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FIRST IMPRESSION P74 chine. We're more confident we can make this suspension setup work after some break-in time and tuning. Really though, the final culprit in the rigid feeling of the RM-Z might not totally be a suspension issue. The chassis itself seems ready for some tuning to find some flex. Suzuki claims the frame is lighter by almost a pound and has a 10-percent increase in torsional rigidity. Manipulating frame rigidity will likely be a key focus for tuners of RM-Z's this year. Even though our initial impres- sions of the RM-Z250 are that it feels very stiff and the power seems to sign off earlier than other models for most riders, some of our test riders recognized significant strengths of the power and chassis package. If you're a local Arenacross racer look- ing for an ultra-precise package and appreciate a stiff chassis and baseline suspension setting, this is going to be a great starting point. The power delivery is good for accelerating up jump faces right out of corners and the sus- pension/chassis will be anything but wallowy or vague as you hit course obstacles with aggression. This same test rider is heavy for a 250F—over 200 pounds—and has pro-level speed. So, after a few days of testing, we can safely say Suzuki is bring- ing a more competitive racer's bike to the market in 2019 than it has for a few years. Questions remain about top-end power im- provements and handling compli- ance. But we're looking forward to finding the answers. Stay tuned for more on this new ride from Suzuki. CN 2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250 ($7899) ENGINE: .....................Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, 4-valve, DOHC, single DISPLACEMENT: .....................................249cc BORE X STROKE: ........................ 77.x 53.6mm COMPRESSION RATIO: .......................... 13.75:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ...Fuel injection, dual-injectors STARTING SYSTEM: ..........Kick w/automatic decompressor LUBRICATION: ........................ Semi-dry sump CLUTCH: ..................................Wet, multi-plate TRANSMISSION: ...................................5-speed FINAL DRIVE: ...Chain D.I.D 520DMA4K 114L HOLESHOT ASSIST: ....3-way S-HAC (Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control EFI TUNING: .................................... 3 couplers TRACTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: .......ECM (Electronic Control Module) FRAME: ..............................................Aluminum HANDLEBARS: .. Renthal, tapered aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION: ........... KYB, coil-spring fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ........KYB, single shock, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE: .............. 270mm, single disc, 2-piston, wave-type, Nissin REAR BRAKE: .................240mm, single disc, 1-piston, wave-type, Nissin FRONT TIRE: ................80/100-21 in., Dunlop Geomax MX33 REAR TIRE: ...................100/90-19 in., Dunlop Geomax MX33 RIMS: ........................................... D.I.D DirtStar SEAT HEIGHT: ........................................ 37.6 in. WHEELBASE: ......................................... 58.5 in. ACTUAL WEIGHT (FULL FUEL):.......... 238 lbs. FUEL CAPACITY: .....................................1.6 gal. AVAILABILITY: .......................... February 2019 S P E C I F I C A T I O N S Check back later and see how the new RM-Z250 stacks up against its fellow rivals in our upcoming 2019 250F MX shootout.