2019 SUZUKI RM-Z250
FIRST IMPRESSION
P70
seat-of-the-riding-pants perspective
seeing as Suzuki redesigned much of
the intake tract and airbox to flow more
air and faster. The air cleaner opening
alone is a claimed 30% larger, after all.
Even so, final-drive gearing changes may
be necessary for riders looking for more
top-end pull. With the strong bottom-end
power character we're experiencing from
the motor, the RM-Z250 can possibly
handle dropping a tooth on the rear for
faster tracks or for riders who like to keep
bikes pulling strong closer to the limiter.
Final drive gearing is likely one of the
first tweaks we'll try with the RM-Z as we
(Above) Get
ready to throw
the RM-Z250 all
around. It loves
it. (Top) On the
CN scale, the
new RM-Z250
weighs 238
pounds, ready
to race (fully
fueled), which is
the same as the
2019 Kawasaki
KX250 and
Yamaha YZ250F.
The new cylinder head intake porting
and intake camshaft seem to be tuned
well for providing crisp throttle response
and a grunty, meaty power pull from the
bottom end into the mid. The bike barks
and generates great traction at the same
time. In our first rides, it seems this fun
and addictive initial power punch seems
to wither a bit as revs climb and speeds
increase. Midrange is still healthy, but the
bike would rather have a shift than simply
sing into the uppermost revs.
This is a bit surprising from our first
