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/126028
; III • ~ E sc r--. O"l .-i ~ C(") :>... ~ 2 .c C.J ~ . - RM125-FUTURE SHOCK? By Rex Reese Without much fanfare, ' (none, if they can help it) .Suzuki has been quietly travelling from track to track in Southern California testing out what will probably be their new, new RM 125 which .presently exists only as a squad o f four factory pre-production prototype machines. The latest stop on the line for "Super -ZOok" was at De Anza Cycle Park where two white U.S . Suzuki vans sneaked themselves into the pits and unloaded their racing wares for a local AMC motocross. Where the first RM was basically a modified TM 125, the heavily prototypes that are being tested are all new from the ground up. The most obvious difference is the new through the frame pipe, but that ain't all. Other details include alloy gas tank, redesigned frame, new engine, and last year's suspension system which proved itself so successfully on the first RM. The new proto RM looks like a scaled-down version of the RM 250 and 370. Getting down to the particulars, the, high pipe is connected to a redesigned engine with a new six speed gear box to handle the increased horsepower and RPM that the 1976 engine is putting out. There's no visible evidence of the case reed system that 's used on the larger RM's, but it's possible that it's being used as the bikes are able to grunt on the bottom and whiz up top when the sit uation calls for it. The frame has been completely redesigned for better handling with the engine lower and slightly forward. And since the pipe is now topside, there's about two inches more ground clearance over the old RM which means no more squashed pipes to worry about. The .factory still a flexy flyer in the ; w ing arm department, as they have equipped the proto RMs with a redesigned swinger that is constructed of rectangular tubing for increased strength. Kayaba gas/oil shocks do the job again on the rear end, providing seven plus inches of travel. And what looks like last year's forks up fron t give another seven plus. (What? No "Maieo-style" forks?). Giving the proto Suzook a casual stare, it looks as if it has roughly the same dimensions as last year's model as far as the wheelbase and fork angle goes. Also apparen tly unchanged are the handlebars, footpegs, fenders, rims, hubs and fork protectors. Being close to distribution, these scoots probably weigh 190 pounds dripping wet, and it is suspected that the production version won't top that figure . Considering all the R&D that has gone into last year's RM and comparing it to the latest version, it's easy to see that Suzu ki wan ted to develop their machinery on a gradual basis as opposed to something more radical, for economic reasons as well as seeing how the market would respond to its release. TI,e first RM co uld be considered "Phase One" which opened the door for full blown RM 250s and 370s. Now Suzu ki has come fu ll circle and has given the complete once over to t he RM 125 to make it "Phase Two". Sources close to the development program say that the new prototype RM handles excellent and has 125 competitive horsepower for a stock bike. This is true, as the new Suzukis have been blowing off the trick Hondas like flies. Last year's kitted Suzukis are pro bably the mark that factory aimed • fQl:..·<>n:...lhe a:.. a oximat~.21 horsepower). And u nlike Marty Smith's Honda, which may take forever to reach the dealer's floor, the new RM 125 will probably see the dealers showrooms in about three months with a price lower than Honda's CR 125. No do ubt Suzuki is going all out to take the development lead in all three classes, even if it means giving everybody in the Universe a replica of the bike that t he factory 'sh oes will be riding. Watch out for further developments as they came to light, things will be really interesting this year. Presently California Motocrosscrs Marty Moates, Danny La Porte, Ro n Turner and Jeff J en nings have been signed o n by the factory to finalize development and testing of the production RM line. While the big boys, Di Stefano, Stackable, and Grossi, w ill continue to brea k new gro und. • The 1976 RM 125 sports a strengt hened swingarm , slot ted side pane ls, six-speed box and up-pipe. Little brother now shares the clean lines of its bigger relati ves. '. - ·21