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/126474
RM250T IMPRESSION bikes may have more top end ponies and a few do have more torque down low. but the .Suzuki offers a nearly ideal compromise. On tracks with loamy traction the RM was equal to every bike we ran it against especially coming out of turns with one finger on the clutch and the front wheel pawing the air . Slippery surfaces required a little more finesse from the rider. but once again the RM was able to use whatever traction was available and drive smoothly away from turns while other bikes fought to hook up . The RM 's powe r transfers through a five-speed gear box and 520 chain to reach the rear . tire . The gear box works well but not with the ease of the new Yamaha transmission . Shifting isn't really critical as the bike can usually be left a gear too high as the rider merely fans the clutch to rocket away from the comer. Kayaba four-way adjustable shocks handle the suspension ch ores a t the rear a nd work better than most conventiona l lay -down units. Most of th e lighter riders complained that the 'shocks were just too sti ff on the initial movem en t. We adjusted the damping rods to a lighter setti ng a nd lowered the ni tr ogen pressure in the reservoirs about 40 pounds which seemed to pro· vide the best all -arou nd performance for the average-sized tester. The lighter spring rate helped most on chatter bumps and the straight-edged acceleration holes that some southern California tracks always develop at the exit from ,tigh t turns. Here the RM was able to hook-up and power away from the tum wit hou t terribly abusing the rider's kidneys. although the lighter damping seemed to contribute to a vague wallowing feeling at high speeds. The rear tire is Bridgestone's latest tread design . and it worked as well as Dunlop's National-winning rubber on loamy soil. On hard pack the tire is better than average and can easil y handle turning. braking . or accelerating . But any two at the same time tends to confuse rider as the tire slips sideways in a peculiar manner. When the rider trusted the Suzuki and rolled on the power smoothly, the sideways performance of the Bridgestone seemed well within control. Suzuki's new rear brake features ca ble operation instead of their traditional rod on the pretense that the rider would have better feel for braking. None of the test riders seemed to feel any difference from last year's RM . The brake is still strong and too easily locks the rear wheel. The T model Suzuki is not an easy starter. and the factory has adjusted the timing cu rve on the CDI to help low R PM firing. Still , ou r test' bike was difficult to start. and we kept fouling spark plugs. The RMs ar e delivered with a very richly tuned Mikuni , and we had to drop the main jet size and needle posit ion to allev iate the ha rd starting and fouled plugs . Many riders will win races on the 1980 RM250T , and many more will finish second. third or even 10th. Well suited for riders ranging from beginner to expert, the RM is not the ultimate answer but rather the moderate answer, a bike t hat nearly anyone can throw a leg over and feel comforta ble with. After all it was designed by the most comfortable rider of m otocross history. Roger DeCoster. • Specifications RM250T Engine Single cylinder, two stroke Bore and stroke 67x70m m Displacement 246cc Carburetio n 36mm M ikuni ,. High mount expansion chamber Exhaust ,; , Ignition , CD I Air filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Oiled was hable foam eleme nt Transm ission Five-speed Clutch We t, multi plate Final drive D.J.D 520 chain Frame : Single downtube , chromoly . SwiJigarm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aluminum, need le bearing pivot W heelbase , 56.9 inches Rake/trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . 29"/123mm Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Cable-operated drum Front suspension Air/spring, 282mm travel Rear suspension , . Nitrogen-charged, 295mm travel Front tire , 3.00x21 Bridgestone M19 Rear tire ,. 5.10x18 Bridgestone M18 Wheels , .. . .. . ... ... . . .• ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tagasako · Seat height . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37% inches Ground clearance 14 inches Footp eg clearance 16 lnches Fuel tank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Plastic , 2.2 gallons ' .' 236 Ibs: We t weight 27