Suzuki has jumped right back into the heat of battle with its new RM 125.
Last year it trailed the 125cc class pack; now it's a front runner.
The new Suzuki has a piggyback-reservoir Kayaba shock that connects to
all-new Full Floating linkages, opposed to the '86 eccentric cam design .
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The new power-valve, full-reed piston port intake. ignition and larger
airbox gives the new RM stronger low-end and mid-range power.
Suspension is the Suzuki's strongest feature. The new cartridge Kayaba
fork delivers a smooth and progressive 12.2 inches of wheel travel.
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turns and goes where it's pointed.
Sometimes, italmost turns tOO quickIy. On dry, slic,k, hard-packed ground,
we found the Suzuki to be a little
squirrely, because the back end had
the tendency to slide out without
warning, sometimes resulting in
high-sides. Tires and a somewhat
short 56.9-inch wheel base contri bu tes
to this uneasy feeling. But when
there's plenty of traction and loamy
dirt, the Suzuki gets the job done quickly.
The new Suzuki keeps the RM
reputation as good jumper intact.
Even though Lhe RM has a morelevel seating position, it still majntains table flight pattern off the
jumps, which comes in handy when
launching over double jumps. Good
low-end from the motor helps out
here, too.
Braking power is much improved
over last year's RM, mostly due to the
front disc. The 1986 RM used a
rubber brake hose which produced a
mushy feeling when clamping down
on the brake lever. Going to a hard
plastic cable gives the front brake a
firmer and more positive feel, and
going to a double-piston caliper from
a single-piston caliper, braking power
is improved immen ely. Combined
with a strong rear drum brake, the
Suzuki is easy to haul down for the
turns. ince the Suzuki still uses a
rear drum brake, it maintains a fullBoating brake torque arm, which
some of the other Japanese 125cc
motocrossers don't have since going
to a hydraulic disc. Because of this
the Suzuki has less rear wheel hop
when brakin~ 0\'10'1' stuller bumps.
Summary
The only thing we would've liked
to have seen from the new RM is a
little more top-end horsepower, but
that's about it. As it stands now,
Suzuki has done its homework and
built a 125cc motocrosser that can
win races right out of the crate. It has
toIlS of low-end and mid-range power,
crisp and clean throttle response,
excellent suspension, first-rate handling and good looks.
The only mistake Suzuki could've
made with the RM 125H is dres ing it
up almo t exactly the same way as
last year's RM. It just doe n't look
differen t enough to perform so much
better.
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