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/127146
Once again American Suzuki is sticking to its three bike field of MXers for 1989'- the RM80, 125 and 250. Of the three, the 250 is the most ch nged but does share some of its new features with the 125. One of the biggest changes to the RM250 is the low routing of the exhaust pipe, similar to Honda's design on the 1988 CR250. The 125's pipe, however, is routed at a semi verticle angle next to the motor rather than running straight up and back. Bigger aluminum silencers are used on all the RMs. . The 250's cylinder has porting changes as well as refinements to the power-valve. The biggest change to the motor is a new full case-reed valve induction system, combined' with a . refined TMX Mikuni carburetor, which is designed for better throttle response off the bottom. The 125 received the same treatment, The air filter element and airbox on the 250 is larger, and the airbox hasa new design, with an addition of a deflector to help keep dirt from falling into the box. Changes ,to the frame on the 250 include a switch from a steel rear removable sub-frame section to aluminum, and a stronger front down tube. The strengthening of the front downtube was required to accept the swap from 43mm conventional Kayaba forks to bigger upside down Kayabas . The sturdier more rigid upside down fork puts more strain on th e downtube since there is less giv e with the upside down forks. The stronger fork a nd frame is designed to give th e RM more rigidity. The upside down Kayabas feature , both extern al rebound a nd com pression da m ping adjustments. Suzuki, however, opted not to run , the upside down fork on th e 125, instead, Suzuki stuck with a larger 46mm (up from 43mm) conventional Kayaba fork with the cartridge design. The biggest change to the rear suspension on the RM I25 and 250 is the switch from steel to aluminum li nkages to reduce weigh t. The linkage ratios have been slightly altered as well. . The swingarm on both the 125 and , 250 is all new, featuring easier-to-use chain adjusters, and indentations to , keep the axle from spinning while loosening or tightening the axle nUL Both front and rear disc brakes have been modified on both the 125 and 250. The front brakes have larger diameter discs and softer pads, and the rear disc brakes feature larger master cylinders, calipers and discs. The bigger rear brake setup is designed to be more progressive and less effected by heat, The tires that will come stock on the 250 and 80 will be Bridgestones, while the 125 will come with Dunlops. The R M80 features two big changes to the motor, and that's the addition of a power-valve and a new case-reed induction system. A pistonport induction system was used last year. Because 'of the increased power, Suzuki added one more fiber and steel clutch plate. Strength was also added to the transmission 's shift fork shaft and bearing su pported gear shift cam. The biggest change to the 80's suspension is the switch from 33mm fork tubes to 35mm, and the shock now has external compression and rebound damping adjustments. The 1989 RMs should be available in the fall , but prices are not yet available. • Chris flgajanlan pr. s. nrs . .. wo L the IrS. and FRI • 00 .00 , e') .....-4 SAT. AUG. '19 AUG. 20 USA DENMARK sam Ermolenko Prebe n Erlk• • n FINLAND Kel N iem i The Ultimate Match Race "'i I - 1988Wortd Mast. " Champion World Lo ng TraCk Champ.,n 7 Time Natio nal Cha mpion USA ENGLAN D Bob Ott IT ALY Armando C••tegn. Phil Co ll i n. 4 T im e Nal lon al Cha mPion ENGLAND ' 986 Ca ll1o rnl8 198 6 8n1 1./'1 1 Stal e C ha m PtOn Com monw. . ltr'l Cha mp USA Jeremy Donea.ter AU ST RALI A Phil Crump Ronnie Correy GATES OPEN 6:30 PM / FIRST RAC E 8 :00 PM Bnhah Na tio nal Cha mpion Don't M iss T he W orld ' s Only Appeara nce Cheer the U.S. Team on to victory Friday night at Ascot South Bay Stadium. Then be on hand Sat urday to sup port our team for the toughest race of the year on Amer ica 's fast est and longest track, the legendary 1/2 mile at Asco t. The most po ints totaled from bot h nig hts will det er min e th e WINNER of the AMERICAN CUP. Tickets Now! at . Jimmy~ ~ 18240 S. Ve,mon' Gamene, Call,';,e'a Beachwear ASCOT OF FICE or 77c:Ker(;Z~ 10000tlo n. • Na tional Lon g Track Champion SUZUKI . (213) 515-5115 QUAD CHAMPIONSHIP - FRIDAY SATURDAY ·A UGUST 19 AUGUST 20 SOUTH Short Track Challenge BAY STADIUM . Va-M ile ASCOT RACEWAY 'I2·Mile Lo'ng Track Cha llenge $ 10.00 Gene ral Admiss io n, $ 12.50 Rese rved $ 12.00 Ge ne ral Adm issio n, $14.50 Rese rved Kids 6-1 2 Half Price - 5 & Under 51 .00 Kids 6·12 Half Price - 5~ Under 51 .00 General Adm ission Package - Both Nights $20.00 - - - - - - - PLUS S p ec ia l tnterrn isston F ri d a y N i g h t O n l y ! RUSSIA VS. AMERICA " TAG TEAM WRESTLE WAR" plUS USA' S Th~r~~~no & G~I~~n RUSSIA'S Coun t Gorsky v Oll.e, Gladiator The Iranian Sudden Death Bout USA', H a r l em W ar lo rd E R S u RUS SI A' S Crus he r Kru g i n oy S 17