Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

1996 Suzuki RM125 By Donn Maeda Photos by Kinney Jones f the four Japanese 12Sec MXers, the Suzuki RM125 will be the last to hit dealership floors. As a matter of fact, the first few will become available about the same time that this issue of Cycle News makes the newsstands. In contrast, the offerings from Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki have been available for several weeks, some even for a month or two. While some impatient Suzuki fans may have jumped ship and switched colors in order to get a new scooter between their legs a bit sooner, those who waited will be rewarded with what is without a doubt the best Suzuki RM12.s to roll off the prod uction line in several years. There's no arguing that the RM125s of the past were good - the bike spoke for itself on the racetrack with win after win after win. Of the last four 125cc Supercross Championships, Suzuki has won three. In the hands of riders like Damon Huffman, Ezra Lusk and Tim Ferry, the RM125 was a potent weapon. But oddly enough, the story was far from the same around the Cycle News offices. Last year, the '95 RM125 was the least favorite 125 among our staff, and had the dubious honor of finishing last in out annual 12Sec shootout. Needless to say, a similar result in this year's reviews is far from likely. We love the '% RM125. O g< ..... .....' 0\ ~ QJ "S QJ :> o Z 16 BUT WHY? The biggest Change, and the -first thing that people at the track ask us about, are the 49mm conventional Showa Twin Chamber Cartridge Forks. With the exception of KTM, who incorporated conventional Marzocchi Magnum 45 forks on their '95 lineup, Suzuki is the first major manufacturer to stray away from the mainstream and return to the front suspension design of yesteryear. But while the basic concept of righ tside-up forks is old, the forks that grace the front of the newest RM are far from outdated. About the only thing that the new Showas have in common with the conventional Kayabas that came on the '89 RM125 are their tubes-on-the-top, legson-the-bottom design. Internally, the new Showas are a completely cIifferent animal. Like the inverted Twin Chamber forks that have been featured on the RM line since '94, the new legs feature a separate, completely independent oil chamber inside the top section of the fork. Showa claims that" the new design forks combine the best features of both conventional and inverted legs - high rigidity, low below-axle protrusion, light unsprung weight, long usable wheel stroke, high shock absorption and smooth action. Of course, upgrading the front suspension would be pointless without improving the rear shock, as well. A new longer Showa shock and shock linkage handle the bumps out back. The RM's chassis . the all-new frame and swingarm - was redesigned with high rigidity being the number-one goal. The frame now boasts several round tubes, as well as a longawaited fully detachable aluminum subframe. But what about the motor? Suzuki RM125's have traditionally had good, easy-to-ride engines, and thankfully, the engineers at Suzuki decided to refine, rather than redo the motor. Heading the list of engine improvements is a new power-valve system - the AETCI PC (Automatic Exhaust Timing Control I Power Chamber) that was found on last year's RM250. The new exhaust valve is said to provide more precise sealing of the exhaust port at low rpm, and smoother exhaust flow at high rpm. The cylinder's port timing was changed slightly, but the rest of the engine was left basically the same. Providing the spark that gets things going is an all-new NGK spark plug. The R6918B-8, which was developed especially for the RM125, is claimed to have superior combustion and cooling capabilities, allowing for a higher heat range. (125cc bikes usually use 9 heat range plugs) NGK claims that the new plugs reduce the chances of low-rpm spark plug fouling. The sa'me tried and true Keihin PWK36 carburetor still handles the air and fuel mixture duties, but it is now fed through an all-new, higher-capacity airbox. The larger airbox accommodates a new larger air filter. The issin brakes also underwent several changes. The 250mm front disc is complimented by a new caliper and stronger aluminum caliper bracket. The feel at the short, forged front brake lever is said to be much improved. In the rear, the 220mm disc is also paired with a new caliper, as well as a larger master cylinder. Obviously, the RM also underwent a complete cosmetic facelift. Though pleasing to the eye, the '95's four-year-old design was getting a little outdated, and the new bike boasts the same look as All-Japan National MX Champion Ronnie Tichenor's works bike. Gone are the large cover-all radiator shrouds, and in their place are a yellow fuel tank and purple "radiatoronly" shroud. The design is much slim-

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