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/127807
. ~IDING. :IMPRESSION 1997 Suzuki RM250V mounted rider to win a 2S0cc nation when he proceeded to win five in 1981 to take the 2S0cc National Champi onship. Throughout the 1996 SX and M seasons, Team Suzuki spent countIes hours refining and dialing in their new bikes. As always, new bikes have new problems to sort out. Frame geometry, linkage ratios and the AETC/PC (Automatic Exhaust Timing Control/Power Chamber) among other things were altered for better overall performance. Many of these alterations that Team Suzuki made on their race bikes in '96 are the same changes that Suzuki made to the 1997 RM250. We'll start with the motor. The AETC / PC has new two-piece exhaust valves that provide a three-stage (Iow-, mid- and high-rpm) transition to create smoother and more linear power delivery as engine speed increases. The cylinder head's revised combustionchamber shape and revised cylinder and cylinder port timing and port shape are said to improve combustion efficiency. The low-routed exhaust system's new shape was aimed at enhancing mid-to-high-range torque. Suzuki has followed Kawasaki's lead from last year by going to Keihin's new "finned" PWK38 carburetor. The carb is equipped with two fins in the intake bell that supposedly smooth the air flow when the throttle is slightly opened, improving combustion at low rpm and providing better power pickup and throttle response. The ignition also received some changes. The magneto now generates a timed series of sparks instead of a sin: gle spark for each combustion cycle, By Cameron Coatney Photos by Kinney Jones \0 0\ 0\ rl a Cf) I-< Q) .g ..... u o 20 he Suzuki RM250 was the motocrosser to own in 1996. It had been totally redesigned, from the tires up, by the factory in Japan under the close supervision of five-time SOOcc World Motocross Champion Roger DeCoster The Man as you might know him otherwise. The main highlights of the bike were a totally redesigned chassis and motor, and a switch to Showa 49mm twin-chamber conventional cartridge forks. DeCoster made the public wait until December (of '95) for the bike's release, as he spent countless hours dialing in the suspension and, mostly, the motor. As time wore thin, DeCoster settled on a bike that was pretty darn good. How good? Good enough to propel Team Suzuki riders Greg Albertyn and Mike LaRocco to two separate overall AMA National Motocross victories in '96. These wins were significant in that they were the first AMA National MX victories for Suzuki in over 15 years. Kent Howerton.was the last Suzuki- (Top) The 1997 RM250 Is most at home doing this - railing comers. (Above) For 1997, Suzuki took Its solid '96 platform and refined It with motor changes and small chassis adjustments with feedback from Team Suzuki. (Right) This is basically the fork that Albertyn and laRocco used In '96. It features 20mm less underhang below the axle and larger cartridges. The front hub also has been strengthened.