Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

2003 Suzuki RM250 opportunity to wring out 250cc two- By CHRIS JONNUM PHOTOS BY KIT PALMER ~ ~ anufacturers are doing such a ilWU good job strokes and even big-bore fourstrokes (a fact we discovered in our 2002 MX thumper shootout, which these days of maximiz- was held at the facility), but at the ing power on their 250cc motocrossers that there aren't many mortals who same time, it's rough enough to earn the respect of top riders (Spud WaI- can utilize the machines to their full ters, who won the recent Four-Stroke potential on a moto track. Sure, Ricky National round at the venue, com- Carmichael & Co. shred up the Nation- mented afterward on its brutal al circuits while riding their bikes like nature). Suzuki also is familiar with they stole them, but here at Cycle Honey Lake, as its So Be- and News, our in-house testers (who pos- Blimpie-backed teams spent time sess merely adequate talents) often prefer to leave the 250cc two-strokes testing there earlier this year, and they liked it so much (Travis Pastrana to our free-lance pro assistants, while even changed his travel plans to stay we spend our moto time on thumpers an extra day and go trail riding with track-owner Larry Wossick) that they or 125cc steeds. It's not that our editors can't get around tracks competently on quarter-liter bikes, but they planned their 2003 RM250 press introduction at the venue. Our editors get bummed that they're not getting were pumped to get the invite, since closer to the bikes' limits. they knew they'd get a rare opportu- At Honey Lake MX Park, it's a dif- nity to ride a 250 as if it were a 125. ferent story: This track, located near They weren't disappointed - by either Reno, California, offers plenty of the bike or the track. Inlro Info TRACK TRACK STYL.E Honey L.ake MX Park: Milford, California Super-hlgh-speed & amazingly rough wI monster uphills & descents: bar-dragging sandy & loamy turns: elevation: up there (4100-4600 feel) WEATHER You name it - generally mild. but varied between shirtless-hot & sweatshirt-cold: dry & sprinkles: dead-calm & near-hurricane wind TIME ON BIKE Flve hours RIDERS One Vet Senior; One Vel Intermediate; One Whippersnapper Pro SETUP Set ride height; mounted Brldgestone sand tires: increased shock & fork rebound damping one click; 172 malnJet (175 stock): Needle 1/2 clip leaner; 45 pilot Jet (48 stock); turned up idle screw; airscrew out 1/4 turn; MR2 race fuel: bled front brake 36 AUGUST 7,2002' G U G •• n e _ s eN (Left) We got the opportunity to try out Suzuki's new RM250 at Honey Lake MX. The huge, rough uphill in the background made it easy (even necessary) to wring the '03 Zook out. (Above right) Local pro Matt Bussell had the headache of both helping to prepare the track and also of putting in some saddle time for us. ~rDm the

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