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/128227
The RM250 may have gained a few ponies, but that didn't hurt its handling characteristics. It still turns like mad. Whats Nevw • Broader powerband with a marked increase in both power and torque - especially at high rpm • Tighter squish band and reduced squish head height in cylinder head, resulting in lower compression for improved throttle response and smoother low and midrange power • The sub-exhaust ports have been reshaped, and they open simultaneously with the main exhaust port • All other cylinder ports have been moved lower in the cylinder for smoother transition between midrange and top-end power • New-shape sub-exhaust-port grooves designed to start opening the valves at a slightly lower rpm • Higher governor spring rate in main exhaust valve allows for more linear valve operation • Piston ring features a barrel-shaped face for less friction against cylinder walls and improves engine response • Crankshaft weights, or flywheels, are now not totally symmetrical, which causes a slight imbalance that the rider can't feel but that improves rear-wheel traction • The tranny features a new shift-drum detent design for more positive shifts • There is now a front reinforcing plate between the frame backbone; front cradle and steering head had its wall thickness increased for better rigidity and straight-line performance • Footpegs moved back 10mm by reshaping footpeg base • Handlebars raised 7mm by redesigning handlebar brackets • Top of seat lowered 10mm by reshaping seat • New Showa inverted twin-chamber 47mm cartridge forks • New Showa shock • Redesigned rear-suspension linkage • Newly designed front-brake routing (formerly known as CR-style routing) • New front-brake master cylinder • Floating (two-piece) front disc brake • Much simpler rear-brake master cylinder design with reservoir tank integrated with the master cylinder body • New quick-adjust clutch lever • New fuei-tank cap labyrinth system, eliminating the need for a separate one-way valve to prevent fuel from leaking out while riding (Above) The handlebars have been raised 7mm while the seat was dropped 10mm to open up the cockpit. The front-brake master cylinder is also redesigned. (Left) The new Showa forks and shock offer very nice action - plush, but not too soft. The new front-brake line allows a more-direct route to the front stopper. (Right) The footpegs were moved back 10mm, and the powerplant has received numerous updates. adjust, tightening your clutch lever and restoring clutch feel. It's worth its weight in gold if you know what you're doing - people just have to be lever. It's about time everybody careful not to overcorrect and burn caught up on this one. It's such a up their clutch. simple, useful design, but until now In the end, we believe the RM is a only one manufacturer was taking advantage of it. With the quick- much-improved motorcycle over last adjust, when your bike gets hot and year's effort, and that could be bad news for the other four manufacturers replaces a Kayaba unit, and it feels puts more stress on the swingarm the clutch gets too much slack in the as good or better than last year. The and less on the frame, resulting in the middle of a moto, you can just reach come the 2004 Cycle News 250cc biggest change out back deals with ability to lighten up the frame in the forward quickly and spin the quick- MX Shootout. Only time will tell. the suspension linkage, though. Last area and offer smoother, more pro- year, the shock link was connected to gressive action. the frame, and the link rod was con- And the last of the immediately nected to the swingarm. This year, noticeable changes on this year's that's reversed. which Suzuki says bike is the new quick-adjust clutch Thumbs Up • The new seat design leaves you sitting where you should, instead of where Travis Pastrana likes • New suspension is compliant without being overly soft • Engine performed quite well in the sand r."""'3iilliIi!:'~;s=:~~A~--l • Neutral jumper • Quick-adjust clutch lever (finally I) • Turns Uke a maniac Thumbs Down • Very slight "stinkbug" feel at first • Wimpy graphics • Cheap handlebars • No crossbar pad eN ~ecifications LIST PRICE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5999 DISPLACEMENT 249cc ENGINE TYPE ..........••.••........Single-cylinder, piston reed valve two-stroke BORE x STROKE 66.4 x 72mm COMPRESSION RATIO 8.8/10.6:1 CARBURETOR. .. . . . . . . . . ..............•••••••.........Keihin PWK38S IGNITION ..............•••••••••••••.••••••..••.••.••........Digital CDI TRANSMISSION ...••.•....... _ _ Five-speed FUEL CAPACITY ....••.••..................... . .2.1 gal. WHEELBASE .57.9 inches RAKE/TRAIL ..........•.....•••..••.....•••••...•••......27 0 30'/115mm SEAT HEIGHT ...................................•...•........37.4 inches FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 51M REAR TIRE 110/90- 19 62M FRONT SUSPENSION Showa inverted, twin-chamber, cartridge forks w/l2.2 inches of travel, 22-way compression and 20-way rebound adjustment REAR SUSPENSION Showa shock w/12.2 inches of travel, 16-way low-speed compression, 19-way rebound, and 4-tum high-speed adjustment FRONT BRAKE ...Disc with new brake-line routing and newly designed master cylinder REAR BRAKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Disc CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT . 212 Ibs. cycle n e _ S • AUGUST 13, 2003 19