In spite of the new cylinder and the many refinements, the 'OS RM still runs
much like it did last year but with perhaps a bit more pop off the bottom.
The suzook still explodes right off idle and doesn't sign off until you grab
another gear, no wonder Ricky Carmichael has been getting so many good
starts lately. Our fast testers all loved the RM's motor, and most of them
rated it as their favorite of the bunch. But that doesn't mean it's best for
everyone - it's all business when you open 'er up. and when you do, you
better mean it. A novice or Vet might not like that kind of excitement,
though.
Uke the KTM and Yamaha, the Suzuki has a nice, light clutch pull, and it
SllWITWlII-C....U CIIITlIIDlIl fUl.
has the tightest tranny of the group, as it takes just a slight nudge on the
TITIII.. FIITftIIS
shift lever to get it to catch another gear.
When it comes to quick handling, the Suzuki is again the winner here. It m.lu. WIlIIIIS
turns like now, tighter and quicker than the other four. Inside or outside, the IIIIPPEI SOT COIIII
RM rails the turns and stays in the ruts. Things just happen quickly on the
RM. But some of our testers preferred the more stable and planted feel of the Yamaha and Kawasaki a little better,
mainly on the fast and rougher tracks.
In the suspension department, the RM worked well at both ends, especially up front. In fact, all of the Japanesebuilt forks in the test were all extremely good and almost dead equal once we got all of the fine-tuning dialed in. We
even got the KTM's WP fork working pretty good, too, but it was just a tick off the KYB and Showa forks.
The Suzuki has nice ergos. It feels long and low with a somewhat nat stance. The new handlebars feel much better, and the controls all have good feel. And the gripper seat does its job.
KEY FEATURES:
/
5YCLE NEWS • FEBRUARY 16, 2005
27
