> LAP TIMES
RM-Z250
We met the team from Suzuki at
Glen Helen Raceway for a day
on the 250 and 450 with their
technicians on hand to assist and
to offer their advice with setup.
Kickstart engaged; we started
our day on the 250. The scrappy
little 250 is a screamer, and the
hills of Glen Helen were the per-
fect place to let it stretch its legs.
We first went out with the stock
map but didn't wait long to clip in
the more aggressively tuned cou-
pler. It's not a secret that right
out of the crate, RM-Z250 is not
the horsepower king; the more
aggressive coupler gives it a little
more snap which it desperately
craves. It lacks a little down low,
but the sweet spot is in that mid-
to-top range. A quick feather of
the easy-pull clutch wakes the
bike up and puts it right where
it wants to be. The RM-Z250 is
still a blast to ride despite what
the keyboard critics say. There is
something to be said for spinning
laps on a bike closer to its full
potential; you know, holding the
QUICKSPIN I 2022 RM-Z250 & RM -Z450
P100
(Above) The 250
(pictured) is fitted
with KYB suspension
components versus
the 450's Showa
units. (Right)
Unfortunately,
manual starting
doesn't mean a
lighter motorcycle
in the RM-Z450's
case.
