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/1463045
QUICKSPIN I 2022 RM-Z250 & RM -Z450 P106 SPECIFICATIONS 2022 SUZUKI RM-Z250 ($7899) / RM-Z450 ($8999) ENGINE TYPE 4-stroke, single cylinder VALVETRAIN DOHC, 4-valve DISPLACEMENT 249cc / 449cc BORE X STROKE 77.0 x 53.6mm / 96.0 x 62.1mm FUEL SYSTEM EFI, dual-injector type w/ 3 fueling couplers / EFI, 44mm throttle body w/ 3 fueling couplers, Suzuki MX-Tuner 2.0 engine tuner STARTING SYSTEM Kick LUBRICATION Semi-dry sump CLUTCH Wet multi-plate TRANSMISSION 5-speed constant mesh FINAL DRIVE #520, D.I.D FRAME Aluminum, twin-spar HANDLEBARS Renthal tapered aluminum FRONT SUSPENSION KYB, 48mm inverted fork, coil spring, fully adjustable / Showa fork, USD, coil spring, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION KYB, single shock, fully adjustable / Showa single shock, linkage, BFRC technology, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE Single 270mm disc, 2-piston caliper REAR BRAKE Single disc, 1-piston caliper WHEELS D.I.D Dirt Star rims, black FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 in. Dunlop MX33 / Bridgestone Battlecross X30 REAR TIRE 100/90-19 in. Dunlop MX33 / 110/90-19 in. Bridgestone Battlecross X30 WHEELBASE 58.46 in. / 58.3 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 13.0 in. SEAT HEIGHT 37.5 in. / 37.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.66 gal. / 1.7 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 233 lbs./ 247 lbs. RIDER AIDS Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC), Traction Management System / S-HAC (Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control), ECM (Electronic Control Module) ing just written a big check for a new bike; or you might be the type who drives straight to your suspension guru with any bike before you even get your new ride home from the dealership. If that's you, well, this might not be an issue. The money you save on the RM-Z could be well spent at the suspension shop. Throw in a new exhaust system, and you're right around the MSRP of a new Husqvarna FC 450 and have a competitive motocrosser. Overall, the Suzuki is a solid platform for someone who wants a new bike at a bargain price. We've said it before and will say it again that the RM-Z450 does plenty of things right, just noth- ing particularly outstanding right out of the crate. We know that the RM-Z250 and 450 are still competitive with a little bit of work. We've seen both the 250 and the 450 run up front in recent years, includ- ing Justin Bogle's holeshot and brief run at the front at the recent Detroit Supercross. Both Bogle and his Suzuki teammate Bran- don Hartranft finished inside the top 10, so there's proof that the RM-Z450 can run competitively at the highest level with a little bit of wrenching. Same with the RM-Z250 and the BAR-X Suzuki Team as they have produced top- 10 finishes in the past, as well. Yes, suspension can be ironed out, but, unfortunately, two of our main gripes—manual starting and excessive weight— with both RM-Z's can't, at least easily. But if you're old-school and don't mind doing the kick thing, both RM-Zs are still worth a closer look. CN