VOLUME ISSUE DECEMBER , P117
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With virtually no R&D
improvements since its
last redesign in 2019, the RM-Z
falls behind on the track and
in the overall results. The RM
Army package is certainly a
nice touch, but an aftermarket
exhaust and graphics just aren't
enough to bump it past any of
the other stock competitors.
The RM-Z's engine is still well-
liked and suitable for novice-
level riders or those looking
to step up from the Supermini
class. It's smooth and controlled
but still delivers a decent punch
in the midrange. There's a small
window of power where the bike
pulls, and the aggressive map is
a must if you want to compete
with others. The full Pro Circuit
system is a nice touch, but the
bike still lacks comparable low-
end torque and doesn't have
the overrev like the other bikes
have. Getting maximum power
out of the RM-Z for the interme-
diates and experts will require
some internal work.
The RM-Z's suspension is the
Suzuki's weak point. It's overly
stiff. The forks feel like a Super-
cross setting, and the shock
setup just doesn't match. It's
been like this for the past six
years. The suspension requires
riders to push the bike hard for
the forks to work properly, but
the motor has a hard time get-
ting up to that point. The forks
are over-sprung, and the motor
is, in comparison to the other
bikes, underpowered. And still
having to kickstart it without
any weight-saving benefits
doesn't help it any.
SUZUKI RMZ 250
M
