VOL. 51 ISSUE 36 SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 P77
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BY THE CN STAFF
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
T
he list of changes to the 2015
Suzuki RM-Z250 is a short one.
Actually, it's not really a list at all,
because there is only one thing on that
list - new graphics. That's it. Really.
Instead of updating the RM-Z250 for
2015, Suzuki opted to focus all of its at-
tention on the new RM-Z450 and let the
250 ride another year. Luckily for them,
Suzuki can get away with that since the
RM-Z250 is already a very good motor-
cycle, especially after getting a fairly ex-
tensive overhaul in 2013. Since then, the
RM-Z250 has changed very little. In 2014,
the RM-Z250 featured only an ignition
mod to make it start a little easier by elimi-
nating the chance of kickback. Still, the
2014 RM-Z250 held its ground just fine
against the other bikes in its class. But
will it again? Can it hang on another year
in its current form and not get blown away
by the other 250Fs that have all taken on
a fair amount of changes over the past
couple of years while the RM-Z250 has
remained idle?
Our first ride on the 2015 Suzuki RM-
Z250 felt just like our last ride on the
2014 RM-Z250. There is no difference,
but that's not a bad thing. The RM-Z al-
ready has a lot going for it, like a strong
fuel-injected DOHC four-valve motor. It's
already known for its robust bottom end
and instant response when you first twist
the throttle. The bike explodes out of the
turns and pulls well into the middle of the
powerband where things taper off a bit
before coming alive again on top.
It has excellent over-rev and is an easy
motor to control, though our faster test
riders want a bit more excitement when
you wick open the throttle. That's where
the RM-Z's pre-programed mapping cou-
plers come in handy. All of our test riders
preferred the more aggressive (leaner)
coupler to the stock coupler in most
situations. They like the harder hit and
improved midrange of the leaner (white-
NO CHANGE DOESN'T MEAN NO FUN
