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/751305
2017 SUZUKI RM-Z250 QUICKSPIN P92 The air fork is a big improve- ment over the previous spring fork, though the overall ride of the RM-Z is a little on the harsh side. The bike just feels rigid— though very narrow—between your legs. But the Suzook's air fork is pretty good; and, for an air fork, it is fairly simple to set up, since there are no balance or outer chambers to mess up like you can with some other air forks out there. Each fork leg has just one Schrader valve, but you do have, in all, six clickers to work with. They adjust high- speed and low-speed compres- sion damping, and rebound damping, so you can get a little lost here if you're not careful. Rear suspension is very good but a little stiff. Brakes are solid, ergos are nice, and we like the 'Z's Suzuki Holeshot Assist Control (S-HAC) system, which was introduced to the RM-Z250 last year ('16). S-HAC lets you chose among three modes (off, "A" for less aggressive and "B" for more aggressive initial revs) to help you get the holeshot on a variety of surfaces. Fueling can still be altered via the RM-Z's three cou- plers that come with the bike. Nothing new here. The RM-Z comes fitted with grippy Dunlop MX52 tires that do a good job keeping the RM-Z planted on a variety of surfaces. Overall, the 2017 Suzuki RM- Z250 is still a pretty good bike; it feels the same on the track as the '16 RM-Z. It's still very easy to ride, handles well and carves up the turns like no other. Sus- pension ranks near the top and it simply does a lot of the "little" things that you take for granted really well. It just needs more power, please. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2017 SUZUKI RM-Z250 ENGINE: .............. liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, single DISPLACEMENT: .............................249cc BORE X STROKE: ............ 77.0 x 53.6mm COMPRESSION RATIO: .................. 13.75:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ...... Suzuki Fuel Injection STARTER: ............................ Primary kick IGNITION: .........Electronic Ignition (CDI) LUBRICATION: ................. Semi-dry sump TRANSMISSION: ..... 5-speed constant mesh CLUTCH: ............... Wet, multi-plate type, manual release FINAL DRIVE: ........ Chain, DID520DMA4, 114 links FRAME: ...................Aluminum, twin-spar FRONT SUSPENSION: ..............KYB PSF2 Pneumatic (air) Spring fork, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: ..... Single KYB shock, fully adjustable FRONT BRAKE: .. Disc brake, single rotor REAR BRAKE: .... Disc brake, single rotor FRONT TIRE: .80/100-21 51M, tube type REAR TIRE: ... 100/90-19 57M, tube type FUEL CAPACITY: ............................1.7 gal. WHEELBASE: ................................. 58.1 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: .................. 13.6 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ...............................37.6 in. CURB WEIGHT: ........................... 234 lbs. MSRP: ........................................... $7699 The list of changes to the 2017 RM-Z250 is short and all cosmetic.