Suzuki Rm125rm250 250

Suzuki RM125RM250 250

NEW FOR '02

Same looks, different taste

BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THIS year’s motocross comparisons, Suzuki owned the 125cc class and was a solid contender in the 250cc ranks. Considering that both RMs were all-new for ’01, we suspected there wouldn’t be any major changes to the yellow bikes for ’02, and early photos confirmed that. But you know how when the donut shop hangs that

“Under New Ownership’’ sign in the window and the apple fritters get just a little bigger and oh so much better? That’s the story with the new RMs.

Chassis changes center around achieving more swingarm slope by mounting the shock linkage higher up and farther forward on the frame. This gives the rear suspension greater initial leverage while putting more weight on the front wheel. On the 125, the rake was kicked out one degree, as well. The subframes were lowered 15mm to maintain the same seat height on both bikes. Suspension mods include reducing the weight of the forks (Kayaba on the 250, Showa on the 125), and reducing the weight of the shocks while cutting friction. Both engines received minor detail changes such as tighter cylinder clearances, improved exhaust valve actuation and lighter wristpins. The 125’s 38mm Mikuni carburetor gets a re-shaped slide and a float travel limiter to minimize bogging while landing off jumps. The 250 boasts a re-shaped clutch-release cam and tightened-up shift lever movement.

How big a difference can such small changes make? B-I-G! The ’01 RM 125 surprised us with its incredible engine performance, so imagine how surprised we were when Suzuki’s engineers got more power out of it everywhere for '02. Throttle response is a bit boggy (a tad rich in jetting) at super-low revs, but that isn’t where you ride a 125 anyway. The beauty of this engine is its full and strong pull all the way through its power spread, graced with tons of overrev without signing off. It screams up top and pulls gears long or can be short-shifted if the need arises. It's the kind of motor that makes riders of all abilities happy.

The 250 boasts comparable gains in terms of power, but the biggest improvement is its clutch. This bike begs to be ridden a gear tall, just so you can experience the most fantastic clutch action ever. Though the pull isn’t overly light, the clutch yields control with a precision never before available on a production ’crosser. Bottom-end power is on par with all the other 250s, but the Suzuki possesses a serious hit in the midrange. It runs through its power quite quickly, and revs to a decent top end.

Ergonomically, both RMs feel a little cramped compared to most other MX bikes, and you feel as though you sit up on top of them instead of down inside. The seats are cushy yet flat, making the bikes easy to move around on. Typically Suzuki, the RMs have a light feel that some riders found borderline twitchy. The suspension is way improved over last year, holding up the bikes better and in turn providing a much plusher ride, especially in the rear. Traction in choppy conditions is worlds better.

Both RMs (and especially the 250) crave aggressive riding, and like to cut and thrust around a motocross track. A full-blown shootout is the only way to rank all of the contenders in each MX class, but Suzuki’s got a lock on the Most Improved award, guaranteed. -Jimmy Lewis