2009 Suzuki RM-Z250 review preview

Introduction

Presented as a 2009 model, the RM-Z250 follows its bigger brother’s recipe and gets itself an upgraded design which consists in a new set of graphics, matching seat cover, yellow front number plate as well as the yellow radiator shrouds.

Although not radically improved for 2009, the new RM-Z250 couldn’t simply get on the track without featuring any changes whatsoever and that is how you’ve ended up reading the first phrase.

History

2004 Suzuki RM-Z250

As you will further see, Suzuki had caught the big wave (and is still on it if you ask me) back in 2004 when they introduced the RM-Z250 with the clear determined purpose of revolutionizing four-stroke motocross models and by looking back at it now, we reckon it managed to achieve that exact thing. The bike was destined to dominate the competition and rewrite history and with the powerful heritage coming from Suzuki’s championship winning motocross program and the legendary GSX-R four-stroke road-racing program it sure promised a lot.

The most important thing that needs to be mentioned is that Suzuki developed the RM-Z250 in collaboration with Kawasaki which launched the KX250F in the same period. With the dominance of the Yamaha YZ250F for the years that preceded the launch of the two models, as well as the all-new Honda CRF250R, Suzuki and Kawasaki had to make no concessions. Other than the Kayaba suspension, these bikes share nothing with their siblings. Suzuki handled motor development while Kawasaki headed up all the chassis and suspension development in order to create what a few years later would became one of the best machines out on the tracks.

Even though it hasn’t yet done the fuel injection step, its evolution was similar to the one of the RM-Z450.

Competition

2009 Yamaha YZ250F

But competition is as strong as it can get and Suzuki knows it best. With Yamaha presenting their new YZ250F featuring the normal for the class 250cc engine, but with the special liquid-cooled four-stroke, DOHC, five titanium valves configuration, there are more than a few reasons for Suzuki to worry. For 2009 Yamaha made sure that this model will feature a lightened and rebalanced chassis, new clutch, new lubrication system to the engine and mass centralization. Comparing all that with some new graphics would be unfair for Yamaha, but that is what you get when you simply retouch a bike. Still, the Suzuki offers a strong bang!

2009 Kawasaki KX250F

The Kawasaki KX250F also has the Suzuki be an alternative for it. And even though the collaboration between the two makers is long ended, their motocross bikes remain similar. With modified intake ports and new titanium valves, the 249cc four-stroke single with DOHC and four valves is more feared than ever before! It breaths through a new tapered titanium exhaust pipe which has radically contributed at the retuning of this model. Weight has also been reduced, leaving the Kawasaki offer a better power to weight ratio.

2009 Honda CRF250R

Honda has finally presented their motocross lineup and the CRF250R is one of the most flick able motorcycles present in it. Powered by a 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, also not packed with fuel injection, but with a more than decent 40mm Keihin flat-slide carburetor, this quarter-liter model is indeed competitive. What push it even further are the Honda Progressive Steering Damper and Showa suspensions, goodies that also make the riding conditions less harsh.

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