2009 Suzuki RM-Z250 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 cut no corners. 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.

Honda hasn’t yet launched the 2009 motocross lineup so you’ll be hearing about them on later articles.

Exterior

2009 Suzuki RM-Z250

Suzuki usually built bulletproof bikes with not much thing in common with styling and visual attraction, but starting with the new millennium and, later, with the RM-Z250, things were about to change.

Testimony to that is the fact that for 2009 there are only exterior changes that were brought to it. As you earlier read, graphics were everything for 2009 so they were changed as well as the seat cover which has now matching paint. The same treatment was applied to the now yellow front number plate and the yellow radiator shrouds.

But the bike was already unveiling its racing character through its looks so the 2009 changes come as an extra demonstration of taste. I know you would expect to read “power” instead of “taste”, but let’s hope we’ll be saying that about the 2010 model year.

Price

Suzuki hasn’t changed much thing to the price either and that is what makes it go strong on the market today. For a price tag on $6,299, the yellow quarter-liter beast can be yours. Other options would be the Yamaha YZ250F ($6,549, or $6,649 for the White/Red version), Kawasaki KX250F and even the 2008 Honda CRF250R for $6,499.

Conclusion

Although not totally new, the 2009 Suzuki RM-Z250 exerts its wonderful attraction and will surely do a great figure on the 2009 motocross scene, you can be sure of that.

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