Tests

Test Ride: 2004 Suzuki RM125 - MXracer Magazine

February 24, 2009

Suzuki is known for making competitive 125s, and the new RM125 has a lot of the same characteristics it's had in the past. Striving to get more power, the new RM comes with a long rod (8mm) just like the factory team's. Along with the long rod many other small changes were made to the motor. In order to get increased airflow to the carburetor, the 125 got a new airbox, taking air through the side plates straight into the airboot. The seat foam was lowered 10mm to help the bike feel lower. Another notable change is the redesigned front-brake master cylinder and the Honda-style routing in the front-brake line.
For years the RM125 has been on the podium in the handling department. Showa suspension has done wonders for the yellow machine. In stock trim the Showa fork is a tad on the soft side. Most of our test riders went in on compression and had to slow down the rebound a few clicks. The front end seems to have push in slow, tight corners and tends to sit too high in the stroke. The shock works perfectly with the entire chassis. Under hard acceleration the bike stays perfectly straight and takes any hits thrown at it. The shock is responsive to small adjustments and easily dials in. The new front brake works better than ever. The system has more stopping power and doesn't fade in long motos. The new ergonomics are better for everyone; taller riders don't sit as high as on the '03 model (which was too high). Lowering the seat made the bike more comfortable for a wider range of riders, and our test staff liked the new fit.Horsepower has never really been an issue for the RM125. The power curve has always seemed to be liked by intermediate and pro-level riders. Off the bottom there is virtually no power. In order to go fast and make time out of corners you really have to rely on the clutch and keep the rpms high off the bottom. Midrange pulls hard and has a good punch that rolls over to strong top-end power. The motor characteristics, typical of a 125, are very labor-intensive if you want to go fast or feel fast. With all the use of the clutch we were concerned about problems, but it's built with durability in mind and never showed any signs of wear. The transmission works smoothly and consistently.If you are serious about racing, the RM has your name on it. The bike definitely worked better for our advanced test riders. If you know how to keep up momentum, you will love this bike. Suzuki has also taken its time with detail. The new RM is a better overall package than it has been in past years. From the new front brake to all the little hardware changes, the RM is a quality piece of machinery. With Branden Jesseman earning the number-one plate on his RM125, there is no doubt the bike has what it takes to win. Championships are won with consistency, not mechanicals. Suzuki uses a lot of the race-team development on the production bikes and continues to push the evolution of the 125. For a serious racer this would have to be a top candidate, with Suzuki's track-side support at all the major amateur races and a hefty contingency payout.


Corey Neuer ABILITY: Intermediate • AGE: 27 • WEIGHT: 162 lb • HEIGHT: 5'11" I liked the RM125 much better in past years than I did this year. I don't know if the competition got better or if I didn't like the changes to the bike. I didn't like the motor characteristics; the power felt inconsistent and there was absolutely no bottom-end. In order to get the bike to go out of tight corners I really had to work the clutch--I know it's a 125, but it just felt like total abuse. Mid to top-end the motor runs strong but tends to go flat on top. The RM125 handled great for me; in tight corners it was predictable and it felt light. It also worked really well in fast sweeping corners and gave lots of front-end feedback. I like the ergonomics better than on last year's bike; lowering the seat makes it easier to have good body position. Matt Armstrong ABILITY: Pro • AGE: 23 • WEIGHT: 145 lb • HEIGHT: 5'8" I like the geometry of the RM125 and the way the bike handles--I had no problems making it go where I wanted it to go. The seat still feels high, but I am a fan of that because I feel I have more control sitting up high. The motor felt really good; I don't think it has much power down low, but everywhere else it's a rocket. Once the rpms pick up the midrange power comes on strong. I really liked the way the motor worked in the top-end, it seemed to pull hard and it had a ton of usable power. The jetting felt perfect, and the motor gave me some needed confidence. Dennis Patracca ABILITY: Vet Intermediate • AGE: 33 • WEIGHT: 165 lb • HEIGHT: 5'10" The RM was easy to ride, it didn't take much effort to get going. The motor worked decently; the power always seemed to be there, and I never found myself searching for more. I had to use the clutch more than on some of the other bikes, but I think that's normal for the RM. The suspension worked well in rough conditions; the stock settings were perfect. I didn't care too much for the ergonomics--the seat felt high and the front end felt too low. I tried running more sag but it didn't help. Sean Collier ABILITY: Pro • AGE: 18 • WEIGHT: 150 lb • HEIGHT: 5'11" The RM125 has OK bottom-end; I had to work a bit out of corners. I like the power in the midrange; it hits hard and pulls into high-revving top-end power. I really like the way the RM handles. It's light and super-easy to corner. The RM is extremely easy to handle and throw low over jumps. Suspension on the RM was a little stiff for my weight; I made a few adjustments and got it to work better, but it still wasn't perfect. Andy Taylor ABILITY: Novice • AGE: 32 • WEIGHT: 160 lb • HEIGHT: 5'7" I don't think the RM125 is a bad bike, it's just not the right bike for me. It seemed like some of our pro riders didn't want to get off the RM125, but I found it difficult to maintain my momentum. The motor is super-fast, but it likes to be revved. To me it's kind of the opposite of the four-stroke power characteristics. You have to ride it pinned wide open all the time. The suspension and ergonomics are excellent. After I got it dialed in my only real gripe was it felt a bit on the tall side. I think most riders probably liked the roomy feel, but I prefer a more compact cockpit. The Showa fork is awesome, especially on big landings, and the shock also worked well for me everywhere. I came away from the RM125 wishing it had an RM-Z motor in it; maybe the RM-Z just needs the RM125's suspension components.

Corey Neuer ABILITY: Intermediate • AGE: 27 • WEIGHT: 162 lb • HEIGHT: 5'11" I liked the RM125 much better in past years than I did this year. I don't know if the competition got better or if I didn't like the changes to the bike. I didn't like the motor characteristics; the power felt inconsistent and there was absolutely no bottom-end. In order to get the bike to go out of tight corners I really had to work the clutch--I know it's a 125, but it just felt like total abuse. Mid to top-end the motor runs strong but tends to go flat on top. The RM125 handled great for me; in tight corners it was predictable and it felt light. It also worked really well in fast sweeping corners and gave lots of front-end feedback. I like the ergonomics better than on last year's bike; lowering the seat makes it easier to have good body position. Matt Armstrong ABILITY: Pro • AGE: 23 • WEIGHT: 145 lb • HEIGHT: 5'8" I like the geometry of the RM125 and the way the bike handles--I had no problems making it go where I wanted it to go. The seat still feels high, but I am a fan of that because I feel I have more control sitting up high. The motor felt really good; I don't think it has much power down low, but everywhere else it's a rocket. Once the rpms pick up the midrange power comes on strong. I really liked the way the motor worked in the top-end, it seemed to pull hard and it had a ton of usable power. The jetting felt perfect, and the motor gave me some needed confidence. Dennis Patracca ABILITY: Vet Intermediate • AGE: 33 • WEIGHT: 165 lb • HEIGHT: 5'10" The RM was easy to ride, it didn't take much effort to get going. The motor worked decently; the power always seemed to be there, and I never found myself searching for more. I had to use the clutch more than on some of the other bikes, but I think that's normal for the RM. The suspension worked well in rough conditions; the stock settings were perfect. I didn't care too much for the ergonomics--the seat felt high and the front end felt too low. I tried running more sag but it didn't help. Sean Collier ABILITY: Pro • AGE: 18 • WEIGHT: 150 lb • HEIGHT: 5'11" The RM125 has OK bottom-end; I had to work a bit out of corners. I like the power in the midrange; it hits hard and pulls into high-revving top-end power. I really like the way the RM handles. It's light and super-easy to corner. The RM is extremely easy to handle and throw low over jumps. Suspension on the RM was a little stiff for my weight; I made a few adjustments and got it to work better, but it still wasn't perfect. Andy Taylor ABILITY: Novice • AGE: 32 • WEIGHT: 160 lb • HEIGHT: 5'7" I don't think the RM125 is a bad bike, it's just not the right bike for me. It seemed like some of our pro riders didn't want to get off the RM125, but I found it difficult to maintain my momentum. The motor is super-fast, but it likes to be revved. To me it's kind of the opposite of the four-stroke power characteristics. You have to ride it pinned wide open all the time. The suspension and ergonomics are excellent. After I got it dialed in my only real gripe was it felt a bit on the tall side. I think most riders probably liked the roomy feel, but I prefer a more compact cockpit. The Showa fork is awesome, especially on big landings, and the shock also worked well for me everywhere. I came away from the RM125 wishing it had an RM-Z motor in it; maybe the RM-Z just needs the RM125's suspension components.

Sean Collier

Corey Neuer

Matt Armstrong