The 2016 Suzuki RM-Z250 is an all-new bike, yet it finished sixth (fifth runner up) in the 2016 Dirt Rider 250F MX Shootout. The new engine boasts 80 new parts, including a new piston and head. Bottom end changes minimize engine braking, and a new exhaust was spec’d to meet a 94 dB sound test. The suspension components switch from Showa to KYB, with the PSF2 air fork replacing a coil spring fork. The frame is new as well.
The engine has great throttle response, but the meat of its power is too isolated to the middle RPM. Some riders felt the bottom end was good and usable, others found they needed to stay only in the mid to ride to their speed.
The Suzuki’s ride was almost universally described as harsh, and everyone pointed to the fork as the problem. The air fork’s adjustment did allow for some plushness at novice level speeds, but faster or bigger riders could not get happy with the fork. The shock generally drew praise, though mated to the harsh fork it created some pitching issues entering corners.
The RM-Z is nimble and easy to turn, and also gets great traction while leaned; it manages to be both nimble, highly maneuverable, and planted. The yellow bike’s chassis is connected, confidence-inspiring, and intuitive; the bike’s handling is less dependent on correct technique or specific approaches, the bike just turns and goes where the rider wants to go. Smooth ruts are where the Suzuki lives, but when the ruts get rough the suspension issues get the bike unsettled. High speed stability was not a problem spot, just not a strength.
- It's precise in the corners and makes direction changes easy. It's nimble and easy to throw around while still feeling planted and getting great traction while leaned over in corners.
- The weak power and harsh ride are too much to overcome in a class that's this good.
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