Motorcycle Sport

 2017 Suzuki RM-Z250 New Features

Some manufactures currently share the styling and base foundation of their 250Fs and 450Fs. It suggests that they solely ought to create one form of plastic, as several of the parts cross platforms and, if the frames area unit similar, it saves on producing prices. KTM and Yamaha each try this, and we’re idea Suzuki is acquiring this direction for 2017 additionally, with the RM-Z450 reported to be abundant completely different next year. this might justify why the 2017 RM-Z250’s styling didn’t amendment, however most likely are going to be updated in 2017.

Despite the RM-Z’s acquainted exterior, Suzuki’s claim of “all-new” is pretty darn correct. The engine has eighty new engine elements (check out the cutaway image) geared toward overall power improvement and, of course, magnified sturdiness. The piston currently features a shot-peen end whereas the piston pin has DLC coating to cut back friction. associate degree L-shaped prime ring reduces blow-by and improves combustion potency. New profiles on the camshafts not solely work to widen the powerband however additionally cut back friction. A lighter decompression mechanism on the exhaust cam reduces mass and once weight is whiskerless on rotating elements the result's improved power. The intake valves area unit new and Suzuki claims a additional economical flow of fuel/air mixture. The valve face is additionally currently flat, reducing the combustion chamber volume and increasing the combustion magnitude relation slightly from thirteen.50:1 to 13.75:1.

In the name of shaving weight the shaft is lighter because of the diameter of the crank wheels being reduced by zero.5mm. Now, with a housing amendment, less of the crank drags through the engine oil, reducing drag and increasing power. additional reducing drag, the casting changes to the correct hand housing let oil empty from the crank wheels faster and increase oil flow. The engine additionally features a new rotor with a 9/11 increase in inertia, rising power delivery and complementing the crankshaft’s weight reduction, maintaining the balance of the engine. A Keihin 44mm throttle body still feeds fuel and air to the engine, however the angle of the accelerator plate (butterfly) within the throttle body is currently open zero.5 degrees to cut back engine braking and improve throttle response off idle. a brand new muffler and a 40mm longer header pipe meet the ninety four sound unit AMA sound limit. tons of the engine enhancements were done that the RM-Z250 would match and exceed the performance of the 2015 RM-Z250 with a quieter system.

The 2017 RM-Z250 currently comes equipped with the Suzuki Holeshot Assist management (S-HAC), that includes a Mode A and Mode B. Mode A is employed for slippery begin surfaces like concrete, whereas the additional aggressive Mode B is employed once traction is plentiful. at intervals Modes A and B there area unit 3 stages of mapping with distinct regular sequences for launching, going over the gate and full acceleration. Once engaged the S-HAC stays active till the throttle is closed, the bike is shifted into fourth gear, or when six seconds. All the motor changes obligated associate degree update to the european mapping additionally. The RM-Z250 still options 2 nonobligatory EFI couplers that amendment fuel mapping within the direction of lean or wealthy.

The new RM-Z frame was designed for higher rigidity and balance whereas decreasing weight by two.5%. Utilizing the RM-Z450’s head tube, the new RM-Z250 frame additionally uses new facet beams with wider spaced ribs for additional strength and reduced weight. additionally new area unit the lower frame rails and engine cradle.

The 2017 RM-Z250 is supplied with Kayaba’s PSF2 fork, the second generation of the first air fork. The PSF2 uses associate degree air chamber on every leg and is simple regulate. Stock pressure in every leg is thirty four.1 psi. The Kayaba PSF2 options compression damping and each high- and low-speed rebound damping adjustment in every fork leg. The KYB shock is additionally new and comes with high- and low-speed damping adjustment for each compression and rebound.

Out In the Dirt

Suzuki’s revisions for 2017 created a freer revving engine with additional power. The new exhaust is quieter, however emits a low  deep note. while not a 2015 there to match it to, we have a tendency to feel the 2017 may be slightly down on power right off idle, however once into the mid- and top-end the new RM-Z250 has additional power. As a welcome bonus the 2017 pulls tougher all the thanks to the rev electric circuit, permitting riders to remain in every gear longer and requiring less short shifting compared to the 2015 RM-Z250.

The stock coupling works we have a tendency toll on the RM-Z250 and whereas at Pala and different tracks we tried the lean fuel coupling (white), that magnified the response and power off idle and provided a touch additional grunt all the thanks to the rev electric circuit. Some riders felt that the lean fuel coupling didn’t rev out quite as way because the stock fuel coupling. The wealthy coupling (gray) mellowed out the facility delivery however will give additional overrev than each the stock and lean fuel couplers, appealing to quicker tracks and additional open riding designs. we are going to play with the S-HAC launch modes as we have a tendency to get additional testing time on the RM-Z250.

Suzuki eliminated the RM-Z’s hot begin knob, claiming that through cam style and mapping the bike begins easier and doesn’t want the recent start feature. we have a tendency to found the 2017 RM-Z250 didn’t prefer to begin unless a pleasant full kick was used, requiring the rider to seek out TDC, return up then kick through a full stroke. It isn’t nearly as simple to start out as different 250Fs.

With a full day at a not terribly rough Pala Raceway and a couple of hours at a sleek Milestone, the KYB suspension has shown sleek action and overall smart balance. longer testing at abundant rougher tracks can reveal its true performance. to this point the 2017 RM-Z 250 features a more well-off feel and isn’t as harsh feeling because the 2015. a good place to begin on sag is 105mm and therefore the stock fork pressure of thirty four.1 psi is nice for riders up to concerning one65 pounds. quicker and heavier riders can need to play with gas pressure within the fork (adding a couple of psi) however overall the handling of the 2017 Suzuki RM-Z250 is balanced and certain. although the bike is sort of a touch completely different, the new frame retains the pure mathematics from 2015, which suggests it’s still superb within the corners. The front wheel has loads of bite and it doesn’t matter the kind of flip, the RM-Z250 can carve all through it.

Bottom Line

We area unit stoked to ascertain a brand new RM-Z250 and therefore the 2017 changes improved handling and magnified power. sadly in a very category wherever HP is king, the Suzuki RM-Z250 isn’t carrying the crown simply however. Styling updates would have helped to drive home the message to customers that this is often associate degree all-new RM-Z250 for 2017. Riders not solely need enhancements to handling and power, they need their new bike to appear new and completely different additionally.

Second Opinion – Kai Mukai – 5’5”, a hundred and forty lbs – professional

My 1st few days of riding the 2017 RM-Z250 are smart. it's tons of changes and it took American state a minute to play with the air fork settings and every one the new changes on the shock. The front of the bike features a flash feeling, that generally makes it feel twitchy on the forepart. The shock felt a touch soft initially however with a rise in compression clicks associate degreed swiftness down the high speed it created an improvement. i would like to play with train as a result of it feels slightly off. Most turns i take advantage of gear mechanism, if I take off in third it takes too long to select up speed and needs additional clutch use. I likable the aggressive (lean) fuel map the foremost. It offers it a touch additional power from rock bottom to the middle and maintained smart overrev. The superb issue concerning the 2017 RM-Z250 is however it corners therefore sharp and precise.

Highs
• magnified power for 2017
• higher overall balance
• Stills corners sort of a Suzuki (excellent)

Lows
• Lacks a some hit off bottom
• selecting concerning beginning
• Same Styling as 2015

Suspension Settings
Fork
PSI-34.1 psi
HS rebound-16 clicks out
LS rebound-15 clicks out
Compression- seven clicks out

Shock
HS rebound-17 clicks out
LS rebound-11 clicks out
HS compression-9 clicks out
LS compression-10 clicks out

2017 Suzuki RM-Z250
Engine: 249cc single-cylinder, four-stroke
Bore x Stroke: seventy seven x fifty three.6mm
Compression Ratio: thirteen.75:1
Transmission: Five-speed
Fuel System: Keihin 44mm throttle body
Cooling: Liquid-cooling
Clutch: Wet Multi-Disc
Front Suspension: 48mm KYB PSF2 absolutely adjustable, 12.2 inches of travel
Rear Suspension: KYB absolutely adjustable, 12.4 inches of travel
Front/Rear Brakes: hydraulic brakes 260mm/240mm
Front/Rear Rims: one.60 x 21”, 2.15 x 19”
Front/Rear Tires: 80/100-21; 100/90-19 Dunlop MX52
Silencers: aluminium
Wheelbase: fifty eight.1 inch
Ground Clearance: thirteen.6 inch
Seat Height: thirty seven.6 inch
Tank Capacity: one.7 gallon
Weight, Approx: 234 pounds (claimed)
MSRP: $7699