F
ollowing a big update last year, Suzuki’s 2020
RM-Z250 is the same as the 2019 model
barring some graphics/colour updates. We
didn’t test the bike last year, but the 2019 bike got
quite the update, so for the purpose of this test
we’ll take it as a new bike. For its 2019 birthday, the
RM-Z was gifted a revised cylinder head along with
dual fuel-injectors, an updated frame, KYB forks
and a new shock, new plastics and a larger 260mm
front brake disc. With all those updates, the RM-Z
is a clearly thoroughly modern machine… but
there’s a fly in the ointment, so to speak. Despite
all of the effort Suzuki went to giving the RM-Z a
big overhaul… it’s still lacking an electric start. I find
that disappointing in this day and age of electric-
start equipped MX bikes.
I really like this RM-Z engine because it has
grunt. There’s not a huge amount of high-rev
horsepower, but that doesn’t bother me. It’s a
38 KIWI RIDER
versatile engine for a 250 and would happily cope
very well with crosscountry and even enduro
events. In effect, it has a very useful bottom end
and midrange and isn’t exactly shy up top, it’s
just not the fastest up there.
I ran with the white map plug and found it gave
the strongest, most responsive and rideable
power delivery, substantially better than the
black/white or grey plugs – for me anyway. This
engine will suit all riders who aren’t pro-level yet…
and, let’s be honest, that is most of us. Few riders
can ride any bike truly on the pipe for a whole
moto, so it’s actually more beneficial to have an
engine that’s easy to ride fast. The Suzuki has this
nailed and this is where the RM-Z has a useful
advantage over some of other 250Fs, which tend
to be screamers.
Launch control comes standard, but to be honest,
does a 250 really need it? Just hold it absolutely
pinned and learn clutch control – practicing those
starts will give greater rewards.