KIWI RIDER 04 2020 VOL2 | Page 40

The Suzuki has excellent quality KYB suspension components, but the fork action is an issue with the new bike. Suzuki swapped the air fork out for a return to coil springs for the 2019 machine. Unfortunately, the fork is very stiff and seems more set up for Pro level Supercross rather than typical NZ conditions. The fork comes with 5.0Nm/mm springs as standard, but I don’t think any 70kg rider in NZ wants or needs springs that hard. The soft option is a 4.9Nm and the hard option 5.1Nm. As an example of how far out I think the fork spring rate options are, at around 90kg Shayne King ran 4.8 springs to on the way to becoming 500cc world MX champ. Going back further, the Honda CR250R in the mid 80s came fitted with 3.8 springs… although, in fairness, they were maybe a little soft. The good news here is though, the fork has the potential to be superb when fitted with lighter springs and a re- valve – which can be done at a reasonable cost. The shock is on the firm side too, but OK for MX work – particularly for the heavier rider. The RM-Z still has the sweet chassis with all the inherent turning excellence its always had, albeit slightly muted by the hard fork. It loves to turn and exhibits a confidence while doing so that few other bikes can match. Turn-in is planted, agile and accurate and suits our conditions well. Only in high speed turns does it feel a little loose, but not nervously so. The brakes are excellent. A 260mm disc at the front with a 240mm one at the rear have great feel and strength, the Nissin calipers do their business very well. Ok. Is the lack of e-start really a big deal? In all honesty, and for me personally, not really. I’d say it’s more of an annoyance, at worst. The fact is it starts very easily, always within a light kick or two... and you’re good to go. However, I’ve lived through times when some bikes were obscenely hard to start. So, perhaps, this is why I don’t have a massive issue with the Suzuki. Left-kick 500cc two-strokes were somewhat of a challenge. Tjebbe Bruin tells horror stories of his Husky TE510 in Wales at the 40 KIWI RIDER