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