2009 Suzuki RM85 Review

Exterior

2009 Suzuki RM85

It is quite hard not to love the 2009 Suzuki RM85 as it has inspired its design on the RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 models. I consider it a preview for the small rider in what concerns design and attitude and if we take it literally, it is indeed a two-stroke miniature version of those bikes.

Compact and aggressive, the track can’t reserve any surprises for it. The fenders are very high and the side panels become one with the tank. Graphics are new for next year’s model and the color is the legendary Suzuki Yellow.

You will find that although not that big as a 125cc machine, the RM85 is far away (in size) from the 50cc bikes you’re all running away from. So it completes with the purpose of its creation visually, at least.

Test Drive

2009 Suzuki RM85

Due to the bike’s awesome versatility, I am situated right on the limit above which it wouldn’t be common sense to ride one of these things, but what the hell, I said. So I took the Suzuki RM85 on a dirt track and thought at how kids get the best out of these things with the intention of experiencing the very same thing.

First of all, the days of the two-stroke engine are not gone! This conclusion, from which I choose to start writing, is based on the fact that great torque is being delivered from right above idle and the impressive rush is maintained all through the rev range. And if you’re by now thinking that the top end had to be sacrificed in order to achieve power starts, you are definately wrong.

The engine retuning results into a strong top end with no need to replace the rear sprocket whatsoever. After all, the liquid-cooled 84.7cc two-stroke engine is being backed up by the six-speed tranny, and we all know how rare that is on motocross bikes. Also, the gearbox is a crucially important piece as it allows for a more than decent top speed if deciding to test the RM85 on the trails also, like I did. The bike had no problems in reaching what I approximated to be 70 mph in top gear and it is very stable, perfect for sustaining the ride at these kind of speeds (for an 85cc motocrosser).

Though fast and versatile, the Suzuki RM85 doesn’t manage to split you in half with that very narrow seat and that is mostly because you won’t be sitting on it for a very long time. Bumps and jumps are very demanding so the few moments in which you’ll be touching the seat is during cornering. So if the engine pulls strong and the gearbox is smooth and very precise, how’s the clutch? Tough, I must say. When getting out of corners, the clutch was seriously abused and during the test ride, there have been no problems in this concern.

From beginners to experts, the wide powerband of the two-stroke motor is there to provide, but the chassis’s qualities are also well worth being mentioned if ever ridden an RM motorcycle, especially this small one.

The motocross machine handles very easily and the rider feels completely in control over it and that is mostly because of the spacious and well thought ergonomics. Easy to move on, the bike invites for a little bit of action and the Showa suspensions are there to provide. Composed of a fully-adjustable 37mm front fork and rear shock absorber working closely together with the aluminum swingarm with RM250-similar chain adjustment, there is no wonder you rarely happen to feel bottoming resistance when landing. Also, they soak up bumps with great easy, making it perfect again for trail riding if not thinking to go profesional.

Even if by reading the engine’s displacement, disc brakes aren’t quite the thing you would expect to work with when needing to stop or slow down, the RM85 is a pure competition motorcycle so it features both front and rear braking systems. How do these perform? Briliantly, I must say, esplecially when you apply both the front and rear systems. And with those grippy tires, you rarely find yourself looking for a nice and dry surface on which to stop as it will do it anyway.

Probably the best of Suzuki is the fact that is delivers proven reliablility without sacrificing performance or versatility, something that leaves a rider begging to have one, especially if that is a teenager.

Price

Suzuki made sure to keep the price low (they didn’t had any reasons to increase it, anyway) so at $3,499 it is a good bang for the buck. But the Yamaha comes with a price tag of $3,349, not to mention the Kawasaki which has an MSRP of $3,299. You do the thinking and choose the one that suits you best, but the small Yellow machine seems like the one for me.

Conclusion

One of the greatest starters offer out there, the Suzuki RM85 is not only a filled-with-heritage bike with a sense of style, but an arrow towards a successful career in motocross. Many have already been there and stayed with Suzuki, something that determines this manufacturer to keep on doing what it knows best. We can’t wait to see what 2010 will bring.

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