When was the RM85 last updated?

4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4DAIVIPAI2K5
Edited Date/Time 6/12/2020 7:08pm
As the title says, i figure it has been over a decade but I couldnt find anything with a google search.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 6/9/2020 7:52am
6/9/2020 7:52am
I think around the same time that Budweiser went to long-necks?
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mxrose3
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mxrose3 6/9/2020 7:54am
6/9/2020 7:54am Edited Date/Time 6/9/2020 7:55am
somewhere around the early 2000's they switched to upside down forks. I think that was the last real performance upgrade.
Boomslang
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Boomslang 6/9/2020 8:09am
6/9/2020 8:09am
4DAIVIPAI2K5 wrote:
As the title says, i figure it has been over a decade but I couldnt find anything with a google search.
I'm to old...can't remember....

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FerCzD
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FerCzD 6/9/2020 9:08am
6/9/2020 9:08am
That bike desperately needs an update. All the plastics look so old. Polisport should come out with a restyle kit for that poor bike.
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seth505
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seth505 6/9/2020 9:10am
6/9/2020 9:10am
I remember my first 80 was a 1990 yz 80, my buddies RM ripped compared to my poor yz. Anyway, that was 2,000 years ago and the bike is basically the same.
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ThatOneKid
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ThatOneKid 6/9/2020 9:49am
6/9/2020 9:49am
I remember the 05 I had they updated the front and rear brakes from the 04 to go to Honda style routing, and changed the rear linkage (which I remember PR2 saying wasn't good so we used theirs instead). BNG since then.
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tylermx967
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tylermx967 6/9/2020 3:24pm
6/9/2020 3:24pm
I GETTED THE 2008 BUT I DIND NO THE DIFFRINCE OF THE OTHER SUSUZKI BEFORE IT
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imoto34
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imoto34 6/9/2020 6:26pm
6/9/2020 6:26pm
tylermx967 wrote:
I GETTED THE 2008 BUT I DIND NO THE DIFFRINCE OF THE OTHER SUSUZKI BEFORE IT
2008 is the best one.
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mxrose3
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mxrose3 6/9/2020 7:51pm
6/9/2020 7:51pm
FerCzD wrote:
That bike desperately needs an update. All the plastics look so old. Polisport should come out with a restyle kit for that poor bike.
Forget the plastics. I know a fast 80 rider a few years ago who kept braking the frames on his. Beef up the frame, swingarm and suspension first.
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peelout
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peelout 6/9/2020 7:54pm
6/9/2020 7:54pm
They actually rebranded it as a 450 so about 2005ish
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Matt Fisher
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Matt Fisher 6/9/2020 9:26pm
6/9/2020 9:26pm
2005. New swingarm with better chain adjusters, smaller rear disk, new rear caliper. Re-routed front brake line with 2 piston caliper. Transmission drum went from riding directly on the aluminum cases to having a bearing. Non-adjustable 1 piece power valve. Improved rear shock with internal anodizing. Probably a few more updates I'm forgetting.

Truth be told, most of the basic design comes from the early 90's, as do the YZ and KX85's. Many of the parts will interchange going all the way back.

YZ wheels fit the RM if you use the RM spacers (I have some RM Talon wheels for sale, btw), though the rear disk is the smaller 04 size.
Fork and shock springs can interchange with the CR85/CRF150.

When my son raced them I had a slew of RM85's in the garage. Good bikes, but as noted they could really use an update.
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nascarnate326 6/10/2020 2:00am
6/10/2020 2:00am
I didn’t realize there was a new race bike sold with silver wheels still.

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CPR
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CPR 6/10/2020 2:15am
6/10/2020 2:15am
They may not of had any big updates for years but they’re a great bike.
Built quite a few of them and with the right mods, the engine produces the most rideable power of any 85 after a considerable hp boost.
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Deja New
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Deja New 6/10/2020 3:56am
6/10/2020 3:56am
I still have 2 rm85 big wheels in the garage one just got rebuilt the other is in prep to become a super mini as a pit bike for me Smile . Have a plan for a custom Aluminium tank to make twin radiators possible.

As for restyle UFO makes a front and rear fender



In Australia they come stock with ufo redesign plastics and pro circuit pipe as pictured above.

Here is a cool kit that I’d love....
http://www.gmxradiators.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=big&p=665&id=gmx

Would love to see Suzuki put in some effort I’d sell all my Huskies to have a new Suzuki 2 stroke.
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4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4DAIVIPAI2K5 6/10/2020 4:24am
6/10/2020 4:24am
My boy is still a year or 2 away from and 85, but his best friend is going to an 85. His pop is looking at a zuki but his mom is looking at a new yz. I think for $400 bucks more they should go with the yz that just go updated. but I was looking for info on the Rm too. Thanks everyone.
reded
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reded 6/10/2020 5:22am
6/10/2020 5:22am
They could at least change the pipe so that it doesn’t still look like it did in 1983.
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MZ193
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MZ193 6/10/2020 10:40am
6/10/2020 10:40am Edited Date/Time 6/10/2020 10:41am
Why would even you buy a new rm85?
Go for a SX/TC 85, or a YZ.
They are updateds bikes.
If you want a japanese bike but don't like the yz, go for the kawi. Slightly better than the zook, very reliable bike, bulletproof!
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wpark89
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wpark89 6/10/2020 7:25pm
6/10/2020 7:25pm
They rip and are a great 85 for any kid to learn to go fast on. Everyone seems so hung up on new plastic...but you can find super clean RMs for around 1k while comparative used YZs runs twice that and a used KTM is 3 times the money. The motor is still plenty fast and so easy to ride just like they were when I was on them in the early 90s.

The KX 60 didn’t really change for 20 years and it wasn’t like kids didn’t go fast....racing was more affordable and attractive to families and gates were full...maybe that’s more of what the agenda should be with mini bikes.
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Press516
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Press516 6/10/2020 7:33pm
6/10/2020 7:33pm
4DAIVIPAI2K5 wrote:
My boy is still a year or 2 away from and 85, but his best friend is going to an 85. His pop is looking at...
My boy is still a year or 2 away from and 85, but his best friend is going to an 85. His pop is looking at a zuki but his mom is looking at a new yz. I think for $400 bucks more they should go with the yz that just go updated. but I was looking for info on the Rm too. Thanks everyone.
If you decide the 'zuki is the bike, get in touch with Dean at R&D Racing. He's got parts and talent on building the little RM's
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Bennett59
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Bennett59 6/10/2020 8:47pm
6/10/2020 8:47pm
Deja New wrote:
I still have 2 rm85 big wheels in the garage one just got rebuilt the other is in prep to become a super mini as a...
I still have 2 rm85 big wheels in the garage one just got rebuilt the other is in prep to become a super mini as a pit bike for me Smile . Have a plan for a custom Aluminium tank to make twin radiators possible.

As for restyle UFO makes a front and rear fender



In Australia they come stock with ufo redesign plastics and pro circuit pipe as pictured above.

Here is a cool kit that I’d love....
http://www.gmxradiators.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=big&p=665&id=gmx

Would love to see Suzuki put in some effort I’d sell all my Huskies to have a new Suzuki 2 stroke.
This one is Alum tank with DRZ125 Shrouds
8
Deja New
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Deja New 6/11/2020 1:46am
6/11/2020 1:46am
Deja New wrote:
I still have 2 rm85 big wheels in the garage one just got rebuilt the other is in prep to become a super mini as a...
I still have 2 rm85 big wheels in the garage one just got rebuilt the other is in prep to become a super mini as a pit bike for me Smile . Have a plan for a custom Aluminium tank to make twin radiators possible.

As for restyle UFO makes a front and rear fender



In Australia they come stock with ufo redesign plastics and pro circuit pipe as pictured above.

Here is a cool kit that I’d love....
http://www.gmxradiators.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=big&p=665&id=gmx

Would love to see Suzuki put in some effort I’d sell all my Huskies to have a new Suzuki 2 stroke.
Bennett59 wrote:
This one is Alum tank with DRZ125 Shrouds [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/06/10/431976/s1200_465B8221_4EF6_4B0C_B79E_DD2A2B82CAD6.jpg[/img]
This one is Alum tank with DRZ125 Shrouds
Nice very nice
Dixon893
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Dixon893 6/11/2020 4:40am
6/11/2020 4:40am
4DAIVIPAI2K5 wrote:
My boy is still a year or 2 away from and 85, but his best friend is going to an 85. His pop is looking at...
My boy is still a year or 2 away from and 85, but his best friend is going to an 85. His pop is looking at a zuki but his mom is looking at a new yz. I think for $400 bucks more they should go with the yz that just go updated. but I was looking for info on the Rm too. Thanks everyone.
I was going back and forth YZ or RM didn't want to pay KTM prices for a mini, ended up with the YZ 19 model, the new power valve motor is a little ripper. My boy would rather ride the YZ than his KX100.
Only mods are a milled head and PC silencer runs strong, replaced the piston at 65hrs and front wheel bearings are trash only issue I have had.
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4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4DAIVIPAI2K5 6/11/2020 4:57am
6/11/2020 4:57am
Can get a yz for 3900 otd that's cheaper then I paid for his cobra 50 or 65. Haven't seen otd prices on a rm yet. Haven't honestly looked hard at any 85 yet. Still enjoying the last 50 year and second 65 year.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 6/11/2020 11:38am
6/11/2020 11:38am
4DAIVIPAI2K5 wrote:
Can get a yz for 3900 otd that's cheaper then I paid for his cobra 50 or 65. Haven't seen otd prices on a rm yet...
Can get a yz for 3900 otd that's cheaper then I paid for his cobra 50 or 65. Haven't seen otd prices on a rm yet. Haven't honestly looked hard at any 85 yet. Still enjoying the last 50 year and second 65 year.
I've wrenched on pretty much every 85 made (except CR) and riders in our crew have raced the newer YZ, KX & KTM/Husky. If racing anything above beginner there really is no reason to go with any bike other than the Husky/KTM. Yes usually more upfront but so far above the rest in performance and even reliability it's not even a real comparison. Yamaha had a shot with the 19 YZ85 remake and completely blew it. The frame cracks still within 20 hours, paint comes off right away, engine is mediocre. I hate to sound like a fanboy because I'm not we loved our YZ85's when my older boy was on them. However the 18+ KTM 85/105 is just on another level. There are few things that have pissed me off about them considering the cost but overall they are the best 85 bike ever made. Smooth tuneable power with adjustable PV. Suspension is excellent once reworked & decent stock. Making them into big wheel 105's is cake and the kit runs extremely well with very little modification. We have two riders just in our small crew that tried the 19 YZ85 one even had a full Lynx engine built for his. Both are now on KTM/Huskies and much much happier.........
2
4DAIVIPAI2K5
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4DAIVIPAI2K5 6/11/2020 1:11pm
6/11/2020 1:11pm
4DAIVIPAI2K5 wrote:
Can get a yz for 3900 otd that's cheaper then I paid for his cobra 50 or 65. Haven't seen otd prices on a rm yet...
Can get a yz for 3900 otd that's cheaper then I paid for his cobra 50 or 65. Haven't seen otd prices on a rm yet. Haven't honestly looked hard at any 85 yet. Still enjoying the last 50 year and second 65 year.
Tracktor wrote:
I've wrenched on pretty much every 85 made (except CR) and riders in our crew have raced the newer YZ, KX & KTM/Husky. If racing anything...
I've wrenched on pretty much every 85 made (except CR) and riders in our crew have raced the newer YZ, KX & KTM/Husky. If racing anything above beginner there really is no reason to go with any bike other than the Husky/KTM. Yes usually more upfront but so far above the rest in performance and even reliability it's not even a real comparison. Yamaha had a shot with the 19 YZ85 remake and completely blew it. The frame cracks still within 20 hours, paint comes off right away, engine is mediocre. I hate to sound like a fanboy because I'm not we loved our YZ85's when my older boy was on them. However the 18+ KTM 85/105 is just on another level. There are few things that have pissed me off about them considering the cost but overall they are the best 85 bike ever made. Smooth tuneable power with adjustable PV. Suspension is excellent once reworked & decent stock. Making them into big wheel 105's is cake and the kit runs extremely well with very little modification. We have two riders just in our small crew that tried the 19 YZ85 one even had a full Lynx engine built for his. Both are now on KTM/Huskies and much much happier.........
Killing me smalls....

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