Hello All,
I recently purchased a "used" 2022 Suzuki RM-Z 250 with 1 hour on it. I am looking to use this Forum Topic to capture the setup and progress of the bike as I dive back into the world of motocross. I feel that the Suzuki is a great fit for myself, as I have little intentions to race. The plan is to enjoy the sport and grow myself as a rider. It has been referenced to as "the working man's bike", this is a market segment that is needed.
A little bit about myself.
I am 26 years old, 165lbs (in gear), 5'8". I am a Mechanical Engineer by trade and a performance automotive enthusiast. I have a passion for internal combustion engine & suspension set ups.
I grew up riding Atvs & dirt bikes up on single track trails in Michigan. Around the age of 16 I went to a few motocross tracks for the first time. I was instantly hooked. I still ride some single track and plan to do a little with this bike.
Time to dump in some photos. Stoked on some of weather here in NWI. I able to get out and ride in 60deg weather this Sunday (first ride).
Well I'll start off that I love mine. I have motor mods I can get into if you care but before that...
-I tried different gearing and didn't like it, went back to stock 50t rear.
-I instantly put in softer springs front and rear (5'8, 145 lbs)
-I do not like the skinnier rear rim with 100 width tire, it feels squirrely on some tracks/terrain. I put on a 2.15" rear rim and run 110 tires
I have followed your build. It was the inspiration that brought me to making this post! I see you went to baker speed for the engine? I would love to talk more on this.
Current bike setup (Purchased like this... more or less)
Suspension setup:
Reworked by Route 15 Cycles (JH2)
-.46 spring rate up front.
-Ti Coated fork tubs & shock shaft.
-Racetech Gold Valves.
-Stock Rear spring rate.
-Pro circuit linkage.
I plan to add a shock travel O-ring.
Chassis:
Chassis Lab front engine mounts.
Flo Foot pegs.
ODI lock on grips.
Duyba Wheel set. Haans Bronse hubs with Yellow Excel wheels. 19”x2.5” w/110 MX33 tire. (I am excited to try out the Dunlop MX34’s next year.)
I intend to test our a mixture of the KX torque specs.
Engine:
Stock.
Yoshimura R&D RS12.
No-Toil Super Flo Cage. (Backfire screen removed)
Twin air - Air filter.
Hinson Clutch Cover.
MX Tuner 2.0 – I will update with results as I make changes to mapping.
I plan to do some airbox mods possibly a little less aggressive than Keefer did.
When it comes time to rebuild, other engine work will be preformed.
Guards:
Acerbis X-Grip Frame Guard.
Acerbis Front Brake Guard.
Acerbis Front Fork Shoes.
Acerbis Skid Plate.
Fuel:
VP T4 - I do intended to do some testing with Swift 94UL (Unleaded AV gas approved for automotive use)
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Rad, ask away if you have any questions. I will say that working with Dean Baker was great. Right on par with working with Tom Morgan on my 2-stroke. Both 100% did what they said they'd do (and when) and were willing to answer any questions at any time.
Only bummer is that I did all the mods other than Yosh exhaust at the same time. So I can't really tell you about improvements from the cams/porting/GET ecu/etc individually.
Good looking bike! And cool thread, I'm looking forward to following it.
I have 19 that I picked up last summer with about 8 hrs on it, has just under 20 now. So far I'm loving it. I'm also in NWI and spin quite a few laps out at ltmx. My main goal with the bike is to find a happy compromise on the track and also in woods, as I like to do an occasional harescramble or michigan sprint enduro race. The current setup:
-Stock engine, gonna keep it that way more than likely.
-Stock gearing and airbox.
-Twin air filter
-Magura hydraulic clutch
-Renthal 609/ Cycra probends
- .46 springs in front/ 5.0 in rear. (6'2, 175)
-Acerbis skid plate, front rotor guard.
-Odi lock ons
-Luxon bar mount
-Starcross 6 soft tires
-Also running T4
-Tried the ride engineering lowering link (Was on the bike when purcased) and I pulled that off after a couple rides, went back to stock.
I've kinda just been playing with sag numbers and clickers, learning and making small improvements here and there. I'm currently shoping around for a local shop that can re-valve it. I'd like to get a little more vet guy comfort/compliance particularly on the rough choppy stuff/ bumps/holes..ect How are you liking the RT goldvalves?
I'm 68, 175 lb., former vet expert with a couple of district championships in 40+ mx before I turned the truck over the wife and daughter for equistirain competions. Have had my own tracks since the late eighties. Also a Suzuki guy since then. I have a 20' RMZ 250 I ride along with an 07 RM and RMZ. I'm finally pretty happy with my 20' after a lot of effort. My forks have made two trips to FC that were not effective, now are down to .44 springs with a final massive revalve with the assistance of the Thumper Talk suspension forum. My shock is down two spring steps (4.8?) but I also run a Ride Link so I can run soft on low speed compression because high is already all the way out. Also have the soft front mounts.The final biggest change for me was a Hinson BTL slipper clutch. It really freed the chassis up on decel and braking. Once the fork action got in the ballpark, shock lock on decel was my biggest issue. I tend to deep brake and I my opinion this chassis does not like that when anywhere near stock. My motor is stock with the exception of a RS-12 system, Twin Air Proflo with airbox mods and Twisted Vortex.
Dude, sick bike. I'll preach LTMX anytime I can. That track is so sick, but bring a scoop tire.
The yellow bikes look like so much fun. There's a 50% chance I'll be getting one in the upcoming year and doing a build on it too. When you can get these at such a good price you can throw a bunch of fun mods on them and not break the bank. Looking forward to hearing how your season goes and where you get to ride. NW Indiana and western Michigan have some of the best tracks in the country. Enjoy!
Worst update imaginable.
Couldn’t be a a bigger damper on this passion of mine.
I was telling my wife how excited I was to find a few other guys that enjoy these bikes & enjoy the R&D process.
I was out at LTMX on 3/3/24. Beautiful day. Got some good riding in. As the day went on the bike kept getting better.
“Lost” my location on the track, though I was supposed hitting a bigger table. Missed my rut , going off of the lightly packed clay lip. Over shot way to high and way to far. 20-30ft too far….
burst fracture to my L2 vertebrae.
I went under emergency surgery on 3/4.
on my way to a very lengthy recovery.
this is coming to you from my phone hospital bed. I plan to revise and when I can use a laptop.
Dude!!! Absolutely hate hearing this! Hope you can focus on your health and get healed up right! I'm hopeful to meet and spin some laps together soon!
Ltmx is a blast but man it's tough especially when it gets dry and rough. I broke my sternum last time I was there, on the double after the uphill jump in the front. It's bitten many.
Praying for you that you heal up quickly and properly!
Sorry to hear, hope you heal up well/fast!
Man that sucks long haul ahead...small goals, keep moving forward everyday and eating right, doing anything to make yourself better than the day before
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