By Danny Brault

Photos by Jay Moore

Since there are a gazillion bike tests out there, it’s becoming difficult to find creative ways for testing new models and keeping readers interested. Now that Canada is becoming a supercross nation (following the run of two seasons of WSXGP and Darcy Lange’s fifth place in the Lites class at Anaheim over the weekend) we thought it would be fitting to do a bike test on a tight and technical indoor race track. So, we loaded up the pick-up truck with a RMZ-250F and headed east to the AX Des-Monts track in Val-Des-Monts, Quebec. (Be sure to check out last week’s report on the facility with track owner Yan Gendron.)

Despite no groundbreaking changes to the ’06 RMZ-250F, each test rider was still anxious to ride the bike since they hadn’t spent much time on the yellow thumpers, and with a perfectly groomed AX track, it was easy to get excited for a bike test. The most noticeable change to the ’06 RMZ is the BNG (bold new graphics). Other than that, it gained updated shifter forks for more precise shifting, increased durability of the water pump shaft, a one piece magneto rotor for better reliability and a more efficient oil pump that increasess oil flow by 20 percent.

MX101’s Kevin Tyler was kind enough to join the Racer X Canada crew in Quebec for bike testing. Tyler, who won both Gas Cards at the Toronto and Vancouver WSXGP, has ridden various AX races throughout Canada and the U.S. and has spent some time practicing on the Des-Monts facility; so he’s not a stranger to what a bike needs to be competitive indoors. Tyler has been riding Yamahas for many years, but it didn’t take him long to feel comfortable on the RMZ. “The new Suzuki felt good; it felt strong," said Tyler. "It had a good amount of bottom. It seemed to rev out really quick, similar to the ’06 Yamaha that I ride, they seemed to have toned down how far they will rev. So you have to short shift it a lot more.”

Our second tester from Belleville, Ontario, Mike Ackerman, won the 250 and GP Intermediate Ontario Provincial titles in ’04 and raced at the London Motoplex back in ’03 and qualified for the 125 class at the Toronto supercross in 2001.  He rode pro this past year, but didn’t make it out to many races because of work commitments. He too praised the bottom end of the Suzuki and felt that it had a nice, rideable power delivery. “On the indoor track, the motor in the Suzuki worked well because it didn’t do anything unexpected and it was predictable,” said Ackerman.

The testers also fell in love with the handling characteristics of the RMZ and noted how quickly they became accustomed to the bike. “I think it fits well, it handles really well," explained Tyler on the bike’s indoor skills. "Suzuki has always been known for razor sharp handling and you can turn it on dime, which this stuff [arenacross] is. It felt super-stable. I know we didn’t set the suspension, other than a few clicks, but the bike went dead straight through those whoops every lap and never kicked once.” 

Even though he stands over six-feet tall, Ackerman still felt at home on the little yellow thumper. “I felt pretty comfortable on it, which is surprising because I’ve never ridden one before," said Ackerman. "When you sit on it, it feels comfortable, like you’re sitting where you are supposed to in a corner. Then when you get on the brakes, the RMZ squats well when entering the corners.”

The Verdict:

It’s hard to believe that Suzuki sat around and didn’t take their 250F to the next step, like the other manufacturers. But that doesn’t mean the RMZ isn’t capable of winning. With a strong bottom end hit that is ideal for AX or SX and low centre of gravity for quick turning, the RMZ-250F has a strong base for indoor racing. And with a little work to give it some more top end (maybe go down a couple of teeth on the rear sprocket and be sure to short-shift it) the Suzuki is easily a competitive bike for outdoors. To see a complete list of changes to the 2006 RMZ-250F or to view other Suzuki models, check out Suzuki Canada.