Australasian Dirt Bike – September 2019

Ispentmanyyearschasingthelikesof
MattandJakeMossaroundmotocross
tracksalloverthecountrywhilethey
piloted RMsplasteredwithRaceline
Suzukistickerkits.Forthatreasonthe
word“winning”springstomindwhen
IthinkoftheRM85.Fastforward
almosttwodecadesandtheRM85is
nolongeracommonbikeduetothe
lackofdevelopment.Apartfrom
differentplastics,afancystickerkit
andapowerpipethisbikehas
remainedmostlythesame.
It’sawesomethatyougetextrafruit
becauseitnowlooksstylishandwhat
kidwouldsaynotoapowerpipe?The
cheappricetagiscertainlyattractivebut
let’stalkabouthowitgoesfirst.
TheRM85isareasonablyreliable
bike.I’veseenthemdobigendsorsnap
thepistonskirtwhenabusedorruntoo
longwithoutarebuildbuttherestofthe
bikeisprettysturdy.It’sprobablywhy
Suzukihasn’tchangedthem.Thesingle
radiatorcanstruggletokeepitcool

whenridinginmudorsand.The

suspensioninitsdaywasasgoodasit

getsbutbytoday’sstandardsitlacks

somedampingandadjustability.Mostof

theproblemscanbefixedinternallyand

thevalvingandspringratescanbe

changedtosuitjustaboutanyrider.The

motorisalittledownonbottom-endbut

thiscanbeimprovedbychangingthe

compressionratioandporting.

Onceuponatimetheywerearealrace

weaponbutnowtheyneedsomeworkto

getthemuptothatelitelevel.Where

theybestsitiswithbeginnersor

intermediateriders.Theyareway

downthepricescalecomparedtothe

Eurossotheyareamuchcheaperbike

tobuy.Thisleavesyouwithafew

dollarstodothebikeuportospendon

ridinggearinstead.Thesebikeswill

dofineonaclubracinglevelandwill

exceljustridingaroundthepaddock

ortrailridingbuttheywillneedsome

dollarsthrownatthemifyouwantto

takeontheAussietitles.

Racekitpipemakesa bigdifferencetothelook Suspension is pretty basic at both ends

Suzuki RM85

Suzuki RM85

ENGINE

TYPE Piston-port, reed-valve

DISPLACEMENT 84.7cc

BORE & STROKE 48.0 x 46.8mm

COOLING Liquid

COMPRESSION RATIO N/A

FUEL METERING Keihin PE28

TANK CAPACITY 5L

TRANSMISSION Six-speed constant-mesh

CLUTCH Wet multiplate

DIMENSIONS

WHEELBASE 1280mm

SEAT HEIGHT 875mm

GROUND CLEARANCE N/A

WEIGHT 74kg wet

SUSPENSION

FRONT Showa 37mm USD, 275mm travel

REAR Showa gas-oil monoshock, 277mm travel

BRAKES

FRONT Tokico twin-piston, 220mm disc

REAR Tokico single-piston, 200mm disc

RUNNING GEAR

HANDLEBAR Renthal tapered alloy

FRONT TYRE Dunlop D737 70/100-19

REAR TYRE Dunlop D737 90/100-16

PRICE & CONTACTS

PRICE $5490 with race kit

WEB suzukimotorcycles.com.au

PHONE (03) 9931 0500

WARRANTY None

Brainstrust

CODY KILPATRICK

Age: 13

I really liked the feel of

the clutch on the Suzuki.

LACHLAN MORRIS

Age: 11

The power was smooth

but the bike felt a bit

clunky to ride. Being so much cheaper

I think it would be a good bike for

someone starting out.

RILEY BURGESS

Age: 10

I didn’t feel too

comfortable with the

suspension on the RM. It was a little too

bouncy in the rear.

THOMAS HAY

Age: 11

The RM didn’t have as

much power as the others

and the suspension was a little harsh.

This was the hardest bike for me to ride.

http://www.adbmag.com SEPTEMBER 2019 | 65