MXA’S TWO-STROKE TUESDAY
The Suzuki RM250 was one of the most recognizable bikes of the two-stroke era. Born in 1976, it was the bigger brother to the 1975 RM125. Suzuki was no stranger to making 250cc’s, having already gained success with their original 250 dirt bike, the RH70. Designed as a GP monster, the RH70 would be the bike Belgian racer Joël Robert would ride to several of his 6 250 World Championships in the 1970s. It was only fitting that his teammate Sylvain Geboers would take second place on the same bike in the World Grand Prix. Robert would continue his winning streak up to 1972 on the RH70.
While multiple versions of the bike had been put out since 1976, only a few modifications had been made to the first iteration of the bike. These would include tweaks like adding an aluminum swingarm and plastic gas tank. The RM250 would get it’s first complete overhaul in 1979. By the mid 1980’s Suzuki’s bikes had surpassed European manufacturers in terms of durability and weight. At this point, Suzuki’s brand only kept getting stronger with champions like Roger Decoster winning GP’s on their 500cc bikes and Tony DiStefano sweeping three AMA 250 National Championships for the brand.
Belgian Georges Jobe would be the first to win a World GP title on the RM250 in 1980. He would repeat his success in 1983 after only garnering a second overall in 1981 and 1982. Also in 1981, Mark Barnett would take the overall win in the AMA Supercross championships. While the RM250 had some improvements leading into the 1980’s, most notably the marvelos Full Floater rear suspension system, the bike started to have a dated feel going through the mid 1980’s. The tonic was bringing Bob “Hurricane” Hannah in to test and help develop the bike, resulting in an updated frame and new power valve.
2001 was the last time the RM250 got a new body style and engine cases. While Mickael Pichon went on to win the 2002 World Grand Championship, it would be the final year an RM250 rider would make the podium. Suzuki would last produce the RM250 in 2008 (shown above) as every manufacturer was now focusing their efforts on four-strokes.
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