Quick Ride

Quick Ride

SUZUKI DR-Z250 It's a player

PLAYBIKES AREN'T ABOUT the latest engine and frame technology or the next big step in suspension per-formance. No, these mid-displacement machines are about one thing: fun. And Suzuki's new DR-Z250 is exactly that, a fun trailbike that slots perfectly into a market segment already bursting at the seams.

In fact, given Honda's XR25OR and Yamaha's TT-R250 (not to mention Kawasaki's bigger, more powerful KLX300), who would have thought there would be room for another player? Ob viously, Suzuki did. Based on a Japanese domestic-market dualpurpose model, the dirt-only, U.S.-spec DR-Z is powered by an airtoil-cooled, dohc, four valve 249cc Single. The coun terbalancer-equipped engine is a wet-sump design and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. Starting chores are handled by simply pressing the handlebar-mounted button. There's also a conven

tional kickstarter.

On the trail, the DR-Z feels nothing like a two-stroke RM motocrosser. That's a good thing. Suzuki took the "low" road in terms of engine tuning, which translates to a smooth, torquey pull through the bottom and midrange portions of the power band before flattening out on top. At that point, the engine feels pretty plugged up, but power output is nonetheless

right between that of the Yamaha and Honda, with a bit less bot tom end compared to the TT-R and less on top than the XR. No doubt, the aftermarket will have its way with this bike, but before you purchase a loud exhaust pipe, think about your ears-and those of others around you. From the factory, the spark-ar restor-equipped DR-Z is whis per-quiet. We did, however, find a nice performance gain by sim ply removing the airbox plug.

Need more proof that Suzuki is taking this playbike stuff seri ously? Take a close look at the DR-Z's stout, RM-inspired steel frame, fully adjustable suspen sion components, beam-style swingarm and dual disc brakes. Fork and shock springing are targeted toward sub-150pounders, so heavier and more aggressive riders will want to stay away from big jumps-or suffer the consequences. In creasing damping at both ends helps, but expect a greater effect from twiddling the rebound clickers than their compression counterparts. Handling is allaround good with that same light-effort steering feel we've come to expect from Suzuki. As such, the DR-Z performs well as an everyday trailbike, allow ing beginning riders to build confidence quickly.

factor in a competftive sug gested retail price of $4699, and the DR-Z250 comes across as nearly perfect. It has all the features necessary for any type of off-road riding short of allout competition, which is why it's one of the hottest playbikes out there.

Jimmy Lewis