For this edition of Classic Ink, we are going to take a look back at Suzuki’s motocross lineup for 1984.
Suzuki dialed up big changes on their 125 and 250 machines in 1984.
In 1984, Suzuki’s Full Floater was considered the state of the art in rear suspension performance. For 1984, all four RM’s received new flat-slide carbs that Suzuki claimed would improve throttle response and increase power.
All-new in 1983, Suzuki’s RM80 received only minor updates for 1984. A new flat-slide carburetor, revamped porting, and a revised expansion chamber boosted power while an enlarged coolant system kept temps under control. While potent, the RM’s appeal was hampered in 1984 by its very soft stock suspension settings and a powerband that placed all of its power very high up in the rev range.
Redesigned from the ground up, the RM125 was solid 125 contender in 1984. Its front and rear suspension were the class of the field, but its unimpressive brakes and hitless high-RPM powerband made it a hard sell to some. For most testers, the Kawasaki KX125’s brawny mill gave it the edge despite its inferior suspension performance.
Also redesigned for 1984, the RM250 featured handsome styling and an attractive move to blue for its accents. Just as in the 125 class, the revamped RM250 was a very good machine held back by an unimpressive motor and lackluster brakes. The motor offered decent torque, but it lacked the hard hit and strong top-end pull of the Honda. It was a decent motor for beginners, but anyone striving to be the next Mark Barnett needed to look up Pro Circuit in the Yellow Pages. The KYB forks and shock were excellent at gobbling up the track and the RM could be ridden at full tilt without fear of the suspension or chassis getting the rider in trouble. Stopping, however, remained an issue with its dual-leading shoe front binder and drum rear offering the least pucker power in the class. Overall, it was a good machine in need of some additional ponies to keep it at the front.
Suzuki was the first of the Japanese brands to abandon the Open class in the US market with the ’84 RM500 being the last Suzuki big-bore for more than two decades. For 1984, the biggest Zook kept the 1981 styling but did add a new coat of blue for the seat, fork boots, and frame to freshen up its slightly stale appearance. As on the smaller RMs, the 500’s biggest advantage was its excellent suspension. The motor was quite mellow by 500 standards, but this was less of a handicap than it was on the 125 and 250. It was a great bike for many, but serious racers tended to gravitate to the more powerful Yamaha and Honda.
Over the years Suzuki has used a lot of slogans – “Forget Your Troubles. Get On Suzuki”, “Yellow Magic”, “Suzuki, The Fast One”, “Right On, Suzuki”, “Suzuki, The Performer”, and “Works Like A Single Moving Part”. Of all of these, this ’84 slogan must be my least favorite. What exactly is “The Sensation of Suzuki” anyway? Inquiring minds want to know…
