Back to 2012 Suzuki Motorcycle Model Review Page

Click photos to enlarge.
They make great desktop images.

2012 Suzuki RM85L

2012 Suzuki RM85L

– 2012 Suzuki RM85L

2012 Suzuki RM85L Review

Both the RM85L and RM85 are loaded with technology derived from Suzuki’s championship-winning motocross bikes. Both bikes offer incredible performance with the RM85L featuring larger wheels and an extended swingarm and wheelbase specially designed to suit larger riders. With smooth power delivery and loads of mid-range and lightweight handling, these are the perfect bikes for anyone learning to race—and to win!

Mount up. Because 1st place doesn’t come without a fight. Razor-sharp handling. Beastly torque. Quick-response braking. They’re not features, they’re the difference between podium and parking lot. Our legendary RM-Zs put the track—and the competition—at your mercy.

Suzuki’s latest schoolboy RM85L, available in small and big-wheel versions as raced by Maximum Solutions Stephen Clarke to win the FIM Junior World Motocross Championship.

It’s at the 85cc classes where the serious racing starts so the RM85L is perfectly designed to deliver that winning combination.

 

Class Powerhouse with Big Wheels

The RM85L is the bike that meets every first-time motocross racers demand, with even bigger wheels for better handling and comfort. The high revving 85cc reed valve engine features alloy exhaust valves for more stable combustion, in combination with the Keihin PE28 carburetor.

At ground level, inverted Showa cartridge forks use a progressive valve system with damping tuned to match the strong rear shock. The braking system boasts large discs and a twin-piston caliper up front.

To top it off, you also get the RM85L big wheel, with 19 inch front and 16 inch rear tyres, offering a 1,280mm wheelbase and 875mm seat height.

 

 

 

2012 Suzuki RM85L Features and Benefits

85cc, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled engine with a bore and stroke of 48.0mm x 46.8mm.

The cylinder has Suzuki’s original Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) to help transfer heat to the coolant quickly and efficiently, while adding durability and lightweight to the engine construction.

Digital CDI map offers the suitable engine performance at high rpm.

High-tensile tubular steel frame for performance on the track, especially in the corners.

Newly designed swingarm with thicker wall improves traction delivery especially at whoops.

Front forks offer 275mm of wheel travel.

Rear piggyback-reservoir shock absorber has 277mm of wheel travel and adjustable for compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload.

Each side of the seat has textured surface for better knee gripping.

Footpegs are made of chrome-molybdenum-steel, making them more durable with better grip.

Long clutch lever makes it easier to accurately locate and work the engagement point during starts and when clutching off at corners.

The RM85L comes with 19-inch front and 16-inch rear tyres, longer 1,280mm wheelbase and higher 875mm of seat height.

 

Engine Features

High-revving 84.7cc, liquid-cooled, case-reed engine produces strong peak power and torque – includes aluminum exhaust valves for more stable exhaust flow and RM125-style exhaust valve governor and linkage for precise valve movement and strong throttle response

Keihin™ PE28 carburetor provides smooth throttle response and is designed for simplified maintenance

Knurl-finished gear shift lever tip for improved appearance and feel

Large-capacity radiator for efficient engine cooling

Magneto cover with styling similar to RM250

SCEM-plated cylinder – lighter than a steel-sleeved cylinder with superior heat transfer capability

 

Transmission Features

Easy to use clutch lever with long lever stroke for precise clutch operation and feel

Smooth shifting 6-speed transmission – shift drum detent plate and detent spring designed for positive shift feel, plus needle bearing mounted on the left side of the shift drum to reduce friction

 

Chassis Features

Showa rear shock absorber with large diameter shock body and valving designed to produce a plush feel and increase bottoming resistance

Aluminum swingarm with chain adjustment system similar to RM250

Brake and shift pedals designed with thick cross-section for durability

Chrome-moly footpegs for increased durability and improved rider feel

Frame designed for increased rigidity, durability and straight line performance; features large diameter tubing in key areas and large front reinforcement plate

Fuel tank, radiator shroud, seat and number plates with design and graphics similar to RM125/250

Lightweight rear brake system with large 200mm diameter rear brake rotor for positive brake feel

Showa 37mm inverted fork featuring cartridge damping system with fully-adjustable rebound damping and 20-way adjustable compression damping – Includes fork guards to protect inner fork tubes

Twin piston front brake caliper and large 220mm diameter front brake rotor, plus large capacity front master cylinder

Wheel sizes of F: 70/100-19, R: 90/100-16 to fit a variety of young riders

 

---

 

2012 Suzuki RM85L – USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $4,199 USD

Chassis
Brakes Front Disc brake
Brakes Rear Disc brake
Color Champion Yellow
Curb Weight 74 kg (163 lbs)
Final Drive Chain, D.I.D 428DS, 122 links
Fuel Tank Capacity 5.0 L (1.3 US gallons)
Ground Clearance 355 mm (14.0 in)
Overall Height 1165 mm (45.9 in)
Overall Length 1895 mm (74.6 in)
Overall Width 735 mm (28.9 in)
Seat Height 875 mm (34.4 in)
Suspension Front Telescopic, pneumatic/coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear Link type, coil spring, oil damped
Tires Front 70/100-19 42M
Tires Rear 90/100-16 52M
Transmission 6-speed constant mesh
Wheelbase 1280 mm (50.4 in)
Engine
Bore Stroke 48 x 46.8mm
Compression Ratio 9.5/10.9 : 1
Engine 84.7cc, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled
Fuel System KEIHIN PE28, single
Ignition Electronic ignition (CDI)
Lubrication Fuel/oil premixture of 30 : 1
Starter Primary kick
Warranty
Warranty No Warranty

---

 

2012 Suzuki RM85L – Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: See Canadian Suzuki Dealer for pricing.

Chassis
Brakes Front Disc brake
Brakes Rear Disc brake
Color Champion Yellow
Curb Weight 74 kg (163 lbs)
Final Drive Chain, D.I.D 428DS, 122 links
Fuel Tank Capacity 5.0 L (1.3 US gallons)
Ground Clearance 355 mm (14.0 in)
Overall Height 1165 mm (45.9 in)
Overall Length 1895 mm (74.6 in)
Overall Width 735 mm (28.9 in)
Seat Height 875 mm (34.4 in)
Suspension Front Telescopic, pneumatic/coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear Link type, coil spring, oil damped
Tires Front 70/100-19 42M
Tires Rear 90/100-16 52M
Transmission 6-speed constant mesh
Wheelbase 1280 mm (50.4 in)
Engine
Bore Stroke 48 x 46.8mm
Compression Ratio 9.5/10.9 : 1
Engine 84.7cc, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled
Fuel System KEIHIN PE28, single
Ignition Electronic ignition (CDI)
Lubrication Fuel/oil premixture of 30 : 1
Starter Primary kick
Warranty
Warranty No Warranty

 

---

 

2012 Suzuki RM85L – Australian Specifications/Technical Details
Australian MSRP Price: See dealer for pricing.

ENGINE
84.7cc, 2-stroke, liquid cooled, single cylinder
STARTER
Primary kick
TRANSMISSION
6 speed constant mesh
FRONT SUSPENSION
Telescopic, pneumatic/coil spring, oil-damped
REAR SUSPENSION
Link Type, coil spring, oil damped
FRONT BRAKES
Disc
REAR BRAKES
Disc
WHEELBASE
1,280mm
SEAT HEIGHT
875mm
LENGTH
1,895mm
WIDTH
735mm
HEIGHT
1,165mm
WET WEIGHT
74kg
FUEL CAPACITY
5 litres
COLOURS
Champion Yellow

 

---

 

2012 Suzuki RM85L – UK Specifications/Technical Details
RRP Price: £3,267 GBP

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS

Overall length: 1895mm (74.6in)
Overall width: 735mm (28.9in)
Overall height: 1165mm (45.9in)
Wheelbase: 1280mm (50.4in)
Seat height: 875mm (34.4in)
Kerb Mass: 74kg (163.1lbs)
Fuel capacity: 5.0litres (1.1 UK gallons)
ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Engine capacity: 84cc
Engine: 2-stroke, liquid cooled, single cylinder
Bore: 48mm x 46.8mm
Compression ratio: 9.5/10.9 : 1
Lubrication: Fuel/oil premixture of 30 : 1
Ignition: CDI
Fuel system: KEIHIN PE28, single
Starter: Kick
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
Drive: Chain
CHASSIS SPECIFICATION

Front suspension: Showa telescopic, compression damping 20-way adjustable, rebound damping 3-turn adjustable
Rear suspension: Showa link type, spring preload fully adjustable, compression damping 2.5-turn adjustable, rebound damping 2.5-turn adjustable
Front brakes: Disc
Rear brakes: Disc
Front tyres: 70/100-19
Rear tyres: 90/100-16

 

*Price, Specifications and photos may change without notice.