Suzuki RM250

[Ashley Burton]

Caught the Off Road MX bug last year & really wanted one!

Going to look at at 1997 RM250, The pictures are good & the description seems honest.

Spoke with the seller & he came across pretty genuine!

Anyone had any experience with these bikes? Apparently Gearbox's aren't perfect, But seems luck of the draw/maintenance/usage.

Any heads up would be appreciated!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

as long as parts availability is good everythings easily repaired/replaced. tbh rebuilds are common on mx bikes so expect to be doing one in the future regardless.

My last trials bike was a mare to get parts for. loved the bike but sold it before it became a money pit. il buy something newer in a few years when i have time to ride it.

 

[Ashley Burton]

as long as parts availability is good everythings easily repaired/replaced. tbh rebuilds are common on mx bikes so expect to be doing one in the future regardless.

My last trials bike was a mare to get parts for. loved the bike but sold it before it became a money pit. il buy something newer in a few years when i have time to ride it.

That's the only thing which concerns me is availability due to age, Happy to get my hands dirt etc.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

https://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/l/suz/50d38a43f8700229982f1f3f/1997-rm250-parts

No issues there then. lol usa site but shows good availibiity

 

[Ashley Burton]

https://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/l/suz/50d38a43f8700229982f1f3f/1997-rm250-parts

No issues there then. lol usa site but shows good availibiity

Do people still make parts for older bikes or is it generally New Old Stock?

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Speak to Martin crooks at crooks Suzuki in barrow, oldest suzi dealership in the country and he's a lovely guy, very helpful and used to race rm's so knows them inside out. They carry a lot of NOS spares

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Do people still make parts for older bikes or is it generally New Old Stock?

My sherco was the same age as my montessa honda 2001 the sherco i could get any part for. the monty. some parts at a high price. pistons cranks meh like rocking horse poo

 

[Ashley Burton]

My sherco was the same age as my montessa honda 2001 the sherco i could get any part for. the monty. some parts at a high price. pistons cranks meh like rocking horse poo

All part of the package owning an older bike I suppose!

 

[hareng]

Caught the Off Road MX bug last year & really wanted one!

A bottomless pitt, at current prices drop off once and easily face £100+ bill be prepared.
Good news is its a 2 stroke, less to constantly service.
Either way plan on a full engine rebuild, many are unserviced, used for ragging down the cut and local walkways for hours on end = lots of use, tell tale sign rear tyre worn in the middle. If its been used for racing it would have been maintained to a level with less abuse. Manual will state parts change as in ring every 3 meetings, piston every 9 races and so on. Typically could run a 250 mid amatuer level for 18 months on one piston, 125 at the top two bikes a year plus repairs and servicing.

US link above add VAT, Import Duty, carriage twice. Most prices seem comparitively cheap as they would supply a large market the US.

 

[Ashley Burton]

A bottomless pitt, at current prices drop off once and easily face £100+ bill be prepared.
Good news is its a 2 stroke, less to constantly service.
Either way plan on a full engine rebuild, many are unserviced, used for ragging down the cut and local walkways for hours on end = lots of use, tell tale sign rear tyre worn in the middle. If its been used for racing it would have been maintained to a level with less abuse. Manual will state parts change as in ring every 3 meetings, piston every 9 races and so on. Typically could run a 250 mid amatuer level for 18 months on one piston, 125 at the top two bikes a year plus repairs and servicing.

US link above add VAT, Import Duty, carriage twice. Most prices seem comparitively cheap as they would supply a large market the US.

I'm willing to understand it isn't a cheap hobby, But I don't have kids to splash out on or pets. I nearly bought a 4 stroke, Then found out it would be a ticking time bomb which could cost me more of a fortune!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I'm willing to understand it isn't a cheap hobby, But I don't have kids to splash out on or pets. I nearly bought a 4 stroke, Then found out it would be a ticking time bomb which could cost me more of a fortune!

Thats why I went trials mate. Cheap to buy cheap to maintain costs me £27 a year family membership to a gated anytime practice ground and £15 PER organised trial I enter. Acu licence £ 15 per year. Danger of injury reduced amd good fun too.

 

[FoxZulu]

Thats why I went trials mate. Cheap to buy cheap to maintain costs me £27 a year family membership to a gated anytime practice ground and £15 PER organised trial I enter.

Which club is that, Berko? I really must dig out my old Montesa 315R and start riding it again. A brilliant way of spending a cold winters Sunday morning before going home to a full roast dinner.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Never made it to berko. Milton buzzard. Mount farm in mk. Right next to the a5.
Just sold my 315. Old vam died and needed to raise some funds.
Il be buying somethibg newer this/next year

 

[dobbslc]

Check the crankcase halves at the join to see if it's been prised apart with a screwdriver, my CR 250 had been! Flatted out on some plate glass with wet and dry.
If it has powervalves or whatever Suzuki call them have a very good look at the linkages and any bushes , if you can get the exhaust off check the piston for any contact marks from the valves! If there problems here t will cost a lot to fix!
Do you have life insurance?