I rode for about decade from the mid seventies to the mid eighties, and raced some in the intermediate class, my last bike was a 1982 rm250Z. In about 2005 I decided start riding again, and because the last bike I had was a 250 motocrosser I figured, even though it had been a couple of decades since the last time I swung a leg over anything, I needed another 250. I wanted early ‘80s Full Floater, but at the time I couldn’t find one, so I bought a 2000 with Pro-Action suspension. I figured that the suspension had improved over the years, but I didn’t think the power would be that much different, because my 82 was so fast for it’s time.
Well I was surprised to find that this 2000 was much faster, and the suspension is a total disappointment. Troubleshooting it’s overly harsh ride, I discovered the air pressure in the tires was 35psi, the springs in suspension were more suitable for a rider of 240lbs, so I changed the springs to ones from 125, I checked the bushing in the forks they are good, I made sure there is no binding in the forks from either overly torqued triple clamps or fork legs improperly positioned on the front axle, and set sag in the back, and I replaced all the bearings in the back end. The rear suspension seams good now but the front doesn’t have any sag when I sit on it until I bounce then I get about an inch to inch and a half. Regardless of the hit the front end transfer a shock to my 50 year old carpal tunnel syndrome hands.
It also has the typical clutch problems these bikes have. I have gone to KX250 disc and Amsoil and its much better, but it’s still the worst clutch I have ever used.
Most of the riding I do at this point is following my daughters and wife on their JR50, DS80, PW80 and my wife’s XR100, so I have geared the bike down and have the jetting as lean as possible, and now my throttle response is insane so when I have chance to hit some jumps I can’t modulate the throttle properly so sometimes I land to heavy on the front and some times to heavy on the backend.
I know I could send the motor to Eric Gorr to port it to my needs and send the suspension for a revalve as well, and buy a Hinson clutch, but these are not in the budget.
Finally here is my question I am thinking of dumping this bike and getting an ’84-’85, RM250 and possibly adding a set of cartridge forks from an ’87-’88. The ’84-‘85 had the Full Floater rear suspension, about 8hp less, and a steeper steering angle within a half a degree of my 2000 which does handle great.
What do you guys think good idea or am remembering my old Full Floater with rose colored classes. Feel free to suggest other bikes, but the budget is about the used value of my 2000 RM250, so probably around $1500 or less.
Well I was surprised to find that this 2000 was much faster, and the suspension is a total disappointment. Troubleshooting it’s overly harsh ride, I discovered the air pressure in the tires was 35psi, the springs in suspension were more suitable for a rider of 240lbs, so I changed the springs to ones from 125, I checked the bushing in the forks they are good, I made sure there is no binding in the forks from either overly torqued triple clamps or fork legs improperly positioned on the front axle, and set sag in the back, and I replaced all the bearings in the back end. The rear suspension seams good now but the front doesn’t have any sag when I sit on it until I bounce then I get about an inch to inch and a half. Regardless of the hit the front end transfer a shock to my 50 year old carpal tunnel syndrome hands.
It also has the typical clutch problems these bikes have. I have gone to KX250 disc and Amsoil and its much better, but it’s still the worst clutch I have ever used.
Most of the riding I do at this point is following my daughters and wife on their JR50, DS80, PW80 and my wife’s XR100, so I have geared the bike down and have the jetting as lean as possible, and now my throttle response is insane so when I have chance to hit some jumps I can’t modulate the throttle properly so sometimes I land to heavy on the front and some times to heavy on the backend.
I know I could send the motor to Eric Gorr to port it to my needs and send the suspension for a revalve as well, and buy a Hinson clutch, but these are not in the budget.
Finally here is my question I am thinking of dumping this bike and getting an ’84-’85, RM250 and possibly adding a set of cartridge forks from an ’87-’88. The ’84-‘85 had the Full Floater rear suspension, about 8hp less, and a steeper steering angle within a half a degree of my 2000 which does handle great.
What do you guys think good idea or am remembering my old Full Floater with rose colored classes. Feel free to suggest other bikes, but the budget is about the used value of my 2000 RM250, so probably around $1500 or less.