help, I bought an rt180

I used to own a 93 and I can say it had to be one of worst bikes ever, ALWAYS something wrong with it. The only thing I've ever seen in terms of aftermarket add-ons is a larger, plastic gas-tank I think it was made by Clarke.

yeah, just browse through rockymountianmc.com and mxsouth.com for add-ons but i don't think you'll find too much.. . .those bikes never really caught on so it'll be hard to find aftermarket parts for it. . contact bajadesigns.com . . they might be able to hook you up with a dual sport kit... good luck... oh... is that the model that you don't premix the gas because it has the tank for both gas and oil?

I had a 93 or 94 wasn't to bad for when I started out, but it sure did not like to be jumped more than a foot.KTA mine was the type with a tank for gas and oil, not sure if they may have changed it later on, but I doubt it.I never did mess with aftermarket stuff or even look for it when it got a little to slow and I out grew the suspension I got a new bike.Never have sold the old Rt though, but we are trying.

You can't get ANYTHING aftermarket for the RT, at least that I know of. You can't even get aftermarket springs, as far as I know. These bikes are not worth putting any $ into, IMHO. Best to save all your dough and keep practicing on the RT until you can get something to put all that practicing to good use on. You have to love those steel wheels and early 80's mono shock! I don't mean to put the bikes down at all, heck, I learned to ride on one, but the only thing I would buy for it would be tires, chain , sprockets, gas and oil. :)

My first dirt bike! I learned on a RT180 too. These guys are right, there isn't much you can do to this machine as far as performance. I rode mine until it became an anchor and I moved up.

you guys just broke this dudes heart... hey in my opinion any bike that runs is a good one ;) One good thing about an underpowered bike is that you can easily learn its limits... so keep it stock ride it hard then upgrade when you are ready or can afford it... But lets face it most riders (myself included) have bikes that far exceed there abilities... it's nice to have it the other way around sometimes... I have a blast everytime I hop on my buddies underpowered under suspended DR250. you dont always need the fastest machine. Juat learn to ride it well.
Ride fast and take chances ;)

My son has a '97 model. It is a great first bike. It has a lot of pep resonably light for a non racing model and wide ratio gearing so you are not always shifting. All people don't run as fast as they can through the woods. Probably the best thing about it is, you can still get any part on it from the dealer. Just take the other guys advice and don't jump it much (like trying to do doubles). The frame will crack and the rear shock guide will bust. Leaving you with a bent shock.
You can have a ton of fun with that bike with reg. maintenance.

Good Luck,

The RT180 (if memory serves me correctly) is an ancestor to the DT175.
No it doesnt jump very well.
No it's not a powerhouse.
and, no, it wont get the holeshot to the first turn. :think:
It IS a good mid sized beginners machine, and it IS a good solid dependable trail bike.
(subtle hint: you dont have to do doubles or triples on trail rides.) :D
It is a good bike for tight woods riding.
Its good low end grunt and lower ride height come in handy here.
So you can keep going in places where the MX'rs are revving the piss out of their motors and trying to touch their feet to the ground to keep from landing face first in a rutty mud hole.
You could always change the gearing if you want more low (or top) end.
You might find an aftermarket pipe, and maybey a low restriction air filter, but thats probably about it.
But youve got a good bike as it is, for what it was designed to do.
Ride, and have fun, because fun is what motorcycles are all about...... :)

I agree with OnAnySunday about this bike, except of course that the RT would be a descendant of the old DT, not an ancestor. I and many of my friends had bikes like this when we were youngsters, we had a blast on them. If you really want to make some modifications to this bike, you will have to be a little creative and do more work than on other bikes.

If you really want to dual-sport the bike, you can probably do it with junk yard parts. DT175s or IT175 or 200s had ignition systems with lighting coils that will PROBABLY bolt into your RT. (Check before you buy!) The lights can also come from the junkyard, or you could use universal parts from the aftermarket.

Hi-performance reeds for a DT or IT will probably fit it, too, if you can't find a listing for the RT. Again , you will have to measure to be sure they will work.
Check out the Boyesen site for the reeds if you are interested.

I know the IT200 top-end parts will bolt up to the IT175 engine; they may fit your RT as well. They would give a good boost in low-end and mid-range if they do.

You would have to be a fairly decent mechanic to make stuff like this work, or have somebody who is to help you. The worst thing you could do is to start tearing the bike apart, find out you're in over your head, and have to pay somebody big bucks to put it right again, so be careful!

When it comes right down to it, you will get the most fun per dollar out of this bike by riding it just the way it is. I hope you have as much fun with it as I did on my first trail bikes!