In the process of rebuilding bikes with buddies. Mine is a '99RM250, and they have a '99 and a '98 CR250: Some random observations:
Frames: One very nice thing about the CR's--it's easy to pull the jug off because it comes between the spars. The RM is a very tight squeeze and is definitely a 2 or even 3 person job to get the cylinder back on with the new piston in. The RM steel frame doesn't look nearly as cool, but I believe is far more durable. Believe it or not, plastic panels actually eat into the aluminum frame on major contact points.
Oils: this question has been hashed over forever, but here's what we see. I ran Mobile MX2T this last top end at 40:1 and it looked excellent inside. We all three mainly dune ride so this is running at harshest of conditions on the motor. One guy used Amsoil--his also looked extremely good and he's convinced it's the stuff to use now. The third bike ran Honda non-synthetic and did not look nearly as clean, although it protected well. He'll switch to synthetic after seeing ours.
Durability--CRvs.RM: Even my die-hard Honda riding buddies now agree--the RM has held its own in every respect to the CR's. In fact, my fork seals are the only ones left still original of the three bikes. Clutches, trannies, top-ends, plastics, odds&ends have been very comparable to each other. I'd buy suzuki again if it was the bike I wanted.
Pulling Cylinders: the CR's are a beast to remove--both bikes. They want to stay stuck together. The RM pretty much lifts off after the stud bolts are removed, yet it had no leakage at the base gasket. Maybe just tighter tolerances on the Honda.
Delta V-Force Reeds v. Others: I went with Moto Tassinari after advice on this board. Second top-end now and all of the reeds still look like new! Awesome product. Another bike had after-market carbon reeds (don't know brand) with stock cage and they chipped pretty bad after one season. Stockers in the other CR still looked good.
Just 3 more months 'till the snow begins melting and the dunes are ready!
Frames: One very nice thing about the CR's--it's easy to pull the jug off because it comes between the spars. The RM is a very tight squeeze and is definitely a 2 or even 3 person job to get the cylinder back on with the new piston in. The RM steel frame doesn't look nearly as cool, but I believe is far more durable. Believe it or not, plastic panels actually eat into the aluminum frame on major contact points.
Oils: this question has been hashed over forever, but here's what we see. I ran Mobile MX2T this last top end at 40:1 and it looked excellent inside. We all three mainly dune ride so this is running at harshest of conditions on the motor. One guy used Amsoil--his also looked extremely good and he's convinced it's the stuff to use now. The third bike ran Honda non-synthetic and did not look nearly as clean, although it protected well. He'll switch to synthetic after seeing ours.
Durability--CRvs.RM: Even my die-hard Honda riding buddies now agree--the RM has held its own in every respect to the CR's. In fact, my fork seals are the only ones left still original of the three bikes. Clutches, trannies, top-ends, plastics, odds&ends have been very comparable to each other. I'd buy suzuki again if it was the bike I wanted.
Pulling Cylinders: the CR's are a beast to remove--both bikes. They want to stay stuck together. The RM pretty much lifts off after the stud bolts are removed, yet it had no leakage at the base gasket. Maybe just tighter tolerances on the Honda.
Delta V-Force Reeds v. Others: I went with Moto Tassinari after advice on this board. Second top-end now and all of the reeds still look like new! Awesome product. Another bike had after-market carbon reeds (don't know brand) with stock cage and they chipped pretty bad after one season. Stockers in the other CR still looked good.
Just 3 more months 'till the snow begins melting and the dunes are ready!
