RM250 myth or legend?

[RedBull]

alright some people are telling me that the 01-03 Rm250s are crap and break down constently and have little power as well as uncomfortable to ride but then others say they have great power, rarley break, are comfortable on the ground as well in the air and have really good handling.... so whats true and whats not? can some one help?

Thanks

 

[G92Joe]

I heard the clutch assembly, linkage bearings and pistons are poor quality, get past that and they're perfect

 

[RM250'er]

I can't speak about the 01 or 02, but I race an 03 and could not be happier... although there isn't much left on it that's stock...

 

[a454elk]

I have the 01 and I had some trouble with the powervalve assembly. I had to make sure it stays clean and free of carbon and gunk. The suspension is a little harsh but I got used to it. It turns great on the track and it stays level and straight in the air. The power is good for me and all I added was a PC pipe and silencer, rejetted and a Boysen Rad Valve. All in all, I love the bike.

 

[Lissa]

Guy at work gets a RM-250 every year and loves 'em! The bike makes awesome useable power, is very flickable, handles choppy straights better then they used to, and are well built to boot. Their quality is no worse then any of the others (I have my own horror stories from some brands) as long as the maintence is done like any other bike. This guy rides twice a week, usually races one of 'em, and has had no problems I know of. He uses VP C-12, some fancy premix oil, and only rebuilds his bike once a season. No plug fouling, nothing (he claims its the premix oil he uses). His suspension work is done by a local suspension pro and thats about it. I would ride one, but the KX suited me a little better for what I do with it.

 

[MX-727]

Originally posted by a454elk
I have the 01 and I had some trouble with the powervalve assembly. 

Gawd, that makes me laugh. :laugh: :laugh:

 

[a454elk]

Me too Todd, me too.:)

 

[Asrith]

I just sold my 97 CR 250, and got an 02 RM250, and well it is awesome, not to say that it has motor work, suspension, v-force, and more, I got it for such a steal. I like this bike better than my Honda. Oh, did I mention the side panels that came with it were Kevin Windhams. Very happy with my first RM, thing is crazy fast. I am so happy....

 

[G92Joe]

Hannah & Decoster's influence into the RM's design over the years has definitely helped - looked what they did with the '80's CR's when they were there with Honda - and the '70s RM's

 

[jake949]

the only thing i give hannah credit for is those stupid striped seat covers they had a few years back..........

 

[whitesands26]

Believe it or not....THERE IS A QUALITY DIFFERENCE between the different brands....Anyone that tells you different doesn't know their stuff...And yes, there are those that even work in the motorcycle industry that don't know any better and that is an absolute shame.



Also, you'll find that some brands may have a specific part that is of more or lesser quality than another brands specific part.

But this is not a comparison of specific parts, but of overall design and build quality throughout. I've been over this subject a bunch of times and I've laid out alot of facts and figures on the subject and there are still those that come up with the "yeah but I had a ________ brand that was great." Or the "it depends on how you treat and maintain it." Both statements are true...We've all owned bikes of that brand with the reputation of either being bad or good and had contradictory success with it...On the whole there still is a difference in design, build quality, and materials used, and manufacturing process that makes a difference in the overall product. Out of all the facts I've laid out there hasn't been one legitimate argument that refutes my case...Every argument from the "they're all the same crowd" has been filled with nothing but cliche's and old wives tales and NOT ONE SINGLE FACT.....

That said, all the bikes are pretty good but there's still a difference in quality....

The RM250 is a great performing bike....It's fast and a little twitchy on rough straights....However its reputation is the way it is for a reason. On a ratio of bikes sold to warranty related problems Suzuki doesn't have a good track record....That doesn't mean you can't buy one and have great success with it....You may have zero problems with it...However, the odds of having a failure a slightly higher than some of the other brands.

 

[Asrith]

Yeah, I mean the craftsmanship can vary, of course. I dont care what you are buying it all varies. Since I liked a lot of the craftsmanship of the CR I hated how it turned in tight scenarios,etc. There are things I like about it more and less than my old 97 CR. But, when I ride it, for me the ride factor is important, like rake and trail, and it is newer. You know I have heard so much here about every bike being troublesome or awesome. It depends on your ability to fix, ride and judge the variables. I tell you it took me a bit to buy this RM, but heck I talked it through with the pros here locally. And you know everything breaks, heck we are a consumer society. That is my worth, I like my RM, and like some other things about the CR, but you know I just keep moving forward like the tires on my bike...thanks!

 

[Asrith]

I rode my new RM 250 today, a lot, and well I must say I am rather surprised with this bike ability to seem to get back on the track it was on. I mean I am not a pro rider or anything, but I am seriously surprised about this bikes ability to handle so much better. I just started riding 3 years ago from a 15 year break, I must say my RM, although not very stock, is very awesome. I love it, I rode today so carelessly comparitively to my CR and was able to correct a lot of better riding behavior. I am simply astonished. thanks for all your patience...etc....

 

[billtx]

I rode an 03 RM250 a few weeks ago. It was the most fun bike to ride that I have tried yet. Engine, handling, ergos and layout all felt great. I have ridden some 4 strokes lately from Hon/Yam/KTM. The RM250 was in a class of it's own compared with those bikes. It felt 20-30lbs lighter than any of them (probably because it is). It was easy to jump and get used to. Next bike for me will be a Suzuki.

Can't speak for quality issues, if you take good care of the bike they will be minimal.

 

[Rider 007]

Man, if I can buy a showroom stock RM250 that is 20-30 lbs lighter than my CR, sign me up! But not for an AMA race because I'd have to fill the frame with lead to be legal for the minimum weight requirement!
Whitesands26 I'm with you. I know people will get emotional about this due to their personal experiences, but when you work in dealerships that represent the big 4, like I did in college, you see a lot more than your own bike. You learn that some manufacturers use lower quality materials (metal, plastic or rubber), have sloppier tolerances or lower quality testing standards, than others. You don't go in there with a favorite brand and bias what you see towards that brand. You observe the facts and arrive at a conclusion based on those observed facts.
For example, a good friend of mine still works at that same dealership and has been for 27 years now. If you go in there and ask him about a certain watercraft manufacturer he will pull out the warranty claim log and show you hundreds of claims for that manufacturer. During that same time span he logged less than 5 claims for another brand. That's not his opinion of which is better made, it's the facts.
But if you like a certain brand and spending your money on it makes you feel good, then by all means, pay your money and get your kicks! That's called personal preference and Baskin-Robbins makes a killing off it!

 

[GeoffM24]

I am currently riding a 2000 RM 250 and I have had zero problems with it. It is a blast to ride and gives me the feel of a 125 with the extra torque. I like the bike so much I think I might get an 03 or 04 next year.

As for power 99,00,02,03 are supposed to have good/great motors. The 01 is the "dog" of the last 5 years. The 03 is supposed to be the best.

Let me also add that I have a buddy with a 98 RM250 and it feels VERY sloppy compaired to mine but it is more of a maintance thing IMO. His seat is mush it needs to be regreased, it needs a good fluid change and maybe some suspension work. That isn't the bikes fault but his. I can see how bikes in "this" condition could lead to the rumors.

 

[RedBull]

yah i have NO problem what so ever with keeping the bike up, i already planned on talking it apart and re-greasing it all, i also try and change the air filter after every ride and all the other things that go along with regular maintence. as for the seat im gonna get a new seat for it. Im 99.99% sure my next bike will be the RM250 unless the CRF450 can convince me diff.. but i dont think it will.

I think you all for your help
RedBull

 

[ThumperGod]

I have a 1999 Rm250 with a stock pipe and turbine core 2.Pro-action forks and shock, and fectory effexs graphics and gripper seat. I love this bike,I never had a problem with this bike,and its not babied. It ride the **** out of it and it startes up with 2 kicks everytime. Suzuki not reliable...I would disagree fully. I had a kawasaki Four stroke and it was the worst. I had to crack the motor every week if i wanted it to start. I had to adjust the vavles for clearance. Finaly the motor went wrong on a trail ride with the Odometer at 23,000 miles, and the vavles were bent. Going back to the Suzuki. Right now my bike is stripped down becuase some idiot on a 4x4 quad hit my left side and then ran. So my left raditor is crushed. I cant wait to get it running again. I will probably buy a Suzuki Rm250 or RM450F after this bike is wore out, which doenst look like too close way. You cant go wrong with a RM250.

 

[Ojref]

Originally posted by RedBull
alright some people are telling me that the 01-03 Rm250s are crap and break down constently and have little power as well as uncomfortable to ride...
Thanks

I thought that was the case for any Suzuki product.

 

[motometal]

His seat is mush it needs to be regreased

!!! :scream: :eek: :worship: !!!

(secrets of the Pros revealed! Throw away those silly gripper seats! It's SEAT GREASE!, new from Whammo, the makers of other fine products such as Oak Taper wooden handlebars!)

 

[flynbryan]

Originally posted by motometal



!!! :scream: :eek: :worship: !!!

(secrets of the Pros revealed! Throw away those silly gripper seats! It's SEAT GREASE!, new from Whammo, the makers of other fine products such as Oak Taper wooden handlebars!)

:laugh: I caught that as well then just assumed he meant (the bearings) needed to be regreased. Pretty commical still though.

 

[dbrace]

Suzukis are good for, throttle responce, $2 seat foam, suspension that goes from showa to kyb.....that allways needs serious help,(what were they thinking) to quality that is good if you ride less than 10 times a year and your name is .........nancy?

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by dbrace
Suzukis are good for, throttle responce, $2 seat foam, suspension that goes from showa to kyb.....that allways needs serious help,(what were they thinking) to quality that is good if you ride less than 10 times a year and your name is .........nancy?

Brilliant. :silly:

 

[Erick82]

I have a 02 Rm 250 and have had no problems, the thing rips. Corners great, stops good, easy to jump and pulls hard. Heck it is a two stroke racing dirt bike, they all require alot of work and up keep right. I got it for a steal and it was all tricked out. Vortex triple clamp, frame guards, radiater guard, skid plate, V-Force Reeds, trick suspension, new dunlaps, new excel wheels, cluth purch, vented front fender and number plate, Tag 2 bars ect. ect. I have riden it about 10-15 times this spring with no problems.

 

[los36]

I've owned my '02 RM 250 since Oct '01. I'd say that I've averaged about 4 rides/month. I lived in Houston until this Feb, so that inclueds the winter months. Almost all of the riding has been on high speed, big jump tracks. I've had zero problems. All the money that I've spent on the bike has been maintenance related and nice-to-haves.