RM250 pros and cons

[Thordian]

Hi i was wondering what the pros and cons were on the 03 RM250 and if there really is a noticable differ between the 03 and 04. Thanks :ride:

 

[Thordian]

none of the 42 that viewed have any input on this question?

 

[Action1]

I can't speek for the 04 but I love my 03 :cool:

 

[zookieman]

Buy the 2003 it RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIPPPPPSSSSSSSSS!
The only "con" I found with my 2003 rm350 was the stock jetting was way too rich. No big deal though, change the jetting and away you go. :cool:

 

[Crash 142]

I can't speak about the 03, but I love my 04.

 

[fuzzy]

Pro: 2-stroke
Con: Squid :)

Seriously though, it sounds like the 03-04 are both great....Get the cheaper one.

 

[_j0kA_]

04 ... just because!

 

[yz138]

don't know about either, but I love my 96

 

[showtime586]

I didn't reply because I have an 02 model. I only purchased it a month ago and have not ridden it enough to offer an opinion.

 

[Thordian]

i just want as much info as i can get before saturday which is the day that i pick up a RM250 that i just bought

 

[showtime586]

So, you have already bought one? i'm sure either year is good. The competiton between the manufacturers has gotten intnense enough that you dont find lame bikes any more.

 

[Airfireman]

Rm250 03

I own a 03 Model and am told from bike mechanic that owns 04 model that my 03 is alot crisper on the power and less prone to pre-ignition.

Im just waiting for the RMZ450... :yeehaw:

 

[d36RM racer]

I love my 03 it rips I put a sst pipe on it and now it can easily rip my arms off it also eats 4strokes for breakfast

 

[a454elk]

03 seemed to be a great year, go with that one, you can get a better deal on one I bet.

 

[ochster]

There is different rear linkage (CR copy) on the 04', and it has Showa suspension. The motor had some basic refinements with porting and headwork and the standard jetting was cleaned up dramatically over the 03'. The changes are definatley noticeable in stock form, and many praise the return to Showa suspension. I say the 03' should be substantially less or go for the 04'.

Things to watch for: bent linkage bolts (04'), bad crank bearings (replace at first signs of flywheel play), do not over tighten rear axle nut, better to use a castle nut and cotter pin. Clutch overheats if rode hard, you can increase oiling by adding more holes inside cutch hub, and slightly raising oil level. Stay on spokes when new, they loosen alot. Oem hardware is not the greatest, use a torque wrench or be careful. These bikes tend to be hard on reeds, check if low end response gets wierd. Shifting can get notchy, shift forks wear quickly. Keep the ignition area behind the cover cleaned after washing and watch for oil residue from bad left crankseal.

Don't let any of this scare you, the bikes are great performers. Just know what you have and maintain it.

 

[02'Cr Rider]

ochster,

I have an 03 rm250.I was cleaning the inside of my flywheel cover and decided to check the crank,it moves up and down slightly.Never had this problem before.how much movement can it have?Or should I replace the bearings,How long do crank bearings last in rm's?

thanks

 

[ochster]

There really should be no detectable movement. Unfortunatley my experience is that the oem bearing quality is suspect. IMHO I would cross reference the bearing over to a Honda version, a decent parts guy can take the size off the fiche and do this. Lower rod bearings are also subject to hit or miss failures, check it while it's a part.

 

[placelast]

Whle the bottom end is apart you may want to consider a DRZ wide-ratio transmission conversion. Team Suzuki used to do that; if anone wants a copy of the short Cycle News write up, let me know (hit-n-miss@dslextreme(remove to send).com.