Well, I made my decision... 2003 RM250

R

RM250'er

~SPONSOR~
May 25, 2001
234
0
After a long and hard thought process, Looked at all the new 450's and 250's, Read all the reviews, I decided on the 2003 RM250.

I feel "you have to dance with the one who brought you".

I had a great year on my RM. Even though some of the other bikes have more horse power up top, I feel the bikes are so close that I can have more of an advantage with a bike that handles the best. I think the RM lets me get into and out of the corners quicker.

I don't think anyone can go wrong with any of the new bikes, they are so close that the difference in the bikes won't make that much difference, it's how the rider uses each bike.

Jeff
 
J

Jawsrm134

Member
Nov 4, 2002
37
0
I read all the reviews also. I am coming off a DRZ 400E with Yosh pipe and Suspension mods. I originally rode alot of hare scrambles now Im riding alot of MX with my son(14) :yeehaw: . It will be nice to get on something light for a change.

I struggled with the Honda CRF VS 2 troke also but back in the day all I rode was 2 strokes. I rode my sons 2003 RM 125 and It sold me. Maybe in a few years Ill get another 4 stroke.

Have fun on your new ride. I know I will, Ill get mine in about 2 weeks.
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 5, 2001
7,529
18
You'll like it, no doubt. Have fun and glad to hear you got what YOU want, not what a magazine says you need.;)
 
R

RM250'er

~SPONSOR~
May 25, 2001
234
0
I pick it up tomorrow... I'm going to the track to break it in on Friday. I'll let you know.
 
P

placelast

Member
Apr 11, 2001
1,298
1
Yes; tell us if you think it'd make a good off-road mount, especially off-bottom power.
 
Z

zorlac_147

~SPONSOR~
Jan 31, 2001
134
0
What year RM did you have last? I too am curious about the 03 RM. It is too late for me couldn't wait any longer to try a four stroke. Hopefully it works out for you. My 02 RM 250 was the best bike I "had" ever had . We'll soon see about the CRF only have 2 hours on it. Next year all Suzuki lovers can rejoice, for there will be MX 4 strokes. :thumb:
 
Last edited:
O

osheen

Member
Feb 27, 2000
202
0
I thought I just had to have a YZ450F. I had it for 2 weeks and traded it for a YZ250. The 250 ring ding fits me and my style so much better. If it works for you then that's all that matters. Glad that you bought what you wanted, enjoy..............
 
B

BEEF706

Sponsoring Member
Jan 24, 2002
1,566
0
Glad you got what you wanted. I went beck to e 2-stoke as well and have not regretted it. I think you're right all the new bikes are so good it's hard to make a wrong choice. I hate to ever agree sil Elk, :flame: but the magazines really exagerrate the flaws on all of the new MXr's.
 
R

RM250'er

~SPONSOR~
May 25, 2001
234
0
Well, I got it and rode it...

I rode it at Englishtown NJ's practice track ( I have never rode the practice track so I was trying to get used to the bike as well as the track... I don't think this "new track/new bike" combo really gave me a great comparison vs. my old RM.

The bike is great.... Geared different then I'm used to.. Normally hit the doubles in 3rd, now hit them in 4th. The bike "makes" me ride faster ;) . Great off the bottom, great handling. Makes me go into the corners in third instead of second. As far as how fast is it ? ... "as fast as I want it to be" :) Eye watering.

The bike is definitely the best handling bike I have ever been on. I'm able to get into and out of the corners quick. Lets me get away with being very aggressive.

I wasn't really able to hit the big jumps yet (trying to break in the bike and suspension). I intentionally left the forks and shock a little soft to help it break in.

Need to change a few things... Bars, The bike is comfortable but I hate stock bars - I don't trust them. Tires are fine - Bridgestone 600 series. Comes stock with silver Excel rims - need to change these to gold.

Back to the track Saturday...

Jeff
 
N

nate97kaw250

Member
Sep 30, 2002
39
0
If you haven't picked up the new one yet, I know were you can pick up one of Kiedrowski's 2001 GNCC bikes. He got this one late in the year, only 4 races on it, none of them mud. Still got all the stuff on it.
 
D

djr

Member
Apr 22, 2002
45
0
I bought a pro GNCC bike a couple of years ago. The best bike I have ever ridden. Is this RM a 2001 or a 2002? Price ?
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 5, 2001
7,529
18
Great to hear it RM, the bike does turn on a dime. I had to mess with the suspension settings a bit, slow up the fork rebound and stiffin up the rear shock rebound (it helped to bring my front end down a bit on jumps).
 
R

RM250'er

~SPONSOR~
May 25, 2001
234
0
Funny you should mention trying to keep the front end down on jumps... I almost looped it a couple of times.

I rode it for about 3 hours, the first two hours really easy.. Now I'm going to change the fork fluid and start messing with the settings. I read really good things about the suspension for the 03... I usually have the suspensions revalved but I want to see how good I can get it first to see how much difference the revalve made.

Jeff
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 5, 2001
7,529
18
I heard that the 03 suspension is great, no need for revalving. The rear shock setting took care of the jumps and the front fork setting took care of the breaking bumps into corners. I'd give the suspension a couple more good hard rides and see how it breaks in like you said, then decide. I also noticed myself going into upper gears more often, seeemed like it had more pull to handle it.
 
B

Bazooka Joe

Registered
Apr 4, 2002
83
0
Thanks for the report on the 03. I'm considering a couple for the kid and me. I currently ride the 02 and had the 01; LOVE those yeller bikes. :)

I was talking to the dealer last night, and he RAVED about the 03. Sounds like some nice improvements from last year.

Typically, the stock bars have two purposes- 1) keep the grips apart and 2) bend promptly. I ran a 92mm tall bend for most of the time, and went to a 100mm tall bar last fall (Demarini tall racer bend w/ minimum pullback; might be a bit too straight for some guys). I think the 100mm was about right. (height = 6')
I was wondering- How does the bike run on pump gas? Both the 01 and 02's run pretty good on pump gas, but will complain bitterly if the jetting is anything close to borderline.
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
LIFETIME SPONSOR
Jun 5, 2001
7,529
18
Alright guys, don't make me go out and get an 03 or 04 dang it.:(
 
S

steve talley

Sponsoring Member
Oct 17, 2002
94
0
Iam thinking of getting a 03rm250 did you get a good deal because around here it take it or leave it.if you are going to buy one they want retail they told me $5999.and they could order it for me. seems steep.
 
R

RM250'er

~SPONSOR~
May 25, 2001
234
0
Hi Steve,

I finally got a sponsorship from the dealer so I got a really good deal. Crazyatv.com does have some really good prices, I think you can get one delivered for $5,000.00. I believe these are brought in from Canada and sent in a factory crate. I was also told Suzuki does not pay any contingency money on the bikes from Canada.

Good luck
 
S

steve talley

Sponsoring Member
Oct 17, 2002
94
0
Cool link thanks guys lot better than the local jokes!!! No contingency money o,well just my friend cleaning dirt out of there helmets is payment enough .thanks again !!!Keep us updated on any changes you
do to you bike and let all you gates be "holeshots"
 
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