2003 RM 250

SoCalMX70 wrote:

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks...

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks were completely unusable without dumping a ton of money into them.

They changed back to Showa in '04 for a reason. This is why I always tell people to get 04+ RM250 or 06+ YZ250 (or a new KTM). Better suspension on those models.

SoCalMX70 wrote:

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks...

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks were completely unusable without dumping a ton of money into them.

They changed back to Showa in '04 for a reason. This is why I always tell people to get 04+ RM250 or 06+ YZ250 (or a new KTM). Better suspension on those models.

HatersSuck wrote:

had a 02 back in the day. Same bike!

Cancerman wrote:

I just purchased an 03 RM 250, FWIW, the 03 has a diffrent cyl / porting, for more low to mid snap, Kayaba fork & Shock...

I just purchased an 03 RM 250, FWIW, the 03 has a diffrent cyl / porting, for more low to mid snap, Kayaba fork & Shock without the chamber system, they can be dialed in very well by most susp shops, it helps to use stiffer springs if you weigh over 170 lbs, it keeps the front up and not dive through the stroke, which makes a quick handling bike overly twichy. I have an FMF SST pipe, rejetted it, and a light Stealhy flywheel, it helps broaden the power and hook up. I also ride an 04 CRF 450. My last smoker was a 98 Honda CR 250. This RM seems to transmit much less to the rider, and has better low to mid hit. The CR was stiffer, a little more stable at times, and had more over rev on top. I think my RM is easier to ride, and does not tire me as quick. My RM's suspension is better as well.

SoCalMX70 wrote:

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks...

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks were completely unusable without dumping a ton of money into them.

They changed back to Showa in '04 for a reason. This is why I always tell people to get 04+ RM250 or 06+ YZ250 (or a new KTM). Better suspension on those models.

wow123 wrote:

You dont need to dump a ton just a revalve and some decent set up time, nothing you dont have to do to just about all...

You dont need to dump a ton just a revalve and some decent set up time,

nothing you dont have to do to just about all

other "POS"

ky_savage wrote:

I had an 03. I swapped out the forks with some Showa's. It was great!

bd wrote:

Anyone have a 2003 Suzuki RM 250?

ky_savage wrote:

I had an 03. I swapped out the forks with some Showa's. It was great!

gharmon wrote:

Was that a direct swap? Did they just fit fit right into the triple clamps? I'm kinda a slow guy so the suspension doesn't really hold...

Was that a direct swap? Did they just fit fit right into the triple clamps?

I'm kinda a slow guy so the suspension doesn't really hold me back. I hold me back. I just have this middle rpm miss in mine that's a pITA . I posted about it in th e race shop area. I din't all the things mentioned there like the 7.0 slide 165 main, 45 slow. While all this help a lot it still has that f'ing miss and after last ride it now has some jacked up bars. lol

SoCalMX70 wrote:

You can try to defend the '03 RM250 all you want, but it was one of the worst years, PERIOD. And I'm a die hard Suzuki...

You can try to defend the '03 RM250 all you want, but it was one of the worst years, PERIOD. And I'm a die hard Suzuki guy....

1992 RM125
2001 RM125
2003 RM250
2004 RM250
2006 RM-Z450
2008 RM-Z450

... out of those the '03 was absolute crap suspension-wise.

The front end needs more than a revalve to even be on par with the Showa stuff that was out at that time. Again, the rear shock isn't all that bad, but the forks were junk.

SoCalMX70 wrote:

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks...

Had an '03. Its was a POS. They ran the shittiest KYB suspension that year. The rear shock was tolerable AT BEST, but the front forks were completely unusable without dumping a ton of money into them.

They changed back to Showa in '04 for a reason. This is why I always tell people to get 04+ RM250 or 06+ YZ250 (or a new KTM). Better suspension on those models.

wow123 wrote:

You dont need to dump a ton just a revalve and some decent set up time, nothing you dont have to do to just about all...

You dont need to dump a ton just a revalve and some decent set up time,

nothing you dont have to do to just about all

other "POS"

SoCalMX70 wrote:

You can try to defend the '03 RM250 all you want, but it was one of the worst years, PERIOD. And I'm a die hard Suzuki...

You can try to defend the '03 RM250 all you want, but it was one of the worst years, PERIOD. And I'm a die hard Suzuki guy....

1992 RM125
2001 RM125
2003 RM250
2004 RM250
2006 RM-Z450
2008 RM-Z450

... out of those the '03 was absolute crap suspension-wise.

The front end needs more than a revalve to even be on par with the Showa stuff that was out at that time. Again, the rear shock isn't all that bad, but the forks were junk.

Cancerman wrote:

Hey [b]BD[/b], Cancerman here, I'll give the ignition a go, no problems, I'll cover ya. I'll even test the two and make a riders report to...

Hey BD, Cancerman here, I'll give the ignition a go, no problems, I'll cover ya. I'll even test the two and make a riders report to the forum

Cancerman wrote:

Wow, [b]So CalMX70[/b] seems to have some strong opinions :) , It's just guys sharing opinions and experiences, be cool......... My 03 was bought cheap, as...

Wow, So CalMX70 seems to have some strong opinions , It's just guys sharing opinions and experiences, be cool.........
My 03 was bought cheap, as a low cost smoker to back up my 4 stroke beast. Talk about work! I won't get started on the 4 strokes.....I've been riding and racing since around 72, in So Cal, now I'm in FL..........I just play race, nothing too serious anymore, I just can't get very far away from dirt bikes....my 03 RM was very rich, with a 175 main, 48 pilot, and rich needle. It has a FMF SST pipe. It blubbered going through the mid range. I've put a leaner needle, from a CR, to clean up the mid without leaning the main too much. I made sure the power valve was clean and adjusted properly, and I'm down to a 168 main, bouncing between a 45 and 42 pilot, to get a good clean snap into the mid from low. If you ever need to replace the cylinder, go with an 04 or later, they had a better port config, the 03 was a step up from the 02. As far as suspension goes, I've found that the Kayabas on the 03 mimic and interchange with the KX and YZ's using the Kayabas. My CRF Showas don't feel that much better, and they are resprung and revalved. So are the RMs, as well. I've found on all of these newer bikes, 98 and on, they need stiffer fork springs and slightly lowering the oil level, to get rid of the mid stroke harshness, or spike. Once I get out and race the Rm, I'LL KNOW BETTER JUST HOW BAD OR GOOD IT IS. My testing is not really on a rough track, that is where the real deal is. So far, I'm having fun with my RM smoker project, who says MX has to be expensive! Enjoy yourselves.....

bd wrote:

Anyone have a 2003 Suzuki RM 250?

Jack_Wagon wrote:

I know someone with a practically new (30 minutes) 03 for sale. Has a set of factory Showa forks that come with it.