"This is the best 250cc two-stroke bike ever made".

ME686
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ME686 11/2/2011 2:23pm
11/2/2011 2:23pm
ME686 wrote:
my stock 06 rm250 is the best turning bike ive ever ridden. Gonna go all out on the motor this winter and race it next year...
my stock 06 rm250 is the best turning bike ive ever ridden. Gonna go all out on the motor this winter and race it next year. Next ride is the new KTM unless suzuki brings back the rm's.
Lightning78 wrote:
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it...
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it IS one of the best handling/turning machines Ive ever ridden....now if I could just afford lower pegs and a suspension job like that we'd be in business!....Oh and im sure the front brake setup would work great too Wink

I will get it ported soon and would love to get the spec you got for dowdy's motor that would be suh-weet!!!
No joke! Im just running a fmf shorty at the moment. I switched to a yami master cylinder on the front, with a steel line and the front brake is lightyears better than the stocker. Also the 08 yami pegs are like 5mm lower and they are wide. I have a set Im gonna try and fit on the zook this week. That could be another option for you. I put em on my 06yz250f and felt the difference in height.
dcg141
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dcg141 11/2/2011 2:31pm
11/2/2011 2:31pm
Just wonder how many that are disagreeing have actually ridden a 2012 250 SX. Cause if you haven't..how could you know?
Knate
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Knate 11/2/2011 2:31pm
11/2/2011 2:31pm
I like mine.

Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 2:35pm
11/2/2011 2:35pm
This what I do know about the 2012 KTM250 2 stroke & 2011 KTM450 4 stroke. Robbie Marshall (arguably the best pro that we have here in New England) came to me at his track & said Digger that thing sounds retarded & could he ride it cuz he was curious how it stacked up against his 2012 KTM 250SX that he had just received & was getting ready to race in some a few of the remaining NESC races. I had watched him & Jimmy Decotis & Mike Sottile rip it up out there all afternoon. He went out & did like 4 laps & they were 4 of the fastest laps that I had seen him do all day. He came in & rode over to the truck & double high fived me & said that my RM250 was just sick & that is was probably the fastest 250 2 stroke that he'd ever ridden & that it would kill his KTM250SX & his 450 that he raced the Canadian Nationals on & he wanted Ron Bushey's phone number so he could call him. I was very curious if he would even call him & would he say the same things to him that he had said to me. The next moring Bushey called me & said that Robbie had just called him & said everything that he had told me the day before & more & he wanted to know just what the hell he had done to the motor to get that easy to ride & that retarded fast. My bike is just a blast to ride. I get a grin ear to ear everytime somebody ask me, christ what is done to that thing cuz I just couldn't catch you on the straight away or up the big hill etc.

The Shop

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Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 2:39pm
11/2/2011 2:39pm
Yes, I'm a touch over 6' & I've had the taller seats on all of my RM's
miedosoracing1 11/2/2011 3:11pm
11/2/2011 3:11pm
Digger29 wrote:
This what I do know about the 2012 KTM250 2 stroke & 2011 KTM450 4 stroke. Robbie Marshall (arguably the best pro that we have here...
This what I do know about the 2012 KTM250 2 stroke & 2011 KTM450 4 stroke. Robbie Marshall (arguably the best pro that we have here in New England) came to me at his track & said Digger that thing sounds retarded & could he ride it cuz he was curious how it stacked up against his 2012 KTM 250SX that he had just received & was getting ready to race in some a few of the remaining NESC races. I had watched him & Jimmy Decotis & Mike Sottile rip it up out there all afternoon. He went out & did like 4 laps & they were 4 of the fastest laps that I had seen him do all day. He came in & rode over to the truck & double high fived me & said that my RM250 was just sick & that is was probably the fastest 250 2 stroke that he'd ever ridden & that it would kill his KTM250SX & his 450 that he raced the Canadian Nationals on & he wanted Ron Bushey's phone number so he could call him. I was very curious if he would even call him & would he say the same things to him that he had said to me. The next moring Bushey called me & said that Robbie had just called him & said everything that he had told me the day before & more & he wanted to know just what the hell he had done to the motor to get that easy to ride & that retarded fast. My bike is just a blast to ride. I get a grin ear to ear everytime somebody ask me, christ what is done to that thing cuz I just couldn't catch you on the straight away or up the big hill etc.
I'd wonder if he (Bushey) could do the same things to the 2012 KTM 250SX though? It already starts out at a higher HP than the RM did, so I'd guess so, but just guessing???
EMARacing
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EMARacing 11/2/2011 3:12pm
11/2/2011 3:12pm
Racer92 wrote:
Smart choice, the RM250 has proven its mettle offroad as well as on the track ! [img]http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/database2/MX/rodney-smith.jpg[/img] Rodney wouldve had even one more of those #1...
Smart choice, the RM250 has proven its mettle offroad as well as on the track !



Rodney wouldve had even one more of those #1 plates on the RM250 had he not hurt his thumb at the last of the season and missed that years title by just a teeny amount. You dont pull off that many titles on an inferior machine.
I beg to differ, how do you explain Scott Summers?
williamsmotowerx 11/2/2011 3:14pm
11/2/2011 3:14pm
Now I know you're full of it Digger, there is nothing you could do to make that RM run like the KTM... And when you said Marshall said your RM was faster than his 450...snowball chances in hell.

The Ktm 250 isn't even close any of the 450's.
Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 3:16pm
11/2/2011 3:16pm
Ya, I think that he could definitely improve the 2012 250SX motor & based on what I've read & heard it won't take much either cuz you're starting out with a very nice performing 52hp engine
BESTY #72
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BESTY #72 11/2/2011 3:23pm
11/2/2011 3:23pm
I just hate all tests these days. They have no review on the bikes and no winner. The test riders are always like: "After riding all the bikes today, I can conclude that: For me it's between the kawi, suzuki, honda, ktm and yamaha..." WTF! Have they heard of a process of illumination? Thanks for wasting 5 pages worth of reading. If they tested all the latest 2 strokes (or last ones built) they'd probably say the exact same as above. "The 1999, 2000, 01, 02, 03.... Honda, Yam, Kawi.... are the best bikes". It really ressolves peoples doubts of each bike. The only thing they give you a bit of feedback on is things that can be changed instantly. Cons: "I'd run my bars a 'little bit' back." Great, thats a decision maker and an 1/8th. Or if theyre going to get fancy: "The footpegs were small." Or even the classic "The suspension for me, was off a few clicks." Thanks!

Yeah, the KTM is the most developed 2 stroke but it seams that every magazne is employed by the Japanese to talk bad about the KTM's.. Every time it's: "Steel frame. Poor suspension." The suspension is if anything above any other bike now, and the steel frame is the only issue for a test rider.. Like it makes some BIG difference. In reality, does it?? The KTM isn't exactly known to be a heavy bike.

Furthering test riders incapability to make a decision. Are they now saying that they have ridden every 250 2 stroke? From all the Factory bikes from every year and narrowed it down to a standard KTM? Dizzy
Lightning78
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Lightning78 11/2/2011 3:25pm
11/2/2011 3:25pm
ME686 wrote:
my stock 06 rm250 is the best turning bike ive ever ridden. Gonna go all out on the motor this winter and race it next year...
my stock 06 rm250 is the best turning bike ive ever ridden. Gonna go all out on the motor this winter and race it next year. Next ride is the new KTM unless suzuki brings back the rm's.
Lightning78 wrote:
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it...
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it IS one of the best handling/turning machines Ive ever ridden....now if I could just afford lower pegs and a suspension job like that we'd be in business!....Oh and im sure the front brake setup would work great too Wink

I will get it ported soon and would love to get the spec you got for dowdy's motor that would be suh-weet!!!
ME686 wrote:
No joke! Im just running a fmf shorty at the moment. I switched to a yami master cylinder on the front, with a steel line and...
No joke! Im just running a fmf shorty at the moment. I switched to a yami master cylinder on the front, with a steel line and the front brake is lightyears better than the stocker. Also the 08 yami pegs are like 5mm lower and they are wide. I have a set Im gonna try and fit on the zook this week. That could be another option for you. I put em on my 06yz250f and felt the difference in height.
PLEASE let me know if this footpeg swap works as it could save me a great deal of money. I am trying to retrofit my 02 CR pegs to my 01 RM as well..... gonna take some work but I think I can get it done.
ME686
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ME686 11/2/2011 3:33pm
11/2/2011 3:33pm
Lightning78 wrote:
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it...
I wish my 06 was dialed like that 07 RM ....Mine is bone stock with a pipe and springs and a v force and yes it IS one of the best handling/turning machines Ive ever ridden....now if I could just afford lower pegs and a suspension job like that we'd be in business!....Oh and im sure the front brake setup would work great too Wink

I will get it ported soon and would love to get the spec you got for dowdy's motor that would be suh-weet!!!
ME686 wrote:
No joke! Im just running a fmf shorty at the moment. I switched to a yami master cylinder on the front, with a steel line and...
No joke! Im just running a fmf shorty at the moment. I switched to a yami master cylinder on the front, with a steel line and the front brake is lightyears better than the stocker. Also the 08 yami pegs are like 5mm lower and they are wide. I have a set Im gonna try and fit on the zook this week. That could be another option for you. I put em on my 06yz250f and felt the difference in height.
Lightning78 wrote:
PLEASE let me know if this footpeg swap works as it could save me a great deal of money. I am trying to retrofit my 02...
PLEASE let me know if this footpeg swap works as it could save me a great deal of money. I am trying to retrofit my 02 CR pegs to my 01 RM as well..... gonna take some work but I think I can get it done.
I will for sure. Gonna mess with it here in a little bit
ME686
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ME686 11/2/2011 3:36pm
11/2/2011 3:36pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
Now I know you're full of it Digger, there is nothing you could do to make that RM run like the KTM... And when you said...
Now I know you're full of it Digger, there is nothing you could do to make that RM run like the KTM... And when you said Marshall said your RM was faster than his 450...snowball chances in hell.

The Ktm 250 isn't even close any of the 450's.
Damnit Jesse you told me last week you could make the RM a killer! Now Im gonna have to wait til I can go orange!
williamsmotowerx 11/2/2011 4:03pm
11/2/2011 4:03pm
Haha, you can make the RM's better no doubt... But faster everywhere than the new Ktm? No, won't happen.

I will say this about the ktm 250, not as reliable as the other 250's... And cost much more to maintain.
Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 4:06pm
11/2/2011 4:06pm
williamsmotowerx wrote: Now I know you're full of it Digger, there is nothing you could do to make that RM run like the KTM... And when you said Marshall said your RM was faster than his 450...snowball chances in hell.

The Ktm 250 isn't even close any of the 450's.

I'm sorry but you are dead wrong my friend. I assume that you're riding a 450 right? I think you'd be shocked if you rode my RM. Many many guys have either went up to Ron Bushey at the races or sent him messages on facebook asking just what is done to my engine cuz they can't catch it. I raced with a different organization a few times this season & a guy in the vet class with the #1 plate on his bike was riding a 2011 YZF450 & 500 athena kit in it asked me after the 3rd holeshot I had gotten & what was done to it cuz he was having a very hard time catching me on the straights on this particular track & he instant messaged Ron asking if my bike was a 250 cuz it was silly fast. I would bet you mony that if you are on a stock 450 & we drag raced 10 times that I would beat you 11 times.... :-)
williamsmotowerx 11/2/2011 4:08pm
11/2/2011 4:08pm
Why I keep saying the new ktm is so good is because It's a rocket down low, middle, and top.

You can make the other bikes as fast on top, but it won't have the low end the ktm has.
Flatliner
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Flatliner 11/2/2011 4:14pm
11/2/2011 4:14pm
williamsmotowerx wrote:
Haha, you can make the RM's better no doubt... But faster everywhere than the new Ktm? No, won't happen. I will say this about the ktm...
Haha, you can make the RM's better no doubt... But faster everywhere than the new Ktm? No, won't happen.

I will say this about the ktm 250, not as reliable as the other 250's... And cost much more to maintain.
Care to elaborate on the reliability?
williamsmotowerx 11/2/2011 4:20pm
11/2/2011 4:20pm
Clutches and cranks don't seem to last as long as metric bikes for faster riders.

Rebuilding top end can be almost twice as much as a metric bike.

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Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 4:37pm
11/2/2011 4:37pm
I haven't had one problem in 1.5 yrs of racing my RM
MX72
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MX72 11/2/2011 4:51pm
11/2/2011 4:51pm
Hey Digger, What did you have done to your motor?
motokiwi 11/2/2011 4:56pm
11/2/2011 4:56pm
Digger29 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/users/30218/photos/53252/s780_689.jpg?1319082892[/img] This is the best 2 stroke ever made :-)


This is the best 2 stroke ever made :-)
Is that a fake cone pipe?
pilotx253
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pilotx253 11/2/2011 5:01pm
11/2/2011 5:01pm
Everyone talks so highly of the last generation RM250s, so I bought an 06 last year. I put a lot of work into it ie Hinson clutch, Factory Connection Suspension, round wheels, etc. Its a love/hate relationship, I only feel comfortable on it when the track is loamy. I feel the forks are way outdated compared to the YZ's and my KXF450. Ergonomics are horrendous- footpegs too high, typical Suzuki rear brake, goofy seat and gas tank. Yeah it turns sharp and makes ok power, but I have ridden much better KX250's and YZ250's. Am I missing something

I chased a 2012 KTM250 at the track and could tell it had a strong bottom, mid and top! No one talks about the handling of the new KTM. I would drop the cash if I new it was an improvement!!! Or do I need to just bolt some modern forks on the RM?

Glad there is a support group for building the "best 250 ever"!

Lightning78
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Lightning78 11/2/2011 6:04pm
11/2/2011 6:04pm
Digger29 wrote:
This what I do know about the 2012 KTM250 2 stroke & 2011 KTM450 4 stroke. Robbie Marshall (arguably the best pro that we have here...
This what I do know about the 2012 KTM250 2 stroke & 2011 KTM450 4 stroke. Robbie Marshall (arguably the best pro that we have here in New England) came to me at his track & said Digger that thing sounds retarded & could he ride it cuz he was curious how it stacked up against his 2012 KTM 250SX that he had just received & was getting ready to race in some a few of the remaining NESC races. I had watched him & Jimmy Decotis & Mike Sottile rip it up out there all afternoon. He went out & did like 4 laps & they were 4 of the fastest laps that I had seen him do all day. He came in & rode over to the truck & double high fived me & said that my RM250 was just sick & that is was probably the fastest 250 2 stroke that he'd ever ridden & that it would kill his KTM250SX & his 450 that he raced the Canadian Nationals on & he wanted Ron Bushey's phone number so he could call him. I was very curious if he would even call him & would he say the same things to him that he had said to me. The next moring Bushey called me & said that Robbie had just called him & said everything that he had told me the day before & more & he wanted to know just what the hell he had done to the motor to get that easy to ride & that retarded fast. My bike is just a blast to ride. I get a grin ear to ear everytime somebody ask me, christ what is done to that thing cuz I just couldn't catch you on the straight away or up the big hill etc.
Now I KNOW who will be doing my engine ...... For sure, one question....do you have to run race gas with those miss? I ask nec its up over $8 a gallon here! Beautiful bike BTW.....and did those footpegs work? Yes RM's have unnecessarily tall footpegs for some reason ....they could be a lot lower to begin with
ME686
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ME686 11/2/2011 6:26pm
11/2/2011 6:26pm
The pegs popped right in. Havent done any exact measurements height wise, but they bolted up in two seconds. They are rotated a tad bit forward, so they are not exactly flat, which could be a good thing. Im just gonna ride it and see how it feels... I test fitted with 06 yamaha pegs and they appeared lower already than the suzuki pegs, and the 08 part # for yamaha pegs are wider and lower. Gotta yank em off my 250f tmr now that I know they fit, and ill have better measurements.
Racer92
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Racer92 11/2/2011 7:08pm
11/2/2011 7:08pm
EMARacing wrote:
I beg to differ, how do you explain Scott Summers?
STFU noob.... Wink
Denn700
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Denn700 11/2/2011 8:55pm
11/2/2011 8:55pm
I rode my 2012 ktm 250sx for the first time today. I have had it for a while but have been in the hospital. It is whiteout a doubt the fastest 250 I have ever ridden and I have owned and raced several modded 250s. I do need to get the suspension dialed a little better but I was also riding my buddies 2009 crf450 and it has pro circuit everything including works kit suspension.
Digger29
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Digger29 11/2/2011 8:57pm
11/2/2011 8:57pm
Yes, it's a fake coned pipe, long story there :-) & Yes, because of the serious bump in compression I have to run straight race gas, but we made that decision when doing some final motor & I was ok with it. Thanks everyone for all the compliments on the bike & we are both very proud of how nice it came out but trust me it runs WAY WAY better than it looks.
williamsmotowerx 11/2/2011 9:31pm
11/2/2011 9:31pm
Digger, I got your email.

I'm not slamming your bike. The whole point of getting a bike done up is so you like it, and clearly you do. That's all that matters.

But I get to ride a lot of bikes, and dyno a lot of bikes... I know what most are capable of, and what they're not.

I'm not brand loyal, I like the bike that most people have modified. Simple as that. I'll probably only do 5 at most KTM 250's this year... but I give credit where it's due... and KTM hit a homerun
ryanxmx31
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ryanxmx31 11/3/2011 2:54am
11/3/2011 2:54am
Its basically the same motor as a 2007 ktm, a very good motor, and you can gain 3-4 more hp by just a pipe silencer and carb mods/ 39mm carb.
JayDoubleU 11/3/2011 3:46am
11/3/2011 3:46am
Nice bike Digger but lay off the glue. Is that a stock pipe stripped down or what? That pipe looks cool even being a fake cone.

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