How many members own an RM250?

9/6/2016 12:23pm
I like how some of you are chopping the side number plates...are you just cutting them or does someone sell a kit ?
bangmyhead
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Comin' Straight Outta Compton, CA US
9/6/2016 1:53pm
Jbulz wrote:
I have an 06. Can't get more than 20 hours out of a transmission though. I WANT to like the bike, but don't like it enough...
I have an 06. Can't get more than 20 hours out of a transmission though. I WANT to like the bike, but don't like it enough to dump that kind of money into it every season. Trans failures on the faces of jumps have laid me up 2x on this bike.

Love the engine, suspension is OK after revalving, ergos don't fit me that well, and it doesn't handle as well as everyone makes it seem, to be honest.

Would love to know how to fix the transmission permanently if anyone has ideas.

I've read about some "fixes" that seemed like maybe this will work. I hated finding neutral on the face of a jump or the landing so I sold the thing. Other than the tranny/clutch the bike was awesome
9/7/2016 3:59pm
I like how some of you are chopping the side number plates...are you just cutting them or does someone sell a kit ?
Mine come like that but looks like the guy I bought it off just cut them him self . does give it a newer bike look imo.
9/7/2016 4:48pm
Jbulz wrote:
I have an 06. Can't get more than 20 hours out of a transmission though. I WANT to like the bike, but don't like it enough...
I have an 06. Can't get more than 20 hours out of a transmission though. I WANT to like the bike, but don't like it enough to dump that kind of money into it every season. Trans failures on the faces of jumps have laid me up 2x on this bike.

Love the engine, suspension is OK after revalving, ergos don't fit me that well, and it doesn't handle as well as everyone makes it seem, to be honest.

Would love to know how to fix the transmission permanently if anyone has ideas.

Copy and pasted fix from the vital user "2strokerider" - i will link to the entire thread below.

- 3rd and 4th drive gear and 5th driven tend to wear out on the dogs about every 60 hours running time (on average)Theres a shim washer and circlip on the back of 3rd drive gear thats a little too thin and allows 3rd to 'float' a little too much. We add a thicker shim washer there, and also a more heavy duty circlip- the stock circlip can concave (or pop off all together) if you stomp on the gear lever too hard, allowing the gear to move where it shouldnt. This will make your gearbox last alot longer!
Also, when you check your clutch you might want to check the gear selector pin as we have had these work loose after a few hours- we normally remove them and loctite them when we get the bikes, same with the screws on the selector barrel.

www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/RM250-2-STROKE,1248183

The Shop

9/7/2016 5:20pm
Same here I've had three now. All three had trans issues. Had my last one lock solid on a third gear tapped table. Luckily for my ankles/legs I stepped over the bars, cleared the entire jump perfectly and landed on the downside in soft dirt. Everyone I the fences thought I was a dead man. Sold that one and picked up this 06



Picked it up with low hours on it and the trans lasted a few seasons until just recently. Rebuilt it twice this year and still funky.

Ergos aren't the most comfortable for me. Suspension is just ok. Motors rip though. While they turn amazing they feel super twitchy to me. Never been able to get 100 percent comfortable. Going to try a cr250 next
Jbulz
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871
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3/29/2016
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Ithaca, NY US
9/7/2016 6:12pm
Same here I've had three now. All three had trans issues. Had my last one lock solid on a third gear tapped table. Luckily for my...
Same here I've had three now. All three had trans issues. Had my last one lock solid on a third gear tapped table. Luckily for my ankles/legs I stepped over the bars, cleared the entire jump perfectly and landed on the downside in soft dirt. Everyone I the fences thought I was a dead man. Sold that one and picked up this 06



Picked it up with low hours on it and the trans lasted a few seasons until just recently. Rebuilt it twice this year and still funky.

Ergos aren't the most comfortable for me. Suspension is just ok. Motors rip though. While they turn amazing they feel super twitchy to me. Never been able to get 100 percent comfortable. Going to try a cr250 next
That has been my experience too. I never felt comfortable to really push myself on the RM - I always feel like it wants to put me in the dirt. I think I just have to accept that they just don't work for me. I bought a 2016 KX450F and couldn't be happier (I do miss 2-strokes though).

My RM dropped into neutral off a downhill triple and I endoed it out pretty bad. Concussed myself and fucked my head up for a few months. Didn't think a concussion would suck that much and don't want to do it again!

I rode an 05 CR250 and didn't really like anything about it, but the 02-04 steel frame YZ250 is a great bike IMO. On PulpMX Reedy, Vuillemin, Ferry, and MC even said that era YZ frame was one of their favorites. The 06+ alum YZ250 suspension is really good too. I've ridden a few KX250s and they are OK too. The RM and YZ engines are way better though.
Gary105
Posts
196
Joined
2/10/2014
Location
Douglas, MA US
6/27/2017 9:46am
Well changed the graphics up with new plastics. Have all the old plastics if i ever want to change back. Needed to make it Gary's bike even though i loved it as Digger29's bike.



Crush
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21077
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4/26/2009
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Sydney AU
6/27/2017 10:05am
Gary105 wrote:
Well changed the graphics up with new plastics. Have all the old plastics if i ever want to change back. Needed to make it Gary's bike...
Well changed the graphics up with new plastics. Have all the old plastics if i ever want to change back. Needed to make it Gary's bike even though i loved it as Digger29's bike.



Did he sell it to you with the 98 forks?
Gary105
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196
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Douglas, MA US
6/27/2017 10:11am
Crush i bought the bike off the guy he sold it to and no it did not come with those forks. I believe Digger kept them or sold the on there own.
Crush
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6/27/2017 10:15am
Bummer. I bet that would have been a comfy setup!
-MAVERICK-
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Ontario CA
6/27/2017 10:17am
I unfortunately can't ride it but I have an '08 in a friends garage. My brother rides it from time to time.

Back in 2015 I traded an '09 CRF 250 that my brother rode a lot from brand new to 2015 for a guy's '08 RM 250 and to top it all off he gave an extra 1000$ with the RM. Safe to say I got the better end of that deal lol.

Don't think I'll sell it. I'd like to do a build with it when I have funds available. I already know what I want to do with it but it's far from being a budget build and I don't have those kinds of funds at the moment. Not only that but if they don't come up with a solution to cure paralysis I'll never be able to ride it. In the mean time my brother can use it whenever he wants.

In 2006 I was debating between purchasing a new YZ 250 or the RM 250 since the dealer sold both brands. I decided to go with the YZ since all I had ridden before that were Yamaha's and never had problems with them. Great bike but I never got along with it and in '08 I decided to try a KTM so I settled on the 144sx. Sadly that's the last bike I got to ride.

Maybe one day I'll get to ride again. I sure hope so anyways.

It better not be all electric by then either lol.
Indymxer
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4/22/2017
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Carmel, IN US
6/27/2017 10:25am
Id like to know how to cut the number plate and get a custom background made somehow.
-MAVERICK-
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Ontario CA
6/27/2017 10:31am
^^^ Masking tape & a dremel after that contact a graphic company and let them know about it then send your plates to them. I'm sure they'll do custom plates for you if you ask. Maybe not the big companies but there's plenty of other great companies to choose from.
mikec265
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1668
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10/19/2015
Location
Edinboro, PA US
6/27/2017 10:02pm
Owned 4 of them with a couple RMZs inbetween and some Hondas before I knew how good the RMs handled.
1999,2001, and currently a 2005 paired with a 2001 RM500(KX 500 engine in it)

I have more fun on the 2 strokes than the RMZs but they are harder to ride.

Buying a new updated RM250 with spring forks is a pipe dream of mine. A smooth 350 would be better...
Manbearpig
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913
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Edgewood, TX US
6/27/2017 11:45pm





My 92 made to look like Larry Wards 90 and my 06. I think they're neat

1
Crush
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Sydney AU
6/27/2017 11:59pm
^^^^ That 06 is nice!
Deja New
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AU
6/28/2017 12:00am
Indymxer wrote:
Id like to know how to cut the number plate and get a custom background made somehow.
The cut is easy measure and cut sharp carpet knife will do the job I used a metal straight edge and clamped it into place. there are so many custom graphics places to chose from put tracing paper over the cut side plate make a stancil and post it to them.

Mine before the cut with custom graphics no photos after Sad

Manbearpig
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6/28/2017 7:39am
Crush wrote:
^^^^ That 06 is nice!
Thanks Crush
1/22/2019 10:09am
Man, some really nice RM’s on here. Awsome to see. This is my 2007.


4
RussB
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GB
1/23/2019 12:20am
This is a cool thread and would be great to see it continue!
So i'll update.....

The 2008 RM250 I originally posted in this thread is now sold.... but was replaced with a super low hour 2008 RM250. I converted it to Enduro as I fancied trying something new. It didn't last long as is now back in MX trim! but here's how it did look



My 1989 RM250 is still going strong and features loads of updates, I will snap a proper picture once its complete. But it now features forks from a 1994, handmade PPS pipe and I have a custom built Ohlins shock to go on it too! Cant wait to take it for a rip in the next month or 2

2
Turbojez
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PL
1/23/2019 2:37am
RussB wrote:
This is a cool thread and would be great to see it continue! So i'll update..... The 2008 RM250 I originally posted in this thread is...
This is a cool thread and would be great to see it continue!
So i'll update.....

The 2008 RM250 I originally posted in this thread is now sold.... but was replaced with a super low hour 2008 RM250. I converted it to Enduro as I fancied trying something new. It didn't last long as is now back in MX trim! but here's how it did look



My 1989 RM250 is still going strong and features loads of updates, I will snap a proper picture once its complete. But it now features forks from a 1994, handmade PPS pipe and I have a custom built Ohlins shock to go on it too! Cant wait to take it for a rip in the next month or 2

Russ, I completely forgot about your enduro weapon, and for a moment thought, that I will have the first 48mm KYB suspended RM. Damn. Grinning

I need to see that '89!!!

What frame guards were on that black one?
RussB
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991
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GB
1/23/2019 2:44am
Turbojez wrote:
Russ, I completely forgot about your enduro weapon, and for a moment thought, that I will have the first 48mm KYB suspended RM. Damn. :lol: I...
Russ, I completely forgot about your enduro weapon, and for a moment thought, that I will have the first 48mm KYB suspended RM. Damn. Grinning

I need to see that '89!!!

What frame guards were on that black one?
Haha sorry Turbo! I think I might well be the first, if someone else has done it then I'm yet to see a photo!

You will like the KYB set up, its really good and looks even better in person.

Lightspeed carbon frame guards on the 08. I was lucky to score those as well as a lightspeed sump guard all in near new condition. Definitely the best quality carbon stuff I've ever used.

Picking up the new Ohlins shock and revalved forks for the 89 this weekend! Just waiting for swingarm bearings to arrive then I can get her built back up and photographed. I'll make a Build Thread for it eventually.
Turbojez
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PL
1/23/2019 5:26am
RussB wrote:
Haha sorry Turbo! I think I might well be the first, if someone else has done it then I'm yet to see a photo! You will...
Haha sorry Turbo! I think I might well be the first, if someone else has done it then I'm yet to see a photo!

You will like the KYB set up, its really good and looks even better in person.

Lightspeed carbon frame guards on the 08. I was lucky to score those as well as a lightspeed sump guard all in near new condition. Definitely the best quality carbon stuff I've ever used.

Picking up the new Ohlins shock and revalved forks for the 89 this weekend! Just waiting for swingarm bearings to arrive then I can get her built back up and photographed. I'll make a Build Thread for it eventually.
Hey, 2nd place is not bad either, is it? Is yours spring or air?

I chose to go this way after riding some yamaha's recently, had the triple clamps fabricated (RM stem pressed into KXF clamps) and I'll see how it works. There will be a slight (0,5mm) change in offset but I don't think it will be enough to notice.
How did you like the KYB rear shock (the one off newer RMZ's)? I have one on the way from US.

Looking forward to your build thread, sounds very promising!
1/23/2019 6:50am


Built this last year. Bike runs amazing, still has the original piston in it!
1
RussB
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991
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GB
1/23/2019 7:20am
Turbojez wrote:
Hey, 2nd place is not bad either, is it? Is yours spring or air? I chose to go this way after riding some yamaha's recently, had...
Hey, 2nd place is not bad either, is it? Is yours spring or air?

I chose to go this way after riding some yamaha's recently, had the triple clamps fabricated (RM stem pressed into KXF clamps) and I'll see how it works. There will be a slight (0,5mm) change in offset but I don't think it will be enough to notice.
How did you like the KYB rear shock (the one off newer RMZ's)? I have one on the way from US.

Looking forward to your build thread, sounds very promising!
I've got the spring version. But I know a guy who runs the air version on an RMZ and is equally as happy with them.

The KYB shock was okay, it was set up as my enduro shock and because my 'enduro career' came to an early end, I didn't really get the chance to properly test and set it up. But I'd say it has the makings of a good shock, lots of adjustability! Looks smart too.
Gary105
Posts
196
Joined
2/10/2014
Location
Douglas, MA US
1/23/2019 9:59am
This one will be for sale very shortly.... Can't afford both bikes and i have a 2018 RMZ450
1
VetMX.com
Posts
611
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5/28/2018
Location
Magnolia, TX US
1/24/2019 8:23am
I have a 2005 RM250, RM125 and RMZ450. I have ridden newer bikes but I love the way these turn and stop and the Showas are really plush when valved right. I use JM Racing.
2stroked
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188
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10/15/2013
Location
Ontario, CA US
1/25/2019 9:50am
Never had suzuki before but the last few years Ive heard nothing but good things about just how good a RM250 is. After searching for the last year and a half and being VERY patient I finally found this. 2008 RM250 purchased from original owner, and only 15 minutes away from my house.

Now how do I explain this to my wife? LOL "Hey babe, I know I already have 4 dirt bikes in the garage but guess what I just bought!" HAHAHA




2
Spode
Posts
102
Joined
8/16/2006
1/25/2019 5:21pm
yes
2005 rm 250
1

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