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by todays 250fs its about 10hp down. i think they were around 34-35 stock. the linkage on the shock needs to be changed and the forks were dated.
I used to have an 05 and it was a great bike. Its actually on my bucket list to buy and build one up like the factory suzuki's. but i really liked the chassis once the suspension was setup
if you get one, the linkage, basic motor upgrades (hc piston, cams, p&p), swap the forks for 06+ kx250f front end (showas) and it would be really good bike
(basically all the upgrades the 06 kx250f bike got)
I'm almost 40 so I remember these bikes coming out and I remember right away they were a thrown together mess between Zuk and Kawi. I remember the reviews saying they were kinda slow. The style was kinda blah. And I recall the well documented cooling issues (bikes revving at the gate drop and pissing out coolant). So yeah, I've never wanted one.
As time goes by though, I get teary eyed for this early stuff and I've been looking at all kinds of goofy projects lately. I almost jumped into a Cannondale, but honestly I am not crazy enough to own one of those. I've been looking at some early XR250R's thinking of trying to make one woods capable, but honestly the ergo's just blow on those bikes and I know they won't be fast enough to keep me entertained.
So this 2004 RMZ250 popped up and I can probably get it for under a grand. All I know is it did run, but its being tempermental and not wanting to start. I honestly think the guy hasn't ridden it forever, couldn't get it fired and doesnt really know what it could be (as opposed to hiding something). I thought it would be fun to restore to look OEM, but if these things were complete POS's, I don't want the headache. If they were just kinda POS, maybe I'm glutton for punishment. I noticed the pro circuit two piece cover which was nice to see, otherwise, I'm sure it'll need some going through. Just looking for opinions. I kinda view these as classics now and not really serious bikes - just something to have fun with.
I see several being ridden every summer at tracks all across michigan and they do laps just like I do.
https://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2005-rm250/6502881267.html
Pit Row
look it over make sure the frame is sound, how much wear is on the cases? how is the apaint on the frame? if these are really worn then its seen some hours, if not it could simply be that the bike has sat for a couple years with fuel from 2010 sitting in the tank and the carb and needs a splash of fresh gas and a carb clean.
biggest issues were over heating; which is corrected with a bigger radiators and a high pressure cap (factory fixed this in 05)
lubrication was a problem too so keeping up on oil changes was needed
its honestly a gamle with any 4 stroke. You could buy it for under 1k but you could end up spending another 2-3k easy if the motor is toast.
depends on how much your willing to go into it for
It overheats, it's very gutless, it has issues at idle, it feels "sluggish", top heavy, and a huge pain to start once it is warm(and it gets warm real fast). It has been jetted, cleaned out, valves checked, and taken apart by the dealer a few times, etc...still a real s.o.b. No better than when he got it. It was not a pleasure to ride. It's not fun to put around on, not even through trails.
I’m looking to buy a 2004-05 rmz250 or kx250f rolling chassis for electric conversion.
Anyone out there with a bike with a blown motor.
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