RM 250???

gharmon
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gharmon
Edited Date/Time 1/25/2012 9:43am
A guy is trying to sell me a rm250 and says it's a 2004. How do you tell the year model on a Suzuki. It's not like on our Honda's (steering head). He only wants a $1000. It needs a couple things but they are very minor. It/was the 2004 RM 250 a good bike? Any opinions, head-ups or warnings would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks,

Gerald
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Lightning78
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Lightning78 4/4/2010 4:44pm
4/4/2010 4:44pm
Now that I have an 01 and an 06 I would buy that thing straight up for $1000 they are absolutely amazing bikes you won't be disappointed and I'll bet once you get her back into shape you'll park your honda's.....this coming from a guy that has ridden Honda's all his life, if I had known how good these last generation RM250's were back 6 years ago I would've been on them since then!
Moto East Mag 4/4/2010 5:39pm
4/4/2010 5:39pm
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud.
Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races on mine before switching to RMZ. I just kept rebuilding it. It's way better than the 2003 and bike was unchanged through 2008.
Really no issues with this bike.

The Shop

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dirtbikersa 4/4/2010 6:15pm
4/4/2010 6:15pm
Moto East Mag wrote:
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud. Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races...
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud.
Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races on mine before switching to RMZ. I just kept rebuilding it. It's way better than the 2003 and bike was unchanged through 2008.
Really no issues with this bike.
There were changes between 2004 - 2008.
Madmax31
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Madmax31 4/4/2010 6:26pm
4/4/2010 6:26pm
I recently sold my 2004 only because I needed the money. It was a great bike. You'll love it! $1K is a steal. I have a new top end complete with gaskets I never installed if interested.
Racer92
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Racer92 4/4/2010 6:41pm
4/4/2010 6:41pm
Moto East Mag wrote:
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud. Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races...
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud.
Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races on mine before switching to RMZ. I just kept rebuilding it. It's way better than the 2003 and bike was unchanged through 2008.
Really no issues with this bike.
He's right, the '03 wasnt the best, but 2004 on are great machines.
Chili
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Chili 4/4/2010 6:57pm
4/4/2010 6:57pm
If it's a 2004 the 10th digit of the VIN will be a 4.
mxr102
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mxr102 4/4/2010 7:03pm
4/4/2010 7:03pm
It will have a Powerband and Nitrous Bottle if its an 04!!!!
davis224
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davis224 4/4/2010 7:04pm
4/4/2010 7:04pm
the vin should be on the steering head. It's on the right side of the steering head of 99% of bikes
Moto East Mag 4/4/2010 7:58pm
4/4/2010 7:58pm
Moto East Mag wrote:
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud. Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races...
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud.
Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races on mine before switching to RMZ. I just kept rebuilding it. It's way better than the 2003 and bike was unchanged through 2008.
Really no issues with this bike.
dirtbikersa wrote:
There were changes between 2004 - 2008.
I guess there were some changes- but probably wouldn't make a difference for an amateur racer. When you put the bikes side by side they seemed pretty identical.
zookie
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zookie 4/4/2010 8:16pm
4/4/2010 8:16pm
Amazing bike if it is an 04. I have an 08 RMZ450 with a bunch of work done to it. Also have a 2005 RM250 that has been parked needing a rebuild for 2 years. Just did the rebuild this winter and rode it for the first time this weekend and guess what...I never even took the 450 out of the truck.

The 250 is WAY more fun. I will bring the 450 with me the next few weeks riding to see if I even ride it much and if I don't, I will be selling it. The money will be much more useful to me than an idle bike. The RM is just that much fun!

The best thing about it is how effortlessly you can get it to get wherever you want. I felt like a pro on mine (even though I wasn't moving like one). Not only is it not set up for me, it had old tires and a cramped cockpit. I was able to go around the track with much more ease than my 450. I had sand and dirt in my teeth from smiling so much.

Best part is a top end is 100 bucks at cost, crank isn't much more than 300 with gaskets and bearings!
ratonmacias
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ratonmacias 4/4/2010 9:09pm
4/4/2010 9:09pm
biggest difference between 2003 and older and 2004 and newer is showa forks on the 2004 and newer bikes but the safest way would be the title or vin
gharmon
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gharmon 4/5/2010 5:13am
4/5/2010 5:13am
Chili wrote:
If it's a 2004 the 10th digit of the VIN will be a 4.
The 10th digit is a 3. Does that mean its on 03? The forks have showa stickers but that could be just stickers correct?

What makes an 03 that much worse than an 04? Is an 03 still worth 1K? Did these bikes come with TAG triple trees? I dont recall them doing so.

Keep in mind when i ask about how good the bike will be for me is that i'm a fast D or slow C rider (5'11 and 185lbs) at best. Also, my last bike was a 04 crf 250.

Thanks for the help guys.
onenastynotch
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onenastynotch 4/5/2010 5:17am
4/5/2010 5:17am
Moto East Mag wrote:
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud. Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races...
I have a 2004- just raced it a couple weeks ago in the mud.
Handles great-- motor is absolutely bulletproof. Awesome bike- I had 40+ races on mine before switching to RMZ. I just kept rebuilding it. It's way better than the 2003 and bike was unchanged through 2008.
Really no issues with this bike.
dirtbikersa wrote:
There were changes between 2004 - 2008.
Moto East Mag wrote:
I guess there were some changes- but probably wouldn't make a difference for an amateur racer. When you put the bikes side by side they seemed...
I guess there were some changes- but probably wouldn't make a difference for an amateur racer. When you put the bikes side by side they seemed pretty identical.
the 06 had more of a violent hit the 07 and 08 were toned down.....same power softer hit to make it more yz like
web mx
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web mx 4/5/2010 6:41am
4/5/2010 6:41am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:54pm
I had an 03 and it never gave me problems at all and I holeshot almost every race against alot of 450's with stock engine and FMF pipe & silencer...........It was a great bike and not much different than the 04.
Chili
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Chili 4/5/2010 6:45am
4/5/2010 6:45am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2010 6:45am
The 04 is definitely an improved bike from the 03 but I had an 02 prior to my current bike and I'd buy any of them from 02-08 for a grand if it's in decent shape.

Pit Row

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zookie
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zookie 4/5/2010 7:02am
4/5/2010 7:02am
Post a photo of the bike for us to check out, I would be weary of buying a bike from someone who didn't know exactly what they had.
gharmon
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gharmon 4/5/2010 8:18am
4/5/2010 8:18am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:54pm
Here is a couple photos.
Racer92
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Racer92 4/5/2010 8:19am
4/5/2010 8:19am
ratonmacias wrote:
biggest difference between 2003 and older and 2004 and newer is showa forks on the 2004 and newer bikes but the safest way would be the...
biggest difference between 2003 and older and 2004 and newer is showa forks on the 2004 and newer bikes but the safest way would be the title or vin
Another very noticeable change was the front brakes. The '03 had that stupid cable routing thing up front. The engines did not behave the same either, I rode both in scrambles and did not like the '03.
gharmon
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gharmon 4/5/2010 8:21am
4/5/2010 8:21am
ratonmacias wrote:
biggest difference between 2003 and older and 2004 and newer is showa forks on the 2004 and newer bikes but the safest way would be the...
biggest difference between 2003 and older and 2004 and newer is showa forks on the 2004 and newer bikes but the safest way would be the title or vin
Racer92 wrote:
Another very noticeable change was the front brakes. The '03 had that stupid cable routing thing up front. The engines did not behave the same either...
Another very noticeable change was the front brakes. The '03 had that stupid cable routing thing up front. The engines did not behave the same either, I rode both in scrambles and did not like the '03.
Since I am a novice at best can you explain the engine differences? Will someone of my ability notice the differences you mention?
Racer92
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Racer92 4/5/2010 8:24am
4/5/2010 8:24am
gharmon wrote:
Since I am a novice at best can you explain the engine differences? Will someone of my ability notice the differences you mention?
You wont notice the engine differences if you are a novice. The '03 is a sound/reliable engine, I just didnt like it for scrambles. You may love the thing for your application.
gharmon
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gharmon 4/5/2010 8:30am
4/5/2010 8:30am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2010 8:32am
Ok looks like I figured out how to post a pic. Like I said it needs a couple things. Namely a rear fender and tire. The DOMA racing (never heard of it) pipe doesn't look to good either.
miedosoracing1 4/5/2010 8:35am
4/5/2010 8:35am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2010 8:37am
The motor changed in one of those years. I can't remember if it was 03-05? Cases etc are different.

The bike looks fine for $1000 as long as it runs. If it doesn't, not worth it most likely. Too much other things that need money like tires etc. I'd say if you get it, just go through all bearings etc. Oring chain and sprockets. Make it like new.
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Matt Fisher 4/5/2010 10:29am
4/5/2010 10:29am
I think the biggest issue with the 03 was the carb's slide was too rich, making jetting a daunting task.

Filing the slide or replacing it with a leaner one fixed the problem, then it was very similar to the 04+ bikes.

Doma makes great pipes, just have it fixed. http://www.piperepair.com

For a grand, snap that thing up.
calimxer91
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calimxer91 4/5/2010 10:39am
4/5/2010 10:39am Edited Date/Time 4/5/2010 10:40am
Its worth it.Throw a FMF and some tires change the oil plastic ,your gonna be good to go.
zookie
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zookie 4/5/2010 10:41am
4/5/2010 10:41am
Missing rear fender, big dent in pipe, guy doesn't know what year it is. Screams abused and not maintained to me.

Make sure everything is tight, check the chassis bearings for play (steering, linkage, shock, wheels). Overall, how clean is the bike? Has it ever been serviced? Are the spokes seized? Chain/sprockets okay?

It is a great deal for a grand if it is solid, but if you have to rebuild suspension, replace bearings, rebuild engine, etc...you really aren't getting that smokin of a deal for an 03 IMO.
miedosoracing1 4/5/2010 10:46am
4/5/2010 10:46am
zookie wrote:
Missing rear fender, big dent in pipe, guy doesn't know what year it is. Screams abused and not maintained to me. Make sure everything is tight...
Missing rear fender, big dent in pipe, guy doesn't know what year it is. Screams abused and not maintained to me.

Make sure everything is tight, check the chassis bearings for play (steering, linkage, shock, wheels). Overall, how clean is the bike? Has it ever been serviced? Are the spokes seized? Chain/sprockets okay?

It is a great deal for a grand if it is solid, but if you have to rebuild suspension, replace bearings, rebuild engine, etc...you really aren't getting that smokin of a deal for an 03 IMO.
Exactly, also, take off the flywheel cover. If you can move the flywheel up and down. Do not buy the bike. It means the lower bearings are worn. Thus full rebuild.

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