How unstable are RM250's?

ArizonaKevin
Hey Vital, long time lurker here but I am interested in getting rid of my 2009 crf450 and wanting to go back to a smoker. I have a guy who has an 06 rm250 that has made a trade offer, a lot of the reviews I have read of these bikes talk about how they can dive inside of anything while sacrificing some high speed stability. I ride everything from NHHA style bomb runs to moto to putting around the desert with the kids. How bad are the RM250's when it comes to straight line stability? Can it be corrected with setup changes and a steering stabilizer? Ideally I would stick with Honda and get an 02-07 cr250 but this seems to be a good deal.
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dirtmike86
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dirtmike86 12/6/2017 4:56pm
12/6/2017 4:56pm
Its pretty stable. Compared to my 05 cr250 its a little more dead in the air then the honda and i only get a little headshake coming out of a corner with some acceleration bumps. A stabilizer would help but i just hang on for dear life. I have a 16 ktm 350sxf and the RM is so much more fun then the ktm . Wears you out a little more on the mx track trying to maintain momentum. Much cheaper to work on and maintain.
H4L
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H4L 12/6/2017 6:48pm
12/6/2017 6:48pm
I've owned both models & preferred the 450 over the RM. I ended up selling the RM due to it being sketchy & unstable at higher speeds.
I had RG3 suspension due the work, but it was only marginally better. I still own an 03 CR250r since I haven't found a better all round chassis / suspension combo. It turns exceptional and has excellent straight line stability.
mwssquad827
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mwssquad827 12/6/2017 6:51pm
12/6/2017 6:51pm
I desert race my 07rm 250 2-3 times a year and ride plenty of desert, moto and jump in between and don’t have any issues.. set suspension for your needs and get some...also I preferred my rm over my buddies 09 crf 450 all day long
RussB
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RussB 12/6/2017 11:58pm
12/6/2017 11:58pm
Been riding RM250's since 2010. I think the headshake thing is over exaggerated. Don't get me wrong I've got head shake on the RM several times, but never any worse than on any other bike I've rode.
I think the difference is that with Suzuki's you need to be very precise with your sag and careful with you fork height. Once you get these right they are a great ride. My RMZ450 was also a little busy initially while finding the sweet spot on the set up.

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Turbojez
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Turbojez 12/7/2017 4:32am
12/7/2017 4:32am Edited Date/Time 12/7/2017 4:33am
nascarnate326 wrote:
Do it!!!!
X2

I have one and I'm still alive, so how sketchy can it possibly be? Grinning
Had RMZ 250 before, and this one is way less prone to headshake. Maybe it's a matter of setup though.
RM is an awesome bike. You'll love it.
ArizonaKevin 12/7/2017 8:26am
12/7/2017 8:26am
I used to have an 04 crf250r and loved the way that chassis/suspension worked for me so I think I am going to hold out for a 3rd gen cr250. If anyone has one in the southwest US that they want to trade for an 09 crf450r let me know.
H4L
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H4L 12/7/2017 8:37am
12/7/2017 8:37am Edited Date/Time 12/7/2017 8:38am
ArizonaKevin wrote:
I used to have an 04 crf250r and loved the way that chassis/suspension worked for me so I think I am going to hold out for...
I used to have an 04 crf250r and loved the way that chassis/suspension worked for me so I think I am going to hold out for a 3rd gen cr250. If anyone has one in the southwest US that they want to trade for an 09 crf450r let me know.
The Suzuki's turn as good as the 02-07 CR2's / 09 + CRF450r's, but at the sacrifice of straight line stability due to the head tube angle / geometry.
Turbojez
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Turbojez 12/7/2017 3:17pm
12/7/2017 3:17pm
H4L wrote:
The Suzuki's turn as good as the 02-07 CR2's / 09 + CRF450r's, but at the sacrifice of straight line stability due to the head tube...
The Suzuki's turn as good as the 02-07 CR2's / 09 + CRF450r's, but at the sacrifice of straight line stability due to the head tube angle / geometry.
I rode a couple of 2009+ hondas, and they're not even close to zook's cornering traits...
H4L
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H4L 12/7/2017 4:12pm
12/7/2017 4:12pm
Turbojez wrote:
I rode a couple of 2009+ hondas, and they're not even close to zook's cornering traits...
It's possible they weren't set up right.
ArizonaKevin 12/7/2017 4:18pm
12/7/2017 4:18pm
H4L wrote:
It's possible they weren't set up right.
I've really struggled with set up on my 09 450, every time I feel comfortable with the handling I get terrified to do desert runs and every time I feel stable enough in the desert the front end pushes like crazy in the corners. Definitely miss my 3rd gen AF Honda.
H4L
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H4L 12/7/2017 6:14pm
12/7/2017 6:14pm
ArizonaKevin wrote:
I've really struggled with set up on my 09 450, every time I feel comfortable with the handling I get terrified to do desert runs and...
I've really struggled with set up on my 09 450, every time I feel comfortable with the handling I get terrified to do desert runs and every time I feel stable enough in the desert the front end pushes like crazy in the corners. Definitely miss my 3rd gen AF Honda.
Had an 09 CRF450r with MDK suspension & recently sold a 10 model that I had FC do the work. They were both really good with sharp steering & handling. I'd give the nod to FC with a better overall plush feel to the suspension. They modify the rear shock internally & it does wonders for the 09-12 CRF450r chassis. They have excellent valving specs for these bikes.
If your planning on keeping the bike I'd highly recommend their work & customer service.
mx12boy
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mx12boy 12/8/2017 8:42am
12/8/2017 8:42am
The head shake is way over blown. I had an 06 and never had any problems with it. I would probably still have it if I did not bend the frame and the swingarm due to a really bad crash.

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