Posts: 2
Joined: 12/5/2017
Location: Clio, MI USA
Recently picked up a 2001 rm250 from a buddy been sitting in a barn for lord knows how many years with a blown motor and just about everything else. Always loved the rm had a few of them in the past. My question is if anyone has or knows what I can do for a more updated suspension on this bike front and rear. Can I use newer rm forks and rear shock?
Posts: 5111
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: USA
I can sell you a 2004 rm125 showa shock and I also have a spare clevis off a 2002 that will make the shock work with your linkage.
In fact, I can also sell you an entire 2002 rm125 showa shock, but it will need rebuilt
Posts: 2219
Joined: 8/5/2015
Location: POL
Your best investment would be to send the suspension out to the reputable suspension tuner for service and revalve.
Posts: 1453
Joined: 5/9/2011
Location: AUS
I dont know how much different the 01 stuff is compared to the 07 but I had an 07 and once it was sprung and valved for my weight it was pretty damn good. The only dissapointment I had was when I rode a mates SSS suspended yz that was sprung and valved for someone my weight
Posts: 2219
Joined: 8/5/2015
Location: POL
It is totally different.
2001 uses Bladder Type 46mm KYB forks. 04+ runs on 48mm Twin Chamber Showa's.
The problem is, you cannot just bolt on the 2004+ forks and shock to a 2001 chassis.
Up front: Different triple clamps offset, different fork tubes diameter etc.
In the back: Different geometry/linkage, different shock.
Unless you want to spend a crazy amount of money on this bike, get a decent suspension company to revalve the stock KYB suspension for you and you should be more than happy with the results. Especially since it's been sitting in the barn for so long, it needs the suspension service anyway.
Posts: 5111
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: USA
Imo the showa shock is better than the kyb, it has a much bigger piston.
I have a complete shock and all the parts and optional springs that could get you setup
Posts: 2
Joined: 12/5/2017
Location: Clio, MI USA
It's either spend the 600$ now on the KYB suspension I have to be re-sprung and rebuilt , or find the clamps, forks probably need the hub, axle, axle spacers and front brake set up off 04 + Showa forks and rear shock, plus linkage. Wondering how many guys have gone threw and swapped KYB out for Showa and if it's worth it at this point or not.
Posts: 5111
Joined: 4/1/2008
Location: USA
Posts: 505
Joined: 7/19/2016
Location: Reno, NV USA
A well tuned kyb shock is just fine. Pleanty of fast mx'ers at the pro level rode that in the day. Get the linkage services, and shock tuned, and spend the $ upgrading forks if you want. Btw, they can also be tuned as well.
Livin' the dream, two wheels at a time!
