New bike but not for me.

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rbates9
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New bike but not for me.

Post by rbates9 »

My brother is starting to talk about getting back into ridding and looking for a bike. He is not looking for a 4t. He is not against a KDX but has a soft spot for 2T RM's.

The riding will be very varied. What are the thoughts of the community? No 125's.
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Post by david »

It is really personal preference. I had always had MX bikes in the past, CR250 Elsinore, YZ250, CR480 but I like to trail ride and those bikes just weren't made for that. Evaluate his type of riding for the MAJORITY of the time and get a bike to fit that.
'81 KDX 175
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rbates9
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Post by rbates9 »

The majority will be woods riding. I was looking to see if there was a model / year to stay away from.
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Post by kawagumby »

Most MX'rs will need an aftermarket flywheel weight, suspension revalve and perhaps lighter springs (depending on skill, weight) and spark arrestors. If they have a hit at higher rpms, you'll want an aftermarket pipe that brings it down. Tight single track stuff can be more difficult because they also have close ratio tranny's with a higher first gear. For non-aggressive woods riding, and aggressive low speed stuff, even modified MX'rs don't work as well as a trail bike much of the time.

I had done all the mods to a 01 KX250 and still didn't like it as much as my USD-equipped KDX's for the kind of trails I like to ride - and ended up selling it.
1994 KDX200, Beta 200rr, yz125, yz250, kx100 modded for adult, gasgas contact 250.
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Post by OLHILLBILLY »

What is his riding style ability? Strong and aggressive will make for a better day on an RM250.
I presume he rode an RM before (thus the "soft spot"). If he's coming back after several years off, remembering how it used to be.. He might be better off on something like a KDX for a bit, then decide if it is actually like it "used to be" before taking on the MX bike again.
2004 KDX 200.. Coupla mods
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Post by Julien D »

Gotta watch out for the clutch on those RM's. Very on/off feeling. Makes tight woods a challenge.
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Post by cornishwrecker220 »

suzuki make the rm 125/250 xc (cross country) it comes fitted with a larger clear fuel tank, 18" rear wheel & flywheel weight as standard ..not sure how much they are in the states but over here they are £3800- £4200..personally i`d go for the ktm exc range as they are road legal :grin:
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Post by Julien D »

Only thing like that stateside is the RMX250, as far as I know, which was a legendary trail bike :). A bit dated, and wasn't around for very long, so sourcing parts could be a challenge.
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rbates9
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Post by rbates9 »

The soft spot for RM's came from the 89? RMX he had years ago. He has been off a bike for about 10-12 years now. He use to be a quick aggressive rider but that I'm sure will take time to find again. :wink:

I'm just looking around to see what people had to say about different bikes. Thanks
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Post by gsa102 »

Maybe he should look for an RMX online and get the newest one he can.

My brother in law has a 1998 RM 250 and it has no low end and is very peaky. And he broke the shift drum in the transmission. Don't know how he did that.

My 1990 YZ250 put it to shame...
This is my rifle, this is my gun, the YZ to go fast, the KDX is for fun!

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Post by bmann »

Rmx's were 89-98 I believe. With the 93 and up being basically the same bike. I know a couple guys who had them and loved the bikes. How much is he looking to spend? I hate to say it, but if I had the bucks any ktm 150xc, 200, 250, 300 (or the new husabergs) would definitely be on the menu. The gas gas are also deserving of a look I think.
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Post by Fletch »

I know a guy who's got an rm larger tank if he goes that route, it's off a 2000.
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Post by rbates9 »

I didn't even know they made the RMX that recent. I haven't seen one since the three 89's that used to reside out in the garage years ago. A quick Craigslist search and there just happens to be three of them not too far away. A 93, 97 and the other one didn't say. What was different between the later RM's and the same year RMX's? Other than lighting.
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Post by fuzzy »

'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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rbates9
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Post by rbates9 »

>|<>QBB<
I found two of them searching too. My favorite was the last one.



THIS IS THE BEST RUNNING 250 FOR THE PRICE HANDS DOWN!
Runs like a champ and has a shitton of power. Have a Rockstar decal kit that I just installed. It looks great!
Tires at 50% and comes with extra set of Pirelli Scorpion rear and Bridgestone front which are at about 90%.
Make no mistake, this is a mans bike and not a childs toy. So grit your teeth and hold on... BRAPP!!!
More pictures soon to show working headlight and new decals!

:lol:
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Post by fuzzy »

That one doesn't specify year, but looks like the later 97/98 gen which I'd shoot for. These are great bikes. Motor ported well, FWW, wide trans, huge showa conventionals, RM frame, 18" wheel, etc. Would yank the PJ for a PWK, but they run well with it (better than a Mikuni). I like my WR250, but these later RMX's are better. So many parts share w/ the RM, and regardless there are many OEM parts available/ebay/etc. I've never struggled to find a part for my WR which is an equally rare bike.
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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