1997 rm250 any good?

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Actionman
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by Actionman »

Goofaroo wrote:Have you noticed it doesn't have a kickstand?
That would explain why it falls over when I walk away from it. Any more blatantly obvious things I should be on the lookout for? Lol. :) Lack of kickstand sucks balls. That's a big negative. Plenty of trees to lean it on, thank god. Kickstand is on my short list of things I need.
2002 KDX 200
KarlP
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by KarlP »

I've been on the lookout for a nice RM roller. That would be a fine bike with a KDX motor in it, eh?
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Actionman
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by Actionman »

KarlP wrote:I've been on the lookout for a nice RM roller. That would be a fine bike with a KDX motor in it, eh?
Yep. That would be a nice bike! When pushing it it feels light, and in motion the powerband makes it feel like a bicycle with 40hp. With a linear delivery like the kdx I'd be curious how light it would feel.
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Oasiscraze
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by Oasiscraze »

Actionman wrote:Man, after it's all said and done, that rm isn't nearly as strong as I thought it'd be. It's been so long since I've ridden a 250 2 stroke that I figured the newer ones were monsters. It isn't far off my 86 rm250 in delivery of power, but u can tell its got a few hp over that old 86 rm250. I guess I'm more impressed at how strong that kdx was! It feels like a 400 4 stroke on the low end campared to the rm! I'd spent weeks trying to get a bigger "hit" out of the kdx, but now in looking for flywheel weights and torque pipes to smooth out the very kind of hit I wanted before. This all affirms the fact that the kdx200 h series is the greatest trail bike ever in my mind. Also, anybody thinking a 250 mx bike would be better in the woods...it won't. Just shed some weight on the kdx, put on a good pipe, rejet, and be happy. I miss my kdx, although having another rm is fun.
I had an ol 86 rm250 that I rode the daylights ut of, all through high school about 15years ago. I think the power delivery of it, and my "opened up" 2007 DR650 are about exactly the same. I would say that my 2005 KDX 200 with the airbox lid removed, dessert pipe is just about as, if not more quick- revving the ol 86 rm250.
cornishwrecker220
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1997 rm250 any good?

Post by cornishwrecker220 »

What make of front forks are those ??
I thought 1988 onwards came with the USD forks ?
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fuzzy
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by fuzzy »

I noticed the power valve adjuster has been moved, and the timing isn't stock, so those are being checked after I buy a manual.
Put all that **** back. Those motors have pretty great low end....What it's missing compared to the KDX is lower first and second gears...RMX gears would work in it, but that's a hellofa swap. Stock tune should help. They went down on power later on, but gained low and mid if I recall...so it is a beast of a top end runner. I think they cam with various carbs as well. The PWK (like KDX) rules for low end. The PJ is a POS. If your bike has a PJ on it I'd be seeking a PWK, and personally, a 36mm at that.

You might like this post also http://www.kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopi ... 77&t=15522
'91 KDX 200 Project $300 KDX
'95 KDX 200 Project $600 KDX
'94 WR 250 Always a project
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adam728
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1997 rm250 any good?

Post by adam728 »

cornishwrecker220 wrote:What make of front forks are those ??
I thought 1988 onwards came with the USD forks ?
Stock

Suzuki went to a twin chamber conventional Showa for 96-98. Excellent forks for off road. Heck, they were excellent overall. But with there having been so much marketing hype over inverted forks for some years before they were not well accepted by consumers, so Suzuki went back to upside down forks.

To this day I still crave a set of those forks for an off road bike. Maybe my next one.....
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Joshmcmillan
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Re: 1997 rm250 any good?

Post by Joshmcmillan »

Goofaroo wrote:Have you noticed it doesn't have a kickstand?
hehehe.





On a side note, I just put a sticker kit very similar to your RM's one on my RM125.
07' CR450X (Main Bike)
07' KX125 (Completed basket case rebuild, for sale)
88' KDX200 (Not sure yet, runs but with rattly top end)
91' CBR250RR
Old Bikes: 97' KDX200, 00' RM125, 85' XR350, 94' KDX200, 02' CR80, 82' XT250, 98' CT200
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Actionman
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1997 rm250 any good?

Post by Actionman »

Id forgotten this old post! Rm finally finished

Image

Image
it took 2 months to get it rideable. I had to get new swingarm thrust washers and seals since they were missing, new bottom shock bearing, cables, wheel bearings/seals, and total rebuild of the rear shock. I bought new hard terrain front/rear tires as well. Whew! Anyway, it was jetted a lot leaner than stock for some reason, so restoring the jets to stock brought a ton of hit and more low end. The rm is fast and powerful and im finally happy with the trade lol. Still not as good in the woods as a kdx, but im sticking to the fireroads anyway because winding this thing out is a hoot.
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