Getting an RGV250

[Mokoro]

Hi. Im interested in getting an early 90's Suzuki RGV250. Plans have changed, I was keen on getting a new GSX250, but it appears I can afford one :(
Has anyone owned one of these before? What should I look for when I go to inspect one? Ive only owned one bike in the past, a little Suzuki RG150.

So I know bits and peices, after owning the RG for over a year and covering over 10 000ks. (lots of open road riding, hell lots of everything, including gravel :S) One Im keen on has apparently had a rebuild, which is good. I know 2 strokes need new piston and rings every so often. This particular bike is at about 25000 ks.
Im thinking im going to have to buy new chain, sprockets, change fluids, and start running at least semi synthetic oil.

Anyone got any info I would need to know? Cheers!!!!!!

[White trash]

Mokoro, RGV's are great little bikes but very high maintenance now days.

Common faults are power valves getting sloppy in their retaining pins and falling into the cylinder :doh:

This costs a fortune to repair.

[Racey Rider]

An internet search will bring up lots of info on them.
try: http://www.rgv250.co.uk

Power valves are easy to take apart, (and more importantly,put back together!) Even if they say it's been recondtion, I Still check the pins for peace of mind. Unfortunitly this normaly can't be done till after one has purchased the bike.

They go well for race style riding, and look the part. Just remember the compromise to that is, the're not that comfortable for round town, or long hauls.

[aff-man]

There are a couple on trade me that look ok. Also most bike shops will give a bike a thourough once over for about $50 (compression test ect ect ect) and i think that would be a wise move before any purchace.

[Coldkiwi]

can't beat an RGV in the 250 class for performance for money (well at least capital expenditure). But make sure you're good enough to take care of yourself on it as they're notorious for hurting learners.

I would've thought that all 90's RGV's would be fairly well thrashed by now too. anyone know?

[pete376403]

Number 2 son had a Lucky Strike SP model RGV - that was a sweet little bike.
Not much torque down low (compared to the GS1100, anyway) but shit, once it hit the powerband - woo hoo!

[Mokoro]

ok, canned the 250 2 stroke idea. ive pretty well commited myself to a nice gsf250v. its damn nice, im used to riding 150 2 stroke, and this thing just rides so damn smoothly! its unreal!
however, there appears to be rust around the inside of the petrol tank opening bit, you know, where you open it to fill it. i noticed there was water trapped in the key hole i think as well..

am i right in thinking that this rust/ corrosion can be taken off easily? i allways thought the material they make bikes out of was easy to remove the rust, and its usually only surface rust.....
im arranging for it to be prepurchase checked soon.
so, anyone know anything about this bike that i should know?

[marty]

it's hardly structural. chack the drain hose is clear (it probably isn't) from the filler area. don't use a grinder to remove the rust (sparks). try sanding it, then painting in clear lacquer. if black is your colour, there are rust kill paints that you can just pick off the bad stuff, then paint over the rest. as it's only a small bit, talk to a friendly car painter or steel engineer for a film canister of rust kill paint.

[marty]

have a look here.......

http://diaspora.gen.nz/~rodgerd/misc/bikes/bandit250v.html

[Mokoro]

cheers for the link marty. oh one other thing id like to know... ill call the bike shop and ask them, but ive heard with some bikes its possible to repalce the sprockets with larger sprockets, therefor changing the gear ratio..
Id be keen to do so, as this bike runs (as i guess most 250cc bikes do) high revs at 100ks. (the speed i intend to be traveling 90% of the time :D )

[marty]

have a look at motomail's brochure. they have most of the chain/sproket combos in there, otherwise just call and ask a good suzuki dealer - they should have all that guff on tap. if you change one, you usually have to change the other - remember longer motorway legs = less low speed acelleration & chain snatch at lower speed, it is worth finding where the torque curve is best - often a lower rpm is not the answer, as it loads the engine more, and you actually ride with the throttle wider open. my RS is more economical at the speed limit (and more responsive) cruising in 5th than it is in 6th. there's only about a 600rpm difference. expect the suzi to be doing about 7000 at 100k - i looked at changing gearing on my gsxr400, but it would only drop 500rpm, and would affect all-round performance too much (esp. starting off) if it's redlining at 13000, is 7000 really too high?

[aff-man]

Yip remember that a 250 will wine at 100k no matter what the sprocket selection. I'd worry more about how it affects your rate of acceleration

[MrMelon]

What's the deal with chain snatch anyway?
I get it pretty badly if i close the throttle at 100ish :(
The chain isn't worn.. so I dunno what's causing it.

[Mokoro]

ok. that deal fell through. SON OF A BITCH! so im now back into looking for a 250 4 stroke bike. god damn it....