Aprilia RS250 - What to look for

[Vapor]

Hi everyone

Im looking at buying this bike -

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-89232090.htm

I have actually talked to the importer who bought this bike into NZ and he said that there was no frame damage, and it was missing lower fairings etc. It has been dropped, as there are little scuffs on the tank and on the left handle bar.

It is the 2003 GP1 model, with new fairings front, sides and tail.

It has really low KMs too (Are those computers easy to fiddle with and change the kms?)

Anyone have some advice on what to look for when I go and have a look at this bike? I have only riden one RS250 and that wasn't for long, so dont have much experiance with buying bikes.

Im really keen, the price is right, and it all appears to be pretty straight.

Cheers

Clinton (Vapor)

[wildpudding]

Seems to look ok. If your worried about the K's get a VIR or something on it.

Just check out all the obvious things, brakes, chain/sproket, no weird noises, nothing falling off etc...or better yet get someone who knows these bikes to go along with you.

Take it for a blat too, but don't drop it.

Stefan

[F5 Dave]

Great bikes apparently (lusted after but never ridden), but they contain RGV engine, Do a search on Google, but the powervalves wear & fall into the pistons taking out the plating on the barrel, cranks aren't strong either are gearboxes.

If you aren't doing commute & run on real good oil & service powervalves then a low mile bike would be a hoot. Dreadful as a beginner bike. If you don't have the income to repair in the case of an issue then look elsewhere. They didn't get this sort of performance without a compromise.

[jade]

Ive got a 2000 model, most reliable bike Ive ever had, everyone says dont use a 2 stroke for commuting but I use it every day as my only form of transport, I do 2 hours of riding everyday on it and never had a problem
4 hours on a weekend, its a fucken weapon (alot of my riding is in 50k areas)
mine starts 1st kick EVERYTIME cold as early in the morning...
Check the obvious things, chain sprockets etc..
like i say, SO reliable.. if you buy it.. chuck some new plugs in it (BR9ECM)
being a 2003 model I wouldnt be surprised if the k's are genuine,
Warm her up everytime before you take her out and shell love you for it...
I start my bike about 5 mins before I go to work every morning (which is only a 5min ride in 50k zones..)
Learn to master the powerband and your set...
Will beat any 400.

[jade]

By the way, the RS doesnt have the powervalve problem the rgv's do.
The engines are bulletproof if you warm them up.. I dont know anyone whose siezed one

[JimO]

is 7.5 grand the right price????? i paid less than 6 more for a brand new 1000 cagiva

[jade]

7.5 is reasonable, i paid that for my 95, paid 8 for my 2000..
the 03's go for 10 !

[Atomic]

Not a bad price for such a piece of kit when you consider that wanker bike shops are asking around $1500 less for 1989-1993 Jap 250 four strokes!

I have heard that the RS250 will keep up with the litre bikes in the twisties!!! AWESOME!

[JimO]

what happens when i get to 500 posts

[JimO]

looks like im gonna find out

[F5 Dave]

Cjade; "that's she'll love you" & "you're set"

You're wrong about the power-valves too. Suzuki made a few iterations to improve them esp between first & 2nd models but the problem still exists. Worth while pulling them out periodically & degunging them & checking for wear. If you don't believe me check on apriliaforum.com

[jade]

Im not saying your wrong But I dont think they are an issue on aprilias,
Yes they can wear out just like bearings and such, but aprilia did build their own engines, even if it was a copy of suzukis, the vj22 was used in aprilias which were made from late 94-2003
suzuki brought out their vj23's in 93, the 23's did not have dodgy powervalves.
Yes they can get excessive wear and fuck out but they are not as much of a danger as the early rgv's, I will be checking the condition of mine when I do a top end rebuild in 2 weeks.

[KLOWN]

Cjade; "that's she'll love you" & "you're set"

You're wrong about the power-valves too. Suzuki made a few iterations to improve them esp between first & 2nd models but the problem still exists. Worth while pulling them out periodically & degunging them & checking for wear. If you don't believe me check on apriliaforum.com

I thought aprilla put in thier own powervalves, the engine is "based" on the rgv but aprilla has modified it to get the more hp from it. Power vales always need looking after but they are not a problem like they used to be in the early rgvs

[Krusti]

My son had an 03 RS250 as his learner bike. Was almost impossible to lose him on Corro loop! Had 209kph locked on speedo once with revs left!

If you buy it number one rule ...use top quality 2 stroke oil and carry some with you. NEVER just grab some from the servo when fueling up.

Like any high perf vehicle...regular servicing!

If you are not the sort of person who is fussy with your servicing don't get it, other wise go for it.

Holeshot had one last month (may still be there) that was an 03 with a stated genuine mileage of 900 km. Had a look..steering head nut rusty, levers rusty, alloy oxidised. Either they had it sitting in deck of ship all the way here or mileage a little suss!

[martin987]

I have a 96 rs250. What's do you do for a top end re-build? I might have to do one on mine but I'm not sure where to start.

[unrealone]

By the way, the RS doesnt have the powervalve problem the rgv's do.
The engines are bulletproof if you warm them up.. I dont know anyone whose siezed one

My old next door neighbor did. But that was because it hadn't been rejetted after being setup for the racetrack :P Was running way to lean in the mid range and ceased on him at 180kph.

[breakaway]

Obtain a haynes manual and go from there.

[jade]

I have a 96 rs250. What's do you do for a top end re-build? I might have to do one on mine but I'm not sure where to start.

Martin I live on the North Shore and did my first top end rebuild successfully, no problems so far..
8 hours from the time I took the fairings off to the time I rode her home..
your first step is to get parts..
about 650bucks all up
go to Holeshot suzuki and get rgv parts, way cheaper than aprilia ones..
thats what I did
you need...
2X pistons
2X sets of piston rings (4 in total)
2X head gaskets
2X base gaskets
2X small end bearings
2X Gudgeon Pins
4X washers
4X Circlips..

http://www.rgv250.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=13781

pm me if you want help
the part numbers are here...

[Dave-]

what does it usually cost to get a shop todo it?

I've just bought a 16,000km 2001 rs250 it may need a rebuild (i had expected this and budgeted accordingly) if it does what's the cost of getting a shop todo it?

although im pretty keen to do it myself (im reasonibly mechanically minded) jade does your wee kit there apply to all models?

[martin987]

Martin I live on the North Shore and did my first top end rebuild successfully, no problems so far..
8 hours from the time I took the fairings off to the time I rode her home..
your first step is to get parts..
about 650bucks all up
go to Holeshot suzuki and get rgv parts, way cheaper than aprilia ones..
thats what I did
you need...
2X pistons
2X sets of piston rings (4 in total)
2X head gaskets
2X base gaskets
2X small end bearings
2X Gudgeon Pins
4X washers
4X Circlips..

http://www.rgv250.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=13781

pm me if you want help
the part numbers are here...

Thanks for that. I'll ride the bike for a bit more and see how it goes before I do it. Can someone please explain to me the difference between a top-end and a bottom-end rebuild. And when you do a re-build - is it a good idea to check the powervalves? What are they - how do you check them and replace them if necessary?