*RANT*Limited choices*RANT*

**Ghost Lemur** · 30th July 2006, 21:03

Originally Posted by Wolf

FFS buy it! You know you want to...

All the best in your search.

Hehe

Believe me I'm try to make that very thing possible as we speak.

There's one thing that potentially worries me. Not with it's current state, but as a future consideration. That's the fact that it's the AR version and has all sorts of electronics ongoing on relating to the engine. It was only in the AR version (MKIV). Being a rare bike is one thing but a rare version of a rare bike with special electronics could equal incredible expense if anything goes wrong.

Of course I could just be telling myself that to soften the blow incase I'm unable to get my hands on it.

Ah well if it's meant to be mine it will be. Might have to pm Motu regarding the AR system. The CRM250 site had good info on what the system is and does, but not on expense/dificulty if things go wrong, nor likely hood of that happening.

Still on the hunt for any longterm reviews if anyone comes across one.

**vroom** · 31st July 2006, 11:57

AJP 200EN FEATURES:

200cc 4 stroke, SOHC, 2 valves, air/oil cooled Enduro. 5 SPEED, CDI Electric start. 8 LITRES (2litres reserve) Paioli hydraulic forks 41mm diameter,

Paioli progressive action shock, 310mm stroke. Front Disc 255mm 2 piston caliper, Rear Disc 210mm 4 piston caliper, Reikon bars,

Michelin Enduro COMPIII, 90/90-21 Michelin Enduro COMPIII, 120/90-18, 105 Kg, Land Transport Complied.

*Hand guards optional extra*

**Otis243** · 1st August 2006, 01:17

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

Hehe
There's one thing that potentially worries me. Not with it's current state, but as a future consideration. That's the fact that it's the AR version and has all sorts of electronics ongoing on relating to the engine. It was only in the AR version (MKIV). Being a rare bike is one thing but a rare version of a rare bike with special electronics could equal incredible expense if anything goes wrong.

Of course I could just be telling myself that to soften the blow incase I'm unable to get my hands on it.

Ah well if it's meant to be mine it will be. Might have to pm Motu regarding the AR system. The CRM250 site had good info on what the system is and does, but not on expense/dificulty if things go wrong, nor likely hood of that happening.

Still on the hunt for any longterm reviews if anyone comes across one.

I had a CRM250AR in the UK for a year or so and thought it was a fantastic trail bike. However, I did change it for a Gas Gas EC300 as I rarely took it on the road but mainly entered enduros on it.

The reason for changing was to get firmer suspension and less weight. I changed the fork springs and revalved but it didn't make that much difference. I changed the exhaust (original was very heavy) and the steel tank and frame are heavy too... well compared to the Gas Gas !

If I was looking for a trail bike to do a short daily commute on it would be right up at the top of my list. A friend of mine had one (also an AR) who did the Lands End trial on his then rode it 350 miles home at the end of the event, with no problems. Way more power than a 4T 250, reliable, Honda build quality etc. etc. and a good maintenance schedule !

I never had any issues with the AR set up on mine and never knew of anyone else having a problem with theirs. They are highly rated in the UK and command a high price, despite their age! The Mk3 is probably the most favoured CRM as it has more top end, but I liked the AR - it had 4T characteristics with all the benefits of a 2 stroke.

Have a look at www.crm250.com and www.leisuretrail.co.uk (click on the CRM link) - when I had mine they had all parts available off the shelf. There is also a CRM yahoo group for more info.

If you'd like any more info from me, let me know.

PS - forget the Mugen tuning parts... they are hellishly expensive ! and if you think you need them then you've outgrown the CRM and need a KTM !

**Ghost Lemur** · 1st August 2006, 10:24

Thanks for the reply Otis243.

Yes I've been reading through the CRM250.com site in detail, as it seems to be practically the only english language site on the CRM.

Also had a bit of a drool over the parts page on leasuretrail site.

Shame I can't read japanese as there seems to be heaps on info etc on Japanese sites.

I do have a couple of questions.

Did (or do) you know of any plastic tanks that fit the AR? Also replacement plastics, are the interchangeable with any other models or would I need to track down CRM plastics?

**dnos** · 1st August 2006, 11:48

dude buy the crm it looks wicked and would be a helluva lot of fun.

**Motu** · 1st August 2006, 12:45

But the DT230 will be a nicer road bike....

The modern multi is a powerfull beast,it can achieve warp speeds in milliseconds - but is still docile enough to ride around town.Not so these MX based street legal 2 strokes.The throttle is an on/off switch,and the default is on...it is also wired through your heart to the most basic animal part of your brain - this means when the throttle switch is on,it will stay on! They just want to go,every traffic light is a hole shot out of the gate and you flick through the gears until you see a corner...who cares where it goes,it's a corner...pity about no berm but you nail it anyway.The DT230 should be a nice city bike - light and nimble,starts and stops like lightning....but I find it frustrating and a little...um,dangerous.

Good luck - that DT230 has the original tyres by the way.

**Wolf** · 1st August 2006, 15:03

Originally Posted by Motu

The throttle is an on/off switch,and the default is on...it is also wired through your heart to the most basic animal part of your brain - this means when the throttle switch is on,it will stay on! They just want to go,every traffic light is a hole shot out of the gate and you flick through the gears until you see a corner...who cares where it goes,it's a corner...pity about no berm but you nail it anyway.

That sounds like me on my old TS125 - years ago, before I got old and overly concerned about my mortality...

**Ghost Lemur** · 1st August 2006, 15:25

Well I called both Superior and Dirt Action Services regarding prepurchase inspections.

Superior quote "about $30 to look around it". The mechanic sounded completely uninterested and when I mentioned a compression test he mentioned $70+ depending on how hard it was to get to the plugs.

DAS on the otherhand. Phil was fantastic and very friendly over the phone. When I mentioned wanting to get a prepurchase inspection done he immediately quoted $30. When I asked what that included (understandable cautous considering the response from Superior's mechanic). Phil immediately ran off the list of things you expect and want to hear would be done during such inspections. Compression test. Gearing (and something I can't remember) checked, k's done validated (compared to wear etc), frame checked, etc, etc.

Try guessing who's going to get my business. Don't get me wrong, nothing against Superior. Had a good friendly chat to one of the salesman Scott there on Saturday. Maybe the mechanic was flat out and really just didn't want the hassle of a no money job. But when I'm looking at borrowing money in order to get this bike it is vital to me to know I'm not getting a lemon. As I know nothing about them, I have to entrust that judgement to someone else. So Phil wins hands down.

Talking of borrowing money. Talked to the bank today as I hadn't heard back from them. Yes they've received my application, and for some reason they have a huge backlog so it's going to be Thursday at the earliest that I hear back. Shouldn't be a worry *knocks on wood with his fingers crossed* as I'm looking at borrowing less than I have in my savings acc.

Still I'm impatient.

It's not like I'll even be able to ride it immediately anyway, as I promised the soon to be Mrs Lemur that if I get it I wont ride it until after the honeymoon. Which is fair enough (hense why I made the "sweetner" offer in the first place). No chance of risking broken bones before Fiji.

Will have the added benefit of giving me a chance to clear out the garage and start getting some essential tools, as my currently tool collection consists of a hammer and a couple of screwdrivers.

Motu - Your discription of these sort of bikes made me grin ear-to-ear like a school boy getting his perv in. If you had mentioned the go ANYWHERE aspect of these machines you would have summed up exactly why I've been wanting to go this path rather the more common sprotbike route.

**Ghost Lemur** · 1st August 2006, 16:20

Originally Posted by Wolf

That sounds like me on my old TS125 - years ago, before I got old and overly concerned about my mortality...

Hehe.

It's exactly because I'm now old(er) and overly concerned about my mortality which makes me feel comfortable about owning such a machine.

I can have fun, while not doing taking the incredibly stupid risks I would have taken in my teens.

**Otis243** · 1st August 2006, 22:15

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

Thanks for the reply Otis243.

Shame I can't read japanese as there seems to be heaps on info etc on Japanese sites.

I do have a couple of questions.

Did (or do) you know of any plastic tanks that fit the AR? Also replacement plastics, are the interchangeable with any other models or would I need to track down CRM plastics?

No problem...

I remember struggling with Japanese web sites when I had mine LOL !

Regarding the tank, I have heard of people fitting older CR250 tanks to the CRM, but it is not a simple job. You also have to fit the seat and the rad shrouds from the CR too and all the mounts are different. The mounts for the seat being a major pain. I wouldn't bother, as it all sounds too much hassle and expense. I did the Welsh 2 day enduro, other enduros and did loads of 4 hour hare & hounds races on mine. Fell off more times than I can remember and the tank wasn't damaged. I did consider and I do know of people who stuck clear sticky back plastic / fablon on their tanks to protect the paint.

As for the plastics, the side panels and rad shrouds were in better condition when I sold it, when it was @ 7 years old, than the Gas Gas ones were after only 3 days ! When it was 3 days old I did an event near Aldershot which was very sandy and wet. The wet sand scratched the hell out of the plastics. It is a good idea to use sticky back plastic or number backgrounds on the plastics to protect them...

Unless the plastics are in poor condition before you buy it I wouldn't worry too much. I am not aware of any that are interchangable or any aftermarket ones so it would probably be track down genuine Honda ones. Liesuretrail's web site list red Mugen ones available but I am not sure if they have other colours.

**Otis243** · 2nd August 2006, 00:15

Just found some pics of my CRM:
The day before I sold it...

Click image for larger version.

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**cooneyr** · 2nd August 2006, 08:56

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

DAS on the otherhand. Phil was fantastic and very friendly over the phone.

The guys at DAS have been great when I've dealt with them too.

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

It's not like I'll even be able to ride it immediately anyway, as I promised the soon to be Mrs Lemur that if I get it I wont ride it until after the honeymoon. Which is fair enough (hense why I made the "sweetner" offer in the first place). No chance of risking broken bones before Fiji.

Off toppic but this is kinda close to home for me. In the Nov before our Feb wedding we were booking flights to Sweden (our honeymoon) and the day after we paid I ruptured my right achilies. Ended up running back to the flight place to get the cash back (got all of it thank god). Ended up on cruches with a removable cast until a week before the wedding and was just walking at our wedding. Ended up with a honeymoon of two days around Golden Bay - couldnt do much. That was two years ago but we managed Sweden in Jan/Feb this year - minus 30 degrees above the artic circle, a couple of hours on a snowmobile in minus 20 at 75kph and lost my wedding ring (got a swedish one now though).

Lifes great aye!

Keep the bike legal and come riding with us. See the waimak threads under meetings and events.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=32426
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=31732

Cheers
R

**Wolf** · 2nd August 2006, 10:03

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

It's exactly because I'm now old(er) and overly concerned about my mortality which makes me feel comfortable about owning such a machine.

I can have fun, while not doing taking the incredibly stupid risks I would have taken in my teens.

That resonates with conversation I had with our manager (also keen on bikes and owns a collection of off-roaders - no I'm not inviting him to join KB! For all I know he's already lurking here, seeing what I get up to...)

He made the point that on a smaller bike you can go hard without too much risk of losing your licence. You can rip open the throttle (on/off switch) and rip around the place to your hearts content whereas on a larger bike you've got to take it easy as a sudden twist on the throttle will put you into "instant loss of licence" speeds before you realise it.

We compared notes on various bikes we've ridden that you had to be mindful of - because 50mph felt like 50kph and you could get up to 160 km/h literally without realising it, and it'd feel like only 100km/h.

He actually prefers the smaller bikes (he's got at least one warp-speed capable larger bike) because he can open them up and have a good play.

I tend to agree with him. I have tons of fun ripping up through the gears on the XT and opening out the throttle - and I have no fear of losing my licence over it.

If I rode a decent-sized sports bike like I ride my XT, I'd be trying to take corners at insane speeds and racing down the straights at loss of licence velocity - only a matter of time before I'm hospitalised, dead or walking home.

**warewolf** · 2nd August 2006, 12:12

Originally Posted by Wolf

on a smaller bike you can go hard without too much risk of losing your licence.

Agree with the sentiment but it's not all about your licence.

On a lighter, less powerful bike, the rider has a greater power-to-weight over the bike, so mistakes can be more readily corrected. Capabilities can be explored more easily.

You cannot make up for poor cornering technique by banging the throttle open on the straights, particularly uphill. So one works on maintaining one's momentum.

**Wolf** · 2nd August 2006, 12:36

Quite right, warewolf, there are those considerations and others. The conversation with our manager was more weighted towards super quick bikes that are so smooth handling that you ride looking at the speedo to make sure you haven't inadvertently pulled the throttle hard open in a moment of primal bike-riding ecstasy.

Originally Posted by warewolf

You cannot make up for poor cornering technique by banging the throttle open on the straights, particularly uphill. So one works on maintaining one's momentum.

That's why squids like RGV250's isn't it? So they can compensate for their inability to corner by reaching warp 9 in 2.1 seconds on the straight up a hill into a head wind...