My RS250 blowed up!

[SimJen]

RGV engines are not the most reliable unless really looked after well.
Powervalves often fail and due to some clever design, they fall into the path of the piston! This often results in catastrophic failure of the cylinder.
Two strokes require a certain mechanical sympathy too, careful warming before riding, no constant throttle for too long a period, good oil etc.
I always used to ride mine in a point and squirt sort of way, and it lasted well (NSR250SP).

[imdying]

I should have sent the bike back and told him to fix it but I am impatient so had the bores honed, replaced piston/ring/pins/top end bearings etc. End result $476.00 in parts which I am claiming back from the shop (if he gets back to me!, otherwise I will show my authorata!). My bores are tidied up but certainly far from perfect. Bike runs and im gonna cut my losses on my own labour and some misc bits and pieces, sealants etc. After my first ride I had to replace the slipping clutch which I have also cut my losses on at $150.00 in parts and the bike turned out to have crack perished tyres that I wouldnt imagine a road legal (he vinned/wof it before he sold it) so had to spend $500 on rubber.

Quite likely you're about screwed as far as getting your money back goes... he as the vendor has first right to correct any faults with the vehicle. What's the deal with honing the bore, I thought they were nicasil and unhoneable?

Powervalves often fail and due to some clever design, they fall into the path of the piston! This often results in catastrophic failure of the cylinder.
Two strokes require a certain mechanical sympathy too, careful warming before riding, no constant throttle for too long a period, good oil etc.
I always used to ride mine in a point and squirt sort of way, and it lasted well (NSR250SP).

Yep, all good points. I think Dave has the powervalve situation under control... there's a bloke who makes billet ones with stronger pins than even the VJ23 models had, and they weren't too shabby. About a thousand bucks for the set though.

[snot]

.....and the moral of the story is.......


DON'T BUY A TWO-STROKE!

[imdying]

.....and the moral of the story is.......


DON'T BUY A TWO-STROKE!

Noob.... *snigger*

[SimJen]

.....and the moral of the story is.......


DON'T BUY A TWO-STROKE!

NO!
Moral is don't buy a two stroke unless:

A: You know its history
B: You know how to look after one

Other than that 2 Strokes rock, my NSR was wicked fun and I rung the shit out of it (in a sympathetic way). Not much quicker on twisty roads....

[FruitLooPs]

NO!
Moral is don't buy a two stroke unless:

A: You know its history
B: You know how to look after one

Yeah on point B: I wouldn't rely on a dash guage to tell me when i'm low on 2T oil either, regular topups regardless. Safest way to go.

That and top end pull downs every once in a while just to be sure I guess. Quality syth oil is a must on a performance bike like a RGV/RS250 too I would think.

Heres hoping you get it sorted mate, that sucketh the biggie!

[avgas]

Snot has no clue.
2 strokes rock!!!!!

[snot]

Snot has no clue.
2 strokes rock!!!!!

You're all crazy......

[jim.cox]

You're all crazy......

Yes

and your point is?...

[avgas]

You're all crazy......

Thats why we live here - NZ, land of the free crazy's.

[SVboy]

Dave, thats a total bummer! I have heard thru the forums, that Duane is an excellent bike mechanic, and has been recommended by riders on KB, so hopefully, he will do the bizzo. Beaut bike,hope you get it sorted.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ok I really cant find a reason as to why I'm posting this, reference for others in future, general information, a place to vent, and perhaps some opinion I guess, take it for its face value

My '99 Aprilia RS250 with after market cans and expansion chambers and front indicators arrived from the north island on Thursday the 4th, I picked it up that day, fueled up and rode home, that night I sorted out the insurance, the Friday I rode it to work to show my mates, that night I checked the transmission oil, and did a look over of the various parts.

Saturday I had a spare morning so took it for the first ride, taking it slowly I followed a wee green station wagon for a few Ks keeping it under 100 above 90, getting use to the bike, I sat patiently in the passing lanes 4WDs passing me all smug, then came a big long straight and the green station wagon slowed right down to 80 and pulled right over, I'd got a feel for the bike by now and felt confident to do an over take.

Checked the mirror, head check, checked ahead, checked mirror, head check, then accelerated I got around the station wagon famously I felt, I got to 110 (still a bit heavy on the throttle) so started slowing down a tad, ease off the throttle and lightly on the brakes.

Then the engine turned off, as far as i can tell it just went pop and turned off, Check my mirror, nothings rolling along the road behind me, just a touch of blue smoke. I coast off the road and try starting it with the clutch in, the first time the kicker bites in goes right the way round but the engine doesn't even try firing, next the kicker only goes half way, then finally it wont bite in at all.

Ring my old man and tell him, while I try neutral, same as above with the clutch out, he hires a trailer and comes to pick me up while I wait for the engine to cool down and maybe unseize (I'd read about heat seizure) he gets there an hour and a half later with the engine still seized.

we get home and I try calling the dealer who'd left for the day.

I call him on Monday and he reluctantly agrees to have it checked out by the aprilia dealer (Hampton motor company), it gets there on the Tuesday (16th) two weeks after I received it. Hamptons got back to me today saying the piston had collapsed smashing up the chamber stuffing the crank and raining bits of metal into the bottom end ultimately requiring a whole new engine at about $3000 to $5000 and a few months for parts.

A few things before we go on, I asked the dealer if there was any sign of a drop, he said "no", I received it and he'd noted scraping on the wing mirror (understandably this may not have been a drop, but he didn't mention it when i asked about marks) I also asked him to check the power valves and pistons (as he had no info on the bike) he told me when i called back a few days later he'd checked them and said everything was fine.

so he called back telling me to send it up and he'll fix it, I told him I wasn't keen on sending it up and down the country at my cost so he said to take it to Duanes bike and ski who'd ship it up, I again told him I wasn't keen on shipping it up and down the country at all, so he says Duane will fix it.

He's sort of trying to wriggle out of it

so the bike is currently at Hampton motor company and will be sent to duanes on Tuesday maybe sooner if i can.

I'll be contacting a relative who's a lawyer and be chatting with a lawyer who specializes over the weekend.

that sounds like not a bad outcome.

Duane is the only person apart from me I allow to put a spanner on any of my bikes. He will do you right. If you are down there, check out my VFR400, its a four stroke and will soon be for sale....

[pritch]

Usually when somebody comes up on KB and asks about RS (particularly), but also NS, RGV etc. It's somebody on L plates looking for a fast 250.

None of these bikes, however, are suitable for children. They require fastidious maintenance, the most expensive oils, careful warm-up, knowledgable riding, and obsessively alert left fingers.

These young people should show no interest in such machines and eventually as demand drops, the price should follow...

Then I'll be able to afford one!

[imdying]

None of these bikes, however, are suitable for children. They require fastidious maintenance, the most expensive oils, careful warm-up, knowledgable riding, and obsessively alert left fingers.

True, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes Exactly why I brought one... you have to flog it everywhere, you can't rely on engine braking, it'll tip in by telekinesis, and they respond well to a little attention. Neglect one are your peril though!

[aewilliam]

Maaaate...
I had an experience of a 'bung' RS250 - just a day after i got it!
but it only lasted for 3 days - my mistake was just flicking the kill-switch...

It bunged when my mate was out on his first ride on it by himself late night

but again it was the kill-switch

It treated me right ever since...i hope i return the favour.

Yours sounds worse than a kill switch however...
i know how it felt for those first three days - my condolences.