Thoughts/Info on the Suzuki RGV250

**mitch.ww** · 12th May 2009, 16:51

Newbie rider here looking for my first road bike (been riding off road for approx 6 years) so will probably be back to ask more questions about more bikes in the future

As for now though, I have my sites set on a 1992 RGV250 thats done 30,000 km..
Basically just want information from anyone in the know about the bike, pros, cons, quirks, fuel consumption, RELIABILITY and the need for rebuilding etc

Also keen on information about possibly sourcing a rebuild kit as I doubt this bike has been done in the last 10,000kms although im still yet to confirm

Cheers

**nsrpaul** · 12th May 2009, 21:10

get the power valves checked or risk expensive repairs

**eelracing** · 13th May 2009, 03:08

Check out this site re;rebuild kits http://www.thetuningworks.com/

Excellent choice of bike if you like your kicks above 8000 revs.

Cons; At 30 thou if you dont know the history then you will have to factor in at least a top end stripdown and inspection and as the above post mentions paying close attention to the poweralves.Especially the steel pins that hold them together as they get a hard life and wear away at the alloy resulting in breakage.
Always use a top quality full synthetic two stroke oil (not cheap)

Fuel consumption...haha good one

Reliability...its a two stroke.She will let you down if you don't pay attention.

Pros...its a two stroke.Think mid-corner,10,000rpm and carbs,engine,pipes all harmonize to produce a man/machine high that no drug can replicate.

**sil3nt** · 13th May 2009, 10:58

http://www.rgv250.co.uk/

That site should help you out a lot. If you have the money to maintain it and you respect the 2 strokes powerband then go for it!

**raspygold** · 13th May 2009, 23:33

Thought you wanted an Across :P

**rachprice** · 14th May 2009, 00:51

hahahahahhahahahahahahahahaha reliability...
It was a long hard road with mine (still a bit broken even now) but I learnt on it and it was the best time I ever had!

**fredie** · 14th May 2009, 01:31

go on the rgv.com.uk site

**imdying** · 14th May 2009, 12:07

Reliability... you've put that in capitals... it's possibly not the bike for you.

They're are actually quite reliable if maintained correctly, and have the potential to be unreliable if they're not.

If you can accomplish simple tasks like cleaning and inspecting powervalves, changing gearbox oil, keeping the two stroke oil full, and waiting patiently for it to warm up before riding it you'll be fine.

There is a caveat though... much of the reliability will rely on how it was treated before you owned it. There's an RS250 for sale on here, you should look extremely closely at it. First impression will be "$9500!? You have to be joking right?" Look closer. If I were looking for a 2 stroke 250 right now, I wouldn't look at another, I probably wouldn't even bother flying up to inspect it. A lot of people tell a lot of lies when they're selling, this appears to be the genuine article, FWIW. Factor in the cost of rebuilding the RGV you're looking at when you compare the prices. Also consider that should you get the two stroke bug (likely), you can put an TSS500GP motor into it, and that'll see off all 600s for the forseeable future, and probably most of the thousands too.

I would recommend you ride one. Then at least you'll know why, in comparison, the CBR250/Ninja 250/Hyosung 250s are extremely boring pieces of crap.

Having said the above, an RGV250 like most 2 strokes, is very easy to rebuild, all the parts are available, and not particularly expensive. Try buying a piston for a ZXR250...

**mitch.ww** · 14th May 2009, 19:24

Originally Posted by imdying

Reliability... you've put that in capitals... it's possibly not the bike for you.

haha I was waiting for that, the reason it's in capitals was a bit of a wind up as I was expecting the answers I have got.. I pretty much already have the 2-stroke bug as ive been riding the dirt tracks on 2 strokers for years (even tho 2 stroke motox and 2 stroke road bikes are totally different)

To everyone else who's added input, thanks

I have actually already been researching the rgv on the rgv.co.uk site and have found it extremely helpfull. As I look at it right now I'm pretty much budgeting a rebuild into whatever price as i pay as i doubt it will have been done and id rather do it myself for piece of mind anyhow

Any other information people would like to add please feel free

**mitch.ww** · 14th May 2009, 19:33

Originally Posted by raspygold

Thought you wanted an Across :P

The one I was looking at got sold from right underneath me

The rgv has kinda always been my first choice but they're proving hard to find, untill last week when i spotted one so doing a bit of extra research

**tigertim20** · 14th May 2009, 19:46

you looking specifically for a RGV or just generally for a 250 2-stroke?

**imdying** · 15th May 2009, 10:20

Originally Posted by mitch.ww

As I look at it right now I'm pretty much budgeting a rebuild into whatever price as i pay as i doubt it will have been done and id rather do it myself for piece of mind anyhow

Have a look at that RS, price up the bits that are in it, seems like a pretty good deal when you consider TCO and the residual value.

**mitch.ww** · 17th May 2009, 19:57

Originally Posted by tigertim20

you looking specifically for a RGV or just generally for a 250 2-stroke?

Not specifically the RGV, they just seem to pop up slightly more often than the others (which is still not often). Did you have a suggestion for another 2 stroke bike??