Advice needed on buying a smoker!

[NDORFN]

Well smokers rock! and as far as road legal ones can't get much better then the Rs250! I sold my 900 after a short ride on a RS like they say smoking is addictive!

few notes will defiantly want to check on service history to check it's had a top end done because it should of had one by those K's
It helps if you are mechanically minded because they do need some TLC should be removing and cleaning the powervalves every 4,000k easy job but alitlle time consuming and they suffer the same problem as with the RGV's and the powervalve center pin does like to come loose if not looked after

apart from that comes down to what you are going to use it for its a great weekend blast bike and awesome on the track (so i've heard getting mine out this summer finally!). Not the best for pillions (just no) commuting takes about 10-15min to walm up before you can ride her (any earlier and she either wont move or go pop) Also they are thirsty little buggers looking at getting about 170k from totaly full to dead empty on a "spirited" road ride and she will eat a liter of 2stroke oil every 800odd k's but luckily its injected so no having to carry around and premix at the servo!

Also when it comes to buying a RS comes down to which model you want also because even though the engine and frame are the same lots of little changes. To name a few the later model has bigger front brakes, the oil and coolant upfront, a 3.5" front tyre over the 3" of the old model, upgraded dash inc lap timer , but the biggest and most noticeable is the upgraded showa suspension including ride height adjustable rear(a freaking godsend)

well hope that helps! smokers you either love em or hate em!

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Cheers heaps for that. VERY helpfull I now have some pro's and con's to weigh up.

[Leyton]

8000k then to change the rings!!!! Far Out!!!, I suppose its not all bad Two smokers are fairly easy to work on.

They are much more simple in mechanical design than a 4 stroke, the science behind them are a little more complex to those who do not have a natural mechanical ability

A two stroke has a different power feel compaired to a 4-stroke, and they generaly do not have much tourqe (Correct me if I am wrong 2-strokers!). The power is quite stagey and you have to ride within the power band (Time when the engine most efficent in a nutshell...) there is a whole heap of cool science that goes with it). Anyway... they are basicly all or nothing . I am basing this on the KDX200 I had, it too had the power valves. The Con's of this bike is that the power was not as usable as a 4-stroker on really technical trails traction wise. It was rooster or nothing.

A Hyosung would make a better pillion bike, mainly because it is very torquey bike. (Sorry to say that hehe).. I loved mine.. it had it's issue but overall I am very glad I started with it.

As someone mentioned earlyer, Give a watercooled pocket bike a run , The same feeling of power is the same, you get an idea of how a 2-smoker produces its power, and you are REAL low to the ground and not going too fast :P 60km there abouts..

Oh and when you get a bike, Let me know! I will be through scottsman in a jiffy.

[DELLORTO]

THAT'S what I'm talkin' about! Cheers heaps for that. VERY helpfull I now have some pro's and con's to weigh up.

pro's

*you'll look cool when riding it
*you can say "im so cool ive got a aprilia"
*no cars can burn you off at the lights"

con's

*you'll probualy kill yourself on it
*your not ready for a bike of this power
*it costs lots to run

im not trying to be as arse but, you like many other riders out there make the mistake of thinking "if i can afford it i can ride it" but thats not the case thats why many bikers kill themselfs every year. Trust me your not expirienced enough for this bike get a kr150 or rg150

[Leyton]

im not trying to be as arse but, you like many other riders out there make the mistake of thinking "if i can afford it i can ride it" but thats not the case thats why many bikers kill themselfs every year.

Without trying to jump on the Wagon, Dellorto's concerns are legit. I do not think I would even own one now to be honest, My skill is not up there yet! And I ride an R6! atleast I have more controllable power, and even that is questionable on the 6 hehe

I have been ridding 2-smoke since I was 6 years old, on the dirt mind you.. where the wheel can slip as much as you like, it's all for fun.

See if you can find one to ride to get a feel for the power, The power is likely to be most violent in corners, where it all counts really, if you are out of the band for example.. and your back wheel slides.. consider yourself power sliding as the engine rev's would have brought it up into the band... and if you have a survival reaction .. IE.. Button off, You are highsiding. 4-Strokers can break loose too.. they are just a bit more predictable.

Riding a 2-stroke requires a lot more participation in control.

I would have one for the track, but I would not feel comfortable using one on the road where it depends on being in the band if I want the power that I am demanding of it, 2-strokers can be violent. 70HP, Farrrr!!!

[fridayflash]

fucken buy it!!! as for people saying your not ready for a 2stroker
wtf!? power valve 2t are nowhere near as savage in power delivery
as the older bikes...i had a 350lc in my teens that could wheelspin
on a dry road right through to 4th gear hehe
but seriously the rs250 is a great bike sporting a well tuned version
of the rgv motor and top spec chassis and suspenders..iv always wanted
on myself lol and in my opinon much better value than fucking about
with an old high mileage 250 2t that has a loose crank, flogged bores
rooted power valves, big ends etc etc etc

[Leyton]

Go for a good hard run on one.. then make up your mind.. and be sensible about it.

If you are as good as rider as you say you are, and have the right attitude and self control. Yes FRICKEN BUY ONE!!! if you liked it..

But Please!, I get enough crap from your old man as it is when I mention how great sundays are! hehe "Leyton, Your only temporary!" so it better be the right choice! hehe

[Ooky]

really it comes down to go for a ride see what you think. The power band will have you trying to write a check on the spot but need to look at it practically such as does it feel right?, is it too much bike for what you need?, Can you do the maintenance or afford to have someone do it?, running costs (you CAN'T skimp on oil or tyres) need fairly soft tyres which chew out pretty quick harder tyres a) don't do the bike justice and b) are pretty loose on such a light bike

but I say go for it but just like ANY bike you buy or ride respect it

I love the smell of 2stroke in the morning!



oh one more thing unlike alot of people say they are more reliable then a north Korean news report

[motorbyclist]

you say you don't treat the road likea track - so why are you buying a track bike? this is not a road bike. it's a 250 gp bike with indicators. what is normally a pass light switch is a lap timer ffs!

1st was an '88 GPX250 which I slowly gained competancy on until I was eventually thrashing the pants off it. 2nd was an '09 Ninja 250 which I took my riding to the point that I can honestly say I've exhausted all potential to improve my riding on that bike... that's it. 3rd will most likely will be an RS250 on which I can go back to square one, slowly getting used to the bike, and over the next year or so slowly expanding my skills and experience until I am safely riding it like it was made for.

please, you asked for opinions so don't go giving shitt to those you don't like.

two strokes need to be revved, otherwise they gum up with oil.

this means you can't simply pootle around getting used to it - it's all or nothing. pure thrash bike. 70hp all the way. the band isn't thaat bad but for someone who's ridden on only 30hp (asfaik) you'll get a fright and if not any injury, a thrill.

commute is dubious unless you're into your "sport commuting". pillion value is purely subjective. first install the pillion seat and pegs. then realise you want something with low down torque and some weight behind it.

because of their thrashing nature, you're looking at regular top end rebuilds. get a tool kit or a decent job and trustworthy mechanic. also, my mate's one, a week before we were going to rebuild it, had the oil pump fail and totally fucked it. reliability on a two stroke is never anything close to a japanese four stroke.

my advice? get something cheaper, rather than the best looking one (poser or rider?) get one that's practical cause you are VERY likely to bin it. ideally, get a 400 fourstroke but legally you can't even though the RS is just as fast and twice as dangerous.

cbr250 or hornet250 are great fun, much better than a ninja in every respect, and much cheaper to fix. the vtr250 is also pretty sweet

[Squiggles]

Hi Performance is high cost... the reason many of the above call the $$ arguement may be just that... skimp a little here and there and it can get expensive further down the track. In return for your $$, you get powah. Not great for communtering unless you're spirited about it (hazardous).

[EJK]

I don't exactly know but I heard Aprilia parts are expensive.

However RS250s are getting rare these days. May worth owning one. Here's some tip I got about riding a two stroke (basic hints)

But in the end, no matter what other's say, the decision is up to YOU not them. They maybe giving you some warnings but if you think you can fulfil the conditions, then why not go for it?

Good luck.

[RDjase]

RS250 would be fun but I would get sick of one as road bike very fast. I use my mates RGV sometimes and its great fun for a thrash and makes my RD (which is a peaky wheel standing bitch lol ) feel like a tourqey old tourer . Have a ride on one (or 2 or 3) and dont rush into it with out a lot of thought. The money you spend one could go a long way to a getting a late model 600 (once you sort the license out)

www.rgv250.co.uk has heaps of info on RGVs and RSs

[NDORFN]

For the first time in my life I've got more than just pocket money to spend on a bike (7k to be exact). You'd think it would be a fun experience I've looked through every bike on Trademe and have saved only 3 to my hotlist. Given the pros and cons of the RS250, I've come to the conclusion that I just couldn't tolerate THAT noise for the durations that I ride for (the later versions aren't so bad but not worth paying 10k for!), and I really need smooth, torquey throttle response to compliment my riding style. Cheers for the info, advice and opinions fellas.

[motorbyclist]

I really need smooth, torquey throttle response to compliment my riding style. Cheers for the info, advice and opinions fellas.

VTR250

VFR400

go nuts

[CookMySock]

For the first time in my life I've got more than just pocket money to spend on a bike (7k to be exact). You'd think it would be a fun experience I've looked through every bike on Trademe and have saved only 3 to my hotlist.

This time of year, I'd suggest you buy two or three bikes with that amount of money, with a view of getting rid of them toward summer. Make one of them a bike you can just manage to like, and the others should be ones that are easy to resell.

You might not like this idea, but you will not regret it. Invest, don't spend.

edit: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=231362888 look what this bandit sold for..

Steve

[nodrog:Me]

I don't exactly know but I heard Aprilia parts are expensive.

However RS250s are getting rare these days. May worth owning one. Here's some tip I got about riding a two stroke (basic hints)

But in the end, no matter what other's say, the decision is up to YOU not them. They maybe giving you some warnings but if you think you can fulfil the conditions, then why not go for it?

Good luck.

parts are cheap if you buy oem rgv parts that arent repacked in the aprilia packets.