Suzuki RG/RGV 250

[.Chris.]

You may remember I posted in a 'dream bike' thread that I like these bikes, especially the naked 'wolf' version. Following on from my thread in the workshop section, it seems they could be semi-restricted by a switch temporarily disconnecting the powervalve system, so I could actually ride one. Amazingly the insurance isn't too bad either.

So, a couple of questions:

Has anyone got or had one? Any tips or wisdom you wish to impart to me about them? What are they like to ride?

Oh yes, and what's the difference between the RG and RGV - Used Bike Guide is a little unclear as it doesn't have any pictures.

Thanks

Edit: there's a gorgeous one on ebay at the moment - https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280142614654
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[qthetape]

rg's old but fun
https://www.altavista.com/image/results?itag=ody&q=rg250&mik=photo&mik=graphic&mip=all&mis=all&miwxh=all

rgv's sexy but probably been thrashed and parts are tricky to find
https://www.altavista.com/image/results?itag=ody&q=rgv250&mik=photo&mik=graphic&mip=all&mis=all&miwxh=all

if its a dream bike your after, go for the rgv

as with all 2-strokes use the best oil you can afford and check the pumps working from time to time

edit:thats quite an old one on ebay, look for the gull swing arm later one with both tail pipes on the right
imo - the nc30's nicer and sounds unique
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found something better to do with my time

[Zen Dog]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280142614654

I always loved these too, i really wanted the 125 as my learner bike but they were rarer than hens teeth. But the 250 version...

I want I want I want I want.....

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, '11 600 Hornet - Previous - '11 CBF125, '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[.Chris.]

Thanks for that qthetape. I don't know for how long they made the wolf version (it's the only one I'm interested in), and can't seem to find much info on the internet. Have you any ideas?
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Blau Zedong]

See if you can find an R1-Z Yamaha. Basically a 250 naked like the Wolf but uses the reliable and cheaply rebuildable TZR250 engine.
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18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[EuropeanNC30R...]

It'd be a bad idea buying one just to disconnect the powervalve.

a) It would likely run like shit, these bikes tend to blow up when that happens, you can't get away with as much abuse as you can on a 4-stroke.

b) The RGV does 25mpg, and consumes a litre of synthetic every 200 miles (about £9-£10). You would effectively be paying Ducati 916 running costs for a bike with the same power as a 125, that runs like crap.

[MarJay]

IIRC the wolf one has RWU forks and is a bit crap. They only made it for a year or so.

Personally I'd buy a fooked later RGV and stick a streetfighter headlight on it. If you can find one!

Also bear in mind that they are not every day bikes (as much as Maurice will try to convince you! )

They need lots of looking after, with expensive synthetic oil required. Mine absolutely drinks oil, and is impossible to ride in town without mullering the clutch.

The standard ones have crap powervalves which corrode and then fall into the cylinders, destroying the engine. Mine shattered a piston after three trackdays, and I couldn't ride it on the road before that happened through fear of knackering the clutch. Mine has Aprilia RS250 powervalves (Aprilia bought the engines from Suzuki), and has had only very minor tuning.

The mains on mine were also on the way out, so I recently had the engine rebuilt including a crank rebuild, new mains, new big ends, and an entire new top end. This cost £400.

I'm currently in the process of putting the engine back in the frame after the rebuild, and will need to get the bike dynoed to get the powervalves set up properly again. They are good bikes, but no matter what anyone tells you, its a crime to use them to commute etc.

What they really like is a smooth twisty A or B road, or a trackday.

Oh yeah, and the RG is a parallel twin and much much older, and much much uglier.

My RGV is the M model iirc.

https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/RGV250-4.jpg

https://www.marjay.co.uk/photos/RGVCad2.jpg


My advice would be, if its a second bike or pure toy, then go for it. If its an only transport type of bike, then steer well clear unless you're very rich. If you are very rich, then buy a CBR600 for daily use, and have the RGV for the track.

Anything else you'd like to know about them?
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[MarJay]

I read your post a bit more thoroughly:

If you buy one and disconnect the powervalve I'll personally come and stomp on your head. These are rare bikes now, and enthusiasts are aching to get hold of decent ones. If you disconnect the powervalve, you'll destroy the midrange but keep the top end, meaning the bike won't be restricted. Also As Maurice says you'll ruin the fuelling and therefore the lubrication probably completely destroying the bike in the process. To buy one of these and restrict it to 33bhp is like using the mona lisa to wipe your arse.

Don't bother, buy a GS500 or a CB500 to restrict. Buy an RGV when you can afford to keep it as a toy. Not before.

{edit} a tweaked RG125 would probably be able to approach 33bhp... {edit}
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

The wolf wasn't crap, just an unfaired early RGV. It's said the USD's did more for the looks than the handling; they all corner brilliantly.

Very rare though.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

[MarJay]

[EuropeanNC30R...]

All the early Jap RGV grey imports were 45bhp restricted, so its more of a grey thing than the wolfs fault

[Tarmacsurfer]

Reminds me, need to dig out the old 125 Gamma I've got in the garage. Whoever chose the turqoise paint job needs to be shot, bike itself is OK though.
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[.Chris.]

Marjay, I think you misunderstood what I meant about disconnecting the powervalves. What I meant was that I'd have a switch so I could disconnect them if I got pulled by the old bill and asked about restriction. Basically an 'emergency' restrictor that would probably never get used.

I wouldn't ride it around town very much as I'll be keeping the RXS100 for that sort of stuff. Bikes are my toys anyway, because I have a car as well so practicality isn't really too much of an issue. However I take your point though.

I suppose I like the wolf because it's very small and light, fast, 2t, and looks so damn cool. Tbh I don't really mind about having only 45bhp as it'd still be 4 times what I'm used to! I'm sure it'd be possible to convert it if I really needed the extra power at some point?

[EuropeanNC30R...]

The vj21 models only made 50bhp unrestricted. They weren't much slower than the 91' onwards models, due to being 10kg lighter and 5bhp down.

I had a Jap import model vj21 rgv (what the wolf was based on), it was a bit unknown how they were actually restricted. I fitted a UK cdi and UK speedo. Not sure if that de-restricted it or not to be honest.

Good thing I found with the RGV was that it mostly looked and sounded like a 125.

[MarJay]

[MarJay]

Oh yeah, and the wolf only has one brake disc!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Kickstart]

Hi

From the mid 80s onwards onwards any Japanese market 250 would be restricted to 45hp.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[johnsilva]

Get a KR1S!!!!
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Current Bikes: ZX7R P5; KR1S C2; GPX250R F3
Previously: CBR400RR-R; YQ50 Aerox

[MarJay]

[Tarmacsurfer]

[.Chris.]

Don't like the look of them as much as the RGV, sorry!
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F