RS250- bad idea??

[Keen]

I've been browsing biketrader.co.uk alot over the last few weeks, scoping out every possibility for my new bike when I finally get home. Then, a search for cheap bikes in my area turns up the RS250. I never really considered a 2 stroke 250, thought it might be a silly idea, but then again....

all these nay-sayers, talking about how the engine is no good for everyday use- the same thing could be said about the 125 2 stroke I used to have, and I rode that thing everywhere, even went on long trips to visit mates at uni etc. The fuel economy is bad for a bike, I know, but surely this thing would be worth it? from what I've heard it sounds like the handling mecca, I know it has to be revved, but I like that, and in my opinion its one of the nicest looking bikes going, especially for the price.

So, I know you have a slightly worse for wear one G, so in your opinion (and anyone elses whose riden one) is it a bad idea?

[Robby]

Go for it.

2 strokes are fun. Petrol use is heavy, but that doesn't make a huge difference. My crm does 35+ MPG, my VX did 45. When you work that out in terms of actual money, its not very much.

Tyres will cost a bit, but I would expect wear rates to be similar to a VFR400, and you can always use slightly harder tyres or race scrubs.

[EuropeanNC30R...]

The fuel costs do make a difference. I sold my RGV250 to get a VFR400 because of it. One day I sat down and worked out with a calculator that it cost almost exactly double per mile to run the RGV than the VFR. That wasn't including the inevitable rebuilds or tyres. All depends on how much mileage you intend on doing really, and how rich you are

[Keen]

Well, I'm a student, so money is an issue. But, as of July I start a job, year in industry thing as part of my degree, so I will be getting paid and I should be able to afford higher fuel costs. Still, double the price is quite a difference.
____________________
"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[Dusty]

They are fun to ride, but personally I wouldn't buy one to use every day. For a track bike yeah, or for sunday blasts, but not for going to work on etc.

They are a lot of fun and imo can teach you to get the best from a bike - they certainly make you work.

But riding one in town or heavy traffic is a pain in the arse, really not good on the wrists tbh and the upkeep costs for everyday use are likely to be pretty high.

For an everyday bike I'd be more inclined to look at a 400, which is likely to be more reliable, more fuel effcient, have a better spread of power and hence be easier to ride at low speeds. Spares for most 400s will be cheaper too.
____________________
Gallery

[BLacKPooLLaD]

RS250s are great bike, look great, but the drink petrol and 2 stroke oil, think both do like 100-130miles fully synthetic 2stoke is expensive about £10 per litre. Need rebuild every 8,000KM (5,000miles) new crank rebuild at 16,000KM (10,000miles) and new top and bottom at 20,000KM i think!. Depends how much u use it aswell, for a weekend bike it would be fine as u not gonna clock that many miles over 1yr.

Luke
____________________
UKRSCLUB.com

AF1Racing.com

[Kickstart]

Hi

I would love an RS250, but not as an everyday bike. Factor in the rebuilds and it starts getting expensive, especially at an easy 30mpg.

Yes it is a 250 like you GPX. Yes it needs revving, but probably FAR less than your GPX for the same performance (it just has the ability to go far quicker if you do rev it).

All the best

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

[Keen]

Practical concerns are obviously an issue, but to a big extent bikes are fundamentally impractical.

To be honest I would just love to own one. They're pretty rare as it is, give it a few more years and surely it'll be hard to find a nice one. I like the idea of owning one of the last great 2 strokes.

But, the idea of frequent rebuilds (how much roughly does a rebuild cost by the way?) sounds harsh. I need to figure out what the hell I'm doing for the summer. My job might not start until september. In which case I might buy one and run it until then, have fun, then swap it in for something sensible.

thanks for all the advice.
____________________
"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[BLacKPooLLaD]

Look on Stan Stephens site, great 2 stroke tuner, will show u how much rebuilds are tuning etc..

https://www.stanstephens.com/stuning.htm
____________________
UKRSCLUB.com

AF1Racing.com

[Keen]

thanks

the problem seems to be that nobody sells an RS250 just after its had a nice fresh rebuild they're usually on their last legs. So buying one is gonna involve some initial hassle and I need to get on the road quick.

we'll see what happens
____________________
"he who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man"- Dr. Johnson

[priller]

[Dr Nick]

My mate Jeff has just picked up his RS250, its an R Reg with about 10k on the clocks, only 2k, Mint. I don't think he knows about how many rebuilds it will need in its lifetime though .


Jeffs ~>RS250
____________________
is that it

[priller]

Nice, if only the insurance weren't so expensive.

[Laura]

Foe me on a rgv is only 380 pounds so I am presuming rs would be the same or nearly.
____________________
Good girls ride motorcycles bad girls thrash them.

[priller]

[dainesefreak]

Aha, but have you tried Danny's insurance service?

Get a newer Blade anyway, older Blades are for girls!

[priller]

[dainesefreak]

It's a pain in the arse swapping halfway through a policy, you usually have to scrape it then swap on renewal.

When I went from the R6 to the 954 Bennetts charged me £80 for two months then told me they wanted £1600, oh how I laughed.

I was 29 at the time with 5 years NCB, garaged, clean license, etc. You can guess where I told them to go. Swapped to H&R and ended up paying less than I was on the Yam.

[priller]

Would wait but bro wants to buy mine now and I aint going to get 2k anywhere else for it.

[G]

[Demonic69]

Older Blades are for those who don't need the bike to ride for them
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

[dainesefreak]

[Keen]

[dainesefreak]

Prilier - How about this.

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2475789188&category=9806

[G]