2003 suzuki rm250, good buy or pipe dream

Bradj70
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Bradj70
Edited Date/Time 2/4/2022 2:34am
Looking to pick up a bike to start riding again, been interested in the rm250 2t. Any trouble I should expect owning this machine? Like are cylinder or cranks hard to come by? I know they are unsupported but is there enough aftermarket support to carry it on for a few years?

Should I buy a rm250 2 stroke

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Kelz87
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Kelz87 8/13/2021 6:00pm
8/13/2021 6:00pm
If you ride like Travis Pastrana, probably not Grinning For us mere mortals it would be fine though imo
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 8/13/2021 11:08pm
8/13/2021 11:08pm
Life’s short. Buy the dirtbike.
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Richy
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Richy 8/14/2021 1:01am
8/14/2021 1:01am
Do it man, lots of nice RM's about and the price still seems right, hasn't jumped like the Honda / Kawi prices have.

The sensible option if you want a Jap 250 is still the YZ, but since when was any of this sensible haha, so if you've got a connection to the yellow ones then get it done 👍 Friend of mine's Dad has one, has ridden 250 2 Strokes forever, said his 06 RM250 was the best he's owned.
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tobz
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tobz 8/14/2021 1:18am
8/14/2021 1:18am
I’d aim for a 05 or 06 rm250
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wydopen
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wydopen 8/14/2021 4:49am
8/14/2021 4:49am
Don’t think cylinders are particularly easy to find but they are awesome bikes and handle incredibly well..I’m riding an 01 right now and aside from the fact that you can’t get good pegs for it (you don’t have that problem with the 03) I have it working really well..
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Moto Obsessed 8/14/2021 10:00pm
8/14/2021 10:00pm
DPR250R wrote:
I would look for 04 and newer.
^^yup, this.. I helped a buddy with his 2003 RM250, and turns out that's kind of a bastard year for them.. lots of things are either 2003 specific, or were improved in 04+.
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kylemenz1
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kylemenz1 8/14/2021 10:17pm
8/14/2021 10:17pm
I had an 03’ RM 250. Great bike! Get the suspension done, v-force reeds, pipe, and let’er rip.
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soggy
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soggy 8/15/2021 5:35am
8/15/2021 5:35am
I’d look for a yz just because everything is readily available
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Rabbit Run 41 8/15/2021 11:27am
8/15/2021 11:27am
I had too many conversations with God in the air on my ‘03.
Tended to light off on me at the worst time. I now have an ‘04 and could not be happier! What a difference a year makes.
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Sr_Vet_Rider
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Sr_Vet_Rider 8/15/2021 4:24pm
8/15/2021 4:24pm Edited Date/Time 8/15/2021 4:27pm
‘04-‘08 is the years I’ve owned. The ‘03 as mentioned, is a bastard year bike and parts are sometimes impossible to find.
Although I didn’t have any issues on mine, the transmission gears are a weak link. I had a brand new set of tranny gears and sent them out for a hardening treatment. It was only about $250, I was already into it and didn’t want a failure. The gears are getting harder to find too….
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brettmx
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brettmx 8/15/2021 7:00pm
8/15/2021 7:00pm
tobz wrote:
I’d aim for a 05 or 06 rm250
The '06 is what you want. I have an '04 as well and the 2006 is just a much better bike overall- especially the power delivery.
27thmx
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27thmx 1/31/2022 9:02am
1/31/2022 9:02am
Buy it but if u can find an 04+. Make sure to check the vin! I ride/ race with AA off road guys and I have one as a backup bike. Best 2 stroke ever is no joke. Suzuki would save itself if they started making them again. The bikes literally need nothing. I just get FC to do my suspension which I’d do on every bike. For that old of a bike they are still awesome. Anyone can buy a new bike. Guys drool over RMs lol. Not that there is anything wrong with new bikes, I love new bikes too.
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Talisker
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Talisker 1/31/2022 9:15am
1/31/2022 9:15am Edited Date/Time 1/31/2022 9:20am
Parts are expensive if you can find them. You will constantly be playing with fork height and sag for each track and condition. I’m sure a few Rm owners on here have experience the infamous “tank slap” that just comes out of nowhere on 4th or 5th gear straights. Just go with a Yz. Bike has been around for 20 years. Easier to ride, set-up, and find parts.
Moto Nomad
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Moto Nomad 1/31/2022 3:29pm
1/31/2022 3:29pm
The '03 is very different from the '04. I have ridden them both, and much prefer the '04, which I am currently riding. The ergos are much better for me, but I'm on the tall side.
I just learned from Pastrana's WT show that the Suzuki was taller specifically because they molded it around him.
Ryan625
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Ryan625 1/31/2022 8:36pm
1/31/2022 8:36pm Edited Date/Time 1/31/2022 8:37pm
06-08 is ideal, but don’t listen to the haters. I love my 2003.


Edit: also depends on asking price. I paid 2300 for mine with a fresh motor and new (2012 RMZ) front end this summer
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SFellure33
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SFellure33 2/1/2022 5:52am
2/1/2022 5:52am
DPR250R wrote:
I would look for 04 and newer.
Moto Obsessed wrote:
^^yup, this.. I helped a buddy with his 2003 RM250, and turns out that's kind of a bastard year for them.. lots of things are either...
^^yup, this.. I helped a buddy with his 2003 RM250, and turns out that's kind of a bastard year for them.. lots of things are either 2003 specific, or were improved in 04+.
I have a friend who just finished his 03' RM250 build. Bought the bike for like $600 and ended up putting about $8000 into it. The bike is cool, and it looks great but the 03' parts were really hard to find. A LOT of the parts were 03' specific.

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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 2/1/2022 8:14am
2/1/2022 8:14am
if you buy i would use newer forks. for average riding racing you should be fine on parts
travis-grant 2/4/2022 2:34am
2/4/2022 2:34am
The last gen rm250 was the best engine according to doc wob. He says they bolt straight into the newer ali frames also, to make it the best engine/handling.
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