Which 2 stroke 250?
Discussion
I am thinking of getting another RS250 but they are very thin on the ground here in NZ and I might have to import a bike from Japan. However if I do that I could also consider some other 2 stroke 250s such as the RGV or NSR250R. Is the Aprilia the best of the bunch? Are they all equally problematic to maintain nowadays? Or are the Japanese bikes more reliable? How about parts availability?
Assuming you aren’t going to scour the world looking for the holy grail or the unicorns, the CR250 is particularly ferocious and a prime candidate for a supermoto/motard dress up.
RS beats RGV if you want a conventional looking ‘sportsbike’ but a motard CR is more usable in more situations and arguably better designed/engineered/built.
RS beats RGV if you want a conventional looking ‘sportsbike’ but a motard CR is more usable in more situations and arguably better designed/engineered/built.
Edited by Olas on Monday 27th January 07:48
They all have advantages and disadvantages, but it really depends on availability and what floats your boat really.
I have a KR1S. It's pretty easy to maintain and handles OK, but it does have weird tyre sizes that nobody else uses. It's quick but it also blows up with tedious frequency.
I've previously owned a TZR250 1KT (2MA) which was great, but a bit 'previous gen' compared to later stuff. Very small, very light but lacking in a bit of power, and chassis is limited. Good, but limited.
I've also owned an RGV VJ22, and I absolutely loved it until it blew up. It's not for riding every day but it's the best looking, best sounding, best handling easiest to get spares for... it's just the engine is a pig to set up, and if you need to rebuild it you'll be having nightmares about the powervalve cable routing for years. This motor is the same as the RS. I put RS parts in mine to make it a bit more reliable. This is one bike I really wish I'd never sold.
I've never owned an NSR, and I'd like to but spares availability is an issue and they seem to command shocking prices these days.
I've also owned 2 RD 350 F2s (YPVS) and an RD350LC (4LO) and the 4LO was the one to have out of those. I also wish I'd never sold that but I made a fat profit on it... so... meh.
I have a KR1S. It's pretty easy to maintain and handles OK, but it does have weird tyre sizes that nobody else uses. It's quick but it also blows up with tedious frequency.
I've previously owned a TZR250 1KT (2MA) which was great, but a bit 'previous gen' compared to later stuff. Very small, very light but lacking in a bit of power, and chassis is limited. Good, but limited.
I've also owned an RGV VJ22, and I absolutely loved it until it blew up. It's not for riding every day but it's the best looking, best sounding, best handling easiest to get spares for... it's just the engine is a pig to set up, and if you need to rebuild it you'll be having nightmares about the powervalve cable routing for years. This motor is the same as the RS. I put RS parts in mine to make it a bit more reliable. This is one bike I really wish I'd never sold.
I've never owned an NSR, and I'd like to but spares availability is an issue and they seem to command shocking prices these days.
I've also owned 2 RD 350 F2s (YPVS) and an RD350LC (4LO) and the 4LO was the one to have out of those. I also wish I'd never sold that but I made a fat profit on it... so... meh.
Id keep an open mind and buy any example in the nicest condition with a evidence of a recent engine rebuild/refresh if possible, a sweet RD250LC will give more smiles and satisfaction than a problematic and money draining more exotic stroker
I need to sell on my KR1 really, its sitting in storage( correctly prepped prior to storage and its in a climate controlled environment), it was a nice example anyway but was fully restored in 2015 with some real hard to find NOS parts such as a complete fairing, brake lines etc etc...Even has the original exhausts but I fitted a set of S pipes with JL cans. Motor was refinished along side all the other work.
Unless someone has a new one in a box, you wont find a better one..have to say, thou I havent used it much for a couple of years, it never fails to start and seems equally as happy doing a slower run with the VJMC as well as a thrash.
Its no show pony either, I had it set up by James at Krazy Kat.
Not a hard sell, I intended to flog it on when the PCP ends on my other bike in another year ,if your interested, drop me a PM, no worries eitherway.
I need to sell on my KR1 really, its sitting in storage( correctly prepped prior to storage and its in a climate controlled environment), it was a nice example anyway but was fully restored in 2015 with some real hard to find NOS parts such as a complete fairing, brake lines etc etc...Even has the original exhausts but I fitted a set of S pipes with JL cans. Motor was refinished along side all the other work.
Unless someone has a new one in a box, you wont find a better one..have to say, thou I havent used it much for a couple of years, it never fails to start and seems equally as happy doing a slower run with the VJMC as well as a thrash.
Its no show pony either, I had it set up by James at Krazy Kat.
Not a hard sell, I intended to flog it on when the PCP ends on my other bike in another year ,if your interested, drop me a PM, no worries eitherway.
Edited by podman on Monday 27th January 19:53
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