Discussion
So I've decided to get an RGV, instead of a 2stroke 50cc, and would like some buying tips.
I know the 21 is the sought after one, the 22 was the one which had issues with the throttle valve or something and the 23 is the most powerful with a redesigned engine.
So what else?I understand the Jap import ones are restricted. How easy I'd it to fix this?
Seem to be a few around with GSXR400 mods, forks, swingsrm etc, but I'd prefer an unmolested one.
I'd like a "GSXR" blue one please.
Any BB'ers got one?
I know the 21 is the sought after one, the 22 was the one which had issues with the throttle valve or something and the 23 is the most powerful with a redesigned engine.
So what else?I understand the Jap import ones are restricted. How easy I'd it to fix this?
Seem to be a few around with GSXR400 mods, forks, swingsrm etc, but I'd prefer an unmolested one.
I'd like a "GSXR" blue one please.
Any BB'ers got one?
RGV Is a two stoke 
Big money now. I had an LC 350 wpvs back in the day and my mate had the RGV 250. His bike was quicker than mine but he had to be in the right gear to 'see me' as the powerband was small somewhere between 8.5 - 11k rpm. From memory it made around 50hp which was scary fast and more powerful than the 'elsie' as the bike was really light. He had it for 4 years and during that time the head came off every year.
Lovely bike great to follow as the small of castrol R was like toffee apples
Really expensive to buy a good one now but snotters are not cheap either.. take someone that understand two-strokes or better still someone that's actually owned one. If you are not sure - walk away.
Big money now. I had an LC 350 wpvs back in the day and my mate had the RGV 250. His bike was quicker than mine but he had to be in the right gear to 'see me' as the powerband was small somewhere between 8.5 - 11k rpm. From memory it made around 50hp which was scary fast and more powerful than the 'elsie' as the bike was really light. He had it for 4 years and during that time the head came off every year.
Lovely bike great to follow as the small of castrol R was like toffee apples
Really expensive to buy a good one now but snotters are not cheap either.. take someone that understand two-strokes or better still someone that's actually owned one. If you are not sure - walk away.
LordFlathead said:
RGV Is a two stoke
Think he meant instead of a 50cc 2-stroke, like he asked before Not had an RGV but I did have an RS250, which was absolultely brilliant!
GTIR, where abouts in East Anglia are you? My mate runs a bike repair/service place in Wymondham and is a bit of a nut for these things. He used to service my RS (and eventually bought it from me!) and I know he looks after RGVs, as that's what StuB's screen came from that they adapted for his RSV after his Snett off!
Just found this too, I'm sure you know most of this already but there's a pic of a Lucky Strike one on there. I'd be tempted by a period race scheme if I was getting one
http://www.classicmechanics.com/news/rgv-z50-suzuk...
From my experience of my RS 250 which uses the Suzuki VJ22 motor, they are a doddle to work on. parts are readily available, so even a shonky example can be brought up to scratch mechanically.
Engines should have a new top end every 10000kms, but this is easy and fairly inexpensive. head gaskets are quite pricey, so a set of aftermarket heads such as Cougar or VHM with O rings will remove the requirement for any further gaskets. I seem to recall gaskets costing circa 30 quid a cylinder, so O ringed heads are the way to go. Powervalves can be upgraded to Cougar and even the ECU can be changed for a fully programmable unit.
With a bit of fettling, the motors are good for a relaible 65-68 bhp, any more and they become exponentially fragile.
i think the 22 is the most common model, bt also look at Honda NSR's and Yamaha TZR's as well.
As alway, buy the very best you can afford, and due to the upsurge in 2T nostalgia, prices are on the up and up for good ones.
great little bkes, you'll have years of fun.
Godd Luck
Engines should have a new top end every 10000kms, but this is easy and fairly inexpensive. head gaskets are quite pricey, so a set of aftermarket heads such as Cougar or VHM with O rings will remove the requirement for any further gaskets. I seem to recall gaskets costing circa 30 quid a cylinder, so O ringed heads are the way to go. Powervalves can be upgraded to Cougar and even the ECU can be changed for a fully programmable unit.
With a bit of fettling, the motors are good for a relaible 65-68 bhp, any more and they become exponentially fragile.
i think the 22 is the most common model, bt also look at Honda NSR's and Yamaha TZR's as well.
As alway, buy the very best you can afford, and due to the upsurge in 2T nostalgia, prices are on the up and up for good ones.
great little bkes, you'll have years of fun.
Godd Luck
GTIR said:
The RGV is a two sroke as was the RS250 (as it used the same engine) unless you meant a Honda CB250 RS! 
Just as well your mate looked after it!
Eh?! I was responding to the fella who pointed out the RGV was a two stroke! Mine was definately a two stroke, nearly fetched me off the back of it the first time it hit the powerband (I'd only ridden 400 4-strokes until then).Just as well your mate looked after it!
Also nearly launched me through my brother's old bedroom window. The old man's driveway was kind of really tightly packed gravel, and I always used to spin the back wheel up going up it (just to annoy him). The drive doglegged around the corner of the house, and sadly I'd forgotten that two strokes don't have any engine braking. Usually just shut the throttle and it'd slow the bike down enough to get around the corner. I was doing about 45 up there on the RS though, straight at the wall
I had mine as a crash damaged one, but never bothered repairing it (just cosmetic stuff) as it was such good fun to ride I never could bring myself to taking it off the road to sort it
srob said:
Think he meant instead of a 50cc 2-stroke, like he asked before
Not had an RGV but I did have an RS250, which was absolultely brilliant!
GTIR, where abouts in East Anglia are you? My mate runs a bike repair/service place in Wymondham and is a bit of a nut for these things. He used to service my RS (and eventually bought it from me!) and I know he looks after RGVs, as that's what StuB's screen came from that they adapted for his RSV after his Snett off!
Just found this too, I'm sure you know most of this already but there's a pic of a Lucky Strike one on there. I'd be tempted by a period race scheme if I was getting one
http://www.classicmechanics.com/news/rgv-z50-suzuk...
The 'donor' was black and I think a K model. Looked tidy, but not a minter as the owner clearly rides it outdoors, rather than polishes it to within an inch of it's life.Not had an RGV but I did have an RS250, which was absolultely brilliant!
GTIR, where abouts in East Anglia are you? My mate runs a bike repair/service place in Wymondham and is a bit of a nut for these things. He used to service my RS (and eventually bought it from me!) and I know he looks after RGVs, as that's what StuB's screen came from that they adapted for his RSV after his Snett off!
Just found this too, I'm sure you know most of this already but there's a pic of a Lucky Strike one on there. I'd be tempted by a period race scheme if I was getting one
http://www.classicmechanics.com/news/rgv-z50-suzuk...
RGV's are excellent, I nearly bought a J model a few years back, but the (ex)wife made my early bleed so much.
They sound best with no silencers fitted, just like a pukka GP bike, woooaaaa.
I'm sure I've seen a minter advertised recently, but can't recall where.
FocusRS3 said:
Reviving a very old thread here but looking for info on RGV's.
I had a 1992 250M back in the day .
What's the difference between the VJ 22 and VJ 23 models and what's a realistic purchase price of a UK immaculate condition bike ??
Many tks
your going to need 10k for a vj 23 and a few years waiting for one to hit the uk market . 7k might get you an immaculate no bullsI had a 1992 250M back in the day .
What's the difference between the VJ 22 and VJ 23 models and what's a realistic purchase price of a UK immaculate condition bike ??
Many tks
t vj 22 . I can't get my head around £10K for an RGV, or an RD, TZR..whatever.
All of them were good in the day, but they wouldn't see which way a 00's 600 went. I know two strokes are a 'thing', God knows I threw a lot of money at racing TZ's but on the road, they're a waste of money. So many good 400's, which offer a similar balance or, like I mentioned a newer 600, which will just fk off down the road.
Back on topic a 23 is what you want but they are gutless without the kit parts.
All of them were good in the day, but they wouldn't see which way a 00's 600 went. I know two strokes are a 'thing', God knows I threw a lot of money at racing TZ's but on the road, they're a waste of money. So many good 400's, which offer a similar balance or, like I mentioned a newer 600, which will just f
k off down the road.Back on topic a 23 is what you want but they are gutless without the kit parts.
FocusRS3 said:
I’d not be paying 10k for one that’s for sure .
They do tend to sit around for ages with silly price tags attached to them at dealers .
Private is the cheapest option and they do come up
I've never seen one on the road and not seen any for sale for a long time.They do tend to sit around for ages with silly price tags attached to them at dealers .
Private is the cheapest option and they do come up
KR1s for me if I had the choice.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff