Honda RS250..mmmmm....

[Jung]

So the Aprilia RSV4 idea is dead. I now fail to see the value in swapping one 160bhp superbike for another just to change engine configuration and I think I'm getting a little bored / scared by the brute power thing anyways....

So how about a scalpel for the track...I've always wanted a Honda RS250 and now with the demise of the GP bikes and probably the nationals in the next few years, it seems an even nicer thing to have.

So tell me how they are 2 stroke fiends? Running costs, service schedules etc.

Calling EddieJ methinks.....

[easy now andy]

Originally Posted by Jung

So the Aprilia RSV4 idea is dead. I now fail to see the value in swapping one 160bhp superbike for another just to change engine configuration and I think I'm getting a little bored / scared by the brute power thing anyways....

So how about a scalpel for the track...I've always wanted a Honda RS250 and now with the demise of the GP bikes and probably the nationals in the next few years, it seems an even nicer thing to have.

So tell me how they are 2 stroke fiends? Running costs, service schedules etc.

Calling EddieJ methinks.....

do you think you'll be able to kick start this one?

[Jung]

Originally Posted by easy now andy

do you think you'll be able to kick start this one?

I was thinking about the CR the other day. And whether I really missed it.

You've just settled that one....

[MyLittleStudPony]

Do you mean RS250 or NSR250?

[Jung]

RS - the race bike.

For trackdays and if I'm feeling particularly brave, flailing around at the back of the pack in a club outing or 2.

[MyLittleStudPony]

Originally Posted by Jung

RS - the race bike.

For trackdays and if I'm feeling particularly brave, flailing around at the back of the pack in a club outing or 2.

Didn't they cost like £25K new and need an engine rebuild every few times they're ridden or something like that?

A mate has a late TZ250 and it costs a fortune IIRC.

[Jung]

90's RS seem to go for anywhere between 3-8k (at least ones that I've seen).

I've had RS125s in the past and running costs were OK. I used to change the ring every couple of meetings and the piston every 4 meetings or so. Save for clutch plates nothing else really needed doing (I think bottom ends were good for a couple of thousand miles).

[Danny_Two]

I guess it depends on how much you're running it. If you were racing it (at a low club level) you'd probably be looking at a minimum of a crank rebuild every second year and new pistons yearly, possibly a new set of piston rings somewhere in-between.

This is based on my own (limited) experience with a tuned tzr.

[ipsga]

.............nice

[Tomcat]

Originally Posted by MyLittleStudPony

Didn't they cost like £25K new and need an engine rebuild every few times they're ridden or something like that?

A mate has a late TZ250 and it costs a fortune IIRC.

My TZ250B (first of the V-twins) needed pistons every 500kms and crank every 500kms. Other than that put the clutch steel plates in from a TZ500 as the 250 ones were made from cheese and hey presto reliable as anything. Sensitive to setup of course, if you were running near the edge.

The little strokers are still fantastic bikes, even the ones several years old, and will surprise a 600 no problem. The sky is the limit if you want to compete at the top class but they are still superb out of the box and you don't have to spend thousands bolting on goodies like a 600.

Consider a late TZ350 - still a formidable package on track and eligible for post-classic racing. The 250s are likely to fade out and fall in price for the next 10-20 years with the 250GP class ceasing, and will only pick up when they start being regarded as classic - much like the 350s now, which are holding their price or even slightly rising.

[CoolHands]

Are you big like, errr... Prop Joe?

In which case, a scalpel-like 250 may not be for you...

[Jung]

HRC though.....I feel the need for HRC!

I think the 90's generation of 250s will end up being collectible early on. They pretty much seemed to reach a zenith in engine / chassis dynamics which I think really appeals to people. But what do I know, I never ridden one of the little b'stards.

....and the Hondas are so damned handsome.

Someone, talk me into it.

(and no, I'm not a lot like prop joe...)

[EddieJ]

Originally Posted by Jung

HRC though.....I feel the need for HRC!

I think the 90's generation of 250s will end up being collectible early on. They pretty much seemed to reach a zenith in engine / chassis dynamics which I think really appeals to people. But what do I know, I never ridden one of the little b'stards.

....and the Hondas are so damned handsome.

Someone, talk me into it.

(and no, I'm not a lot like prop joe...)

"Feel the need for HRC"

Right down to needle rollers in the clutch lever! I'm easily pleased!!

THis may help you make your mind up!

I'll try and pop back later to add something about them.







To be fair, the bike actually looked like this when I raced it with Bemsee!






To this day, the Honda was the best bike that I have owned and ridden and raced. It was also the bike that had me called up to the Bemsee control tower after yet another low side at Graham Hill bend! I can still hear the words "Are you sure that you really want to continue with GP250, you may be more suited to the SS600 class!" Comments that were probably founded on me doing the same while riding the 1995 TZ250! For some reason, I load the front of 250's too much on left hand bends.

[Bigyin]

There is a bloke in Dover called Dave Hammond who sells ex race RS 250's and very good with parts back up and knowledge.

Custom Motorcycle Design/Development - DHR Motorcycles

I know when my mate Lee Finney snapped a crank in France during a Friday practise DHR sorted a replacement to be taken across the channel in a car and we collected it Friday evening and fitted it overnight finishing at 4AM in torrential rain using an HRC japanese workshop manual

That bike was brilliant to ride and even as a little fat fucker Lee won loads of races on it against up to date TZ's although at 6 foot 1 i had to fold myself up to fit on it when "running in" a piston or 2 on local roads near tracks

The first time you open the throttle , feel the front end go light follwed by WAAAAAAP, WAAAAAP,WAAAAAAAP is awesome although i never got to ride one on track properly

[Jung]

Originally Posted by Bigyin

The first time you open the throttle , feel the front end go light follwed by WAAAAAAP, WAAAAAP,WAAAAAAAP is awesome although i never got to ride one on track properly

....cool!