KDXRIDER.NET

I just bought a 2001 RM250, my first non-Kawasaki motorcycle since the '90s! I bought it from a friend who owned the local off road gear shop, but has now moved to N. Carolina (something about riding year round, etc.). It has a fresh top end (documented), flywheel weight, bark busters, FMF exhaust, skid plate, etc. It is pretty well set up for woods riding. It has near new tires, chain and sprockets. He raced it some over the years but it was well cared for.

He bought a newer RM and also has some orange bike or other, as well as a KDX, so he decided to let this one go. I am not sure why I bought it to be honest, other than he made me a very good deal, and a back up bike seems like a good idea. The KDX is staying. I think it will be fun to try it out and experience something different. They are supposed to handle great. I know it is a few pounds lighter than the KDX and has very different power delivery, better suspension, blah blah. We'll see.

I'll try to get some pics up. Seems my webshots account has gone missing.

Good bikes. Awesome susp especially if worked over for woods. IL woods aren't too bad to deal with on a FFW'd close ratio (tall 1st) bike.

I do love the RM's. The best handling 250 I ever road was an RM. '00 or '01, I think. Never could get used to the RM clutches, though...

Julien D wrote:I do love the RM's. The best handling 250 I ever road was an RM. '00 or '01, I think. Never could get used to the RM clutches, though...

What was it about the clutch that you couldn't get used to? I have barely ridden it but what I have noticed is that the clutch pull is incredibly, unbelievably light ... otherwise it seemed ok.

Got a bud that's buying an '02 RM 250 today. I'm trying to help him out on the setup for woods riding. What flywheel weight did you use? And how do you like it?
Thx

Clutch action on most the RMs is very light switchy. Hard to feather it as it wants to be engaged or disengaged, with very little space in between. Just my experience, obviously. And its not extensive. I've only ridden a handful, but they were all very similar in the respect. Clutch pull was never a problem, though.

B737driver wrote:Got a bud that's buying an '02 RM 250 today. I'm trying to help him out on the setup for woods riding. What flywheel weight did you use? And how do you like it?
Thx

the flywheel weight was already installed when I bought the bike. I'm not sure what it is, exactly. it has a new flywheel cover with a brand name on it. the bike is at a buddy's house right now but when I get a chance I will look at it and see what it is.

sounds a lot like the '01 RM 250 I had. Extremely nice bike, if I had more space I wouldve just kept it. The clutch was perfect, extremely light pull and engaged perfectly. And the power delivery was nice too, very smooth yet very powerful when mid-range powerband hit. It didnt have much low-end though

Finally got photobucket set up, so here's a picture of my RM, after installing a plastic kit and some new hand guards. Ready to ride! I still owe B737driver an answer on that FWW. Will try to get something to you in a day or two.

The FWW is from SFB racing. Since it wa already installed, I can't tell you how heavy it is. Quick search of the internet didn't help either, but that's the brand name, anyway.

Thanks for the info. I got a little seat time on the RM a few days ago. What a machine! Suspension was set up for the woods and as plush as it gets. Power is still a bit snappy for my taste, but a heavy FWW would smooth it out nicely.

Only real drawback was arm pump. Don't know if it was from hanging on for dear life as my arms were being pulled out of socket , or needing a steering damper (I'm spoiled with mine on the KDX), but I was fatigued much more quickly riding that bike fast. And fast it is. Kinda nice to get a different perspective from time to time.

B737driver wrote:Thanks for the info. I got a little seat time on the RM a few days ago. What a machine! Suspension was set up for the woods and as plush as it gets. Power is still a bit snappy for my taste, but a heavy FWW would smooth it out nicely.

Only real drawback was arm pump. Don't know if it was from hanging on for dear life as my arms were being pulled out of socket , or needing a steering damper (I'm spoiled with mine on the KDX), but I was fatigued much more quickly riding that bike fast. And fast it is. Kinda nice to get a different perspective from time to time.

Ive ridden mine around home some and I agree with you on the snappy power. Wow! Light switch. Nothing like the KDX. I might have to see if I can get a different throttle cam to slow down the throttle progression, if one is available. This thing has some serious WHAMO when you get on it. I can see that the clutch has a narrow engagement band but I don't think it'll be a problem. We'll see what it's like in the woods.

Here is a picture of the RM I rode. Love the lines on these bikes.

sweet. I like the black treatment.

Very Nice Looking Machine.