So I have been thinking about buying an RS250. I have actually wanted one since mt friend had one back in 1988. The bike would only be for track days so I wouln't need the latest and greatest. In fact I would probably only do a couple track days per year average. I'm trying to decide which one I might want. OI know that newer is always better, but I don't want to break the bank on a toy. I also hear that part for the older ones are getting hard to source from Honda. I like the single sided swing arm of the NX5, but I think an NF5 might suit me as well, and be cheaper. Any thoughts on this?
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

for what your looking for, I would go with the mid/late 90's model. More then enough go fast parts, and Honda is still supplying the parts as well.

They are cheaper then the 2001 (or newer) models on the market as well.
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Charles Gallant

Thanks Charles. How did Barber go?

So what is the breakdown: ie: Nd5 NF5, NX5?

I'm being offered a '93, is that too old? ...and I found a really super nice '92.
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

From what I know/understand/remember (three very different things, and sometimes it all blends into one thing which is what I think I know) is that the model designation goes like this:

85-86 = ND5
87-92 = NF5
93-00 = NX5
01-07 = NXA

I would recommend you stick to the NX5 or NXA models, and unless it comes with a really good spares kit, get an NF5. I would not (unless for collecting reasons) get an ND5 for a track day bike (just too old and outdated to be worth it).

The NXA (01-07) model is obviosly the newest out there, and it seems also equates to the most expensive to buy trick bits for. Hmm, who would have thought that when I bought my 01?

The NX5 you can make just as trick and competitive as the NXA, plus they are much cheaper overall to buy. You can still get parts a plenty and they spares all run around the same as the NXA stuff. Check out Redline Cycle imports (Craig the owner is a great guy and get's me most my standard RS250 parts in a couple days). His Website is http://redline-ci.com/. Also Rising Sun Cycles (http://www.rscycles.com/) has done pretty good for me getting cool bits pretty quickly. Plus both these place sponsor/support USGPRU racing series

Barber was a fun weekend. It's a very technical track and after my first session I wanted to crawl up in the trailer and go to bed. Took me my second session to figure out the blind cresting turns that cover the entire track. And damn, talk about a physically hard track. I was beat by the second day. Good thing my RS was needing a new top end, I had an excuse to call it good part way through the afternoon
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Charles Gallant

Thanks Charles, I know Craig well from buying NSR parts, and he has been helping me with the RS decision as well.

I thought Barber was an OK track, but I thought it was over rated. Never did it on a bike though. I only instructed there a couple years ago and did not even have my own car. I'm tell'n ya though, you should check out TWS. I've probably driven 20+ tracks on cars and motorcycles and I really like TWS. I also like Thunder Hill, but Like Barber, it has a few blind hills, only worse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-aHMIeYjXg&mode=related&search=


So, how do your lap times compare to an average rider on a street legal R1?
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

Done way more laps at THill than I care to remember.

The blind 3 at THill just takes once over to know you turn before the hill crest and your fine. Turn 5 isn't that bad either as your going so slow over the top (okay, I did wash the front out there once). Turn 9 is another once you go over it, it's easy to know where the line is. That's the only hard turns there. That and the pavement is so bad... it's like a 3rd world country track The issue I had with THill is its not that much of a thinking track and the straights just don't do well for 250's.

I like Barber as it's tight, technical your always thinking. Sears Point (okay Infineon) is another track that can be a fun track. The track flows so well and there is a perfect mix of tight technical and long sweepers that is makes the track okay for both big and small bikes alike.

Now Jennings GP down in Florida is a fun track for a small bike. No actual elevation to speak of, but the track flows so well. That and it's a bike only track, so the pavement isn't messed up yet (Thunderhill running cars in 110 degress does wonders for screwing up pavement).

Not sure If I will be traveling out to Texas any time soon, just too far for a track day when I have more then a handful within 8 or so hours from home
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Charles Gallant

I reall don't like what most people call "technical" tracks. I like rythem tracks. The is a track in Louisiana called NPR and its a great rythem track, but otherwise its a crappy track. Better suited to motor cycles than cars really.

Where is Jennings? I don't recal that track when I lived in Daytona. I heard there was a MC track in southern GA, but I don't recall where? I have raced at Roebling Road and RA in GA.
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james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

Jennings is actually in Northern Florida (just over the Georgia border off I75)

I think the difference here is motorcycle VS car. I am looking at the tracks from motorcycle standpoint, and a 250 2-stroke at that. Technical tracks are much more fun (for me at least) on my RS then big open tracks (kind of what I would call Thunderhill).

Now Thunderhill is a fun track when I ran my GSXR 750 on it, but for the 250 there were some areas where it was just get it going and take a nap for a couple corners. Sears Point got you working from turn 1 through 6 and then it opened up a little with some good flow from turn 7 down to 11. Of course now that most motorcycle racing uses a new turn 9 config the flow is broken up, but it's still a good flowing track. Just need to ignore the "safety issues" people always think about when Sears is talked about. Honestly I just never looked to the outside of turn 10? Not sure why people were looking out there, as the track was on your right, not your left

Anyways, back to the RS... If you can find a good NX5 with good spares I would go for it. You will enjoy it I am sure. People say it's a harder bike to ride fast then the TZ250, but it's easier to get to make more power (ye, that's all you need a harder handling more powerful bike ).

I do know that I dropped my RS off with Traxxion Dynamics and had them go through it and set it up. The bike is perfect so far. At jennings it was smooth as can be. Never had a misplaced wheel the entire weekend, never a push, nothing. At Barber I had some shake coming out of 5 through 6 but there are some pavement "issues" on line and I was heavy on the power with the front wheel way light. Just got up further on the tank and it kept on track just fine. If you need suspension work done, I highly recommend Traxxion Dynamics!
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Charles Gallant

Thanks again for your insight Charles, I appreciate it. I really don't need a super fast bike since my skills aren't what they used to be on a bike. But I do want something that handles well. I thought about an NSR but I think I would get bored of it pretty fast on the track. I just hope I can tame the RS well enough to just have fun.
_________________
james
Its not how fast you go...Its how you go fast.
MC21 Rothmans
RS250
RC31
CRF250X
748R
Porsche (many)
http://members.rennlist.com/j911brick/rennlist3_002.htm

I got the brand new 2000 RS250 with full factory spares $1,6000 or 2001 TZ250 some spares top end and used crank $10,000. located in Texas.

you can find some used GP bikes www.tz250racing.com or www.usgpru.net/forum/index.php

The 2000 RS250 on USPRU and TZ250Racing.com is pretty good setup for $11,000.00 New bottom end and top end, good spare package. Clean looking bike.
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Charles Gallant

No eBay links in topics please. This already smells of trade posts, and I don't like that!
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

Please keep all responses to Forum posts on the Forum so that others may benefit.

Please DO NOT PM me for technical advice. My time is precious, and you will probably receive a faster response on the Forum anyway.

Check us out on Facebook! Please "like" our page!

Im not trading anything! My RS is staying where it's at.

Don't worry Andy, no one here is selling anything. The 2000 RS on USGPRU and tz250racing.net don't belong to anyone on this thread. We are just pointing out places to look and possible good bikes that are currently for sale.
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Charles Gallant

No worries, I just don't like trade advertising when they offer us nothing, not even a "thank you" for the opportunity!

We're not an advertising forum for eBay either, which is why I started a thread solely for eBay links. I don't want them dotted around all over the place.
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Andy.
NSR-WORLD.COM

Please keep all responses to Forum posts on the Forum so that others may benefit.

Please DO NOT PM me for technical advice. My time is precious, and you will probably receive a faster response on the Forum anyway.

Check us out on Facebook! Please "like" our page!

I picked up a 95 TZ this winter for 4500 with a fresh crank and top end. I know its not a Honda but it scoots. The word in the upper mid west is parts are a lot eaiser to come by as you can go to the local dealer to order parts. Still getting used to riding a light switch feather tough. Very fussy with jetting but when everything is in harmony it reminds me why I ride two strokes
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1995 A kit TZ 250
1994 Rothmans NSR 300sp SOLD
1998 RM 250 freestyle/motorcross
1998 Meathanol burning CR 500 AF super retard/motorcross/sand dunes/play bike