hey guys, just wanted some real advice on the rs250. i am in discussion with a guy selling a high spec rgv with an rs250 motor. i really just want to know how difficult it would be to use this as a road bike (maintenance, motor wear, etc.). i'm happy enough changing piston rings and all that stuff as i've been doing it for a while, but i dont want to be doing it all the time (where do i get parts?). also wondered if the motor has a kick start? or an oil pump for the fuel? and can it legally be used on australian roads (specifically victoria)? any help would be greatly appreciated,
cheers,
Paul

Are you sure it's not a "Suzuki" motor from an Aprilia RS250?

If it's a Honda RS250 motor, yep the maintenance will be higher, and the component life much shorter on things like the crank, pistons etc etc. and they'll be a touch harder to get parts for, depending upon the vintage ie pre '93 NF5 (although probably the later NX5 motor with a similar V angle to the Suzi). Setup may be harder and more sensitive on things like squish and fuel used. Also it wouldn't have any provision for running road gear like lights, have no kick-start or oil pump. It'd be a lot peakier around town too, but go like there's no tomorrow when you give it a handful...... Not sure about the legality, but conservatively I'd say no - it'd have a number, but may not match their records.

If it is a Honda motor, and you don't want the extra maintenance hassles, I wouldn't mind taking it off your hands, I have just the chassis for it........ I'm in Melbourne too.

Scott


Last edited by Middo on Thu May 06, 2010 4:52 am; edited 1 time in total

it's definately a honda motor, i've been riding rgv's for years and know all about aprilia using the vj22 etc. the guy apparently has lights on it??? i assume from what you said that the rs250 doesn't run a magneto or anything like that. could he have fitted one from an nsr? the bike is apparently making 82hp at the wheel if that helps with the year. can the motor be jetted for more mid range?

Sound's like a NX5 or NXA motor, - but the chain would now be on the wrong side - He must have the RS swingarm to go with it? Is this an ex race bike? I don't know what setup he might have re lights (total loss/separate battery etc). Crank tapers are different between RS & NSR' which is why more people aren't bolting RS engine bits into their roadbikes - and the later RS are much too different anyway.......

Not sure re the jetting, how much it could be de-tuned for road use, but cranks generally are rated for 2000km's race use or there abouts. There are guys on this forum that have RS race bikes, but this isn't the section for talking about HRC stuff, and this thread will probably get locked or moved.

Looking at my RS manual, it has pistons, rings, small end bearings at 500kms, reeds & plug caps at 1000kms, cranks 2000kms. Yep, more work and $$ How much do you plan to ride it on the road IF you can get it rego'd (+ no insurance)?