2-stroke retro: What's it like to ride a 1989 RM250 now?
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- It may be 30 years old but the 1989 Suzuki RM250 is still a seriously quick bit of two-stroke fun!
MotoHead's Dave Willet takes the yellow flier around the Sellindsge MX track for a blast of nostalgia
My 2000 kx250 always brings a smile to my face- not only bc it's so fun to ride, but because I can get my dad to smile like a kid when we work on it, or when he rides it too. Retro shit, for life.
I also own a 2000kx 250 and smiles for days when I ride.. God bless the 2 stroke God's 🙏 🙌 lol
Can’t believe how GOOD that thing sounds!!! 🤯
And looks! 😍
Music
90's bikes are legendary.
all in 90s was better..and i mean all
@@commantrosexetlos4700 the 90s were the peak, everything since has been sheeeeee it.
@@robertlaube574 yeah brother 80-90s was in another level..in all
@@robertlaube574 Starting in 2016, we finally started getting good again. I don't know if you noticed, but there is a lot of very good things happening in the world. The sportbikes will never look as good as a 916 Ducati or a 2001 Yamaha R1 1000cc sportbike. And no bike will ever look better than the 1980's motorcross bikes with the perfect symetry to every piece and part. But there are some good things happening, bad people are finally being removed from power, in a big way, and that means more fun and more money for all.
Totally!! Had an RM 250 just like this, was a beast!!! Miss it
The motorcycle industry does a great job of making riders feel like last years model is inadequate and slower in every way...
Whereby in reality models change very little from year to year.
Indeed. Refinements... but overall, it won't change the lap times. Training and riding more will change the lap times and how long you can go. A new bike won't do that by itself. For example, David Pingree did a review of a carburated CRF450 2006 and conclude that he can do the same lap times with it than he can with the newest model. What is needed is a well adjusted bike in perfect shape, not necessarily the latest model.
maybe dirt bikes but in the 1000 cc road bike class no way
Crazystuffyousee very little indeed, I’ll take 80’s and 90’s bikes no problem at all
Hampus h you can do just as good on a 10 year old bike trust me
moron
My yz250 2 stroke is 10 years old and I'll never be able to give it what it's got its mind blowing
This was my favourite bike I ever owned. Always felt it flattered the rider and encouraged you to push harder. Such a great sound too.
I raced a 89 Rm 250 back in 1990.. I loved the thing. I was only 13 and lied about my age to race in the adults 👌 the bikes back then had such character.. the Honda, Yams and Kawasaki all felt so different to each other. You was either a fan of one and not the other. I tried all 4 makes that year, but only gelled with the suzook and kwakers. Golden era.
When these bikes were around it was some of the best times of my life!
The eighties were the decade of MX bike evolution. The difference between a 1982 motocross bike and a 1989 was enormous. Every year, a different manufacturer would introduce a new piece of technology that made the rest of them look antiquated. This went on for the entire decade until it started to slow down around 1990. It was a very exciting time to be a motocross racer, to say the least.
Bob Hannah had a lot of influence on the Honda and the Suzuki
@markochs2495 Enormous. The Hurricane had Suzuki build what ended up being a virtual yellow Honda with a few of his own personal touches mixed in. The difference between my '87 RM 125 and my '89 model was astronomical. The '89 handled so well it felt like it was custom built just for me.
@@stkyfngrszmooth my 87 cr 250 was the best motocross bike I ever had. Who gets the credit Johnny Omara, David Bailey or Bad weather Bob?
@markochs2495 Ricky Johnson, of course. 😁
The most fun you can legally have with your pants on.
Without burning your right inside leg.
😂
Brian Jacobsen yeah I had to take the fmf off my crf150r Suzy it kept burning my pants and leg
You can’t beat the smell and sound of the 2t’s especially the 500s.
As the owner & rider of 4 (3 rideable, 1 being restored) 500 2-strokes, I approve this message.
Amen to that brother
It's like being with a girl. His perfume and voice are something that really matters.
125s sound epic also
@@skinnybigstuff1040 125 sound the best
I used to own an 88 KX500, that thing was a beautiful beast! I miss it.
Looks to me like a 2019 model 👌 old 2 strokes are the best.
Everything that dude said I believe I have an 89 rm250 and I just love it! Rides soooo good for how old it is
The fact that they are 30+ yrs old is the appeal the simplicity and raw power of those bikes will never be matched by any 4 stroke made today
Man... Brings back some great memories! Had an 87 RM250 which was the last dirtbike I owned :( and then got into snowmobiles.
Nothing can compare though to the explosive power of the 2 strokes or being on 2 wheels; oh and don't forget that sweet smell of the Golden Spectro. Anyone remember Roost Boost lol.
Gotta love a 2 stroke so easy to work on ..great power
I rode a 1993 rm250 from 2011 to 2015. I rebuilt the whole thing..it was a basket case when I got it. All my friends rode new bikes and I was right there with the old bike. They used to give he a hard time when I first got it together but after we rode there were surprised..
Still goes alright, looks better than ever!
modern motocross bikes MUST return to look like the beautiful motocross bikes of the 70's and 80's!!!!
The 90s bikes where by far the best looking ....70s bikes look well dated today
70s...beautiful? Maybe mid 80s like the 85 KX125 the 86 KX250 and 500, 1987 CR250, RM125 from 1981 to early 90's RM250 from 85...YZ250L and N and from 88 onwards. 1983, 84, 87 and 89 CR500......oh...and that beautiful 1986 KTM500, 86 onwards Cagiva......and Maico. All 80s Maico...and Husky.
I dont know why but those curved back fenders on these 90s era bikes look MUCH better than the pointy ones we have today. :P It really makes the DIRT bike -look.
Yes and I'm sick of seeing modern front fenders that look like bird beaks and black rims on every bike!
nonameinfl the black rims make it faster tho
@@nonameinfl OH yeah whats up with that too! Looks like someone wanted to install an erectile dysfunction instead of proper front fenderto these new bikes :D
Four strokes were the beginning of the end of amateur MX racing.
Yes and all the tracks lost due to the bloody nose they make!
'89, Japan just entering their Golden Era of two-stroke bike building, the 1990s. Not just off-road machines, but road machines as well.
Nothing has changed with 2 strokes other than styling, you could still win races on this thing.
Exactly…. A new bike might be a little lighter or a few minor changes but this bike is just as fast as modern 250s.
Believe you’re right turbo Sam 👍
Wooooo! I rode a 1989 RM 125! Loved That bike, snappy as hell. God, I love that sound...
Use to rip a 94 loved it great bike would love to find another
👍👍
like angels from the heavens.. is the sound of a 2 stroke when "on the pipe' is magic..
“It just stayed planted”
Suzuki mate 👊🏻
Man oh man, bike was super clean. Makes me wish I still had my 85 CR500!
I've had everything from. 76 rm 370 to 88 kx 500 82 - 85 - 87 yz 490 84 cr 250 89 yz 250 rode friends newer 2 smokers.If these bikes are in good working order. You can go just as fast as anyone else on something newer. It's fun smoking people on newer shit.
Amazing a 30 year old bike doesnt look all that dated compared with modern machines .
Ive still got my 1989 KDX200, it sat in a garage for 10 years and started in less than ten kicks on the fuel still in the tank.
The tyres had turned to concrete, but I rode them with no air on a 100 mile French offroad event.
91 KDX 200 and 88 XR 200 here, LOVE my 2 smoke!!!!!!
I would buy an aircooled.
My old Yam IT175 just ran and ran and was so much lighter.
Very nice bike and excellent rider. Enjoyed the sound most of all 👍🏾
2 strokes set the standard and are still a beast and a blast to ride.
Spare piston in the paddock? Hell, I raced a 1989 RMX 250 in state and national Hare scrambles every weekend for 6 years and never took the top end off. I loved my RMX. The pegs as stated were replaced... The suspension had to be tuned for me... It ripped. I retired it in 1996 with the purchase of a KtM 300 MXC. I'd take back either one today in 2019 and chase you through the woods.
Me too bro I absolutely loved my 89 RMX! I rode it till 98 and got an RM250 which I had to do quite a bit of work on to be as fast on it as my RMX
had a '99 RM 250 and that was the best turning bike have ever ridden.. Drop into the rut, ride the outside of an offcamber.. that thing just STUCK, period.
What pegs did you get to put on your RMX?
I’ve got a 98 here in aus it’s got road registration turns a lot of heads when I punch it around the local streets 🤜
I have a 1990 RM250 and i love this machine!!!
Awesome to see others keeping on 89's. Running an 89' cr250r great bike first year with inverted forks for honda and it screams coming through every gear ready to lift that front end.
My favourite Suzuki of all Time....my Brother had one and i loved riding it
Nice bike! I clicked back about 5 times on that slow motion wheelie. Beautiful!
Gotta love the old 2 strokes. I'm in the process of finishing up restoring my 1986 Honda cr500 and it's an amazing bike.
That was the highest hp 500 85- 86 Road 2001 cr 500 at mosses lake at the dunes.faster out the hole than my kx 500.mine was better on top.Better be in shape.
@@brianjacobsen5762 For my rebuild I went with an 87+ prox long rod conversion and a cometic 5mm cylinder spacer due to lack of availability for the correct short rod. But its on a fresh bore 91mm wiseco piston, oem rebuilt crank with the above mentioned rod setup. 3 new trans gears, new clutch. Whole bike is basically new. Only been run twice for short heat cycles. Will start riding it next week after buttoning up a few small things.
@@berube361 I learned to really ride on my 89 yz250 road my friends 97 is 250 in the sand kx didn't wander yz did like riding a street bike on a groved freeway. Honda's Kawasaki stabler Suzuki Yamaha turn quicker. I sold all my dirt bikes .all I can do is dream .Your heat cycles are done. Gear up go out rip. Peace.
Spell check 97 Kawasaki 250
@@brianjacobsen5762 2 strokes will always be awesome, especially the ones not made anymore. Mine still needs a few little things address before I can ride tho, front brake needs bleeding as theres no way I'm riding a 500 with no front brake haha. And some other small pieces to put on. But hopefully end up the week I'll take it on its maiden voyage.
Deck the head, porting, bigger carb, lightened flywheel with a timing adjuster and whatever personal pipe to shape the power that you like. Micro polish the gears. Alot more power to be had. Send the suspension out have updated internals put in, bigger brake rotors, aftermarket pegs. These bikes are still competitive, if you know how to ride them.
even stock standard it takes a very good Rider to ride it to its limit.
That's what I did to my 95 cr250. Bigger brakes, adjustable pegs, taller seat foam, forks from a later crf450, found a rear shock from later bike, etc. Every nut bolt and bearing gone through. Everyone that rides it is blown away that it's an older bike
@@doppies2001 Absolutely right most riders can't get everything out of what they are riding.
First things first, have to change the clutch and basket off the showroom floor! RM's clutches suck to this very day!
People blow out their 4t and you use the roller for your 2t.
Want these videos of old 2 strokes on my recommended list every day
i just got a rM250 from 1997 :-) and i love it. i repaired a lot of parts and now she´s running like crazy. fro my first dirt bike i am very happy and hope to have a long time to come with her ;-)
The Cr era from the 80s, the 500 was a monster and the 550 Yamaha can climb any mountain.
I had an 84 when i was 14 in the mid 2000s as an old field bike the nostalgia!!!
The real magic of that era of rm was how glued to the track the front tire was. I'm betting on a tight track without huge jumps an old rm 250 would surprise modern 450's with it's cornering speed.the engine was just ok. Gear box silky smooth.
Thanks for the memories of the "Good old days".
Great video.
Brings back a lot of memories.
I had a 88 RM125. I miss that bike it was a lot of fun.
Kept my '90 RM125 all these years and it is still great.
Love the bikes from the 70's and 80's!!
Had one just like it for mucking about on the farm. The sound takes me right back there. Thanks.
Yes! I had one back in 92, wish I still owned it! The good old days!
Pleasure to watch
Looks every bit as fun as a new bike!
Just got a a 91 rmx250… gives me more power than I’ll ever need!
Best memory of two strokes was watching willet and easty going at it in the original dep two stroke series,epic
I’d take that bike over any new 4banger any day. My best friend had the 125rm brand new back then. I still have my 87kx125. And she rips real good.
Got a 91yz for sale. Pro circuit pipe and silencer, carbon Reed's, new ufo plastic, runs great.
Had me one of these early 90’s, man I loved it.
You cant teach an old dog new tricks but you can teach an old bike new tricks
Great video! Very well made on a fun era in motorcycling.
Motocross bikes were really ahead of cars and snowmobiles in the 80s and 90s. Not much has changed today. But if you compare a car from 89 to now its a world of difference.....
Yep, that was my bike, bought new . Actually mine was a RMX 250....I put a competition kit on it, and rode all over up North MI. ...I WANT IT BACK...DAMN IT...!!!
Remember adding wider foot pegs, skid plate, and bark busters
The RM's were bad ass back in the day- 250 125 or 80cc it didn't matter! I grew up racing em! Even had a PE175! Loved the powerban on the RM'S!
Better than a 4 stroke.
Great. Something else to remind me I shouldn’t of sold me ‘95 rm and 94 yz last year 😢
Sounds nice
I got a 94 yz 250 I'm selling today
I got a yz250 94 10 years ago and didn't check the frame no later on realised it didn't have one, so I'm stuck with it. lol
@@mullaway5746 buy a new frame off ebay👍
Nowt beats a 2 stroke. The sound, the smell it's got it all
Back when bikes had real seats!
I always had a two stroke for a motocross. Never will l ever get a four stroke.
I can't ride 4 stroke fast. I kill em in the corners.
@@brianjacobsen5762 yep, me too. Everyone always thinks it's the other way around because of torque. I'm better on a two stroke woods riding too.
what a shame that KRoc could not start on RM 250 built by RCH.. he was in best shape ever
I've rode both and 4 strokes are better
@@rigging1377 its all opinion based man some people like 2 strokes better, some like 4 strokes better. I'm a 2 stroke guy but you can't say one is better without saying why its better. each have their own pros and cons.
I have a built '93, and I love it!! The Power Band will pull your arms out of their sockets!! LMAO!!
So was the 1993 RM250 faster than the newer ones? Because that sounds really extreme. I wonder if they detuned them at some point? I hear the early CR500 was much faster and had a higher, sharper power band and more peak horsepower than the later models.
I like my 89 kx .this guy told the truth about a older bike.
Carnt wait to see Tommy's cr 250 out on the youtube. Long live the two strokes 👍 👍 👍
I've been on all sorts of mx bikes I current have a 98 cr125 I restored and built back up. Even the 125s are pretty wild bits of kit . Mines also road registered on a day time mot . Always fun nipping to get some milk on it 😁
@:Cam Truth ! yes mate I am , Norfolk , I'm thinking of supermoto wheels on the cr next 🤙🤙
Love the old school 2 stroke
Sounds crisp 👌
She’s a looker. Love these old RMs.
I have a 89 RMX250 with relined bore , and maintained everything else . She leaves a lot of the new bikes behind ... Well we do . As for power comments below , if it don't rear up in fourth , it ain't tuned properly and you might wana stay on a four stroke nana 😂😂😂
Some of the later RMX models were road compliant. Pity Suzuki don't make them anymore
I had a 94 YZ 80 when I was a kid. I was the fastest kid on my block.
This was my erra of racing, i love the slingshot series
I had a tsr 200 slingshot in the early 90s great time
1996 Kawasaki kx 500 is my dream bike
No 4 stroke bike will ever compare to a 2 stroke motocross bike
Two strokes dont get old...same engine as in 1989 with minor changes to increase power and they r still competitive..
The good days of two strokes never say die
nice back in that era the Suzuki was a little down on power but was nice to ride
totally right i had a rm 125 1989 and it wasent anywhere near as fast as my kx 125 of same year or my first rm a 1985 rm 125j same with 250 rm cr kx or yz kick holes out of it
I still ride old faithful 100’s of km in a season, 87 CR500. Hasn’t let me down yet!
Had one of these, and a 1990 too. Good bike, the footpegs destroyed boots though and used to sag. I modified mine, made them much wider, built up the area the sat on to stop them sagging.
Like the decal sticker Castrol TTS that 2 stroke oil Is the best for racing
BRINGIN IT BACK OL-SCHOOL
Back in1983, had a 79 YZ 250 now that was a hell of a machine! Lol....
That's the bike with the rear suspension built into the backbone.....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠
@@billallen4793 yep the old Mono shock.. lol
@@hdrjunkie I have a roller chassis complete engine and a spare cylinder no tins"gas tank, fenders,side covers...if your interested in a project....from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠
@@billallen4793 Nice... but too far away. im on the east coast. Thanks any ways. why dont you restore it? its a killer bike!
@@hdrjunkie I'm disabled now....the last old bike of mine that I restored before I got hurt was my old flattracker a bighorn 350 kawi....the old Yamaha just sits at my buddies shop...
the amount of improvement from 1979 to 1989 were massive. from 1990 to 2000 were very small in comparision.
I had an 89 RM250 that I sold to my friend who still has it. I also had a 91 RM250 that I sold to a friend who still has that one too. I still have my 94 RM250 that I bought new and it still rips!
What jets you run on 94?
Had a new RMX version. Still love the look
I don’t really like Suzuki too much but this bike is gold!
Crap build quality
I don't recall the RMs having upside down forks but I'm old and forgetful. The 89 CRs were the first to have those, I know because I bought a new CR and everyone in the pits looked at it like I had a flying saucer. Lol good times.
I have a '92 RMX with upside down forks. It's just like an '89 RM.
1989 Rm125 had the conventional 46mm kyb. The rm250 had the upside down KYB. The 1989 Cr250 inverted Showa, was stiff, and worked poorly.
The 46mm KYB Conventional forks are one of the best for many years with the Rm125 being better than the 1989 Kx125. = 1990 Suzuki Rm125 had the inverted and wasn't that good.
I remember an article in a specialised magazine in 2004.
They were comparing the 1994 CR 250 and the 450 CRF 2004.
Result: the'94 cr250 was barely as efficient as the 2004 CRF450. That means that Motocross bikes do not evolves that much through the years.
I always found my 250 cc KXs had more than enough power to do what ever I wanted them to do.
1979, 1980, 1982 models all air cooled. One twin shock, two single shock. Drum brakes except one disc brake front.
just got a 1989 cr80r for $200, great project bike
Bargain !!!!
Cary O Phil Len Yeah man! Has good compression, all it needs is both brakes rebuilt, new back fender, and triple trees. Sure was a scary test ride without having any brakes 😂
I rode a friends when my KTM 400 was broken, I was faster in the woods more comfortable and had more fun. I did things I cannot do or feel comfortable anyway on the KTM. For instance landing on the back side of a double and never letting the front wheel touch the ground by staying on the back wheel till the next corner. Was impressive move for me!
YZ pre water cooled was my favorite
Carla on the 490 was brilliant, then Yamaha forgot to develop a water cooled bike and left him in the poop!
I derive most of my joy in life from those little ruts..
I have owned a rm250 and trust me you guys don’t want to touch that bike. I thank god everyday that someone was stupid enough to buy that thing off me.
Because it's a hellride or because it was in perfect shape?
Ive Got a 88 rm250 and its been nothing but trouble and a huge moneypit
I like all the older bikes for 1 I’m a 2 stroke guy 2 they are way more comfortable all the new bikes I’ve rode the seat feels like in riding on a concrete block with sharp edges lol
I HAD A 1988 RM 250 AND A 98 TOO! THEY WERE THE BEST DIRT BIKES I EVER OWNED. HAD AN 1989 YZ 250 TOO AND IT WAS VERY FAST BUT DID NOT TURN LIKE AN RMI 'M SORRY I WATCHED THIS BECAUSE I'M LOOKING FOR AN RM RIGHT NOW BUT WILL PROBABLY BE A 2000., WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE BEST 250 2 STROKE EVER! DAVE WILLET ....YOU CAN RIDE MY FRIEND!!!!