RGV250 general info?

Hi guys, how are we all?

Well it looks like I am the new owner of an rgv250, I believe it to be a vj22 'M' model. Hopefully I can get some advice and/or tips from some owners out there!

Prepare for a long post!

Never owned one before, let alone a two stroke. What can I say, it is a very quick little 250. I've taken it for a couple of spins around the block and there are a few issues with it that might just be normal, I just don't know. Also gonna ask a few general questions too.

Tbh, I just have no idea what to expect from this bike, what's normal what's not etc.

1) First off, the right handle bar looks like its been welded on... Also, I heard that some people re-weld parts of the frame near the yoke and triple clamps area.. I think mine looks quite suspect.. This worries me..

2) Also turning corners left and right, the bike seems to want to 'bite' and cut into the corner aggressively, is this normal? I've only ridden my zxr250 and across and I didn't get that feeling so distinctly. (sorry if this is a noob question)

3) When giving the bike a stab on the throttle, it occasionally will just sit at 5-7k rpm for about 3-5 seconds, again, is this just normal for two stroke? It's just other times I rev it and it just returns to idle straight away. Its as if the throttle cable is sticky.

4) Perhaps an Ebay spec fairing kit? I saw a few guys on here with them but not sure what seller to get them from as I have heard some horror stories. Will prob just research feedback etc.

5) Day to day maintenance? I have no idea.. Oils? What're your experiences in quality etc. All that stuff.

I'm thinking about taking it to a mechanic and seeing if it's worth fixing up properly.. It has 9XXX kms on the clock with recent top end freshen up. I just have no idea whether it's worth the money to do it up that's all. I've been daydreaming about tyga pipes and yoke and rearsets and new fairings and fork inernals and rotors and braided lines all that stuff, I just don't know how to tell if it's worth all the money. Especially if the frame has been welded. Is that such a big issue? It rides a straight line and doesn't pull etc.

*deep breath in*

Thanks in advance for any input guys! Don't flame me too much, it's my first two stroker

 

Hey guys thanks for the replies, I am yet to get my camera out and snap away sorry! Been pretty flat out lately and I know that if I start pulling it apart now I can say good bye to uni work lol it'll take over!

Did take the bike for another spin, slightly pooped myself.

Anyway, I did have a further look.

Tyres are old and crusty, perhaps the culprit of that funny feeling when turning?

Now the sustained revving when I've backed off the throttle. I started the bike up, let it idle and warm. Then I rolled the throttle and revs shot straight up past 7k and I had to hit the kill switch to stop it continuing! This happened twice! Also, after rolling the throttle, revs still hover around 5-7k rpm occasionally.

I read online that parts of the carb can be installed backward (bowl? I can't recall exactly) and this results in the bike revving to redline without touching the throttle.

Also the right hand clip on bar seems to have been welded on, not onto the fork but rather along the bar itself between the clamp and switch block. Perhaps it was bent from a drop.

Which reminds me, the levers touch the fairings on full lock, normal? I'm getting the feeling it may have seen some track in its time lol

How often do you top up oil? I have no idea lol. Every full tank?

One last thing, I noticed the temp gauge shoot straight up when key turned to 'on' without actually possibly being overheated as I hadnt ridden it..

Hmm..

Anyway, hope to get some pics up soon guy's, thanks again!

 

Hey everyone, thanks for the input and sorry for the delayed posting, been rather busy.

Any who, I got around to taking some close up pics of some suspect welding. I may be just be making it up all in my head but I am a little worried tbh.

The pics attached are welds on the swingarm, main frame welds; mainly all in that area. And for comparison purposes, I took a pic of my zxr main frame weld which looks a LOT cleaner.

I'm no metal worker, but do these welds look rather messy..

Tell me what you guys think!

cheers

 

Haha reassuring! Thanks a bunch guys. The weather is looking great here in Adelaide despite forecast storms and rain, needs some new tires and I'm off!

Thanks again, Ed.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply Blair!

So I don't need to worry too much about the welds bar pics 4 & 5 (they are the same weld) even though if they are repairs?

Things are looking good otherwise, and items are being added to the shopping cart as we speak haha. ​

 

Thanks for the in depth reply Jim, great advice.

I seem to have solved the over revving, I pulled off the throttle cable from the switch block and gave it a drowning in cable lube and that was that.

Haven't tackled the temp gauge fault yet. It's on the list though.

As for the motor internals, I was told it had a top end rebuild >100kms ago (apparently sat in the shed), I'm going to assume that was only rings. Powervalves were cleaned and checked and were said to be in good condition. As for rechecking it all, I will be doing a lot of reading that's for sure. Was looking at new pistons but unsure for size of them and rings as I'm yet to measure the cylinders and all that.

And as for the money issue, I learnt that when I got the zxr haha spent lots of money on that thing that I will never get back lol

Parts4bike rings a bell, I'm sure I've bought some bits and pieces from that seller before.

Nice footage there kiffsta. I've only ridden it a few times, and I'm really enjoying it!