FMF's former world champion...
FMF's former world champion motocrosser Danny LaPorte looked right at home on the FMF RM250. Wait, it's his own bike. Now it all makes sense.
About the bike:
The FMF CHANGE
We have all gone down the road of four-stroke performance and durability and we now believe it is time for CHANGE. When we look back at the two-stroke we think of the sound, performance, weight and the fun factor they used to bring us. Two-strokes brought smiles to our faces without costing us an arm and a leg to keep running.
For the 2009 Dirt Rider Torture Test, we at FMF choose to take an approach from the consumer's point of view. We speak to people every day that used to ride but just cannot afford the cost of a new bike. Our concept here is to encourage those off-road enthusiasts to get back to doing what they love: riding!
We gave ourselves a very small budget to work with and ended up--$2500 later-with a great platform in this 2007 Suzuki RM250. Our next step was to spend very little money and build a bike to withstand the abuse of the harshest conditions. When we go trail riding we like to race the trails, and you have to have a lightweight hi-performing bike to ride the gnarliest conditions. The Suzuki RM250 has one of the best chassis in stock form. It handles, steers, performs and does what you tell it to do.
Like many of the two-strokes,...
Like many of the two-strokes, the RM was fairly at home in the Extreme test.
Our goal was to keep these characteristics the way they are in stock form, but modify the suspension utilizing Race Tech's technology to gear the Suzuki to become more versatile for off-road.
Race Tech set us up with their new Rebound Separator Valve. This dramatically increased traction while keeping the compression nice and firm, without that wallowing around effect, a must for off-road! Having a lightweight bike such as a two-stroke is key when stuck on a side hill or in that nasty rock section.
The result of this machine is CHANGE, something that is needed in order for our sport to thrive. With more land closures and a tough economy why not spend less money and gain more ground?
FMF Racing offers exhaust across the board for most motorcycle applications and focuses on providing a great American product that is built 100% in our Southern California facility.
We hope you enjoy!
Parts and modifications:
FMF Racing www.fmfracing.com (310) 631-4363
Fatty Pipe- $229.99
Q Stealth- $179.99 ( 92 dB or below includes Spark Arrestor)
Race Tech www.racetech.com (951) 279-6655
Complete Re-build Front and Rear $953.67 ( Race Tech gave us the Factory Attention that any customer can buy)
Stiffer front springs - rider weight related to pro riding
Softer Pressure springs to lighten up the front end on small bumps
Stock rear spring
Aggressive valving front and rear for pro speed and for whoops and g-outs
SAG and clickers adjusted to suit track/ terrain
Jimmy Lewis had some set-up...
Jimmy Lewis had some set-up issues with the FMF RM, but applauded the concept and the fabulously economical price of a true contender.
Dunlop Tires www.dunlopmotorcycle.com (717) 534-0715
Front 756 $105.17
Rear 773 $110.56 (18" Rear for better for offroad)
NueTech Tu-bliss www.nuetech.com (714) 998-1021
Rear $99.95 ( Acts as a tubeless system and allows for lower air pressure, and no more pinching tubes)
RK Chains www.rkexcelamerica.com (760) 732-3161
GB-520MXZ4 $93.31 (Lightweight, Strong chain)
BRP www.brpmoto.com (949) 380-1160
BRP Chain Guide $69.95 (Nylon Block, very durable)
FLU Graphics www.fludesigns.com (661) 256-2313
Pre Printed custom backrounds-$54.95
Graphics/Seat Cover Kit- $99.99
Silkolene Oils www.silkolene.com
Comp 2 Pre-Mix $8.49 pint (best lubricants to use)
Light Gear Oil $7.49 quart
Del Amo Motorsports
Piston Kit- $128.99 ( stock piston and rings)
Clutch Kit -$162.99 ( Fiber and Steele plates)
(All parts are O.E )
Add it up:Used Bike 07 RM 250- $2500
FMF- $409.98
Dunlop- $215.73
NueTech-$99.95
RK Chain-$93.91
BRP-$63.95
Silkolene-$15.98
FLU Graphics-$154.94
Del Amo-$291.98
Race Tech $953.67
Total Price: $4800.09!
Special Thanks to Gary Ivin, the die hard moto head / English Rocker for helping us assemble our purchased bike and to all the company's that got involved. We bought and built this bike with a tight budget in mind but also decided to splurge on key components such as tires and Suspension.