Detective Work: 1997(?) Suzuki RGV250 VJ22
Filed Under (Sport Bikes For Sale, Suzuki) by Ian on January 31, 2013
Tagged Under : Lucky Strike, RGV, RGV250, rgv250 sp
Update 1.31.2013: Back on eBay but with a dramatically lower opening bid of $5900. Links updated. -dc
Update 11.14.2012: Back on eBay a month later, now with a lower opening bid of $10k. Links updated. -dc
Another Lucky Strike RGV250 and another case of detective work needed.
Lets dive right in. Is this a 1997 RGV250 (VJ22) from the factory in Hammatsu? Absolutely not. Is this a Dream Machine spray out of the UK commissioned by the Suzuki importer there? I seriously doubt it. Lets start with the model year. All the parts indicate a 93-95 VJ22. Turn indicators are Euro spec so I’m ruling out a Japanese domestic bike. I’d lean towards a UK spec bike but they were imported to several European countries and Australia. The SAPC will give you more clues to the bikes country of import ( head over to rgv250.co.uk for the list of SAPC’s). So, for fun lets run with a UK bike. As you may know, the UK importer had some RGV’s sprayed in Lucky Strike colors by Dream Machine. As far as I know, those sprays were all of the earlier Lucky Strike design, not this later version.
The Lucky Strike paint is copied often but rarely done correctly. I would say this one falls into the average category. I’ve seen a lot worse. The official factory versions will have the blacked out frames to go with this paint scheme and they were 1994 models.
I’m not trying to embarrass anyone by pointing out what the bike is or is not but the fact is, sellers ask a premium for Lucky Strike versions and a buyer has the right to know what they are getting.
Once I got past the paint I have to admit it looks like a decent example of a VJ22. There are very few modifications and the pictures don’t indicate much corrosion, scratches or dents. What is missing are the big questions buyers usually have with these bikes. Is it titled? Is it running on injection or premix? Is it in restricted form? If I remember correctly German VJ22′s were restricted but not to the extent as the Japanese domestic market bikes.
If the mileage is legit, it is extremely low mile. Do UK spec RGV speedo’s go up to 150MPH?
I know I focused on what this bike is not but overall it could end up being a really nice find if you can get a few more questions answered on it.
There is actually on last problem. The seller is asking a very steep premium. I’ll let you click on the auction to see the starting bid. Make sure you are sitting down and have oxygen handy.
Ian
Now that is a funny opening price.
So many out of touch 2 stroke sellers these days.
It is a free market though – and they can ASK whatever they want.
And if they wait around long enough, a sucker will roll up cash in hand
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“It has always been garaged and kept clean but has not been started for a few years”
Out of touch is right. If the bike hasn’t been started in years-who knows what problems may lurk. He should have started the bidding at 1/2 his current price.
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I’m thinking 1/2 his starting price minus $2,000. Even lower if no title.
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rather sad – there is only one 1997 RGV250sp lucky strike in existence that I know of – made as a one off by Suzuki. I have a 1996 and this is not a 1996 as we all know by now.
I do hope it sells for 12k though casue it means mine is worth alot more….woot
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The year is wrong I have seen some of the later model VJ22′s when imported into Australia where registered as the year they was imported. I have seen VJ22′s listed as 1998 models before over there. The same with some of the CBR250RR’s and some of the RVF400′s the left over models where sold as later model years there.
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If I remember correctly, UK bikes are listed as the year they are registered. If something sits, it can become a lter model year.
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Bids on ’91 & ’94 model RGVs in slightly worse condition reached between $3000 and $5000 in the last week. That must hurt considering one of the sellers had a reserve over $10,000.
Australian imports can be brought to the US for under $5000. Is a title really worth $5000? I did 40,000 miles on an N model, I wouldnt want to ride that thing again. Its really only fun on the track and you dont need a title for that.
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doesn,t look right to me.
i have a 97 model factory l.s. 23.
built 1st june 96 as were all the full power bikes.
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There was an original lucky vj 22 for sale and featured here from CA .. check LY here for last years feature..
Compare it to this bike and you will see that this one is way off.
VJ 22 ‘ ended in 95 and the VJ 23′s first and last model was 97 I believe??
Although this is not a terrible relipca , it is an average VJ 22 that is valued at 5k -6K.. in my ..opinion.
Ive paid more for less / worse ..
Chinese panels with the white gap in the center of the Lucky label colored in.
Tank scheme seems to be off
Red and gold stripes from tank and panel way off
No Black frame paint
Kevin Schwantz – who is he ? besides my freakn hero ..
Not sure if that is his scribble but could be I guess..
All in all at the end of the day it is an RGV two stroke in decent shape and that is never a bad thing ..
overpriced for sure …
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I have had a few JDM RGV’s and I never paid more than 2K for each of them, 10K for this bike is insane, thats RG500 money! But good luck to the seller, never know, it still is a desirable bike.
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Yup back in 1993 they were $2k all day long ..
Reasonably priced RGV’s in this day and age are $4K – $6K unless it is a rare lucky strike or SP / dry clutch model .. then they pish $7K- $9K..
This offering is valued at $5K in my opinion..
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shaun/rc30fan says…
I did 40,000 miles on an N model, I wouldnt want to ride that thing again. Its really only fun on the track and you dont need a title for that.
Totally agree.As with anyone who raced motorcycles in the early 90′s,especially in Australia,would also agree.Those RGV were like arseholes…everyone had one back then.You would turn up at race meetings and there were 55-plus RGV’s trying to qualify for a 35 bike field.Terrible bike,really.Pretty unreliable too,especially when raced.Why anyone would want one for the road is totally beyond comprehension.On the road the powerevalves will clog-up,same with the exhaust system.They won’t carburate correctly either for road use.They need to be kept constantly above 9 thousand RPM to work correctly,then they blow gearboxes,cranks,wear/drop powervales….AHHH.All the bad memories are coming back!! The problem is with the overseas markets[U.S.] that never got these bikes back-in-the-day,believing,or creating,a lot of hype about how good they are.There’re not!!! I had three,a K,an L and an N model. I remember running them in on the road before racing them and it was just pergatory.Really painfull.Get them on the track constantly above 9000 rpm and they were ok.Then I discovered Grand Prix 250′s and it was a whole new world had opened up.Pure Heaven.I had just wasted 5 years on crappy production bikes.To think someone would want one to ride around the streets in totally incomprehensible.
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I contacted the seller earlier this week and tried to get some more information on what the bike really is. He told me the bike is titled and registered in Nevada and it’s current using the 11 digit vin. I asked for the full vin number but only got that it starts with VJ22, so no way
it’s a 96. Body panels look like the Chinese ones that are sold on ebay (they all seem to fit poorly around the
tail lights). If the bike ran I could see 5K, but after sitting for a few years that’s doubtful.
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I spoke with the owner yesterday. He is the same person who sold this http://raresportbikesforsale.com/low-mile-limited-limited-time-remains-1986-gsxr750-limited/ to me.
In the case of the bike I bought from him, he under represented the bike and I suspect the case is the same with this bike. As best as I can tell he is less informed about what he owns because he owns too many toys which he does not use and does not keep tight track of.
Were I in the market for an RGV250, I would give this bike serious consideration.
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If I were in the market for one of these what a great resource you all are. Outstanding information. Good job boys!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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(Sorry slangbuster, great comment, tried for the positive feedback, but hit the negative by accident. Damn you iPhone touchscreen!)
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Still no bids. He has been trying to sell since October 2012, round off it’s 4 months now. why is it not sold yet? Is it the fact that he hasn’t been started in a while, asking price too high, fake Lucky with Chinese Fairings or is it being view as parts bike? Just looking at the front tyre it looks like a original OEM it’s all shiny and cracked.
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5hrs left and still no bids. what would have to be the price for it to be sold?
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I was the seller of the real VJ22 Lucky Strike that was on RSBFS in 2011 ( http://raresportbikesforsale.com/your-eyes-arent-deceiving-you-1993-suzuki-rgv250-lucky-strike-vj22/ ).
The example in this thread is not a true factory LS edition, so it is worth significantly less than his asking price. Mine was legit, and the uber rare Japanese market LS edition, and quickly sold for over $10K. You’ll look forever for another one of those…
In some ways, I’d prefer having this replica for half the price though. At least it could be ridden hard and not worry about the finish & condition, which is one significant reason why I sold mine.
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Looks like it just sold with only 1 bidder.
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do you think the actual owner put the winning bid in himself? I guess we’ll see if it comes back up in couple of weeks
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