New To These Shores: 1996 Suzuki RGV250SP VJ23
Finally, something that pollutes! This nice 23 has apparently just hit the United States and the seller is ready to part company. It is only going to have a bill of sale but other than that, it appears to be an excellent example of a VJ23.
I’m not noticing a single thing changed from stock. It looks like it even has the original rubber brake lines. Often the rear seat disappears and the bungee hooks get cut off the rear sub frame. As you can see, it is all there. Boat anchor exhaust is in place. Mileage is nice and low; approximately 6,000. You will see some melting of the belly pan in one picture. I have seen that before on 23’s.
With the oil injection system still there just add gas and go. My advice, leave it there. Unless you are heading to the track I really don’t think it is worth stripping it off. I have on mine and it is just a royal pain carrying oil everywhere.
The specifics:
Hello All,
Up for auction is my 1996 Suzuki RGV250SP. Over the years I have had the pleasure of owning many “grey market” 250cc 2-Stroke street bikes (4 NSR’s, 8 TZR’s, 5 RGV’s,) and by the far the 1996 RGV250SP is the best of the best. This particular bike I brought over from Japan a few months back and what you see is the condition it came from Japan. It is bone stock, is not all rusty & crusty like many of the Japan spec bikes. By no means is this a show bike, It is an original 16 year old machine that has scratches etc. The only real body damage is on the left side panel in the area that is essentially under the bike it looks as if the exhaust pipe heated up the plastic and did some melt damage. Take a look at the pic for clarification.
The current mileage is 10,200 kilometers (6000 miles), the bike starts and runs O.K., there is no rust in the fuel tank, tires have plenty of tread, all of the electronics work as they should. All in all a nice dailey driver. Bike will come with bill-of-sale. I can prepare and crate the bike for price of materials and deliver to port of Oakland, California or San Francisco for shipment. Why am I selling it? Need funds to complete my race bike for AFM this coming season.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks and Happy Bidding!
You probably noticed the seller stated it runs “OK”. I don’t think I’d panic too much, generally every two stroke will need a little tuning to your local environment (elevation, humidity, etc.). Keep it stock and you will enjoy the hell out of this bike! If you have derestricting in mind: the yen is killing the dollar and to top it off, prices for chambers and cdi’s has skyrocketed lately. I do have some 23 kit bodywork I’d like to unload though if you want to go all the way!
I’m liking the price point on this one. The seller has a BIN of $7,250. A little leg work on the paperwork and you’ll be a happy camper.
Don’t think, don’t tell the wife, just buy it.
Ian
What a nice bike. I wish I had the $$$. If I did I’d buy it. I bet it handles awesome!
I am interested in the kit bodywork Ian made mention of..If you still have it , let me know…
I have the same bike in the black / grey scheme with 3k miles and runs ( perfect / above average) for $9,500 – oh and yes .. it’s titled..
RS.
RS, I do still have the bodywork. Feel free to email me at rgv34@yahoo.com
I have some brand new VJ23 parts – pillion pad and foot pegs. Let me know if interested.
Joel
why do you taunt me with such things! VJ23 my dream ride, I would gladly trade my VJ22 & MC21 for it! Jet Pack flying squirell suit?!
Man, I guessed wrong on this one. I really thought someone would snatch this one up at the $7,250 BIN even without the title. Not even a single bid.
No bids because the bike probably isn’t in the best shape internally.. The seller is an importer and bids on bikes through a third party via yahoo japan. Then brings them to the USA and tries to sell them. ( not that there is anything wrong with that )
He is very knowlegdable when it comes to RGV’s so I am suprised that he would sell it as “runs ok” rather than tune it to run perfect and then ask $10 – $11K..
I don’t quite follow that logic. Who buys a two stroke made in 1996 and doesn’t freshen up (top end) the engine themselves? In my opinion a new top end is part of buying a two stroke. The funny thing is people seem to be afraid of a two with miles on the engine yet they are much more simple to rebuild than a four. You do it for peace of mind to know what is under you. Factor in some engine work, the strong yen, shipping and general overall appearance of the bike I think he has the price right. On the other hand, no one is bidding so don’t listen to me, lol. And as always, you guys know, it is best to see a bike in person and not just from pictures. My unscientific rule of thumb is pictures make the bike look 15% better than it really is. Not trying to start an argument, just my two cents.
Even though I love the 23 I feel just like the 28 it’s really not all that more special then the other later model smokers. Some wanna argue and say that the 28 n 23 have nicer features like the 23’s e start or the 28’s key card ignition. But the reality is a 28 is basically a 21 with a different swingarm more restricted ignition and slightly different bodywork the same go’s for the 22 vs 23 performance wise they are the same. Also go compare after market parts for the 23 vs 22 and the 22 has more avil. and ask the guys on the nsr forums what is faster the 21 or 28 and they will say the 21.
Thats what I think I don’t care if ya agree just my observations from what other smokers are saying where these bikes are more common.