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Update 3.18.2013: If you were thinking last year that you should’ve bid on this one, it’s back and a thousand off at $9500 buy-it-now. Hat tip to Matt for the spot. Links updated. -dc
Update 12.31.2012: Back on eBay for the new year and now with a slightly lower buy-it-know of $10,500. Links updated. -dc
Update 10.31.2012: Back on eBay after less than 30 days. No change in buy-it-now, links updated. -dc
This one has to be tempting for anyone interested in purchasing a VJ23. If you have a checklist, toss it out because this one looks to have it all. An avid RSBFS reader though, might recognize the bike as it has made two previous appearances here. They were both Cragislist listings. I believe the bike sold very quickly the first time but the new owner has moved the bike on to Ebay.
It really does meet all the requirements: CA title, low mileage (4611 miles), close to stock condition and derestricted. What could possibly keep it from selling? It can only be one of two things in my mind, the price or the color. The pink/purple scheme has never been a fan favorite but I’ve been told pictures don’t do the color justice (I’ve never seen this color in person). The seller is asking $11,000 BIN on the bike. While seemingly high I don’t think he out of the ballpark considering what you are getting. The CA title is the most valuable item but also consider the items to derestrict the bike. Prices on CDI’s and chambers have skyrocketed in Japan and the weak dollar has only made it worse. You could easily spend $2,000 on just those two components right now.
If you want to go all the way to complete the transformation into a derestricted “V” model you’ll need to track down a 240KPH speedo.
A few details from the auction:
1996 Suzuki RGV250SP
free of corrosion. 7422km ~ 4611 original miles.
Fully de-restricted with the OEM Suzuki 42E10 CDI along with the proper jetting, chambers and airbox mods.
Bike runs strong and hard.
And audio and visual treat from the seller
Maybe a boring picture but a good indication of the stock condition. Not even the OEM brake lines have been replaced.
The pipes look to be Sugaya’s road going version. They use a different cans and fit better with the belly pan than their “track” versions. I imagine any performance difference would not be noticed by 99% of us.
I really think if you can get over the sticker shock of $11,000, down the road you’d be very happy with what you got for your money.
Ian
People need to hang on to this shit for a few more months. I don’t have any more money right now… I mean… uhhh… the market is saturated and you’ll get more money if you wait! 😉
I think the repeat turn over of these strokers is very telling.
Either they are not as good as claimed and it is easier to get out from under the bike than try deal with the issues – or teh ‘title’ is not worth the paper it is printed on 😉
Used 2 strokes are a money pit no matter how “well” they have been maintained. Lots of people learn that the hard way. And some people just aren’t cut out for the feel, they just wanted something cool and exotic.
Although $11k for a bike that will be essentially impossible to maintain due to zero aftermarket support *ever* might be a wee bit optimistic. I’d much rather have another 3XV TZR or VJ22 Lucky Strike, at least I could keep either running for a long time….
While I agree two strokes are not for everyone I think you are over stating the difficulty in getting parts. Nuts and bolts stuff is generic Suzuki and 23 specific parts are pretty easily sourced out of Japan (and sometimes UK), new or used. You won’t get them next day but it is not “impossible”.
Plain and simple, this is a bloody bargain if you live in California!
Joel
RGV’s are a blast to ride … and are not difficult to maintain. In fact simplier than most bikes out there..
Granted they are not touring bikes and not for most novice riders — you guys should stick to your honda’s
(reliable – dependable and boring!!!!!!!!!!!! )
Give me my rg 500’s and my finely tuned RGV 250’s all day long over all the other stuff out there new or old ..
Ok I’ll admit it – I luv 2 strokes …….
Bike is worth $11,000 and if I didn’t just pick up a 1991 RGV and a blk / wht RG 500 ..I would grab it ….
Damn college tuition ………….
Oh and BTW – I have two of the 240 KPH speedo’s if anyone needs one.. and also a set of deresticted chamber RGV VJ 23 ‘s of course …………………………
Then why the high turn over rate for these used strokers?
Facts speak louder than speculation.
Fact is the same bikes are being churned over.
Why?
Because like I said, no one wants to try and maintain a bike that was only made for 2 years. Meanwhile, spares for VJ22/RS250 and TZR Yamahas are easy to come by.
Shit, these things were almost impossible to get parts for EVEN WHEN THEY WERE STILL BEING SOLD. Wish I had bought a VJ23 LuckyStrike back then and parked it in my living room…
Having owned most of the two strokes from the early 90s, I can tell that by far my experience has been best with the 3XV. I ride my bikes like they were meant to be ridden, and the 3XV is a great bike, quite edgy. My MC28 is a very well balanced bike but lacks the character of the 3XV.
If you look hard enough you can find the parts but it takes time and because of the lack of availability prices can be high. Agree with the VJ22 sentiment, from S. Martin
I would look at this bike in person though, there were a few comments on a forum that may be of interest to the buyer …
RS….how much for your pipes??? Had a deresticted set that I lent to a buddy a few years ago and he sold the bike before installing them. Unfortunately he let my pipes go with it at the time.
Also be interested in selling mine at this time as I’m looking at thinning the herd of Greys…http://www.bikepics.com/members/nedragr/
Nedragr,
I think that 23 deserves a feature listing here. Shoot us an email.
spares are easy to get in the uk,i get pistons etc within 48hrs.
they are an aquired taste and to correct an earlier response,they finished production june 1st 96.
all three of my v models were built on that day.
1996 SUZUKI
Heres the deal, it has a 17 digit vin and its very Koser
VIN:JS2ST2559TK101634
World region:Asia
Manufactured in:Japan
Year:1996
Make:Suzuki
I’m assuming that is some sort of made up VIN by the state? Should have VJ23A at the beginning.
I used the same data base the states use, it checks out! However the frame stamping should be checked out as being sat
I use this
http://www.motoverse.com/tools/vinDecoder.asp
Jim,
Cool site, thanks for sharing.
yes jim,your info is correct.however if you look on the headstock you will find that its vj23a-101634,that was built may 96.
as i stated earlier my v model lucky strike was built 1st june 96,its vin is vj23-102140,just 68 bikes from the final frame number.
also all 23,s from 101499 were 97 model year just to confuse things further.hth.
The one I own was very early on….100746 noting it was built in 96. Actually bought it from a guy that didn’t know what he had…him thinking it was nothing more than a VJ22 model. and the old 90 degree motor.
He sent me a photo of the frame vin area. it is a rivoted plate and looks to be correct as the Ducati F1( it was soldered on) I had once. If you have the title and it matches the numbers you should be good to go
Always wanted a VJ23, this one looks awesome, if it was closer I would take a look, I think that price sucks though. I bet I could fly to Japan and find one cheap then have it shipped back here for half the money.
Jimbo my man, if you can pull that off for $5,000 then you are my hero.
The boat for inexpensive two strokes and a good exchange rate sailed away several years ago.
My brother-in-law just flew over and is currenly in Japan to see his daughter and the ticket alone cost him $2700. Maybe once the Bank of Japan starts printing money like the Fed maybe the exchange will turn back in our favor.
I was going to fly one way then ride it back to the USA.
Having an MC28 as well as a VJ22 I can tell you that I never had difficulty finding parts, and honestly after riding them occasionally for the past 4 years, I didn’t need much. Indeed you wouldn’t be able to just walk in to your local dealer and find spare parts for these bikes, but keep in mind that they are limited production 15-20 year old bikes. Now, for the specific post, I think that the price asked is way too high.
It looks like people are just flippin’ bikes now..it’s disgusting…really has ruined the used market… for cars too. “I find em…I fix em..I flip em…it’s all about the profit”.
Frank,
I think the market has spoken on this one. It has been for sale for several months now. Priced to high. Have faith, Capitalism still works.
Man, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m really getting tired of looking at this particular bike.
Will spring fever help it sell this time?
Nope, $5,000 too much. Maybe 5yrs ago $11,000 or $9500
today lucky to get $7k
This thing for sale again? I hear VJ23 parts are really tough to get, and of course pricey. I rather spend that amount of money on a RG400 or 500.
you think RG400/500 parts are cheap and easy to find? about the same. I wonder if they will trade me for my vj22 and mc21?
Evidently most people would rather spend that kind of money on something else. Instead of wetting yourselves every time this silly bike comes on the market, one of you fellers should cough up the coin so you can love this thing like you profess to. At least the rest of us would be spared the regurgitated posting, maybe even (gasp) for an entire riding season!
Message received, I won’t bump this bike anymore!
dc
This bike is nice , damm , Jane the Plain sportbikes cost more and then depreciate fast! And talking about depreciating,what did this old beat up VJ23 electric start 6 speed v twin two stroke sell for new ? It just needs to find a new owner( by the way if you buy a “RareSportBike” that is pristine what will you have to worry parts supplies about for? Spark plugs? Are going you to commute with it and wear it out????)