Update 11.2.2012: This bike is back on eBay after we first saw it early in October. In previous listings it has failed to pass $4k in bids and wears as $10200 buy-it-now. Thanks for everyone’s email. Links updated, -dc
Finding a good two stroke these days is getting tough. You are generally faced with locating a pristine museum piece (and paying museum piece prices), or finding a solid bike with some minor mods or defects that you might need to address at a more “normal” price point. Even then, the mystery surrounding the purchase could well turn into a full blown rebuild as you uncover other issues. As always, RSBFS recommends that you do your homework whenever looking at rare, collectable bikes – especially when they are imports.
This VJ22 model Suzuki shows well from a distance. The Telefonica / Movie Star livery is striking, and the Tyga exhaust is certainly a plus. Closer in, you will note that there is some damage to the fairing and windscreen. All of this is perfectly legit for a bike of this age, but only a closer look will tell you what evils might lurk beneath. The carved off speedo is a neat trick, simultaneously eradicating the mileage issue and making it impossible to answer the inevitable “Do you know why I pulled you over?”
From the seller:
FOR SALE 1994 SUZUKI RGV250 . GOOD RUNNING CONDITION , DUE TO AGE PLASTICS HAVE SOME FLOWS AND WINDSHIELD HAS CRACK. MECHANICALLY SOUNDS GOOD, GOOD TIRES AND BRAKES, OREGON PLATES GOOD TILL 9-14. FIRST REGISTRATED IN ARIZONA SO IT HAS ASSIGNED IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FROM ARIZONA DMV BESIDE FACTORY VIN NUMBER AS FACTORY VIN IS NOT 17 DIGIT AS IT WAS NOT MADE FOR US MARKET. I DON’T SEE ANY OF THEM FOR SALE NOW BUT SEVERAL MONTH BACK THERE WAS ONE ON EBAY FOR BUY IT KNOW FOR 10200 AND WAS SOLD IN COUPLE OF DAYS SO I WILL PUT SAME BUY IT NOW FOR THIS. UNKNOWN MILES AS IT HAS NO SPEEDO, TACHO ONLY.
Despite the obvious flaws and unknown issues, I would be surprised not to see this bike snapped up relatively quickly – if the reserve is set properly, that is. While we see a number of decent bikes on any given month, we see a larger number of relics and basket cases that never even make our pages. This bike is better than most from the pictures, and a great model to introduce you to the wonderful world of two strokes.
This is the second time around for this bike – the previous auction failed to meet reserve. The opening bid is only one buck, but the reserve is undoubtedly much higher. The BIN set for this example is $10,200, which is pretty high for a quarter liter bike that isn’t being rolled out of a museum exhibit. Take a look at let us know what you think – and then leave us a note in the comments. Good Luck!
MI
Nackered 2 stroke for $10K?
No thanks.
Now closer to $3 or $4K knowing that it has issues this would be a reasonable purchase.
Yeah thats insane money for a dodgy bike. I paid half that for a damn near pristine Aprilia RS250.
Let’s see…. this seller gives no pertinent information as to the history of the bike with only “cut and paste” tech data and has no idea how many miles are on the bike? $10,200.00 BIN. The ad says call if you are serious? Yeah, I’ll get right on that.
This one had trouble written all over it.
I know for fact that the BIN is twice what they got that bike for and the missing speedo is nothing more then the race kit tach installed. it’s also not a 94 wrong swing arm should be a braced arm if it was a real ’93 + VJ22.
Way over priced!
Remember : Smoke and mirrors is what Hollywood is all about . ! Buyer beware !
Shouldn’t show the vin if your gonna lie on the year that is a VJ22A model which means it is a 1991 or 1990 in japan first year model and I would say it looks to be a jap spec bike that was imported none SP model. this is just an R model and if the power valves where not upgraded highly suspect to breakage even with low miles! almost most likely restricted to 45 hp and only has the 32mm carbs instead of the 34mm carbs. Fairing is not orginal probably cheap china stuff dude got the bike from some one a few years ago for only $3900 off a local moto site here in the NW.
HAHA, thats funny 10K for a jap spec bike with china fairings, from the looks of the pics I bet its a real POS. I have bought a Jap Spec RGV for $1800 with title before. I cant believe the prices some people ask.