OzVMX Forum

Marque Remarks => Suzuki => Topic started by: pmcburney on May 31, 2013, 01:02:38 pm

Title: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: pmcburney on May 31, 2013, 01:02:38 pm
To those in the know,


I've got my eye on such a bike on eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121118301261) at the moment.
Regardless, I know very little about this RM, and RM's in general, so I'm hoping the experts can give me a bit of a rundown on their pros and cons.

I currently (attempt to) ride a 495 Kato, so I'm thinking an RM400 will be similar if not a bit easier to handle, and I want to stay in Evo open.

I'm a long-term Suzuki owner, and I would really like to add an MX to my current collection of Suzuki road bikes.
Hopefully familiarity with the breed will keep things simple for repairs and parts.

Any info greatly appreciated.


Ta
Paul
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: VMX247 on May 31, 2013, 02:09:29 pm
Not a big fan of imports, though nice reliable ones are out there and everyone needs an income.

Big believer in the Victorians having nice RM's available.  ;)  ;D
Bearvmx on this forum maybe able to sell you a gem, though paying a few extra dollars will see you to a National title and beyond.
RM400 parts are readily available and a few are interchangeable with other Suzuki's ~ just an all round nice pre85 rocketship.  8)

 http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=14209.0
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Eddy#36 on May 31, 2013, 04:28:14 pm
Just in the process of finishing an RM400N project, I believe their a good bike. Most parts are readily available

PM me if you like to know more info
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: bigk on May 31, 2013, 04:45:12 pm
Stick with Euro, I hate RM400N/T's and find them peaky compared to the Euro's. Especially hard to ride if you big bore them. Very tiring in my experience. Just my opinion.
K
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: oldfart on May 31, 2013, 05:12:18 pm
I would Have to agree with Big K they are peaky.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Slakewell on May 31, 2013, 05:30:48 pm
Paul your 495 is the 81 model?
First off these have high compression and can be tamed down just by getting the port timing and the compression correct. You can also fit a 83 head. Fitting a 38mm Mikuni will make it easier though I still prefer the Bing. Finding the correct pipe for you will also help the standard one is a little peaky. I have always found every 81 495 I have ridden to be to soft in the front forks which makes them feel unbalanced and dam hard to ride with confidence but i'm sure there must be a cure these days like welding the holes in the damping rods and moving them higher to make the forks ride higher.
The RM 400 I dont know much about but it would lower to the ground I'm sure.
Myself I don't own a twin shock 495 and I wouldn't buy one, give me a well tuned 390/420 any day for a race bike, I love to ride the 495 for a few laps and feel the rush but then I'm beat up and slow down. 390's are cheap and plentiful for imports right now and yes the 390 is much nicer than a RM 400.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Eddy#36 on May 31, 2013, 06:01:24 pm
I would Have to agree with Big K they are peaky.

don't you own a 400 oldfart?
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: BAHNZY on May 31, 2013, 06:06:40 pm
Unless you have a hankering for "C" model stay clear. A rod and piston (if you can find one) will set you back a cool grand. Go the N or better still the T if you can find one. Resist putting a big pipe on it, ie DG with the best option a pro-form or the like is what I have found.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: oldfart on May 31, 2013, 07:10:59 pm
Sure do ( refer avatar ), Younger Brother rides it at Connondale classic meets mostly and I take it out for a squirt now and then ..... Don't get me wrong I enjoy riding it , but find the power comes on too quick for my liking.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Viper79 on May 31, 2013, 08:34:39 pm
If you like riding on the back wheel you'll love it. 
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: pmcburney on June 01, 2013, 06:30:41 pm
Thanks for the replies and info, blokes.


I'll hold off jumping in just yet, and if I do I'll be looking for a later model than a C.

What model will allow me to stay in Evo open, i.e. when did they go single-shock?
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: pmcburney on February 06, 2014, 08:51:00 am
Is this anyone's here? - www.ebay.com.au/itm/171234803464


If so, please let me know and I'll PM you to discuss.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: VMX247 on February 06, 2014, 10:31:37 am
Is this anyone's here? - www.ebay.com.au/itm/171234803464


If so, please let me know and I'll PM you to discuss.

Phone # ???
Photo background looks ???
Where is it ???
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Viper79 on February 06, 2014, 10:45:36 am
It's Evolution motorcycles in Epping, they have been around for years.  looks like they could be doing a bit of importing.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: kenny5000 on February 06, 2014, 11:14:30 am
I was there a  month ago they had one 1981/82 KTM, last week they had about 10 70/80's bikes, 3 x maicos, a few CR's/RM's etc. The manager is into 70's/80's KTM in a big way, importing a lot of gear!
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: John Orchard on February 06, 2014, 11:53:26 am
I was in there the other day, they've got quite a few bikes, in addition to the above, there is a KX250A5, DT2MX, MX250B, CR125RZ (23" front wheel), RM250Z, RM250D.  All have been cleaned-up ready to ride, many new parts on them.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Kane Mcguire on February 06, 2014, 08:47:52 pm
I cant find the old bikes advertised on the net anywhere. I guess ring them?
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Toolboy on February 06, 2014, 10:44:45 pm
Gday PMC

I own a RM400N...and yes it is peaky, keep your weight forward and you will fly,,,its tuff racing against Maico 490's in the Evo class but a blast going past them :)
You can fit a Maico 440 piston..been there done that

Looking at that RM400 you will need to replace the rear shocks if your going to race. I had ohlins and then went to works performance,,,you will also need to fit a sprocket cover, hopefully the bolts weren't smashed of the case from a chain derailing....touch wood it has never happened to mine in the 13yrs ive had it,

Easy to find all parts too....just be patient on Ebay or Marks swapmeet

Cheers

Tim


Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: pmcburney on February 07, 2014, 04:32:41 pm
Thanks for the reply Toolboy and other blokes ;).


I have a collection of Suzuki roadbikes, and to stay with the breed I'm thinking of getting out of my Katos and into an RM, hence the questions about 400s.

Mind you, A 250 may be less of a handful.
Or, I could always track down a 465 or a 500...

What years of the 250, 465 and 500 are best avoided?
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: kenny5000 on February 07, 2014, 04:36:54 pm
What Katos??
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: oldfart on February 07, 2014, 05:03:13 pm
 Rm 250 T and 400 T  shared a lot in common with regards to parts,  only difference is the motor as with most Rms  250 / 370 - 400
   
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: suzuki59 on February 07, 2014, 05:44:32 pm
Any year RM 500 is fine
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Graeme M on February 07, 2014, 06:17:47 pm
Interesting comments about the RM400. I owned one for a while and found it a midrange engine. Not much top end at all really. Not especially quick either - on the dirt track Maicos and YZ465/490s would leave it for dead. I found it a sweet handler and really worked on the dirt track but for my average skills I found it a handful in MX - the bulging sidecovers made it hard to stand and the forks were horrible. Of course all of this may just be my own lack of setup skills.

My Husky CR500 was 10 times the bike.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: oldfart on February 08, 2014, 08:23:52 am
Graeme ..... You are correct in saying they run out of legs up top, but you short shift them and use the power down low as in most big bores.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: pmcburney on February 09, 2014, 01:26:27 pm
What Katos??

'81 495 and an '86 500.


I've had a lot of fun with these bikes, but the 500 especially is a bit too much for me.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Kane Mcguire on February 09, 2014, 03:21:22 pm
Don't forget if you run the standard T pipe it has a plate inside just before the pipe bulge. Remove it and it improves the power everywhere.
Title: Re: Tell me of RM400's...
Post by: Vintmxman on February 27, 2014, 08:30:02 pm
Funny thing. I happen to love the N and T models. When set up correctly they are a great bike in my opinion. I have owned many and still compete and win on one today. I run fox airs on the rear and Simons up front. Great big bore motocrosser. I think it's one of Suzuki best bikes ever.