Faults:

Horn button breaks off.

Exhaust mufflers rot every two years.

Headlight lamp bulb fails (lasts one week to one month).

Battery over/under charging.

Charging system failure (regulator and stator).

Igniter.

Front suspension seal.

General Comments:

I have owned this bike from new and been commuting to work for the last 8 years. I am sentimental about it, and at this age it needs TLC and a workshop manual. But it rewards with a daily reliable ride (as a fall back, it's easy to push start when necessary!).

Maintenance regime: Oil the chain every 500-1000km, engine oil change every 2,500km, oil filter every 5,000km, fork oil every 10,000km, air filter wash every 10,000km, spark plug replaced every 10,000km (probably would be good to 20,000km). Tighten screw on covers every 200km.

Issues occurred/repaired when (in 1000s of kilometers):

At 2K: Sump plug thread stripped (thank you workshop guys - that was the last time a mechanic worked on this bike). New helical inserted.

At 10K: Horn button pops off (breaks). Yet to see one that has not done this! Subsequently refitted by own method and still working.

At 10K and every two years exhaust mufflers rot. Have taken to siliconing a strip of lead sheeting to any point that holes. Particularly a strip on the underside of the muffler (can't be seen there) and on the baffles. Been good for more than twenty years that way!

At 20K: Would have a few drops of oil on the ground when resting. Clutch rod seal replaced. Easy enough to replace.

At 20K, 35K & 45K: Front brake stop light switch. Changed stop/indicator bulbs for LED, replace indicator sender for LED type. This should reduce stress on the stop switch and free up some watts for the 55/60 Watt H4 head lamp replacement.

At 30K: Charging system has always either boiled the battery, or under charged. Changed the stator and regulator for aftermarket unit, combined with an AGM battery. Charging system is now perfect, battery has been running for 4 years plus. Bike always starts first pop of the starter button.

At 35K: Right fork seal leaks, replaced with new (twice) still leaks!

At 45K: For safety and legal reasons the head light is always on; the problem is the bulbs blow too frequently (once a month for god's sake!). Have fitted a Honda CB400 lense/housing with a H4 bulb from the wrecker, still running after two years and the bulb was a used one supplied in the unit.

At 50K: Front disk pads replaced.

At 52K: Replaced clutch (purchased the springs too, but the length was exactly the same as the original ones; not sure whether they were really needed).

At 58K: Intermittent spark on left cylinder, checked pickup resistance, coil resistance all good. Culprit was the igniter, replaced with used unit (can't get them new!). Full power and good starting has been returned = hurray.

These days I would not bring it to over 10,000 RPM; the vibration in the motor at that pace would act as a rev limiter regardless. Runs smooth and powerful between 5000-9000 RPM, higher is not necessary. Don't need to go any faster than 100kph.

General Comments:

Way back in 1980, I brought one of the first GSX 250e's in the country.

I spent the next 4 years red lining it everywhere...

Wonderful handling, great stopping little bike, which may not have taken the RD250LC, but was capable of eating a few X7's in its time.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Great first bike, or even for around town, but you would probably want a bit more poke. Once that power-band kicks in, it`s off. Not slow at all, lifted up full throttle in 2nd gear. Nice sound, great twin feel.

Starts all the time. Does not miss a beat.