ATV Florida Forum

I was out riding today, and a buddy brought this 98' RM 250 out.  Paid $600 for it and its had carb problems, and just not running right.  They put a new spark plug in and were all taking turns riding it talking about how much better its running.  My buddy asks me if i wanted to check it out, and at first i said no cause I was too tired from riding my bike all day.  And talked me into trying it, and took it down a straightaway and opened it up.. Came around a corner and it sputtered and shut off and slowed to a stop.  Water pouring onto the head, the main hose line for the radiator came off and ran it dry.  My question is.. Should I feel responsible for that and offer to pay for possibly the piston kit or whatever it needs, or should it not be held responsible for a hose not properly working.

Just something to stur up some convo.

also anyone think it will most likely be blown up.

did you knock the hose off if you believe you did then maybe help him out with some cash but you were probably the unlucky one that was riding it when it broke.

I myself would feel bad but not responsible.
   I have a few friends that I let ride my bike on occasion. As the owner of that bike,I accept that if something goes wrong mechanically Its my own fault when I let somebody ride it. I am not going to hold them responsible because I can't maintain my bike.

I think people are too concerned with whos fault it is!     

But people like you that are concerned if they should help pay for it are good friends indeed.

You can be my friend anytime. Ill pull my rad hose for ya, been eyeballin one of those athena big bores.   lolol 2:L

lol..

Yeah I am pretty sure I was the unlucky riding it at the time.

Cause unless somehow I managed to blow pressure on the hose, it had to be just a loose clamp.  I guess I've decided to help him rip it apart and see what we're into, maybe throw out $30 for some rings and chalk it up as another reminder why you NEVER ride a bike that is not in good shape to begin with.  Especially when you have your own nice bike sitting there waiting for you to ride.


::) I am a tight wad, so all i would be good for is a part in similar shape..lol Id keep my eyes on craigslist or feedbay

ya that would be good at least you put something into it even though i think it prob. wasnt your fault.

Did you turn the bike off? or did it shut off by it's self. If you turned it off it might not be hurt to bad. :-\

Thanks for the input guys.  


Here some pics of the riding we were doing today though, other than the bike it was a very fun exhausting day.  I've beat myself up today made about a 10acre track going in and out of those hills and valleys.

(http://a508.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/77/l_a9b6946ecc909d58cf4613c34a26f9eb.jpg)
(http://a794.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/64/l_e68a911f51df3c4a7d6255da3d1a5239.jpg)
(http://a920.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/37/l_6f428df41265e0a740a9a6cb36a53b4f.jpg)
(http://a756.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/48/l_bdaf4530e4717685824090c3d6308b93.jpg)
(http://a581.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/7/l_0558b06e890d8a90cba3e6c97692272c.jpg)
(http://a113.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/26/l_a848f53a162d6267485c30b995c37f00.jpg)

to be honest I am not sure.  I know I hit the killswitch but it started losing power and slowing before I did notice.  It has been cutting out all day.  Whoever had it drowned it with premix and wasnt running right for them. 

if it were my bike id fix it. its not a friends fault that i cant tighten a clamp or something. he should inspect it before each ride. especially stuff like that that comes off easily and is very important. ive seen oil and water hoses come off before. its not the riders error. its the owners inability to take perfect care of a bike. 

Well, we broke it down and discovered that it blew up.  It was not all black or burnt, but it did break off one of the skirts and melted a fair amount of metal to the piston top.  The guy he bought it from failed to mention he had it bored way over, and changed cdi box.  Also after the ran out of one tank, they (while i wasnt there) dumped their premix into the gas tank and then poured gas into the tank.  Obviously thats not the right way to mix fuel. and the shops Ive talked to said it sounds like it ran too lean.  However my friends are convinced that me riding even a little too heavy on the throttle is what blew it up.  Been riding since I was 4 and never blew any bike up, but i guess everyone has a 1st?

Would anyone know where I can find a 66.93mm piston for a 98 RM 250, or stock jug? ???

Dirt bikes, atvs, and motorcycles are designed to be ridden hard without immediate consequence provided they are properly maintained. You can't really ride one "too hard", you were the straw that broke the camel's back. I would help your friend do the work even though its not your fault by any means. But I wouldn't pay for anything, unless thats just the way your friend is and he doesn't understand, you wouldn't want to loss the friendship. Consider it a lesson learned no matter what the outcome is. 2 strokes are cheap to fix!