So I got myself a new toy today. I got a 2002 Suzuki RM250 for trail riding around these parts. Its an attempt to get out more and be more active instead of sitting at my computer almost everyday.

I saw the bike on craigslist for $1800 and for a 2002, 250cc bike its a great deal. Alot of the bikes I was looking for had 125cc which is good, but I wanted something with a bit more beef for later on.

I saw the bike, had the guy start it and ride it, and when he asked if I wanted to ride it, I kindly said no thank you… you see this is my first dirtbike of that speed and size and I didnt want to mess it up the first chance I got.

I haggled for a bit and ended up walking away with the bike for $1650. He tells me the engine is very freshly rebuilt, and I just had to take him on his word for it.

On the way home from picking up the bike I stopped at RTD motorsports to price out helmets. He asked what I had and I told him I just bought the bike and was looking for a entry helmet. He set me up with a nice little helmet and goggles and asked about my bike again at checkout. Turns out the engine was indeed rebuilt, and it was rebuilt by somone who works at the motorcycle shop. Good to know!

I got the bike home, and being the visual person I am, I knew I had to do something about the rust on the muffler. It was driving me nuts.

It was pretty rusty, but its a normal thing since its a bare metal pipe and dirtbikes are meant to go through anything.

Surprising the bike comes apart really easy. The muffler is attached with springs and the plastics are very easy to get off.

Look how bad it was:

I sanded it down and painted it from a tree…it had just rained so I took it inside and ran a heat lamp and a hair drying through the exaust to heat the pipe and bake the paint on.

I then reattched it to the bike, and I can say it looks much much better.

Before

After