From MXA's midweek report
HAVE YOU GOT $20,000 FOR A USED 250 TWO-STROKE?
Listed on eBay as a 1967 RH250, but most likely a 1968 TM250, This is considered one of the ten most collectable motocross bikes ever made by museum curator Tom White.
The 1968 Suzuki TM250 was the first official Japanese motocross bike. In 1966 the Suzuki factory sent two engineers and a road racer to Europe to begin developing a motocross bike. Though a single cylinder and a twin were tested, they soon settled on a single cylinder design that was heavily influenced by the 1965 CZ Twin Port 250 model.
Early GP results were dismal, but Suzuki came back with an improved machine in 1967 dubbed the RH67. The power was peaky and handling was sub-par to the European built machines from Husqvarna and CZ. Despite this, the factory decided to build 200 production bikes based on the RH67 of which 65 came to America.
The TM250 as it was called was raced in America by riders Preston Petty, Walt Axthelm, and Gary Conrad with some success. The TM was sold with a complete parts kit that included pistons, rings, replacement clutch parts, gearing, and carburetor jetting. Estimated value of a perfect 1968 TM250 is approximately $20,000, which is why the current $10,000 bid has not been accepted.
