OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Bike Talk => Topic started by: Rookie#1 on May 13, 2013, 07:59:36 pm
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I was thinking (yes rare i know) while toiling away in shed today and looking around at many bikes staring back at me and the bunch of photos of previous rides, which one/'s were the "best" i'd ever owned. For me its 3 that would be all up there on a par, the 78 YZ125E- despite not being a power house it just is so much fun to ride and very predictable once you've spent a bit of time on it. 84 IT200L- a fantastic balance of power/weight/delivery that makes it so easy for the less experienced to ride and a title winning weapon in the right hands. 2012 Berg TE250, although not VMX it has to get a mention. This is the most linear, easy to ride 2t ever made!IMO The power delivery on this can only be likened to something electric, its no wonder this 250/300 KTM/Berg engine gets described as "3 Stroke" because of the unbelievably linear power delivery similar to that of a 4t whilst keeping the exiting engine characteristics that only a 2t can offer.
So what is the BEST bike or bikes you've ever ridden or owned? With such a wide range of people and interests here it'll interesting to see what people regard as their all time favourites???
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I have a soft spot for my Yamaha WR 250 92 model. It had a few extra special parts and in it's day was a dam fast bike. The best thing when racing cross country you knew that the bike was capable of winning outright so no excuses.
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This is a hard one find I have the most fun on my pe400's probably because I have spent so much time on them but each bike I have has there charm even my xr500 is not bad to ride handles and stops ok bit top heavy it is not a bike I'd go out of my way to get but saying that I have two xr500's I think the key is finding something you already like and improving it as much as you can.
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My KTM 350 Freeride. I've always enjoyed riding but this bike has given the "can't wait to ride again" feeling I had when I started out 40 years ago.
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Toss up between my CR250RD and KTM300EXCE, the KTM stops better!
Have not ever had the pleasure of riding a factory bike- i Did own one of Deakins old YZ's which went like a shower of shit.
Brett
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My KTM 350 Freeride. I've always enjoyed riding but this bike has given the "can't wait to ride again" feeling I had when I started out 40 years ago.
Interesting, have you stuck with the standard issue trials type rubber or opted for a conventional knobbies?
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My KTM 350 Freeride. I've always enjoyed riding but this bike has given the "can't wait to ride again" feeling I had when I started out 40 years ago.
Thats sounds good brent ;) you made a good choice on the bike that suits you and others ;) so once you go orange you wont go back 8)
I am still stuck in the seventies. Thats right I had a ride on a mates ktm 300 two stroke bloody nice to ride and that front brake ,shit I had a few moments near went over the bars , best brakes I have ever used.
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Hey Rookie, I just watched the youtube in your signature. Still absorbing that. Can i say you are FUBAR. LOL
Brett
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my 1986 Honda CR250RG had it since 1987 (it's now in retirement)
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RM250Z
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I'm with you Brendan, my 1978 YZ125E (Had from new) is my all time favourite.
Followed by myYZ125F & a close third is my YZ250F (Both 79's)
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A countless number of bikes have come and gone in my life but for my trusty 350 square barrel Maico to have stayed for 43 years it definitely has to be something above the rest. To me she's a very special old bike that has very rarely let me down. The dear old thing will soon undergo an engine freshen up for Blair Harley, the father of the 350, to ride her at CD10 and a possible Nats start with someone else aboard.
Will I ever sell her?......I very much doubt it.
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/camden11_zps33bd3244.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/camden11_zps33bd3244.jpg.html)
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2013 KTM300exc....nuff said.
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2013 KTM300exc....nuff said.
Yep, just like the 250 except with a lil more PUNCH ;)
A countless number of bikes have come and gone in my life but for my trusty 350 square barrel Maico to have stayed for 43 years it definitely has to be something above the rest. To me she's a very special old bike that has very rarely let me down. The dear old thing will soon undergo an engine freshen up for Blair Harley, the father of the 350, to ride her at CD10 and a possible Nats start with someone else aboard.
Will I ever sell her?......I very much doubt it.
That looks sweet as a nut Mark :)
Hey Rookie, I just watched the youtube in your signature. Still absorbing that. Can i say you are FUBAR. LOL
Brett
Flucked Up Beyond All Repair?? :D
RM250Z
Wow thats saying a lot considering your long history in both dirt and black top! :o
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My 1996 Yamaha WR200 is my all-time favourite Enduro bike. Mainly due to the motor being so easy to use and the lightweight handling - it was so easy on the body I could ride all day without getting tired
Nicest MX bike I've ridden is George Mckenzie's 1973 Maico with alcohol 360cc XL250 motor
Scariest (best arm stretcher) MX bike - George McKenzie's 490cc 1973 Maico. I still don't understand why it needs more than two gears
Best Trials bike - my 1981 Yamaha/Godden 250 Majesty
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F**ed up beyond any recognition
:D
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84 Maico SC 490 pretty well sums it up.
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YEP feetup,WR200 GOOD thing that. I rode a mates one like i stole it in about 1993- then i went out the next week lookin for a good second hander
Brett
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I too have to say that my 97WR200 was a blast!!! Really competent small bore bike that handled lovely, was only traded for the Berg! Its only draw back was that hideously low lower rear shock link, but other than that there is very little not to like about a WR200.
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my bike collection maxed out at 6 = and then got the "why so many bikes question" from the wife. Now down to my YZ360B - and it is an absolute hoot to ride when on song - gotta keep the bastard there though - but love it.
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Beta 300RR.
It made a lot of room in my shed, 'cause it's made all of the other moderns redundant.
The WR200/YZ125 hybrid will stay though, because it's a fantastic little bike.
Vintage wise, I love my YZ125X.
Montynut's VR250 was f#$king fantastic to ride and Noel's CZ360 impressed the hell out of me - both are my benchmarks for Pre-75 & Pre-70 bikes now. I won't buy another bike for either era unless I can expect it to be as good as those two.
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My 2000 FC501 Berg....bought it new.....will never sell it....my YZ250A and my RM125A......both cool bikes.
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Best bikes are the exotic ones for me. I've had quite a few go through my hands and Euro stuff shits on the jap stuff up to and including evo. It's been a fun process buying bikes I thought were 'best of era', with a lean towards Honda's in general. I had a green stripe 125 and 250, an RA 250 and all are gone. I thought my 74 cz400 was top of the heap too. Great bike but I decided I wanted a Maico instead and was not disappointed. Maico's in general are the shit for me. The Ossa Phantom I would back against any other brand and shits on a dirty old green stripe ( for a pre 75 mount)! Had an RM370 too. Great bike but ended up selling that too and got another Maico. Never regretted that either.
I think it's good you all reckon your Jap bikes are all good. All the better for us that know better ;)
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don't hold back Brad :D
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don't hold back Brad :D
;D
Oh and worst bike I've never ridden was a 360 B :D (What? ???)
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My choices in order of preference
Owned = O Ridden = R
Evo
1/ 81 mc 250 maico O
2/ 83 XC 250 Husky O
3 / 83 500 CR Husky O
4 / 81 420 Auto Husky(enduro), not bad in MX also as long you can get your head around the no engine braking O + O
6/ 81 GS 440 or GS490 (best enduro bikes i have ever owned and i still have a 440) O+ O
5/ 81 / 82 430 CR husky and the enduro model was also sensational O + O
Pre 78
1 / 76 GP 360 CR Husky O
2 / Open class maico of same era R
Pre 75
1 / 250 Mag O
2 / 250 yamaha (same year as husky above) the Yamaha is a horn looking bike R
3/ 250 Elsinore (same year as husky above) the Honda is a horn looking bike R
4/ CR 400 husky O
5/ WR 450 husky (enduro) "The tractor" O + O
Modern
EXC 300 Kato O
Anything made by Berg , particularly the later offerings R , probably get one when my Kato is up for renewal
360 Husky (great engine) O
Earlier modern (Enduro Converted CR 250 Honda) Best bang for buck ever made IMHO O
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Pre75. CZ400
EVO. 81 Montesa Capra with 77 370 Motor
Pre 85. ?????????????
Pre90. My CR125 89 is a gem l love it..
Modern. KTM300EXCE. 2010 Absolute weapon Awsome...
Adventure. KTM950 Adventure Suprising what they can do for a big bike.
Roady. Love my RG500 But the ZRX1200 is as good as it gets , do anything...
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Short Travel:
'75 Bultaco Pursang 250 ('74 suspension specs)
'74 Ossa Phantom 250
Long Travel:
'77 Suzuki RM125B (steel swingarm) :-)
'83 Honda CR480
Honorable Mention:
'77 Yamaha YZ400D
'78 Husqvarna 250CR
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The best dirt bike i've owned/ridden is my XTElstar.
Probably because it is as erratic in performance as I am! Some times it goes like a rocket ship, (like me), and some times it goes like crap! (like me!) ;D
cheers pancho. ;D
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delteck rock hopper
BSA Bantam 148 WITH 175 POT N PISTON WITH EXPANSION CHAMBER
XR75K3,K4
YZ80B,C YZ80C SIDECAR
RM125B, 250B, 400C, 250N, 250X
T250/350 (326cc) SIDECAR
YZ465H
PE175, 250
HONDA XR500RC, 200RC
IT250H, 465
SUZUKI RM/TT500 (560) HIGH BREED
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The best dirt bike i've owned/ridden is my XTElstar.
Probably because it is as erratic in performance as I am! Some times it goes like a rocket ship, (like me), and some times it goes like crap! (like me!) ;D
cheers pancho. ;D
Excuse my ignorance but what the F is a XTElstar? couldn't even google it.
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My KTM 350 Freeride. I've always enjoyed riding but this bike has given the "can't wait to ride again" feeling I had when I started out 40 years ago.
Interesting, have you stuck with the standard issue trials type rubber or opted for a conventional knobbies?
The demo model I rode before buying mine had Michelin S12's, on balance for the riding I do I'm sticking with the trials tires.
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XR75K1,you never forget your first one ;) :D
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And I thought I was being indulgent by listing four...
I've managed to blag rides on lots of people's vintage bikes, but the bikes of 090's, DJ's, Shoey's and Husky Pete's were all eye openers as to how new you can make an old bike feel. They generally aren't bikes I want to own, but they were definitely really exceptional examples of each. Shoey's GP Husky is probably the most terrifying bike I've ever ridden - an open-class bike with the power delivery of a 125 MXer.
My '88 KX125 makes me very happy. It doesn't have a lot of power, and the suspension is too soft, but it's just so easy to ride. Makes even me feel like a moto-god.
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a mates 2006 Gas Gas 250 enduro, almost a tailor made fit for me
only down side was the small fuel tank
cheers
tony
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Nathan
That GP 360 now has a fresh engine , factory copy over pipe with a few bing carb. adjusts by husky Pete and its much faster than when you rode it.
Wait until you ride it next time , it will just blow you away
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The best dirt bike i've owned/ridden is my XTElstar.
Probably because it is as erratic in performance as I am! Some times it goes like a rocket ship, (like me), and some times it goes like crap! (like me!) ;D
cheers pancho. ;D
Excuse my ignorance but what the F is a XTElstar? couldn't even google it.
It's my Elstar slider fitted with a Yamaha XT500 motor Nobby. Great fun! pancho.
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My 74 CZ400 is the best vintage bike ive ever ridden so far.
Absolutely luv it and have the most fun on that bike at the races.
Next in line would have to be my Maico AW400, somehow i can feel a
connection there with that bike the same way i felt when i first started riding
my CZ but im yet to have a race on that bike... Have to wait and see.
Gotta another maico and its a 81 490mc but im yet to have a ride on that one.
The suspense is killing me ;D
Have a honda CR500 84 and a yamaha YZ250G 81,thinking about selling the both of them.
Dont like em.
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My next one................
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Toss up between the 2013 Sherco 300i and my 2000 FC501/4 Husaberg.
Having not ridden the Berg for 10+ years i fear that if i do i will very quickly take it away from this list. When we spoke with DeCoster a few years back he was adamant that he would never ride one of his old bikes again (EVER) He said that he cherished the memories to much to destroy them by getting back on a bike "just for old times sake"
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modern would be my KX500AF raced it for 5 years love riding it ;D
my 1983 kx500 it fits like a glove ;D
my 1985 kx500 which is what i raced back then great bike 8)
and my 1979 kx443 a5 this bike is awesome to ride ;D
one i should have kept was my rm500 ex ray vandenberg bike from 1982
that was a real nice bike ;)
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1982 RM125Z. Was my first bike I bought brand new as a 16 year old kid.
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My list from 1968 as a kid on the farm till today:
Honda 90, first farm bike
Yamaha 100 AG
DT 175
CZ 250 Enduro with the ugly tank
CZ MX 250 with the cool coffin tank
Bultaco Matador Mk5 SD
Bultaco Pursang
Husky 360 73 model
71 Norton Commando
76 Triumph Bonneville
72 Triumph Bonneville (still have)
74 850 Norton Commando
Bultaco 250 Frontera
73 Harley Shovelhead
92 Harley Electraglide
68 Harley FLH with 107 ci motor fitted (still have)
94 Harley Sportster (still have)
Bultaco Matador Mk5 SD (still have)
2002 Harley Electraglide (still have)
Bultaco Frontera 360 motor and bits (still have)
DR 500 (rideable but for wrecking and maybe a go kart)
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ive owned plenty and ridden ship loads...
nicest bike ive ever ridden was a mates TE 300 011 model husaberg. the suspension was tweeked by a guru up sunshine coast way and it was the best ive ever ridden. compliant and plush over the little stuff but tightening up to allow the most ridiculous erosion bump charges ive ever done.
my 300 kato exc 010 has a superb motor ive modded for pure bottom end power but the forks spike too much! (too lazy to get them sorted) just a great easy to ride bike for an old bloke.
WR 400 1984-5 Husky. great example of the twin shock non PV genre.
XL 250 motosport. had one as a new licenced rider and it did some k's. not the best off roader but with koni shox, a nice pipe and some weight loss, it was a great bike for dual porpoise -ing
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BEST bike- 78 Husqvarna CR250
Favorite bike- 84 Husqvarna WR125
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This is always an interesting question isn't it?
Dirtbikes wise, of them all that I've owned or ridden, the '05 YZ125 was the best. Light, fast enough for me, handled great, and let me ride without worrying about it getting away from me.
Vintage wise, my 1980 IT175G always left a special feeling when I rode it and now I own one again I still love it. Not the best bike around but just a fun little beastie.
And just for something out of left field, the 1984 CR500 Husky was a ball. Never really got on with it, but it was grunty, fast, plush and had great suspension for an old twin shocker. I even scored a couple of trophies with that which is a very unusual thing for me!!!
Oh and a special mention for the TT500C. Best looking dirtbike ever in my opinion, and when ridden how it's meant to be (lazy afternoons doing mono and just sitting looking at it), it's just brilliant. But never never ride one in a tight hilly enduro...
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Probably easier to pick the bikes I didn't like,which are the first PE 250,maybe I expected it to be an RM with lights,and the RM125c.
The YZ125D,and Rm125X were a leap ahead of the rest at the time,with the RM125X acclaimed as the best Motocross bike in the first 25 years of the sport.
My current CRF450X just feels right,riding down a beach,dodging trees and rocks on a Trailride,cutting a few(slow) laps at the track,or chasing pigs on the farm.
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"Favorite bike- 84 Husqvarna WR125"
really? ol mate had one and while it was fab in the suspenders dept and rode nice, it was seriously slow.
As a 125 Enduro bike it was a good bike to cover long rides with ease (in 125 speak) but any of the jap 125's were a much quicker ride.
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As cool bike 89 KTM 350, any of my Yamaha WR250s as well ... the worst ones are easier to remember
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I forgot about that 350, they were the ducks guts when they came out...motor nearly as good as the wr 400 but the front end was heaps better. a bloody nice bike to ride...
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1974 and a half. 440 Maico at the Vic titles at Wonthaggi. Knee deep mud all the way and the big tractor just carved it up.
Rosco86
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Oh of course it was slower than the Jap mx'rs. It was slow enough for my limited abilities to ride it wfo everywhere. It really was one of my favorites. The 4 valve XR200 I traded in for it on the other hand ISN'T on my favorite list...
"Favorite bike- 84 Husqvarna WR125"
really? ol mate had one and while it was fab in the suspenders dept and rode nice, it was seriously slow.
As a 125 Enduro bike it was a good bike to cover long rides with ease (in 125 speak) but any of the jap 125's were a much quicker ride.
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My KTM350 had Sletchen pipe and would rev out, Scott Staines won the open class at the Kalgoorlie 4 day on it. Proper Enduro bike compared to the converted MX bikes we used at the time.
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"The 4 valve XR200 I traded in for it on the other hand ISN'T on my favorite list..."
weren't they the nicest looking disappointment you could buy....fun bike but ......
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"The 4 valve XR200 I traded in for it on the other hand ISN'T on my favorite list..."
weren't they the nicest looking disappointment you could buy....fun bike but ......
Ya I had to roll out a brand new one. Couldn't keep the chain on it and the valves wouldn't stay adjusted. A Super Trapp helped the power slightly, but it was even slower than a 125 Hooska!
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Pre 70 Mk 3 Metisse with B44 motor
Pre 75 1974 KX250 A
Pre 78 1976 KX 250 A3 or 1977 RM 125 B
Evo 1979 Maico 250 Magnum or 1980 RM 250 T
Early Linkage 1981 RM 125 X
Later linkage 1988 RM250 J
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For vintage, I absolutely love my BSA B50. It does everything it should and it sounds alive!
Had a blast on my 02 FE501 Husaberg and managed to embarrass a few ISDE gold medalists on it at club days when I was on my game. Despite the rumours, it was a very reliable bike that I raced and trail rode nearly every weekend for a year without any issues. I have an 03 in the shed now and that is my "modern ride".
I guess the best bike I ever owned was my very first bike. The mighty '77 XR75 5 speed. It was the bike I learnt to ride on and the reason I still ride today.
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Funny enough I agree with N22 the PE250B, just didnt sit right with me after jumping off the RM but fell in luv with it during the trip to the Tip, road it from Cairns to the Tip and Back :) and yep still got 1 or 2 kicking around, short shift for the most of the time and the powers there when ya want it, mind you it was all on stock kit back then
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Yes it is a bit like movies where you need to do it like Bill has done by category
pre 74 ..... Mikes TMGP, real grunter, has RH barrel which really gives it shit load of mid range
pre 78 .... RM370, love those mid size 2 strokes
Evo ..... CR250
Early linkage ..... RM250, IT200
Late Linkage .... YZ250U, YZWR250, KTM350, CR500
Moderns .... Husky 300 or YZF450
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To hard for me to answer , My fav vintage bike right now is my 77 CR360 Husky which has really grown on me after changing to a few things.
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Just had ride on the WR250 .... best enduro ever
(http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg71/marcFX_photo/002_zpsa2af256e.jpg)
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My other "L" plate bike , Brand new GT750SS beval Ducati. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :) (I did not have enough readies for the Imola see-thru tank model next to it...)
The other "L" bike was it's sibling RT450 Desmo trallie. ;D
Oh how I wish for that time machine ;)
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Ive ridden faster , better handling , but over all my Fav would be a 1976 YZ400 c .
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Ive ridden faster , better handling , but over all my Fav would be a 1976 YZ400 c .
i have a mate who is restoring one at the moment.
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My other "L" plate bike , Brand new GT750SS beval Ducati. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :) (I did not have enough readies for the Imola see-thru tank model next to it...)
Ron Angels Imola changed hands for 300K so you probably should have grabbed it.
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Ron Angels Imola changed hands for 300K so you probably should have grabbed it. >:( Bugger....
Just thinking what the floor stock on that day at Ron Angels would be worth today :o
Rode the SS home with me mates that day, a Honda K0 754, XS1 and XS2(Jaffa)650 Yamahas, GT750 Suzuki water bottle, CB450 Dohc and a Yamaha R5 350. All bar the 450 on L plates*. Magic memory for those of us still ticking.
* Unlicensed.... ;)
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Ron Angels Imola changed hands for 300K so you probably should have grabbed it. >:( Bugger....
Just thinking what the floor stock on that day at Ron Angels would be worth today :o
Ron Angel had Imola that was one of the 5-6 built for Daytona .... the only actual real green frames .... Ron sold it for $6000 to one of Herb Watsons mechanics who sold it for 54K at auction which at the time would have bought you a house in Fremantle :D
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I thought the 1976 YZ400 (airfork) would have been a dog (...?). I stand corrected :)
My favourite was 1982 YZ-100J ... which, bizarrely, Motocross Action named as their "Bike of the Year"
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I thought the 1976 YZ400 (airfork) would have been a dog (...?). I stand corrected :)
My favourite was 1982 YZ-100J ... which, bizarrely, Motocross Action named as their "Bike of the Year"
Once you set up the forks they are a joy to ride just add air as the track gets rougher . first race standard second race I add 5psi to the low pressure vlv if the track goes to hell by the third race I add 7 to 8 psi in the low pressure and another 5 to the high pressure . the 400 is a tractor of a motor very wide spread of power . Iain
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and for the YZ100 for any track just add revs and then more revs ;D
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I've got a nice YZ400C for sale if anyone's interested
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My Bultaco MK7 360 Pursang is the ducks guts to ride. My XL350 is pretty special too. I loved my 85 Honda CR500 RF, did everything on it, moto x desert racing, dirt track, long track, road race and it was competitive in all of them. The best vmx bike I ever rode was undoubtly CCM Britain's owner Mark Cooks personal CCM 500. Gave a new meaning to horsepower. I have ridden some pretty special road racers but Ken Kucas's Vinton 1200 and his 700cc manx lead the way
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and for the YZ100 for any track just add revs and then more revs ;D
Hunerds ROCK!
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i have to say my favourite bike was my brand new RM250A i loved that bike it was just so correct.
but i must say the ex Gary Adams RH that a mate of mine had was undoubtably the coolest bike ive ever riden hell that thing had Big Balls. first time out was at Bianco park Pakenham and down that hill after the jump into the right left combo it would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, but i still loved my RM the Moist. ::)
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1974 bultaco pursang,but the owner got worn out
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1981 430 CR Husqvarna.. great suspension..even tho still twin shock.. :o.. and the power was so linear.. still have the bike after 34 years.. :-*
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'78 CR250 Husqvarna.
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I too had a 1978 250 CR.. the "big" gas Girling rear shocks lasted one race meeting before the shafts went blue.. Fox Air Shox straight away..the rear wheel ( Nordisk) rim fell apart and I just barely made the finish line..rode it straight around and onto the trailer...
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I had a 78 DR370. 420 big bore piston. Works Performance Shocks, Al Baker fork kit. It was ugly as sin. Heavy as a 2 ton heavy thing, no power after 3000 rpm. Handled horribly. Stubborn to start. But somehow I had more fun on that bike than any I had ever ridden in my life.
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A lot of bikes over the years, both owned and ridden...
The 87 RM 250 when it was new was fantastic and my just acquired 87 Honda CR250 is plain awesome - or will be once I rebuild it;
Scariest was the Honda CR450 - shed loads of torque and power, but terrible brakes.
On the road my 2007 ZX10R is just crazy, and I'd love to get my hands on a 2015 model
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of the ~ 40 bikes I have owned, road, trail and MX, the most fun bike out of the lot was a road registered YZ175C, wish I still had it
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of the ~ 40 bikes I have owned, road, trail and MX, the most fun bike out of the lot was a road registered YZ175C, wish I still had it
There was a few of these around in qld apparently. My YZ125 had been converted in the 70's before i took it back to "original "
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I too had a 1978 250 CR.. the "big" gas Girling rear shocks lasted one race meeting before the shafts went blue.. Fox Air Shox straight away..the rear wheel ( Nordisk) rim fell apart and I just barely made the finish line..rode it straight around and onto the trailer...
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m605/Husky500evo/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-06/F7C9BA73-8E75-4E7D-B182-28CE467FF8AF_zpslmkyswfk.jpg) (http://s1134.photobucket.com/user/Husky500evo/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-06/F7C9BA73-8E75-4E7D-B182-28CE467FF8AF_zpslmkyswfk.jpg.html)
Watto, I thought that the '78 CR250 and 390 Huskys were the first ones to come out with remote reservoir Ohlins shocks ? I have a set of original gas Girlings from a '77 model CR390 and they are unusual because of the smaller primary springs that are made out of square section steel coils. You hardly ever see these shocks, probably because they weren't very good and got thrown away and replaced by something better. They might become a hard item to find for someone doing a concourse resto, much like the huge '81 Maico GS mufflers that were the first thing to get replaced because they were so heavy.
As far as the best bike that I have ever owned / ridden goes, it would have to be my newest bike , the Husaberg 570. When comparing bikes to those of a similar era, the '81 Maico 490 would have to be the standout favourite because of the overall handling, power and fun to ride factor.
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The 250's only had the Girlings.. but they were much bigger in size / shaft than the 75/6/7 issue..the 390's had the Ohlins.. the square wire springs were only on the 77 models..
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Cycle mag test from 1978 (http://rs1357.pbsrc.com/albums/q746/Watto450/1978%20250%20press_zpsjjlduh1f.jpg~c200?t=1434930146)
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Most successful race bike: YZ80F ('79) What a great bike. Really got it right that year.
Best MX bike to date: YZ250F (2015) WOW! Even compared to my 2008. (Thanks Sunstate @ CD11)
Bikes I've bought twice: (must be good)
RD350LC (first one written off early on...)
RM125X (first one sold by a teenage me, to fund the next bike.)
Bikes I'm unlikely to ever sell:
Bandit 1200S. Great all rounder, all the better for extensive mods.
KTM525 SX/SMR. 2004 Worthle$$, but so much fun at the recent Supermoto nationals (after a 7 year "rest")
YZ250F. Perfect condition, but never be worth le$$ than it is now. On the wall for the memory's before I'd "give" it away.
Basically, second hand bikes are worth so little, I can't bring myself to sell them. Large shed;filling up...