New bloke thinking about XRs

[Tony Two Times]

Just getting started so I don't know much but are 1980s XRs a viable VMX bike if they are stripped of road going gear and set up accordingly? Run in the 4 stroke class with XT/TTs and the like even though they are a bit younger than the 70's classics of those models?

Tony

[Krikey]

Just getting started so I don't know much but are 1980s XRs a viable VMX bike if they are stripped of road going gear and set up accordingly? Run in the 4 stroke class with XT/TTs and the like even though they are a bit younger than the 70's classics of those models?

Tony

Plenty of fast four strokes around mate.  A well set up XT/TT HL Replica will keep you honest.  There's even a quick KLX with a hugely oversized XT250 motor running at the front of some races (most actually).  Personally I run an XR500 RC occasionally for MX and Vinduro. Great bikes, just love them, but a bit of a handful in the scrub BUT the reason I love it is because I associate with it. I had one back in 1982 and it started my love affair with them that still continues today. I say buy whatever takes your fancy as long as you can afford it. Cheers

[crash n bern]

Hey Tony, some years ago Firko wrote an article about the twin shock XR/XL's being a cheap and good 4 stroke VMX mount. But I thought you wanted a Panhead.

[Tony Two Times]

There's space in the shed yet mate. :-)

[crash n bern]

I've got a couple of 500's parked next to the pan.

[Tony Two Times]

Yeah I think that visit might be overdue.

Might see an ATK on the track this season?

[oldyzman]

My brother is selling a TT500 orange with aluminium tank, quite original..He is in guildford Sydney

[Nathan S]

.....the reason I love it is because I associate with it. I had one back in 1982 and it started my love affair with them that still continues today. I say buy whatever takes your fancy as long as you can afford it. Cheers

These are very wise words.
Especially on the internet, we get far too caught up with what is the "best", and then we often miss the real point of VMX: Having fun on bikes you like.

To answer your question:
The RFVC motors love to chew cams/can bearings in the heads, and to crack the heads. The older motors are more durable, but also weigh more and don't go as well. They also have too-short swingarms (to compensate for the lack of grunt from the big, heavy donk) which makes them handle funny.
Yes, they can work, but only in a sow's ear kind of way.

That said, there was some bloke at the National Titles on an XR500 a few years ago, running in the top three and making a lot of good riders look silly.