1984 250's

[Slakewell]

KTM seems like an OK bike, but they say clutch covers too, and stuff like pistons and rods are scary expensive.
(Earlier KTM pic is of an 85 model, BTW).

USA KTM were always different from ours and they changed during the year. The first disk brake upsidedown fork 84 model were shit and the drum was better. Pistons are normally more expensive because there forged not cast so last for years but you can buy Wisco for $70.00 on ebay rod kits are about $250.00 and are normally available.

[floberts]

If anyone is interested here is the list of every winner of every shootout since 1980 according to Motocross Action magazine.

http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/beaa25ac-c32f-4977-9a53-6afcc49f37eb.aspx

[Nathan S]

KTM seems like an OK bike, but they say clutch covers too, and stuff like pistons and rods are scary expensive.
(Earlier KTM pic is of an 85 model, BTW).

USA KTM were always different from ours and they changed during the year. The first disk brake upsidedown fork 84 model were shit and the drum was better. Pistons are normally more expensive because there forged not cast so last for years but you can buy Wisco for $70.00 on ebay rod kits are about $250.00 and are normally available.

Still an '85 model bike.

[Zakk]

those magazine reviews are not much to go on these days, with the usual of todays mods all of the 1984 Japanese 250's would make about the same power and handle about the same too. like regardless how bad a the CR's rear shock was/is, any number of rebuild or replacment options are an easy fix, the waterpump housing is a different story though. same goes for the YZ L's Zspokes and front forks that didn't work (if you believe the 1985 magazines), once again a simple re-valve and some later rims will solve any issues. a 1984 RM may have been slow in 1984, but who's going to run a stock engine-pipe-carb option these days anyway?

also i'm sure all are aware of the 'Wiesel' factor whenever a bike is being tested 

[Zakk]

 YZ= weird suspension that never quite worked that good,

The suspension on the 250 L is basically the same as on every rising rate, linkage type rear available today.
I think you're a little confused with the J (two models previous and miles apart in design).

Yamaha played with the shock length and suspension link lengths with the K, L and N models, each one was altered slighty to try improvements but each one ended up no better than the one before. it wasn't until the YZ S model that they finally moved the shock down behind the engine and this is basically what they've been using ever since.
but of course the YZ250S is 1986..

[Stevo17]

I am just reading the Trail & Track test and it was written by our own Johnny Orchard. In the mag he also rides a CR with an ohlins shock and reckons it is the way to go. Great memory after 29 years J.O. !