Craving for a big bore

[Rossvickicampbell]

I reckon money will stop this from being a realistic alternative but I have fallen in love with my YZ360B.  I am actually faster on this than I ever was on my 250.  It handles miles better than anything I have ridden and is so much more comfortable for my getting old fat body.  And Firko - I know what people say about Maico 400s/440's etc but I can still outdrag them to the first corner even in the Open (A,B,C) class - I just love it - grunty, fasty, revvy (?) and just does everything I want - downside - if you can find one they are expensive.  Parts are easily found as well.

But if people disagree - I don't mind - more for me so to speak 

Rossco

[pbear62]

What happens after the first corner though Rossco??  Beware the new TM250 project - it's getting closer!!

[SAABCOMBI]

What happen after the first corner, 4 stroke power takes over, then we use you all for traction.

[Rossvickicampbell]

pbear - who are you?  I remember a guy who sued to ride called that - 

[Tossa]

after the first corner he has to change his outfit for a clean one!!!!!

[firko]

And Firko - I know what people say about Maico 400s/440's etc but I can still outdrag them to the first corne

You wouldn't be trying to get me into one of those "my bikes faster than your bike'' arguments that seem to be so popular here would you Rossco? I share the love between by beloved big bore Maicos and 360 Yamahas so your evocative jibes bounce off me like bullets off Supermans chest!

[VMX247]

Suzuki TM400?  I get a real kick out of finding out that, in 1974, I earned CMC Open Pro #8 on the most vicious, malevolent motorcycle ever produced, on the meanest and roughest track in world history: Carlsbad (and Saddleback).  It's fun to read historical stories about things we didn't realize back then. But to really appreciate what we are talking about, we need to hop into the "Wayback" machine.  In retrospect, was the TM400 hard to ride?  Yep, as were ALL Open Class bikes of the day.  It was faster, accelerated past anything else on the market, was cheap by comparison, dependable, and was as traditional in design as you could find for the time.  As with all MX bikes; even today's, the difference between winning and losing was more rider than machine; most especially back in those days.  Although I had mucho experience with CMC for over six years (raced virtually EVERY weekend), I knew that the 10% difference between motorcycles was less than the 20% difference in rider talent.  Hence, I saved money and bought a TM400.  It was all the critics said.  The throttle could have been replaced with a toggle switch, it handled kind of weird, everybody was afraid of it.  But I could win on it, perhaps for those very reasons.  I'm restoring one now, with NO intentions of riding it, or any other Open bike.  I'm 63 and will have plenty of fun on a 250; a TM250, by the way.  The Husky was too short, the CZ was too heavy, the Montesa was underpowered, and on and on.  There was always something wrong with every Open bike.  The bottom line was if you had the balls, or lack of brains, to get on one.  I won on that TM against the best CMC had.  Not always, but often enough.  For today?  They are easy to find, easy to restore, easy to find parts, they are supported by the aftermarket group, and they STILL take balls to ride.  But you CAN win.  Just use the same discretion and caution that you would apply to any other bike you would ride, and you will have fun.  Well, gotta go.  The pain medicine is starting to work and typing becomes a chore. Damn, I left my pills in the other room.  Check out www.motomanrules.com for pics of my latest project.

Thanks for putting some words down and sharing your days gone by.
www.motomanrules.com is also a nice little trip to more pre75 bikes,stories,photos and restorations.
Here are a few pages on the American Eagle and her family  enjoy
http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=8321.0

[Rossvickicampbell]

nah - not at all Firko - not that stupid     - in actual fact it was a realistic and accurate fact based on sound processes and experience which clearly shows the 360 YZ to be a vastly superior machine in all ways, shapes and forms over anything else that was available at the time..................................really all I have to go on is my bike 

 

[Rossvickicampbell]

and Firko - you would have to admit - after have met me - that if my 360 can outdrag Maicos to the first corner (and afterwards the 4 strokes Dave  ) - it has to be impressive 

luv yas all!

[SAABCOMBI]

Rossco do you ride the yz360B or just gaze at it in the your garage, why l say this, is that people who own them are to affraid to ride them, because they think that they are so fragile if you ride any race bike with respect you won`t have a problem with them and you can enjoy the bike. and have it out there, vmx is not about finding a bike and restoring it, and never riding it., VMX will never grow if we all had that attitude. By the way, Rossco, l ended up with that TM125 that you where selling for Andy Caldercote built, it was a very nice bike, l sold it to a 71 year old fellow who is coming back to ride. l thought that was great. cheers david #46

[Rossvickicampbell]

Dave - I ride mine and love it.  Yes it all comes down to personal preference etc and I haven't had many pre 75 bikes but love riding this one.  Actually I wasn't trying to say my bike is faster than your bike sort of thing like Firko was tlaking about (know what he means though  ) just trying to highlight the fact they are a very competitive bike in the class.  I found mine requries a lot of maintenance but I certainly wouldn't describe it as fragile.

[VMX247]

They dont ride 2010/2011 450's to there full potential now days....
Wasn't it the same back in the day ?
cheers

[SAABCOMBI]

Rossco, I raced the Yz 250 A back in 1973 they where very quick bike, VR Montesa Where quicker, l have ridden and owned a YZ250 B and sold it to a fellow in Tasmania and know l have regreted it, l would have bought your mates in W.A., The BSA B50 are very good lovely to ride, your YZ360 where the best in there day and in the hands of a very good rider like Ronny Dinsdale on board racing one in moderns you would find that he would hold his ground. I saw him do it on a 360 mk7, against todays A, Graders and he cleaned them up. Enjoy your ride and l am happy that you are racing it, we will see you at a meeting , l would like to meet you one day.

[SAABCOMBI]

I have the opportunity to buy a TM 400, fully restored engine totally rebuilt by a well known and respected for his work, one the best l would have to say. I am in two mines wheather to buy it.

[jerry]

Buy it Dave! Dont die wondering! Cheers Jerry