YAMAHA YZ400E - The best MX'er of '78?

[mx250]

http://www.vmx.livewire.gen.nz/magazine/78YZ400E/78YZ400E.htm

"YZ400E's, a total motocross production machine and our vote for top model of 1978!  Yep when you're serious, the YZ E can take you to the top."

An interesting article in many ways but does the unbiased OZVMX 'brains trust' agree? Was the YZ400E the best MX'er of '78.

[Doc]

you're kidding me right!! 

In my honest very unbiased oppinion..oops..opinion, this bike pictured below was the best 'Jap' 400 from 1978 



S'pose I best go read the article to see what makes them entertain such silly notions

[firko]

Maico Magnum 400/440, Husky 390, BULTACO mk 9/10 360 and RM 400 were just a few of the bikes of the era that would whoop the Yamaha anywhere, anytime . i Owned a Yammy at the time and it was an adequate bike without being

[yzhilly]

Now hang on a minute the YZ400E was a cracker and easy on the eye and with Series wins in MR Motocross, World 500Gp & AMA 500cc cant have been to ordinary ,oh and the MXDN was won by KTM .although my opinions are biased  i was racing a YZ80E at the time and that was a cracker Too.

[mx250]

"Maico Magnum 400/440" - predictable

"Husky 390" - safe, everyone's 'nice bike but i'd never own one' .

"RM 400" - just like a YZ with yellow paintwork .

"BULTACO mk 9/10 360" now I know you were joshing me  .   

[Doc]

RM 400" - just like a YZ with yellow paintwork

oh c'mon now you're kidding right MX250!!   I've ridden both the wizid 400E and I still have my 400C and they really are as different as day and night. Not being argumentitive but they really do feel and ride very differently. I actually believe the Yamaha had the goods in the suspension dept as the big ol zook is pretty harsh but acceptable, the Suzuki engine pumps out some very useable HP especially in midrange where the Yamaha fell a little behind.. I can't comment on other makes as I've never had much to do with them but my philosphy towards which bike is better comes down to..'in the right conditions any make could win with a good rider aboard..I believe the YZ400E captured the unlimited title in 78 With the likes of Greame Smythe, Trevor Flood, Mike Landman, Stephen Gall and others aboard this model it all but guaranteed it's success..Gunter won the MrMX series but after '78 to me it seemed the whole design of MX bikes changed with the inception of Stadium Supercross. Can't see a '78 model being competitive against Evo's with superior suspension hence it's always been my belief the Evo class should be '79 onwards. It would have got the numbers up in the pre78's and made the '78 models a little more desirable to vintage racers. Now..I guess I best get over to Livewire and read that article  

[090]

I think someone has got their beer goggles on mx250

[Doc]

Pick me pick me!!