Pre 78 Open Class

[Rossvickicampbell]

Gents - what was the weapon of choice in the Open class for pre 78.  Suzuki finished this period with the 370B didn't they - was the YZ400D a 77 model.  Honda didn't have anything.  What did Kwaka have?  And I have no idea on European models?  And yes I know it's a bit like a piece of string as to which one was best but heck things are quite at the moment so no harm in asking 

cheers

Rossco

[090]

I asked the same question and was told the rm370 was the go. I then bought one and raced it for a while and it was very good.
For some reason I did a trade for another bike. I then bought a Maico 400 '77. No contest. The Maico is a fair bit better again as far as I'm concerned.

[Stan S]

Rossco, in my opinion it was the 77 MC or AW400 or 440 Maico's. I raced one in 77 and thought it was a great bike. Easy to ride, plenty of power and for me ultra reliable. Still have it somewhere i think

Regards Stan.

[holeshot buddy]

the 77 maico is a nice bike (a bit rare and hard too find)

back in the day the rm370 won nearly everything
and yamaha 400d wasnt far behind
with all the modern technology we have to improve these bikes (suspension pipes ignitions etc etc )
then any one would be a good choice

i have raced a rm370 and a yz400d
both good bikes but i would lean towards the rm (not cause i own one)
kawasaki stopped making kx400 in 76 it wasnt in the same race with the above bikes
special mention husky 390 very nice handling bit of gear

[JohnnyO]

Like Rusty said the RM's were the most popular followed by the YZ but they weren't necessarily the best compared to the Maico and Husky. Just cheaper to buy and easier to maintain for the average punter.
Although Suzuki did win most of the titles in Aus in that era.

[TM BILL]

These blokes have covered it  i love the RM 370 (just picked up another one today  ) but afyer riding Brads Maico no contest .
It could be that Brads bike is particulary well sorted but it is a great bike  i would own one in a heartbeat 

[Husky500evo]

Don't forget the VB360 Montesa either  . Not only was it one of the nicest looking motocross bikes ever made , it was also very advanced for the time. I have ridden a well set up '77 AW 400 Maico, but in my opinion, I think that the '77 CR390 Husky is a better bike . 

[Canam370]

How about a Canam 250 or would that be unfair.........to the rest of the field?

[Husky500evo]

I think that the 250 Can Am had a fast motor that would give most big bores a hurry up, but they reportedly  didn't handle too good. Isn't that why they called them black widows, because they tried to kill their riders  ?

[GMC]

Or a HL 500 

[Rossvickicampbell]

the Maico and the Husky would demand a pretty penny also wouldn't they - being not so readily available?

[090]

For the amount of rm370's that were around back in the day, they certainly aren't falling out of peoples pockets.

[Rossvickicampbell]

and it doesn't help if Bill is buying up the lion's share either!

[JohnnyO]

For the amount of rm370's that were around back in the day, they certainly aren't falling out of peoples pockets.

So many RM370's must have ended up at the wreckers years ago because they really are scarce these days.

[firko]

he Maico and the Husky would demand a pretty penny also wouldn't they - being not so readily available

Rossco, the Maico and Husky achieve the premium because they're arguably the best tackle for the pre '78 class not because they're especially rare. I see just as many Maicos and Huskys on the market as I do RM's these days.
My choice would be an AW400 over the gruntier and therefore harder to ride 440. I haven't ridden a pre '78 360 Husky but have ridden a '79 and loved it. Another good choice would be a CCM but the price they're going for puts them into the rich collector division....not many see serious race action any more unfortunately. The 400 Yamaha had a good engine but by '78 the old monoshock was losing it's grip.

I seriously can't see any of the Japanese bikes topping the Euro bikes at this stage in motocross evolution but within three years that had all changed forever.