Yeah mate, just a quick warm up.....'cept those South Aussies would have been out for a 100k bike ride before breaky.
Sure a big 2 smoker is kosher for pre 85 but in the spirit of the sport the big twins were in their twylight then and they deserve to be preserved in that light. If we let an influx of lightweights into that class, all the big old girls will get parked in sheds and forgotten, just as they were back then....mark my words.
Best 'real' engines for the class are the 650+ twins and they come from a big range of makers......I know you like to think outside the square Shelpi, but for the for the good of the class, stick to them. They are fun to ride too.
I had a swing on a CR500 yesterday and found it was very easy to get around on , but by crickey, you had to be on your toes as I only had to imagine a different line and I could get it to change direction...prob set up way too soft for Echo Valley, so I prefer they older bikes for what we do.
If you want to go big 2 stroke/lightweight, go to a pre90. You'll have lots of cheap fun and step your way into moderns mutch more easily.