the ultimate trail bike, not vmx!

[FourstrokeForever]

I know the style you talk of John. Whipps and B&B used to make that style as well. I found they worked well for side impacts but it didn't seem to work so well for the header section of the pipe where the guard would bend up and into the pipe..... then the guard and the pipe needed repair 

[evo550]

Force do a sump/header guard...looks solid, I have their rad and sump guards, good stuff.

[b490]

Hyde bash plate /pipe guard is the go .
http://www.hyderacing.com/off_road_motorcycle.htm
   
 Have  used  one on my '06  300  , from  first ride out when bike was new  (many k's done since )
 Lightweight , tough , do the job  .(just like the bike )
 Regards ,
                   Steve


 

[80-85 husky]

ive used mine to balance the bike on all sorts of things and so far so good. a bent header pipe is a pain ndai

[FourstrokeForever]

I think part of the problem with bending header pipes was me attempting to do too many log jumps! If lofted the front wheel and landed it just a little short of the frame rails, well, lets just say there was some oxy time required when I got home 

I can't say I have that problem with the 4t Husaberg! There is no filthy big dent collector hanging out of the side of it......It wears a B&B bash plate that does it's job well. It has a few scars but it still maintains the original shape.

If only someone could come up with a "roo bar" for dirtbikes.... My ribs would still be intact after the last ride ended in a highside onto rail tracks while unsuccessfully attempting to avoid a hopper 

[80-85 husky]

mobile 200kg whoopdidoos... I had 1 pull a baseball slide at my back wheel one day... very exciting...
those hyde's hold about 20kg of crap on a wet ride....

[bigtoe]

G'day, My bike of choice at the moment is a Gas Gas EC 300 2t 2011, elec start, switchable cdi map, mazocchi and sachs suspension , exel wheels, fmf exhaust all standard from new and only 102 kgs compared to 112- 114 for the  450's, which is so good on the side of a hill, I'm not a fast rider I got it for the weight and the torque it's like riding a 4t , I can just pick my way slowly up a steep rocky more easily than the DR 400 I had before, which was also a great bike. They're cheaper than a ktm and much more pretty, I did a lot of research before buying and could not find a person who had owned one say anything but good things about them, strong reliable motor and parts are readily available. go the gas gas!

[SUZUKI311]

KTM 250XC ( U.S. model) 2 T, linkage suspension, looks like (and goes like ) a 250SX, but with the electric starter, bigger tank, sidestand and 18"rear wheel. The only catch is it can only be rec regoed-in Vic-not quite as smooth as a 300 but still a heap of fun out in the bush and on a MX track too.

[80-85 husky]

the good point about a 250 is you can hold it flat without it getting away on you and presenting the next corner far quicker than expected . happens on 300's and 450's!!

[Mike52]

84/85/86/87 Husky Wr 400's aren't too shabby as a trailie .

[80-85 husky]

as long as you fix the brakes...

[frostype400]

My mates were using new yz250's with a flywheel weight for a bit of bottom end.

The 450 has better top speed but when do you use it in the bush not often then in the tight stuff you are better on a 2 stroke being that extra 10 kg's can be a pain on a 450 but then saying that I have a mate who throws a xr600 around don't know how he is so fast on it.

[Big John]

I have to agree with frosty, I ride a 07 YZ 250 in the bush with a fly wheel weight and an IMS 12l tank, because I live in Vic its rec rec reg. $120 for a top end kit every now and then. It's been by far the best bike I have owned I haven't got an hour meter on it but I would say around 300h now.
I haven't owned a KTM 300, I have riden a few and do like them but i still prefer the YZ in the bush.
 

[80-85 husky]

those yzingers are a good thing, just takes abit of work to get the suspension working in the bush as opposed to the track. they can be harsh at the end of along ride

[FourstrokeForever]

I agree about MX bikes in the bush. They can be hard work until the suspension and power delivery are both made more user friendly. I did have the CRF450 for a short time in 03 and while it was fun in the less technical areas, it was a real handful in the tight stuff. Even with a flywheel weight and "enduroised" suspension it was still hard work. And when I stalled it.......FAAARKK! 200 kicks later and I might be riding again. So much for the hot start lever !