Best pre '90.

[Natroy]

Would like some opinions on the best 80's over 250cc bikes.

[Hardo]

It would be green for sure!   

....do you wanna sell your 74 KX450 Natroy?

[80-85 husky]

ktm 350, wr 250 yammie and wr 400 husky...I nearly forgot the it 490 L

[Hoony]

MX

Any Honda CR500 1985 -1989 (i like the 85/86/87 best)
Kawasaki KX500 1985 -89
KTM500 1986-89

[Nathan S]

Really comes down to whether you like bikes that turn well but like to headshake, or if you hate headshake but have to muscle them around corners more...

86-88 CR500 have good forks that need to be set up properly, but have fairly snappy motors. The 89 motor was smoothed out (ie: improved), but then they got those shit Showa 41mm USDs that need very careful setting up or they'll try to kill you.

88 KX500 is a good, solid bus.
89 US spec KX5 got the wonderful 46mm RWU KYB forks, a better front brake and a few other detail updates and is even better than the 88.
The Aussie/Euro spec 89 KX5 got KYB's version of shitty 41mm USD forks, and is IMO a step backward from the 88 model.

Personally, I'd buy green every time.

[KTM47]

Its funny I always got told Maicos get bad head shake.  I never had a problem myself, then I realised if you are on the throttle hard or on the brakes hard, you don't get head shake.

If you can't control head shake ride a Harley Chopper.

[FourstrokeForever]

Its funny I always got told Maicos get bad head shake.  I never had a problem myself, then I realised if you are on the throttle hard or on the brakes hard, you don't get head shake.

If you can't control head shake ride a Harley Chopper.

EXACTLY.....they said the same thing about Husabergs.

[Nathan S]

Spent much time on a late 80s/early 90s CR, gents?

[b490]

  I reckon an 88' Husky 430 would be my pick ;
  A nice handling bike for the bush ,  with  the right amount of poke  in it .
 One on e bay at the moment; 

 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Husqvarna-WR430-1988-/252423403249?hash=item3ac59b76f1:g:ZqkAAOSwnNBXXnxt;
 

[bigk]

If you can find one (I only know of 1 in Aus), 1989 501 Husaberg. The very first Ultra light, big horsepower 4 stroke, regardless of what Mr Yamaha will tell you. Awesome!!!
K

[NSR]

Kram-It RV-3.

I agree K so much better than the Yamaha. 

[Slakewell]

If you can find one (I only know of 1 in Aus), 1989 501 Husaberg. The very first Ultra light, big horsepower 4 stroke, regardless of what Mr Yamaha will tell you. Awesome!!!
K

Rare as , I know were one is tucked away

[FourstrokeForever]

If you can find one (I only know of 1 in Aus), 1989 501 Husaberg. The very first Ultra light, big horsepower 4 stroke, regardless of what Mr Yamaha will tell you. Awesome!!!
K

Rare as , I know were one is tucked away

That'd be a pre90 weapon that I could see myself on.

[Natroy]

Hardo. I don't know. The price could sway me.

[Slakewell]

I owned a few pre 90 machine in the day. The green bikes didn't have the quality of the red ones and tended to feel more used. The Huskies of that time had big quality control problems with hubs cases etc. Great motor in the 430 and most problems should be solvable today. The KTM's were good bikes that seem to be over looked. The 350 of that time is worth a close look. Don't forget KTM also made a 4 stroke MX bike also if you can find one?