Whats everyones view on the Yz465h

[Slakewell]

Back in the day , my riding partner/mate purchased a Willings special.
I believe it was a left over 465 with a 490 top end on it. Thing went like last weeks pay check. Have never seen one since?
The Standard KTM 390 is a bit boring at first for MX being to smooth so it needs a few tricks. I have ridden the KTM and the Maico on the same day and whilst I have soft spot for the kato the Maico was better but not allot in it. I would rate the Kato as a much better bike than the 465's I have ridden.

[skypig]

There is a little article in the December issue of ADB on the YZ465. Mainly seems to describe the differences between the G and H models..
They quote RWHP of approximately 42hp, measured back in the day.
This is what is quoted for a standard 250fs these days. Quite amazing.

(Quick rant about proof reading/ignorance: they mention Anthony Gunters Full Floater RM400X of 1981 (maybe he sleeved it down. Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about....not as bad as the "floor less" handling of a bike in another magazines test. Are journalists still expected to have attended school at some stage?)

[KTM47]

Back in the day , my riding partner/mate purchased a Willings special.
I believe it was a left over 465 with a 490 top end on it. Thing went like last weeks pay check. Have never seen one since?
The Standard KTM 390 is a bit boring at first for MX being to smooth so it needs a few tricks. I have ridden the KTM and the Maico on the same day and whilst I have soft spot for the kato the Maico was better but not allot in it. I would rate the Kato as a much better bike than the 465's I have ridden.

At one of the ThunderX rounds at Conondale a few years back, I kept passing a KTM 495 on the sweeping corner then, straight after the finish line jump.  The Maico just put it's power down better. The KTM 495 is apparently a peeking power, something you don't need on a 490/495/500.  Anyway as said previously the Yamaha can be made into a good bike and is more readily available, but the Maico is still the King.

But the reality is as we get older a smoother bike is what really need.  Dare I say it a 4 stroke.

[80-85 husky]

yeah, a 72 xl 250 type smooth power, the last modern 4 banger I rode near ripped my arms out anytime I thought "just a tiny bit of power in this greasy as off camber.... shhhhiiiiitttttt!!!! " pick it up again

[skypig]

...But the reality is as we get older a smoother bike is what really need.  Dare I say it a 4 stroke.

That's why I ride a 250F in the modern "all powers" Vets class.
Amazing bikes, and I'm not stretching the throttle cable very much at all.

[Slakewell]

Back in the day , my riding partner/mate purchased a Willings special.
I believe it was a left over 465 with a 490 top end on it. Thing went like last weeks pay check. Have never seen one since?
The Standard KTM 390 is a bit boring at first for MX being to smooth so it needs a few tricks. I have ridden the KTM and the Maico on the same day and whilst I have soft spot for the kato the Maico was better but not allot in it. I would rate the Kato as a much better bike than the 465's I have ridden.

At one of the ThunderX rounds at Conondale a few years back, I kept passing a KTM 495 on the sweeping corner then, straight after the finish line jump.  The Maico just put it's power down better. The KTM 495 is apparently a peeking power, something you don't need on a 490/495/500.  Anyway as said previously the Yamaha can be made into a good bike and is more readily available, but the Maico is still the King.

But the reality is as we get older a smoother bike is what really need.  Dare I say it a 4 stroke.

I raced a KTM 495 at the first ever Aus EVO titles at Broadford with the long uphill start. Even against Ellis and Henshaw I won every holeshot. ( soon to be over taken in the next few corners ). As you know Kev it's how you roll it on. Tis always easier to work you way back in the pack than forwards. Beat me to death by the end of each moto. 

[Mick D]

As you know Kev it's how you roll it on. Tis always easier to work you way back in the pack than forwards.

Gold and on that lighter note  time for a trip to the local for dinner,,,giggle all the way

[rocketfrog]

I think the 465's are good for what they are.

Well supported in the aftermarket and still easy to find OEM bits new and used (You will just have to live with the Vacuum formed plastics - and thats that until Concourse gets around to making some awesome repros).

Seat foams/covers and bases, cables and controls, final driveline, filters, fuel tanks, graphics, clutches, electrics, brakes, spokes/rims all available any day though the net or local dealer.

Hop up parts for susp locally available, good interchangeability with YZ and IT models or the era for mechanical parts.

Hold thier value well (not super expensive but you would not have much trouble selling one at respectable market value as they have cult cred - thanks to S. Gall).

I think the best part is that you can still get one at a reasonable price.

Popular at most vintage events for pros and novice alike - what is not to like about these machines?

[skypig]

Popular at most vintage events for pros and novice alike - what is not to like about these machines?

I assume the troublesome cases are unobtainable.
Wouldn't stop me, just saying.

[Slakewell]

Interesting topic this one.
Yamaha PR at the early 80's was good and we purchased many because of that. I'm sure if you wish to you can build a world better 465 the basic engine was good and did not need much. I never did much liked the HOP or the top heavy feel. To me the 390/420 KTM are the pick of the EVO bikes. The 495 is just to much and kills the handling and you when you race it. Great bike for scaring your undies brown for a few laps. The Husky 430 is a bike I put in my shed very easily the 500 will beat you to slower lap times. 
Have never ridden a fraken maico but the 81 490 it is still the standard everything else is measured by because it is that good. Fix the brakes and the forks is all you need to pass any 465 on the bumps into corners and the smooth power on the way out will do the rest. One thing about Maico 490 is I never feel I am going fast till I hit the brakes and realise I am going too fast and then get around the corner anyway. Its king and will always be because of that.

[skypig]

Stephen Gall and Anthony Gunter didn't need no stinkin Maico! 

While I have zero date they are the benchmark, I don't remember them at all from "back in the day".

[80-85 husky]

Stephen Gall and Anthony Gunter didn't need no stinkin Maico!

not with factory backed parts and tuners....how much were their bikes LOTS more than a std maico

[Ted]

Mick on the Maygo you forgot to mention the brake backing plates that just disintegrate sending their riders head first down the track. Or how good their ignition systems are. And what about the clutch if you dare use it more than once. Then theres the stock rear shocks that dont work. So basically you have a bike that don't start, don't stop and will throw you over the bars with no notice. I have never seen a Maico 490 win one race of any importance in 10 years. They won nothing when new and are still doing the same thing now

[Mick D]

Mick on the Maygo you forgot to mention the brake backing plates that just disintegrate sending their riders head first down the track. Or how good their ignition systems are. And what about the clutch if you dare use it more than once. Then theres the stock rear shocks that dont work. So basically you have a bike that don't start, don't stop and will throw you over the bars with no notice. I have never seen a Maico 490 win one race of any importance in 10 years. They won nothing when new and are still doing the same thing now

 

okOk ok, there's more than one mick here, and I'm one of em. So I'm in

I admire that you have pulled your punches Ted and stated your undying dilution and love for your overvalued steed. Without slander or personal attack
Well done

Ok lets have a debate, but fortunately or unfortunately life is more than Oz VMX and Motorbikes. 
Right now, I need to use the rest of today's daylight and then do some bullshit Kris Kringle thing(ashole is trying to send me broke) One day soon, I will be back with some enlightenment. But for now, adios amigo     

[Mick D]

oK, a quick couple of minutes,,,,,where to start

I have never seen a Maico 490 win one race of any importance in 10 years.

That cant be right, but are you saying that your million dollar upgraded 465H has? If so, like what?