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Best older big bore two stroke?
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Posted by: WoodsWarrior---------------------
What older big bore two stokes were competitive with the KX and CR 500's of the late 80's and early 90's ? Does any particular model and year stand out as competitive with current bikes? (other than KX,CR)
Posted by: Kyron---------------------
The KTM's were great bikes also, the 500's and the BIG 550's...
Yamaha also made a WR500 as a last ditch effort with the YZ490 that was a nice bike, alot of people (myself included) like them because they are air cooled, and had "decent" ergronimics 
But why not a 92 or newer CR500??
Posted by: WoodsWarrior---------------------
My experience with the KX and CR 500 is very limited, and from what I read...it seems that not much has changed on those bikes since 1990 or so. I just don't see much reason to buy a newer bike when the older ones are almost identical (or so it seems) I have read that the 1989 KX, was one of the better suspended bikes around even by today's standards.....
Posted by: nephron---------------------
WoodsWarrior
A lot of things have changed on these bikes (most prominently suspension), they've just gone unnoticed because:
a) tank/seat combo on either have not changed
b) ie, plastic has not changed, therefore the bikes have not
c) no coverage of the bikes, since the "class" is hasta--why waste paper?
d) MXA said so...
Of course, that's just my opinion. I like mine quite a bit.
Good luck.
Posted by: Rattletrap'83CR480---------------------
My old "War Pig" will smoke most of the newer bikes on the flats and will definately outclimb them on the steep stuff. The suspension is just a little bit dated, but when dialed in, it's pretty hard to beat unless it's in the tight stuff.
Posted by: RedBull---------------------
Wanna hear somthin craZy but true?? theirs a 700 two stroke ment for side car racing! i but i cant remember who made it :think oh well:mad:
www.motozone.cjb.net <<my site
Posted by: yardpro---------------------
I rode a ktm 440 (mid 90's?) and it was awesome. another guy had a ktm500 at the same place. The 440 smoked the 500. The ergonomics were great. It felt like my 95 cr250, just with gobs more power.
Posted by: SndyRds---------------------
KX 500, '92 and up, can be heavily modified, good suspenders lots of after market parts. Ie desert tanks,etc.etc. Ihad one that could be geared for 117 mph... needless to say it ripped
Posted by: VintageDirt---------------------
Only 500 two stroke I ever rode was an 85 MStar. I could tell you how great it was but nobody would believe me. Oh sure, it had worthless practically non existant graphics, ugly outdated plastic, cheap water pipe handlebars, a big ass radiator on one side that tacoed every time you tipped over and a small one on the other side that leaked like rusty swamp cooler. But hey, it was after all a MAICO so you expected to make a few minor improvements.:confused:
Posted by: selmgren---------------------
I bought a 91 KX500 about a year ago and only had to have the suspension revalved and put on a scotts steering stabilizer. I race hare and hounds out in the California desert and the bike is as fast and stable at speed as any new bike. The bike has been super dependable as long as you maintain it. It does tend to burn through tires, sprockets and chains but any big bore will do that. Theres not a greater thrill than cracking the throttle on a green 500.
Posted by: bbbom---------------------
Quote:
Originally posted by selmgren
Theres not a greater thrill than cracking the throttle on a green 500.
|
Until you try a pink 500! 
Posted by: yota---------------------
Maico
Posted by: selmgren---------------------
Nice 94 CR500 to bad it's not green!:scream:
Posted by: HiG4s---------------------
The old KTM 500s didn't have quite the horse power of the Honda (most people couldn't really use it all anyway) and were the first to have the USD forks.
Posted by: weimedog---------------------
Can't resist. I've have many brands. The CR's just had the best chassis and all of them had too much power. It was tough to get the Big Red animals to run really crisp but once done right they are the best. I know those big KX's are good and all but I could never come to grips with the handling on those ones I rode. (Ten year old data) I loved my CR's. The best motor was my '86. The best chassis were the last series (like they have now)
So if you can't deal with Green or Red Those KTM's had some good years. My 78-79-80 years with KTM 420's were good. They were fast, reliable, and fun. I just can't seem to find one...in ANY condition. They didn't sell that many of the 420's I guess.
I never came to grips with the KTM's late 80's early '90s chassis. Tall awkward handling things. If you want a big bore of that era...find a Honda. (Or KX if you like that chassis)
I am having fun with early eighties Husky's now but to tell the truth if I could swap for a 1980 KTM MC80 I would do so in a heart beat.
And Maico's. If you like Honda Handling characteristics..Maico had them first. I liked the odd ball 1979 and the 1982's. Just they were not as versitle or as reliable over a season of racing as my KTM's of that era were. Several of my racing buddies had them. Broke things like hubs, frames, gears, all kind of things. I changed chain/sprockets/tires/oil...nothing ever broke.
CR's for me if you want something from this century. KTM's of the late 70's if you want post-vintage. (I will get flamed on this next one) AND BULTACOS from the early seventies if you want vintage.
Posted by: ToddHawaii---------------------
87'HuskyXC430...could pull away from my buddies - WR500/CR500...Go Husky!
Aloooha!
TrailTramp
98'87'73'Husky
Posted by: cujet---------------------
I will also submit my vote for the CR500. It is a very versatile bike. As long as you stay away from the very tight stuff with a stock one. In modified form they can be great in any terrain. They are also very easy to modify, as there are all sorts of goodies available.
Chris
Posted by: weimedog---------------------
So Woods...where does the ATK fit into all this???
I would STILL pick a CR. Even if the price was right on a ATK.
Posted by: KDX200Biker---------------------
HUSKY500!!!!
I dont need to say anything more
Posted by: WoodsWarrior---------------------
The ATK was an afterthought! I stumbled into one and to be quite honest it was the first time I had ever seen an ATK up close and personal. It was cheap, big dispacement, and some pretty trick parts on it....so I thought it might be an option. After reading some of the input.....I think I will steer clear of it! Kinda interested in an old Husky I spotted though!
Thanks for all the input !:D
Posted by: weimedog---------------------
Email me some time...in my travels I found a Brand new CR500 real cheap, a 2000 ATK250 real cheap, and a bunch of other stuff. Amazing whats out there. I'm KEEPING the vintage stuff I found! Like an old Greeves LOL.
Posted by: PrOLiNe---------------------
YZ-490.
They used this bike in a magazine article back in the day to compare it to the then new crop of street racing bikes in the quarter mile. It held its own
I still have my '87 fully restored in garage. Although is not much of a handler because of the weight so I dont ride it regularly, tis great for a quick adrenaline rush going for a whip around the block. Just is a bitch to kick over..LOL
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