Yeah, the gearing on the SC left a lot to be desired. Why on earth they gave it a 4 speed I'll never know. With more gears and the proper spacing that bike could have been unbeatable. Well, up until the 465 YZ came out anyhow. Ah well, with all its faults, I've never owned a bike that gave me such an adrenaline rush as the SC when it came on the pipe in 3rd and 4th. Man, that was addictive! And steep, sand dune hills, that bike just ate 'em alive - until the motor got hot anyhow. Been many years but I can still feel the thrill you must be getting every time you crack that throttle open hard, lol. The SC 500 was evil, wicked, mean and nasty, but fun as hell!