Messages

46

General Two Stroke Talk / Beta 2013 2 strokes

« on: September 19, 2012, 09:42:14 PM »

I'm so over all these enduro models, where are the MX bikes?

Well, when so called "2-stroke loving" MX riders stop buying from Yamaha and supporting their 4-strokes, then others will make 2-stroke MXers. But, the reality is, MX riders that claim to be pro-2-stroke keep supporting Yamaha's 4-strokes. They won't even buy a KTM, so of course new companies won't enter the market.

47

General Two Stroke Talk / Wife authorized a new YZ125...

« on: September 19, 2012, 09:38:09 PM »

The SSS suspension is great, but I can't call my self a 2-stroker then support the 4-stroke brands. All that money is going straight to supporting 4-strokes.
What you should do is get a 2013 TM 125. 2-stroke supporting brand, better motor than the Yamaha, better quality and part spec'ing, AND now has the KYB forks as well as their killer factory shock.

48

General Two Stroke Talk / The rise...fall & rise of Husqvarna.

« on: September 06, 2012, 06:34:53 AM »

Add in the rise of Husaberg (the REAL Husky as it is the old Swedish engineers after Husky was bought and moved to Italy). And now the fall of Husaberg as it is now just rebadged KTMs. Then you have the complete story of Husky.

49

General Two Stroke Talk / some Jotagas 300 information

« on: September 06, 2012, 06:31:29 AM »

The Jotagas could be good, I haven't seen anything special about it making me want it over a Gas Gas, TM, Ossa or KTM. I really like JTG's trials bike design, but this isn't as different or innovative. I don't mind having more awesome 200 2-strokes to choose from though!
The Bimota thing is interesting. I like the theory posted here about marketing. I am sure the Bimota name boosted its exposure. But if it is a Bimota built bike, I wouldn't expect it to come at anything affordable.

One last thing, a photo I have that hasn't been posted! Seen here with a traditional style pipe. Shock is not an Ohlins like another photo shows. Silencer looks like an Akrapovic. Seat is not as flat as other photo.

50

General Two Stroke Talk / 2 Strokes vs 4 strokes hill climbing

« on: August 15, 2012, 09:12:47 PM »

Stu,

An XR250 is geared a lot different than today's MXers. You have to really zing the modern bikes so they make more HP than a 1/2 sized 2 stroke. Whereas the XR250 was never entered into the HP wars and just lugs along.  They built a bike that works (like an old Toyota Hilux!). It may not be the fastest, but it keeps going...and going...and going!

Thats so true. I don't have a problem with the old 4 strokes. Less revs, less power = longer lasting engines.
I had a TT600 2 years ago and it was fun except I am not big enough for a 145Kg bike.

KIWI: Hell yeah. I absolutely wailed my little XR100r for a good 3 years and it still hasn't skipped a beat. And it still hauls my 87 kg butt around no worries.

VBS: I was referring to the enduro bikes of today, sorry if that wasn't clear. But you're right though, even with double displacement it still needs to rev high to pump out the HP so that the fooper troopers can say: its got more power. Anyway my point was that an old XR can take on any of the modern enduros. Goes to show that these advanced bikes that everyone is paying 12k for (in Australia) is worth a whole lot less than a bike you'd pay 2 or 3 for (A good condition XR). High revs= high costs.

I too am an XR fan. I learned to ride on a XR100 (now my wife's bike). I moved up to a XR250R, that I still have, and my dad rides a XR400R.

What you said is very ture, they lug and lug and last forever. So why buy a newer bike or a 2-stroke? Weight and chassis. My XR250 weighs a good 30-40lbs more than my KTM 380SX. The XR400 was measured by us at 45lbs heavier. That makes a big difference in the technical sections. The weight of the XR250 is better, but it doesn't have the power for bigger, steeper hills, especially anything with sand. The XRs do have great suspension though, much better than the KTM. My dad is looking at getting a newer KTM 500EXC to drop 25lbs from his bike, or an out of state street legal 300 for even less weight.

I guess my bottom line is, the XRs are good, rider skill is most important, but same skill on a better bike will do better with less exhaustion. When you look at Erzberg and Romaniacs results, it is impossible to deny the 300 2-stroke is king of hard enduro.

51

Technical / 09 TM 300

« on: August 07, 2012, 06:09:21 AM »

Hi

Here nice read about titanium framed bike and how "nice" it was http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/290/1686/Motorcycle-Article/Memorable-Motorcyles-BSA-Titanium.aspx

I have been watching prices of these bikes with interest, TM is much cheaper here Finland compared to Ktm and in states vice verse, cant understand it, but you cant have all with "cheap"
Just got mine and had 3h riding with it, im liking it very very.

Here you find some dyno figures http://www.scalviniracing.it/eng/articoli4_scheda.jsp?idarticolo=M-TM250300E/001&idcatalogo=AWAC   download attachment.

Chears!

You can't compare a 47 year old titanium framed bike to today's modern design, metallurgy and manufacturing. Ti has been successfully used by custom builders of light weight frames for street bikes. A lot has changed since then.

Interesting about the prices. TM is more expensive here, but not THAT much more. It is $8k for a KTM/Husaberg 300 and a TM is like $9k I think. Not bad for an exotic, limited, hand built bike from Italy.

52

General Two Stroke Talk / aviation gas

« on: August 07, 2012, 05:59:21 AM »

Funny topic. A lot of private pilots convert their light aircraft to run on pump fuel because it is much cheaper. Avgas was created because of the inconsistent quality of pump fuel. Now, pump fuel is right up there (if you get the right brands). If it is higher octane, then you can make more power with higher compression. Unless you change your compression ratio to suit it, you won't see any gains. Well, maybe slight gains as lead contains more energy than alcohol.

53

General Two Stroke Talk / 2012 KTM 380SX

« on: August 07, 2012, 05:52:25 AM »

I can't believe it is for sale. After it was just finished. Has he even ridden it? You couldn't pay me enough to get rid of that awesome bike. The best 2-stroke motor ever made in a modern chassis. I would love one.

For members of KTM talk, here is his thread on it:
http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=452202&st=0

54

For Sale / KTM 380exc 2002

« on: August 07, 2012, 05:47:50 AM »

Hey mate still got the bike?

It is still for sale. Deal fell through. It is best to contact me through the Craigslist ad for quick response.

55

Technical / 09 TM 300

« on: August 03, 2012, 07:24:05 PM »

but one has to ask themselves, if they were superior to the HGS, why wouldnt TM use them from the factory?

TM is an Italian boutique brand, no compromises.

If they could use a pipe that made more power (questionable), was stronger (it is, Ill give them that) and was made in italy too (yep), I think they would be OEM.

Not necessarily. Look at their suspension. They always used the standard Ohlins shock when they could have used the TTX that out-performs it. They could use Ohlins forks, or Showa or KYB, over Marzocci. In fact, the new bikes may come with KYB, and they dropped the Ohlins shock in favor of their own designed shock. They could also upgrade to a lighter, better flexing steel frame.

TM does a lot of great things, but not necessarily no compromise on everything. Otherwise, why not have a Titanium frame, titanium pipe, etc.

Anyways, the Scalvini is the most popular upgrade I have seen on TMs.

56

General Two Stroke Talk / Romaniacs 2012

« on: August 03, 2012, 07:14:31 PM »

During this year's industry propaganda basted "Daytona Foopercross", Ricky Carmichael and Chad Reed were both helping to announce the event on TV. Ricky was doing a good job holding the 4 Stroke bullshit line, doing his part for his patrons in the industry.

He said something like, "These new bikes are just incredible... I remember when we all chose to switch to the 4 Strokes...." AT WHICH POINT CHAD REED CUT IN AND SAID- "Well,... actually we were all kind of forced into that..."

Good for him. As I recall, it was the top FACTORY riders that were the last to switch to 4-strokes.

57

Technical / 09 TM 300

« on: August 02, 2012, 09:59:09 PM »

I have heard good things about Scalvini for TM bikes. That is what Cycle Playground uses on their TMs.

58

General Two Stroke Talk / who rides what?

« on: August 02, 2012, 09:51:49 PM »

My main bike is a KTM 380SX
My second, longest owned bike is a Honda XR250R street legal
I also have a KTm 380EXC for sale and my dad rides a Honda XR400R street legal

Dream bike? It would have to be custom:
KTM 380SX motor
6-speed wide ratio transmission
2008-2013 KTM PDS frame
Ohlins TTX suspension front & rear

59

General Two Stroke Talk / Romaniacs 2012

« on: August 02, 2012, 09:40:50 PM »

Only 2 4-strokes. There are 2 350s listed. Everything else is a 250 or 300 2-stroke. Awesome. Next time someone tells you pros choose to ride 4-strokes because they are better, copy and paste this list.

60

General Two Stroke Talk / Mike Sleeter

« on: July 25, 2012, 07:32:52 PM »

Well there you go I didn't know that. Its good to see Australia hasn't been totally corrupted. My brother had an old IT450 that got bored out to a 490... That was pretty hungry but hes never ridden the 500 cc mx screamers. Not sure how I'd go on a 450 two stroke though. I think the 380 SX with some good engine work would be a true fooper destroyer there. That'd be interesting actually.

The 380SX would be a killer motor/bike for the class. It would need suspension work. You could upgrade to 48mm forks or even Showa conversion.

Yota's bike ( http://twostrokemotocross.com/forum/general-two-stroke-talk/ktm-demo-day-vs-ktm-380sx/ ) with the 380 motor...