Messages

61

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Dirt Rider needs test riders

« on: July 19, 2010, 06:58:18 PM »

My little brother got accepted! (dirtbikerider88) I however didn't even get a reply back lol, I pointed out I am too large from the beginning (210 6' tall, in the process of losing weight quick) and I went into this trying to get him into the test not me but I replied for fun anyhow lol.

He got a reply back with the schedule so I'll be dropping him off @ the tracks for the tests. Woot!

62

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Trying to decide on pipe for my RM

« on: July 18, 2010, 11:28:43 AM »

Bills pipes for the RMs I hear are where it's at.

If you can't get one, shoot for an FMF Fatty or Dep pipe. Oops, read you need more lowend... Pick up a gnarly and FMF shorty, throw a tooth on the back and look @ getting a rad valve.

63

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Hondas NOT so surprising anti 2-stroke stance.

« on: July 17, 2010, 09:32:11 PM »

 Other companies have kept their 2 strokes on life support only if to save face with their consumers, but I doubt they'll carry it on much longer regardless of the resurgence of the 2 stroke. They aren't keeping them alive because it's the right thing to do, or that they sell well (Yamaha only produces a very small amount of 2 strokes that they import here into the U.S, they sell out of them very quickly but how long do you think Yamaha will keep doing so when they are having problems moving their 4 strokes? Still quite a few YZ450 and 250F leftovers in dealers showrooms from 1-2 years ago on top of the "revolutionary" 2010 450F and 250F bikes that are still on show room floors unsold and heavily discounted). Doesn't say much for Yamaha and their mighty 4 strokes and I can see them dumping the 2 strokes to save face...

I've always thought the reason they kept their 2-stroke line up was to"save face"and also what is Yamaha as well as the other Japanese companies going to do when us consumers don't want to buy anything from them but 2-strokes ?? I personally believe they will start to bring back the 2-strokes once they realize that's all the average consumer wants to buy!NOT to mention the 2-strokes are the only bikes moving off of the showroom floors & the "Big Four" are'nt moving any of their new 4=strokes like they expected to do.It's almost funny to some of us die hard smoker fans...

You'd be surprised at Honda holding out on the 2 strokes even if others move in / profit where Honda once dominated in sales (KTM and Yamaha are doing it now). Honda will never make the same mistake in doing a 180 on their stance against the 2 strokes. They might do it through a shell company, but never through Honda directly.

Again, I really don't know why Yamaha even keeps the 125 or 250, they haven't improved the motors since at least 2001 and the cosmetics since 2002, the frame since 2005, and the suspension since 2006. The bike is far from perfect and motor improvements could really help it, same with a better frame geometry... I do know they sell out very quickly, but they don't import a lot to begin with compared to their 250Fs/450Fs. I'd really like to see where they go with the two strokes but I honestly don't see them producing them much longer. I'd love to be surprised though.

As for KTMs 2 strokes, well we'll see. They were quick to fight the 250 2 strokes racing in the pro class against the 250Fs, they aren't any more a friend of 2 strokes than Honda is, they're just business savvy and want to take advantage of the vacuum created by the other manufacturers pulling out (Suzuki, Kawasaki and Honda). They are in the same boat of the other manufacturers in having spent billions on development and advertising how technologically superior the 4 stroke is, in fact they just spent a ton of money developing a 350SXF that honestly is a dead end competitively (much like Honda's 150R), when they could have pushed out DI powered 2 strokes instead completely turning the industry on it's head...

Maico I think is about the only one who is behind the 2 stroke movement 100% but we can't even get the new ones imported yet. Time will tell though how the 2 stroke resurgence will impact racing. For me it'll be 2 stroke no matter what, but I would like to have a new 2 stroke with actual NEW R&D put into it, and actual improvements instead of lip service (KTM, Yamaha).

64

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Hondas NOT so surprising anti 2-stroke stance.

« on: July 17, 2010, 09:58:47 AM »

honda is a silly company..   first they stop CR two strokes  the most popular 2 stroke ever when they were being made! then they stop the hugely popular XR  there biggest seller .    there a smart company     

They didn't kill their XR lineup, they just renamed it to fall in line with their competition 4 stroke lineup (CRF instead of XR is all).

And I do agree it is sad they killed their 2 stroke lineup, but at least they have been very forward with their views on 2 strokes and have gone that extra step to stand behind their decision 100% even if it is a very flawed stance. Other companies have kept their 2 strokes on life support only if to save face with their consumers, but I doubt they'll carry it on much longer regardless of the resurgence of the 2 stroke. They aren't keeping them alive because it's the right thing to do, or that they sell well (Yamaha only produces a very small amount of 2 strokes that they import here into the U.S, they sell out of them very quickly but how long do you think Yamaha will keep doing so when they are having problems moving their 4 strokes? Still quite a few YZ450 and 250F leftovers in dealers showrooms from 1-2 years ago on top of the "revolutionary" 2010 450F and 250F bikes that are still on show room floors unsold and heavily discounted). Doesn't say much for Yamaha and their mighty 4 strokes and I can see them dumping the 2 strokes to save face...

65

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Dirt Rider needs test riders

« on: July 16, 2010, 09:45:23 PM »

PM sent as well.

66

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Hondas NOT so surprising anti 2-stroke stance.

« on: July 16, 2010, 09:41:19 PM »

It's no secret Honda has always been against the 2 strokes. The whole push into 2 strokes in the 70s was out of necessity, not want. (And they made it very known then, and all the way up until they killed off their 2 stroke lineup in 2007).

What I did find refreshing in the article however was his admission that there is a 2 stroke resurgence, and personally he liked the CR250s the most out of all the other bikes he has helped design and or ride. Pretty candid coming from a Honda employee, but don't ever expect Honda to -EVER- come back into the 2 stroke market, never going to happen no matter how popular the 2 strokes get again. They'll never fall into the trap of admitting their 4 stroke technology isn't up to par with 2 stroke technology a second time.

Which is a shame because I love my 06 CR250, more so than my 2010 250SX (which I also love). Yamaha, which still produces their 2 strokes does so completely half assed (no frame or engine updates since 2005 (and the engine updates back then were really nothing at all), no suspension updates since 2006 and no cosmetic updates (other than graphics) since 2002). KTM also half asses their 2 stroke lineup never standing behind their 250SX or 150SX beyond making them and providing small updates to their bikes, though they do support their off road lineup pretty well. If they truly were behind their 2 strokes they'd have sponsored riders out there racing them along side their current 4 strokes, but instead choose to push their 450 and 250Fs...

67

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: listing US/Canadian stations with ethanol free gas

« on: July 06, 2010, 01:56:52 PM »

Someone posted that on a local dual-sport board a couple of weeks ago. There are none within two hours of my house.

Or none in my state(s) at all (CA or AZ)... damn the ethanol. (Yay race gas).

68

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: WANTED: Web site contributors

« on: June 24, 2010, 10:25:01 AM »

As my time has been taken up with many projects, I have not had time to keep the main site up-to-date. I could use some help.

At this time this would not be a paying job. Just want to make that clear up front.

The site gets over 3,000 visits daily, many times over 4,000 per day from two-stroke fans all over the world.

What do I need help with?

- Story ideas or news about two-strokes
Some of you find things way before I do, this is the kind of stuff to be used for stories.

- Photos & Videos
Sometimes finding new stuff takes time, but if you come across something please send it to me.

- Writing
Do you have a knack for writing? Do you love two-strokes? How would you like to write some of the stories that go on the site? How about writing your own monthly (or weekly!!) column?

While I may not be able to pay you much now, there could be some great perks.

Anyone interested?

I'd be interested! Don't care about pay, I can help with stories about 2 strokes / news about 2 strokes and contribute photos and videos. Writing a column would be fun too, but I'd do whatever needs done.

69

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Question about Glen Helen

« on: June 22, 2010, 10:14:54 PM »

Watched the USGP in the weekend. Go BT

Great track with some decent hills 
My question is what would the lap times of a 250 smoker be ?
With such big hills would they leave a 250F for dead or are the lap times similar ?
Any one with knowledge of the track know the lap times of the different bikes ? 125 250F 250 450F

Not sure about specific lap times but I can say with confidence that a 250 2-stroke wouldnt leave a 250F for dead, even with all the hills... It might pull ever so slightly up the hills where horsepower is king, but overall a fast rough track like that would favor a 4-stroke, and it would be a lot more work to race a 2-stroke against the 4-strokes there.

Just think Ryan Villopoto smoking the world around the hilly Budds Creek course on his 250F... A slight horsepower disadvantage doesnt mean a 250F is going to be left for dead.

This is true. The old style @ Glen Helen didn't favor 2 or 4 stroke and was a GREAT track...

Since they and the AMA had a falling out I thought it'd only get better, nope. The GP track sucks and is completely designed to favor the 4 strokes. I still do pretty good but no where near as good as I did before, the 90 degree turns into the uphills kill the momentum I was able to carry up the hill with the nice run up before. Oh well.

70

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Project Two 50 Updates...

« on: March 31, 2010, 04:37:57 PM »

Suspension from wooden wagons?  Funny, I never noticed the 490 ran on leaf-springs.  I was under the impression that it had 12" of travel and shocks made by the same Italians who worked the Ferraris back then.  Does it have better suspension than a new bike?  No, of course not, especially considering that it was designed to take rough tracks, and not jumpy tracks.  I still maintain that today's bikes would have serious trouble on a 1981 track, just as a brand new Le Mans car would get its ass kicked by a 1970s Porsche 917 if they ran the old circuit.  They don't do no 240mph anymore.

But anyway, the reason people bring up the 490 all the time is the simple fact that it was a world-shaker.  Everyone thought that 400-450cc was all that anyone could ever use in the 500cc class.  When Yamaha brought out the 465 and slightly up-staged the 440 Maico, the response was typically German.  They took that bad boy in to the shop, bored it out a little, made the frame look less like a banana, and hit the races like a nuclear weapon.  You have to realize, this thing was SO popular, that it out-sold every all the Big-Four's dirt-bikes combined.  And then, as if that weren't enough, they gave it another 6 ponies the next year, all the while maintaining the best handling in the bidness.  It is a legend, and became the yardstick by which all bikes since are measured.

That, simply, is why people keep wanting to measure new bikes by the 490 yardstick.

Yes, compared to modern suspensions. (Take analogies a bit too literal much?).

Who does this measuring? I have yet to see any serious (read: any) review look back to the 490 as a yardstick in which all bikes must measure up to in some aspect. It might have been something to compare to back in the early 80s, but that time has come and gone. Also, I honestly doubt moden bikes would have much to worry about against the older bikes (on newer or older style MX tracks). If that were the case vintage bikes would dominate the local scenes, or even the open classes (of which only the CR500 really carries the "vintage" motor into any victories...). The CR500s (mostly AFs) dominate the open classes here, don't see much of the 490 at all except in the vintage races and even then they don't mop up the competition.

71

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Project Two 50 Updates...

« on: March 31, 2010, 01:32:04 PM »

There's a 1983 Maico 490 for sale.

Seattle - 1983 Maico 490 For Sale

LOL @ the ads... Very similar to how people keep going on about the 490 on here...

Quick question, why is everyone all over the Maico 490's nuts on this forum? It seems every other post goes on about the Maico 490 and how it's the end all be all and should be racing 450s, etc... It's a 26+ year old bike with suspension more akin to that found on wooden wagons used in the old west.

I'm far more interested in their NEW offerings, and far less interested in seeing the Maico 490 thrown into every thread just to add noise... JMHO.

72

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: sign of the times?

« on: March 31, 2010, 12:08:11 PM »

while chechin out the District 6 classifieds for a newer steed all i could find two stroke related was wanted 250 2stroke. none for sale. Example A = 2006 KX250F FMF Powerbomb with 4.1, vpe suspension, New Topend with about 10 hrs, Renthal Fatbars, Protaper Top Triple Clamp, and msr chain guide.
extras: Renthal bars, stock triple clamp, and 2 extra airfilters.
Will trade for Nice 2004 or newer 250 2 stroke.

As has been mentioned B4 2010 will be the year of the return of the 2stroke! Braaappp!

It's happening a lot here too. Every once in a while I'll run into someone on a 2 smoke wanting to go to a 4 stroke based on false assumptions (more power, etc...). I got rid of my RMZ450 and haven't looked back once, I don't miss the 4 stroke one bit.

Lucky for me I still race on a track that doesn't cater to the 4 stroke (Glen Helen) so I have had zero problems against the 450s (in fact, I'm usually blasting past them on Mt. Saint Helens, and clearing the uphill and downhill triples / doubles while they struggle). The only place I've run into issues keeping up with the 450s is on tracks designed for the 4 strokes (Supercross track @ Glen Helen, Perris raceway, starwest, etc...).

I really hope I start to see more 2 strokes out there, I'm tired of the super loud 4 strokes (my Wife's 150R was unbearably loud stock... Since replaced with an 09 KX100), in fact in areas I've ridden for years we had zero complaints on the 2 strokes, but when the 4 strokes came in the complaints started rolling in and calls to the police to chase people out of these riding areas normally tolerated by the locals until the loud 4 strokes came in.

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Is'nt TSM doing a 2010 MAICO test?

« on: March 27, 2010, 08:40:46 PM »

Well I do know both the International distributor and the new American distributor... I may be able to get one to test...

... but you know the one thing I would need is a few test riders, do you know anyone that might be interested in riding around on a new bike. I know... it's a horrible thing to ask, but someones got to do it!

I bet the Maico would love riding @ Glen Helen :p Oh look, I live 1 mile from it and ride there every week. What a coincidence.

74

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What do you guys think about Steel vs Aluminum frames?

« on: March 16, 2010, 11:21:35 AM »

I'd like to ride a steel framed CR250 that has the exact dimensions and suspension as my Alum framed 04.  I love that bike more than any bike I have ever ridden.  It handles perfect and I can say in my steel framed days, they wore me down more. But I don't know if it was due to other things like suspension etc.  So again, I'd like to compare to a current setup and answer how they feel toe to toe.  I will say, I've also broke steel framed bikes and not aluminum so far. I do see quite a few old run down aluminum framed CR's and they are still holding together. So I'm not sure on the answer unless I could ride both. I guess when I get the KTM 150sx someday, I can compare that to my 06 CR144.  That really will be a toe to toe comparison.  Motor and suspension, plus frames etc.  ;-)

1993 CR250... The 3rd gen aluminum frame on your 04 and my 06 is about as close as we'll get to that years frame (Honda mucked with the 4th gen frames moving away from that perfection they almost had with the 3rd gen).

The aluminum frames do have a finite number of stress cycles but I have honestly never broken one since I started on them back in 1998 on the CR125 (and THAT frame on quite a few peoples bikes broke @ the head welds in 1997 on the 250 when it first came out, cold weld issues only though). I've broken quite a few steel frames, though this was back in the early 90s.

So, honestly I really think the whole aluminum issue of breakage is really a non issue in terms of reliability (otherwise we'd see some major issues cropping up by now). What really is an issue with Aluminum frames vs. Steel is cost. The big 3 love aluminum because it makes their already expensive 4 strokes even more expensive (major reason the CRF150R didn't come with an aluminum frame was cost, Honda was already pushing it in the cost department and had to skimp out on just about everything to TRY and make it INITIALLY competitive price wise...).

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Photos from the old Maico Factory on MXA

« on: March 15, 2010, 11:13:12 AM »

MXA did plug this site, through Vince at Maico International... it makes a difference in how many people see this site when links are on other sites!!

Thank you MXA!! 

Haha yeah, I saw towards the bottom they actually included a link (Below his shout out to TwoStroke

You should be getting hit with quite a few people clicking that link

As a side note, I saw them riding a Husa 300 2 stroke this weekend @ Glen Helen (an MXA guy) in the REM open class (not sure which one, I was just riding through the wash and decided to watch a bit).