Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Vintage Two Strokes => Topic started by: opfermanmotors on November 25, 2010, 04:07:29 AM
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Some rare bike here, sounds pretty good though.
Montesa Cappra 414 Vg Vintage motocrosser #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez6P4iQpr2o#)
(http://www.southwestmontesa.com/images/gal_vg414.jpg)
Montesa Cappra VG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOLf1Xf-YuQ#)
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Sweet.
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It would be nice if some deep pockets would buy out Honda's control of Montesa and return it to an independent company. Montesa produced some very nice, underrated offroad motorcycles in the past.Most people now agree that the Montesa VR's were better bikes then the Honda CR250s in the early 70's, it's amazing what a massive advertising budget can achieve.
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I am a big Montesa fan, I have a dozen of them. I've been riding and working on them since my first Rickman I bought in 1972.
Sachs is right, the VR's are much better bikes than the press gave credit for, they just did not have the money to pump them up with the press. I still ride my VR and would not hesitate to say it is probably the best 250 mx bike of 73 and 74, power-handling-brakes-durability-attention to detail. And I can't leave out the looks.
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I was going to bring up the '73-74 Maicos, but then I saw that brakes and durability were part of your criteria, so I decided not to. :P
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I have a 74 GP 250 Maico that I have compared the Montesa's to. The VR handles very similar to the Maico; great in the turns and stable as a rock on the fast whoops. The seating position, peg postion on the VR is easier to get used to for someone jumping off a modern bike. And the VR is a hands down faster motor, from low end, mid-range, and top end power.
Older Maico brakes can be set up to work properly without spending money on a new wheel. The rear brakes are as good as any other brand, but the front brake needs to be bolted right when you tighten the axle. I know the way to do it, and it makes a big difference. Also, the Maico's have a lot of flywheel inertia, which makes the stopping feel different than a bike with no flywheel inertia, like all the Japanes bikes of that era. Maico used the same rear brakes on the 81 83 models as it did the 70 71 models. I have to be careful not to lock the rear brake on my 81 490.
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When we were kids, one of my neighbours had a 250VR. As well, my brother had a 75 MC250 Maico and other kids had a Honda CR250, Yamaha MX125 and various other brands. I still remember riding the Montesa to this day, as well as an old 4sp Cappra that a school mate had. The difference between the VR and the Cappra was like night and day,that Cappra was not a very refined motorcycle. I never had any issues with Maico brakes but Husqvarna drum brakes was a whole different matter. I remember racing Husky's and living in fear of water crossings. :-X
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The worst brakes I've ever encountered, are the ones on my Husqvarna. Then again, the best were on my dad's Husqvarna, which makes me think some previous owners really dragged my bike through hell and back.
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Is this the Montesa from VMX magazine?