Messages

256

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Anyone recommend a good hardpack tyre combo?

« on: January 27, 2010, 06:33:53 AM »

The Bridgestone M22/M23 combo used to be the gold standard for hard compound according to the comic books (mainstream magazines), but here in Maine I never had a need to try them - too much mud!!

257

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: The Two Stroke Shop

« on: January 27, 2010, 06:23:35 AM »

I'll have a pre-mixed vodka martini, shaken AND stirred!!!!

258

General Two Stroke Talk / 2-Stroke thread on DirtRider.com forum

« on: January 18, 2010, 01:01:36 PM »

I just saw this and thought it was pretty cool, and surprising!!

http://forums.dirtrider.com/70/8002894/where-to-ride/two-strokes-taking-over/index.html

259

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Would you buy this bike?

« on: January 06, 2010, 12:28:28 PM »

MS - I do have some experience with Maico's - most of it very good.  In 1983 I raced a left-over 1982 250 (and a YZ125), I had one of the few in the US to not have any problems with the Corte & Cosso shock, mine worked fairly well.  I had the cylinder flow-bench ported by a company (I can't remember who) somewhere in the mid-west, and the motor was fantastic!!  The only real problem with the bike was the weight - I was only 16 and weighed about 150 and the bike was 240 dry!!  As far as not being able to meet my price point, the manufacturer of my theoretic bike could look at it like Wal-Mart does - a loss leader to get people turned on to their brand and into their showrooms - a brand new bike for about the price of a used 450 4 stroke.  The last year the KDX200 was produced, the retail price was $3999 I believe.  If any of the Japanese manufacturers wanted to, they could do it.  They won't simply because they don't want to lose sales of their $9000 bikes.  This is very short sighted, and in my opinion, bad business practice.

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Would you buy this bike?

« on: January 06, 2010, 06:04:20 AM »

Ford382 - Once again, my main point was missed.  I was simply trying to see if there was interest in a bike like the one I detailed, I feel there would be a huge market for it.  I know my bike is great, that is why I bought it and have kept it for 4 years.  I have experimented quite a bit with timing on the YZ, and settled right back to the factory setting - it felt like it had the best combination of snap and smoothness.  I have tried the throttle cams, and to me they are a waste of money.  Flywheel weights over 9oz cause the bike to rev too slowly, so I went with the 9.  I also keep a range of sprockets on hand for different terrain and tracks, and I know how to adjust my suspension when changing from woods to track.  Please don't confuse my lack of blazing MX track speed with lack of experience & knowledge - yes I am a C rider, but I do have over 15 years of riding experience, and 8 years of racing.  I know how to jet/tune a 2 stroke, and set up suspension for rider weight, agressiveness, and terrain.  As for your comment about the power valve, I know it's purpose it to widen the power range, I simply thought that leaving it out would simplify top-end maintenance even further for the less-than-mechanically inclined, provide one less sytem to malfunction & maintain, and decrease production cost.  That is why I spec'ed a 350cc engine, in a state of tune somewere between a KDX and a YZ it should still have enough power for just about anyone (40-45 HP, with about 30-35 ft-lbs of torque), and be rideable for anyone above an absolute beginner even without the power valve complexity.  It could also be modified into a monster if that is what someone wanted.

John - Finally someone gets the point/question I was posing - thank you!!  That was my biggest concern about this type of bike, that the manufacturers will never build it because why sell a stone-reliable $5000 bike when you can sell a $9000 bike with a $2500 annual operating cost?  But just possibly in this economy, someon could see the value in getting people into the sport cheaply, and then keeping them in and creating brand loyalty, there is some value.  Just maybe....??

261

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Would you buy this bike?

« on: January 06, 2010, 05:34:13 AM »

Madscientist - My post was more of a question to see if there was an interest in this type of bike, not a question so much for myself.  I have already done everything you mentioned to my YZ - Vforce 3 reeds, Steahly 9oz flywheel weight, FMF Gnarly pipe, mild cylinder porting, etc.  I also know many of the guys at Factory Connection Suspension by first name, I live 30 min from their main office in New Hampshire, I used to race with most of them including Ziggy, the owner, and their Tech Support/Testing guy (Zak) was the best man at my wedding.  So, my bike is set up as perfectly as a 12 year old motocrosser can be.  I just think in this economy where people are giving up racing at an exponential rate, that a lower tech, stone reliable, and very rideable bike under the $5000 price point could be a huge seller.  I will be keeping the YZ until this type of bike is made.

262

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Would you buy this bike?

« on: January 05, 2010, 12:29:39 PM »

I agree that the KTM and Gas Gas 300's are great bikes, but $9000??  Yikes!!  And the 285 kit on the YZ pumps it up to about 50 HP, way more than I need.  I think the bike I detailed would be about 220 lbs, and not vibrate much more than a 250 because the rpm range would be lower.  With the older and simpler technology, it could easily sell for around $5000, with lower maintenance costs than anything currently made.

263

General Two Stroke Talk / Would you buy this bike?

« on: January 05, 2010, 11:20:11 AM »

I am a 43 year old Novice-class motocross/hare scramble racer/trail rider who just got back into riding/racing 4 years ago after being out of the sport for nearly 20 years.  I ride a 1998 YZ250, which is really more bike than I need, and not a great trail bike at my skill level.  What I would love to see someone make is the following machine:  a 350cc 2 stroke, liquid cooled, but no power-valve.  A steel frame would be great for durability and could be easily welded if it broke, but could be made with current geometry.  Non-current (cheaper) suspension components, maybe even conventional (not upside-down) forks, and a less expensive shock with fewer adjustments.  Front & rear disk brakes, no electric start.  The engine tuning should be about half way between enduro-soft, and motocross snap.  Definitely carbureted - no fuel injection!  This bike would have about the same HP & torque as a current 250 MX'er, but a lot smoother and easier to ride.  It would definitely be competitive in enduros and C level motocross, it would be fairly quiet, and be nearly bullet-proof.  I bet if someone made this bike and could sell it for under $5000, it would outsell all the 450's combined, and I am sure that is the reason it will never be built.  Pistons and cranks would last years, not weeks, there would be no money to be made on parts with huge mark-ups.  I would guess that at least 70% of all riders would be better off on a bike like this than a current 4 stroke, I know I would!!  Any thoughts?  Thanks, Russ

264

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Happy New Year!

« on: December 31, 2009, 10:36:28 AM »

Happy New Year to you as well John!!  Thanks for the great site and for keeping the 2 Stroke gospel alive.  I can't wait for spring here in Maine so I can smell the burned Yamalube and VP C-12 from my YZ250!!!

265

Photos & Videos / Re: Would this be legal? twin cylinder 250

« on: December 30, 2009, 06:53:38 AM »

I remember seeing European 2 cylinder 250cc 2 stroke works bikes at the Unadilla USGP in the early '80's, but I don't remember what brand they were, maybe Aprilia or Puch.  They were in-line 2 cylinders, not v-twins, obviously hand-built, and sounded unbelievable on the track!  I would have loved to have ridden one....

266

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: From Brap to Brup

« on: December 24, 2009, 08:11:15 AM »

I believe the women's pro class is 250 2t and 4t as well.  If that's true, the ones on 2 strokes will have a huge advantage at Southwick in the sand!!

267

General Two Stroke Talk / TWMX KX500AF Test

« on: December 22, 2009, 11:25:11 AM »

I thought this was a very good article - right up to the author's (Brendan Lutes) conclusion at the end.  Even though he was consistently 3 seconds per lap faster on the 2-stroke, he still says he would pick the KX450f for his race bike!  Unbelievable!!??  How much money does the average racer throw into their 450f and still not pick up 3 seconds per lap???  Plus since 500's only rev to 6000-7000 rpm, top ends last forever, no valves to replace - ever.  Just goes to show how ingrained the 4 stroke mentality is to the mainstream magazines.  Even when something is clearly better, they still cannot bring themselves to endorse it.

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General Two Stroke Talk / Re: WE NEED HELP!!!!!!!!!!

« on: December 22, 2009, 06:00:34 AM »

I just signed the petition, even though I live in Maine!!  We just cannot afford to keep losing riding areas.  I contact my representatives and senators everytime I hear about the government closing off access to land, no matter where it is!!

269

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Fun Quotes from January 2010 MXA

« on: December 09, 2009, 05:51:42 AM »

If you want to get the real skinny from the magazines, you need to wait for the next year's shootout in most cases.  During the year a bike is released, the mags may say for example, "the fork has a slight mid-stroke harshness."  But if you read the next year's test or shootout, they will say that "last year's bike's for was so harsh it would rip the bars out of your hands on braking bumps."  It seems like they only tell the full truth after the next model is released.  While slightly dishonest, it isn't as bad as when they do the same thing regarding durability.  I can't stand reading that a bike had a problem breaking pistons or cranks right from the start - a year after the bike is released!!

270

Photos & Videos / Re: Here is one

« on: December 08, 2009, 01:36:39 PM »

I bet that thing has more hp and torque just above idle than a 250f does wide open!!