Riddle me this....

[JETZcorp]

If you saw that bike from a long distance, you'd not be able to read the word YAMAHA, and because the bike is covered in what appears to be Swedish regalia, it would look like a 'Berg.  It's like in the mists of time (1980s) if you saw a bike from a long distance and it was yellow, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell if it was an RM or a YZ, until it got close enough for you to spot things like stickers, Yamaha's weird monoshock thing, etc.  Same thing with Maico and Honda, if you just see a red bike bombing around the track, it was hard to tell if it was a Red Rocket or a Magnum until they got close.

[JohnN]

If you saw that bike from a long distance, you'd not be able to read the word YAMAHA, and because the bike is covered in what appears to be Swedish regalia, it would look like a 'Berg.  It's like in the mists of time (1980s) if you saw a bike from a long distance and it was yellow, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell if it was an RM or a YZ, until it got close enough for you to spot things like stickers, Yamaha's weird monoshock thing, etc.  Same thing with Maico and Honda, if you just see a red bike bombing around the track, it was hard to tell if it was a Red Rocket or a Magnum until they got close.

Not quite true... back then the bikes looked different from each other. In some cases quite a bit. The colors of red on the Honda and Maico were much different, you could tell. The yellow of the Suzuki and Yamaha was slightly different, but the rear fender and more looked different from a distance as well as the way the bikes handled. Yes you could tell the difference.

Another thing was, if you were around long enough, you could actually hear the difference between the bikes. I could tell without looking what make of bike I was hearing on the track! They all had a unique sound, that is until watercooling changed the nature of the sound, then it took a while to be able to hear it again.

Besides, back then the stickers didn't really stay on the bikes.... almost all tank decals on plastic tanks fell off!!

[MXLord327]

You are definitely right John,  I used to be able to tell what bike was on the track by the sound.  None of the younger generation (under 25) believe me, but even with watercooling all the 2 strokes had distinctly different sounds.  An RM125 sounded nothing like a CR125 in the '80's, and the difference was even bigger with the 250's.

[JETZcorp]

Yeah, but I mean from a LONG way away, with the bike whipping up and down in a blur over the whoops, and a great, beautiful din of 40 bikes all going for it.  It's not impossible to tell them apart, and when it goes past you on the track you're definitely going to know, but when it's way on the other side of the track, there was occasion for having trouble.  I've seen some old World Championship race videos from the early '80s, and while you could pick out the kind of bike given enough time to examine them (a second or two) they didn't always stay in view that long, especially on the natural terrain tracks where they're going in and out of trees and behind hills and things like that.  It's not impossible, but having them be the same color just makes it more difficult than it would otherwise be, when the bike is at such a distance or such a angle that you can't pick out things like cylinder fin configurations, gas tank shape, Yamaha suspension, or Honda's stupid 1981 front number plate.

Of course it's gotten worse today, especially when everybody wants the color of their bike to be completely obscured by all their Monster Engergy stickers!

[JohnN]

MXLord327 honestly I was afraid that someone would call bullshit when I said that I could tell. Most of my friends were able to do the same...

JETZ - there is a huge difference between video and real life... first the image is too small and then the sound is distorted. So you're right it's difficult to tell on video.

When you were there, every week at the race track and loved motocross more than anything in the world, you would be able to tell the difference. Even when going to other tracks you could tell.

I'm sure that you've heard so much about the "old" days and possibly wish you could have been born back then... it was a fun, exciting and amazing time.

Maybe you could find one of these? 

[SachsGS]

Bultacos had a very distinctive and unique exhaust note.

[SwapperMX]

MXLord327 honestly I was afraid that someone would call bullshit when I said that I could tell. Most of my friends were able to do the same...

JETZ - there is a huge difference between video and real life... first the image is too small and then the sound is distorted. So you're right it's difficult to tell on video.

When you were there, every week at the race track and loved motocross more than anything in the world, you would be able to tell the difference. Even when going to other tracks you could tell.

I'm sure that you've heard so much about the "old" days and possibly wish you could have been born back then... it was a fun, exciting and amazing time.

Maybe you could find one of these? 

GREAT SCOTT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        

[JETZcorp]

<--- A Great Scot!

[TotalNZ]

Question for GlennC.
Whats your beef with parimeter frames & Hydraulic clutches. just curious ?

Perimeter Frame - I crashed in a pile of rocks and ruined one.

Hydraulic Clutch - No real beef, I just don't think they are much better than a well maintained cable.
I have a cable on my CR500, One finger all day. Allot of 500 guys change out their cables to hydraulic because they need a new cable/basket/hub. The hydraulic system can mask the symptoms of a worn out part. I like my bike to tell me when it needs work, well in advance.

I'm not saying you should not like them, I just think they are overkill.

major benefit of the hydraulic clutch is there's no need for adjustment on the fly like the cable ones. they stay consistent

[ford832]

If you saw that bike from a long distance, you'd not be able to read the word YAMAHA, and because the bike is covered in what appears to be Swedish regalia, it would look like a 'Berg.  It's like in the mists of time (1980s) if you saw a bike from a long distance and it was yellow, you wouldn't necessarily be able to tell if it was an RM or a YZ, until it got close enough for you to spot things like stickers, Yamaha's weird monoshock thing, etc.  Same thing with Maico and Honda, if you just see a red bike bombing around the track, it was hard to tell if it was a Red Rocket or a Magnum until they got close.

I agree with John.I can easily tell from a distance what a bike is regardless of color or graphics-plastic,frame etc. makes it fairly easy.
That said,for me it only applies to the last 20 yrs or so.For the older bikes I'd be lost.For instance,the chances of me discerning an old Maico from a random collection of rusty bolts and scrap metal would be virtually impossible.I think that's understandable though.

[SachsGS]

C'mon now Ford, you know that even an old Maico would be so far ahead of you that you would not be able to hear it! Come to think of it, all you would hear is the constant popping and clanging of your Yami disintegrating underneath you.Balewire anyone?

[ford832]

Come to think of it, all you would hear is the constant popping and clanging of your Yami disintegrating underneath you.

I like to think of it as "Mechanical Music"
As for the Maico being ahead of me-quite possible as I never claimed to be able to ride-only that I possess superior machinery.Once the old Breako crapped out,I'd flail my way by

[SachsGS]

Many long term dirt bike enthusiasts have a special fondness for the Maico brand, for it was during the "Golden Era" of offroading, the 70's, that the tiny German concern many times battled and beat the Japanese giants.

Could it be, Ford ,that you have been repressing your love of the iconic brand for too long?Is it time, so to speak, to come out of the "closet" and fully embrace "Maicoitis"? Your Yamaha is a finely engineered machine but I realize it doesn't have the exotic lineage of a Maico.

[ford832]

Many long term dirt bike enthusiasts have a special fondness for the Maico brand, for it was during the "Golden Era" of offroading, the 70's, that the tiny German concern many times battled and beat the Japanese giants.

Could it be, Ford ,that you have been repressing your love of the iconic brand for too long?Is it time, so to speak, to come out of the "closet" and fully embrace "Maicoitis"? Your Yamaha is a finely engineered machine but I realize it doesn't have the exotic lineage of a Maico.

When I "come out of the closet" the signs will be obvious.I'll buy an old Maico,slap on a Red Hot Chili Peppers sticker and move to Oregon

Truthfully,as far as old bikes go,I've always had a thing for the YZ490 for just one reason.When I was just a little Ford,we lived in Trenton Ontario and our next door neighbour had one with a virtually open exhaust.They also had a carport that was only open on the end that faced my parents bedroom window.On sat at about 7 am Mark would fire it up inside the carport and razz it for about 10 min before taking off.I've always been amazed my father never put a load of shot into him-As for me,I thought it was great.

[SachsGS]

Hopefully by then Jetz will have a silencer on that 120.