Why do people think 90's bike are so bad?

[fabbo]

I went riding once with a couple of my mates and they bought along this guy whom i had never met. They said he knows how to ride. he turned up late. I was on a YZ 250 01 twostroke my mates on a TM300 2010 the other on a KTM 250 two stroke 09 model. the other guy finally turned up on a 30yr old Bultaco with one rear shock broken, original engine air cooled, drum brakes and enduro type tyres, suspension travel was all of 2inchs. Not one of us could keep him on or off the road. he never sat down once, we went for two hours, i was jaw dropped in shock. The truth is it is 95 % rider and 5% bike.I later found out he was either second or third State title rider in some sort of Motox/speedway riding skill. His did not want to dirty his 450CRF because he was getting ready for a race the following weekend. Very humbling experience, money can not buy you skills only practice can.

[cnrcpla]

Yeah, I see what you guys are saying about the maintenence, compared to some of the bikes I see I would say mine is fairly new looking because I take really good care of it. I'm known around my area for having one of the cleanest bikes   

Cus zey r old n moldy n stuff.. AND 4 STROKES ARE AWESOME!!!! When

  Ah, I see you raise a valid point 

[Stusmoke]

I love older bikes. I much prefer how they look body wise to the newer YZFs for example. Those things look absolutely dreadful too sharp, I'd be worried about cutting myself on the plastic in the midst of riding one, not that I would dirty my arse on such a machine. I can't speak for the engine side of things but I certainly don't hate new bikes and I've seen plenty of shiny new bikes crumble over terrain that a mid-late 90s XR dominated, but thats more to do with rider skill.

I for one would love to have your YZ

[cnrcpla]

Thanks man  I wouldn't mind having a set of 2012 side plates and read fender, I think that would look good.

Does anyone have the diameter of the 06+ SSS forks? If they are in the ball park range of 43 mil, than they might bolt up to the clamps. I would have to see if the axle would fit just as well, if not then I would need a new rim and axle to boot with the new forks, that's if they would bolt on, I don't really want to make heavy modifications.

[dogger315]

Why do people think 90's bike are so bad?

Only the uniformed feel that way.  Anybody that's been riding/racing since the 90s loves
seeing (and hearing) those bikes out on the track.  I was watching the coverage of the
"wick" on TV Sunday and while one of the racers was being interviewed, a guy went
idleing buy on a vintage 500 in the background.  The fans were cheering and most of the
racers turned to watch him.

I would kind of like to try the SSS on my bike. I would also really like to ride a new 250, KTM or YZ, just to compare it.

The front fork swap for the CR steelies has gotten quite a bit of attention.  I don't think swapping
in a pair of Yamaha SSS's would be easy.  It's doubtful much of anything would match up.  Front
axle size, steering stem bearings, steering stem length, caliper mount, brake hose routing, etc.

Most CR guys opt for late model CRF forks.  This still requires a complete CRF front end and custom
triple clamps to work, but it is doable and a real nice upgrade over the 43mm Showas on your bike
now.  The front end from a 2008/9 CRF250R or 2008 CRF450R would be a good choice.  You'll need
the forks, front wheel, axle and spacers.  Emig Racing can provide you with a custom triple clamp that
will fit your frame and accept the larger CRF fork tubes.  Use the steering stem, front brake caliper and
fender from your current bike (they all bolt right up).

As far as an older bike just feeling old, that's only true about the ergonomics.  Any 90s (and early
2000s) bike will feel a little dated compared to a newer bike.  Most of that dated feel comes from
the width.  When I sit on my 93 then jump on my 08, the first thing I notice is how much wider the
93 is.  Everything else can be changed, but you're kind of stuck with the width.
 
I applaud your effort to keep your CR going, they are great bikes.  I love my 93 and had a blast,
and a lot of success, racing it for the last couple of years.  Unfortunately, the parts supply is
rapidly drying up and I'm parking it.  I'm restoring it back to showroom condition and will retire
it to accompany the other iconic Honda models in my collection.  So, to keep getting my CR
riding/racing fix, I have had to resort to building hybrids.  This route isn't the easiest or the
cheapest, but I like the challenge and I have never been able to get comfortable on another
brand anyway - plus, like the 93, I'm not likely to see another bike like mine at the track on
any given day.

dogger 

[VintageBlueSmoke]

OK, being a vintage guy, I have to weight in here.  '90's to modern 2 strokes have very little REAL difference. The suspensions have improved - especially the Yamaha, but that was a better suspension than anyone had to start with! Argue with me if you want, but I'd take a steel frame before aluminum any day. In most cases, it's lighter (not the Yamaha) and it doen't transfer as much vibration through to the rider.

However, as people have pointed out, maintenance is the key. Most '90's bike get an honest bad rap because, well...they are shit. They have been flogged and beaten and put away dirty longer than some of your Mothers!

If your old bike is new (like new), then it will come down to rider skill and unless you are on a Pro grid, where your skills are evenly matched with the other 39 riders beside you, then age of the bike will have very little influence.

[cnrcpla]

Yeah parts are expencive, but I know a lot of the guys at my parts dealership and they usually cut me a really good deal. I also know my good friend who has a machine shop and has made some custom parts and engine mods for me. Most of my bike has been re-done and modernized, as in the engine internals, the suspension as best as I can, the clutch, all the levers, bars, bearings, and spokes. The only "old" stock parts are the frame and plastics honestly...

As far as bike condition, I have seen and ridden some really flogged out bikes, and I do believe that's where the rep comes from. But hey, the look on the faces of people who expect me to be in the dust but are seeing me right up next to them is pretty priceless 

[VintageBlueSmoke]

Most of that dated feel comes from the width.  When I sit on my 93 then jump on my 08, the first thing I notice is how much wider the 93 is.

That may be true in your case - I am not doubting or arguing with you at all...however, a '97 YZ 125 is the same width as an '07 if not a little slimmer. A '93 CR250 is slimmer than than the '99 counterpart. I have yet to ride a full size bike that feels as narrow as my '80 Can-Am's. It think it is comparing apples to oranges.

But there is something to the ergonomics issue. Most '90's MXers had taller tanks and the seat butted up to it This gave the bike a bulky feel especially when sliding up the tank for corners. Newer bikes have a flat seat all the way to the gas cap and vary narrow radiator shrouds. That might be some of the feeling you are referring.

Another thing I notice is - and you can change them on the older bikes too, is the foot pegs. All the bikes come with these wide pegs that are much more comfortable.

Now you got me wanting a '90s bike to play with so I can have back to back comparisons with '70's, '80's '90's, and '00 tech. I've got all but the '90's.

[MPFD]

The only gripe I have about my 96 KX250 is that still no one make a decent kick stand!!! The frame was used for 20 years why is there not a better aftermarket kickstand then a moose swing arm bolt on? " title="Angry" class="smiley">

[citabjockey]

Is that 78/79 yours too?  If so more pics and a story please!
And i quite agree, I think we lost something when the pumps and radiators showed up.

I was kinda partial to the CR480r myself but have yet to own (or even ride) one. Lots'a Fins!

Here are some fins - if you like Red.



dogger

[Logan Dewey]

Yeah when I am finished with my 01 yz125 project I might do a cr500af prject if i have the money
bringing the 2 strokes back!

[MPFD]

I've got a buddy with a empty YZ426f frame that would look wonderful with and old air cooled 490 smoker in it!!! Those bikes are awesome! Cheers!

[TotalNZ]

Dogger what in gods name do you do for a living? That 93 looks like you bought it 5 minutes ago, only better. All your bikes do its amazing 

My first thought was to ask if his first name was Ron, but he's on the wrong coloured bikes lol

[Stusmoke]

Dogger what in gods name do you do for a living? That 93 looks like you bought it 5 minutes ago, only better. All your bikes do its amazing 

My first thought was to ask if his first name was Ron, but he's on the wrong coloured bikes lol

I thought he might've been Jeremy Mcgrath in disguise. Wow wouldn't that give TSM a boost? "The site that The King himself goes on"

[dogger315]

Wow! From what I can see of it, that CR480 looks sweet!  Somebody did a first class resto
on that one.  Do you have some pictures of the whole bike?

My first thought was to ask if his first name was Ron...he might've been Jeremy Mcgrath in
disguise

No "ringer" here, just another enthusiast like everyone else.  By the way, I wouldn't be surprised
that MC and some others lurk on this site from time to time.

Is that 78/79 yours too?  If so more pics and a story please!

Yeh, that's my 79.  I think I have done a pretty good job of hijacking cnrcpla's thread and I
apologize.  I'll start a new thread about the 79 resto with lots of pictures.

dogger