Messages

61

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Riding 4 stroke in woods

« on: December 07, 2009, 12:06:43 PM »

John I agree. It can be kinda hard to get the thoughts across w/o it seeming so cut and dry. The new(er) stuff is more fun for me as well. However the vintage stuff is still an fun adventure, they just beat me up too bad(knees, 2 torn rotator cuffs, wrist, etc..). Our tracks are very rough, deep sandy loam with some decent elevation changes.  When I stopped racing motocross in 2004, I decided to ride just for fun! That's why I went back to a KX500. One of the funnest bikes I have raced/owned. The sponsorhip agreements I had while racing the last couple of years, forced me to ride a 4T. They can be ridden very fast in the woods. The thing, is in a 2hr Hare Scramble, or a GP(simular w/MX Track added in), their added weight made it far harder for me to maintain a competetive pace towards the end. Not to mention the dead engine starts! I was at a definate disadvantage racing those things against 250 2T's in the tight stuff. Heaven forbid it rained. Ican truly say you guy's are right about the fun part. In my opinion if you like what you ride that's really all that matters. Every 2T I have ever ridden was fun, each had at least one thing that was unique to that bike. From my MR-50 to My KX500's.

62

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Riding 4 stroke in woods

« on: December 06, 2009, 05:15:40 PM »

Those videos bring back memeories. I have been racing aloonnnggg time, since the 70's too.The bikes were much harder to ride back then. I also walked to school up hill 10 miles both way uphill in the snow here in south Texas(that's what I tell my kid's). We rode what we had and loved it! The suspension, power, reliability, brakes. Everything has improved. A friend and I were talking about the good old days, and the bikes. I was lamenting about how I missed all the bikes from way back. I still love the BaDang BaDang BaDang of a 400 Maico coasting down at the vintage races. He then proceded to remind me my KX500 is from the good old days(ie. antique). It makes the same noises, it just handles, and stops much better than all my 1970's stuff. These are the good old days!

63

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What's your ride?

« on: December 06, 2009, 04:37:51 PM »

Man what a cool bike. The TS's were always great bikes. I gave one to my brother a few years ago. Lots of fun.

64

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Harley Davidson MX bike finishes race!

« on: December 06, 2009, 04:20:10 PM »

Joke? Oh man, say it ain't so. I just went to my local HD dealership to ask about the 2010. They  said there was some trouble with the super boobanium supply needed to create the new seven valve pushrod heads. It seems some sanctioning body has aquired all the S/B available, they are currently holding back supplies until it can be determined how to "level the playing field", as this gives HD a clear advantage. So production will be delayed until a replacement can be found. The plot thickens!

65

General Two Stroke Talk / Maico's we have had

« on: December 05, 2009, 09:53:26 PM »

JETZcorp you should enjoy this topic. All info that follows is as best as I can remember without pulling out old bill of sales, race entry forms etc... I truly cannot remember how many M/C's i have owned over the years( I know it's in the hundreds). Oh well here goes! Wayyyyyy back in late 1978, early1979 I bought my first Maico, a 1977 AW 400. This was the last of the "coffin" tanks. Kinda ironic since at the time my first sponsor was a funeral home(my folks were part owners). I raced this bike very sucessfully until 1980 when I bought a 1979 Magnum 2( I paid $650.00). I raced this one until 1982.This was one of the best M/C'S I have owned. Then I moved over to a CAN-AM for a few years. I didn't own a Maico again until 1994. I then traded a guy my new KX500 for a 1994 Maico MC500,and a 1986 M-STAR 500. The 1994 ergos are still current looking today. Move on to 1995. I found a 1983 490, and 1974.5 450. The 1983 had to be the trickest one of all. It had a works 500cc cylinder, Wheelsmith pipe, Ohlin's shock, and White Power USD forks & disk brake up front. This is the one I regret selling the most. It was a one of a kind. I raced this bike at Lake Witney Texas in the open class against watercooled KX,and CR 500's. In one moto I pulled the holeshot by roughly 7-8 bike lenghts( the start straight is almost a football field long). I think I ended up 3rd or 4th overall. This is a testament to just how good Maico's are. I for one am VERY excited about the new Maico's. This could be the perfect time for them to get back into the U.S. market. I am sure I can make room in the garage for a new one.

66

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: Harley Davidson MX bike finishes race!

« on: December 04, 2009, 10:17:46 PM »

As we speak the AMA is drawing up new rules to allow the FLRDTSWWMXR-1200 AF to complete on a level playing field with all the w/c 4 strokes( I heard they signed Bubba). Supercross should be fun.

67

General Two Stroke Talk / The clock is ticking

« on: December 04, 2009, 10:12:04 PM »

I seem to remember back in 1977 John Banks won 2 rounds of the 500cc MXGP's on a CCM. People cheered like crazy(most were riders from the 50's-60's) because a 4 stroke won. At the time I couldn't understand what the big deal was about, and why would anyone want to ride that thing. I at the time had a Can-Am TNT 125 S/T, I was racing a RM-80(in 78 I moved up to open Int. on a 77 Maico AW-4OO, up pipe and all). What I didn't realize until much later was, those old guy's saw one last gasp of hope that their  Thumpers could pull out another championship against those pesky 2 strokes. You see back in the late 60's & 70's the 2 strokes began to get all the r&d dollars, and the designs evolved at a fever pitch while the 4T's just stopped evolving. Which left the 4 stroke Manufacturers( Triumph pre-Hinckley, BSA, Victors ) wondering what happened. It's been my experience that MX & Offroad engine designs and uses, have been cyclical to meet a demand, real or perceived just as many other things are. Usually 10-15 years on the turn around. It is my belief that if the Manufacturers that ignore historical trends of the last 40 years or so, run the risk of going the way of BSA and Victors. This current trend "super ubananium fi reverse cylinder seven valves" has almost run it's course. The masses(i.e. the uniformed gotta have it now) dictate who the successfull makers will be, when they buy their product. What all of us who love 2 strokes need to remember is OUR time is coming again soon, we only have 2-5 years before this cycle will be over, and the current crop of hard -core thumper guy's  will be the only ones riding them again, and blendzall will once again be burnt with pride.

68

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What killed the 500 class?

« on: November 28, 2009, 06:33:34 PM »

 Thanks Hondacrrider for putting the you-tube video on. This is one cool video, it definately made me want to go out and ride tommorow!

69

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What killed the 500 class?

« on: November 27, 2009, 06:43:24 PM »

Thanks for putting it on the site. Mr. Weisel covered it well. He was very correct when he said everyone aspired to move up to the open class. I couldn't wait. After my first race on my Maico I felt like I had "made it". I was in. Everyone around here who raced open bikes were the fast guys. When you won in the open class there was no doubt of riding skills. There was always a mystique to the class. I guess that is why some of us still want a big 2T. I wonder indeed what the open class 2T's would be like, had they gotten the R&D from Yamaha, and Suzuki that went into their 450's. My guess is Chad Reed would be our latest 500cc National Champion. Thanks again everybody for chatting about it.

70

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: The Dangers of Message Boards - Thoughts and Tips

« on: November 26, 2009, 06:12:19 PM »

I for one would like to thank you for creating this forum. I really like the idea of being able to able to have intelligent (even not so intelligent but funny)dialogue about M/C's, 2T's in particular w/o getting slammed because an idea or question may seem goofy(if someone ask then it's probably not goofy to them). The zero forum "bully" policy is great. It is kinda cool to see this forum at the start. Most probably feel the same.

71

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What killed the 500 class?

« on: November 26, 2009, 04:47:06 PM »

You guys may have guessed, I really like open bikes. As far as lap times, yes on a tight technical track a 250 will usually turn a faster lap. On a more open(outdoor) track, I think 500's have an advantage. In the right hands a 2t open bike is a very impressive machine.Which brings me to the point of the average Joe. Some of these Joe's that complained about the open bikes being harder to ride fast than a 125,or 250 2t (high hp, hard hit,etc...) have bought 450 4T's in droves. Four strokes, but open bikes none the less. 58 horsepower is 58 horsepower. Maybe the answer might be a 400-440cc 2t. The 400 Maico's(77,79) I raced when I was a kid were a perfect balance. Great torque, good hp, very easy to go fast on.That's probably another topic altogether. I rode the 380 KTM made a few years back. I thought it was a good bike, but felt more like a really modded out 250 than an open bike. Very big midrange hit.

72

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What killed the 500 class?

« on: November 26, 2009, 07:42:17 AM »

I guess some that say they (500's)had to much power confuse amount with delivery. Jetted, and geared corectly open bikes can be very easy to go fast on. I agree the AMA probably won't bring back the open bike displacement nationals. I want to see those yellow backgroungs on number plates again.

73

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: 2 Stroke Nationals

« on: November 26, 2009, 07:07:01 AM »

That' cool. I can't remeber if the series went out east. Even if it started out west, it might morph into a full blown national series, and steamroll the way Don's events did. If they do put one together I'll be there.

74

General Two Stroke Talk / Re: What killed the 500 class?

« on: November 26, 2009, 06:51:14 AM »

I would like to read that article. I am lucky to have grown up here in south Texas, and had a very fast pro help me out alot with 500 riding techniques(lot's of clutch work). I started racing open bikes when I was 14. You are correct that if your good it may not seem like you're going fast. However, I have raced with a few riders in the open class that were quite exciting to watch, and not in a good way(ha ha). I love the 125's . I could never ride the 250's as well as the 500's though. different techniques I guess. Still fun bikes though. I am very excited with the new AF conversion's. They may be the open bikes salvation.

75

General Two Stroke Talk / 2 Stroke Nationals

« on: November 25, 2009, 09:37:11 PM »

Does anyone personally know Don Schneider? If so call him. We (2 stroke riders)need him to do for the 2T's that he did for the 4T's. He was the guy that created the Western 4 Stroke Nationals. He created a stand alone national series for 4T's when there wasn't one, and did an excellent job! All his events I raced or attended were well run,had great prize money,etc... first class. I think there is definitely a demand for such series. What about you guy's?