Well, I want to take the plunge into AVDRA, Vintage MX racing. I really need some help on trying to pick out a bike. Right now I will use my XR 650 R to ride the 'Modern Open' class. This is the only bike I have right now and it will give me some experience riding on a MX track. I'm a off road rider for the last ten years and this will be my first time on a MX track. Below you will find some info to help me with the decision process... Experience: * I've ridden 4 strokes all my life, but, I'm open to trying a 2 stroke. * As I said above, NO MX experence...ridden off road for 10 years. I would say I'm a Intermediate (C+, B-) rider. I've ridden a XR 650 R for all those years. * I'm tall and stocky (6'6", 270 lbs), 48 years old. I've dropped a good amount of weight and 'hope' to lose about 20-30 lbs more. I'm really concerned with getting a bike that I can make fit me (height wise). I've done many things to my XRR to help with that, so I know how to do it. But, would like to start out with a bike that would help in this process...if possible. Cost: * Budget, $ 1,000 to $ 2,000. I would like to get a starter race bike. I know I will have to tear it apart and do some work to it (meaning, spend $$$ on it). That's just part of the process. DISCLAIMER: If my $$$ situation improves, I 'might' make the jump to a more expensive bike. $ 2, 000 to $ 3,500. See below for brand of bike. * I am a Honda guy, so if the first bike could be a Ride Red bike that would be a plus...but, I'm willing to consider other brands... I've been looking at Maico's. I was looking at Honda CR 250's, what do you guys think of that bike. The Maico 400, 440 and 490's caught my eye as well. They are GREAT looking and could be a fun long term project. If I bought a Maico, I'd look for a untouched one that ran well, but needed restoring. I like the idea of having the newest bike that I can (something in the 80's). To me the suspension could be the best, which could help with my aging body. Class of racing: GP Class is what I am looking at. Years of bikes range from 1978 up to 1989. As I said above, I was looking at CR 250's in the late 80's or possibly upgrading to a Maico. But, I'm open to other suggestions. There is also a GP 4 stroke by 9 class. This interests me. But, I don't know what bikes would have 9" of suspension and I think you can go up to 1989. Closing thoughts: I'm looking for a bike that has the best suspension possibilities (I have a aging body). Fits my 6'6" frame the best. And could be a fun long term project that I could grow into. Thank you very much for your time and help. If there is any other info you need to help me, just ask... Regards, Jim EDIT: Build tread started here... http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=659435
I have an '82 Can Am Sonic and an '82 KTM 504. Both bikes have Rotax motors and monoshock rear suspension. They also have more than 9" of suspension more like 12". Either one is about as capable of 4stroke MX of the period as was made. Either one would be a handful too. Is the 9" rule unique to AVDRA?
If you're stuck on a Honda I'd look for a CR480 to fit you better. Jump ship to Yamaha and build something like this: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/2168146409.html YZ/IT 465/490 would be a good choice for a big guy. KDX420 for a Kawi would be fun, 83/84 KX250's have raw big dude power too.
YZ465. Parts are plentiful and big bores last a long time 'cause few can hang on WFO for very long. Especially after sampling those ass kickin' drum brakes.
I don't know about the 9" rule...I'm new to this. I'm concern about the 'handful' issue as well. That's what makes me concerned about the Maico choice. I've gotten use to the XR 650 R power over the years. But, I don't know if bigger is better for the MX racing.
True vintage is pre-1974 motorcycles. It's an expensive route. Run the post-vintage class. More and less expensive bikes available. Decent suspension,parts availability less expensive to run. All you have to remember is the throttle turns both directions. I run my YZ465 with modern bikes sometimes. Beat more than a few of them too. Are you sure MX is what you want? Hare Scrambles may be more in order to start. Two hours of running through the woods. A little less bar banging and less air. You don't have to run with the vintage bikes. If you're out for some fun competition HS would be a good choice. MX entails a lot of waiting around. Kinda like flying a plane,long periods of boredom punctuated by breif moments of extreme terror. Oh yeah the Maico thing isn't anywhere close to your budget either. See here. And here.
There is another factor is the V-MX idea. I have a 6 years old son. He has been racing BMX and has a very nice Red Baron CRF 50 that he rides. My wife is a rider too. So, I really like the idea of him riding on a 'less' stressed track. I don't have any vision of turning him into a RC wanta be. So, I'm really also looking for family fun as well. The more I can ride with the family around (we have a 1 year old son too) the less guilt I feel. I want to be around bikes AND family. Banging bars, a little bit of air and working on my cornering speed is what I'm after. HS might me in my future. I want to start racing and I'm thinking this could be a nice cheap way of starting. The brief moments of extreme terror, sounds like fun . Thanks for the Maico links...it was just a dream...back to reality.
YZ465. Parts are plentiful and big bores last a long time 'cause few can hang on WFO for very long. Especially after sampling those ass kickin' drum brakes. sounds like 'brief moments of terror' to me...
LB, thanks...I'll look into these options. That Yamaha link is wayyyy over my budget. But, sure looks pretty. A yellow and white 4 stoke is a posibility...
TT500 would be a hoot for a four stroke option and you're big enough to start the thing. I rode them as a kid, but if I killed it I had to get one of the big guys to start it.
For that budget your somewhat limited to the japanese bikes? try : www.vintagemx.us it seems to be one of the best sites for buying and selling or : www.acrmx.com which is mostly eastcoast but is good for research.
For some probably stupid reason, late 70's YZ's felt roomier to me. I am 6'6'' too. 78 to 89 model years? IMO you would have to be nuts to race anything but a 87, 88, or 89 whatever. BIG DIFF! With these rules, you would have to be nuts to race a four stroke. I have watched open class bikes ruin peoples riding style. They think they are going faster but the stop watch proves that they just keep getting slower and slower on them. They are too much for MORTAL humans. When I was I kid, unless you were at the nationals or a GP or Can Am, only slow old men rode open class.
As it sits today. Too bad you're so far away supershaft. I'd love to show you some slow old man roost.
Funny you should say that...I owned a XT 500 right out of high school. Never took it on dirt, I lived in Chicago...took it down MANY gang ways... I'll look. 87,88 and 89 years make since to me as well. The drum brakes scares me with this much size and body weight... Explain the rules and four stroke comment? Thanks guys for all the input, I feel like I'm getting somewhere. I just don't know where???
Brakes on the YZ are actually powerful..................if you are. No hydraulics to assist. But it has a double leading shoe on the front I can stand on the front wheel just like a disc. And I'm no little guy. After 4 or 5 laps it becomes difficult to brake hard. Between fatigue and heat induced fade lap times go up. But don't sweat it everyone has the same problem.
I just happen to have two '81 IT465s I am looking to sell in the low range of your budget. One to ride. One for parts. Right now they are in pieces but I have just had the top end redone and a never used pipe and lots of extras--and I am just down the road from you in Albuquerque. PM me if interested
If the rules don't allow you to run a four stroke with twice as much displacement, your outgunned big time AND, even if they do, you are going to be extremely over weight! Hey AG! I am backing off! Not everybody I have ever seen ride an open class bike is slow! Just most. More so than any other class. From what I can tell, one thing is for sure, the more roost you make the slower you get! The last open class bike I rode was an about '92 KX500. Whoa! I take that back, since then I rode a 370 KTM all day once. If I remember right, it was no KX500 in the power department! If the rules allow disk brakes. It isn't about ultimate braking power but way more feathering control! IMO, drum brakes are like an on/off switch compared to well setup disks.