2004 Husqvarna SM450R
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19 Posts
If I could only have one bike. . .
this wouldn't be it.
It does look like a heck of a lot of fun to ride though.
this wouldn't be it.
It does look like a heck of a lot of fun to ride though.
Joined
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5,447 Posts
Re: Stirt Bikes
In 1991, I finally got tired of dodging BLM Nazis, and went to the California DMV for a green sticker.
Much to my surprise, the dealer I bought my 1986 YZ490 from, had goofed up on the vehicle code, and instead of receiving a green sticker, I got a license plate.
Right when I got home, the headlight and taillight from my Cushman Airborne got grafted on the 490; along with a cheap Pep Boys bicycle mirror, about the size of a .50-cent piece. The lights didn't work, but WTF, Pacific Daylight Time usage only.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I rode that geared up YZ490 on the street for 5 years, and in certain situations, it never got beat, by anything. Made the 25-mile plus one way commute from Burbank to Inglewood in about 20 minutes.
A custom made 40-tooth rear sprocket replaced the 47, and knobbies and all, the top speed was well over 100 mph. I had to remove the front fender.
Of course, a pocket full of B8ES' was necessary, to keep the thing running (jetted real fat), but that was the nature of the beast.
Nothing beats a street legal, open class dirt bike, on the street. Too bad it's not a two stroke.
Now if I could just get the DMV to goof up on my CR500's registration...?
In 1991, I finally got tired of dodging BLM Nazis, and went to the California DMV for a green sticker.
Much to my surprise, the dealer I bought my 1986 YZ490 from, had goofed up on the vehicle code, and instead of receiving a green sticker, I got a license plate.
Right when I got home, the headlight and taillight from my Cushman Airborne got grafted on the 490; along with a cheap Pep Boys bicycle mirror, about the size of a .50-cent piece. The lights didn't work, but WTF, Pacific Daylight Time usage only.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I rode that geared up YZ490 on the street for 5 years, and in certain situations, it never got beat, by anything. Made the 25-mile plus one way commute from Burbank to Inglewood in about 20 minutes.
A custom made 40-tooth rear sprocket replaced the 47, and knobbies and all, the top speed was well over 100 mph. I had to remove the front fender.
Of course, a pocket full of B8ES' was necessary, to keep the thing running (jetted real fat), but that was the nature of the beast.
Nothing beats a street legal, open class dirt bike, on the street. Too bad it's not a two stroke.
Now if I could just get the DMV to goof up on my CR500's registration...?
Joined
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10,900 Posts
Re: Stirt Bikes
I "commuted" the city streets on my Honda XR75 as a youth. Of course I didn't have lights, license plates or a driver's license for that matter.
We just knew the roads and trails so well that when a cop gave chase we could instantly disappear down a dusty trail. I never got one ticket but got chased plenty of times!
I "commuted" the city streets on my Honda XR75 as a youth. Of course I didn't have lights, license plates or a driver's license for that matter.
We just knew the roads and trails so well that when a cop gave chase we could instantly disappear down a dusty trail. I never got one ticket but got chased plenty of times!
Joined
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17,449 Posts
Re: Stirt Bikes
Certain situations? Do you mean that no one would race you with a CBR1000F through the Baldwin Hills oil wells?
Seriously, if one used a bike for urban riding only, a supermotard just might be the best choice in a bike. I've always felt that a bike that you can sit straight up on with wide handlebars affords the best visibility and manuverability. A much safer choice for the street than a cruiser or a roadrace style bike IMHO.
Certain situations? Do you mean that no one would race you with a CBR1000F through the Baldwin Hills oil wells?
Seriously, if one used a bike for urban riding only, a supermotard just might be the best choice in a bike. I've always felt that a bike that you can sit straight up on with wide handlebars affords the best visibility and manuverability. A much safer choice for the street than a cruiser or a roadrace style bike IMHO.
Joined
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5,447 Posts
Re: Stirt Bikes
Yes, stoplight-to-stoplight, it was unbeatable.
It was scary at top speeds on the freeway, laid down on the tank, with the choke on (to keep it from knocking a hole in the piston, YZ490's had a rotten squish band design in the head).
Funny you should mention the Baldwin hills route over La Cienega, that was one of the ways to, and from work.
Right now, I'm making the daily commute from Burbank to Granada Hills on a 1972 Yamaha DT2 250 Enduro, complete with a GYT Kit cylinder, head & pipe. Noisy bike...fast though.
Beat a trellis framed Buell, right in front of Glendale Harley, after I put the GYT Kit top end on it. Got at least 2000 more r's on top.
Light, responsive bikes are best for street bashing.
This Sunday, a few buddies and I are making the ride up Big Tujunga. over the crest to Newcombs. Interested?
Yes, stoplight-to-stoplight, it was unbeatable.
It was scary at top speeds on the freeway, laid down on the tank, with the choke on (to keep it from knocking a hole in the piston, YZ490's had a rotten squish band design in the head).
Funny you should mention the Baldwin hills route over La Cienega, that was one of the ways to, and from work.
Right now, I'm making the daily commute from Burbank to Granada Hills on a 1972 Yamaha DT2 250 Enduro, complete with a GYT Kit cylinder, head & pipe. Noisy bike...fast though.
Beat a trellis framed Buell, right in front of Glendale Harley, after I put the GYT Kit top end on it. Got at least 2000 more r's on top.
Light, responsive bikes are best for street bashing.
This Sunday, a few buddies and I are making the ride up Big Tujunga. over the crest to Newcombs. Interested?
Joined
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5,447 Posts
Re: Stirt Bikes
Yeah, I use to ride my Go-Devil folding min-bike to junior high school. Parked it with the bicycles. Never, ever got jacked for it.
Of course, that was when you could keep a loaded .357 in your locker. But only for self defense purposes (Thomas Starr King Jr. High).
Yeah, I use to ride my Go-Devil folding min-bike to junior high school. Parked it with the bicycles. Never, ever got jacked for it.
Of course, that was when you could keep a loaded .357 in your locker. But only for self defense purposes (Thomas Starr King Jr. High).
Nice Review, these bikes are quite intriguing. Too bad I couldn't have one of these growing up in Colorado. Terrorizing the town folk etc.
Thanks for sharing the facts about Sean. Because of his modesty we would of never known . I guess I'll let that radar/idiot thing go, since he is a God of Supermotard.
Thanks for sharing the facts about Sean. Because of his modesty we would of never known . I guess I'll let that radar/idiot thing go, since he is a God of Supermotard.
Joined
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5,447 Posts
Re: thumbs up
Yeah, they've really tightened up on stuff now. Safety Nazis.
I recently restored a '67 MF series 250 Husky. It had a lighting coil (Sportsman mag, completely different right side crank half). So I put lights on it, and tried to get a license plate.
That was a year ago. Guess what? After many trips to the Highway Patrol in Altadena, and BAR in Placentia, along with cursing, 8 hour waits at the DMV, I sold the Husky to some guy in Italy for big $$$.
Not worth it, sometimes.
Yeah, they've really tightened up on stuff now. Safety Nazis.
I recently restored a '67 MF series 250 Husky. It had a lighting coil (Sportsman mag, completely different right side crank half). So I put lights on it, and tried to get a license plate.
That was a year ago. Guess what? After many trips to the Highway Patrol in Altadena, and BAR in Placentia, along with cursing, 8 hour waits at the DMV, I sold the Husky to some guy in Italy for big $$$.
Not worth it, sometimes.
emergency rooms
you're probably right on the weight. also, having just been in emergency from a race crash 2 weeks ago, i can wait for my next visit. i take it your no stranger to the unscheduled get off either. ya ever notice how ugly the ceilings are in emergency rooms? and ct scan rooms and xray rooms? something should be done.
you're probably right on the weight. also, having just been in emergency from a race crash 2 weeks ago, i can wait for my next visit. i take it your no stranger to the unscheduled get off either. ya ever notice how ugly the ceilings are in emergency rooms? and ct scan rooms and xray rooms? something should be done.
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