[pplassm]

Not all Buells are bad. My XB9S runs great with no problems.

Sorry to hear you had such a bad time with yours.

 

[pplassm]

"But.. but... but... isn't there an entire mob of people clamoring to buy the first American dirt bike? Just like they said they would all buy the first "proper" American sportbike? (Whatever that means)."

Sure. Just ask Cannondale.

 

[pplassm]

The manufacturers want to keep "50" at the end of the displacement for, get this, marketing reasons. It's looking like the new displacement for MX is going to be 350cc. At least, acording to Steve Whitelock.

I say bring back the open class. Anything goes. Let those who ride decide. Then make the tracks tight, technical and rediculously ignorant. Big fun.

 

[pplassm]

Ha, that's a good one. The motorcycle industry foisted works-type 4 strokes on the dirt riding public, under the guise of "getting rid of those dirty two strokes"...and we end up with complex, over stressed motorcycle engines with the lifespan of about 30 hours, before a TOTAL rebuild is needed, costing around three thousand bucks.

Heaven forbid we have a true 500cc two stroke that lasts for years and years, puts out fantastic power, everywhere in the powerband, and goes like stink. I purchased a CR500R in 1987 (the best year if you ask me) and it never wore out. Or sure, I put a few clutches in it, and a few rings, only one .60 over bore, but it lasted 4 ever, and was fast. The lower end was stock, with the exception of one set of crank seals.

Don't blame it on the industry MS! We (the riding public) demanded them. Remember 1997, when Doug Henry was campaigning the works Yamaha? People wanted THAT BIKE!

I, too mourn the death of the open-class two-stroke. I'm looking for a reasonable CR500, and I'll keep it until I can no longer ride. I know the bike will easily last that long.

 

[pplassm]

What is a side car operator?

Sidecar: Havana Sidecar