I agree, I have both the 100+ monster and 34hp single. I find the DR-Z to be a very satisfying bike, reminding me why I fell in love with motorcycles to start with. I have fun riding to a weekly bike night on roads that would be considered twisty for Iowa with original ZX-10's, ZRX's, and never feeling like I can't "hang". We're not being squidly, just enjoying the road. On a longer ride the ACE is much more comfortable and less frantic while getting the same mileage. I guess what I'm trying to say is the 100+ hp YZF is a great bike, and the 34 hp DR-Z SM is a freaking riot!
Low horsepower stories
It seems that the m/c media is always concentrating on the demand for more and more horsepower. People ask for advice on new bikes and m/cers constantly pretend that bikes like the Ninja 500 are underpowered and that you can only have fun if you buy a 600sportbike or some other 100+ horsepower monster. Well, I remember having a barrel of fun on lower horsepower bikes. I remember the rush of riding my first 650 twin (maybe 40 rwhp)and thinking that that was the ne plus ultra of experience. I toured all over with my wife on the back of my SOHC CB750F and never once felt deprived. I used to have great fun humilating guys on big displacement Britbikes at the stoplight Grand Prix with my 350cc R5. Nothing available could even think about catching that 35hp rocket in the first 150 feet. The only bike that ever passed me within 150 feet of a drag start was some guy's ported and piped 500cc Titan.
So I'm proposing that just for fun that people should post their stories of the times they had great fun on bikes that today would be considered dogs. High HP might be impressive but the fact that I was riding a Yamaha 80 Trailmaster one day allowed me to escape getting impounded by the Palos Verdes police by riding it at its full 45mph top speed down some horse trails and slipping through a 2 foot wide slot in a guard rail to get over into Torrance and into my parent's garage before the gendarme could get the few miles around the roads.
Then there was my '85 Sportster. I had the heads ported and installed an S&S carb and I never dynoed it but it would wheelie up about 6" when power shifting from 1st to 2nd. Not bad for a 1000cc ironhead. Anyhow I went riding one day in the Wasatch mountains with a friend who had recently bought a new '86 GSXR750. The roads where we were riding were pretty tight and my buddy kept pushing his GSX faster and harder and every time he looked back that red Sporty was right on his tail with the rider grinning like a fiend and laughing like a maniac. We stopped after about an hour of this and I graciously kept from gloating while he kept staring at his Gixxer and muttering to himself.
So, any interesting stories from people in the lower horsepower range?
So I'm proposing that just for fun that people should post their stories of the times they had great fun on bikes that today would be considered dogs. High HP might be impressive but the fact that I was riding a Yamaha 80 Trailmaster one day allowed me to escape getting impounded by the Palos Verdes police by riding it at its full 45mph top speed down some horse trails and slipping through a 2 foot wide slot in a guard rail to get over into Torrance and into my parent's garage before the gendarme could get the few miles around the roads.
Then there was my '85 Sportster. I had the heads ported and installed an S&S carb and I never dynoed it but it would wheelie up about 6" when power shifting from 1st to 2nd. Not bad for a 1000cc ironhead. Anyhow I went riding one day in the Wasatch mountains with a friend who had recently bought a new '86 GSXR750. The roads where we were riding were pretty tight and my buddy kept pushing his GSX faster and harder and every time he looked back that red Sporty was right on his tail with the rider grinning like a fiend and laughing like a maniac. We stopped after about an hour of this and I graciously kept from gloating while he kept staring at his Gixxer and muttering to himself.
So, any interesting stories from people in the lower horsepower range?
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
I remember riding my older brother's Suzuki (or Kawasaki? I don't know, it was yellow....). 185 dirtbike when I was little (I was supposed to stick to the Honda 50 but when the folks weren't around I'd get a boost onto the seat and take off). How many horsepower does a 185 2-stroke make? Who cares when the front wheel is ALWAYS above your head!! The point is, power is relative to how it makes you feel. If one has little experience, a small amount will blow your mind when not surrounded by doors and a roof.
Now that I'm in the Big City, I would love a SM-style thumper and HP would be irrelevant. Anybody give out no interest, no payment loans?? (Maybe I can get a grant, eh BAR?)
Now that I'm in the Big City, I would love a SM-style thumper and HP would be irrelevant. Anybody give out no interest, no payment loans?? (Maybe I can get a grant, eh BAR?)
Get off my Grant Graveytrain Ripple! I'm going after grant money that pays me to research the amount of energy used to report on the energy used during the Live Earth concert.I remember riding my older brother's Suzuki (or Kawasaki? I don't know, it was yellow....). 185 dirtbike when I was little (I was supposed to stick to the Honda 50 but when the folks weren't around I'd get a boost onto the seat and take off). How many horsepower does a 185 2-stroke make? Who cares when the front wheel is ALWAYS above your head!! The point is, power is relative to how it makes you feel. If one has little experience, a small amount will blow your mind when not surrounded by doors and a roof.
Now that I'm in the Big City, I would love a SM-style thumper and HP would be irrelevant. Anybody give out no interest, no payment loans?? (Maybe I can get a grant, eh BAR?)
I think THAT grant money is in a lockbox
Insert an "Al Gore's drunk, stoned and tripple didget speeding in a prius son" joke here.I think THAT grant money is in a lockbox
I think we're the only people still awake and reading the forums. You're married. I don't know what my excuse is.
Actually, my problem is I work from home. So, if I'm awake I'm at the computer.I think we're the only people still awake and reading the forums. You're married. I don't know what my excuse is.
I'm also on the east coast...So, I'm even lamer than you think.
Quit your job.
SmokeU is sleeping b/c he has to wake up early to pick up some ol' POS.
KP is jerking off.
Buzz is stealing some cougar's money then 'taking her for a ride' in the Beemer (if it hasn't been stolen by fellow Kalifornians).
LR is asleep b/c he's grumpy.
Seruzawa is secretly awake but searching for really strange avatars (and plotting against the govt--don't worry, I called).
Airhawk is fashioning a clutch out of mattress springs (because he's a dropout).
Cuddy is in the garage thinking up some very, very strange ideas.
JB is dead to us now b/c his dr's cut him off.
I'm just drunk, that's all (but have a good idea for a new thread--if I can figure out how to start one).
SmokeU is sleeping b/c he has to wake up early to pick up some ol' POS.
KP is jerking off.
Buzz is stealing some cougar's money then 'taking her for a ride' in the Beemer (if it hasn't been stolen by fellow Kalifornians).
LR is asleep b/c he's grumpy.
Seruzawa is secretly awake but searching for really strange avatars (and plotting against the govt--don't worry, I called).
Airhawk is fashioning a clutch out of mattress springs (because he's a dropout).
Cuddy is in the garage thinking up some very, very strange ideas.
JB is dead to us now b/c his dr's cut him off.
I'm just drunk, that's all (but have a good idea for a new thread--if I can figure out how to start one).
I ride a 18 year old CB-1. It's a hoot on the backroads! It obviously doesn't have a lot of power but it's a ton of fun to use the power it has.
I've been drinking since noon.
The hour of cardio around 8pm was kind of rough, though. Corona really begins to slosh around once you hit the 5 mile mark.
The hour of cardio around 8pm was kind of rough, though. Corona really begins to slosh around once you hit the 5 mile mark.
Well, I remember your Vegas adventure (I believe that was you) so I knew you had it in you. You may live in a really, really, really old farmhouse on the east coast but, apparently, you would fit right in here in the windy city.
I am out of libations myself so I must retreat, however, I am happy the forum is degrading to its old self
(and as soon as I figure out how, I'm gonna post my thread ideas...in the Premium Lounge of course).
I am out of libations myself so I must retreat, however, I am happy the forum is degrading to its old self
(and as soon as I figure out how, I'm gonna post my thread ideas...in the Premium Lounge of course).
...if youse guys have seen any of my previous stories about the Adelanto Grand Prix, you know that I competed in the event every year since the mid 80's, and rode a stone stock 1972 Yamaha 250 Enduro in the vintage class, against all the trick bikes of the period (CZs, Maicos, Pentons, Rickmans, etc).
The mighty Yamaha 250 put out around 16 horsepower, and was not what you'd call fast by any stretch of the imagination. It was bone stock too, with the exception of WP shocks & Noleen modified forks. Had all the street gear still on it, speedo, tach, tail light, etc.
On my way to the 2004 race, I pulled into a Chevron station on Hwy 395about 5 miles outside of Adelanto to take a leak. There, in the parking lot were a couple of pickup trucks with some very trick vintage bikes in the back, a Cheney framed TT500, and '73 250 Rickman Montesa.
So when I came back outside, the owners of the TT & Rickman were giving my DT2 the once over. One guy said "I see you have number plates on your bike, you're not going to actually RACE this thing, are you?"
To which I sheepishly replied..."er, yes..hehe..." And thought to myself "Man, I am out classed bad here, hope these guys don't blow me into the puckerbushes too badly."
Both guys kinda shined me on, and got back into their trucks, laughing and shaking their heads at the folly of racing such a toad bike.
To make a long story short, I passed both the Montesa and TT in the whoop section of the MX part of the track, and beeped my horn when I went by.
That got their attention...
The mighty Yamaha 250 put out around 16 horsepower, and was not what you'd call fast by any stretch of the imagination. It was bone stock too, with the exception of WP shocks & Noleen modified forks. Had all the street gear still on it, speedo, tach, tail light, etc.
On my way to the 2004 race, I pulled into a Chevron station on Hwy 395about 5 miles outside of Adelanto to take a leak. There, in the parking lot were a couple of pickup trucks with some very trick vintage bikes in the back, a Cheney framed TT500, and '73 250 Rickman Montesa.
So when I came back outside, the owners of the TT & Rickman were giving my DT2 the once over. One guy said "I see you have number plates on your bike, you're not going to actually RACE this thing, are you?"
To which I sheepishly replied..."er, yes..hehe..." And thought to myself "Man, I am out classed bad here, hope these guys don't blow me into the puckerbushes too badly."
Both guys kinda shined me on, and got back into their trucks, laughing and shaking their heads at the folly of racing such a toad bike.
To make a long story short, I passed both the Montesa and TT in the whoop section of the MX part of the track, and beeped my horn when I went by.
That got their attention...
"post their stories of the times they had great fun on bikes that today would be considered dogs"
Every time I ride the 77 FXS!
Every time I ride the 77 FXS!
Do you still have it or has it been sold?Here it be...
It's gone, sold it about two weeks ago to some Limey who lives a couple blocks over. I hear it now and then...."burrip--burrrrip--ding ding ding...."Do you still have it or has it been sold?
When I sold it, it had the GYT kit pipe on it, ran a lot better (actually had a discerable power band, instead of the DT1 bwaaaah da ding ding...).
Use to piss off the REAL RACEBIKES at the AGP. In 2005 I got a good holeshot and blew through the modern dual-sport line that started in front of the vintage bikes. Came in 6th overall that year (Gary Jones won on a Hindal framed 650 Triumph).
Here's a shot of something else I just sold...kick myself in the arse for letting it go. A street legal '67 WR250 Husky Enduro.
Attachments
-
217.3 KB Views: 41
Nice bike's cuddy, I like the old dt's my first bike was a 175, I now have a 360, 250 and a mt-250 elsinore that I am "restoring". Two-strokes are fun bikes to ride even for a fat ass like me.
JT-HT-LT-AT-CT-DT & RTs forever...
My favorite was the 1973 RT3 360. Last year of the "real" enduros. Once I rode mine non-stop (except for gas/oil) from Los Angeles to Death Valley. Didn't miss a beat. An amazing motorcycle. Los Angeles-Palm Springs was a milk run after that...
Keep the faith buddy, you need any parts for a DT series? I have a basket 1971 DT1MX too, last year of the GYT kitted enduros..
The 1st series of Yamaha Enduros (1968-1973) were my favorites too. Hard to break, and handled pretty good with a few easy mods.Nice bike's cuddy, I like the old dt's my first bike was a 175, I now have a 360, 250 and a mt-250 elsinore that I am "restoring". Two-strokes are fun bikes to ride even for a fat ass like me.
My favorite was the 1973 RT3 360. Last year of the "real" enduros. Once I rode mine non-stop (except for gas/oil) from Los Angeles to Death Valley. Didn't miss a beat. An amazing motorcycle. Los Angeles-Palm Springs was a milk run after that...
Keep the faith buddy, you need any parts for a DT series? I have a basket 1971 DT1MX too, last year of the GYT kitted enduros..
today on I-20 out of atlanta I was riding with a group of about 15 bikes ranging from 1400cc down to my lowly ninja 500r that I always get ribbed about it being "under powered" on a "rally" run to the other side of town I arrived third on my "under powered" ninja(due to legal considerations I do not refer this run as a race)
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Motorcycle Forums
A forum community dedicated to all motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, reviews, modifications, classifieds, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Easy Rider 2
29 Replies
gunsmoker
13 Replies
Martin.Thomas
12 Replies
Recommended Communities
