How many own dirtbikes/and what kind?

[wildbill]

I first learned how to ride on a dirtbike.I own a 96 Husaberg FE501E a fourstroke dirtbike with electric start.I`am doing a little TLC to it for now.Weighs around 240 ready to go{but before I get on it}and is rated from 48 to 54 hp at the backwheel.I have owned this bike for 6 years.Anybody else?

[buffalo]

Don't have one right now but am looking for a big DP bike, was thinking of a KLR650, looking harder at a DR650 Suzuki, haven't decided yet. Don't like the Honda's

[ratbyk]

Dirt Bike

I don't have a true dirt bike but have one that I treat as though it was. An 82 Honda FT500 Ascot. It's a big single based on the 78 XL500R but set up as a street bike. I've rejuvenated it into a strong reliable runner and added dual purpose tires front and rear. I don't do trails or serious dirt but enjoy exploring all the local logging roads. It is licensed and insured so I don't have to trailer. Just flash up and ride street or gravel no problem. It cruises quite comfortably at 100 to 110 km, gives 60 to 70 miles to the gallon. Dependent whether I'm running on the dirt (lower gears) higher fuel consumption or on the highway (good gas mileage).
Handles really well on tight twisties on pavement as well. The light weight allows for some spirited carving with a really stable platform.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[wildbill]

That was the only problem when I first got my Husaberg,if I had gotten a new one it would have been street legal as is I have no complaints.I have looked at DP bikes and there are some good ones out there.I had a old Honda XL350 quite a while back,it was to heavy in the trails{would not track straight}but it pulled good.The berg looks big until you get on it and start riding, then the bike feels small{like you`re sitting in it}and as far as pulling it does quite well.I have never found a place to really open it up and the highest gear I have ever gotten it in has been 4th{6 speed}.I would say that bike on topend would be good for 90+ easy.

[Pat Kelly]

I have a 1982 Honda XL250R.
If I was to buy a new DP bike I'd go with the Suzuki DRZ400R. 250 is great on the trails but wimpy on the road if you leave town or have a passenger. 650 is a good commuter and will do highway duty ok but seems cumbersome when trying to keep-up with son on a 100. 400cc splits the difference nicely.
At least for me.

[petevan]

I have ridden dirt bikes since I was 5. That was my first love. It wasn't until recently that I have been able to appreciate the smooth glide of street bike as I carve up the twisties. It's almost a religious experience. I ventured into the two stroke world as a teenager that was fun for a while, but I think I came to my senses. My latest bike is an old 84' XR 350, that I did some carpentry work for. I really like it. However, it does seem a little on the heavy side. It suites me fine for what type of riding I enjoy now. I live right at the foot of a recreational are ( though it is slowly being taken over by dusty 4 wheelers!) So me and the wife try to get up in the mountains on as much as time permits, which translates to only a couple of rides a season. I have recently been intersted in kawasaki's KLR 650 does anyone have any experience with one of these, how do they handle, are they to bulky for off road use?, how do they perform on the street? Would one be good for an cross country adventure that includes a little dirt? I know this is alot of questions but any feed back would be great!

[wildbill]

There is a good article in the April 04 Rider mag. you ought to check out about the Suzuki DR-Z400S.It covers the bases pretty good on what to do to extend gas range,rakes and panners.There are some I think good improvements to the bike to make it a better DP bike.Check it out.

[strom]

Dirt bikes....
I had MZ 250 ETZ, Guzzi V35II, Kawasaki ZX 600R, and finally the 78E... all were/are dirty...
OK, the first one I rode when I did my riders test was KMX 125. Fun. Tall.

LP

[maicorider]

As the name and signature suggest. It's all about the vintage man-killers. The 1983 Maico 490 spider is the scariest/funnest thing I've ever ridden. One of my latest (regrettably) sales was a 1970 Bultaco Pursang (250). Anyone who rides any bike should own a copy of "On Any Sunday". I'm seriously considering entering in the Elsinore race (They started it back up 5 or 6 years ago) this year on the Maico. Not really to compete, but to run that race and imagine for a split second or two that I can feel that feeling ol' Malcolm Smith had every time he rode his old Husky... Now THAT was a rider.

[Dennyz]

'86 Yamaha IT200 (Bored to 250)
'80 Kawasaki KDX175 (wife's)
'00 Honda XR100R (daughter's)

[gberg]

'04 Kaw KX250F - The son's new race bike.
'93 Yam YZ125 - The son's old race bike, since adopted by me.
'97 Hon XR600R with Baja Designs dualsport kit - Goes ANYwhere.

I never was much for dirt bikes until the last couple of years. I've since started really getting into it. My youngest son (17) races motocross. No way I'll ever keep up with him, but it sure is fun to try. And there's no faster way to improve your overall riding skills than to spend time in the dirt.

[webbcraft2150]

Still have my 75 Yamaha DT400b I bought new for $698 out the door. Broke it in for about a 100 miles then took it on the freeway for a top speed run, 103mph laying on the tank. Many mods now, desert raced many years with it, now I just play. Also on the list was a 1970 Hodaka Super Rat. 73 DT125 w/elec start. 80 DT250. 1990 something yamaha 490 (that one was scary!!) Recent puchase and sale was a 94 RT200. Bought cheap, fixed, sold high!! As with the XS's, parts getting harder to find for the 400, thats my excuse for not riding it harder!!!

[wildbill]

Originally posted by webbcraft2150
Still have my 75 Yamaha DT400b I bought new for $698 out the door. Broke it in for about a 100 miles then took it on the freeway for a top speed run, 103mph laying on the tank. Many mods now, desert raced many years with it, now I just play. Also on the list was a 1970 Hodaka Super Rat. 73 DT125 w/elec start. 80 DT250. 1990 something yamaha 490 (that one was scary!!) Recent puchase and sale was a 94 RT200. Bought cheap, fixed, sold high!! As with the XS's, parts getting harder to find for the 400, thats my excuse for not riding it harder!!!

The 400s were a good bike in their day and they still will fool people.I remember the 360s if you didn`t start them just right they would lay a hurt on your leg.I never had a chance to ride a DT400 but did own a 400MX-B.Liked most things about it except for the loud pipe{didn`t do anything about it}and the tiny gas tank{strapped a 3 1/2 gal. plastic gas can on the number plate}handled odd til the jug got near empty.Take care of it they are hard to find now. Thanks

[xswilly]

hey webbcraft2150
I bought a new 75 DT 400 B
but it cost me 999.00
back in 76 as a left over
i still got it
it needs some work this year
but i plan to still ride it

can't believe that some of them are selling for almost 2 grand on ebay

[jimg1au]

dirt bikes owned

hi
i have ridden dirt bikes all my life at 12 i had a triumph mountain cub.sold my last dirt bike to by my 1st xs1100 now have 3.i bought a 1979 it400 of my older brother it was just lying around with all his tt500 yamahas.it has a yz barel.shoulb be fun when i restore it