the return of Scott Summers?

[BigBore]

Dunno if this has been posted, but I just now read this today. I think it'd be great to have Summers back in the mix. Following his career has had a big influence on me and my riding.

http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=4344

 

[jwh_wv]

The GNCC or RacerX web site should have updates very soon.

I hope honda lets him ride, it would be cool if they furnished a killer CRF for him.

I honestly dont see why honda would keep him off the track, they dont have anyone else in the GNCC series.

Summers did a lot for XC racing and is a heck of a racer, i cant wait to see him racing agian:D

 

[BigBore]

Funny thing is, I'd be willing to bet he would show up on an XR650R....thats what he won this particular SETRA race on. It would be interesting to see what he could do on a 450 though.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

That's just plain rude of him to do it with a 650!

Almost as bad as spanking someone on a 250 while riding an 8hp trail bike!

 

[Offroadr]

a large thread in the enduro, woods forum

 

[OnAnySunday]

There is probably a reason he used to use XR600 + Xr650's.
More tractable power.......and just plain more of it.
:confused:
That's why i'm looking at buying a new 650 and not even considering the 450.
The world is not a motocross track.

(uh oh, here come the flames...) ;)

 

[ktmracer]

summers overalled the tri-sanction h/s (ms,sera,setra) on an old xr650. he beat barry hawk by a few seconds.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

OAS...have you ridden both?

I haven't, but the XR600s (and XR628) I rode didn't feel like they had as much as a CRF.

 

[OnAnySunday]

No.
It just seems logical that a bike built for motoX would not be an ideal choice for offroad/woods use.
But then again that depends on the rider.
Im sure that Mr.Summers would rip on either bike.
And i'm sure that with a flywheel weight, different exhuast system, steering damper, and mebbe a few other mods that the 450 would be a decent woods bike.
Thing is the 650 is ready right out of the box.
(o.k., o.k. so i needs the Honda power-up kit.) :whiner:
I still dont know why they restrict this machine so badly from the factory?
It makes no sense.
The 650 just has such a smooth more predictable power delivery, it just seems like the bike to have in those conditions.
(nothing like being in the tight technical stuff, and then having your bike kick into the powerband and going vertical.)
Either bike would probably take the older 600 though.
Besides i'm addicted to "BigBlocks". :)
Personal prefference i guess. :think:

 

[BigBore]

I'd have to say that, even though I owned an XR an loved it dearly, a CRF with handguards and a few other adjustments is a better woods bike. The 650 is strictly the brainchild of Bruce Ogilvie, built for his desert racers.

That doesn't necessarily mean Summers would do better on a CRF. The guy is an oddball when it comes to his bikes. He was (don't know if he still does) modifying the seat of his 650 using an old 600 seat to make it feel like his old 600's. Heck, when he was racing 600's he used the same WP shock for so long that the anodizing on the reservoir started to fade. He claimed that no other shock (even a direct replacement of that WP unit) felt quite like it.

 

[High Lord Gomer]

The CRF does not have a hit. AAMOF, it has a smoother power delivery than an XR600 with the HRC power up kit. The XR628 I rode didn't seem as strong or as smooth off the bottom as a stock XR600.

I agree on the steering damper (but I think all bikes would benefit from that) and maybe the flywheel weight. I run the idle up a bit on mine. Your concern about overheating is also valid, but FlynBryan said he did some simple mods (water wetter, venting his fender, etc) that cured that for him.

The CRF is also sprung for heavy riders. With the compression clickers backed off some, it is very woods worthy.

Before you go with a 650, I'd ride a CRF just to compare. I'd be interested to hear the results.

 

[Jaybird]

I know where two of Scott's bikes are for sale. Never used race bikes...I believe one 600 and a 650 fully tricked out, ready to race.

Wade Summers, Scott's dad, always wraps all four stroke pipes. He told me he is absolutely convinced that every four stroke benefits from having the pipes heat wrapped.

I may try to go over to their shop this weekend and be nosey.

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Looks like the comeback is not gonna happen this year :(
from racerx

February 24, 2003

Race Legend Scott Summers Won't Compete In 2003 GNCC Opener
Despite recent success versus top-level riders, Honda rider cites poor timing as reason not to race this year - says 2004 still a "possibility"

FLORENCE, Ky., (Feb. 24, 2003) - Longtime Honda rider and cross country race legend Scott Summers put to rest any rumors of his return this year to the Grand National Cross Country Series in a statement released from OMS Sports' headquarters this afternoon. Summers, who will not be on the starting line at the GNCC opener during Bike Week in Daytona, Fla., will instead continue his duties with American Honda Motor Company (AHM) during Bike Week.

Said Summers:

"This January I started going to some SETRA and Mid-South Hare Scrambles and was happy to find out that my speed returned along with my health after such a long layoff," said Summers. "After winning the past three events against riders like Raines, Hawk and Woodford (all GNCC winners last year), I was motivated to try and put together a racing program for 2003 and come out of retirement."

Summers continued: "I fully understand what level of preparation that is needed to put together a championship program and to go racing without it would not be fair to Honda or any of my other longtime supporters. With this in mind, I've made the choice to continue focusing on my contracted duties with Honda and the HRCA for 2003 and will keep the 2004 race season in the back of my mind. Who knows? If my schedule allows I may even show up at a GNCC this year."

 

[limitless]

I wonder why honda wouldn't want him to get in on some of the GNCC action?! I could see him coming back for another title.... Wouldn't that be good publicity for honda?

 

[BigBore]

Cool.....good to know he's officially thinking of a comeback. It'd be great to see him maybe hit a GNCC or two this year, sorta test the waters.