What was king in the 80's?
- Thread starter clown
- Start date
- Jan 8, 2000
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The 80's were a very interesting time for dirt bikes. We went from 4 inches of suspension travel to 12, from air cooling to water cooling, from fixed exhaust timing to powervalves. The list goes on and on.
With each new development, the big four were catapulted to the top, or left to scurry in catch-up mode.
It is safe to say, that at some point in time, each of the big four were on-top.
With each new development, the big four were catapulted to the top, or left to scurry in catch-up mode.
It is safe to say, that at some point in time, each of the big four were on-top.
When Suzuki went to the uni-shock - they were king of the motocross world. I can't remember the exact year (around 80 or 81). This was a revolutionary change from the double rear shocks/springs to a single shock. I had a 1982 RM 125 and if my memory serves me, it was top of the class.
Just found a reprint of the 82 shootout. Suzuki was in fact the best that year. The post wouldn't let me paste the link?? Spamkiller :bang: Go to google and type in "motocross shootout 1982". The 3rd entry titled Misc Motorcycle History has the complete shootout.
Not only was the single shock revolutionary, but that decade also saw water cooled engines for the first time.
I'll probably get blasted for this comment, but that decade saw some revolutionary changes. It doesn't seem like there were any revolutionary changes again until 4-strokes.
Anybody else have an opinion?
Just found a reprint of the 82 shootout. Suzuki was in fact the best that year. The post wouldn't let me paste the link?? Spamkiller :bang: Go to google and type in "motocross shootout 1982". The 3rd entry titled Misc Motorcycle History has the complete shootout.
Not only was the single shock revolutionary, but that decade also saw water cooled engines for the first time.
I'll probably get blasted for this comment, but that decade saw some revolutionary changes. It doesn't seem like there were any revolutionary changes again until 4-strokes.
Anybody else have an opinion?
ellandoh said:
You sure it wasnt an 86? I raced an 87 CR125 and it had front and rear disc brakes(first year for rear). Thats the bike that got me hooked on Honda. Up until then I rode team green. Love that blue seat with orange/red plastic. Aaahhhh...to be 16 again. :cool:
ellandoh said:
Sorry...I hope you didnt take it the wrong way. I wasnt trying to be a smart@ss. As for the original question on this thread...early eighties was a mixed bag. It seemed to change from year to year. Late eighties seemed to belong to Honda. Kawi came back in I believe 91 with a new frame design and got mixed reviews. Some loved the engine, but not suspension. Suzuki was praised for the best suspension , but the engine was a love/hate situation. Some praised it for being smooth, others said that it had no power. Yamaha always seemed to finish in the middle of the pack in the shootouts. Anyway...from what I remember... Honda and Kawasaki were the top dogs for most of late 80's and early 90's. It would seem that Yamaha took Kawasakis place as the leader now and Honda seems to be second place. Wonder what will happen in another 10 to 20 years? :blah: :blah:
clown said:
Now that we have crossed over into the neighborhood of make believe...I would say that it would have to be the YZ80 that the nerdy kid rode in the movie called "The Dirt Bike Kid". That bike was alive and could even fly. Now Beat that!!!!
Britt Boyette
Member
- Aug 16, 2004
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xr100ider said:
Not in the 80's.
Maybe, just maybe, it's a 1980 Husky. Check out this story.
http://www.motoring.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=918&fArticleId=302482
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Okie said:
It was a 490 :nener: and 1981 seems to be the year that the Maico faithful get all wobbly over , for good reason I might add. ;)
