What are some of the greatest bike advantages in the history of MX

Ramrod
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Ramrod
Edited Date/Time 2/27/2016 9:59pm
I always think of Honda's throughout the 80's and to mid 90's were far superior for racing than most of the other brands.

What other bikes were clear cut advantages?



versus this:

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Aceofspades 2/26/2016 9:34am
2/26/2016 9:34am
Ramrod wrote:
This: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2013/08/16/29293/s1200_Rick_Johnson_Daytona_1986.jpg[/img] versus this: [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/users/32694/photos/65016/s1600_Kawasaki1.jpg?1362330024[/img]
This:



versus this:

Should've showed a 86 RM250 instead of the KX.
Ramrod
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Ramrod 2/26/2016 9:35am
2/26/2016 9:35am
Any other bike versus this:



Not even liquid cooled. Big disadvantage for Bradshaw but he had no choice.

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hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 2/26/2016 9:35am
2/26/2016 9:35am
Gotta be Ping's KTM. It was so light it was almost like having no front end at all:



Ramrod
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Ramrod 2/26/2016 9:38am
2/26/2016 9:38am
This was an obvious advantage for RC and a massive disadvantage for Stewart:

Brownstone322 2/26/2016 10:09am
2/26/2016 10:09am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2016 10:23am
In 1974, Decoster finished second to Mikkola (Husqvarna) after three straight titles with Suzuki. For the next season, Suzuki introduced the much-revised RN75, which was the forerunner to every production RM that has followed ever since. That huge swingarm was just eye-popping in '75, believe me.

This family of bikes (RN/RH/RA) propelled Decoster to two more 500 world titles, DiStefano to three straight AMA 250 titles, and Rahier/Watanabe/Harry Everts/Eric Geboers/Rinaldi to 10 straight 125 world titles.



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Ramrod 2/26/2016 10:30am
2/26/2016 10:30am
731chopper wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/26/125664/s1200_yz250f.jpg[/img]



This bike slayed the 125's in his class. It didn't hurt that Fonseca was pretty damn good too.
Ramrod
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Ramrod 2/26/2016 10:44am
2/26/2016 10:44am
nage0139 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/26/125669/s1200_HannahSuzuki.jpg[/img]


This bike was a turd? I thought it was decent back then but the Honda's were superior.

Is it me or does this bike have a ton of travel?
nage0139
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nage0139 2/26/2016 10:51am
2/26/2016 10:51am
Ramrod wrote:
This bike was a turd? I thought it was decent back then but the Honda's were superior. Is it me or does this bike have a...
This bike was a turd? I thought it was decent back then but the Honda's were superior.

Is it me or does this bike have a ton of travel?
It was a turd!... but a turd with the Boyesen Link and a Boyesen Rad Valve that was slightly faster than Johnny O'Mara on a works Honda.
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Jmma 2/26/2016 10:54am
2/26/2016 10:54am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2016 11:01am



Old school! 1976 Baby! Bob Hannah 1976 OW27 Marty Smith beater. First water cooled bike complete with radiator on the forks.
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Falcon 2/26/2016 10:54am
2/26/2016 10:54am
Ramrod wrote:
This was an obvious advantage for RC and a massive disadvantage for Stewart: [img]http://cdn.supercross.com/images/stories/features/2005-flashback-sx-mx/2-carmichael-stewart-05mx.jpg[/img]
This was an obvious advantage for RC and a massive disadvantage for Stewart:

Yep.




(Sorry, had to. It was especially true then.)
slowgti
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slowgti 2/26/2016 10:54am
2/26/2016 10:54am
Any pre production rule Honda imo.
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lostboy819 2/26/2016 10:59am
2/26/2016 10:59am
The 1982 RM250Z was so much faster than any other 250 that it was almost unfair. If you couldnt win on an 82 RM250z then you could not win period.


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jonesaustin
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jonesaustin 2/26/2016 11:27am
2/26/2016 11:27am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2016 11:28am
In recent years it's certainly the latest KTM. All the bikes are so good however, the difference is marginal but it's there.
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robkinuk 2/26/2016 11:32am
2/26/2016 11:32am


1981 Maico 490cc, better than most factory bikes in 81 and the privateer's weapon of choice!

Ramrod
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Ramrod 2/26/2016 11:37am
2/26/2016 11:37am
Jmma wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/26/125677/s1200_Bob_Hannah_OW_27.jpg[/img] Old school! 1976 Baby! Bob Hannah 1976 OW27 Marty Smith beater. First water cooled bike complete with radiator on the forks.



Old school! 1976 Baby! Bob Hannah 1976 OW27 Marty Smith beater. First water cooled bike complete with radiator on the forks.
I had never seen this bike before. So it was good and then it eventually turned into this and...



maybe not so good?
downard254
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downard254 2/26/2016 11:59am
2/26/2016 11:59am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2016 12:00pm
nage0139 wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/26/125669/s1200_HannahSuzuki.jpg[/img]


Ramrod wrote:
This bike was a turd? I thought it was decent back then but the Honda's were superior. Is it me or does this bike have a...
This bike was a turd? I thought it was decent back then but the Honda's were superior.

Is it me or does this bike have a ton of travel?
This was Hannah's Unadilla bike. It doesn't have the normal Suzuki eccentric cam suspension. It has a one off Boyesen Link rear. I believe Eyvend (sp.) Boyesen and Hannah were good friends.
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Wandell 2/26/2016 12:03pm
2/26/2016 12:03pm
Hansens 1982 RC 250 vs RJ's YZ 250







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jnickell 2/26/2016 12:08pm
2/26/2016 12:08pm
Jimmy Jingles wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/02/26/125705/s1200_1985_rc125r_copy.jpg[/img]


I was seconds away from posting that exact bike. However, I think RL would have done the same damage to the competition on any bike that year.
Ghost of Jabroni 2/26/2016 12:29pm
2/26/2016 12:29pm
3 that come to mind instantly....

- Bubba Stewart running 150cc kits in the first moto throughout his 125 career.

- RC's training. Whether it be PEDs or his work in the gym & at the test track, he was the first to usher in a new era of commitment. It took the rest of the sport a decade to catch up.

- Pro Circuit getting the jump on EVERYONE in the industry with their traction control technology that they got from Mitch's friends in the F1 world. They were many years ahead of everyone in this department. Pro Circuits run of dominance there was by far the longest and most dominant run in the sports history that I can think of. Really good suspension + Really good horsepower + worx electronics + works tires = Anyone who rode a PC bike was either winning a title or damn near winning one. The first mfg or team to start working with electronically controlled suspension is going to be the next great jump in tech & dominance.


(and before anyone flips out, this is motorsport, if youre not cheating, youre not trying. Everyone pushes the boundaries and if you get away with it, more power to you)

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