From: pams@triton.unm.edu (Roost)
Subject: Re: Bike Suggestions?
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 92 18:27:29 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Keywords: New Bike Advice Wanted

In article <1992Jul28.205543.21176@access.usask.ca> donald@dvinci.USask.Ca (David Donald) writes:
>To: George C., Ken M., Mike B. and the World at large:
>
>Hi.  I am an M.Sc. student (Electrical Engineering) and have been out of biking
>for the last 4 or 5 years. I have continued to ride on the street, but since 
>I am going to be out of school ( and thus no longer POOR!!! :) ) in the next 
>few months, I am thinking of getting a new bike.
>
>Experience wise, I have been riding since I was a mere lad, about 4 years old.
>I am now 22.  I have never raced, but I have done plenty of cross - country and
>hare-scrambles type riding.  I have ridden two strokes and 4 strokes alike, 
>and I seem to prefer the thumpers.
>
>I am no novice, but I don't qualify as an expert, either.  So, onwards.
>
>New bikes I have been considering:
>
>RMX 250 - I think I could get used to it and then install the closed course 
>          kit when I am back up to speed.
>
>DR 350 - Same deal, but once used to it I would consider going for the White 
>         Brothers (So-cal guys for you Aussies) DR 441 big-bore kit and                  and suspension re-valving.
>
>XR 250 - I wonder about the power of this.  Can it be made fast?  What's                 reliability like if you do that?
>
>	Other suggestions for bikes?? KTM?  ATK?  Anybody know about 
>availability of said bikes up here in the GREAT WHITE NORTH (tm.)??
>
>Note:  I am not too biased towards Suzuki, and about the only bikes I truly 
>don't like are Yamahas...so keeps the suggestions coming!!
>
>Note # 2:  I don't intend to race whatever I buy right away, but I would be 
>interested in doing some hare-scrambles, enduros and maybe even some desert - 
>type racing in the future.
>
>Final Note: I am 5'8", 160 lbs.  I plan to spend $5000 - $6000 Canadian
>		($4300 - $5200 US, at today's exchange.)
>
If you want a really good thumper and don't want to spend Mega-bucks, the best
choice is the Honda XR-600.  IMHO the XR-250 is just too under powered for
a full sized adult who wants to ride hard and fast (might be ok in heavy woods
where slow speeds rule).  The 600 is very reliable, a blast to ride, and can
even be quite competitive in desert races and hare-scrambles (does the name
Scott Summers ring a bell)?)  I race my XR-600 in the desert racing series
here in N.M. and I love it.  The only place that I lose time to the two
strokers is in the big whoops.  This is definitely a place where the extra
weight is noticed.  Yes the weight is a factor but it just requires slightly
different techniques Plus...  the engine braking is great!

P.S. - Here is a tip from someone that has been there... if you have never 
raced, consider yourself a novice racer!  I had ridden a lot before my 1st
race and thought I was pretty fast and hated to start in the novice class...
Believe me, racing is a different world compared to just riding around or even
play racing with a buddy!!!  I think it has something to do with paying an
entry fee  >|) .   The entries in the desert races around here go like this:
lots and lots of novice entries, considerably fewer amateurs, and very few
experts.  After being roosted to my senses, I am proud to be 4th in the
open novice class season points this year!    Just my $.02 worth...

                                                              1991 XR-600
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      ______	       __	David P. Lawrence
     _/   _)            _/_/	Computer Engineer   BDM International, Inc.
    _/   _/  ____     _. ___(_/		Albuquerque, New Mexico
   _/_____/_(_____(___(___\_/___/___(___)_\__	Account at University of New Mexico:
				pams@triton.unm.edu
"The meek will inherit the earth... The rest of us will go to the stars!" OMNI
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