01/28/03

Damon,

I got your email address from Thumper Talk.com. I'd like to see you do a test on the Project CRF450 to see how long a top-end is good for in the red thumper. I always thought that replacing top ends frequently was a 2 stroke thing and I'm curious as to how long I can get out of the top-end on my 450. I was thinking you could put the bike on the dyno and measure the piston, rings, check the cylinder at regular intervals (say, every 50 or 75 hours) and see how it holds up. I suspect that 200 to 300 hours is not out of the question. Thanks for reading my suggestion.

Matt

Actually you can get a lot more than 300 hours out of your stock top-end. You should easily get 2 seasons of riding before you need to replace your top-end and even then you can get away with just replacing the piston rings alone. The CRF is a very reliable machine. I cannot however sit and run the test bike on a dyno for great lengths of time when I have boxes of products sitting around waiting to be reviewed.

I can tell you with my experience that you will not have to worry about your top-end for a long time. Just make sure you change the oil and clean the airfilter at recommended intervals. If you have an '02 then buy an MX-Bonz airbox sealing kit, you can get the link off the the project page.

Damon

01/20/03

Mr. Tuner,

Hello and how are you? I am looking for an off road vehicle that is electrical and that I can use on a ranch, I have looked at golf carts however there is not enough power. Do you have any recomendations for any companies? I have already checked into EZGO & ARGO
Thank You - Bridget

Forwarded to our ATV section:

Without knowing what about the Argo didn't suit the need, it's hard to tell. However, the John Deere Gator and the Kawasaki Mule are both electric and heavy utility use is what they are designed for.

Our ATV Section is running an article on the Gator Feb 1, and will also have an overview of the full 2003 Kawasaki Mule lineup.

Pattie Waters

01/28/03

it dosent have a price

1) We don't sell bikes...

2) I assume you are referring to one of the 2004 Models (rather than the subject of this e-mail) - the CRF250X or R - since we have Honda's MSRP quoted on ALL the 2003 models.

However - I can find out (or you can) once prices are available from Honda. http://www.hondamotorcycle.com

- Editor

01/24/03

could u please lower the price on the cr 85r because i really want one and the price is a little to high so could u please lower the price to 2,500 if u thanks but if you cant i gues i will just not get one

I have nothing... nothing to say to this

- Editor

In December, we at MXOffroad.com received a question addressed to MXTuner that we feel deserves more attention in the future - so we are reprinting it here as well as some of our readers comments. Hopefully we should be able to come up with enough information with the help of our readers to produce a full scale in-depth article.

01/23/03

Just a thought - he could buy a revloc or EFM autoclutch with the rear hand brake kit and then rig linkage and mount for a right side shift lever, since the rear brake pedal would not be needed in that instance. Might want a larger engine though to power the auto clutch- the manufacturers may have some good ideas or tips. Go for it!

Ron Rennke

01/18/03

MXOffroad,

It may be worth mentioning that a vintage Rokon RT340 is a true automatic, just gas and go! I'm not sure about the reliability, but someone without a left leg could ride it all day long if they had prior Off-Road riding experience. Possibly just as fast as a rider that did have both legs. Also note that it was (is) a pull start (right side), with disk brakes (front and rear).

The RT340 may not be able to win a current off road race of any kind, but they are competitive in vintage racing! If I found myself in Mr. Terry's situation today, I'd have a RT340 in my garage tomorrow! The other option is a Polaris 4 wheeler. They have quite a few models that use a snowmobile clutch in their quads (like the RT340), this means that the rider doesn't need a left foot for shifting those models either.

Rich

01/03/03

JC Whitney has a hand shifter for ATV's that bolts to the foot shift lever. May be worth a try.

Brian

We found the following online: ELECTRIXSHIFT ELECTRIC POWER SHIFTER from Cycle Country for more product details - Click Here. This would need adaptation for dirtbikes.

- Editor

01/03/03

why not use a push/pull throttle grip on the left side and run the cable to the shifter arm. I have not tried this but it might be a chance to get to ride again.

Rob M

12/21/02

What about a Husqvarna Automatic?

I have recently seen ads for new, unused bikes at www.huskyclub.com and I know that they have been produced in large numbers, so parts ought to be obtainable..

Runar, Oslo Norway

12/17/02

I?ve been riding since I was very young and I know a good product when I see it. I don?t know if you heard, but there is an automatic clutch out for dirt bikes that?s been around for some time. From the reviews it works great, the only drawback would be if you needed the extra cornering and off-the-line power for racing. As of now they have a limited selection of models available, but they are working to get more. The price is kind of high, ($995) but if you have no other choice, it?s definitely worth it. The RevLoc is the product of the year for 2002. It readily deserves that title. This company also sells left hand braking systems, if you were interested. The site for this product is http://www.revloc.com. Thank you for your time.

-Tim Anderson
McGregor, MN

12/03/02

Hi ed, Is this you Hunk?

I went to DirtRider.net's dirt week at Cooperland, and the kid (his name is Chris Brown and he is a kid but a super hard working and decent human being) that owns Cooperland is missing his left leg below the knee. He rides his RM 125 very well, so maybe it just takes some getting used to and practice. He said he has a hard time on starts because he doesn't have any feel for where the shifter is. His problem got me to wondering what could be done.

I don't have a real answer to the problem. But, I was thinking if a guy got a Rev-Loc (or similar auto clutch) maybe some sort of hand shift mechanism could be fabricated. Perhaps some sort of electric or hydraulic assist rapid fire doo-dad like on bicycles.

I was also wondering if dirt track racers still use right side shifters. If they do, maybe a person could still go with an auto clutch, but instead of a hand shifter opt for the hand operated rear brake. Then copy the linkage that moves the shifter to the right side of the bike.

Sorry that's all I've got.

Wes Baca
Albuquerque, NM
www.wesbaca.com "If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free."

Thanks Wes! Nope - I'm not Super Hunky!

- Editor (William Perry)

11/02/02

Hi. My name is Brad Hurtig and I am a seventeen year old who likes to ride. I lost both of my hands and part of my right arm in a press this summer while working at my job. With the help of the Revloc and prosthetics I will be able to ride again.

THANKS

01/22/03

Handlebar towing? Are you guys kidding, put the Maico away and pull into 2003.

Sorry you got it all wrong! Here's the deal. You never, I mean NEVER tow from the handlebars. The only way to tow is foot peg to foot peg. Literally, tie the toe rope to each right foot peg and that's it. I have used the method in Baja, In Africa at the Atlas rallye in 1998 when I was a part of the factory KTM rallye team, (I ran out of petrol right after a special and was towed to the fuel stop by Nani Roma) and in the good ole USA. If you want any references on this just ask Malcolm Smith.

It's so easy that once you do this, you might just ask a buddy to tow you around for fun... ok well maybe not, but it's super easy.

Your friend,
Mark Miller

Thanks for the tip Mark!

My concern is that you can't "let go" if the need arises, and that the line could cross the front wheel on a corner - messy and painful!

- Editor

01/21/03

Hmmm...... another worthless web link and BOOM.......OH MY GOD ITS SUPER HUNKY He still lives? There in glorious color he stands...... I used to laugh so hard at the articles he wrote and now I can again.....Thanks for all the funny stuff. Now this site is on my favorites. I can't wait for the next update. Mebbe you aught to find Jody or The Baz and see if they are up to a guest article.....

Mike

01/16/03

Way to go Kim! Give'em hell.

I have always been amazed at what people expect others to believe, but infinitely more amazed at what people actually will believe!

By the way, you can increase the size of body parts. I have increased my waist line a great deal in the last few years!!!

Ride Free,

Ed Comeau

01/15/03

You forgot to mention the ever-present sentence, ?Send this to everyone in you address book IMMEDIATELY!" My brain automatically translates it into, ?Delete this email IMMEDIATELY!"

Thanks,
Jay Rennemeyer

How right you are -- I can't believe I forgot to include that line. Thanks for making me twitch some more Jay! And thanks for reading, and writing... and arithmetic. ;-)

Take care. Kim

01-08-03

you're good looking.
Mike

Umm....

- Editor

01/03/03

Amen sister! I am so sick & tired of getting those stupid forwarded messages, chain emails, etc. that I too am about to get a permanent twitch which would greatly reduce my ability to do anything! I've even reached the point where I won't even open the majority of my emails for fear that it's just one more useless forwarded piece of "information"...

Love your column, look forward to it each month!

Shannon

P.S. The reason I hate these things: I got one that was of the "forward this to 10 people in 10 minutes & get free dinner for 2 at Tony Romas"; it took 3 trips to the computer doctor to clean out all of the viruses!!! Keep riding...

01/13/03

I have a 2002 KLX300R that came with a SuperTrapp IDS2 on it when and I'd like to add a suitable header pipe but am not sure which brand to consider. I'd like to keep the cost down and keep the IDS2 if possible. I live in Georgia and primarily ride trails but occasionally take a few laps around a track. I removed the top of the air box, and added discs to the SuperTrapp and that made a very noticeable difference, especially in the midrange. Next I'm going to try the jetting as was suggested and reroute the vent hose as well.

What header pipe would you recommend?

Thanks!

Dave Carl

01/08/03

Dear Rick:

I have to admit, when I first read your column on this game I was pretty fired up. I never saw the television commercial you described, but from the sounds of it dirt bike riders got a black eye.

You urged readers to visit www.easports.com and take a look at the game. Also, you mentioned that the game was not really hyped on the site. Well, I went out to the site this afternoon and found that not only was FreekStyle featured on the opening page, it also has quite a number of pages dedicated to 'showing off' the game.

http://www.ea.com/easportsbig/games/freekstyle/home.jsp

After looking over all of the marketing glitz, I have the following
observations:

1. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GREG ALBERTYN DOING ENDORSING THIS GAME? I want his email address published - maybe the server clogging amount of email he would receive might make him re-think this.
2. HOW COULD THEY RIP OFF A CLASSIC NAME LIKE "THE FLYN" HAWAIIAN"? I guess you can do anything if you don't care about the sport. I have not had a chance yet to play the game - so for now I have to rely on the screen shots and video on the site showing insane jumping with exaggerated characters screaming at you. From the looks of things, the characters at least wear a helmet, boots, and pants. Interesting, I can't remember the last time I rode without a shirt, goggles and gloves.

In the section showing 'new and reviews' you can find that Gamers.com gave it a pretty high rating - 8.5 or so. I use Gamers.com myself, so I trust that the game play and the graphics are good (for a game). Of course, the people rating the game have probably never been on a dirt bike, much less do they go outside for more than 10 minutes at a time.

However, I think the point you are trying to make is how this all has the effect of destroying the off-road motorcycle image. Yes, from the sounds of the commercial you reported on, some may associate this game directly to how off-road motorcycle riders conduct themselves. Then again, every time a driving game comes out that allows you to hit pedestrians or car jack - does that give the general population the idea that all people who drive are evil? It is all about being frightened of what you do not know or understand, and accepting exaggerated stimulus as valid input - in this case, the commercial. I agree that we should stand diligent and try to keep the image of the average off-road motorcycle rider as realistic as possible.

Anyway, here is my read on this:

• Publish Albee's email so we can all let him know what a knuckle head he is for endorsing this game.
• Send email to EA letting them know that they blew it with their game commercial and to knock it off (I did that already)
• Remember that the only people who really are paying much attention to this game can't spell.
• Just my thoughts, and thanks for always letting the readers of off-road.com have yours, un-edited.

Sincerely,
Joe Nye

01/08/03

A little vague dont you think? Where is the weight listed. It tells nothing about what brand of suspension or carb is on the bike.

Matt Arnold

Yes - it is indeed vague! I wish that we had more information from Honda.

Don't worry, since the bike is still being devolped there will be changes. When Honda gets closer to production (rather than prototype) we will get more details - so keep checking back.

The 2004 CRF250R & CRF250X will be based on the current 2003 CRF450R, with slight modifications for the differences in weight and engine displacement. I expect we will also see some differences in the 2004 CRF450R, and hopefully - a CRF450X for 2005 (Crossing my fingers there.)

I suspect that the frame and Showa suspension will be pretty similar.

- Editor

01/07/03

Hey I did this on my front shocks on a 1987 Honda 250X. We welded the bottom loop back on to the shcok and then welded the nut on as you said in your article and then put in fork oil. It was like a new set of shcoks on the X and it was even better when we were racing them with heavier oil in the shock.

Kenn Bailey