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Through The Comments By Month.
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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
Riding Off-Road with a Disability |
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.
Relocating
the Shift Lever |
My
name is Terry and i was involved in a motorcycle
accident in april and lost my left leg below the knee.
Mx is a passion of mine and i love to ride. I have a yz
125 and tried to modify the shift lever so i can shift
well needless to say its pretty tuff to do. My question
is, is there something that i can do to help me shift
without spending all kinds of money. I know if i bought
a four stroke that would probably solve alot of the
problems but i dont have that kind of money so hopefully
u can give me some suggestions of what i can do to help
me shift the bike....thxx
Sorry
to hear about your accident. I don't know of any way to
modify your YZ to shift easier for you. One serious
alternative is to try some vintage racing. What does
that have to do with your dilemma? Some of the older
vintage bikes had right side shifters. The '74 (I
believe) and earlier Bultacos had right side shifters.
Out of all the racing I've done, I have had more fun on
the vintage bikes than any others. The bikes did have
much less suspension travel but the motors back then had
more than enough horsepower to put a grin on anyone's
face. Just a thought.
MX
Tuner
Editor's
Note: We are on a mission to find out more, hopefully we
can put together an article in the near future on riding
with disabilities. If anyone has more information -
write us at dirtbike@off-road.com
- we will forward the information to Terry and include
it in our write up. Terry - try contacting these folks
for more information:
Tomco
Conversions, Inc.
P.O. Box 30, Midmont Rd.
Wilcox, PA 15870
814-929-5164
814-929-5284 Fax.
|
National
Handicap Motorcyclist Association
404 Maple Street
Upper Nyack, NY 10960
(914) 353-0747 |
Wheelchair
Motorcycle Association (WMA)
Dr. Eli Factor
101 Torrey St.
Brockton, MA 02401 |
|
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
I would have
replied -- but when I saw the sentence "Send this to
everyone immediately" I deleted the whole e-mail ...
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:
- 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.
- 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.
Current
CRF450 Specs: |
ENGINE
|
Engine
Type |
449cc
liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke |
Bore
and Stroke |
96.0mm
x 62.1mm |
Compression
Ratio |
11.5:1 |
Valve
Train |
SOHC;
four-valve |
Carburetion |
Keihin
40mm flat-slide |
Ignition |
Solid-state
CD with electronic advance |
DRIVE
TRAIN
|
Transmission |
Close-ratio
five-speed |
Final
Drive |
#520
chain; 13T/50T |
CHASSIS
/ SUSPENSION / BRAKES
|
Front
Suspension |
47mm
inverted Showa cartridge fork with 16-position rebound-
and 16-position compression-damping adjustability;
12.4-inch travel |
Rear
Suspension |
Pro-Link
Showa single-shock with spring-preload, 17-position
rebound-damping adjustability, and compression-damping
adjustment separated into low-speed (13 positions) and
high-speed (3.5 turns); 12.4-inch travel |
Front
Brake |
Single
240mm disc with twin-piston caliper |
Rear
Brake |
Single
240mm disc |
Front
Tire |
80/100-21 |
Rear
Tire |
110/90-19 |
DIMENSIONS
|
Rake |
27.0
degrees |
Trail |
109.0mm
(4.3 inches) |
Wheelbase |
58.5
inches |
Seat
Height |
37.5
inches |
Ground
Clearance |
13.3
inches |
Dry
Weight |
225.0
pounds |
Fuel
Capacity |
2.0
gallons |
-
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
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