big bore 1980s

Wanted to see if you husky riders could agree on what big bore bike of the 1980s was best overall for trail riding.

Twin shock, my opinion 82 430XC or 82 430WR, had a 84 WR500 lotsa power-lotsa vibration- annoying in my old age for a trail bike.
Single shock, my opinion WR400, rode both a 400 and a 430 liquid cooled, didnt like the 430 vibration- maybe just that one bike?

My opinion of a non-big bore trail bike, be hard to talk me out of my 84 WR250

Pretty good input there from Mr .fleet. Not a surprise!

The 430 is an amazing motor. I prefer the 81/82 frame. WR if you like a little shorter bike, XC if you want the long legs.

84 frame turns noticeably better, but I don't care for the width across the upper shock mounts.

84 frame turns noticeably better, but I don't care for the width across the upper shock mounts

Thats why I have a couple of white frames hanging from nails! Size 13 boots they catch the side panels, make me ride bowlegged and I ride with foot on the peg on the ball of my foot. With foot that way, my heel catches on shock during compression. Dont spend much time "on the pegs" with the 84 WR250, old and fat with alot of "seat time". Actually building my own pegs for my 84. Thats why I was putting all the 500 stuff into a 82 chassis.

Of all my Husky's I enjoy riding the 81 430 Xc the best. It is a do-everything bike. Next I like the 81 430 CR.

Just so there isn't any agreement. considering stream crossing the air box on the white framed ones like 1983 1984 is the best. Look at the current models and just scratch your head. For avoiding pain to the ankles from logs and the like flipping up and forcing the foot back the mono shock versions are best followed by the white framed ones and then the silver framed ones. Though there is a roller above the chain near the front sprocket which can hurt if you have it on not sure if all models use that roller. The question is big bore so I guess that means 86mm which is 430 or 500. I have had good luck with the 83 500 however if you take a 500 head and put it on a 1988 430 with a thick walled pipe you can have a lot less noise, easy starting, hard to stall and with the wide ratio transmissions unlike anything available today quite possibly my choice if I had one I could get a plate on. Now does the four stroke models count in this question their bores are probably bigger than 86mm? I could comment on the 88 te510 if that one is allowed in here.

83-85 twin shock 510,s hard to beat em...
79-82 twinshock smokers,,the prettiest bikes made i think..
83 430WR and XC, all around great bike, easy to start, easy to ride...and plenty fast.
the 83 500,s were awesome, but are an arm full to ride..
the 84-87 Husky water pumpers were ok, but lots of issues..waterpump, rear shock, kickstarter, and the dreaded SEM....gawd..

I'll chime in here with the single shock frames from 86 on.
510 four strokes to be exact.

Thanks for all the info just started working on the two bikes I have now 84 wr500 and 83 cr500.I have had 1980 cr390 nothing rode as well in sand and a1982 cr500 not so fun to start and 4 speed was not fun in woods.The 83 500 seems to have better gearing it is a 4speed the previous owner put the 83 motor in the 84wr500 frame.Was wandering if the 84 wr500 motor that needs a new cylinder ,head,piston and crank would be a good project or are parts to high?

"the 84-87 Husky water pumpers were ok, but lots of issues..waterpump, rear shock, kickstarter, and the dreaded SEM....gawd."

84-85 WR and WRX 400 LC...guess I've been pretty fortunate because I've owned and my original resurrected WR 400 for 5 years and with the exception of replacing the clutch and an original bore piston ring, I've never had a problem. I also recenty bought a very clean WRX 400 and just completed a very nice resurrection of another twinshock WR 400 and they're both beautiful strong running bikes...The best part of these bikes are the motors -- a 6 speedy beauty.

83 430 WR- the 400 motor lost the 430's grunt. The bike is simple - transmission bullet proof..... love the "milk crate"

I like the "milk crates". '83 430WR and '84 250WR/XC. I have both.
I'm soon getting an '85 250WRX which I'm sure will also be a great bike to do it all.

Big bores on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxgAlkYR0M4