funny you started this thread i was thinking of doing it after i wrote best bike i ever owned on your sponsor page. fun stuff especially when you get in your 40 and 50 and start thinking back at how all this started and all the bikes we all have went threw after my first honda trail 50 i got hooked up on Yamaha and had about all the IT's and one YZ400 i think my favorite was the IT175 supper fun for the time and mine seemed to be almost bullet proof. IT 250 was also lots of fun, when i got my IT 490 i thought i had the ultimate bike, boy was i wrong as i remember i think i still had that bike when you and i first met hated,hated hated that bike but there were some things it did well like not want to start. when i got into the huskys there has been no looking back. thanks Kelly as for the street bikes i have had a lot of them also and still looking for the ultimate one. looking forwards to reading some good stories did i mention i hated that IT490 S.
This is a great thread Kelly, it really brings back some memories. Of course it also reminds me of how fearless I was during my youth and how much better rider I was back then.
GS1100SZ Picked up this little puppy back in the summer of 82 Put way to many miles on her. Came across Canada from the East to West coast twice over the years. Lots of memories all good
Good looking bike I think that was a last year with a good motor. Then they went to that servo controlled powervalve and the motor kinda sucked IMHO. Fun bikes. I had an 88 CR250 which was actually a real good off road bike.
Tough one as I have owned mostly huskys. Loved the 2 Can Ams I owned, a 1980 qualifier 250 for enduros and a 1981 MX 6 B 250 for MX. Bulletproof, reliable, fastand powerful and handled ok but had the suspension that gave a ride sensation of a washer on spin cycle with a cinderblock and all the clothes on one side! would swap and hop in the rough stuff but both were good flyers and super stable in the fast straights. Bike I hated the most........1983 KTM 125. Arghh......bike ahead of its time and too much done without proper resarch and development. I.E. 428 chain for weight savings and faster spin up, a clutch that was too small duty wise for a 125 and bareley suitable for an 80, teeny tiny engine that was underengineered and blew more times than Jenna Jamison, ( a rocket when it held up though) Crazy delorto magnesiium carb that had jets I could only find at a moped shop. Am hoping he 09 TC 250 motor is not the same issue as I had in 83 with that KTM 125. Good memories though while writing this. I recall afriend with an 83 IT 490 that would never start and would have to bump it in 3rd gear only..........talk about needing a hill! Joe
Unemployement was 10%, interest rates where 16%, gas prices went thru the roof, very unpopular president, unpopular war coming to an end....and i was ripping around on a Hodaka Ace 100.
I remember Hodakas. A used ACE 90 came real close to being my first bike, but a little short on $$, so ended up with my first and only Yamaha. 4-5 years later I went and test road an orange Hodaka 250 Thunderdog (??).....already had the Suzuki DS185 I mentioned earlier, so decided to keep it, and got a Suzuki GS400 street bike (damn.....that was 30yrs ago)
I remember seeing my first Hodaka and thought is was so exotic and could not afford one. then i seen this husky and thought the same thing. Had an old riding buddy that was a husky expert at the time must of been in the early 80s chuck Willams or willson cant rember? anyway he had this husky with a auto- transmission was this stock? for any of the 80s huskys i remember riding it a few times and scaring me to death the first time it free wheeled down a big hill most of the time my Yamahas would do the same thing but that was just because of wet brake drums and you new what was going on with it. if anyone has any info on this automatic transmission in the old huskys let me know i would like to know if they came that way or he had a aftermarket slipper clutch put in it. always wondered what that was. fun reads guys S.
Scott, Husky made several auto models back in the day 390 and 420 come to mind. Cool bikes but semi unreliable. http://www.vmx.livewire.gen.nz/magazine/80Husky390/80Husky390.htm http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/290/1097/Motorcycle-Article/Memorable-MC-Husqvarna-390-Automatic.aspx K
OK, now i can rest easy knowing it was real thanks buddy. wasn't a husky dude back in the day did not know alot about them. they were like the untouchables for me and only got to ride one twice S.
KTM LC4e Various Trials bikes, Aprillia, Fantic, and Montesa 93 Gixxer 750..the ultimate heavy weight torture rack! Early 70's XR75
I've only ever owned 2 bikes. I thought I loved my first bike('03 DRZS) until I got my TE250. Here are some pics of both: http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5331&postcount=47
Thanks! That picture was taken in the side yard and he (the blue heal nipper) is the king of the side yard and master of the tennis balls. I like this bike MUCH better!
seems like every bike i owned at the time i had to cherish. if i was out riding that was all that mattered. ones that stick out, 76 RM370. i could pull a wheelie in first and set the wheel back down after i wound out in 5th. i also felt like Brad Lackey when i was riding my 82-RM465. good times
