Moto: Have you riden the new KTM 525. It supposed to have a mongo motor. Probably great for out west by you. Too much for the eastern woods here though.
Bob: Is the 525 a monster or what! I'd love to ride one but its too much motor for the woods back here in the east. Great for out west. Most of the A and AA guys stick to the 450 EXC back here in the east. Hey, if the 450 is good enough for Lafferty its good enough for me! Its got near 520 power but friendlier.
I love two strokes, rode em' for years and raced em' for years here in the east in enduros in the ECEA. But I gotta say the new four strokes rock! My 450EXC has power everywhere and torque up the ying yang. In power and quickness its the equivlent of my 300 EXC but much easier to ride, torquier, more tractable in the snotty stuff and (very important), its much quieter. I find it doesn't tire you out as fast as the two strokes. Doesn't weigh much more either. Amazing because its a four stroke. It is nice just to gas and go. The electric start is magic too.
Geez, I remember the day my friend showed up at my door in Va. on a brand new Elsinore 125. That was the hot ticket! What a bike!
Remember the Honda CT 70! A friend had one when I got my mini enduro.
How about the Hodaka 125 Combat Wombat?
The slowest trail bike/dirt bike ever produced: the 1975 Honda SL 125. Remember the Dirt Bike article on it. The picture on the article cover was a 125SL in a pig pen with some pigs. You knew right then they toasted it! Those guys were hysterical.
The best was when my parents suprised me with my first bike in 1972. A Yamaha JT 60 Mini Enduro. Orange with a yellow stripe. Some things you remember forever. Used to leave from our house with friends and trail ride from morning to night.
Ah. Those were the days. I miss them.