Suzuki PE - is this the ultimate dirtbike?

[Beeza]

Bulletproof tough. Tamed down barely just enough from the explosive fiery far too-peaky RM two-stroke motocrossers. Are those unheralded PE Suzooks really just the absolutely utterly perfect off-roaders?

[scott411]

in the late 70's and early 80's yes i think they were,

[NordieBoy]

Unless you've just hopped onto a pre '80 PE175 from your usual pre '80 XR250 race bike.
Then you notice the powerband is about 1.5cm wide and stall it several times per lap :o

Now the XR may lay claim to the ultimate all-rounder though.

[laRIKin]

Well they were good in ways and then on the other hand, I know guys that would never buy one, ride one or even look at one again.

[Jantar]

..... Are those unheralded PE Suzooks really just the absolutely utterly perfect off-roaders?

I have owned both the 175 and the 250. The 250 was great for back country trails, and had power to spare, but the 175 handled like a dream. A slightly peakier motor meant that you couldn't just pootle on the 175, it had to be ridden, and ridden hard. Overall I preferred the 175.

[theblacksmith]

Ive heard some used to call them Piston Eaters???:confused:

[Kickaha]

Well the PE400 we used to knock around on was quite cool, but when a mate of mine rode it to Amberly from Chch he had to stop at Waikuku because his hands had gone numb from vibration

I'd be keen for another one to go trail riding on, it'd be even better for showing up some of the posers than the IT200 was

[NordieBoy]

I tried standing on the 175 and my legs get stopped by the side panels where they really bulge out around the shocks.
Most disconcerting the first time you feel something pressing into the back of your legs all of a sudden during a race.

[portokiwi]

i loved the good old TS 185cc that was a bike that could do allmost anything lol.
Had soooooooooooooo much fun on it.:Punk:

[cheese]

I had a IT175 and to me that bike was the shit. Unfortunaltely someone bent the crank while doing the crang seals are really did turn it into shIT.

[GaZBur]

I had one for a while and thought it was a hoot for blasting - but a real pain to ride on the road or slow sections. It was either boggin down or wheel standing depending on if you were in the power band or not. It's more like riding a MX125 from the period rather than a 250. I changed it for a Yam TT250 thinking I would have more fun riding around on that but that was a mistake.

[B0000M]

I had a IT175 and to me that bike was the shit. Unfortunaltely someone bent the crank while doing the crang seals are really did turn it into shIT.

you and crank seals just dont get on do ya

[MSTRS]

Ive heard some used to call them Piston Eaters???:confused:

Don't know, but the PE250 I had ate 2 bottom ends. It was a pig.
Edit...actually, I now recall it was the earlier TE250. The TE was the road legal TM, and the PE was the road legal RM - right? But the above is still true.

[NZsarge]

I had a IT175 and to me that bike was the shit. Unfortunaltely someone bent the crank while doing the crang seals are really did turn it into shIT.

Yeah I had a ported IT175J, really liked it but you dare not let the revs drop away, you had to be rowing on the gearbox like a mad man but when you did it was a quick bike for it's day, absolutely shat on XR250's of the same era.

Next came an IT250L and THAT was a real nice bike! Sweet suspension and mid range torque out the wazzoo!
XR's were better in the tight going but the moment thing opened up slightly it was hasta la vista baby!
I could only dream about what the 490 must have been like.

[B0000M]

man, im glad im not as old as you guys....

when i was 10, honda was just 1 year away from making the alloy framed CR250 lol

[secondfield]

Ha, The first bike I ever owned was a PE175. I grew up in gissy and bought it off my mate mike nepe for 600$. That was in 1984. he just scored a KDX250. I remember pulling unexpected mono's everywhere cause I wasnt used to the clutching yet. Used to take the muffler off it to get a bit more horsepower and ride along the beach trail adjacent to the mad mile out by midway beach. There used to be a mx track by the dump in those days...
The guy's I went riding with were pretty damn sharp - I just tagged along and provided great amusement for them when attempting some of the obstacles they did. Every concievable way of crashing a bike I did on that PE...
Back in those days Kaiti hill was a favorite riding spot, where they have the fitness circuit now there was a hell hillclimb nicknamed 'the pines'. It was a day to remember when I first made it up that run...
You could orient yourself by telling which direction you could hear the laughing come from when you binned it :woohoo:

[B0000M]

Ha, The first bike I ever owned was a PE175. I grew up in gissy and bought it off my mate mike nepe for 600$. That was in 1984. he just scored a KDX250. I remember pulling unexpected mono's everywhere cause I wasnt used to the clutching yet. Used to take the muffler off it to get a bit more horsepower and ride along the beach trail adjacent to the mad mile out by midway beach. There used to be a mx track by the dump in those days...
The guy's I went riding with were pretty damn sharp - I just tagged along and provided great amusement for them when attempting some of the obstacles they did. Every concievable way of crashing a bike I did on that PE...
Back in those days Kaiti hill was a favorite riding spot, where they have the fitness circuit now there was a hell hillclimb nicknamed 'the pines'. It was a day to remember when I first made it up that run...
You could orient yourself by telling which direction you could hear the laughing come from when you binned it :woohoo:

i dont think you'd last long riding on kaiti hill these days aye, i reckon the cops would show up before you even get the bike off the trailer! though it does look like there would be some awesome places up there to have a play around.

the tracks own by the old dump are still plentiful, but dont last long as they get chewed out pretty quick, but on the old AML meatworks site next to pacific st there is a public land mx track which the council is ok with. its fairly crap, but its 2 mins from home and its free, good for a quick blast after work or for bike testing etc

[Al]

I remember when we were still at school in SA, my brother had a PE400 and I had an IT465, fantastic for riding along breaks in sugar cane fields as well as steep hills in the forests.... Not too bad in thickish sand either!
Powerband was great, whack it open and hang on for dear life!

Al

[BarBender]

I had an IT465....

Ah...now that was a bike!

[Oscar]

I've had four PE175's over the years.

I bought a second hand 1979 PE175N and then a brand new PE175Z (the "full floater" model). It was the first one in town and it went like a feckin' rocket and had the best rear suspension then available (except for werkin'on - there were about a zillion bushes in dere).

The first Z got stolen, and was replaced with another, then about three years after selling that one I bought a second hand one to use for marking out enduros (and still loved the old dear). The picture is the Zed (minus side stand, which was always falling off), early morning with friend at a National Enduro.

[thommo77]

Yup, they were pretty popular alright. Quick for their time as well. The Yammy IT's weren't too dusty either - my 175 had a wicked powerband!
Still reckon my XR 200 was the best bike I owned in the '80's.

[pete376403]

I had an IT465,
Al
And I had an IT400 - the very first model. No brakes, not particularly good handling but it went like shit of a shiny shovel. (Once it started, which could be difficult)
Sold it last year with about 5000 genuine kms on the (still working) speedo.
The buyer was sold on it after pulling a huge wheelie down the street while test riding.

[MIXONE]

In the 80's I used to commute on a PE400 in Hamitron.Apart from tearing the soles off my shoes when kicking it over it was a ball until I painted a race number on it.666.After that it twisted the crank.:(

[theblacksmith]

i loved the good old TS 185cc that was a bike that could do allmost anything lol.
Had soooooooooooooo much fun on it.:Punk:

I had a TS250 from age of 13 -15 and must agree - total fun - especially in the snow in North Wales. I could get to places the cops couldnt and pull all sorts of gestures at them in my open face helmet! Fk Im getting old!Lets talk about new bikes aye!

[Ktmboy]

The IT 175 was my pick.
But I did have a Road legal YZ400 in about 1980. It was great as I didn't have a car and I used to ride to MX events, take off the light and whack on a number board. If you binned it though it was a mission getting home.

Remember doing 95mph in Blenheim with a flat tyre getting away from the local copper because of eratic riding behaviour. However the fuel range was pathetic and we had a great little chat about 1 km from home.

Ahhh those bring back some memories.

[Oscar]

I had an enduroised YZ250S.
It had a heavier flywheel, lower first gear and different external gear ratios.
I loved it...

[Rmxer]

My old mans still got his 1980 PE400T
hes the second owner ( first owner owned it for a week apparently)

completely original
still has all the lights on it etc
rode it a couple years back, has the torque of a V8!

anyone have any idea what it would be worth now days?
got about 6000kms on the speedo
plastics are a little faded but thats really all thats wrong
a little tidy up and it could be a real minter!

[cave weta]

In the 80's I used to commute on a PE400 in Hamitron.Apart from tearing the soles off my shoes when kicking it over it was a ball until I painted a race number on it.666.After that it twisted the crank.:(

It was back then- 1982 I think? when I was on my PE175N- I used to ride it around what is now Hamilton Gardens. for 10 years after it stopped being the city dump it was just wasteland with all sorts of tracks hills and swamps.

I bought a Clymer manual with a 'hop-up' section in the back. I did every mod in the book, raised the ports, raised the compression. stuffed the crank- what a huge difference that made. Does anyone do that nowadays?
ReJetted, racing plug, boost chamber on the intake port. Kitted the forks, refoamed the seat Then my scummy next door neigbor stole it and rode it to Whangamata for New years eve! I got it back but it was never the same...

And yes Blacksmith they were Piston Eaters! I used to carry a spare in my pocket! they would drop skirts

[carver]

i had a DT 175.
that was ok, but i loved the NXR 125 (same motor as the Sl/XL 125)

here is a TF 125 vid! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7CrbbsaASE)

[krad_nz]

I still ride a bike from the 80s. 1983 XL250R as per profile pic. Kicks over first start. I refer to it as 'the lump'.

Going to get a KDX200 a bit later on this year I think.

[eelracing]

Man most of you guys should get into the vmx scene if your not already.We just had the first round of the 08/09 season down here in Waitotara.Excellent weather and fast flowing natural terrain.If you still gottem pull out and dust the ol bikes off and come and join the fun.No ego's and young and old mixing it up on some immaculate machines as well as some shitters(mine)Theres even a evo's class packed with pre 86 XRs and damn close racing.All topped off with a beer at the end of the day at the waitotara pub.

[Fryin Finn]

Me too. I had a PE 175 in 1980 - Totally dependable. Steve Dundon from Wellington Motorcycles modified the engine slightly - extend the header on the front part of the expansion chamber by 20mm and slightly raised the exhaust port. Cheap mod for very nice crisp power.
Had to monitor the air pressure in the forks or the ride got a bit choppy.
After the PE I took a 20 year break from dirt bikes.

[NordieBoy]

I still ride a bike from the 80s. 1983 XL250R as per profile pic. Kicks over first start. I refer to it as 'the lump'.

Going to get a KDX200 a bit later on this year I think.

I'm buliding me a "new" bike.
It's going to be a 1981 XR250 with a disc brake front end, CB250RS engine with 6-speed and a 22L Acerbis tank for those times you need 600km range on a 250 :D

I think I've almost got everything I need bar a rear wheel and a seat.

But my "baby" is still my 1979 XR250.

[Beeza]

In the late 70's to early 80's an "adventure" bike like a PE two-stroke was chock-full of "adventure" --- a two-stroker having a violently peaky "power band" is an adventure from Day One. Gotta love 'em, unless you work for OSH or ACC or some such wowser body!

[mazz1972]

I'm buliding me a "new" bike.
It's going to be a 1981 XR250 with a disc brake front end, CB250RS engine with 6-speed and a 22L Acerbis tank for those times you need 600km range on a 250 :D

I think I've almost got everything I need bar a rear wheel and a seat.

But my "baby" is still my 1979 XR250.

Nordie, how the heck many bikes do you have??

Garage must be huge

[merv]

After the PE I took a 20 year break from dirt bikes.

Man was it that hard on ya :eek5:

[krad_nz]

I'm buliding me a "new" bike.
It's going to be a 1981 XR250 with a disc brake front end, CB250RS engine with 6-speed and a 22L Acerbis tank for those times you need 600km range on a 250 :D

I think I've almost got everything I need bar a rear wheel and a seat.

But my "baby" is still my 1979 XR250.

Sounds like a minter mate.
I dream of one day having disk brakes. Drums front & rear currently :) I have considered performing a front disk upgrade but its money better spent else where currently.

Got any pics of the work in progress?

[NordieBoy]

Nordie, how the heck many bikes do you have??

Garage must be huge

'01 DR650
'93 Gilera Nordwest (only one now :()
'79 XR250 (racebike)

3 rolling chassis of varying older XR types to freshen up the '79 XR for racing and build a trail/cross-country steed.

[NordieBoy]

Sounds like a minter mate.
I dream of one day having disk brakes. Drums front & rear currently :) I have considered performing a front disk upgrade but its money better spent else where currently.

Got any pics of the work in progress?

Still slowly gathering bits for the process.
The XR250 chassis is still in Wellington waiting to be shipped :(
The engine and forks are in the shed though.

[mazz1972]

'01 DR650
'93 Gilera Nordwest (only one now :()
'79 XR250 (racebike)

3 rolling chassis of varying older XR types to freshen up the '79 XR for racing and build a trail/cross-country steed.

Showing my ignorance I hadn't heard of a Gilera so googled it - what an awesome looking machine!

[NordieBoy]

Showing my ignorance I hadn't heard of a Gilera so googled it - what an awesome looking machine!

On BikePics go to 1993 and mine is there.

[paturoa]

Rode years ago with a guy that had a 175 and it was a dog. It never ran like a normal PE.

We joked that he should have renamed his "Pee 175", but he said that he was going to call it a shit 175.

[ynot slow]

Yup, they were pretty popular alright. Quick for their time as well. The Yammy IT's weren't too dusty either - my 175 had a wicked powerband!
Still reckon my XR 200 was the best bike I owned in the '80's.

At the time 1980 or so the XR200 was the pick of XR's from 185-250,some also say the 500 as well,power to weight was great.Swapped my XR(1982) for an IT175 (79)model,although unbeknown to me the XR had a dodgy head gasket the dealer said no worries,the IT wasn't road legal,so he put it on the ute and drove me 50km home,going extra mile for service,loved the 2 stroke except mixing gas hehe,the only crap thing on the XR was lights lol.

[monchopper]

In the 80's me and a few mates used to terrorise the stop banks around McLeans Island.
Does anyone remember the motorbike track on Johns Rd between the Groynes and the Airport?

I had a '78 DT400 (one of the first single shockers I think) it went like a cut cat.
Aaahhh the good old days

[young1]

I had a PE250T and then a PE400X (I think it was an X, the model after the T) Only difference from T to X that I could work out was the decals and the rear light.

I still have a manual here for the PE400 (an american hot up manual).

I went to the 250 from the very first model XR250 (23 inch front wheel) I used to be able to wheelie that for a long long way. 2nd day on the PE I was riding at lunchtime (in my office clothes) and thought I would wheelie that, I got it up, then it hit the power band... Smashed the speedo, it only had 40kms on the clock, tore my trousers etc. And with my luck the speedo they got to replace it was in miles an hour so at enduros I was always trying to convert the stages from km into miles

400 was awesome, I was (and still am) a shit rider, but remember leading a beach race at Awakino on it against all the hot shot club MX boys (the all in race at the end). I came to grief as I thought it was getting a bit hot so thought I would run through where the water was. Unfort I rode into quite a deep hole and went from millions of km an hour to 0 in a wall of water. ha ha

I remember when the full floaters came along (PE175 or was it a 185?) the local dealer here was taking orders for 250 and 400 full floaters, I put my name down for a 250 but as we know he knew fck all and they were never built.