Bigbore four-stroke classics?

**Slorider** · 25th January 2014, 17:49

its a hard choice-early 80's 500cc or late 80's 600........the latter rains supreme imo (considering either can be had for similar money) what do prefer and why

**Muzz67** · 25th January 2014, 18:05

i guess the engines feel very similar to use, however the 600 has a smoother gearbox and at least it has an oilfilter!
Both start first kicker whether fuel is fresh or year old.

**kevfromcoro** · 25th January 2014, 18:09

Originally Posted by Muzz67

i guess the engines feel very similar to use, however the 600 has a smoother gearbox and at least it has an oilfilter!
Both start first kicker whether fuel is fresh or year old.

you ever had a kick back off one of these things
my xr dam near tore me anckle off
OUCH

**Muzz67** · 26th January 2014, 07:44

Originally Posted by kevfromcoro

you ever had a kick back off one of these things
my xr dam near tore me anckle off
OUCH

Nah, once you know how to kick a big single it's easy. Seem plenty of broken k/s shafts, bruised calves etc.Never had either.
Just past TDC, then kick with determination, any half-assed kick will bite ya!

**swarfie** · 26th January 2014, 08:33

Originally Posted by Muzz67

Nah, once you know how to kick a big single it's easy. Seem plenty of broken k/s shafts, bruised calves etc.Never had either.
Just past TDC, then kick with determination, any half-assed kick will bite ya!

Had an XR500A from new for 7 years (should've kept it

) and could start it with my hand, piece of cake if you knew how....technique is all.

**Muzz67** · 26th January 2014, 08:58

Originally Posted by swarfie

Had an XR500A from new for 7 years (should've kept it

) and could start it with my hand, piece of cake if you knew how....technique is all.

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

**swarfie** · 26th January 2014, 09:47

Originally Posted by Muzz67

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

Yep, I traded my 1975 XL250 in on my 1st XR, was a 1979 250Z, one of the first shipment of 7 bikes to come into NZ. Did club Moto X and hare scrambles on it and loved it, but I really wanted a 500 but apprentice wages wouldn't stretch it at the time...Traded it in in April 1980 for a 500A and was in heaven

**NordieBoy** · 27th January 2014, 20:50

Originally Posted by Muzz67

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

My '79 250 was a Z

**pete-blen** · 30th January 2014, 18:52

Originally Posted by Muzz67

You remember if 79 was SZ and 80 was A? Theres a debate about it on the Legends thread.

Honda
79 = Z... XR 500RZ/CR250RZ/CB900FZ
80 = A... XR500RA/CR250RA/CB900FA
81 = B
82 = C
83 = D
ETC

Yamaha
76 = C... YZ250C/RD400C
77 = D... YZ250D/RD400D
78 = E
79 = F
80 = G
81 = H
ETC

usely miss O & I as they look to much like numbers...