Most powerful dirt bike ever made...?

**Buddha#81:Me** · 31st January 2009, 08:12

As a 15-16 year old in the mid '80's I remember being offered a couple of rides on a YZ490. Now at just under 50 HP its never going to be the most powerful dirtbike made but I thought it was at the time. The throttle was more like a switch where it went from a peewee to a 500 motocrosser you just had no idea when, which made it all the more fearsum. A cool bike that a mates dad had and it always gathered plenty of interest.

The most powerful dirtbike I've owned is a warm XR620RF back in the early 90's, the thing was kick starting, ment it tried to shove ya leg up ya arse every time it backfired (all too often). I use to love guys at work asking for a ride, my answer was " if you can get it going, go for it" horrible piece of work that gave me soo much enjoyment.

I've swung and a 120hp speedway sidechair, can that count as a dirtbike?

**DELLORTO** · 31st January 2009, 09:23

Originally Posted by Buddha#81

As a 15-16 year old in the mid '80's I remember being offered a couple of rides on a YZ490. Now at just under 50 HP its never going to be the most powerful dirtbike made but I thought it was at the time. The throttle was more like a switch where it went from a peewee to a 500 motocrosser you just had no idea when, which made it all the more fearsum. A cool bike that a mates dad had and it always gathered plenty of interest.

The most powerful dirtbike I've owned is a warm XR620RF back in the early 90's, the thing was kick starting, ment it tried to shove ya leg up ya arse every time it backfired (all too often). I use to love guys at work asking for a ride, my answer was " if you can get it going, go for it" horrible piece of work that gave me soo much enjoyment.

I've swung and a 120hp speedway sidechair, can that count as a dirtbike?

na that dosnt count......

**noobi** · 31st January 2009, 09:30

how about the hillclimb bikes with hayabusa engines and knobblies?

they go up hills

**thommo77** · 31st January 2009, 09:46

YZ495 was pretty damn scary in it's day

**dammad1** · 31st January 2009, 11:58

Originally Posted by B0000M

i was only repeating what the interwebby told me, and it was 63, which we established would be at the flywheel.

and yeah, fucken pussy 4 strokes

More proof that you cant always believe everything you read on the web.

**crazyxr250rider** · 31st January 2009, 12:09

What about those ATK/Maico 700s??

**DELLORTO** · 31st January 2009, 12:11

Originally Posted by crazyxr250rider

What about those ATK/Maico 700s??

na their too inificiant and they are very out-dated................

**DELLORTO** · 31st January 2009, 12:13

Originally Posted by noobi

how about the hillclimb bikes with hayabusa engines and knobblies?

they go up hills

"they go up hills" so does my push-bike.....

**crazyxr250rider** · 31st January 2009, 12:26

Originally Posted by DELLORTO

na their too inificiant and they are very out-dated................

I take it you havent seen the new 08/09 range of 250/320/500/680/700 bikes???

**crazyxr250rider** · 31st January 2009, 12:43

http://www.maicouk.co.uk/html/mx.html

**cowpoos** · 31st January 2009, 14:30

http://www.trickracing1.com/Twin_CR500.html <------ lookie here!!

Can't find the photos and vid's of the bike it went in now....but it was farken quick...and you can still buy a engine!!

**crazyxr250rider** · 31st January 2009, 15:12

Holy fuck.

**Armitage Shanks** · 31st January 2009, 18:48

Thought the thread originally referred to Bikes you could buy from the shop, in that case I'd say the KX500 still stands as the King, agreed Maico have a new range out ( and I'd kill to own one ) but they're having major problems establishing dealerships, even in the US. Kenny Roberts old track Bike was essentially a TZ700 in a flat track frame. If you want to go that direction it'd have to be the Hill Climbers with the 4 cyl motors etc that'd rule the roost.

But they're one-offs so, KX500 is the king . I had a YZ490 last model and that was an air cooled pig , detonated , kicked back though once it was running it went like phark...until you wanted to stop . Traded it on a new '98 KX500 never looked back .....

**Buddha#81:Me** · 31st January 2009, 19:08

Originally Posted by Armitage Shanks

I had a YZ490 last model and that was an air cooled pig , detonated , kicked back though once it was running it went like phark...until you wanted to stop . 2thumbsup

Yamaha rereleased the 490 as a WR500 in the early '90's they tried to tame the beast within........I don't think they even got close. I remember one cartwheeling past me at a trailride. So in my eyes they still tried to kill their owner and anyone near them. Never make eye contact with an old 490, they will try to hurt you.