IT175/200...Pfffffft! The KDX175/200 kicked its butt big time.

I don't know on the nostalgia hoopla. I had a great time on my motorcycles, road and dirt, back in the day, but I wouldn't touch any of them with a 10-foot pole now. The foggy haze of time tends to dull that pain in your butt and back, and many of the other shortcoming of those bikes compared to what we have today become a distant memory.

Appearance is highly preference driven, so what looks better or not is up for debate. On the plastic issue, I think it was the greatest thing to ever happen to motorcycles...especially dirt bikes. Lighter weight, less damage, etc. I would agree that some graphics pursuits have gotten a little silly, but it's nothing compared to some of the stuff we had in the 90's.

 

Uh.....

 

Well my KDX250 was certainly inferior to an IT 200. Too heavy, slow steering, no top end. It's also had the dissadvantage of being green (not sure I should say that on a "Green Meanie" forum )

 

This is the first bike I ever raced, it was bored to 125cc of screaming fun if it didn't blow up. This was my replacement for the mini trail 50. Probably why I love off road to this day. It's a late 60's Harley Davidson Baja 100.

 

That right there. It compares to "the older I get the better I used to be!" My first real dual purpose/enduro bike (dual sport was an unknown term circa 1980) was a ~1976 DT125, it was also my first street legal transportation. Every now and then I see one pop up on Craigslist. It's nice to go down memory lane but I sure don't want another one!

The picture of that 1981 CR450 sure does look pretty, drum brakes and all...

 

I just rebuilt my father-in-laws; 72 Yamaha DT360; what a great little bike. BikePics - 1972 Yamaha DT 360

 

Maico's, Husky's, Penton's, Jawa, Bultaco, Hodaka,......you needed actual SKILLS to ride those steel-framed, 2-stroke beasts. (...and big cajones.) DT175^ I absolutely agree. I will never sell my old Husky.

 

Back then the ultimate in protective gear for desert racing was leather pants and a long sleeve jersey! I think some of the motocross guys also used a chest protector which was solely used as a rock guard. We just didn't know any better. That and there really wasn't any specially made protective gear that was generally available.

Ron

 

I belong to this club:

40 Plus Vintage Group

You need to be 40 or older (women 30) and your bike 1974 or older.
We race once a month at a local state off highway vehicle area. There is a vintage track that's just right for the old bikes. Currently I'm racing a Honda MR 175. Have a 74 CR250M under construction and recently acquired a 72 SL 125 with an Elsinore front end to race in the 125 class.

Old guys on old bikes having a blast.

 

My first enduro. Gorman Calif. about 1970. Got a trophy and got hooked.