Dirt bikes / ORV / snowmobiles

[JCM 9,130]

Looking for pictures, memories and stories for the above ,  bought, sold, traded or even just a list of those owned with make, model and year. I will start it off with these and add as I find more. 2007 Suzuki DR-Z400S , Patti's 2008 Polaris Sportsman 500, 1995 ski-doo formula z and a 1999 formula dlx.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

Rode a lot when I was a kid.  The bike I had the most fun with was the kawasaki kx80 big wheel.  Jumped it, beat it, wrecked it, ran it, it took a ton of abuse, rode it every where I guess age 14 or 15 when I got it.  First taste of freedom.  

It was still when you could ride around the woods without getting harassed.  

I still have my 86 honda fourtrax.  Stuck it in storage at my parents for years, recently got it out again still starts on the 1st pull, letting my oldest ride it now.

Edited November 25, 2020 by jabelman

[WVHillbilly520H 10,373]

My 2013 Suzuki camo 400Asi with ITP SS wheels and Sedona RipSaw tires and KFI winch all installed before it left the dealership new.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

3 hp mini bike

Yamaha Mini Enduro 60

Suzuki 90 5 speed Enduro 

Suzuki 90 4 hi / 4 lo Enduro

Suzuki 185 Enduro

Suzuki RM 100

Suzuki RM 100

Kawasaki 400 LTD

Honda CB 125

Currently working on a 1965 Honda 150

 

Whew... 

Edited November 26, 2020 by SylvanLakeWH

[cschannuth 3,816]

That’s me on the CT70 on the left about 45 years ago. My little brother is on the 50 in the middle. One time I was riding that thing at the river with only a pair of shorts and tennis shoes on jumping water brakes and I came down on a large rock that caused the front tire to go out from underneath me and it threw me into a barbed wire fence. I ended up with 114 stitches. Everybody was furious with me because I didn’t have on any clothes or a helmet. Lucky for me dad grew up on motorcycles and loved  them so as soon as the stitches were out I was right back on it.  That’s him on his Indian on the left about 75 years ago.   I’ve had several different used motorcycles throughout the years off and on. The last one was the Honda XR650L which was a ton of fun. Our poor mans UTV is our 2002 EZ GO that I put a lift kit on.  I also replaced the 9 HP Subaru with a 20 HP Honda. Like a dune buggy, it will go anywhere  

[lynnmor 7,302]

Extra points for location.

 

[tom2p 2,394]

25 minutes ago, cschannuth said:

That’s me on the CT70 on the left about 45 years ago. My little brother is on the 50 in the middle. One time I was riding that thing at the river with only a pair of shorts and tennis shoes on jumping water brakes and I came down on a large rock that caused the front tire to go out from underneath me and it threw me into a barbed wire fence. I ended up with 114 stitches. Everybody was furious with me because I didn’t have on any clothes or a helmet. Lucky for me dad grew up on motorcycles and loved  them so as soon as the stitches were out I was right back on it.  That’s him on his Indian on the left about 75 years ago.   I’ve had several different used motorcycles throughout the years off and on. The last one was the Honda XR650L which was a ton of fun. Our poor mans UTV is our 2002 EZ GO that I put a lift kit on.  I also replaced the 9 HP Subaru with a 20 HP Honda. Like a dune buggy, it will go anywhere  

 

the old QA50's ('Quack 50') and CT70's bring good money now !

 

[cschannuth 3,816]

23 minutes ago, tom2p said:

 

the old QA50's ('Quack 50') and CT70's bring good money now !

 

Yep. I wish they still had them. 

[JCM 9,130]

Enjoying this a lot. You guys are bringing me back to the best years of my life.These are the bikes that I have owned in order of purchase, the only one remaining is the DR-Z400.  

 

• 1971 Bonanza Mini Bike with 5 H.P. (B&S)  - NEW 
• 1971 Honda SL-70 USED
• 1970 Suzuki TS-90 USED
• 1974 Suzuki TM-125 NEW
• 1975 Honda CR-125M NEW
• 1979 Suzuki PE-175 NEW
• 1988 Honda XR-250 R NEW
• 2007 Suzuki DR-Z400 S NEW

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

Got me riding down memory lane...

 

Michigan Motocross circuit 1978 - 1981. 100 cc class...

 

Rode in the Pontiac Silverdome 4 years in a row... the amateurs got to ride after the pro supercross...

 

Fun times...!

 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

off road motorcycles were a big part of my life growing up ... late 60's / early 70's 

 

lived on a dead end street near a lot of undeveloped woods ;  just on my street and next street there were around 10 bikes  

 

my list in chronological order :

Lil Indian mini bike  (used)

Honda 90          (basket case)

1971 Yamaha JT-1 Mini Enduro (new)

1972/73? Steen X-100   (new)

1973 Yamaha LT-MX 100  (used)

1976 Suzuki RM100  (new)

1975 Suzuki RM125  (used)

1978 Suzuki RM125  (used)

1978 Suzuki RM125  (parts  bike)

1982 Yamaha IT175  (new)

1984 Yamaha IT200  (new)

1989 Kawasaki KDX200  (new)

 

also had a Honda ATC-70 in the 80's I used to fool around with (the ultimate wheelie machine)

 

and one street bike - Kawasaki Ninja 250 (EX250)

 

two snowmobiles - Yamaha Enticer ET340 and PZ480 Phazer II

 

 

still have the KDX200 and Phazer - but have not used them in years 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

Just now, tom2p said:

off road motorcycles were a big part of my life growing up ... late 60's / early 70's 

 

lived on a dead end street near a lot of undeveloped woods ;  just on my street and next street there were around 10 bikes  

 

my list in chronological order :

Lil Indian mini bike  (used)

Honda 90          (basket case)

1971 Yamaha JT-1 Mini Enduro (new)

1972/73? Steen X-100   (new)

1973 Yamaha LT-MX 100  (used)

1976 Suzuki RM100  (new)

1975 Suzuki RM125  (used)

1978 Suzuki RM125  (used)

1978 Suzuki RM125  (parts  bike)

1982 Yamaha IT175  (new)

1984 Yamaha IT200  (new)

1989 Kawasaki KDX200  (new)

 

also had a Honda ATC-70 in the 80's I used to fool around with (the ultimate wheelie machine)

 

and one street bike - Kawasaki Ninja 250 (EX250)

 

two snowmobiles - Yamaha Enticer ET340 and PZ480 Phazer II

 

 

still have the KDX200 and Phazer - but have not used them in years 

 

there were three kids (including me) on my street and next street that had Yamaha mini enduros 

 

the mini enduro and Honda SL70 were a big deal in the early 70's - they started the mini cycle movement 

 

the Yamaha dealers in our area had showrooms full of mini enduros and sold one after another 

 

[tom2p 2,394]

Just now, tom2p said:

there were three kids (including me) on my street and next street that had Yamaha mini enduros 

 

the mini enduro and Honda SL70 were a big deal in the early 70's - they started the mini cycle movement 

 

the Yamaha dealers in our area had showrooms full of mini enduros and sold one after another 

 

the Steen X-100 was a neat bike - a small bike (125 lbs) with leading link fork and full size engine (Hodaka 100cc)

 

bikes of that size typically has around 5hp - the Steen had 10hp

 

installed a bigger carb and reed valve assembly and it was then even faster ; amazing power to weight ratio with a small 125 lb bike with a small lightweight rider 

currently cannot locate pics of me on the Steen - but found some stuff online including below ad

 

[tom2p 2,394]

on Suzuki RM100 at Freedom Acres Motocross track (West Sunbury PA - near Butler / north of Pittsburgh)

 

(wore a Yamaha Jersey because I had raced a Yamaha 100 before this)

when I raced the Yamaha 100 often there were not enough 100cc bikes so they ran the 100s with the 125s (not good lol) - but a few years later the 100 class grew significantly)

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,495]

1 minute ago, tom2p said:

on Suzuki RM100 at Freedom Acres Motocross track (West Sunbury PA - near Butler / north of Pittsburgh)

 

(wore a Yamaha Jersey because I had raced a Yamaha 100 before this)

when I raced the Yamaha 100 often there were not enough 100cc bikes so they ran the 100s with the 125s (not good lol) - but a few years later the 100 class grew significantly)

 

I raced 100 class as well... never would have trophied in 125’s!!! I was shall we say, “middle of the road” in the skills category... 
 

Often the case in Michigan they would add us in with the 125’s at the smaller tracks, but they scored us separately... by number... just did two classes in a single Moto to save time...

 

All good stuff!

[tom2p 2,394]

still have the KDX200 and Phazer and Ninja 250 - but they have sat in the garage untouched for years 

 

first picture below might be the last time the Phazer was out of the garage 

 

the Phazer / Phazer II was a popular sled for motorcycle riders like me - lightweight / air cooled (around 400 lbs) with a more upright / motorcycle stance ... great trail machine with a top speed of around 80 mph which is more than enough (for the forest fire roads etc)

 

KDX200 great woods bike - majority of serious woods riders ride a 250 - but the KDX200 was more than capable 

 

 

Edited November 27, 2020 by tom2p

[tom2p 2,394]

4 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I raced 100 class as well... never would have trophied in 125’s!!! I was shall we say, “middle of the road” in the skills category... 
 

Often the case in Michigan they would add us in with the 125’s at the smaller tracks, but they scored us separately... by number... just did two classes in a single Moto to save time...

 

All good stuff!

one time they ran the 100s with the 125s there were around 36 or 38 bikes ;  they started the motos with two rows - it was crazy 

the Yamaha 100 had some serious top end especially with little me on it (I was just 13 at the time) and I was able to pass many of the bigger 125s - but I struggled with the rough stuff 

 

was close to trophy last time I raced the Yamaha - but threw the chain in a rough section just before the finish line ... no kidding ... locked the rear wheel and I was unable to push the bike ... this was a heartbreaker 

 

took a break after that - and then got the RM100 and after struggling first two races (terrible starts) then ran at the front consistently and trophied (one after another) - mostly 2nd - 4th place finishes and one 1st place finish

the next year it seemed just about every friend discovered cars and girls and that was the end of motocross  !  lol

 

[tom2p 2,394]

20 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I raced 100 class as well... never would have trophied in 125’s!!! I was shall we say, “middle of the road” in the skills category... 
 

Often the case in Michigan they would add us in with the 125’s at the smaller tracks, but they scored us separately... by number... just did two classes in a single Moto to save time...

 

All good stuff!

I was also 'middle of the road' - in 125 class I would have been 'B' level 

 

( C=novice, B=amateur, A=expert )

 

I did a lot more woods riding than motocross - but never did an organized woods race (hare scramble, enduro, etc)

 

some of my friends did a fair amount of woods racing though - including one that ran in the ISDE in Poland for US team 

 

[JCM 9,130]

If we could only turn back time it sounds like the 3 of us would be racing again. I was fortunate to have raced once in Southwick Mass in 1976 and once in Pepperell Mass. Southwick is where they ran Nationals for many years, super nice sand track. Pepperell was loam with a lot of rocks hitting your chest protector, made you tough. This DR-Z 400 is all that's left but still a lot of fun even at 62. Me on the left.

[Zeek 2,286]

On 11/25/2020 at 7:34 PM, cschannuth said:

That’s me on the CT70 on the left about 45 years ago. My little brother is on the 50 in the middle. One time I was riding that thing at the river with only a pair of shorts and tennis shoes on jumping water brakes and I came down on a large rock that caused the front tire to go out from underneath me and it threw me into a barbed wire fence. I ended up with 114 stitches. Everybody was furious with me because I didn’t have on any clothes or a helmet. Lucky for me dad grew up on motorcycles and loved  them so as soon as the stitches were out I was right back on it.  That’s him on his Indian on the left about 75 years ago.   I’ve had several different used motorcycles throughout the years off and on. The last one was the Honda XR650L which was a ton of fun. Our poor mans UTV is our 2002 EZ GO that I put a lift kit on.  I also replaced the 9 HP Subaru with a 20 HP Honda. Like a dune buggy, it will go anywhere  

 

That was my first "bike" . . . a Honda Trail 70.

[tom2p 2,394]

On 11/25/2020 at 7:51 PM, lynnmor said:

Extra points for location.

 

incredible view - where is this ?

 

[tom2p 2,394]

7 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I raced 100 class as well... never would have trophied in 125’s!!! I was shall we say, “middle of the road” in the skills category... 
 

Often the case in Michigan they would add us in with the 125’s at the smaller tracks, but they scored us separately... by number... just did two classes in a single Moto to save time...

 

All good stuff!

You had two RM100s - if one was a 76 RM100 you can probably relate :

 

many struggled to ride one - or to get it to move without continually stalling it    lol

 

the 77 and later models were case reed - so even though they also had no bottom end they would still run down low somewhat 

 

but the 76 was straight piston port - no low end and they could be a handful just to get moving ... needed to be good with the clutch and liberal amount of throttle or it would be a stall fest ...  lol  ...

 

and if the bike was dropped - forget about it ... had to turn petcock to off position and engine would blubber and then finally begin to run clean just before the float bowl emptied 

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by tom2p

[tom2p 2,394]

On 11/25/2020 at 9:01 PM, JCM said:

Enjoying this a lot. You guys are bringing me back to the best years of my life.These are the bikes that I have owned in order of purchase, the only one remaining is the DR-Z400.  

 

• 1971 Bonanza Mini Bike with 5 H.P. (B&S)  - NEW 
• 1971 Honda SL-70 USED
• 1970 Suzuki TS-90 USED
• 1974 Suzuki TM-125 NEW
• 1975 Honda CR-125M NEW
• 1979 Suzuki PE-175 NEW
• 1988 Honda XR-250 R NEW
• 2007 Suzuki DR-Z400 S NEW

CR125 (and CR250) was a big deal back in the 70s - especially the first year (73 ?)

 

Honda pulled out the stops for their first serious dirt bike - and it was a two stroke 

 

but in my area there were very few 73 CR125s - the area dealers could not get them ... apparently the west coast dealers got the big allocations and remaining dealers across the US were fortunate to get a small number 

 

so in our area it was a sea of yellow -  a diverse group of 125s were replaced by mostly Suzuki TM125s ... was not uncommon to see around 20 TM125s on the starting line 

 

Edited November 28, 2020 by tom2p

[JCM 9,130]

1974 was the first year for the CR-125 and 1973 for the CR-250. I paid $ 1050.00 for the 1975 CR-125 which was a lot but they were very scarce and I wanted one bad. The 1974 TM-125 was $850.00 new.

[slim67 2,735]

My first mini bike was a J.C. Penney "Golden Pinto" which I still have. Then I got a 1974 Suzuki RV90, then a 1985 ATC200X, later an earlier model KXT250 Tecate, an ATC250SX and finally a Honda Fat Cat TR200. My wife bought a brand new TRX250 FourTrax that she rode till she got pregnant ( If I ever find that guy!) I rode plenty of other bikes that belonged to friends and family and a few snowmobiles. I never raced MX but had friends that did. You got to be a little crazy to do that. I was more of a recreational guy. Still would like to get a TW200 Yamaha one of these days. Had a lot of fun during those times.