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US
A Classic
A Vintage
A Antique
I'm Curious because my bike is approaching 20yrs old (01 250f) and the other bike is a (04 crf250f) both first gen models.
so at what point do they cross the title threshold from old to classic to etc?
Only thing ive found that somewhat explains it is (https://blog.chopperexchange.com/motorcycle-life/the-difference-between-classic-vintage-and-antique-motorcycles/) However they're talking about road motorcycle's and not dirtbikes.
A Vintage
A Antique
I'm Curious because my bike is approaching 20yrs old (01 250f) and the other bike is a (04 crf250f) both first gen models.
so at what point do they cross the title threshold from old to classic to etc?
Only thing ive found that somewhat explains it is (https://blog.chopperexchange.com/motorcycle-life/the-difference-between-classic-vintage-and-antique-motorcycles/) However they're talking about road motorcycle's and not dirtbikes.
Poll
Any trick bits on your YZF?
They are, In order:
[list]
[*]Rear Suspension
[*]Unitized engine construction
[*]Tuned Pipes
[*]Reed Valves
[*]Long travel suspension
[*]Rising-rate suspension (linkages)
[*]Liquid Cooling/Disc Brakes
[*]Exhaust Valves
[*]Cartridge suspension
[*]Modern Ergos
[/list]
"Fence posts" yet to be added to the Vintage classes, but I suspect are next:
[list]
[*]Modern short-stroke 4 strokes
[*]Fuel Injection
[/list]
Age of bike is not so much a consideration. One can go purchase a 2020 Royal Enfield and qualify to race in most vintage classes.
1929 HD put the firstfront brake on a motorcycle. 1928 and earlier are antiques.
Up to 1974, vintage.
1975 to 1995 PV, or post vintage.
This is by dates, and some add a few classes in between. I've heard some 1929 to 1960 called classics.
If you go by features a bike has, like twin shocks and drum brakes, it gets sketckey.
I mean, Honda has a 200 4 stroke, twin shock, air cooled bike that was made I think into the 90's, that qualifies
as vintage at AHRMA events.
The Shop
Dave, it's hard to exclude street bikes, for the fact that before the mid 50s, there weren't dedicated dirt bikes.
You wanted to ride or race dirt before then, you slapped a set of knobbies on and stripped it down, and That was a dirt bike.
It was the Spanish, and a guy named John Penton, that really were the first to create what we now calldirt bikes.
That, was mid 1950s as far I can see.
There is a guy that rides a 94 or 95 CR250 that keeps up with all of us every weekend.
Not many 80's bikes being ridden at the tracks here in Michigan.
In my opinion, a fence post design feature is CR style brake routing. This gives room for guys to do those windham and lusk era tribute bikes a place to race. But they aren’t really vintage per se.
I have ridden a 95 CR 250 for a few hours and can say that they are not at all current, nor are they at all vintage. Post vintage? Bomber? I’m kinda clueless. But god damn are they fun to ride!
But......where the heck do you get parts for a lot of them? A 2 stroke is a really basic design and guys have no problems keeping them going through the years , but a 20+ year 4 stroke motor? I would think they may be hard to fix if that motor has an issue?
Blows my mind that the 4 strokes have been out that long , to be considered " vintage ". Crazy.
I'd say the 426 might be the start of another era.
But after that, the only thing big that they all kind of went to was fuel injection.
That might be considered another era.
As far as finding parts, and bikes from the past, that's a big part of it. Most anyone can get stuff, 5, 10 years gone. Getting that stuff is kinda easy, it's around.
But when you see a pristine 426 Yamaha sitting in a row of late model stuff, what catches your eye?
That's a big part of vintage racing.
Jody MXA
95 KX 250
06 CRF 450
Just races Marty Tripes 2st vintage race last month at Cahuilla and my 95 KX250 is considered "post vintage." Its still a blast to ride and I can keep up with 4st around the track.
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