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 Post subject: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 11:58 am 
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650 cc Monster
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Does anyone use an old twinshock for trail riding?
Bultaco-ish through to Jap stuff?

Wondering about a semi-classic addition to the 690.
Or would they be more trouble than it's worth?

Definitely not old British iron - got one of those already.

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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 12:46 pm 
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80 cc

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Location: Over by there
There was Bloke at the Sweet Lamb rally a few weeks ago riding an old Twin shock Husky, was having at least as much fun as everyone else.
I think some older trail bikes are actualy better suited for the Lanes (at least you can get both feet to the floor)
What bike were you thinking of David?

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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 2:06 pm 
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Nothing necessarily in mimd through knowledge but two diverse options have raised their head.
I was tempted to a Bultaco Sherpa 250 a few years ago and, with some sprocket changes, I was told it would be a good trail bike.
Another harks back to a mate's old Suzuki TS185 but a 250 would probably be better. Was nicer than my little Yam DT175 but probably a bit too road orientated.

I did have to road ride a friends YZ400 to and from an enduro many many years ago and it tainted me for life - what a brutal lump that was.

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Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:36 pm 
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300 cc
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Old Honda xl 125, 175, 250. They're a good investment.

Think there's a 175 in this clip making light work of a hill on the Isle of Man, when I stopped to help a 990 out! 2.50mins in
https://youtu.be/_10W7B0nUlg


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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:02 pm 
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Interesting ideas.
But you haven't seen Sussex TRFs Andy Wardrobe and John Grew's very very used Hondas :lol:
I'll have a look at that and the link later.
:)

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2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Thu Jun 08, 2017 10:49 pm 
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I didn't think this through.
Kickstart only is a no-no for me.
Lets forget the idea.

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2014 KTM 690 Enduro R ABS - 2015 Husky FE 450 - 1967 Triumph Trophy TR6R
Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 11:26 am 
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davidscott wrote:
I didn't think this through.
Kickstart only is a no-no for me
Lets forget the idea.


Why?

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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 5:23 pm 
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Partly that I have been evangelical about electric start for trail riding for years so it would be gross hypocrisy (but I can always do a U turn as they are in vogue at the moment) and partly that my knee isn't great - it may also limit how long I can keep the Triumph.

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Liable to sudden and unintended changes in speed and direction.
Araf!


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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 7:47 pm 
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I see
I'd sooner have kickstart only (less to go wrong too) than electric and no kicker

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 Post subject: Re: Twinshock trail riding
PostPosted: Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:03 pm 
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A lot depends on riding style and what you want out of a bike.
Old twin shocks are fine for pottering about, but you can't beat a modern enduro bike for serious trail riding.
My last twin shock was a 1979 TS250, and I rode it back to back with my 1996 TE410. No contest - The Husky was way better than the Suzuki. The suspension, handling and brakes were in the same ball park as a 2017 bike. The TS250 had short travel soft front / hard rear, under damped suspension, with no adjustments apart from rear spring preload.
The Husky could be ridden very safely at twice the speed as the Suzuki, which just pogoed, bottomed out, and got the footpegs stuck on every rut. Oh, and needed the stopping distance of the Exxon Valdez!!


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