Shenders1

Has anyone seen this article in the latest Motorcyclist? Roland Sands (ex-250 GP National Champ and creator of the rather cool 'Glory Stomper' alt-cruiser, among other things) is promoting the concept as a standalone WERA and/or AMA series.

Evidently, you start with a stock 450 cc 4-stroke 'crosser, 'repurpose' the suspension, and add a road-race bodywork kit - Voila! (see pictures here).

According to the article, you can get into a basic bike for ~$5000 US, and a blinged-out Ohlins-shod version for around $8000 US. The bikes would put out approx. 60-65 hp, again according to the article.

I think it sounds like a fantastic idea.

Heavy-Dee

Man! looks like fun.

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TornadoB8

A guy I race with has a TZ250 chassis with a YZF450 motor in it. The first time I saw/heard him rolling through the pits I was very confused. He said it's a blast to ride.

Dammit...I want one now.

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G-ForceJunkie

A few years ago a guy out here had a 400 or 426 ( I think Yamaha) MX single in a 125 or 250 GP frame. It didnt hold up well as I remember, at least not at at high speed track like Willow Springs.

CBRVFR

We had nearly this same discussion before - As a result, I should be picking up a TZ this weekend.


Cagiva Mito 500 prototype

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eyauch

This is an awesome idea. I would love to own one as a track day tool. I wonder what longevity of something like this would be?

luvtolean

My guess would be terrible. They require lots of work on dirt, and as plenty of motarders have learned, asphalt is much harder on engines than dirt.

Sounds like a spendy class to play in.

250GP bike over one of these for sure.

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SomeStrangeGuy

It would be interesting physics-wise, but the aftermarket would have to step up with some tranny modifications or the high speed tracks would eat motors alive.

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slickwill

I found an article about these somewhere else a couple months ago. I think it would be fun but have some reservations. While the initial maintenance requirements on the 4 stroke seem a little lower they are a lot more expensive and require more know how once "the day" comes. It is pretty simple and not to costly to work on 2 strokes. There is a company in asia that is building a semi-production 250 4-stroke bike that from what I understand has some loose ties to HRC.

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slickwill

Doing some math in my head I am having a hard time seeing how you could do it for $6K. It is going to take $5K to get a decent bike, $2K for the rims, and then you still have to deal with suspension, bodywork, etc. Unless the manufacturers start producing them basically set up at that price point?

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Shenders1

I was wondering about that myself. Doesn't a new CR450f go for over $7k just by itself? Perhaps they were thinking 'well-used'.

luvtolean

More like, they're trying to sell the concept and make money.

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slickwill

Yep.

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ND4SPD

Why not just run SVs? They put out about the same horsepower.

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phobe

So do Harleys.

CBRVFR

They wish.

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"...the TV also never took away the screwdriver and shoved it up the repairman's ass."

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G-ForceJunkie

I would guess terrable as well. The motorcross guys have been flogging the 400/426/450's for 5-7 years now. IIRC, the heads are lasting about 100 hours. I belileve the yamahas can be rebuilt, the Hondas you just buy a new one. My information may be old, but thats the last I heard, perhaps on Eric Gorrs site.

slickwill

Down below the article they talk about how well they have been holding up in the Baja 1000 and other events. Who knows? Maybe it is better than we thought.

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slickwill

But doesn't an SV weigh 200 pounds more? 240 pounds for the 450.

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slickwill

More good starting info here. I really want to build one.

http://www.rolandsands.com/RSD/assets/Project450.pdf

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sportbiker929

BAAAAAAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHA

That is funny

Repeater

I saw a website some guy was sticking an aprilla 450 twin in a rs250. wonder if this would be a better option than a 450 single? anyone know the link to this site? I'm still surprised aprilla hasn't brought out an rs 450 yet. I did read that the motor is impracticle for a road bike due to the rebild intervals.

luvtolean

With the problems bwhip had with his Aprilia motor in the motard, I don't think I'd want to chop one up until they decide if they're going to fix them or not.

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Shenders1

Just saw this on RRW's website -

American Honda And Moriwaki Engineering To Sell Limited Number Of Four-stroke 250cc GP Racebikes News Article // RoadracingWorld.com

Another option if one wants a four-stroke-single-based roadracer. I have heard Yamaha is producing a similar bike, though I'm not clear on whether it is a dedicated racer

Moriwaki has very solid cred when it comes to building race bikes.
At ~$12k complete, and with Honda factory backing and substantial contingency money, these look pretty attractive. It appears they'll run under USGPRU sanctioning, while the 450 'super singles' will run at selected WERA nationals.

Roland Sands may want to hedge his bets and trot out some 250cc versions of his brainchild quick-like.

ONEvcs

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