well, what a lot of what I'm reading tells me is that with 15-18 years difference to make a better machine, the "big four" really haven't made all that much progress over the days of the R, the T4 and the quadracer.

And yes, bolt on a 300-330 kit on an R and blows away these brand new machines.

 

Yup i mean u would think over that many years they would hve HUGE improvments they dont they have the fuel injected n stuff but i think the carbs still run better. only thing wit the newer ones is u cant work on them ur self cause there is so many technical things the other bikes u can take them apart n put back together wit just a gasket set not many speical tools needed

 

ive put every single piece of equipment on my 450 myself and it was easy. the worst thing about them is that just to change the darn plug on these things you have to tear them half way down.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

 

And on the old ones u didnt

 

bottom line:

For how much time has passed since the first golden age of high-performance back in the late 80's, very little improvement has been made. Back in '88, these were the MSRP's for the 250's:

250R: $2998
Tecate-4: $2899
Quadracer: $2899

BTW, my 86 KX80 was $1098 brand new...how much are these new 85's???

In '05, only 17 years later, these new one are up around $6895. Now, I'm no economic wizard, but I have have a hard time believing that $3000 in 1988 is anywhere near being worth the same as $7000 now. I know at some point in the 90's that import tariffs were increased...can't remember why....something to do with shady trade policies by Japan or the yen or something but whatever...I'd be surprised to see that a Honda or Toyota comprarable car model from '88 now costs 2 and a half times as much today! civics? corollas? anyone?? MIND YOU, today, cars are more fitted and appointed with extras that you paid more for in '88...not to mention that the cars are better in many important ways.

Just my 2 cents. Makes you wonder if what we get today is worth the much bigger pricetag and little in the way of better technology.

 

BTW, I'm not trying say "don't buy them!" hell, I wouldn't mind getting my hands on a yfz...but the cynical side of me just wonders if these new quads are really 16-17 years better or just 16-17 years younger.