Lets
say you are going to build an Evo Husky to race. Which one should you build?
Well, what would you say if someone offered you a test day of back to back Evolution
Husqvarnas so you could see exactly what the deal is with each model? Naturally
you would say COOL, and pack your gear. I had the honor of heading out to Yakima
Washington for such a day with Vintage Motocrosser Lyndell Raphael. So to cut
to the chase I rode five bikes- (the 6th is destined to be Lyndell's show bike)
starting with the smallest and oldest, the '77 GP250. The two I was most struck
by from this test day were that first one, and the 430, which was fantastic
in every way. Each bike was very different of course, and so here are notes
on each one. - siege click
any image to see up close
 1977
Husqvarna GP250 ML frame, Fox Air shocks, 35mm forks, double sealed with stiffer top springs- tires:S12, Bing carb what's
cool about this bike?
Lyndell: the Handling. The way the bike is
so precise- the front goes right where you point it. Siege:
this was the most satisfying to ride- precise is the word I wrote down-
the least power off all the bikes I rode, but it didn't matter. |
1977
Husqvarna WR360 ML frame, Curnutt Shocks, 35 double sealed forks, stiffer top springs. tires: Dunlop rear, Michelin S12 front 390 up-pipe carb: 38mm Mikuni what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: the ease of riding- it is very comfortable and an all around great bike. Siege: this bike had loads of juice- everything was easy- not as cat-like as the older 250- but easy to ride. Very cool. |
1979
390MM Frame, 1976 360 engine (2052) In
the end - given that the frame was 390, I decided the older 360 was
my favorite engine Early
in 2008 I acquired a 1982
CR430 fulfilling that longing to have one of each. (!)
|
 1978
Husqvarna CR390 MM frame, Curnutt shocks, 35 long forks, double sealed, IRC tires 38mm Mikuni what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: it is so quick & nimble, lots of power. Siege: this bike was the scary fast to me- and the back jumped around over rough ground- the power comes on like mad- and not in a fun way- of course in a race situation I might decide I needed that power.... |
 1981
Husqvarna CR250 MN frame, Works shocks, Factory Fox Works 43mm Forks, ProTaper Bars, ported jug, milled head (15 th.) IRC tires, 390 clutch springs, ceramic coatng on piston, 38mm Mikuni Carb Lyndell: this is the best bike for a technical track- Siege: this bike I wrote a few weeks ago was staggeringly good- but on the test day, after the older 250 it felt a lot squishier- of I wasn't riding in a race situation- and a lot rougher track- |
|
1982
Husqvarna CR430 CN frame, Ohlins shocks, double sealed 40 mm forks, IRC tires, 38mm Mikuni, ProTaper Bars, valving redone in in forks & shocks what's cool about this bike? Lyndell: everything is there- Siege: this was the best bike of all- phenomenal power- but easygoing and relaxed feeling- I kept thinking of the word "butter" as I did laps on the test track. The easiest bike to ride of all click any image to see up close |
 1982
Husqvarna CR250 shocks Ohlins 40 mm forks double sealed IRC tires 38mm Mikuni whatl about this bike? Lyndell: this is going to be a show bike- right now it is a lot stiffer than the other bikes. (that didn't last) We did not ride this bike.
|
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