Best Post-Vintage Penton/KTM?

[Tahitian_Red]

I have a 1976 KTM 250 MC5 that I may restore next year, but I'm wondering which Penton/KTM would be best in AHRMA MX?  I mean is the 78-79 more likely to be a winning bike in Grand Prix than the 76-77 is in Historic?  Thanks for your thoughts!

The "Factory Novice"

[Mick Milakovic]

Hey Red, personally, I like whichever one I'm riding at the moment!

[Tahitian_Red]

Looking at pics of your yellow-tanker I can understand that.

The "Factory Novice"

[Larry Perkins]

In MX the 78-79 KTM is at a decent amount of deficit to the other Japanese bikes particularly the legal cheater ones like the 1981 YZ250.  On a rough track the YZ will out motor and out handle the KTM of 78-79.  As I said in one of your earlier posts this is with equal riders and as always the hand screwing the throttle makes a big difference.

Now on the other hand the 77 Penton/KTM 250 is in my mind a legal cheater bike in the Historic class.  It will out run and out handle most of the bikes in that class and is my weapon of choice.  The RM250 is a close one with better shocks put on but all others lag in my opinion.  I will add that I am biased on this as the 1977 MC5 250 is my favorite Penton of all time and it is really in all honesty the first KTM and not a Penton at all.  It is the first bike to be a total MXer from the KTM factory and was virtually the bike they won the World MX title on.  I have won 3 AHRMA titles with the MC5 and it is because they are great bikes and that class is a bit weaker than some of the other Post Vintage classes.

Okay, that is my quarters worth.

Larry P

[jon]

Larry P what do you think of the 1977 YZ250/400 D's in the Historic class? They would seem like favorits with the mono?

[Larry Perkins]

The problem with them is like all the early monos they are kind of heavy and I think they steer a little slow compared to later YZ's.  The front forks don't work as good as the Zokes either.  By 1980 the mono has gotten lighter and the swingarm is lightened by going aluminum.  Then in 81 they go with the tighter turning that the factory bikes have had for awhile.  By 81 the Japs are pretty much in control in my personal opinion.

Larry P

[evomx244]

I have a 78 250 MC5 right now, I've raced a 81 YZ 250 in 07 in the GP250/40 Plus Expert. There's no comparison the YZ will walk all over my KTM. I personally think the 78 should be in the Historic class, the KTM is giving up a good 3" travel, a good 15 pounds over the YZ, plus the 43mm forks and the YZ never missed shifts, ect.....  But I just think the 78 KTM's are one of the coolest looking bikes out there, I find myself talking out the trash more often, just for an excuse to get a peek at the mighty Katoom !

[wfopete]

Four other options to consider that can turn the race result tables:

Good Practice.
Get stronger/tougher physically.
Modify/Tune the bike to work better.
Pick your battles on tracks that work in your favor.

Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good

[gooddirt]

If you can get the Hole Shot you should be able to hold them off for the short 5 laps:D.

[tooclose racing]

Hey Scott(evomx244) - I like looking at your 78 Katoom also, even if it's a picture!  But Larry confirmed my suspicions about bike "competitiveness" in PVMX - that the 77 is the way to go (in Historic).  Having said that...the great thing about a lot of regional racing is "he who lasts...wins".

Trivia question: what ever happened to the Man who made the  first generation 250 MX and subsequent MC-5 famous - Moisseev?  Is he alive?  I tried the Moscow white pages on the internet and couldn't find him.  []

Actually what I did find was a Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guennady_Moisseev

What a hoot it would be if KTM could figure out how to bring man this to Mid-Ohio for a Legends of Motocross race.  The man, the myth.....

[Larry Perkins]

Bringing him to Mid-Ohio would be very cool and I would love to add that signature to my numberplate collection.

Larry P

[tmc3c]

I am with "Gooddirt"! My dad told me when I was flat tracking that I had to make up in the corners what I was losing down the straights! It might have been easier to push away from the table.This might have saved me from the body cast!!



Larry, I hope to see you here in March at the C.C.!!!



Thomas Carmichael


1970 125 Six Day
1976 250 Hare Scrambler

[brian kirby]

I asked on the Vinduro list if anyone knows how to contact Moisseev or where he is. I think this is a good idea to at least invite him to Mid-Ohio. I'm sure the POG could scare up a Penton/KTM for him to ride in a "Legends" race.

Brian

'73 Berkshire

[marsattacks]

If you check the Italian vinduro equivalent rugginose.net there is loads of info on Moisiev but not sure if they have his whereabouts. You can, however, see lots of pics of the man in action. Site includes pics of a 73/74 250 raced by him and then sent over for Jack Penton's use (according to the site). 78 MC5s are common as muck on that site.

Click here to see Mars attack:
http://www.ufodigest.com/news/0208/images/marsattacks.jpg

To watch the best parts of Mars Attacks!, click here (9 mins long):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp3llVQh__Q

[gooddirt]

For those who have not seen this web site ;some news on Moisseev. check out   vmxktm.net