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| 3/25/09 The long anticipated release of the '09 Honda 450 has arrived. We got our first test session on it and here is Stevo's opinion. Keep in mind he is a Vet Expert. Remember I have been riding the YZ 250 Two
Stroke mostly because of the fun factor. There is a definite disadvantage
to the 450's. Now Honda has built what the rider's have been looking for.
A light 450 and I mean it. You first notice this when you put the bike on
the stand (remember I already have a light bike). When riding it, it has
the feel of my YZ 250, light in the air and flickable. On our scales with
gas and oil we got You first notice it's cornering prowess. The front end didn't seem to wash under any conditions. I found myself way up on the tank without even trying. The seat pretty much keeps you in that position and it is difficult to slide your weight back under acceleration. The KYB suspension felt great with me at 175 lbs. We made some adjustments to the forks to speed up the re-bound and still messing with the compression. I am used to riding the very stable YZ and have complained about head shake on the Honda's all along. It is not major for a good rider but could present problems with the less experienced. I guess that is why Honda came up with the steering damper idea which doesn't seem to make a difference for me. The rear sock re-bound adjustment is in 1/8 turn increments instead of 1/4, meaning more adjustment. I ran it at 18 clicks out. 14 clicks out on the compression. Most of the hype has been about the fuel injection. The bike starts good and at most three to four kicks after stalling it hot. There is not hot start so it is what it is. Do the routine and you will be fine. The power is very manageable and does not have the arm pulling feel of the older 450's. The front end stays down and does it job accelerating without wheel spin. It actually feels like it has a traction control system. After running pump gas for the first couple of sessions, we switched to Sunoco GT plus, a 104 octane oxygenated fuel. BINGO!! Now were moving!! Just what I was looking for, a little more bark. It is amazing how much of a gas miser this bike is, I guess that explains the 1 l/2 gallon fuel tank. Unfortunately we did not have the software package to adjust the power ban as far as timing. We will inform you when we do. My overall impression is I WANT ONE. It is a blast to ride like my YZ 250. Small subtle changes I would opt for would be bars and foot pegs. I would probably add 1 tooth to the rear and can the stock chain. I adjusted the spooks four times in that one session and may opt for different wheels. I am sure the after market pipe companies will enhance the power ban further. There were no dings in the front head pipe although I didn't follow any roosts. It also looks like the rear fender section will be a mud catcher but maybe an after market company will fix that. I don't doubt that the Honda reliability will remain strong as always and if properly maintained will give great hours of enjoyment. I'm making the first call that this will be the bike of the year....Stevo 3/2/08 Good Circles or Bad? I have been around the motorcycle industry for over 30 years now. Just recently it dawned on me there is a new revelation in the racing world. Reputations are all we really have when the dust settles and I now realize the outcome. In the racing world there are two circles of people forming, the good and the bad. Let's go over the good circle first. These are the people who can't help enough by lending a hand in any way to help someone else. They lend bikes, cars, trucks, offer people food and drink and anything else they can think of to help. Of course these great people are in the good circle. On the other hand, the people they offer this helping hand to do not know the "circle rules". The do not return items borrowed, always forget they owe money or parts, bring the borrowed vehicles back without a full tank of gas, etc. Hence the "bad circle" had to be formed. These people don't even feel guilt or maybe they just don't know any better. Good circle people know who these bad circle people are as though it were a secret society. With so much bad going on everywhere, with people back stabbing, throwing people under the bus, it is an honor to be included in the good circle society. So when you get up in the morning and look in the mirror ask yourself how you want to be portrayed. Once considered a bad circle person, you reputation is ruined and is impossible to overturn. I have spent a lifetime focused on these simple rules that honesty and integrity are the most important traits. From racing to every day life you cannot erase damage done by questioning ones honesty. Just take a look at Roger Clemens. So I thank all the people in the good circle I
have dealt with over the years and look forward to meeting and helping more this
special breed. For those in the bad circle you've got some work to do to
redeem yourselves. Your reputation will always follow you and the good
circle people know who you are. This alone will close doors further down
the road that you were not even aware of. 12/13/07 I just finished going over the changes the AMA approved for amateur racing and I'm pretty confused as to their intentions. Can you say controversy? I was told they wanted to save the two stroke by allowing 250's against 250F's. Well sure, but is this how?? Let's take a 14 year old kid who wants to try to qualify for Loretta Lynns. He can ride the super mini class, 125cc schoolboy, 144cc schoolboy lites and a 250 two stroke in the lites B stock and modified. Wow! That's a lot of bikes. I understand trying to save the two stroke but people need to know that a 250 two stroke is a whole lotta bike! You have to understand that with the bikes these kids are used to riding they can leave the throttle pinned without getting into much trouble. But Dad's beware; a little arm pump and an accidental blip of the throttle in the wrong situation can spell DISASTER. These bikes flat out rip! We already proved this year that a 144 will get the job done. It's faster than a stock 250F. Now we all know that everyone is modifying the 250F's so we just completed our 153 and it is insane!! With last years bogus AMA rule of 144 overbore only, you can take that same 144 motor and stroke it to produce a 153cc. I can assure you that most kids will ride this bike much faster than a 250 two stroke. Dad's take notice. The other problem I see is how is each organization going to restructure their classes. So here we are again with STR leading the way. We probably will be building a lot of 153cc bikes that you'll find great value in. The reliability of these motors has already been proven in a full season of racing. Most people in the northeast part of the USA saw what Matt Fisk did with his STR 144. So come one come all. Buy those YZ125's and let me build some sick bikes that your kids will love to ride. The price difference between a 250 and a 125 will come close to paying for the motor. The weight difference and less explosive power will make your kid a better rider in the long run. As far as the 250F's go, if you have deep pockets, we mod and fix those too. 2/25/07 I love success stories!! I’m amazed at how many people out there get some type of enjoyment out of seeing people fail. I couldn’t disagree more! I guess that’s the difference between an optimist and a pessimist. I’m a firm believer that those of us who dedicate themselves to achieving goals will be rewarded with success. My racing era was in the late 70’s and early 80’s. I raced NESC then and I can tell you that there was almost always qualifiers in the expert class. I remember a day at Southwick that had three 250 expert qualifiers. You had to make top 7 in a heat or top 4 in the LCQ. It was the era of “putting your nose to the grindstone” as they say. There was nothing worse than having to sit the bench as an expert motocrosser. This was a time where most guys racing had full time jobs and still found time to ride and train. No home schooling, just working class heroes enjoying the passion of racing. I am happy to look back and say I was part of that great time in motocross. In this new era we have home schooled kids with endless provisions for doing the best they can. I agree you can give anyone the resources but there’s still something that lies within an individual that can’t be taught - at least until technology can alter the brain! This leads me to the reason I started ECART. I can see when a person has those special traits of desire and passion that I often refer to. I’m proud to know that the riders representing our team this year are those special kinds of people. I won’t have to question their work ethic or worry they will join “the status quo teenager” that most kids fall into. These guys are focused on the goals they have set and the dedication it will take to achieve them. Our new program offers the public a chance to help support our team by purchasing Sqwincher. This product sells itself once you try it. You can see how all these “energy drinks” influence our kids. We all know how bad they are but we also see how much money they generate by the financial support that is given to sports icons and their teams. This is your chance as fans to make this one of those “success stories” by helping the little guy that has been so overlooked by corporate America. The success of our program will be a model example for others to use and to convince companies to get involved with “the purest sport on the planet”
11/30/06 Who cares about the AMA rules!!! The constant discussion of what bikes can race in what class is getting old. There needs to be a gentlemen's agreement or better yet a new "man law" as in the Miller Lite commercials. Here it is: Any class that allows a 250F in it should also allow a 144 two stroke. No stipulations on overbore only!! The factories would be very surprised to see how many people would be on the two strokes again. They are too busy making money on the parts they sell for blown up four strokes to care. Let's give the younger riders a chance to stay on a bike that will make them better later on in their riding career. Most family race budgets cannot afford the escalating cost of blown up four strokes. And as for the noise problem, you can see the factories aren't really concerned. The racing public knows this sports challenges and issues, why can't the AMA get it!! The bottom line is - it is up to us as riders and area track promoters to get it right. I do not know of too many tracks that have a 125 two stroke only class. As for the super mini class, let the 112 race the 150 four stroke. I don't care what mods you do to the four stroke, our 112 will flat out smoke it!! It should work just fine until Dad has to fix that blown up four stroke!! 6/10/05 - "Ride With Passion!" As the race season continues, I am starting to see riders lose interest and quit racing. For New England, most serious riders go south for the winter to ride and when they enter the race season here, they seem to burn out fast. This makes me wonder how the rest of the country in warm climates continues all year. Racing is not for everyone. Racing is a way to measure goals you have set and to travel and meet new people. I got to thinking that the reason we do this is because we love riding. Some riders are forced to race because there are fewer places to just go and ride. The day at the races is a very long one and can also discourage many riders from repeating the task week after week. This year in NE that week after week has been mud race after mud race. This brings me to the conclusion that no matter which avenue you pursue, we all do it for the same reasons. We love riding. So if you don't feel your enjoying it, get out. For the so many of us who do - "RIDE WITH PASSION"
8/15/04 Just got back from Loretta Lynn's and I am relieved that it is over. Finishing 2nd in the first moto was probably the biggest thrill of my life. Being on the podium at Loretta's is so special, I can't describe the feelings that passed thru me. I am not greedy, and if it ended at that point it would have been enough. But that moto changed everything because now I was racing for the National Championship and that meant taking a little more risk. I didn't want it all to end the way it did (knocked unconscious on the first lap of moto 3) but I have no regrets knowing I left everything I had on that track in Tennessee. I tried to tell everyone who was going that preparation was key to having a good week. Moto 1 was 100 degrees with 98% humidity. I was prepared and for that effort I was rewarded. I had not been to Loretta's in 5 years and can't believe how the competition has improved. It truly is the best race in the world and the pressure it can apply is relentless. I saw so much hope and yet so much heartbreak and that is what makes Loretta's what she is. She can be a mother of mercy or an evil witch! There is no describing it to someone, you just have to go to feel it and to see how big it's gotten to be. So while I may be all done racing, I am eager to stay active in the sport and look forward to helping some young hopefuls with big hearts. It takes a special individual to excel at this sport. One last note: I am disappointed with the flow of money that goes into all those big teams. It seems those who could use the support are not getting it and it is my hope that the industry takes a good look at this and makes the necessary changes. Other news - We're excited with the '05 YZ's and will keep the 2 stroke's alive and well at Surf & Turf. The sound alone is worth it all! 7/5/04 We would like to congratulate everyone who qualified for Loretta Lynn's this year. It is truly an honor to be representing your area at the world's largest Amateur race. Hopefully, the riders who did not make it have learned from their mistakes and/or weaknesses and will try again next year. For those of you who did qualify, you have one month to prepare your body for three grueling 20 minute motos in the extreme heat and humidity of Tennessee. You should be doing at least 30 minutes of cardio a day, preferably in the heat, and paying strict attention to hydration and diet. Prepare your mental state for attacking the track and posting good lap times and the race will come to you. 4/29/04 The '04 race season is here and the following team members will be representing Surf & Turf Racing: Jason Lavallee will compete at NESC races and the AMA Outdoor Nationals in the 250 class. Adam Johnson will be riding NETRA Hare Scrambles in the 250A class on a YZ250F. We are pleased to welcome the additions to this years team of Colin and Sean Paquette. They will be riding Moto X and some Hare Scrambles on YZ125's. We will also be helping a young phenom, Greg Lehto who just turned 11 and has a very bright future in Moto X. He will be riding RM 85's with Surf & Turf motors. His main goal will be to qualify for Loretta Lynn's where I hope to accompany him. Just to remind everybody that racing is all about having fun and the more fun you have the better you will do. If you forget about where you are in the race and concentrate and attack the track that is in front of you, you'll be surprised at how much better you feel and your results will improve.
12/23/03 These are exciting times at Surf & Turf Racing. We are taking on a whole new direction with our main focus being motor work, crank rebuilding and balancing. We just received our new crank balancer that was made special for us. It's specific design is for the small cranks that we deal with. We have had great success with the crank rebuilding division of our business and wanted to expand to give our customers even more. We now offer balancing for those who want the smooth delivery and increased performance of a balanced crank. Our commitment to having lower ends rebuilt in one day has meant a lot to the people who race and cannot afford down time waiting for parts from their dealers. We pride ourselves on having the OEM Yamaha parts the racing community needs. Our web site will offer the "The Wizards" tech tip of the month to keep you home mechanics educated on the rights and wrongs of wrenching your bike. Feel free to call with any questions you have concerning your bike or it's performance. |