Question about Yamaha RT180
Bruce McCrary
eric wrote:
>
> Does anybody have any opinions/info on the Yamaha RT180?
> I don't think I need a YZ, KX, etc. Is the RT a
> reasonable choice for a 170 pound, intermediate rider who wants pretty
> good performance but doesn't want to break the bank?
>
> -eric
Eric, a friend of mine bought a new one back in '92. He had limited
experience, a looooong time ago. The bike served him well until this
year when illness forced him to give up riding. I helped him sell the
bike to a neighbor who's learning to ride. So, I've been around the
bike, and ridden it some myself. I hope this kinda qualifies what I'm
about to say.
The bike is an adult beginners bike. Nothing more. It has *reasonable*
power that hits early and signs off fairly quick forcing the rider to
shift quickly in order to stay on the pipe. It will pull down low, but
it's not going to impress you. The handling is fine for moderate two
track trail riding, but get into anything resembling a real trail and
things get kinda scary. There's not much travel in the suspension, and
it'll blow through what it has in a real hurry....then the wimpy frame
starts to flex. The original owner of the bike went through two rear
brake cams and one set of shoes in a bike hurry. The rear brake is
not..umm, real good, so he was constantly stomping on the brake pedal,
which caused the splined shaft that spreads the shoes against the drum
to strip.
Like I said, it's a good beginners bike, but once the rider becomes
proficient at all (read that being able to maintain balance and momentum
for more than a mile), he/she will most likely want more bike. If you've
got any riding ability at all, and want to even hint at riding
aggressively, stay away from the RT.
Bruce McCrary
Lexington,NC
'94 XR600R
will
ela...@lgc.com (eric) wrote:
>
>Does anybody have any opinions/info on the Yamaha RT180? I am
>thinking about buying a dirt bike after not having one for about 10
>years. I plan on riding every couple of weekends and would like to
>get a bike that I can take camping and do some pretty good grinding
>(eventually). I don't think I need a YZ, KX, etc. Is the RT a
>reasonable choice for a 170 pound, intermediate rider who wants pretty
>good performance but doesn't want to break the bank?
>
>-eric
2 years ago I bought a 1977 DT175 for a trail layout bike ($100.00)
I swore its the same bike as the 180. Built in mexico I here. They
were having problems with the spokes breaking. don't know it they got
over that. I feel that an XR250 would be a much better choice. I
don't know what the cost difference is. In 1990 I started riding after
10 years off. I made the same mistake and bought some old junk. 3
bikes and a lot of money later, I got something modern and never
looked back. Save your money and get something modern now.
You will love this "sport" so get a bike that you will not "outgrow"
as your ability gets better.!
Will
Stan Schweitzer
sanip> 2 years ago I bought a 1977 DT175 for a trail layout bike
($100.00)
> I swore its the same bike as the 180.snip
These RT's are still around $2000 brand new! It is pre 80's technology!
Stan
.
Asparagus
eric wrote:
snipt
> -eric
The RT 180 is a brilliant bike for an absolute newbie with a small
inseam and is easily intimidated. Not to demean the bike but if you are
170 and *intermediate* in skill you're going to hate this bike. Think
of an XR 250 or something like that.
richard...