Ace B+ vs Road Toad

[Bill2001]

I've not GS'd it, but I've gone all around with my /5 R-bike.

[viclioce]

Ken, my Model 03/93/94/95 was my first project. Then the Ace, and now the two Toads! And I stilll don't have one for me! Should have kept my mouth shut and built the Red Toad for me! LOL! I know a guy in Cali who has a 1977 TDog 250 for sale for $400. Trying to figure out logistics on it now! That would be a nice ride for me! Victor

[relic]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one. What finally made my decision was a weekend of ADV types at a friend's summer place. The "road" in is about a mile and its full of off camber, fairly steep, baby heads etc etc. I was loaded up with camping gear on my DR750 and made it in no problem. But I left while there was still a lot of riders there. From where we parked and camped the driveway was up hill and pretty broken up by a weekend worth of roosting by the big boys. (GS's, K-Tooms, A-twins, you name it-it was there). So now I've got to ride up the hill, fully loaded with a couple of dozen REAL off road guys watching. I made it unscathed but by the time I made it to the highway I was a nervous wreck. It was then I thought to myself, that wasn't fun. And I ride bikes for the fun of it. So what the heck am I doing riding this beast? All I could think of was that if I was riding my DT400 I would have been enjoying the ride. Not fretting about dropping my big pig. At least I can pick the 400 up when I fall off,
And the Suzuki DR750 is not nearly the size of a GS or KTM 950. Yep, you need to be either a big lad or a very accomplished rider to handle those bikes. And I'm neither.
Just for fun here's a photo of my DR750 aka DR BIG. They were never imported to the U.S. and only sold in Canada for three years. Mine was a 1989. 750 single, dual carb, twin gas tanks, total 29 liters (about 7 US gallons?).



Victor- sir you have a problem! A very enviable problem. Hahahaha. I think you should go for an even dozen.

Ken

[socalhodaka]

What a cool bike. I know what your saying, I also have a KTM 520 for more off-road. A few weeks ago while visiting friends in Arizona we went trial riding and I rode their Honda CRF 230, I had more fun I that slug then I have ever had on my KTM rocket.

[viclioce]

Ken! If I lived near Virginia, I would try and twist Danny Cooke's arm enough to get that 175 from him. He calls it his "one of these days" project!
The amazing thing is this. I'm just the builder! The Wombat belongs to my 16 year oldest Grandson, Diego. The Green Toad, his middle brother, Mateo, 14, and the Ace my 12 year old Grandson, Andy. The Red Toad is for my 16 going on 17 year old nephew Jonah. I don't have a dirt bike! Victor

[viclioce]

Darn! The guy in California is parting out that TDog! If anyone wasn't Parts from it ( he said he's keeping the frame & wheels) key me know. I can put you in contact with him. Sure hate seeing that bike being torn apart as it was complete! Just a minor top end seize. Victor

[relic]

I saw that on FB. Too bad for sure, sorry you missed that one Victor.
Re your other Hodakas; even if the bikes aren't technically yours, as chief builder you must get road testing privileges? Like maybe "You must return motorcycle to builder for testing purposes once per month or warranty is void"

Ken

[viclioce]

Hah! I'll ride them all as long as they are in my garage! The two youngest boys probably won't get to ride them without me accompanying them for awhile too. Load them in grandpa's truck and take them to the track or out in the back country! My nephew will get his bike when it's done and he lives the furthest from me. So his Red Toad I will probably see the least. But we will see how it goes. I'll build another bike I can enjoy and be comfortable on as well! When I'm done with these! Victor