I've never ridden anything that old, but I have plenty of experience racing a dual shock through cross country terrain. I've got a 1981 Suzuki PE175 that is my tight woods racer, and a 1982 Suzuki RM465 that is raced on the more open tracks.
That's life, man! Great country the USA! To me it's incredbile that there are trails specific for motorbikes! Here in Italy, farmers and police chase you if you go through the woods with your dirt bike... Bad thing! But we go there anyway ehehehe!
I couldn't tell if those modern rear shocks were designed to sag. They look longer than the originals and the rear end looks elevated when parked. The throttle looks like it's a larger diameter than stock. About this time Joel Robert went with a bigger diameter throttle on his works CZ's. When you run off a short list of riders who jumped on Husky you left out JN Roberts, the winningest (27 consecutive wins) desert rider of the era on his Husky. I met him when he was on a... believe it or not... Honda CL305 scrambler. At that time he was excited about the new 360 Bultaco Bandido that had just come out. Then Husky brought over their 360 and the rest is history.
I rode the two-day Berkshire enduros of '70 and '71 and competed against the likes of Lars Larsen who rode one of these and he couldn't be topped. I came within a gold medal by one point in '71 but on the speed tests, Lars was in front of everyone.
That bike is super cool! Sounds great too. The tank is beautiful on these bikes. When you stopped in the flowers the reflection on the tank looks like a postcard. lol
Nice to see you out there having fun Bill. That bike makes the British bikes look like a tank. Although for me, I’m pretty slow. I prefer a tank. Have you thought about offering your T-shirts in a lighter color? Maybe a summer white 😅. I have so many black shirts and they’re too hot in the summertime. Thanks
Nice video Billy! From minute 11:27 to 11:35 you can actually hear the straight cut primary drive gear. So, the 360 Viking next? Oh, and that rear brake rod probably needs a few more turns on the wing-nut for you!
You have nice riding areas w/ fun trails! The Black Diamond trail ddn't look real technical (or are there more technical trails such as 2 or 3 black diamond), maybe the camera didn't show how steep the trail actually was; also I was surprised alot of the smaller fallen trees were cut out on this trail. You definately can't have a bad day when riding a crisp classic 250 Husky w/ a set of Works Performance shocks! Oh, is the Bing carb replaced w/ a Mikuni carb? O.K., I'm going to watch your video again now!
i always wanted to try riding one of those older Huskys !.... i currently own a 20 yr old YZ 450 and i still consider it a brand new bike because ive still never yet even ridden anything newer , and for me my 450F is kinda too fast and powerfull and also a bit heavy for my purposes, which is also just mainly enjoying riding very similar singletrack and the gnarly old mining roads behind my house in the Yuba valley area of Tahoe.... and truth is when so many trees are down and the road is washed out like has been during this yr i feel like i should just be on a Trials bike ?!
Been waiting for this one, Husky 250 ,Great review , Thanks Bill , second lever on the left hand side of the handle bars , is for the decompression valve ?? KIWI
Great question and I was thinking about it while riding - I definintely would take my pre-unit Triumph on these trails, but the Husky is MUCH better suited for it!
Kind of a poor idea to be riding that sort of a trail without a skid plate installed. Definitely wouldn't want to be bashing-up the lower frame cradle tubes on a old classic. Also: the Works shocks on that bike are too tall as compared to the originals. This is going to skew the geometry and handling of the bike. Probably the reason the rear brake was left adjusted so loose, was to avoid binding etc from happening as a result of the improper length of the works shocks. Personally, I think it would be cool to make the bike a little more period-correct by refitting the original Bing carburetor; installing shocks with proper length and travel; finding a silencer with a more period look; and most of all --fabricating an effective skid plate. Just my 3 cents. Otherwise love the vintage content and nice video and editing work --kudos. BTW: I put many many miles on an original 1968 Husqvarna 360 Viking I used to own, and so I am fortunate to have a fair bit of personal experience with Husky bikes this era. Keep up the good work!
The flowers in the field just makes you want to sing 'The Hills are alive with the sound of Husqvarna"... That was cool, thank you.
Hahaha YES!
I've never ridden anything that old, but I have plenty of experience racing a dual shock through cross country terrain. I've got a 1981 Suzuki PE175 that is my tight woods racer, and a 1982 Suzuki RM465 that is raced on the more open tracks.
Old Husky !! One cool motorcycle !!!!
I can almost smell the fresh dirt, hot metal, and two smoke!
Hell yes!
Keeping Saturdays rad Bill. 👌
That's life, man! Great country the USA! To me it's incredbile that there are trails specific for motorbikes! Here in Italy, farmers and police chase you if you go through the woods with your dirt bike... Bad thing! But we go there anyway ehehehe!
Good on you man, don't let them stop you riding, it's happening in some places here in Australia too, but we keep riding, fuck em.
Excellent! Thank you.
I couldn't tell if those modern rear shocks were designed to sag. They look longer than the originals and the rear end looks elevated when parked. The throttle looks like it's a larger diameter than stock. About this time Joel Robert went with a bigger diameter throttle on his works CZ's. When you run off a short list of riders who jumped on Husky you left out JN Roberts, the winningest (27 consecutive wins) desert rider of the era on his Husky. I met him when he was on a... believe it or not... Honda CL305 scrambler. At that time he was excited about the new 360 Bultaco Bandido that had just come out. Then Husky brought over their 360 and the rest is history.
I rode the two-day Berkshire enduros of '70 and '71 and competed against the likes of Lars Larsen who rode one of these and he couldn't be topped. I came within a gold medal by one point in '71 but on the speed tests, Lars was in front of everyone.
Beautiful day.
Great bike.
Excellent video.
Thank you for your kind words!
That bike is super cool! Sounds great too. The tank is beautiful on these bikes. When you stopped in the flowers the reflection on the tank looks like a postcard. lol
Agreed! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Very cool bike! It sounds like it has great low end and midrange. Handled all that terrain beautifully.
Wonderful power from this bike!
I had a Butaco 250 back in the day but when I tried a IT 175 that mono shock sold me, thanks for doing that, I enjoyed it
cool bike, always loved the huskies. Amazing scenery while riding.
Thanks Robert!
Nice to see you out there having fun Bill. That bike makes the British bikes look like a tank. Although for me, I’m pretty slow. I prefer a tank.
Have you thought about offering your T-shirts in a lighter color? Maybe a summer white 😅. I have so many black shirts and they’re too hot in the summertime.
Thanks
My first ever MX bike was 69 250 Husky, I loved this video
So glad you like it!
Nice video Billy! From minute 11:27 to 11:35 you can actually hear the straight cut primary drive gear. So, the 360 Viking next? Oh, and that rear brake rod probably needs a few more turns on the wing-nut for you!
Love riding White Pines. Great video!
Right on! Thanks!
I am always concerned about getting to far away from my vehicle when riding by myself if the bike stops running then it could be a awkward situation
You have nice riding areas w/ fun trails! The Black Diamond trail ddn't look real technical (or are there more technical trails such as 2 or 3 black diamond), maybe the camera didn't show how steep the trail actually was; also I was surprised alot of the smaller fallen trees were cut out on this trail. You definately can't have a bad day when riding a crisp classic 250 Husky w/ a set of Works Performance shocks! Oh, is the Bing carb replaced w/ a Mikuni carb? O.K., I'm going to watch your video again now!
I've only ever had one bike with a left hand kicker, absolutely did my head in!.. Love the video, keep them coming. 🇫🇷
i always wanted to try riding one of those older Huskys !.... i currently own a 20 yr old YZ 450 and i still consider it a brand new bike because ive still never yet even ridden anything newer , and for me my 450F is kinda too fast and powerfull and also a bit heavy for my purposes, which is also just mainly enjoying riding very similar singletrack and the gnarly old mining roads behind my house in the Yuba valley area of Tahoe.... and truth is when so many trees are down and the road is washed out like has been during this yr i feel like i should just be on a Trials bike ?!
Love that bike !!
Me too! Thanks for watching!
I'm glad you liked it. Back in the day I found them 'odd', agricultural and an 'acquired taste'. It would be my least favourite bike from that period.
Living the good life.
Great bike. Would be unbeatable at Biltwell. Skidplate and a Vesco tank and you are Malcolm. I am so jealous.
I love riding the woods of CA. Although I live in Nevada. What area is this ride?
very forgiving mogtorcycle
Been waiting for this one, Husky 250 ,Great review , Thanks Bill , second lever on the left hand side of the handle bars , is for the decompression valve ?? KIWI
Thank you! Yes - compression release added👍
Nice ride!
Thanks!
Great riding mate. Would you have ridden the same tracks on your Triumph?
So jealous of the riding areas you have. In the UK it's pitiful.
Right mate - pitiful or non-existent in the UK if you live in the south !
Great question and I was thinking about it while riding - I definintely would take my pre-unit Triumph on these trails, but the Husky is MUCH better suited for it!
Hey was that an eight speed motor? I saw an extra lever. I think they call it an egg motor
Are those trails one way ? I'd hate to find someone coming the other way at speed.
Two way - Ride at your own risk 😁
Kind of a poor idea to be riding that sort of a trail without a skid plate installed. Definitely wouldn't want to be bashing-up the lower frame cradle tubes on a old classic.
Also: the Works shocks on that bike are too tall as compared to the originals. This is going to skew the geometry and handling of the bike. Probably the reason the rear brake was left adjusted so loose, was to avoid binding etc from happening as a result of the improper length of the works shocks.
Personally, I think it would be cool to make the bike a little more period-correct by refitting the original Bing carburetor; installing shocks with proper length and travel; finding a silencer with a more period look; and most of all --fabricating an effective skid plate.
Just my 3 cents. Otherwise love the vintage content and nice video and editing work --kudos.
BTW: I put many many miles on an original 1968 Husqvarna 360 Viking I used to own, and so I am fortunate to have a fair bit of personal experience with Husky bikes this era.
Keep up the good work!
I want one
Hey was that an eight speed motor? I saw an extra lever. I think they call it an egg motor
Where is the beer?
Beer was last week. That’s a compression release.