Riding an AUTOMATIC 500cc 2 Stroke Dirt Bike!
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- We ride a very rare Automatic transmission Husqvarna 500cc 2 stroke motocross bike! Back in the 1970's and 1980's the dirt bike world was a weird and wonderful place full of unique ideas and quirky innovations. During that time Husqvarna were one of the brands trying to make automatic MX bikes a thing. Obviously the concept didn't catch on with the rest of the moto world, but Husky's AE machines were said to be really capable race weapons, especially in the enduro scene. There aren't too many examples left out in the wild these days, so we feel very privileged to have been able to hit the dirt on this very special 1985 Husqvarna 500 AE...enjoy guys! :-D
A big thanks goes to Sean, Warren and Lee for helping make this video possible.
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As a huge Husqvarna fan. and the owner of a Husqvarna 360 Dessert cross bike. I can remember when these bikes came out. at first they weren't very well accepted. because riders and other people didn't think. an automatic would work good for use in motocross racing. but a little time went by. and we started to hear about these bikes starting to win events. but ultimately Husky stopped producing these bikes. but one thing for sure the big bore huskys were real monsters. I remember having to start mine by standing beside it. I loved mine and had that bike for a long time. and had very few problems with it. I can remember it had a nasty habit of not being able of keep the front wheel on the ground.
Was quicker than I thought it would be!
I agree with Sean. I takes the fun out of it. They keep making bikes easier to ride. I play everything on Hard. More challenge, more reward!
"They keep making bikes easier to ride" ... the bike is 40 years old!
@@Scoots1994 I meant four strokes and electric bikes. and recluse auto clutches. I'm sure this Huski is still a handfull!
I had an 81 430 XC back in the day. Man that bike was tall. I should have got the WR for enduro. It was a beautiful bike but I don't miss it. Cleaning out the brake drums constantly. the vibration. kicking it over when you are tired... give me a modern 300 any day.
Love the vintage Huskys. Have one myself.
Grew up with these goergeous huskys ! All around. My racing jumped to another level..when i Got my WR 250 1979..racing east coast enduros famous 150 milers SANDY LANE. CURLY FERN. Serious machine for serious competition !! Fond memories !
The sound of the Husky takes me back. I just really like those old Huskies because I had several
that husky had a lovely crackle to it and sounded to change gear quick also what a machine for its day, Kong is awsome theres no more to say about that monster, great vid
Thanks Arthur :)
We need a modern auto 500. Those times are incredible given the age gap of the machines.
No we don't...I'm 59..I know..
It's very bad on the trails ,, especially if you go in water...the brakes don't work,,and since you can't gear down .The inertia of the motor forces the bike to speed up..Then your brakes fail..After that you crash...This is why they don't make them...
The bike doesn't, down shift into lower gears.
Just get a recluse auto clutch, still have to change gear but close enough
I rode a 390 auto in 1980 when I first came to Australia. I rode it in an enduro near Coffs Harbour. Took a bit of getting used to but a lot of fun.
That sweet 2stroke sound includes the shift.... Nothing like it 😊
Remember guy named Frank Tokaz.. a Husqvarna fanatic, riding a 360 auto in the Amca Experts 750 class back in 1977 i think.. He didn't have it long.
Interesting video mate👍🏴
Thanks Paul
Another fantastic video Max, you and Sean must have had a blast on it, imagine if you got one at auction and convert it to disc brake and improved the suspension , but nothing beats Kong the destroyer !!!!!
Modern brakes would definitely be the number 1 thing to change, as it was a fun bike to ride apart from that.
The thing with older 2 strokes I use to find when I raced was occasionally you would get a Stuck Throttle, Wide Open, and I always thanked God that I had a clutch and kill switch! 😆 Besides the auto gearbox, I would never own a left hand kick bike because if you're right footed, you can't get going quickly if you stall. My Fave big bore ride is the KX500. Fun bikes!
Some small old aircooled bikes on the channel would also be cool!
noted:)
Old 2 stroke are gold. I have rm400
The older bikes are proving to still be fast, and make the power. Anything can be modified, and more times than not…it’s the RIDER. Newer bikes are great, but those older bikes are still fast💫
Like Rob Holyoake cleaning up at VMXDN on a 96 Husky 125 @@russellhelms2835
In my early teens I did quite a few hours on a Husqvarna Mc258, the military bike which had the automatic gearbox in a 250cc engine. I instantly recognized that N -> D lever on your bike. It was great fun on the gravel roads I had access to, but then anything above the 50cc mopeds I was used to was great fun :)
I thought having the kick on the left side was normal, having a Crescent moped with a Sachs engine as my first moped. That Sachs engine also had the kick on the left :) I thought my friends mopeds were weird, having the kick on the right side. Fun times!
Cheers!
this is fantastic seeing all the different types of motors .can't wait for this young gentleman to try pre 65 scramble bike with a modern tune 🤔
Amazing video and what a great bike !! I currently ride vintage on a 83 500cr husky, 81 and 84 250 cr as well ! I rode a 420 auto some time ago and it was very nice- thank you for sharing all the great rides with us 🏁
No problem Mike, thanks for watching.
Notice how the 85 Husky still has the original pipe. I am not sure about rear tire size the 85 may have had a 17 inch and I am sure tire choice today is good I just wonder what a 19 inch wheel would be like. Nice layout for the comparison with the long straight and not too rough. This would have been a good track for your TM 400 which if you still have it I would like to see it do a start comparison against modern 125, 250 2 and 4 stroke, 450 and your 500. Also do a rear wheel weight comparison between the TM 400 and a modern bike.
I had a strength problem w/ my left hand and could'nt operate the clutch properly. Rode Husqvarna 420AE and a 500AE in enduros, they were a god send for me.
When you lose a limb or the function in a limb or hand, autos make sense. 🤙
Great video. Love the old bikes. I had a 1984 cr250 back in the 80's would love to see you get a hold of one for testing. But anyways keep up the great videos
My dad had a 84 CR125 brand new. it was his favourite ever mx bike. It was a good year for Honda:)
Would love to see some videos on the various 2 wheel drive motocross/rally raid bikes that have been built. I know Ohlins had one, Christini, and I think Yamaha too.
After that dry hump with the enduro, good to see ya got a chance. These are very close to heart and one of favourite all time bikes
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Amazing 👏, auto but she's a 500 two popper so she's awesome 👌 🇬🇧🤠🤟
Outstanding ride
i have automatic clutch on my 450 crf and love it
Montesa experimented with a big bore bike. sorta along the lines of the same concept. they had a really torquey engine with a four speed gearbox. they figured because of the torgue the rider wouldn't have to shift as much. the rider could dive into the corner. and at the apex of corner where most of the riders would have to downshift. with this bike you didn't touch the shift lever. and it would just pull back out of the corner. most riders like it, but it wasn't enough to help Montesa. ultimately leading to them stopping production of all their motocross models. leaving them only producing trial's bikes.
I really dig the left side kick start, I had my right foot tore off in the 90s...I'd never start a cold 500 2stroke with my right leg! Same reason for digging the automatic motocross bikes! Great video Max!
Thank you :)
I owned a Husqvarna 360 dessert cross bike.
and standing beside it to start it. was the preferred method used to start them. it was strongly discouraged to sit on the bike while starting it. you could really get hurt doing that. with mine it was pretty awkward at first. but it wasn't too long before I got used to it. and it didn't feel awkward anymore. in fact it go to where I preferred starting it that way. I absolutely loved my Husky, I had it for a long time and rode the hell out of it.
and had very few problems with it. and I would have to say the quality of the Husqvarna. was better than Japanese bikes.
but the purchase price and parts were more expensive.
Great & fun wee video guys. I think electric mx bikes should have their own class.
"Hello, its the swedish army here, we would like to enquire if you have any easily manageable bikes for new recruits to ride".
Husqvarna salesman "surely if you want to harden new recruits you should make them ride a left hand starter, premix, air cooled 500 two stroke with sub par brakes"
haha :)
Good looking old bike actually
See, I completely agree with you! I like the old twin shock Husky. She puts down plenty of power & speed for how old it is, compared to the best $ can buy! Not that much difference if your just digging a field up having fun!
I really recall the 82 chassis was much better than the 85. When everybody else was trying to figure out single shocks, Husqvarna had really dialed in the Olan twin shocks. It was much better than their early single shock version. Even the 83 and 84 early versions with a twin shock did not match the 82 version. 83 was when they started trying something new.
My first recording of the husky auto was Perry least I'm pretty sure that was on a 125 when I was in schoolboys and at a championship quote me if I'm wrong
Too many variables to be fair,with the tires alone! I like it....but Kong...the Yzilla killa! Should have used the 700! Great work boys!
Last year in Orp-Le-Grand, there was such an Husqvarna participating in the races, Brenda Wagemans was riding it.
great sound
I live in oarnge county California USA..its funny watching you guys ride ( WHAT YOU CALL ) A trake..
Its all flat. Were i live ..if you cant launch your bike over the tripple jumps.... Then your just a beginner..
84' Can-Am 250MX please?! 😮 Had one in 95' when I was 14yrs old!
we have just filmed a can-am so stay tuned :)
My good friend had a husky 501 automatic...funky bike.. crazy sounding bike if we got separated on the mountain just kill your bike and listen for him..very unique sound
I'm not a Husqvarna expert, but at first glance that look more like a 1982 model.
In 1983 Husqvarna introduced the more laid-down rear shocks, and I think it was called the ITC rear suspension.
Edit:
After I wrote this comment I heard you explain it was a mix of 1985 and 1982.
I thought all Husky two-strokes were liquid-cooled in 1985, so it could be the 1984 engine.
Im super jealous that its january and you fellas are still out riding. I fired up the old KDX just before christmas and she did not like the cold weather one bit, shes tucked away again with all her sisters until spring..
I miss the KDX200. If you knew how to ride it, it would rip. It was such a fun bike.
@calvinbass1839 I just picked up a 220 last year, it's a big step up for me since I was riding an xr200 since I was like 13 hahaha
Would love to see you cover the vor 503
Max have you herd of Paul Linfoot he is a RS500 specialist he’s on UA-cam and has a massive MX collection worth a look
That thing sounds like an overpowered chainsaw running wide open through that field.
On a muddy hare scramble or enduro the auto was a tough bike to beat.
Nice old bike. Good show guys.
Thankyou
Weird looking but very cool 👍🏻🇬🇧
it was a pretty unusual to ride, but fun :)
Somehow those old Husky’s will grow on you. 2 knobby tires, a throttle, some suspension, and race gas mix; I’m having fun! It’s really fun to ride lots of different 2-strokes over my 43yrs of riding…and the different power deliveries of all the different motors! Dirt bikes are just addictively fun to ride👌😊
R.I.P Swedish Husky, you are missed for sure!
Canny cool to be honest 👍🏻
It's pretty cool, just not cool as the KONG,😎💪💯
I wish my kick-start was on the left, I'm left footed 😂
Cool video 🤟👌🏍💨
Thanks Mister Bruce :)
AHH crap just purchased a load of gear from 24 Mx totally forgot your code was there , great content as usual max 10/10 👍👍👍👍
That's a shame, there's always next time :) Thanks for watching.
Reminds me more of a Honda FL400R pilot. no shifts just increased speeds.
I own a 1985 Husqvarna 500ae. It's really fun to ride in the woods. The worst the terrain, the better it shines.
In the United States, who sells automatic transmission oil for these machines?
I had a chance to get the later watercooled 500 engine as a pile of parts. Passed it up because it was just the engine, and was missing a few bits.
As long as it is a Husqvarna, I don't really mind the winner. My absolute favorites though, are the 82-83 models, maybe because I was 15-16 at the time and desperately needed one ( I had to wait 10 more years for that) and because the Husqvarna dealership was close to my house and I could do endless window-shopping. Who knows?
The fact Is that I still ride my TE 610 and my TE 250.
Are the TEs both Italian 4 strokes?
@@wideopen125 .
Yes.
@@spy967 Love the Italian Huskies.
@@wideopen125 So do I obviously, but I would love to have an early 80's WR in my garage as well.
Should put a Maico 490 mega 2 in the mix👍
We made this film with the mega 2 :) ua-cam.com/video/H8_XDy7mCBk/v-deo.html
Great 👍 So All Skill of matching engine speed to traction, control & power requirements given over to a " Slush Box" probably has an ECU that will fail & be costly!
Millennial appropriate !
Nice engineering so now we have
Off Road Motocross Scooters ?
I have a husqvarna wr 125 and its probably the quickest 125 ive ever seen it was the last of ghe true huskies before they sold the company dont think ill ever sell it
I had one...the blk tank model...I could never keep the rpm at peak power....didn't like it at all ...even changed the spring rates on the trans...no change...fidnt enjoy it
93-95 rm 250 are very strong.should try one and bring it to the channel. Cheers
I prefer shifting on my bikes. Electric bikes should be turned into vacuum cleaners.
Love them old vintage machines auto or not.
How bout the YZILLA with a Lectron carb.
Great vid.
We have a new video with the YZilla coming next week. Stayed tuned, its a good one ;)
@@999lazer sweet
Vacuum cleaners😂now THAT is funny, no matter who you are! Good one
We used to call it the Auto-tragic, as it blew up gearboxes. Nightmare also due to lack of engine braking, as you say. All dirt bikes of the 80’s had crap brakes.
Elle a pas l'aire très énervé pour une 500.... je m'attendais a mieux je crois.
Lord Gear's are for me.
Driving them there on ice was exciting. The defense then had no dub tires. When the wheel lost grip, they switched up. Are there many wr 515 and what was the name of the 503? In Sweden
👏👏
Yeah I'd love to ride one of those things I think they should Implement them into the lower CC class you know for beginners you know like in 80cc 90cc 100cc and even 125CC oh what the hell make it to 250cc to
They look like Hobbits standing by the bike.
Pretty cool, I'd definitely like to ride the AE for a couple days and see what you can and can't do with it. Putting disc brakes on it. It almost sounds like that alone would give you enough to stay with the standard 500. Time wise and on this little track in an open field anyway. Awesome video! Awesome find! I hope we'll see more videos soon!
😎👊💪😎 🤙
Thanks for watching.
I have the bottom end of one of these in my Must do scrap collection
Motocross and is always been about using your physical being your clutch gearbox thinking sharply shifting gears that's Motocross and not just hit the throttle and go they can have it
learn new stuff everyday
Can we have a Red Rocket 🚀 test please Max?
I'll see what I can do:)
It would be better to put up against a YZ490 I reckon 😎
I have upgraded your status to Lord of the Dirt. Kind regards Governor Grrg
haha , thanks :)
Very cool to hear and see one of those automatic bikes being ridden!
It would be very cool if you’d get to do a video on those 90’s 500 4 strokes that Joel Smets used to race against the 500 2 stokes.
Like the Husaberg, or even the Vertemati!
we'll do our best :)
Haskavarna💀💀💀🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
how about a "clutchless , with gears?.(trans with Cent. clutch?)
Put up-dated brakes and suspension, and that auto will be as fast as kong.Put them in a wet enduro and the auto will walk away.
That old girl would be quite the hand full, you got some gonads on you haha
Dose it use a cvt with a chain and not a belt i wonder.
just wondering how the auto trans work in that thing 🤔
What if!!! Put it in modern frame?
That would be interesting
I’d bet your idea there would slim down that 3sec margin😎!
I have to show my ignorance😮. I don’t recall them.
Man I’m glad I don’t live in England. Seems like the tracks and weather conditions aren’t that great
Where do you find these bits of land you practise the flat courses on?
My lad has a pitbike but it's most places won't allow them. Just want a big field like this not anything special.
19:13 for results
So let's see, you compared an apple and an orange, right? Got it.
God, that looks like a miserably unpleasant riding surface. Frozen tundra? 😅
not sure thats an 85, by then they were liquid cooled and monoshock
I reacted to that too but they said later in the video that it is a 1985 motor in a 1982 chassis. Looks like a 1982 to me.
autos belong in quads and side by sides
Don't get why everyone wants an automatic bike these days my childs bike was automatic, and i loved shifting afterwards... ride Beta RR390 and love it, have nothing against Stark Varg they should co-exist
Of course Kong is faster. Liquid cooled 2 -strokes have more HP compared to air cooled. Add to that EFi.
EFI doesnt add power. Its simply a fuel delivery system. If you rode a EFI bike and a perfectly tuned carb bike back to bsck, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
So, 40 years and only ~3.4seconds....
And if you´d run that husky for a couple of days to get the same feel for it as the kong i would say you would certainly cut off over a second.
As i actually suspected for a long time, that BRC kit doesn't actually makes an improvement worth the money.
Something is wrong with that BRC kit.
Looking at a 'modern' 1000cc snowmobile(2cyl 2 stroke) they easily pump out above 200hp with separate pipes(160hp in sock form)
This would be ~80hp in a single cyl 500cc with a 'bad' pipe.
Yeah, and i know it isn´just the power, i´s the chassis too.
Hell,, that husky is a vintage iron with really bad chassi compared to the newer bike.
The brc is 100% an awesome bit of kit, don't forget this was a very short lap and wet. We have had several pro riders on the BRC on MX tracks and they all love it, but that doesn't take anything away from the older Husky which sounded great and was so fun to ride. I think 2 strokes are the real winner in this test. Thanks for watching.
@@999lazer feelings and absolute numbers are two different things thou ;)
The old husky sounds way better
The old Husky is pretty crispy🔥
Guys, thanks for the video, but...
As an owner of a (true) 1985 500 AE, which I have raced in Enduros, Hare Scrambles, and even Hillclimbs...you guys do not understand or know how to ride an Auto. I can tell by listening to the engine that neither of you are using the throttle or brakes correctly to ride the bike to it's full capability. If you guys kept riding that bike like that, you'd break all the first gear clutch springs in a couple of days. You must keep the clutch engaged, and that means rolling the throttle on WAY EARLIER than what you're used to, not shutting it completely off in the corners, keeping pressure on the clutch in turns while simultaneously using the rear brake, etc. etc. etc. This is also the trick to longevity of the first gear clutch, both springs and the friction shoes that engage the hub. You can't "play ride" a bike like this; the clutch will slip and get incredibly hot and wear quickly. You must ride it hard. You have to completely re-train yourself, and if you only spent that one day learning how to ride the bike...that's not enough time. Sean especially was trying to ride the Auto like Kong, which will not result in a good lap time.
I recommend that you get a really fast Auto specialist, who truly understands how to ride the bike, and do a comparison again. Also, you are 100% correct in that these bikes are Enduro weapons - in slick, rocky, wet roots, muddy conditions, they are like cheating. Terry Cunningham won the US Enduro Championship 4 times, all on Autos. I submit that if you took this bike and Kong and went trail riding on a miserable, tight, wet and muddy trail, that Kong would get absolutely smoked.
As an aside, please stop overlaying music on top of videos of two-strokes. We want to hear the bikes - not music. For this video in particular, it's even more important to be able to hear the bike since it's so "weird" compared to modern bikes - the throttle, the shifting, etc. sound different and should be highlighted, not buried under music.
Bitchen bikes. Keep them coming.
Will do Kevin:)
3 seconds in 40 years ? 1970s 3 40min motos air cooled drum brakes. Raced every week on the same bike . Clean the air filter and race. Todays $10 thousand wonders and crazy jumps have destroyed the once great sport of motocross
Agreed!
Where are you finding bikes for $10K? All I've seen is $13K +.
No