2012 vs. 2013

[twowheels]

Does either year come with radiator braces/guards stock?

No. We've made up special braces for the 12s and 13s (not the same due to added steering lock), but the last stock braces were on the 11s.

How much better is the 2013 suspension over the 2011 Race models? Would a revalved 2011 with the 48's be better than the stock 2013? I'm guessing it would be, since it would be personalized.

The new frame and rear linkage has helped create more big bump absorption and a straighter, sturdier ride. There are a number of guys who have ridden the 11 Race bikes back-to-back with the 12s and they rave about the new set-up. We blasted 47 miles of sand whoops yesterday and the 12 and 13 Gassers on the ride tracked arrow straight.

The new riding compartment is superior for most riders as well. The ease with which you can transition seated to standing is improved, and you can whip the bike side-to-side more easily, as well as slide fore-aft without snagging anything.

The 12s got the rear brake pedal inside the frame ... and so on and so on. There have been a lot of detail changes that in my opinion make the latest generation better than the last, even modded. And isn't that how its supposed to be?

 

[GMP]

I spent half the ECEA harescramble season on my '07, half on my '12. The '12 is unquestionably a better harescrambles bike. Like Steve said the higher speed handling manners are a big step up from the previous platform. Its good on technical trail as well, but if thats all you ride and don't race faster events you may prefer the older platform. If you trail ride in an area like I do, with primarily technical rocks, ledges, and now a ton of new logs to cross since the hurricane, you will eventually destroy the lower shock eye. I can't count how many times I've smashed it, and sometimes almost crashed. I had to get a Scorpion skid. Its too bad because the added height really keeps the pegs, frame and pipe off the ground a lot better. More steering lock on the older bike also makes it easier to ride on tight, unmaintained trail. For a real death march of a trail ride in rocks, roots, mud, rain I'd be inclined to jump on the '07, but I only race the '12.

 

[singletracker]

There's only one or two enduro's around here that have any rocks to speak of and they are probably nothing compared to what you ride. We have a lot of log crossings, but I'd guess they are much more forgiving than boulders. I'm very rarely in first gear and spend most of my time in 3rd when racing and trail riding.

 

[GMP]

If you have an '11 Race than you already have the new style linkage right? You should know the limitations then. That bike is sort of a rare bird. For HS courses its a non issue and a great improvement. Last race there was a telephone pole section, plenty of broken ones available! Never hit bottom. Anything over say 15 inches start to be careful. We have a couple HS that are rocky but nothing like my local stuff. A few of our enduros are very rocky though, like Michaux and Broad Mountain. I've pretty much quit riding enduros, too much of a PIA and added expense to register a bike, and I'm not crazy about the NEPG format, like the old school timekeepers.

 

[singletracker]

The 2011 linkage is tucked up high, so it's a non issue. The 12 and 13's hang down much further.

 

[GMP]

I thought the '11 Race and Replica models had the new style linkage on the old style frame? Is the rocker mounted to the swingarm and front of pull rods to the frame pivot?

 

[kaos]

The replica Cervantes and Nambo bikes have the new llinkage but not the race models

 

[GMP]

OK kaos, thank you for clearing that up.

 

[twowheels]

The sexy white and blue Six Days bikes also got the new linkage.

Neal, I ride similar terrain to you and haven't had any shock eye to ground issues.

PlusOnePerformance

 

[jpelaston]

I also ride similar terrain. In fact we all three rode the same race this year, and I have never had a problem. On large rocks and trees I use a trials technique called the double blip to get over and haven't had any problems hitting.

 

[fletchman45]

Like was previously stated the 12 and 13 platform to me is vastly superior to the 11 and prior. The ground clearance is better and the ergos as far as sitting to standing and footpeg to top of seat disance seem improved ALOT. Bike feels much more modern and if your a snowmobiler it is as draumatic as when Skidoo introduced the REV platform back in 03. If the ground was not frozen and I wasn't trying to build a new house I would be out testing my new 12!!!!!!!!!!

 

[singletracker]

Got it

Guys, I've thought long and hard about this, and I've done a little soul searching along the way. I made up my mind that if I were to buy one it would be a 2013, but, at last, I've decided to save some coin and freshen up the 11 for another year of racing.

I think my bike is worth more than it's likely to bring, and I'm having a difficult time justifying the expense of upgrading. Moma's going to need a new car before long, and the basement needs some flooring.

I figure I have more room for improvement than the bike does, so I'll focus on that. At any rate, I'm sure I can get the suspension and jetting dialed in closer with a little time, and ride the balls off of this thing for another year.

Thanks for all of the advice and information. Hopefully, me and my old beater will see you guys on the trails one of these days soon.

 

[andykr87]

Im in the same boat, i was going to buy a new bike but the 11 is just working too good and i dont plan on racing as much next year either. Ive got it tore down now with 90 hrs on it and im going to send my head and carb off to RB to sweeten the motor up some. All in all the bikes held up fairly well. Like you said resale wouldnt even be close to what its worth to me now and i may just turn it into a practice bike next winter instead of selling it.

 

[GMP]

Thats why I still have my '07, way more bike than what I can get for it, plus I have a lot of spares and its tagged. Thinking about building it into a pure hell trail bike, for rock crawling and nasty mud races. Picked up a 300 top end, and may swap a KYB SSS fork and triples, we'll see.

 

[Rick]

Yep.....still have the 99...can't sell it, not going to part it out, ride it, race it! It still works great!

 

[mcnut]

Sold the '12. Kept the '11.

 

[desertgasser300]

Yep.....still have the 99...can't sell it, not going to part it out, ride it, race it! It still works great!

Same for my 97'. My wife rides it. Just bought a pair of 45mm zokes to put on it.

 

[singletracker]

Sold the '12. Kept the '11.

Why did you keep the 11 over the 12?

 

[mcnut]

Too many problems.

 

[fletchman45]

Too many problems.

When you say problems, what do you mean??? Alarms me a bit since I just bought a 12 and sold a 11 6-day that was going to be my practise bike??? If you are not comfortable stating the problems you experianced please send me a private message with the details. Hope I was not stupid bailing from my BULLET proof Husky..................