posted on Dec, 6 2011 @ 02:50 AM
Evel Knievel used to ride a Triumph Bonneville T120 (with a 650cc engine). Then he switched to a Harley-Davidson XR-750.
My question is , in this day and age modern motocross jumping bikes can jump ridiculous distances that make
Evel Knievel's jumps look tame , It would be great to see some jumper start to jump using the same older bikes.
Taking nothing away from the modern jumpers , the bikes are purpose built to withstand the landing , respect would be due to a jumper who put himself
through the test like Knievel did . Modern riders defy gravity it seems BUT the risk factor is greatly reduced , I understand that the old bikes
were not engineered for jumping , but there lies the test and courage factor , unlike the lightweight jumping bikes of today. I now looking back on
the old footage of Knievel's jumps , see the great courage and balls that the man had.