Get Hopping Mad! Tamiya Grasshopper & Rising Fighter RC Buggy Bash & Review
Vložit
- čas přidán 9. 07. 2023
- Hi There! I think the Tamiya RC series of "Hopper" buggies can be somewhat overlooked by many RC enthusiasts, being a very old and basic chassis design at the entry-level end of the market. So my good friend @robbrennanrc and I decided to put together a video showing just how much fun they really are. I hope you stick around until the end and see the review and a lot more of those bashing, jumping and crashing clips!
The Hoppers featured here are the Tamiya Grasshopper II Black Edition and the lowly Rising Fighter, both on the same chassis. Both have been slightly modified, mainly the fitting of a 540 Torque Tuned motor in the Grasshopper (the stock motor is the smaller 380) and the fitting of oil shocks to the Rising Fighter. Both cars are equipped with ball bearings. - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Hi there Mark, you two (Amigo’s) put a great big smile on my face, a nearly a a joy tear in my eye 😊😊😊so, right about these entry level Tamiya’s, may not be sophisticated, with advanced technology, but smile per pound, I think they are worth every penny. So,so nice to see a couple being represented so well. Amazing work again my good friend, thank you for putting a smile on my face, timed to perfection as I’m back on my feet with only 1 crutch now and hobbling to and from the hobby table and spray box 😂😊😂😊take care and best wishes to you and the family 😊😉
Hello my friend John! Yeah, only 2 amigos this time! Great to read we put a smile on your face and almost a tear of joy! We definitely don't always need all the bells and whistles on a car in order to have some smiles! Glad you enjoyed it, we sure had fun blasting these cheap Tamiyas around. Also wonderful to hear that you are on the mend and tackling those little hobby jobs! Watch how you go and all the best mate! 😎👍
I always enjoy the cheap Tamiya running vids.
You and me both! They may be cheap but they are so much fun! Cheers! 😁👍
Oh You are so right about the Grasshopper! It was my first KIt when I was 12 years old(1992) and I loved that little Car. 2 Years ago I bought the RE-Relesa an dlast Year the Black Edition and they are fantastic little Buggies😇
So glad you think so, Yardley! Wish I was only 12 in 1992 (I was 28!!!!) Great to get the re-re and relive those days! Take care my friend! 😎🙏👍
Rc fun is not a question of price in my opinion . Passion and devotion are the key i think . Hello Mark . Hope you feel fine . I have a lot of " cheap" Rc`s Neo fighter , tt01 , tt02 ,plasma edge , cc01 ...ect and they makes so much fun while driving and looks so great . When you feel the excitement while driving, when you feel how the suspension works, when you love the sound of the Motor. Then you are home in the hobby. Have a nice week Mark.
Hello Harry and thanks so much for the interesting comments, you make some excellent points and I totally agree with you! This is a wonderful hobby and we are both very passionate about it. I am doing OK thanks, I hope you are doing a little better my good friend. Take care and have a great week, too.
Dirty ass fun for two cheapies! Both look great! Top notch video gentlemen!😝I totally agree with your final thoughts!👍🏻✌🏻😎
Haha, absolutely, Robby! Dirty a$$ fun!!! Glad you agree, at least I know it's not just Rob and me!! 😜😁👍
❤cool 😊
Many thanks! 😎👌👍
For me. Hoppers make me feel like I am back in the 80's. I love that they are not high end up to date technology. As you say, the fun factor is not comparable to anything else. Loved the video and as always, envious that you and Rob get to go out together and enjoy so much fun. We all need a Rob. 👍🏻
That's a great comment, Damian and I wholeheartedly agree with you! The very basic nature of these buggies is part of the charm. So glad you enjoyed our hopping antics, and yes having a friend to run together with is a real treat. Definitely, I've said before on camera, everyone needs a friend like Rob! 🤗👌👍
Yup no argument here.. They sure are durable enough for any of the starters, who want to take on an RC. Awesome video guys. Enjoyed watching these rigs doing their typical zipping about. Excellent video.
Hi Nick and too right, brother, these buggies are ideal for newbies and still a lot of fun for us old-time RC'ers! Glad you enjoyed it my friend and wishing you all the best! Cheers! 😎👌👍
Great little buggies, very capable and the fun factor is off the scale!
There is a little rear suspension mounting point mod you can do on the Rising Fighter to lower the rear end to prevent that 'hopping' and rolling over it causes.👍
Hi there, yes I agree that these buggies have a special fun factor! Thanks for the tip! All the best from Mark! 😎👌👍
Great action footage of two really fun buggys!
Many thanks, dude! Yeah I love both of these hoppers! Cheers! 😎👍
Hopping mad? Now that's definitely something I can relate to Mark!!
I honestly could not have put it better myself mate, everything you stated here is spot on.
I very rarely run my high end cars, favouring the hoppers and CWO1's (and not forgetting my monster beetle) for outright fun, especially when you put a few down together.
They are dirt cheap, easy to maintain, parts are always available..... and in all honesty you can beat the snot out of them and they just beg for more! 🤣 😂
As you saw in some of our recent videos, Taylors hopper won the on road figure of eight trials, won the off road duels, got bashed by a bully beetle, invaded an ants nest, launched into a stream, and even jumped off of flat bed transit onto concrete..... and still kept running!
All this fun for less than £100, you just can't go wrong mate!!
Great little stomping ground you and Rob found there fella, those hoppers looked right at home.
Part of being an rc enthusiast is the ability to use your natural surroundings to create jumps and runs etc don't ya think?
Right, off to ebay now..... never had a grasshopper 2 before, and think it's about time I did!
Great video guys. 😊
👍 👍 👍 👍
I thought you would, James!
Glad to hear that we concur! But as we've said before, I think we look at RC in a similar way. Definitely less guilt when running, bashing and crashing a cheaper Tamiya, and easily fixed if anything goes wrong. Beat the snot out of them sums it up perfectly, mate!
Yeah, Taylor's hopper sure is the proof of the pudding! And yeah, this new spot at a local park is perfect for these fun runs, nice bit of grass, dirt and gravel plus a couple of launch spots, too!
Agreed, we instinctively look for the best action terrain! Good luck with the GHII hunt - Time Tunnel are doing the black special for £110 with ESC, servo, 2000mAh battery, charger, TX and RX all in!
@@MarkBryanRC
Indeed mate, we definitely share the same 'driving forces' of the hobby, if you pardon the pun!
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my high end kits, but that's a totally different side of the hobby for me, those cars rarely get driven.
I can safely say that it's the lower end runners that I have the most fun with.
Only last weekend I was bidding for on an original Astute shelf queen..... I set a limit of £500,as bidding progressed I went even higher before eventually bailing out of the auction at £540.
I was gutted I lost out, but at the same time was fully aware that the money I was laying down on this expensive 'shelf ornament' could actually buy me 5 lunchies, hoppers, hornets etc that would give me endless hours of building and running entertainment!
Oh well, the hunt for the allusive Astute goes on......
In the meantime I certainly fancy a cheap bashing buggy to romp about with Taylors hopper, and moo moos hornet! 🤣
Cheers for the heads up on that hopper 2,thats an amazing deal.... Will certainly look into that over the weekend mate.
I do kinda fancy the candy green grasshopper to I must admit..... plenty of inspiration flooding in for the potential of a custom Green hawks candy green body shell livery? 🤔
Have a great weekend bud!
👍 👍 👍 👍
Great blast about gentlemen! I tend to gravitate more towards these more entry level buggies. I’ve got some proper shocks to put on my Rising Fighter!
Great stuff Mark!👍😊
always a pleasure to read you, Jeremy! Yeah, we are very similar in our choices! I think I'll be getting more entry level stuff for a while as times are hard my friend! I hope to see your RF with those new shocks on soon! 😜👌👍
@@MarkBryanRC soon!😃
Very funny video and awesome shots. Big like. And I agree with your resume completely
Thanks a ton, Dirk! I'm pleased that you agree with my thoughts on these hoppers! Have a great evening my friend! 🤗👌👍
I have a real soft spot for the Tamiya 'hoppers', so much fun for not much money. And as you said, they're actually really sturdy, cheap to fix, and they do have a fair bit of upgrade potential. Awesome video, keep 'em coming!!
Totally agree, Barry! I think there are a lot of us that feel the same, especially judging by the comments here! Do they perform perfectly? No! Are they fun? Hell yes! 😁👌👍
G'day Mark!🤠. They were awesome mate!. Definitely great value alright👍🦘🇦🇺
G'day Cobber! Thanks a ton mate, yeah these are a fun cheap little pair! Cheers! 🤗👌👍
@@MarkBryanRC
😁👍🍻
Great video Mark 👍
Thanks Kim, I'm so pleased you are watching all my videos and enjoying them, it really means a lot to me! Cheers 🍻
I got the rising fighter Hopalong, still run it occasionally, they good fun, thanks for your upload mate 👍🙏🐱
Thanks for the visit Cat! Glad you still got yours, too, it's worth a blast every now and then! Have a great evening my friend! 😎👍
A pile of dirt + RC cars = Magnetism!!!! Man, I been there too.. It's like the older we get, the more kid like things we do, LOL. Awesome video Mark (& Rob). I must get me one of those "Hoppers" some day. I had some World Engines "Rock Busters" (think grasshopper/hornet) back in the day, gold wheels & 540 motor... I beat the snot out of those.. At one time, the MSC burned out so I made a battery to motor connection with the ground from the servo to the motor.. Full Power straight on, LOL.
Hi there Bob! Right on, we gotta jump those suckers, it's the law!!! And yeah, I think we get more childish as we grow older, but then I don't think I ever really grew up! Always a kid at heart. You'd love one of these hoppers, they've got plenty of snot to beat out! Man, full power or nothing?!?!?! Sounds like FUN!!! 😬🤣 Take care, brother! 😎👍
awesome bashing lads haha that perfect rob slide while marky drives over the top of him haha 😂😂👍wicked slo mos as always marky boy great editing dude 🤘your right for the price this chassis is so much fun as a class to race just love the way they handle 😁
Bashtastic, baby!!! Haha yeah brudda, I had to smash into Rob while he was posing with that power slide! 🤣Love a bit of slomo, Davey! We all need some cheap thrills at the moment with the cost of living in the state it is!!! Can't beat a hopper mate! Cheers! 🤗👌👍
Great video mate 😁 love the Hopper's and All the cheaper kit's load's of fun 👍
Thanks a bunch, Mark! Yeah these hoppers are underrated! Cheers!👍
Great stuff lads! Might get myself one of these, looks like a lovely spot for rc
Many thanks, Dai! Yeah this spot at the local park is a great RC playground 👌! Every Tamiya fan needs a hopper my friend! 😎👍
Great footage Mark and I have to agree that the are perfectly imperfect and great fun to build and run! For the price you can't beat the laughs and smiles you get out of these and super cheap to repair and one of the few platforms you can easily find parts in stock all the time!! I do have to say the dual power slide slow motion shot at the 3:50 mark was epic! Glad you guys had a good time out there and very fun to watch along! Take care!
Many thanks, Addam! "Perfectly imperfect" what an astute statement, couldn't put it better myself. I must remember that one! Yeah, I always say "the most smiles-per-hour" when referring to these hoppers! As for breakages, I'm struggling to remember breaking anything on my Rising Fighter over the last 5 years so they must be strong! Oh I'm so glad you pointed out that clip at 3:50, I was particularly chuffed with that shot! Thanks again, Addam and best wishes to you!
Totaly agree with you there, ive the black edition grasshopper 2, so much fun to get out with. And i love running indoors in winter, wont ever win, but looks good trying 😂
Cheers, Richard, glad you agree! That Black edition Hopper is really cool, and it's not always about winning, as you rightly say! Cheers! 😁👌👍
Oh, yes, Mark! You nailed it, it's such a lot of fun! And you found a ramp for some lovely jump action, great stuff!
I want to get me a Grasshopper, but I always get distracted and want to get something else instead. Like you said, they are such fun! I guess my DT-01 qualifies, although it is sort of upgraded compared to the really old Hoppers...
Cheers my friend Mads! Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah lucky there were a couple of tree stumps to get some air from! We've used them a lot lately as you will soon see! I'm looking at the Candy Green Special Grasshopper, might just get one! And yes, your DT01 definitely counts as a hopper! Take care mate! 😎👌👍
You hit the nail on the head Mark , I’ve had some great times driving or even racing my hoppers about and they never fail to not put a smile on my face. Super cool and generally super cheap fun . Cheers mate , take care
Right on Andy, good to know we think alike! You are a wise man, my friend! Yeah we might not win many races with a hopper but sure have fun trying! Cheers and take care too, fella! 😎🙏👍
They might be cheap cars Mark but they certainly bring out the fun factor and look like they are a right blast matey. Top stuff 😎
You got that right matey - we sure had a blast out there with these cheap Tamiyas, most smiles-per-hour! Thanks for dropping by, Tibs, cheers! 😎👍
Grayson loves his rising fighter. He put a 21t Holmes hobbies 550 in it and it runs pretty good. He also put Traxxas stampede oil shocks on the back which help its ill handling.
Hi Thad! Yeah they do respond well to a little hotter motor and a bit of extra damping! Great to know Grayson is enjoying it! 👌👍
They certainly seem to right themselves quite well for a buggy.
True! They seem to bounce back onto the wheels more often than not! Cheers! 😎👍
Brilliant video Mark! Great to see the hoppers getting some love! That GH2 handles really well doesn’t it! 🤔
Absolutely, Craig! My RF has sat on the shelf for ages, overlooked by much more exotic Tamiyas. But boy, I'm glad I took her for a spin, we were in stitches! Yeah, the GH2 is a fine hopper indeed! Cheers mate! 🤗🙏👍
Great video mark . Still think you need the hornet . That’s my favourite of the the hopper series . They are all like you say simply great fun . 😊👍
Thanks Dom, yeah I aim to get a few more entry level Tamiyas this year and next! Not enough money to go round so they really fit the bill! I like the Candy Green Grasshopper as well! Take care, mate! 🙏😎👍
@@MarkBryanRC yeah the hopper is great to . 😊👍
Andy was out with his Grasshoppers with us at the weekend. Such fun. I need to get my Hornet out for another blast soon too
Sounds like fun, Glenn! Can't beat a little hopping session! Yeah, your Hornet will be getting jealous if you leave her on the shelf too long! 😜👌👍
@@MarkBryanRC Hahaha, yes... thats a point 😛
Nice Run 😂😊👍🏻
Thanks 😆
Awesome fun run with the hoppers, the Rising Fighter is a kit that never caught my attention before but the more running videos i see of it the more i like it.
Cool, thanks Mattias! Yeah the Rising Fighter is a bit quirky looking but it's a blast to drive! Cheers! 😎👌👍
😎👍
Cheers, Chris! 🤗👌👍
😁 Man O man they both were leaping and hopping like bunnies and frogs! The Rising fighter has the later style rear end but I could not see any improvement over the grasshopper II? You guys' notice anything? Fun video as always guy's!
Hi there Steve and thanks for the comment! Haha, yeah, bunnies, frogs and maybe a kangaroo!! 🤣 I didn't notice too much difference between the 2 buggies TBH! All the best my friend! 😎👍
True!!! 👌👍
Yes! The Grass Hopper is now on the list! I really enjoyed the Dual Hopper Slowie footage off the "launch Lump" (as I have named it). Frame rate is smooth! As always dude terrific model discussion points! Cheers!
Awesome! Thank you, A! Glad it's on your list, I've been eyeing up the candy green special, very tempting! Haha, "Launch Lump", we will have to call it that from now on! Camera was at 120fps for those static shots and good enough for 1/8 speed slomo. Thanks for tuning in dude! Cheers! 😎👌👍
The Hornet,Grasshopper and lunchbox are cheap kits but 3 of the best you can buy for fun to run.Just goes to prove you dont have to spend more money to have fun.
Hi Alastair, I completely agree with your thoughts! All 3 you listed offer the most smiles per hour! And as times are hard at the moment they are definitely worth looking at! Cheers! 👍
Hiya mate. Excellent action and a great review of these little RC's. I sort of agree although I was running my brushed Hornet and brushless Terra Scorcher the other day and I was thinking that I liked the Terra Scorcher a whole lot more. Still with a bit of retro charm but it didn't bounce onto its roof quite as much and I could throw it around really well. Decided to keep that one brushless unless I start having trouble with it. I think that the hoppers are probably more fun when two or more of you have the same type of car like you and Rob did here. I remember those races you guys used to do with them which were rather amusing. Ooh I still haven't been back to comment on the previous vid. I'll see you over there in a mo. Cheers for now 😁
Hiya Pete! Well mate, I'm not surprised the Terra Scorcher was better, it is a much better design with the double wishbone suspension and anti-rollbars, 4WD etc. A lot more expensive, too! But yeah, it's definitely all about the retro charm of these hoppers. Best to run them against each other so there's no massive disadvantage! We certainly have had a lot of fun racing our hoppers together over the years. I don't think we've broken much on them either! Many thanks for taking the time to catch up on the comments matey, much appreciated! Take care fella! 🤗😎👍
A lot of hopping fun, I wonder if the DT-03 shock set would fit the Rising fighter. I'm with you, it's not the cost but the fun factor, these are fun and the Madbull 🙂a bit more stable rolls over less.
Hiya Mal! Yeah, a lot of hopping in this one! I'm sure the DT03 shocks could be made to fit the Rising Fighter, the rears of the DT03 are longer but that can easily be sorted. In these hard times cost is more of an issue, so these buggies are ideal. Agreed, the Madbull is awesome and definitely more stable! 😎👌👍
I reckon the best cheapest Tamiya kit is the DT-03 Neo Fighter or the Racing Fighter .. I normally use my Top force or Egress over the park but for bashing on 3s brushless combo the DT-03 chassis is the best bang for buck you can get
I totally agree about the DT03! The spec for the price is excellent. However, I was talking about fun more than anything in this video, I know the hoppers are nowhere near in terms of performance, but they are just so funny to drive! Cheers! 😎👌👍
Hi mark. The rising fight is a bit better as it shares the gearbox from the madbull which places the motor lower down making the rear axle work better
Hi Lee and thanks for dropping by! I think you are right, I recall having less roll-overs than Rob so that might be the difference! Cheers! 😎👍
I wonder why they call them hoppers??? Iol hoptastic stuff guys!
🤣🤣 Haha I have no idea, mate!!! Glad you enjoyed it James!🙏😁👍
(i) What a cool T shirt you're wearing in the intro, Mark!
(ii) Even with oil shocks you can clearly hear how the rear tyres are grippin'n'slippin' on the gravel as the "hoppers" do their stuff!
(iii) Excellent summary.
Thanks Del! That's one of my favourite T shirts! You have good taste, sir!
Oh yes, the unmistakable sound of hoppers hopping! I turned the music down so we could still hear it!
Glad you approve of my summary, as you know I was speaking from the heart! Cheers mate!
@@MarkBryanRC...and, if our channels do serve as a sort of platform, we both like to get across to our audiences the idea that there is little need to blow huge wads of cash on pricey kits - a sub-£100 model with a silver can Mabuchi in it will get you grinning, especially if you can take a mate and his car along with you.
@@Del350K4 Absolutely, Del, absolutely! 👌👌👍👍
I have a Rising Fighter and a Grasshopper II (as yet unbuilt) and I agree totally. Fun buggies at an entry-level price point. What's not to love? I've recently put the CVA shocks on my Rising Fighter. It does tend to stop it being a bit too hoppy. I'm almost at the end of collecting all the extras for my TT-02B build but my next planned build is going to be a Blitzer Beetle because I really want one.
Took my Lunchbox out yesterday for two batteries worth of fun running. Thinking about a motor (brushed only) with a bit more torque for it. Any suggestions?
Tamiya torque tuned or sport tuned
Good advice! 😎👍
@@yorintheplace May use the torque tuned that came with my TT-02B then as I'm probably going brushless with that one. 👍
@@yorintheplace
Spot on sir!
The sports tuned and torque tuned both perform superbly in the lunchbox.
Slightly more torque, and top end..... but not too much that it becomes undrivable!! 🤣
Hi Nick. Glad you agree about the hoppers! Also, the Blitzer is a great buggy and handles very nicely. As for the motors, apart from the Tamiya hop-up motors, take a look at the Core RC and Absima Eco Thrust brushed motors. You can get then in 21T, 18T and 15T versions, all for about a tennner! Very good VFM and the 15T are crazy fast!
I have the black edition running a ugt motor wish had the other.
It's a great buggy, Brad! And the Rising fighter is worth every penny too!
Little buggers ! I see why they call it Rising Fighter ............................you need flying lessons to drive it ! Where you based guys ??
Haha you got that right Fred! Aviation license required! 😅 We are Midlander's, near Birmingham mate! 😎👌👍