e252: Does The Legendary Kyosho Optima Mid Live Up To Its Expectations? We Hit The Track & Find Out

[@fiatfixie4344]

I raced one at a club level in the late 80's early 90's on carpet and pavement. Didn't know what I had. The thing was so simple, forgiving and dialed. I won a lot with it against more expensive, more modern cars. I didn't realize how much of it was the car until I tried dialing in other buggies in other classes.

[@RCRetro]

So true. Very forgiving….made me feel like a pro… lol 😂

[@DavidVanmeterDutch]

Turbo optima was first high level rc car I ever saw at local fair where they had a race. That was in 1987! And have loved all the Kyosho cars ever since.

[@BajaJeremy]

Excellent!! I'd say the short wheelbase version MID is well suited to the tight turns and transitions on Phil's track. Next Legendary release? I'm gonna go with the Turbo Ultima. Keep 'em coming Kyosho! $$$$

[@_.Lumi._]

One of the most important revisions for me is the metal gear train. It weighs a ton but can probably handle any motor you can throw at it!

[@peterhootonrc1498]

Brilliant I’m saving for some kyosho cars, love all the legendary series. Great video car looks amazing 👍

[@tonycruz2296]

My first duty station after joining the Air Force was Kadena Air Base Okinawa Japan back in 1985 and I was fortunate to purchase the original optima. I did not buy the optima mid when it came out but instead bought the Lazer ZX which at the time was made to compete with the Yokomo YZ10 and boy it was a dream to drive and tweak for racing. I kept that lazer until 2021 I sold it as a bundle along with a Trinity EV10, an original Tamiya Bruiser and other 90’s era rc buggies. It was hard to see them go. Anyway I would like to see Kyosho re-release the Lazer ZX. It was Kyosho’s real 4WD performance platform.

[@damienbracey6739]

I haven't built mine yet. I still have my original mid with an aftermarket LWB conversation. They are a great car.

[@RCRetro]

totally are. I can't wait to see what Kyosho puts out next...

[@roccomarcelli821]

Still need to build mine, remember when the original came out went straight to the hobby shop to pick one up. 👍🏻

[@DeliriumElectric]

Very nice upgrades by Kyosho. Looks great and seems to handle really well. Love your track!

[@Aaron11411]

Beautiful Kyosho cars! I've owned many a Tamiya but not a single Kyosho. Super envious bro.

[@RCRetro]

Maybe you’ll get one soon. I’d highly recommend

[@DipeshHinduja]

I think it is time for some timed laps on Phil’s track! Or the side by side racing, basically something to put some results to the driving feel of the car. Great video, I am almost convinced I need to get one of these kits over the modern RTRs in the same price range!

[@RCRetro]

Think you are right. Cold weather is here so perhaps in the spring. I’d like to do another “Versus” video. Havnt done one in a while.

[@rc-fannl7364]

Nice drive, and they added some neat features to this re-re, I remember cursing these shock clamps. If too loose, the collars slip upwards, too tight and you risk stripping the threads, or slightly deforming the shock body, so the piston starts binding. Threaded collars fix all these issues.

[@RCRetro]

Absolutely... now there is another kit coming out or maybe it came out... where all the parts are carbon... front/rear shock tower and chassis/upper deck.... I love the optima mid

[@markscotchford4159]

I really enjoyed this video. Yes I really like the Optima Mid and wanted to see what you thought about it but also, the video was really good because your personality came through a bit more. Hey, be you, if you want to say awesome, you say awesome. :-)

[@RCRetro]

Awesome… comment lol… thanks

[@trevorfurlotte]

As for more re-releases I'm hoping for an updated monster truck line, Double Dare and Big Brute specifically.

[@RCRetro]

I’d love for Kyosho to rerelease their car crusher line of monster trucks from the the early 90s.

[@davidbabin4813]

Big Brute was my first hobby grade RC. Sorry I sold it.

[@jerzinho92]

I still have my double dare :)

[@tonyquicklaps4347]

I had a Mid then the Mid turbo. Awesome cars, ran them into the ground. Moved to Pro Cat, wish I hadn’t as the Mid was so predictable. My mate then bought a Lazer ZX and whipped everyone with it. What a car that was.

[@ShenRC]

A beauty!! I like how they made the adjuster for the belt right on the side so easy to access! You get any dirt in on the belt? I ran my javelin on the ball field and it got some sand inside on the belt.

[@RCRetro]

So I heard of issues with these sucking in dirt through the motor. With this optima mid and my javelin, I take a thin black sock and make motor Covers which are held in place with a zip tie around the motor. Havnt had any issues yet with either of my RCs. Maybe that’s how it’s getting into your belt???

[@ShenRC]

@@RCRetro Hi it may be but I think I may have used that fiber motor washer that tamiya makes those usually stop dirt from getting in... I will have to look and see for sure if I used one I forgot. Thanks

[@Blakktastikvision]

Love it, and already knew I would.....but I'm gonna hold out for the Turbo Optima Mid SE and go from there......I'm finishing up a Turbo Optima with a Mamba X/5400kv and it SHREDS/RIPS/TEARS....U NAME IT....Handles like a Mongoose one steroids!🤣🤣🤣 Already kno what to expect. Look for the you tube video of the Optima Mid vs. the Xray XB4......that will give u a better idea of how much more this buggy is capable of.....keep it coming Bro!

[@RCRetro]

Thanks and I'll look for that video. Retro v. modern. sounds interesting.

[@78lagwagon]

@@RCRetro yeah I'm pretty sure the video is from Rama (Alcyon) who is one of the gurus when it comes to mids and setting them up for high power and racing them against modern buggies. All prior to the rere. Your buggy looked great out there, I've got mine, planning on building it over Xmas with the exo RC lwb chassis. Cheers for all your great content!

[@RCRetro]

I watched it. I’m Impressed

[@Blakktastikvision]

@@RCRetro Yes sir! Whenever I build mine, I'm setting it up to run on clay which is popular here in my area in Michigan......I love Retro! Like the Terminator said...."Old......not Obselete" 🤣

[@rcicons4915]

I have one to build at some point. The mids and lazers just run so smooth. They handle like nothing else.

[@BJETNT]

I have every version of the Optima but I was never able to get a Lazer!! I might have to fix that!! I have heard they are awesome!

[@alphawlff]

@@BJETNT I have a Lazer ZX-5 and it is awsome.

[@RCRetro]

I’d like to get my hands on a lazer ZX. Perhaps in the future.

[@rcicons4915]

@@RCRetro there is one on eBay. I ran my zx today. It was awesome.

[@VINTAGEBACKYARDRC]

Looks like it handles amazing bud. Great work as usual!

[@powersmodelgarage]

Seems to handle the track really well. Looks awesome too.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

I have the Ultima and Turbo Optima, not sure if I will do the Mid, my LHS has one on the shelf, along with the Beetle and some others... I'd probably do the Beetle and hold off for a LWB later on. As for future releases, I hope for another Ultima, the Turbo or Ultima 2, or.... I also really hope they make a Truck in the Legendary Series... Cheers!

[@RCRetro]

Me too. I’d love one of there vintage monster trucks to be released.

[@m111kca4]

I have two original ones, had one for years and got another a few years back. With my original have a full set of different tyres

[@simonz28]

i loved mine so much i bought another one ,so now i have a nib and a runner

[@Mr1stlevel]

Awesome video

[@paulus842000]

Good color choices, she looks really sweet ❤️

[@RCRetro]

Thanks. Thought the black wheels really finishes it off.

[@AndyMoulton]

So we got the Optima Mid, and now the Fantom CRC-II, both 4WDs. My guess is they'll give us a 2WD next, maybe the Turbo Ultima?

[@RCRetro]

Turbo Ultima 🤔… hope so.. I don’t have my Ultima anymore so a turbo Ultima would be a nice replacement

[@AndyMoulton]

@@RCRetro I still have to build mine!

[@JCos71]

Any thought about getting a reproduction set of the original tires for the release?

[@RCRetro]

I have a set of Marwan tires. I got a custom painted body on the way for the optima mid. So I have a runner body and shelf queen body. When it’s on display, I’ll put the repro tires

[@RCACTIONAUSTRALIA]

Looks nice 😊I haven’t built mine yet. I also like building off camera.

[@RCRetro]

I enjoy it more... take my time... really get to know the parts and build lol... sounds like I'm talking about something else lol... but yes... agreed.

[@GotchaPong]

Thats AWESOME!!

[@trevorfurlotte]

I like this track a lot more than the track that shall not be named.

[@RCRetro]

😂😂😂

[@bluegroovemodelsports9650]

Very nice build. Thanks for sharing

[@allpraisetothemosthigh7770]

Looks great, really cool!

[@kenblockx2010]

i hope they do the optima mid custom special or the ULTIMA PRO XL

[@RCRetro]

Agreed. 2 good choices…

[@robertless6404]

Amazingly Awsome..

[@rj.ch.]

one of my very favorite cars

[@schuttrostig5729]

Handles phantastic. I think the next release will be pro-ultima, as the turbo ultima had the strange platinum shocks which were not good. But maybe they call it turbo optima and bring it with the u-chassis and gold shocks, who knows.

[@RCRetro]

Kyosho announced today the release of the Ultima SB dirt master. A modern buggy platform with a retro look. www.bigsquidrc.com/teaser-kyosho-1-10-ultima-sb-dirt-master-2wd-buggy/

[@robertwatsonbath]

Awesome! ;)

[@rickardfrick2959]

Re-re Triumph would be rad!

[@muddfoot69]

Will other brands (AE/Losi) rims of today fit this car?

[@RCRetro]

There are companies that make 2.2 wheels with 12mm hex for these Kyosho's which would allow you to use different tires from Proline or Jconcepts or any other RC company that produces tires. I have 2.2 wheels on my Kyosho Javelin with Jconcept Goosebumps. www.jcracingproducts.co.uk/wheels/kyosho-1/kyosho-optima

[@richarddiiorio9640]

What do you use to dye the wheels?

[@RCRetro]

rit dye... but you have to be careful. Black is easy to dye... any other color you have to use a little amount and not leave in as long. if you put to much dye in or leave in too long you will not achieve the color you are looking for and will come out too dark..

[@robambrose4199]

I'd like an optima mid.i like the colour way / livery

[@jamesmooney7538]

Where did u get the se model????

[@RCRetro]

This is the optima mid and some of the early kits came with the stickers for the TURBO Optima Mid. These are not the stickers/decals for the SE.

[@traxxasfans]

Great job

[@mikebinsufficientfundsraci748]

Raider ARR would be a cool rerelease

[@RCKickschannel]

I would take a punt at the Kyosho LWB Mid next. The question is, what one? TOMS?

[@RCRetro]

So correct me if I'm wrong, the Turbo Optima Mid SE and Special both come with the LWB? I know you have all of them and are far more knowledgeable since you have first hand experience with them. What's the difference between the SE and Special again?

[@jamesstrutt2208]

@@RCRetro The SE is swb, the custom, special and custom special are lwb. 👍 Great video, nice to see the car running.

[@anthonyflannery4995]

Still have my original. Need new electronics.

[@allpraisetothemosthigh7770]

Warp speed build.. faster than they made the goof juice lol

[@speckledjim_]

Tell me thats the Ultimate warrior on the top shelf

[@RCRetro]

Oh it is. Macho Man is up there too in the opposite corner.

[@speckledjim_]

@@RCRetro ha ha ha brilliant :)

[@UKPhoto111]

The mic level seems to be kinda quiet inintially then very loud at the end. Maybe a program such as Audacity might help with the mic levels? Great video otherwise!

[@bradkalman2353]

I wish I could have someone do the Rick dye thing for me because when I did it I ruined some rims and it ticked me off cuz it seems harder than it looks to do that but you guys make it look easy I should send them out to be done by somebody the next time I think about it.

[@duncanmarriott2052]

Turbo Ultima please

[@DavidSmith-jj5pr]

just found out the last shipment of optima mids does NOT include the turbo optima mid decals or black wing. since that's the build I wanted, I'll be skipping this one, unfortunately. 🙁

[@RCRetro]

You can buy the black wing from KyoshoUSA and get turbo optima stickers from MCI. Don’t let that stop you from getting one of these

[@DavidSmith-jj5pr]

@@RCRetro I could, I have a TBG body and MCI sticker set coming in the mail right now for my childhood Raider resto. you could order pretty much anything, but that's what's irritating about Kyosho deleting it from the kit. it's a premium product, not cheap. I think I'd rather wait to see what they ship next. as an aside, that reedy 19t and hobbywing 1060 esc in the turbo optima is fantastic. very smooth. Wish I could take it to the track, but it's reserved for nice soft surfaces like grass. can't beat up a car that goes on a display shelf! beatings are what traxxas is for 🤣

[@Klr81976]

Turbo Optima Mid Se

[@bradkalman2353]

Even though I like this track better than the other one I do miss that you aren't going to be running on the other track anymore I thought you should be able to travel to different tracks and have races more of them.

[@김선학-g8o]

One way bearings are missed.

[@bradkalman2353]

It very good but it looks like it really should have more speed for that big track.

[@bradkalman2353]

I think they should make a new legendary line called the legendary basics for like the rocky the Pegasus The Icarus vehicles like that and then bring out that four-wheel steering one that they made exceed I forgot that should be on the regular legendary series but that's what they need to do because the basics would be cheaper like maybe 75 to $100 cheaper in kit form because of the materials in it.

[@RCDEPENDANT]

I'd say you could buy a much better handling, more durable, modern kit for the same price.

[@robambrose4199]

Please suggest some better ones for the same price.

[@WeirdNeville]

Possibly. But that wouldn't set right 12 year old me looking at this in a model shop and thinking 'I'll never afford that 😢' 😊