Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125630
C) CYCLE NEWS SAFARI and trailbike test Rarely does a reader. have a chance to test out six trail bikes at a time before deciding which one to buy. But motorcycle publications have a certain amount o( pull with the distributors, so recently the Cycle News gang borrowed a half-dozen o( the most popular under125cc trail-ready motorcycles available and took them out in the wide open spaces (or a (ew days to ride and compare. Our aim was to answer the questions that most prospective bike purchasers would ask before making the buying decision. Anyone o( the six would be the ideal bike (or someone to own. Which is best (or you? Read on and then decide. YAMAHA lOll Price $389. P .O.E. Weight: 213 lbs. (93 (ront, 120 rear). Single cylinder, rotary valve 2stroke. 3/3 speed gearbox. Bums straight gasoline. Yellow finish. Tbe perfect accessory for every camper would be this luxury-laden, well made Japanese product. It is the only trailblke tbatteatures electric starting, whicb can be a blessing as well as a convenience, should you kill the engine in a difficult spot. Re11ablllty and handling are without flaw, but its off-road capablllt1es are somewhat more limited than the other trailbikes. It Is more at borne on the smooth trails than cross-country• Rotate by hand the large knob on the left transmission case and the gear ratio cbanges from three low gears for tralllng to three b1gber speeds for the street. Top speed In trail gear was 42 indicated mpb. Stop and turn the knob (no need to sbut off the engine) and It zooms up to 58 mpb. Low ground clearance and 17'! wlieels are the chief handicaps off the road. The machine is smaller than average, mak1ng It Ideal for pre- teenage children and sbort adults. It was the bike everyone cbose for trips to town or around the smooth campsite. But when it came to bard tra1l1ng it was often spoken for last. Yamaha apparently put all their off-road knowledge into the AT and DT series bikes and designed this one for less demanding uses. It does the Job it's designed for faultlessly, and should continue to operate many thousands of easy miles without attention. .. .. ? ••• . • . now with POWEROLL big bore kits, available for all Hondas - 50cc to 450cc, Cycle Products West is now sole Southern California distributor for these inexpensive and highly dependable engine kits. POWEROLL stroker assemblies bolt on just like stock parts, without spacers or chain modifications. For further information contact Cycle Products West at (213) 477-0997. Oealer inquiries invited. ~ BULTACO liard to get models ready for quick delivery Skif'FDRDYCE @8@~ IOlOI00C.Uf CfHIU I I i : I 14th & MAIN, RIVERSIDE, CAL. : ~Ie· proaucrs Specialized Triumph - Honda Repairs 0 Cuslom Racing 0 Engines Machine Work 0 M.liss. Kils Cyr. Boring • Head Porling MIKE BURKE Motorcycle Specialties 15178 Raymer SI. Van Nuys, Cal. 91406 Tel.phone (213) 780..(l779 DESERT SET UP SCRAMBLES