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/125704
THE MANUFACTURERS What is in t~e immediate future for the motorcycle buyer? A wide range of choices to pick from, and a treasure of new advances in the technical development of what the pioneers called the "ether bicycle." Designers ir:J England, America, continental Europe and the Orient have been extremely busy fantasizing new models, and the factories have wasted no time manifesting these fantasies in alloy and steel. Some of the machines offered for the c.oming year embody logical refinements of existing, tried-and-true models. Others began as a blank piece of drawing paper only a short time ago. In this preview of the near-future g motorcycle market, we have mainly selected only the brand new, as yet -, unfamiliar designs out of manufacturers' lines that in many cases run to ~ dozens of models. Not everyone will end up buying one of these brand ~ new concepts in daring transport. The old standbys, in new trim and ~ u with detail refinements will remain popular throughout 1971 and >u probably for years to come. But if tile bikes you have considered up to now have not been exactly what you are looking for, you owe it to yourself to look further into these pictured on the following pages. Perhaps one 01 them is the very one you have waited for. . PRESENT 1'971 AJS - THE STORMER Fresh from a record-setting Baja run, the AJS line for 1971 will emphasize its adaptability to cross-country use as well as the motocross racing that has been its specialty in the past year.. With two models, in 250cc and 370cc displacemen ts, AJS can look forward in 1971 to gaining more satisfied customers, who can't say enough good things about the machines' superlative handling and outstanding power. If further development is possible, it'will be incorporated into the AJS production run immediately, as the factory development team is constantly out on the tracks, seeking ways to improve the AJS's advantage. BENELLI FOR 71, Benelli is one of the oldest and most respected names in motorcycling today. They have built motorcycles in Italy since 1908 and have won the World Roadracing Championship three times. Even their smallest minibikes show this heritage in their magnificent handling and durability. Many new developments have been pioneered by Benelli and a new research and development center has been opened. The racing department has some of the world's most talented technicians who are often called in to assist with production motorcycle problems. In the USA Benelli is imported and backed by one of the nation's oldest and largest distributors, Cosmopolitan Motors. This is their 22nd year in the motorcycle business. Th~ir 68,000 sq. ft. plant is located in Hatboro, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia. The headquarters is totally devoted to motorcycles and has a huge shop and dealer training area. Since the US market is unlike any other in the world, Cosmopolitan also has its own racing department, dynometer room and experimental department. The new 1971 BeneUi machines have many new interesting features that show the results of much developmental work. Clever engineering and skilled hand craftsmanship are evident in their. products for this year. Benelli was probably the first firm to develop a mini-cycle and presently their models feature full lighting equipment and other equipment to make them street legal. The new 650 is finally available after several years of development, work and promises to be one of the most ou tstanding mo torcycles ever produced. BE;NELLI 180cc MOTOCROSS A classic example of an enduro or motocross machIne with handling qualities designed by Benelli's racing team. Removable lighting equipment enables it to be used on the road. Ceriani type suspension and other J1?0tocros.s type refinements make it a serious contender in competitition. Higher power to weight ratio. OHV, oversquare engine producing instant torque over an extremely wide r.p.m. range. It has unit construction with oil sump in the crankcase and automotive type oil filter. The 4-leading shoe front brake easily stops the cycle from its speeds of over 115 mph. BONANZA MIDI Benelli 65cc "Hurricane" Mini-Enduro features 4-speed foot shift transmission and 14-inch spoked wheels with knobby tires. It has full street legal lighting equipment, motocross type handlebars, front and rear teledraulk suspension. List price $319. 650cc Benelli Tornado for 1971. BE-NELLI TORNADO 650cc The final result of 63 years of motorcycle experience.. Undoubtedly one of the finest performing cycles in the world. The Tornado has a twin, David faces Goliath again as Bonanza takes on the big bikes and intends to win! Their new Midi-cycle has 16-inch rims on a bike that weighs only a little over 100 pounds, plus a hot IOOcc 5-speed Hodaka engine; plus most of the standard Bonanza parts that set two world's motorcycle speed records at Bonneville, and just won the World Championship Open Class Minibike title. The new Midi-cycle is designed for motorcycle competition: IT racing, flat track, motocross and cross country enduros. During development of the midi-cycle it was quietly put into races against big bike's. It has 12" ground clearance. The Ceriani-type forks give 6" travel. And yet with its folding handlebars it still fits a car trunk and on the back "there's a handle! You can take it to the boonies with no trouble at all and have a ball. All this is said to be a prelude to a full blown, I25cc motocross racer to be introduced next spring. DKW-PUCH ADVANCES NEW MODEL, NEW NAME Aside from the striking lines of the 1971 Puch 125 and I75cc models, there is completely transistorized ignition system, adjustable rear shocks, Cerian! forks and a smooth and flawless six-speed transmission. Supply is not expected to reach the demand for the next few months from the sampling consumer reaction to the new Puch. Puch motorcycles are manufactured by Steyr-Daimler P'uch in Graz, Austria, a familiar and repu table concern with a 75-year history of buildiV-g some of the finest machinery available in all of Europe. The familiar Sachs motorcycles soon will be changing their name to DKW, a highly respected marque· famous for innovations in the 2-cycle field. It will New Bonanza "Midi-Bike".