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/125739
(Cont'd. from page 7) - ,.. '" a. :> < ~ w Z w ~ U > U You'll make less sound and cover more ground with the HOOKER EXHAUST- TUNER The high-performance motorcycle expansion chamber with the integral \I tuned-core " muffler. NOW AVAILABLE FOR . .. BULTACO·CZ HARLEY BAJA HODAKA · HUSKY · OSSA KAWASAKI· MAICO· SUZUKI MONTESSA· YAMAHA VISIT YOUR LOCAL DIALfR 'OR MORI DErAILS. ~~~ @HElDERS 1032 WEST BROOKS STRm, ONTARIO, CAUFORNIA 91762 • (714) 983-5871 _ characteristics are simply descnbed: the faster you go, the better it handles. I mounted the machine and mosied up a trail. The bike felt clumsy at low speed, thus sapping what little confidence I had. A mind game took care of that; I remembered that in recent years surfboards have evolved shape to an from a pig ultra-sophisticated dart of about half the size, making them incredibly maneuverable for the expert but impossible for the beginner. Could the Ajay be too sophisticated for the beginner who plugs along, afraid to shift out of first? My thoughts proved to be correcL Upon applying a liberal amount of throttle, all those scary-looking rocks, whoops, and ruts sort of seemed to disappear, leaving me to go my merry, quick way. And after finding out what it's like to go fast in the dirt, I'D never be the same. Now a few thoughts about the bike: -It loads up. The power band pulls and pulls and pulls from X rpm, but if you let it faIl under that reading, the chamber is flooded with petrol Mikunis, right? -The shift pattern is the best in the business. Being so unique, one up and three down, mOlt people including mYK1f hated it at fmt. After a bit of use I, like Ed, concluded that it is the best for both quick up- and downshifting. All others seem like afterthoughts, now. Try it yourself, to be sure. -The Ajay tranny never malfunctioned. Older models had a weak shifting paw that always broke, but this one didn'L If I didn't break it, no one can. -We had to fIX a flat in the rear, and, except for the rimlocks and heavy lip, it was simple. -At fIrSt, the front end seemed to be hard to pick up, but body English proved to be the answer. You have to work, but it a1waYI responded and never reacted. -I found it easy to faIl off all the other bikes I rode except the Ajay, and I pushed myself much harder on it than any other dirt bike I've ridden. -During the length of the telt we had to adjust, tape, tighten, 10QsC!k lubricate, straigh ten, hammer, or curse 'at nothing except the AmaI and the flat. Absolutely amazing. -The silencer is sugar-sweeL Folks everywhere app.roved wholeheartedly of the music. . -The handlebar levers should be replaced because they are brittle. I broke them off during the latter part of the test and here's how: A bunch of accomplished riders went cowtrailing one day and I decided to tag along. There were enough steep, rocky trails to get me lost several times. They were playing but I had to beat the hell out of the poor bike to keep up. I've never abused a machine so, and I kept waiting for it to break. We crossed a highway and a Patrolman jumped from a blind spot and started to chase us. Being the last in the pack, I figured I would be the first to be caugh t. We fmaIIy ditched him and I lost it on a fire road at about 45. It was a tidy spill that broke off the front brake lever. I was unscratched. Later, I got really 101t. The sun went down. Figuring I was on a familiar trail, I bombed into a gully. Crash. The clutch lever was broken but still hung on by a slender thread of metal. The only trails leading out were steeper, rockier, and hairier than any I have ridden. I started to set up camp until the Spirit of Mike Jackson permeated my pride. I chose: the most vertical route and sat on the rear wheel for traction. The Ajay pushed, bounced shoved, clawed, elbowed, and somehow conquered the oppressive hill to show me a paved road that would carry me home. All I did was sit there with the throttle wide open; the superb Stormer did all the work, flawlessly. I have yet to ride some of the other biggics (CZ, Maico, Husky, etc.) and am looking forward to it. But, I reaIly learned to love the Ajay. I became more in tune with it than any machine I've ridden, Itreet or otherwise. The Ajay might be the machine for you, and it might noL But.you reaIIy ought to give it a chance.