Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1970's

'" '" e 1972 Models...Changes for the Better N .... en N " ~ "Seasons come and seasons go, ~ the piston's seized, the motor's blown. W The pfJint is faded, Z the charisma tainted W d I know what I like, and it ain't myoid >- bike." o K. Wea[ey Autumn means more than football, colored leaves, and brisk nights to the motorcyclist. It's a new model introduction time and boy, do we have a plethora of new machines and improvements for 1972. Honda and N orton are waiting until January or February to spring their newies on us, but their announcements can't help but seem anticlimactic after seeing what we've got already. Motorcycle manufacturers have learned a lot from Detroit about the introduction and promotion of new models. Press previews (a Japanese firm held theirs on the Queen Mary), four-color magazine spreads, and slick brochures make sure that the new product catches the public's eye. Kawasaki copied a technique used in the introduction of the Datsun 240·Z. They brought a couple of their new 750's into the States a few months ago and let them run the magazine road test circuit. Although the bike won't even be available until after the holidays, Kawasaki has hundreds of advance orders for the machine. Lots of buyers were committed to their product by the cheap and effective advertising. Most of the razzle-dazzle for '72 will be provided by the major Japanese two-stroke makers. They have all made significant additions to their touring and enduro lines. Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki have enough machinery among them to play tiddlywinks with an indecisive buyer's mind. The European and American factories have countered with significant changes and additions ' of their own. YAMAHA Yamaha was the IITst manufacturer to '72 models to dealer's get its showrooms. They've done some restyling and engine work on their Enduros and resurrected a popular street model. The highly successful Enduro line has gone through its biggest new model changes since the introduction of the DT·l in 1968. Big news is in the engine department, where Torque Induction is the word. Torque Induction is Yamaha's monicker for reed induction. Reed valves are now standard on all Enduro models in the IITst wholesale use of the system in the industry. As most two-stroke aficianados already know, the reed valve provides a better crankcase seal and improves breathing throughout the range, but most of the benefit comes at the bottom end of the RPM scale. Two-strokes need a little help because the crankcase induction system gets a little confused when the mixture is dribbling in at low R's. The Suzuki's 250 J Champ; reed valve also prevents engine heat from transferring to the carburetor, an instrument that works best when cool. Private tuners often use reed setups in small displacement two-strokes, but they have had to adapt go-cart reeds to motorcycle engines. In order to accommodate the Torque Induction, Yamaha has increased their scavenging efficiency by doing extensive port work and adding a hole in the piston skirt to allow crankcase pressure to operate th e reeds. Other changes in the Enduro line include restyled gas tanks that fit well into the overall styling motif and slightly modified suspension components. Frames have also been redesigned to give the bikes a lower center of gravity. Brand new for '72 is a lOOcc Enduro model. MX counterparts for all Enduro models, except the 175, will be available. But this year they won't be hopped-up versions of existing bikes. Yamaha's '72 MX's look like they mean business and should capture the lion's share of the production race bike market. A list of features includes alloy wheels and hubs, aluminum fork legs, floating rear brake, and a new frame and magneto. A high level exhaust system, quite similar to Husqvarna's, is standard along with Autolube oiling. The 125, 250, and 360 models weigh in at 202, 224, and 227 lbs, respectively. Yamaha's styling department really outdid themselves on the motocross models. New fenders, seat and gas tanks make the machines look very clean and functional. No frills at all, the only superfluous appearance item is a tasteful red or black stripe on the fuel tank. Better get some cash down to your local dealer if you lust after a new Yamaha MX. I'm betting they won't stick around the showroom long. Yamaha's street bike line has grown with the addition of a 250 twin. Designated the DS-7, the new-model is Yamaha's new 250cc MX. not a reincarnation of an earlier 250, but an entirely new design inspired by the popular 350 twin. As a matter of fact, the 1972 250 and 350 twins would be impossible to tell apart if Yamaha hadn't been kind enough to put the engine size on the side covers. Last year's 350 was a machine highly regarded by both the press and the buying public. The 250 should provide the same performance and reliability for a few bucks less. Top of the line 650 Yammie has a nifty new front disc brake and an electric starter for '72. Now the younger set has two Mini-Enduro models to bug their parents abouL The new model is and, along with the street-legal Mini-MX, should have dad crying HUncle". SUZ UKI Suzuki has chosen the Banzai method of introducting their three cylinder models: all at once. The new line is headed by the LeMans, a water-cooled 750 two-stroke. Two air-cooled models have the unorthodox engine sizes of 550 and 380cc's and are called Indy and Sebring. Though the machines are beautifully finished and detailed, overall styling is "Kandy Kolor, Tangerine Flake, Streamline Baby". Their basically simple designs are a bit cluttered, each part begs to be noticed. With models that so closely parallel Kawasaki's, styling may be a big factor in market acceptance. The 750 is a very sophisticated machine and the first postwar water-cooled production motorcycle. Its five-quart radiator is mounted in front of the engine on the frame down-tubes. In the event that a LeMans rider is stuck in heavy traffic, there is an electrical fan that cuts on automatically when the coolant gets too hot. Engine layout is consistent with contemporary 3-eylinder motorcycle powerplant design, though the water jackets make it look peculiar. Suzuki has gone Kawasaki one better and fit an electric starter on their 750. Added bulk from the cooling equipment, starter, and extra exhaust pipe (the machine has 4) push the dry weight up to 472 Ibs; fifty pounds more than the Kawasaki . and ,;wcw totl l<:. same as the Honda and limey heavies. Suzuki

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