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/125810
n < n YAMAHA 360 ENDURO Sans turnsig':!als the RT·3 is visually pleasing and the paint is indestructible. on the pavement but the 21-inch front wheel affirms its dirt inclination. As we turned off the pavement, I was assured that a previously suspicioned problem would· be quite evident. At the first bump the shocks bottomed and stayed that way for the next 80 miles, until J ran out of gas. (After returning we stuck some Konis on it which was the magic wand for handling.) The rear end kicked around like crazy but surprisingly the bike wasn't hard to control at all. \A.NZ EN -. Later investig,ation showed that the springs were the major culprit, with excess of rebound dampening con tribu ting. The springs could be jacked up, which would help, but that isn't a solution, only a compromise. ,e NIS .REC-PAC 4300 SkylOlrk Dr., Enllewood, Ohio 45322 (513) 836·1119 .... m Z m ~ Blasting along in the 50 MPH range didn't produce the tank bangers I had become so accustomed to on Yamaha s in younger days. Maybe it's that hydraulic ste-ering damper, but the RT-3 is very straight line stable. No doubt helping out in the handling department are the front forks. They seemed SO[l, but never bottomed and ate up all but the worst of obstacles (Dune buggics, stone walls, etc.). They seemed just a hair behind the level of a "super-fork." The RT-3 isn't a desert sled but subs. for one very nicely in a pinch. The brakes work great, on pavemen t, dirt, or under water. The rear brake may be a standard for the industry. For a bike that is. for the most part, so well though t out the front brake is a mystery. The only adjustrnen t available is at the lever. That doesn't last very long. The brake works but, like any brake, it wear. Apparently, Yamaha didn't believe it would. The RT-3 has a neat personality. It elicits a positive feeling of confidence that it won't break and that it won't commit acts of unplanned violence on one's body (other than with the kickstarter). The way it arrives it is a very "complete motorcycle" except for the shocks and the ba.-s. That's better than you get on most 1.300 doUar jobs. It has a foam air filter, a full floating rear brake, a 2 I-inch front wheel, and so on. Ln some ways it's almost overdone. The tach ometer is a frivolous accessory. [t will take a persistent person to overrev the 360. The Yamaha never hestitated after 300 miles of Baja running. and the only problem of any kind was tailligh t bulbs. Jt never even used a spark plug (A good thing since the wrench included in the tool roU wouldn't remove it). Riding the RT-3 made me smile, even stranded in the desert. I even giggled as my leg turned blue. The only thing that would keep me from calling it the best large Enduro I've been on is the exhaust noise. WHITT. NDA OSS~ Motorcycl. Trail.... WHITTIER HONDA Compl.leslock 14324 E. Wh ittier Blvd. o:c~~;~~~~ (213) 698-{)065 "Power Head" BIG VALVE FOR HONDA 125 & 100 Now you CAN take it with Comf DISPLA Y ADVERTISING DEADLINE MAGIC MIRROR P.o. Box 155. New Castle..l Texas 76372 817) 846-32'1 Dealer I"quit\ es Invited on your letterh~ad you! Light $125.00 send your stock head and certified check or money order, plus postage to: Get this Bit Rigid Protective Everything for the MX Rider - TrailRider - Street Rider motorcycle use. SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY The Midwest's Largest War P$RICE21f.9l~ FREE fitted. '.:J ICE CHEST if yo order NOW! ~~~ Colors: Orange pac, white top, black nylon webbing, chrome hardware. Order from: CYCLE NEWS PRODUCTS 2499 Cerritos Ave., Long Beach, Ca. 90806 I Send me one -;:'c-Pac for : ; : - r : : : : s : : : : - l my free fitted ice chest. I enclose $24.95 in check or money order. Name' I Address _ . I _C_ity_,_S_ta_te~iP--------_L __=::::::::::::.__..J _ L..[ Akront rims Betor shocks & forks Blendzall products Chain Life Champion frames DitfBrake Flltron Products Honda accessories Magura products NG K spark plugs Presto n Petty prod ucts ~ . Salice DeLux MX Goggle~ Vi_ All gas filters - t Cross bar pads Complete Moto-X a mplete Paulson line of duck bill & mpetition shields fender brackets Hilii.s", toolsver.!'geheli'le'ts - Snell '70 'bars 'chest protectors gloves jerseys leather pants X progressive springs ~ X socks & wearing apparel -X shocks for all bikes cers & expansion chambers SOUTH REPRESENTATIVE FORC OPER MOTORCYCLES Guaranteed Immediate Delivery Distributor & Dealer inquiries welcome from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma Call WATTS line collect (713) 946-3004 - Ask for Sonny Z ~ III ,