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/125812
M KAWA5AKI 350 52, Three cyr ..., aircooled, pistoa port, five speed,' gas pow.... IIIOIarcyde . i ... N ..... (l) N ~ o '" ;: w Z w -' U > U The S2 offers you a good natured. middle displacement mount which defies the line between big bike and little. It will tour like a big bike and handle like a small one. For our kind of living that may be hard to beat. ADDITIONAL TRIVIALITIES looks narrow and short. It is narrow, allowing easy movement for hard cornering, but supports in the righ t places to make fanny fatigue an insignificant problem (stopping every 75 miles helps too). Then 1 worried abou t passengen. The passenger pegs looked high and the seat short. Surprise; one young lady who gets to ride on the back of most of our test bikes found it to be one of the most comfortable seating positions she had tried on a sporting bike. No problems were encountered in sitting there for 70 miles or so. The disc brake and alloy sliders which are new to the S2 for '73 show that Kawasaki isn't giving the S2 a back seat to its larger relatives. The S2 needed the disc and it makes the difference between a fun bike and a scUv bike. The disc is very powerful . which is fortunate because the rear brake isn't. The rear worked reasonably for one penon, but with two the braking distribution was about 95 percent front, five percent rear. It still stopped quickly. The only criticism of the disc is that it isn't for the indiscriminate hand. It is progressive, but doesn't have a lot of feel. The tire transntits most of the messages. Styling is generally a matter of personal preference, but the S2 received so much comment that it is worthy of mention. The 350 was frequently lauded as the neatest looking Japanese bike to come along. The lack of frills . met with general approval and the exhaust pipe-seat treatment brought lots of praise. Kawasaki has rounded off the lines of the bike and added accent stripes in a way that makes it look small. light and very agile. It's amazingly clever compared to some things being produced now. The instrument "panel" met with either/or reactions. Some though t "it's about time", but I couldn't help but get this feeling of influence by the great American behemoth of Detroit. It has a panel of ligh Is which are average and functional, bu t they are placed so that they say "idiot light." In any event it does seem to be a trend of the fu lure. The handlebars make the bike look racy, bu t because of their placemen t and narrowness 1 can't figure too much else they're good for. They are acceptable for touring, but do·very little to enhance the cafe racer's technique. The assortmen t of keys and locks really make you feel like you got something for your money. There are two keys and they fit the ignition switch fork lock, helmet lock, and gas cap, in an order of preference I have not yet detennined. Fortunately the gas cap can be left unlocked, avoiding that hassle. The helmet lock is an especially neat idea because it locks the seat and the "glove box" in the tail section. The S2 is the kind of motorcycle I'd like to own. It's perfonnance oriented, but civilized. I take every possible opportunity to bike on off to the hills, and I've never enjoyed it as much as I did on the S2. One reason it pleased me is that it doesn't make a lot of racket, as you scream through the canyons. The exhaust note is very low along with mechanical whim. It does have a fairly pronounced intake howl. I kind of like it, but if you don't you won't like the bike. The moan isn't obnoxious and generally elicits reactions like: "Martha, go see what's wrong with Bessy," or "Cayutes are sure out tonight, huh, Fred?" "No mo'cycJe's gonna make a noise like that." The only time the noise is bothersome is when it imitates a police siren . Obviously the S2 will require some maintenanc·e. I had zero trouble with it, and it started first kick always, but tbree sets of points and three carburetors require some attention. It doesn't take too mucb \mowledge to mess with the carbs yourself, but the points best be left to someone who does it frequently. If you like the S2 you'll have no trouble learning to love it. If you don't go in for its sort of thing you can always mumble Hdamn ringy-ding" as it goes past. FACTS Engine 2 cycle., 3-cylinder, piston port, 346cc Bore/Stroke .....•........................... 53mm/52.3mm Rake/trail 62 deg/4.3 in. Wheelbase ............................•.•...........52.5 in. Weight 335 Ihs. Ignition pomts, et al Transmission _ 5 speeds, down for 1st, up for the rest Gasoline 3.3 gal. of premium Brakes ................•.•............... Disc front/drum rear FANCY Suggested retail _ $885 Points 3.44 (3 sets) Air ruter 7.50 Clu tcb lever 1.66 Clutch cable .................•........................ 6.00 Sealed beam 5.87 Taillight bulb : 49 T aillight lens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.86 Turn signal lens _ _ 1.06 Battery 16.00