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/125817
- o The 7th Cav ... > :; .... ~ z W ..J ~ o by Tod Rafferty The military has rediscovered motorcycles. After World War 11 the Army virtuaUy phased out their motorcycle program. The big Harleys and Indians were fine for escorting visiting dignitaries or delivering messages, but their off-road suitability was marginal at best. Now the Army is getting back in the saddle: the mounted cavalry returns, not with a Giddayup but a Ring-ding-ding. Using 185cc Suzukis, the army's experimental motorcycle reconnaissance platoon is now conducting maneuvers in Texas. More specificilly, the bikes have been issued to a scout section of the Combat Support Company, 2d Battalion (airmobile) (infantry), 7th Cavalry, Fort Hood, Texas. As the news release accompanying these photos attested, "Our modern Army is testing the motorcycle because of its potential for increasing the mobility of the foot soldier so he will be better able to keep up with the rest of the army." So it looks as if the average Grunt will fmally get a break. Instead of slogging along on foot carrying all -that heavy gear, he'll have a chance for his own motorized pony. Zowee! Just imagine! The mobility to strike swiftly and be gone, just like the fighter pilots P!boat guys! and Let's see, we could mount the M·16 on the handlebars with a remote trigger hooked up like a kill button (pun intended). And, oh wow, twin rocket launchers on the fork tubes, and maybe a smill mortar on the luggage rack. Golly, the possibilities are manifold (ibid). And movies! Just think of the far out flicks they'll make about us! John Wayne, blasting up a hill on a 00 Yamaha (unless we're fighting the Japanese again, which means it would be a 350 Harley, which means he wouldn't make it, which means...). Anyway, Ole Duke broadsliding up to the bunker, doing a giant wheelie while frring a .45 with his left hand, and roostertailing off into the sunset to the strains of the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Let Bruce Brown try to top that! What's that? You don't think John Wayne could do a wheelie? Well, how about Steve McQueen then? Yeah, McQueen's the man; and Ali McGraw as the WAC nurSe who treats the wound he suffered trying to ride over an enemy tank and drop a grenade down the hatch. We see him just regaining consciousness in the base hospital, the outline of a serrated footpeg neatly imprinted on his forehead. She moves to his side: SHE: How are you feeling, soldier? "What oil tonk? I thought you was just s'posed to put gas in it." _ _ Sorve isn't looking, _ ) , "t \ ~ \ .t 0 ), _ill. \, ... .. e A 40 pound on!i-tonk _ 8h8n the ..-Ji'!ll ~istics. , ~ J .., .,...,