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/125823
August 28, 1973 Page 6 ...: ,..- ..:~_ .."...:;:.. f The Punang Mk 6 200 is one of the world's finest s1iden. Pursang Mk 6 200 and Pursang 175' MX Both these Bultacos are called Pl:Jrsangs, but they are .quite distinct in their lineage and intendea application. The thoroughbred label has simply been expanded to cover what was once known as the Sherpa scrambler (now the Mk 6 TTl, and Bultaco's newest motocross entry, the 175. Whi Ie both are.refinements of existing machines, each is designed to the specific requirements of one displacement class. And since neither class is highly populated with other single purpose machines, the two newest Buls will surely show up often in the front ranks. By Marcas Registradas Photos by P. Manuel The Scrambler About ten years ago, when four-stroke domination of scrambles racing was corning to an end, Bultaco led the way in the two-stroke invasion of American competition. There were other ringdingers on the scene, but none that . really matched the rushing acceleration or the high speed handling of the . Bultaco in stock form. The races were called scrambles then, or. IT scrambles, and their condensed, lefthanded version, was called short track. Of course both forms of racing still exist, but not with the widespread J;>opularity of tile. pre-motocross years. (Except perhaps in New England, where scramblers still proliferate.) Bultaco captured a 1arge share of the market, because the Sherpa S models were fearsome fast and they went See, Senor? a comfy, low-center-of-gra,vity feeling as sideways in the most predictable fashion. The 200cc Pursang Mk 6 is the long ·as you stay in the prescribed spot Sherpa's successor, and in most ways it's (forward). To shift weight to the rear a spittin' image. The changes have only requires standing slightly to slide back over the fender, and the padding back been in subtleties of carhuretion, porting and steering geometry. Not major there is a might slim. But the Pursang seemed tractable enough in the standard modifications, really, but enough to give the Pursang even more steerability and a seating position, and most of the body gymanistics required are to the fron t or . wider power band. laterally. Nonetheless, the larger than Some loss of identity is apparent in average gIu teus will sense discomfort. the Pursang's motocross handlebars and But rather than changing the seat, we'd general resemblance to its MX brethren. recomm~nd losing weight. It could also use a compression release. Nb one should be discomforted by "the brakes range from tolerable to the suspension, Betor at both ends, zilc1), depending upon how you adjust unless they spend some time on rough them and how you ride, but scrambling scrambles circuits. And since those are doesn't, or shouldn't, require precise mostly called motocross. tracks in braking. The fiberglass fenders are a lot California, it's safe to assume the Mk 6 like Rosemary, pretty but fragile. / will . be limited to smooth courses. Our test machine was equipped with Tracks such as Ascot would require the ugly "chrome pickle" silencer, but some shock absorber experimentation Bultaco. now fits Skyw,ay units as and at least a set of new fork seals that standard equipment. That's good, since will last for more than just a few big the pickle was a horsepower robber in jumps. addition to its bizarre appearance. 'With The air box is the same arrangement its Femsa COl ignition, 13 to I as on the motocrosserj it's well compression ration and improved 32mm enclosed all around and it keeps out Amal carb, the Mk 6 is one go fast bike. 90% of the mung and debris. The foam And it doesn't exhibit the throttle-lag or air cleaner element captures most of load-up characteristics of its what does creep through. You can give pzedecessors. the Bul some extra breath by shortening Riding Bultaco's new scrambler is a heap of fun. You can make outrageous the rubber tube where it fits into the mistakes or miscalculations and not get element, and/or by drilling some holes spit into the weeds. It is surely one of .rnund .its circuJDference. In all essential respects, Ilultaco has the most forgiving competition bikes on . the 200cc scramhles cIass wired. Its the market. It wiII adapt itself to a/ shortcomings are really minor' when vareity of riding' styles, allowing the compared to the benefits of precision rider to experiment with various handling and good power. Bultaco has techniques to find ,the fastest way long given considerable attention and around. The Pursang seemed equally developmen t to this type of racing adept at sliding into tums and 'riding machine, and the results of patient out, or riding in and sliding out. ~ refinement become obvious when you Whatever turns you faste.r. put it through its paces. There are few The gearbox pu ts the engine's ample bikes that will respond to direction so power to ,good use. The ratios are evenly exactly, and still fewer that are as much spaced through the first four cogs, with , fun to slide around on. Not only that, f"1fth just a tad higher than fourth. We you can win on it. All you have to do is rarely missed a shift and, after growing beat all th.ose other Bultacos. accustomed to the Pursang's characteristics, found we c·ould get The Crosser through most turns one gear higher and The most wide open class in the suffer no loss of predictability at higher desert today is the Division II Lightweight (read I 75cc). It has speeds. formerly been the province of Puch, Like most of the new Bultaeos th~ Renton or overoored DKW's. Three skimpy seat allows you to sit down in the machine rather than on it. This provides weeks ago Cordis Brooks appeared in