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/125826
St:pt~ II, 1!J73 braking force seems to be the tire. A better tire might allow higher G forces, but it might also harm the existing set up to be satisfactory, maybe preferable. , . The re-stying has made' the water cooled Suzuki a better looking motorcycle. Last year it was pink; with pink and white tank, pink side panels, and pink panels on the. ends of the radiator. All that pink might work out all righ t at a whorehouse or on a pair of tight pants, but it helped to ruin the appearance of the GT-750. This year Suzuki hired a straight stylist who chose to make the GT-750 metallic blue with red and white striping on the tank and side panels. The radiator end pieces "~tJHte tJl7~ ~ ~ " Brings You ~ SPECTACU~ 30 DAYS REVERSE DOUREHEADER & PlCNK FESTIVAL FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14 The only production d~ disc. TT STEEPLECHASE The water cooled triple quiet Ind~ongas. were chromed, and "Big Pink" was transformed into something -a bit more snappy. It is still big and has plenty of odds and ends in the engine compartment, but what's there looks better. Per hap s it should look more sporty, it IS. In our original test 'of the water cooler, we lamented the fact that it was so committed to being comfy and cushy on the freeways but not tolerant of stuff-it cornering. This year, by adding a little dampening and stiffening the springs, Suzuki has made the GT -750 a more fit mount for off-freeway use. Its limits are its ground clearance (only fair) and its tires, which work satisfactorily on dry pavement but are useless in the wet - unless you like spinning the rear wheel: The engine is still the powerful; torquey, wide powerplant that we . tested last year. It has ample low end, but as the needle approaches 6,000 RPM, it gushes forth with a slight rush. It is peaky, but with enough power at low end. In abou t 2800 miles of riding the only problem that we had with the power producing section of the bike was the balance tubes in the three-inta-four exhaust system. The gasket on one side blew out after just a few hundred miles, making the bike quite a bit noisier. The only other problems that we experienced with the GT-750 were with the rear turn signals, both of which fell off. The problem is the brackets succumb to vibration. The turn signals are strong enough. The brackets will, no doubt, be strengthened for next year. Vibration. is a minor bother on the GT-750, primarily to the passenger. The passenger pegs have been rubber_ mounted, but they still buzz the feet thoroughly. There is a little bit of vibration transmitted through the comfortable, swept back handlebars. Simply wearing heavier gloves would make the problem disappear. Somehow, it doesn't seem like a two stroke should make a decent touring bike. The power characteristics, the .gas consumption, perhaps the sound, would all seem to make it less conducive to long rides. However, the Suzuki doesn't need much downshifting to pass, and it was quiet enough, even with the balancer gasket gone, that you couldn't hear it. The mind-boggIer for the four stroke aficionado will be the mileage: 50 MPG wasn't unusual. 40 to 45 MPG was the minimum. The GT-750 went between 150 and 190 miles before you had to switch to reserve. . The long range makes the big tank worthwhile. The low gas consumption allows the big two stroke to he a tourer, but the improved handling, excellent bra kin g, and still impressive performance still left us with the same feeling that we had last year. A Sports version of the GT·750 would be very exciting, and we think that it would add to the appeal of a line of street bikes that is generally oriented towards touring (that is, smooth, quiet, geared up, reliable, and sober). The Suzuki 750 has been improved over last year. Without losing any of its distinction, it has become 10 better long legged tourer and at the same time come closer to being a sports machine. • Long distances and straight roads are still the GT·750·s thing, but it is better in chicanery now. SATURDAY SEPTEMBER lS PICNIC FESnVAL & HALFMILE SEL. JOSE FEilCIANO PLUS... EL CHICANO & BRAHMA' 2:00 P.M•. ~ PICNIC AREA FOLLOWED BY EXCITING HALF MILE RACING THE SAME EVENING ALL FOR-ONLY $5.50 • • ON FRIDAY SEPTIMIBl 21 THE FINAL WEST COAST REGIONAL $3,000 PURSE THEN FRIDAY SEPT. 28, NAT'L TUNE-UP HALF MILE FOLLOWED BY THE GOLDEN STATE TT CHAMPIONSHIP FRIDAY OCTOBER S $2,000 PURSE + NOVICES & JUNIORS AND THE ONE YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE LAST NAnONAL OF 1973 ASCOT 20 LAP HALF MILE SATURDAY OCTOBER 6 ------------~------------------_. SPECIAL OFFER FOR NATIONAL WEEKEND Adul. Reserved 20 Lap National Half·Mlle Oct. (j Annu.l Golden State TT Championship Oct. 5 Two Night Combination. Child Reserved ~8 $4 General Genera! Admission Admission Only Onlv $10 $4 Adult Gener;\! AdmiSSion 13-17 9·12 Gener~l General AdlTliui'On Admissio,n $6 $4 $1 $4.50 $3.50 $1 $8.50 -$6 $1.50 ENCLOSED IS MY CHECK FOR 8 &. Under General Admission I 1 FREE FREE FREE _ MAKE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER PAYABLE TO LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY clo ASCOT PARK, 1B300 SO. VERMONT, GARDENA, CALIF. 90247 (NO DISCOUNT PASSES APPLICABLE ON COMBINATION_ TICKETS) NAME PHONE _ ADDRESS, STATE _ ZIP' _ ~--------------------------------~