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/125840
Speedy Mini-Racers •• • I • ~ t Both Suzuki Iftd Honda have styled rKen for the pre-tllen set that Iaok like the big bikes. ' Honda MR-50 & Suzuki TM-75 By Larry Langley Both Honda and Suzuki have brought out new minicycles to brighten- young faces this Christmas. The Honda MR 50 is designed as a first bike in the 4-8 year old age ground while the Suzuki TM 75 falls into the next group up, 8-12 year olds. Honda Elsinore MR 50 Again Honda has introduced a two stroke bille in direct competition with a Honda 4 strolle, in this case the Z-50 Mini Trail. However the Mini Trai1 is considered a minibike while the MR 50 is a minicycle; there is a difference. Honda hopes to cub in on the Elsinore boom by styling the bike after its big brothen, the CR 125 and the CR 250. , The styling of the littlest Elsinore is at iant glance a shrunken venion of the biatt bikes. But at close range the differences are apparent. The single bacllbone frame with no downtubes is the biggest change, but due to the overalJ styling, it's not that noticeable. Only a Dimsy skidplate protects the engine and the side cases an: totally without protection. The gas tank holds .66 gallon of 25: 1 Premix and the styling is pure Elsinore, very well done. I was surprised that no injector is fitted, but Honda apparently feels this bike is a trainer for motocross and motocrouen aren't injected. The little 49cc piston port two stroke is strong for its displacement but is bandicapped by a 3 speed gearbox. However for a young beginner it's ok, and will keep him out of trouble by Ileeping the top speed down. Also the throttle has adjustable stops allowing Dad to dial in how much throttle Junior can handle. Very good idea. The quiet exhaust system tucks in under the seat extremely well. The spark arrestor muffler is a big can with a stinger exiting under the rear fender. The serrated foot pegs look like they came righ t off a bigger Elsinore, while the grips and levers are shrunk a little but are very similar to the Elsinores also. Another difference from the bigger bl'9then is the use of a rear bralle rod instead of the cable Honda usually uses. At a very light 94lbs the bike is easy for a youngster to handle and seems to be balanced very well. Test rider Ronnie Cassell was fitted more to the Suzuki due to his size but had a ball on the Honda. The 12 inch rear tire and the 14 inch front come equipped with Ilnobbies so you won't have the extra expense of cbanging tires. The forks and shocks worll well for a smaJI bike and the shocks have a unique dust shield built in which should protect the seals ell. Honda has included their usual ff-on-off kill switch which some people 'Ile and some don't. The only thing I didn't like about the ~ngine was that the left side mag cover is a pop off cover with no screw. or 60lts holding it on. A rubber seals keeps ~e dirt out but I wonder if the cover is going to be vulnerable to popping off in a crash. At a $349 list price Honda is going to sell a lot of these billes. Especially to Elsinore owners who won't be able to t • • • • 2 .I COfttinued on page 63 WOW,. wheeliel So • o ci .. ~ <3 :> c o ~ Z I ..j" I I 55