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/126293
II EDITORIAL II Fearless predictions for 1978 We have tossed our cap over the wall of the new year and have no choice now but to follow it. What new thrills and adventures can we anticipate in th e comi ng year of the mo torcycle? Here are a few that I'm look ing forward to . This may be the year tha t wom en fill their roles in th e racing show . Carter Alsop . .as beautiful as she is brilliant, has a Superbike ride and is looking for sponsors. Sue Fish has the makings of a motocross star, and I hope to see her show it in the biggies, like the stadiums. If we could attract the female audience to mote-sport. we'd double our spectators right there. Imagine the advertising space: so much for a shoulder. so much more for a thigh, and oh , those preferred positions! Sigh. For sure, 1978 will be the year of the Superbike, The 1978 motorcycles will be better than ever, just as cheap, and more available. I've seen some of them, ridden a few, and they are just bitchin. From America , Japan , Europe, all over the world come great thi ngs to cling to ; motorcycles bigger, smoother, more powerful and cheaper than the other grown-up toys around. If this isn't heaven, it 'll do for a year. America's baby boom is reaching gO this year, which in newspaper slang means end-of-job, but in real life marks a turning in to maturity. These are the high-risk youths of the 1960's, many with young families. The average family spends more on their transportation than they spend on food. How many will turn to the motorcycle for fast , efficient economy rather than a second or third car in the family? That depends on the sales departments of the major motorcycle manufacturers. This will be the year for big road bikes as Americans discover that a bike' with a fairing can be like a two-wheel car, only fun . If the trend to fairing-clad road bikes continues, I wonder how we'll be able to lelia happy biker without the bugs on his teeth? Motorcyclists of all sorts will have new chances to get politically involved . This year is open season for us all . The so-called "safety" establishment knows it's do or die in 1978 if they are ever going to gel motorcycles banned fro m the road . and the Sierra Club types have to get us thrown out of the public la nds. It 's going to be fu n. buckaroos, hang in there! Can-Am*IIX-4 370: power under COD raJ Until MX-4, more power from a The engine is re positioned in bigger engine was the last thing our new chromoly frame for a Can-Am needed. lowe r c . of g . and easier co rnering. Now we've got our power captive. The suspension uses 38 mm Marzocchi front forks and a totally reworked swinga rm with Girling gas shocks set-up- for just under 10 inches of travel at both wheels. ~ 4 370cc Our new MX-4 370 is a piston po rt / reed valve powerhouse. It delivers 4 2 BHP at the rear wheel and 33 ft-lbs of torque on demand. The rear brake is now fully floating and rod operated. ~ " We've restyled our seat. tank, footpegs, and inco rpo ra ted a "Disco-Jet" muffler in our exhaust system . See the ne w MX-4 370 at your Can -Am dealers. And while you're at it, have a look at the new MX-4 25 0 . The y both deliver a motoc rosser's secret fantasy : Can-Am powe r and price unde r co ntrol. Charles Clayton Next Week Golden State Series goes ountain High How to ride like the Hurricane • preview Nil Raiabaw Stickie 1 Here it is - Cycle News new Rainbow Stickle Changes colors bef ore your very eyes!! Reflects every co lor of the Rainbow!! JUSI fill o u t th is order hlan lc ami scn d t o : Cycle News Prod ucts PO Box 4- 9 8 , Lon g Beach, CA 9080 I I e, N I"; .. i en ~ o :J c: .;;; 0.:.:1 a: ;; i " " Vi z " u > ... CD -.::::8 TII " ... ~ u ~ .~ c;; ~- -c lo"l c:=~ :l::" .... a a'l ... 10 <:'" .... .. . " -'"" "'- 1 "1 -~ ..,{l ....... " ... . ~ ~ ... E e ~ <:) <:) ~ ~ ~ . ." ;; e E c: > 'C ::; Vi liJ . ~ " -c ~ U - oS .... .;j 5