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/126343
Unfortunately, its hill-storming capability is diminished by the rear tire, Th~ 4.60 X 18 Bridgestone knobby just doesn't hook up v~ry well , ~~ dally in loose stuff, and the ensuing wheelspin wears the knobs down rapidly. The DR370 co llects its second bonus point sim ply on the basis of being a very effici ent , well balanced motorcycle. It just feels right : uncomplicated , agile and easy to ride . These virtues will appeal to that growing number Of weekend racers in the Old Timer's class , especially those with chronic cases of underdogitis. In any form of competition . the Suzuki will be outclassed by the tricked- ou t Yamaha or a worked Honda 350. And for th at' reason alone . a lot of middle-agers , revenge percolating in their brains . will set to work upgrading the Suzuki's suspension system and wringing more power out of its engine. And both achievements are well within reach of anyone with the time and money to get it do ne . Powro ll Performance Products offers 450 and 500cc srroker kits for the 370 which add significant punch to the mild m annered engine. Severa l combinations of suspension components could bring the travel at both ends to about nine inches an d greatly enhance the Suzuki's high speed behavior over rough terrain. With the addition of a less restrictive exhaust syst~m, there is little doubt that the DR370 would be on equal terms with the other japanese singles sporting similar refinements. Bu t again , that was not the intended function of the Suzuki. As one of the new generation of four -stroke play bikes, it ranks right up near the top of the class . To note that it does not produce abundant low-end pow~r is not to say the DR370 is entirely gutless below 3500 rpm . It will mo~ up a 5t~ grade, given the required traction, in a steady and uncomplicated fashion . It will shuffle along a remote trout stream and do it v~ry quietly. And by all ap~aranc~ , it will be a cinch to maintain. These virtues will not be overlooked by the variety of riders in the market for something other than a thundmng, long-travel terrain gobbler. In all, the Suzuki compar~ v~ry favorably with the other japanese machines falling more or less in the same category. The Honda XL's, though bristling with more technc-wizardry, are not significantly superior machines. And thus far the Honda is available only in a 250cc model , But now Honda's first "serious" four-stroke enduro bike is arriving, the XR250 , and it como in 30 pounds lighter than the XL with more suspension travel at both ends. And the long awaited XR500 is also on the way . Obviously. spa rked by Yamaha's tremendous success with the TT500 , the race among th e japanese manufacturers to produce real first -rate four- st rokes for the dirt is heating up nicely . So for Suzuki, a company able to put totally.new models into production in a very short time, their first st~p into this area of the off-road market must be considered successful. Both the SP and DR370 are functional , well detailed motorcycles whose shortcomings are negligible when compared' to their obvious virtues, The foremost of these are handling agility , maintenance sirn plicity and, one suspects, reliability. As the next decade edges nearer the dirt bike scene is beginning to approach full circle. Wh~ther or not the dominance of two-stroke engines has ended is still a matter of some conjecture. But the updated four strokes are he re now an d by all indications will offer mor~ improved r~finem~nu in th~ n~ar future . Suzuki plans to be part of t h~ new wave , and with the DR370 , th~y hav~ tak~n a firm st~p in th~ right dir~ction . • Big-Bore Superlorlty_ Technical SlmpUdty_ The 1979 Matco Magnum EndUl'os_ The Magnum Enduros are here , , . all·Maico , all-new, all-Enduro more of evel)'thing except weight. It's the most refined advance ever in a single model year. JIIore H orsepower A new Magnum engine packing more HPs with the famous O'l Maico powerband. a lightweight crankshaft. '79 porting, and a five.speed wide-ratio gear box. JIIore D ependabUlty The countershaft sprock~ is moved back to the swingarm pivot point eliminating twdve chain links and chain tensloners, There's new air forks up front and dual rate spring mounted gas s hocks in the rear. ..c JIlore Enduro Performance A new Z CN l-o Q) 8 Q) > o com mand module with speedometer, hom, headlight and front numberp late; GP side num ber panel: rugged rear fender with tall light: a new double wall pipe with s park arrestor: long range gas tank: center stand, chain guard and mo re. , • you g~ It all on the Magnum Enduros at your Malco dealer, ~~~@I\l Gf/JJIB:!) quality and accuracy 0'Mtof the ~ ac:o.ate TIMING GAUGES fecomended by motorcycle manufae::tllers 2 stroke: poi nt gap dMrance .. strok e: valve gap dutanc:. set includes: RUGGED. DEP(NDABU DIAL INDiCATOR 14mm st~ collet eX1ens1oN lOW PAttE onl y ' 39.95 (optionat ..t with SWJSS.MADE ind icat or only $49.951 send check or mone y order to: DEAD NUTS c/o HMS Auociat8$ De La CruzBlvd•• SantaOm. 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