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/126797
~YP4lP41 Wf4lLfY The German Maico factory has introduced its 1985 250cc and 500cc lineup. which will still be called M-Stars in the U.S. The GME500 enduros (above) and the GM500 motocrossers have 488cc engines. watercooling. and five-speed transmissions. The GME weighs 240 pounds dry. while the GM weighs 224 pounds dry. The 238cc 250s are still liquidcooled and weight 231 (GME)and 216 (GM) pounds dry. All models have updated Twin-Link 2 rear suspensions that feature new linkages and an Ohlins piggyback reservoir rear shock; double-piston front disc brakes; new front hubs; all-new frames designed to lower the center of gravity; lowered steering heads; aluminum alloy fork tubes. new damper parts; larger front and rear axles; new and stronger Akront rims and Bridgestone tires. Suzuki's new 1985 1360cc GV1400 GD Cavalcade LX is powered by a water-cooled. four-valves-per-cylinder 82° V-four producing 99 b"hp at 6500 rpm. The engine is rubber mounted and the bike has a five-speed transmission with an extra-tall fifth gear and shaft drive; the clutch is hydraulically-activated. Valve lash is hydraulically-adjusted and the engine features a special carbon-fiber head gasket; Suzuki's Canadian dealer introduction kit says the head is sealed with silicone rubber. The Cavalcade comes with cast aluminum alloy wheels (16-inch front. 15-inch rear). whitewall tires and triple disc brakes; the seat height is 29.5 inches and claimed dry weight is 700 pounds. Standard features include electronic cruise control. a computer-designed fairing with defrost and ventilation. adjustable footpegs. computer-operated-automatic load leveling through air-suspension. air-adjustable seat incorporating five airbags. remote-control-adjustable passenger floorboards. separate radio amplifier and volume control~ for the passenger. complete key-removable stereo radio/cassette sound system with handlebar mute switch and intercom. Other features include a clock and gear-position indicator; a CB radio is optional. Suzuki claims the GV1400 has the largest saddlebag capacity on the market. It should be available in May. Although rumors continue to surface' about Harley-Davidson not fielding a factory dirt track effort in 1985, racing· team manager Clyde Denzer says that isn't the case. "I don't believe any of the questions which seem to be arising can be answered yet," said Denzer. "There are decisions to be made within the plant before any of those questions can be addressed. It's not unusual for us to be sitting on our hands this late in theyear on next year's program. We always seem to wait until the last minute before get-' ting a budget and this year· is no exception. In addition, there have been some management changes recently and that is holding up any decisions in our area even more than I expected." 6 Both Randy Goss and Jay Springsteen felt the rumors of no HarleyDavidson team in 1985 were just that - rumors. "I haven't heard anything about it." said Springsteen. "It's news to me." said Goss. Goss. Springsteen and Scott Parker. the three members of this year's Harley team. are due to go to the factory for talks about 1985 early in December. "American Honda decided they weren't going to compete in Formula One," said three-time AMA Formula One title holder Mike Baldwin about Honda not renewing h is contract. "I . guess all good things have to come to an end. I've got a few irons in the fire, but nothing I can talk about yet. I've got at least four or five more years to race and I'm not going to be hanging up my leathers prematurely. About the only thing I d