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/126800
"If I could personally test every Can-Am we ship, I'd be happy" Twice World 500cc MX Champion Jeff Smith is Can-Am '5 product manager "In any kind of motorcycling endeavor, development is everything. You must continually strive to be better and faster." "For most motorcycle builders, that development goes in fits and starts. Because, when mass production begins, problems that haven't been solved must live on until next year." "Because every Can·Am is virtually hand-made by the craftsmen at Armstrong in England, we have something of an advantage in this area. Development goes on as it must, continuously. Whether it's knowledge gained from our extensive test·riding program or through tough competition, when we find something we can make better, we do it. Then." "We don't build many Can-Am motorcycles each year. But what we do build, we build well!" Since the violent suspension revolution of the late 70s, the pace of 125 and 250Cc motocross development has slowed. Every year riders get a little faster. Bikes get a little better. It's a kind of inevitable evolution. What's been going on at can-Am, on the other hand, is heavy-duty , evolution. With each bike now hand· built by British craftsmen and Can·Am designers freed from long production deadlines, the climate for development is ideal. And this year, the improvements are trull impressive. Performance of both the Can-Am 125 MX and 250 MX engines has been increased dramatically with the new RAV.E. automatic variable exhaust port from Rotax. A new seat/tank combination allows a lower center-of-gravity for the fuel and a further·forward cornering position for the rider. Both the front and rear brakes have been revised for better stopping power with a double leading shoe arrangement up-front on the 250 MX. The alloy swinganm is longer for better high speed stability. The new airbox gives increased volume. And can-Am's Quad Link rear suspension system has been revised to give an easier ride all 'round. Yet, with all this change for the better, Can-Am MX-ers still do what they've long done best: promise, and deliver, rock-solid reliability. Martin and Ballard have Often been clean, but never this neat! Having a clean scorecard or finishing 1-1 is what it's really all about. But looking great while you're doing it definitely runs a close second. John Martin (nyloo mesh racing pants with Can-Am T-shirt) and Geoff Ballard (satin-finish Antron pants with Can-Am jersey) demonstrate a couple of ways to go about it. Your Can-Am dealer has lots more including hats, gloves, jackets; even a canvas Can-Am duffel bag. New TT head makes more thump than ever! The way to build the best motocross bike is pretty obvious. Put the best engine in the best chassis. As expected, this rule holds true for 4-stroke motacrossers as well. Can-Am has the proof. Behold the Can-Am 560 Sonic MX! Its tough, lightweight Reynolds 531 frame is hung with loads of attractive new hardware. Dual leading-shoe front brake. A compact, new exhaust system. Massive 5.50 x 18 Metzeler rear knobby. And Can-Am's superb new Quad Link" rear suspension. Now, think! What's the fastest,mostsuccessful 500cc 4-stroke engine on the dirt? None other than the Rotax dirt·track IT engine. This powerplant and the Sonic MX engine share the same roots. Now they share a lot more. Like the same largevalved, charge-flowed cylinder head. And the elimination of the engine counter-balancer for whiplash throttle response. The best chassis. The best engine. Guess what that makes the Can-Am 560 Sonic MX! . MORE FIREPOWER FOR THE OPEN-CLASS WARS The explosive Can·Am 500 MX has an arsenal of new features that help make it mightier than ever. More horsepower from its reliable Rotax reed-valve engine. Double leading-shoe front brake. A fat Metzeler 5.50 x 18 rear knobby. Can-Am's new Quad Link" suspension. A bigger gas tank mated to a longer seat that allows a better rider position for tight cornering. And to help keep the front wheel within 90 degrees of the horizon.