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/127755
(Left) Six extra horsepower lurk inside the modified DR engine. The White Bros. skid plate does a great job of protecting the delicate engine cases. aj1 IMS plastic fuel tank - which is larger, lighter, and more durable than the bogus steel tank that comes stock - and a variety of DeVol and White Bros. aluminum guards. The front' and rear-disc, caliper and master-cylinder guards from DeVol protect all of the bike's vital con. trois, while the White Bros. skid plate keeps wayward rocks from damaging the underside of the frame and the delicate engine cases. A Baja Products extended seat kit replaced the short, mushy stock seat foam. The stock seat cover is thin and tears easily, while the foam breaks down after only a few months and is a serious instigator of monkey butt on long rides. The Baja Products kit is firmer, more durable, and has a grippy front section to boot. IMS wide footpegs provide a more stable platform for the rider's feet, while Renthal handlebars replaced our badly bent stock steel units. A set of White Bros. Polisport handguards were added to protect not only tbe ri~er's bands from flying rocks and unexpected trees, but to save the levers in the event of a tip-over - likely, in our case. White Bros. Mini Stalk lights were bolted on both ends of the bike. The tiny - yet legal - blinkers look much better than the huge stockers, and are much less prone to crash damage. A Link roll chart holder, Ceet racing graphics and Bridgestone ED-Or dual sport tires completed the package. HYDE'S RIDE We were glad to learn that the modified DR ,started just as easily as it had in stock condition. A few kicks with the manual compression release actuated, followed by a healthy kick, usually brought the white machine to life in short order. Sadly, the modified motor is just as cold-blooded as it was in stock form, and a few minutes of idling were required before the fun could begin. From the moment we clicked the bike into gear, it was apparent that the bike's power output was upped considerably. The modified motor revs much quicker than the stocker, and the carburetion was much cleaner as well. At altitude, we must admit that we weren't superimpressed with the motor, but at sea level, the DR really shines. Second gear wheelies are no problem. (In stock condition, even first gear wheelies are a rarity.) The bike has an authoritative growl that is much louder than stock, yet not loud enough to be seriously offensive. As always, we found ourselves infatuated with the rumble of the four-stroke exl1aust and spent altogether too much time revving the motor. Maximum power output is right at about 8500 rpm (Above and right) The White Bros. DR270S doesn't look much different than a stocker, but it works worlds better. (Below) Renthal handlebars, Polisport handguards,and a Link roll Cchart holder made up the control panel. (none of which involved the DR270 of yours truly), let me say that the White Bros. machine performed flawlessly. Unfortunately, I was forced to trade bikes with one of my fellow editors (who shall remain nameless.) Mr. X had chosen to ride a Kawasaki KLX650, and several miles into the ride, admitted that he needed the peppy powerband and excellent maneuverability of the DR270 to continue. So, as a pork chop with legs got on my sana little DR, [ was forced to finish out the ride on a pork chop with wheels... - just as the tachometer reaches the redline. Thougb we were afraid to scream the bike at first, we found ourselves over-revving it to the moon by the ride's end. The bike felt as fresh at the end of the day as it had at the beginning, leaving no doubt as to the modified motor's reliability factor. The added grunt was much appreciated when the trails got steep, tight or fast. Basically, the big motor worked better in every condition encountered. We love it. the street, the bike pulls through the gears quickly, and freeway speeds are maintained with a greater level of comfort. Don't get us wrong, the bike is still screaming at 65 mph, but it no longer feels like it's about to puke the valves througb the exl1aust pipe. On the trail, the stiffer suspension springs were a blessing. Though we wouldn't take the DR onto a motocross course, we found the bike more than capable of gobbling up most obstacles encountere'd on the trail. On sit-down smooth fire roads, the bike lost some of it's plushness, but the sacrifice was well on worth it on the rougher single-track sections of the course. After hearing several stray rocks hammer off the various. aluminum guards, we were convinced that the' added weight of th'e metal protectors was justified. Smashed frame rails, broken cases and bent brake discs are aU things that we can do without. As for the controls and comfort, the Renthal bars did their usual fine job of absorbing much of the engine vibration . and small trail-induced jolts, and the Polisport hand guards saved both our hands and levers on several occasions. The Baja Products seat kit makes a world of difference - especially on long rides. Though not as cushy as the stock pillow, the stiffer foam kept the ride enjoyable well past the lOath mile. The IMS fuel tank is larger than the stocker, yet lacks the bulky, cumbersome look of other aftermarket tanks. So, you wonder, how did the Cycle News dual sport ride go, anyway? For the complete story, check out Paul Carruthers' Teardown column on the- last page. Before the near death-and-destruction occurrences Arias 270CC Piston Kit ....•....•.......$121 All Around Cam $100 While PoweIfilter $23.95 Tsubaki Omega Chain, 520 x 114 $98.40 Supertrapp EAR. MuIIIer $209.31 White Bros. Oversiad Head Pipe .$66 RenI1aI HIIIdlebars, AM Bend ....•... .$75.95 l.ilk Roll Chart HokIIr $29.95 8bIch Spring KIt (fIonl $99.95 BrJdgestone ED-Ol Tire, front ••••.•••••$55.42 BrJdgestone ED-01 Tire, 1881' .$7&.68 Baja ProckIds ExIended Se8l fCit .••.••$1 <\4.90 WB BnlIail saver .$6.35 IMS WIde FooIpegs .$59.95 Mnl SIaIk Ughls .$13.95 UnIwIISaI Tailighl .$12.60 WhIl8 Bios.ligIt sawn $5.95 ea.. JMS Fuel Tank $184.95 Devol Front Disc GuM! $47.98 Devol Rear Disc GuM! .$52..99 White Bros. SkId PI8e& $74.95 While Bn:ls. Pdi&poII Trimlile IiEIncVIlIIds . .$44.95 Ceet Racing GJ'lIIlhics $49.95 and'" White Broe. 24845 COIbIt Pl., yotbe Linda, CA 92687 7141692-3404