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/127829
ly. Well, this is a prototype, after all glad to have been of service in my short stint as an HH test rider. Lapping a race circuit on a stretchbike like this doesn't really teach you much about the chassis, especially when those cab-forward footpegs scrape the deck as soon as you lean the bike over more than 20 degrees from upright. But just two items in the handling department carne through loud and clear - one, the Brembo cast-iron discs (not their new stainless steel rotors) fitted to the HH provided magical stopping power from high speeds, and two, that innovative rear suspension system, with the rear shock placed behind the front wheel Britten-style, set off to the side and operated by an alloy strut running up the length of the bike, really works well, especially with the special shock WP have developed for the bike. Calder does have enough bumps for me to admit that the distinctive HH package really works: it feels progressive and compliant, and gives excellent ride quality. It'll be interesting to see if this can be matched in sporting guise on the X1R superbike - but it's a good start. So too is the whole bike - but the thought that this is just the calling card for a whole new range of performance V-twin motorcycles is what made riding the Boss Power Cruiser so tantaIizing, yet so exciting. If this bike were "all" that HH was planning to build, we'd already be applauding them for their engineering skills and design flair, as well as their gifted in-house styling ability: it's still hard to accept that none of the three models under developed has any input from an outside designer, but that is indeed the case - HH did it all themselves in-house. But when you consider tqat this is just the first of three quite diverse motorcycles, all of which we'll be able to buy for the street in a year's time, and the most sporting of which will be going into combat with Japan Inc. and, above all, Ducati at World Superbike level, it's quite amazing - and very praiseworthy. Having said that, one has to introduce a note of realism, and say that the Power Cruiser is absolutely the wrong bike for this wonderful, innovative Vtwin engine to be housed in. Ironic, given that this was the model which . provided the genesis of the project, but true. A modem V-twin V-Max - a musc1erod like the Rage promises to be, yes but not a raked-out, footforward highway cruiser that the people who buy them hardly ever ride over 60 mph, yet has an engine package capable of twoand-a-half times that speed. It's like putting a Ferrari F40 engine in a Fiat Panda - what a waste! The fact that the Hunwick Hallam engine is so smooth and Vibration-free is probably another reason why it won't work for the Cruise customer - the fact Honda has to design-in vibration on its Shadow not-a-Harley, to please the market, says it all. So please, Mr. Hunwick and "Ingeg~. nere" Hallam, just concentrate on the X1R superbike and (Road!) Rage Street rod - they're a different matter, and they're the products the Australian Motorcycle Company's customers are going to be lining up to buy, provided the price is also right. Later On, maybe think about downshifting to a detuned power cruiser version, if you want - but same as Bologna wouldn't put a 916 Ducati otto valvole engine in a chopper, the HH V-twin motor is worthy of more than this. Can't wait for the XIR! l:N W'LLOW SPR.'NGS 'N'f'ER.NA'f"ONAL GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKETS AT THESE PARTICIPATING DEALERS: IkJm OF GlENDALE HAJuFr's HousE 818.246.5618 619.433.2060 0uNGE Co. H.w.EY-DAVlDSON 714.835.9141 Bum OF VICTOIMW Los ANGB.15 8uEU PAlM 5PlJNGs BuIU SuZUlCJ 619.951.1119 310.408.6088 619.329.1448 818.994.2882 MARINA CYCLE SIMI VAWY YAMAHA VENTURA lUlU 310.306.8595 805.522.3434 805.642.2100 CALIFORNIA BuIU 310.539.33.66 ., [jjNASB NORTH AMEIfK;AN POIfT lIKE WS1IIIw:r~tII\ nc~1'S -INFO OF HAIuYs B.ORMULAUSK paHe4 IOEMrPSU 5KJp FORDYCE BuEu' 909.785.0100 MICHELINe OF VAN NUTS . • KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE. . • GATES OPEN AT 8:00 AM. RACING BEGINS AT NOON. WEEKEND TICKET INClUDES PADDOCK PASS & CAMPING. GATE TICKETS ARE $5 HIGHER. All SAlfS FINAL NO REFUNDS. RACES RUN. RAIN OR SHINE. · · · ~~1 · tI'ER/ES ~ ~ · ._-.. .....Ild ill_ad ~~Z·:a:·~·:z~;~ When you choose SBS STREETexcel sinter compounds. you choose the best In sinter replacement pads for your high· performance street applications. we OfFer high friction IHSI Fronts and lower friction (LSI rears to provide you with the ultimate In stopping power no matter what the conditions. When you're ready to replace 'your worn, slntered metal pads. be sure to choose STREETeXcel From SsS - the sinter compounds with the power to slop you. see your dealer today for all tlie right STREETexcei choices. 1 00 200· 300 400 BUll( DISC TEMPERATURE {o.Q.Cj 500