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/128026
!XJ{}f]fiD@f?i!l (]@f? ffiJD@[l@ CP If you think that the VOR MX is a tricklooking rig, but your riding preferences tend to lean more toward the asphalt. then the 503 Super Motard may be your logical choice for all that is VOR, and more. We're not talking about some watered down road-going version of the awesome 503 MX, but rather a bike that has been gussied up with just enough amenities to make it a DOT-compliant street racer. And lets not even talk about the fact that VOR sells a sotrick-it's-sick 503 Super Motard R racingonly version of the bike. We actually got to take a quick spin on a 503 Super Motard prior to Christmas. Unfortunately, due to the fact· that our particular test machine was delivered sans turn indicators, a license plate and a valid registration, our time spent on the machine was strictly limited to a couple after-hours sprints through the industrial complex that is home to the plush but heavily fortified battlements that are otherwise known as the Cycle News offices ("Dude, I hear sirens. Quick, raise the drawbridge!") Our high-speed reconnaissance nuns were enough, however, to convince us that 503 Super Motard is quite the little hot rod. Imagine four-stroke power that hits like a two-stroke, coupled with a close-ratio five-speed tranny, and you start to get the idea. In fact. were it not for the fact that the sticky 17-inch Michelin Hi Sport rear tread's ability to keep the bike well-connected to the ground, we predict that the 503 could leave serious rash marks on the pavement with a flick of the wrist. Instead, you end up wheelying just about everywhere - on the rear wheel during hard acceleration and on the front when you clasp the front brake lever to engage the vice-like 320rnm Brembo fourpiston front brake. Suspensionwise. the Ohlins rear shock and so very little time was available for serious individual suspension setup. Otherwise, the VORs tracked well and revealed no real surprises. 50mm Marzocchi forks combine with a rather fimn seat to leave you feeling like you are riding a dirt bike on the street. What else did you expect? Okay, so our limited time spent with the VOR 503 Super Motard was enough to convince us that it is a bike that is worthy of your consideration. but what does it cost? Well. expect to shell out $8000 if you want a copy for yourself. That's a lot of money when you consider that a new Yamaha YZF-R6 retails for $7999. But lock at it this way. neither bike is for everyone. And given the fact that VOR Moton USA (the U.S. importer for VORl plans to sell between 50 and 75 503 Super Motards during the 2000 model year. you will be in a pretty exclusive club should you decide to go Italian. High perfomnance, a high fun factor and versatility are the keys that make the 503 Super Motard a "lock" for us. Scott Rousseau (Left) It doesn't take long to feel right at home on either the 400 or 503 YOR. (Right) The forward-kick starter s)'stem will attract attention in the pits. We also liked the overall feel of the VORs. The bikes don't feel much different than many of the Japanese motocrossers, though some riders The bikes we rode seemed to do mentioned that the VORs felt a little many of the little, but important, on the wide side. Either way, this did not hinder us directing the VORs things well, too. Shifting was precise and had good feel, the brakes were through the turns in any way, as they strong, the clutch pull was very light, are both quick and predictable the controls were easy to use, and the through the corners. aluminum handlebars had a comfort- VOH 503 MX List Price. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7300 $7500 $8000 Displacement 399cc ........•.................. 503cc 399cc Engine type Liquid.cooled. . . . . . . . . . . . . Liquid·cooled. . , Liquid-cooled. single-cylinder. 4 valves. single-cylinder. 4 valves. single-cylinder, 4 valves, SOHC (gear-driven), four-stroke SOHC (gear-driven). four-stroke SOHC (gear-driven). four-stroke Bore " stroke . . , 92 x 60.1 mm , 95 " 71 mm , , , 92 x 60.1 mm Compression ratio 12:1 ,." .. , , 11.5:1 , , , , .. 12:1 Carburetion , 38mm Dell'Orto ........•...... , 38mm Dell'Orto , .•......•..... 38mm DeIl'Orto Ignition , SEM electronic .......•............. SEM electronic . . . . . . . .. . , SEM electronic Transmission 5-speed , _ 5-speed . , •.................... 5-speed Starting system , , ... Kick .......•............. . Kick ........•............... ,., .. Kick Frame , Steel CrMo , .. , .............•...... SteelCrMo , ...•.... ,.,., ,. Steel CrMo Fuel capacity, 2.3 gal. ,, , ......•. , 2.3 gal. ..........•...... . 2.3 gal. Wheelba_ 59.4 in...........••......•........ 59.4 in. . ............•............. 59.4 in. Rake/tnlil N/A ..........•......•........... N/A ........•...... . N/A Seat height 38.4 in.....•......•......•..•..... 38.4 in. , , 38.4 in. Front tire. . . . . . . . , 90/90-21 .•. ' ••..•..•...•...... . 90/90-21 ......•.... 120/70 2R 17 radial Rear tire . . . . . . 130/90-19 , , 130/90·19 150/60 2R 17 radial Suspension Front ' , . . . 46mm, Paioli inverted , . , . 46mm. Paioli inverted Marzocchi (conventional) Rear. ' Single-shock. Ohlins. linkage Single.shock, Ohlins. linkage, , , , Single-shock. Ohllns. linkage Front·wheel travel, 12.2 in.....•.... , . , , 12.2 in. . .. 12,2 In. Rear·wheel travel. . . 13 in. ...•...... , .. 13 in. . , ,. 13 in. Front brake 270mm Brembo disc ......•..•.... , .. 270mm Brembo disc Br8nbo 4fIi*In CIlIIiI-I32OmmRear brake , .. 220mm Brembo disc , . , , .. 220mm Brembo disc , , .. 220mm Brembo disc Final drive. . . O'ring chain .......•............... O'ring chain O'ring chain CIei_d wet _ight 238 Ibs. . . . . . .. . 240 Ibs. . 253 Ibs. able bend. The forward-operating kickstarter, however. definitely feels odd at first. Luckily the VORs start easily, so it didn't take long to get used to it. As soon as we get a little more "alone" time with the VORs, we'll be sure to pass our findings along to you. But, for now, we can safely say that the 400 and 503 VORs are capable motocrossers and are great fun on the track. Okay, the VORs might cost significantly more than the YZ but the person who is going to buy a VOR really won't care about that. After all, it costs a little more to be exotically different. cue I ... n ... _ S l:N • FEBRUARY 2. 2000 17