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/1527275
N early every motorcycle manufacturer has, at one time or another, drifted out of their lanes and explored new worlds of two-wheeled fun. The now-defunct Bultaco company made motocross and enduro bikes, but also briefly carried a line of fine street machines. In the 1970s, each of the Japanese companies tried their hand at trials, offering up models that tried (and failed) to loosen the grip that the European companies held on that particular discipline. In more modern times, both Tri- umph and Ducati are setting foot on the terra firma of motocross, taking one small step for man, one giant leap for companies that have no street cred in the dirt. In the 1970s, Harley-Davidson tried its luck in the burgeoning market for small two-stroke mo- torcycles. This was an era when motorcycling was all about fun times, on and off-road, with bikes like Suzuki Savages and Kawa- saki Bighorns. H-D, with the help of its Italian-based Aermacchi factory, launched its own cadre of two-strokes, with its smallest of- fering being the Baja 100 model, which was tested in the May 20, 1973 issue of Cycle News. A two-stroke Harley-Davidson? Ninety-eight cc's? To say that the Cycle News test crew was preparing to be underwhelmed would be an understatement. In fact, the staff seemed to be searching for a way to avoid even riding the little Harley, with test editor Art Friedman park- ing it in the back of his garage in an attempt to "forget" about the bike. Friedman had his own history with an H-D Baja, and it wasn't good. "I started my motocross ca- reer on one of those turkeys," he wrote. "It didn't have any power before it broke its rings, and they broke in the second moto." After a couple of weeks, Friedman finally accepted his assignment, and the Harley test began. There was nothing in the Baja's stat sheet that should've been off-putting to the writers. A 21-inch tire up front and an 18-inch in the back are standard fare today for dirt bikes, but such was not the case in 1973, thus putting H-D somewhat on the cutting edge in its day. Its 98cc engine was a bit peaky, "some- where between trail bike and racer in state of tune." Small two-strokes require a busy shifter foot, so a peaky powerband likely meant that the Baja had something extra for its competition of the day. Putzing vs. peaky? Most riders would opt for the latter. First impressions are tough to release, and the Harley Baja presented an unusual image to riders. It sat tall in the saddle, 34 inches to be precise. And take a look underneath! There is CNIIARCHIVES P140 BY KENT TAYLOR THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON BAJA 100 A BIKE WE HATED TO LOVE The Baja 100 was an extreme departure from Harley-Davidson motorcycles of the past. It wasn't a great off-road bike, but it was very cute.