Two-Wheel Topics

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32251, 20 March 1970, Page 12

Two-Wheel Topics

(By

R. O. DEW)

'pHE steady increase in traffic in New Zealand has brought about a tremendous resurgence of interest in motor-cycling —a form of transport once looked on with disdain by the average citizen. Many persons are now finding that motorised two-wheel transport can eliminate their parking problems and give them rapid transport at low cost. A typical 50 c.c. motorcycle costs less than $390 and with average use can cover more than 140 miles on a gallon of petrol. And the performance of these midgets is not to be scorned, either. Most of them have a top speed of around 60 miles an hour and an overall performance similar to that once boasted by the original 125 c.c. B.S.A. Bantam.

The cost naturally increases with the size of the motor-cycle but even the large machines are relatively cheap to run compared with a car. More Imports In recent years the popularity of motor-cycl-ing has increased in spite of severe import restrictions. Machines have generally been sold as soon as they reach the showroom floor and often dealers have had difficulty meeting the demand.

However, the decision of the Government to allow unrestricted imports of motor-cycles from July 1 is expected to revolutionise the retail trade. The only machines which will be subject to import licences will be farm machines, scooters and motor assisted pedal cycles.

More machines are expected to become readily available from

July onwards and most dealers are expected to provide a greatly increased range. The buyer will be able to pick and choose. No longer will he have to take whatever machine he can get.

Whether or not the larger machines will become more popular is debatable. Until now, importers have favoured importing smaller machines because they could get more of them on their licence allocation: than larger motor-cycles. | There is undoubtedly ■ a considerable demand for the high-performance machine. Nevertheless. I will be surprised if the light-weights do not retain a large portion of the New Zealand market. Japanese Influence The Japanese motorcycle industry was of course largely responsible for the boom in light-weight motor-cycles throughout the world. The superb quality of their small machines, allied to their lively performance, converted many who were originally “big banger” enthusiasts. They also attracted many persons to motor-cycling who would never have considered it before the advent of the Japanese light-weights. But now the Japanese have decided that there is also a large market for bigger machines and they are at present deeply involved in producing large capacity motorcycles with performances which not even factory road racing machines of a few years ago could match.

Not so long ago, it was! widely accepted that a two-stroke of more than 250 c.c. was impracticable.' But the Japanese accepted the challenge and now we have such impressive machines as the Suzuki; 500 c.c. twin and the* revolutionary 500 c.c.. Kawasaki three-cylinder machine. The Suzuki develops 47 brake horsepower at 7000 revolutions and can; exceed 100 miles an hour' with ease. The Kawasaki can reach 100 miles an hour in 13sec and has a top speed somewhere ini the vicinity of 119 miles an hour. Honda has gone even further. The only Japanese firm specialising solely on four-strokes, its four-cylinder 750 c.c. production model is regarded as one of the finest large capacity motor-cycles in the world. It develops 67 brake horsepower and can cover a quarter-mile from a standing start in 12.6 sec. The Yamaha factory has had 350 c.c. two-stroke models in production for some time, but it has now branched out into the four-stroke field and pro-| duced a 750 c.c. twin. It] has tremendous performance. These days, the Jap-I anese appear to be con-i centrating on the Amencan market where the' main selling point is! horsepower. The four] largest Japanese firms, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki ! and Yamaha, all had factory prepared machines! competing in the Daytona, 200-mile classic last: Saturday. They were all race-tuned versions of road | machines, all capable of I speeds in excess of 150! miles an hour. This speaks volumes for the quality of the basic! product.

Quote Of The Week “Unity is power.” . . .! D. McNeill, a former. New Zealand representative road racer, speaking; at a recent meeting; of Christchurch motorcyclists, called to consider uniting the six clubs in the area.