FIVE NEW HONDAS AVAILABLE SOON

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33383, 15 November 1973, Page 16

FIVE NEW HONDAS AVAILABLE SOON

Five new Honda motorcycles will be released in Christchurch on November 26. The new machines have a wide appeal. The XL 175 is a dual-purpose machine for street and trail riding, the MT 250 and 125 motosport bikes are designed for fun in the dirt, the QA-50 minibike is for youngsters, and the Z-50A mini trail is for the family. The XL 175 has a favourable dry weight of 2391 b. It is light and particularly manageable in the rough, making it ideal for trail riding. But it is equally at home on the road. Maximum power of 15 brake horsepower is reached at

8500 r.p.m. but the red line on the tachometer is 500 r.p.m. greater than this figure. In fifth gear, 9000 r.p.m. represents a road speed of nearly 70 miles an hour. It will cruise happily all

day at 7000 r.p.m. or 54 m.p.h.

The four-stroke is a typical Honda single cylinder air-cooled fourstroke with a very wide power band. The machine is 81.7 in long and the seat height is 31.9 in. Honda has de-tuned its wild two-stroke CR motocross racers and put lights on them to make the MT 250 and 125 bikes fun for riding in the dirt. It is the first time a two-stroke machine has made for the road by the company. The bikes are street legal but with a distinctive sporting flavour. The aluminium and magnesium alloy 250 c.c. two-stroke engine produces 23 horsepower. A long wheelbase keeps things stable when the going gets rough and a slim tank, seat and side covers lets the driver move around the bike. The 125 c.c. machine's dry weight is 2291 b and the 250 c.c. model tips the scales at 2821 b. The MT 125 produces 13 brake horsepower at 7000 r.p.m. The QA-50 mini-bike has hand lever operated front and rear brakes, an automatic clutch, a two-speed gearbox and a safe top speed to cater for the youngster. It has five-inch tyres and telescopic fork to soak up the off-road bumps. Its four - stroke engine delivers 1.8 brake horsepower. The 841 b bike will climb steep hills. The mini trail bike has simple controls. It is fitted with an automatic clutch and a three-speed gearbox. It is possible for a novice to master the machine in a few minutes. The handles fold down for carrying in a car boot. Its light weight of 1121bs, big tyre and good brakes front and rear make it a thoroughly appealing little machine.