Nsu Prima
NSU PRIMA
Cycle World Scooter Test
FOR many years NSU has produced a series of Germany’s most successful and popular motor scooters, the latest of which is this month’s CYCLE WORLD test scooter, the “Five Star” Prima. The Prima abounds in interesting features, not the least of which is the 4-speed, foot change, gearbox. We have come to like this rarely found feature, in scooters that is. The Frima’s foot change lever is operated in a heel and toe manner, somewhat like a polka.
Acceleration is brisk and most satisfying, though it is no world beater in performance. Although the manufacture rs claim a top speed of 56 mph, we indicated a steady 65 mph on a long, level stretch of road. Of course, some allowance has to be made for speedometer error, but nonetheless the maximum and cruising speeds are more than sufficient for safe, prolonged high speed highway driving.
NSU has reached an excellent compromise between good handling and riding comfort; the front suspension is by the familiar leading arm coupled with a double acting shock absorber and springs. In the rear the engine, gearbox, shaft drive, rear axle and wheel work as a swinging arm unit that is buffered by another doubleacting shock absorber with springs.
Controls are similar to many motorcycles with the clutch on the left hand, brake on the right foot and gear change on the left foot. But it is more automotive to see a clock on the instrument panel along with the other necessities, and it works very well, too. Standard equipment includes the dual bicycle type seats (that are a trifle narrow), electric starting, turn indicators, and even a fog light with an amber lens mounted on the front fender. Our test scooter was equipped with an optional luggage rack which we recommend as there are no other provisions for carrying luggage or parcels. The spare wheel and tire are also standard.
The engine is a single-cylinder, two-stroke, 175cc displacement, air-cooled that is rated at 9.5 hp. The Prima is yet another machine that does not have sufficient power to be allowed upon most of the nation's freeways, but one which would be perfectly at home and in very few people’s way on them. The use of shaft drive is an interesting feature not too common on scooters, and it does make for reasonably silent running. Fuel consumption is stated to be around 80 mpg and it suffers very little under prolonged hard use of the kind that average traffic driving delivers. The 6 to 1 compression ratio eliminates the need for premium fuel, another mark on the credit side of the ledger for the Prima, since economy is to most riders one very good reason for riding a scooter.
Two six-volt batteries wired in series provide the 12 volts for the electrical system; the starter is of the dyna-starter type becoming more common on bikes and scooters. The manufacturers see the sales appeal of this feature bringing in more and more people who would rather not kick away and hope the engine ticks off. We had an excellent opportunity to evaluate the worth of the available amperage from the two batteries when, after allowing the scooter to sit for several days, we discovered we had inadvertently left the ignition on. It turned over instantly at the touch of the starter lever, and shortly the batteries were back to full charge.
The prospective Prima buyer has a choice of four color schemes, all of which are practical and attractive. We could find little fault with the paint finish and chrome trim, as is usually the case with German-built scooters and cycles.
What has become our test staffs criteria in evaluating scooters is the handling, a department in which all too often a scooter suffers in comparison to its larger wheeled brothers. NSU thoughtfully provided 10" wheels with 3.50 x 10 tires, not the largest being employed on like vehicles but they effect an amazing degree of stability and we were quite surprised to discover that the Prima was not “tippy” when negotiating a series of repeat bends. We wouldn’t advise devotees of road racing to enter into a dicing contest, but the average rider can take comfort in the reasonably slow “heeling speed” and the secure feeling the Prima imparts.
Our test scooter was loaned to us by West Valley Cycle Sales in Canoga Park, California, Western Distributors for the entire line of NSU scooters and motorcycles, and a nicer way to spend your working hours I can hardly think of.
