Tohatsu Runpet Sport
TOHATSU RUNPET SPORT
Road Impression
Tun 50 CUBIC CFNTiMETFR displacement cycle world grows more interesting by the day, thanks to such additions as this month’s candidate for supremacy, the Japanese built Tohatsu. We have been hearing of various successes of this recent entry for quite some time, most of it very good news for the Hap Jones Distributing Co. in San Francisco, distributors for the line.
Popularity of this type of motorcycle is in actuality a rather strange phenomenon. Since almost every machine in this category originates in Japan, we look to the East for an explanation, and find a simple reason, at least half of it. Japan’s roads are few and narrow, an exorbitant tax is placed upon vehicles of large capacity and horsepower, plus yet another annoying restriction; they are limited in allowable speeds by their displacement. All of this adds up to the demand, and consequent success, of machines in the 50cc, 125cc, and 250cc varieties.
This does not of course begin to explain why they are becoming so popular in the United States, and here we have to surmise. The growing number of young and older newcomers to cycling accounts for many of the owners of these little tiddlers, as do the riders of full size bikes looking for an easily transported, inexpensive-tobuy-and-operate motorcycle to be used purely for fun. Herein, we feel, lies the
story of why so many mini-motorcycles like the Tohatsu are finding such wide acceptance.
We liked the Tohatsu for a number of reasons, not the least of which were the standard motorcycle type controls; twistgrip throttle, left hand clutch, foot operated shift, etc. The Runpet Sport, so says the sales brochure, is a specially designed and modified model for racing. Regardless, it is equipped with full lighting equipment, an effective exhaust silencer, and all the comforts of home.
An aside to popularity of the Japanese built machines are the multifacets of their manufacturers. As an example, the Tokyo Hatsudoki Co. Ltd., makers of the Tohatsu, also make outboard motors, fire fighting pumps, irrigation pumps and gasoline engines. Another we know of makes pianos, guitars and organs, as well as motorcycles. Diversity of this sort is rare, if known at all in this country. We offer no explanation.
Technical details are as follows: 50cc, single cylinder, two-cycle engine of 6.8 hp @ 10.800 rpm (!). Total weight is only 134.4 lbs., a three-speed gearbox and telescopic forks with hydraulic shock absorbers at the rear are standard. Gasoline consumption is said to be 117 miles per gallon, not unusual for bikes of this size. The standard 4.5 hp Runpet will deliver over 200 mpg, due largely to the fact that its
engine is not tuned for high power output. Both the standard and sport Runpets can be obtained in “scrambler” forms for offthe-road fun or competition.
The brochure lists a top speed of 57.2 mph for the Sport Runpet, and 46.6 mph for the standard. Since we are delving in impressions only we do not attempt to determine the performance capabilities of the smaller machines, but we can easily vouch for the fact that this little screamer will more than likely exceed the claimed speed. We liked the noises it made, too.
Since performance and power output of the engine are related, it would seem that the whopping 6.8 hp, from 3 cubic inches, puts the Tohatsu in the front row for performance. During our testing we spent a considerable amount of time battling Los Angeles traffic and not once did we take a back seat.
Handling characteristics are exemplary of machines in this extremely lightweight class, and though very quick and a bit “tippy” at serious cornering velocities, it is not unlike riding a very high powered bicycle.
In all, we liked the handling, performance and finish of the pretty blue twotone little machine. It started every time we gave the kick start lever a tiny flick, and was quite satisfying in the light of the fact that it is very small and not, after all, designed for 200 pounders. •
