Honda Cl 90
HONDA CL 90
CYCLE WORLD IMPRESSION
Just Like Buying a New Car
THE BUSINESS OF OFFERING a certain displacement class motorcycle in several different versions for several different applications is nothing new; a few heads-up manufacturers have been offering their good iron in several suits for some years, but no one has carried this aspect of merchandising to the point that Honda has.
There's scarcely an enthusiast who does not know that he can own either a 250 or 305 Honda in three distinct forms - the CA, CB, and CL. The same is true for the delightful 160. All in all, this makes for a nice selection; three sizes and nine mod els without touching either end of the product range.
Recently, Honda expanded its scope and added a new one to small end of the scale in the person of the CL-90 — stablemate to the CB-90 and Trail-90 — with the CL Scrambler series family resemblance to the handsome bigger brothers that has made them such popular sellers.
There is a twist to this yarn, however, because the diminutive ohc single must surely rate as one of the finest motorcycle powerplants manufactured, and now that it has all the sportiness of the Honda Scrambler line, its appeal gains in great leaps. It offers a super-sophisticated powerplant, an excellent chassis, and superb styling, all laced with Honda’s unbelievably fine craftsmanship. In its class, there are machines that will head it on one point or another — save finish — but with all points combined into one picture, the CL-90 is without peer.
The CL-90 engine is classic in its design. With a properly oversquare bore/stroke ratio, the all-alloy unit powerplant is a willing winder that, in the hands of countless tuners, has been made to do some rather incredible things, not the least of which is the domination of 100-cc TT racing. Despite its relatively high output (8 bhp at 9500 rpm), the CL-90 is better mannered than anything in its class. It need not be kicked to start; instead, a firm push on the cranking arm will light it off every time without fail. Its good maners remain at idle and through the lower ranges where it contentedly ticks away without thought of loading up. The character of the 90 changes gradually as the revolutions build up, until it is whisking an average sized rider along at speeds more common to machines of much greater displacement.
The CL-90’s gearbox has been as carefully developed as the engine, and defies criticism. Ratios are spaced well to complement torque and horsepower peaks, and gear changes are accomplished with little effort. Selector travel is short, but firm, and missed shifts simply do not occur.
While it would be nice to see Honda make a tubular frame for the 90, it must be admitted that the pressed steel T-bone design is wholly adequate for the small engine. The frame is sufficiently robust to obviate flexing. Front and rear suspension have respectable amounts of travel and good spring rates. However, damping is not sufficient for really hard running on rough ground, although at no time did topping or bottoming occur.
The features that differentiate the CL-90 from the S-90 are external, and for the most part functional, as well as aesthetically pleasing. The sport-type steel fenders are plated rather than painted, and the front one boasts a heavy-duty steel brace. The muffler has been swept up, and while it does not tuck into the side of the motorcycle, it has been fitted with a generous and very effective heat shield. The lower extremity of the engine is protected with a stamped, rib-reinforced bash plate. The handlebars are wide, have considerable rise, and are reinforced with a welded crosspiece. Their positioning, and that of the other controls, provides a comfortable riding position for even the outsized types.
As stated, the CL-90’s finish is excellent, and on this count it rivals many larger and exceedingly more expensive motorcycles. Add to this its unbelievably low exhaust and operating noise levels, its excellent performance, handsome styling, a sound reputation for longevity, and a price of under $400 fully equipped, and one discovers that it is an irresistible package that qualifies as the best bargain in motorcycling.
