Feedback
FEEDBACK
Readers are invited to have their say about motorcycles they own or have owned. Anything is fair game: performance, handling, reliability, service, parts availability, funkiness, lovability, you name it. Suggestions: be objective, be fair, no wildly emotional but illfounded invectives; include useful facts like miles on odometer, time owned, model year, special equipment and accessories bought, etc.
HONDA 500 FOUR
Having read CYCLE WORLD from cover to cover monthly for the past three years, paying particular attention to the Feedback column, I just had to write about my Honda 500 Four. This is my first big bike and I really have enjoyed putting 6200 miles on it in the last six months (the Honda is not my primary mode of transportation).
I haven’t had any trouble with my Four since the 310-mile maintenance check when the “mechanic” stripped all of the oil drain plug threads while changing the oil. Since this traumatic incident I have done all routine maintenance myself, except for synchronizing the carburetors. This I have done every 3100 miles at a reliable garage 75 miles away! Maintenance is a snap on the Honda and it’s so nice and clean to work on (eat your hearts out, British Oilers).
At 3 100 miles I replaced the rear tire with a 4.00-18. I would not recommend this change in tire size from the factory recommended 3.50-18 unless the front or rear drive sprockets are changed. With the larger tire my top speed, two-up, is only about 80 or 85 mph. The maximum rpm in 5th gear drops to seven grand, while top speed remains at 100 mph with only the rider aboard. I’m ready for another tire change now and I think I’ll go back to the 3.50-18. I replaced the front tire at 5580 miles, and as soon as I can find a decent chain, that must be replaced, too. Except for gas and oil, these have been my only expenditures in 6200 miles.
I really feel lucky being stationed here in Germany and having the 500 Four. It is made for these fast, winding roads and it takes highspeed touring om the West German autobahns in stride (speeds in excess of 90 mph).
The only fault I would attach to the 500 Four is a mild high-frequency vibra-
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tion at 5000 rpm that is irritating to the passenger via the rear foot-pegs. I installed some rubber spacers between the passenger footpegs and the frame and this helps quite a bit. Also, parts and accessories that are readily available in the States are almost non-existent here in Europe. This means I have to rely exclusively on magazine advertisements to purchase these goodies—time consuming and expensive at best, but effective nonetheless.
I think a column like Feedback is really good in giving a chance for us readers to tell how we like or dislike a machine. This column is very beneficial in assisting the novice in choosing a motorcycle, eliminating a lot of guesswork. I know, because it helped me.
Capt. Philip A. Rambikur, USAF APO, New York, N.Y.
'71 SUZUKI TS250R
We have a 1971 Suzuki 250 Savage Enduro, the bike everyone claims is so great. One of your competitors claimed it to be the best enduro in 1971. Our bike has less than 400 miles on it. We took the lights off a few months after purchase, as the battery kept dying and bulbs burning out. A trip to the dealer revealed that the ignition switch was bad. The switch was replaced and the problem was still there, so we just removed the lights.
A short time later the frame cracked. Did you know that the warranty does not cover cracked frames? We didn’t! Well, $90 down the drain. Five of this was for shipping, which the dealer had not mentioned.
Just before we replaced the frame, the oil pump stopped working. The warranty covered the frozen rod. The tachometer has not worked since it was new. At 5000 rpm it goes to the peg and starts dancing. Shut the engine off and it goes back to its rightful place. Well, a few months later the pump stopped working again. Now it’s out of warranty, though. While inspecting it we found the frame to be cracked again.
No more riding! We’re going to fix the pump and sell the bike for $400. Anyone interested? After all, it has never fouled a plug. It is very easy to start, the first kick every time. If you like fixing bikes when they are brand new, and if you like buying frames, this just may be the bike you are looking for.
Dave Kujawski Fremont, Calif.
A year ago I bought my Suzuki TS250R Savage, a month or so before
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your magazine published the road test on the bike. After 7000 miles of truly enjoyable riding, I have to agree with your conclusion: “A good value for the money.”
First of all the machine is dead reliable, with a minimum of maintenance—an essential requirement, as. I commute to work, even in winter. You can’t beat a two-stroke Single as far as ease of maintenance is concerned.
Gearing is high for this type of motorcycle, but for me it works to my advantage. Freeway speeds are easily reached and kept, even for a heavy rider like me—190 lb. The ride is stable, possibly due to the hydraulic steering damper, the front wheel goes exactly where you point it, something that could be farther improved by switching to a universal tread design. High gearing is bad news for the dirt, of course; but dirt riding is just an occasional pastime for me, so I just live with it.
Suzuki’s electronic ignition is probably the biggest plus for the machine. I get more than 1000 miles out of a plug; and best of all, I don’t have to fool around with points and timing, a good thing for non-mechanical commuters. It’s never failed to start, even in cold, wet weather (I don’t have a garage).
Brakes are very good, and they stop the machine in no time. Front forks are adequate, but rear shocks leave a lot to be desired, particularly when going 20-30 mph down trails. Stock handgrips are bad news; I replaced them with softer ones. The new handgrips and leather gloves help reduce vibration considerably.
A steady diet of lead-free gas and Yamalube oil keeps the engine running smooth and clean. I get 40 to 50 miles per gallon, and almost 400 miles out of a quart of oil. The only things that have gone kaput are the tachometer and the throttle cable. I replaced the headlight at 4000 miles; not bad, considering I always have it turned on when riding on the streets. It isn’t very demanding, as you can see.
Nick Diaz
Dayton, Ohio
