25 Years Ago May, 1977
25 YEARS AGO MAY, 1977
ROUNDUP
A big, black "Beast" graced the cover of this month's issue, Harley-
Davidson’s XLCR-1000, the legendary Sportster-powered café-racer straight from the designing mind of Willie G. himself. The $3595 CR knocked off a solid 13.08-second quarter-mile, but its brakes and riding position were panned. Conclusion? “As a motorcycle, the XLCR has not much merit. As an adventure, the XLCR has no equal.”
• Another Twin tested, the BMW R100RS, was called “flamboyant.” Not the first word to come to mind when thinking BMW, but accurate because of the sport-tourer’s distinctive full fairing and color combos. Editors said the RS was good for 120-mph cruising.
• In contrast, Honda’s four-cylinder CB400F registered a top speed of only 92 mph, but was tipped as being “café spirit in an all-day package,” due to the higher handlebar and more forward footpegs introduced in 77.
• It wasn’t all asphalt, though. Editors tackled Part Two of a giant dirtbike shock absorber shootout. They also flogged a Suzuki RM125B, and reviewed Yokohama’s “New Idea in Wheels,” a 23-inch front rim and tire combo. • Finally, an advertisement appeared for Moto Guzzi’s 850T/3FB, pitching its “fantastic” linked-brake setup. Pressure on the foot pedal applied braking force to both front and rear wheels. This, two decades before Honda’s linked systems. Seems there are no new ideas, only better execution.
Mark Hover
