25 Years Ago August, 1978

25 YEARS AGO AUGUST, 1978

ROUNDUP

There were some wacky covers during the 1970s, but this one was truly loopy. “Tire Test Exclusive” trumpeted the main blurb next to a dramatic photo of a sidewayssliding, outrigger-equipped Suzuki GS750E. No fewer than 15 tiresrear tires, that is-were sampled during the admirably scientific three-day test, after which the Michelin M-45 was judged to possess the best all-round handling characteristics.

• Continuing the cover craziness, a banner blared, “Burn Booze In Your Bike,” a tease for a story on converting an engine to run on alcohol. Maybe booze wasn't the only substance being burned around the C\N offices in the 70s? • Why the four testbikes in this issue didn’t get bigger play on the cover is anyone’s guess. Honda’s XL250S dual-purpose bike was said to have finally put an end to the running joke about the engine and chassis design teams meeting for the first time when the new model was introduced to the public. Kawasaki’s KZ650SR custom was found to have a riding position best described as “Swagger Sitting Down.” Suzuki’s new DR370 off-road four-stroke was deemed a “good playbike” with “potential as a serious offroad mount.” And the late, great Henry N. Manney III professed his love for a certain woods bike of Spanish descent: “Bultaco is a state of mind and my mind is very pleased with the Alpina 350 at the moment, thank you.” Must have been the alcohol...

Brian Catterson