2 Stroke Motorcycle Articles

Motorcyclist October 1985 NS400R Test - This magazine was a favourite of mine at the time. Whilst the UK press were all busy complaining about the lack of centrestands, abscence of oil leaks and no break downs, the Americans really did know what the Japanese sports bikes were all about and how to test them. Thankfully since then British bike mags have forgotten their preoccupation with centrestands and have improved no end.

Bike August 1985 NS400R & RG500 Tests. Note the "lamentable lack of centrestand" in the RG article. Also noteable for those natty red padded riding suits. Copy courtesy Ian Hepworth, owner of a lovely Rothmans NS400 featured elsewhere on the site.

Performance Bikes October 1985 NS400R & NS250R Test. No red quilts in this one or complaints over lack of oil leaks. Strange. Another article courtesy of Ian Hepworth.

Motorcycle Mechanics NS400R, RG500 & RD500 Test. Interesting in this is a retrospective look at the bikes. Another article courtesy of Ian Hepworth.

"World's Fastest Motorcycles" - An interesting book but one that does gloss over the deficiencies of the bikes. Probably the biggest blooper is describing the RD as an "excellent handler". Not the case from my recollection of an RZ500 I tested whose handling had a certain intimidatory value largely courtesy of the rear shock mounted horizontally under the motor, ideally placed to keep it hot and squidgy.