DT May online

Homologation is the process of certifying that a particular vehicle
is roadworthy and matches certain specified criteria laid out by the
government for all vehicles made or imported into that country. A few
years ago, the car industry got the homologation standards changed
in SA. Everything automotive was affected by this. We subscribe to
European standards – and when their homologation laws changed
with emission control rules, South Africa lost quite a few entry level
models.
This bike is not homologated and cannot be registered or financed
in the traditional vehicle finance way – but farmers can still utilize this
utility motorcycle.
Suzuki tells us that these bikes are so incredibly popular with the
farming community – and after a good couple of hours in the saddle,
we understand exactly why…
“Please guys – this is a farm bike you may not take it on public roads”
was the cry from Suzuki SA. We nodded sagely and promised to
behave until we realised that it was the only bike available one sunny
Sunday.
As luck would have it, I had to get my little guy Kyle to his soccer
match – and the Mrs was out with the keys for the garages wherein
all the other modes of transport are locked.
The DR was locked in our office with the key at hand – so we had no
choice but to take a gap and race down Great North road at 80KPH
(that’s as fast as this bike goes)… we would probably opt for a
slightly smaller rear sprocket for a bit more top speed.
As luck would have it, we were pulled over by the local constabulary
at one of those annoying road blocks. Visions of explaining to Suzuki
why this bike was impounded ensued suddenly flood your brain.
“Hello Sir. Where is your numberplate and licence disc?”
“Well.” I mumbled.
And I launched into the tale about homologation and the fact that this
bike cannot be roadworthied or even registered… despite the fact
that it has indicators and lights and all that – to be frank it was all lost
on the poor guy. I ended the speech with something like - “Im really
sorry officer, I should not be on the road, but my wife has the car and
I have to get my boy to his soccer match.”
That did it. “Ah soccer! Hello my boy – what team do you support?”
Kaiser Chiefs of course!
“Ok guys you’d better get going – but don’t let me catch you again!”
You have to love it – sometimes the cards just fall your way.
This little bike is perfect for commercial use. Comfortable, small and
actually quite torquey.
With a seat height of only 845mm, you can firmly plant both feet on
the ground, which is great for a beginner. The bike is easy to get going
on the button - there’s also a kickstarter in case… and the 199cc,
SOHC engine is smooth off the mark. The carb fed, air-cooled mill is
quite willing. The multi-plate clutch is smooth and easy to disengage.
The circular, old-school speedo is easy to read.
Even two up, the suspension is more than adequate as are the
brakes – although the rear drum brakes are really old school now, but
they work fine.
It’s not seriously fast which means that the pilot will not have the daylights
frightened out of him (or her) and hopefully the riders will remain
upright. The exhaust is reasonably quiet so your neighbours will never
complain and the bike has insufficient power to rip up the sides of the
mountains or your cherished fields. It even comes standard with a
carrier out back and a heavy-duty headlight protector and carrier for
light loading.
On our way back from the aforementioned soccer match, we found
some routes home that avoided the big roads. A footpath through
the swamps, through dodgy streams over little tussocks and bad
washaways.
Even with a passenger, the bike was lots of fun – and thanks to the
small size, really easy to maneuver and we did not manage to get
stuck.
If we were farmers – maybe, just maybe we’d run a fleet of these.
Trouble is – we are flippen convinced that the kids would use them
far more than the guys who are meant to do actual work.
Chat to your Suzuki dealer.
R55950.00
58 DIRT AND TRAIL MAGAZINE MAY 2021