Homage to the Universal Japanese motorcycle

[normw]

Here's a tip of the helmet to a species of motorcycle that gets paltry respect during dreamy discussions of long distance travel. I happen to own one which took me from Vancouver to the Yukon / Alaska last year and very recently to Baja; all smoothly, comfortably and utterly reliably. I refer to what has been sneeringly referred to as the Universal Japanese motorcyle (UJM).

The concept was successfully initiated by Honda in 1969 with the venerable CB750 and since them hundreds of thousands have likely been collectively built in multiple engine sizes (350 to 1200 cc.) by the various Japanese manufacturers. For those too young or simply not among the cognoscenti the defining characteristics of the UJM are:

1) Four transverse cylinders
2) Air cooled
3) Four carburetors
4) Standardish seating postion
5) A tendency to look blandly alike, hence the mildly derogatory "universal" label.

Whoa, say many. Isn't simplicity want you want and isn't four of anything asking for trouble. Well, as with most things in life, its all relative. A Toyota Camry is a hell of a lot more complicated piece of machinery than your typical motorcycle but I'd venture to say that its more reliable than most. Are four air cooled, carburated cylinders more likely to cause grief that one liquid cooled, radiator equipped, fan assisted, electronic fuel injected single? Who knows? The multi at least has a certain amount of built in redundancy.

At one time my example was a Yamaha Maxim 650, certainly the silkiest motorcycle I've ever owned. The one that recently took me voyaging is an 03 Kawasaki ZR7-S, a modern expression of the UJM manufactured until 2004. It cheats a bit by having an oil cooler to help the engine fins but in other respects it is very basic, with a two valve per cylinder motor that's been around for 25 years, and a 5 speed transmission. Not that happy off the tarmac to be sure but mine has cautiously suffered its share of gravel and washboard and returned to the pavement humming.

In Canada two sizes of Suzuki Bandit are still sold and, I believe, the Honda Nighthawk was available until recently. Used examples abound. I'd speculate that the average third world mechanic would be far more comfortable with one of these than the latest and greatest dual purpose machine. A disappearing breed and food for thought.

normw

[This message has been edited by normw (edited 06 April 2006).]