Indian Mx76
INDIAN MX76
Cycle World Road Test
Mini-Racing's White Tornado
THE NEW Indian Motorcycle Company in Kaosiung, Taiwan, hasn't been around too long, but you'd never know it from the reputation it's gained in competition... mini competition, that is. Perhaps the most successful of these little screamers is the MX76, a 70cc machine in motocross trim which boasts a six-speed transmission. (Indian also makes a similar model with a four-speed gearbox that is called the MX74.)
The engine on the MX is an Italian Minarelli unit. In use, the engine performs very well, starting readily whether hot or cold and running for long periods of time with a minimum of fuss. Although the exhaust is muffled to a point, the engine mechanical noises are very audible and the whine set up by the primary drive (helical gear) is extremely disconcerting. Revving up through the gears, in fact, sounds like a banshee approaching.
Engine construction is very straightforward. Three ball bearings support the crankshaft, a roller bearing is employed at the big end of the connecting rod and needle rollers support the piston pin. A two-ring piston is used. Power from the crankshaft is transmitted by helical gears to a ten-plate clutch which is very strong and immune to slippage on TT or motocross tracks. Repeated clutch slipping, necessary when climbing hills, will produce substantial clutch fade, however. A conventional shifting drum moves three shifter forks to select the gears.
Keeping with the sporting nature of the machine, the engine has a very narrow power band and full use must be made of the close-ratio six-speed transmission to obtain maximum acceleration and speed. Shifting action is first rate, but gear spacing is only fair. The six gears are very close together, making it necessary to constantly row the shift lever, which does not, however, create a rash of missed shifts or false neutrals. We feel that the machine would actually accelerate faster if there were a more pronounced difference between ratios, especially in the first four gears.
The frame looks as though it was designed for a much larger engine. The 70cc unit is mounted up between the two widely spaced bottom frame rails which act in conjunction with a hefty bolted-on skid plate to protect the crankshaft. But this> wide spacing places the gearshift lever, and more importantly, the rear brake lever, out so far that they often catch on rocks and fallen branches, especially when negotiating downhill sections.
Sitting on the MX76 belies the small size of the engine. A 28-in. seat height, footpegs which are over 8 in. off the ground and 32-in. wide handlebars make the rider think he’s on a larger machine. Only the light weight gives away this feeling.
The suspension components feel like they were intended for a heavier machine. Even after several hours of riding the Indian, front fork action remained stiff, both in action and in springing, and the rear suspension was happiest with a 150-lb. rider on board. Most kids in the 100-lb. range would find the machine sprung too stiffly, unless a longer break-in period softens the suspension’s action.
Handling qualities are more suited for TT scrambles than for motocross. With a 100-lb. rider the Indian could be slid around the smooth surface of a TT scrambles track, but the engine doesn’t produce enough power for heavier riders to pull similar maneuvers. The short 47-in. wheelbase makes the Indian handle fairly quickly, but if a slide was begun and not enough power was available, the machine would simply slide out instead of high-siding the rider.
Also in keeping with the small size and light weight of the Indian, the brakes are not overly powerful but are adequate for the machine’s intended use. Both brake hubs and backing plates are highly polished aluminum alloy, adding a bright look which complements the chrome-plated wheel rims.
Control placement on the MX76 would indicate that it is a full blown 125. Plastic handlebar levers are spaced moderately far from the handlebars, and the large, soft rubber handgrips spaced the rider’s fingers back even farther from the levers than is normal. Similarly, the rear brake pedal and gearshift lever are spaced rather far from the footpegs. This is really unusual for a machine that was designed from the ground up as a suitable competition mount for microboppers. We suppose they can adapt to the situation, but they really shouldn’t be forced to.
In spite of the silencer portion of the exhaust pipe, the exhaust note is on the raucous side. And, the Phillips head screws holding the silencer in place are Mickey Mouse. After an hour or so of riding, they fell out, ejecting the silencer in the process. Aside from this, and the leg guard (also on the exhaust system), nothing loosened or fell off during the test.
One point that we question is the selection of the final overall gear ratio. In top gear, the overall ratio is a healthy 5.30:1, which should theoretically allow a top speed of over 60 mph. However, when riding the machine in the dirt, there are but few places where the Indian can be ridden that fast. If the rear sprocket were changed to allow a top gear overall ratio in the neighborhood of 8:1, top speed would be more than ample and slower speed acceleration and hillclimbing would be much improved. Better yet would be to alter the internal gear ratios, as mentioned earlier. That way neither top speed nor low speed performance need suffer.
With a few minor exceptions, the detailing and finish of the Indian MX76 is very good. The welding on the frame looks a little crude, but the paintwork is smooth and well applied. A nicely upholstered seat completes the package.
INDIAN
MX76
$399
So, how does the MX76 fit the market? Taken strictly on the basis of acceleration and handling, the Indian is more than a match for any 70cc mini and will blow the doors off most 80s. The powerband, however, is narrow, making it difficult for novices to handle and the bike is too noisy for anything but riding on race tracks.
For the prospective Indian MX76 purchaser, then, there is a decision to be made. Ride hard in areas set aside for competition, or look elsewhere for a machine that offers a compromise between performance and peace of mind. ISl
