25 Years Ago August, 1983

25 YEARS AGO AUGUST, 1983

ROUNDUP

Yamaha's "Racy, Red 900 Seca" was cruising across the cover this month a quarter-century ago. Inside was a full test on the $3699 machine. The sub-title exhibited liberal use of sexual innuendo: "It's not how big it is. it's how you use it." In the end, the author said it was best not to compare the 853cc Seca to 750s or to 1100s but simply accept it for what it was.

Dirt coverage came in the form of two tests: the Honda CR250R and Kawasaki KDX200. Editors said the ’83 CR was the closest thing to a perfect motocross racer they had ever tested. The question of concern was how Honda could ever make it better. Clearly, Big Red has done the job-many times since-but we’ve lately been asking the same question about the CRF450R.

• Steve Anderson wrote “A Hands-On Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Suspension.” The six-page article gave insight into compression, rebound and spring-preload adjustments in hopes that readers could learn to properly adjust their forks and shocks. Included was instruction for dialing inadirtbike as well as specific streetbike setup info. Photos were by Brian Blades, who is still on the job today.

• A feature on the Paris-Dakar Rally was a good addition to the Race Watch norm of dirt-track, motocross and roadracing news. The 1983 P-D event covered 6500 miles in 20 days. Hubert Auriol won on a BMW.

Ryan Dudek