for on wet, ugly days. The top end ultimately tells the tale on the Monster. This is an old motor, made young again in many areas, but two valves and airoil cooling can never match a four-valve OHC water-cooled compression unit. Yep, get over the 6500rpm mark and the old girl will get all wheezy on you. By the time the 7500rpm rev limiter cuts in you can sense the mill giving a sigh of relief. Back in its comfort zone. But now. You want to go seriously fast? The Hypermonster’ s over there, bud. Gearing was interesting. The five close-spaced ratios allowed a very high sixth. Obviously it’ s an overdrive, but running at a lowly 3500rpm at freeway cruising speeds on open highways. And often, as is the way, I simply found I was cruising in fifth. But don’ t let the lack of serious oomph detract from the message. This is still a lovely motor, that’ s fun and endearing and more than capable for 90 per cent of road riding.
LIGHT-SABRE FAST? The handling ain’ t bad either. Given that it
62 KIWI RIDER