Suzuki Goose 350

The bike's physical attributes are rather more attractive. Essentially the Goose is a tuned version of the DR350 enduro engine with six more horsepower dressed up in a sexy chassis. Even though 33bhp is not the type of power to frighten many derestricted 125s, the Goose spreads its limited resources a remarkably long way. A 250cc version is also available. It produces 30bhp and has a conventional fork.

Although apparently similar to the DR350, the Goose's dry sump engine has a number of significant modifications, the most useful of which is an electric starter.

The other main changes include a bulbous oil tank slung under the crankcases fitted with an all-too vulnerable oil cooler, and a 40mm instead of a 33mm carb. Inside the cases, first gear ratio has been raised, crank mass increased for better torque, and the cam timing and porting changed. Cosmetically, the multi-curved bronze coloured exhaust and ally muffler are very pleasing, if a little mute. The black painted collector box looks like a real rust trap.

The technical specification also says there is a gear-driven counter-balancer, which shatters my scribbled observation after riding the Goose that it "could do with a balancer". Maybe the test bike, seemingly thrashed by the entire Japanese press corp, wasn't on top form. Maybe I'm going soft. Whatever, there was one hell of a lot of shakin' goin' on at all engine speeds above tickover. Although annoying on long journeys, the vibes do serve a purpose; they take your mind off and discourage prolonged use of the lack of top-end power.

Maximum straightline speed in top (sixth) is not much over the ton, and you have to rev the sack off it to get there with any degree of haste.

It might just be rose-tinted memories, but I'm sure my revoltingly abused and since departed Honda XBR500, which had a similar claimed maximum power output, was smoother, faster and an altogether more pleasant unit to use. Having said all that, the Goose's motor should at least be reliable if its trail cousin is any indicator.

It all sounds rather disappointing so far, but forget the name and the engine's shortcomings; it's the Goose's rolling chassis that makes this bike special. A steel tube spa-ceframe bolts directly onto the engine and cast-alloy swing-arm pivot, which in turn acts as a rear engine mount and shock anchor point. The rear shock has seven preload positions and nothing else, while the Showa upside-down front fork is non-adjustable.

Doesn't sound so spectacular, but when it's draped in the colour-coded bodywork complete with Gooseneck Corner-shaped side panels, 17in five-spoke alloy wheels, and a host of interesting details, such as the eccentric chain adjustors and white-faced clocks, it looks luv-verly. When it was launched at last year's Tokyo Show there was more than a few people requiring oral bilge pumps to stop themselves from drowning in their own saliva at the prospect of riding one.

Making all the usual allowances for the shortage of power, it's hard to see how they could be disappointed. The riding position is far less radical than it looks, with pegs, bars and seat giving a superb balance of comfort and control for a 5ft llin rider. The suspension at both ends is almost racer-like taut with only minimal sag, and once underway it mops up only the smallest of bumps.

But I've been saving the best bit till last: the handling. When you first sit on the Goose it feels light, firm and wieldy. It retains all these attributes to the very limits of the engine. Fast or slow, on the power or (rather weedy) brakes it retains its composure beautifully. I didn't get a long enough ride to overwork the suspension, but the rear shock feels like it would lose its damping long before the front suspenders. The steering is quick but steady with plenty of feedback which allows you to frazzle the edges of the tyres without relying on blind faith.

If you've got points burning holes in your licence, like thrashing bikes and don't like slowing down for corners, the Goose is your kind of bike. I can't think of a better bike on which to go mad on Sundays.

Source BIKE 1992