Dart Test in "Practical Sportbikes" February Issue

The Cagiva era Morinis
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corsaro chris
Posts: 1162
Joined: 13 Jul 2006 21:28
Location: Berks, UK

Dart Test in "Practical Sportbikes" February Issue

Post by corsaro chris »

Once you've got over the leap of faith implied in the title (practical Sportsbike? - surely an oxymoron...) this months [February issue] magazine, published in the UK, has a rather nice 4-page test on the 350 Dart.

Supplied by NLM it features a one-lady-owner machine from 1990 and looks really nice. The tester (Gez Kane) also liked the bike, summarising it with the quote "stop and stare styling, a razor sharp chassis and V-twin power meet in a high tech/classic fusion. Darts anyone?" NLM were offering the bike at £3395 - bear in mind that the original price of these bikes was £3995!. Power is best between 6 and 8,000 revs, and the best part of the bike is the glorious handling, letting the bike carry speed through corners rather than revving up to the 8,500 red line. Although that might not be news to Dart owners, its nice to read an informed report in at least one magazine from the Bauer stable.

The test concludes; "Fast it aint. Fun, quirky and fulling it most cetainly is". Not for nothing did Bike Magazine, in a test by Setright originally refer to the bike as a "Gentlemans Sports".

Nice one!

CC
"I'll use the Morini"
nickst4
Posts: 185
Joined: 31 Oct 2011 06:55
Location: Diss, Norfolk, UK
Location: Norfolk

Re: Dart Test in "Practical Sportbikes" February Issue

Post by nickst4 »

Yes, our little hybrid comes out very well, doesn't it? The writer mentioned the change in seat upholstery but missed the replacement mirrors (which do look rather neat) and the disappointing abbreviation of the rear hugger. Mind you, that bike looks a lot healthier beneath the fairing than mine does! Obviously, the one-lady-owner didn't use it in all weathers or was careful to prevent corrosion of the underpinnings. Or NLM has been busy with a rattle can! :D

Nick
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