Motorcycle specifications Spécial & FictionRockrider 5 2004

When you no longer have a motorcycle (for a while, approximately), everything is an excuse to rediscover simple, authentic pleasures. But should we deprive ourselves of 2 wheels and sensations? Certainly not!

for this new trial, no combarde, no gloves, even less helmet... Just man, alone and without artifice, facing the beast. In fact, an E.D.F. - Engin De Fou - that doesn't look like much, but allows for all kinds of madness. Minimal weight, power that can be modified at will, unparalleled agility - I call it the Rockrider 5 ATV. Some are already laughing, others are hungry for curiosity. They won't be disappointed.

aesthetically, we're back to the basics of cycle history. A minimalist tubular frame, handlebars and 2 wheels. It's all there, you don't need anything more. The bike tested here benefits from roadside fittings: a bottle holder and a water bottle to quench thirst. Incredibly slim, the silhouette suggests unparalleled agility. However, the handling is disconcerting. The saddle is firm, not very wide, and incredibly high. But that's where the pleasant surprises begin. The seat height can be adjusted over a range of 450 mm (no German bike can claim as much). The lightness of the whole package (87 kgs fully loaded, including the rider) makes for a pleasant grip. Immediately at ease, you can squeeze through any tight spot. The exceptional turning radius means you can turn around in less than 2 m. In all conditions, the Rockrider gets in where all other machines forfeit. A toy doubled as a tool.

the engine is fantastic. Maximum torque is available right from idle. It makes for great starts, alas, all too quickly replaced by a lack of power. This is, as I said, scalable. It all depends on the driver's physical condition. At present, the machine has around 0.4 bhp and 0.6 mkg. These figures should increase by at least 30% by summer. With a dry weight of just 16 kgs, any style trick is possible despite the lack of watts. Just imagine, it lifts in every gear. Stoppies and wheelies galore without even using the clutch (in fact, there is no clutch). Thanks to its 21 gears, the gearbox - sorry, gearboxes - makes the most of the power available. Alas, the transmission is not without its faults. A jolt at every gear change if you don't ease up on the throttle, false neutral, capricious selection. It's a far cry from the standard Suz gearboxes. With its total lack of protection, non-existent instrumentation and too-limited top speed, the machine clearly announces the color: it's not a tourer.

let's go for a ride on the rough local roads. What a delight! Right in its element, the machine plays with everything. It crosses bumps and dunes with ease. And if the slope is too steep, you simply step down and give the machine a hand. No evasive maneuvers and no disconcerting surprises. On all types of terrain, the machine's healthy handling emphasizes its sporty, incisive side. The telescopic fork guides impeccably and absorbs some of the small bumps. While not as rigorous as the front end of an R 1200 GS, it delays fatigue on very rough terrain. When it comes to calming down, the skids perform their function adequately. The brakes are powerful but lack feel and progressiveness.

suitable for both urban and rural use, the ATV can be enhanced by a host of options. mudguards, wired or wireless instrumentation, additional lighting, side stand, comfort saddle, road, sport or off-road tires, disc brakes, racing pedals... If 26" spoked rims can't be fitted with tubeless tires, it's no big deal, because they don't really need them. The slightest problem can be fixed in 5 minutes. You can even change gear ratios to lengthen or shorten the transmission at will.

in addition to its versatility, the Rockrider boasts a number of other striking features: minimal maintenance (1 tire per year, 1 chain kit every 5 years), zero fuel consumption, a range that has only one limit (the rider's), a ridiculously small footprint, and an ultra-affordable price tag. For the city, it's quite simply the perfect machine.

Information and image credits: M.B.