Forza dirtbikes get their first independent NZ test

**cave weta** · 16th September 2011, 18:54

Zombie appocolypse mercinary and stunt rider, Nic Nuke Scott reveiws for NZBloke -a lifestyle magazine and website. not known for being P.C. Nic had no problem telling me what he thought he was coming to ride.....

http://nzblokes.co.nz/forza-bikes-review/

I’m 6’3 and 113kgs and I asked if I would break it, before sitting on the 140cc Chinese pit bike. Stu said give it hell. Taking him rather literally I fanged off through the paddocks and was amazed at the power that little motor had, dragging my ass around the paddock. It felt nice and solid and I wasnt at all worried about breaking anything.

The suspension was plush (we had a play with some knobs) and it worked great not to mention this thing sure looks the part if your’e into your bling

**CRF119** · 18th September 2011, 20:24

Thanks for the invite to the Test day today it was great fun even if it did hail twice. Track was great fun and meet some new people. Might even get a key for the track.

The bikes well i was impressed, As far as i could tell most of them were ridden nearly all day with only one problem with a chain on a quad which was probably just to lose. Not bad for out of the box and ridden. Shows the factory remembered to do up all the bolts.

I rode the CRF230 copy and i was pretty impressed. Sure it didn't handle like a race bike or have all the power but it is exactly what a beginner needs and compared to the Jap bikes in the same cc range it was better. These bikes even sound good, engine and exhaust note

Pros vs Cons

Better power delivery then CRF230. I expected at least one bog spot but to my surprise there was no bog spots or misses and the carbys don't mind jumping. You can hold the throttle wide open from low revs and it just starts to pull. Also hot starting was no problem just push the button.

The bike does feel heavier then my CRF450, i am unsure if it is or if its just how the weight is distributed on the chassis or if the curb weight is in fact more. (Keeping in mind it has got battery, lights and starter motor.)

Chassis and suspension was good, again better then what you would get from a CRF230 or Yami in the same class. Steering did feel heavy at slow speed i think this is due to the rake angle because it had awesome straight line stability.

The only thing that felt strange was the square edge leavers. My pit bike had the same until i replaced them with ASV Leavers.

Would really consider one for the girl friend to learn on.

Also so cheap to fix. Its cost 4x more for a graphics kit to be made then for the plastics.

These will surly get more people into trail riding.

**cave weta** · 18th September 2011, 20:43

Thanks dude - that was a truly epic day. I have just washed 8 FILTHY bikes and have literaly 1/2 a wheelbarrow full of mud to prove it. Maybe thats why you think the bike was as heavy as your CRF ! They weigh 106kg.

Aside from the mud it was a great way to demo bikes to a lot of people who were raw beginners and who were bound to take a few spills.
Did you see all those 8 and 9 year olds power sliding the quads with armfulls of opposite lock!
Aside from me running around like a headless chook most of the day, I think we made a great day for a lot of kids who might just end up with their own bikes.

**nzspokes** · 18th September 2011, 20:46

I was gunna come but sent down a couple of mates instead. I just cant afford to get excited about something right now.

**CRF119** · 18th September 2011, 22:06

Yea it was good to see all the new kids on the oval track going around and around until they were dizzy. The oval would have been hard work for a newbie on a pit bike. Looked pretty slippery.

My bike is 108kg so might just be because it has a battery up by the tank. Still very impressed. Are you using those bikes for your adventure rides from now on?

**cave weta** · 18th September 2011, 22:12

Originally Posted by CRF119

Yea it was good to see all the new kids on the oval track going around and around until they were dizzy. The oval would have been hard work for a newbie on a pit bike. Looked pretty slippery.

My bike is 108kg so might just be because it has a battery up by the tank. Still very impressed. Are you using those bikes for your adventure rides from now on?

Im replacing the older ones I got 5 years ago with these Forza's as the old ones sell.
the older ones were Chinese and have served me well. I had 6, down to 4 now.
Only one is not still going and that is because of hitting a tree and bending the steering head. That could happen to any bike.