Trade-A-Boat 496 2017

AND WITH SUZUKI PACKING 90 PONIES INTO THE SAME WEIGHT

AS 70, KEVIN SMITH WONDERS WHY YOU’D BUY ANYTHING LESS

horses for courses

W

ith the

70, 80

and 90hp

Suzuki

four-

strokes all weighing in at

156kg, my preference would

be sticking the maximum-

rated 90hp on the Signature

495F – extra power can

always come in handy. In

saying that, the 70hp is a

brilliant motor and would

push the 495F along with

no issues while saving a

bit of coin up front and on

economy along the way.

Swinging a 19in prop, the

16-valve DOHC big-bore

1.5L Suzuki DF90 provides

effortless holeshot, a quick

and responsive throttle

throughout the rev range,

and impressive economy on

the 495F. Key to its holeshot,

and seen throughout the

Suzuki range, is the use of a

high-ratio gearbox. At 2.59:1

the propshaft is reduced

to spin more than half as

fast as engine revs. This

means it can run props with

around twice the surface

area, giving masses of grip

off the line and in turns.

Another impressive DF90

characteristic is just how

quiet it is – from idle through

to WOT on the 495F.

What puts the DF90 at the

top of its game? It features

an offset driveshaft that

helps evenly distribute

weight by reducing the size

of the outboard, as well as

providing an increase in

power, performance and

balance, all while minimising

vibration.

Suzuki’s Lean Burn

technology adds more,

significantly improving fuel

economy from low speeds

up into the cruising and high

ranges – claimed reductions

are up to 45 per cent,

especially at trolling speeds.

The self-tensioning timing

chain is a big bonus – no

timing belts built into service

62 trade aboat.com.au

PHOTOSKEVIN SMITH

outboard

test

THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BOATS

Suzuki DF90 ATL