 |
| These new Suzuki DF90A four strokes have run flawlessly for 400 hours. |
|
LIGHT MIGHT: Suzuki DF90A
After 400 hours of running a pair of outboards, you can get a pretty good feel for how they perform. And since the hour meters on the pair of Suzuki DF90A’s on the transom of my Glacier Bay rolled past 400 this week, I thought it was time to give them a review.
First, let’s consider the common four-stroke problem: weight. When Suzuki started redesigning their new 90 for introduction last year, they put it on a Slim-Fast diet—their old 90-hp. four stroke hit the scales at 416 pounds, but the new DF90A registers a trim 341. That makes it the lightest 90-hp four-stroke available, and even weighs less than some two-stroke 90’s. The new 90 is trimmer and shorter as well, partially because of Suzuki’s new lower unit design. Suzuki claims it’s so hydrodynamic it reduces drag by 36-percent, compared to older designs.
Of course, manufacturer claims do not necessarily translate into reality. Luckily, before putting the new 90’s on the Glacier, I had the chance to run it with old-tech four-strokes of the same size. The old rig cruised at 24-mph at 4500 rpm, and at WOT, hit 29-mph. After mounting these new powerplants cruise jumped to 26-mph and WOT speed went to 33.8.
Despite the leap in performance, the bigger surprise comes when you shift. These motors go into forward and reverse with buttery-smooth ease, as though they were controlled electronically. That’s because Suzuki redesigned the transmission and shifting systems, incorporating ECM monitoring that controls the ignition as you go into and out of gear. Net result? I’ve never shifted a cable-controlled boat that felt this good, period.
Other high-tech achievements include an automatic hydraulic tensioner on the timing chain which eliminates the usual timing chain maintenance; an “easy start” keyed ignition which allows you to turn the key and immediately release it, yet the starter remains engaged until the engine catches; a five-layer anti-corrosion finish; a high-output alternator that generates 22 amps at a mere 1000 rpm; a two-stage 2.59:1 gear reduction; and digital sequential electronic fuel injection. And, did we mention awesome efficiency? At 4500 rpm one of these little misers sips a mere 3.8 gallons per hour, for a 3.4 MPG cruise.
What about reliability? Neither 90 has required anything other than the usual oil changes and inspections, through all 400 hours of use. In fact, neither motor’s given me a moment of worry. That makes makes the DF90A’s a prime pick, in my book—and I think they’ll be sitting on the Glacier’s transom for a long time to come.
Check 'em out, at www.suzukimarine.com.
|
