 |
| The Honda 90, a four stroke outboard from a four stroke company. |
|
Honda 75/90: Middle Weight Contender
One major manufacturer built an entire line of four-stroke outboards long before they became the norm: Honda. So if nothing else, give this company credit for some foresight—lots of it, in fact.
Their mid-range 75/90, a 73 x 89.4mm, 1496cc in-line-four SOHC four-stroke, is an outboard that should be of interest to anglers who fish from 16’ to 19’ boats in lakes and bays, and place a premium on reliability. The 16-valve motor swings to a 2.33:1 reduction, creates 44 amps via the alternator, and comes in both 20” and 25” shaft lengths. Unlike some four-strokes it weighs a competitive 359-lbs.
Since Honda has lots of experience with this type of motor, its tricks are numerous – it has variable valve timing and electronic control, which causes the motor to shift from a low speed cam to a high speed cam at 5200 rpm to create a broader torque curve, faster acceleration, and more top-end power. Low-end power gets a charge from an air/fuel ratio control that’s linked to the ignition timing control. And corrosion control also gets a boost, with a four-layer treatment process that includes two acrylic resin coats, an epoxy primer, and a double-seal treatment. Of course, fuel economy is usually where Honda shines and in this class of motor, it’s no different. A 2000 to 4500 rpm “lean mode” keeps cruises super-efficient. Where does all this technology come from? It’s a trickle-down effect from the Honda Fit, which is one of the most popular cars in the world. Lucky for you and me, the company shares its know-how among the different departments. And although I haven’t had the ability to run one of these motors for an extended test, this tech-sharing and the fact that past Hondas have lived long lives on the transoms of salty boats across the nation means their longevity should be among the best.
Check it out at: www.marine.honda.com
|