NEW 4, 5 AND 6 HP SUZUKI OUTBOARD MOTORS. A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE

Leggi l’articolo in italiano

We really put them under pressure….two days of sea trials organised by Suzuki Italy: Suzuki senza frontiere (Suzuki without frontiers), a competition which offered a very intense opportunity to test the last creations of the Japanese company, attended by a large group of nautical journalists.

We tested seven “poor” 6 HP outboards by giving them the same treatment they would have received in a 15-day-cruise. The big prize for the two first journalists were two Suzumar rubber boats, won by Tiziano Scanferla and Francesco Piras.

The object of the test were the new  DF6A, DF5A and DF4A which, of course, share the same block. After their first presentation at the Boat of Dusseldorf last January, they are officially on the market now. The symbol “A” identifies all the new Suzuki outboards, recognisable also thanks their new graphics and Pearl Nebular Black colour. Among the technical news of these new outboards we want to point out: the dropping fuelling system, which makes restart easy after a long stop (it’s not necessary to fill the fuel tube); a new lubrication system and the oil filter, a “treat” on thrusters of this size.

Prices are 1,300, 1,490 and 1,640 Euros (VAT included) respectively for DF6A, DF5A and DF4A.

But what happened in water?

Let’s start from their portability and encumbrance, maybe the first aspect taken in consideration for this kind of motors. They are the smallest motors of their category, only 23.5 Kg (short leg, 24.5 Kg in the L version) against the 26/27 of their direct competitors. Moreover, they are provided with two handles for an easier transportation: the frontal one is even deeper and ergonomic. They can be carried and placed in three different positions (on two sides and on the rear part) without any problems in terms of oil spilling…. It’s even possible to install a 12 V 5 A alternator.

As regards functionality and ergonomics, the tilting system has a new fuction which makes the manouevre easier and lighter. There are three different positions and the lever is easy to find.

Good the steering angle (90° on both right and left) and the two hardness regulators of both gas and steering. The air is in the traditional frontal position. Less intuitive the position of the fuel cock, under the grille. The gear lever is opposite the gas bar and it is provided with three positions.

What about performances?

Considering the use as tender of the motor it’s useless to talk about speed, rather it makes sense to tell if and how Suzumar tender (220 cm long, 30 Kg) glided.

No problem with a person on board and in our tests with different crews we found that the operation was very easy up to 100 Kg. Between 100 and 120 Kg, the situation becomes more critical.

A very good performance in terms of quietness and absence of vibrations. This small Suzuki can count on the driving shaft misalignment, which contributes to improve its balance. Maybe the fuel tank is too small (10% less than competitors): we recommend the use of a spare tank or an external one, available for 5 and 6 Hp versions.

In the end, these small Suzuki outboards have all the necessary features to be “invisible”: small and light, easy to use and manage, ergonomic and functional. So, an aid to our boat and never a problem. Price, too, is not too “heavy”.

Suzuki DF 4/5/6 A – Technical File