August 2015

Transcription

August 2015

August 2015
R You Ready 4 Yamaha’s R1 & R3?
What Sort of Person
Reads CityBike?
Dual Sportin’ the Sierra
with the CityBike
Wrecking Crew
Plus: Pride 2015, Moto Safety Funding Dries Up, AB 51 Update
News, Clues & Rumors
Volume XXXII, Issue 8
Publication Date: August 20, 2015
th
Sunday March 29 , 11am:
MotoGPTM Live from Qatar
On The Cover:
Max Klein on our R1 test rocket at Thunderhill
Track Photo: Dito Milian
SF Photo: Bob Stokstad
Contents:
NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Uneasy Rider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Pit Stops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Arr Uno . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Arr Tres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Bashed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
What Sort of Man? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Devine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Doc Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Maynard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Slapschtick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
CityBike Voicemail Transcripts . . . . . . 33
Women, Men, Children Clothing
Household + Kitchen + Furniture
Toys + Books + Electronics
Antiques + Collectibles
Motorcycles, Gear and Parts
Motorbike – ski – bike – equestrian
Bi – annual sales begin August 1st 10am
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Editor in Chief & Jackass of All Trades: Surj Gish
Master of Puppets & Layout: Angelica Rubalcaba
Senior Editor: Robert Stokstad
Contributing Editors: John Joss, Will Guyan,
Courtney Olive
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk:
Dr. Gregory Frazier
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USA
Staff Photographers: Robert Stokstad,
Angelica Rubalcaba
©2015 BMW Motorrad USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name and logo are registered trademarks.
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the cover and decide you want to do that too and then you hit a parked car
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fault and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.
Photo: R. Dean Bunderson
Pic of the Month: CityBike
Takes Alaska!
clipping mirrors, and so on) already, so
please turn off your damn hazard lights.
drivers) to get off our collective junk about
lane splitting.
CityBike reader—and R1200R jockey, like
Editor Surj— R. Dean Bunderson, of (It’s
Always Sunny In…) Sunnyvale, sent this
photo from the parking lot of MotoQuest
Alaska in Anchorage, where he was
catching up on
all the best, most Not a hazard.
relevant, 100%
factual, and
seriously serious
moto-news while
waiting for every
last drop of oil
to make its way
out of his blue
Boxer’s motor.
Two options here:
So we’re begging, nay, commanding, those
riders that engage in this behavior, to stop
saying, “Hey, what I’m doing right now is
hazardous.”
1. If you suck so bad at splitting that you
actually are a hazard to your fellow road
users, please stop splitting lanes for now.
Go practice low speed maneuvers, braking,
One more time, with extra-emphatic
feeling: turn off your goddamned hazard
lights while splitting.
This public service message brought to you
by the Angry and Jaded Moto-Commuting
Old Timers Association, AKA Editor Surj.
Nearing The End Of The Helimot
Era
It wasn’t lack
of planning on
Photo provided by the Angry and Jaded
Dean’s that led
Moto-Commuting Old Timers Association.
to this northern
lubricant swap,
but rather the
situational awareness, and all that good
miles he rode on his Roadster on his
stuff. When you’re confident, but more
celebratory 50th birthday ride, hitting all
importantly, competent, you can join us in
the good twisties and national parks in
the split again.
California, Oregon and Washington, on his
2. If you’re just trying to increase
way to the Top of the World.
your conspicuity, please turn off
Thanks for sending in your photo, Dean,
your hazard lights and ride to your
and safe travels on your way back!
local shop, where you can purchase
all sort of items to help with this
We love getting reader pix—so if you’ve got
in a way that doesn’t say, “Hey,
a shot of you in someplace interesting, with a
copy of CityBike or a ShittyBike t-shirt, send it something is wrong.” High-vis gear
to [email protected]. We promise not to do (helmets, jackets, vests) is great for
this very purpose, so great, in fact,
anything weird with it.
that it’s called high visibility gear.
Splitting Lanes Is Not A Hazard Got it?
Remember how we were the first to tell you
that Helmut and Linda at Helimot were
gonna stop making suits this October (“No
More Helimot Suits. No Foolin’” – NCR,
April 2015)? Remember how we said there
was no changing their minds? Well…
That’s still happening. Hah! We totally got
you there, didn’t we?
So turn off your hazard lights!
Of course, there’s also the California
vehicle code, which states in section
This falls squarely in the “Clues” category
25250-25282, “Flashing lights
of “News, Clues and Rumors”—as in, GET
are prohibited on vehicles except
A CLUE.
as otherwise permitted.” Those
Splitting with hazards on used to be a rare otherwises include turn signals
(duh), disabled vehicles, to warn of
sight, but we’ve been seeing this in the
hazards or accidents, and a whole
wilds of commute-land more frequently
bunch others, including headlight
of late. Maybe because it’s “riding season”
modulators on bikes. What’s not
again and riders that keep their machines
included, however, is lane splitting.
safely tucked away in clean, dry garages
during California’s downright inhospitable
We’re hesitant to throw the vehicle
winters are just getting their mojo back.
code out there, because as you may
Maybe just (dumb, for sure) luck. But it
know, the CityBike Wrecking Crew
warrants a come-to-Jesus talk.
are known to occasionally bend the
rules a tiny, tiny bit. But we’re also
When we split lanes with our hazards on,
we send the wrong message to drivers, and actively engaged in trying to get the
we do that way too much (splitting too fast, general public (you know, all those
This one’s gone, but there are
many other unique suits at Helimot.
sincerest regret to the family of Gregory
Ihm, who passed away at 3:05pm on July 2.
Short-sighted? Jaded? Anti-social? Hell yes,
to at least one of those.
- Sam Devine
If you’re a moto-commuter, you may do
exactly what we do, which is frequently
“forget” your toll tag. The cameras on the
bridges generally catch your plate, and
everything is copasetic. Mostly. Well,
unless you’re in a sidecar, in which case,
you’re likely to get charged the three
axle rate because apparently no one at
BATA can tell the difference between a
commercial truck and a motorcycle with a
sidecar attached to it.
On The Fast Track To Stupid
We love to hate FasTrak, mostly because
we’re still bitter about having to pay tolls
to cross bridges (remember when it was
free?) but also because these guys make it
difficult to do simple stuff like pay a toll.
While most of the startups in the Bay Area
have the whole “collecting money” thing
down, even for the most inane products,
in typical gov-org style, giving money
to FasTrak seems to be unreliable and
clunky at best. Want to add your Yamaha
motorcycle to your account? Tough. You
have two choices in the list that apparently
mean Kawasaki, and Big Dog in the list
(Seriously? People ride those things?) but
no Yamaha. Not fans of the tuning fork,
apparently.
Anyway, our latest beef (or seitan, or
whatever, for the vegans) with the toll
collecting goons is this dumbass new
FasTrak Flex tag, an updated version of
the existing small, square, pain in the ass,
now with extra pain in the ass: “Before you
start your trip, set your FasTrak Flex tag to
Position (1), (2), or (3+) to declare your toll
status.”
FarTrak (Yes, it’s come to this. Fart jokes.)
wants us to flip a little switch to tell The
Man how many people are in the car, so he
can bill us accordingly.
Anyway, Linda tells us that a lot of the used
/ abused (and a few new) suits they put on
clearance in April have found (hopefully)
forever homes. Some ballsy bastard even
bought the Captain America suit they
made for a show back in the olden days.
(Dude—if you’re riding in that thing, let us
know. We want to take some photos!)
But they still have quite a few suits left in
the shop, and they still have the same veryreduced prices on them. So if you missed
the sale (because you don’t go get CityBike
every month like you should, perhaps?)
or just woke up this morning wondering
where to get a cheap but high-quality suit,
stop by Helimot and take a look. Editor
Surj did, and he came home with a sweetass old crashed suit that now hangs in his
luxurious corner office in the posh CityBike
compound, soon to be a reminder of what
once was, back in the good old days.
Fatal Crash At Market & 3rd
At approximately 9:10pm on July 1, Sean
McGinnis struck two pedestrians with his
Ducati Hypermotard, seriously injuring
one and killing the other. Initially, we
didn’t want to believe the reports from
eye-witness Surya Bhupatiraju, who stated,
“The motorcyclist just kind of jumps onto
the curb. He’s going like 30-40 mph, jumps
on the curb, hits our friend, she falls face
forward, and then he comes and he hits
the newsstands here and in doing so, he hit
someone else.”
Who just jumps a curb without something
triggering it? We were momentarily
hopeful when hipped to a local rider’s
Facebook post that read:
“July 1 9:33pm - Just watched a dude try to
run across market to catch a bus that was
leaving and get smacked by a motorcycle.”
“Perhaps,” we thought, “it wasn’t the rider’s
fault. People need to get off their phones
and look both ways.”
But now McGinnis has been charged with
two DUIs causing bodily injury: one for
alcohol, one for drugs (which, judging from
his Facebook page, was most likely weed)
as well as vehicular manslaughter and gross
negligence.
So, now it all seems to add up in a very
unfortunate way. McGinnis was out,
presumably unwinding after work with a
drink and a smoke. While heading home,
a pedestrian darted out in front of him and
this tragedy ensued.
No, it’s not mandatory now, but it’s going to
be in the fall (of civilization), when the new
express lanes open on 580 out there ‘round
the 680 / 580 interchange, where every day
you can go see how bad your fellow road
users really are at using the road. It’s pretty
much nonstop gridlock, any hour of the
day.
“Oh my GAWD! There are on-ramps and
off-ramps here! What will I do?” BRAKE
BRAKE BRAKE.
It’s enough to make us smack our heads
with concussion-inducing frustration.
Fortunately, we wear helmets for this
very reason—protecting ourselves from
ourselves. ATGATT, right?
There are two reasons this Flexing sucks,
and it’s hard to tell which one makes our
blood boil more.
First, motorcycles in the HOV lanes are
already toll-free. We’re doing the world a
favor by not taking up so much space on the
road, and hypothetically helping out with
emissions and such. So why do we need
It’s unclear how experienced a motorcyclist this stupid tag to keep doing that? So the
McGinnis was. He’d done track days
all-seeing eyes can keep tabs on us the rest
and was a member of the Ducati Owners
of the time?
Club. His red and white 2015 Ducati
Second, we here at CityBike have a
Hypermotard was not his first bike.
However, its purchase in May is rumored to philosophical disagreement with letting
have replaced a totaled Panigale. As of press every douchenozzle buy his way into the
HOV lane. There’s arguably solid logic
time, he was being held in custody with a
behind allowing “eligible clean air vehicles”
bail of $500,000.
(and of course motorcycles, wink wink)
So, to you, the riding community, we offer into the HOV lane, to encourage increased
this somber reminder: “There are old riders adoption of clean transportation tech, but
and there are drunk riders, but there are
that should be it. If you’re not willing to
no old drunk riders.” We’ll never know if
put up and invest in an electric car, shut up
McGinnis would have been able to avoid
and get back in traffic with everyone else. If
crashing and killing someone had he been
you’re not smart and cool enough to ride a
completely sober. We can only offer our
motorcycle, see above.
But what now? It’s tough to find a place
for these annoying little squares. What if
it’s obscured? Will the system default to
charging by your plate number, for the one
person rate? We hope not, but if a sidehack
rig looks like a commercial truck, we’re
worried that a motorcycle might look like a
solo bro in a luxury coupe.
We’ve ordered a pass, and you can be sure
when we receive it, we’ll be sure to report
back on how it responds to being shot with
a .357 Magnum. And then we’ll see what
happens when we hit the toll lanes with
the newly drilled-for-lightness tag. “Wow, I
hadn’t noticed that, officer. Must have been
road debris.”
If you need more info about FasTrak’s Flex
tag than this admittedly mostly bile, not much
facts article offers, check out bayareafastrak.
org/en/howitworks/flextag.shtml. You can
send angry “ feedback” there too.
Moto Shop Becomes Moto Guild
The awesome SF DIY repair and education
center, Moto
Shop has
changed its
name to Moto
Guild. The new
moniker will gather
some snarky
comments, so let’s
get a few of those out
of the way right now.
Will Moto Guild
now provide mithril
tool sets? Will bikes
repaired there be able
to pass Smaug? When
doing a top-end
rebuild, will they use
one piston ring to rule
them all?
But seriously,
the change is
a good move
for Moto Shop,
whose previous name was too
anomalous to elicit much response besides,
“Hmm, my friend told me about a moto
shop where you could work on your bike
and take classes...dang, what was it called?
Moto something...sounded like a cool
shop...hmmm.”
The name Moto Guild evokes exactly
what the shop is: a group of bikers,
bound together by the quest for cheaper
maintenance.
If you haven’t been by their cool digs across
the street from Anchor Brewing, go give
them a peek. They always have a good
selection of used armor—scuse us, riding
gear on consignment and their workshops
for valve adjustment, chain and sprocket
replacement are a great way to get some
hands-on learning as well as save a few
silver pieces.
All funding requests were rejected.
- Sam Devine
We don’t have much else to say on this
yet—aside from a non-stop stream of
profanity that makes our “ShittyBike”
t-shirts look like the New Testament—but
stay tuned. We’ll keep you posted as we
learn more.
Remember how we were just talking about
how it’s a good thing we wear our helmets
all the time, because we get exceedingly
frustrated by stupidity and smack our
heads too hard? Imagine the collective
The Guild has also opened two new
locations in Silicon Valley and Chicago. No SMACK sounds ‘round CityBike HQ when
we got this news.
word yet on the Shire...
UC Berkeley / SafeTREC Loses
Funding For Moto Projects?
If you’ve been paying attention to the
lane splitting stuff we constantly run
our mouths about, you’re likely familiar
with the Berkeley research that, along
with OTS’s lane share surveys, has
provided excellent information to
inform conversations on everything
from legislation to radio conversations. It
you’re not, check out lanesplittingislegal.
com/resources-links for these and other
resources.
SafeTREC projects have included
examining the relative safety of lane
splitting (the analysis from this study
thankfully pushed the speed numbers in
AB 51 higher), effects of helmet types on
neck injuries—this analysis cast doubt
on the idea that the weight of motorcycle
helmets causes neck injury, and other datadriven moto-specific research.
For 2016, SafeTREC applied for funds
from OTS for a project intended to help
us better understand why collisions come
about when riders are splitting lanes. The
analyses were to cover several areas:
1. Lane
splitting
and collision
causation.
2. Use of novelty
helmets.
3. Association
between helmet
type and brain
injury.
4. Association
between helmet type
and facial fracture /
injuries.
SafeTREC also
asked for funds
to create a
California
motorcycle
safety
website,
to provide motorcyclists with accurate
safety information, in a variety of formats:
articles, videos, collision reconstruction/
analysis, safety expert blogs, and so on.
The idea was to create one site to rule them
all (unfortunately, the name Moto Guild
was already taken) with reliable, factual
motorcycle safety information.
What’s Crackin’—Besides The
Bay Bridge?
The brand spankin’ new Bay Bridge seems
to have whatever disease that Robin
Williams had in Jack, because it is just plain
old and brittle, after only a couple of years.
The problem? Besides just falling apart
because the designers never thought that
a bridge over the bay would be exposed to
water?
Maybe that’s a bit harsh. Perhaps the
designers did not take into consideration
that hydrogen existed in the water
(troubled or otherwise) that the bridge was
spanning.
It turns out that these “microfractures” in
the fairly important rods that are supposed
to hold the bridge to the foundation in
the unlikely event of an earthquake are
caused by a “hydrogen attack.” Good thing
we don’t get earthquakes in Northern
California.
What’s that? I’m being told that we DO
get earthquakes up here on a fairly regular
basis…
So how bad is it? Surely it can’t be in every
rod. Let’s ask Brian Maroney, Caltrans’
chief engineer.
“As an engineer, if I have these microcracks I have to assume they exist in every
rod,” Maroney said, probably staring at his
feet.
Well shit.
Maybe it isn’t all that bad. As long as we
don’t have an earthquake the bridge will be
fine, right?
Talk to me, Berkeley engineer and
corrosion expert Lisa Fulton. You’re our
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used oil and filters. Check out RidersRecycle.com
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on motorcycle parts, service and gear!
only hope. If there are cracks in every rod,
how hosed are we?
“That could indicate that we don’t need an
earthquake for them to snap, that they are
unreliable in the service loads that they are
under now.”
I don’t know about you, but I’ll will be
wearing floaties whenever I cross the
bridge.
- Max Klein
No One’s Parking on Shakedown
Street
The Grateful Dead punctuated 50 years
of spin-dancing and shroomin’ last month
with concerts at the hot-off-the-presses
Levi Stadium in Santa Clara. Now, we’ve
Sounds pretty good, right? Sure, we think
the novelty helmets thing is kinda self
–explanatory, but there are something
like 800,000 registered motorcycles
in California, and presumably a good
percentage of those are being ridden.
Someone should be working on this stuff.
ridden to the Concord pavilion and
Shoreline Amphitheater and are always
directed to the motorcycle parking with
a smile and a wave. But parking at Levi’s
stadium was a suburban conundrum of
road cones and signs to no-where.
Traditionally, the parking lot scene
at a Dead show—coloquially dubbed
“Shakedown Street”—is more vibrant and
entertaining than most modern festivals.
But Levi’s saw fit to close the parking lot
completely once the show started. On top
of that, parking could only be purchased by
prepaying online for $60. And RV parking
was twice that much. So as we walked
towards the entrance, we were graced with
a dazzling view of a half filled lot, devoid of
any Volkswagen carnival or chatting bike
section.
of 2014, on very short notice. I didn’t
know a damn thing about how to edit
a magazine, and as you have certainly
noticed, still don’t.
Better Luck Next Time? AB 51
Pushed To 2016
compromise. I’m a worrier, so for the next
six months, I’ll worry about all kinds of
stuff about this bill, unfounded or not.
Quirk has said if he’s forced to reduce the
Lane splitting is near and dear to me. I
speeds in AB 51, he’ll pull the bill. I hope
commute by bike year round, and I run
that’s true, and don’t have any real reason
LaneSplittingIsLegal.com. In fact, I ran
to think he won’t keep his word. And
that website before I fought valiantly to
maybe we can keep on keepin’ on with
take the editor’s chair here at Ye Olde
CityBike. I try to always
include references to
Wrecking Crew recovery plan:
previous stories (“dumb
ice, chips, salsa.
story title” – every issue of
2014) but if I did that for
splitting, well, there’d be no
room for what I want to say
about AB 51.
What I want to say is, while
I was glad when Senator
Beall hit the pause button
on SB 350 a couple years
ago, and glad that the bill
just died out in year two, I
didn’t feel that way when
Assemblyman Quirk’s AB
51 was bumped to next
year. When I “came out”
(not that way) in support
of AB 51 back in June,
right here in Uneasy Rider,
I said that even though I disliked the
limitations of the bill, disliked the way
some of Quirk’s staff weren’t forthright
with us, disliked that we even have to be
talking about this… in spite of all that, I
believed—and still believe—that if AB 51
had passed as amended, it would codified
lane splitting in a reasonable way, and
opened things up for the CHP, OTS, and
other organizations to educate riders and
drivers again. Like they did with the lane
splitting guidelines.
Now, with the bill being pushed to next
year, I worry that the CHP, which has
been something of a hand behind the
curtain on this bill, is changing the game.
Or that there are other forces which may
push the numbers back down to the
point where they force an unacceptable
But this thing runs on passion,
enthusiasm, caffeine, sweat, blood, and
the occasional broken bone. CityBike is
blessed with a universally enthusiastic
bunch of contributors, who continue to
kick out the jams in the moments between
working to pay the bills.
CityBike is necessarily staffed by folks
with “real jobs” who love motorcycles.
We’re not motorcycle journalists in the
career sense of our careers; we are real-life
Bay Area riders, and that’s the
story we tell, over and over.
This place, as you know damn
well, is one of the best places to
ride motorcycles in the United
States, if not the world. The
moto-culture of our region is
second to none.
Photo: Max Klein
splitting in a gray area—but I don’t think
so. After months of thinking about this
bill, and SB 350, and the legislation that’s
been proposed—and failed—in other
states, I still think getting a law on the
books is the best bet in the long run.
So in the meantime, while AB 51 is in
hibernation until 2016, I hope we—the
riding community—doesn’t forget about
this issue, and just assume “everything is
cool.” Let’s plan, let’s debate, let’s learn,
let’s lay the groundwork for next year.
Let’s split smart and safe, so we can keep
splitting.
••••••••
On a more personal note, although lane
splitting is pretty damn personal for me
too, this issue marks one year as editor
for me. I took the role of editor in July
Flashing road signs were still directing
traffic towards the now-closed parking lot,
and the security guards were dismissive,
offering no advice on where motorcycles
could park.
want to improve the facility and enlarge
the revenue / profit base by holding more
events and bringing in more visitors. That
won’t happen. It’s a bad financial bet. ISC
will likely desist.
on Hwy 68 punishes locals—the hardship
they suffer daily). No traffic control? Fact:
back when the entrance was open, highlypaid CHP officers often merely stood by
their parked cruisers.
At least one police officer was
understanding when asked, “So where’s
the motorcycle parking? Right up front like
every other concert ever?”
Irony abounds. Many of the track’s
successes, notably since the early MotoGP
races, were funded by Yamaha sponsorship
that saw huge improvements to meet
FIM-mandated safety standards. Yamaha
donated millions for the track to create
safer Turn 6 and Corkscrew runoff, fill
and flatten the climb to the Corkscrew
and move the dangerously-situated bridge
below the Corkscrew—costly work,
impossible without Yamaha. Track budgets
are straitjacketed by Byzantine politics,
despite the facility’s revenues and efforts by
General Manager Gill Campbell.
Versus world-quality European, Asian
and South American tracks,
Laguna Seca is grim, far
outperformed in the U.S. by
COTA and Indy, to which it lost
MotoGP. The ingress-egress
issues, half-completed pits, lack
of grandstands in prime viewing
areas such as Turn 1 and the
Corkscrew, all deter visitors.
Renovations to match competing
venues worldwide? An estimated
$100+ million. That’s ISC’s
conundrum.
Yamaha Motorsports Communications
General Manager Bob Starr: “Our
involvement [with the
track] goes back years.
We initiated
serious
GM Campbell’s And ISC’s
Comments
“They don’t have any.”
“Well that’s lame.”
Pause...”Yeah, it is.”
Other riders we know had similar
complaints. We ended up parking in a small
motorcycle section in a parking garage
adjacent to the Hyatt, just across the street
from the stadium.
So, way to go Levi’s. We’ll be sure to prepay
for a parking spot in your No Fun Zone the
next time the Grateful Dead come to town.
Oh, wait...
Shortly after I became “Editor
Surj,” longtime contributor
Miles Davis sent me a story. I
loved it, but I was reticent to
run it at the time. I felt I hadn’t
earned my stripes yet, and
therefore worried that the piece
was too self-congratulatory.
That piece, “What Sort Of Man
Reads CityBike?” is on page 21.
- Sam Devine
Since then, I’ve worked very
hard towards a singular goal:
make CityBike BITCHIN’.
Since 1957 the track has become a jewel
in the Monterey Peninsula crown,
with Pebble Beach’s golf and Concours
d’Elegance, the Monterey Bay Aquarium
and the Monterey Jazz Festival, among
attractions that deliver hundreds of
millions of dollars to local merchants
annually.
I’m sure you’re aware that print is having
a tough time of it. But truly good stuff
transcends the media it’s created in or on
or with or whatever, and content that is
vital and engaging and fun and passionate,
that is bitchin’, means people will read this
thing no matter what form it comes in.
I’m not patting myself on the back—we’re
constantly progressing, but I genuinely
believe that in recent months, we’ve really
hit our stride. I am more and more stoked
and excited with every passing issue—
and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to
CityBike’s contributors for this.
So check out Miles’ piece, and send me
a note at [email protected] on how
you think we’re doing. And thanks for
reading!
ISC To Manage Laguna Seca?
Laguna Seca—the track surface—is
among the world’s most interesting and
challenging circuits, proved in scores of
two- and four-wheel world championship
events. It tests everything race teams can
achieve and pushes competitors’ skill and
courage to the limit.
Potential Changes?
The France family—International
Speedway Corporation (ISC)— is in
talks with Monterey County regarding
a potential “concession agreement” to
operate Laguna Seca. It might happen, but
the odds are long. Though the Peninsula
exists for tourism, the track remains
anathema to powerful local influences and
many local residents, most of whom moved
in long after the track was created.
These influences won’t stop trying to
destroy the track regardless of reason,
logic or financial significance. ISC will
rt .
a
r B cide
o
d De
n
a
sl You
I
r
te on?
s
Ea mps
Si
I wiped the drool from my chin. Naked
aluminum is a weakness of mine.
It was dreamed up in Italy by Graziano
We watched as Brian Bartlow hopped
Rossi (yes that Rossi, as in VR46’s dad)
and Paolo Chiaia. Papa Rossi wanted a bike on, effortlessly kicked it over, and tore
around the dirt track like he had ridden it
for GP riders to train on. Chiaia wanted
Gill Campbell, in a prepared
statement, said: “Since 1957,
SCRAMP (the Sports Car
Racing Association of the
Monterey Peninsula)
Barely - actually, not really - legal:
has been committed
Photo: Mike Blanchard
An on the Zaeta at our secret Sacramento test track.
to the successful
future of Mazda
something simple, light weight for the dirt a million times before. Later, while Brian
Raceway Laguna Seca and,
was distracted, a few of us were offered
and the street. The Zaeta was the result.
working with its sponsors,
the chance to take the Zaeta out for a spin.
racing organizations, race teams
530cc, liquid cooled, 5 speeds. Showa fork, I looked around at the fields of old grape
and volunteers, has established it
Ohlins shock, Brembo hydraulic clutch,
vines and farm equipment, then at the bike.
as one of the world’s premier motorsports
and spoked tubeless wheels that will cost
No front brake, geared for going balls out.
facilities.” No response from ISC,
you your first born. It runs with Smart
I was well aware this could end… well, not
despite many attempts—but,
Carb technology, which basically allowed
well. Envisioning only my feet sticking out
note, they are still engaged
Marco Belli to place the Zaeta in the top
of a hay bale, I reluctantly declined.
in the 90-day due-diligence
process.
Bottom Line
ISC has minimal incentive to invest
in Laguna Seca, insufficient upside.
The track’s existence is threatened
sponsorship in 2005,
continuously, denying the logic of
coinciding with our 50th anniversary. It’s
improving a facility that is inadequate,
one of the world’s greatest places to watch
except for the track itself. Unless they can
motorcycle racing—an iconic ‘destination.’ negotiate a long-term contract with default
We’re supporting Wayne Rainey’s
provisions that protect them financially,
MotoAmerica here.”
ISC’s decision is simple: why manage a
track whose survival is in constant political
Visiting: A 40-year Perspective
jeopardy?
For visitors—teams, workers,
- John Joss
enthusiasts—getting in and out is
miserable. A reporter asked Gill Campbell
twelve years ago when the Hwy 68 main
entrance would be rationalized by paving
an unpaved 250 yards, enabling traffic
control at the Laureles Grade light.
Molto Bella Zaeta
Campbell: “I face the State, County and
City, the Army and many local entities.
Figure five years, minimum.” Nothing
has changed. Worse, Hwy 68 is two lanes,
though a principal approach to Monterey
from the Bay Area (the other: Hwy 1).
There are no plans to widen 68 to four
lanes but eminent-domain proceedings
would be costly and time-consuming.
Note, Hwy 68 is stop-and-go daily in rush
hours, imposing severe time, noise and
pollution misery.
Race traffic is diverted through the old
Fort Ord army base. Visitors going to
Carmel Valley via Laureles Grade must
go into town and back and cannot exit the
main entrance (no lights or traffic control,
and ‘local interests’ claim that race traffic
5 of the 750 class at Pikes Peak with no
adjustments for altitude or changes in air
density.
Most likely due to my incessant whining
about Max getting to ride all the good
bikes, I finally got my a shot at some
interesting action, in the form of a
mysterious message to meet at the Cordelia
Starbucks. Something about a “special
bike.”
Inside, I find Max waiting. Foiled again.
Oh well. We headed out to Calistoga to see
the new Zaeta flat tracker. Max tried to lose
me along the way, but he was no match for
my internal compass, and we pulled up to
the track almost on time.
The Zaeta showed up shortly after, looking
quite dreamy, dressed all in gleaming
aluminum. The bike is indeed a beauty.
a science, and provided me and the other
volunteers with well-written handouts, as
well as some informative background on
how the day would unfold.
Testing the Zaeta in Calistoga.
snowboarder style and a bit of flat-bill
attitude. Within the matrix of Raiden
products, stuff designed more for
wetter, cooler weather is branded
DKR. If you want to be comfortable
in hot and dry conditions, Icon offers
the Raiden Arakis pants, gloves, and
jersey. This summer, I’ve been riding
in Arakis pants, jersey and gloves.
Photo: Surj Gish
Day of the parade: my alarm goes off way
too early for a Sunday, but I spring out of
bed, gear up, and hit the road. I arrive at
the staging point just before 7am, and am
greeted warmly by the DoB club members
and other volunteers. A quick instructional
chat and I’ve got everything I need for the
morning.
The Pants
Everything except caffeine. Fortunately,
the Ferry Building is very close to the start
point, and had some excellent coffee just
waiting for me.
Photo of Max taking photos: An DeYoung
I regretted that decision the minute I
said the word no. But wait! I got another
chance!
This time I headed see Mike at Scooter
City in Sacramento, the current home of
the Zaeta, where he was waiting for me
with the side door open to the alley. He
started her up; all I could do was stare. In
high school my friend had a ‘68 Nova, she’d
gas that thing and you could feel it in your
chest. The Zaeta is like that— it oozes sexy
muscle car brawn.
I carefully threw my leg over. It vibrates, A
LOT. My gloves almost fell off my hands.
I slowly let out the clutch, gave it a little
gas and… nope. Not enough. The Zaeta
only weighs 210lbs dry, it felt like trying to
kickstart a high compression bicycle.
I screamed up and down the alley. It took
a couple passes for me to stop grabbing
the area where the front brake should be.
I never got out of 1st gear, but holy crap—
what a fun bike!
The Scooter City alley is not an ideal
location for bike testing, but this Zaeta isn’t
street legal. That version will come later
and you can be damn sure I’ll be first in line
to take it for a nice long ride. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, if you want to check out
the Zaeta in action, Brian Bartlow will
be riding it at the Calistoga Half-Mile in
September. Or head to Scooter City in
Caffeinated, fed, and ready for action, I take
my post on one of the nearby intersections.
My job: make sure that the parade route is
clear whenever new motorcyclists arrive.
It was a fun job and before I knew it, the
parade was about to begin. Time to get to
my bike and take my place for the main
event!
Sacramento, where you can order one for
yourself.
a barbecue / block party that seems to get
more festive every year.
- An DeYoung
This year I took on the role of Road
Captain. I’ve had so much fun participating Rather than riding two-by-two like the rest
of the DoB club members and supporters, I
over the years that I felt I owed it to our
position myself on the left flank of a group
hosts to volunteer a bit of my time to
Pride 2015
One of the best things about living in the
San Francisco Bay Area is
Road Captain Aaron, ready to roll out on our
the incredible diversity of
FJ-09 long term project bike.
people. We don’t just accept
people’s differences, we
celebrate them.
One such celebration is the
annual event known as SF
Pride. Sure, there are LGBT
pride parades and events
around the world, but not
one of them comes close
to matching the spectacle
that occurs in the City by
the Bay. One of the largest
contingents in the parade
is the massive group of
motorcycles and scooters led
by Dykes on Bikes.
I’ve had the good fortune of
being invited to ride with
them as a supporter for the
past four years. My amazing
friends Val and Erin work
tirelessly each and every
year to enable a bunch of us
from the Bay Area Riders
support the effort. My first duty as Road
Forum (BARF) to participate in the parade Captain was to attend an orientation
with the DoB riders, after which they host meeting the week before the parade. The
ladies of Dykes on Bikes have this down to
task. With this group, it’s a piece of cake.
Riders and their passengers, still high on
the SCOTUS ruling for marriage equality,
are in a mellow, blissful state. The crowd is
fantastic: enthusiastic, well-behaved, and
incredibly positive.
Thank you, San Francisco. Thank you,
Dykes on Bikes. Thank you, most of all,
to my incredible friends who allowed me
to celebrate with them on this incredible
and historic day. Truly an experience to
remember.
- Aaron Bonner
OMC Donates $10k to SFMC
At least one SFMC member teared up.
Hell, I almost did. In a world where we
need organizations like “Motorcycle Clubs
Are Not Street Gangs” to run interference
against the idiotic notion
that motorcyclists are all
gun-running, drug-dealing
hoodlums, it’s heartwarming
in the grandest way to see this
kind of brother-and-sisterhood
delivering real assistance to
people in need. Not Facebook
shares, not “get (your
clubhouse) well soon” cards
(although the SFMC’s own
get well cards are purported to
have magical healing powers),
not a vague “call me if you
need anything,” but money for
repairs. Serious money.
The Arakis pants have quickly
become one of my favorite pieces of
gear for hot-weather riding, especially
on dirt. In warm and dry weather, I
usually wear four-season armored
textile riding pants with the thermal
and rain liners removed. On a big trip
with variable weather, I’ll stow the
liners in my panniers. I’ve gotten used
to the bulk and the constant clammy
feeling from all that sweat trapped in
my trousers. The Arakis pants bring a
new dimension of my comfort to my
hot-weather riding.
The first time you ride in these things
you’ll feel like you forgot to put your
Despite their mesh construction, the
Arakis pants offer fairly good crash
protection, in the form of D3O impact
protection at the knees. Each pant leg
contains three internal pockets clearly
marked short, medium, and tall so you
can easily adjust the knee armor for
the best coverage. The outside of the
knees and the seat are reinforced with
generously cut solid textile overlays for
more abrasion resistance. There’s a bit of
rubber reinforcement on the outside of
each leg above the knee that might protect
your lower thighs. And there’s a wide strip
of leather down the inside of each leg to
protect the pants from the hot parts of your
bike. Like most dirt riding pants there’s
There’s a long standing (like 100+ years,
for you youngsters that think working at
one company for ten months is an eternity)
rivalry between the Oakland Motorcycle
Club and the San Francisco Motorcycle
Way to go, OMC. Serious
Club. The history of this stuff is far too
respect from the CityBike crew.
extensive for this space (although you can
- Surj Gish
check out extensive SFMC history and
photos in our September and October 2014
issues at citybike.com/back-issues.html)
but suffice to say, it goes way back.
New Stuff
Photo: Kassie Lynn Poynter
of riders. My new job: make sure that the
pace is maintained, and keep tom-foolery,
asshattery, and shenanigans to a minimum.
At some events this could be a daunting
Anyway, thanks to a not-so-anonymous
tip from my pal Bungee Brent, I was at the
OMC clubhouse on Thursday, July 16th,
where the SFMC was meeting because
they’re rebuilding their clubhouse. Oh
yeah—in case you haven’t heard, the
SFMC clubhouse, which they’ve been
meeting in since 1947, when they bought
and began converting it from an old
blacksmith’s shop, was flooded—and
seriously fucked up—in Stormageddon
2014. Repairs are looking to run something
like $100k.
Raiden Of The Lost
Arakis
Words: J. Brandon
Photo: Max Klein
Icon’s new Raiden line offers
an array of rally-inspired
adventure riding gear,
with abundant doses of
The SFMC is hard at work on fundraising
and repairs (check our calendar on
page 12 for the details on their August
2nd rummage sale—we expect it to be
awesome) but the project is incredibly
costly, both financially and emotionally.
Fortunately, some help came in the form
of a giant (both physically and monetarily
speaking) check from across the bay.
During discussion of the repair work
during the “House” section of the SFMC
meeting, the OMC crew bum-rushed the
desk with a table-sized check for ten grand,
signed by all the members of the OMC.
pants on hitting the road. Feeling the
airflow through the mesh fabric is a little
unnerving at first. And if there’s hot air
coming off your engine or exhaust, you’ll
feel it when you’re not moving fast enough
to dissipate the heat. On my KLR650 I can
feel the hot air flowing out the back of the
radiator on my left leg when I’m going less
than about 20 miles an hour—something
I’ve never noticed riding in other pants.
Photo: Max Klein
no provision for hip, thigh, or tailbone
protection. If you want that, you’ll need to
wear armored riding shorts underneath.
The Arakis pants are cut very generously
and are extremely comfortable. There’s an
elastic crotch gusset to avoid that waddedup feeling. The pants are completely lined
with a light, perforated polyester that feels
soft against your skin. The lower legs are
quite roomy and should easily fit over
knee braces and even the burliest boots.
The waist closes with a sturdy ratchet
mechanism, adjusts with Velcro tabs, and
includes big fat belt loops. Those are in case
you don’t like the included suspenders that
come off quickly via snaps up front and a
zip-off rear bib. The two front pockets are
big enough, placed where you can actually
use them to carry stuff without it digging
into your soft bits, and zip closed so that
stuff won’t fall out. Icon doesn’t market the
Arakis as an overpant but the pockets do
include zippered pass-through closures.
Combined with the generous cut these
pants could work well worn over your street
clothes for commuting.
under my armored riding jacket. And most
likely why I found the fabric showing a few
pulled threads after the first time I rode
in it. I believe the exposed Velcro on my
jacket hooked into the body of the shirt and
pulled some of the threads out a millimeter
or so. This continues to get worse with
additional use. It’s not a fatal flaw but it
is annoying and is beginning to spoil the
looks of an otherwise sharp-looking jersey.
The Gloves
These gloves have no straps or other
retention system other than the wide,
soft, elastic cuff. That and the very close
fit make the Arakis gloves easy to put on
and slightly difficult to take off. They
will probably stay on your hands as well
as or better than other dirt-riding gloves
when you crash out on the trails. I’m less
confident that they will stay on adequately
in a crash on pavement, but—so far—have
managed to avoid testing for that.
In keeping with the dirt-riding style, the
Arakis gloves don’t offer any additional
protection for the heel of your hand or out
Icon’s Raiden Arakis glove is an interesting
piece of kit. It fits snug, feels like you’re
not wearing much at all, and delivers
extraordinary
sensitivity for
The C3 mounted on the front of Max’s KLR.
maximum
control. (I think
I may have
accidentally
just written a
condom ad.)
The back of the
glove is made
of a stretchy
mesh fabric
that breathes
That’s a boatload of features for riding
really well and
pants that sell for $150.
dissipated the
The Jersey
sweat from
my hands on
The Arakis jersey is a well-built, dirtbikethe hottest
style riding jersey. It’s comfortable, with
of days. The
a loose fit, and long enough in the torso–
even longer in the back–that it won’t ride up palm is made
above your waist if you ride with your shirt of an unusual
single piece of
outside your pants, and definitely won’t
leather—no
pull out of your britches if you like your
shirt tucked in. The 100% polyester fabric seams or stiches
feels soft against your skin. Although Icon to bunch up and
cause irritation.
makes no claims of wicking properties or
That simple, flat
anything beyond a quick mention of a “…
mesh chassis up to whatever ADV mission piece of leather
extends all the
one can imagine” I found the jersey much
way out to the
more comfortable to wear than a cotton
on the fingers. They do, however, include
t-shirt under my riding jacket on a hot day. ends of the thumb and all four fingers. It
a D3O insert to protect your four most
is amazingly comfortable and gives a great prominent knuckles.
There’s no armor or protection against
sense of control on the handlebar grips.
anything other than sunburn, of course.
These gloves are comfortable, especially
The thumb and index fingers are also
So you’ll need to wear an armored jersey
touch-screen compatible and worked better on hot days, and offer a bit more protection
underneath or separate chest, back, elbow, with my phone and its screen protector
than most dirt-riding gloves. I don’t think
and shoulder protection on the outside.
the offer enough protection for any kind
than other touch-screen gloves I’ve worn.
Which is why I mostly just wear the jersey
of serious street riding, unless you are
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currently riding in work gloves from the
hardware store. If that’s you, these will be a
significant step up. And since they’re only
35 bucks, you can afford them.
As an unexpected bonus, the lightweight
construction of the Arakis gloves mean
that they fold up to be not much larger than
a big bandana or a small wallet. I carry
them in a jacket pocket or at the bottom of
my panniers as a backup in case my more
substantial street gloves should go missing
at a lunch stop.
Get more info about Icon’s Raiden line at
IconRaiden.com.
you to choose between single recording,
continuous recording, or flashlight.
optional external mic, but it plugs into the
same port that I needed for power.
No, “flashlight” is not some new ultra-HD
compression tech—it’s just a single LED
flashlight.
Speaking of plugging things in—the camera must have a lens attached to connect
to a computer and adjust settings such as
file size. That’s a significant problem if you
want to permanently mouth the whole
shebang, which was my plan. Fortunately, I
had two lenses, and only mounted one.
On the DVR, there are three buttons that
allow you to change recording modes, start
and stop recording, and turn the unit off.
Also on the DVR is a multi-color LED that
indicates what mode the C3 is in—red
for 1080p / 30fps, green for 720p / 60fps,
orange for 3 megapixel photos. All files are
recorded onto a microSD card, which you
must supply.
Innovv sent us two lenses, one with a
90-degree field of view and another with
wider 120-degree coverage. Standard kits
(the ones you guys are gonna go buy after
reading this) include one or the other. Also
in the box are data cables, power converters and cables (for hardwiring, like my
setup), and various mounting options for
the lens, including helmet and tripod screw
mounts—which are very versatile for permanent mounting.
The two recording methods are pretty
much what they sound like. The single
recording mode will fill the card up once
and stop, while the continuous recording
mode will “loop,” overwriting the earliest
files when the card runs out of space. Hello
dashcam.
Both lenses are waterproof—perfect for
Video capture has been completely reliable.
I start the bike, the C3 starts recording. I
end up with a folder full of smallish video
files, which sounds like a mess, but actually turns out to be ok. Looking for specific
footage? Easy, just look for the time stamps
around the time your footage would have
been captured. No more scrolling through
a giant video file to find three seconds of
footage.
Customer support is available through
email, and while there is sometimes a
little lost in translation, they’re responsive
and I was able to get all of my questions
answered.
Although it has some connectivity limitations, these shortcomings are easy to
overlook, and the C3’s excellent video
quality, two-piece form factor and hardwire
capability make it a perfect commuter cam.
I’ll be adding one to all of my bikes.
Learn more about Innovv’s cameras, and get
your own C3, at innovv.com.
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Typical KLR rider engineering - the DVR lives in that gelato container.
Photo: Surj Gish
Innovv C3
Words: Max Klein
Photos: Surj Gish
Bay Area traffic is horrible. With all the texting, selfies, spilled coffee, and “Lanesharing? NOT ON MY WATCH” idiocy that
takes place, I wanted a reliable “evidence
collection” camera for my commute rides.
I have a handful of “action cameras” that
would capture the carnage and prove my
light was green, but I have to remember
to charge them, bring them with me, and
worry about battery life / memory card
capacity every ride time I ride, otherwise
the whole thing is pointless.
Oh, and I have to remember to hit the
record button.
I wanted to ride without having to worry
about charging batteries and changing
memory cards. I wanted to turn the key
on and go, as if I didn’t have to record my
every move, just in case.
The Innovv C3 hits on all cylinders.
The system consists of a bullet lens that
plugs into a separate camera box (or DVR,
if you prefer) via an HDMI cable. As with
other cameras, there are multiple mounting
options, ranging from helmet to handlebars. A simple switch on the side allows
Photo: Surj Gish
moto application, or at least our moto applications. You know, motorcycles that get
ridden, often in the rain. The DVR, however, is not waterproof, which threw a bit of
a wrench in my permanent-mount plans.
Coming Soon!
A sample of the New Stuff we’re currently
abusing testing in the name of bringing you
the truth about motorcycle gear:
❍❍ Neutrino Black Box by Arboreal
Since I was shooting for full dashcam
Systems—a waterproof, ruggedized
functionality, I used the hardwire cable and
power distribution module with
permanently mounted the wide lens on the
Bluetooth and an app to control
front of my KLR, using part of the tripod
everything.
screw mount. In typical “KLR engineering”
fashion, I placed the DVR inside a repur❍❍ Shoei’s latest dual-sport helmet, the
posed gelato container and ziptied my new
Hornet X2.
“easy access waterproof case” to the back of
the bike.
❍❍ Plus, luggage, books (some with
picshurs), and whatever else we can get
I went for a quick spin and pulled the card.
our grubby paws on!
Video quality was rock solid and crystal
clear, and despite the microphone being
housed in an airtight ice cream container,
the audio was not too bad. There’s an
www.addictionmotors.com
you fine tune the level of mild or wild, with
four levels of power delivery.
August 1, 2015: Nichols Second Annual
Swap Meet and BBQ
(913 Hanson Court,
Milpitas, CA)
ARR WON
9 AM to 1 PM. Bring
anything motorcyclerelated to swap:
entire bikes, parts,
accessories, and riding
gear. Contact Mike
Lawrence at service@
nicholssportbikes.com
or 408.945.0911 to
reserve space. facebook.
com/NicholsSportBikes
Words: Max Klein
Photos: Dito Milian & Bob Stokstad
T
he 2015 YZF-R1 is absolutely,
positively, unnecessary. It is
excess incARRnate. Its primary
function—when ridden on the street—
is revenue generation for local law
enforcement.
August 2, 2015:
SFMC Rummage Sale
Fundraiser (Women’s
Building, 3543 18th St,
San Francisco)
From 3:14 Daily
Valencia @ 25th
415-970-9670
EVENTS
August 2015
I want one, all to myself.
Walt Fulton talks to the gang at a Streetmasters ride in NV.
9 AM to 4 PM. Help rebuild the SFMC
clubhouse! Motorcycles, gear, parts,
clothing, furniture, electronics, books,
antiques and more! If you have gently
used items to donate, contact Abby at
415.509.3108 or sfmcfundraising@
gmail.com. SF-MC.org
August 8-9, 2015: Addiction Motors
Garage Sale (1445B S 50th St, Richmond)
August 15, 2015: Blue Butt Rally
(Eldorado Casino, 345 N Virginia St,
Reno)
The 22nd Blue Butt Rally, put on by the
Blue Knights MC of Reno. All riders
and bike brands are welcome. This is a
non-scored/non-competitive ride covMembers, interested Guzzi riders, persons ering 350-400 miles of pavement with
no set time limit. Route instructions
disillusioned by their current mode of
handed out 15 minutes prior to start.
transport and other motorcycle riders
Proceeds go to injured/fallen peace ofalways welcome. For more information,
contact Pierre at 408.710.4886 or pierre- ficers and their families. bknv2.com
[email protected].
August 22, 2015: Ride-On-Motor2nd Sunday of each month: Santa Cruz cycles Customer Appreciation Party
(1416 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo)
Scooter Club Monthly Group Ride
We meet at Fin’s Coffee on Ocean Street
in Santa Cruz, and depending on who
shows, the weather, and how much time
folks have, we plan a route for the day.
Rides will be cancelled due to rain. Get
more information at santacruzscooterclub.com.
3rd Sunday of each month: Northern
California Moto Guzzi National Owners Club Breakfast (9:00 AM, Putah
Creek Cafe, 1 Main St, Winters) MGNOC
members and interested Guzzi riders meet
for breakfast and a good time. The Putah
Creek Cafe is located at Railroad Avenue.
For more information, contact Northern
California MGNOC Rep, Don Van Zandt
at 707.557.5199.
Cool bikes at a cool moto destination—
the Black Lightning in Eureka. Awards
given based on “most envied” status for
Café, Vintage, Sport/Racer, Vintage
Racer, Custom, Rat, Overall and People’s
Choice. blacklightningmotorcyclecafe.
com/moto-envy-show.html
September 18-20, 2015: 30th Annual
Autumn Beemer Bash (Quincy, CA)
breakfasts, GS ride, poker run, vendors,
and speakers (Editor Surj will be there!).
Great camping on grass and hot showers,
wonderful mountain rides in the Sierra!
ccbr.org
September 26, 2015: Calistoga HalfMile (1435 N Oak St, Calistoga)
Flat track action in the heart of wine
country—last 2015 race before the finale
in Vegas! flattrackcalistoga.com
On the other end of the spectrum, power
mode one is like having an extra shot of
espresso with your cocaine. Things get a
little twitchy and all the power comes at
you pretty fast.
In addition to the fly-by-wire tech and
slipper clutch, Yamaha added a six-axis
electronic nanny to monitor pitch, roll, and
yaw, which feeds information to a security
blanket woven of wheelie, traction and slide
control. To add to the control freakiness,
the R1 also has launch control and very
sophisticated ABS. All of this electronic
wizardry is adjustable via knobs and
buttons near the handgrips, and the trickass TFT monitor displays your changes.
All of that power is brought to the rear
wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and
slipper clutch, but it’s going to take more
than just a slipper clutch to keep the
average rider from sending themselves into
low earth orbit. Thanks to some high-tech
acronyms, namely YCC-T and YCC-I
(Chip Controlled Throttle and Chip
Controlled Intake), the R1’s fly-by-wire lets Speaking of the settings and display,
fiddling with this stuff is almost as much
fun as riding the bike. Ok… maybe not,
Nope.
Back to the actual systems. Or the online
simulator, if you’re playing along at home.
There are two display settings: street
and track. The street display gives you
the option of viewing temperature, trip
miles, and fuel consumption in addition
to your gear position, MPH, and a little
meter that shows brake pressure as well as
front to back pitch. Track mode adjusts the
tachometer so the display begins at 8,000
RPM, and gives you a much larger gear
position indicator. Both modes show you
the level each of your electronic aids are
working at.
The six-axis IMU (Inertial Measurement
Unit) monitors how the bike is moving up,
down, left, right, forward, and backward
all at 125 calculations per second. It was
honed on the giant stones of Rossi and
Lorenzo, and it behaves like you would
expect something that was developed
on the world stage should—although
Want your event in our calendar? Send a
note to [email protected] with details
9 AM to 3 PM. Parts, gear, office supplies,
Central
Cal
BMW
riders
invites
you
to
the
like who, what, when, where, why and we’ll
furniture and more. Contact Galen for
30th
annual
Beemer
Bash,
featuring
faadd it. We need your info at least 45 days in
more info: 510.502.9881 AddictionMomous
and
free
CCBR
coffee,
beer
garden,
advance—more notice is better.
tors.com
Saturday night BBQ, two Continental
1st Thursday of each month: Bay Area
Moto Guzzi Group Monthly Dinner
(6:00 PM, Giovanni’s, 1127 N. Lawrence
Expy, Sunnyvale)
(11:00 AM, Fin’s Coffee, 1104 Ocean
Street, Santa Cruz)
September 12, 2015: Moto Envy Show
(Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe, 440 F
Street, Eureka)
The 16-valve, 998cc liquid cooled inline
4 puts out just shy of 200 horsepowARR
and spins up to a taint-tickling 14,000
redline. It’s a crossplane motor like the
previous model, but about 18 horsepower
more powARRful and 9 pounds lighter.
A larger bore allows for bigger pistons
and correspondingly larger 33mm
intake and 26.5mm exhaust valves, and a
reduced stroke (down 1.3 to 50.9) helps
boost the available torque up to 82.9 ft/
lb. Those bigger valves are kept in check
by finger-followers instead of the bucket
tappets of the past. So how did they get
the motor lighter with all these bigger bits
in place? Titanium con-rods, titanium
valves, magnesium covers, and some sort
of engineering wizardry that brought the
width of the motor down about an inch and
a half, that’s how.
Level four makes you work to get power
out of the bike. You have to give it a good
twist to get going and power delivery is
extremely smooth and slow. This allows
you to get the most out of your available
traction conditions if you ever find yourself
out in the rain or on a dirt track for some
reason.
but it is damn nifty. And it’s extra-awesome
that there is a simulator on Yamaha’s
website that lets you play make-believe
after you give the bike back… not that I do
that.
10am to 3pm, free to all. Presented by
“Hollywood” Steve and the ROM Crew,
a party for YOU: our customers and
friends. Enjoy BBQ, music by Jeff from
DJTainment, lots of great door prizes.
Free oil changes for all riders, just for
showing upon your bike! Ride-OnMotorcycles.com
August 22, 2015: Streetmasters
Comes To NorCal! (San Jose / Santa
Cruz)
Streetmasters will be conducting a class
starting in San Jose at 8 AM. After the
classroom, the remainder of the day will
be spent riding the twisties between San
Jose and Santa Cruz. Call Streetmasters
at 951.549.1717 for more details and
pricing.
Ducati Bike Nights!
The reason for getting these events
started was to provide a fun, social
atmosphere for Ducati owners, folks
that want to become Ducati owners, and
folks that don’t yet know that they want
to become Ducati owners to sit, eat, talk,
walk around and look at other Ducatis.
All brands and models of motorcycles
are welcome. Get more information at
NorCalDoc.com.
1st Monday of each month: Mill Valley
Join us from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the
first Monday of each month at The
Cantina, 651 E. Blithedale Ave, Mill
Valley. For more information, call
415.378.8317.
1st Wednesday of each month: San
Francisco Ducati Bike Night
Santana Row, #1065 San Jose. For more
information, call 408.557.8373
3rd Wednesday of each month:
Emeryville
6:00 to 10:00 PM on the third
Wednesday of each month at Hot
Italian, 5959 Shellmound Street, No. 75,
Emeryville. For more information, call
510.652.9300.
4th Monday of each month:
Sacramento
6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Monday
of each month at Hot Italian, 1627
16th Street, Sacramento. For more
information, call 916.444.3000.
4th Monday of each month: MidPeninsula
5:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Monday
of each month at Sixto’s Cantina, 1448
Join us from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the
first Wednesday of each month at Pier 23 Burlingame. For more information, call
Seafood Cafe, Pier 23, The Embarcadero, 650.342.7600.
San Francisco, CA 94111. For more
4th Friday of each month: Concord
6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Friday
1st Sunday of each month: North Bay
of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961
Join us from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on the first Diamond Blvd, Concord. For more
Sunday of each month at Benissimo, 18
Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera.
4th Saturday of each month: Novato
2nd Monday of each month: South Bay 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth
6:00 to 10:00 PM on the second Monday Saturday of each month at Boca Pizzeria,
454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato. For more
of each month at Pizza Antica, 334
Photo: Bob Stokstad
control leaves off, preventing rear wheel
spin (aw man!) as you are applying power
on the way out of corners. Ten levels of
Lift Control keeps track of the front to rear TCS means you can adjust it to suit your
pitch and modulates the power output to
preference for spin, even turn it off if you
keep the front tire on (or at least close to)
like to light up the rear end.
the ground under hard acceleration. It has
Unified Brake System and Anti-lock
four settings, the fun one being off.
Braking System use the IMU data to help
Launch Control works hand in hand
modulate your braking if you get a little to
with Lift Control to help you really nail
stabby or trail brake too deep. UBS also
your race starts—or stoplight-to-stoplight automatically applies some rear brake for
drags—by limiting RPMs to 10,000 with
you when you use the front, but not the
the throttle at the stop. Don’t worry, you
other way around. We’re waiting for the
get those RPMs back once you’re rolling.
“linked brakes are stupid” letters.
Slide Control—a first for production
Yamaha went with fully adjustable 43mm
motorcycles—limits the amount of
inverted KYB suspenders up front and a
available throttle if a slide is detected under 4-way adjustable KYB shock with remote
heavy lean. Like wheelie control, it has
reservoir in the rear. The bouncy bits have
four levels, including off, or as I refer to it,
4.7 inches of travel at both ends. I had no
“eventual highside.”
somehow without the expense of a
MotoGP team—flawlessly.
Photo: Dito Milian
Variable Traction Control works by
measuring the difference between front
and rear wheel speeds, as well as the
lean angle of the machine under hard
acceleration. It takes over where the slide
issues getting the setup dialed in with a
200-pound rider (me, duh) on board. Of
course, we’d certainly like the 4.7 inches of
electronic Öhlins of the R1M even more.
When I picked
the R1 up at
CityBike world
headquarters,
the first thing
that stood out
to me was the
GIGANTIC
catalytic
converter.
Visually, it’s the
only wart on
an otherwise
beautiful, even
intimidatingPhoto: Bob Stokstad
looking
machine.
a half hour later, I had no fewer than 20
Everything
missed calls, texts, emails, and instant
about the styling says “I am going to give
you the ride of your life… bring a change of messages from friends.
underpants.”
“When are we going riding?”
I did my normal
“Now seems like a great time to show you
shakedown run
how to wheelie.”
through the Oakland
hills, and it did not
“When can I ride it?” said 18 more.
feel like a 441 pound
Clearly I was going to need a stick to beat
machine, even just
away all of the attention this machine was
sitting on it. When
going to give me.
I stopped to take a
picture up at “The
I rode it to work for a couple of days and
Wall,” I made some
quickly realized that this machine has no
friends.
business being on the street. You can get a
speeding ticket on any freeway in America
“Whoa, New R1?”
in 1st gear, 2nd could earn you jail time, and
asked the guy with
3rd is more than capable of tearing up your
the Aussie accent,
I don’t know what
“How long have you licensethpermanently.
th
good
5
and
6
gears
are—fuel economy?
had it?”
Sure, you can commute on the thing, but
When I replied,
“Fifteen minutes,” he make sure you’re not in twitchy power
mode number one in stop and go traffic.
just smiled.
Ask me how I know this is a bad idea.
“So, can I ride it?”
I took the beast to Thunderhill Raceway to
joked his buddy.
see what it was capable of. Five minutes out
“Oi!” piped up the
of the van, and I had a small crowd asking
Aussie accent, “He
me questions and offering to swap bikes
said he had it for 15
with me. That never happened with my
minutes, you might as well have asked if he SV650!
had a sister you could date.”
I rolled into the first session at a fairly
I took a picture or two, posted them on
modest pace to get the suspension dialed
Facebook, and rode off. At home about
in and feel out the stock tires. I left all of
the electronic aids in their most restrictive
settings and rode in power mode three.
Wheelie control kept the front tire firmly
planted on the pavement even over the turn
nine rise. Slide control and traction control
only allowed minimal lean angle before it
took away power, and it gave it back just as
gently as it took it away.
Enough. I uncorked the “Snarl One” and
ran with the settings one notch away from
off.
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Holy shit.
Remember how I had no real use for 5th
or 6th gear on the street? Same kinda
goes for the track. I glanced down at the
speedo, pinned in 4th, and saw I was over
150mph. The power came on instantly
and predictably, which made me very glad
that the brakes are as good as they are.
No shudder, no click, none of the typical
distracting ABS feedback—they just
slowed me down better and later than any
other bike I’ve ridden at T-Hill.
I’ve been racing Ninja 250s, so my muscle
memory was a bit on the “ham fisted”
quick on any of
these machines,
even with the
electronic man
behind the
curtain managing
the bike’s every
move.
But I’m not
preaching, at
least not today.
I’m talking about
how damn trick
this thing is. And
it is easy to ride
fast, as Max has
attested to.
side of things. Because of this, the slide
control was something I used on a fairly
regular basis, quickly followed by traction
control. Any time the bike noticed that
the rear wheel was headed out to overtake
the front, it would prevent me from adding
more throttle. Once I took away a little lean
angle, it would hand control back. Where
the wheelie control kept the front planted
earlier in the day, now it stayed lofted a foot
over turn nine.
“Hey guys,” I said, thinking they would
remember me. Their looks of confusion
told me they didn’t.
Flawless.
By Surj Gish
Negatives? Besides the bulbous
catalytic converter? The R1 is woefully
uncomfortable for my aging back to deal
with outside of the track. I was hyperaware of every bump in the road and on my
commute. At the track, of course, I had no
issues staying out for full sessions all day
long.
Trick.
I also noticed
that if I was
smooth I
could come
to a complete
stop without
triggering the
brake light.
Our R1 seemed
to have an issue
with the front
brake light
switch—it’d
only trigger
the brake lights
when I grabbed
a real handful
of front brake.
We’re assuming
this is an
isolated issue,
perhaps even
due to motojourno abuse.
Photo: Bob Stokstad
Eventually
I had to give the R1 back to Editor Surj.
After leaving CityBike HQ on my KLR, I
headed to the wall and ran into the same
two guys that were there the day I took the
R1 up there.
“I had the R1 last week.”
“Oh!” said the Aussie. “I’ll bet he would let
you ride that POS!”
I guess I don’t need that stick anymore.
Aging Slow Guy Rants About
Excess and Tech-gnarl-ogy
I didn’t ride it
on the track,
but I did have
some ridiculous
experiences
Photo: Dito Milian
on the street.
Oakland to SF
without leaving
1st? Yup. 90+
MPH exiting the Bay Bridge, in 1st gear?
Yup.
at 80+ with the front wheel skipping the
pavement, almost floating.
When I saw the first photos of the next-gen
R1 last year, I thought it looked strange,
especially from the side. Lumpy, awkward.
Strange flow to the bodywork and pipe.
The tiny headlights and correspondingly
large “number plate” area reminded me of
the large cabezas of the aliens in Aliens. I
grunted, cursed modern bikes for looking
so damn weird, again.
In person, the R1 is actually quite
handsome, and surprisingly menacing.
Maybe the black with hell-reddish touches
of our bike adds to this, but viewed from
the front, the bike looks near-murderous.
But I still think the exhaust looks kinda
weird.
Anyway, I’m a street rider, so I was hardpressed to make much sense of the bike
in my natural habitat. Yeah, it’s fast; yeah,
it corners like a curved razor; yeah, the
electronics are amazing.
But what the hell are we supposed to do
with this thing on the street? It’s bloody
uncomfortable, the mirrors suck, and
there’s no luggage.
Look, I didn’t do standing wheelies up 580
with a police helo in tow, but I did engage in Seriously?
some hooligan behavior. Hooligan-esque,
The YZF-R1 is an executioner. It belongs
at least. The R1 just begs for it.
on the track, destroying riders on inferior
Actually, begs is the wrong word. It’s much machines with precise, ruthless efficiency.
If it weren’t
more elegant with it’s request. “Would
you like to go fast, sir? I have nearly 200
MPH of good times just waiting for
your command.” It’s utterly composed
I started hearing that word as a kid, from
my dad and the V-8 guys he worked with,
hung out with. It’s a word that seems
to have fallen out of favor with younger
generations of gearheads, although I
sometimes still hear it paired with other
words, like trickass hoe.
Anyway, trick
perfectly
describes the
latest liter-sized
YZF. It’s not
that it’s the first
bike that showed
up ‘round the
subterranean
CityBike garage
with a raft of
impressive
technology—it
seems like
that game gets
stepped up every
year lately. In
fact, some of
us moto-nerds
talk ad nauseam
about how big
liters bikes are so
easy to ride now,
what with all the
electronics making ‘em so manageable,
even un-crashable, that it’s fine for noobs to
jump on a near-200 horsepower racer-rep
as their first bike.
I’m here to tell you—that’s horseshit. A
new rider can wreck his or her-self right
so polite, it’d laugh at the mere notion
of wasting its talents on the street. As it
should.
R You There God? It’s Me, 2015 YZF-R3
of being steel) swingarm, and great-looking
paintwork. Beyond the standard bitching
about bits ‘n’ bobs, there’s not much to
complain about. I did find the organization
of the wiring around the front of the frame
to be lacking in elegance—an offense I
was able to let slide after I realized that the
cost of employing old-world craftsmen to
organize those wires and carefully wrap the
harnessing in high quality cloth tape would
increase the price of the bike by four or five
times.
Imagine the amount of restraint requred to ride the R1 at R3 speed.
Photo: Surj Gish
Words: Surj Gish
but rather frugal…
although some of the
bits and bobs, like the
levers, both handsy and
footsy, scream cheap.
Photos: James Carr &
Surj Gish
I
f you’re reading this,
presumably after
reading our review of
the R1, because of course
you’re going to read the
R1 review first, our hats
are off to you to putting
up with all the R / ARR
numbnuttiness we’ve
engaged in so fARR.
We’re nothing if not
consistent(ly bad with our
“humor”).
Back to business. The
matter at hand: Yamaha’s
littlest sporty-bike, the
YZF-R3. If you’re one
of the old timers (and
you likely are, since
the kidz are busy with
the intARRnetz), you
remember the good old
days that have happened
a few times in the past,
when every manufacturer
had a bitchin’ baby bike
or two.
What happened to those good old days
every time? The small bikes mostly piled
up in showrooms because American riders
like liter bikes, fat rear tires and apparently,
high price tags.
Photo: Surj Gish
Guess what, kids—this
is a five thousand dollar
motorcycle, and that
low price necessitates
some low-spec stuff.
Which is fine for the
audience Yamaha
intended this bike for:
beginners.
But as with other
bikes in this class, a
whole ‘nother audience
exists—misguided
writers / riders at
regional motorcycle
magazines. Oops,
I meant racers. The
aforementioned
questionable
individuals do happen
to be a subset of this
racer segment, though.
These guys know
they’ll have to upgrade
suspension, brakes, of
exhibited a predilection for plopping down
So every time Honda gave us a CB-1, we
course
tires…
but
as
Max, Sam and John
gave them a yawn. We hARRdly batted an big piles of cash for big bikes.
found
directly,
this
bike
is an excellent
eye at Suzuki’s baby Bandit. There were a
In
spite
of
this
exceedingly
clear,
repetitive
starting
point.
Hell,
maybe
we’ll uh… sell
few exceptions to this—Kawsaki’s Ninjette
message
from
the
motorbike
buying
public,
some
kidneys
(Not
ours!
Not
ARRS!) and
for example, but in general, Americans have
we have again seen a resurgence in small,
put together a CityBike R3 race team.
mostly sporty, bikes. Honda, KTM, Suzuki
But enough background—what’s the deal
and of course Kawasaki are in this game,
with this thing?
and Yamaha has finally joined the fray.
And what an entry! The R3 looks great—to The R3 is powered by a 321cc, 8-valve
DOHC parallel twin, with six cogs to
a layperson, someone who doesn’t have
row your way through on the way to 80
eyes trained to quickly notice things like
the single front rotor, toothpick-wide tires, MPH or so. It’s fuel-injected, of course,
but you’ll find no wires to ride by, modes
and lack of twisty thingies on top of the
or traction control—although if you need
fork tubes, the Three looks like a balls out
help controlling traction with this little
race bike. There are three color options,
team of ponies… well, this bike is actually
each with distinctly different graphics.
probably for you, as much as I want to shoot
Red and white (like ours, which we chose
to match Max’s CityBike leathers) and blue off my mouth about how you need to learn
and white both look suitably sporty, but the some throttle control skills. It’s a beginner
black paintjob, with hell-red accents, looks bike! Of course you need to work on your
throttle skills!
nearly as menacing as the big daddy R1.
You also won’t find ABS, unless you’re
To a more moto-trained eye, though,
looking for that ABS in Europe, where it’s
the R3, while still handsome, is quickly
standard on the R3.
identified as a smallish, cheapish
motorcycle. We shouldn’t really say cheap,
Photo: Surj Gish
Photo: James Carr
Tiny Battles: R3 vs. CBR300R
Comparison: Over All, A Draw
Words: John Joss
I rode Honda’s CBR300R at the press
launch last year in Los Angeles (“2015
CBR300R First Ride: Thumpin’ to Talk
About” – October 2015). The contest
between the two is close in almost every
category.
Yamaha’s R3 gets it done! In 300+ miles
of spirited riding, on Bay Area roads
offering full-spectrum configurations
and surfaces, the R3 delivers all-round
satisfaction.
With only 37 HP at 10,750 RPM hauling
a claimed 368 pounds (add fuel and rider,
of course), you row it along with the gear
lever and keep it on the boil, from 7,000
to the 12,000+ redline, pinned whenever
possible. At low RPM it lacks acceleration
and demands instant downshifts—
consider it a 125cc two-stroke racer.
This little jewel won’t shred tarmac.
It bleeds energy uphill and scrubs off
speed when pushed into corners, even
wound tight. But it works satisfactorily,
far exceeding freeway traffic speeds,
cruising at an indicated 80 (7,500
RPM), stopping well with modest lever
pressure, handling lightly and confidently.
Throttle takeup, frustrating with many
machines (including some Yamahas), is
linear, smooth and decisive. Translation:
excellent value.
Frame is steel, suspension is not adjustable,
except for preload out back. Brakes involve
just one more piston than you’ll find in
the engine (two out front, one in the rear)
clamping a single disc on each end: 298
mm in the front, 220 mm in the back.
The R3 wins handily on power (a claimed
37 HP from 321 cc, vs. the CBR’s 28 from
286 cc) and smoothness—twin vs. single.
It’s noticeably livelier from the saddle but
only a stopwatch could tell the exact story.
But Honda’s little thumper delivers better
low- and mid-range torque—it can start
off comfortably in second gear, while the
R3 protests.
Fuel economy marks go to the CBR,
delivering EPA numbers of ~70 MPG vs.
~50 for the R3; of course, ridden hard,
these numbers will come down. Claimed
dry weight is a close call (R3 368 / CBR
357 pounds) and saddle height is identical
at 30.7”.
Gearbox: a smooth, crisp tie with never
a problem on either machine. Tires,
suspension and seat on both were
necessarily specified down to a price,
thus about equal: economy quality but
adequate. Handling, fun factor, riding
comfort, fit and finish? A wash. No bad
dogs.
So consider price. The CBR captures the
blue ribbon at $4900 with ABS, $4400
The R3 is the styling winner, ‘boy racer’
without, vs. $5000 for the R3—no
written all over it. Its generous instrument available ABS.
cluster includes gear selected, clock and
Both the R3 and CBR are excellent
fuel gauge, though the ‘slanting’ analogmachines that are doing brilliantly
tachometer type font is disconcertingly
in world markets, including the U.S.
hard to read at first (the speedometer is
digital). By comparison, the CBR is staid Flip a coin. You can’t miss with either.
and conventional in styling and offers less Beginning riders, suitably trained, should
enjoy them both.
information to the rider.
Claimed wet weight is 366 pounds, and the
height of the reasonably slim seat is 30.7”—
both numbers meaning “easy to handle,
even if this is your first time.” The sporty
yet upright riding position complements
the low seat height and weight, putting the
rider in a functional, comfortable position.
Unless that rider is six feet (or more) tall.
In spite of the obvious nods to budgetary
constraints, there are some nice touches:
LED taillight, slick gauges, stylish (in spite
So given the level of value here, how’s it
ride? Pretty damn well, actually. It’s not
fast in the sense that fast bikes are, but
it’s quick enough to be fun. It’s light and
easily thrown around. That low weight
and reasonable power will likely have you
riding the li’l R quickly enough to make
you wish for new tires—fortunately, an
easily solvable problem.
Tires can be swapped when they wear out,
and therefore are essentially self-upgrading.
Other items will require more money and
planning—if a rider progresses beyond
beginner-dom, he or she will probably want
to put some money into the suspension and
brakes.
But that’s no different than any other bike
in this class, and many bikes well above this
class. In fact, the only real black mark for
a new rider—again, the intended buyer of
the R3—is the lack of available ABS. We’ll
gladly accept your angry letters about how
ABS is turning riders into technologydependent morons, but new riders, morons
or otherwise, can benefit from depending
on such technology to prevent them from
learning too much, too fast from their
mistakes.
Even given that limitation, Yamaha’s R3
is an excellent entry into the entry-level
motorcycle race; a manageable, reasonably
priced, fun starter bike that can grow with
both new riders and old racers.
Starter / Racer
By Max Klein
Yamaha seems to have been listening to
Americans complain about the lack of
“fun” starter bikes available in The States.
Or was it “cool” starter bikes? Doesn’t
matter—Yamaha’s got both bases covered
with the R3. It looks as badass as its
bigger brothers, has a fairly upright riding
position, and more than enough power to
get out of its own way.
Max is a little big for this thing.
Photo: Surj Gish
Photo: James Carr
What is funny is I had yet to see one
on the road when we got our test bike.
But I’ve seen them on the racetrack,
where riders pilot them in a campaign to
dethrone Kawasaki as the king of the small
displacement racer.
Wrecking Crew Weekend Out:
Bungee Brent’s 8th Annual Backroad Bash
Even bone stock, with the right rider at the
controls, R3s are actively competing with
modified Ninja 250s and 300s. There’s
minimal aftermarket support (so far), so
most racers have stock exhausts and stock
suspension, and all of them are running
stock bodywork with an aluminum turkey
basting tray zip-tied on to serve as a belly
pan.
I first rode our R3 at Thunderhill Raceway,
at an open track day. I didn’t push it very
hard on the stock tires, which are blessed
with the traction of granite. The rear shock
was pogoing under acceleration out of most
corners, and I had to sit on the passenger
seat to get in a full tuck—the li’l R was
obviously was not built to host a 6’1”, 190
pound rider out of the box. Or van.
Even with these limitations, I was able
to hang with the Ninjas down the front
straight, and bonus: the stock brakes
worked pretty well too.
Eventually I saw one on the street—in
the reflection of a tanker truck on my
commute. The R3 is capable of running on
the freeway, with just enough juice to stay
Photo: Surj Gish
one step ahead of most traffic situations,
but it’s much happier on surface streets.
The standard-ish riding position was much
more comfortable than the R1 I had the
week before. Although... R1.
It makes me wonder how much of this
Yamaha anticipated. Did they build this
machine to be not just your first bike, but
also your first race bike? The new R1 is full
of MotoGP tech—will future versions of
the R3 benefit from its big brother’s handme-downs as well?
Tacos, Chihuahuas & Intentional
Traction Loss
By Sam Devine
It’s hard to think of metaphors that aren’t
violent or sexist to describe this cute little
bike. If a liter bike is an AR-15, the R3 is a
trusty Glock 9mm. If a Katana is a samurai
blade, the R3 is a handy short sword, good
in close quarters but not as effective out in
the open. If an R1 is a towering Swedish
Volleyball player, the R3 is a five-footnothing salsa
dancer with
a dancing
physique.
Ok, how
about: if a liter
bike is rolling
luggage for
an extended
stay, the R3
is the perfect
weekender
duffle, filled
with only
what you
need—maybe
a little shy on
spare pants,
but nothing
you can’t live
without.
Truly, for
riders in the
under 200
pounds camp,
Yamaha’s
Photo: Surj Gish
YZF-R3 is
a stripped
down, entry
level micro rocket that can still carve a
canyon like an electric knife to a roast ham.
It’s that one-egg frying pan that you wind
up cooking with more than the full size
skillet because it’s lighter and easier to use.
It winds up being your go-to because it’s
just what you need and nothing you don’t.
Some of its components may be chintzy,
like the inexpensive, pressed-metal
rear brake lever and heat shields. But
they’re frugal and functional. The front
suspension is completely un-adjustable
and the rear tire is so slim that it loses
traction like nobody’s bidness, but with its
relatively low top speed and easy handling,
the affordable features don’t really leave
anything to be desired.
Going fifty through a turn on the R3 feels
like you’re doing seventy. Which is good
because the thing doesn’t wanna go much
past 80—not with an uphill headwind,
anyhow.
But what it lacks in top speed, it more
than makes up for in agility. Turning is
barely harder than wrangling a bicycle.
As a small dude, turning a big sport bike
means I basically hurl myself at the ground
like a raptor at a Jurassic Park tourist and
then tune the
throttle, using
momentum
to keep the
fairings from
hitting the
ground like a
student pilot.
But the
R3 turns
complacently.
You get the
control and
aerodynamics
of a sport bike,
but you don’t
have to wrestle
the forward
momentum
of the larger
bike, and that
opens up the
opportunity to
focus on other
things—like
form and
intentional
rear traction
loss.
The small rear tire plus the solid torque
of the R3 makes controlled traction loss
relatively easy. We slipped it around a bit
on some curvy backroads and a of course
a few paint strips about town. The docile
response of the light R3 make this fun
and extremely liberating. For most riders,
rear slippage is something we tend to
avoid. And when we encounter it there is
a propensity to overreact. Experiencing it
on an obedient bike makes it something
to incorporate into understanding, not a
brain-stopping catastrophe that triggers
a butt clenching tire taco-ing mis-steer.
Nope, just a fun little wiggle beneath you
that you correct like a chihuahua trying to
get at your sandwich. “No, you get on that
way. You so silly. Yes you is! Yes you is!”
Photo: Surj Gish
Words: Surj Gish & The CityBike
Wrecking Crew
was slow going—Big Fancy ain’t real
fast to start with, and she was way
overloaded, between the trailer, five
Photos: Bungee Brent, Max Klein,
people, five bikes, and miscellaneous
Surj Gish
ungee Brent—rock ‘n’ roll / sports crap stowed in every remaining empty
photographer extraordinaire, OMC spot. Fortunately, High Desert J, being
a real rider and all that, was traveling by
member, and most importantly,
friend of CityBike—does a Backroad Bash KLR and met us in Long Barn, so that
saved us whatever a KLR weighs… 800
every year. The Bash is a two-day, scenic
pounds or whatever.
dual-sport ride that is suitable for any
skill level from beginner to expert. And,
This year, six went to Long Barn,
perhaps to the chagrin of “real riders” more and six returned, with six functional
interested in camping out a thousand miles bikes—probably a new record for a
from nowhere, while there are two days
CityBike outing. Unfortunately, with all
of solid riding, the ride is HQ’ed at the
the Wrecking, some of the Crew ended
friendly and groovy Long Barn Lodge, in,
a little worse for the wear. An used her
you guessed it, Long Barn, so you sleep in
legs as sacrificial padding to save her
a bed, and there’s even live music Saturday KTM from a few new scratches, and
night.
ended up with huge, sickly-green bruises
Where’d my motorcycle go?!?
on her legs, like the size
Photo: Bungee Brent
of a boot sole. I managed
to break a couple bones in
Moving on, we weave up a sandy hill and
my right foot, really tweak
the back-end goes loose. It reminds me
the same ankle, and bruise a
few ribs. I also managed to put of piloting a jet-ski—just keep it pointed
where you want to go and don’t pay too
off going in for x-rays for two
much attention to the shenanigans of the
whole days, and was rewarded
meandering rear end.
by a gasp from the tech when
she saw all the lovely purple
I thought we had surely hit some
bruising on my foot.
motorcycle-only routes, but when we get to
You should totally go next year. the top, I’m surprised to see four Jeeps.
B
Big tree—the Bennett Juniper
Photo: Surj Gish
It’s a great weekend for a great cause—the
proceeds benefit the UC Davis Cancer
Center and A Song For Wellness. Last
year, two of us went up to Long Barn and
managed to return with only one disabled
bike, somehow not the bike that was
crashed.
This year, we went hard in the paint
and headed towards Long Barn in Big
Fancy, CityBike’s aging F150 long bed. It
Sam: Dirt Noob #1
“How was that trail for you guys?” I ask.
It’s a lovely day and I’m
fumbling for the rear
brakes. I’ve ridden
cruisers down fire
trails before and horsed
around in gravel parking
lots, but this is my first
time rockin’ knobbies in
a national forest. And it’s
great. Just moments after
we leave the pavement it
hits me: this is going to
be fun.
“Ah,” one driver responds, waving a hand.
“Two-wheel drive the whole way.”
Oh well, guess I’m still a noob…
After breathing in a beautiful view of the
granite planes of the Emigrant Wilderness,
it’s time to head back down. The rear wheel
locks up and I get tense, skidding down
a steep hill. But then it hits me: this feels
like a mixture of snowboarding and lane
splitting on Oak street. I’m switching from
side to side, sliding down the mountain,
skidding out the rear end and staying
upright and balanced. At least the big rocks
won’t suddenly cut me off while texting.
Sam washing his bike.
We crawl down steep,
rocky trails, rip through
pine groves and blast
through a water crossing. We roll
through a meadow and take a
break by one of the widest trees I’ve
ever seen. A funky, white-bearded
attendee explains that the Bennett
Juniper is at least two thousand
years old, older than any other
known Juniper.
Photo: Bungee Brent
Max: KLR #1
As I have proven time and time again, I
don’t really go about things the way that
many things should be gone about. I started
racing flat track after a very short time on a
dirtbike. I bought an engagement ring just
3 months after meeting my beautiful wife.
Why should my dual-sport debut be any
different?
What’s J got in all those bags?
KTM 525, and have virtually no experience
riding dirt, aside from random gravel
levee roads encountered while mistakenly
following a GS on my Ducati.
My bruises will heal, but my
memory of this adventure
will last forever. Count me
IN for next year!
And yet there I was, riding shotgun in Big
Fancy, headed east on 108 to Long Barn
Lodge. No turning back.
J: KLR #2
We arrived at the lodge late, got our
rollcharts, t-shirts,
and some trailside
snacks. The riders
meeting was early,
but not so early that
we couldn’t run to
Alicia’s Sugar Shack
for a super-delicious
breakfast. After the
meeting we geared
up and headed out.
Not so easy.
My KLR650 is bigger than
most typical dual-sport
motorcycles and smaller
than most adventure bikes.
So it is often considered to
be both a dual-sport and
an ADV bike. After riding
BBBB15 on my KLR, I can
confidently say that it is not a
dual-sport bike. And I’m not
really a dual-sport rider.
When I ride on the dirt (and
I’m not alone) the other
riders are usually on bigger adventure
Instead of slabbing it bikes, approaching 600 pounds. In skilled
to the trails, we took hands they do surprisingly well on lessa fire road, and I got technical dirt roads and trails, but in this
a taste of what I was world of 600-pound adventure bikes,
in for. I almost got a dirt riding is usually not about going fast,
free mudbath, then because crashing lots of means expensive
noises, and because picking up a huge bike
narrowly missed a
is very hard work, at best, and impossible
rock massage.
to do by yourself very many times in a long
We proceeded to
day on difficult terrain.
the trails mapped
out on the rollchart, Which a long-winded way of explaining
trails I was told were why I ride my KLR slowly on the dirt.
I’m the guy out there on the big fat KLR,
fine for beginners
standing on the pegs, creeping along
like me. I throttled
at about walking speed, proud of my
through silt, rocks,
imaginary trials-rider-like low-speed bikewater, tree roots,
and a constant cloud handling skills.
of dust from
Photo: Max Klein
the people
Gwynne got stuck riding sweep a lot.
ahead of me.
Sure I have taken bikes on fire roads and
Late Saturday, my luck finally ran out
even some tighter trails, but never for 200
when a treacherous boulder tricked
miles (what was our total mileage anyway?) me into pinning myself under my
and never on my KLR with a group made
KTM.
up of mostly proper dirtbikes.
Ever upbeat, I took this as a good
What could possibly go wrong?
opportunity to see if I could lift the
bike by myself. Which it turns out I
Well, for starters I could humiliate myself
in front of the rest of the CityBike Wrecking can. Fortunately.
Crew and lose whatever respect they might Editor Surj found me shortly after,
still have for me after spending a few hours and we agreed this might be a good
in Big Fancy.
time for me to turn around and wait
The route was a fun mix of smoothly paved for some others who were starting to
sweepers and fire roads with some difficult head back. The return ride went fast
routes thrown in for those aforementioned and easy thanks to Gwynne’s Bajagrown skills and guidance.
proper dirtbikes, or in my case a pig of a
KLR to go play on.
Yes. I failed to stick close enough to the
rider in front of me and ended up zigging
where I should have zagged. I found out
the next morning that the rock-laden,
confidence-devastating section on which
I’d nearly whiskey-throttled my KLR into a
tumbling backflip was indeed not intended
for me, my bike, or my sub-par skillset.
What Sort of Man
Reads
Photo: Max Klein
Meanwhile, most of the riders at BBBB15
event were on much smaller, lighter,
technically street legal dirt bikes that
mostly weighed around 300 pounds or
less. They rode fast, had fun, dropped their
bikes, occasionally crashed, and a few got
hurt. But everybody, me included, had a
great time.
Gwynne: The One With Actual
Dirt Skills—Lots Of ‘Em!
Presumably still busy cleaning the oil
off her back tire and the rest of her bike’s
undercarriage. Damn ATK.
Stay tuned for the deets on next year’s Bash.
We’ll keep you informed—now all you gotta
do is get yourself a dual-sport. We hear there
are some great deals in the winter—what with
it not being “riding season” and all.
Photo: Surj Gish
September 12
2015
But I had a very good time on this ride and
have already started thinking about what I
can do to make the ride more pleasurable.
*COUGH PROPER DIRTBIKE*.
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Speedway
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An: Dirt Noob #2
My bike was loaded, I was all packed, but
I still hadn’t fully committed to riding
BBBB15. I’ve hardly even ridden our old
CLASSIC INSURANCE
Classic Cycle Events . com
Words: Miles Davis
Illustration: Mr. Jensen
O
ld timers will remember Playboy
magazine’s ads back in the
sixties—the ones picturing some
dapper fellow and which posed the query,
“What sort of a man reads Playboy?” MAD
magazine responded with its own version,
“What sort of a man reads MAD?” And it
was no surprise that the MAD reader turns
out to be not the dweebish fashion plate in
the foreground but the gearhead beneath
the jalopy. Under the editorship of Al
Feldstein, MAD magazine challenged the
status quo of fifties and sixties conformity
through humor, insight and common
sense—and in doing so prodded the
rising generation to think for themselves.
The fact that Mad had a serious mission
statement wrapped in humor is evidenced
by the huge impact the magazine has since
had on the world at large.
In the Sanskrit literatures
it is explained that each
unique and individual
living entity is like a
ray of the Sun. The
unlimited spiritual
particles, namely
ourselves, are
tiny fractions of
the whole—the
Parabrahman. Each
soul is indestructible
and one of a
kind. Outward
preferences
and projected
images are
merely external
expressions of the
undying eternal
nature of the
transcendental particle within
the body. Call it motorcycle yoga: self
knowledge is indicated when, after a mindcleansing ride through the sun and wind, a
rider exclaims, “This is who I am.”
The mental state of the rider, the physical
body, the riding gear that protects the
body, the personal skill, the choice of the
motorcycle itself and the particular road
traveled: each are reflections of the atma
within. And in the wonderful world of
two wheels only the individual who takes
responsibility for his own thoughts, words
and actions can make it across the finish
line to ride another day.
On the other hand, the corporate
world thrives on conformity. In slick
moto-publications owned by megaconglomerates, ad men are paid to sell you
an image of what or who a rider is. The
ads—and some of the content, too—seem
to show the bike riding the person. We
see race scores and are tempted to think,
“Honda and Suzuki trounced Kawasaki.”
But in reality it was the amazingly skilled
rider—not the machine—who either won
Sound familiar? To my mind, honest
moto-journalism—and honest riding—are or lost the competition.
likewise signposts pointing to who we
Those who are suckered into an image,
really are. And without a clear vision of
a logo, a look, an insignia—and who
the road ahead combined with a genuine
do not take the required individual
recognition of our own ability to take
responsibility—are sadly the ones who
on that road, who can survive the next
are more likely to wind up as statistics. In
curve or intersection? Knowing your
a world wherein conformity is the norm,
own limitations and understanding your
the lonely rider’s mystique is found in his
individual abilities are the driving forces
ability to be in charge, to make his own
of good riding. Because riding is all about
choices, to assess himself honestly and to
individuality.
decide on the best way down his chosen
road.
So what sort of a man, or woman—or
rather entity—reads CityBike? Of all
The great Brian Halton, the tough love
forms of transport, bikes are the best for
mentor to me and many other motothe personal expression of the inimitable
journalists, founded CityBike in 1984 on
soul that bursts forth before the wind
the principle of the mindset of the rider and
and the elements. Although individuality
the soul of motorcycling, before marketing
is the proprietorship of everyone, few
techniques bifurcated motorcycles into a
in the world of political correctness—a
hundred new categories, from bagger to
world wherein arms are twisted to respect
streetfighter, from pocketbike to maxithe ignorance of others—are willing to
scooter, from modernistic factory customs
broadcast that fact too loudly.
to old marques reborn.
Motos have pretty much gone mainstream
since 1984, so you see well-written articles
about bikes all over the internet, even on
mainstream sites like Yahoo News. They
are there to sell products.
When Brian coined CityBike’s tempting
invitation, “It’s about motorcycles, take
one,” it was more of an enticement to
individuality than an invitation to motoconsumerism. To put that another way,
what the elemental naked bike is to the
world of two wheeling, so is CityBike to the
world of moto-journalism.
naturally become invaded by competitive
corporate media that aims more towards
the materials than the individual astride
the saddle. Not that we should neglect gear
and hardware. In fact, all the reputable
manufacturers of motorcycles, parts and
the paraphernalia that edify and protect
the rider have to be some of the most
honest people in any business today.
But this all comes in second place to the
individual rider.
CityBike was founded in the radical literary
haven of North Beach. Writers from the
great Ambrose Bierce and Mark Twain to
When I first chanced upon CityBike at
Jack London and Jack Kerouac allowed
Tower Records, the hip—yet old school— North Beach and its environs to etch San
attitude that permeated its pages wafted
Francisco’s indelible influence upon their
like a familiar scent that belonged to fond
works. And since North Beach has been a
decades past. The nonchalant message was place that has never been shy of new kinds
intriguing. Whether it was the irreverent
of exploration in writing, the name of Brian
Herb Chain (Brian), the obtrusive
Halton who founded CityBike as a tribute
Question Man (Brian again), the old
to the most individual activity of the soul
school moto-addiction of Ed Hertfelder or in search of freedom belongs on the list of
the pointed philosophy of dharma rider Joe this neighborhood’s literary pioneers.
Glydon, there was a callous lack of concern
CityBike was and is the original free motofor the so-called ethics of an increasingly
periodical, still around to speak to those
superficial world filled to the brim with
freewheelers whose shining badge is their
post-Vietnam era hypocrisy. If there was
still a wellspring of the sixties and seventies callousness towards corporate socialthink.
It could be argued that this is CityBike’s
that had not been wholly undermined by
most valuable intellectual property.
an incoming tide of Reagan and Bush era
materialism, I found it here in CityBike.
Miles Davis is the author of Motorcycle Yoga,
available from RoyalEnfieldbooks.com.
Today when—of all things—an electric
bike has trumped the Pike’s Peak
Challenge, CityBike has steered into its
third generation of leadership. Naturally
keeping abreast of the times is
essential as the needs
of riders can change
as quickly as alpine
switchbacks. With the
growing popularity of
riding, the world of
moto-journalism has
sam DEVINE
dr. gregory w. FRAZIER
Chief, World
Adventure
Affairs Desk
riding furiously through traffic. It takes a
little time to look back and ponder what the
right thing was, what is the truth.
I
Illustration by Mr. Jensen
But here’s old Mr. Driver, cursing his
busted knuckles and splintered door
while stuck in stop-and-go traffic
in his sensible sedan. Suddenly
a razor-thin sportbike comes
lane splitting past him
at supersonic speeds,
startling him, causing
him to spill the last of
his coffee onto his
crotch.
t was all planned out. In the wee
morning hours, a cordless drill and
an impact driver would quickly
and almost silently seal the apartment
door with several, long multi-purpose
screws. Then a floor jack and a random
assortment of cinder blocks and scrap
wood would keep their car tires hovering
just millimeters off the pavement. Lastly, a
tire pressure gauge would let most of the air
out of those steel belted radials.
Goddammit!
He’ll get that
In the morning, the jerk from the drunken
biker, he swears.
house party fight would arise, struggle
Somehow,
with the latch and be confounded by the
someday,
door’s refusal to open. After contacting the
vengeance
upstairs neighbors or putting a shoulder to
will be his!
the door jam, he would fumble, frustrated
He’ll show
for his car keys.
that rocket
jockey! He’ll,
Confusion would strike again when the
well, he’ll…
sensible sedan was put in reverse and
he’ll… he’ll get
though the engine revved and revved, no
motion would be found. He would scratch the biggest SUV
a knuckle (or two, or three!) using his spare he can and drive
tire jack to remove the props—only to find it right down the
his tires flatter than steam-rolled pancakes middle of two lanes
at once! Yeah! And
on the ocean floor.
he’ll get some of those
No one would be hurt, but his day would
curb feelers like grandpa
be darn well buggered. Sweet retribution
had on his Caddy, yeah!
would be mine! Ha, ha!
That’ll jam their gears.
Why, they threaten his way
But… so what? Where would any of that
of life but he’ll stop those dirty
have gotten me? If it made his life harder
but didn’t improve mine, wasn’t I just being cycle bums!
vengeful? Shouldn’t I just let go and move
Why, here comes one now. Hmm. Mr.
on?
Driver places his hands at 10 and 2. Ever so
We all make these grandiose plans of
retribution, imagining the same look of
rage we once wore now exhibited upon
our victims. We dream of the upper hand,
but mostly, we’re just worked up in the
moment—the same way we find ourselves
slowly his car veers slightly to the left. And
as Mrs. Rider revs and gestures futilely, a
thin smile creases on his lips.
This sort of thing—drunken fights; people
shoving and blocking each other on the
way to town—has been going on for ages.
longer as bikes fill space in the traffic
pattern. Prohibiting gay marriage doesn’t
make anyone’s home happier—if anything
it makes it harder to understand the whims
of a son or daughter. And acting out my
plans for revenge would have cost
time and energy and maybe led
to an arrest.
But it takes time to
gather and look at all
the information and
do what’s right.
Wrapped up in the
moment, we don’t
realize we’re
zooming around
like banshees
and scaring
the crap out
of other
motorists. It’s
taken a lot
of studies to
demonstrate
that lane
splitting
can be done
safely. Just
like it took the
Supreme Court
a long time to ban
racial inequality,
to prohibit sexism
in the work place, and
even longer to allow
two people with the same
doodles to say they love each
other and get a break on their
taxes.
And people will tell you that we’re still
going to hell in a hand basket. But there
are some signs of improvement and I’m not
just talking about ABS and fuel injection.
Nope, we’re talking about the Supreme
Court’s decision to legalize gay marriage.
Wait! What the heck do lane splitting
and revenge plans have to do with gay
marriage?
Lane splitting and gay marriage have both
been prohibited for vengeful reasons and
lack of understanding. People that oppose
gay marriage feel righteous in their desire
to dictate how others should live. People
that oppose lane splitting feel righteous in
their desire to dictate how others should
ride. People that oppose that jerk that
sucker-punched me at that house party feel
righteous in their desire to ruin that guy’s
morning.
But opposing these things doesn’t actually
improve anything.
Banning lane splitting doesn’t get anyone
to their job faster—if anything it takes
And now California—the first place gay
marriage was allowed by the City of San
Francisco—is again on the precipice of
being the first state to ratify lane splitting
as a legal activity, not just something
that’s tolerated or allowed. So we need
to educate each other, lest we repeat the
vengeful backlash that other countries have
sometimes experienced when introducing
lane sharing. We need to demonstrate how
lane filtering can be done safely and with
consideration of those we share the road
with, even improving traffic. The same
way the LGBTQ community showed how
a healthy family can transcend the normal
expectations and demonstrate how that
doesn’t endanger the traditional family—if
anything it makes it stronger.
And, well, I guess I shouldn’t run my
mouth off at house parties.
Sam is CityBike’s newest columnist. He lives
in SF, teaches motorcycling and kitesurfing
during the day, tends bar at night, and sports
the closest thing to ZZ Top-level facial hair of
any of the CityBike Wrecking Crew.
“D
ude, take off that T-shirt!”
loudly growled the
overweight biker dressed
like a pirate wearing several Harley Owner
Group pins and patches on his leather vest.
“I’m not into the brevity thing, so it’s
Kawasaki-san to you, not Dude,” I politely
whispered back, but took his hint and
walked away from the collection of Harleyphiles to change shirts. Unfortunately I
had forgotten I was wearing my only clean
T-shirt, a screaming green
one from the oldest
Kawasaki dealership
in the USA, Lander
Marine and
Kawasaki.
hands flattened on the
pavement. “We’re ahh,
errr, checking the tire
pressure.”
The Harley-Davidson factory tour was like
visiting Ho Chi Minh in his final resting
That struck me as an odd way to check tire place, a mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam.
pressure, there being no tire pressure gauge We were lead by a guide who had warned
us of no picture taking and to stay within
in either of their hands and no air pump
the marked lines on the floor. As our line
nearby if tire pressure was low.
of tourists snaked through the factory I
After the HOG pirate had redressed me
remembered to keep my hands outside my
about my Kawasaki T-shirt, I walked back pants pockets, having been admonished
through the parking lot and dug through
for not doing so during my Uncle Ho
my dirty laundry to find a T-shirt that
tour. During both tours those of us in the
would be socially acceptable to wear while well-guarded lines were discouraged from
inside the factory. I rejected day-old ones
one that had a 1940s Indian Motocycle
on the front and back, and another with a
BMW logo. The last one, smelling of three
days of body odor and a week of dirty socks
and under shorts in the bottom on a plastic
n
nse
Je
Mr.
y
b
on
trati
Illus
speaking, the silence
seemingly to reflect due
homage. And no ear buds were allowed
playing possible Steppenwolf songs.
I had been on
Route 30 to Bob’s
BMW in Jessup,
Maryland when
I saw a HarleyDavidson
phallus poking
turgidly
hundreds of
feet in the sky
above the York,
Pennsylvania
factory, and a
sign saying “Harley
Factory Tours.” It
seemed like I had
found a possible mojoreplenishment pitstop.
“Ahh, errrr, nah,” one of them replied as
they both lifted their heads from their
I replied, in my best Harley-Davidson
brevity lingo, “My mojo’s the same, but
possibly I felt a testicular jingling of my
jimmies in my speedos.”
“Ehh, errr, ahhh, what do you mean, you
want to explain, Dude?”
As I distanced myself, I left him and his
fellow pirate with questioning looks on
their faces by saying, “The tour reminded
s
’
n
o
s
d
i
v
a
y
D
l
l
y
e
e
l
B
r
y
Ha astl
Be
Earlier in the
week I had been
at Americade,
the world’s largest
motorcycle touring
rally. The thousands
of Harley-Davidsons
saving lives with loud
pipes had seen both
my clean clothes and
motorcycle mojo shrink
to a zero level, and I left
the event with neither
intact.
While crossing the
parking lot to the
entrance I saw
two leather-clad
motorcyclists
kneeling in front of
a Harley-Davidson
parked near the
entrance of the
building, in what appeared to be a form
of supplication or prayer. As I reverently
walked by I asked, “Are you fellows praying
to the building?”
redressing by more pirates, if they wanted
to approach me.
The tour was well ordered and visually
presented. It was on a day the factory
assembly line was closed, so we could study
the assembly line process in quietness
likened to an empty church. My fellow tour
members touched parts like the painted gas
tanks and fenders as if they were religious
objects. When I pressed the palm of my
hand against a motorcycle frame I felt
nothing more than cold steel, but possibly
that was because my mind was not open
enough for the cosmic energy to flow, or
because the assembly line had been shut
down.
dirty clothes bag was the only other shirt I
could find. It had an image on the front of
Walter Sobchak, a character from the film
The Big Lebowski, with text below saying,
“You Are Entering A World Of Pain.”
Ignoring the wafting odor, I put it on and
re-entered the factory, ready for another
As we came to the end of the tour I
noticed my fellow tour members
had an almost solemn pall, as if we
had passed through hallowed
ground, or they were exiting a
mystical happening. Myself, I
felt nothing, other than cold
stares from members of the
group looking askance at me
and shuffling away whenever
we stopped, or falling back when
walking behind me, but that aloofness
may have been from the odoriferous
T-shirt I was wearing.
When we exited the factory one of the
pirates asked me, “Hey, Mr. Japanese-san,
what did you think of seeing how a real
motorcycle was made on the tour?”
me of watching my last colonoscopy on a
video screen, the awakening and happiness
being in seeing no potential adventure in
the lower exhaust port. If asked for brevity,
the tour was a mojo-less adventure into the
belly of beastly bowels.”
Dr. Frazier’s new all-color coffee table book,
DOWN AND OUT IN PATAGONIA,
KAMCHATKA AND TIMBUKTU,
available at mototorbooks.com, is the firstever first-hand chronicle of a never-ending
motorcycle ride by “the world’s most cerebral
motorcyclist.” It is highly “recommended” by
Grant Johnson, horizonsunlimited.com
adventure travel book guru, and for dream
riding armchair and keyboard adventurists.
maynard
HERSHON
At the gas station meeting place, I
recognized no one. I looked around
at the bikes, and realized yet again
We hung out in a corner of the gas station
for half an hour. I was reminded that old
O
n a Saturday, I rode to Pine Valley,
Colorado, for the annual Rhubarb
Festival. As I climbed off my
bike and took off my helmet, I realized I’d
forgotten to bring sunscreen or a hat. If I
spent any time wandering the booths at the
festival, if I got a piece of rhubarb pie and a
coffee and sat at a picnic table outside, my
ears would burn, making my helmeted trip
home very uncomfortable.
meets at the Golden Corral for the Senior
Breakfast deal on Saturday mornings.
ed HERTFELDER
Nevertheless I was going as fast as I could.
I had to remind myself that those guys ride
those roads once a week, spring, summer
and fall.
And because I had not ridden on
challenging roads (with minor exceptions)
since last year, it took me miles and miles
to relax on my bike and ease up on the bars.
Until I did that, I would lean the bike and
then have to correct mid-bend like a damn
novice. No kidding, took me miles…
A guy rolled up on a Gold Wing. He has
as much luggage space as a Cadillac, I
thought. Maybe he has sunscreen. And he
did. He handed me the tube and told me
about his club, “a motorcycle touring club
for people over 40,” or so read the card he
handed me.
A
t first I thought I was merely
misplacing tools. I’d lay my
diagonal cutters on the lid of my
toolbox, waddle around the motorcycle
to do something, and when I came back, a
pair of needle-nosed pliers would be there.
I’d lay down a 6” adjustable wrench and it
would turn into an 8”. A screwdriver would
turn into an Allen wrench. Threats of
premature senility had entered my mind,
but then I nearly broke my wrist picking
up a 36 ounce ball-peen hammer where I
was sure I’d set down a 12 ounce machinist
hammer.
on the lid of my toolbox and wandered over
to see if the key time clock was still ticking.
When I came back the vise grips were
gone, so I hustled over to the Mercy Rescue
Squad ambulance looking for a pack rat
with a burned paw.
What I found were two riders who had
gotten their noses sliced at last week’s
brush bash getting them taped up so they
could go out and do it again. Neither one
was burned.
I felt a little foolish hanging around the
ambulance and not bleeding, so I asked
middle-aged nurse if she might give me
some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. She
chased me away after telling she wanted
no riders who were not bleeding profusely,
preferably unconscious.
I settled my fingers gently into my gloves,
and spent the next 2 ½ hours competing
with my usual incompetence, dropping
handfuls of points at each checkpoint.
I had hopes of hitting the last check just
59 minutes late when the monsoon hit.
The next checkpoint was crewed by a
heads-up group who had roped a 20 by
20 tarp between trees over the trail. The
check following, where I went over my
hour, had a crew prepared for moderate to
heavy sunshine: they looked like shipwreck
victims.
Five minutes later I was on an asphalt road
with no shoulder to speak of and I’ll never
understand how folks can enjoy riding
motorcycles on pavement. It’s as dull as
sleeping alone.
I returned to my van and saw a chain
breaker on the lid of my toolbox, a real
It’s been a long time since I had a
chain breaker worth about twenty
motorcycle requiring the persuasion of a
of the Beaver Tooth
36 ounce backhand swing; a square barrel models I hack
Greeves that Cliff Ferris used to lend to the with. I
whole world.
At home I went to the club’s web site and
emailed the contact person. He wrote me
back within an hour. We had a little backand-forth. He put me on their email list for
ride announcements. A few days later, I got
notice that on the next Tuesday morning,
the guys were gonna meet and ride to a
The club advertised itself as being
“for over-40s,” but it was really for over65s, I think. All seven or eight guys and
the one woman must be retired, right?
How else could they meet every Tuesday
morning and ride to lunch?
The ride went well. No one in front of me
did anything I judged to be stupid. The
front few riders did pass cars over solid
no-passing lines. I watched but did not do
the same. I just got nailed in New Mexico;
I can’t afford another ticket and I’d have
to explain to Tamar why I got it, a wholly
unpleasant prospect.
I had to find the pack rat before I found
myself with tools I couldn’t even identify.
At the Tri-County enduro I was taking off
the three-foot sissy bar I had stolen from
Ken Lather’s street bike and bolted onto
my XL 250 just for laughs, when I was
sidetracked for a few minutes and had a
6mm socket turn into an L4 spark plug. I
have to confess that I was sidetracked a size
36 vacuum-packed into size 32 jeans.
What was I saying? Oh, the tools, the tools.
I jogged back to the ambulance to see if
they had some butter, or margarine, or
whatever they use on burns nowadays.
“You’re running those roaches too short”
the nurse said.
“Wrong,” I insisted as she slit the blisters. “I
got bit by a pack rat.”
Riding back in the rain, I vowed to kill
Mel but this desire was chilled out of my
memory when my teeth began chattering
from the cold. By the time I show-boated
a crossed-up slide around my neighbor’s
van I was shivering like a Mexican
hairless in Montana, and in
no mood to see what
I saw.
I don’t
trust knobby
tires on wet asphalt
any more than you do, but I
still contracted a case of terminal
low-side crossing a wooden bridge
covered with a dozen slick steel plates near
the center. I got up, hammered the levers
back into place with the heel of my hand,
clamped the front wheel between my knees
and straightened the forks. By the third
kick I knew enough to replace the spark
In its place
now sat Mel’s
pickup truck,
which had
been missing
its driver’s side
window for years,
holding a cardboard box
stuffed with my clothes, stained
dark by rainwater blowing in from the
missing door window. Written on sun visor
in black felt tip pen: ED, I NEED THE
VAN I JUST MET ONE OF YOUR OLD
LADYFRIENDS.
Using my jacket for an umbrella, I sloshed
over the firehouse kitchen and consumed
a death sentence of four cups of warmedover coffee and two bowls of chili. When
I looked up from this repast, I saw my van
had returned.
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“He had hot lips,” she noted as she daubed
something on my fingertips that made me
inhale past my teeth from the sting of it.
“Would you like something to bite on?” she
asked sarcastically.
She stuffed some narrow Band Aids in my
pocket with one hand and clipped me on
the jaw with the other.
IN
DU
ST
RY
“Gee, that’s really nice of you, but I have to
leave in two minutes.”
Visit our new shop:
990 Terminal Way, San Carlos
T
UN
CO
I had 47 minutes before my key time, so I
set a pack rat trap, started my XL and laid
my large vise grips on the exhaust pipe near
the engine. Twenty minutes later, when
they were smoking nicely, I dropped them
picked
it up with a
smile, then let out a yell that started dogs
barking a mile away as it seared its way
into the first two layers of my fingertips—
probably heated by a propone torch just
prior to my arrival.
I kicked the Honda over hard enough to
float the valves and it started out of pure
fear.
D
This was better than falling
victim to a thief, but I got worried about
what I could fix on a motorcycle with the
keyhole saw that replaced my small vise
grips. I was trying to put a brake return
spring in place and all I had to work with
was a long ice pick. That spring was taking
three-cushion shots around the inside of
my van and splintering the cheap paneling
something fierce. What would I do if this
guy borrowed my metric sockets and left
me a quart of spar varnish?
I had suspected Mel, for he is devious to
a high degree, having taken things from
me in the past, from women to fried-egg
sandwiches, which I was very fond of,
especially on rye bread.
OL
One old guy, maybe almost as old as I am,
looked at my squared-off rear tire (a month
or so after my New Mexico to Arizona trip)
At the casino, because we were all old as
and told me the club would round off that
the Pyramids we got all we could eat for six
tire for sure. I didn’t scoff, but I wanted
dollars and twenty-two cents. Over all that
to…
food, guys told stories. I couldn’t tell how
A second guy had trouble hoisting his leg
many of those stories had been told before
over the Gold Wing’s seat and got help
in that company, and how many were fresh.
from another rider. That Wing looked
One guy remembered the Z-1, 900cc
like a 300,000-miler, and maybe it was.
Kawasaki he bought new in ‘74. Another
Evidently he knows what to do with that
told us of 15 years and a million miles on
motorcycle once he gets astraddle.
loaded Moto Guzzi touring bikes. Another
Not a mile out of the gas station, we turned talked about his family and the daughter
onto a twisty road. I wasn’t the last rider in who suddenly decided to divorce the family
line, but close to the back. I found myself
and left forever. He wasn’t sure where she
riding as fast as I felt comfortable, as fast
lives now or how she’s doing. I’ve given her
as I would like to ride on unfamiliar curvy up to the Lord, he said.
roads, through gravel-strewn corners and
A few guys mentioned the CMA, the
across “tar snake” road patching.
Christian Motorcyclists Association, and
I could not push from my mind the
one or two talked about their churches. No
incongruity of it: I had probably the fastest one used profanity. To a man, they were
straight-line bike, really the bike most
welcoming and easy to be around. Maybe
focused on curvy-road rideability. I was
I’ll do another ride with them soon and tell
riding with what looked like the crowd that you all about it.
Someone was
swapping tools
with me. I was the
victim of a pack rat.
In its place were a half dozen cheap ballpoint pens with my pack rat’s name on
them: MELVIN MULFORD DOWNS
FOR AUTOMOTIVE TOOLS.
MY VAN WAS
GONE!
Other than removing the axles from a
square-barrel that was put away
wet—and breaking out of
prison—I wouldn’t
have a 36
ounce
hammer for
a gift or a
small boat
anchor.
guys have stories. I was the
only guy there who hadn’t
heard those stories, I figure,
so I was in demand. Popular.
Where was popular when I
needed it, in high school?
plug and reached into my jacket pocket for
my custom plug wrench. And it was gone!
LLY
They do it every Tuesday, year-round. If
it’s snowing, they meet somewhere and
carpool there.
that my 525-pound ZRX1200 looked like
a 250 in that company. There were three or
four Gold Wings, a K1200LT, a sparkling
new BMW GS, an R1200RT, two big
twin Harleys and my Kawasaki. Again,
unsurprisingly, mine was the only chaindrive bike present.
HO
casino in a 24-7 casino town near Denver
for the buffet lunch.
RI
AL
101
TER
M
L
INA
AN
ITT
BR
Our story on Kawasaki’s Concours has
resulted in more reader feedback than
any other in recent history. Well, except
for the whole Ride Fast Take Chances
thing. Anyway, Ken wrote in to tell us
how he abandoned a pile of boxers for a
thoroughly modern four-banger:
Need a subscription sent to
my youngest kid.
The feds took a hardworking taxpayer to the
big house. Public enemy #1,
for trafficking Mary Jane.
This pic was taken five or
six years ago. Ride fast take
chances!
Your write up on the Concours was very
good. I agree with your takes. I rode
BMW airheads for 30 years and got tired
of bad gear boxes and high $ parts. So I
sold all 3 bikes + parts and purchased a
new 2012 Concours.
Just look at that wheelie,
on a Harley, no less! Dude
is obviously trouble. But
seriously, awfully nice
of you to send our mag
to your kid—we’ll try to
make it good.
The more I ride the bike, the more I like
it. When I got it, I got 2 surveys from
Kawasaki. They seem to care what we
think and did make some changes for
2015. Time will tell if I made the right
choice, but I had to make a change.
Boobies!
Long-time CityBike reader
Stopwatch wrote in about
the parallels about the
ongoing discussion and / or
Very good. But then, I’m weary of people who
find offense at magazines printing a photo
of a European painting that ACTUALLY
SHOWS A WOMAN’S BOOBS, OMG!
And a PBS European mystery film program
that blurs explicit anatomical parts that may
glide by in a painting. Good grief, we are a
nation ashamed of our own being. Simply
sad. No wonder so many pee on their shoes,
Ken, we’re still missing our Connie,
and it’s not just the guilt we feel for
beating on it so hard. Although a bit
hefty for the day-to-day, our time on our
C14 was some of the most fun we’ve had,
maybe because it was so easy to ride so far
on.
Photographs and Memories
John sent us a heartwarming story about
how CityBike helped reunite him with a
long-lost photo of
his parents:
While thumbing through the pages in
CityBike I saw a report about a new Harley
shop under construction in the old Vallejo
Greyhound Bus building, with some very old
Vallejo Bombers photos that were enlarged
into posters. I got the shock of my life when I
recognized those old pictures of the club.
If someone had those pictures maybe they
would have a copy of the one I had lost long
ago, right? Sure enough, a guy named Marv
Baker said he remembered my folks and we
could make copies of the photo. Marv was an
old timer, and the last man standing who rode
with my parents. That photo is probably the
main reason I’ve been riding, racing, restoring,
touring, and living motorcycles for the last 50
years.
Yes, we want to hear from you, and we’re not
mind readers. Hell, if you’re reading this thing,
you’ve probably wondered if we can read at
all!
Anyhow, you can yell at us for being stupid
(or just say hey) at [email protected] or
talk to us on our Facebook page at facebook.
com/CityBikeMag. You can also send us
an old-timey paper letter, which we think is
pretty damn
cool. Those go
to CityBike
Magazine, PO
Box 18738,
Oakland 94619.
Extra points for
crazy / creative
shit. What do
those points get
you? Let us know
if you find out.
CALL 510.594.0789
© Piaggio Group Americas, Inc. 2014. Aprilia ® is a U.S. and worldwide registered trademark
of the Piaggio Gropu of companies. Obey local traffic safety laws and always wear a helmet,
appropriate eyewear and proper apparel.
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H
Okay, no more rant. Now, for the Fourth,
be Independent, be Free, Ride Fast, Take
Chances!
Your local shop is an
endangered resource!
Proper care and support
is required, or they die.
I especially enjoyed your piece putting to rest
the controversy around “Ride Fast, Take
Chances.”
My parents moved to Vallejo around 1943
and joined the Vallejo Bombers motorcycle
club. One day the club had professional photos
taken of the members on their “motors.” My
folks bought copies of all the riders’ photos.
I pored over those photos but the picture of
Mom and Dad was my favorite… until I took
it toschool and lost it. I always felt guilty about
losing that picture. Then one day about 40
years later something amazing happened.
you have to pay for shipping to
try a different size…each way,
every time. Plus, you meet real,
live people, not some keyboard
cowboy from another time zone.
because they can’t look down without being
shocked and mortified.
you, and you need them. The
Internet won’t change your oil.
The Internet won’t stay open an
extra 20 minutes so you can buy
a tire so you can ride on Sunday.
If the apparel you buy doesn’t fit,
Actually, perhaps surprisingly, no CityBike
staffers are getting locked up. Yet. But
reader and thoughtful dad, Phil, included
a note and photo with a check for a
subscription, to be sent
to his son:
controversy about Ride Fast Take Chances
and society’s bigger foibles:
Marketplace
ere at CityBike, we
strongly believe that
while the Internet
is great entertainment, it’s a
terrible place to buy stuff. Your
Local Motorcycle Shop needs
CityBike Headed To The Pokey
Screw The Internet. Support your Local Motorcycle Shop.
Tankslapper
[email protected]
415-282-2790
TOWING
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510-644-2453(BIKE) Est 1988 24hr emergency service.
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We tow all makes of motorcycles, sidecars and trikes.
We also network with many other motorcycle tow services throughout
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service that’s closer. We are based in Berkeley, CA.
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Motorcycle & ATV Hauling
Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties
24 hour Roadside Pickup
707-843-6584
Insured & Licensed
California Motor Carrier Permit
www.mcmotorcycletransport.com
[email protected]
DEALER CLASSIFIED
Dubbelju Motorcycle
Rentals / Storage
First, a few words about the condition of our equipment. All advertised
vehicles are technically and operationally sound; furthermore, they are
factory original (very important for vehicle inspection and licensing
out-of-country). Components which show even a trace of wear or fatigue
are replaced. In other words, you receive a motorcycle which, while it
may have some miles on the odometer, has been routinely and expertly
maintained.
2013 BMW F800GS with 42 month full warranty!!! The bike is fully
loaded with ABS, ESA, ASC, Heated Grips, on board computer, and an
adjustable shock. It has 34K miles and the factory warranty is valid until
3/2016 or 36K miles. A service contract covers an additional 36 month
of warranty after the factory warranty expires. The major 36K service was
recently completed by BMW San Francisco. This is the revised F 800 GS
- the sportiest member of the big GS family. The motorcycle continues
its longstanding success story, providing impressive versatility both
on and off the road. This bike features a 798cc, water-cooled 4-stroke
in-line two-cylinder engine and a disable ABS brake function. California
registration is valid till March 2016. With our huge inventory price drop
save big $$ as we are only asking $9,950.00 or best offer!
2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 34k miles (Ducati Red) Bike has
just under 34k miles, 150 Hp 1198cc L-Twin cylinder 4-valve per
cylinder Testastretta 11 motor, liquid cooled, six speed, wet slipper
clutch, adjustable traction control, power delivery riding modes, ABS,
5.3gal fuel tank, two 12V power outlets, adjustable screen, 50mm fully
adjustable Marzocchi forks and Sachs rear shock. Service intervals are
now up to an impressive 15,000 miles. Voted Best Sport-Tourer in Cycle
World’s Ten Best balloting and won Motorrad’s the “Best All-rounder”
award. California registration is valid till Aug 2015. Cycle Trader’s
average price for this bike is $13,182. With our Huge inventory price drop
save big $$ as we are only asking $9,500.00 or best offer!
More info and pictures on our website at
dubbelju.com/Bikes-for-Sale.htm
J&M Motorsports LLC
2243 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View, Ca 94043
650-386-1440
www.jm-ms.com
We have a huge selection of Sport bikes, Cruisers, Dual Sport & Dirt
Bikes! We are a licensed dealer owned and operated by people who love
motorcycles. We specialize in newer, low-mile, affordable bikes!
We offer in-house financing! Visit our website and fill out an application
today!
Looking for your first bike, your tenth? J&M is not a giant dealership.
When you call or visit, you’re talking directly with non-commission team
members who are passionate about motorcycles and who want to help
you get the bike you desire!
Looking to sell your bike? Consignments are welcome!
Come by and take a look!
Buell
2007 Buell Firebolt XB9R - $4,595
Ducati
2008 Ducati 1098 - $8,795
2007 Ducati Sport Classic GT1000 - $11,995
2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200S - $11,995
2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Edition Replica - $13,995
Harley-Davidson
2005 Harley-Davidson FLHTI Electra Glide - $13,495
2010 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic - $14,995
2013 Harley-Davidson FLHTC Electra Glide - $16,995
2003 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 100th Anniversary Edition - $9,495
2010 Harley-Davidson FLSTFB Fat Boy Low - $12,995
2009 Harley-Davidson FXDB Street Bob - $11,995
2005 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider - $9,995
2011 Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide - $12,495
2009 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special - $10,995
2014 Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster Iron - $9, 495
2011 Harley-Davidson XL883L Sportster Super Low - $6,995
2009 Harley-Davidson Nightster XL1200 - $7,995
2011 Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster - $9,995
2012 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight XL1200 - $9,495
2009 Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle - $10,995
Honda
2002 Honda CMX250C Rebel - $2,795
2003 Honda CB750 Nighthawk - $3,195
2013 Honda CBR250R - $3,995
2008 Honda CBR600RR - $7,495
2001 Honda CBR600F4i - $3,495
2006 Honda CBR600F4i - $4,995
2013 Honda CRF450R - $5,795
2013 Honda NC700X - $7,495
2002 Honda Shadow VT750 - $3,995
Kawasaki
2012 Kawasaki KX450F - $4,995
2013 Kawasaki KX450F - $5,795
2013 Kawasaki KLX 250S - $4,495
2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 - $2,795
2009 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 - $3,495
2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R - $6,995
2009 Kawasaki Versys - $4,995
2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 - $4,295
2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic - $3,495
2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - $3,995
Suzuki
2007 Suzuki SV650 - $4,995
2004 Suzuki SV1000S - $4,795
2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $7,495
2007 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $7,495
2012 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $8,995
2013 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $9,995
2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $8,995
2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $9,495
2012 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $9,995
2013 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $10,495
2007 Suzuki GSX-R1000 - $7,995
2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 - $8,995
2011 Suzuki GSX-R1000 - $9,995
2014 Suzuki GSX-R1300 Hayabusa - $10,995
2014 Suzuki RM-Z450 - $5,295
2009 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 - $6,495
2011 Suzuki Boulevard S40 - $4,295
2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T - $4,995
2013 Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S. C90T - $11,495
Triumph
2013 Triumph Bonneville T100 $7,495
2013 Triumph Speedmaster - $6,895
2007 Triumph Daytona 675 - $7,495
2014 Triumph Speed Triple ABS - $7,995
2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC - $10,995
Reach thousands of Northern California motorcyclists. Just $15 for 25 words, 25¢
each additional word. Photos add $25. Industry classifieds are a higher price. Free
25-word listing for stolen bikes. Deadline is the 3rd of each month. Just fill out the
form, or copy and send it with your check, payable to CityBike PO Box 18738,
Oakland, CA 94619.
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
e-mail:
Yamaha
2004 Yamaha WR450F - $2,595
2014 Yamaha YZ250F - $5,395
2007 Yamaha YZ450F - $2,695
2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE - $7,995
2012 Yamaha Super Tenere - $10,995
2012 Yamaha R6 - $9,495
2012 Yamaha R6 - $9,495
2012 Yamaha R6 - $9,495
2006 Yamaha V-Star 650 Classic - $4,495
2014 Yamaha V-Star 650 - $5,995
2006 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic - $4,995
2010 Yamaha Road Star Silverado S - $9,495
2007 Yamaha Royal Star Midnight Tour Delux - $7,495
2006 Yamaha Royal Star Venture - $7,995
Zero Motorcycles
2012 Zero-X - $5,895
SF MOTO
275 8th Street at the corner of Folsom
San Francisco - 415 255 3132 www.sfmoto.com
USED INVENTORY
- All used motorcycles at SF Moto come with a 3 month warranty and 12
month roadside assistance (including towing). We thoroughly inspect our
previously owned inventory:
- If brakes are worn over 60%, new pads are installed. - If tires are worn
beyond 60%, new tires are installed.
- If chain & sprockets have too much play, we install new chain &
sprockets. BMW
F800R ABS, 2012, Red-silver, 8890 Miles, $8498
Ducati
848 Corse EVO Special Edition, 2013, Silver, 330 Miles, $13998
Monster 696, 2009, Red, 6325 Miles, $7498
Monster 696 ABS, 2014, Black, 809 Miles, $8998
Monster 696 ABS, 2014, Black, 514 Miles, $8998
Monster 1200 S, 2014, White, 751 miles, $14498
Honda
CB500F, 2014, Black, 4588 Miles, $5298
CBR250R, 2013, Red, 5068 Miles, $3498
CBR250R, 2012, Red, 8148 Miles, $3498
CBR250R, 2012, Red/white/blue, 3009 Miles, $3795
CBR250R, 2012, Red/white/blue, 77 Miles, $3998
CBR250R, 2012, Black, 2595 Miles, $3798
CBR250R ABS, 2012, Black, 531 Miles, $3998
CBR250R ABS, 2013, Black, 2461 Miles, $3998
CBR600RR, 2010, Orange/black, 6551 Miles, $8498
PCX125 Scooter, 2011, Red, 450 Miles, $2998
PCX150 Scooter, 2013, Red, 2011 Miles, $2998
Rebel 250, 2013, Red, 6814 Miles, $4198
Rebel 250, 2009, Black, 4314 Miles, $2798
Rebel 250, 2012, Gray, 118 Miles, $3498
Rebel 250, 2009, Black, 3274 Miles, $2998
VT1300 Fury, 2011, Gray, 2891 Miles, $7498
Kawasaki
KLX250, 2014, Black, 277 Miles, $4798
KLX250, 2009, Red, 116 Miles, $4498
KLX250, 2010, Black, 170 Miles, $4798
EX250, 2010, Green, 7504 Miles, $3798
EX300, 2014, Black, 6042 Miles, $4998
EX300, 2014, Black, 54 Miles, $5298
EX300, 2013, Black, 6528 Miles, $4998
EX300 ABS, 2014, Black, 40 Miles, $5298
EX650 ABS, 2013, Blue, 1659 Miles, $6498
ZX-6R, 2013, Green, 1481 Miles, $9498
Versys 650, 2009, Blue, 870 Miles, $5498
Versys 650, 2009, Green, 2198 Miles, $4998
Vulcan 500, 2005, Blue, 3841 Miles, $3998
Vulcan 900, 2011, Burgundy, 3167 Miles, $6498
Piaggio
Fly 150 Scooter, 2006, Red, 787 Miles, $2998
Suzuki
AN400 Burgman Scooter, 2013, Silver, 4531 Miles, $4998
Boulevard S40, 2012, Orange, 2310 Miles, $4598
Boulevard S40, 2013, Orange, 415 Miles, $4598
GSXR-600, 2008, White, 13780 Miles, $7498
GSXR-750, 2009, Black, 5535 Miles, $8498
GSXR-750, 2008, Black, 3570 Miles, $8498
GW250, 2013, Black, 449 Miles, $3498
GW250, 2013, Black, 46 Miles, $3798
GZ250, 2009, Black, 1541 Miles, $2798
V-Strom DL650, 2011, Black, 11627 Miles, $6498
V-Strom DL650 ABS, 2011, Black, 11166 Miles, $5998
SYM
HD200 EVO Scooter, 2012, Gray, 6379 Miles, $2998
Triumph
Bonneville, 2012, Gold, 4604 Miles, $7498
Bonneville, 2012, Gold, 1714 Miles, $7498
Bonneville, 2013, Orange, 8239 Miles, $7698
Bonneville T100, Black, 3758 Miles, $8498
Bonneville T100, Burgundy, 2018 Miles, $6698
Bonneville T100, 2013, Red-white, 820 Miles, $7998
Daytona 675, 2014, Black, 3495 Miles, $9998
Speed Triple ABS, 2012, Red, 7939 Miles, $8998
Speedmaster, 2012, Red, 1272 Miles, $6498
Street Triple, 2014, White, 1696 Miles, $9498
Street Triple, 2012, Purple, 2622 Miles, $7998
Street Triple, 2011, Red, 7880 Miles, $7998
Street Triple R, 2014, White, 5077 Miles, $9498
Thruxton, 2013, Black, 784 Miles, $8498
Thruxton 900, 2014, Green, 3519 Miles, $8498
Tiger 800 ABS, 2013, Blue, 4472 Miles, $9998
Vespa
150S, 2013, White, 537 Miles, $3998
LX150, 2007, Blue, 4652 Miles, $2298
Primavera, 2015, Blue, 550 Miles, $4899
Yamaha
Bolt 950, 2014, Black, 3965 Miles, $7998
Bolt 950, 2014, Black, 2998 Miles, $7998
V-Star 250, 2014, Red, 71 Miles, $3798
V-Star Stryker 1300, 2012, Black, 4054 Miles, $7498
XT250, 2012, White, 347 Miles, $4998
NEW INVENTORY
Honda
CB1000R, 2014, NEW, Black, $10998
CB500X, 2015, NEW, Black, $6299
CBR1000RR, 2015, NEW, Red, $13999
CBR500R, 2014, NEW, White/red/blue, $5998
CBR600RR, 2015, NEW, Black, $11490
CRF100F, 2013, NEW, Red, $2498
CRF250L, 2015, NEW, Red, $4999
CTX1300, 2014, NEW, Black, $14498
CTX1300, 2015, NEW, Black, $15999
CTX700, 2014, NEW, Burgundy, $6998
CTX700N, 2015, NEW, Silver, $6999
Forza Scooter, 2015, NEW, Red, $5599
GL1800 Goldwing, 2015, NEW, Red, $23999
GL1800 Goldwing Valkyrie, 2015, NEW, Red, $17999
GL1800B Goldwing F6B, 2015, NEW, Blue, $20499
Metropolitan Scooter, 2015, NEW, $1999
NC700X, 2015, NEW, $7499
NM4, 2015, NEW, Black, $10999
Ruckus Scooter, 2015, NEW, $2649
Shadow Aero VT750, 2015, NEW, Red, $7499
Silver Wing ABS, 2015, NEW, Black, $9270
ST1300 ABS, 2015, NEW, Black, $18230
VT1300 Fury, 2015, NEW, Black, $9999
VT1300 Interstate, 2015, NEW, Black, $10999
VT1300 Sabre, 2015, NEW, Black, $9999
VT1300 Stateline, 2015, NEW, Blue, $9999
PARTS AND SERVICE
ADVANCED CYCLE SERVICE
*Motorcycle Service and Repair*
• Tires • Service •Insurance estimates
Monthly bike storage available
Come check us out
1135 Old Bayshore Hwy
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 299-0508
[email protected] — www.advcycles.com
DUCATI SUZUKI KAWASAKI YAMAHA
Bavarian Cycle Works
EXPERT Service & Repair
Bavarian Cycle Works specializes in new and vintage BMW, modern
TRIUMPH and select motorcycle models. Our staff includes a Master
Certified Technician and personnel each with over 25 years experience.
Nearly all scheduled motorcycle maintenance can be completed within a
one day turnaround time. All bikes kept securely indoors, day and night.
Come see us!
BRG RACING - CONCORD
Independent service of BMW, Ducati, Triumph.
Factory certified, and certifiable, too!
Fair prices and fast turnaround
We love what we do - we solve problems and make
people’s machines run their best. Bring us your problem.
We’ll solve it for you - nothing that we can’t fix.
BRG Racing
925-680-2560
110 2nd Ave. So. - Unit D
Pacheco
www.brg.com
USED MOTORCYCLES:
MOTO TIRE GUY
Since 1956
Knucklehead
Panhead
Iron Sportster
Shovelhead
Evolution
Twin Cam
Multi Valve 450cc and up
Cyl. boring on H.D. only
21050 Mission Blvd. Hayward, 94541
(510) 581-5315
Coats of skins, Chaps, Pants, Vests, Gloves, Boots, Saddle Bags,
Helmets, Riding Gear, Fashion & More.
All sizes: Kids/Big/Tall.
Patches sewn on most while U wait.
Clean Repair Alter
952 B Street, Hayward
B/W Mission & Main
510-582-5222
Sierra Dual Sport/Dirt Bike Rides,
Rentals and Training
Come and ride the Sierras! No dirt experience needed! Dual Sport and
dirt bike rentals. Guided or map your own course. Skill building classes
also available.
Easy access from Highway 50 south and west of Tahoe, this side of the
hill in Camino, CA.
Free secure storage of your car or bike onsite, or we can deliver bikes to
many all day riding areas (additional fee applies for delivery).
Well-maintained bikes and a rider-owned company makes us a great
adventure for the day, weekend or longer.
ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL $200 3-HOUR INTRO TO DUAL SPORT
RIDING TOUR/INSTRUCTION! ALSO SCHEDULING WOMEN’S DIRT
AND DUAL SPORT TRAINING CLASSES! **WE OFFER LOWERED DUAL
SPORT BIKES!
530-748-3505- www.sierradualsport.com
Two Beemers and a CT
2006 K1200S - Mint, all optons
2000 1150GS - Mint, Ohlins
1977 CT90 - Good
Contact [email protected]
Ed Meagor’s BSA
BSA 500 Single Empire Star
Cheap $10,000 Firm
Call Old Ed Meagor at 415.457.5423
That’s right! Ed sent his phone number, so if you’ve been wanting to give him
a call about his sweet BSA, now’s the time!
-CityBike Classifieds Editor
Interceptor 1000
Runs good, good tires, everything works. 45,000 miles, x-tra parts,
factory shop manual. $1800 OBO / trade
707-290-8277
Custom Design Studios
Mind-Blowing Custom Paint Since 1988
Visit Our Showroom!
56 Hamilton Drive # A
Novato, Ca. 94949
415 382-6662
www.customdesignstudios.com/
V-Twin Service, Repair, Parts, & Fabrication.
Harley Factory Trained Tech. CYCLE
SA
Your local motorcycle performance center. Offering service, parts and
accessories, competitive pricing, and friendly advice for your motolifestyle.
We specialize in Japanese and American motorcycles, and accept all
makes and models. Come in today for a free tire pressure check
and visual inspection!
Conveniently located near the heart of downtown Livermore.
205 North i St., Livermore, CA.
(925)292-0443
WANTED:
Marin Moto Works
Retail space opening soon! Looking for consignment gear. Contact Galen
with a list of items and prices at [email protected].
Devils Detail Motorcycle Detailing
Quality Motorcycles
235 Shoreline Hwy.
Mill Valley CA
(415) 381-5059
We’re not afraid of your old bike.
ROCKRIDGE TWO WHEELS
HELP WANTED
Powersports of Vallejo is looking to hire 1 full time parts person and 1
full time service technician. Technician must have previous experience,
clean M1 license, good work ethic, have tools, be able to diagnose and
repair on their own and take pride in their work. Parts should have two
plus years experience and are familiar with Lightspeed and the daily
duties of a parts department.
Please email resumes to [email protected] or fax to 707-644-3424.
Aprilia, KTM, & BMW independent service in San Rafael.
17 years of experience and factory certified. Service, Maintenance,
Engine Rebuilds, Suspension Service, Race/Tour Prep, Tires.
Around the corner from Marin Speed Shop
M-F 10-6pm/Sat 10-5pm
415-454-7433
Michael’s Motorsports
ADDICTION MOTORS
Take a European trip this year!
Visit www.motorworks.co.uk
• Huge range of new and used parts and accessories for all models from
1970 onwards
• UK’s largest independent, 25 years experience
• Competitive prices, fast shipping
• Expert and friendly advice available
• Trade customers welcome
Powersports of Vallejo
LVA G
Cycle Salvage Hayward - your one stop shop for remote controlled
motorcycle models, fuzzy helmet slip-on covers, flaming-hair-evilclown graphics kits, moderately-worn vintage motorcycle manuals of all
stripes, and replacement kickstand legs that are not too hot and not too
cold, but JUST RIGHT
Cycle Salvage Hayward
21065 Foothill Blvd
Hayward, CA 94541
510-886-2328
MOTOR WORKS
BMW PARTS
LIVE MOTO
Cycle Salvage - Hayward
2006 Harley Davidson - Comes with all the standard Ultra Classic
features, including CB radio, built in intercom, air ride suspension, AM/
FM/CB/Weather radio/CD player/12V outlet/Electronic Cruise Control/
Fuel Injection/Tubeless tires/Trunk liner/Vented lowers, Harley chrome
luggage rack on the trunk, with built in rear stop light.
Asking $10,000.00 Call: Carl 408-426-0441
www.MotoTireGuy.com
Motorcycle Tire Services
San Francisco - Bay Area
(415) 601-2853
Order your tires online, Zero CA sales tax plus
Free UPS Ground, then have a Preferred Installer
in your local area do the installation and save! Please visit website for details.
Need new rubber? Rockridge Two Wheels is offering a $50 mount
and balance with the purchase of two tires. Factory techs. 40+ years
experience. Full service facility.
510/594-0789
vespawalnutcreek.com 925 938 0600
rockridgetwowheels.com 510 594 0789
For all your Bay Area Vespa / Piaggio / Aprilia needs
E
CityBike Classifieds
CLASSIFIEDS
VT750 Shadow Phantom, 2015, NEW, Black, $7499
VT750 Shadow RS, 2015, NEW, Black, $7499
VT750 Shadow Spirit, 2015, NEW, Black, $7499
VT750C2F, 2012, NEW, Orange, $7498
XR650L, 2015, NEW, Red, $6690
Kawasaki
Concours 14 ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $15499
KLR KL650E, 2015, NEW, Green, $6599
KLX250, 2015, NEW, Black
Ninja 1000 ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $11999
Ninja 300, 2015, Green, NEW, $5299
Ninja 300SE, 2015, Black, NEW, $5199
Ninja 650, 2015, NEW, Green, $7599
Ninja ZX-10R ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $14299
Ninja ZX-10R ABS 30th Anniversary Edition, 2015, NEW, Green, $15599
Ninja ZX-6R 636, 2015, NEW, Black, $12699
Ninja ZX-6R 636 30th Anniversary Edition, 2015, NEW, Green, $12999
Versys 1000LT, 2015, NEW, Black, $12799
Versys 650 ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $7999
Versys 650LT, 2015, NEW, Green, $8699
Vulcan 1700 Vaquero, 2015, NEW, Green, $16699
Vulcan 1700 Voyager, 2015, NEW, Black, $17399
Vulcan 900 Classic, 2015, NEW, Black
Vulcan 900 Classic LT, 2015, NEW, Black, $8999
Vulcan 900 Custom, 2015, NEW, Black, $8499
Vulcan S ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $6999
Z1000 ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $11999
ZX-14R ABS, 2015, NEW, Green, $14999
ZX-14R ABS 30th Anniversary Edition, 2015, NEW, Red, $15899
Lance Powersports
Havana Classic 125, 2015, NEW, Black, white, sky blue, beige, red $1899
Havana Classic 150, 2015, NEW, White, brown, black, $2198
PCH 125, 2015, NEW, Red, white, yellow, black, $1899
PCH 150, 2015, NEW, White, green, red, $2198
SYM
-- All SYM bikes come with a 2 year factory warranty -Citycom 300i Scooter, 2015, NEW, Red or white, $4699
Citycom 300i Scooter, 2015, NEW, Gray, $4898
Fiddle II 125 Scooter, 2015, NEW, White, sky blue, black, red, or beige,
$2298
HD200 Scooter, 2015, NEW, Gray, red, orange, yellow, or white, $3495 Symba (aka Honda Cub), 2015, NEW, Sky blue, red, black, $2349
T2 250i, 2015, NEW, Black, white, or yellow, $3799
Wolf (aka Honda CB150), 2015, NEW, Tricolor, red, black, $2999
ZERO Electric Motorcycles
DS ZF 12.5, 2015, NEW, White, $13995
FX 5.7, 2015, NEW, Black, $10990
S 9.4, 2015, NEW, Yellow, $11995
SR, 2015, NEW, Red, $15995
BMW Motorcycle Service, Repair, Restoration
Air heads, Oil Heads, Hex heads, K Bikes, F Bikes
880 Piner Rd. Ste 46
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 575-4132
Detailing vintage, classic, modern motorcycles
415 - 439 - 9275
www.thedevilsdetailing.com
[email protected]
established 2007
Greatness can be in your detail!
Service Writer Needed
We are a large motorcycle shop in San Francisco and are looking for
a smart, affable, hard-working individual to work as a service writer.
Service writers take motorcycles and scooters in for service and write up
the jobs for the technicians.
Service writers are responsible for all bikes in for service and must have:
-Strong communications skills
-Computer skills
-Good time-management skills
-Multi-tasking skills
-Good attention to detail
-Strong customer service skills
Interested? Send your resume to:
San Francisco, 275 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Or email your resume to: [email protected]
Tech Needed
For 20 year established motorcycle repair shop.
Located in Santa Cruz County.
Business is booming and time to expand.
Tech must have minimum 5 years working experience, prefer 10.
Ability to follow procedures start to finish.
Send qualifications and references,along with expected compensation.
We work on Japanese,German and British bikes.
Street, off road and scooters.Vespa included.
No attitudes or egos.
Apply to [email protected]
LEGAL
Mike Padway
MOTORCYCLE ATTORNEY
Motorcycle accidents often are serious There is an epidemic of
motorcycle lawyer advertising by attorneys who brush you off on support
staff or other lawyers. I’m Mike Padway. I handle a limited number
of motorcycle accidents. My goal is to do the best job for you, not to
handle the most cases. If your injuries are significant, why not work with
an attorney who knows what he is doing, and cares? Call now and let’s
discuss the best way to handle your motorcycle accident.
415-777-1511
Have you ever been pulled over by the police on your bike or car and
felt you were profiled because of your tattoos or the way you look? You
can have emergency access to attorneys, 24 hours a day in 49 states, for
as little as $20 a month. Try our service and get your Will done for free,
for you and your spouse. Find out how at
smith_wg.legalshieldassociate.com or call 510-502-2144
ACCIDENT OR INJURY?
Call 415/999-4790 for a 24-hr. recorded message and a copy of the
FREE REPORT.
EVENT SERVICES
ANNOUNCING: “DUFFYDUZZ
Promotions”
If you’re planning a M/C event of any sort, whether an Open House, a
Special Sale Event, a Competition Event or even a Rally, a “pleasant but
not pushy” voice (and your choice of music) can make a huge difference
in the excitement and remembrance of your event. Have P.A. / Will Travel...
I have been “The Voice” of Ducati Island at Moto G.P. (‘98 - ‘06) the
Wilseyville Hare Scrambles (‘98 - ‘12) ...Most recently; La Ducati Day, La
Honda, MOTORAMA Car Show, Lafayette, sub’ Announcer at Continental
Sports Car Challenge Laguna Seca, Santa Rosa flattrack for Circle Bell
Motorsports... and more... References and resume available. Find me
on FaceBook: “Duffyduzz Promotions” for all contact info - or - call 510292-9391 - or - E/M: [email protected]
Classic Japanese Motorcycle
Club
The Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club is dedicated to the celebration and
preservation of the Classic and Vintage Japanese motorcycle. We have
rides, meets, shows, swaps and can help you find and sell parts, bikes and
motorcycle-related services. Members make the club function!
www.CJMC.org.
LOCAL CLUBS
Antique Motorcycle Club of
America
CMA is a servant minded interdenominational motorcycle ministry with
a non-denominational message of hope and love through Jesus Christ.
Enjoy the family atmosphere, make life-long friends, and join an army
of people dedicated to changing the world, one heart at a time in the
highways and byways.
www.cmausa.org
Yerba Buena Chapter of the
Antique Motorcycle Club of America
Motorcycle Enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and
operation of antique motorcycles.
To join or view more information about our club, visit us at www.
yerbabuenaamca.org
Bay Area Moto Group
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Come to the FREE monthly Doc Wong Riding Clinics.
www.docwong.com
Eighteen years, 40,000 riders!
Learn Dirt Bikes
The Oakland Motorcycle Club is the fourth-oldest club in the nation
and celebrated 100 years of continuous operation in 2007. The OMC is
dedicated to supporting the sport of motorcycle riding. We are a diverse
group of male and female riders with a wide variety of motorcycles,
including street, dirt, and dualsport bikes. We sponsor and organize
the following annual events to which all riders are invited: Sheetiron
300 Dualsport, held in May; Three Bridge Poker Run, held in July;
Jackhammer Enduro, held in October. Regular club meetings are held
every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. 742 – 45th Avenue,
Oakland. (510) 534-6222. www.oaklandmc.org.
Port Stockton MC
COME RIDE WITH US!
-We are a friend and family oriented historical club of motorcycle
enthusiasts.
-Any make, model or style of bike is welcome.
-All are invited to join us on our rides, visit our weekly meetings or
become a new member.
For more information:
E-mail us at [email protected],
or visit our website at [email protected]
Exciting women-only motorcycle group in the SF Bay Area. For more info
visit www.curveunit.com
RIDING SCHOOLS
Doc Wong Riding Clinics
OMC
Ride with other local sport bike riders in the Bay Area.
• Mostly sport bikes
• Routes go to ALL parts of the bay area and focus on the “twisty’s”
• We set a quick pace and newbies may get left behind ;)
• Group riding experience is highly recommended, as is proper riding
gear
• We also do track days, drag races, motorcycle camping, and attend
motorcycle racing events
http://www.meetup.com/BayAreaMotoGroup/
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) dirt bike lessons at Carnegie State
Park - Tracy, CA - Ages 6 and up. Loaner motorcycles available.
www.learndirtbikes.com 925-240-7937
The Richmond Ramblers
The Ducati Vintage Club
The Ducati Vintage Club was founded to assist vintage Ducati MC (1987
and older) owners with information and resources to preserve, resurrect
and bring these MC’s back to the road! Owners and enthusiasts are
welcome to join. We meet once monthly at the Ducati Bike Night event and
we sponsor the annual European Motorcycle Show and Swap held in March
at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, the La Ducati Day Concorso held in
LaHonda each October and more.
Visit us at www.ducativintageclub.com
The Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club was established in 1944. We
are chartered with the American Motorcycle Association/District 36. Our
clubhouse is situated at the foot of the famous but now defunct off-road
riding hills in Point Richmond.
Our club exists to promote the sport and recreation of motorcycle riding.
Our membership reflects a diverse interest in motorcycling but our club
has a long tradition of off-road competition. Annually, we host a street
ride/poker run in October and a Family Enduro in the Mendocino National
forest in November.
Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:00
p.m. Visitors are welcome and we invite you to come by.
818 Dornan Drive, Point Richmond, CA 94801 WWW.RRMC.CC
www.GroupRides.net
Bay Area Sidecar Enthusiasts
(BASE)
Monkey Moto School
Monkey Moto School gets people riding in just one day. Our focused,
private classes and small beginner bike are the start of a proven system
that will have new riders out and about on a motorcycle with confidence
in short order. Available in SF (and beyond by arrangement).
Call Evan to get started. 415-359-6479
monkeymotoschool.com
•What does your dog think about motorcycling? (A: Hard to tell
without a sidecar!)
•Ever driven in traffic with a fake machine-gun mounted to your
rig?
• Want to know how to “fly the chair”?
•Maybe just want to find out what it’s like to be a “sidecar monkey”
for a day by catching a ride with us?
We are a facebook-based group in the SF Bay Area filled with sidecars
and the people who love them, and we’d be happy to meet you.
Email [email protected] for more information.
FINE DINING
Leather & Lace MC
Darby Dan’s (Sandwich Nirvana)
South San Francisco
Forget Togos or Subway.
What you need is a real SANDWICH for lunch.
Come in and revel in our famous garlic mayo, fresh ingredients, and
friendly staff and walk out with a cheshire cat’s smile.
We do it right at 733 Airport Blvd South San Francisco
650-876-0122
WE CARRY CITYBIKE!!
EAT AT REDS JAVA HOUSE, SF.
“IT’S REALLY GOOD FOOD”
SAYS CITYBIKE MANAGEMENT.
The Junction
If you know you can handle a real road then come up and get your reward!
Slow smoked BBQ , hand pressed burgers and a long list of great beer.
The Junction 47300 Mines Rd. Livermore.
At the intersection of Mines & Del Puerto Canyon Roads
11-8 daily (closed Wednesdays)—10-8 weekends.
Go there and go nowhere, into the middle-of.
GroupRides was created to be like what TV Guide has been for TV
Programs. It is a calendar of group rides and moto events from many
fine groups, clubs and organizations in Northern California, nicely put
together for the riding community to use and enjoy.
www.GroupRidesForum.net is the Forum and moto group where
1,400+ local riders enjoy the roads, the wind and the thunder of our
motorcycles together.
BSA Owners Club
The BSA Owners’ Club of Northern California was formed to promote
the preservation and enjoyment of the motorcycles produced by the
Birmingham Small Arms Company in England. Founded in 1985,
the Club now has over 500 members, and has produced the monthly
newsletter, The Bulletin, since the Club’s inception. Rides and activities
are scheduled each month in addition to two major activities: The
Clubman’s All British Weekend in the spring, and the Northern California
All British Ride in the fall. Membership is open to all BSA enthusiasts.
For more information: www.bsaocnc.org
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club San Jose’s (BSMCSJ) Primary
Mission is to keep the legacy of the 9th and 10th Calvary US Army
(Buffalo Soldiers) alive through example, education and participation in
our local community. buffalosoldiersmcsanjose
Leather & Lace MC,was created to bring women together who have a
serious interest in motorcycling and in making a difference in the lives of
others. Upon this foundation, the women of Leather & Lace Motorcycle
Club have built a strong sisterhood.
Amethyst Dreamers, a Northern California Chapter of Leather & Lace
MC, was formed in 2004. We came together because of our love for our
motorcycles, the joy of riding and being free. We stay together because
of our love for ourselves, our sisters, and with the intent of making life
better for the children of Northern California.
ad.leatherandlacemc.com/
www.facebook.com/AmethystDreamersChapter
The Northern California Norton Owners’ Club (NCNOC) is dedicated to
the preservation and enjoyment of the Norton motorcycle. Membership is
open to all British Motorcycle enthusiasts and is currently $25 per year,
you can join online. Our monthly rides, meetings and tech session and
events are open to all members and guests see our web site calendar at
www.nortonclub.com.
Now celebrating our 40th year!
San Francisco Motorcycle Club
San Francisco Motorcycle Club, Inc., established 1904, is the second
oldest motorcycle club in the country!
Our business meetings are Thursday nights at 8:30pm, and guests are
always welcome. Our clubhouse is filled with motorcycling history from
the last century, a pool table, foosball and pinball games, and people
who currently enjoy motorcycles, dirt riding, racing, touring, riding and
wrenching. Check our website for events such as club rides, socials and
events, and come visit us, no matter what bike you ride!
San Francisco Motorcycle Clubhouse is located at
2194 Folsom St, @ 18th St in San Francisco.
www.sf-mc.org 415-863-1930
The San Jose Dons Motorcycle Club exists to Advocate motorcycling,
promote good will between motorcyclists and the public, promote rider
safety and protect the rights of riders. Put more simply, the Dons are a
group of people who love riding motorcycles and come together to enjoy
motorcycling, and each other’s company. All bikes are welcome!
The San Jose Dons Motorcycle Club was formed in 1932, with the clubs
colors of green and gold. The Dons are associated with the American
Motorcycle Association (AMA).
Club Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month,
beginning at 7:30 PM. The last Wednesday of each month is reserved for
“Putt Night” when a club member leads the group on a short destination
run to a restaurant, or other point of interest. Come check us out.
sanjosedons.com
FREE HELP WANTED ADS
In our ongoing effort to support and promote local motorcycling
businesses that we rely on, all motorcycle industry help
wanted ads will be listed in the CityBike Classifieds Section
for free.
Contact us via email: rftc.citybike.com
CityBike Wrecking Crew on the way to the Bennett Juniper at Bungee Brent’s Backroad Bash.
Photo: Surj Gish
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August 2015

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