September 2012

News, Clues & Rumors
Volume XXIX, Issue 9
Publication Date: August 20, 2012
Photo of the Month
On The Cover:
Bob Stokstad snaps the East Bay Dragon’s
Big Joe while in one of his forgiving moods,
Oakland, August 2012.
Contents:
NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
East Bay Dragons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Book Review: Soul on Bikes . . . . . . . . . . 15
AMA Flat Track: Sacramento . . . . . . . . . . 16
Shop Stop: Bell Helmets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
MotoGP, Laguna Seca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Honda PCX 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Victory Boardwalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Victory’s New Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Hershon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Melissa Pierson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Tankslappers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
British Cusine Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . 33
CityBike Staff:
PO Box 10659 Oakland, CA 94610
Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415/282-2790
E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@citybike .com
Find us online: . . . . . . . www .citybike .com
News ‘n Clues: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff
Editor-in-Chief:. . . . . . . . . . Gabe Ets-Hokin
Senior Editor: . . . . . . . . . . Robert Stokstad
Contributing Editors: . . . . . . . . . John Joss,
Will Guyan
Chief of the World Adventure
Affairs Desk:. . . . . . . . Dr. Gregory Frazier
Staff Photographers:
— Robert Stokstad
— Gary Rather
Art Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Lapp
Advertising Sales: . . . . . . . . . Kenyon Wills
Contributors:
Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, John Bishop,
Joanne Donn, John D’India (RIP),
Mike Felder, Dr. Gregory Frazier,
Will Guyan, Joe Glydon (RIP),
Brian Halton, David Hough,
Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder,
Harry Hoffman, Otto Hofmann,
Gary Jaehne (RIP) Jon Jensen,
David Lander, Alan Lapp, Lucien Lewis, Ed
Milich, Courtney Olive, Larry Orlick, Jason
Potts, Bob Pushwa, Gary Rather,
Curt Relick, Charlie Rauseo, Mike Solis,
Ivan Thelin, James Thurber, Adam Wade.
CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month.
Editorial deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is
available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always
welcome. Please include a full name, address and phone number
with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use
them to wipe our large, fragrant bottoms.
©2012, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed
at over 150 places throughout California each month. Taking more
than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike
Magazine, Inc, especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will
be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah!
CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has
teams of sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend
it from frivolous lawsuits, so even if you see Lucien Lewis doing
one of his wheelies on the cover and decide you want to do that too
and then you hit a parked car and your bike is wedged under a van
and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come and extinguish
the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted into
slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie,
sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault
and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.
sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault
and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.
drive or ride a motorcycle; her debilitated
condition, requiring regular
physical therapy and continuing
pain medications, has robbed her
of her previously active lifestyle,
as well as her ability to look after
aging parents in Germany.
Speaking for the two-wheeled
community was Tucker
Perry from the San Francisco
Motorcycle Club, who stressed
the importance of keeping
drunk drivers off the road and
expressed doubts that Ms.
Stenson, previously convicted
of DUI with injury, could be
trusted to stay sober. He went
on to remind the judge that “Ms.
Stenson’s reckless, solipsistic
behavior cost Astrid her leg. She
has been sentenced to a lifetime
of disability, and has had her
passion for scootering taken
away from her.”
Stenson to five years’ supervised probation,
under very restrictive conditions. She
must attend five AA meetings a week on
five separate days; she must find a sponsor
willing to report regularly to the probation
department; she must pay substantial fines
and fees to the court; and she must make
restitution (as determined by the probation
department) to Astrid. After leaving the
rehab facility, she must wear a SCRAM
ankle bracelet which will detect and report
any alcohol in her blood. Should she get
her license back, an interlock device would
be installed on her ignition. Recognizing
the permanent life-altering damages to
Astrid, the judge sentenced the defendant
to six months in county jail. Judge Collins
warned her that any violation of probation
would result in a sentence of up to eight
years in state prison.
Following the sentencing, Assistant
District Attorney Mary Plomin said that
the plea open had been accepted over
the objections of the District Attorney’s
office, but she felt that the judge had made
Maxine Ferman, a friend in San a sincere decision aimed at preventing
Francisco Scooter Girls, spoke
the defendant from repeating her offense,
as a recovering alcoholic since
sufficiently severe to deter others. She said
1987, about what it takes to
Our new baby: another one of Ryon Gesink’s brilliant
she was amazed by the support provided
“work the program” successfully. to Astrid by the two-wheeled community,
custom newsracks. This one is rarin’ to go inside
the D-Store at 131 South Van Ness in San Francisco
which had rallied repeatedly during the
Carol Allio, managing director
(415/626-5478). You can see our other custom art racks
three-year ordeal.
of Recovery Management
at Hayward Cycle Salvage (21065 Foothill Boulevard,
Services in Concord, where
Judge James P. Collins seems to have been
510/886-2328) and at Tokyo Moto (50 Otis St., San
Ms. Stenson has been in
automatically re-elected in June 2012 for
Francisco, 415/558-8144).
rehabilitation for more than 900 his seat, as there were no challengers in the
days, spoke about the progress
primary. CityBike magazine tries to avoid
STENS-IN-JAIL
that the defendant has made, testifying
endorsing political candidates, but when he
to her sobriety during this time. Finally,
The three and a half-year-long struggle to
is up for re-election in 2018, we will commit
Felicia Stenson read a letter, accepting
render justice for Astrid Molzow-Gunter,
to donating resources to unseat him.
responsibility and apologizing for her
maimed by drunk driver Fecalia Stenson,
has finally come to an end. Scooterist Karryll actions. She pledged to remain sober and to CITYBIKE DAY
serve as an example and warning to others.
Nason sent this report from the courtroom:
If you missed it, you shouldn’t have:
CityBike Day 2012 was a rousing good time
The
sentence
had
been
pre-determined,
Justice for Astrid…or Just the End?
for everyone involved.
yet Judge Collins listened carefully as
Some three dozen motorcylists, scooterists each person spoke and was clearly moved.
It was a hot day up at the Junction on Mines
and friends greeted Astrid MolzowFollowing the pre-trial conference in
Road in Livermore on Sunday, July 29th,
Gunter with applause as she arrived at the
May, he had accepted the defendant’s plea
but that didn’t keep hundreds of CityBike
San Francisco Superior Court on Friday,
open, based on the recommendation of the
readers, friends, contributors, advertisers
August 10 for the sentencing of Felicia
Probation Department. Wanting to sustain
and other assorted characters from
Stenson, who had irrevocably altered
rehabilitative progress, he sentenced Ms.
her life on the evening
of February 26, 2009.
Driving intoxicated, the
defendant made an illegal
left turn, hitting Astrid as
she rode her Honda Silver
Wing scooter.
Court convened at 1:45
p.m., in a nearly filled
courtroom. Before
pronouncing sentence,
Judge James P. Collins
heard statements from
the victim and defendant.
Emotional yet reasoned,
Astrid detailed the
losses suffered from the
accident: a broken back,
permanent nerve damage,
her left leg amputated
above the knee. Now in
a motorized wheelchair,
she may never walk,
September 2012 | 3 | CityBike.com
showing up. Everybody we had ever known
was there, it seemed, so we apologize if we
didn’t have time to shake your hand or chat.
So many folks showed up we had had a
tough time finding room for our exhibitors
booths and late-arriving riders had to park
way out on the main road. But everybody
seemed to have a good time—there was
an amazing collection of bikes to eyehump, from an incredible $50,000 XR750
street tracker to a surprising number of
clean Yamaha RZ350s (including Julius
Franam’s home-made single-sided front
suspension version) to at least two “Bacon
Slicer” Guzzis and everything in between,
including Victor Boocock’s 1914 Harley
Davidson and enough Brit iron to start a
whole new England.
Tunes were provided by Charlie
O’Hanlon’s fun and soulful band The
Feral Cats, with the lovely Zee on vocals,
Charlie strumming his made-from
Honda-parts guitar, M’falme on bass
and Tracy on percussion. Their music
was lyrical and lovely, a mix of tunes they
wrote themselves and covers, including a
terrific rendition of “Sittin’ on the Dock
of the Bay.” They weren’t quite drowned
out by Jim Davis and his borrowed mobile
dyno trailer, which measured the rearwheel horsepower of a dozen or so bikes,
including Editor Ets-Hokin’s flaccid 19-hp
CB350 cafe racer.
Our sponsors showed up in droves—too
many to thank in this space—but of note
were California Speed Sports, with Can
Am Spyder three-wheelers, Aprilias and
to Point Arena. Once
there, we enjoyed Kelley
Litle’s delicious annual
pilgrimage to Chile
Colorado pork taco-dom
and then gave away much
swag in a prolonged
moto-trivia contest. The
turnout was light, but we
saw some old friends—
Contributor Will Guyan
took a break from
churning out the BMW
On the Level newsletter
and Bobby Godwin of
KMUD radio’s “Riding
in the Mud” to ride
down to say hi. There
were plenty of elderly
and interesting bikes,
including a spanking-new
Ducati 1199S Panigale as
well as the Evan Wilcox
tank-equipped 900SS
parked in the Zen House
repair bay.
Moto Guzzis to lust after,
Tri-Valley Moto, with
the latest in BMW and
Triumph-ry, Ray Abrams’
A&A Racing, with the
aforementioned XR750,
Arlen Ness of Dublin,
with an incredible
Victory Judge cafe racer
you have to see to believe,
Russ Brown Attorneys,
where the hard-working
Dave Young and Shawn
O’Donnell were signing
up riders for their
free Breakdown and
Legal Assistance for
Motorcyclists (BAM) left
and right.
The bike-judging went well, if somewhat
ad hoc. Hayward Cycle Salvage had a
$100 gift certificate to the oldest Japanese
bike—a very interesting CB77 police
model. Zen House awarded $100 to the
oldest Euro-ride, one of the bacon-slicers.
Raber’s in San Jose handed over $100 for
“Lola’s Choice,” that lovely young lady’s
favorite brit bike at the show. Addiction
Motors in Emeryville handed Victor his
annual Oldest American bike award, as
well as $100 to Julian for his RZ for best
home-built. MotoShop, the do-it-yourself
Mecca, handed out 100 bones to a sadlooking Yamaha Radian as winner of
“most work needed.” Good luck, dude!
The ride home may have
been the highlight—
Skaggs Springs Road
was almost deserted and
the last 25 turns were as
well-engineered and perfectly surfaced as
always, and we saw not a single policeman.
Thanks to Mojo Town and Zen House for
making it happen again!
BMW S1000RR HP4
Making a good thing better, BMW
announced its first four-cylinder addition
to its high-performance HP line, the HP4.
It gets a host of improvements to make
it lighter and more race-ready than
before. Forged alloy wheels and titanium
Akropovic (say “uh-crop-o-vitch”)
exhaust make up most of the approximate
15-pound weight savings—the bike
weighs in at 439 pounds with the tank 90
percent full—and there’s a smaller battery
to shave a few more ounces. Suspension
An exciting giveaway was the Zooni
improvements include an adaptive
Leathers Oldest Leathers award. Lola
suspension system called Dynamic
from Raber’s decided which attendee
Damping Control, which BMW claims
had the oldest leathers—a young guy
is the first to be used on a production
with a 25-year-old Hein Gericke jacket
streetbike. Other differences from the
(remember those?) got $500 from Juan
vanilla S1000RR include enhanced
Lindo of Zooni to use towards a brand-new traction control that’s tunable in the
suit of his stylish and hard-wearing leather. ‘slick’ mode and refined race ABS with
separate settings for slicks or supersport
Thanks go out to the Junction, Tri-Valley
Moto, Arlen Ness, California Speed Sports DOT tires. Speaking of tires, the rear
meat is now a 200-section. Launch
and all the readers and advertisers that
helped make it a great day
MOJO TO ZEN
Turnout was a little lighter for
our third-annual Mojo-to-Zen
ride on the very next Sunday,
but we had fun anyway. It
started at 8:30 am with coffee
and bagels at Mike Aron’s new
Mojo Town gear shop location
at 1417 4th Street in downtown
San Rafael. We then headed
up the coast at a sometimes
leisurely, sometimes not-soleisurely pace chasing Citizen
Wills on his surprisingly speedy
screaming-yellow Superhawk
all the way up Highway One
September 2012 | 4 | CityBike.com
Zen House’s Kelley Litle serving up their famous spicy pork
tacos to one of her regular customers. Don’t fill up on the
pork—there’s pie, too...Photo: Will Guyan
The bill would allow
recreational access
to resume under
the 2005 travel plan
generated through
formal agency study
and public input.
The bill would
also designate an
adjacent portion of
qualifying land with
full protection as
Wilderness.
control comes standard to keep down the
inevitable wheelies, but the only engine
enhancements are tuning—a little more
oomph in the midrange, and an improved
map for the ‘rain’ mode. Unlike the RR, the
full 193 hp Monty is available in all four
modes, so look out. For the racers, there’s a
competition package available with carbonfiber bodywork, sponsor sticker kit, rearsets
and other goodies.
Larry Saenz at S.F. BMW (bmwmotorcycle.
com, 415/503-9988) says he’s expecting
some of these beasts in the fall, but pricing
is still unknown. We think it’ll be under
$20,000, but Larry expects it to be north of
there—after all, Ducati sells its Panigale S
for $23,000.
UP A CLEAR CREEK
Some good news for the dirt-riders from
our friends at the Blue Ribbon Coalition:
That means Dunne was railing through
156 turns—12.5 turns per mile, or
more than twice as twisty as Sonoma
(Sears Point) Raceway—at an
average speed of 73 mph—ed.
RIDE, MAN, RIDE
Friend of CityBike and
freelance moto-journo Mark
Gardiner wrote a mustread book about his yearlong adventure of selling
everything and moving to the
Isle of Man to compete in the
TT race in 2002. The book,
“This legislation
could go a long way in Riding Man, was successful,
as such things go, selling out
helping restore good
its first edition. But that’s not
relations between the BLM, the County
all—the press release from
and recreationists. This is a carefully
Gardiner has some surprises
crafted win-win and we hope it gains the
support of affected interests and politicians for fans of the book:
on all sides of the aisle,” Amador concludes.
“In the last couple of years,
Riding Man’s also attracted
WE’RE PEAKING, MAN!
attention in Hollywood.
A bit of PR from Ducati NA:
After Tom Guttry (Airspeed Productions)
became fascinated by the story, he
Carlin Dunne dominated the 2012 Pikes
Peak International Hill Climb, setting the pitched it to Mark Clayman of One Way
Productions (he produced the Will Smith
new course record for motorcycles today
from pole position for the second year in a film ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ .) Guttry and
Clayman then teamed up with another
row on a Ducati Multistrada 1200 S. This
win marks
Ducati’s
third-straight
victory at the
historic race
to the clouds.
Both Dunne
and Spider
Grips Ducati
teammate
and six-time
winner Greg
Tracy finished
the race under
the 10-minute
barrier, which
is a first for any
motorcycle in
the race’s 90In 2008, the BLM issued a blanket closure year history.
of 70,000 acres to all users, even hikers,
Dunne
citing concerns about a public health risk
crossed the
due to naturally occurring asbestos. There finish line at
has never been a documented case of injury the 14,110despite decades of inhalation of the soils in foot summit
question by humans in every conceivable
of Pikes Peak with the record-settingtime
activity. The BLM has been considering a
of 9:52.819, beating his previous record
highly restrictive management plan based
of 11:11.32, while Tracy was less than
on the alleged health concerns. California six seconds behind, placing second with
State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle
9:58.262.
Recreation Commission, San Benito
“Today was an emotional day,” said Dunne.
County, IERF scientists, OHV groups
“The year of work the Spider Grips Ducati
and at least one conservation group have
questioned the science and BLM’s analysis. team put into preparing for Pikes Peak
got us across the finish line in under 10
In October of that year, the San Benito
minutes, an achievement we’re very proud
County Board of Supervisors petitioned
of. When we heard that we won and broke
Congress to consider designating the
the record for the second time, I was
unit as a National Recreation Area and
speechless. The one-two finish proves the
reinstating responsible motorized and non- Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is the ultimate
motorized use there.
bike to conquer Pikes Peak.”
Don Amador, Western Representative
Dunne reached speeds above 144 mph
for the BRC, states, “Congressman Farr
throughout the mountain’s straightaways,
should be commended for this proactive
and traversed 156 turns, ranging from
legislation that emphasizes education
hairpin, blind, decreasing radius, and
and informed choice over heavy-handed
multi-apex turns, while consistently
closure regarding the purely theoretical
gaining elevation up the technical 12.42public health risk that might occur through mile course.
excessive use of the area.”
The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a
national trail-based recreation group,
applauds legislation today introduced
by Congressman Sam Farr that would
designate a popular OHV site in central
California as a National Recreation Area.
This bill could help resolve the ongoing
conflict between access interests and the
BLM regarding the future of motorized
and human powered recreation at the
BLM’s Clear Creek Management Area.
veteran producer Bob Teitel, of State Street
Productions. That trio pitched it to Jason
Blumenthal, at Escape Artists (A Knight’s
Tale, and The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3). At
September 2012 | 5 | CityBike.com
this
point, Blumenthal and Escape Artists are
looking to ‘attach talent’ as they say in the
film business.
“I was hoping to wait for an announcement
on the film before releasing a second
edition,” says Gardiner.
“But putting together
movie deals takes forever.
Meanwhile I saw a
mint copy of the first
edition sell for a hundred
bucks on Amazon. At
that point, I realized
two things: first, that if
prices got any higher my
mom was going to sell
her personal copy and
second, that it was time
to print a second edition.”
Later this month,
Gardiner will read from
Riding Man in Tacoma
at LeMay/America’s Car
Museum. The museum is
holding a cool motorcycle
event, ‘Meet at the Ace’,
August 24-26. The
second edition is already
available at Amazon.
com
com. Readers can get a
signed copy directly from Mark, with free
postage, at ridingman.com, or by visiting
his popular blog at bikewriter.com.”
MILE POST
I am Mike Padway, and
I ride motorcycles.
I prefer to represent
motorcycle riders who have
been injured because I like
working with motorcyclists.
We are slightly different than the
rest of the population, in a way that
makes us just a little more engaged,
realistic, and a lot more enjoyable
to be around.
I am proud of the fact that
I protect the interests of
motorcyclists because it
can seem at times like the
deck is stacked against us.
Insurance companies often attempt to use “car logic” to
settle a motorcycle case, and as
you and I both know that is not
fair. Furthermore, it is explicit
that your desire to have your
losses compensated is in direct
conf lict with an important goal
of the insurance industry: to pay
out as little as possible to you, and
maximize their profit!
That is where I come in.
I have decades of experience
navigating the legal and
insurance hurdles, have lectured
nationally for the American
Bar Association, and have represented riders across the
country. Of course, nobody
can guarantee any outcome of
any case, but it is always better
to have representation that is
experienced in your type of case.
Did you miss the
Sacramento Mile?
No worries—not
only can you see
some fantastic
photography and
read a rousing
account of the main
event in this very
issue (page 16),
but you can also
take advantage of
a second mile-long
Grand National
event in Santa Rosa
September 29 and
30. This is real
racing, the way God
intended, and it’s
affordable—general
admission starts
at just $30, and
you can get deluxe box seats for just $65.
You can also attend the Grand Marshall’s
dinner on Saturday night (the 29th) and
hang out with legendary past flat track
champions.
You can buy tickets at Michael’s HarleyDavidson of Cotati (7601 Redwood Dr ),
G&B Kawasaki-Yamaha (326 Petaluma
Blvd North, Petaluma), G&B Cyclepro
(2175 Bluebell Dr #A Santa Rosa),
Santa Rosa Powersports (910 Santa
Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa), Vee Twin (1240
Petaluma Hill Rd), The Motorcycle Shop
(3383 Airway Dr, Santa Rosa), Parriott
Motors (1027 Pope St., St. Helena)
or go to santarosamile.com or call
888/71-TICKETS. Don’t miss it this time!
PENINSULA MOVES
Peninsula Motorsports, an independent
repair shop in Redwood City, has moved.
The new address is 101 5th Avenue,
also in Redwood City. Owner John
Schoenfeld regrets he lost the lease
on the old place—it was the location
of MDK Motorsports, a high-volume
dealership—but he says they’re happy in
the new spot. It’s 50 percent larger and
has enough room to work on all brands
of motorcycles, new or old, from BMW
to Honda to Norton to Harley-Davidson.
Plus, he’s got experienced mechanics
If you have been injured
in a motorcycle accident,
please do not hesitate
to call for a phone
consultation or to set up a
meeting in person. Oh, and
unlike other lawyers you can
talk to me and I will return
your phone call.
If you have been injured on a
motorcycle and need a lawyer, call:
1 (800) 928-1511
www.michaelpadway.com
September 2012 | 6 | CityBike.com
(including Dave McClellan, whom you
may remember running Daly City’s M&H
Machine shop—he now takes on side work
machining projects at motomachineworks.
com); “ my mechanics are older—they’ve
seen it all.”
Schedule a service with Peninsula
by calling 650/367-9000 or head to
peninsulams.com
NEW SPOT FOR HELIMOT
There’s a lot of shop-moving-around these
days, it seems. As we reported in this space
in the July issue, Helimot Leathers and
Advanced Cycle Service, sharing a building
on Old Bayshore Highway in San Jose, were
presented with big rent increases from the
landlord: seems he’s going into what must
be a very lucrative field—oil recycling.
Helimot founders Linda Key and Helmut
Kluckner had been in that space for three
decades, but f—k it, they said. And they’re
happy they left. They found a sparkly new
location in Fremont, very close to the Tesla
plant (that used to be the GM NUMMI
plant). As Linda reports:
“We love it here already, even with a mess
still inside. Grass, trees, clean, cool. and...
ta-da...the A.C. works, the roof doesn’t
leak, we have hot water and there are nice
neighbors. On July 31 Helmut moved the
last thing out of the old shop. And what was helmet-making process where the EPS
that? Why, the Helimot sign, of course.”
liner is molded right into the helmet’s
shell, completely filling any void between
“It was a really horrendous move from a
the shell and foam, rather than gluing the
building we had been in for 17 years, about
pre-made liner in. That eliminates the gap
10,000 square feet all told, to about 3000
between the shell and the liner, a gap that
square feet. Even our stuff had stuff! We
can actually magnify energy transmitted
have several pieces of machinery that had
to the liner (and your skull), even if just
to be moved with a crane (thanks, Dennis!)
for microseconds. A deluxe version—
and everything had to be done in a big hurry.
Composite Fusion Plus—uses up to seven
different foam densities (depending on
“We absolutely could not have done it
without the really super, over-the-top help helmet size) with cone-shaped formations
we received from Bay Area motorcyclists. It within the lining to channel energy away
was really heartwarming and Helmut and I from the head. That means Kali can use
softer foam next to your head, which means
are so very thankful.”
better absorption of energy, especially
Helimot re-opened on August 17 and
when your head is moving forward inside
expects to have a grand re-opening
your helmet, which is where brain injury
celebration later in the year. Advanced
frequently occurs.
Cycle Service is still busily plugging away
in the old location for now, but we’ll get you Kali says it has confirmed the protective
benefits of its design in tests, and though
its new address as soon as we hear.
the company didn’t tell us exact numbers
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
about how much better the Composite
Last but not least—Wendy Epstein is firmly Fusion technology is, it does seem to be a
in the driver’s seat at Mission Motorcycles unique product, the first real change (other
than dual-density foam, which many other
at the Top of the
companies use)
Hill in Daly City
for decades. “We
(6232 Mission,
design helmets for
650/992-1234)
the one percent
and the place is very
of the time when
busy since Golden
you’re really using
Gate Cycles in San
it,” said Kali’s Alex
Francisco closed
Stover. However,
its doors. Not only
Kali didn’t provide
has the shop added
independent
Suzuki to its brands
verification of its
(in addition to
claims, and when
Honda, Yamaha,
we took the helmet
Kawasaki and
apart, we noted
Zero), but there’s
that the mechanical
a surge of buyers
fusion process
coming down
isn’t used on the
from the City—
chinbar—that
Mission is the
portion of foam was
only place to buy
glued in, just like
a Japanese brand
the competition’s.
in a huge, densely
Still, it seems like a
populated service area, and sales are up
solid concept, one that would doubtless be
over 150 percent compared to last year.
quickly copied if not for the patent.
She’s stepping up to demand by looking
at all options, including finding another
We received one of Kali’s top-of-the line
location, and needs help in sales or other
models to review, the Naza Carbon ($369).
departments—give them a ring if you want The helmet’s main advantage—safety—
to work at what could grow into one of the can’t be tested without spending thousands
biggest shops in the Bay Area.
of dollars on testing and destroying helmets,
NEW STUFF
KALI NAZA CARBON
Helmets is helmets.
Other than that, we found the Naza
Carbon to be pretty average as helmets
go, and maybe a little below average for
this price range. Build quality is what
you’d expect in a made-in-China product
(although the five-year warranty should
erase concerns about this), complete with
inexpensive-feeling materials and
squeeky sounds when you work
the vents. The faceshield’s
optical clarity isn’t the
best and the antifog is just mildly
effective. On
the road, the
helmet is
noisier
and
draftier than a premium helmet. The vents
don’t seem to do too much at freeway
speeds, which we’ve come to expect from
motorcycle helmets. That sounds like a
long list of flaws, but they’re minor, and if
the Naza Carbon was priced at $199 we
would feel silly mentioning them—but at
$369 we’d be a little disappointed.
The good news here is you could buy the
Naza FRP for $269—the same helmet,
just made with a heavier fiberglass shell.
Or for $149 you could get the
Nira CF, which uses
Composite
Fusion
Photo: Bob Stokstad
2012 Zuma 125
so we have to take Kali at its word. But
regardless of protection, we have to live with
the helmets when we’re not crashing. To
that end, Kali has designed a comfortable,
practical and functional helmet.
It’s made with a Carbon/Kevlar/
Fiberglass shell, available in two sizes to
accommodate the range of helmet sizes
from XS-XXL. The rest of the features are
familiar to helmet buyers-vents, washable
liner, anti-fog visor, yadda yadda. The
helmet meets DOT and ECE standards,
but not Snell—this is a choice, according
to Stover: “many in the helmet testing
community have chosen to build to the
ECE/DOT standard because softer forms
absorb more energy, more quickly, than
At least that was true before composites
the SNELL standard allows.” The helmet
engineer Brad Waldron, industrial designer fit pretty well, similar to other Asian-made
David Assyag and branding expert Mike
brands like HJC and KBC.
Wilson came up with Kali Protectives. The
Here’s Kali’s competitive advantage aside
company is based around Brad’s patented
from safety claims: the Naza Carbon is
Composite Fusion (TM) technology—a
feather light. At exactly three pounds, it’s
Are they? Well, actually...yes. Every helmet
manufacturer will tell you its helmet is the
best, most protective on the market, but
take a helmet apart and you’ll see they all
look the same inside. You got your hard
outer shell, you got your Styrofoam energyabsorbing liner and a comfort liner to go
against your skin. They all meet at least
the DOT standard and you can feel pretty
good about even the cheapest chain-store
lid doing its job.
about as light as any helmet we’ve tested,
much lighter than your average lid in this
price range. That’s a bonus for touring
riders or anybody who spends long hours
in a dome.
Go Anywhere—
and get 89 MPG!
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing.
Please respect the environment, obey the law, and read your owner's manual thoroughly.
BERKELEY YAMAHA
September 2012 | 7 | CityBike.com
735 GILMAN STREET
BERKELEY (510) 525-5525
www.berkeley-yamaha.com
Tues.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 — Sun.-Mon. Closed
technology, just with more conventional
dual-density foam. Kali is to be
commended for pushing the boundaries
of protective engineering in a market that
usually puts a higher value on styling and
other non-safety features.
Photo: Bob Stokstad
The intercom’s claimed max range is a
Find out more about Kali at your local moto- mile, and we found in testing found that
yes, indeed, in optimal conditions—line
shop or by going to kaliprotectives.com.
of sight in good weather—the range is
HELMET AUDIO: CARDO SCALA just about a mile, but unless you’re riding
somewhere with flat, straight roads, you
RIDER G9 POWERSET
can lose contact in just a few turns on a
You can’t escape it—with so many ways
twisty road or a block or two in the urban
to communicate, privacy is becoming a
office-tower canyons.
rare commodity. You are expected to be
reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a
Another innovation the G9 offers is a
week, with folks calling, texting, Tweeting, social-networking aspect. When a user logs
emailing, Facebook-ing and expecting you in to the Cardo Community website and
to be responsive to all of it. How do you
his headset is plugged into his computer,
hide from it all? Well, you could practice
the site detects the headset and displays
law, which apparently excuses you from
its settings—VOX sensitivity, FM radio
the need to answer the phone ever again, or presets, etc. It also shows a buddy list of the
you could leave your helmet conspicuously paired riders associated with that headset,
on your desk—nobody expects you to take and there’s even a function to look up users
a call on your bike.
the rider may know to add to the buddy list.
It’s like Facebook for your headset.
At least they don’t for now. Bluetooth
headsets for motorcycles have been in
Pairing is now simpler with the G9. To link
service since around 2006, and though the two G9 headsets, you just put the headsets
early models left much to be desired, they
are getting better and better. The Cardo
Systems Scala Rider G4 we tested last year
demonstrated all that—it was the first selfcontained BT headset we tested that was
actually functional at freeway speeds on an
unfaired motorcycle. That’s the litmus test
for us, because if you can’t wear earplugs
and hear crisp, clear audio at 75-plus miles
per hour, what’s the point of wearing it?
Well, Cardo Systems’ Scala Rider G4
($290) and G4 Powerset ($500) is a system
that can deliver that kind of performance,
so when the non-motorcycling population
starts seeing the majority of motorcycle
riders wearing these things, you can forget
about using your helmet as a refuge from
the constant storm of electronic media. Oh
well, at least you’ll still be able to ride.
The G4 was already very good for groups,
but the G9 is even better. That’s thanks
to a few innovations on the G9. Like
the G4, the G9 allows a simultaneous
conversation with three other riders, using
very good voice-activation technology
and outstanding speakers to minimize the
“whats?” and “say agains?” But the G9 adds
September 2012 | 8 | CityBike.com
Overall, if I
had read the
instruction
manual
and taken the
time to put my gear
on and get the fit
customized for me
before I went riding
that first time, I would
have saved myself a lot
of time. Hopefully if
you’re thinking about
buying a Leatt neck
brace for street or
dirt this article will
save you that time
and frustration
because I don’t
think anyone can
the “One + 8” feature, which lets the user
pair with up to eight other Scala-equipped
riders (even those with older models) and
then use the Voice Command feature to
call that specific rider by name.
in standby mode and then have them
gently nasty-dance together—they pair
automatically. If your buddy list is full, the
buddy you haven’t spoken to for the longest
time will be bumped off (you probably
didn’t like riding with him much anyway).
You identify your buddies by the names they
have chosen for themselves, and you can
scroll through the list of paired buddies.
In use, it’s a hell of a thing. There they are,
your riding buddies, and if you’ve been
riding with them for a while, you can now
talk to them whenever you want. And you
can’t ignore them, because it’s rude. The
only thing you can do is go faster so you
go out of their line of sight, but that means
you can only ride with those slower than
you, or you will be trapped listening to
stories about their kids/theories about the
Trilateral Commission/complaints about
various ethnic groups. And if you’re used
to just communicating with your lovely
wife or wonderful husband with just the
occasional brush on the knee or squeeze
on the tushie, let’s just say you should start
saving for the divorce attorney now.
That’s
because, like
the G4, audio
quality on the G9 is
superb. Both the microphone and speakers
work just as advertised, if you install and
use them correctly. A speed-sensitive audio
booster kicks in and makes music, podcasts
or Ned’s description of the 23-pound bass
he caught in 1987 resound in your skull
with perfect clarity, even through earplugs.
We frequently find we’re having phone
conversations and the other conversant
has no idea we’re riding a motorcycle, and
we’re also impressed with the reception,
ease of use and decent sound from the FM
radio. The rechargeable (from a USB port,
easy to rig up with your bike’s 12v system)
lithium battery gives seven days of standby
time, 13 hours of talk time and charges in a
few hours. It works with any Bluetooth 2.1
device including radar detectors, GPS units
and smartphones. You can also swap the
boom mike for a plug-in mike on the G9,
to work better with full-face helmets with
close-fitting chinbars.
neck.
say
the
least,
since
I had
watched
several
AMA
Supercross races
and noticed that
almost every single
competitor was wearing
a Leatt brace. Let’s be honest:
this device could literally save your
argue that this is probably one of the
most important protective devices for
motorcyclists since the back brace.
I am a sucker for protection and probably
wear too much but when it all goes wrong it’s
usually worth it, because when I do crash, I
usually crash big! Hopefully we will never
find ourselves in a situation where we need
or wish we had this device, but I am glad
it’s out there and will be adding one to my
off-road kit. Thank you to Dr. Leatt and his
team of engineers for their research and
devotion to saving our necks. You can find
the Leatt brace at your better Bay Area gear
shops or by pointing your browser to leattbrace.com.
—Jason Potts
Back home I was determined to not let
this happen again. I got the manual, pulled
all the extra pieces out of the box, put my
gear on and sat there until it fit perfectly. I
(finally!—ed.) was now ready to ride and
review the brace.
Since I also ride sportbikes I pulled the
street version out of the box to work on
getting it set up as well. However, I found
the street version is really best for sport
touring or touring, because it prevents
your neck from bending back so you can’t
get into an aerodynamic tuck. If you are
commuting, or into sport-touring, this
would be great addition to your protective
gear. But I still had the off-road GPX; I was
going dirt riding and this time it was set up
and I was ready to shred.
First off, putting the brace on is easier if
you lock one side then slide the brace on
sideways around your neck, then lock the
other side into position. Finally, pull the
It’s spendy, but the functionality and good straps down around your chest to prevent
design of the Scala makes it a favorite for
the brace from riding up, clip the straps
staff rides. Get it at your favorite mototogether and you’re ready to go. Once on
shop or head to cardosystems.com to
the bike and riding I found the brace was
order online.
hardly noticeable except when looking
up or behind, which really shouldn’t be a
LEATT BRACE
problem since you shouldn’t be looking
A few months ago I was asked to “test” the
behind you while you’re riding anyway.
Leatt neck brace and write a review. I agreed
to try it out but I really didn’t want to “test”
its effectiveness—crashing sucks! After a
few phone calls I learned that not only do
they make the very popular off-road version
but they were hard at work on a street
version as well—color me interested. A few
weeks later a package arrived containing
both the GPX off-road ($299 to $699) and
the STX road version ($399).
Honda CRF70F
Now in stock!
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Please respect the
environment, obey the law, and read your owner’s manual thoroughly.
A few weeks later I had a little time to sit
down and try to get the brace assembled
in anticipation of my next dirt adventure.
It came with the only tool you need but to
get the perfect fit, you first need to put your
gear on and have a couple hours to try the
different spacers for a perfect custom fit—I
thought I was good to go, but that’s when I
discovered that it was a little too tight after
I put my chest protector on and I had to
leave it behind. I was a little bummed, to
September 2012 | 9 | CityBike.com
EVENTS
Second Tuesday of Each Month
(September 11, October 9)
Doc Wong Clinics!
First Monday of each month
(September 3, October 1):
6:30 pm to 10:00 pm: East Bay Ducati
Bike Night at Pizza Antica (3600 Mount
Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 925/299-0500)
2:30 – 10:00 pm: Northern California
Bike parking on the street right in front of
Ducati Bike Nights at Benissimo (one
the restaurant, indoor and heated outdoor
of Marin’s finest Italian Restaurants), 18
Tamalpias Dr, Corte Madera. NorCalDoc. seating, excellent wine list. All moto
brands welcome. Bring your appetite and a
com
smile, be prepared to make new friends.
6:00 pm: American Sport Bike Night at
Third Wednesday of Each Month
Dick’s Restaurant and Cocktails, 3188
Alvarado Street, San Leandro. Bring your (September 19, October 17)
Buell and hang out with like-minded
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Emeryville
riders. All brands welcome! Our meeting Ducati Bike Night at Hot Italian (5959
of Buell and Motorcycle enthusiasts
Shellmound Street #75, Emeryville,
has been happening the first Monday of
510/652-9300) A fun, social atmosphere
the month for the last 12 years, without
for Ducati owners, folks that want to
ever missing a meeting. We have had
become Ducati owners, and folks that
many local and national celebrities
don’t yet know that they want to become
from the motorcycle world grace our
Ducati owners, to sit, eat, talk, walk
Take it to the track! Catch some of the best, most varied, most competitive roadracing
meetings. It has been fun and exciting.
around and look at other Ducatis. All
anywhere with our local racing club, the American Federation of Motorcyclists.
americansportbikenight.net
brands and models of motorcycles are
welcome, so please don’t be put off by the
For racetrack and spectator info orto find out about corner-working opportunities or how
6:00 pm: California (Northern, East
event
name.
to get your race license, go to afmracing.org or call 510/796-7005.
Bay) NORCAL Guzzi Bike Night at
Applebee’s at McCarthy Ranch Mall, off
Every Friday Through September 2012
September 1 and 2: Infineon
880, in Milpitas, California. All MGNOC
October 6 and 7: Thunderhill
members, interested Guzzi riders, and all 5:00 pm: Primetime Classic Autorama
show
(1551
Sycamore
Ave,
Hercules:
other motorcycle riders always welcome.
Photo: Gary Rather
Home Depot parking lot) Always FREE
More information, contact Pierre at:
408/710-4886 or pierredacunha@yahoo. to show/attend. Bring all your classic
(Highways 505/128) MGNOC members
rides: cars/ trucks / motorcycles / big rigs Third Sunday of each month
com.
and interested Guzzi riders meet for
/ military. ALL ARE WELCOME! BBQ (September 16, October 21):
breakfast and a good time. The Putah
/ vendors / and a raffle. Call Professor J at
9:00 am: California (Northern)
Creek Cafe is located at Railroad Avenue.
510/455-3093 or hit professorj.biz
Moto Guzzi National Owners Club
More information contact: Northern
(MGNOC) breakfast at Putah Creek
California MGNOC Rep, Don Van Zandt
Cafe in picturesque Winters, California
at 707-557-5199.
Evenings: Moto-Sketch at Tosca Cafe:
come and sketch a live model draped
over a custom bike. $7 to sketch, free to
just watch. Tosca Cafe, 242 Columbus
Ave. in S.F.
Wednesday, September 5th
6:00 pm-9:30 pm
TrackerNite5 Motorcycle Show
and BBQ (Barnaby Machine Co, 954
Shulman Ave. Santa Clara)
A celebration of modified and racing
motorcycles done on the streets of
Santa Clara at the famed Barnaby
Machine Co. at 954 Shulman Ave. All
bikes are welcome to show, Antique
MCMA Member Specials:
RS-Taichi Product Coming Soon
Great Selection of Arai Helmets
CityBike says if you haven’t done a Doc Wong clinic, go do one ASAP. It’s fun, free and
will make you a better/safer/happier rider. Register by emailing [email protected] or
call Full Motion Chiropractic at 650/365-7775.
August 24/26, 2012 “Dual Sport Adventure Riding Clinic”
Friday 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM
August 31, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 2”
Friday night 7 PM
September 13, 2012 *NEW* “Braking Confidence and Skills” workshop
Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
September 21, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop”
Fri 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
September 23 2012 “Smooth Riding - Awareness, Vision and the Vanishing point”
Sunday 9 AM-3 PM
500 registered (we ran short last year
and are bringing twice as many this
year). Famous, free CCBR coffee from 6
am-8:30 am. Leashed pets okay. Preregistration package (for all ages) - $52camping, Bash pin, prize drawings and
three meals. Please note: pre-registration
ends and no refunds after Tuesday,
September 4, 2012. Gate pass (for all ages)
- $40 - camping, Bash pin, prize drawings
- no meals. Kid’s pass (age 6 through
11) - $20 - no extra tent, pin, drawings or
meals. Kids age 5 and under are admitted
free - no extra tent, pin, drawings or meals.
There will be no day passes this year.
More info: [email protected] or call
888/203-5871
Friday Sept 14-Sunday Sept 16
Arrive on Friday, Sept 14th, group meet:
5:00 pm, Friday. Ride Saturday, recoup on
Sunday. Riders arrange their own rooms.
Sign up is located at pashnittours.com/
booktour.html
Saturday, September 15th and Sunday,
September 16th
Dust Devils Motorcycle Club of Reno
Nevada 2012 AMA Sanctioned Ride
Reno 200 Dual-Sport Ride and “Save
the Trails Banquet” Nugget Casino,
Reno, Nevada
Two hundred miles over two days of the
best dual sport trails in the west! Sunday’s
5:00 pm Friday: CityBike Magazine/
ride has a checkpoint/break time next
Pashnit Tours Nutcracker 1000 Holiday
September 30, 2012 “CPR and First Aid for Motorcyclists Class”
to the Reno Air Races racecourse. The
Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 4055 N.
Sunday 9AM-3 PM
RR200 is held the same weekend as the
Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada
annual air races.
October 18, 2012 *NEW* “Braking Confidence and Skills” workshop
Dream of the open road? We do. Endless.
Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Lunch on the trail both days, Saturday
Vast. Distant.
night Banquet at the host Casino/
October 19, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop”
hotel—John Ascuaga’s Nugget—ride
If those words describe your longing to
Fri Fri 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Tshirt. “Buy a Save the Trails” beer glass
get up out of that chair—we have just
and the beer is bottomless! Door prizes,
the ride for you. Join us as the kids go
October 21, 2012 “Cornering Confidence - Road Surfaces and Curve
raffles, the host hotel has huge indoor
back to school and the temps settle into
Configurations” Sunday 9 AM-3 PM
pool and spa and provides covered,
manageable for a truly epic ride.
October 26, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 2”
secured, reserved motorcycle parking for
The 1000-mile day is a moment, a day
Friday night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
our event. $165 per rider.
in in your life, where time and distance
More info: docwong.com
More information at dustdevilsmc.com or
become lost, forgotten concepts. A day
when you can leave it all behind and melt contact Gary Lambert: 775/224-0361 or
into the horizon. Where all the land is but [email protected]
Friday, September 14 to Sunday,
to Modern, Flat Trackers, Café, Street
a fuzzy image in your mirrors constant
Trackers, Rats, Trikes and Touring bikes. September 16
Wednesday September 19 to Sunday
and fading.
September 23, 2012
Recently called a “Flash-mob motorcycle Central Coast BMW Riders Autumn
This is the 1000-Mile Day. Commonly
Beemer Bash at the Plumas-Sierra
show” by Bay Area magazines,
Street Vibrations® Fall Rally: Music, Metal
County Fairgrounds, Quincy, California. called the Saddlesore 1000 by Iron Butt
TrackerNite© has grown from a few
and Motorcycles (Reno, Sparks, Virginia
folks, Pashnit Tours is putting together
friends gathering at a machine shop into
City, NV)
A non-profit rally to benefit the BMW
a mutual destination ride. No group. No
a full-on BBQ and free Motorcycle Show
community at large. Acres of shade and
leader. No sweep. Just road. Just ride.
with bike show awards, music and racing
Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival
grass for camping or RV hook-ups and
There is no group size limit as there is no is a celebration of music, metal and
celebrities.
plenty of hot showers! Saturday Night
group. The Nutcracked Riders will all
motorcycles. It offers tours, live
Dinner, Saturday & Sunday Continental
You’ll enjoy seeing bikes of the past and
converge on Carson City, NV on Friday, entertainment, ride-in shows, stunt
Breakfast. (Pre-Reg Only). Invited
some that are on the edge of today’s
Sept 14th. Many of us will meet up on
shows and more to more than 50,000
Speakers will include CityBike Editor-intechnology. Come on out and enjoy an
Friday evening for Meet-n-Greet at the
biking enthusiasts. Major event venues
Chief Gabe Ets-Hokin (but you should
evening of real “grass roots” motorcycle
foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
are planned at Reno, Sparks, historic
fun. This event is unique in so many ways, go anyway). Door Prizes! 50/50 Drawing! Lying to the east, south and north are
Virginia City, Lake Tahoe and Chester’s
Grand Prize! Vendors! Swap Table! Things broad regions of the United States where
drawing motorcyclists from all over the
Reno Harley-Davidson Dealership. Rides
to do Saturday: Portola Railroad Museum distances are vast, amenities are few and
Bay Area, NorCal and So Cal.
to Lake Tahoe provide unparalleled
- Poker Run - Self Guided Riding Tours the view stretches to the horizon. Ride
entertainment. Don’t miss America’s
For more information or to RSVP, please Guided GS Ride.
on Saturday from the California Border
Finest Custom Bike Builder’s Expo to view
call or e-mail Lorin Guy: 408/242-1976 or
to Utah and back on a loop through
the latest creations. Check out the Tattoo
via [email protected] Reference On site microbrews, wine, soda, water
Nevada in one day, stay at the same
Expo for body art extraordinaire. Marvel
and food, 2012 bash pins for the first
TrackerNite©.
hotel Saturday night, disperse Sunday
September 28, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 1”
Friday night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Service: Dirtbikes, Streetbikes,
Racebikes, Scooters, and Harley’s
AFM/Track Race Prep
Come get your Tires Installed while you wait.
757 Lincoln Ave Door 19 San Rafael Ca 94901
(415) 453-6686
www.TopShelfMotorycycles.com
Store Hours: Tues-Fri 10a-6p Sat 10a-5p
September 2012 | 10 | CityBike.com
morning. Pashnit Tours is an authorized
witness for the Iron Butt Association, and
will be handling that aspect of the ride if
you wish to participate in it.
September 2012 | 11 | CityBike.com
325 South Maple Ave #20, South San Francisco.
650/239-6686, bayareamotoshop.com
Roadside Repair Class
Thursday August 23rd 6pm - 9pm
Have you ever broken down on the side of the road with your moto, or a friend’s
moto, and not known what to do? This can happen to anyone, anywhere—even in
your garage. This class will help you attempt to figure out what the problem may be
and fix it yourself. We will also teach how to pick up a dropped bike, fix a flat, load a
bike on a truck, and more.
Basic Motorcycle Maintenance Clinic
Sunday September 2nd 9am - 1pm
Get your bike ready for riding! During this hands-on clinic you will perform a
complete inspection and make minor adjustments on your motorcycle to make
sure it is safe and ready for many good miles of riding. This will include chain,
brakes, tires, wheels, controls, lights, battery, fluids, suspension, and more! This
clinic is perfect if you are new to your bike or new to riding.
Lee Parks All-Day Suspension Clinic
Sunday September 9th 9am - 5pm
Learn the art and science of suspension setup from one of the leading experts in the
country, Lee Parks. This all-day clinic will teach you the secrets used by top tuners
to increase performance and safety.
Barbara Vos Art Opening @ Moto Shop
Sunday Sept 16th 6pm - 10pm
Join us for an evening of art and music at Moto Shop. barbaravossanfrancisco.com
at extraordinary stunt shows and the
Globe of Death. Spend some money with
more than 300 vendors and more than 15
factory rigs selling everything motorcycle
and more. Crosby, Still and Nash, the folk
rock supergroup, will be headlining at the
Reno Events Center on September 22.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.
You can register as a Street Vibrations®
participant online, at the Reno Ballroom
at 4th and Center St. in downtown Reno
or at Street Vibrations Headquarters.
A portion of the proceeds benefits the
Juvenile Diabetes Association. The nocolors event is open to all motorcycles.
More info: road-shows.com/street_
vibrations.php or dial 775/329-7469.
Saturday, September 22nd
8:00 am to 4:00 pm: El Camino Cycle
Meet and Swap (Irwindale Raceway, 500
Speedway Drive, Irwindale California
909/629-7420, classiccycleevents.com)
Check out over 350 vendors and an
antique/classic motorcycle show with
over 100 bikes at the largest swap-meet
and show on the West Coast. The long
drive down to SoCal should be worth
it—food, fun, vintage parts exchange,
bike-sale corral and FREE parking for
ride-in motorcycles (other vehicles: $5
each). Vendor space starts at just $75, or
enter your bike in the show for $35 for
the first bike, $10 for each additional.
Participants get an event pin, poster and
other souvenirs.
the finishers
of the 2012
Cannonball
Rally. The
Cannonball
is a cross
country
endurance
riding event
for antique
motorcycles
manufactured
before
1930. The
Cannonball
ride starts in
Newburgh,
NY on
September 7,
and travels across the country to finish on
September 23rd in San Francisco.
Come to welcome these intrepid men
and women and celebrate this epic
journey. Mingle with the riders and
hear their stories of the road, and check
out their machines, every single one of
them a piece of history. The event will
feature live entertainment, food and
refreshments. Several local companies
will be showcasing their products as
well. Come and attend this unique event
and become a part of motorcycling’s
rich history! The riders are expected in
at 1:15, but well, you can understand if
they’re late. See you there!
Sunday, September 30th
East Bay Dragons
By Gabe Ets-Hokin
Photos by Bob Stokstad
Photo: Craig Howell
Events at Motoshop: Moto Shop
by calling 888/71-TICKETS or go to
santarosamile.com and be part of this
historic event.
Sunday, September 30 to Tuesday,
October 2
Giro d’ California no. 8
Three days of timed-trial riding, 1950s
Italian style in the coastal mountains
of Northern and Central California.
Pre-1958, 175cc and smaller machines
compete in regularity trials between
secret checkpoints. Entry fees include
hotel accommodations, lunches and
awards banquet, along with t-shirt and
bag-o-swag. If you have a little old Italian
roadster, you need to do this event!
Go to girodcalifornia.com or email
[email protected] to get
your application.
1:00 pm: Santa Rosa Mile AMA Pro
Flat Track (Sonoma County Fairgrounds,
Saturday, October 13
1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa)
9:00 am-4:00 pm: Central Coast
After a 42-year absence, the spectacular
Classic Motorcycle Club Show and
two-wheeled action of AMA Pro Flat
Swap Meet in San Luis Obispo (1775
Track racing returns to the Santa Rosa
Calle Joaquin in SLO).
Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon,
September 30th.
General Admission $10. Classic bike
show, swap meet, and motorcycle games.
Run in 1968, 1969 and 1970, the Santa
Fundraiser for Making Strides Against
Rosa Mile spotlighted the top level
Sunday, September 23th
Breast Cancer of SLO. Catered by
competitors of the time such as Dick
Splash Café. Details at 805/704-6357 or
11:00 am to 5:00 pm: 2012 Cannonball Mann, Gary Nixon, Freddie Nix, Chuck
centralcoastclassicmc.com
Finish Party at Dudley Perkins (Dudley Palmgren, Jim Rice and more wrestling
Perkins Co. Harley-Davidson, 333 Corey BSA, Harley- Davidson and Triumph
Sunday, October 21st
Way, South San Francisco, 650/737-6547, machines for dominance on the dirt.
All Day: Carnegie OHV Area Visitor
dpchd.com
Now it is back. Be sure to be on hand
Appreciation Day (Carnegie SVRA,
to witness the return of America’s
Join the staff, customers and friends of
18600 Corral Hollow Road, Tracy
most spectacular two-wheeled
one of the country’s oldest and most
925/447-9027 motomartcarnegie.com)
competition. Order your tickets now
storied Harley dealers as they welcome
Free Admission to the Park, Product
Displays from Area Motorcycle
Dealers, Free Suspension Clinic,
Dual Sport Poker Run, Scavenger
Hunt for Kids, Free Raffle Ticket,
Drawing for Great Prizes, Food
Booths in the Event Area, OffRoad Demonstrations, Music,
ATV Simulator Rides, Hillclimb
exhibitions, Factory Representatives,
Blue Ribbon Coalition, AMA District
36, Special Guests, and a visit from the
REACH helicopter. Bring the family
and get dirty!
Check out the Carnegie website for
more details as we near the date: ohv.
parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172
September 2012 | 12 | CityBike.com
“
OMG!” I typed in the email “That
bike is made out of Win!” Art Director
Lapp had taken a moment to browse
Craigslist for an interesting DirtbagChallenge candidate and fixated on a
diamond in the rough—$850 would buy
you a SOHC Honda CB750 with a rakedout girder-style front end, chromed valve
cover, custom seat and ape-hanger bars.
The rusted-out tank and crudely modded
frame were customized, with the faded
magenta and cream paint overlaid with
sprays of marijuana leaves and on the top
of the tank, the willowy figure of a buxom
African-American woman (who looks
suspiciously like Nichelle Nichols, who
played mega-hot Lt. Uhura on Star Trek),
nude, Afro-ed, and intently picking the
kind, abundant harvest. Sadly, though the
bike was non-running, a collector in L.A.
snapped it up within 12 hours.
After savoring the delicious post-modern
irony of this Blaxploitaiton-era kitsch, it
made me think. How big did your balls
have to be to ride this thing around the
East Bay in the ‘70s? An image appeared
in my mind—the CB750 with an
enormous black man riding it helmetless,
skimpily-clad girl on the back, wraparound shades and leather vest with
nothing underneath, riding straight into
the waiting arms of the San Leandro
police. What was it like to be a black biker
in Soul-Era Oakland?
For an answer, I called up the East Bay
Dragons, arguably the best-known and
oldest continuously operating all-black
motorcycle club in
the country. I was
expecting some
tough guy to answer
the phone, and I
wasn’t disappointed.
Ali Rasheed, the
Dragon’s business
manager, looks the
part of the tough
biker—leather
vest and all the
trimmings—but is
also well-educated, retired
after a professional career
and evenly enthusiastic
about motorcycles—he’s
ridden all kinds of brands,
but later in life settled on
Harleys. He’s just sold off
his V-Rod after piling up
60,000 miles for a trickedout Sportster, in contrast
to the other members’
chrome-slathered baggers. “My taste has
always been performance.”
Hanging out around the never-ending
domino game in the clubhouse garage. was
member Charles Jones—aka Darth Vader.
Typical of many members, Darth came to
the Dragons after tiring of another club,
the Japanese-riding Vagabonds. “I grew up
The strange but not-so-terrible story of
Oakland’s oldest surviving
African-American motorcycle club.
with Harleys, but we liked speed so we rode was the ‘chop,’ a heavyweight touring bike
like a Panhead or Knucklehead customized,
cafe racers, Hondas.”
stripped and souped-up for maximum
Rasheed and Jones came to the club older, straight-line performance—but little in the
but there are some younger Dragons
picking up the torch. “Diddy,” in his early
30s, was in his second week of being a club
‘rook,’ after spending some time riding
around the East Bay on Japanese sportbikes
with the Ruff Ryders. Joining the club
seemed like a natural choice—his uncles
are members and it’s always been in his life.
But why join a
black-only club?
That’s secondary
to Diddy; he likes
the tradition and
camaraderie,
but also likes
the safer, longdistance riding
style of the
Dragons.
way of rider or passenger comfort. We’re
talking about the classic Easyriders choppers,
with massively raked forks, skinny front
tires, hardtail rears and straight pipes. Not
We fix anything on American V-Twin bikes
That’s right—
long distance. The
Dragons, formed in 1958,
is all about riding long
distances. Trips to L.A.,
where the club has longstanding relationships
with similar clubs, are
routine, and rides to the
Central Valley are barely
an afterthought. I talked
to members who had just
ridden halfway across the country and
talked about their trips as if referring to a
daily commute.
It wasn’t always that way. According to club
founder (and current President-for-Life)
Tobey Gene Levingston’s book Soul on Bikes
(2004, Motorbooks International, written
with Keith and Kent Zimmerman, out of
print), the ride of choice in the early days
Fast, friendly service: no extra charge
408-298-6800
September 2012 | 13 | CityBike.com
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a fun bike to grind out the miles on unless
your body is youthful and elastic enough to
help you bear the terrible pain.
That lasted until 1992, when Tobey Gene
bought a H-D tourer with the intent of
chopping it. He took it for one long ride
before putting it under the Sawzall, but on
the ride, he discovered “...a funny thing...
My arms and shoulders didn’t ache. I
wasn’t rattled or tired.” He realized a
touring rig was the ticket
for enjoying the actual
riding experience even
more, which led to almost
universal adoption of
baggers throughout the
club—Street Glides and
Road Glides, for the most
part, modded with lavish
paint jobs, acres of chrome
and sound systems that
can disrupt weather
patterns. He now owns
a ‘99 Electra Glide Ultra
Classic, although he hasn’t ridden it in a few
years. Why not sell it and accept the role
of elder statesman? He bristles a bit and
tells me he’ll “stop riding when the old boy
upstairs tells me to get off. When he tells
me to get back on, I’ll ride, but I don’t care
what anybody else says.”
He really doesn’t. Tobey Gene has lived
Sinatra’s “My Way,” starting the club in
1958 with his brothers and friends (with
cars at first) so they could enjoy the
California dream as other young people
did—driving, drinking, dancing to rock
n’ roll—on their own terms. When they
discovered motorcycles the next year, they
all bought bikes—always Harleys—and
never looked back. Their club (according
to the autobiography,
which is filled with a lot
of good factual stuff but
may also have some of the
stories motorcycle clubs
seem to have that get just
a little more colorful with
each telling) always had
the fastest motorcycles,
the best riders, the fiercest
brawlers, the best-looking
ladies and the sort of
dances everybody wanted
to crash.
And yet, the Dragons seem to have gotten
along well with (mostly) anybody and
everybody. The Hell’s Angels are allies—
Tobey and his brothers knew Sonny Barger
before he started riding—other white
clubs like them, and they’ve had a special
relationship with the Oakland Police
Department since at least the 1960s, when
S
Hook, a founding member, tells us about the
old days.
a motor officer named Milton Harbelt took
the Dragons under his wing, taking care
of their police-related problems and even
showing up at their parties. The Dragons
reciprocate; they provided the only club
escort at the funeral of the Oakland officers
gunned down in 2009 and escort the little
league team when the police can’t do it.
The fuzz in San Leandro and Hayward
weren’t so accommodating, harassing the
club members mercilessly, and after many
arrests and bike impoundings, they learned
to stay away from those towns.
I asked Tobey Gene why he needed to start
an all-black club, and why it’s all-black
Repair & Service
(and all male) to this day. “Why do I need
a black club?” Tobey said, pointing his
cane at me, “why do you need the KKK?” I
didn’t bother telling him the Klan stopped
admitting Jews some time ago, but point
taken. The Dragons actually had a white
founding member, a guy named Buzzy,
but when Buzzy would drink, he’d start
“talking black” as Tobey Gene said, even
using the hated N-word, and though he
never received a richly deserved beating
for it, he still disrupted the harmony and
unity of the club. So after Buzzy moved
away (much to everybody’s relief), the club
was all-black and all male (women are a
no-go, Tobey tells me, because the jealousy
and back-biting gets too much when
couples start getting involved). Tobey’s
brother Joe Louis Levingston told me that
when he hangs out with folks from other
backgrounds, “I can’t be me and you can’t
be you,” something that resonates with any
group (motorcyclists, for instance) that
feels marginalized by society.
oul on Bikes: the East Bay Dragons Dragons pose at their favorite
barbecue shack. Photo: East Bay
MC and the Black Biker Set was a
Dragons Collection.
great read. I don’t know if it’s the
fact that the subjects are things I love—
Oakland, motorcycles, urban history— entertaining page turner
that gives you an idea of
or the Zimmerman brother’s excellent
what it was like to live in the
work co-authoring the book (they also
wrote extensively about Sony Barger and turbulent, troubled—but
fun—East Bay in the ‘50s,
the Oakland Hells’ Angels, so they’re
‘60s
familiar with the subject), but it’s an
and
‘70s.
There’s a
complete
rendering of
the history
of the
Dragons,
as well as
portraits
of other
black clubs,
both in
Northern
and Southern
California.
There may be
a bit too much
Tobey Gene in
there for some,
but I enjoyed
finding out
how he
viewed the
world and
how that
view evolved
over the
years. After
all, how
many black
motorcycle
club
PresidentsGive yourself a dope-slap
for-Life
if you said, “hey! That’s Angela Davis!” It’s Kathleen Cleaver at a Free
have you
Huey rally, 1968-ish.
What does the future hold? Tobey is
President for Life, but at 78 years old,
that era will be ending sooner rather
than later. But he and his brother aren’t
worried. “We’ll still be an all-black club in
200 years,” Joe Louis told me. “The new
members will keep it going because they’re
harder about the rules than we were.”
Seeing the camaraderie and hearing the
stories makes me believe that the Dragons
will be waking people up at 3:00 am with
their straight pipes and booming sound
systems for many decades to come.
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September 2012 | 14 | CityBike.com
September 2012 | 15 | CityBike.com
Bags was a popular
Dragon—sadly, he died under mysterious
circumstances coming back from a Reno rally
in 1999; the only Dragon, we were told, to die
in a crash. Photo: East Bay Dragons Collection.
chatted with? I’m guessing not more
than one.
Tobey Gene would answer many of my
questions with a cry to “read the book!
You gotta read the book!”, and I’m glad I
did. The problem is that it’s out of print
and used copies are priced at $70 and
up—yow! Luckily, it seems to be in
most Bay Area libraries, including San
Francisco and (of course!) Oakland.
Releasing it as an e-book seems like a
no-brainer to me, so email the Dragons at
[email protected] or Quayside
Publishing (who own Motorbooks):
[email protected] and
tell them to get on the ball..
event at a mile-long track. “It just feels like a
fairy tale,” she says.
AMA Flat Track: Sacramento
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The house lights dim and fireworks erupt.
On the far side of the track a couple of true
devotees can be seen walking a lap of the
sacred ground. They follow the blue groove
of rubber that is the racing line, stopping
every so often to gesture with imaginary
handlebars. One kneels down and grabs a
pinch of dirt as a souvenir.
Brian Smith on his Versys-powered, race-winning Twin.
EL CAMINO
, 20
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Sep
Podium speeches and champagne wind
down the night. Racers excitedly shuffle
their way to each other’s pits to celebrate,
skid shoes sound out a ringing thud on
the sandy soil. Once the track is clear,
officials open the stands and the fans take
the infield to join the fun. No whiff of
pretention - more backyard cookout than
fashion runway. A meet-and-greet line
forms at Shayna Texter’s pit, her giant
grin is constant.
By Courtney Olive
Photos by Bob Stokstad
Seconds tick. RPMs skyrocket. BAM, the
flag drops!
o sooner does the national anthem
hit its last note than an Apache
attack helicopter soars upward,
banks a few times for a good show, then
thunders out of view. Seconds later the
booming of the Apache is overpowered
by the music of twin-cylinder motorcycles
roaring to life. Mechanics lugging starter
motors scurry out of the grid as the
HarleyKawiTriumDucati symphony
reaches full thunder.
The Sacramento Mile is underway.
N
The AMA track boss, a no-nonsense lady if
ever there was one, stomps her way in front
of the rows of bikes. She snaps her forearm
forward at one-second intervals and points
an authoritative finger at each rider. This
touches off a volley of clutch-feathering/
tire-spinning/front-lifting as each blasts
forth on their warm-up lap.
Returning to the grid, they take their
positions, engines revving purposefully. A
few look around, most stare straight ahead
at turn one. A trophy girl parades across
with the 10-second sign. Riders crouch.
The first thing you notice is the pack. The
bikes circulate in one big mob. There are no
back markers like you’d see in a roadrace.
As the pack approaches on each lap, the
ground starts to shake, there’s a deafening
roar as they blur by, then they’re past and
you’re hit with a high-speed dust cloud, like
the tail of a comet. The sound fades and the
cloud is gone as fast as it arrived. You pivot
and follow the pack through turn Two, then
Three, then Four. They tuck in, left hands
on the tank, and here comes that ground
rumbling again. All this in 38 seconds.
No wonder fans at The Mile know how to
cheer. Arms wave wildly, fists pump, and
everybody is out of their seat as the riders
scream by. Every rider carries a nickname:
“Flyin” Bryan Smith, Jared “The Jammer”
Mees, and “Jersey” Jake Johnson—the
number-one plate holder. To call it close
racing is a woeful understatement. Bikes
return to the pits with tire marks burned
onto their side number plates.
In the Main Event so many vie for the lead
that it’s a wonder the announcer can keep
all the nicknames straight. It’s a five-way
battle between Smith, Mees, Johnson,
“Slammin” Sammy Halbert, and “B-Rob”
Brandon Robinson. Smith is on board a
Kawasaki, a Versys-powered 650 that is
blisteringly fast. The bike has been specially
designed to compete only on mile tracks,
unlike any other at the race. The tank is a
sliver that scarcely rises three inches above
the frame. It’s a wonder the fuel inside is
enough for the 25-mile Main event. But
looking at the cutting-edge crispness of
the rest of the bike and the sanitary nature
of Smith’s pit, you get the impression his
team knows exactly what they are doing.
And when Smith tucks down tight against
September 2012 | 16 | CityBike.com
Pro Singles Heat Race: 28P - Michael Bickerton,
76L - Gerit Callies. 30S - Jason Inennock, 2and
5A - Shayna Texter, winner of the Pro Singles
main event.
that low tank and rockets ahead on the
straights, your impression is confirmed.
Johnson and Mees fight fiercely with Smith
in the Main. The three form a tight pack for
the whole race, with Halbert and Robinson
keeping constant pressure, just a bikelength behind. At times Smith loses the
lead but he reels it right back within a lap.
When the checker falls they roar by, Smith
taking the victory, then Johnson, Mees,
Robinson and Halbert.
But the night’s show-stopper is the Pro
Singles race and Miss Shayna Texter.
Standing five feet sharp and weighing 95
pounds (with steel shoe), Texter takes
command right off the line. She is the first
to turn one and almost instantly establishes
a gaping lead. A hard-fought battle rages for
second and third, but Texter remains well
ahead. It’s almost as though she’s running
an entirely different race.
This affords time to study each rider’s
stunning transition from full tuck on the
front-straight to winging through turn
one. In one motion they snap themselves
upright to attention while their waist
bounds forward from the back of the
seat up onto the tank, right elbow shoots
skyward as the bike tosses over and left foot
touches down. With each, it’s a skill. With
Texter, it’s poetry. While others seem to
use their body weight to sling the bike into
submission, her transition is so smooth as
to be almost imperceptible. It’s as though
the bike scarcely notices her tiny frame
as it sails through the corner completely
unrattled by the rough dirt below.
As the 12-lap race passes its half-way
point, the pack of Stephen Vanderkuur,
Jake Shoemaker, Dominic Colindres and
Gerit Callies seems to expend so much
effort battling for second and third that
Texter might remain unchallenged for the
win. But as the race nears the end, things
change quickly. The pack suddenly catches
Texter in what seems like three turns.
Because they’ve caught her so quickly, the
instant thought on every fan’s mind: Can
she hang on?
Soon the answer is no. Vanderkuur and
Shoemaker pass her in quick succession
on lap 11. Deflated, the crowd watches
what seemed like a sure win slip through
Texter’s fingers. “She must be getting tired,”
some say. As other racers close in on her,
even third place now looks uncertain. But
suddenly there’s no more losing ground.
Texter is tucked in and locked on to
Vanderkuur and Shoemaker. Four turns
to go and, as with the whole race, her form
exemplifies smoothness.
Charging through the back straight
Vandekuur/Shoemaker/Texter are ankles
to axles. It will be decided by the final turn,
and the crazed crowd may bring down the
grandstand. The pack charges in, pitches
their bikes over and Texter begins to make
her move. Sling-shotting out of the turn,
they enter a three wide dash for the finish.
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Texter’s perfect cornering fluidity results
in tremendous drive. Halfway down the
straight she has passed Shoemaker and
is closing on Vanderkuur to retake the
lead—if only the
track will allow her
enough distance to
get it done. She edges
beside Vanderkuur,
they streak across the
finish line—a photo
finish with her wheel
just a spoke-length
ahead of his.
Courtney Olive is a City Bike Contributor
who lives, rides, and writes in Portland, OR.
Motorcycle time travel is one of his favorite
pastimes.
The crowd goes
into orbit as Texter
adds to her string of
firsts for women in
motorcycle racing.
With this victory, she
is the first female to
win a Grand National
Is Shayna wondering
when AMA promoters
will start hiring
beefcake to provide
alternate eye candy on
the grid?
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September 2012 | 17 | CityBike.com
Shop Stop: Bell Helmets
Service & Repair
Words and Photos by Thomas Gray
A
By Gabe Ets-Hokin
Photos by Alan Lapp
Shop stop is a non-journalistic feature that
highlights Bay Area motorcycle businesses, some of
which are advertisers.
wake at 9:00 am and the fog is
blanketing most of Monterey,
stretching its arms inward. It’s not a
fluke; this happens
every friggin’ day.
Welcome to the
Central Coast!
W
While we are well-known
for our work on Ducatis, we
provide outstanding service
on all brands and all models!
Plus, it’s a friendly place...swing
by on a Saturday for a cup o’
coffee and some bench racing.
Nichols Sportbike Service
913 Hanson Court
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 945-0911
For Ducati product info, please go to:
www.nicholssportbike.com
hen you think about the
motorcycle industry and the
Bay Area, you may think we’re
more a community of consumers and small
businesses rather than the big national
players—you’d have to make the trek down
to L.A. to see the agglomeration of OEMs,
giant distributors and large manufacturers
of aftermarket parts and accessories.
But there are some big boys up here, as
well—Fox Racing is located in Morgan
Hill, Cycle Gear’s chain of 90-plus retail
stores is headquartered in Benicia, exhaust
distributor Leo Vince is in Richmond, and
right next to the Zero electric motorcycle
factory in a low-key corporate office park
in Scots Valley is Easton Sports, parent
company of Bell Helmet.
September 2012 | 18 | CityBike.com
A Shutterbug hits the track
for a foggy weekend
It’s late July which
brings several
events to the
area such as the
Monterey Reggae
Festival, the Gilroy
Garlic Festival,
some antique
nonsense in Moss
Landing, and of
course, the Red
Bull U.S. Grand
Prix—all on the
CityBike’s Illuminati
got a tour of Easton’s
facility, and while
helmets aren’t the
coolest thing ever,
we stick our heads
into them every day
so you may want
to know how they
get conceptualized,
designed and tested.
Accompanied by
Bell Brand Manager
Brian Horton, Senior
Product Developer
Ken Baker and
R-and-D Project
Manager Amy
Martin, we got the
grand tour of both
the design studios and testing equipment
for the Easton brands housed in the Scots
Valley offices.
Baker and Martin
explained the helmetdesigning process.
First, the designers
make tiny mock-ups
On our tour, we got the idea—Bell and
called ‘Eggs’ by hand
its sister brands are on the cutting edge of
with foam and knife.
business philosophy and technology. The
Once they’re happy
old way would put each separate brand in
with the basic shape,
its own headquarters, flying designers and they put it in a 3-D scanner and digitize it
managers around the globe for face-to-face for the CAD software. Parts can be made
meetings or to collaborate. Instead, Easton on a 3-D printer, which means prototypes
Bell Sports’ brands—including Giro
can be rapidly assembled here in California
bicycle helmets, maker of various sporting or across the Pacific Ocean at Bell’s
implements Easton and Ridell, whose name Chinese factory (Easton actually makes
may have adorned your softer bits when
some of its products here in the USA—just
you played football in High School—share not motorcycle helmets). “All the experts
the ‘Dome,’ a giant grouping of cubicles,
[in composite manufacture] are in Asia,”
CAD/CAM stations and meeting rooms
said Martin.
where designers and engineers can pool
their resources. “There’s a lot of knowledge To ensure the helmets pass safety standards
in this room” Martin tells us. “We’re lucky the world over, Easton Bell has its own
because we have every resource we need to testing equipment. Along with the rigs,
weights and headforms needed to test for
design and test.”
the variety of standards from Australia to
Another center in Asia is laid out the exact the USA (Bell helmets are manufactured
same way, with the same equipment, so
and sold by a different company in Europe
when personnel do have to travel, they
and Asia, although, confusingly, Bell
can pull up a chair and get to work—they
automotive helmets are sold in the USA by
already know where everything is. In fact,
Bell Europe). We watched as a helmeted
Horton claims Bell is the only helmet
headform was raised to 15 feet or so and
maker with in-house design facilities.
then dropped onto a steel post, resulting
Red Bull MotoGP: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2012
After a little investigating/researching I
learned that it is really just a modern day
David-vs.-Goliath story without the sweet
ending. Clearly the CRT guys have no real
chance at winning
and are really doing
nothing more than
blowing their bank
loads to race with
the big boys. Do
they deserve the
privilege to be out
there racing against
the likes of Stoner
and Rossi? Is this
really what the fans
want? For me, it’s like
watching Pumpkin
Chunking…yeah,
Pumpkin Chunking
is that legit! You have
the dedicated factory
race teams with a
budget that easily
surpasses my annual salary tenfold. Then
you have the “regular Joe Racer” coming
in and trying to contend. I say, hell yeah…
go CRT! (Note: The fastest CRT rider
was still more than 2.5 seconds behind
Pedrosa.) Hope to see them out there again
next year…more Red Bulls for me!
More of Thomas Gray’s work can be found at the
TGrayPhotography website:
tgrayphotography.com
to be
higher,
almost
as if the
racers have
something
to prove,
and at
the end
it’s all fist
pumps, fist
bumps, and
bruises. For
someone unfamiliar with the AMA series
it is awfully confusing with the three
different races so rather than dwelling on
who was racing who I just sat back and
enjoyed the show.
Clockwise from top: Stoner hauling ass,
Elena Myers showing her stuff in close AMA
competition, Zero electric motorcycles in a tight
(if not too fast) pack, Spies tellin’ it like it is, and
some Italian cheesecake on Ducati Island.
in a brief, expensive crunch that told us the
product had done its job. But that wasn’t
it for the Very Expensive Destructive
Instruments department—there were
also rigs to test reliability and longevity by
cycling components through thousands
of uses, and even a machine that can be set
up to fire balls at jockstraps, a gathering
spot, no doubt, for after-hours amusement.
High-speed digital cameras record each
blow in minute detail to help the engineers
make the helmets and other gear safe, not
just in normal usage, but even when it’s
used with aftermarket accessories like
cameras or headsets.
After seeing the efficient, modern facilities
and meeting the energetic, enthusiastic
staff, I think about Bell helmets a bit
differently. The Bay Area influence is clear
in the helmet’s design and functionality,
another way our region exerts its influence
on a larger industry.
same weekend. I hate garlic ice cream,
wouldn’t know what to do with antiques,
love reggae, and more-so motorcycles;
however, I certainly don’t claim to be a
race fan. But it wasn’t hard to find me; I
was at the track all weekend.
The race weekend was packed with nearly
a half dozen different races and events
including posing with the Ducati umbrella
girls, the TTXGP Battery Juicers the
MotoGP race, and the always interesting
Cannery Row Bike Night. The races drew
in an estimated 52,000 attendees on
Sunday and a sporadic showing throughout
the weekend. There was much to do and a
whole lot to see over the three days despite
many enthusiasts who claim that the event
is on death’s door.
I watched nearly all of the practices, most
of the races, and meandered around
the vendor area. I also plugged into the
media tent where they held the press
This weekend would prove itself quite
interesting for MotoGP fans as well. The
first shocker came only days before the
race. Ben Spies, team Yamaha, was leaving
the GP circuit and heading back to World
Superbike! Why? It was clear that he wasn’t
going to reveal his intentions this weekend
The vendor area was as expansive as ever.
so we can only speculate that his decision
Honda had about a bagillion bikes on
display, Tissot drew you in with expensive came about due in part to some of his team
leaving, the inclusion of the Claiming
eye candy (I’m still not sure what the
company sells), and if nothing else Red Bull Rule Teams (CRT), or perhaps both.
Like most I had no idea what CRT was
had a big mobile-speaker-truck-thing that
all about, but some of the GP racers were
everyone had to take a picture with.
quite opinionated: CRT does not belong.
For me, the AMA races are best for
Whatever it is, it can’t be good…can it?
spectators. The competitiveness appears
conferences. To be fair, it was the lunch and
armfuls of free Red Bull that brought me
into the tent each morning. I easily drank
myself into a caffeine stupor each day
before noon. Hospitality rocks!
September 2012 | 19 | CityBike.com
First Ride: Honda PCX150
C
an you test a ZX-14R
and then jump on
a 150cc (153cc,
actually) scooter and still
have fun? Still be impressed?
Yes and yes, if that scooter is
Honda’s new PCX150.
Big fun in a
small package
Below: My 200 pound
passenger told me the
passenger accommodations
were pretty comfortable, so I
don’t know why he wanted to
strangle me.
Of course the PCX150
isn’t about mind bending
acceleration and 9-second
quarter miles. It is fun
because it feels light and
nimble, has an incredibly low
CG, and has enough power
to put a pal or significant
other on the back.
Sort of like a Weight
Watchers dessert, that
enjoyment comes without
the guilt. A claimed (and
believable) 102 mpg, and
an MSRP of just $3449. Fill
your 1.6-gallon fuel tank
for $6, and have the power
to hop on the freeway and
cruise at 65 mph. You could
say this is the right vehicle at the right
time for lots of buyers.
Left: The front disc and rear
drum brake are plenty strong
and offer decent feel. Use of
the rear brake will combine
automatically with application
of the front brake while the front
brake lever is not linked.
About the only thing I could
criticize after our initial ride
would be a hard seat that
felt comfortable on shorter
trips, but might be a bit
uncomfortable on longer
rides. Of course, the focus of
this bike is not long distance
touring, rather shorter trips
with the convenience of being
both freeway legal and twoup capable.
the 153cc Honda engine pulled at least as
well as the Vespa despite the displacement
disadvantage. The Honda pulls
impressively off the bottom, as I discovered
For 2013, Honda took the PCX125
when my friend Barry Winfield and I took
and gave it the extra oomph to provide
off on two of the PCX150s to split traffic
genuine freeway, and two-up capability.
on California’s Pacific Coast Highway. We
Oh, and the crew there even improved fuel
frequently pulled up to red lights between
efficiency in the process.
two cars, and blasted away from them when
the light turned green. Something you
The new, larger engine is lighter and
take for granted on a larger motorcycle, but
smaller overall, which reduces the
impressive on a scooter of this size.
unsprung weight controlled by the rear
suspension. Honda also claims to have
We even took the PCX150 on the freeway,
improved seat comfort this year with a
where it comfortably maintained 65
redesigned cushion and backrest.
mph, and appeared to have a top speed in
In addition to the ample underseat storage the low-to-mid 70s. Of course, a strong
that (just barely) swallowed my large, full- headwind or hill will reduce the top speed
face Arai, the PCX150 features a glove box of any small displacement scooter, and the
PCX150 is no different.
in the dash, and will soon have the option
of fitting a 35-liter top box (currently in
The 14-inch wheels are a big improvement,
development). You can also store a helmet
in my opinion, compared to the 12-inch
by a hook and loop, which is locked in place
wheels found on some other small scooters.
by the seat.
Bumps are smoothed out considerably, and
the handling is much more stable at higher
Previous to this test, the smallest
speeds. The little PCX felt rock steady on
displacement scooter I have personally
ridden is a 250cc single-cylinder Vespa. The the freeway, for instance.
Vespa is a nice machine, but I actually felt
CityBike First Ride: 2013 Victory Boardwalk
A cruiser
for the
S
inner racer
By Alan Lapp
Photos by Brian J. Nelson
ince I don’t fly the cruiser
flag, I was a bit surprised
and extremely pleased
to be included in the press
introduction of the new
Victory Boardwalk, held
in beautiful Santa Barbara,
California. There, we
were treated to
some of the
finest coastal
California
has
to offer—fish tacos at
the fabulously secluded
Jalama beach, a
loop through the
rolling hills of
the Chumash
Highway,
Solvang and
Buellton, and
on the second
day an out-and-back on the
legendary Maricopa
Highway/Route
33, which
winds its
way
Boardwalk will be familiar. It utilizes the
106 cubic inch, fuel-injected, overheadcam, four-valve, air/oil cooled, 50-degree
V-Twin used in other Victory models.
All Victory bikes are belt driven, have
self-adjusting cam chains, and hydraulic
lifters. With hardware like this, it’s clear
why Victory claims it has the number-one
reliability rating for heavyweight cruisers.
through the stunningly beautiful, rugged,
and remote Los Padres National Forest.
In two days, we rode the Boardwalk close
to 400 miles on a huge spectrum of types
of roads and modes of riding. We used the
heck out of the bikes, and got a really good
feel for them.
I’m going to start off
by saying that the
entire Victory line
is smartly designed,
and works very
well given the
constraints of the
market segment
in which each model
competes. With this in
mind, if you are familiar
with Victory products, then
the technical details of the new
At the same
time, the
narrow tires
and low center
of gravity make
the PCX150
extremely
nimble, yet
still able to
confidently
hold its line on
fast, sweeping
turns. Again,
impressive for
this category.
The engine
performance
and excellent
CVT
transmission
combined to
allow two-up
riding without
seeming to be
much of a strain
on the drive train. I sampled a 130-pound
female passenger, as well as a 6-foot-plus,
200-pound male (putting us at roughly 400
pounds, total). With the smaller passenger,
I felt very little additional engine strain. I
could even see taking her on the freeway
without too much trouble. The 200-pound
passenger was more obviously felt, but the
bike was still surprisingly quick off the line.
The non-adjustable rear suspension, with
a progressively wound spring, also held up
surprisingly well under the additional load.
Approaching the bike in the lot outside
the hotel, I immediately noticed the wide
beach-cruiser bars. They are the source
of the name, too: beach… boardwalk…
get it? One grumpy journalist thought
that was a big stretch, but it’s not that
obtuse. The bars, along with wire wheels,
wide whitewall tires, a sleek tank, a really
striking wrap-around rear fender, and
a redesigned lighting package give the
Boardwalk an old-time-y vibe. It’s a
handsome bike.
With a very competitive price point
($3449), Honda appears to have hit the
sweet spot with the PCX150. It is hard
to see a category of rider that couldn’t
find interest in this excellent mid-sized
scooter. If you are concerned about the
environment (and your wallet), it could
appeal to riders of all skill and experience
levels as a second bike. Anyone interested
in fun, economical and practical motoring
would be a logical candidate as well. The
PCX150 feels light and easy to handle, so
brand new riders and females also fit the
profile. Who knows, this might even be one
of the machines that gets disinterested Gen
Z members on to two wheels.
Throwing a leg over, I notice the low,
scooped-out seat is pretty comfortable.
The reach to the forward-mounted
floorboards is quite reasonable. The
shifter is a toe-only affair (i.e. no
heel-n-toe shifter) so there is a lot of
room to move your feet around on
the floorboards, a big enhancement to
comfort. And it’s available with 100
percent more colors than Henry Ford
offered. Your choice of black or white.
Slip the key into the chrome horn
housing nestled between the cylinders,
press the go-button, and the big Twin
lights off instantly, with zero fuss. I’d
love to say that it slipped into gear the
way a college girl’s nylon thong slides
down freshly-shaven legs, but it’s really
more the way a hairy, sweaty lumberjack
throws his muddy size-13 Redwings in
the back of his pickup. Once underway,
and the ritual of precisely matching
The ergonomics were comfortable, and
wind protection was reasonable. Shorter
riders will have no trouble standing
flat-footed at stop lights, and even sixDirck Edge twists the throttle at
foot-five Barry did not look comically
MotorcycleDaily.com, one of America’s bestlarge as he rode next to me. Suspension
known and longest-lived motorcycling websites.
performance was very good, as well. The
rear suspension, in particular, impressed
me. It is relatively firm, but smooth at the
same time.
September 2012 | 20 | CityBike.com
Riding the Boardwalk was, for me (an
ex-road racer and current dual-sport
enthusiast), an exercise reminiscent of
Mark Twain’s quip that “Wagner’s music
isn’t as bad as it sounds.” My last experience
with cruisers was testing the Victory Judge
(“2013 Victory Judge,” July 2012), and that
bike was fun and cool around town, but
seriously painful to ride on the highway—
the prospect of doing over 180 miles each
day had me a bit anxious. Fortunately, the
Boardwalk is actually a very comfortable
bike for longer (if not Iron Butt-longer)
days in the saddle.
September 2012 | 21 | CityBike.com
Victory 2013: New
Logo, New Strategies
Indian’s Director of Industrial Design
Greg Brew showed off the new Victory
logo after explaining the need to redesign
it. As the art director of a motorcycle
publication and 30-year veteran of the
By Alan Lapp
advertising industry, I feel moderately
Victory hosted a memorable press
launch at the luxurious Canary Hotel in qualified to discuss both the shortcomings
of the old logo and the strengths of the
beautiful Santa Barbara, California. We
were wined, dined and Powerpointed, we new one. The old logo was a multi-layered
fondled the new line of apparel, and rode image on a blue field. It had a number of
some motorcycles. Shiny new Boardwalk problems; for instance, it looked derivative
of both the Ford and Subaru logos. It had
aside, there is plenty else of interest to
seven distinct elements—the blue oval,
Victory fans or just those curious about
three separate typographic
the inner workings of a
parts, the wings, the
big company like Polaris,
Victory’s parent company.
engine and road speed before shifting is
observed, shifting can be accomplished
with reasonable alacrity. Apparently, with
113 foot-pounds of torque available, the
gearbox needs to be built a bit sturdier than
other bikes, even those with more than
twice the horsepower. The stock fueling
is exemplary: it’s always spot on with no
burbles, hiccups,
or glitches
anywhere in the
rev range and
under any load
condition. I wish
my 10-year-old
Japanese bike
fueled this well.
Underway, the
suspension is
surprisingly
good. Struggling
to keep fellow ex-Honda Hawk roadracer
and current madman (and Victory press
liaison) Robert Pandya in sight gave the
suspension a comprehensive workout.
Right up to
dragging
floorboards and
beyond, the
Boardwalk was
as steady and
predictable as
the proverbial
rock. If a former
roadracer
Boardwalk
owner should
desire more
cornering
clearance, there
is a one-inch
longer shock
available as a
factory option.
Obviously, it
will raise the
back of the bike
a bit, but the
aesthetic tradeoff is worth it. If
you’re thinking
“hey, why didn’t
the jerk just crank up the preload...” it’s
because the preload adjuster is buried
under bodywork and other bits, and the
average owner would likely take it to the
dealer for that adjustment.
One of the beauties of the Victory line
is the available factory options. One of
September 2012 | 22 | CityBike.com
our test bikes was equipped with a wider,
cushier seat, saddle bags, and a windscreen.
Another test bike was equipped with a
freer-flowing exhaust, a re-mapped fuel
injection—together, these mods create
a noticeable increase in thrust—and a
“speedo unlock” which enabled a host
of features on the electronic dash such
as instant fuel
economy: a neat
diversion for
the technicallyminded.
Victory is
justifiably
proud of its
number-one
reliability rating
and is actively
improving
reliability with
a testing program. Every model and every
factory accessory is subjected to numerous
torture tests to ensure reliability. The tests
include extended time on a shaker table (a
machine which
can simulate
a variety of
frequencies
of vibration
that mimic
actual use), and
environmental
testing to
determine if
finishes and
materials
such as paint,
rubber, vinyl,
and chrome are
satisfactorily
durable.
The real bottom
line for any firstperson testing is
to ask if I’d buy
it personally, or
recommend it
to a friend. The
answer is yes,
I would. It’s a
technologicallysuperior machine dressed up in really cool
vintage duds. If someone miraculously
emptied my garage of street bikes, and
told me I could have a well-accessorized
Boardwalk and an iPhone full of surf
music… I might just be okay with that. And
that’s really saying something.
If you’ve followed Victory
since its early history, you’ll
know the 14-year-old brand
has been working hard to
establish its market niches. Product
Manager Ben Lindaman described how
Victory views the heavyweight V-Twin
scene. The Victory Boardwalk occupies
the “Traditional Cruiser” segment of
an organizational tool for the entire
Victory product line called “The Nine
Block,” a matrix used to guide product
development. Each row is a market
segment, and each column is an attribute:
Cruisers, Baggers, and Tourers, crossreferenced by Attitude, Modern and
Classic. The Victory Judge is a Modern
Cruiser model, and the anti-freeze green,
flamed, Arlen Ness-designed Arlen
Ness Victory Vision Tour is an “Attitude
Touring” model. The Cruiser line is less
globe,
and
the
“V.” Most
people
who are not
intimately
familiar with the
logo don’t even
realize there is a globe in it—a sure sign of
clutter. In my experience, companies that
are tentative or unsure of the popularity
of their product adopt a
conservative logo like this
one to avoid alienating
potential customers. The
downside of that safer
approach is that the old
logo was ambiguous
and forgettable in a
noisy marketplace of visual
communication. In short, it was
a flabby, corporate logo
designed by a committee.
The new logo speaks in
a completely different
language. It is significantly
pared down to a clean,
lean tautness that was
expensive: introductory models that focus lacking in the old version. The
on style and performance. The Bagger
color palate is different as well: the
line is designed to appeal to riders that
use of red signifies aggression and
do intermediate-distance touring and
masculinity. The metallic volume
need some storage on their bikes. And
suggests solidity, durability and
obviously, the Touring category is for
reliability. The prominence of the
long-distance riding and concentrates on Victory name within the logo is a sure
comfort and features.
indicator of more confidence in the brand
and direction. Its bold simplicity will be
Polaris VP of Motorcycles Steve Menneto
much more “sticky” to the viewer and
shared that since acquiring the Indian
brand in 2011, Victory will need to
adjust the strategy of its product line.
Victory will focus on its Modern and
Attitude lines and leave the Classic line
to Indian. The overall styling direction
will be to design Indian models
as if they had been in continuous
production, with evolutionary
development over time, instead of
recreating vintage designs. Indian’s
people also mentioned that Indian has
a racing heritage, but that teaser was
left un-explored—modern board-track
racer, anyone? How about a land-speed
record attempt in the footsteps of the
great Burt Munro? These amazingly
cool possibilities could be assets of the
Indian marque.
have more appeal to
motorsports buyers.
This has broad impact:
not only is the new
line of bikes badged
with the logo, all
Victory-branded
apparel will carry the
new mark as well. It’s a
good move by Victory,
and properly timed
to support—but
not compete—with
Indian.
The new
line of
apparel
and
gear was
debuted
by Apparel
Manager Ian O’Reilly.
These products have
also undergone
comprehensive
changes; Victory
no longer re-brands
other manufacturers’
gear. Victory now
has taken charge of
manufacturing all of its
products, and has launched
an entirely new line for the Fall/
Winter 2012 season. Look for the release
of a new line for the Spring of 2013.
Victory is one of few OEMs that subjects
its apparel to a series of destructive tests
for abrasion resistance, color-fastness,
September 2012 | 23 | CityBike.com
waterproofing, and
durability, indicating a
strong commitment to
customer satisfaction.
There are two lines:
leather and textile, with
design informed by
The Nine Block. Each
garment is targeted
at one or more of the
matrix entries. Perhaps
the most interesting
and exciting addition
to the Victory riding
apparel line is the
textile touring suit.
It is nicely appointed
with features such as a
zip-out lining, useful
venting, a built-in “air
dam” at the neck, and
waterproof zippers. It’s
also very attractively
priced. All of Victory’s
gear comes equipped
with Knox brand
impact armor, which
is a huge step in the
right direction for
the American V-Twin
apparel market. While
I doubt that Victory
will move market
share from BMW, it
is nice to see another
manufacturer take gear
seriously as protective equipment, and not
merely a fashion or branding exercise.
Another impressive fact about the entire
line: every garment has versions that
are cut for men and women,
available in sizes from XS to
XXXL and tall sizes. It is now
possible for couples to enjoy the
European tradition of matching
suits when riding two-up.
Their apparel line also includes
gloves, boots and casual wear
such as branded T-shirts,
baseball hats, and woven caps.
It seems to me that Victory
is playing the long game,
playing for keeps, and they’re
doing all the right things to ensure that
they thrive in the current economic
downturn and beyond.
HERTFELDER
It
Sharing the Gold
was like asking me if I’d like to help him
spend the $6 million he’d just won in the
State lottery.
I
t was after our enduro club’s gavelhammer contests—probably the night
Fritas proposed starting C riders first
to give them an easier trail to ride, and
It’s probably unnecessary, but I’ll explain
what a Qualifier is: It’s a step in selecting
which riders will represent the Unites
States in the annual Six Days Enduro. You
might call it a sort of Olympic tryout.
All dirt riders, regardless of ability, harbor
dreams of competing in the ISDE. The
I agreed to pit for Gary with only two
requests: that he and I have his motorcycle
110-percent ready and in my van by the
Thursday before the Qualifier and that he
had himself 110-percent ready, especially
his hands, when he left the start line. My
goal on Thursday was to get the motorcycle
away from Gary so that he could get his
mind off it and relax for 48 hours without
running to his garage to see if he had really
tightened the frammazant nuts.
about it in the Michigan Journal of Medicine
and treatment programs will be available
without a prescription at my address.
Thursday afternoon, after one brain-fade
type glitch with a new exhaust pipe, we
loaded Gary’s XR250 into my van, and
he knew he could get that off his mind.
The motorcycle would be ready and as
well maintained as I could manage both
mornings of the Qualifier.
I prefer to take the power steering belt off my van and carry it under the
driver’s seat. This not only develops calluses but also tends to discourage folks
from borrowing my van when they find they can work up a pretty good sweat
just getting the thing out of the apartment parking lot.
some of us could see them getting pushed
to ride over their heads by faster riders
who would use them for traction after they
went down. Gary Noble drifted over to the
“Senior Members Only” table and asked
me if I might pit for him at the Speedsville
Two-Day Qualifier.
purpose of the Qualifiers is to weed out the
hotshots who come out of the woodwork,
win an occasional National enduro and
then spend the next three days OD-ing on
Tylenol in a bedroom where the Ben Gay
fumes are peeling the wallpaper off. The
last time I dreamed of participating in a Six
Days ride was just after I’d zeroed the first
two checkpoints at an enduro—and just
before I hour-ed out at the third.
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to get CityBike
delivered to your door
by the meanest, most
psychotic, well-armed
branch the Government
has to beat you with.
It also made it easier for me to run out
to the van to see if I had tightened the
frammazant nuts.
My concern about his hands made Gary
smile because he already had the problem
covered. He’d been using a pair of springsqueeze grips that produced a fine row of
calluses on his palms and a passable strip of
gristle along the inside of each thumb.
Too often, riders prepare for a two-day by
running, jogging and doing lots of sit-ups
and push-ups only to quit halfway into the
second day because their soft hands have
been tenderized and look like something
ready to grill. Those of us who ride the Six
Days of Michigan know how to keep the
calluses all year long—some use springsqueeze grippers and others wind a weight
on a string up a piece of broom handle.
I prefer to take the power steering belt off
my van and carry it under the driver’s seat.
This not only develops calluses but also
tends to discourage folks from borrowing
my van when they find they can work up a
pretty good sweat just getting the thing out
of the apartment parking lot.
I also took along a street full-face helmet,
fully prepared to ride the motorcycle to
Speedsville in the event something nasty
happened to my van.
Friday evening we camped out in the
requisite Speedsville torrential rainstorm
and enjoyed every drop because any rider
prefers mud to dangerous dust conditions.
The Speesdville pit areas resembled the
road to Baja, and on Day One Gary seemed
to get stronger and more rested at each
fuel, chocolate and water stop. He basically
cruised too a Day One bronze finish: the
only repair needed on the XR was to run a
hacksaw down the jaw of the shift lever to
tighten it on the splines.
When we discovered Gary had taken
a gold at the end of Day Two, I knew
exactly how he felt; a happy brew of
elation, accomplishment and pride
swelling in his heart.
You see, the same happy brew was also
swelling in my heart, but mine was a
thicker, tastier and warmer brew that had
been simmering for a long, long, time.
For a copy of Ed’s latest book, 80.4 Finish Check,
Speaking of the Michigan Six Days, if I ever send $29.95 with suggested inscription to Ed
discover a cure for monkey butt you’ll read Hertfelder, PO Box 17564, Tucson, AZ 85731.
That’s right! we’ll send the man
to your mail hole once a month
for an entire year delivering the
latest issue of CityBike.
Just send a check for $30 to:
The Same Guy
but I would bet their riders are again…
pretty much the same guy.
I’d say the three guys had never
met before they bought their
bikes. They had never talked
about bikes among themselves.
And yet they bought very similar
motorcycles—motorcycles with the same
job descriptions, the same look in profile,
the same relationships between seats and
oyal readers will recall that when I
advertised my Triumph Thruxton for bars and pegs.
sale a few years ago, I was surprised
No wonder so much money is made dividing
by the uniform demographic of my potential us into demographic consumer groups; we
buyers. I’d expected an old-time rider or
are ever-so predictable as consumers. Tell
two, guys who might remember Triumph
companies who produce advertising a few
twin glory days. Guys like me.
things about yourself, or just let them find
No one remotely like me answered my ads. out for themselves via your computer, and
they can predict what you’ll buy. Especially,
No one over 35 answered my ads.
it seems, if you’re young and urban and
Remarkably, I felt, each of the guys who
spend your life online.
responded to my ad was the same guy,
Were we, in our relative motorcycling
within a few years of the same age, within
a few thousand dollars per year of the same youth, just as predictable? We’d have hated
the thought.
income, within a few millimeters of the
same hair length…and they all bought their We’d have flat rejected the idea that
clothes at the same place.
anyone could predict anything about
us. Especially that we’d become riders,
Then my friend Aaron told me he was
flaunting rebel souls. We weren’t
selling his turbo Audi station wagon. He
predictable; hell, we rode motorcycles.
mentioned in passing that the various
maynard
HERSHON
L
guys who came to check out his Audi were
all the same guy – only the names were
different.
No one knew if you’d be
a Johnny Mathis fan, a
Hank Williams fan or a
Gene Vincent fan.
They weren’t
the same guys
who came
to see my
Thruxton or
the guy who
bought it, but in
many ways they
were nearly
identical to one another, so much so that
Aaron remarked on it.
Last week I noted that just a block down
the hill from our place in central Denver,
in front of an apartment house occupied
by youthful graphic designers and their
friends, three motorcycles were parked
against the curb in neat formation, like
police Harleys outside a doughnut shop.
We figured there were huge cultural
differences between us and those
guys. We might have lived in the same
neighborhoods, gone to the same
schools and hung out at the same drivein restaurants, but when we began to
define ourselves as motorcyclists we were
strangers to one another.
First I noticed the orderly parking.
Then I noted that the three bikes were
fundamentally the same. They were a
naked Buell twin, a KTM Duke hooligan
single and a Ducati Monster. Each had a
single front disk and a small fairing in front
of its instruments.
Maybe we figured we could spot a Harley
rider as he walked down the street in his
work clothes, but no way did we believe
that something in our stars or our buying
habits determined that we’d be Triumph or
BSA guys, not Harley riders. No one knew
enough about us to make such a prediction.
They were not Japanese. They were not
equipped with luggage or any sort of useful
accessories. They were not intended for
travel or sport, is my hunch, but for city
transport and appearances at Facebook
Generation gathering places.
No one imagined there’d ever be a way to
predict—by the time you got your first
real paycheck—which make or model of
anything you’d buy. No one knew if you’d
be a Johnny Mathis fan, a Hank Williams
fan or a Gene Vincent fan. Who could
know those things?
None of the three was what you or I
would expect to see there, in front of that
apartment building. No dual-sports, no
SV650, no old Japanese Four.
10650
PO Box 10659
Oakland, CA 94610
be sure to include your name,
address, & phone number!
I’ve watched. There is never a time when
all three bikes are absent from that curb. I
have never seen any one of them in motion
or use Paypal!
[email protected]
[email protected]
September 2012 | 24 | CityBike.com
In the U.S, after the war but before Honda
and the “nicest people,” there were Harley
riders, Triumph
riders and BSA
riders. We
Triumph riders
recognized
BSA riders
as our
unenlightened
cousins, but
we had hardly
crossed paths with Harley riders.
Today, someone somewhere can identify
the readers of slick monthlies and niche
motorcycle magazines and websites. That
person knows what the reader rides or
what bike he or she wants to learn about.
That someone bases decisions—about the
worth of advertising in that magazine or
which models to feature in ads there—on
data we are scarcely aware they have.
Are we as consumers far more predictable
than we were 40 years ago? We know that
the science of accumulating and analyzing
information about us, about our interests
and probable buying choices, is far more
sophisticated, far more revealing. There’s
nowhere to hide.
I wonder if the three guys down the street
stand back and look at the three nearly
identical bikes parked at the curb and
wonder at their similarity.
What are we saying when we dress the
same, drive the same cars and ride the
same motorcycles as our socio-economic
peers? Are we even aware that we’re
doing just that?
If we are doing just that—or even if we
aren’t, and we think about that dude
somewhere who knows just what we’ve
done and what we’re likely to do next, does
that give us a good feeling? If it doesn’t,
what in the world can we do about it?
Who could have looked at my friends Phil
and Corey as young men at opposite ends
of this country and known somehow what
would be in their garages today? I believe
both those guys would deny that there
could have been any such predictions, no
matter how vague.
September 2012 | 25 | CityBike.com
From 3:14 Daily
Valencia @ 25th
415-970-9670
These folks too, like the Guzzisti, could
laugh at themselves; humor is the only
inoculation against sanctimony, one of the
deadliest diseases known to man. “What’s
the cheapest part on a BMW?” I was
soberly asked. Let’s see. Now my engine
We are a helpless bunch, we humans,
had not two
to avoid
but three
drawing
cylinders,
lines
so that
around our
certainly
orthodoxies
wouldn’t
(just ask
be it, nor
Wikipedia,
could
which
the
responds with a modest 24,045 entries
item be that strange thing—a fuel
when asked to search on “Massacre of . .
pump, I believe it was—that had
.”). Inside, outside; adhere to the prevailing
done away with the carburetors I
faith or find a line of guns staring you in the
had proudly learned always to shut off
face, the last sight you ever see.
(and occasionally forget to turn back
on). “No, the rider!” Guffaws. I laughed
Motorcyclists have one religion, but
increasingly many denominations. We are too, sort of. Nonetheless, this sign of
irreverence was a relief.
an inclusive lot, until we find ourselves
mentally executing those who choose to
Not so the monumental national rally
ride under a different ensign. Or, at the
I attended that year in Johnson City,
least, secretly, smugly believing we have
Tennessee. The thousands upon thousands
found the One True Way—ours.
of roundel-bearing bikes, colorful and
clean, had been apparently lined up using
Funny, though: that’s just what all the
a theodolite. I noticed many people wore
others think too.
something pinned to the caps that also
In what I have come to refer to as my first
bore the Bavarian logo. You’re kidding:
life as a motorcyclist, I rode a Moto Guzzi. Name badges? With rank?
The choice was apparently arbitrary—
That night there was something called an
blindfolded, spun around twice, I pinned
the tail on the proper end of that donkey— Ambassadors Dinner, something most of
us couldn’t get into. I was beginning to
but revealed itself in due time as the only
possible church for the likes of me. We were realize that with BMW I had to learn not
only what was going on with the working
a ragtag crowd that apparently professed
religion in its original sense, which derives parts of a machine more complicated than
I had previously known; I also needed to
from the Latin religare, to “bind to.” The
word may also be related to the root of rely, attend to hierarchy, in the way I had sought
The national club magazine
arrives, a glossy affair
filled with ads
for products
aimed at the
adventurer
with an itch
to ride
Motorcyclists have one
religion, but increasingly
many denominations.
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They had decided she was a witch. A
heretic. Now a gleeful crowd of villagers
heaps rock
after rock on the
board,
under
the slow
weight
of which
her bones
begin to
crack,
her cries
gradually
die to
moans. Then
silence.
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Not sure if burning at
the stake might be better?
Mongolia
with thousand-dollar aluminum
hard bags. Each turn of the page
causes a lowering of my spirits, as I
realize I have neglected to count my
miles toward the hope of a hundredthousand-mile award received amid
much celebration for elevation to a yet
more exclusive echelon. I feel chastened
for not owning any branded outerwear. I
don’t fit in.
And then I realize my true heresy: I don’t
want to fit in; I only feel at home with
misfits, which does not describe my new
friends, confident boosters of the marque.
A marque whose Munich headquarters
(every bit as glossy as that magazine,
but also the thrilling stage for two of
the most subversive YouTube minutes
you’ll ever see, watching stunt champion
Chris Pfeiffer thumb his nose at Teutonic
propriety) decrees what paint its dealers
may use in their showrooms of precisely
regulated size. A marque whose chartered
clubs have of late been ordered to get busy
redesigning their logos to conform to
brand identity guidelines.
My allergy to organized religion—
extremely well organized in BMW’s case,
the Vatican for vehicles—starts acting
up. I realize that the uprising of inner
rebelliousness makes me something of an
ungrateful cur, biting the hand that has
fed me so well. There are diehard BMW
believers who would answer my call for
assistance any time of day or night; then
there is the truth that I know happiness in
every moment with my R1150R from the
one in which I throw open the garage door
September 2012 | 26 | CityBike.com
I know a rider who waves at
every motorcyclist who passes,
without exception; in fact, he
flashes the peace sign. If this
doesn’t call forth a response,
though, he simply lowers the index
finger. Me, I take mental bets upon
approach: Is this one going to
wave in return? How about this
one? There are categories,
alas, with odds no better
than 20 to one.
Last week I was late
again, running two boys
in the car to day camp. I was
already half a mile past the fellow in black,
including leather vest, walking along
the shoulder when I realized he was also
carrying a beanie helmet, and a gas can. I
couldn’t stop and turn around now or the
boys would miss the bus that was about to
leave on a field trip; besides, I reasoned, his
bike had to be just beyond the next bend.
That must be why he was walking, not
standing, thumb out. The day promised
to be a hot one, and even though his
destination was close I felt a terrible pang;
the air was more stifling by the minute.
He had not asked for help, but as a fellow
parishioner I was bound by vows to give it.
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He's Back!
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City Bike Magazine
PO Box 10659
Oakland, CA 94610
[email protected]
Sacramento Drive-In – Sacramento, CA
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ADMISSION & RIDE OUT
SEPTEMBER 16
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• Porting • Polishing •
Instead I imagined how it might have gone,
after I pulled over and opened the door. I
thought that I would tell him that I rode
BMW. No, Guzzi. Wait. Which?
When the speculative conversation had
taken me two miles farther and still no
bike, the question vanished. There was only
true dismay and then, another half mile
ahead, a black cruiser waiting patiently on
its sidestand, as it had for far too long. Then
I knew. I might have been a sinner, but I
was not a heretic to the true religion. There
would have been only one thing to say.
“Hop in. I’m a rider too.”
Cylinder Head
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I
n 1545, Francis I of France sent down
an order for dealing with the dissident
Waldensians, who had joined the
Protestants: Show no pity. Soldiers swept
through Mérindol and Cabrieres in a storm
of death, massacring hundreds, perhaps
thousands, including one young man who
may have been the first ever to be executed
by firing squad for reasons of ideology. The
Pope was well pleased.
It was strange, then, to find myself a
member of a less ecumenical sect in my
second, post-hiatus motorcycling life.
My choice for reentry was a K75, and
with it I was the recipient of the same
boundless generosity I had come to accept
as motorcycling’s peculiar state of grace:
miracles performed on a daily basis.
to decipher who was allowed to stand
where, based on stole, mitre, chasuble, in
the cathedral of St. Patrick’s when I briefly
pretended I was Catholic in order to sing in
the choir. I didn’t last long there, either.
to the one when
I carefully back it
in, unnumbered
new miles on the
clock. Suddenly
I recall the
scene from a
movie that has
haunted me from
childhood.
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to “rally to, fall back
on.” I for one felt bound
together to my mates
at rallies, when I often
had to fall back on their
superior knowledge
of what to do with my
bike when it decided
not to run.
[email protected]
melissa holbrook
2040 Petaluma Blvd. N.Petaluma, CA 94952
September 2012 | 27 | CityBike.com
CLASSIFIEDS
CLUBS
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/
Bay Area Sidecar
Enthusiasts (BASE)
•Whatdoesyourdogthinkaboutmotorcycling?(A:
Hard to tell without a sidecar!)
•Everdrivenintrafficwithafakemachine-gun
mountedtoyourrig?
•Wanttoknowhowto“flythechair”?
•Maybejustwanttofindoutwhatit’sliketobea
“sidecarmonkey”foradaybycatchingaridewithus?
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 pej12378@yahoo .com for more information.
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
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!
OMC
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 .
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
DEALERS
Dudley Perkins Harley
Davidson
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 motorcyclerelated services. Members make the club function!
www .CJMC .org .
Exciting women-only motorcycle group in the SF Bay Area.
For more info visit www .curveunit .com
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
2008 FLHX Black Pearl , Stock #U06683. 19,444
miles. Pipes, backrest, H-D custom grips and pegs.
$16,995 + fees
2007 FLSTN Deluxe Vivid Black, Stock #U59453.
25,801 miles. $13,995 + fees
2006 FLSTC Green/Black two tone, Stock #U62264.
18,050 miles. $13,495 + fees
2011 FLHTCU Vivid Black, Stock #U63148. 17,823 miles.
under warranty until 5/2013. $18,995 + fees
2003 FLSTCI 100 yr Silver/Black, Stock #U93450,
31,900 miles. Has rides, backrest, pipes and air cleaner.
$10,895 + fees
2006 FXSTI Vivid Black, Stock #C84626, 7,557 miles,
Detachable backrest, bags and windshield. $11,995 + fees
2006 VRSCSE V-Rod Yellow/Platinum, Stock #C7526A.
8,669 miles. Clean screaming eagle V-rod. 15,995 + Fees
1994 FLSTN Birch White/Silver Stock #C30883 8626
miles real clean with chromed out motor thunder header
$14,995 + Fees
2011 V-Rod Muscle Vivid Black Stock #C04323 4432
miles very clean $14,999 + Fees
2012 XL1200N Midnit /bril silver Stock #U18753 1475
miles hard leather bags, pipes, air cleaner, Quarter fairing
$11,995 + Fees
2011 XL1200C Orange/ vivid black Stock #C26498 535
miles super clean with detachable wind shield $10,995
+ Fees
2002 limited edition fxdwg3 Navy Pearl Stock #C50432
8869 miles very clean with T-bars and 103” motor $15,995
+ Fees
J&M Motorsports
Homoto is a queer and queer-friendly motorcycle club based
in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our rides are sport-focused with
an emphasis on safety and camaraderie.
For more info:
http://www .homoto .us
sanfrancisco@homoto .us
sanjose@homoto .us
1931 Old Middlefield Way
#201
Mountain View
www .jm-ms .com
650-386-1440
Good-used-motorcycle/Fair-price specialists—Sportbikes,
Cruisers, & Dirt Bikes
We are a licensed operation run by two brothers who love
motorcycles and specialize in newer, low-mile, affordable
bikes that are worth owning. We have in-house financing
and a wide variety of bikes all in one place.
Looking for your first bike? Your 10th? Come by and see
why people like us: Easy to deal with and we really enjoy our
work. J&M is not a giant dealership. When you call or visit,
you’re talking directly with the owner.
Come by and take a look! Open Tues-Sat - Closed Sunday
We buy (nice) used bikes. Trade-ins and consignments are
almost always welcome.
$4,495 1980 BMW R65 7,942 Actual Miles
$5,995 2002 BMW R1150R 11,407 miles
$3,995 2010 Vespa S150 537 Original miles
$11,995 2007 MV Agusta F4 1000R 7,348 miles
$8,495 2006 Aprilia RSV1000R Factory 13,509 miles
$2,295 2003 YZ250 Yamaha 2-stroke Low Hours
$2,995 2009 Vstar250 Yamaha 2,545 miles
$6,995 2007 YZFR6 Yamaha 9,369 miles
$7,995 2007 YZFR6 Yamaha 12,869 miles
$6,995 2005 YZFR1 Yamaha 16,209 miles many extras
$5,495 2008 Yamaha Vstar650 Silverado 11,373 miles
$5,495 2006 FZ6 Yamaha 3,052 miles
$8,995 2011 FZ1 Yamaha 4,487 miles warranty
$3,495 1998 Suzuki GSXR750 7,949 miles
$5,995 2009 Suzuki AN650 Burgman 12,993 miles
$2,795 2005 Suzuki GZ250 13,775 miles
$2,995 2007 Suzuki GZ250 8,057 miles
$3,995 2006 Suzuki DRZ400S 7,176 miles
$4,995 2007 Suzuki DRZ400SM 3,395 miles
$4,995 2007 Suzuki DRZ400SM 6,421 miles
$3,995 2003 Suzuki SV650S 9,032 miles
$5,495 2005 Suzuki SV650S 2,754 miles
$5,495 2005 Suzuki SV650S 6,271 miles
$4,995 2004 Suzuki GSXR600 17,284 miles
$7,495 2008 Suzuki GSXR600 12,825 miles
$8,495 2009 Suzuki GSXR600 2,308 miles
$8,495 2009 Suzuki GSXR600 1,059 miles
$8,495 2009 Suzuki GSXR600 3,155 miles
$8,495 2009 Suzuki GSXR750 11,179 miles
$8,995 2008 Suzuki GSXR1000 9,905 miles
$995 2003 Kawasaki KX65
$5,995 2007KawasakiEX650RNinja 241 actual miles
$2,495 2002KawasakiEX250RNinja 1,964 miles
$2,495 2004KawasakiEX250RNinja 1,867 miles
$3,795 2009KawasakiEX250RNinja 5,919 miles
$5,995 2009KawasakiEX650RNinja 2,457 miles
Warranty
$2,995 2006 Honda CRF450R
$2,995 2004 Honda CMX250 Rebel 177 actual miles
$2,995 2007 Honda CMX250 Rebel 2,955 miles
$3,995 2002 Honda VF750 Magna 7,654 miles
$6,495 2006 Honda CBR600RR 10,683 miles
$7,495 2007 Honda CBR600RR 7,704 miles
$7,495 2008 Honda CBR600RR 3,033 miles
$8,495 2009 Honda CBR600RR 2,752 miles
$9,695 2011 Honda CBR600RR 772 Original miles
$8,995 2008 Honda CBR1000RR 2,184 miles
$17,995 2004 GMC 2500 Duramax HD 4x2 125,502
miles
$19,995 2003 Ford F250 7.3L XLT PowerStroke
169,954 miles
Peninsula Honda Ducati
THE MOTOR CAFE
1289 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408.739.6500
We are the south bay’s source for all your Ducati, Honda,
Kawasaki and KTM needs.
All KTM 2012 and older off-road models on sale at blow
out prices.
Big savings on all new 2011 and older inventory.
Ducati financing as low as 1.89% on certain models
Sample of our current used inventory:
2002 BMW R1150RT $7,500.00
2004 BMW R1150RABS $5,699.00
2004 DUCATI MTS1000DS $6,499.00
2008 DUCATI 1098 $10,999.00
2011 HARLEY-D XC883L $7,999.00
2009 HONDA CBR600RR $8,499.00
2001 HONDA XR400R $2,499.00
2006 HONDA CRF250XL $2,999.00
2005 HONDA CRF450R $3,499.00
2005 HONDA CRF450R $2,999.00
2001 HONDA XR400R $2,299.00
2007 HONDA CBR600RR $7,999.00
2004 HONDA VT1100 $4,999.00
2007 HONDA CRF450XL7 $3,499.00
1995 HONDA VFR750F $2,999.00
2008 KAWASAKI ZX10 $9,499.00
2006 SUZUKI C90 $6,999.00
2007 SUZUKI GSXR750 $7,299.00
2009 SUZUKI GSXR750 $8,999.00
2010 YAMAHA YZF-R1 $10,999.00
2007 YAMAHA R-6 $7,799.00
2012 YAMAHA FJR1300 $14,499.00
2004 YAMAHA YFZ 450 $3,299.00
2006 YAMAHA ROAD STAR $6,999.00
September 2012 | 28 | CityBike.com
SF MOTO
275 8th Street at the corner of Folsom
San Francisco - 415 255 3132
www .sfmoto .com
We are sf moto. Located on 8th and Folsom in the SOMA
(South of Market) area of San Francisco,we serve the bay
area with new SYM scooters and recent used motorcycles.
We sell Triumph, Ducati, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW,Suzuki
and other brands.
Here you will find anything from Street bike to cruiser and dual
sport bikes. All our vehicles have been thoroughly gone through.
Our used motorcycles come with our own 60 day warranty.
SERVICE DEPARTMENT:
The service department is open from Tuesday throuhg
Saturday from 8:00am until 6:00pm. Direct service phone
line: 415-861-7196
SALES DEPARTMENT:
- We buy used motorcycles and scooters. We can also help
you sell your ride with our no cost consignment program.
- Bring your bike, title (or loan statement), owners handbook
and keys.
- It’s OK if you still have a loan on your bike we can still take
care of you.
- We will provide the safest way for you to get cash for your
motorcycle or scooter. It only takes about 20 - 25 minutes.
- Sign up on our mail list to get NEW INVENTORY
NOTIFICATIONS in our weekly e mail newsletter at
www .sfmoto .com
WE HAVE THE FASTEST ROTATING SELECTION
IN SAN FRANCISCO:
2012 SYM Classic 150 wolf (Honda CB150), $2995.00
2009 SYM RV250 Scooter, $3588
2012 SYM HD200 EVO scooter, $3499
2010 HYOSUNG GT250R, $4199
2012 SYM SYMBA (Honda Cub) scooter, $2349
2012 Hyosung GV250 Aquila, $3999
2012 SYM Fiddle II scooter, $2298
2007 Yamaha Vino 125, blue, $2195
2010 Yamaha YZF-R6, Black, $9495
2002 Vespa ET4, Blue, $1995
2011 Kawasaki ZX600, Blue, $8495
2009 Kymco People S200, Red, $2695
2009 Suzuki V-Strom 650, Orange, $6995
2007 Aprilia 1000R Bol D’Or, Orange/lavender $8995
2003 Yamaha YZF-R6, Blue, $4995
2005 Honda Shadow VLX600, Black, $3995
2006 Yamaha Vino, Blue, $2195
2009 Yamaha Zuma, Black, $2999
2012 Hyosung Comet, Black, $4095
2012 Hyosung Aquila, Black, $3999
2009 Kawasaki KLR KL650E, $5295
2009 Suzuki GSX-R600, $8495
2011 Yamaha Zuma 125, $2995
2006 Honda Shadow VLX600, $3495
2007 Honda CBR600RR, Blue/silver, $7695
2007 Honda CBR600RR, Blue/silver, $7995
2009 Kawasaki ER-6N, Blue, $4995
2009 Kawasaki ER-6N, Blue, $5995
2009 Genuine Buddy 125, red, $2195
2005 Honda CBR600RR, Silver, $6495
2004 ApriliaMojito scooter, Black, $1595
2006 Yamaha Vino 125, Grey metallic, $2195
2011 Yamaha YZFR6, Orange, $6995
2004 ApriliaMojito scooter, Black, $1595
1989 Honda Hawk, Red, $3495
2008 Vespa LX150, silver, $3495
2009 Yamaha Zuma 125, Blue, $2995
2008 Yamaha YZF-R6, Yellow, $8495
2003 Honda 919, Matte Grey Metallic, $5995
2008 Suzuki V-Strom 650, black, $6995
2005 Honda 919, Black, $5995
2011 Suzuki V-Strom 650, Black, $7295
2007 Triumph Bonneville, Silver, $6995
2008 Honda Rebel 250, Black, $3195
2009 Yamaha FZ6R, Black, $5995
2008 Vespa GTS250 i.e., silver, $4295
2011 KawsakiNinja650, black, $7100
2011 Suzuki GSX-R750, Blue/white, $9495
2008 KawasakiNinja250, Green, $3995
2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000, Blue/white, $9495
2009 Triumph Thruxton 900, Black, $7995
2009 Kawasaki ER-6N, Blue, $5895
1969 Triumph T100-S - 500CC, Single Carb, Good
Running British Classic; Nice Patina; Took 2nd Place in
Antique Class Show; Good Paint and Tires; Starts on the
First Kick; Both a Cool and Fun Ride!! 19,192 miles $5,500
1976 BMW R90/6 - Own a Vintage Motorcycle without
the Headaches! Classic BMW Styling and Reliability;
Unmolested, Original Condition; Very Clean; Professionally
Maintained; Has Bags; Ready to Ride!! Side Car Available
for an Additional $1,500 78,000 Miles $3,600
1976 BMW R90/6 - New Tires; New Rear Shocks; Freshly
Rebuilt Starter; New Switches and Relays; New Battery;
Fresh Fork Seals; Solid, Dependable Transportation! Rough
around the edges but a GREAT RUNNER!!! 62,497 Miles
Reduced $2,200 Seller Motivated!!
1974 Yamaha TY250 - All Original Trials Bike; Runs Good;
Fresh Tank; Original Seat; New Dunlop Trials Universal
Tires; New Throttle Cable; AHRMA Eligible; Ride in Next
Year’s Mendocino Coast AHRMA Trials Event!! $1,200
1998 Honda Shadow ACE Tourer VT1100T - Touring
Windshield; Crash Bars; Luggage Rack; Back Rest; Towing
Package; Upgraded Electrical System; Recently Serviced;
Lots of Extra Maintenance Parts (i.e., filters, oils, etc.); Nice,
Classic Bike at a GREAT PRICE!! $2,400
2002 KTM 200 EXC - Low Hours; Adult ridden work bike;
Never raced or ridden hard; Extra Large Tank, Brush Guards,
Decent Tires and Chain; Ready to Ride!! Reduced! $1,500!
USED MOTORCYCLES:
1952 BSA ZB 500cc - $3000
1965 Duca(ti?)Condor350cc - $2500
1966 BSA Thunderbolt 650cc - $3000
1972 BSA B50 TR 500cc - $3000
1973 HD Sprint Aermacchi - $3000
Old Ed Meagor
San Rafael
415-457-5423
Yamaha with Sidecar - 650 Yamaha-Velorex / Leading
link forks / Color Matched Paint / Rack / Many spares
included. $3400 - PETE - 415-269-1364
Scorpa trials motorcycle (French) Brand-new, zero miles
2005 model. 70cc 4-stroke, only 80 pounds. 3-speed
transmission. Call for details. $2000. 415/781-3432.
The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
170 Main Street, Point Arena, CA
707.882.2281 TheZenHouse .net
2007 Ducati ST3 - Extended Warranty thru 3/20/2015;
New Shorai Battery; Sargent Seat; Mag Knight Carbon Tank
Bra; Laminar Lip Touring Windshield; Heated Grips; Hard
Bags Included; Good Chain & Sprockets; 75% of Tire Life
Remaining; Full Service just Completed; All Services by
Ducati Certified Mechanics, with Receipts. Red Key & Extra
Keys. 26,429 Miles $5,950
Custom Design Studios
We are growing!
Addiction Motors has an immediate opening for a
motorcycle technician that will not only work in our shop, he
or she will own their own business.
Opening a shop on your own can be a daunting task when
you have to think about bookkeeping, advertising, social
media, reception, ordering parts, and invoicing when all you
really want to do is work on motorcycles. Here at Addiction
Motors, we take care of all the business housekeeping,
allowing you to do what you do best – maintaining and
servicing motorcycles.
We offer a secure, professional environment in a hi-tech 12,000
square foot Emeryville facility with the following amenities:
• Motorcycle Lifts
• Appointment Bookings
• Inventory and parts ordering
• Bookkeeping including accounts payable, accounts
receivable and collections
• Your own personal page on our website
• Advertising, Marketing, and Social Media
• Hi-Speed Internet and Phone Services
All you need to provide is a small investment and
your tools.
Addiction Motors has an opening for an experienced
technician. We’re looking for expertise with a variety of
bike brands and are asking for the following minimum
qualifications to ensure a high quality environment:
• At least 3-5 years working in the field of motorcycle repair
• Certification from a manufacturer or an educational
institute in your given specialty
• Customer service focused
• Effective communicator (good listening skills)
JOIN US!
send a resume and cover letter to
onebike@addictionmotors .com
Magazine collection - Cycle/Cycle World $800
Motorcycle Magazine Collection for sale. Cycle, Cycle
World from ‘60s to ‘90s. Also have Motorcyclist, Dirtbike,
others, $800/all. Email: frisbeedad@aol .com
2003 Suzuki SV1000S, silver. One original owner, still
on first set of tires! Just 3000 miles, like new. Other items
available. $4500. Ask for Otto: tthrnndz@yahoo .com
1999 Yamaha R1, blue, 4.6K miles, Öhlins, Race Tech,
Graves rearsets, V&H slip-on: $3950. Also, ‘97 Aprilia
RS250 & ‘99 R6 track bikes: prices negotiable. 408/3430381/921-9689.
RIDING SCHOOLS
Doc Wong
Riding Clinics
PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT
Come to the FREE monthly Doc Wong Riding Clinics.
www .docwong .com
Eighteen years, 40,000 riders!
Garrahan Off-Road Training is California’s top school for
off-road motorcycle riding and racing. Located in Northern
California, our organization was founded by champion racer,
Brian Garrahan. Whether you are a seasoned rider wanting
to improve your technique, or just curious to check out the
sport, you’ve come to the right place: Come and train with
Garrahan Off-Road Training!!!
VISIT US ON OUR WEBSITE:
www .garrahanoffroadtraining .com
Mind-Blowing Custom Paint Since 1988
Visit Our Showroom!
V-Twin Service, Repair, Parts, & Fabrication.
Harley Factory Trained Tech.
Cycle Salvage –
Hayward
Cycle Salvage Hayward = Full Service.
People are surprised to find out that we’re more than just a
salvage yard.
•Full Service - All makes: We have 3 lifts and 3 full-time
mechanics!
•Tire installation (even if you bought tires elsewhere)
•Plastic Welding (fairings)
•Oil Changes
•New Tires
We buy used/wrecked bikes
Helmets, jackets, leathers, gloves, and all other apparel
Fair prices and easy to deal with.
Used parts -> broke yours? Call us!
Cycle Salvage Hayward
510-886-2328
21065 Foothill Blvd.
*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
jim@advcyles .com — www .advcycles .com
DUCATI SUZUKI KAWASAKI YAMAHA
AMERICAN CUSTOM
MOTORCYCLE PARTS
MOTO GIO
Motorcycle Performance Parts, Accessories, Services.
Low price on Tires!!!
We will PRICE MATCH with any store.
Phone : 408-298-8887
1391 N. 10th St
San Jose CA 95112
Email: info@motogio .com
www.motogio.com
Please mention this ad and you will receive an additional
5% off on your purchase.
MOTO TIRE GUY
DNA specializes in affordable scooter/motorcycle repair
(including Chinese) in the SF Bay Area. We provide services
on-site or pickup.
510-473-7349
www .dnamotorlab .com
2-stroke shifty only. 30 years experience. Great rates.
No job too small. In San Francisco. By Appointment.
info@friscovintage .com
Rotors, Brake lines, Pads, Street, Race, Off-road, SuperMoto
PashnitMoto is one of the largest Galfer Braking dealers
in the USA. Colored brake lines, custom lengths, Wave
Rotors. 50 Pages of part numbers.
www .GalferBrakes .net or call 530/391-1356
Santa Rosa
BMW Triumph
We are an exclusive BMW and Triumph dealer in the north
bay with genuine BMW and Triumph parts
Just 60 minutes north of the Golden Gate
Call today for a service appointment 707.838.9100
408-418-3150
775 N. 10th Street San Jose, CA 95112
Specializing in Full Motorcycle Repair &
Customization
Custom paint, Powder Coating, Pin stripping, Murals &
Graphics, Gold & Silver Leafing, Chroming, Engraving,
Handlebar Upgrades,Crash bar & Fender Fabrication,
Stereo Systems, Fairing Kits, Air Ride, Lowering, Lifts,
Wheels & Tires, Scheduled Maintenance, Complete Repair
& Services, Upholstery, Hard bag installs, Neon lighting
SCOTTS VALLEY
MOTORCYCLE SERVICE
CENTER
ALL ASPECTS SERVICE AND REPAIR
SPECIALIZING IN AMERICAN MADE CYCLES
JUST OFF HIGHWAY 17 FROM EITHER SCOTTS VALLEY
EXIT
4865 SCOTTS VALLEY DR.
(831) 438-6300
OPEN: TUESDAY- SATURDAY 10A-5P SUNDAY NOON-5P
MOTORCYCLE TOWING
Quality Motorcycles
235 Shoreline Hwy.
Mill Valley CA
(415) 381-5059
We’re not afraid of your old bike.
Enter these contacts into your phone now,
while you are thinking about it, so that you
will have them when you need them .
AMBROZ TOWS
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
CPT Cycles
Introducing
Marin Moto Works!
State:
Zip:
Diablo BMW
NORCAL CUSTOMS
Galfer Braking
Bavarian Cycle Works
354 Bel Marin Keys Blvd Suite F
Novato, CA 94949
415-755-8283
www .cptcycles .com
Mon-Fri 9am-6pm - Saturday by appointment only.
**June special….No labor charge on oil and filter
changes**
Name:
Address:
City:
e-mail:
HELP WANTED
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.
Large Parts Inventory for American V-Twins
Full service on all American-made bikes
Machine Shop & Welding
925-689-9801
2395 H Monument Blvd, Concord
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!
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 10659,
Oakland CA, 94610
DNA Motor Lab, LLC
FRISCO VINTAGE
Vespa Service &
Repair
ADVANCED CYCLE
SERVICE
Honda cbr1000rr. Showroom condition.less than 100
miles! Must sell asking 11690.00. Title in hand. Extras
included. Rae .SJSU@gmail .com
CityBike Classifieds
ADDICTION MOTORS
Honda 90 Trail Bike – Yellow color – Low Miles.
$985 OBO
510-387-2624 or 510-893-4821
Garrahan Offroad Training
The Zen House
PARTS AND SERVICE
RABER’S BRITISH MOTORCYCLE PARTS AND SERVICE
We offer parts and service for Triumph, Norton, BSA, Amal, Lucas.
In-house cylinder boring, valve jobs, surfacing and much
more.
1984 Stone Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
Phone (408)998-4495
Fax (408)998-0642
Tues-Fri 11-6, Sat 8-5
www .rabers .com
ROCKRIDGE TWO
WHEELS
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
Aprilia, KTM, and BMW Service and Repair
Located at 44 Harbor street, San Rafael
Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm
(415) 454-RIDE
24/7 Service
650, 408, and 925 area code specialist
Jump Starts • Gas Refill • Tire plugs & fills • Motorcycle
Storage
Emercency Parts Delivery • Designated Driver • Easy-Load
truck
510-385-2374
650-260-2157
www .ambroztows .com
SAN FRANCISCO AND
BEYOND: DAVE’S CYCLE
TRANSPORT
The Old Man
The Old Truck
Dave is working
Dave’s Cycle Transport
San Francisco-Bay Area and Beyond…
24 Hour Service
(415)824-3020 — www .davescycle .com
Motorcycle & ATV
Hauling
Learn Dirt Bikes
Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties
24 hour Roadside Pickup
707-843-6584
Insured & Licensed
California Motor Carrier Permit
www .mcmotorcycletransport .com
mcmotorcycle@att .net
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) dirt bike classes at
Carnegie State Park, Tracy, CA.
Loaner motorcycles available.
www .learndirtbikes .com 925-240-7937
September 2012 | 29 | CityBike.com
Diablo BMW in Walnut Creek is seeking another BMW
certifiedtechnician. Master certified desired but not
essential. Must be familiar with MOSS. Email resume to
diabloparts@sbcglobal .net
Cycle Salvage
Hayward = Now Hiring
Experienced, Honest
People.
Do you have actual experience working on motorcycles at
a shop? Do you like solving problems and working with
your hands? Consider working at our salvage business in
Hayward on just about anything that comes in - scooters
to full dressers and everything in between. We offer full
service and an alternative to dealerships for bikes new and
old, and we’re growing. Please come by with a resume
10-6pm Tues-Sat. We’d like to meet good people with
experience and a good attitude.
Lightning Express
Stories Request
Messengers ride in legend! Soliciting tales of Lightning
Express, 1983-2010. Contact Allan Slaughter, (650)-3643403, thanatoscycle@att .net .
Part-time or Full-time. Male or female. Immediate opening
for attractive, upbeat, intelligent, well-spoken individual
with flexible schedule able to work well both independently
and as part of a larger team. Must be healthy & fit. Many
day-time and weekend commitments, occasional evenings.
Primary location will cover much of Northern California and
reliable transportation is required; possible opportunity for
paid air travel at company expense within the continental
United States. Mileage and parking reimbursed in
addition to regular flat rate compensation or salary (not
commission-based). No sales or quotas. Well-respected
company with established reputation and services you can
proudly represent. Easy industry relationships. Relevant
marketing experience and excellent people skills are a
must! Knowledge of motorcycles is a plus but not required.
Send resume or job history, current photo and a list of your
hobbies/ past-times. Company name witheld by request.
email to kenyon@citybike .com and we’ll get it to the
right person.
WHEELS AND DEALS
ACCIDENT OR INJURY?
Call 415/999-4790 for a 24-hr. recorded message and a
copy of the FREE REPORT
EAT AT REDS JAVA HOUSE, SF.
“IT’S REALLY GOOD FOOD”
SAYS CITYBIKE MANAGEMENT.
EBAY SALES eBay sales. Specialist with vehicles, 12
years experience, and 5000+ positive feedback rating. Flat
listing rate. I can produce auctions with 20+ large format,
gorgeous, high quality pictures with my dealer account
and pro-grade camera. Dr. Hannibal Lechter reminds us
that “we covet what we see.” Let me show people what you
have and why they should pay top dollar for it! Interested
in larger lots of identifiable, good-quality motorcycle and
car parts to buy as well. imperialist1960@yahoo .com or
415/699-8760.
SELL YER STUFF IN
CITYBIKE!
Yes, you can do that—it’s easy. Easier than calling your
grandson, having him post a Craigslist ad, then ask you for
$20, which you wind up giving him because you decided to
go riding instead of going to his high school graduation and
you feel guilty. We here at CityBike understand your guilt
feelings, so we will run your ad (25 words or less, please)
‘till sold for just $15. Add $25 bucks to run a photo of your
ride so people believe you’re really selling something and
not just lonely. Subscribers get a free ad every month!
Maybe you should subscribe, eh cheapskate?
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: info .citybike .com
Tankslapper
SCARIEST RIDE, VAN AND
TRAILER EDITION
Ka-Slam! The van started to weave,
threatening to fishtail. My ears filled with
a sound not unlike many cut-off
saws
grinding their way
through a twelve
inch piece of
concrete
encased
wire
cable. My
forward
view
point
an attempt to pass me on the other side.
Once again the chains would catch it and
whip it back, passing center again, in the
opposite direction. Much loud thumping
and banging accompanied this rococo
ballet. After the fourth or fifth time I had it
figured out.
Big sparks left mirror, gentle brake, steer
left. Bang! Big sparks rear view mirror let
off brakes, steer straight, wait for the
pull. Thump. Big sparks right
mirror, gentle brake,
My ass now propelled forward by a gorilla
swinging a really big bat. Bang, bang,
shoosh, shoosh; and underneath, tinkling
softly, the sound of chains dragging.
As my 24-foot trailer tried to come
around the chains would catch and whip
it back. Uncaring, and a little bit wild
and free, the trailer skied past center in
Peter Mars was the proprietor of Rocket
Ranch, the Bay Area’s pioneering Supermoto
training school. His fleet of mighty 50cc Derbi
supermotards terrorized the Stockton Motorplex
in 2003 and 2004. He remembered his hitch lock
after this incident...
ON A SHORT EIGENTLICHKEIT
OR SERIOUSLY, WHY ARE WE
DYING?
Dear CityBike:
Dave’s focus on why we are
dying is critical. Stats are
detritus of the past, subject
to diddling office dweebs and
computers.
steer
bracketed
by sparks. All
three mirrors, five if you
count the extenders, showing Big Roman
Candles Going Full Tick (BRCGFT).
and pushed the hitch onto the ball with my
boot. Screwed up the screw jack. Clipped
the clip, wired something through the hole,
got back in, turned up the music and went
to work.
right.
Bang! Big
sparks rear view mirror let
off brakes, steer straight, wait for the pull.
Thump. Repeat until stopped.
My good fortune had delivered me to a
wide shoulder on deserted 580 eastbound
on Monday morning. No cars. No cops.
When I checked out back I found the lock
was missing. Not sure what happened
to that. Chalk it up to another trailerhandling goof-up.
I cranked down the screw jack. Backed the
van into the trailer. Got out, went out back
His charts tabulate fatality, as opposed to
a night in the ER. I was once knocked cold
through a helmet when first-responders
would have an easier trip to the morgue.
Should I thank HJC, and for what? When
you straddle a bike you accept that risk.
Like the Magic Theatre, riding’s not for
everyone. It encompasses everybody from
the IIHS exec who freaks on his first fall to
the Iron Butt Rally of Mike Kneebone to
the Wednesday Night Mayhem and City
Tour from the Zeitgeist to the dispatch
rider whose idea of fun is a super-rush
to drizzly industrial San Jose, splitting
between loaded six-wheelers while singing
the end of Shostakovich’ 14th in Russian.
Raise a flag for Gabe’s pointing that out
(sidebar: “So Why are we Dying?” August
2012)! Let’s sketch a low-fatality presale
questionnaire. Are your priorities:
– Wife and kids
– Career advancement
– Regular routine
– Status in whatever’s-in crowd
– And everything else that turns salesmen
to cockroaches if they aren’t already?
If so, look into a Volvo.
But if you relish freedom, meaning,
personal responsibility; take fear/
anxiety in stride and celebrate death as
release from mortgages; if the goal of
eigentlichkeit, your own actual being,
makes sense to you, grab a pair of bars,
sign up for a riding course and welcome
to the Select. Take your time, because the
right bike can be your companion for a
while. Meanwhile, here’s our brochures,
safety manual and a copy of Brenda Bates’
Back In the Saddle—you’ll need it.
Add to that an or-else sell for full-face
helmet, armored jacket and crashworthy
boots (unless your prospect’s a lineman),
and where goes the advertising? When
Clem Salvadori this month is crowing
about “respectability” from those rubberstamps I’d cross the street to avoid? And
where go the statistics? They won’t show
the picked-up scrapes that could otherwise
be fatals. I’d say that rate of 53.79 per
100,000 would start creeping down toward
22. Germans, I suspect, have a grip on
eigentlichkeit.
Observing that Americans no longer link
motorcycles with the Hollister hijinx of ‘47,
September 2012 | 30 | CityBike.com
Rider is glorying about bikes as advertising
hooks for perfume, men’s cologne and
uncrashworthy dresses. This has nothing to
do with German-style steps toward safety.
They’re trading the Freudian Es for one
more word—kitsch.
Thanks,
Allan Slaughter
Eigentlichkeit sort of means something like
‘authenticity’, although it’s hard to say without
several post-graduate degrees and summers in
study-abroad exchange programs where one may be
involved with large, muscular women and natural
as well as synthetic controlled substances.
DAVE’S REPLY:
Gabe, Allan,
Great comments. Many of us got into
motorcycling because we recognized it
was an activity that stirred the soul. There
are so many different facets to riding that
it speaks to many different lifestyles and
personal needs.
The problem over the past 10 years or so
is that motorcycling has been hyped by
the industry as something everyone might
consider as something fun, or entertaining,
or as Allen mentions, Kitsch. We’ve got ads
portraying young women zipping along on
colorful scooters, hair seductively flying in
the breeze. More than a few impressionable
young people have been infected with the
dream of being a handsome biker. Two
days in a training course gets them a full
license to ride the bike of their daydreams.
The state stamps their pass and agrees they
are ready to head out into traffic—or attack
the Crest Highway or the Ortega—or
Deals Gap. The point is, lots of young men
are quickly and easily made into licensed
motorcyclists, without a real education
to the risks, the skills, and the mental
attitudes necessary to survive.
So, lots of these kids crash. Most of the
crashes are serious but not fatal. Lots of
the serious (“morbid”) crashes leave young
people crippled for life. The fatality stats
are often the headline, but for every crash
that resulted in a fatality, there are regularly
another 22 or so morbid crashes. That’s a lot
of carnage.
And it’s a taboo to mention these things
near a dealership or in publications
financed by industry ads, because it
tends to put a crimp in sales. Serious
motorcyclists quickly figure out that riding
is potentially very dangerous, and we take
great pride in being able to beat the odds
by continuing do-it-yourself education. We
appreciate that motorcycling is not merely a
fun thing to do on a sunny afternoon—it’s
an essential part of our value of life.
Statistics are easily made to lie, which is
why I wanted to start the conversation
about the numbers. I’d like to see states
made responsible for applying the results
back into the training and licensing they
offer, to make training/licensing a process
of continual improvement. If your state
requires mandatory training, and the
fatality numbers are going up instead of
down, you should revise your program.
That’s not likely to happen as long as the
motorcycle industry is driving the bus.
David L Hough
Bummerstan
September 2012 | 31 | CityBike.com