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For more Dunlop tire information go to dunlopmotorcycle.com or call 800-845-8378. ©2015 Dunlop. Do not overload your tires. Never exceed vehicle load capacity found in your owner’s manual. Never exceed maximum load molded on the tire sidewall. Check your tire pressure frequently and always before extended trips. Obey all traffic and safety laws. Dunlop does not endorse or encourage exceeding legal speed limits.

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ROADSMART II

TWiSTAR 2015 By Norm Kern I’ve been going to TWiSTAR in Spring Green, Wisconsin every year since 2009. It’s one of my favorite rallies because the rolling countryside is different from other regional events that are mostly in the Appalachian mountain region. Wisconsin Rolling Farmland

Following my usual four-day format, I planned to leave on Thursday morning, arrive on Thursday afternoon, ride routes on Friday and Saturday and travel home on Sunday. The weather was supposed to be cool for the weekend; Thursday’s forecast was partly cloudy and mild most of the way, with rain moving in by late afternoon. Looking at the Weather Underground Trip Planner, I saw that if I left at 8A.M., I could probably beat the rain into Spring Green, so I headed out. Everything went great on the way to Chicago, where I had arranged to meet a friend for lunch. He would then join me for the rest of the day’s ride and TWiSTAR weekend. Just before noon, he had checked in with me on the phone and was on his way, but when I arrived at the restaurant, he called back to report that his motorcycle battery was dead. He had called AAA for a jump start and decided to go home and cancel for the weekend. His mind was made up, I could not talk him into getting a new battery, so I continued by myself. The route was set up so that once in Wisconsin, it split off the interstate and hit fun back roads. This route looped around south

and went a good way past Spring Green, so I could ride as many miles as I wish, but split off at any point and arrive quickly. Using the My Radar app on my handlebar-mounted smart phone, it was easy to see my location relative to approaching rain. When the rain got close, I made a sharp right turn and made a beeline for Spring Green, stopping at a gas station on the edge of town to fill my tank and get some snacks. When I got back on the bike, it started to sprinkle, so I rode the two blocks to the Round Barn Lodge and was home free. Only one other rider arrived for the rally Thursday night, and he slept in Friday morning. I left early for my ride because I wanted to be back in time to see everyone arrive, help with signup, etc. Friday was mild and sunny. I rode Saturday’s route in reverse, so if it rained hard on Saturday, I still got to ride the route. Riding in the opposite direction is a great way to double your fun with a route.Back at the Round Barn hotel in the afternoon, there was plenty of fun and conversation around the informal cookout provided by Ray Kang, Larry and Carole Mayhew. Along with the signup crew, I sat down to help riders load their routes into their GPS units. more twistar on 4 ➲

Social time after the cookout

Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 3

➲ twistar from 3 The other rider who had arrived on Thursday came over and we got acquainted. Marty Cobb is a relatively new member from Fort Worth, Texas, who rides a Kawasaki Concours 14. Since TWiSTAR was his first MSTA event, he didn’t know anyone yet, but I remembered seeing him on New member Marty Cobb the MSTA forum. rode all the way from Fort Harry Pacynski also joined Worth, Texas, to attend us. Harry and I met the year before at TWiSTAR when he was a first-timer. All three of us had Bluetooth intercoms, so we linked up for Saturday’s ride. Oh yes, that pesky weather. It was supposed to rain on Saturday, and I figured if it poured we could do a short ride to the nearby House on the Rock, and spend the day there. That was my TWiSTAR Plan B, but let’s concentrate on Plan A. Doing a Weather Underground trip for Saturday’s route, out and back, I saw possible light rain in the first hour or two of the route, but none after that. After lunch, the clouds were expected to dissipate into dry, partly cloudy skies. Not so bad after all. We started the day with our raingear on. About half an hour into the route, it started drizzling. We kept going, and after about an hour of on-off drizzle, mist and damp pavement, it stopped. By the time we reached the lunch stop, the roads were dry.

Riders take a break during the damp portion of Saturday’s route

Lunch stop at the Hideaway, Brew Pub & Restaurant, Chaseburg, Wisconsin

Right on schedule, the clouds cleared after lunch, and it was beautiful the rest of the day. It was a fun route, about 280 miles, with great company and conversation, thanks to the Blu4 | www.RideMSTA.com

etooth intercoms. Riding and talking with intercoms is the best way I’ve found to introduce new members to the club. Saturday night was the traditional prime rib-chicken buffet at Arthur’s restaurant just down the street, Happy TWiSTAR riders. L-R, Don Chrisfollowed by tenson, Jamey Breakstone, Glen Gabel, some door prizes Sue Miller and the closing ceremonies.

Riders enjoy the prime rib/chicken buffet at Arthur’s restaurant Foreground, L-R: Berni Hollinger, Carole Mayhew, Larry Mayhew and Dale Hollinger

Ray Kang announced that he is stepping down as TWiSTAR co-coordinator. He’s done a great job for ten years, along with Larry and Carole Mayhew, who handle routes, Friday cookout and other duties. Unfortunately, along with Ray’s retirement, the future of TWiSTAR itself is in question, primarily due to the shrinking number of attendees. Ray explained that when we put on an official event, one of the requirements is AMA event insurance. Over time, the cost of this insurance has risen, while the number of riders has declined. At some point, insurance consumes too much of the registration fee and it becomes unworkable. This year we only had about fifty people in attendance, compared with seventyfive or more in the past. Where did the riders go? There are many reasons for the decline in attendance at TWiSTAR, but one of the most troubling is the trend of members to wait until the last minute to see what the weather might do, then cancel at the slightest chance of rain. I see this at many MSTA events, and people are missing out on lots of good riding and good times because of it. On a more positive note, who DID show up? This year’s TWiSTAR attendees were mostly hard-core and younger members who really like to get together and ride, and they want this event to continue in some form. They even passed around a sign-up sheet for next year. I hope they can work something out. In closing, here’s a thought for those timid souls who are afraid of rain: I’ve been coming to TWiSTAR for seven years, and still haven’t seen House on the Rock. 

view from the top Volume 34, Number 5 THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MSTA

Promoting excellence and safety in the enjoyment of motorcycle sport touring. Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . Nick Zarras [email protected] Feature Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pedro Gregorio [email protected]

Contributing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Jundt [email protected] Contributing Editor . . . . . . . . . . James T. Parks [email protected] Advertising/Benefits Director . . . . . . John Boyd [email protected] State Newsletter Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Jundt

[email protected]

Member Profile Editor . . . . . . . . . . Doug Logston [email protected] Safety Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Westly [email protected] National Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet and Jon Campbell [email protected] Event Preview Editor . . . . . . . . . . Pedro Gregorio [email protected] Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Campbell [email protected] Layout/Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faith Publishing

www.RideMSTA.com

On the cover Nick Zarras, STAReview Magazine Managing Editor, riding a 2015 BMW S 1000 RR in Red Rock National Conservation Area. Photo by Gary Kozlowski, Nevada.

Just finishing the final details for STAR 15 and heading out the door for the ride to Springdale, AR. By the time you read this, we will have the lucky winners of all those “super raffle prizes” and that 2014 FJR. The EC met at STAR for its annual meeting. Our main focus was the 2016 budget and membership dues. Our 3-year experiment will be up at end of 2015, and we need to review the results. Just as a reminder, STAR 2017 is west coast bound. If any members have suggestions on a site, please contact me with the info. Remember the host hotel should have 200+ rooms, and meeting/

banquet capability. Local presence is helpful, along with great roads. If you missed STAR, there are Dennis some MSTA AMA Villarose sanctioned events remaining in 2015, and MSTA President don’t forget the “Just for Fun Events” Any questions or concerns, call me at 561-329-3257 or email me at [email protected] Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! Ride Safe, Ride Home

vP Views Happy Midsummer Vacation! Remember how blissfully “free” you felt as a kid during summer vacation? I do. Seems I lived outdoors, pedaling my bike everywhere, running barefoot in the cool night grass and becoming gleefully waterlogged after hours in the lake. Few things in life bring this flavor of freedom, this unchaining of our soul … but riding does. Perhaps we can’t relive the long and free summer days of our childhood, but now as adults, it’s paramount to trade in some of our “everyday life” for days on the bike. Whether solo or with others, revitalize yourself with this unique flavor of freedom.

Today more than ever, it’s easy to forego vacation time, but resist! The MSTA is here to help with well-loved annual Ann Redner events providing opMSTA Vice tions for sampling the President freedom that unleashes your soul. So, exercise your wanderlust and come to an event you’ve never attended before. Tack on some extra days and maximize your revitalization. Take a dose of blissful freedom! Ideas? Comments? Send them to me at [email protected]. See you on the road—Ann

IN THIS ISSUE TWiSTAR 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 View From The Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 VP Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Entry-Apex-Exit Points . . . . . . . . . . 6 National Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . 7 Event Previews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Around the MSTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Membership Corner . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Product Review: AEROstich Aero Compact Tire Repair Kits/ Compressor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sweet Rides: 2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Racers Edge Performance – Track Day and Advanced Motorcycle Training Program . . Road Test: 2015 BMW S 1000 RR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member Profile: Dan Larson . . . . . Safety Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14 Travel Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you need help, call 15 the MSTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staunton Spring Romp 2015 . . . . . State Director Profile: 16 Roger Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MSTA Membership Registration . . . 19 Road Test Quick Look: Harley23 Davidson LiveWire Prototype . . 24

25 26 28 31 32 33


entry-apex-exit points “Time flies.” As of this issue 2014 Triumph Tiger 800. This I start my fourth year month’s Road Test is the BMW as Managing Editor of S 1000 RR, an amazing maSTAReview Magazine. Prior chine that feels comfortable at to that I was Feature Editor 25 mph in the city or 200 mph for three years. It has been a on the track. It balances AMA great experience. It takes a lot Superbike level performance of time to put out each publicawith city comforts like heated Nick Zarras tion. However, the relationships grips and cruise control. Our STAReview that come from working with Safety Editor extraordinaire, Managing Editor great people, who also put in Doug Westly, educates us on their time into this publication, makes the effects of riding in hot temperatures it all worthwhile. In our society we see in “Summer Heat.” The Road Test many print, web and television media Quick Look features the Harley-Davidoutlets looking for that story that has son LiveWire, their production quality a kick to it. That story that deals with prototype electric motorcycle. shock value, and emotional inflamFeature articles: Florida’s Jim Park mation. That type of media seeks to teaches us “Travel Planning” to enincite conflict which can prolong their hance our trip experience. I feature media coverage, and increase their ratDale Kieffer’s “Advanced Motorcycle ings. I am pleased that in the pages of Training” course at the Las Vegas STAReview Magazine we deal with the Motor Speedway, Nevada which takes opposite end of the spectrum... human the rider to a new level of control and dignity. To be able to recognize our safety on the road. MSTA is like admembers, for the greatest gift they give opted family and Michigan’s Vincent this earth, a good soul, is the best part Ursini tells how during a breakdown on of my job as managing editor. I thank the road, the MSTA family came to the all the staff of STAReview Magazine, rescue to help him recover, in his artithe Executive Council and all the memcle “When you need help!” Norm Kern bers for the memories they have shared describes his time at the “Staunton over the past six years. Spring Romp 2015” in historic downThis issue features an interview with town Staunton, Virginia. Jim Randall Roger Smith, the Kansas State Direcnow takes us off-road through the beautor. This month’s Member Profile is tiful Shenandoah Valley and George Colorado’s Dan Larson. This month’s Washington National Forest, in a story Sweet Rides features Pedro Gregorio’s titled, “Staunton Spring Romp – Let’s Get Dirty.” Norm Kern tells us about the fun events at “TWiSTAR” in Spring Green, Wisconsin. STAReview Magazine has three product reviews this month. The first is the Aerostich Aero Compact Tire Repair Kit w/Compressor. The kit includes what you need to repair a tragic tire flat and rescue your ride. The second is a book review of “NO THRU ROAD ... Confessions of a traveling man” by Clement Salvadori. It chronicles his travels from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe with insights into the life that riding offers. The third is a book review of “The University of Gravel Roads...Global Lessons From a Four Year Motorcycle Adventure” by Rene Cormier. Rene Cormier operates Renedian Adventures - African Motorcycle 6 | www.RideMSTA.com

Safaris. This book will be given away as a prize to the member whose photo graces the cover of STAReview Magazine 3407 STAR15 issue. STAReview Magazine is not only news but cherished memories. Jim Park’s photo archives are a treasury of great rides, reaching back 34 years. Check it out at www.ridemsta.com. Members can submit product tests and showcase their stories and events in STAReview Magazine. Send me your article as a word document, and high resolution photos as attachments to an e-mail, addressed to editor@ ridemsta.com. All photos in high quality portrait mode are considered for cover photos. Showcase your treasured 2011-2015 motorcycle (Sweet Rides) or 2010 or older motorcycle (Safe Money). I will provide you full editorial support. The digital STAReview Magazine articles have hyperlinks to link you to websites for travel planning information, motorcycle and accessories to lust over. I want YOU to be the star in STAReview! So kick back with a cool one and enjoy this issue of STAReview Magazine. Ride Safe my friend... Clear skies, clear roads…

STAReview Submission Deadlines 3407 . . . . . . . . . . . 9/5/15 3408 . . . . . . . . . . 10/3/15 3501 . . . . . . . . . . 11/14/15

Submission Guidelines MS Word documents, raw text files, 300dpi (or larger) .tif, .eps or .jpg photo files. If using a digital camera, be certain to use highest photo quality setting (largest file size). DO NOT embed/place photos in Word documents. Separate, original .tif, .eps or .jpg photo files are required.

2015 MSTA National Events Schedule Date

Event

Location

Contact

Web Address/E-mail

SEPT. 11-12-13

OZARKS BS RALLY

Theodosia Marina & Resort Highway 160 Theodosia , MO 65761 417-273-4444

Ed & Linda Young P.O. Box 30 Mountain Grove, MO 65711 417-926-3075

www.ozarksbsrally.com

Quality Inn 540 N. Jefferson St. Lewisburg, WV 24901 304-645-7722

Syd Mays 3408 Oxford Drive Sutherland, VA 23885 Cell: 804-721-3399

ridemsta.com/mstaforums/

YO Ranch Resort 2033 Sidney Baker Kerrville, TX 78028 830-257-4440

Vince Wells 5909 Colts Neck Drive Colleyville, TX 76034 817-988-3490

[email protected]

SEPT. 25-26-27

OCT. 30-31/NOV. 1

FALL COLORS RIDE

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Event Previews MSTA SANCTIONED EVENTS

Fall Colors Ride

September 25th (Friday) to 27th (Sunday), 2015 Location: Lewisburg, WV Lodging: Quality Inn 540 N. Jefferson St Lewisburg, WV 24901 304-645-7722 www.qualityinn.com Event information and registration form at http://msta-se.com/fcr/ Until Sept 20 MSTA room rates are $74.99 + tax for non-smoking doubles including a continental breakfast served from 6 until 10am. A block of 50 rooms is being held until Sep 20, 2015 for Thursday, Friday, & Saturday nights. When making reservation, mention MSTA and reservation #1902281 for our group discount and these rates will also apply to anyone wanting to extend their visit. Call (304) 645-7722 for your reservations. Event registration will be in the conference room from 8am to 9am Friday morning, 5pm to

8 pm Friday afternoon, and on Saturday between 8 am and 9 am. A pre-ride meeting will be held at 8 pm Friday in the conference room where you registered. Turn-by-turn route sheets and GPS coordinates for the event routes will be provided. There will also be some dual-sport routes available. For your convenience, there are several restaurant within walking distance of the motel. Event Coordinator: Syd Mayes Phone: 804-265-8636 or cell 804-721-3399 E-mail: [email protected]

Texas Hill Country

October 30th (Friday) to November 1st (Sunday), 2015 Location: Kerrville, TX Lodging: YO Ranch Resort 2033 Sidney Baker Kerrville, TX 78028 830-257-4440 [email protected] http://www.yoranchhotel.com

Event Coordinator: Vince Wells 817-988-3490 Vince.wells@ sbcglobal.net

MSTA Just for Fun Event

Pedro Gregorio Feature Editor

“Jim’s Big Adventure 2015”

August 23 - 27, 2015 Location: Woodland Country Lodge, Woodland Park, Colorado Please mark your calendars for “Jim’s Big Adventure 2015,” another just-for-fun Motorcycle Sport Touring Association (MSTA) mini-rally returning to Woodland Park, Colorado. You don’t have to be an MSTA member to participate. We have reserved a block of double rooms which will be held until July 24, 2015. Each room has two queen-sized beds and a nightly rate of $109 for the four nights. more previews on 8 ➲


➲ previews from 7 As last year, more information will be provided as we get closer to the event. We will again host a kick-off brunch at our place on Sunday August 23, 2015. The Lodge: Located in the beautiful Pikes Peak area, the Country Lodge in Woodland Park, CO is located at the summit of Ute Pass, only 18 miles west of Colorado Springs. The natural surroundings include spectacular views of Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range, and the adjacent roads offer some of the finest motorcycling in the Rocky Mountains. The Country Lodge is the newest and only modern multi-unit property in the Woodland Park area. Guest accommodations feature deluxe rooms, large indoor swimming pool, hot tub, free continental breakfast, outdoor deck, food & bar service, fire pit, and more. The Country Lodge is a non-smoking hotel. http://www.woodlandcountrylodge.com/ Reservations: By July 24th, please make your reservation at Woodland Country Lodge by phone ((866) 687-4466 or (719) 687-6277) and ask for the group rate of $109 for “Jim’s Big Adventure 2015.” PLEASE DO NOT MAKE AN INTERNET RESERVATION, as you will not get the group rate. Our primary point-ofcontact for any special requirements is Laura. [email protected] Cancellations: For this type of special group booking, you must cancel 2 weeks prior to your arrival to avoid having your credit card charged for 1 night’s stay plus tax. Weather: For Woodland Park, expect seasonal averages in the mid-70’s for daytime highs and 50 degrees for nightly lows. Record highs are in the mid-80’s, and record lows are in the mid-40’s. Average precipitation for the period is very low, but be prepared for occasional

8 | www.RideMSTA.com

afternoon rain showers. Road Conditions: Mary Jane and I regularly ride most of the Pike National Forest secondary roads throughout the year, and road conditions are generally good. As usual, make no assumptions regarding a Colorado mountain road in terms of surface conditions, as many may have winter sand, mud, runoffs, and possible fallen rock or gravel. Although less common than Texas white tail deer, large critters can occasionally present a hazard and include mule deer, elk, moose, bears and free range buffalo. Riding: Below are a few of the typical routes we ride during JBA. Over the years, several have been “combined” and otherwise modified. Use your imagination.

ROUTE MILES CRIPPLE CREEK, GUFFEY, SALIDA LUNCH OPTION Summary: Take US-24 west to Divide, turn left on SR-67 and follow signs (and curvy roads) to Cripple Creek. Stop for coffee, or continue through town and follow signs and CR-1 towards Florissant fossil beds. About 8 miles north of Cripple Creek, go west on CR11/112/102 and follow signs to Guffey, CO. After Guffey, take SR-9 south to Canon City, then do an out and back to Salida via Hwy 50 along the river, lunch in Salida, and return via SR-9/CR-1/US-24. PIKE NATIONAL FOREST LOOP Summary: From Woodland Park, west on US-24 to Lake George, then north on CR-77 to Jefferson. At Jefferson go east on US-285 to Pine Junction and pick up SR-126 (Pine Valley Road) south to Pine. Lunch at Zokas or the Buck Snort Inn in Pine. Continue south to Deckers and pick up SR-67 there to return to Woodland Park. Most of route is curvy, techni-

cal and lightly travelled. CR-77 has been fully paved and is great fun and very scenic. Watch for free range buffalo on CR-77. FRISCO, LEADVILLE, BUENA VISTA LOOP Summary: US-24 west to Hartsel, then SR-9 north to Frisco, short section west on I-70 to exit 195 and SR-91 south, then US-24 south to Leadville. Golden Burro Cafe is great lunch location in Leadville (try the meat loaf sandwich, Dave Gorham’s favorite). After Leadville, continue south on US-24 to Buena Vista and on to Woodland Park. Consider possible side trip on CR-82 to Independence Pass between Leadville and Buena Vista. PIKE’S PEAK OUT ‘N BACK Summary: Take US-24 southeast towards Colorado Springs. At Cascade intersection, take a right and follow signs to “Pikes Peak (and North Pole)” to the scenic toll road. Road to the top is fully paved for passenger cars and motorcycles. Exciting views and very scenic. Enjoy a 14,110 ft doughnut from the shop at the top of Pike’s Peak. Return via reverse route, or head down to Manitou Springs for lunch or scenic drive through of Garden of the Gods. ASPEN OUT ‘N BACK Summary: Basically, US-24 west to Buena Vista and up to Granite, then pick up SR-82 west over Independence Pass (12,095 MSL) and into Aspen (or Buena Vista on return) for lunch. Return via reverse route. Warmest, Bob and Mary Jane Maddocks 7974 Hunter Peak Trail Colorado Springs, CO 80924 (719) 465-3458 Home (832) 330-7337 Cell [email protected] [email protected]

around the msta North Central Region Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Manitoba Michigan Minnesota Missouri Nebraska North Dakota Ohio Ontario Saskatchewan South Dakota Wisconsin

Indiana Please keep Indiana Squadron member and LD Rider Andy Clark and his family in your prayers. Andy was critically injured Saturday 4/5 when he was hit by a spare tire that flew off of a horse trailer going the other way. Andy went home on May 13th after a short stay in the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indianapolis. He still has a very long road to go with outpatient therapy. The doctors told the family it would be a year before they would know just how much he’ll come back from this disaster. He is walking and performing basic functions with guidance. He recognizes visitors. He answers direct questions clearly but his thought processes are still very much scrambled.

Michigan From Ian Orr comes the story of the Michigan Renegade Mountain Ride (MR2 ). The third annual weeklong MR2 event just wrapped up this past weekend and in short it was nigh on perfect, with glorious weather, fabulous roads and a blend of the truly unique people who belong to the Michigan chapter of the MSTA. Glorious weather is simply good timing with Mother Nature. Fabulous roads are just plate tectonics and some inspiration from the local department of transportation. Unique people are what truly matters and we had 45 unique personalities all coming together with a common mantra; ride, eat, sleep, repeat! Technophiles melded with technophobes, extroverts mixed with introverts and teetotalers had absolutely no effect on drinkers when the bikes were parked liquid lubricants flowed freely. 45 people riding up to 250 miles per day for 4 to 5 days on some of the best and most technical roads in the U.S. would seem like an insurance company’s worst nightmare – surefire mayhem. But in spite of a large range of skill levels and a total riding distance exceeding 45,000 miles the two minor incidents

A prom group uses bikes as “props” for a unique photo under Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands, NC.

Mike Jundt | State Newsletter Editor

that occurred came down to just being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite of our best efforts only two high-performance riding awards were handed out and a single verbal warning for passing on the double yellows. Several riders burned through rear tires, requiring a last minute visit to a local bike shop for an expensive replacement tire. Joe and Reid Arozarena caught a glimpse of who we are at a recent 500 mile ride and took a chance by first joining the MSTA and then by joining us at MR2. Under the practiced tutelage of Steve Gross, Dave O’ and Kent Neiderhofer they learned how to ride in a group, where they needed to increase their skills and are currently investigating improving their riding craft by attending track days. Steve’s group visited Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands, NC and let their bikes be props for a high school prom group photo – you just can’t buy better public relations for motorcyclists than that. Sonia Ramos made MR2 her first sojourn onto the Smoky Mountain area roads with her new BMW. Without fail she arrived back at the Inn each afternoon with an ear-to-ear grin and, thanks to her riding partner, Troy Wollenslegel, and his camera mounted ST1300, video-proof of her rides. Florida MSTA member, Kostas Sfakiotakis, rode up from the Florida panhandle, successfully loaded all ten MR2 gpx files onto his iPhone, and didn’t miss a single turn while riding with his father-in-law, Pete Beightol. Maybe it’s time to take a lesson from Kostas and check into smart phone gps apps? As the MR2 route-meister I really wouldn’t be all that disappointed if my own GPS fell off its mount and created a thousand little shimmering waypoints all over a North Carolina back road. A new route was available which riders discovered included a section with almost two dozen steep, uphill 180° turns, each turn separated by less than 20 yards. A second steep section, rising 2,000 feet within 4 miles was topped by an incredible view from White Oak Mountain. The adventure bike crowd, sitting high in the saddle with tillers for handlebars, loved it, more around on 10 ➲

The group at White Oak Moutain


➲ around from 9 while the sport bikers, straddling a high performance, overheating nuclear reactor with no ground clearance, not so much. Personal schedules and commitments required early and late arrivals and departures so riding groups were always in flux but the nightly apre-riding had a common theme – sharing the memories of that day’s ride, planning the next day’s ride and sharing the fellowship of each other’s company. The mid-week group dinner had 100% attendance, as we took over the restaurant’s entire banquet area. Set your calendars for May 8th, 2016 when we get to do it all again.

all-day ride soon. This ride was suitable for street bikes and street tires. I spent the gravel portion in 1st and 2nd gears and rarely needed to brake. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was great to see you all. Jimbo’s Ride, 2015

Jimbo’s is the iconic biker bar by night, burger joint by day and among the longest surviving restaurants in the Hocking Hills region. On the surface much has changed since we first made Jimbo’s an annual destination. Most significantly, Jimbo’s survived the death of local hill climb legend Jimmy Clark, its owner and namesake.

Ohio From Doug McPeek comes the details of Moyers Ride: On Saturday May 2 a dome of smoke hung over the city of Columbus after a large fire the previous night, but that could not dim the bright sky on a beautiful morning. Nine of us met at the southwest side of town and rode “the usual route” as established several years ago by, I believe, Mike Solace. The only recent addition to the OH 104-138-41 progression was a detour to enjoy the smile-inducing twisty OH 763 (thanks to Aaron Engle). With a break at Bainbridge, this route got us to Moyers in just about three hours. We were the second group to arrive, but before we were seated there were around twenty motorcycles in the parking lot. Lunch was good, progressed at a relaxed pace and took place on the shaded patio next to the Ohio River.

Group of MSTA bikes for Moyers Ride

After lunch, Clarke Morian III led five intrepid adventure riders (aka non-dirt bike riders on street bikes) on a 25 mile ride through the Shawnee State Forest on paved and gravel roads. Response was positive and we plan to go back for an

Bikes at Jimbo’s


Tribute wall at Jimbo’s to the late hill climber Jimmy Clark

The building has been made over by Joy Clark, as has the menu. The change is not enough to make the place unrecognizable, just enough to keep things lively. Looking around at all the familiar faces that have populated Jimbo’s Rides for years, I am struck by how much these friends have had to survive as well. The hair is grayer in this group, the faces more haggard. There are more scars and more stories of near misses and surgeries than we ever could have guessed back when we started riding together. We go on quite well, though. We do not merely survive. We smile, we laugh, and we taunt old friends. Whether we can eat Jimbo’s giant cheeseburgers without guilt these days is not important, but that we spent this day doing what we always want to be doing. A love of riding the curvy roads in good company is what brought us together and continues to do so. At its core Jimbo’s is the same as ever, and so are we.

South East Region Alabama Florida Georgia Mississippi North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia

Florida From south Florida director Van VanSteelant: We had another great month of Florida events!! The Central RTE went to Country Angels Restaurant in Polk City! I heard good things, and you’ll read all about it a little later!! We followed that up with a special event that tied into the world class Barrett-Jackson auction held at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. The plan was to enjoy the event at your own pace, meet up for lunch and then kick some more tires!! We had four of us meet up for breakfast, hit the gates just after they opened and took in the event 1-2-3!! I decided to sign up for the free thrill ride in the new generation 5 Dodge Viper – long wait, but a real kick in the ass!! By the time I jumped out of the seat, our group had had their fill and departed.

Visiting the Barrett-Jackson auction

We’ll finish up the lunch-ride season on Sat. May 9th in Groveland at the Coyote Rojo 2 Mexican Restaurant at 12pm. The address is 214 W. Broad St., Groveland, 34736. Also from motorcycleroads.com is the Green Swamp Tour that passes through town. It’s described as having lots of twisties (for Florida), rural riding, & little traffic... http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/164/Routes/GreenSwamp-Tour---Northeast-of-Tampa.html

South Central Region Arkansas Colorado Kansas Louisiana New Mexico Oklahoma Texas Wyoming

Colorado-Wyoming

Some of the cars for sale at Barrett-Jackson

I was lucky enough to meet up with the Real Men of Port Charlotte inside the auction hall!! They had decided to make a weekend of it, staying at the Roland Martin Fish Camp in Clewiston. You know, where we had a damp lunch ride a while back!! That turned out to be a great scouting trip for them, which made the auction weekend a no-brainer!! Timing is everything, and they were just about done with the car show, and so they made their way home after the lunch plans fizzled away in the heat of the day. I met up with my significant other for lunch, as planned, and enjoyed another 3 hours of nostalgic bliss!! What a collection of vehicles!! And the acres of auto and lifestyle products and services to peruse made for a full day!! So... We tried something different, with modest success. We’ll keep trying to expand the “concept lunch” in the future to create a little “added value” for our members. From central Florida director Teresa Vipond…. On Sat. April 11th, 14 riders attended our Polk City lunch ride including a couple of new faces - Mark Del Pico & Chuck Anoff from Sarasota. A few of the guys said they enjoyed the “Twisties Through Central Florida Countryside” ride as suggested on motorcycleroads.com.

From editor Dan Larson: The warm weather riding season is here. Time to get the motorcycle ready for the road. Sure, there are those who see no reason to put the bike up for the winter. Heated gloves and now, heated jackets, keep the body warm and studded snow tires keep you moving in any weather, right? Those of us who don’t ride in months ending in “burr” or “airy” have respect and admiration for those who do. It’s not everyone who can keep their eyes on the road with eyelids frozen open. But the cold weather is mostly behind us now, even if we can’t rule out a foot of snow in the Rockies at any time. Heck, you can ski Arapahoe Basin in late June. Sunny skies and seasonal temps do have a way of making you press the starter button. And thinking about where to go for a ride usually includes somewhere that’s more than just a day trip away. What about a long weekend? Haven’t seen Yellowstone in a few years. How about Texas? I’ve always wanted to ride the Twisted Sisters. I hear there are some great roads in western Wisconsin. Springtime is the best time to start moving those daydreams into actual trip plans. A few key questions to consider: How far is it, there and back? How many nights away? Any old friends along the way? One-up or two? Maybe that last question should come first. Here’s an idea. The annual MSTA shindig known as STAR is coming up June 21 – 24. Are you going? This year’s more around on 12 ➲


➲ around from 11 gathering is in Springdale, AR. Known as the poultry capital of the world, Springdale also has the good fortune to be located right in the middle of the Ozark Mountains and just a short ride to state highway 23 and the entrance to the famous Arkansas Pig Trail, ranked No. 9 on the Motorcycle Roads top 100 in the US. State Director Doug Logston says that nine Colorado squadron members had registered for STAR 2015 as of April 1. If you’re still on the fence about attending, have a look at the video clip on the Events page of the MSTA website at www.ridemsta.com. That should do the trick. Remember, you must be a dues-paid member to attend STAR. Discounted rooms are available, but only after you register. You are also required to register any guests that will attend with you. Doug Logston shared the group trip to the Vehicle Vault in Parker, CO. Sixteen MSTA members and friends gathered at the Vehicle Vault in Parker, CO, on a bright, clear Saturday morning, March 7th. After handshakes and hugs we entered the Gallery and enjoyed a guided tour of motor vehicles from a 1-cylinder 1903 Success automobile to late model supercars such as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford GT and Mercedes Benz. Our tour was led by Erin Dilley, a member of the Dilley family, owners of this fascinating collection of automobiles featuring significant models from every decade of the 20th century, as well as the first decade of the 21st century. The Vehicle Vault opened in October 2014 on twenty acres. Three acres are dedicated to the Gallery that we toured. The remaining acreage is dedicated to future expansion and the creation of a custom garage community for the elite car collector. The Vehicle Vault will provide a secure location for these collectors to keep and maintain their 4-wheel investments and share their passion with a like-minded community of car enthusiasts. The group this year included Steve Cook, Harry Hemstreet, Chris and Jan Hughes, Pete Jessen, Gordon Kemmerer, Dan Larson, Doug Logston, Tim Lyons, Tom Mulvany, Blake Norville and grandson Jared, Dick Parker, Phil Tarman, and Mark and Matt Willis. After a 90-minute tour of the Gallery, the group headed for our lunch stop at the Mt Fuji Café, where we met up with newlyweds Charlie and Diane Thompson. The


The CO-WY riders at the Vehicle Vault

cafe serves Japanese cuisine, either grilled on a Hibachi, or not, as sushi is available for the more daring patrons. Our tour of the Vehicle Vault provided an opportunity to meet three new MSTA CO/WY members: Tim Lyons (2006 Kawasaki Concours C10) of Parker, CO, Tim Mulvany (2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000) of Golden, CO, and Matt Willis (2006 Honda Shadow 750) of Laramie, WY. Our late-winter gathering was a wonderful way to spend a few hours swapping stories about our favorite classic cars and catching up with old and new friends who like to ride motorcycles. I look forward to riding with you all in the near future.

West Region Alaska

Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Hawaii Idaho Montana Nevada Northwest Territories Oregon Utah Washington Yukon

Nevada Nick Zarras attended the Can-Am motorcycle demonstration in Las Vegas, NV. He chose the new sport cruising Can-Am Spyder F3S to ride. Look for a Quick Look Road Test in STAReview magazine 3406. 

membership corner Welcome New Members! Canada Geoff Falconar, Edmonton, AB Bob Munden, Windsor, ON Tom Trupp, Windsor, ON

North Central Region Max Worcester, Plainfield, IL John Burgess, Fairland, IN Robert DeCook, Fort Wayne, IN Aron Hanson, Fishers, IN Richard Snodgress, Zionsville, IN Joe Arozarena, Ypsilanti, MI Reid Arozarena, Ypsilanti, MI Joe Berwanger, Bloomfield Hills, MI Pete Blauwiekel, Fowler, MI Tom Chubb, Orchard Lake, MI Julian Gay, Canton, MI William Gray, Bloomfield Hills, MI Craig Grissom, Rochester Hills, MI James K Hart, Farmington Hills, MI Vivian Johnston, Birmingham, MI Randy Marcell, Waterford, MI Prabhakar Palaniappan, Troy, MI Gary Wasserman, West Bloomfield, MI

product review

Michael Tissandier | Membership Director

Mike Webb, Oak Township, MI Dan Peters, Minneapolis, MN Joseph Wolf, Columbia Heights, MN Karl Wiley, Kansas City, MO Carl Jahns, Franklin, WI

Northeast Region Ken Schroeter, Bedford, NH Norma McClelland, Greensboro, PA Janet Pietropaolo, Middletown, PA

West Region

South Central Region

This and That…

Bob Cale, Mountainburg, AR Charles McCool, Danville, AR Tom Mulvany, Golden, CO Alan Brown, Ruston, LA Tom Lewallen, Sand Springs, OK Onur Bekmezci, Houston, TX John Bivens, Eagle Pass, TX Paulina Bivens, Eagle Pass, TX Matthew Burr, Fort Worth, TX Gerard van der Werff, Conroe, TX Pete Van Dyke, McKinney, TX

John Crooks, Riverside, CA Julie Crooks, Riverside, CA

By the time you read this, STAR2015 will be in the books. I hope to have put faces to the many names I’ve gotten to know these last few months. A reminder to be sure you are using the new California address for items such as renewals, otherwise you are at the mercy of the mail forwarding by USPS and may be waiting months! Fair weather and safe travels!

Southeast Region Clifford Burke, Greenacres, FL Michael Burkett, Royal Palm Beach, FL

Michael Tissandier P.O. Box 7697, La Verne, CA 91750 909-489-9199 [email protected]

Nicky Zarras | Managing Editor

AEROstich Aero Compact Tire Repair Kits/ Compressor One of the more inconvenient ride killers is a flat tire. Being able to fix it on the spot is priceless. Usually you purchase separate components to patch the tire, then a compressor to fill it. Compressors are usually set up for cars and have only alligator battery clips. Fortunately Aerostich has a Compact Tire Repair Kit with Mini Compressor for an MSRP of $85. It combines Aerostich’s smallest most efficient compressor with all the essential tools, patches and goo

Wayne Keesee, Travelers Rest, SC James McDeavitt, Murfreesboro, TN Tony Meyer, Collierville, TN

to fix most non-sidewall punctures. This “repairification kit” comes in a neat black nylon storage pouch which will

easily fit in a tank bag or side/top case. The compressor has a 26” inflator hose. A special added bonus is that the compressor comes with three power adapters: SAE, cigarette lighter and alligator clips. The underside of the pouch has four pockets allowing storage for an optional tire gauge, pen, flashlight, or stem wrench. One additional recommendation is adding Aerostich Tar Arns #3564 tire irons for removing the tire from the rim ($97.00 MSRP). This compact packable tire kit measures 7”×3”×5.25” and weighs only 1.61 lbs.  Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 13

Book reviews


‘The University of Gravel Roads’ by Rene Cormier

I first met Rene and his lovely wife Colette at a slide and movie presentation they had at BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas, Nevada. We sat through a few hours of them spinning tales of their worldwide travels. Rene also had his motorcycle there, a highly modified 2003 BMW F650 GS Dakar. One key point of this motorcycle was that it was absent of the current high technology for if it broke down, purchased and fabricated parts would be easier to find. His passion for riding was wrapped up in the thoughts “At the end of a great day of riding and exploring, have you ever wanted nothing more than to fall asleep, exhausted from new experiences, only to wake up the next day and do it all again?…and again? …and again? His 160 page full color book chronicles the adventures of the 33-year-old on his four plus-year-long, 41 coun-

‘No Thru Road’ by Clement Salvadori

try, 95,000 mile, mostly solo, journey around the world. He left his successful career in 2003, cashed in his possessions and planned his three-year trip. He traveled without sponsors, support vehicles, and just went with the flow to learn what life would bring to him along the way. He learned that plans change and his trip lengthened to four plus (4.5)

No Thru Road is a collection of 29 “tire kickin” stories recounting Clement Salvadori’s worldwide travels from 1960-2010. His travels have taken him from the USA to overseas locations like Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Peru. I say tire kickin because the chapters are more a collection of memories than a travelogue. Clement has a storyteller’s gift of gab and spins entertaining tales of his travels. This book is a great excuse to sit back with a cold one and kill some time. I found it very engaging to read, while my wife put her Michelin Guide to the Premium Outlets shopping mall in Las Vegas, Nevada to good use. A cold soft drink, a shady place to sit, and a watch that does not need to be looked at ... priceless! His book is available on Amazon, Whitehorse Gear and Aerostich for a $25 MSRP.


years and all while staying within a $25 per day budget. The book is written with a nice mix of cultural insight and highlights the travel logistics involved. His travels placed him in picturesque locations with rudimentary accommodations, and lots of stories to remember when things did not go as desired. The book (ISBN: 978-0-981337-11-1) “The University of Gravel Roads... Global Lessons from a Four Year Motorcycle Adventure” is USD MSRP $35. It is available from Amazon, Touratech USA, Aerostich and Motorcycle Mojo. Rene also runs the Renedian Adventures African Motorcycle Safaris. They had a raffle for a free trip to Africa which included accommodations, motorcycle, food etc. The eventual winner – from New Jersey - just paid for the flight and fuel. Their contact information is Rene Cormier, Renedian Adventures Ltd., #305, 11020 99 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5K 2M2, Mobile 1-780-707-73T3, email rene@renedian. com web: www.renedian.com. The tours in Africa are either 2 or 3 weeks, and can be either paved roads only or a mix of paved and good gravel roads. There are 4 routes to choose from and all the riding occurs between July and December. Accommodation and support are upper-end, and offer both BMW and Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Prices start at $7999 (CAD) for two weeks and typically book about a year in advance. Ride Safe my friend... Clear skies, clear roads....

By Pedro Gregorio “A period of careful breaking-in will ensure lower exhaust emission, and will optimize performance, fuel economy and longevity of the engine and other motorcycle components.” This is how the owner’s manual of my new 2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC summarizes the break-in period. What it doesn’t mention is that one of the best places to break-in the Tiger, or any motorcycle for that matter, is in the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tennessee and North Carolina. Why, you ask? Read on to find out. For the last few years I’ve opened my spring riding season by trailering my Triumph Speed Triple from frigid Michigan to the Smoky Mountains to ride some of the best motorcycle roads in the country. Having a new Tiger with zero miles in the garage only made this year that much more special since the Smokies would be the perfect place to find out how I really feel about the Tiger. It would also be my first ride since breaking my leg in November so I would not only be breaking in a new bike but also a healed rider. Before I could deem the Tiger ready to ride there were a few things I had to take care of. First, a trip to Meijer yielded one of my must-have modifications to any car or bike: stick-on blind spot mirrors. The circular ones that can be rotated are my favorites and I’ve only seen them at Meijer. For changing lanes they are as good as turning my head. Second, the Tiger’s rubber foot peg inserts had to go. I could use the extra legroom and I prefer the traction of the serrated metal pegs. The rubber inserts were just pushed into the metal pegs which made them very easy to remove but also made me wary of having them pop out when least expected. Adjusting the foot levers and installing a GPS har-

gear. This transmission might be the best I’ve ever owned. Whereas my Speed Triple ran Deal’s Gap in second gear, the Tiger’s gearing allowed me to use second and third. I was impressed by the smoothness of the fueling during throttle on/off transitions, noticeably smoother than the Speed Triple. I was a bit worried about how good the traction would be from those skinny tires but I needn’t have worried. I never felt the need for more traction while railing around corners at a brisk pace. I would never have believed that a 90-width front tire could perform this well but the tubeless Pirelli Scorpion Trail allowed me to ride as quickly as I did last year on the Speed Triple’s 120width front tire. Ground clearance was never an issue. The pegs or center stand never touched down, only the outside edge of my boot on one particular Deal’s Gap corner. The Triumph’s Arrow exhaust sounded incredible, especially the burbling and popping on closed throttle. I felt no vibrations in the metal pegs and only very slight vibes on the grips. Not only did the Tiger’s ease of turning make Deal’s Gap a pleasure, its stability also made the fast sweepers of NC28 and Cherohala Skyway pure joy. It was only appropriate that the 500mile service indicator, a little wrench, came on while riding the Cherohala. The Tiger was officially broken in. With four dry days in the 70’s I managed to ride over 700 miles including some light off-roading in the Bald River Gorge area of Tellico Plains, TN. It was while climbing a narrow dirt road that I realized this was exactly why I bought the Tiger. I wanted a bike with the soul of a triple that was as comfortable strafing the paved twisties as it was exploring the unpaved world. Mission accomplished. 

SweetRides 2014 Triumph Tiger 800XC

ness and handlebar mount finished off the preparations for the trip. As I sat on the bike while wearing my left motorcycle boot to make sure my ankle rangeof-motion was good enough to shift I couldn’t wait for the day when I introduced the Tiger to my favorite roads. That sunny, 70-degree day came on the first Monday morning of spring as I rode away from Pigeon Forge, TN, on my way to the Foothills Parkway and Deal’s Gap. Breaking in a new engine is all about loading and unloading the engine at varying rpm’s combined with heat cycling. That means the perfect break-in roads are those that make me open and close the throttle as often as possible, i.e., with tons of curves, and scenery that makes me shut off the engine when I pull off for photos. The Smokies are chock-full of such roads, which is why it’s such a perfect area for break-in. The Tiger was in its element. Skinny tires (90/90-21 front and 150/70-17 rear) together with a wide handlebar meant the bike changed direction RIGHT NOW. I found myself having to recalibrate my inputs so as not to end up turning too early. The light throttle combined with perfect clutch feel and shift action meant I could enjoy the Tiger’s broad spread of torque in any


Racers Edge Performance – Track Day and Advanced Motorcycle Training Program By Nick Zarras, Managing Editor One of the joys as managing editor is to feature individuals who have helped motorcycle riders improve their skills, safety status, and enjoyment of motorcycling on the road. Dale Kieffer, whose riding school is featured in this article, is one of those individuals. Dale has run the Racers Edge Performance facility since 1994 (3400 S Procyon Street, Suite 104-E, Las Vegas, NV 89102, (702) 257-3808, http://racersedgeperformance.com/). He provides a full repair service, with track upgrades available. He does all the work on my personal VFR. They also have a rental fleet of Honda CBR600rr, 1000rr and Ducati 848 sport bikes. Dale does personal coaching at Auto Club Speedway, Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CVMA), Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch (SMMR), Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Miller Motorsports Park , and Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS). He also supports SOCAL Track Days, Track Daz, and TrackXperience. Dale is a long time racer, has AMA national No 3 plate and has podiumed at most AMA track locations. He took a break to raise his family, but then at CVMA took #1 Plate in 2011 and 2012. He hosts WERA practices at LVMS. Dale was my senior instructor at the Yamaha Champions Riding School (YCRS) which was featured in STAReview Magazine issue 3101. The photo below is me following Dale during that 2011 course.

Each year we see too many motorcycle accidents. Some are from vehicles turning in front of or broadsiding a motorcyclist. But many are motorcyclists having control problems due to lack of proper training. On May 22, 2015 Dale conducted a Track Day and Advanced Motorcycle Training Program (AMT) which at $185, qualifies as a best buy. The AMT gives the rider a chance to get a full day of training and track time on their own motorcycle. This training class was at LVMS. The aim of the AMT course is to get the sport and street riders into a safe training environment where they can learn advanced motorcycling control skills using advance braking, body position and environmental awareness. This no pressure learning environment is not only effective training but fun, and it allows for building relationships with other riders. The main AMT is broken up into academics then Advanced Training group and Premium riding groups. The Advanced training group is limited to 8 students, and the Premium riding group is limited to 15 riders. That allows one-on-one training and critiquing to accelerate rider skill development. Today was the Advanced Training group class.

Academics started out at 8:30 AM. Dale conducted the class with Jim Deering, his guest instructor. The class teaches the concepts of Entry, Apex and Exit points and how to set up your shift points, braking, and body position to navigate through each curve. Dale discussed and broke down the myths on improving motorcycle control using body position, trail braking, traction vs. lean angle, and throttle use through the curves. The first lesson was to teach proper brake hand placement and pressure for trail braking. The class then transitioned to an off track practice location to practice the braking exercise first in a straight line, then in a slow curve. On each successive lesson, Dale and Jim provided each student one-on-one critiques. I observed that the students’ learning curve accelerated rapidly with this style of instruction. 16 | www.RideMSTA.com

Trail braking pressure exercise.

Straight line braking technique

The class returned to academics to learn the concepts and proper motorcycle techniques for advanced skills to setting up and navigating through the LVMS track course. The concept of Entry, Apex and Exit points were discussed to set the student’s habit patterns for a stable motorcycle platform on the track. The focus was to set entry speed and use of trail braking to adjust the entry speed and adjust their line, and control tire traction in the curve. This drill has paramount value on the street. The session emphasized the reality that the rider may not see the next curve geometry. Also the lane width may be diminished due to debris, and/or by a motor vehicle overshooting the yellow line. The rider must be able to adjust their line into the curve to be safe and survive the ride. During the exercise each student navigated the course hitting the pylon identified curve point, then was stopped and was debriefed. A final class summary debrief was conducted.

Final debrief

The next academic session set up the group for their LVMS track time. This was the lead and follow format. The group of riders was broken up into two smaller groups. Dale guided the first group, and Jim led the second group. During the track time each student would ride behind their instructor, then upon command would sequence out of line, and move to the back of the line. This allowed each student the opportunity to mimic the instructor, and see the instructor’s hand commands which critiqued the student’s performance real time on the track. The track sessions went smoothly. After the track time, where they reinforced their learned skills, there was a final debrief. An elated graduating class posed for a group photo. During the day, I interviewed each rider on why they took the course. Most were there to advance their skill levels. One more performance on 18 ➲ Track time

Trail brake track


Graduates

➲ performance from 17 had crashed his bike because he had not learned the techniques taught in the course. As the day progressed I saw rider skill levels accelerating rapidly. At no time was anyone overtasked. The rider emotions, and student comradery were very high. At the end of the track time all the riders voiced how happy they were that they took the AMT course. They felt more comfortable with their new habit patterns that allowed them to better handle normal and emergency motorcycle riding situations. I would like to thank Dale Kieffer for the opportunity to review his AMT class. At the end of the day I, Dale Kieffer and his son, and Jim Deering took one more parting photo. Proof of a successful day on the LVMS and an AMT course well delivered and well received. If you want to join Dale Kieffer on the track, his next private track day will be at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (http://goracecvr.com/ contact/) on September 17th, 2015. Ride Safe my friend...Clear skies, clear roads....


L-R: Nick, Dale and Son, Jim

Road Test 2015 BMW S 1000 RR

By Nick Zarras, Managing Editor As I get to be “slightly” older, I have a choice to make. In my younger years I was used to riding, or in my case, riding and flying fast machines. Mentally I still have the desire for performance, but I know my reflexes are not as fast as in the past, which can result in undesirable situations on the road. Luckily I have avoided those situations in my last 48 years of riding, but I still like to push my limits and grow as a rider. This is a wonderful time to be a motorcyclist. Current technology has come up with what I call “anti-stupid” electronic programs that can monitor and adjust all engine and suspension performance. This provides a new lease on life for a rider of any age. Riders now have a lot of high tech assistance when they push the limits a bit too far from a conservative path. My love affair in the high performance sport bike category has been with the BMW S 1000 RR. As then feature editor, I photographed a bright yellow BMW S 1000 RR to grace the cover of STAReview Magazine issue 3003 (2011). I conducted another road test in STAReview Magazine 3103 (2012). I then enjoyed it as a track bike during the California Superbike School evaluation in STAReview Magazine 3201(2013).

I am always impressed with how user friendly, and forgiving this track bike is. No matter where I planted it on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway track, it tracked exactly where I wanted it to lap after lap. Each new generation S 1000 RR has been upgraded in response to riders inputs. This upgrade process continues with the finest S 1000 RR yet, the 2015 BMW S 1000 RR. It comes in with less

weight, more power and improved state of the art electronics. The 2015 BMW S 1000 RR has a more rugged, razor sharp profile than previous years. The color choices and patterns of Racing Red/Light White, Black Storm Metallic, and Light White/ Lupin Blue Metallic/Racing Red create a more striking motorcycle. more road test on 20 ➲ RR by Red Rock National Conservation Area


➲ road test from 19 To differentiate the 2015 from the 2014 the headlamps symmetry design has been reversed for a more dynamic look. The engine spoiler is longer, along with changes to the new windshield and rear section. The new water/oil-cooled 4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line engine delivers 199 hp, an increase of 6hp. The maximum torque is 83 ft-lbs at 10,500 rpms. Premium fuel consumption has been improved to a published 41 mpg at 55mph. Fuel capacity is 4.6 gallons (1 gallon reserve). New electromotive throttle actuator technology now controls the throttle valves. This engine has new mapping, cylinder head and intake tube geometry. The new dual flow rear silencer increases torque in the lower speed ranges and reduces exhaust gas back pressure. The new exhaust system reduces the bike’s weight by 6.6 lbs. The S 1000 RR’s total wet weight is 449 lbs. Its payload is 447 pounds. A state of the art Dynamic Damping Control (DDC) electronically adjusts the suspension automatically. Every 10 milliseconds the DDC takes traction, braking, and damper information to optimize suspension settings for compression and rebound. The steering angle is steeper (66 deg.), caster shortened (3.8 inches), the wheelbase longer (56.1 inches), the

swing arm rotation center has been lowered, there is a shorter fork protrusion (shortened .25 inches), a lighter rear section, and wider handlebars to further optimize the S 1000 RR package. The new Shift Assistant Pro enables the rider to shift up or down without using the clutch through the 6-speed gearbox, for reduced shift time. This provides less load on the rear wheel for better directional stability. The adjustable footrests are CNC milled high-strength aluminum alloy. The transmission gear shift foot lever and rear brake foot lever are individually adjustable. The transmission shift pattern can be reversed to mimic MotoGP style gear shifting. Wheels and tires are key choice points. You can chose the stock, or the optional aluminum HP forged wheels which weigh 5.3 pounds less than the 2014 wheels. The available tire choices are the front Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa Sp. C/rear Supercorsa SP, or the front/ rear Continental Conti Race Attack Compound. Both come in front 120/70 ZR17 and rear 200/55 ZR17 sizes. The Dynamic Traction control (DTC) has been optimized for the new suspension/ tire combinations. The Riding modes are Rain, Sport and Race with Antilock Braking System (ABS), and Automatic Stability Control (ASC) as standard. The Slick and User mode are optional. The new instrument panel has a much

Instrument panel display

clearer display. The standard information is fuel range, time, water temperature, air temperature, speed, gear, odometer, trip 1 or 2, and average MPG. Some of the information items and func-

Two S 1000 RRs. L-R: 2015, 2014


Switch arrays

tions which the rider can read/set are: set-up for DDC and race track, DTC, lap time and lap distance, lap-specific speed, active riding mode, and gear changes per lap. Consult the owner’s manual for a full list. The 2015 S 1000 RR is also more real world rider friendly as my test bike came with heated grips and cruise control. The left handle grip switch array had the ABS, cruise control, Trip/Lap, Slick mode switches, and the right handle grip switch array has the mode and heated grip switches. BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas has a BMW demonstration team of 10 motorcycles for the Las Vegas Outlaws indoor football league. They ride in with the cheerleaders as passengers. The cheerleaders then dismount and perform for the spectators during the pregame show. The 10 BMW sportbikes add noise and motorcycle eye candy to the festivities. Both the 2014 and 2015 S 1000 RR models are used so I get to compare both models regularly. How is it to ride? The road test was comprised of several days riding in varied locations around Nevada. Gary Kozlowski rode his BMW R 1200 RT as the chase vehicle. Gary shot the action photos. The 2015 S 1000 RR is a new state-of-the-art motorcycle and a quantum leap forward! The S 1000 RR is addictive. The throttle response is much smoother, the cornering more precise. The suspension is never out of balance.

L-R: Gary Kozlowski and Nick Zarras

It responds to the rider inputs at a level close to thought process. Think the turn, be the turn. I seldom use my brakes, but when needed, superior brakes greatly improve your quality of life. I had one episode when I was returning from an Outlaws Arena football game, I started to accelerate out when the light turned green, and another rider overshot the red light and stopped dead in front of me. With little pressure on the brakes I was able to stop without pitch change, or wheel traction loss. Instead of stress from the event, I just had a big smile and thought, I love this motorcycle. The front brakes are

320 mm twin disc brakes, with 4-piston fixed caliper/ABS. The rear brake is a 220 mm single disc brake, with a single piston floating caliper/ABS. The ABS is the Motorrad Race ABS (part-integral, switchable). The safety benefit this technology brings squashes the illogical statement of “why do you need this level of performance in a motorcycle?” Running through the gears with rapid acceleration is a simple task. With the Shift Assistant Pro the up and down shifts are crisp, and no throttle changes are needed. The new engine is very flexible. You have usable power and torque at almost any speed and at almost any gear without lugging the engine. The S 1000 RR feels comfortable at 25 mph or at warp speed. With the new added power you have to watch your rpms, as it is very easy to hit redline during spirited acceleration. The 2015 S 1000 RR’s ride-by-wire throttle control provided me seamless direct control of the throttle valves. I felt I had more accelerator input and release control than previous generations. Through the corners the DDC electronic suspension, and DTC allowed me to enter turns at higher speeds and in total control. I did not encounter any slips through the corners regardless of the throttle setting. The interface is seamless. Only a flashing yellow light in the upper left of the dash tells you the DTC is operating. I ran the S 1000 RR in Rain, more road test on 22 ➲


➲ road test from 21 Sport and Race Modes. Sport is where most riders will set it for the street. I found that the ABS has been recalibrated for increased braking stability. If you want more control over the dynamic modes you can upgrade to a Pro Mode which unlocks Slick and the User mode. The rider can now adjust all power, braking, traction control and ABS parameters that would normally be fixed in the three riding modes. In this mode the DTC sensitivity can be adjusted on the fly. The front windshield provides good protection at high speed when you are in a tuck position. At normal speeds wind protection is very good in a more relaxed riding position. An optional 2-inch higher windshield is available 22 | www.RideMSTA.com

in either clear or tinted. Ergonomics are excellent, even for my 220 pound, 6 foot stature. I did not have to adjust the transmission shift lever or rear brake lever position. I

tested the cruise control and it worked as per BMW standards. It held one mph up and down hills. At first I thought why have it on a sport bike? The forward lean standard on a sport bike might get tiring over a long distance. With the cruise control a more upright sitting position is an option. It is also good for riding in heavily monitored state park environments. The S 1000 RR is so comfortable at any speed, on the long sweeping turns, you could unknowingly be at speeds that will have you contributing to the state roads fund. On one of my stops I came across a local Slingshot rider group. They were impressed with the S 1000 RR style. Unfortunately I could not grant them their wish for a test ride, but directed them to BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas instead. The 2015 S 1000 RR at a base MSRP of $15,500, which includes ABS, is a great value. It can be upgraded to a high level of professional race track performance with the BMW factory available options for a fraction of what a custom race bike would cost. One optional item I liked was the handbrake lever protector. It protects the front brake lever and clutch lever from incidents where another motorcycle may come in contact with your motorcycle. The BMW S 1000 RR is a state of the art motorcycle blending superbike capability with easy day to day livability. My thanks to Steve Avalos, Director of Marketing (e-mail: savalos@ bmwoflasvegas.com) and Tom Evans, Sales Associate (e-mail: [email protected]) for the use of the 2015 BMW S 1000 RR for this road test. The BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas contact information is: phone: 702-454-6269, web: www.bmwoflasvegas.com, address: 6675 S. Tenaya Way, Las Vegas, NV 89113. Stop by and demo a BMW. They also have a full rental facility on site. Ride Safe my friend... Clear skies, clear roads....

member profile

Dan Larson Hometown/State? I was born and raised in Chicago, IL. I’ve lived in Denver, CO for the past 12 years. What was your first motorcycle? My first motorcycle was a 1970 Honda SL175, it was affordable. I was looking for a bike that I could take off-road and still use riding around town. The bike was lots of fun off road. It gave me a chance to practice jumps, slides, etc. Current motorcycle? I own a 2010 Honda VFR1200F. Honda’s VFR800 introduced me to sport touring. However, I was looking for MORE POWER than the 800cc engine offered. I found it with the VFR1200F. I was an early disciple of this power plant and it has never disappointed me. What is your all-time favorite motorcycle? I really like my VFR1200F. The fit and finish are excellent. Precision engineering is evident in every component that makes up the bike. And when in the right rev range, the bike just sings to me. How long have you been riding? I’ve been riding for 40 years, with a lay-off, some place in that four decades. When did you join the MSTA? I joined the club in April, 2002. How did you hear about the MSTA? I met another VFR rider, an HSTA member, at an event. I attended STAR 2002 in Hot Springs, AR, had a good time and haven’t regretted my association with the club these many years. Who or what was your biggest influence in motorcycling? A friend I knew from the old neighborhood. He was forever talking about his next motorcycle purchase. But he never said a word about the current bike he was selling to finance the purchase of a new bike. I learned a lot from him and thoroughly enjoyed riding the 1970 Triumph Tiger 100 he sold to me. He swapped bikes often, always looking for the next “best ever” motorcycle. Where are your favorite places to ride? I enjoy riding the valleys and canyons of Colorado, particularly CO 72 and 7, also known as Peak-to-Peak Highway. Some fantastic

riding venues can be reached in 30 – 45 minutes of leaving my house. Describe a memorable motorcycle adventure? I took a solo road trip, Labor Day 2012, on my VFR1200F. I rode from Denver to Lake Tahoe, to visit my brother for a few days. I then continued west and stayed overnight in Sonoma, CA. I rode up the Coast Highway to Eureka, CA. Rode through some wonderful redwood forests. Met an old friend in Grants Pass, OR. Visited spectacular Crater Lake. Slept in Bend, OR. Rode across Eastern Oregon’s high desert. There was very little traffic and I made “good time,” as I was able to really exercise the VFR and explore its capabilities. By chance I hooked up with a Hayabusa rider and we played tag mile after mile. It was a most EXCELLENT ride that day. I spent the night in Twin Falls, ID. It was a long freeway drone from Twin Falls to Laramie, WY. A final short day of riding from Laramie to Denver and home. I was on the road for seven wonderful days. What is the best motorcycle advice or tip learned through the years? Know your limits. Know your motorcycle’s limits. And look where you want your motorcycle to go. What turns you on about motorcycles or riding? It’s an enjoyable way to get around

town. As a recreation, motorcycling combines some of the exhilaration of other fast sports. I see a lot of similarities between downhill skiing and motorcycling. Both activities require balance, timing and anticipation. It is trite but true, motorcycling is as close to flying as one can get, without leaving the ground. What do you get out of your MSTA membership? I have stayed with the organization for so many years because of the people I’ve met that share my enjoyment of motorcycling. The folks of MSTA are typically friendly, outgoing and they aren’t trying to sell me something or advance an agenda. The local club rides, in fantastic Colorado, are always fun. I have professional editor skills and very much appreciate the effort and skill with which each edition of STAReview magazine is put together. It is an excellent publication doing a fine job of promoting a social organization that likes to ride motorcycles. And in recent months, I’ve taken on the roll of newsletter editor for the Colorado squadron. What are your hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling? I play the occasional round of golf. I always bring my camera with me whenever I go hiking in the mountains or snow skiing. I am always looking for a reason to get out of the house and do something physical.  Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 23

Safety strategies IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ultimately, the safety of motorcycle riders and their passengers is their own responsibility. Nothing presented in the column supersedes, negates or relieves a motorcyclist and/or passenger from assumption of personal responsibility for their actions and safety.

Summer Heat! Note: This is an expanded version of the FL MSTA article, so you Flatistan riders may have already read some of this…

It’s that time of year again. Becky and I just rode back from the Riding Into History vintage bike gathering in St Augustine. On the way home, the ambient temperature readout on Becky’s new VFR1200FD told her it hit 95 degrees as we rode through the Ocala forest in central Florida. Our trip home was 4 hours in the subtropical heat, which meant not only high temperatures but high humidity as well. Every year starting about this time and for the next 4-5 months, all of us in Flatistan (central and south Florida) and elsewhere face this same challenge… the heat. People say it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Well, that’s because those who chant this mantra don’t ride. The reality is that heat is heat, with or without the humidity. There are lots of ways to combat the heat. Some motorcycle owners just say the heck with it and don’t ride. I discount them as fair weather riders. The real answer is to recognize the heat factor and plan for it. For short rides, pick the right time. If you can ride first thing in the morning, you can usually get in several hours of bearable temperatures from dawn to about 11am or so. The same thing applies for the afternoon and evening hours. After about 4pm, riding becomes fun again. I’ve done a lot of riding out West in the desert, and this philosophy works just as well there. If you want to ride in the middle of the day during our hot season, there are a couple of strategies to help you out. First off, don’t think that riding in a t-shirt and shorts will make you feel


Doug Westly | Safety Editor

cooler. The blazing sun on your skin will only cook you like a Thanksgiving turkey. Ride like that for a while and you’ll have a nice sunburn to remember your ride by. Besides that, you have pledged to wear ATGATT, right? Armored mesh gear may be the way to go. The air flows through it and the gear keeps the sun off. That means armored mesh pants as well. No, you have no magic force field below the waist. As an alternative, a lot of folks have started wearing armored jeans, or Kevlar-lined jeans. This helps with the protection, but unfortunately whenever you start lining the jeans, you also start taking away their ability to transfer air flow. In other words, lined/armored jeans get HOT in warm weather. Think about your riding gear. What about your helmet? You could just wear an open face or half helmet. Of course, that’s trading off protection. Don’t think about losing protection. Instead, consider a good full-face helmet that offers good airflow and venting. Remember: Put on your head whatever its worth… Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. If you wait until you’re thirsty to stop for a drink (of water!), then you’re already dehydrating. Drink early, drink often. If you’re riding longer distance and don’t want to stop, invest in a Camelback(r) or other water supply system that you can draw from on the ride. You’ll find that you drink more often. If you’re not hydrating on the fly, then make it routine to stop every 45 minutes to an hour at most, to continue hydrating. Even if you don’t think you’re thirsty, stop and drink in hot weather. There are lots of commercial cooling vests, rags, etc., on the market. There is even an electric a/c system available for motorcycles. I’ve tested it and it works, but it seems bulky and a little impractical, at least for my riding style. The unit mounts on the rear of your bike, is connected to your bike’s electrical system and actually produces cold air that is pumped into your garments through a ducted vest worn under your (armored!) jacket. It works well for controlling your

core temperature, but doesn’t do anything for your lower extremities. In fact, I find the difference in temperature between your torso and lower body is actually very noticeable, and at least to me distracting. In addition, each time you mount and dismount, you have to attach/ detach the cooling hose. It’s just one more step you have to take. However, to each their own… Want some quick and easy, low-cost A/C while you ride? Take a bottle of cold water and pour it over your shirt, then immediately put your mesh jacket on and ride. The air flowing through the jacket turns that wet shirt into a cooling vest. Even in 95 degree weather in Florida it will keep you cool for at least an hour. The jacket keeps the sun off the shirt and that combined with our humidity prevents the shirt from drying out too quickly. It works well out West as well. We’ve crossed the Mojave Desert when it’s 105+ degrees, through the heat of the day using this method. The undergarments dry out quicker in the low humidity and you have to repeat the process every 45 minutes or so, and you must still continue to hydrate as you ride, but this will keep your core temperature down. Don’t forget sunscreen. Even if you’re covered head to toe in riding gear and helmet, there are still exposed areas to protect. You can usually tell long-distance riders by the “Ricky Raccoon” rings around their eyes, where they’ve worn sunglasses under their helmet. Don’t forget the back of your neck as well. We must recognize when it’s time to just say no, or at least recognize its time to take a break, or take steps to protect ourselves and those who ride with us. Whatever you do, watch for the signs of heat-related illnesses. Don’t overdo it. Take frequent breaks. Finally, watch out for each other as well as yourself. Let’s all take care as we ride during the hot summer months! 

Travel Planning

By Jim Park, Florida It’s that time of year again. The ice and snow have gone away up north, the trees and plants are starting to green and kids are getting out of schools for their summer break. In other words, it’s time to ride! Pre-planning is key to a great road trip. Granted, some of the best rides have been when you were lost, but spending a couple of weeks “lost” will get old real fast and you may miss the good stuff. Knowing in advance where the great roads and sights along the way are located will greatly enhance any road trip, especially if you have limited time. I always carry State Highway maps with me while on the road. However, I use my GPS and related software to plan my rides and to navigate my route. My personal choice for a GPS unit is Garmin and their related BaseCamp software but note that this is an expanding market and there are several choices available to the consumer.

Motorcycle GPS Units: Garmin: http://www.garmin.com/us/support/#/{f0a89a90-030a-11dc-e9ab-000000000000}/Motorcycles/{2f4da1e0-030c-11dc-e9ab000000000000} TomTom: http://www.tomtom.com/en_us/drive/motorcycle/products/ index.html I usually begin my planning by going to the Internet for nearly all of my information. I start with State Department of Tourism sites. Most States provide a wealth of information at no charge in either a digital format or better yet, maps and brochures can be mailed directly to you. Note that it may take up to six weeks to receive this information in the mail from some States, so order early!

State Department of Tourism sites: http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-tourism.cfm http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel-Tourism/State-Tourism.shtml The next step in the planning stage is the nitty-gritty stuff; the twisty roads, the State and National Parks or even the unusual or weird stuff along the way. I have accumulated several sites that work as a planning tool to aid and enhance your trip. Let’s start with roads. Most of us know about the Blue Ridge Parkway, Natchez Trace or the Skyline Drive but there’s a lot more, less traveled highways out there. A good source for those off the beaten path roads are rider’s forums. Sites like our own http://ridemsta.com/mstaforums.com will have members that have a wealth of information on local back roads. More often than not, they will email you their favorite routes in a GPS file format so you can simply incorporate the route into your trip. Also, if you subscribe to RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine (www.roadrunner.travel. com) you can download the GPS & printed routes of their monthly articles.

Here are but a few sites to consider when you are doing your route research: Blue Ridge Parkway: http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ (there are lots more sites) Natchez Trace: http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm Cherohalla Skyway: http://cherohala.org/motorcycles.html Skyline Drive: http://visitskylinedrive.org/Home.aspx Lincoln Highway: http://www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org/ DOT Scenic Byways: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/ Motorcycle Roads US: http://www.motorcycleroads.us/ Mohawk Trail: http://www.mohawktrail.com/driving-tours.html Cabot Trail: http://cabottrail.com/ Alaska Highway*: http://www.milepost.com/highway_info/alaska_ highway http://www.bellsalaska.com/myalaska/alaska_highway.html *Get a copy of “The Milepost” at your local bookstore for this trip! Although our National and State Parks are getting loved to death and often over crowded, it is still worth the time to make them a part of your trip. These are a few of the sites that I reference for maps, food and accommodations within the parks: America’s State Parks: http://www.stateparks.com/usa.html State/National Park Directory: http://www.touristinformationdirectory.com/ parks/state_park.htm National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm Finding sights along the way or even making that side trip will add to any road trip. I often refer to these sites for a diversion to my travels: Waterfalls: http://www.allstays.com/Special/waterfalls-map.htm Lighthouses: http://www.lighthousefriends.com/maps.html Ferry Crossings: http://www.howderfamily.com/travel/united_states_ ferry_map.html Covered Bridges: http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/covered-bridges Points of Interest (note there is a small fee for bulk downloads): http:// poidirectory.com/poifiles/united_states/ Then there’s the part of your trip where you see the unusual or even weird stuff. Usually you just stumble upon things like the “world’s largest ball of twine” but there are actually books and websites that will give you the details on these sights. So if you are into the weird, here you go: Roadside America: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/ Back on Tack: http://gethep.net/road/ I sometimes pick up a travel book that tweaks my interest. I tend to stay away from those books that tackle the “best roads” for the entire country as they tend to leave out details and side trips that the regional travel books include. Here is a recommended list of just a few: n The Milepost - an Alaska Travel Planner – Published annually n Motorcycle Journeys Through New England *– by Martin C. Berke n Motorcycle Journeys Through Atlantic Canada* – by Rannie Gillis & Ken Aiken n Motorcycle Journeys Through Appalachians* – by Dale Coyner * There are a series of these “Motorcycle Journeys Through…” books. I have found them to be well written and informative. n The Ride Guide, America’s Best Motorcycle Guide (Appalachian edition) – by I. Michael & Barbara Ring n Roadfood – by Jane & Michael Stern’s There is virtually an infinite amount of information available today for planning that perfect road trip. There are books and Internet sites that not only list such things as lighthouses, caves or wineries but also provide detailed directions and/or GPS coordinates. Bottom line is to do your homework before you travel and make the most out of your trip. Ride safe!  Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 25

When you need help, call the MSTA By Vincent Ursini, Michigan I’m writing about my recent experience at the MR2 East Michigan event down in Waynesville, NC. Keith Danielson, a fellow MSTA member, and I trailered down our bikes for part of the weeks activities. Leaving on Mother’s day was a nonstarter for either of us so we joined the group in the middle of the week. The first day out, we went for the ultimate Route 4 journey hitting Deal’s gap (twice), Cherohala Skyway and part of the Blue Ridge parkway. It was a glorious day without a lot of traffic and we had the run of the roads for the most part. After 310 miles it was time to call it good for the day having hit the (3) majors I wanted to accomplish on this ride. The following day, we both joined another group (5 of us this time) on another route. The day started out a little gloomy and the first hour was filled with some gravel strewn roads. But then things brightened up and the road conditions improved and things were moving along at a fun (not super fast) clip. And that was when it happened. A lapse in concentration and apexing a lefty corner too soon, resulted in the wide way around a sharp, downhill, off camber turn. There simply was not enough pavement to recover from this mistake and down I went bouncing off the Armco railing. It all happened so quickly, the noise of motorcycle parts scrapping along the road surface, my left arm getting pinned under my body and the thud of coming to a quiet stop. You can take 999 turns the previous day and into the morning just fine, but the one corner you screw up will hurt you. It’s not a numbers game, you’ve got to get it right 100% of the time. I immediately got up and looked around while holding my shoulder. The bike was in a bad location and I was hoping no one was following my crash too closely (car or bike) before I could get the bike out of the way and clean up the road surface a bit. Several concerned passer by’s asked whether I was ok. But one local in a pickup stopped, got out of his car and helped me right the bike. After telling him I was ok, he went on his way. That’s when I noticed the shift linkage was broken off. “Now what?” I said to myself not sure if I could get on the bike and ride it anyway. So I waited, I was sure the rider just ahead of me would notice me missing and circle back, which she did. “You OK?” said Jacqueline. “Yup, my shoulder is sore but I’ll be all right. Not sure how we’re getting this beast back though, shifter is broke.” “Don’t worry” she said, “we’ll work it out, we (the MSTA) always do. We watch out for each other.” That was comforting for sure, but I felt bad for having altered all (4) other rider’s day and riding plans. Shortly thereafter, Keith who was next in line ahead of Jacqueline, showed up and was able to get the bike into neutral by pulling on the broken linkage. The bike started which was a relief, no issue there. Once we jammed the bike into 1st, Keith rode it off the curb and down the hill to sort out whether the bike was still rideable. Later he admitted to me that ‘key fob out of range’ light showed up on the dash. For those of you who don’t own a Connie 14, it doesn’t have a key and relies on the key fob for getting the bike started. That would have been 26 | www.RideMSTA.com

yet another embarrassment as I had the key fob in my pocket. Well, we answered a question I always had, but never tried out. Even though out of range the bike didn’t shut off down the hill. It was good to see Keith motoring back up the hill and then watch him park the bike in a safe spot well off the curb. We sat there looking at the bike and especially the broken linkage. “Let’s just jam it in second and I’ll ride it slowly back to the hotel”, I said and Keith replied “I’ve got a better idea.” And that’s when he came back with his vise grips locking pliers which he attached to the shift throw lever. “That is never going to work” I said, “or stay on for that matter.” Keith just nodded, smiled and said “just try it. These vise grips have saved many a ride.”

Jacqueline mentioned that she was cutting off her day to escort me back to the hotel. And even though I tried to talk her out of it and continue on with her own ride, she wouldn’t hear of it. “Nope, I’m not leaving your side till we get to the hotel.” It was nice to have someone who barely knew me so concerned about my welfare. Once I was on the bike and got adjusted to the location of the vise grip shifter, I found that not only could I hit 2nd and 3rd gear, but when I needed to, 4th and 5th as well. So I shook off some cobwebs and started back up the road and as I did, the remaining two in our group came by us and re-formed. A quick stop for gas and some lunch and we departed for the hotel and let the others get on with their newly adjusted route. Gregg, the leader, made mention that whenever they modified a route in the past, he ended up getting a speeding ticket. “It was like clockwork.” So I had that to think of on the ride back to the hotel. Once back I thanked Jackie for the support, got my gear off and went downtown to find the 24 hour emergency care facility. The pain of taking the jacket off made me think it was worth a look see. Once finding the place, I was having second thoughts of going in until I noticed there was no one else in the waiting lobby. “How long could this take?” I said to myself and as it turned out, I got in and out within the hour. I told the nurse practitioner “I fell awkwardly on my shoulder.” Hey it wasn’t a lie. She looked at me skeptically,

but checked me out anyway and after looking at some X-rays gave me a pretty good prognosis that things looked normal. A prescription for some super strength ibuprofen (which I can’t seem to get enough of these days) was all I left with. At the end of the day, everyone in the MSTA group came up to me to ask me how I was doing. All were very sympathetic and all trying to find a way to help out. The local motorcycle dealership didn’t have the shift linkage part but quickly noted the Grand Rapids, Michigan dealership had it. Not helpful. It was Keith that came up with the suggestion to run up to Wheelers in Robbinsville the next morning. “He helped out with a set of pegs last time I crashed, maybe he’s got a shift lever for your bike?” And the next morning, we got up to take a look at the weather forecast. I hadn’t slept much and my shoulder had swollen up. But the morning looked awesome and I just had to give it the college try. The hard part was putting on my jacket. Once suited up though, the shoulder felt just fine on the bike (go figure). We motored out to Wheelers on a Saturday morning but when we got there they appeared to be closed. Just as we were thinking of riding away, the door swung open and the old man himself popped out. “What can I do for you boys” he said. A finger point to the shift linkage was all it took. He went into his shop and a couple minutes later came back with the factory part and installed it himself. “No charge for the labor” he said. Even though I was getting used to the vise grips, that new shift lever was a welcome sight. “Ok buddy, where do you want to go today?” Keith and I went about planning a route down to Franklin and by the water falls, basically the back half of the route they started on the day before prior to the crash. It was a gorgeous day and Keith set a great 7/10th’s pace to help restore my confidence in riding the big

Connie. After 220 miles or so we packed up the bikes for the ride home the next day. Later that evening, we finished up the week with a satisfying beer and pizza with some other MSTA friends and shared some stories of the day’s rides. Needless to say the week was salvaged and in such a good way. The ride home was uneventful and mercifully quick. After riding through 4 rain drenching hours of roadway, we were happy with the decision to trailer the bikes this time round. When close, a call to my son to give us a hand unloading the bike met with a “I’m busy, but you know what, I do want to see what damage you did to the bike so, Yeah I’ll meet you at your house to unload.” “Great, the word was out”, I told Keith. As we got to the house, we were greeted by my wife, Andrea and my son Joe. Upon seeing me, my wife immediately asked “what did you do to my baby?”(referring to the bike of course). I looked at Keith and he looked at me and immediately realized why he’s not married. (Just a joke, honey, honest...she really does care about me) We pulled the bike out and I got the “look of love” when she saw the scratched up left side. But no time to chit chat as I proceeded back to Keith’s place to help him unload his bike. When I later got back to my house, the wife was gone to a church function, but the lawn mower was sitting in the middle of the back yard. “Hmmm” having been married for 35 years, I may not be able to hustle a Connie through the Smokey Mountains, but I knew what that sign meant. So I took ibuprofen, wrapped up my shoulder and got to work cutting the grass. As I did so, I recalled having crashed 10 years ago, and then again 10 years before that. So, I’ll plan on doing so again 10 years from now and try to pick out a softer place to land. The overall experience of the MR2 ride was one I’ll remember for a very long time. Great destination, great roads, great routes and great people. The Michigan squadron of the MSTA is like an extended family and I cherish the opportunity to do more rides with this fun and caring group. Special thanks goes out to my buddy Keith and Jacqueline for helping out in the clutch. And always remember to carry a pair of vice grips in your bike bag! 


Staunton Spring Romp 2015 By Norm Kern Whenever Galen Diehl puts an event together, attendees can count on several things. There will be decent lodging with a group rate, good dining out experiences, a number of good routes to choose from, and dual-sport riding opportunities. There will also be simplicity, as Galen has come to prefer just-for-fun events rather than full rallies. Galen has been involved in most of the eastern region STAR events for years, including Asheville, North Carolina and Johnson City, Tennessee. In 2009, he hosted STAR in Staunton, Virginia. He fell in love with the town and the STAR host hotel, the stately Stonewall Jackson. Another year, he used the Staunton location for his Fools Run, a justfor-fun annual dual-sporting weekend around April first. Since the weather can be dicey that far North in early April, Galen has moved the Fools Run further south.

Historic Downtown Staunton

This year, Galen thought it would be fun to try a new event at Staunton, but do it later in the spring when the weather would be better. He chose the weekend of April 30- May 3 for this new just-for-fun event, calling it the Staunton Spring Romp.

Stonewall Jackson Hotel


He contacted the Stonewall Jackson Hotel, secured a group rate, pulled together some of his dual-sport routes, plus some STAR 09 routes, with help from Doug Pippin. He posted info on the MSTA website and Facebook page. He provided the hotel registration info and details of the activities, and asked people who were coming to let him know so he would have an idea of how many. I arrived on Thursday afternoon, along with the other early birds. My roommate was Mickey Tyler, who was riding dual-sport for the weekend. Mickey is a great friend and fun to ride with, but on this weekend I chose to bring my FJR and do road routes. About a dozen of us gathered and walked a few blocks downtown to an excellent Mexican restaurant for dinner. First thing Friday morning we met in the elegant dining room for the hotel breakfast buffet. They had just about anything you wanted to eat, all made with premium ingredients. Nice chairs, tablecloths, cloth napkins, real dishes and metal tableware were a welcome change from the ‘continental breakfast’ junk served at most hotels these days. Early Friday morning there was rain, but it was light and quit by about 10am. There was a contingent of about fifteen dual-sport riders, but only two other road riders for Friday’s rides. Mike Harper and Andray Hubble from Alabama wanted to go to Cass, West Virginia, and ride the railroad, which I had done many times, so I just took a route by myself for a change. Roads dried out pretty quickly and I had a good day. Friday night, we all went to dinner at nearby Mill Street Grill, which has an extensive menu of great food. Quite a few more road riders arrived Friday night as well, so we wound up with twenty-eight people in total for the weekend. After the breakfast buffet, Mike Harper, Andray Hubble and I set out on a fun route that took us up into West Virginia past Seneca Rocks. Weather on Saturday was cool and partly sunny, perfect for tackling the mountain roads with their elevation changes and switchbacks.

Taking a break at Seneca Rocks, West Virginia. Mike Harper, Andray Hubble

Saturday evening’s group dinner was held at the Depot Grille, a converted train station. After a final trip through the breakfast buffet Sunday morning, it was time to say our goodbyes and head home. With such a good turnout for a first-time event, the Staunton Spring Romp was an unqualified success. In fact, Galen already has the 2016 Staunton Spring Romp-Dual Sport and Street Ride set up and ready to go. Here is the link to the MSTA forum page that has all the information: http://ridemsta.com/mstaforums/just-for-fun-events/2016staunton-spring-romp-dual-sport-and-street-ride/ 

The Depot Grille restaurant

Let’s Get Dirty By Jim Randall Photos by Galen Diehl Staunton, VA is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley right on the edge of the George Washington National Forest in northern Virginia. With mountains on both sides and the Blue Ridge Parkway just minutes away it’s a GREAT location for any kind of motorcycling but particularly so for dual-sporting. The terrain is mountainous and provides lots of altitude change, varied surface conditions, scenic overlooks and many miles of unpaved forest road. Back in 2009 STAR organizers (Galen Diehl and others) laid out a number of dual-sport routes for the national event so much of the work of organizing a Just-for-Fun weekend was already done. Plus the Stonewall Jackson Hotel is just great and they know us so they were very receptive to another group event there. Nancy and I were thrilled to visit Staunton again for both some fun time with friends and to ride the area. She’s not an off-road rider so she and some of the other spouses cooked up entertaining daytime activities while we guys were out getting dirty. Seventeen dual-sporters plus ten or so sport-touring riders and 4 non-riding spouses were there for at least part of the 3-day weekend event. Our dual-sport group included riders from Virginia, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee – quite a disparate crew ranging in age from 30-something to 70something on a wide variety of machines from 250 to 950cc

It’s Easy To Track The Fast Guys

Downhill Gravel Hairpin Keeps Things Interesting

displacement. That said, all the DS riders were experienced and most of the time we moved along at a brisk pace. We broke into two distinct groups with the very fast riders in one and not-so-fast riders in the other. This worked well and since there wasn’t a large group trying to stay together there wasn’t much waiting required of faster riders at turns and rest stops. Although some people arrived Thursday afternoon Nancy and I didn’t get into Staunton until about 10 pm. The Stonewall Jackson is such a beautiful old school hotel. We always enjoy it. There were some MSTA friends milling about the lobby/bar area so after a bit of social time we turned in. During the night we had intermittent heavy downpours but no worries, our car, trailer and my bike were safe under the roof of the Stonewall Jackson’s parking garage. Friday morning we awakened to a steady rain. To borrow a line from the Ghostbuster’s theme, we (dual-sporters) ain’t afraid of no rain so we targeted a 10 am departure regardless. Then, much to our delight, the rain miraculously stopped about 9:30. The streets were still wet when we pulled out of the covered parking garage but no one was complaining since the rain was no longer falling. After all that rain during the night we knew there would be plenty of mud so we selected the less technical but long DS Route1 for the day. Even so, there were some muddy sections that could sneak up on you. One of the faster group riding a new-to-him bike still shod with 80/20 dual purpose tires performed an extended bike ballet at 50+ mph on a particularly slimy section. He went more dirty on 30 ➲ Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 29

➲ dirty from 29 down pretty hard in a muddy ditch but continued to ride the rest of the day. We later learned he had collapsed a lung during or after the fall. Yep, we dual-sport riders are tough! Fortunately he is fine and there were no lasting injuries. However, it was definitely a day for more aggressive tires. We rode around 200 miles on Friday at least half of which were unpaved. There was nothing terribly difficult although some long forest road sections had been recently re-graveled and were covered with mounds of walnut-sized rock. Yeah, that made things kind of squirrely but not too unusual. One of the things I like most about dual sport riding is that the conditions are constantly changing. The trails and forest service roads are seldom the same on subsequent rides making things always interesting. This is a very rural area so there were few lunch facilities and everyone was forewarned to bring a trail lunch. It’s always interesting to see what folks bring along for a trail lunch. Today’s fare included sardines, canned clams, energy bars, peanuts, cashews, beef , bacon jerky, Snickers and M&Ms – haute cuisine to be sure. The day provided some really excellent riding dipping into West Virginia in a couple of places. Even the return route late afternoon on pavement was excellent. Friday evening we filled up two large tables at the Mill Street Grill where we enjoyed great food and drink. While we were there a really strong storm blew through. Glad we missed that!

Reddish Knob

thankfully and when we got back to the Stonewall Jackson some of the crowd loaded up and headed for home. A small group (including spouses) stayed over Saturday night and we all enjoyed a splendid dinner at the Byers Street Bistro (Cajun style shrimp and grits for me – yum!). Sunday morning was another beautiful day and a small group of us made a fun, easy run up to Reddish Knob - about 75 miles and we were back around noon. After two full days of riding the Sunday half day was the perfect way to end our weekend. Staunton is such a cool little town with lots of walk-to downtown shops and several excellent restaurants. The nonriding ladies had a great time during the day and we riders got to enjoy both the excellent riding and the great food. The Staunton Spring Romp of 2015 was a resounding success in our book. Much thanks to Galen Diehl for pulling this together and BTW, Galen has already locked in the Staunton Spring Romp dates at the Stonewall Jackson for next year. The Just-for-Fun event will be April 28 (Thursday) to May 1 (Sunday), 2016. Whether you ride on pavement or off, you really should plan on being there.

Gourmet Fare in the Woods

Saturday we took a more technical route (DS Route 4) that included a couple of new sections most of us had not ridden. There was a memorable long uphill with LOTS of rocks and water bars on the approach to Ramsey Gap. Then later in the day the muddy and rocky section around Reddish Knob made things interesting with some sections still having running water from the day before. Saturday was around 190 miles with over half being unpaved. We had a great extended high altitude view of the “Home of the Mountain Navy”, i.e., the Navy Information Operations Command at Sugar Grove, WV. This is a high security military base and is the only active duty military installation in the state of West Virginia. One of our riding crew had been on-base there sometime in the past and commented that you wouldn’t want to accidentally wander onto that facility! Interesting place though with all the parabolic dishes and radio domes in the middle of nowhere. No mishaps on Saturday 30 | www.RideMSTA.com

The Pavement’s Not Bad Either

Galen has shared lots more pictures from his helmet camera here: http://pygrydr.smugmug.com/2015/Staunton-SpringRomp/n-GGZvj7/ 

State director profile


This column is to honor the State Directors whose drive and personality improves the quality of life of their state MSTA members.

Meet Kansas State Director Roger Smith… Nicky: What prompted you to join the MSTA and how long have you been a member? Smith: I joined in 1995, back when we were the “Honda Sport Touring Association.” I attended my first HSTA event (T-something or other) at Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Arkansas after seeing an article in Rider magazine. HSTA was then, and MSTA is now, a group of people who ride well, ride for the sake of riding (rather than being seen,) and were welcoming to newcomers. I honestly can’t recall anyone in the MSTA whom I disliked. (OK, I haven’t met everyone...) Nicky: Tell me about your first bike? What motorcycle do you ride to events now? Smith: My first bike was a 1973 Honda CL350, purchased new in late ‘74 or early ‘75. I rode it from Wichita to Padre Island in 1976; it was the biggest bike I’d ever ridden, and I just didn’t know any better. I’ve since owned a Kawasaki KZ650, a Suzuki GS850G, a Honda ST1100, and a ST1300. I also had a Suzuki DRZ400S for a while, and still own a Kawasaki KLR650 and a Harley-Davidson XR1200X. The ST1300 is my primary (and touring) bike, the KLR sees some local riding, and the XR1200X allows for some shameless grins on day rides. I’ve recently finished restoration of a 1973 Honda CL350, exactly like my first bike. Nicky: How long were a member before you became a State Director and what prompted you to volunteer for the position? Smith: I believe that I’d been in HSTA/MSTA about fifteen years when Will England told me he was retiring, and that it was my turn to be State Director. It’s not a lot of work; our state activities are modest in comparison to those with larger memberships. Nicky: What were your goals for your state once you became a State Director? Smith: We don’t have many members in Kansas, but they’re all real riders. Kansas isn’t very populous, and we’re not known for curvy roads. It was my intent to schedule some ride-to-eat events, encourage members to attend STAR and some of the regional rallies. The group in Wichita has started to attend some events together. Several of us went to the Texas Hill Country rally last fall, and some of us are heading to T-27 in Arkansas this year. We usually ride to STAR together, and I expect a fair number of Kansas members in Springdale this year. We’ve also attended other events together, such as MotoGP in Austin and Indianapolis. A number of the Kansas members frequent my garage, where we have facilities to do tire changes and most basic maintenance.

Nicky: What does it take to be a State Director in respect to time and effort? Smith: The time and effort in my case is fairly modest, and coincides with riding activities I’d want to do anyway. I feel that the heavy lifting is done at the national level, and I’m grateful for those who serve on the Executive Committee and as national officers. Nicky: What do you find to be the best way the members can help the State Director? Smith: Attending events strengthens the club. In the states with a greater number of members, the state directors can always use assistance with informal get-togethers and organized events. Nicky: What is one of your best memories as a State Director? Smith: There’s no one specific event. I simply going for a ride, whether it’s near home or at one of the MSTA events a few hundred miles away. Nicky: What one recommendation can you make to MSTA members who are thinking of become a State Director, Assistant Director or CoDirector? Smith: First, realize that you can do it. Assess the time you have available, the needs of your particular group, and involve others when you can’t stretch yourself far enough. From all of us at STAReview and MSTA we thank Roger and his fellow Kansas MSTA members for all their efforts at making Kansas a great place to ride. 



Quick Look Road Test:

Harley-Davidson LiveWire Prototype By Nick Zarras, Managing Editor Electric power for two and three wheels has been around for a long time. The first was for bicycles, then it progressed to motorcycles. Original ones were home grown varieties using lead acid battery technology. With current technology the electric motorcycle has become a mainstream entity. Most are with companies that specialize only in electric bikes, but others are entering the market. For companies that specialize in internal combustion engine motorcycles the development, production, marketing and distribution cost of an electric motorcycle must be first researched to see if a market is there for sales to recoup initial and ongoing cost. For companies that have created a market image with their motorcycle product, that research is omni-important to insure survival of the pending product line and parent company. Harley-Davidson (H-D) has been in existence for 112 years. It is iconic in not only a line of 36 models but also a custom production line of classic V-twin cruiser motorcycles. Their marketing has been a classic success of building a

loyal customer base on a lifestyle that includes their high quality, uniquely and frequently copied, American classic motorcycles. For H-D to enter the electric motorcycle arena is a big risk. For the H-D customer, they look at the purchase of a motorcycle with H-D on the gas tank as a status symbol. Their purchase allows them membership in HOG or HarleyDavidson Owners Group and its lifestyle. For any company to grow they need

to draw in a new customer base. To do that H-D has created a prototype motorcycle called Project LiveWire (PLV). It is a classically designed electric bike with a few twists. This project not only provides wide exposure to the electric bike reaction for the classic owners of H-D products but to a new base of riders not normally attracted to the H-D brand. The PLV provides H-D feedback to the more quick look on 34 ➲


➲ quick look from 33 feasibility of producing this product. It also gives the H-D company international publicity and upgrades their image from traditional to one that embraces progressive design and engineering concepts. The first media release was in June 2014. Harley-Davidson CEO Keith Wandell stated he wanted to attract a customer base outside of the current H-D customer base that are drawn to this type of product, especially targeting the 18-35 year old demographics. That is why they created the Project LiveWire. In late April, Larry Lloyd and Jeremie Elliot informed me that the Project LiveWire demo truck would be at the Las Vegas Harley-Davidson dealership (5191 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89119, (888)-218-0744). Larry Lloyd is the Riding Academy Manager at Henderson Harley-Davidson (1010 West Warm Springs Rd, Henderson, NV, USA 89014-7839 (702) 456-1666). Jeremie Elliot is a Riding Academy Coach there. I tested their H-D CVO Limited (Custom Vehicles Operation) when their demo truck was there. A very nice ride.


On May 1st, 2015 I had a slot to test the new prototype PLV. The overall demo ride production was very well done. The main display area had a static display PLV so you could look at the

overall design and take photos. The PLV weighs in at only 460 pounds but is designed with a strong muscular image in keeping with the H-D emotional feel. The bike has 18 inch front and 17 inch rear wheels. The frame is a cast aluminum trellis. The transmission uses a direct drive one speed via bevel gear to a belt drive to the rear wheel. The electric motor is a 74hp, 52 ft-lb torque, oil-cooled, longitudinally mounted three phase induction motor. The front and rear brakes are single rotors. There is a single led headlight. Two prominent rear view mirrors are below the handle grips and house the turn signals. After looking at the static display, I went to the active PLV which was on a roller stand. The instructor went through the controls and then I started the PLV and ran it up to speed to get a feel for the throttle control. Upon start the setup system status menu comes up in the LCD command display showing the voltage, temperature, ECU temp, percentage of charge and time to full charge. On that same screen at the bottom the riders selects either Range or Power mode. The display then transitions to the main screen which display a large MPH, and mileage numerals, plus temperature, range and percentage power remaining bar graph. The controls are simple. The left handlebar has

the lights, trip, horn and left turn signal switch. The right has the off-run, start, four way flasher, and right turn signal switch. Braking controls are standard. The next step was a production video which introduced the PLV and safety items for the ride. After that an instructor gave a safety briefing and we suited up for our inner city ride. The ride was about 30 minutes on the Las Vegas Blvd then down surface streets, then returning on a highway access road to the H-D dealership. We did not get a chance to take it out on the highway. Since each production motorcycle costs about $180,000 in development and production cost, I can understand the conservative route. So how is it to ride? The PLV is a very well designed prototype. The ergonomics and seating comfort is very good. I went out with Larry Lloyd on the ride. Larry set his engine mode to Power, so I set mine to Range. Jeremie rode during a different time slot. Sitting on the PLV feels larger than it is, but on the road its 460 pound frame feels light. As in any new ride on a motorcycle there is a “get to know you” time frame. On the PLV it was learning the throttle control. An electric motorcycle’s motor does two jobs. One is propulsion and the other is power regeneration. Power regeneration is using the engine braking to put electricity back into the batteries.

In a normal combustion engine that is wasted energy. The H-D regeneration mode feels more aggressive than other electric bikes I have tested. My supposition is that the strong regenerative braking action removes the need for the second front brake disk, and to get more range from the stock 7.4 kWh battery. Once I was familiar with the throttle on vs. regeneration mode it was easy

to modulate power and regenerative braking. The regenerative braking was strong enough that I did not need to use the standard brakes during the ride. I was happy with the ride comfort, ergonomics and handling. The bike is easy to control, and without any shifting to do, the on the road tasking is reduced. I did not get to try any full power accelerations but when I had a short run, the power was strong. H-D says 0-60 mph is under 4 seconds which is plenty fast. Range for electric bikes is always an issue. For this platform the general consensus is about 60 miles or less. With added battery technological advances that should increase. For the average city rider that should be plenty of range. For the Nevada rider that likes to get out of the city that would not be enough. So overall the experience was excellent. I very much liked the overall styling, engineering design, and emotional feel of the PLV. I had only one complaint, the rear view mirrors. They are below the handle grips and unusable. A pair of bar end mirrors would fix that problem. Other than that this is a very well designed prototype that I feel is production ready with just the rear view mirror fix. If they can redesign it to allow a 9.4, 12.5, or 15.3 KWh battery upgrade that would greatly improve the utility of this already excellent platform. There is no MSRP set for the Project LiveWire model, as it is still in prototype stage. I would guess it would be in the 15,000 -17,000 dollar range if produced. By then new battery technology would obviously be included in the production model. Larry Lloyd, Jeremie Elliot and I had lunch later and compared notes. All of us had the same comments. This is a highly styled, well-engineered, and production ready prototype that would bring in a whole new class of riders to the H-D dealerships. During the nationwide USA tour the traditional HOG rider, while impressed with the engineering, did not like the silence. They wanted the noise of the H-D engine for safety reasons. For the customer who is attracted to this product, that would not be an issue. For me I liked the smoothness and quieter platform. I would recommend production with the upgrade I mentioned. Ride Safe my friend... Clear skies, clear roads.... Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 35

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