July 2015

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Jun 22, 2015 ... stout, resplendent in its yellow Scrambler livery—all ... Sacramento Miles on GNC2 Honda singles ..... (Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe, 440 F.
July 2015

Triumph Shows Its Claws 2015 Tiger XCx PLUS:

- We Ride The Sheetiron - All Hail the Quail

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News, Clues & Rumors Volume XXXII, Issue 7 Publication Date: June 22, 2015

Dominick’s RTWD photo. Riding? Definitely. Working? Maybe.

On The Cover: Max tiptoeing (or riding) through the tulips (or at least flowers) on the Tiger XCx. Photo: Bob Stokstad Contents: NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Quail-ity Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Le Tigre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sheet Sammich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Devine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Doc Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Maynard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Slappin’ The Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 CityBike Housecleaning Tips . . . . . . . . 33

Find us online at: CityBike.com

go to kickstarter.com/ projects/1166346450/ fifty-rides and give him some money.

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CityBike Staff: PO Box 18738 Oakland CA 94619 Phone: 415.282.2790 Editorial: [email protected] Advertising / Business: [email protected] Editor in Chief & Jackass of All Trades: Surj Gish Master of Puppets & Layout: Angelica Rubalcaba Senior Editor: Robert Stokstad Contributing Editors: John Joss, Will Guyan, Courtney Olive Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk: Dr. Gregory Frazier Staff Photographers: Robert Stokstad, Angelica Rubalcaba Illustrations: Mr. Jensen Operations: Gwynne Fitzsimmons Road Scholars: J. Brandon, Sam Devine, Jeff Ebner, An DeYoung, Max Klein Contributors: Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, Blaise Descollonges, Dirck Edge, Julian Farnam, Alonzo Fumar, Will Guyan, Brian Halton, David Hough, Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder, Otto Hofmann, Jon Jensen, Bill Klein, David Lander, Lucien Lewis, Larry Orlick, Jason Potts, Bob Pushwa,
 Gary Rather, Curt Relick, Charlie Rauseo,
 Mike Solis, Ivan Thelin, James Thurber. 
 Alumni (RIP): John D’India, Joe Glydon, Gary Jaehne, Adam Wade Back Issues: $5, limited availability Archived Articles: We can find stories and send you scanned images for $5/page. No, we will not mail you our last copy for free just because your buddy Dave was on the cover. Please know the name of the story and the year of publication...at least! If you say something like, “it was about this cool bike I used to see at Alice’s and I think it was in CityBike in 1988... or maybe 1994” we will buy a cheap latex adult novelty and mail it to your grandkids. For back issue and archive requests, please mail check made out to CityBike magazine to PO Box 18738, Oakland, CA 94619 or send money and request to [email protected]. CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month. Editorial deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always welcome. Please include a full name, address and phone number with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use them to wipe our large, fragrant bottoms. ©2015, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed at over 200 places throughout California each month. Taking more than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike Magazine, Inc, especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah! CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has teams of sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend it from frivolous lawsuits, so even if you see Lucien Lewis doing one of his wheelies on the cover and decide you want to do that too and then you hit a parked car and your bike is wedged under a van and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come and extinguish the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted into slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie, sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.

Yes, it’s ironic that we’re pushing Sam’s Kickstarter campaign, since we kinda make fun of that sort of thing Photo: Bungee Brent on the regular. It’s not there’s nothing cool Pic of the Month: Umbrella Girls on Kickstarter, it’sthat just that in order for a Can Ride Too! project to be cool, it pretty much has to Look, we think the whole umbrella girl involve someone from CityBike, and there / calendar girl / trophy girl thing is a just aren’t that many of those. Projects, or dumb, sad, stupid nod to the meathead, people from CityBike. macho, moronic side of motorsports. And Anyway, Sam’s Fifty Rides campaign will we wonder why there aren’t more female end on June 28th, a scant 7 days after this riders, when so many examples of women in motorcycling are essentially accessories here litter box liner printed. So make haste! to men. But if you’re too late, there’s always the original Fifty Rides blog, at fiftyrides. But it turns out we were wrong about the wordpress.com. umbrella girls. They’re riders too, and here’s proof.

Fifty Rides With Sam Devine CityBike columnist and all-around SF moto-man Sam Devine did this blog thing, see, where he did fifty rides in fifty weeks, and wrote about all of them. Why he chose fifty, instead of fiftytwo, which would have made a nice round year, we can’t say. Two weeks paid vacation, maybe? Anyway, we’d put them all in CityBike, but as you probably know, we’re kind of lame about page count, in that we don’t have a lot of them, so we don’t have room. Sorry, Sam! Not to worry, though. If you don’t like the internet—and who does, right?—you can help our man Sam publish a book of these fifty rides—just July 2015 | 3 | CityBike.com

Photo Contest Winner We here at CityBike are what you call true believers in the idea of using motorcycles for both fun and utility transportation. Which means if you ride a sporty motorcycle to the grocery store, it’s basically a sportutility vehicle. Huh? Anyway, we sweetened the Ride To Work Day thing just a bit by giving away a $100 Aerostich gift card, to a lucky winner chosen from folks who submitted a photo to the Ride To Work Day photo contest on our Facebook page. That lucky rider is Dominick Favuzzi, who posted a photo of his black and yellow Moto Guzzi California 1100 with the caption, “I sell wine & scheduled a visit to Gualala to see the wine buyer at Surf Market. Came up from home in Santa Rosa via Hwy 1. Will return via Skaggs Springs Rd. Moto-Vino!” Yeah, that’s technically working, but it’s also a way better ride than most of us had on Ride To Work Day. Cheers, Dominick—your Aerostich gift card is on its way! Check out the photos from the contest, and who knows, maybe enter another one at facebook.com/ citybikemag.

No Pictures, Please From the “Oh hell no!” department: Mayor Ed Lee is looking into bringing speed cameras to San Francisco. Yeah, we understand that speed limits are there for the safety of, uh, somebody… probably… but there’s another side to this story.

Snapchat. Oh, and driving. Sort of. To your right is a tourist looking for the Castro. When the tourist’s GPS tells him to turn left, that mofo swings over into your lane—if you hit the brakes you get an e-car enema; if you stay the course you get punted into oncoming traffic. The best, safest option to escape this shitty situation is to twist the throttle and break the speed limit. Wheelie for safety! *POOF* The flash fires and—just like that—you get a ticket in the mail because you opted to not die. If there was an officer there with

a radar gun (and a soul) you could at least argue your case. Robotic Radar Overloards have been deployed in other states and while serious injury accidents have dropped drastically in some places, there are many cases where accidents have increased in areas near the revenue generation

be spent on this misguided program would be better spent on the 2-up distracted driver enforcement moto officers we proposed a couple months ago (“Nuts To Butts In The Name Of Safer Roads” – NCR, February 2015). - Max Klein

Zero Drops Prices Remember how last month we predicted that Zero (“Why Sell Motorcycles When The CEC Will Just Give You Money?” – News, Clues and Rumors, Jun 2015) would use the million dollar+ grant from the California Energy Commission to bring the prices of Zero motorcycles below $10 grand? Well, we were partially right, which is better than usual.

machines. Zero is dropping prices for 2015, but only How is that by $1,350. Which does bring the price of possible? the FX under $10k, but actually, it was already there. So an SR, with the big-dad Most of the cameras battery pack will still run about $16k plus are set up to only taxes and all that jazz. Bummer. trigger when a vehicle is at least 10 MPH over the limit Find out more at (Maryland gives you 12 over). zeromotorcycles.com. That means that if the cameras are deployed in school zones with a 25 MPH speed limit, vehicles can fly by at almost 40 before the distracting flash goes off, blinding the driver.

Dear Deer, Stay Off The Goddamn Road. Love, CityBike It’s used to be that we’d say “It’s that time of year, watch for deer!” But now, “that time of year” is basically any time of year that includes a weekday, or especially a weekend. These damn suicidal princes of the forest seem to be all over the place, all the time, hell bent on becoming hood ornaments. We all know someone who’s hit a deer, and we’ve probably all had close calls. Unless you only ride your Bike in the City, of course. Just a few weeks ago, a rider was killed by a deer, up north, between Colfax and Grass Valley. Arthur W. Brogan was riding at between 25 and 35 MPH when deer jumped out in front of him. He hit the deer and crashed. He was airlifted with critical

Arizona had so many problems and complaints that they are pushing to make speed cameras illegal, and many cities there have already stopped using them. We think the millions of dollars in purchase and maintenance costs likely to

Illustration by Mr. Jensen

Breaking the speed limit is at times the safest way through a situation. Say for example you’re in the leftmost of two lanes traveling at the speed limit. Behind you is a self-absorbed, entitled startup hipster in a by-the-hour carshare service Fiat 500e, trying to extend his rental period while getting directions to the $9 toast place and putting the whole thing on

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injuries and pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. CHP does not believe he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Oh, yeah. If you have either of the ’gales you will need to spend more on a remachined factory crankcase. There goes your Frappuccino budget!

Seriously though, get this checked out before t included is the fa cepalm. you embarrass yourself in front of Starbucks again.

Godspeed, Arthur. May the road ahead of you be clear of deer.

The only thing no

Can’t Am Bombardier Recreational Products, more commonly referred to by their abbreviation (and onomatopoeia) BRP has recalled about 12,500 CanAm Mini DS ATVs manufactured between 2008 and 2015. The reason behind the recall is that they “fail to meet requirements pertaining to the unrestricted maximum speed of the vehicle”. Were there hundreds of maimed children? Fires? There must have been fires. We love a good fire story. Like those babies that burst into flames as a result of noncompliant PJs (“Buyer, Buyer, Pants On Fire” – NCR, April 2015). Or so we heard. Nope. There have been exactly zero incidents that resulted in precisely zero injuries. In a move that will win the award for the most Canadian thing ever, BRP is apologizing and has issued a recall because kids are able to go fast and have fun on their machines. Since there were no injuries we have to assume that the company was notified by a pissed-off dad whose kid kept outrunning him at the local OHV park. - Max Klein

Loud Clutches Save Lives Picture this. You just plunked down 20 grand of your hard earned cash on a shiny new Ducati. You suit up in your flyest white Pumas, color matched jacket, and Rossi replica helmet, and head for Bike Night. But you pull into Starbucks and are met with disappointed frowns. Why? Three words. Wet. Clutch. Brah. As you hightail it outta there, tail-tidy between your legs, titanium Termis playing a mournful (but ridiculously loud) song, you vow to never be laughed at again. Your solution? STM’s dry clutch conversion kits. Yes. That is a thing. You can now thumb your nose at those overpaid, under-cool engineers at Ducati (what do they know anyway?) and make your clutch rattle, like God intended. As long as you own an 848 Panigale, 1199 Panigale, 1200 Diavel, 1200 Multistrada, or a 1200 Monster and have an extra $2,370 to $3,037 bucks to let slipper away. Get it? Clutch joke.

will either repair the defect or simply replace the shock with one that does not risk a motorcycle-sized reenactment of the big bang.

Or don’t. You can always join the fun and park the spontaneous suspension disassemblyinduced heap next to the collection of perpetually disassembled Ducatis at CityBike World Headquarters. It’s totally worth it, though. What good is a 170+ horsepower bike if it doesn’t have soul? - Max Klein

Loud Shocks Save… Never Mind Now that you have that authentic, “Hey bro, there is something wrong with your bike?” clutch rattle going on, it’s time for the next mod to your Panigale—the self disassembling shock.

- Max Klein

Stickers (Loud Or Otherwise) Save Lives In a recent 31 page (yikes!) Federal Register update (Vol. 80, No. 98 if you have incurable insomnia), The Man has taken another step towards the inevitable banning of any and all

If you don’t want this feature, which is caused by a faulty damper rod nut, Ducati

NHTSA has come up with new label requirements for all helmets. Gone are the days of “universal” DOT stickers—the sticker now must contain the brand and model of the helmet in addition to the rest of the mumbo jumbo. The NHTSA is also requiring all 7,214 law enforcement offices that operate in a Nanny Nancy state to buy a helmet screening tool kit, at a cost of $81.43 each. We’re looking at you, Charming, CA. We’re not sure which congressman’s nephew scored the ticket to this gravy train, but their $600k cut is only part of the estimated $1.8 million total regulatory cost for this hand-holding exercise. - Max Klein

Tokyo Moto Now Carrying Kushitani Leathers Tokyo Moto, home of one of the coolest CityBike racks out there—made from motorcycles parts!—has started carrying Kushitani leathers and apparel at their 50 Otis Street location in San Francisco. To help kick off the new line, Tokyo Moto will be hosting an open house on July 26th, featuring Mike Ngo from the Los Angeles Kushitani store, who will be talking about Kushitani leathers and answering questions.

What’s that gonna cost you? NOTHING! It seems that Ducati included this “feature” on about 550 of their 2014 Panigales, and has issued a recall to celebrate.

Basically they took 31 pages to say that those “Puddin’ Bowl” novelty helmets with DOT handwritten in white crayon are no longer going to cut it.

motorized two wheeled conveyances. Kidding. The document simply “sets forth an interpretation of the definition of ‘motor vehicle equipment’ in the United States Code” and “requests comments on two changes to the motorcycle helmet standard”.

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July 2015 | 5 | CityBike.com

Rumor: “Riders” Now CrowdSourcing Crash Repair Costs

Murderous Driver Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

Ok, this isn’t a rumor. It’s actually something we saw on Facebook, which is where people apparently talk about motorcycles, in addition to cats and politics.

Road raging driver Darla Renee Jackson, 25, of San Diego, chased down and killed 39-year-old Navy chief petty officer Zachary Buob on May 39th, following some kind of altercation. Jackson’s mother defended her actions, stating her daughter had been following Buob to get his insurance information after Buob kicked her daughter’s car.

Some guy crashed his bike, and is using GoFundMe to take contributions towards the repair costs. Here’s our contribution. Get some goddamn insurance, and while you’re at it, crash a little less. Note that Mr. Uninsured Rider isn’t collecting money towards his injuries, but rather fairings and shit like that. This probably isn’t the first time someone’s done this, but it’s the first time we’ve seen it, and therefore the first time we’ve felt the need to bitch about it. Yeah, yeah. We’re jerks. People crash, money’s tight, maybe it wasn’t his fault, but an unfortunate coincidence of cold tires and bad luck. It’s not like we have evidence of this rider’s poor judgment and irresponsible decision making. Damn kids today. Get your crowd-funding off my lawn!

Yeah, that totally adds up. Jackson pleaded not guilty to murder on June 2nd. She cried throughout the court proceedings. It’s unknown whether her tears were because her life is basically over, or Buob’s life is actually over. Thanks to her. As much as it may feel oh-so-righteous to extend your middle finger or even kick the door of an errant or aggressive driver (CityBike staff may or may not be guilty of multiple counts of such infractions), we riders can only lose in these car versus bike battles. Shortly after this incident, another Southern California rider, Samuel Ayres, was taken out by a road raging driver, this time for the egregious crime of saying “Put

pleaded guilty to second-degree assault down your fucking phone, you’re in your car.” Fortunately, Ayres escaped with “just” charges. bruises and broken bones. Braszczok and Sims will be sentenced in August. NY Assholes Convicted Speaking of assholes (hopefully) getting what’s coming to ‘em, from the “Wish those guys were into cars or something else besides bikes” file, we have some good news from the “bikers” versus Range Rover fiasco of September 2013. You know, that time a bunch of idiots that happened to be riding motorcycles got into some kind of altercation with a guy in an SUV, and proceeded to attack his car and then him. We didn’t say much about it at the time, beyond “Other than there being motorcycles involved, the incident has nothing to do with motorcyclists, and sadly doesn’t help the public image of motorcycling.” (“Dipshits in NYC” – NCR, November 2013) Quite frankly, we’re not inclined to dedicate much space to rehashing the whole mess, but we’re glad to hear that two of the dimwits involved are facing some consequences. The defendants, Wojciech Braszczok and Robert Sims, continued

IMS Moves To Sac IMS, as in International Motorcycle Shows, not IMS, as in the company that makes sweet fuel tanks like the one on our CRF250L long-term tester. For some reason, IMS has abandoned the shores of San Mateo (maybe it’s all that bacteria?) for the (excessive) sunshine of Sacramento. The good news is that since IMS Sactown is in the fall, specifically November 6th to 8th, it’ll only be ninety degrees or so. We may know the reason why. IMS is probably hiding from the wrath of CityBike, after they screwed the proverbial pooch last year by setting up a booth with our name on it (and what a good name it is!) without telling us, leading to an endless barrage of phone calls, text messages and emails asking, “Where the hell are you guys? Your booth is empty!” (“CityBike Was NOT At IMS” – NCR, December 2014)

This crappy sign was the only thing in “our” booth. Photo: Surj Gish

their stunning display of really solid thinking by opting to let the judge decide their case, instead of a jury.

Anyway, San Mateo or Sacramento, doesn’t matter much to us. We probably won’t have a booth, just like last year.

Braszczok, an undercover NYPD detective, was found guilty of second-degree assault, coercion, riot and criminal mischief, and is expected to be fired (currently “suspended pending termination”) as a result of this felony conviction. You think? Did anyone believe this guy was seriously gonna keep his job, protecting and serving? He faces a minimum of two years in the pokey, where he will presumably have lots of friends looking to catch up on the good ole days.

NCOM Hires (Walker?) Texas Ranger To Investigate Waco Wackness

Sims, an electrician, was convicted of attempted gang assault, second-degree assault, coercion, riot and criminal possession of a weapon. Nine other riders, oops, we mean assholes have already

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We wrote last month (“Waco = Biker Wounded Knee?” – NCR, June 2015) about the severely fucked up shit that happened in Waco back in May. There are more and more questions being raised about what really happened, and it’s looking likely there are some things the popo isn’t telling us, that will eventually come out. As we said last month, we’re deeply saddened by the deaths and we remain troubled by the situation. It’s also worth reiterating that we here at CityBike distrust the ongoing militarization

of the police, and often find ourselves downright horrified by law enforcement’s seeming overzealousness for deadly force in way too many scenarios.

Bryan Smith heads for the podium—he brought a friend!

But here’s an interesting turn of events: affiliates of NCOM (National Coalition Of Motorcyclists) have hired a former Texas Ranger (not Walker, who is apparently not a real person) to investigate the events that occurred at the Twin Peaks restaurant on May 17th. From the NCOM press release: “Yes, a crime took place while the local COC&I organizers were preparing for the meeting. Yes, there were lives tragically lost. We want answers as to how and why this happened. We don’t have confidence in local authorities after they continued changing stories, disregarded the facts, and continue to violate the rights of citizens. NCOM, the Confederation of Clubs, and lawyers with AIM are hiring a former Texas Ranger to learn the truth as to who was responsible for the violence at our Texas Region 1 COC&I meeting and expose the many violations of basic human rights of those arrested and who continue to be held. We pursue claims against those who have, and continue to violate the rights of citizens merely because they ride a motorcycle.” Stay tuned to this channel for updates as we get ‘em. Or rather, when we print ‘em. You know, once a month.

Wired Magazine Has Even Dumber Headlines Than CityBike A funny thing has happened in recent years. Motorcycle companies, in a

Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba

desperate attempt to get young people (AKA potential customers) away from their iPads or pinball machines or whatever those damn whippersnappers are screwing around with instead of riding motorcycles, have been placing stories in mainstream lifestyle publications. These articles are often written by writers with very little riding experience (we heard about one writer that totaled a Scout simply by dropping it over and over at low speed), unlike the stories here at CityBike, which are written by, well, us.

Stability System Makes Crashing Near Impossible.”

Such stories are often pretty laughable, full of breathless declarations of latest and greatest made by writers who don’t know the difference between a Duc and a duck. Quacks.

Funniest thing about this story is, the guy that wrote it ought to know better, since he’s not some Valley tech-wankery hack, but rather a moto-journalist. We’re not gonna name names, but we’re sure you can 2015 was the 50th running of the figure it out for yourself, if you care to do more than just chuckle at this bit of juvenile Sacramento Mile, with Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jim Rice named as Grand trash talk. Marshal—watch On Any Sunday again

Wired has taken this to a new level this month with the headline “New Ducati

Yeah, the Bosch stability control systems, like those used on some of Ducati’s new models (KTM started this, for the record, and other companies are following) are really amazing and such systems are big step towards keeping riders safer, no matter your feelings on whether they also make riders dumber. But crashing is still very, very possible— trust us on this one.

to get CityBike delivered to your door by the meanest, most psychotic, well-armed branch the Government has to beat you with. That’s right! we’ll send the man to your mail hole once a month for an entire year delivering the latest issue of CityBike. Just send a check for $30 to: PO Box 18738 Oakland, CA 94619. be sure to include your name, address, & phone number!

or use Paypal! [email protected] July 2015 | 7 | CityBike.com

CityBike Goes To Sac For The Mile Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats watching a motorcycle sliding sideways at over 100mph within 10 feet of you. Did I say nothing? I meant NOTHING. Sure World Superbike and MotoGP is fast and exciting, but at the Sacramento Mile you leave with not only a sunburn, but dirt in your teeth. Delicious gritty dirt kicked up by the tires of people like flat track legends Chris Carr and Jay Springsteen, during their Clash of the Titans rematch.

Brandon Robinson (44), Bryan Smith (42), Mikey Martin (91) and Jared Mees (1) battle it out in the main event..

Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba

managed to break both his arms at the same time on his XR200 the summer after junior high.

ATGATT vs. The Big Tent Real riders love to talk about how they don’t go to the corner store without All The Gear, how they can’t believe people ride without a full complement of proper safety gear. These guys debate SNELL versus ECE, whether wearing a modular helmets is evidence of insanity, gloves inside sleeves or out… the list goes on. On and on and on. I’m one of these guys. Sort of. Sometimes… but here’s a secret: when I started riding on the street, I was fourteen, and lacked both a helmet and, of course, a license. I tore around on a ’69 CL350 that I got from one of my dad’s pals for $100, wearing jeans and a t-shirt, Doc Martens and a massive grin. I even carried passengers, who also didn’t wear helmets. A couple years later, I got an ’81 XT250, and started wearing some gear. In this case, gear meant a yard sale Shoei full face that was probably 15 years old at the time, sneakers and sometimes shorts. You see where I’m going with this, right?

Anyway, this “risky riding”—riding without All The Gear because riding is awesome—isn’t so different from someone getting on a bike in jeans, tennis shoes and a sweatshirt. Or jumping on a scooter in a skirt and heels. Whether that new rider is on a bike because they’re excited about riding for riding’s sake, or because a bike seems

Each person developed into a different rider over the course of the afternoon. Misty rode smoothly, calmly, sticking to perimeter trails at a mellow pace. Calvin was cautious, but did well. Matt headed for the hills and later told me he was daydreaming about the feeling of riding. He might end up with a bike of his own. Adam went nuts. He got on the TTR125, whacked the throttle open and dropped the clutch. The little TTR went vertical, he chased it around for a few seconds, and eventually went down. We had a quick discussion about being slightly less aggressive on the throttle, and after a marginally smoother second launch, he nearly hit my truck, then headed out across that big rocky area at the west end. He went down several times throughout the afternoon—mostly because his approach to the throttle was consistently “pin it”—and ended up kinda bruised up. But he kept getting back on, undeterred. He had a hell of a time. Everyone had a hell of a time.

What everyone didn’t have was All The Gear. Helmets? Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba Yep, of course. Gloves? Roger. Knee and elbow pads? Sort like a good way to get around the city, or of. Boots? Nope. Well, just me and Misty, Funny thing is, I’d been riding on the because motorcycles represent freedom or who bought a pair of hiking boots the dirt for several years before that, ATCs, rebellion or just good times, or whatever, night before because I scared her with mostly. When I rode on the dirt, I wore that rider isn’t a squid or a moron, they’re stories of crushed ankles. a decent helmet, a kidney belt, gloves, a new rider that might someday develop So what? boots… not as much off-road gear as I into one of these people who’ve been wear now, but a suit of armor compared to riding long enough to think talking about Let’s not forget this—motorcycles are what I wore on the street. tires is a good time. Or maybe they’ll just super-crazy-awesome fun. And they’re ride. dangerous. That doesn’t stop people Why? Hell if I know. around the globe from using bikes as Here’s the thing. If I’d had to waited until I recently took four total noobs out to utility transportation, while we treat them Carnegie to ride dirtbikes—a TTR125 I had proper gear (and a safe motorcycle, like overpriced toys here in the US. That’s and a CRF230F. Ok, they weren’t total but that’s another story) I’d probably not a statement about the value of either noobs—Matt had spent maybe ten wouldn’t have started riding. We didn’t of those things, but it is commentary on have a lot of money, so it was kind of a big minutes putting around a field at one how we sometimes hurt the growth of the point, and Misty had ridden mopeds in deal that we had bikes at all. And while riding community—our community—by Vietnam. Adam and Calvin had never I certainly did my share of crashing, I being so stuck up and exclusionary. been on a motorcycle. These folks are managed to avoid messing myself up too badly—unlike my buddy Brett, who had adults, by the way—late twenties, early to Let’s ride. mid thirties. a nice new bike and a better helmet, but July 2015 | 8 | CityBike.com

and check out his epic crash at the 1970 Sac Mile. This year was made even more exciting by the addition of WSBK Champ Troy Bayliss once again joining up with Ducati to race the Lloyd Brothers Motorsports machine. As a member of the infamous CityBike Wrecking Crew I was lucky enough to spend some time with Troy and scored a short interview. Ok, I waited in line with the hundreds of other fans wanting to get his autograph. “How do you like the bike?” I asked as he signed a poster for me. “It’s great! I’m struggling a bit though.” I handed him my hat to sign, “Well I hope Sacramento is a fun track for you!” He shakes my hand, “Thanks!” That’s right. I asked the deep, gritty questions CityBike readers want answers to. You’re welcome. Speaking of Ducati, this was a big night for us desmo fans, so we sprung for the fancy seats in the Legends Club. Or, as Editor Surj referred to them from his trackside hay bale, the Panigale seats. We had a great view of the full track, and unfortunately a great view of Bayliss crash testing the air fence in turn 3. Ouch. Between qualifying heats, I was able to wander vendor row and found Ducati AMA Superbike racer Paul Ritter there signing his new book, Racing the Gods. Score! Been wanting a copy of that one, even better to talk to the man himself. Back to my seat for the main event—25 laps of battling and a last second pass brought Bryan Smith his fifth victory in a row, just ahead of Triumph rider Brandon Robinson. Hungry to taste some of that dirt yourself? If you can’t wait for next years Sacramento Mile, The Calistoga Half-Mile is Saturday, September 26th. Come out and grab a spot on the old bleachers! - An DeYoung For some enthusiasts, Troy Bayliss’s mere presence was the highlight of the day. The well-known and wildly popular Aussie has embarked on his tour of this

season’s 5 demanding Miles. Though he failed to qualify for Springfield, he and his team learned a lot, as evidenced by new teammate, Johnny Lewis’, Sacramento qualifying and pre-headshake-crash performance in Illinois. Their mount is stout, resplendent in its yellow Scrambler livery—all part of the new 2V model’s US branding. While I’m no flat track racer, it was evident from the stands that Bayliss was in trouble from the very start, and unlikely to qualify. T1 proved difficult to near-impossible for most laps in practice and his heat, and Troy crashed ugly in T3 during his now-or-never Semi, suffering an awkward get-off which broke an ankle—a sad interruption (end?) to his bold dream of running alongside the big boys in America.

Harley team, sponsored in part by Burlingame’s Steve DeLorenzi, podiumed with Jared Mees. Acampo’s Mikey Martin, a former factory Triumph rider, is now racing a fast Kawasaki—#91 was both a Heat and Dash winner, subsequently finishing 10th. San Jose’s Zanotti Team fielded 2 Harley riders—former Champ, Kenny Coolbeth #2, took 5th ; Henry Wiles #17 was a DNF. Their former Zanotti teammate, Salinas’ Stevie Bonsey (#80 H-D) placed 12th.

New Stuff The Most Beautiful Helmet In The World: Arai Corsair V—Isle Of Man TT Limited Edition By Surj Gish We reviewed Arai’s Corsair V, in silver, earlier this year (“New Stuff: Crystal Goblet? Arai Corsair V” - February 2015). Why are we reviewing it again?

TT graphics, from the checkers around the bottom, to the Isle of Man outline and ny tree cassyn (the three legs) on each side, to the arching double-Ts butting up against the gold stripe over the top, the helmet looks custom. All this beauty is wrapped around Arai’s compact organic shell shape, which is flared outward a bit at the bottom, to make it easier to put on. Arai calls this the “Outward-Flaring Hyper-Ridge,” and says it adds shells strength and lowers

Lining up for the Final from the Semis requires a 1st or 2nd—some local National numbers were summarily eliminated: San Jose’s Mike Rush was 5th on the sole #54 Suzuki SV1000, just behind Sunnyvale’s local expert, Kawasaki-mounted Ryan Foster #23y. Fremont’s Chad Cose, finally An increasingly competitive Nichole Mees nearly put it over on hubby, Jared #1, blessed with a strong Kawasaki team, rocked his #49 from the start in early laps, making the Dash For Cash as one of the being elbowed and potholed back to 10th, six quickest riders after he qualified 13th. while Briar Bauman #14 Kawasaki oddly Though she faltered in the Final to 9th, the Champ recovered in time to challenge struggled, ending up a go-home-to-Salinas winner Bryan Smith and 2 others, finishing 8th. third. Simply put, the Kawasaki 650s, now underneath half the runners, have truly Shayna Texter, winner of two previous arrived. Next, it’s one-third venerable Sacramento Miles on GNC2 Honda XR750 Harleys. Finally, 2 each Ducati, singles, now rides twins in GNC1. After KTM, Suzuki and Triumph—truly a qualifying 24th, she ended up in Troy’s diverse and aurally satisfying mix o’ motos. Semi. My view of Bayliss’s crash included Smith’s winning ride is so sweet, and many her ricocheting participation, so Shayna other non-Harleys are unique: some evoke also was out. classic forms, being modern as well, with NorCal riders and teams have always bespoke frames, sinuous exhausts, and featured in AMA Pro flat track—Craig every possible color scheme. Rogers’ San Jose-based Championship - Curt Relick dainese.com agv.com

Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba

For starters, a second take never hurts. As you may have read right here in the pages of New Stuff, I have a “Shoei head” and therefore have largely stuck with— you guessed it—Shoei helmets, and left the Arais to CityBike writer/riders with differently oddly-shaped heads. But Arai does these limited edition Isle of Man TT helmets every year, and the 2015 version is particularly lust-worthy. I had to have one. It’s so beautiful that after I got mine, An ordered one. She says she wanted one before that, but I think she’s just trying to be cool. You know, the whole “I liked Arai Isle of Man TT helmets before they were mainstream” thing.

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the helmet’s center of gravity, creating better overall balance. As with many of Arai’s helmets, there are a lot of external bits. The Corsair V has nine vent components (intakes and exhausts), eleven if you count the two inlets on the shield. Some riders complain about the multitude of small plastic pieces, and it’s true, there are a lot of them. There’s also a lot of airflow as a result of all those little pieces. But all those little pieces don’t bother me, because I mostly sit on the couch, gently holding the Corsair V, gazing at it lovingly. Just kidding. This helmet, while beautiful, is meant to be worn, preferably at hairon-fire speeds—although there’s no word on the hair-fire retardant qualities of the interior.

Cooler-than-thou competitions aside, this is a seriously nice helmet. Arai says their helmets are (still, somehow) virtually 100% Speaking of the interior, every soft internal handmade, and it shows. piece is washable and replaceable, from The shield, for example, looks like it was the Dry-Cool liner to the neck roll. The perfectly shaped and cut by a skilled Corsair V also employs Arai’s emergency craftsman, who then inserted the little vent cheekpad release system, to allow for assemblies—not molded, like most shields safer removal of the helmet by medical obviously are. personnel in the unfortunate event of a serious crash. The paint and graphics are luxurious, artful, sumptuous, like a passionate painter How does it fit? The Corsair V has an spent painstaking hours taping off sections, intermediate oval shape—the same as the spraying on red, gold and opulent deep VX-Pro4 off-road helmet I reviewed at the blue metal-fleck, then applying decals and beginning of the year (“Arai’s New VXclear coat. The limited edition Isle of Man Pro4 Helmet” - New Stuff, January 2015),

July 2015 | 9 | CityBike.com

which fits my “Shoei head” well, and is my go-to dirt lid. The Corsair V fits similarly well, although it does have a tiny bit of a “perched on top of the head” and less plush, more purposeful feel. It’s not particularly quiet, even with earplugs, but this is certainly a result of the excellent, extensive venting system. The fit also feels more “open” than helmets with a lot of neck roll padding, which helps keep noise out. The Corsair V has less of a neck roll “seal” at the bottom. Perhaps that Hyper-Ridge business contributes to this open feeling as well.

glove that costs less than 60 bucks, and the Voyagers have delivered.

a confident grip when things are wet and slippery.

I’d even go a step further and say this is one of the better gloves you can buy for cool and wet weather in the 50 to 60 dollar price range. The Voyager is made

These are short-gauntlet gloves. I’ve been wearing over the cuffs of my jacket. The gauntlet extends about two inches above the bend in the wrist. There’s not

High Desert J tested Sena’s Bluetooth Audio Pack last year (“Going Pro: Sena Bluetooth Audio Pack” – New Stuff, November 2014) and found it quite capable, but I wanted to test the latest and greatest, so I asked Sena for a 20S intercom and a Prism camera, promising fame and fortune via the Wall Street Journal, and of course, CityBike.

But this helmet isn’t about keeping the wind noise out, or plush padding. It’s about riding fast, without taking chances with the safety of your cerebrum; a helmet built, in Arai’s words, “to please the advanced rider and racer.” Hell, it’s even got a little spoiler on the back. Nothing says speed like a tiny wing on the back of your helmet, right?

Disclaimer: I’m a Sena fanboy. I’ve had an SMH10 clamped to my last two helmets, and have put it through several wringers. Rain, heat, dirt… it’s been beat to hell for 30,000+ miles, and has held up well. I can’t say that about the other intercoms I’ve bought in the past. So I had high expectations for these two pieces of gear.

MSRP $1009.95. $900 street, if you can find one. Get more info find your local dealer at araiamericas.com.

AGV Sport Voyager Gloves

Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba

By J. Brandon I’ve been wearing a pair of AGV Sport Voyager gloves for all my cold-weather rides for the past month or so. I’ve logged a couple thousand miles in them, climbed dozens of six-, seven-, and eight-thousandfoot mountain passes, and worn them in pouring thunderstorms, hail, and snow. My hands have stayed dry and warm. That’s about all you can reasonably expect from a

shooting some video of lane splitting on the Bay Bridge (“The Wall Street Journal Hates CityBike” – News, Clues and Rumors, April 2015). I had a bunch of cameras—that I rarely use, because they’re a pain in the ass to keep charged, pointed the right direction, and so on—but it seemed like the perfect opportunity to test a rig that would let me narrate the footage.

of a combination of leather and textile, a soft polyester lining, and a waterproof breathable Hipora lining in between. There’s hard armor over the knuckles, some dense foam on the heel of the hand, with bits of lighter foam on the thumb and third and fourth fingers. The combination of leather and textile on the palm delivers

a lot of bulk so if your riding jacket offers any adjustment at the wrist you could probably wear them under the cuffs as well, depending on conditions and your preferences. Over the cuffs will probably help keep rain out when you are on the highway. Under the cuffs will probably work better if you spend more time sitting at traffic lights. The gauntlet closes with a wide strip of Velcro that offers a fairly broad range of adjustment. There’s a thin strap right at the bend in the wrist that will do most of the work of keeping the gloves on your hands in a crash. Unfortunately, that strap is a bit too short to offer much adjustment and is fiddly and frustrating. It’s fine when you put the first glove on and can thread the strap through the plastic loop and fasten the Velcro with bare fingers. But doing those same tasks again when your hand is inside the first glove can be frustrating. I got used to it and was less annoyed after a bit of experience. But the whole thing could have been much easier if that little strap was just an inch longer. I’ve worn these gloves on long, cold, wet rides with temperatures in the low forties and they were warm enough. For colder weather I would want something more. Same goes for maximum crash protection and years of hard use: I’d want something more. But all of those things would cost a lot more. For the price, the AGV Sport Voyager gloves are a good value, especially for the sometimes wet but rarely really cold weather of the Bay Area. $69. Get a pair or find your local dealer at motonation.com.

Vlogosphere, Here We Come: Sena 20S Intercom + Prism Camera By Surj Gish A while back, a reporter from the Wall Street Journal asked me for some help July 2015 | 10 | CityBike.com

Out of the box, the 20S intercom dual pack seemed familiar but improved. One of the improvements was the inclusion of a whole lot of stuff. You get two main units, two clamp mounts with boom mics, two separate wired boom mics, couple of another wired mics, charging cables, audio cables, cigarette chargers, another couple of glue-on surface mounts, a bunch of Velcro, speaker pads, speaker covers… even a little hex key. Man. I gotta take a breath before I go on. There’s a lot of stuff in there! Basically you can mount and install these intercoms on just about any helmet with the included bits ‘n’ bobs. Full face? Check. Modular? Check. Open face? If you must, check. Charge on the road? Check. You get the picture. This “Christmas in July” bonanza continues with the Prism. The box, nearly the size of a women’s shoebox, contains a cornucopia of mount options. Helmet clamp mount, stick-on helmet mount, goggle strap mount, top surface mount, handlebar mount and a suction cup mount that works as a single-cup or bipod mount. There’s also a waterproof housing, and alternate “skeleton backdoor” for that housing, and of course a charging cable, lens cap and battery. Oh, and a camera. Almost forgot about that important bit. In a world where so many things don’t come with the required components to get started, like computers sold without keyboards, it’s refreshing to have a company provide all the options in the box. Installation of the S20 intercom is straightforward, almost easy. If you’re using the basic clamp mount, you can be ready to roll in just a few minutes. Pull the cheekpads out of your helmet, mount the clamp, place the speakers, jam the wiring into the space between the shell and EPS, and you’re set. I installed one of the 20S units in my Shoei Neotec modular daily commute helmet

using the separate boom mic. Unlike the SMH10, which requires a different clamp mount for each mic setup, the 20S has swappable mics. Remove the two clamp bolts with the handy-dandy included hex wrench, and the mic pops right out. Pop in the mic you want to use, put the two bolts back in, clamp it in place, done.

Sound quality is good. My ears are in bad shape, and I wear earplugs any time I’m riding more than about ten feet, but the speakers seem to be a bit of an upgrade from the SMH10. They’re louder and

course) and use your left hand to control the camera. Some of you may be saying something like, “What the hell is he talking about? Why does he need all this crap on his helmet,

But if you’re interested in making high quality videos with audio beyond howling wind and maybe some engine noise, the combination of Sena’s 20S intercom and Prism camera is a good way to do it. I’d even say “Wall Street Journal approved!” but I’m pretty sure they don’t want me saying that kind of stuff.

CityBike approved, then. Helmet mounting 20S: $299 or of the $549.99 (dual Prism pack). Prism: is even $399. Get easier. more info and Figure find out where out where to buy at you want sena.com. it, clamp it down, go. Coming As for where Soon! you want it, A sample of the you’re going New Stuff we’re to want it as far currently abusing forward on the testing in the name of side of your helmet as bringing you the truth about possible, to avoid having the motorcycle gear: helmet constantly in the side of the frame. On my Neotec, where I was limited Sena 20S Intercom + Prism Camera mounted Shoei’s excellent GT-Air in how far forward I could place the mount, Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba ❍❍ Icon’s new Raiden rally / adventure I couldn’t quite get rid of the helmet at the gear. edge of the frame. Most full-face helmets pushing buttons while riding, taking sound a little more like real speakers. shouldn’t have this issue. photos, recording video, talking...” That’s ❍❍ Innovv’s C3 camera / remote DVR Warning: if you are messing around with ok—keep sending us letters about how setup. the intercom in your living room, and you The clamp mount is a simple work of carburetors are better than EFI and ABS is genius. There’s a little joint in there, so you turn it all the way up, your significant other a stupid crutch that “real riders” don’t need. ❍❍ Plus, luggage, books (some with may frown at you. can get the angles just right. picshurs), and whatever else we can get We love that stuff. our grubby paws on! The mic seems a touch more sensitive to You can, of course, mount it a lot of different ways—on top of your helmet, on placement than on the SMH10. Until I got the placement sorted just right, I had issues your handlebars, on your bodywork, on a with the rider (or caller) on the other end car—gasp! The included mounts provide understanding me at higher speeds. Placing nearly endless options. the mic directly in front of my mouth Jesus, we haven’t even gotten to how these seemed to solve this most of the time. things work yet. Remember how we started with the word Since I’ve been using an SMH10 for a long “vlogosphere” (ugh…) in the title? That’s time, the 20S was easy for me to adjust where the magic starts to really happen. to. I like the simplicity of the dial—it’s Not actually in the vlogosphere, but reminiscent of the good old days, when recording stuff for the vlogo… ok, enough stereos had knobs on them. You know, back of that crap. when we had stereos, instead of pods and Sure, you can use the Prism by itself— players. it’s a solid standalone camera, capable The Prism’s silver and black exterior of shooting 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 30 coincidentally reminds me of the crappy or 60fps, and 480p at 120fps. But the point and shoot cameras of the late Bluetooth 4.0 connection lets the Prism seventies and early eighties. Not the crappy team up with the 20s to do all kinds of cool part—the silver and black part. The Prism, stuff. even though it shares its name with Katy Perry’s worst album, is by no means crappy. We’re not talking about “Oh, look at me, I’m riding in traffic. Still riding in Just the opposite. traffic…” but think about the possibilities The myriad functions of the jog dial— beyond self-absorbed YouTube wankery. push, turn, push and turn, push for a few Following a rider on the trails and taking seconds, and so on—are beyond the scope verbal “notes” to discuss later. Narrating of this review, but here are a couple high something interesting, like the SF points. First, Sena’s app lets you easily Halloween Friday Night Ride. Or making a adjust your settings, rather than using the video for the Wall Street Journal. desktop application also used to update Recycling is the ONLY legal way to dispose of First, you can record audio along with your firmware. Second, pairing two units can be done with a “shake” motion, using Near video, in normal or “Ultra HD” mode. used oil and filters. Check out RidersRecycle.com Second, you can control the camera from Field Communication. for more information plus FREE discount coupons your headset. Wake up the camera, start The 20s also uses dual-module Bluetooth video, stop video, take a single photo or a on motorcycle parts, service and gear! 4.1, meaning you can more easily connect burst of shots, even fire a still shot while multiple devices, for example a GPS and a recording video. Since the camera is likely phone. It can handle up to 8 connections, to be mounted on the right side of your at a distance of up to 1.2 miles. It’s also helmet, it’ll be easier—and safer— to keep universal, meaning it can pair with other your right hand on the throttle (pinned, of intercom brands. July 2015 | 11 | CityBike.com

Ducati Bike Nights! The reason for getting these events started was to provide a fun, social atmosphere for Ducati owners, folks that want to become Ducati owners, and folks that don’t yet know that they want to become Ducati owners to sit, eat, talk, walk around and look at other Ducatis. All brands and models of motorcycles are welcome. Get more information at NorCalDoc.com.

3rd Wednesday of each month: Emeryville 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the third Wednesday of each month at Hot Italian, 5959 Shellmound Street, No. 75, Emeryville. For more information, call 510.652.9300. 4th Monday of each month: Sacramento

6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Monday 1st Monday of each month: Mill Valley of each month at Hot Italian, 1627 16th Street, Sacramento. For more Join us from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the first information, call 916.444.3000. Monday of each month at The Cantina, 4th Monday of each month: Mid651 E. Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley. For Peninsula more information, call 415.378.8317. 5:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Monday 1st Wednesday of each month: San of each month at Sixto’s Cantina, 1448 Francisco Ducati Bike Night Burlingame. For more information, call Join us from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the 650.342.7600. first Wednesday of each month at Pier 23 Seafood Cafe, Pier 23, The Embarcadero, 4th Friday of each month: Concord San Francisco, CA 94111. For more 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth Friday information, call 415.362.5125. of each month at Lazy Dog Café, 1961 Diamond Blvd, Concord. For more 1st Sunday of each month: North Bay information, call 925.849.1221. Join us from 6:30 to 9:30 PM on the first 4th Saturday of each month: Novato Sunday of each month at Benissimo, 18 Tamalpais Dr, Corte Madera. 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the fourth 2nd Monday of each month: South Bay Saturday of each month at Boca Pizzeria, 454 Ignacio Blvd, Novato. For more 6:00 to 10:00 PM on the second Monday information, call 415.883.2302. of each month at Pizza Antica, 334 Santana Row, #1065 San Jose. For more information, call 408.557.8373

EVENTS July 2015 1st Thursday of each month: Bay Area Moto Guzzi Group Monthly Dinner (6:00 PM, Giovanni’s, 1127 N. Lawrence Expy, Sunnyvale) Members, interested Guzzi riders, persons disillusioned by their current mode of transport and other motorcycle riders Bungee Brent’s Backroad Bash 2014. always welcome. For more information, Hollister Freedom Rally is the largest of its contact Pierre at kind in California and one of the top ten in 408.710.4886 or the United States. hollisterfreedomrally. [email protected]. com 2nd Sunday of each month: Santa July 18, 2015: OMC Three Bridge Run Cruz Scooter Club Monthly Group (OMC Club Hall, 742 45th Ave, Oakland) Ride (11:00 AM, Fin’s Coffee, 1104 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz) We meet at The original Three Bridge Run is Fin’s Coffee on Ocean Street in Santa a poker run that starts at the OMC Cruz, and depending on who shows, Clubhall, tours San Francisco and Marin the weather, and how much time folks and returns to the OMC Clubhall for have, we plan a route for the day. Rides prizes, music, and dancing. Entry is $20. will be cancelled due to rain. Get more oaklandmotorcycleclub.camp9.org/ information at santacruzscooterclub. events com. August 15, 2015: Blue Butt Rally 3rd Sunday of each month: Northern (Eldorado Casion, 345 N Virginia St, California Moto Guzzi National Reno) Owners Club Breakfast (9:00 AM, Putah Creek Cafe, 1 Main St, Winters) The 22nd Blue Butt Rally, put on by the Blue Knights MC of Reno. All riders and MGNOC members and interested bike brands are welcome. This is a nonGuzzi riders meet for breakfast and scored/non-competitive ride covering a good time. The Putah Creek Cafe 350-400 miles of pavement with no set is located at Railroad Avenue. For time limit. Route instructions handed more information, contact Northern out 15 minutes prior to start. Proceeds go California MGNOC Rep, Don Van to injured/fallen peace officers and their Zandt at 707.557.5199. families. bknv2.com June 25-27, Moto Melee Classic September 12, 2015: Moto Envy Show Motorcycle Road Rally (All over (Black Lightning Motorcycle Cafe, 440 F NorCal) Street, Eureka) Three days and ~850 miles of backroads Cool bikes at a cool moto destination— adventure for pre-1971 motorcycles. the Black Lightning in Eureka. Awards Starts and finishes in San Francisco. given based on “most envied” status for groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ Café, Vintage, Sport/Racer, Vintage motomelee Racer, Custom, Rat, Overall and People’s June 27-28, 2015: Bungee Brent’s Choice. blacklightningmotorcyclecafe. Backroad Bash (Long Barn, CA) com/moto-envy-show.html The 2014 BBBB was a CityBike favorite (“Out and About: Bungee Brent’s 7th Annual Backroad Bash,” September 2014). We’ll be there this year, and you should be too. Seriously. oaklandmotorcycleclub.camp9.org/ events June 27-28, 2015: CCSO Extreme Motor Officer Challenge (Downtown Carson City, NV) Don’t have a dual-sport bike for the BBBB? Head over the Sierra to Carson City for two days of motor officer competition. And maybe some gambling. facebook.com/ events/1511545135792369 July 3-5, 2015: Hollister Freedom Rally (Hollister, duh) Free as in no cost and Freedom, in the “Birthplace of the American Biker,” the

July 2015 | 12 | CityBike.com

September 18-20, 2015: 30th Annual Autumn Beemer Bash (Quincy, CA) Central Cal BMW riders invites you to the 30th annual Beemer Bash, featuring famous and free CCBR coffee, beer garden, Saturday night BBQ , two Continental breakfasts, GS ride, poker run, vendors, and speakers (Editor Surj will be there!). Great camping on grass and hot showers, wonderful mountain rides in the Sierra! ccbr.org September 26, 2015: Calistoga HalfMile (1435 N Oak St, Calistoga) Flat track action in the heart of wine country—last 2015 race before the finale in Vegas! flattrackcalistoga.com. Want your event in our calendar? Send a note to [email protected] with details like who, what, when, where, why and we’ll add it. We need your info at least 45 days in advance—more notice is better.

The Quail

Motorcycle Gathering By Brandes Elitch Photos: Steve Synder

T

here are iconic motorcycle shows, such as Laconia, Daytona Beach, and yes, Sturgis, which attract hundreds of thousands of people. And there are many other types of motorcycle events: club meets, single marque events, charity rides, and just riding around.

while Texas has more miles of road than anywhere else (an astounding 675,000 miles), California is second, with almost 400,000 miles. Census data can be broken down to show where the wealthiest people live, and it can be summarized as “by the water’s edge.” Of the twenty biggest geographic concentrations of wealth in the country,

A study done in 2014 by the Department of Transportation (based on 2011 data) shows that enthusiasm for motorcycles, as measured by the statistic of “number of residents in a state divided by the number of registered motorcycles” is highest in Iowa (1 per 18 people), New Hampshire (1 per 17 people) and South Dakota (1 per 12 people). California is ranked number 43, with 1 bike for 47 people.

Why are these statistics important and relevant to the Quail Motorcycle show? What makes The Quail so unique and extraordinary is demographics—the concentration of rare and valuable bikes. The bikes and their owners reside in the towns that are listed above. You wouldn’t find them in the rest of the country, not in this magnitude, not even close. Even at prestigious Concours d’Elegance car shows,

The organizers of a show like this, or the Pebble Beach Concours, typically have ten applicants for every spot on the field. But to get the bikes that are shown here, my hunch is that Gordon has to go through his personal Rolodex and call up the people he knows and ask them to attend. Motorcycle collecting is much more insular and there is a lot less of the Big Money component that you see in car collecting, where rare cars routinely go for millions of dollars, and are starting to disappear into private collections, never to be seen again. I am doubtful that this will happen with motorcycles, because the people that own them actually want to ride them! They are motorcycle people, not investors.

One theory about this is that the worse the climate is for biking, the more passionate and driven the rider has to be to ride. Another theory is that people want to ride where there are interesting roads and scenery, less traffic and congestion, and a lower profile of law enforcement. There is another side of this however: demographics. California has over 800,000 registered motorcycles, far greater than any other state, including Texas and Florida. Los Angeles is the port of entry for the majority of motorcycles coming from the Far East, and the distributors are located there. The Federal Highway Administration website shows that

Car Week, The Quail Motorsports Gathering, right here on the same field. But motorcycle collectors are not like collectors of expensive automobiles.

eight are in California, with several of these areas in or near the Bay Area. San Jose is number two. San Francisco is number 4. Oxnard is number 7. Napa is number 10. Santa Cruz is number 11. Los Angeles is number 15. Santa Barbara is number 16, and San Diego is number 18.

you might find only a dozen bikes like this, but you sure as hell wouldn’t see 250 of them in one place. The organizer, Gordon McCall, is well known in the collector car community, because he is the organizer of perhaps the most prestigious show during Monterey

July 2015 | 13 | CityBike.com

To make it work, the show has to have a theme, or themes. This is the seventh year of this show, and I always wonder how the organizers are able to come up with a new theme. Last year, it was Bonneville Bikes, an unprecedented collection of extraordinary bikes that have raced on the salt flats. This year, there were a few themes: military bikes, the 750cc race bike, and surprisingly, choppers. That last one, choppers, was unexpected. But it was put together by one of the most knowledgeable motorcyclists on the planet,

1941 Indian 841—shaft drive developed for ops in North Africa, where the desert sand eats chains.

Paul d’Orleans, who writes the Vintagent blog, and bought my Velocette about ten years ago. Paul has written a book called “The Chopper: the Real Story,” and is a consultant for the auction companies that feature high-end cars and writes for various motorcycle publications. Paul chose the bikes for the chopper display, which he calls “a mix of artful fabrication and personal artistic expression.” He quotes art critic Robert Hughes as saying “the creative ingenuity that has gone into making the custom bike is one of the distinctive forms of American folk art.” I never thought I’d see hot rods at the Pebble Beach Concours, but they are there now, so I guess choppers at The Quail is not so surprising after all. The Formula 750 exhibit highlighted the AMA’s then-new (in 1968) competition class, which showcased the fastest riders and fastest bikes on the fastest track in the world: Daytona. Honda’s CB 750 won in ‘68 and ‘69, but then Kawasaki and Suzuki,

and Yamaha two strokes came to dominate the series. The speeds were so high that tires, suspensions and even chassis design had to be re-engineered. Race teams started using monoshock or cantilevered suspension units. The sophistication of modern sportbikes can be directly traced to the developments in this series.

insurgency, when Pershing’s forces pursued Pancho Villa. For World War I, the US military ordered 50,000 bikes from Indian and 20,000 from Harley-Davidson, to be be used for recon and perimeter security, delivering orders, reports, and maps, taking ammo and supplies to the front, rapidly deploying machine guns, and even carrying the wounded back to the field hospital.

In recent times, there have been 3 American manufacturers supplying bikes to the military. Zero Motorcycles right here in the greater Bay Area (Santa Cruz) makes a mil-spec electric bike, the MMX. In Philadelphia, Christini makes a military version of its all-wheel drive 450. And finally, Hayes, an ex-manufacturer and now R&D firm, brought us the KLR-based, diesel-powered M1030. Way back in 1981 the government awarded the first RFP for tactical motorcycles since WWII to Hayes and they have provided a number of bikes subsequently.

Motorcycles were also used in WWII, although by then the Jeep had taken on a lot of those tasks. Harley-Davidson copied the BMW R71 for the North Africa campaign, with telescoping forks, sealed shaft drive, and engine design— but only a few of these bikes survive today.

But perhaps the most interesting thing at The Quail was that a Hayes bike won the Vetter Challenge on the Quail Ride. Fred Hayes rode the 133 mile loop on $4.53 of biodiesel, garnering the award for the most efficient bike, and in spite of 70+ mph speeds and high winds. Once again, military applications are leading the way in design and technology.

You could even say that the postwar awakening of widespread interest in motorcycles came from the veterans who had ridden them in war, and were able to buy military surplus bikes inexpensively, and modify them to their tastes (hence the term “chopper,” from chopping off what

Gordon McCall conducted an interview with Grand National Champions (GNC) Mert Lawwill (1969) and Gene Romero (1970)—one of the highlights of the day. Mert and Gene raced during what we call today “The Golden Age of Dirt Track Racing.” The GNC was a series of races over different tracks and types of racing,

Better behaved than the average motorcyclist.

The not so obvious point is that these bikes they didn’t need). were built for racing, and were not for sale at dealers, so just finding original surviving The military motorcycle exhibit at this year’s Quail featured a comprehensive bikes is a pretty big deal. array of bikes, including period accessories The main exhibit was military bikes. like trailers and even machine guns Motorcycles were first used in military mounted in the sidecar. applications in the 1915 Mexican

designed to show that the riders were proficient at all types of motorcycle racing. Both Gene and Mert were humble and humorous in their responses. Mert raced for Harley-Davidson from 1964-1977 and had 15 national wins, and is the only inductee in both the Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. In 1971, Gene beat World Road Race Champion Giacomo Agostini, and still holds the one hour closed circuit record at Daytona, 150.84 mph! During his 16 year career, Gene won 12 national races. As Gene said in this interview, “the word is out,” about The Quail. I expect even more than this year’s record-breaking 2,500 people will be attending next year.

July 2015 | 14 | CityBike.com

lighthouse, a memorable gentleman’s-pace 50-mile jaunt around Monterey All Hail The Quail and Carmel Valley, plus VIP parking By Gary J Boulanger The circumstance of our pomp was to ride at the event. Editor In Chief Mark down to Carmel from Mountain View to Hoyer led the ogle, ooh and aah over custom, vintage 70-rider group and historic motorcycles. The missus and aboard a mint I planned this outing months in advance, ‘75 Honda Gold knowing we’d make new fraternal friends Wing. The missus while hobnobbing on the finely-groomed was only one of greens at Quail Lodge & Golf Club. two ladies on the I heard it was a fine reason to gather on ride (both were a Saturday in mid May, but I had no idea passengers), and what to expect. Seems 2,499 others had the it would be cool same plans for that day. to see more next year. Comedian We shelled out fifty bucks to join the Cycle Alonzo Bodden World Tour for a breakfast ride Saturday couldn’t hide his morning. Not only do we have the cool big grin under that t-shirt to prove it, we also were treated to a helmet as he rode catered breakfast on the shore overlooking a 2015 Gold Wing the ocean in Pacific Grove near the with our group. Brandes Elitch lives in Sonoma County, and is currently restoring a Honda CB750 with sidecar. He writes a monthly column for velocetoday.com.

Analog Motorcycles’ 1949 Indian took 1st place in Custom/Modified.

Photo: Gary Boulanger

Nice dude who owns several bikes, including a custom Ducati 1098 by Nick Anglada Originals and a Triumph Rocket III.

Mert Lawwill and a fan, with one of the few Lawwill Street Trackers.

Photo: Gary Boulanger

The main event unfolded nicely. My pals Geoff and John, Jean and I weren’t quite sure where to start once we entered the Quail. Keanu Reeves’ Arch brand was there (as was the “Point Break” star himself), but the highlight was talking shop with the builders.

Chicago’s Tony Prust of Analog had a glorious custom 1949 Indian Scout and ‘75 BMW R90/6 on display, and took home the prize in the Custom/Modified category for the former. He worked construction for years prior to reworking motorcycle metal, and his attention to detail was evident at the Quail. My bicycle industry pal Robert Egger showed off a bitchin’ scrambler concept bicycle that had onlookers looking in vain for a motor. For more than a quarter century the Specialized Bicycle creative director has crafted concept bikes like this for trade shows, a reflection of his passion for throttle bikes as well as pedal. Tiburon’s own Mert Lawwill was featured with former racer Gene Romero, and the two stars of “On Any Sunday” spoke to the crowd. Mert, an affable man who focuses mainly on prosthetics to get people back on motorcycles after losing the use of a hand, shared his Harley Street Tracker development process to an excited line of fans. 366 bikes were on display this year, and I was thrilled to see so many Guzzis and BMWs. Pagnol Moto co-founder Paulo Rosas and Arch Motorcycles co-owner Gard Hollinger were equally thrilled by the LaneSplittingIsLegal.com stickers I gave them as the show wrapped up, a sure sign that the motorcycle community just plain ol’ digs gathering together to share its passion, no matter what we ride.

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Gary Boulanger is editor-in-chief of Bicycle Times magazine, and rides his Guzzi every moment he gets with his wife Jean.

Buried Beemer Unearthed At The Quail By Geoff Drake

We like to say that motorcycle restorations are like archaeological finds. History is revealed beneath every layer of dirt and dust—a thousand stories told in the arcane language of slapping pistons, worn valve guides, and multicolored wiring bodges.

That’s not just a cute analogy for this 1965 BMW R69S: it was actually buried—on purpose, along with two other BMWs, in advance of a fast-burning wildfire in the Big Sur mountains. It also won the “Spirit of the Quail Award” at the 2015 Quail Motorcycle Gathering in the Carmel Valley.

straight into the sun, and thanked god for the small things in life—like being able to stand on its own two feet and chuff its way regally down the highway with Teutonic precision.

Talbott’s buried Beemer received the Spirit of The Quail award.

Well, mostly. On two occasions, the bike rudely burped up spark plugs that had been previously stripped in the heads. But other than that, it’s been a good runner.

The owner lived up a steep, largely inaccessible canyon near Esalen. When the Big Basin fires hit in the summer of 2008, burning almost 250,000 acres, there just wasn’t time to transport the bikes out. So the owner took his handy loader, dug a hole, and buried them—for a month. In a sobering way, it’s the motorcycling equivalent of the famed Mann Gulch fire of 1949 in Montana, when a firefighter saved himself by lighting a small patch of earth and letting a devastating fire pass over him. That act required the same kind of spontaneous decision. If the fire is advancing too fast, maybe you need to hold your ground and dig in. For that survivor, and these bikes, it was the only hope. A Day in the Sun Collector Robert Talbott, owner and founder of Talbott Vineyards, met the eccentric owner in 2011, and arranged to buy the bikes. For Talbott, the R69S was the motorcycling equivalent of King Tut’s tomb—without the gold amulets and scarabs. “I’ve been restoring ‘barn finds’ for 20 years,” he says. “I love bikes with great stories.” Talbott enlisted Ben Vickery of Ben’s Motorcycle Works in Watsonville to help

Photo: Steve Burton

retrieve all three bikes—no easy task. It required a very narrow truck, and a bobcat.

Talbott told Vickery to make the bike a reliable runner.

“It was so gnarly,” said Vickery. “One side of the truck was scraping the side of the mountain, and the other was falling off a cliff.”

“But I gave explicit instructions,” says Talbott. “Don’t power-wash, clean, beadblast, repaint, or polish the bike. Just leave it as is.

One of the bikes—a ’71 /5 with toaster tank—is now being converted to a scrambler by Vickery. Another—a ratty BMW chopper—was sold. But the real target of the expedition was the R69S.

“After all, it’s the only bike in the world with that story.” After two years of extensive work, the bike emerged like a miner rescued from underground: it squinted its eyes, looked

“It’s incredibly easy to ride,” says Talbott. “It’s big, and heavy, but the solo seat is wonderful. Plus, in 1965, it was a real hot rod for BMW.” Looking at the bike today, you can see that the air cleaner has a fine patina of rus Beemer t. A few other parts look like they were worked over by a drunken blacksmith with a ball-peen hammer. But the Earles fork resembled the Golden Gate Bridge when it was first built, and it still does. The fenders still could do service on a Kenworth truck, and the headlight looks big enough to illuminate a prison yard. Even the taillights cast the dim flicker that they always had—no better and no worse. Only the number “6” is missing from the insignia on the rear fender, which Talbott thinks is a fitting omission for such a storied bike. Anyone looking at the Beemer today might just be tempted to say, “Damn, that thing looks like it’s been through a fire!” In this case, it actually has. Geoff Drake is the former editor of Bicycling and VeloNews magazines. He’s also written a couple of books about two wheels. You can find his latest musings at wriding.com.

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Le Tigre: Triumph Tiger 800 XCx

By Surj Gish Photos: Bob Stokstad

T

he number of confusingly similarly named Tiger 800 versions may leave you confused as to which Tiger we’re talking about, so I’m gonna (try to) clear that up right out of the gate. The XCx (no relation to that particularly bad pop singer, Charli XCX) is the upgraded, more “hardcore” version of the off-road oriented Tiger 800 XC.

Fortunately, the rest of the hardware is pretty legit. Stopping power comes by way of two 308 mm discs up front, squeezed two-piston Nissin calipers, with a single

Look - it’s not hard to bolt on suspension upgrades, add a letter to the name, maybe paint the frame a different color and call it a day. Fortunately, that’s not what Triumph

Switching to Off-road mode (indicated by a little mountain on the display) shuts off ABS on the rear wheel and increases the immediacy of the power delivery. Fun!

More on that later. Let’s talk particulars first.

There’s also cruise control. Woo! Heated grips are optional, which is the “glass is half full” way of saying “you have to pay extra for heated grips. Poo!

The XCx is basically a Tiger XC (which presumably stands for “cross country” and not “x-tra cheese”) with upgraded suspension, “dirtier” equipment (like hand guards), and other off-road upgrades that mostly come in the form of electronics.

Ergos are sort of adjustable by way of a twoheight seat. Low position is about 33”, while the high position is just under 34”. There’s an optional low seat that makes the range about 32” to 33”—still pretty tall.

It comes with a 17” rear wheel and propersized front wheel for real off-road riding. That’s 21”, in case your adventure bike mostly adventures from coffee shop to coffee shop. It’s ok, I won’t tell anyone.

Enough facts and figures, though, right? We took this bike everywhere. It’s our style to really ride our test bikes, and the Tiger XCx got an extra helping of this treatment. It went on several multi-day trips, in and out of SF, to the Cycle Gear HQ (almost as posh as CityBike’s offices), and saw a fair amount of off-road duty.

And like I said, we’ll talk more about offroad-y-ness later.

In terms of dirty deeds, that x-tra “X” also gets you an upgraded skid plate, crash bars and hand guards. The bars and skid plate are unromantic, purposeful pieces that seem like they’ll do their jobs, but the hand guards are the first sign that the “spirit of adventure” didn’t quite make it into “every single component.” They’re plastic, and quite frankly, pretty wimpy for a bike that’s supposed to be ready to take on the unpaved parts of the world. It’s not like Triumph is the first bike maker to commit the sin of using hand guards that look proper at first glance, but provide about as much protection as a piece of Tupperware, and this is easily addressed— but this is an XC with extra “X”! Come on!

There’s a rain mode, but since it never rains any more… see above. All sport mode, all the time. Wait… here’s an important point: we here at CityBike applaud the addition of some kind of rain mode to modern bikes. It’s a cool feature, and I’m not dissing it. I just have a hard time doing much more than a cursory test, like “Yeah, ok, Rain mode is slower. Back to Sport we go!”

Triumph says “The spirit of adventure isn’t just alive. It’s built into every single component of the new XCx.”

The additional “X” gets you WP suspension, instead of the Showa bits on the XC: 43mm upside-downers up front, with adjustable rebound and compression toppers, and a single shock out back, adjustable for preload and rebound damping. Travel is 220 mm up front, 215 mm in the rear.

Seriously? I have to tell you? Sport, duh.

piston clamping the 255 mm disc out back. There’s of course ABS, but we’re going to talk more about that in a bit. Hint: because it’s special. Motivation comes from the now nearlegendary 800cc Triple: fuel injected, DOHC, hooked up to a six speed tranny. It puts out just under 95 horsepower, and delivers 58 foot-pounds of torque.

did (this time). The electronics get some seriously good tweaks that up the game of the Tiger over the standard XC. First, let’s talk about the most important upgrade: the advanced trip computer. Just kidding. It’s advanced or whatever, but… uh, whatever.

The riding modes and adjustable traction control and ABS are the big deal here. If you’ve got ears and/or eyes, you’ve There are road and off-road modes, made probably heard or read multiple accounts possible by the magic of ride-by-wire of how this motor is just great, fantastic, throttle, and a user-customizable mode awesome, and so on. that lets the rider screw around with And it is. Triumph’s Triples are excellent— traction control, throttle response and ABS settings. no denying it. But since it’s been said so many times, we’re not going to waste time But really, the default modes are pretty repeating that praise (well, maybe some… damn good. Power delivery in Road mode but later) and instead move on to the is pretty civilized, even when switched to electronic upgrades that make the XCx Sport. Guess which mode our bike stayed version of the Tiger x-tra special. in. July 2015 | 17 | CityBike.com

Back on the road to Trona, the Tiger felt more at home—although I have no doubt that with more off-road oriented tires, it’d do well in most off-road situations, short of serious single track and that sort of thing. Even with those damn Battlewings on it, it That big front wheel, in spite of what more did fine on the several miles of dirt road out street-centric riders will tell you, works well to the Pinnacles, and puttering around out on and off the road. Sure, if you’re never in the desert. going to entertain off-road aspirations, you After the Pinnacles, I headed towards might be better served by the 19” front of an XR or XRx, but you don’t give up much greater Los Angeles, AKA Greater Hell. More rain. It seems that every time I head to the increased front wheel size on the south, the skies open up. If I could just street. set side more time for riding to SoCal When I reached Lake Isabella, the water (ugh…) I could single-handedly solve this was so low that a jaunt around the lakebed drought thing. Maybe I should do one of was unavoidable. Seemed like a good idea those crowd-funding dealies: “Help solve at the time. Spirit of adventure, right? California’s drought—pay Surj to just ride Standing on the pegs, riding one side of the all the time!” formerly underwater doubletrack trails in Solid plan, indeed. the lakebed, the XCx felt great—almost Here’s the point: at the end of a pretty like a real dirt bike. But I got in over my head in some of the soft sand at water’s edge hellish day, with lots of freeway miles, lots of rain, lots of wind, and even an off-road and the bike was dug into the soft clay/ But when I checked the weather the This is where the other area that the mud/muck in no time. Fortunately, after I excursion gone a little wrong, I couldn’t morning of my departure, it was snowing “spirit of adventure” (as opposed to actual complain much adventure-readiness) failed to deliver in the in the mountains, so I decided to take 5 about the bike; south, and cut over to the Pinnacles via real world. The Bridgestone Battlewings just the opposite, are pretty good all-purpose tires, but when Highway 178. I strapped my black and actually. I could the going gets sloppy, well… you’re gonna yellow, adventure-y looking Wolfman dry imagine riding bag on the seat and hit the road. It rained— want to slow down, unless you want to several more days at times really poured—most of the way test those crash bars. And if you’re stupid on it. to Bakersfield, where it got really windy enough (like me) to head out into a sortadry, sorta-muddy lakebed with the bike still and dusty and unpleasant in a different When I’m assessing wearing the stock shoes, you deserve what way. The kind of way that includes massive test bikes, I think tumbleweeds rolling across the freeway. you get. about the bike several ways: It was cold and wet, so I was sort of Note to self, and you, if you’re my kind like how the bike frustrated by the lack of heated grips, of dumb: pack one of those little folding compare to similar but other than that, the Tiger did fine. shovels next time, damnit. bikes in its class The upright riding position and spacious Like the hand guards, tires are easily and price range, ergonomics made it plenty comfortable for addressed, and it’s not like I didn’t know which is a fair and the full duration of a tank of fuel, although the tires were inadequate for real off-road fairly objective the seat has kind of a weird spot at the use when I headed out into the lakebed... question. But I back where you can feel the hard plastic but still. X-tra X! also ask myself two frame, which means the usable size of the questions: would I rider portion of the two-piece seat is less Maybe I’ve got this wrong. Maybe I should buy this thing with than it could be. The windscreen, while really be bitching at the riders that create my own money, non-adjustable and not particularly large, this pseudo-adventure market, buying and could I ride did a nice job of managing wind noise— tall-rounder sport-tourers that look like it every day? The no bubble of tranquility like with a large the real deal but rarely see more dirt than former is subjective screen, mind you, but the airflow was that leftover gunk in the newly opened, but sensible, well managed and smooth, with very little post-thaw curves of springtime mountain while the latter buffeting. passes. Hell, I’m often guilty of this myself. is near-idiotic— But the still-seething rebellion of the When I hit the twisties of 178, the Tiger lots of awesome now sorta-grown up punk kid in me still really came alive. Roared, you might gave up on extracting it from the muck by bikes make terrible daily riders. What can bristles at moto-marketing departments say. It’s easy to ride quickly—the power myself, a couple of nice fisherman I found I say? It’s the years of single-bike daily “stretching the truth.” delivery from the Triple is so smooth a half mile or so down the shoreline helped commuting speaking. that once you get learn its ways and get Fortunately, the Tiger delivers in every me pull the bike out, and I was on my way. your trail braking right, it lets you carve other way. For real, for serious. It’s bad ass. And please note the italics and pause between “bad” and “ass” for emphasis of the badass-ness. curves oh-so-smoothly. The Battlewings, which would be my undoing just an hour later, stick to pavement well enough that I dragged the pegs through some really tight, bumpy stuff with zero drama.

Between its light-ish weight (for an adventure bike) and the excellent power delivery, The XCx is a dream to ride. A really good dream, actually. Almost wet. Max was so in love with it, I had to promise him an R1 to get him to give it back. We’ll see how that goes. Actually, we will—very soon. Stay tuned. The best way to tell you about the experience of riding this thing is to tell you how I took it back to SoCal. I’d planned to ride it over Sonora Pass, trace the backside of the Sierra south, and photograph the bike at the Trona Pinnacles. Spirit of adventure and all that. July 2015 | 18 | CityBike.com

rush hour pace of East Bay freeways, 3rd was the one gear to rule them all. Prior to getting dirty with Peaches, I had only done a little flat track (“No Experience? No Problem. Let’s Go Racing!” - September 2014), so I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about getting her dirty. But she understood, and was very gentle... too gentle. At first, I failed to shut off the traction control which resulted in a couple of “oh shit!” moments. Nothing gets my heart pumping like thwacking the go stick to slide around a corner only to have the power go away. I don’t blame Peaches though; I blame my inability to locate her “dirty button”. Seriously, all I had to do was press the mode button on the dash to unleash the slide-y goodness.

If I like a bike, I start to think about what I’d need to do to make it mine, make it perfect. For the Tiger, that list is short. I’d add luggage, and mount my GPS on the bars. I’d get some real hand guards, and depending on the type of riding I was doing, I might get some different tires. I’d probably get a custom seat to address that little ridge at the back of the stocker. These are things I’d have to do to almost any bike I’d buy. And with most bikes, I’d have to do substantially more.

The Triumph Tiger XCx is a worthy, even kickass, machine; one I could see myself spending my own money on and riding every day.

Max Loves “Peaches XCx” By Max Klein

Her name is Peaches, and we are in love. She is gentle when I need her to be, and when I want to rev it up a bit, Peaches is always ready to go. She liked to get dirty, and let me to do things with her than no other demo bike would.

Before you accuse Peaches of being a homewrecker, I already told my wife. The three of us enjoyed our romps through the hills, and Mrs. Klein was almost more disappointed that this fling had to come to an end than I was. In all seriousness, the Tiger XCx 800 was the most enjoyable test bike I have been on. Sure, before Peaches, that list consisted mostly two giant cruisers, but trust me. I’m a professional. Commuting on this bike was a breeze. When traffic slowed to CHP-recommended lane sharing speeds, you could either drop three gears, or leave Peaches in 6th—she didn’t care. The gearbox was so forgiving that I decided to try my commute without leaving 3rd gear. From stop and go street traffic, to the blistering

July 2015 | 19 | CityBike.com

While too much baggage is usually a bad thing, it was the only thing really missing from Peaches. A couple of sidecases and a top case would make the XCx a damn near perfect middleweight machine. Even a soulmate. I’ll miss you, Peaches.

Aww Sheet!

The 2015 Sheetiron 300 Dualsport By Aaron Bonner Photos by Aaron Bonner & Bungee Brent

W

hen a few of my riding buddies suggested doing the Sheetiron 300 this year I was initially skeptical. I did the ride a couple of years back on a plated 250cc two-stroke, and had an absolute blast. But I also remembered the crowds, the dust, and the wear and tear on my aging body. So I’d decided that once was enough. My riding buddies, however, are a persistent bunch. We rode Baja in January, and many of them were going to be doing the Sheetiron for the first time this year. My trusty 2010 KTM 690 Enduro R. Photo: Aaron Bonner

bike performed flawlessly in Baja, and I’d just finished stripping down and building back up, with fresh seals and bearings from top to bottom. The beauty of the 690 is that I have no qualms about riding it from Pacifica to Stonyford, instead of trucking a bike like many riders on smaller dualsport bikes do. I rolled out from my house in Pacifica on Friday afternoon, and made good time through San Francisco, at least until I hit the Bay Bridge, when I noticed that I had gone a bit over 200 miles since I last refuelled. “I wonder when my low fuel light is going to come on,” I thought to myself.

Photo: Bungee Brent

of my friends congregated around one of the large trees that dot the Stonyford Rodeo Grounds, where many riders camp. Shortly after my arrival, the skies opened up, drenching the campground and providing quite a spectacle of thunder and lightning. Fortunately, the storm stopped almost as quickly as it started, and we resumed our pre-storm activities, mostly drinking beer and greyhounds and eating unhealthy snacks. This was going to be a fun night! I’m not sure what time I went to bed, but the morning arrived much more quickly than I would have liked. Our group of seven was a bit on the large side, and not particularly well organized.

Not 500 yards later, my question was answered. As I sputtered to a stop on the shoulder of the Bay Bridge I cursed myself For those of you unfamiliar, the Sheetiron for relying on a dummy is an annual dualsport ride hosted by the light, particularly Oakland Motorcycle Club; a two day ride, when I had recently every May, from Stonyford to Fort Bragg been experiencing the and back, limited to 500 riders. occasional gremlins in my The organizers provide easier routes for big dash display. adventure bikes, and more difficult routes Sigh. for riders on more dirt-oriented machines. I’ll save you the details, Riders of various skill levels can mix and match the easy and hard sections to achieve but it was another ninety minutes-plus before I the desired level of difficulty. The OMC keeps it old school, using roll charts instead was on my way. Lesson of GPX files for navigation, which adds a bit learned. of fun. The rest of the ride to Stonyford was uneventful, My weapon of choice for this year’s event: and I arrived to find many Photo: Bungee Brent my trusty 2010 KTM 690 Enduro R. The In spite of my initial doubts, it didn’t take much convincing before I decided I would join them.

July 2015 | 20 | CityBike.com

We got a bit of a late start, but the previous night’s rain kept the dust under control. We had barely hit the first hard split when one of our most skilled riders had to call it quits. The newly rebuilt shock on his XR had zero damping and he was bouncing like a bull rider in a rodeo. Apparently, the shop had messed up his shock pretty badly. Not good. He turned back, lest he slow us down too much and risk injuring himself. Bummer. I somehow got volunteered to lead the group after that. This went well, until I had a nasty crash.

Nearing the end of a steep downhill section, I saw a nice roller at the bottom. I was feeling pretty good and decided to give it some gas and catch some air. But I’d misjudged the magnitude of the bump, and soon found myself much higher up than expected. To make matters worse, I was also a bit sideways—that extra twist of the throttle had spun the rear and sent launched me at a bit of an angle. I could tell that this was not going to end well. I almost brought the bike back in line before landing. Almost… but I smashed into the ground pretty hard, where I remained until one of my buddies arrived. After the obligatory pictures of him taking a nap with my sleeping bike, he helped me pick it up. I was too sore to pick it up on my own—not a good sign. My field assessment: bruised a few ribs, but nothing serious. I decided to press on. After another eight-plus hours, we rolled into Fort Bragg. A few of our crew had taken some spills, and we were all dirty, sore and tired. It was a great day! Over dinner, I let my buddies know that I was in too much pain to complete the event, and had decided to ride directly home from Fort Bragg. It was a tough decision, but ultimately the right one—the next morning, after a scenic but painful ride down the coast, I decided to get checked out at the hospital.

Daniel, Craig and W taking a quick break before hitting the trail again.

Sure enough, my trailside diagnosis was a little off—I had a couple of cracked ribs.

Photo: Aaron Bonner

Gus!

2015 was my second Sheetiron and even though I only completed the first day, it was even better than my first. This is an event that is best enjoyed with friends, and I had a great group of friends with me. The scenery was nothing short of amazing, and the memories will last a long time—as will the teasing about crashing less than an hour into the first day. If you haven’t experienced the Sheetiron Dualsport, I strongly recommend you gear up with a few friends and make it happen. Aaron Bonner is CityBike’s newest writer. He lives in Pacifica, works in the bio-pharmasomething-or-other industry, is an avid home brewer, and has been riding motorcycles of all sorts since he was 7 years old.

Photo: Bungee Brent

Caught a bit more air than anticipated and failed to stick the landing. W decided that a nap sounded good and joined my bike for a few quick winks.

Photo: Aaron Bonner July 2015 | 21 | CityBike.com

Uncertainty Of Goodbye

sam DEVINE

of mortality. But impending surgeries, terminal diseases, lost loved ones, these reveal not only our own brevity, but the fragility of all life. When we realize that we’re pretty much in constant danger, motorcycling suddenly makes sense. If we’re going to buy the farm, we might as well tear up some country roads along the way.

A

recent motorcycle student chose to do only one lesson because he was going in for surgery soon. He’s a tech developer, new to San Francisco, only living here for about a year. He works about 90 hours a week developing an app for a start-up company. He’s having a small tumor removed from his brain. It’s benign, he assured me, but warned that he couldn’t hear from his left ear because of it.

While motorcycling is still statistically one of the most dangerous ways to travel (around an 8 out of 10,000 chance of fatality), it’s not as hazardous as a McDiet. And when you look at the numbers, the risks while riding are significantly increased by other vehicles, speeding and alcohol. If you wear a helmet, obey the speed limit, stay sober and avoid heavy traffic, it’s about as precarious as walking down the street.

He did well with the bike and received the same lesson I would give anyone else—advice on how to progress gradually: get this type of glove, that type of helmet; don’t ride the clutch or repairs can get expensive. But while discussing long-term plans, there was an underlying sense that this might be his only motorcycle ride. Two people I know have survived brain surgery in the last two years and I’ve never personally known anyone that’s died on the operating table. But surgery is still a scary prospect. When mom had neck surgery a few years ago she was terrified enough to give us a little just-in-case goodbye speech. I’ve gone under the knife a few times and there’s always a little nagging thought in the back of the brain, warning: “Say your goodbyes, pal.”

Illustration by Mr. Jensen

As a trade-off for the increased risk, motorcycling gives us a sensation of control. There are many reasons to ride, but the strongest reason I know of is the need to live, to hold the reins, to feel things now. That’s why the pre-op student wanted a motorcycle lesson. Staring down the barrel of brain surgery, he realized there were things he hadn’t done and was going after them while he had the time, just in case.

“...the longest to live and the soonest to die lose exactly the same thing, for it is only the present moment which one can be deprived of…” -Marcus Aurelius

Surgery makes us stop and consider our mortality more than usual. We tell ourselves that our risk of death is greatly increasing; time to get our affairs in order. But the truth is that we’re really just lying to ourselves the rest of the time. Any number of things could kill us at any moment, and eventually something absolutely will.

Motorcycling is considered too dangerous for most people. And we often dismiss the hazards of motorcycling, joking that we could be killed by a truck while walking down the street, but it seriously happens. According to the US Department of Transportation, around 5,000 pedestrians have been killed annually since the 90s. Remarkably, throughout the 90s, the number of motorcyclist fatalities hovered around half that of pedestrians. But we don’t call our loved ones to say goodbye before we walk to the corner store. We’re afraid of surgery not because the risk has actually increased but because we have to relinquish control, trusting our lives in someone else’s hands. If the surgeon’s cereal was soggy at sun-up, a

sudden scalpel slip could clip away a life. So the seat, I think of every cool explosion I’ve ever seen and yell inside my head, “Yeah it goes. baby! Let’s light this frickin’ candle! Woo!” We’re afraid of flying for the same reason. While plane flights distress us In 2011 and 2012 the odds of dying in a commercial flight in the US were precisely momentarily, they don’t give us the full freak-out, the absolute realization zero, goose egg, nada, bupkis. So it’s actually safer on a plane than walking down the street. But we don’t pop a Xanax before entering a crosswalk. Instead we panic—partially because of mainstream media hype—because we’re powerless to control our fate if that little tin can starts to nose-dive from 30,000 feet. If we were really afraid of death, we’d stop eating cheeseburgers, cut our alcohol intake in half and use safer transportation. But what we’re really afraid of is feeling helpless, held hostage by doctors and pilots. But there’s one thing we can always do: let go and enjoy the ride. I’m scared of lying in pain on a hospital bed, dying slowly, unable to move, alone, broken, feeble, devoured by age or disease. That’s not how I want to go. So right before lift-off, when the plane engines thrust, pressing me back against July 2015 | 22 | CityBike.com

And while he rode, he was grinning ear to ear. Lost in the motion, forgetting his troubles and potential impending doom. He was alive and free, if only for a moment.

Sam is CityBike’s newest columnist. He lives in SF, teaches motorcycling and kitesurfing during the day, tends bar at night, and sports the closest thing to ZZ Top-level facial hair of any of the CityBike Wrecking Crew.

dr. gregory w. FRAZIER Chief, World Adventure Affairs Desk

Stolen Adventures Around The Globe

front of the hotel, with a “security guard on duty all night,” according to the manager. My mental replay of the attempt at stealing the motorcycle was simple. Two or more thieves tried to quietly roll the ir, come down to the front desk, motorcycle away, only to discover the your moto has been stolen!” front forks locked. They then lifted yelled the hotel operator on the the front wheel off the ground and bedside phone at 3:00 AM when he called continued to drag it forward until my room in Bogota, Colombia. the chain I had wrapped around the rear wheel and locked became Pandemonium and doom best described ensnarled in the swing arm. Six feet my feeling as I rushed to the front of the into their theft they realized their plan hotel. Then giant perplexium clouded was doomed due to lack of manpower. my fuzzy gray matter because I saw my They dropped the motorcycle front motorcycle flopped in the middle of the street laid on its side. The sleepy parking lot wheel and beat feet. The crash of the guard was shaking off his evening alcoholic motorcycle on the street awoke the security buzz while standing on the hotel sidewalk. guard from his beer-induced nap and he woke the front desk worker who called me. I ran to the downed BMW R80G/S that was leaking gas on the street. Between the I unlocked the front forks, rear security sobering security guard and me, we righted chain and untangled the rear wheel and we rolled the motorcycle back to a parking it and parked it on the side stand. An spot closer to the front door so the night inspection found nothing broken or bent. manager could see it from the front desk, The front forks were still in the locked when and if he was awake. position. It had been the my first night in Colombia The loss of the motorcycle would have with the motorcycle and I had taken a hotel brought my South American adventure to an early halt, but the loss of the cash I that was mid-scale in price but offered advertised secured parking in a paved lot in had carefully hidden on the motorcycle far exceeded the cost of the motorcycle, teaching me to break-up my cash stash and hide it in places other than all in one wad on the motorcycle.

Illustration by Mr. Jensen

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An acquaintance relayed his stolen motorcycle story from Luang Prabang, Laos, bettering my Colombian adventure. He had rented a new Kawasaki KLX250S in Thailand and was doing a two week loop into Laos. At night he would off-load his side bags and tank bang, leaving the stock Kawasaki parked with locked forks in a secured hotel parking lot, as secure as he could find, which on his night of stolen-motorcycleadventure included a security guard.

An hour later the front desk worker was back excitedly pounding on the guest’s door, saying, “Your mocy, come, your mocy!”

was halted when a pick-up truck stopped next to his motorcycle and six men leapt out of the truck bed. One quickly used a giant set of bolt cutters to cut the chain and before the owner could slide out of his A second rush to the front of the hotel restaurant booth and run at the thieves found the security guard holding two they had lifted and tossed his motorcycle Long after the town had quieted down and locals at the end of his gun with their hands into the bed of the truck, jumped back in in the air. he was asleep he was awoken by the front themselves and were gone. desk worker knocking on his door, who was Unbelievably, the two thieves had returned Recounting these tales of nearly stolen and saying, “Your mocy, come, your mocy.” to the scene of their earlier attempted stolen motorcycles my acquaintance noted When he reached the street they found the crime with a second pull cart. They had that he and I had been lucky. We were in managed to quietly roll the motorcycle security guard standing guard over the foreign countries when our not-so-smart motorcycle resting on top of a broken two- far enough away from the security guards thieves tried to bring our adventures to an sleeping post to muscle it halfway onto wheel pull cart in the middle of the street. end. Not so lucky was the Harley traveler the bed of the pull cart before the security The weight of the locked motorcycle, in the United States, his adventure having having been lifted and loaded on to the flat guard awoke and halted their theft with his ended by his motorcycle thieves being pointed gun. pull cart, had caused one of the wheels of better trained or educated in the art of the pull cart to collapse and the thieves had The police were called and the two motorcycle thievery. abandoned their effort and disappeared thieves were supposedly taken to jail, Dr. Frazier’s new all-color coffee table book, into the night. the paperwork and questioning taking DOWN AND OUT IN PATAGONIA, the renter, security guard and thieves The motorcycle was wrestled off the KAMCHATKA AND TIMBUKTU, into daylight hours, at which point my downed cart, front forks unlocked and available at mototorbooks.com, is the firstacquaintance took photographs. rolled back to the shed where the security ever first-hand chronicle of a never-ending guard assured the front desk worker and motorcycle ride by “the world’s most cerebral We were laughing at the stupidity of our guest he would more diligently insure its thief stories until we recalled the tale about motorcyclist.” It is highly “recommended” by security the rest of the night. the Harley-Davidson Sportster owner who Grant Johnson, horizonsunlimited.com had chained his motorcycle to a telephone adventure travel book guru, and for dream riding armchair and keyboard adventurists. pole and locked the forks. His adventure July 2015 | 23 | CityBike.com

maynard

Glenn was hundreds of miles from home, his GS held hostage until he paid the exorbitant charges. He argued, then gritted his teeth and paid, rode home and parked the bike. Never rode it again. Years later he sold it. He never again wanted to find himself at the mercy of a predatory service department. Soured him on motorcycling permanently.

Catalina Island races and the half-mile flat track racing at Ascot Park in Gardena.

Mexico line. Pretty country, chock full of nothing at all.

He moved to Northern California, lived in San Francisco and kept riding. We met in 1970, when I opened a motorcycle accessory store not far away in San Mateo. Luckily, the friends I made through the store lasted far longer than the store itself.

Not far into New Mexico, in an area where a nuclear explosion might well go unnoticed; a radar cop got me for 75mph in a 65mph zone. I took my helmet off when I got off the bike so the young officer could see my gray hair. I was impeccably polite.

Benson and the rally were an easy half-day away. Around 100 riders came to the first-year event, some from as far away as western Canada or the US Southeast and Midwest.

Jim only recently sold his yellow Ducati 748. He was over 90 then, surely the oldest 748 owner on the planet. As you’d expect, he found the low bars prohibitively uncomfortable, and didn’t want to mount higher ones. They are inappropriate, he felt, on such a lovely, purposeful bike.

I told him I’d been riding at a speedometer 75, counting, as always, on my ZRX’s speedo reading 10% high. He said I’d been going exactly as fast as my speedo read. I didn’t believe him there on the side of Highway 80, but I nodded and signed the citation.

We watched the MotoGP from Argentina together. I thanked him yet again for convincing me to follow those events a decade ago. I remember him talking about Valentino Rossi, and not knowing who

When I got home, I sent the money to the state of New Mexico. Maybe they’ll use my fine to build a new wing on a children’s hospital.

HERSHON

I

n the middle of April I rode south from Denver into New Mexico and west into southern Arizona. The plan was to attend a BMW rally in Benson, maybe 35 miles east of Tucson. Because my entire trip was at altitude and in April, I didn’t dare ride two-lane mountain roads—too much chance of snow.

Appeared to me that more than half the bikes there were GS BMWs, giant streetor-trail models. Each day at the rally, local volunteers led a street ride and a dirt ride. Remarkably, the off-road rides outdrew the street rides.

Sights Along the Road Illustration by Mr. Jensen

So loaded was it, the rider appeared to be moving by scooter to his new home. Minus furniture, of course. We almost never see small scooters outside of cities here in the US. Email Editor Surj if you think I’m wrong. I gave the guy a big thumbs-up as I passed. If he’d have been riding a bit faster, I’d have rolled along with him, maybe stopped with him for coffee, heard some stories. Oh, well.

Until he was in his 40s, Jim lived in Southern California, where he rode with friends and attended events that are gone but have become legends—like the

Jim, at 94 years of age, walks the same and talks the same. His gait is a little slower, but still recognizable. It’s Jim. When I followed him from town out to his and Irene’s place in Naco, I had to hustle to keep up. No kidding. He’s not afraid to stretch the throttle cable. Has a life eyeballs-deep in motorcycling kept him healthy and vital? Can’t have hurt, can it? We said goodbye over coffee in downtown Bisbee. I headed east on Highway 80 past the Geronimo Surrender Site east of Douglas, Arizona, almost to the New

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I spent the night in a motel in Silver City and had dinner and breakfast with my ex-motorcyclist friend Glenn. Glenn used to ride lots of miles on his R11GS, long camping loops all over the US. On one of those loops, he realized his bike was due for a service. He stopped at a now defunct BMW dealer in Idaho. The guys there installed a tire and did a basic service to his GS, charged him twice or three times what he’d expected.

Jim rides every day, usually only to go into Bisbee from his home in nearby Naco, a stone’s throw from Mexico, to coffee with cronies at the Bisbee Coffee Company downtown.

Rossi was. He liked calling him Rudolph Valentino.

LLY

In the middle of nowhere, New Mexico the next morning, miles from civilization, I saw what looked like a heavily laden motorcycle ahead. I caught it surprisingly quickly. It was a scooter, right there on I-25. Not a maxi-scooter but a smallish one, maybe a 150 or so, ridden at 45mph in the slow lane.

After the rally, I rode to Bisbee, Arizona, a few miles from the border with Mexico, to visit my buddy Jim W. My motorcycle friend for 45 years, Jim is 94 years old. He only has two bikes now, my old Honda GB500, looking every bit as good as it did when he bought it from me several years ago, and a supermoto-ized DR650 Suzuki.

HO

So I rode Interstate 25 south through Colorado Springs and Pueblo, over Raton Pass and down past Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I reached Socorro, New Mexico, that first night, tired but pleased. It’d be an easy ride to Silver City in the morning.

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July 2015 | 24 | CityBike.com

ed HERTFELDER

The Assassin Schemel said that was right; Fletcher said that he couldn’t say, because ever since he hit that tree branch his memory is only in black and white.

e

ation by M r. J

Seems that Ed and that goofy Rokon he rode were wearing-in a new drive belt and got themselves snookered into following a Suzuki riding, mild manner reporter who had turned into Superman on a fast firecut near Quaker Bridge. Ed had ducked a branch and looked up again to see a SECOND branch two and a half inches in front of his eyebrow approaching at eighteen miles an hour.

en ns

str Illu

W

e were standing around waiting for the Stumpjumper enduro results, forearming icicles off our noses and warming our hands on what the volunteer firemen called coffee. Somebody, not me, asked Ed Fletcher about the bruise on the side of his face, a blue centered, yellow edged patch of color which I estimated to be a week and a full bottle of Bufferin old.

That same guy had got ME, three weeks ago. I had gone to Quaker Bridge Road just to get some of the tightness out of a new chain,

Four wheel drives and horses aside, the road is the nearest one to civilization that isn’t growing a housing project every quarter-mile. And it’s also near a watering hole called Pic-A-Lilly Inn where the ice cold necessities of life are available.

Like Daniel Boone, I can honestly say I’ve never been LOST. Confused often, but never lost. Boone, remember, admitted he was once confused for TWO MONTHS but never lost. Soon, I found I had to screw it on quite a bit to keep up with the guy, and the air ramming down my open collar was pressurizing my jacket like a stuffed sausage. I stopped dragging my boot to mark the turns after I caught a root and almost kicked myself in the back of my neck. Fast is one thing, and over your head is another. In between is a margin of maybe one mile an hour, separating exhilaration and scaring yourself into locking up your bowels. The guy had me breathing hard and deep and exhilarating myself into a bad case of hyperventilation which tends to cloud my vision with red spots—not good when there are trees coming at you BEHIND the red spots. Foolish, I followed him up the steep side of Jemima Mountain until my traction and forward progress went away and I did my ODNE number.

“Does it hurt?”

The Suzuki rider had “Training Wheels Schemel was standing seemed to behind us and had overheard the story of materialize the quick Suzuki riding stranger. “Same from a guy got me”, Schemel said as he hiked up because road culvert his pants leg and showed up an elliptical the road as soon as I slice of Lebenon baloney stuck to his leg had just rolled my Bultaco where his exhaust pipe had cooled. the right out of my van. The Schemel had also been riding near Quaker combination pleasant looking rider of stutter-bumps Bridge when he met a fellow who knew asked about the clock and and gully-whoppers some trails, and the next thing he knew route sheet holder and the spare to stretch an extra halfhe was steering his motorcycle with the cables and the vice grips clamped on the footpegs out of a slow-roll off an off-camber link in no time at all. (This was front down tube and he even noticed the before the introduction of O-ring chains). turn that was so off-camber that you shift lever spiked as high as it would go. I couldn’t walk upright on it. It’s not a nice place to ride—every time you gave him my fifty cent enduro spiel, laying the word “competition” on him as much hit the middle of top gear you meet a four “Was that one of those yellow bikes that as I thought he could stand and making wheel drive car or a four leg drive horse look like three bananas in a row?” enduro riding sound like a combination standing in the same rut you’re glued to. Super Bowl, World War II and penicillin. “Only when I move my left eye.”

An ODNE is an ENDO going backwards. Ordinarily these can turn into a “Let’s wait for the X-rays” situation, but I have perfected a combination side-stroke and sideways push-off which gives me a good start to my spectacular “terror crawl” when I hit the ground. This movement often tears the fingers out of my gloves and leaves a strip of ground ready for planting. After the ODNE crash I caught up to him again with ten yards of my duct tape repair flapping behind my ass.

Yesterday I made a special trip down to Quaker Bridge to find this guy and have a long talk with him. He was there all right, and I found out he doesn’t even REALIZE he’s destroying people. He admitted he often has to wait for others to catch up, he just doesn’t notice they’re sometimes bleeding out the ears or holding the He appeared to be a regular wire-helmeted, throttle with their left hand because the turn-signaled, ignition-keyed play rider. fingers of the right hand are curled into the I asked if I might follow him for a while, top left jacket pocket to keep the ends of a as this is a good way to get free layout broken collar bone from grating. mileage; and I think it’d be neat to follow someone I can pass anytime I want, as I so The fellow claimed he was not a good rider but the fact is re rides every day in the same seldom meet them. area. He knows every root and low branch He was an older guy, past fifty, but and every off-camber turn in that one he looked to be in good low-mileage square mile area. condition. We started out at a moderate Today’s advice: never follow a local rider pace and he, thoughtfully, glanced back after each turn to see if I was following. As unless she tapes 36-23-35 and has a steady always, I was dropping a boot at each turn job. to mark the trail because I’ve followed too Falling in love doesn’t break collarbones… many turkeys who stop suddenly and say, usually. “I hope you know where YOU are, ‘cause I Get Ed’s latest book, 80.4 Finish Check on sure don’t.” Amazon.com!

July 2015 | 25 | CityBike.com

Tankslapper Some Of The Gear, Some Of The Time… Or Something

There were more, but let’s not beat around the bush.

Boy, did we hear from our readers about GoGo riding the Lightning LS-218 (“Greased Frightening” - June 2015) in jeans. You’d think we’d invented abortions or something.

GoGo actually wore proper riding pants to the test ride / photo shoot, but the bike was so scary fast, well… he had an accident. And we don’t mean he crashed the bike. So he had to change into jeans to avoid gracing the cover of our lovely mag in his tigerstriped jockey shorts.

One reader wrote:

Fine! I’ll wear pants.

Was GoGo forced to wear jeans on the test Your Mom Rides An FJR ride of the Lightning to make sure if he made a Joel wrote in to point out that Editor mistake he wouldn’t soon forget? Surj’s likening of Yamaha’s FJR1300ES Hmph. We kinda wish we’d thought of to Toyota’s Camry isn’t necessarily a bad that. I suppose we could have gone whole thing. hawg and made him ride it in shorts, tank My mom daily-drives a 2001 V6 Camry. I top and flip flops to really drive the point commute on my ‘06 Kawi 750. I drove her home. car the other day and coming out from a Our own John Joss, who once attended a light I noticed how much guts it had. I also Honda bike launch event (“2015 CBR300R remembered that in high school I raced and First Ride: Thumpin’ To Talk About” tied my friend in an ‘oughts Mustang, both of October 2015) in his ‘Stich paired with a us full of passengers. Then I looked down and slick new pair of black leather dress shoes, saw it had 303k miles. Maybe my bike will fresh from his cordwainer, said: make it that far with the same pep. I would wear the gear because with its performance, the Lightning could send one down the road. The shots of a rider in blue jeans worry me, but then I’m a congenital worrier and always wear the gear, even around town. Gravel rash I acquired years ago is still with me.

Yeah, we get ya, Joel. Remember, we used the Camry reference to point out that the FJR is solid and functional. But we also said that it was sexier than it looked. Can’t say that about your mom’s Camry, right? And we’ll (somehow) refrain from taking our self-provided mom joke bait. You’re welcome, Joel.

Hardly Able, Son Scott Baldwin sent us an email to tell us that in spite of us getting the name of the Ultra or Super or Fantastic or whatever Limited wrong (“H-D H2O: HarleyDavidson Ultra Limited” - April 2015), our review of the bike touched him in a special way. The humor in CityBike these days actually got me to do something I haven’t done for many years; actually read an article about a hardly able son. It was worth it. The company which used to never hire a college grad “because they might change something” still has some basic faults with their product offerings. Oh, I mean “character.” Anyway, the article was fun even if the bikes are made for somebody else. We’re glad we could, uh, expose you to new things, Scott. New horizons and all that— that’s what we’re here for.

From 3:14 Daily Valencia @ 25th

415-970-9670

Yes, we actually want to hear from you (because no one else will talk to us), but we’re not mind readers. Hell, if you’re reading this thing, you’ve probably wondered if we can read at all! Anyhow, you can yell at us for being stupid (or just say hey) at [email protected] or talk to us on our Facebook page at facebook. com/CityBikeMag. You can also send us an old-timey paper letter, which we think is pretty damn cool. Those go to CityBike Magazine, PO Box 18738, Oakland 94619.

July 2015 | 26 | CityBike.com

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Motorcycle & ATV Hauling Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties 24 hour Roadside Pickup 707-843-6584 Insured & Licensed California Motor Carrier Permit www.mcmotorcycletransport.com [email protected]

DEALER CLASSIFIED

Dubbelju Motorcycle Rentals / Storage First, a few words about the condition of our equipment. All advertised vehicles are technically and operationally sound; furthermore, they are factory original (very important for vehicle inspection and licensing out-of-country). Components which show even a trace of wear or fatigue are replaced. In other words, you receive a motorcycle which, while it may have some miles on the odometer, has been routinely and expertly maintained. 2013 BMW F800GS Kalamata Metallic. Bike has 34K miles and the 36k mile maintenance has just been completed by BMW San Francisco. The revised F 800 GS - the sportiest member of the big GS family. The motorcycle continues its longstanding success story, providing impressive versatility both on and off the road. 798cc, Water-cooled 4-stroke in-line two-cylinder engine, ABS. California registration is valid till Mar 2016. With our huge inventory price drop save big $$ as we are only asking $9,950.00 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 Ducati Red. Bike has just under 34k miles, 150 Hp 1198cc L-Twin cylinder 4-valve per cylinder Testastretta 11 motor, liquid cooled, six speed, wet slipper clutch, adjustable traction control, power delivery riding modes, ABS, 5.3 gal fuel tank, two 12V power outlets, adjustable screen, 50mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and Sachs rear shock. Service intervals are now up to and impressive 15,000 miles. Voted Best Sport-Tourer award in Cycle World’s Ten Best balloting and won Motorrad’s the “Best All-rounder” award. California registration is valid till Aug 2015. Cycle Traders average price for this bike is $13,182. With our Huge inventory price drop save big $$ as we are only asking $9,500.00 More info and pictures on our website at dubbelju.com/Bikes-for-Sale.htm

J&M Motorsports LLC 2243 Old Middlefield Way Mountain View, Ca 94043 650-386-1440 www.jm-ms.com

We have a huge selection of Sport bikes, Cruisers, Dual Sport & Dirt Bikes! We are a licensed dealer owned and operated by people who love motorcycles. We specialize in newer, low-mile, affordable bikes! We offer in-house financing! Visit our website and fill out an application today! Looking for your first bike, your tenth? J&M is not a giant dealership. When you call or visit, you’re talking directly with non-commission team members who are passionate about motorcycles and who want to help you get the bike you desire! Looking to sell your bike? Consignments are welcome! Come by and take a look! BMW 2013 BMW S1000RR - $13,795 Buell 2007 Buell Firebolt XB9R - $5,195 Ducati 2008 Ducati 1098 - $9,495 2008 Ducati 848 - $11,995 2014 Ducati 899 Panigale - $13,995 2011 Ducati Multistrada 1200S - $13,495 2013 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak Edition - $16,995 2005 Ducati Monster 620 - $4,995 Harley-Davidson 2005 Harley-Davidson FLHTI Electra Glide - $13,495 2010 Harley-Davidson FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic $16,995 2013 Harley-Davidson FLHTC Electra Glide - 19,495 2013 Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King - $16,995 2003 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 100th Anniversary Edition - $9,995 2009 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special - $11,495 2014 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special - $15,495 2014 Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster Iron - $9,995 2009 Harley-Davidson Nightster XL1200 - $7,995 2012 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight XL1200X - $10,495 2012 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight XL1200 - $10,495 2014 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight XL1200 - $10,995 2009 Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle - $11,495 Honda 2007 Honda CB250 Nighthawk - $3,295 2008 Honda CB250 Nighthawk - $2,995 2014 Honda CBR500R - $6,195 2003 Honda CB750 Nighthawk - $3,195 2013 Honda CBR250R - $3,995 2013 Honda CBR250R Repsol - $4,295 2007 Honda CRB600RR - $6,995 2008 Honda CBR600RR - $7,495 2008 Honda CBR600RR - $7,995 2013 Honda CRF450R - $5,995 2002 Honda Shadow VT750 - $3,995 2007 Honda Shadow VT600 - $3,995 Kawasaki 2012 Kawasaki KX450F - $4,995 2009 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 - $3,995 2011 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 - $3,495 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R - $7,995 2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 - $3,495 1993 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7 - $3,995 2007 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R - $6,295 2011 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R - $9,995 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 - $4,295 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic - $3,495 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R - $4,495 KTM 2008 KTM Super Duke 990R - $9,495 MV Agusta 2013 MV Agusta 675 - $10,995 Suzuki 2002 Suzuki SV650S - $3,995 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $6,995 2007 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $7,995 2009 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $7,495 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $8,995 2011 Suzuki GSX-R600 - $9,495 2005 Suzuki GSR-R750 - $6,995 2006 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $7,495 2008 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $8,295 2011 Suzuki GSX-R750 - $8,995 2011 Suzuki GSX-R1000 - $10,995 2013 Suzuki GSX-R1000 Commemorative Edition - $11,495 2014 Suzuki GSX-R1300 Hayabusa - $12,995 2014 Suzuki RM-Z450 - $5,995 2008 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 - $6,995 2009 Suzuki V-Strom DL650 - $6,995 2011 Suzuki Boulevard S40 - $4,295 2012 Suzuki Boulevard S40 - $3,995 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T - $4,995 2013 Suzuki Boulevard B.O.S.S. C90T - $13,495 Triumph 2013 Triumph Bonneville T100 - $7,995 2013 Triumph Speedmaster - $7,495 Yamaha 2004 Yamaha WR450F - $2,995 2013 Yamaha WR250F - $4,995 2013 Yamaha WR250F - $4,995 2014 Yamaha YZ250F - $5,395 2007 Yamaha YZ450F - $2,995 2006 Yamaha FJR1300AE - $7,995 2012 Yamaha Super Tenere - $11,995 2007 Yamaha R6S - $6,895 2009 Yamaha R6 - $9,495 2010 Yamaha R6 - $8,795

CityBike Classifieds Reach thousands of Northern California motorcyclists. Just $15 for 25 words, 25¢ each additional word. Photos add $25. Industry classifieds are a higher price. Free 25-word listing for stolen bikes. Deadline is the 3rd of each month. Just fill out the form, or copy and send it with your check, payable to CityBike PO Box 18738, Oakland, CA 94619.

Name: Address: City:

State:

Zip:

e-mail: 2012 Yamaha R6 - $9,495 2013 Yamaha R6 - $9,995 2008 Yamaha R1 - $8,495 2010 Yamaha R1 - $9,995 2014 Yamaha R1 - $12,495 2012 Yamaha V-Star 250 - $3,195 2014 Yamaha V-Star 650 - $5,995 2006 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic - $4,995 2010 Yamaha Road Star Silverado S - $9,495 Zero Motorcycles 2012 Zero-X - $6,995

SF MOTO 275 8th Street at the corner of Folsom
San Francisco - 415 255 3132
www.sfmoto.com USED INVENTORY - All used motorcycles at sf moto come with a 3 month warranty and 12 month road side assistance. We thoroughly go through our used inventory: - If we find brakes to be worn over 60%, new pads are installed - If we find tires to be worn beyond 60%, new tires are installed - If chain & sprockets have too much play, we install new chain & sprockets. - NEW: All Our used bikes come with a free 12 month roadside assistance. Aprilia Sold out! Please check back with us soon! BMW F800R ABS, 2012, 8890 Miles, Red-Silver, $9498 F800R ABS, 2011, 10449 miles, white, $7998 F800R ABS, 2012, 14214 Miles, Red-Silver $6998 Ducati 848 EVO, 2010, 4197 Miles, Red, $9998 Hypermotard 1100S, 2009, 4984 Miles, Red, $9498 Hypermotard 821, 2013, 2729 Miles, red, 10498 Monster 696, 2009, 4110 miles, black, $7495 Monster 696, 2009, 4639 miles, red, $7495 Monster 696, 2011, 1266 miles, red, $7998 Genuine Sold out! Please check back with us soon! Honda CB500X, 2013, 8 miles, black, $5498 CBR1000RR, 2011, black, 1282 miles, $8998 CBR250R, 2012, red/white/blue, 3009 miles, $3995 CBR250R, 2012, red/white/blue, 77 miles, $3998 CBR250R, 2012, black, 2595 miles, $3998 CBR250R, 2013, black, 2461 miles, $3998 CBR250R, 2012, black, 531 miles, $3998 CBR500F, 2013, red, 1900 Miles, $4998 CBR500R, 2013, black, 1676 miles, $5498 CBR500R ABS, 2013, red, 3137 Miles, $5498 CBR600RR, 2010, orange/black, 6551 miles, $8498 CBR600RR, 2013, orange/black, 6864 miles, $9998 NC700, 2013, red, 552 Miles, $6498 PCX125 scooter, 2011, red, 450 miles, $2998 Rebel 250, 2009, black, 4314 miles, $2998 Rebel 250, 2009, blue, 22 miles, $3298 Rebel 250, 2009, matte grey, 118 miles, $3498 Shadow Aero VT750, 2007, Black, 2397 miles, $4498 Husqvarna Sold out! Please check back with us soon! Kawasaki KLX250, 2014, black, 277 Miles, $4998 KLX250, 2009, Green, 1071 Miles, $3998 KLX250, 2009, red, 116 Miles, $4498 EX250, 2012, Black, 6294 Miles, $3998 EX250, 2010, Green, 7504 Miles, $3798 EX300, 2014, Black, 991 Miles, $5298

July 2015 | 28 | CityBike.com

EX300, 2014, Black, 6042 Miles, $4998 EX300 ABS, 2014, black, 5587 miles, $5098 EX300 ABS, 2014, black, 40 miles, $5298 EX300 ABS, 2014, black, 1235 miles, $5198 EX650, 2013, blue, 1659 miles, $6498 EX650, 2012, black, 3052 miles, $5998 ZX-6R, 2009, Green, 8588 Miles, $7498 ZX-6R 636, 2015, Black, 73 Miles, $10498 Versys 650, 2009, blue, 870 Miles, $5998 Vulcan 900, 2013, white-black, 751 miles, $6995 Vulcan 900, 2011, burgundy, 3167 miles, $6498 Kymco Sold out! Please check back with us soon! Piaggio FLY 150, 2006, red, 787 Miles, $3198 Suzuki Boulevard S40, 2012, Bronze, 2310 miles, $4598 Boulevard S40, 2013, Bronze, 415 miles, $4798 GSX1250F, 2011, black, 9359 miles, $6498  GSXR-600, 2008, white, 13780 miles, $7498 GSXR-600, 2009, black, 1578 miles, $7998 GSXR-750, 2009, black, 5535 miles, $8498 GSXR-750, 2013, blue/white, 2097 miles, $9998 GW250, 2013, black, 449 miles, $3798 GW250, 2013, black, 46 miles, $3798 GZ250 cruiser, 2009, black, 1541 miles, $2998 GZ250 cruiser, 2009, black, 885 miles, $2998 V-Strom DL650, 2011, black, 11627 miles, $6498 V-Strom DL650, 2011, black, 11166 miles, $5998 Sym See our new SYM listing at the bottom of this ad Triumph Bonneville, 2012, gold, 4604 miles, $7498 Bonneville, 2012, orange, 5136 miles, $7498 Bonneville SE, 2012, schwarz, 1238 miles, $7498 Bonneville T100, 2013, red-white, 820 miles, $8498 Speed Triple, 2008, white, 4668 miles, $6998 Speed Triple ABS, 2012, red, 7939 miles, $8998 Speedmaster, 2012, red, 1272 Miles, $6498 Speed Triple R ABS, 2013, black, 343 miles, $8998 Tiger 800 ABS, 2013, blue, 4472 miles, $9998 Vespa GL150, 1964, 8540 miles, white, $4698 GTS300 Super, 2930 Miles, White, $4498 Yamaha FZ6, 2014, black, 237 miles, $6998 FZ6, 2008, blue, 5322 miles, $4798 FZ6, 2014, black, 304 miles, $6498 FZ6, 2014, black, 4713 miles, $5998 YZFR6, 2014, red, 171 miles, $9998 FZ1, 2009, black, 19904 Miles, $5998 FZ1, 2009, black, 1189 Miles, $6998 V-Star, 2014, red, 71 miles, $3798 V-Star 250, 2009, burgundy, 1751 Miles, $2998 WR250R, 2012, blue, 1433 miles, $5998 Zuma 125 scooter, 2013, yellow, 968 miles, $2998 NEW INVENTORY Sym --  All SYM bikes come with a 2 year factory warranty -SYM Citycom 300i scooter, 2015, NEW, red or blue - $3999 SYM Fiddle II 125 scooter, 2015, NEW, sand, blue, black, red, white - $2295 SYM HD200 scooter, 2015, NEW, Yellow, Orange, Black, Red, Gunmetal - $3495   SYM Symba (aka Honda Cub), 2015, NEW, blue, red, black - $2349 SYM Wolf (aka Honda CB150), 2015, NEW, Tricolor, red, green, black, white - $2995 SYM T2 250i, 2014, NEW, yellow, black or white - $3799 Lance Powersports Lance PCH 150, 2014, green, red or grey, $2199 Lance Cali Classic, 2014, red, blue, white or beige, - $1899 Lance Havana Classic, 2014, black, white, blue, beige, red - $1899 Lance PCH125, 2014, orange, yellow, red, black, white,  - $1899 New! ZERO Motorcycles

HELP WANTED

DS ZF 12.5, 2015, white, NEW, $15345 FX 5.7, 2015, black, NEW, $12340 S 9.4, 2015, yellow, NEW, $13345 SR, 2015, red, NEW, $17345

USED MOTORCYCLES:

Contact [email protected]

Ed Meagor’s BSA BSA 500 Single Empire Star Cheap $10,000 Firm

Call Old Ed Meagor at 415.457.5423 That’s right! Ed sent his phone number, so if you’ve been wanting to give him a call about his sweet BSA, now’s the time! -CityBike Classifieds Editor

Interceptor 1000 Runs good, good tires, everything works. 45,000 miles, x-tra parts, factory shop manual. $1800 OBO / trade 707-290-8277

2006 Harley Davidson - Comes with all the standard Ultra Classic features, including CB radio, built in intercom, air ride suspension, AM/ FM/CB/Weather radio/CD player/12V outlet/Electronic Cruise Control/ Fuel Injection/Tubeless tires/Trunk liner/Vented lowers, Harley chrome luggage rack on the trunk, with built in rear stop light. Asking $10,000.00 Call: Carl 408-426-0441

Custom Design Studios Mind-Blowing Custom Paint Since 1988 Visit Our Showroom!

56 Hamilton Drive # A Novato, Ca. 94949 415 382-6662 www.customdesignstudios.com/  V-Twin Service, Repair, Parts, & Fabrication. Harley Factory Trained Tech. 

CYCLE SA

LIVE MOTO Your local motorcycle performance center. Offering service, parts and accessories, competitive pricing, and friendly advice for your motolifestyle. We specialize in Japanese and American motorcycles, and accept all makes and models. Come in today for a free tire pressure check and visual inspection! Conveniently located near the heart of downtown Livermore. 205 North i St., Livermore, CA. (925)292-0443

LVA G

Cycle Salvage - Hayward Cycle Salvage Hayward - your one stop shop for remote controlled motorcycle models, fuzzy helmet slip-on covers, flaming-hair-evilclown graphics kits, moderately-worn vintage motorcycle manuals of all stripes, and replacement kickstand legs that are not too hot and not too cold, but JUST RIGHT Cycle Salvage Hayward 21065 Foothill Blvd Hayward, CA 94541 510-886-2328

Marin Moto Works Aprilia, KTM, & BMW independent service in San Rafael. 17 years of experience and factory certified. Service, Maintenance, Engine Rebuilds, Suspension Service, Race/Tour Prep, Tires. Around the corner from Marin Speed Shop M-F 10-6pm/Sat 10-5pm 415-454-7433

Michael’s Motorsports BMW Motorcycle Service, Repair, Restoration Air heads, Oil Heads, Hex heads, K Bikes, F Bikes 880 Piner Rd. Ste 46 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 (707) 575-4132

WANTED: Devils Detail Motorcycle Detailing

MOTO TIRE GUY

Detailing vintage, classic, modern motorcycles

ADDICTION MOTORS

415 - 439 - 9275 www.thedevilsdetailing.com [email protected] established 2007 Greatness can be in your detail!

Retail space opening soon! Looking for consignment gear. Contact Galen with a list of items and prices at [email protected].

PARTS AND SERVICE

ADVANCED CYCLE SERVICE *Motorcycle Service and Repair* • Tires • Service •Insurance estimates Monthly bike storage available Come check us out 1135 Old Bayshore Hwy San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 299-0508 [email protected] — www.advcycles.com DUCATI SUZUKI KAWASAKI YAMAHA

Bavarian Cycle Works EXPERT Service & Repair Bavarian Cycle Works specializes in new and vintage BMW, modern TRIUMPH and select motorcycle models. Our staff includes a Master Certified Technician and personnel each with over 25 years experience. Nearly all scheduled motorcycle maintenance can be completed within a one day turnaround time. All bikes kept securely indoors, day and night. Come see us!

Since 1956 Knucklehead Panhead Iron Sportster Shovelhead Evolution Twin Cam Multi Valve 450cc and up Cyl. boring on H.D. only 21050 Mission Blvd. Hayward, 94541 (510) 581-5315

Coats of skins, Chaps, Pants, Vests, Gloves, Boots, Saddle Bags, Helmets, Riding Gear, Fashion & More. All sizes: Kids/Big/Tall. Patches sewn on most while U wait. Clean Repair Alter 952 B Street, Hayward B/W Mission & Main 510-582-5222

www.MotoTireGuy.com Motorcycle Tire Services San Francisco - Bay Area (415) 601-2853 Order your tires online, Zero CA sales tax plus Free UPS Ground, then have a Preferred Installer in your local area do the installation and save!  Please visit website for details.

MOTOR WORKS BMW PARTS Take a European trip this year! Visit www.motorworks.co.uk • Huge range of new and used parts and accessories for all models from 1970 onwards • UK’s largest independent, 25 years experience • Competitive prices, fast shipping • Expert and friendly advice available • Trade customers welcome

Independent service of BMW, Ducati, Triumph. Factory certified, and certifiable, too! Fair prices and fast turnaround We love what we do - we solve problems and make people’s machines run their best. Bring us your problem. We’ll solve it for you - nothing that we can’t fix. BRG Racing 925-680-2560 110 2nd Ave. So. - Unit D Pacheco www.brg.com

Service Writer Needed We are a large motorcycle shop in San Francisco and are looking for a smart, affable, hard-working individual to work as a service writer. Service writers take motorcycles and scooters in for service and write up the jobs for the technicians. Service writers are responsible for all bikes in for service and must have: -Strong communications skills -Computer skills -Good time-management skills -Multi-tasking skills -Good attention to detail -Strong customer service skills Interested? Send your resume to: San Francisco, 275 8th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 Or email your resume to: [email protected]

Tech Needed For 20 year established motorcycle repair shop. Located in Santa Cruz County. Business is booming and time to expand. Tech must have minimum 5 years working experience, prefer 10. Ability to follow procedures start to finish. Send qualifications and references,along with expected compensation. We work on Japanese,German and British bikes. Street, off road and scooters.Vespa included. No attitudes or egos. Apply to [email protected]

LEGAL Mike Padway MOTORCYCLE ATTORNEY Motorcycle accidents often are serious There is an epidemic of motorcycle lawyer advertising by attorneys who brush you off on support staff or other lawyers. I’m Mike Padway. I handle a limited number of motorcycle accidents. My goal is to do the best job for you, not to handle the most cases. If your injuries are significant, why not work with an attorney who knows what he is doing, and cares? Call now and let’s discuss the best way to handle your motorcycle accident. 415-777-1511 Have you ever been pulled over by the police on your bike or car and felt you were profiled because of your tattoos or the way you look? You can have emergency access to attorneys, 24 hours a day in 49 states, for as little as $20 a month. Try our service and get your Will done for free, for you and your spouse. Find out how at smith_wg.legalshieldassociate.com or call 510-502-2144

ACCIDENT OR INJURY? Call 415/999-4790 for a 24-hr. recorded message and a copy of the FREE REPORT.

RIDING SCHOOLS

Quality Motorcycles 235 Shoreline Hwy. Mill Valley CA (415) 381-5059 We’re not afraid of your old bike.

Sierra Dual Sport/Dirt Bike Rides, Rentals and Training BRG RACING - CONCORD

Powersports of Vallejo Powersports of Vallejo is looking to hire 1 full time parts person and 1 full time service technician. Technician must have previous experience, clean M1 license, good work ethic, have tools, be able to diagnose and repair on their own and take pride in their work. Parts should have two plus years experience and are familiar with Lightspeed and the daily duties of a parts department. Please email resumes to [email protected] or fax to 707-644-3424.

E

Two Beemers and a CT 2006 K1200S - Mint, all optons 2000 1150GS - Mint, Ohlins 1977 CT90 - Good

Come and ride the Sierras! No dirt experience needed! Dual Sport and dirt bike rentals. Guided or map your own course. Skill building classes also available. Easy access from Highway 50 south and west of Tahoe, this side of the hill in Camino, CA. Free secure storage of your car or bike onsite, or we can deliver bikes to many all day riding areas (additional fee applies for delivery). Well-maintained bikes and a rider-owned company makes us a great adventure for the day, weekend or longer. ASK ABOUT OUR SPECIAL $200 3-HOUR INTRO TO DUAL SPORT RIDING TOUR/INSTRUCTION! ALSO SCHEDULING WOMEN’S DIRT AND DUAL SPORT TRAINING CLASSES! **WE OFFER LOWERED DUAL SPORT BIKES! 530-748-3505- www.sierradualsport.com

Doc Wong Riding Clinics PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT Come to the FREE monthly Doc Wong Riding Clinics. www.docwong.com Eighteen years, 40,000 riders!

Learn Dirt Bikes Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) dirt bike lessons at Carnegie State Park - Tracy, CA - Ages 6 and up. Loaner motorcycles available. www.learndirtbikes.com 925-240-7937

ROCKRIDGE TWO WHEELS Need new rubber? Rockridge Two Wheels is offering a $50 mount and balance with the purchase of two tires. Factory techs. 40+ years experience. Full service facility. 510/594-0789 vespawalnutcreek.com 925 938 0600 rockridgetwowheels.com 510 594 0789 For all your Bay Area Vespa / Piaggio / Aprilia needs

July 2015 | 29 | CityBike.com

LOCAL CLUBS

Monkey Moto School Monkey Moto School gets people riding in just one day. Our focused, private classes and small beginner bike are the start of a proven system that will have new riders out and about on a motorcycle with confidence in short order. Available in SF (and beyond by arrangement). Call Evan to get started. 415-359-6479 monkeymotoschool.com

FINE DINING Darby Dan’s (Sandwich Nirvana) South San Francisco Forget Togos or Subway. What you need is a real SANDWICH for lunch. Come in and revel in our famous garlic mayo, fresh ingredients, and friendly staff and walk out with a cheshire cat’s smile. We do it right at 733 Airport Blvd South San Francisco 650-876-0122 WE CARRY CITYBIKE!! EAT AT REDS JAVA HOUSE, SF. “IT’S REALLY GOOD FOOD” SAYS CITYBIKE MANAGEMENT.

Antique Motorcycle Club of America

CMA is a servant minded interdenominational motorcycle ministry with a non-denominational message of hope and love through Jesus Christ. Enjoy the family atmosphere, make life-long friends, and join an army of people dedicated to changing the world, one heart at a time in the highways and byways. www.cmausa.org

Yerba Buena Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of antique motorcycles. To join or view more information about our club, visit us at www. yerbabuenaamca.org

Port Stockton MC COME RIDE WITH US! -We are a friend and family oriented historical club of motorcycle enthusiasts. -Any make, model or style of bike is welcome. -All are invited to join us on our rides, visit our weekly meetings or become a new member. For more information: E-mail us at [email protected], or visit our website at [email protected]

Exciting women-only motorcycle group in the SF Bay Area. For more info visit www.curveunit.com

The Richmond Ramblers Bay Area Moto Group Ride with other local sport bike riders in the Bay Area. • Mostly sport bikes • Routes go to ALL parts of the bay area and focus on the “twisty’s” • We set a quick pace and newbies may get left behind ;) • Group riding experience is highly recommended, as is proper riding gear • We also do track days, drag races, motorcycle camping, and attend motorcycle racing events http://www.meetup.com/BayAreaMotoGroup/

The Ducati Vintage Club The Ducati Vintage Club was founded to assist vintage Ducati MC (1987 and older) owners with information and resources to preserve, resurrect and bring these MC’s back to the road! Owners and enthusiasts are welcome to join. We meet once monthly at the Ducati Bike Night event and we sponsor the annual European Motorcycle Show and Swap held in March at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, the La Ducati Day Concorso held in LaHonda each October and more. Visit us at www.ducativintageclub.com

The Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club was established in 1944. We are chartered with the American Motorcycle Association/District 36. Our clubhouse is situated at the foot of the famous but now defunct off-road riding hills in Point Richmond. Our club exists to promote the sport and recreation of motorcycle riding. Our membership reflects a diverse interest in motorcycling but our club has a long tradition of off-road competition. Annually, we host a street ride/poker run in October and a Family Enduro in the Mendocino National forest in November. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome and we invite you to come by. 818 Dornan Drive, Point Richmond, CA 94801 WWW.RRMC.CC

The Junction If you know you can handle a real road then come up and get your reward! Slow smoked BBQ , hand pressed burgers and a long list of great beer. The Junction 47300 Mines Rd. Livermore. At the intersection of Mines & Del Puerto Canyon Roads 11-8 daily (closed Wednesdays)—10-8 weekends. Go there and go nowhere, into the middle-of.

EVENT SERVICES ANNOUNCING: “DUFFYDUZZ Promotions” If you’re planning a M/C event of any sort, whether an Open House, a Special Sale Event, a Competition Event or even a Rally, a “pleasant but not pushy” voice (and your choice of music) can make a huge difference in the excitement and remembrance of your event.    Have P.A. / Will Travel... I have been “The Voice” of Ducati Island at Moto G.P. (‘98 - ‘06)  the Wilseyville Hare Scrambles (‘98 - ‘12) ...Most recently; La Ducati Day, La Honda, MOTORAMA Car Show, Lafayette, sub’ Announcer at Continental Sports Car Challenge Laguna Seca, Santa Rosa flattrack for Circle Bell Motorsports... and more...  References and resume available.  Find me on FaceBook: “Duffyduzz Promotions” for all contact info - or - call 510292-9391 - or - E/M:  [email protected]

www.GroupRides.net Bay Area Sidecar Enthusiasts (BASE) •What does your dog think about motorcycling? (A: Hard to tell without a sidecar!) •Ever driven in traffic with a fake machine-gun mounted to your rig? • Want to know how to “fly the chair”? •Maybe just want to find out what it’s like to be a “sidecar monkey” for a day by catching a ride with us? We are a facebook-based group in the SF Bay Area filled with sidecars and the people who love them, and we’d be happy to meet you. Email [email protected] for more information.

GroupRides was created to be like what TV Guide has been for TV Programs. It is a calendar of group rides and moto events from many fine groups, clubs and organizations in Northern California, nicely put together for the riding community to use and enjoy. www.GroupRidesForum.net is the Forum and moto group where 1,400+ local riders enjoy the roads, the wind and the thunder of our motorcycles together.

San Francisco Motorcycle Club San Francisco Motorcycle Club, Inc., established 1904, is the second oldest motorcycle club in the country! Our business meetings are Thursday nights at 8:30pm, and guests are always welcome. Our clubhouse is filled with motorcycling history from the last century, a pool table, foosball and pinball games, and people who currently enjoy motorcycles, dirt riding, racing, touring, riding and wrenching. Check our website for events such as club rides, socials and events, and come visit us, no matter what bike you ride! San Francisco Motorcycle Clubhouse is located at 2194 Folsom St, @ 18th St in San Francisco. www.sf-mc.org 415-863-1930

Leather & Lace MC

BSA Owners Club The BSA Owners’ Club of Northern California was formed to promote the preservation and enjoyment of the motorcycles produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company in England. Founded in 1985, the Club now has over 500 members, and has produced the monthly newsletter, The Bulletin, since the Club’s inception. Rides and activities are scheduled each month in addition to two major activities: The Clubman’s All British Weekend in the spring, and the Northern California All British Ride in the fall. Membership is open to all BSA enthusiasts. For more information: www.bsaocnc.org

Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club

Leather & Lace MC,was created to bring women together who have a serious interest in motorcycling and in making a difference in the lives of others. Upon this foundation, the women of Leather & Lace Motorcycle Club have built a strong sisterhood. Amethyst Dreamers, a Northern California Chapter of Leather & Lace MC, was formed in 2004. We came together because of our love for our motorcycles, the joy of riding and being free. We stay together because of our love for ourselves, our sisters, and with the intent of making life better for the children of Northern California. ad.leatherandlacemc.com/ www.facebook.com/AmethystDreamersChapter

The San Jose Dons Motorcycle Club exists to Advocate motorcycling, promote good will between motorcyclists and the public, promote rider safety and protect the rights of riders. Put more simply, the Dons are a group of people who love riding motorcycles and come together to enjoy motorcycling, and each other’s company. All bikes are welcome! The San Jose Dons Motorcycle Club was formed in 1932, with the clubs colors of green and gold. The Dons are associated with the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). Club Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of each month, beginning at 7:30 PM. The last Wednesday of each month is reserved for “Putt Night” when a club member leads the group on a short destination run to a restaurant, or other point of interest. Come check us out. sanjosedons.com

The Northern California Norton Owners’ Club (NCNOC) is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the Norton motorcycle. Membership is open to all British Motorcycle enthusiasts and is currently $25 per year, you can join online. Our monthly rides, meetings and tech session and events are open to all members and guests see our web site calendar at www.nortonclub.com. Now celebrating our 40th year!

The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club San Jose’s (BSMCSJ) Primary Mission is to keep the legacy of the 9th and 10th Calvary US Army (Buffalo Soldiers) alive through example, education and participation in our local community. buffalosoldiersmcsanjose

SUPPORT LANE SPLITTING •STICKERS •NEWS •RESOURCES

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OMC Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club The Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the Classic and Vintage Japanese motorcycle. We have rides, meets, shows, swaps and can help you find and sell parts, bikes and motorcycle-related services. Members make the club function! www.CJMC.org.

The Oakland Motorcycle Club is the fourth-oldest club in the nation and celebrated 100 years of continuous operation in 2007. The OMC is dedicated to supporting the sport of motorcycle riding. We are a diverse group of male and female riders with a wide variety of motorcycles, including street, dirt, and dualsport bikes. We sponsor and organize the following annual events to which all riders are invited: Sheetiron 300 Dualsport, held in May; Three Bridge Poker Run, held in July; Jackhammer Enduro, held in October. Regular club meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. 742 – 45th Avenue, Oakland. (510) 534-6222. www.oaklandmc.org.

July 2015 | 30 | CityBike.com

FREE HELP WANTED ADS In our ongoing effort to support and promote local motorcycling businesses that we rely on, all motorcycle industry help wanted ads will be listed in the CityBike Classifieds Section for free. Contact us via email: rftc.citybike.com

Triumph Tiger XCx at Trona Pinnacles Photo: Surj Gish

1.9 PAYMENTS AS LOW AS $59/Month 36 MONTHS FOR % FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS

*AS LOW AS

APR

On All New KYMCO Scooters Purchased and Registered from Now Until September 30, 2015 at Participating KYMCO USA Dealers Only.

CHICO MOTORSPORTS 1538 PARK AVENUE CHICO, CA 95928 530-345-5247

CYCLE WEST 1375 INDUSTRIAL AVENUE PETALUMA, CA 94952 707-769-5242

SCUDERIA 69 DUBOCE STREET SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 415-621-7223

R&M ENTERPRISES SALINAS MOTORCYCLE CENTER SAN JOSE MOTORSPORT 1905C ARNOLD INDUSTRIAL WAY 1286 N. MAIN STREET 1886 WEST SAN CARLOS ST CONCORD, CA 94520 SALINAS, CA 93906 SAN JOSE, CA 95128 925-798-4360 831-295-0205 408-295-0205 ROCKRIDGE TWO WHEELS 5291 COLLEGE AVENUE OAKLAND, CA 94618 510-594-0789

SCOOTER CITY 614 16TH STREET SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 916-448-6422

VERACOM MITSUBISHI 790 NORTH SAN MATEO DR SAN MATEO, CA 94401 650-340-7199

POWERSPORTS OF VALLEJO 111 TENNESSEE STREET VALLEJO, CA 94590 707-644-3756

Choose Your Own Path KYMCOUSA.com facebook.com/KYMCO.Scooters twitter & Instagram @kymco_usa

The Official Scooter and SxS

1.9% for 36 Months [3.53% APR*] $0 DOWN

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1.9% INTEREST RATE

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$30.03 PER $1,000 FINANCED

*Example: On a purchase where the Amount Financed is $1,999 your Down Payment is $0 with 36 monthly payments of $58.60 each. Interest Rate is 1.9% [ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RATE is 3.53% (E)]. For other Amounts Financed, the payment would be approximately $30.03 per $1,000 financed. Note: Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. See your local dealer for details. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. An origination fee of $50 will be added to the amount financed in the above example. Financing promotions void where prohibited. Offer effective on all new and unused KYMCO Scooters purchased from a participating KYMCO USA dealer between 1/1/2015 and 9/30/2015. Offer subject to change without notice. [“E” means estimate. © KYMCOUSA 2015 KYMCO vehicles meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety and EPA standards. Take a riding skills course. For the course nearest you, call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 1-800-446-9227. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Avoid excessive speed and stunt driving.