September 2012

News, Clues & Rumors Volume XXIX, Issue 9 Publication Date: August 20, 2012

Photo of the Month

On The Cover: Bob Stokstad snaps the East Bay Dragon’s Big Joe while in one of his forgiving moods, Oakland, August 2012.

Contents: NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 East Bay Dragons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Book Review: Soul on Bikes . . . . . . . . . . 15 AMA Flat Track: Sacramento . . . . . . . . . . 16 Shop Stop: Bell Helmets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 MotoGP, Laguna Seca . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Honda PCX 150 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Victory Boardwalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Victory’s New Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Hershon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Melissa Pierson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Tankslappers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 British Cusine Appreciation . . . . . . . . . . . 33

CityBike Staff: PO Box 10659 Oakland, CA 94610 Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415/282-2790 E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@citybike .com Find us online: . . . . . . . www .citybike .com News ‘n Clues: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff Editor-in-Chief:. . . . . . . . . . Gabe Ets-Hokin Senior Editor: . . . . . . . . . . Robert Stokstad Contributing Editors: . . . . . . . . . John Joss, Will Guyan Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk:. . . . . . . . Dr. Gregory Frazier Staff Photographers: — Robert Stokstad — Gary Rather Art Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Lapp Advertising Sales: . . . . . . . . . Kenyon Wills

Contributors: Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, John Bishop, Joanne Donn, John D’India (RIP), Mike Felder, Dr. Gregory Frazier, Will Guyan, Joe Glydon (RIP), Brian Halton, David Hough, Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder, Harry Hoffman, Otto Hofmann, Gary Jaehne (RIP) Jon Jensen, David Lander, Alan Lapp, Lucien Lewis, Ed Milich, Courtney Olive, Larry Orlick, Jason Potts, Bob Pushwa, Gary Rather, Curt Relick, Charlie Rauseo, Mike Solis, Ivan Thelin, James Thurber, Adam Wade. CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month. Editorial deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always welcome. Please include a full name, address and phone number with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use them to wipe our large, fragrant bottoms. ©2012, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed at over 150 places throughout California each month. Taking more than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike Magazine, Inc, especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah! CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has teams of sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend it from frivolous lawsuits, so even if you see Lucien Lewis doing one of his wheelies on the cover and decide you want to do that too and then you hit a parked car and your bike is wedged under a van and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come and extinguish the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted into slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie, sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better. sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.

drive or ride a motorcycle; her debilitated condition, requiring regular physical therapy and continuing pain medications, has robbed her of her previously active lifestyle, as well as her ability to look after aging parents in Germany. Speaking for the two-wheeled community was Tucker Perry from the San Francisco Motorcycle Club, who stressed the importance of keeping drunk drivers off the road and expressed doubts that Ms. Stenson, previously convicted of DUI with injury, could be trusted to stay sober. He went on to remind the judge that “Ms. Stenson’s reckless, solipsistic behavior cost Astrid her leg. She has been sentenced to a lifetime of disability, and has had her passion for scootering taken away from her.”

Stenson to five years’ supervised probation, under very restrictive conditions. She must attend five AA meetings a week on five separate days; she must find a sponsor willing to report regularly to the probation department; she must pay substantial fines and fees to the court; and she must make restitution (as determined by the probation department) to Astrid. After leaving the rehab facility, she must wear a SCRAM ankle bracelet which will detect and report any alcohol in her blood. Should she get her license back, an interlock device would be installed on her ignition. Recognizing the permanent life-altering damages to Astrid, the judge sentenced the defendant to six months in county jail. Judge Collins warned her that any violation of probation would result in a sentence of up to eight years in state prison.

Following the sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Mary Plomin said that the plea open had been accepted over the objections of the District Attorney’s office, but she felt that the judge had made Maxine Ferman, a friend in San a sincere decision aimed at preventing Francisco Scooter Girls, spoke the defendant from repeating her offense, as a recovering alcoholic since sufficiently severe to deter others. She said 1987, about what it takes to Our new baby: another one of Ryon Gesink’s brilliant she was amazed by the support provided “work the program” successfully. to Astrid by the two-wheeled community, custom newsracks. This one is rarin’ to go inside the D-Store at 131 South Van Ness in San Francisco which had rallied repeatedly during the Carol Allio, managing director (415/626-5478). You can see our other custom art racks three-year ordeal. of Recovery Management at Hayward Cycle Salvage (21065 Foothill Boulevard, Services in Concord, where Judge James P. Collins seems to have been 510/886-2328) and at Tokyo Moto (50 Otis St., San Ms. Stenson has been in automatically re-elected in June 2012 for Francisco, 415/558-8144). rehabilitation for more than 900 his seat, as there were no challengers in the days, spoke about the progress primary. CityBike magazine tries to avoid STENS-IN-JAIL that the defendant has made, testifying endorsing political candidates, but when he to her sobriety during this time. Finally, The three and a half-year-long struggle to is up for re-election in 2018, we will commit Felicia Stenson read a letter, accepting render justice for Astrid Molzow-Gunter, to donating resources to unseat him. responsibility and apologizing for her maimed by drunk driver Fecalia Stenson, has finally come to an end. Scooterist Karryll actions. She pledged to remain sober and to CITYBIKE DAY serve as an example and warning to others. Nason sent this report from the courtroom: If you missed it, you shouldn’t have: CityBike Day 2012 was a rousing good time The sentence had been pre-determined, Justice for Astrid…or Just the End? for everyone involved. yet Judge Collins listened carefully as Some three dozen motorcylists, scooterists each person spoke and was clearly moved. It was a hot day up at the Junction on Mines and friends greeted Astrid MolzowFollowing the pre-trial conference in Road in Livermore on Sunday, July 29th, Gunter with applause as she arrived at the May, he had accepted the defendant’s plea but that didn’t keep hundreds of CityBike San Francisco Superior Court on Friday, open, based on the recommendation of the readers, friends, contributors, advertisers August 10 for the sentencing of Felicia Probation Department. Wanting to sustain and other assorted characters from Stenson, who had irrevocably altered rehabilitative progress, he sentenced Ms. her life on the evening of February 26, 2009. Driving intoxicated, the defendant made an illegal left turn, hitting Astrid as she rode her Honda Silver Wing scooter. Court convened at 1:45 p.m., in a nearly filled courtroom. Before pronouncing sentence, Judge James P. Collins heard statements from the victim and defendant. Emotional yet reasoned, Astrid detailed the losses suffered from the accident: a broken back, permanent nerve damage, her left leg amputated above the knee. Now in a motorized wheelchair, she may never walk, September 2012 | 3 | CityBike.com

showing up. Everybody we had ever known was there, it seemed, so we apologize if we didn’t have time to shake your hand or chat. So many folks showed up we had had a tough time finding room for our exhibitors booths and late-arriving riders had to park way out on the main road. But everybody seemed to have a good time—there was an amazing collection of bikes to eyehump, from an incredible $50,000 XR750 street tracker to a surprising number of clean Yamaha RZ350s (including Julius Franam’s home-made single-sided front suspension version) to at least two “Bacon Slicer” Guzzis and everything in between, including Victor Boocock’s 1914 Harley Davidson and enough Brit iron to start a whole new England.

Tunes were provided by Charlie O’Hanlon’s fun and soulful band The Feral Cats, with the lovely Zee on vocals, Charlie strumming his made-from Honda-parts guitar, M’falme on bass and Tracy on percussion. Their music was lyrical and lovely, a mix of tunes they wrote themselves and covers, including a terrific rendition of “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay.” They weren’t quite drowned out by Jim Davis and his borrowed mobile dyno trailer, which measured the rearwheel horsepower of a dozen or so bikes, including Editor Ets-Hokin’s flaccid 19-hp CB350 cafe racer. Our sponsors showed up in droves—too many to thank in this space—but of note were California Speed Sports, with Can Am Spyder three-wheelers, Aprilias and

to Point Arena. Once there, we enjoyed Kelley Litle’s delicious annual pilgrimage to Chile Colorado pork taco-dom and then gave away much swag in a prolonged moto-trivia contest. The turnout was light, but we saw some old friends— Contributor Will Guyan took a break from churning out the BMW On the Level newsletter and Bobby Godwin of KMUD radio’s “Riding in the Mud” to ride down to say hi. There were plenty of elderly and interesting bikes, including a spanking-new Ducati 1199S Panigale as well as the Evan Wilcox tank-equipped 900SS parked in the Zen House repair bay.

Moto Guzzis to lust after, Tri-Valley Moto, with the latest in BMW and Triumph-ry, Ray Abrams’ A&A Racing, with the aforementioned XR750, Arlen Ness of Dublin, with an incredible Victory Judge cafe racer you have to see to believe, Russ Brown Attorneys, where the hard-working Dave Young and Shawn O’Donnell were signing up riders for their free Breakdown and Legal Assistance for Motorcyclists (BAM) left and right. The bike-judging went well, if somewhat ad hoc. Hayward Cycle Salvage had a $100 gift certificate to the oldest Japanese bike—a very interesting CB77 police model. Zen House awarded $100 to the oldest Euro-ride, one of the bacon-slicers. Raber’s in San Jose handed over $100 for “Lola’s Choice,” that lovely young lady’s favorite brit bike at the show. Addiction Motors in Emeryville handed Victor his annual Oldest American bike award, as well as $100 to Julian for his RZ for best home-built. MotoShop, the do-it-yourself Mecca, handed out 100 bones to a sadlooking Yamaha Radian as winner of “most work needed.” Good luck, dude!

The ride home may have been the highlight— Skaggs Springs Road was almost deserted and the last 25 turns were as well-engineered and perfectly surfaced as always, and we saw not a single policeman. Thanks to Mojo Town and Zen House for making it happen again!

BMW S1000RR HP4 Making a good thing better, BMW announced its first four-cylinder addition to its high-performance HP line, the HP4.

It gets a host of improvements to make it lighter and more race-ready than before. Forged alloy wheels and titanium Akropovic (say “uh-crop-o-vitch”) exhaust make up most of the approximate 15-pound weight savings—the bike weighs in at 439 pounds with the tank 90 percent full—and there’s a smaller battery to shave a few more ounces. Suspension An exciting giveaway was the Zooni improvements include an adaptive Leathers Oldest Leathers award. Lola suspension system called Dynamic from Raber’s decided which attendee Damping Control, which BMW claims had the oldest leathers—a young guy is the first to be used on a production with a 25-year-old Hein Gericke jacket streetbike. Other differences from the (remember those?) got $500 from Juan vanilla S1000RR include enhanced Lindo of Zooni to use towards a brand-new traction control that’s tunable in the suit of his stylish and hard-wearing leather. ‘slick’ mode and refined race ABS with separate settings for slicks or supersport Thanks go out to the Junction, Tri-Valley Moto, Arlen Ness, California Speed Sports DOT tires. Speaking of tires, the rear meat is now a 200-section. Launch and all the readers and advertisers that helped make it a great day

MOJO TO ZEN Turnout was a little lighter for our third-annual Mojo-to-Zen ride on the very next Sunday, but we had fun anyway. It started at 8:30 am with coffee and bagels at Mike Aron’s new Mojo Town gear shop location at 1417 4th Street in downtown San Rafael. We then headed up the coast at a sometimes leisurely, sometimes not-soleisurely pace chasing Citizen Wills on his surprisingly speedy screaming-yellow Superhawk all the way up Highway One September 2012 | 4 | CityBike.com

Zen House’s Kelley Litle serving up their famous spicy pork tacos to one of her regular customers. Don’t fill up on the pork—there’s pie, too...Photo: Will Guyan

The bill would allow recreational access to resume under the 2005 travel plan generated through formal agency study and public input. The bill would also designate an adjacent portion of qualifying land with full protection as Wilderness.

control comes standard to keep down the inevitable wheelies, but the only engine enhancements are tuning—a little more oomph in the midrange, and an improved map for the ‘rain’ mode. Unlike the RR, the full 193 hp Monty is available in all four modes, so look out. For the racers, there’s a competition package available with carbonfiber bodywork, sponsor sticker kit, rearsets and other goodies. Larry Saenz at S.F. BMW (bmwmotorcycle. com, 415/503-9988) says he’s expecting some of these beasts in the fall, but pricing is still unknown. We think it’ll be under $20,000, but Larry expects it to be north of there—after all, Ducati sells its Panigale S for $23,000.

UP A CLEAR CREEK Some good news for the dirt-riders from our friends at the Blue Ribbon Coalition:

That means Dunne was railing through 156 turns—12.5 turns per mile, or more than twice as twisty as Sonoma (Sears Point) Raceway—at an average speed of 73 mph—ed.

RIDE, MAN, RIDE

Friend of CityBike and freelance moto-journo Mark Gardiner wrote a mustread book about his yearlong adventure of selling everything and moving to the Isle of Man to compete in the TT race in 2002. The book, “This legislation could go a long way in Riding Man, was successful, as such things go, selling out helping restore good its first edition. But that’s not relations between the BLM, the County all—the press release from and recreationists. This is a carefully Gardiner has some surprises crafted win-win and we hope it gains the support of affected interests and politicians for fans of the book: on all sides of the aisle,” Amador concludes. “In the last couple of years, Riding Man’s also attracted WE’RE PEAKING, MAN! attention in Hollywood. A bit of PR from Ducati NA: After Tom Guttry (Airspeed Productions) became fascinated by the story, he Carlin Dunne dominated the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, setting the pitched it to Mark Clayman of One Way Productions (he produced the Will Smith new course record for motorcycles today from pole position for the second year in a film ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ .) Guttry and Clayman then teamed up with another row on a Ducati Multistrada 1200 S. This win marks Ducati’s third-straight victory at the historic race to the clouds.

Both Dunne and Spider Grips Ducati teammate and six-time winner Greg Tracy finished the race under the 10-minute barrier, which is a first for any motorcycle in the race’s 90In 2008, the BLM issued a blanket closure year history. of 70,000 acres to all users, even hikers, Dunne citing concerns about a public health risk crossed the due to naturally occurring asbestos. There finish line at has never been a documented case of injury the 14,110despite decades of inhalation of the soils in foot summit question by humans in every conceivable of Pikes Peak with the record-settingtime activity. The BLM has been considering a of 9:52.819, beating his previous record highly restrictive management plan based of 11:11.32, while Tracy was less than on the alleged health concerns. California six seconds behind, placing second with State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle 9:58.262. Recreation Commission, San Benito “Today was an emotional day,” said Dunne. County, IERF scientists, OHV groups “The year of work the Spider Grips Ducati and at least one conservation group have questioned the science and BLM’s analysis. team put into preparing for Pikes Peak got us across the finish line in under 10 In October of that year, the San Benito minutes, an achievement we’re very proud County Board of Supervisors petitioned of. When we heard that we won and broke Congress to consider designating the the record for the second time, I was unit as a National Recreation Area and speechless. The one-two finish proves the reinstating responsible motorized and non- Ducati Multistrada 1200 S is the ultimate motorized use there. bike to conquer Pikes Peak.” Don Amador, Western Representative Dunne reached speeds above 144 mph for the BRC, states, “Congressman Farr throughout the mountain’s straightaways, should be commended for this proactive and traversed 156 turns, ranging from legislation that emphasizes education hairpin, blind, decreasing radius, and and informed choice over heavy-handed multi-apex turns, while consistently closure regarding the purely theoretical gaining elevation up the technical 12.42public health risk that might occur through mile course. excessive use of the area.” The BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), a national trail-based recreation group, applauds legislation today introduced by Congressman Sam Farr that would designate a popular OHV site in central California as a National Recreation Area. This bill could help resolve the ongoing conflict between access interests and the BLM regarding the future of motorized and human powered recreation at the BLM’s Clear Creek Management Area.

veteran producer Bob Teitel, of State Street Productions. That trio pitched it to Jason Blumenthal, at Escape Artists (A Knight’s Tale, and The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3). At

September 2012 | 5 | CityBike.com

this point, Blumenthal and Escape Artists are looking to ‘attach talent’ as they say in the film business. “I was hoping to wait for an announcement on the film before releasing a second edition,” says Gardiner. “But putting together movie deals takes forever. Meanwhile I saw a mint copy of the first edition sell for a hundred bucks on Amazon. At that point, I realized two things: first, that if prices got any higher my mom was going to sell her personal copy and second, that it was time to print a second edition.” Later this month, Gardiner will read from Riding Man in Tacoma at LeMay/America’s Car Museum. The museum is holding a cool motorcycle event, ‘Meet at the Ace’, August 24-26. The second edition is already available at Amazon. com com. Readers can get a signed copy directly from Mark, with free postage, at ridingman.com, or by visiting his popular blog at bikewriter.com.”

MILE POST

I am Mike Padway, and I ride motorcycles. I prefer to represent motorcycle riders who have been injured because I like working with motorcyclists. We are slightly different than the rest of the population, in a way that makes us just a little more engaged, realistic, and a lot more enjoyable to be around. I am proud of the fact that I protect the interests of motorcyclists because it can seem at times like the deck is stacked against us. Insurance companies often attempt to use “car logic” to settle a motorcycle case, and as you and I both know that is not fair. Furthermore, it is explicit that your desire to have your losses compensated is in direct conf lict with an important goal of the insurance industry: to pay out as little as possible to you, and maximize their profit! That is where I come in. I have decades of experience navigating the legal and insurance hurdles, have lectured nationally for the American Bar Association, and have represented riders across the country. Of course, nobody can guarantee any outcome of any case, but it is always better to have representation that is experienced in your type of case.

Did you miss the Sacramento Mile? No worries—not only can you see some fantastic photography and read a rousing account of the main event in this very issue (page 16), but you can also take advantage of a second mile-long Grand National event in Santa Rosa September 29 and 30. This is real racing, the way God intended, and it’s affordable—general admission starts at just $30, and you can get deluxe box seats for just $65. You can also attend the Grand Marshall’s dinner on Saturday night (the 29th) and hang out with legendary past flat track champions. You can buy tickets at Michael’s HarleyDavidson of Cotati (7601 Redwood Dr ), G&B Kawasaki-Yamaha (326 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma), G&B Cyclepro (2175 Bluebell Dr #A Santa Rosa), Santa Rosa Powersports (910 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa), Vee Twin (1240 Petaluma Hill Rd), The Motorcycle Shop (3383 Airway Dr, Santa Rosa), Parriott Motors (1027 Pope St., St. Helena) or go to santarosamile.com or call 888/71-TICKETS. Don’t miss it this time!

PENINSULA MOVES Peninsula Motorsports, an independent repair shop in Redwood City, has moved. The new address is 101 5th Avenue, also in Redwood City. Owner John Schoenfeld regrets he lost the lease on the old place—it was the location of MDK Motorsports, a high-volume dealership—but he says they’re happy in the new spot. It’s 50 percent larger and has enough room to work on all brands of motorcycles, new or old, from BMW to Honda to Norton to Harley-Davidson. Plus, he’s got experienced mechanics

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, please do not hesitate to call for a phone consultation or to set up a meeting in person. Oh, and unlike other lawyers you can talk to me and I will return your phone call. If you have been injured on a motorcycle and need a lawyer, call:

1 (800) 928-1511

www.michaelpadway.com September 2012 | 6 | CityBike.com

(including Dave McClellan, whom you may remember running Daly City’s M&H Machine shop—he now takes on side work machining projects at motomachineworks. com); “ my mechanics are older—they’ve seen it all.” Schedule a service with Peninsula by calling 650/367-9000 or head to peninsulams.com

NEW SPOT FOR HELIMOT There’s a lot of shop-moving-around these days, it seems. As we reported in this space in the July issue, Helimot Leathers and Advanced Cycle Service, sharing a building on Old Bayshore Highway in San Jose, were presented with big rent increases from the landlord: seems he’s going into what must be a very lucrative field—oil recycling. Helimot founders Linda Key and Helmut Kluckner had been in that space for three decades, but f—k it, they said. And they’re happy they left. They found a sparkly new location in Fremont, very close to the Tesla plant (that used to be the GM NUMMI plant). As Linda reports: “We love it here already, even with a mess still inside. Grass, trees, clean, cool. and... ta-da...the A.C. works, the roof doesn’t leak, we have hot water and there are nice neighbors. On July 31 Helmut moved the

last thing out of the old shop. And what was helmet-making process where the EPS that? Why, the Helimot sign, of course.” liner is molded right into the helmet’s shell, completely filling any void between “It was a really horrendous move from a the shell and foam, rather than gluing the building we had been in for 17 years, about pre-made liner in. That eliminates the gap 10,000 square feet all told, to about 3000 between the shell and the liner, a gap that square feet. Even our stuff had stuff! We can actually magnify energy transmitted have several pieces of machinery that had to the liner (and your skull), even if just to be moved with a crane (thanks, Dennis!) for microseconds. A deluxe version— and everything had to be done in a big hurry. Composite Fusion Plus—uses up to seven different foam densities (depending on “We absolutely could not have done it without the really super, over-the-top help helmet size) with cone-shaped formations we received from Bay Area motorcyclists. It within the lining to channel energy away was really heartwarming and Helmut and I from the head. That means Kali can use softer foam next to your head, which means are so very thankful.” better absorption of energy, especially Helimot re-opened on August 17 and when your head is moving forward inside expects to have a grand re-opening your helmet, which is where brain injury celebration later in the year. Advanced frequently occurs. Cycle Service is still busily plugging away in the old location for now, but we’ll get you Kali says it has confirmed the protective benefits of its design in tests, and though its new address as soon as we hear. the company didn’t tell us exact numbers MISSION ACCOMPLISHED about how much better the Composite Last but not least—Wendy Epstein is firmly Fusion technology is, it does seem to be a in the driver’s seat at Mission Motorcycles unique product, the first real change (other than dual-density foam, which many other at the Top of the companies use) Hill in Daly City for decades. “We (6232 Mission, design helmets for 650/992-1234) the one percent and the place is very of the time when busy since Golden you’re really using Gate Cycles in San it,” said Kali’s Alex Francisco closed Stover. However, its doors. Not only Kali didn’t provide has the shop added independent Suzuki to its brands verification of its (in addition to claims, and when Honda, Yamaha, we took the helmet Kawasaki and apart, we noted Zero), but there’s that the mechanical a surge of buyers fusion process coming down isn’t used on the from the City— chinbar—that Mission is the portion of foam was only place to buy glued in, just like a Japanese brand the competition’s. in a huge, densely Still, it seems like a populated service area, and sales are up solid concept, one that would doubtless be over 150 percent compared to last year. quickly copied if not for the patent. She’s stepping up to demand by looking at all options, including finding another We received one of Kali’s top-of-the line location, and needs help in sales or other models to review, the Naza Carbon ($369). departments—give them a ring if you want The helmet’s main advantage—safety— to work at what could grow into one of the can’t be tested without spending thousands biggest shops in the Bay Area. of dollars on testing and destroying helmets,

NEW STUFF KALI NAZA CARBON Helmets is helmets.

Other than that, we found the Naza Carbon to be pretty average as helmets go, and maybe a little below average for this price range. Build quality is what you’d expect in a made-in-China product (although the five-year warranty should erase concerns about this), complete with inexpensive-feeling materials and squeeky sounds when you work the vents. The faceshield’s optical clarity isn’t the best and the antifog is just mildly effective. On the road, the helmet is noisier and

draftier than a premium helmet. The vents don’t seem to do too much at freeway speeds, which we’ve come to expect from motorcycle helmets. That sounds like a long list of flaws, but they’re minor, and if the Naza Carbon was priced at $199 we would feel silly mentioning them—but at $369 we’d be a little disappointed. The good news here is you could buy the Naza FRP for $269—the same helmet, just made with a heavier fiberglass shell. Or for $149 you could get the Nira CF, which uses Composite Fusion

Photo: Bob Stokstad

2012 Zuma 125

so we have to take Kali at its word. But regardless of protection, we have to live with the helmets when we’re not crashing. To that end, Kali has designed a comfortable, practical and functional helmet.

It’s made with a Carbon/Kevlar/ Fiberglass shell, available in two sizes to accommodate the range of helmet sizes from XS-XXL. The rest of the features are familiar to helmet buyers-vents, washable liner, anti-fog visor, yadda yadda. The helmet meets DOT and ECE standards, but not Snell—this is a choice, according to Stover: “many in the helmet testing community have chosen to build to the ECE/DOT standard because softer forms absorb more energy, more quickly, than At least that was true before composites the SNELL standard allows.” The helmet engineer Brad Waldron, industrial designer fit pretty well, similar to other Asian-made David Assyag and branding expert Mike brands like HJC and KBC. Wilson came up with Kali Protectives. The Here’s Kali’s competitive advantage aside company is based around Brad’s patented from safety claims: the Naza Carbon is Composite Fusion (TM) technology—a feather light. At exactly three pounds, it’s Are they? Well, actually...yes. Every helmet manufacturer will tell you its helmet is the best, most protective on the market, but take a helmet apart and you’ll see they all look the same inside. You got your hard outer shell, you got your Styrofoam energyabsorbing liner and a comfort liner to go against your skin. They all meet at least the DOT standard and you can feel pretty good about even the cheapest chain-store lid doing its job.

about as light as any helmet we’ve tested, much lighter than your average lid in this price range. That’s a bonus for touring riders or anybody who spends long hours in a dome.

Go Anywhere— and get 89 MPG! Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Please respect the environment, obey the law, and read your owner's manual thoroughly.

BERKELEY YAMAHA


735 GILMAN STREET BERKELEY (510) 525-5525 www.berkeley-yamaha.com Tues.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 — Sun.-Mon. Closed

technology, just with more conventional dual-density foam. Kali is to be commended for pushing the boundaries of protective engineering in a market that usually puts a higher value on styling and other non-safety features.

Photo: Bob Stokstad

The intercom’s claimed max range is a Find out more about Kali at your local moto- mile, and we found in testing found that yes, indeed, in optimal conditions—line shop or by going to kaliprotectives.com. of sight in good weather—the range is HELMET AUDIO: CARDO SCALA just about a mile, but unless you’re riding somewhere with flat, straight roads, you RIDER G9 POWERSET can lose contact in just a few turns on a You can’t escape it—with so many ways twisty road or a block or two in the urban to communicate, privacy is becoming a office-tower canyons. rare commodity. You are expected to be reachable 24 hours a day, seven days a Another innovation the G9 offers is a week, with folks calling, texting, Tweeting, social-networking aspect. When a user logs emailing, Facebook-ing and expecting you in to the Cardo Community website and to be responsive to all of it. How do you his headset is plugged into his computer, hide from it all? Well, you could practice the site detects the headset and displays law, which apparently excuses you from its settings—VOX sensitivity, FM radio the need to answer the phone ever again, or presets, etc. It also shows a buddy list of the you could leave your helmet conspicuously paired riders associated with that headset, on your desk—nobody expects you to take and there’s even a function to look up users a call on your bike. the rider may know to add to the buddy list. It’s like Facebook for your headset. At least they don’t for now. Bluetooth headsets for motorcycles have been in Pairing is now simpler with the G9. To link service since around 2006, and though the two G9 headsets, you just put the headsets

early models left much to be desired, they are getting better and better. The Cardo Systems Scala Rider G4 we tested last year demonstrated all that—it was the first selfcontained BT headset we tested that was actually functional at freeway speeds on an unfaired motorcycle. That’s the litmus test for us, because if you can’t wear earplugs and hear crisp, clear audio at 75-plus miles per hour, what’s the point of wearing it? Well, Cardo Systems’ Scala Rider G4 ($290) and G4 Powerset ($500) is a system that can deliver that kind of performance, so when the non-motorcycling population starts seeing the majority of motorcycle riders wearing these things, you can forget about using your helmet as a refuge from the constant storm of electronic media. Oh well, at least you’ll still be able to ride. The G4 was already very good for groups, but the G9 is even better. That’s thanks to a few innovations on the G9. Like the G4, the G9 allows a simultaneous conversation with three other riders, using very good voice-activation technology and outstanding speakers to minimize the “whats?” and “say agains?” But the G9 adds September 2012 | 8 | CityBike.com

Overall, if I had read the instruction manual and taken the time to put my gear on and get the fit customized for me before I went riding that first time, I would have saved myself a lot of time. Hopefully if you’re thinking about buying a Leatt neck brace for street or dirt this article will save you that time and frustration because I don’t think anyone can

the “One + 8” feature, which lets the user pair with up to eight other Scala-equipped riders (even those with older models) and then use the Voice Command feature to call that specific rider by name.

in standby mode and then have them gently nasty-dance together—they pair automatically. If your buddy list is full, the buddy you haven’t spoken to for the longest time will be bumped off (you probably didn’t like riding with him much anyway). You identify your buddies by the names they have chosen for themselves, and you can scroll through the list of paired buddies. In use, it’s a hell of a thing. There they are, your riding buddies, and if you’ve been riding with them for a while, you can now talk to them whenever you want. And you can’t ignore them, because it’s rude. The only thing you can do is go faster so you go out of their line of sight, but that means you can only ride with those slower than you, or you will be trapped listening to stories about their kids/theories about the Trilateral Commission/complaints about various ethnic groups. And if you’re used to just communicating with your lovely wife or wonderful husband with just the occasional brush on the knee or squeeze on the tushie, let’s just say you should start saving for the divorce attorney now.

That’s because, like the G4, audio quality on the G9 is superb. Both the microphone and speakers work just as advertised, if you install and use them correctly. A speed-sensitive audio booster kicks in and makes music, podcasts or Ned’s description of the 23-pound bass he caught in 1987 resound in your skull with perfect clarity, even through earplugs. We frequently find we’re having phone conversations and the other conversant has no idea we’re riding a motorcycle, and we’re also impressed with the reception, ease of use and decent sound from the FM radio. The rechargeable (from a USB port, easy to rig up with your bike’s 12v system) lithium battery gives seven days of standby time, 13 hours of talk time and charges in a few hours. It works with any Bluetooth 2.1 device including radar detectors, GPS units and smartphones. You can also swap the boom mike for a plug-in mike on the G9, to work better with full-face helmets with close-fitting chinbars.

neck.

say the least, since I had watched several AMA Supercross races and noticed that almost every single competitor was wearing a Leatt brace. Let’s be honest: this device could literally save your

argue that this is probably one of the most important protective devices for motorcyclists since the back brace. I am a sucker for protection and probably wear too much but when it all goes wrong it’s usually worth it, because when I do crash, I usually crash big! Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a situation where we need or wish we had this device, but I am glad it’s out there and will be adding one to my off-road kit. Thank you to Dr. Leatt and his team of engineers for their research and devotion to saving our necks. You can find the Leatt brace at your better Bay Area gear shops or by pointing your browser to leattbrace.com. —Jason Potts

Back home I was determined to not let this happen again. I got the manual, pulled all the extra pieces out of the box, put my gear on and sat there until it fit perfectly. I (finally!—ed.) was now ready to ride and review the brace. Since I also ride sportbikes I pulled the street version out of the box to work on getting it set up as well. However, I found the street version is really best for sport touring or touring, because it prevents your neck from bending back so you can’t get into an aerodynamic tuck. If you are commuting, or into sport-touring, this would be great addition to your protective gear. But I still had the off-road GPX; I was going dirt riding and this time it was set up and I was ready to shred.

First off, putting the brace on is easier if you lock one side then slide the brace on sideways around your neck, then lock the other side into position. Finally, pull the It’s spendy, but the functionality and good straps down around your chest to prevent design of the Scala makes it a favorite for the brace from riding up, clip the straps staff rides. Get it at your favorite mototogether and you’re ready to go. Once on shop or head to cardosystems.com to the bike and riding I found the brace was order online. hardly noticeable except when looking up or behind, which really shouldn’t be a LEATT BRACE problem since you shouldn’t be looking A few months ago I was asked to “test” the behind you while you’re riding anyway. Leatt neck brace and write a review. I agreed to try it out but I really didn’t want to “test” its effectiveness—crashing sucks! After a few phone calls I learned that not only do they make the very popular off-road version but they were hard at work on a street version as well—color me interested. A few weeks later a package arrived containing both the GPX off-road ($299 to $699) and the STX road version ($399).

Honda CRF70F Now in stock!

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Please respect the environment, obey the law, and read your owner’s manual thoroughly.

A few weeks later I had a little time to sit down and try to get the brace assembled in anticipation of my next dirt adventure. It came with the only tool you need but to get the perfect fit, you first need to put your gear on and have a couple hours to try the different spacers for a perfect custom fit—I thought I was good to go, but that’s when I discovered that it was a little too tight after I put my chest protector on and I had to leave it behind. I was a little bummed, to September 2012 | 9 | CityBike.com

EVENTS

Second Tuesday of Each Month (September 11, October 9)

Doc Wong Clinics!

First Monday of each month (September 3, October 1):

6:30 pm to 10:00 pm: East Bay Ducati Bike Night at Pizza Antica (3600 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 925/299-0500) 2:30 – 10:00 pm: Northern California Bike parking on the street right in front of Ducati Bike Nights at Benissimo (one the restaurant, indoor and heated outdoor of Marin’s finest Italian Restaurants), 18 Tamalpias Dr, Corte Madera. NorCalDoc. seating, excellent wine list. All moto brands welcome. Bring your appetite and a com smile, be prepared to make new friends. 6:00 pm: American Sport Bike Night at Third Wednesday of Each Month Dick’s Restaurant and Cocktails, 3188 Alvarado Street, San Leandro. Bring your (September 19, October 17) Buell and hang out with like-minded 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Emeryville riders. All brands welcome! Our meeting Ducati Bike Night at Hot Italian (5959 of Buell and Motorcycle enthusiasts Shellmound Street #75, Emeryville, has been happening the first Monday of 510/652-9300) A fun, social atmosphere the month for the last 12 years, without for Ducati owners, folks that want to ever missing a meeting. We have had become Ducati owners, and folks that many local and national celebrities don’t yet know that they want to become from the motorcycle world grace our Ducati owners, to sit, eat, talk, walk Take it to the track! Catch some of the best, most varied, most competitive roadracing meetings. It has been fun and exciting. around and look at other Ducatis. All anywhere with our local racing club, the American Federation of Motorcyclists. americansportbikenight.net brands and models of motorcycles are welcome, so please don’t be put off by the For racetrack and spectator info orto find out about corner-working opportunities or how 6:00 pm: California (Northern, East event name. to get your race license, go to afmracing.org or call 510/796-7005. Bay) NORCAL Guzzi Bike Night at Applebee’s at McCarthy Ranch Mall, off Every Friday Through September 2012 September 1 and 2: Infineon 880, in Milpitas, California. All MGNOC October 6 and 7: Thunderhill members, interested Guzzi riders, and all 5:00 pm: Primetime Classic Autorama show (1551 Sycamore Ave, Hercules: other motorcycle riders always welcome. Photo: Gary Rather Home Depot parking lot) Always FREE More information, contact Pierre at: 408/710-4886 or pierredacunha@yahoo. to show/attend. Bring all your classic (Highways 505/128) MGNOC members rides: cars/ trucks / motorcycles / big rigs Third Sunday of each month com. and interested Guzzi riders meet for / military. ALL ARE WELCOME! BBQ (September 16, October 21): breakfast and a good time. The Putah / vendors / and a raffle. Call Professor J at 9:00 am: California (Northern) Creek Cafe is located at Railroad Avenue. 510/455-3093 or hit professorj.biz Moto Guzzi National Owners Club More information contact: Northern (MGNOC) breakfast at Putah Creek California MGNOC Rep, Don Van Zandt Cafe in picturesque Winters, California at 707-557-5199. Evenings: Moto-Sketch at Tosca Cafe: come and sketch a live model draped over a custom bike. $7 to sketch, free to just watch. Tosca Cafe, 242 Columbus Ave. in S.F. Wednesday, September 5th 6:00 pm-9:30 pm TrackerNite5 Motorcycle Show and BBQ (Barnaby Machine Co, 954 Shulman Ave. Santa Clara) A celebration of modified and racing motorcycles done on the streets of Santa Clara at the famed Barnaby Machine Co. at 954 Shulman Ave. All bikes are welcome to show, Antique

MCMA Member Specials: RS-Taichi Product Coming Soon Great Selection of Arai Helmets

CityBike says if you haven’t done a Doc Wong clinic, go do one ASAP. It’s fun, free and will make you a better/safer/happier rider. Register by emailing [email protected] or call Full Motion Chiropractic at 650/365-7775. August 24/26, 2012 “Dual Sport Adventure Riding Clinic” Friday 7 PM and Sunday 9 AM August 31, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 2” Friday night 7 PM September 13, 2012 *NEW* “Braking Confidence and Skills” workshop Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM September 21, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop” Fri 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM September 23 2012 “Smooth Riding - Awareness, Vision and the Vanishing point” Sunday 9 AM-3 PM

500 registered (we ran short last year and are bringing twice as many this year). Famous, free CCBR coffee from 6 am-8:30 am. Leashed pets okay. Preregistration package (for all ages) - $52camping, Bash pin, prize drawings and three meals. Please note: pre-registration ends and no refunds after Tuesday, September 4, 2012. Gate pass (for all ages) - $40 - camping, Bash pin, prize drawings - no meals. Kid’s pass (age 6 through 11) - $20 - no extra tent, pin, drawings or meals. Kids age 5 and under are admitted free - no extra tent, pin, drawings or meals. There will be no day passes this year. More info: [email protected] or call 888/203-5871 Friday Sept 14-Sunday Sept 16

Arrive on Friday, Sept 14th, group meet: 5:00 pm, Friday. Ride Saturday, recoup on Sunday. Riders arrange their own rooms. Sign up is located at pashnittours.com/ booktour.html Saturday, September 15th and Sunday, September 16th Dust Devils Motorcycle Club of Reno Nevada 2012 AMA Sanctioned Ride Reno 200 Dual-Sport Ride and “Save the Trails Banquet” Nugget Casino, Reno, Nevada

Two hundred miles over two days of the best dual sport trails in the west! Sunday’s 5:00 pm Friday: CityBike Magazine/ ride has a checkpoint/break time next Pashnit Tours Nutcracker 1000 Holiday September 30, 2012 “CPR and First Aid for Motorcyclists Class” to the Reno Air Races racecourse. The Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 4055 N. Sunday 9AM-3 PM RR200 is held the same weekend as the Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada annual air races. October 18, 2012 *NEW* “Braking Confidence and Skills” workshop Dream of the open road? We do. Endless. Thursday 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Lunch on the trail both days, Saturday Vast. Distant. night Banquet at the host Casino/ October 19, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop” hotel—John Ascuaga’s Nugget—ride If those words describe your longing to Fri Fri 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Tshirt. “Buy a Save the Trails” beer glass get up out of that chair—we have just and the beer is bottomless! Door prizes, the ride for you. Join us as the kids go October 21, 2012 “Cornering Confidence - Road Surfaces and Curve raffles, the host hotel has huge indoor back to school and the temps settle into Configurations” Sunday 9 AM-3 PM pool and spa and provides covered, manageable for a truly epic ride. October 26, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 2” secured, reserved motorcycle parking for The 1000-mile day is a moment, a day Friday night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM our event. $165 per rider. in in your life, where time and distance More info: docwong.com More information at dustdevilsmc.com or become lost, forgotten concepts. A day when you can leave it all behind and melt contact Gary Lambert: 775/224-0361 or into the horizon. Where all the land is but [email protected] Friday, September 14 to Sunday, to Modern, Flat Trackers, Café, Street a fuzzy image in your mirrors constant Trackers, Rats, Trikes and Touring bikes. September 16 Wednesday September 19 to Sunday and fading. September 23, 2012 Recently called a “Flash-mob motorcycle Central Coast BMW Riders Autumn This is the 1000-Mile Day. Commonly Beemer Bash at the Plumas-Sierra show” by Bay Area magazines, Street Vibrations® Fall Rally: Music, Metal County Fairgrounds, Quincy, California. called the Saddlesore 1000 by Iron Butt TrackerNite© has grown from a few and Motorcycles (Reno, Sparks, Virginia folks, Pashnit Tours is putting together friends gathering at a machine shop into City, NV) A non-profit rally to benefit the BMW a mutual destination ride. No group. No a full-on BBQ and free Motorcycle Show community at large. Acres of shade and leader. No sweep. Just road. Just ride. with bike show awards, music and racing Street Vibrations Motorcycle Festival grass for camping or RV hook-ups and There is no group size limit as there is no is a celebration of music, metal and celebrities. plenty of hot showers! Saturday Night group. The Nutcracked Riders will all motorcycles. It offers tours, live Dinner, Saturday & Sunday Continental You’ll enjoy seeing bikes of the past and converge on Carson City, NV on Friday, entertainment, ride-in shows, stunt Breakfast. (Pre-Reg Only). Invited some that are on the edge of today’s Sept 14th. Many of us will meet up on shows and more to more than 50,000 Speakers will include CityBike Editor-intechnology. Come on out and enjoy an Friday evening for Meet-n-Greet at the biking enthusiasts. Major event venues Chief Gabe Ets-Hokin (but you should evening of real “grass roots” motorcycle foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. are planned at Reno, Sparks, historic fun. This event is unique in so many ways, go anyway). Door Prizes! 50/50 Drawing! Lying to the east, south and north are Virginia City, Lake Tahoe and Chester’s Grand Prize! Vendors! Swap Table! Things broad regions of the United States where drawing motorcyclists from all over the Reno Harley-Davidson Dealership. Rides to do Saturday: Portola Railroad Museum distances are vast, amenities are few and Bay Area, NorCal and So Cal. to Lake Tahoe provide unparalleled - Poker Run - Self Guided Riding Tours the view stretches to the horizon. Ride entertainment. Don’t miss America’s For more information or to RSVP, please Guided GS Ride. on Saturday from the California Border Finest Custom Bike Builder’s Expo to view call or e-mail Lorin Guy: 408/242-1976 or to Utah and back on a loop through the latest creations. Check out the Tattoo via [email protected] Reference On site microbrews, wine, soda, water Nevada in one day, stay at the same Expo for body art extraordinaire. Marvel and food, 2012 bash pins for the first TrackerNite©. hotel Saturday night, disperse Sunday September 28, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 1” Friday night 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Service: Dirtbikes, Streetbikes, Racebikes, Scooters, and Harley’s AFM/Track Race Prep

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morning. Pashnit Tours is an authorized witness for the Iron Butt Association, and will be handling that aspect of the ride if you wish to participate in it.


325 South Maple Ave #20, South San Francisco. 650/239-6686, bayareamotoshop.com Roadside Repair Class Thursday August 23rd 6pm - 9pm Have you ever broken down on the side of the road with your moto, or a friend’s moto, and not known what to do? This can happen to anyone, anywhere—even in your garage. This class will help you attempt to figure out what the problem may be and fix it yourself. We will also teach how to pick up a dropped bike, fix a flat, load a bike on a truck, and more. Basic Motorcycle Maintenance Clinic Sunday September 2nd 9am - 1pm Get your bike ready for riding! During this hands-on clinic you will perform a complete inspection and make minor adjustments on your motorcycle to make sure it is safe and ready for many good miles of riding. This will include chain, brakes, tires, wheels, controls, lights, battery, fluids, suspension, and more! This clinic is perfect if you are new to your bike or new to riding. Lee Parks All-Day Suspension Clinic Sunday September 9th 9am - 5pm Learn the art and science of suspension setup from one of the leading experts in the country, Lee Parks. This all-day clinic will teach you the secrets used by top tuners to increase performance and safety. Barbara Vos Art Opening @ Moto Shop Sunday Sept 16th 6pm - 10pm Join us for an evening of art and music at Moto Shop. barbaravossanfrancisco.com at extraordinary stunt shows and the Globe of Death. Spend some money with more than 300 vendors and more than 15 factory rigs selling everything motorcycle and more. Crosby, Still and Nash, the folk rock supergroup, will be headlining at the Reno Events Center on September 22. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com. You can register as a Street Vibrations® participant online, at the Reno Ballroom at 4th and Center St. in downtown Reno or at Street Vibrations Headquarters. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Association. The nocolors event is open to all motorcycles. More info: road-shows.com/street_ vibrations.php or dial 775/329-7469. Saturday, September 22nd 8:00 am to 4:00 pm: El Camino Cycle Meet and Swap (Irwindale Raceway, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale California 909/629-7420, classiccycleevents.com)

Check out over 350 vendors and an antique/classic motorcycle show with over 100 bikes at the largest swap-meet and show on the West Coast. The long drive down to SoCal should be worth it—food, fun, vintage parts exchange, bike-sale corral and FREE parking for ride-in motorcycles (other vehicles: $5 each). Vendor space starts at just $75, or enter your bike in the show for $35 for the first bike, $10 for each additional. Participants get an event pin, poster and other souvenirs.

the finishers of the 2012 Cannonball Rally. The Cannonball is a cross country endurance riding event for antique motorcycles manufactured before 1930. The Cannonball ride starts in Newburgh, NY on September 7, and travels across the country to finish on September 23rd in San Francisco. Come to welcome these intrepid men and women and celebrate this epic journey. Mingle with the riders and hear their stories of the road, and check out their machines, every single one of them a piece of history. The event will feature live entertainment, food and refreshments. Several local companies will be showcasing their products as well. Come and attend this unique event and become a part of motorcycling’s rich history! The riders are expected in at 1:15, but well, you can understand if they’re late. See you there! Sunday, September 30th

East Bay Dragons By Gabe Ets-Hokin Photos by Bob Stokstad

Photo: Craig Howell

Events at Motoshop: Moto Shop

by calling 888/71-TICKETS or go to santarosamile.com and be part of this historic event. Sunday, September 30 to Tuesday, October 2 Giro d’ California no. 8 Three days of timed-trial riding, 1950s Italian style in the coastal mountains of Northern and Central California. Pre-1958, 175cc and smaller machines compete in regularity trials between secret checkpoints. Entry fees include hotel accommodations, lunches and awards banquet, along with t-shirt and bag-o-swag. If you have a little old Italian roadster, you need to do this event! Go to girodcalifornia.com or email [email protected] to get your application.

1:00 pm: Santa Rosa Mile AMA Pro Flat Track (Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Saturday, October 13 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa) 9:00 am-4:00 pm: Central Coast After a 42-year absence, the spectacular Classic Motorcycle Club Show and two-wheeled action of AMA Pro Flat Swap Meet in San Luis Obispo (1775 Track racing returns to the Santa Rosa Calle Joaquin in SLO). Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon, September 30th. General Admission $10. Classic bike show, swap meet, and motorcycle games. Run in 1968, 1969 and 1970, the Santa Fundraiser for Making Strides Against Rosa Mile spotlighted the top level Sunday, September 23th Breast Cancer of SLO. Catered by competitors of the time such as Dick Splash Café. Details at 805/704-6357 or 11:00 am to 5:00 pm: 2012 Cannonball Mann, Gary Nixon, Freddie Nix, Chuck centralcoastclassicmc.com Finish Party at Dudley Perkins (Dudley Palmgren, Jim Rice and more wrestling Perkins Co. Harley-Davidson, 333 Corey BSA, Harley- Davidson and Triumph Sunday, October 21st Way, South San Francisco, 650/737-6547, machines for dominance on the dirt. All Day: Carnegie OHV Area Visitor dpchd.com Now it is back. Be sure to be on hand Appreciation Day (Carnegie SVRA, to witness the return of America’s Join the staff, customers and friends of 18600 Corral Hollow Road, Tracy most spectacular two-wheeled one of the country’s oldest and most 925/447-9027 motomartcarnegie.com) competition. Order your tickets now storied Harley dealers as they welcome Free Admission to the Park, Product Displays from Area Motorcycle Dealers, Free Suspension Clinic, Dual Sport Poker Run, Scavenger Hunt for Kids, Free Raffle Ticket, Drawing for Great Prizes, Food Booths in the Event Area, OffRoad Demonstrations, Music, ATV Simulator Rides, Hillclimb exhibitions, Factory Representatives, Blue Ribbon Coalition, AMA District 36, Special Guests, and a visit from the REACH helicopter. Bring the family and get dirty! Check out the Carnegie website for more details as we near the date: ohv. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1172


“

OMG!” I typed in the email “That bike is made out of Win!” Art Director Lapp had taken a moment to browse Craigslist for an interesting DirtbagChallenge candidate and fixated on a diamond in the rough—$850 would buy you a SOHC Honda CB750 with a rakedout girder-style front end, chromed valve cover, custom seat and ape-hanger bars. The rusted-out tank and crudely modded frame were customized, with the faded magenta and cream paint overlaid with sprays of marijuana leaves and on the top of the tank, the willowy figure of a buxom African-American woman (who looks suspiciously like Nichelle Nichols, who played mega-hot Lt. Uhura on Star Trek), nude, Afro-ed, and intently picking the kind, abundant harvest. Sadly, though the bike was non-running, a collector in L.A. snapped it up within 12 hours. After savoring the delicious post-modern irony of this Blaxploitaiton-era kitsch, it made me think. How big did your balls have to be to ride this thing around the East Bay in the ‘70s? An image appeared in my mind—the CB750 with an enormous black man riding it helmetless, skimpily-clad girl on the back, wraparound shades and leather vest with nothing underneath, riding straight into the waiting arms of the San Leandro police. What was it like to be a black biker in Soul-Era Oakland? For an answer, I called up the East Bay Dragons, arguably the best-known and oldest continuously operating all-black motorcycle club in the country. I was expecting some tough guy to answer the phone, and I wasn’t disappointed. Ali Rasheed, the Dragon’s business manager, looks the part of the tough biker—leather vest and all the trimmings—but is also well-educated, retired after a professional career and evenly enthusiastic about motorcycles—he’s ridden all kinds of brands, but later in life settled on Harleys. He’s just sold off his V-Rod after piling up 60,000 miles for a trickedout Sportster, in contrast to the other members’ chrome-slathered baggers. “My taste has always been performance.” Hanging out around the never-ending domino game in the clubhouse garage. was member Charles Jones—aka Darth Vader. Typical of many members, Darth came to the Dragons after tiring of another club, the Japanese-riding Vagabonds. “I grew up

The strange but not-so-terrible story of Oakland’s oldest surviving African-American motorcycle club.

with Harleys, but we liked speed so we rode was the ‘chop,’ a heavyweight touring bike like a Panhead or Knucklehead customized, cafe racers, Hondas.” stripped and souped-up for maximum Rasheed and Jones came to the club older, straight-line performance—but little in the but there are some younger Dragons picking up the torch. “Diddy,” in his early 30s, was in his second week of being a club ‘rook,’ after spending some time riding around the East Bay on Japanese sportbikes with the Ruff Ryders. Joining the club seemed like a natural choice—his uncles are members and it’s always been in his life. But why join a black-only club? That’s secondary to Diddy; he likes the tradition and camaraderie, but also likes the safer, longdistance riding style of the Dragons.

way of rider or passenger comfort. We’re talking about the classic Easyriders choppers, with massively raked forks, skinny front tires, hardtail rears and straight pipes. Not

We fix anything on American V-Twin bikes

That’s right— long distance. The Dragons, formed in 1958, is all about riding long distances. Trips to L.A., where the club has longstanding relationships with similar clubs, are routine, and rides to the Central Valley are barely an afterthought. I talked to members who had just ridden halfway across the country and talked about their trips as if referring to a daily commute. It wasn’t always that way. According to club founder (and current President-for-Life) Tobey Gene Levingston’s book Soul on Bikes (2004, Motorbooks International, written with Keith and Kent Zimmerman, out of print), the ride of choice in the early days

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