Rider articles from February 2004

Rider archives from February 2004

Quieter anniversaries: some notable anniversaries in 2003 didn't quite receive the attention they deserved, like the AMA's unofficial centennial and the second decade of the ride for kids.(One Track Mind)
February 1, 2004... With all of the noisy anniversaries being celebrated left and right recently--Harley's 100th, BMW's 80th, even Rider magazine's 30th this year-two important ones managed to slip by almost unnoticed. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The first is...

Sport-tourer showdown.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... As a Yamaha FJ owner, I guess I was hoping for more FJR praises in Bill Stermer's Cool Running article on the sport tourers in December's 2003 issue. But I was not surprised to hear the positive feedback on the BMW RT. One of the interesting...

Blue Ridge reminiscence.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... My December issue arrived today and you still cannot wipe the grin off my face from reading John David Bondurant's article about the Blue Ridge Parkway. My wife and I loaded up our 2000 Millennium Yamaha Royal Star Venture and headed southeast...

Role model.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the too-short article on Charlie Parks in your December 2003 issue by Joe Michaud. Charlie is an inspiration to me and I only hope that I can still be riding at his age. It seems so often that motorcycle...

Dolomites.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... We enjoyed Mark Tuttle's Doing the Dolomites (December issue). My wife Estelle and I took the June Edelweiss tour and his story and travels brought back many memories. We enjoyed all the passes and Michael is an expert tour guide. My wife even...

Miscalculated miles.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... My name is Robert Tucker, also known as Yamaha's mileage man. There is a picture of me in December's issue on page 64 (Rallies & Clubs) and beneath the picture it says I have over 400,000 miles on my Venture in over four years. I would like to...

The Matrix.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I enjoyed Clement Salvadori's column The Motorcycle Matrix in December's issue but think that he missed an important change. He states that the V-twin and in-line four are the basis of all motorcycles, and frames are still pretty much...

The wicked Mach IV.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... Clement's December 2003 Retrospective on the Kawasaki Mach IV really caught the flavor of that wicked-fast 750. The test drive was WOW! I bought mine used with upgraded suspension and a 90-horsepower engine kit. Just what any 20-year-old...

Tokyo show exotica: if you thought the Silver Wing and Burgman were the ultimate in big scooters, think again. Honda and Suzuki both showed off several interesting concept bikes at the large Tokyo show in November 2003.(Kick Stars)
February 1, 2004... Both the Griffon and G-Strider carried trickery like LED head and taillights, wireless communication systems with GPS navigation, keyless rider authentication, single-sided swingarms front and rear and rearview cameras. [ILLUSTRATION...

Handlin' Hot-Rod.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2004... When his corner man first described boxing legend Muhammad Ali's combination of speed and power with "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee," Drew Brown could also have been talking about the Honda 599. Simply change "bee" to "Hornet," and...

Large&incharge! 2004 Victory Kingpin.
February 1, 2004... Victory Motorcycles just broadened its lineup with yet another model, the buff new Kingpin. Intended for the cruiser buyer who is willing to pay between 15 and 20 large for a custom-looking machine, the Kingpin also provides something a little...

Victory Touring Cruiser wrapup.
February 1, 2004... Rider has had a long-term Victory V92TC Touring Cruiser for about a year now and it's finally time to bid it adieu. We originally ordered it through Victory's online Custom Order Program (COP) over the Web. The tasteful two-tone paint...

Dialed-in ducs: the 2004 Ducati ST3, ST4s and 749s.
February 1, 2004... When the first Ducati ST2 was unveiled, it filled a significant niche in the Italian company's lineup, introduced thousands of sport-touring enthusiasts to the marque, and was named Rider Motorcycle of the Year for 1998. Later more-powerful...

Andy's answers.(Tech Q & A)
February 1, 2004... BACKFIRING SABRE Q: MY ONLY COMPLAINT WITH MY 2003 HONDA SABRE 1100 V-TWIN IS BACKFIRING THROUGH THE CARBURETORS WHEN BLIPPING THE THROTTLE FOR A DOWNSHIFT. IT ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY, BUT WHEN IT DOES, IT SURE MESSES UP A DOWNSHIFT. MY FIRST...

Arai Corsair helmet: when it comes to full-face helmets, lighter is better. Less weight means reduced stress on your neck and easier maneuverability, so you're less fatigued at the end of the ride. Arai helmets' line of premium lids have always been among the lightest out there, but now the company has shaved even more weight--almost three ounces--from its new top-line RX-7 Corsair helmet.(Gear Lab)
February 1, 2004... Combine less bulk with the other features Arai is well known for and you have a premium lid that's suitable for just about any kind of riding, on the street or the track. This new Corsair model is currently the only Arai that uses its new...

Cortech Sport luggage: tour master, well known among street motorcyclists for its lines of protective riding apparel, gloves and rainsuits, recently introduced a new Cortech Sport line of soft luggage.(Gear Lab)
February 1, 2004... These saddlebags and tailbag are designed as a modular system, so that they can be used separately or together. The Cortech Sport Saddlebags' wedge shape is particularly suited to sportbikes and sport-touring machines that have high...

Product spotlight.(New & Cool)
February 1, 2004... Genuine Innovations has four new Tire Repair & C[O.sub.2] Inflation Kits (1) designed specifically for motorcyclists. Each contains a controllable C[O.sub.2]-powered inflator, C[O.sub.2] cartridges, a tire reamer tool, an insertion tool, five...