Rider articles from February 2005

Rider archives from February 2005

Gadgets: you just never know when you'll need to pick a tooth, tweeze a splinter, open a bottle, turn a screw, slice an apple, cut a thread or file your way out of jail.(One trackmind)
February 1, 2005... Some of our contributors hack out their monthly columns on computers that belong in the Smithsonian, and carry little more with them on a long ride than a roll of Tums. Me, I like to have the latest, smallest, coolest, most useful tools and...

Deserved recognition.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... As the owner of a 2003 model, it was great to see the Kawasaki Concours receive the recognition that it deserves (Sport-Touring Standard Bearer, December 2004). Thus far, the Concours has exceeded my expectations. A dated bike design for sure,...

Not for U.S.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Yes, I'd love to see some of these bikes move to the U.S. market (Not For U.S., December 2004). I do recognize that there are differences in riding between Europe and the United States and that the sales of the bikes would not be identical, but...

Not a cookie-cutter sportbike.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Just wanted to let you know that you nailed it on the Thruxton review in December 2004's Rider. I am the proud owner of a Thruxton since the middle of last June. This bike touches my soul. You got it right about the riding position... it's...

Riders beware.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Mr. Salvadori's description in The Lost Coast (December '04) is apt, though I would add one caveat--these are not roads for the inexperienced or unprepared. It is tight, rough and an open-range area. Survival requires good tires, suspension and...

Honda's custom line.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... The article on the Honda CB900C was very informative (Retrospective, December 2004). Yes, the two-speed jackshaft probably would have been better as a six-speed. However, the bike really took off very fast in the lower range, and don't we enjoy...

Great job.(Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Great job on the December issue. Incredibly enough, great bang-for-the buck bikes like the Connie (and the Venture) have lots of fans. Bringing in the Owners Group was so intelligent and fair. Mr. Stermer's balanced writing gets lots of credit,...

2006 BMW R1200RT/R1200ST.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... JUST AS WE WERE GOING TO PRESS BMW UNVEILED THE LATEST EDITION OF ITS TOP-LINE BOXER-ENGINE-BASED TOURING MACHINE, THE ALL-NEW 2006 R1200RT, AND TEASED US WITH A COUPLE PHOTOS OF THE 2006 R1200ST, THE LONG-AWAITED REPLACEMENT FOR THE R-RS SPORT...

More super schools.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... The California Superbike School has added Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Reno Fernley Raceway in Nevada, Firebird Raceway in Arizona, Texas World Speedway in Texas, and Autobahn Country Club in Illinois to the list of returning schools in...

Tech Q & A hiatus.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... Yes, Tech Q & A is missing from the issue this month--it will return as soon as possible.

Safety First Challenge!(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... Good on Reg Pridmore of CLASS for coming up with an innovative program. From December 2004 through December 2005, if you purchase a new 2005 sportbike, Pridmore will offer you $50 toward any CLASS school and challenge your dealer to match his...

Kryptonite exchange.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... After it was revealed on an Internet site that certain tubular lock cylinders can be opened with the hollow tube from a Bic pen, Kryptonite announced that if you're concerned about the security of one of its locks with a tubular cylinder, it...

Grodsky's spring training in Spain.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... Old Man Winter taken possession of your motorcycle? Scared your skills will rust away like a rat bike chained for six months to a NYC parking meter? Well, do what the world champion Boston Red Sox and 29 other Major League teams do--pack your...

Phoenixlike Museum.(Kickstarts)
February 1, 2005... Good news -- Britain's National Motorcycle Museum reopened December 1, 2004, after it was ravaged by a fire 15 months ago. Following a $38.1 million restoration which included work on nearly 650 motorcycles and the installation of a $2.28...

www.bikerbeach.com.(RIDIN' THE WEB)
February 1, 2005... YEAR-ROUND DESTINATION INFO ON THE DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, AREA FOR MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIASTS.

www.vespausa.com.(RIDIN' THE WEB)
February 1, 2005... AFTER 20 YEARS THE VESPA PX SCOOTER IS RETURNING TO THE U.S. (EXCEPT CA) IN LIMITED NUMBERS. THIS IS THE MOST WIDELY SOLD VESPA IN HISTORY WITH ITS PRESSED-STEEL MONOCOQUE FRAME, SINGLE-CYLINDER TWO-STROKE ENGINE AND MANUAL FOUR-SPEED GEAR...

www.haulbikes.com.(RIDIN' THE WEB)
February 1, 2005... SPECIALISTS IN UNCRATED MOTORCYCLE TRANSPORTATION ANYWHERE-TO-ANYWHERE, COAST-TO-COAST.

www.wonders.org.(RIDIN' THE WEB)
February 1, 2005... THE ART OF THE MOTORCYCLE MOVES TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, APRIL 22-OCTOBER 30, 2005.

The right tool: BMW R1200GS vs. KTM 950 adventure.(RIDER TEST)
February 1, 2005... The best way to begin a comparison article of these two adventure tourers is at the end. But don't look for a "winner"--that would be like picking the better of a screwdriver and a pair of pliers. As we progressed with our testing we realized...

Carving cruiser: 2004 Moto Guzzi Nevada Classic 750 IE.(RIDDEN & RATED)
February 1, 2005... Here's a bike that almost didn't happen. First off, Moto Guzzi was in dire financial straits, and then its new owner and would-be savior Aprilia fell into a fiscal funk as well. At the last moment Piaggio, best known in this country for its...

Works Performance UltraSport Shock: you can have the greatest engine, stiffest chassis, best tires and brakes and be a really skilled rider, yet it's all for naught if your bike's suspension can't keep the rubber in contact with the pavement.(Product Evaluations)
February 1, 2005... Here at Rider we have a 220-pound, 6-foot, 2-inch guy who rides his Suzuki SV1000S like an evil horde is chasing him, a combination that quickly revealed the shortcomings of the bike's stock piggyback reservoir rear shock. Too much spring made...

If you need to waterproof something, Nikwax.(Product Spotlight)
February 1, 2005... (1) IF YOU NEED TO WATERPROOF SOMETHING, NIKWAX probably has a product that can do it. Just a few examples of its water-based cleaning and waterproofing solutions for all textiles include Tech Wash, which cleans and protects the water-repellent...

Today's cruisers can become terrific overnight mounts.(Product Spotlight)
February 1, 2005... (2) TODAY'S CRUISERS CAN BECOME TERRIFIC OVERNIGHT MOUNTS with the addition of a functional set of soft luggage. Unfortunately, that same soft luggage can rub against fenders or chrome, dulling or scratching the painted and polished parts....

The new H-D touring edition maintenance DVD.(Product Spotlight)
February 1, 2005... (3) THE NEW H-D TOURING EDITION MAINTENANCE DVD from Fix My Hog Inc., makers of the do-it-yourself motorcycle maintenance DVD for Harley-Davidson Softail owners, gives FL riders the skills necessary to perform the basic functions recommended to...

Alaska by motorcycle.(Product Spotlight)
February 1, 2005... (4) ALASKA BY MOTORCYCLE, known as the Alaska motorcyclists' bible, has been released in a new edition. Ideal for any motorcyclist considering the riding adventure of a life-time, this 200-page book includes maps, tips on how to save money,...

This new monster-size tire repair kit from progressive suspension.
February 1, 2005... (5) THIS NEW MONSTER-SIZE TIRE REPAIR KIT FROM PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION comes equipped with a huge 68-gram C[O.sub.2] cartridge (a 12-gram cartridge is standard in other kits). It's over five times bigger, allowing for quick refills of those huge...

Jal productions has released a DVD of international six days enduro.
February 1, 2005... (6) JAL PRODUCTIONS HAS RELEASED A DVD OF INTERNATIONAL SIX DAYS ENDURO (ISDE) documentaries. These shows feature Team USA in their quest for the World Trophy and follow the team at both the 2002 and the 2003 event. Helicopter footage, helmet...