Rider articles from July 2002

Rider archives from July 2002

Summer's here. (One-Track Mind).(F650CS by BMW)(Evaluation)
July 1, 2002... Whew, it's been one heckuva month. Just as we put the last issue to bed and I was sneaking out for a week to visit family, BMW formally launched two new models and slipped in a third for good measure. Rather than spread their tests out over...

Response.
July 1, 2002... Five's a Crowd I enjoyed another of your great cover photos on the May issue enough to check the caption. Of the soul-stirring image of four bikes, one with a passenger, crossing a bridge on Highway One, you write about four friends, four...

Gurney Alligator. (Kickstarts).(new hog by Dan Gurney)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... After a 20-year gestation period, Dan Gurney's new baby has broken out of its shell--literally. While thanking the crowd at his newborn's Hollywood coming-out party, the auto racing legend was interrupted by a rumbling sound. Hurriedly donning...

VFR bags/ST1300 $. (Kickstarts).(new motorcycle by Honda)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... American Honda recently released this photo of its optional 35-liter hard saddlebags for the new 2002 Interceptor (see the Rider test in April 2002). Sorry, but no additional details such as pricing or an ETA were available at press time. It is...

Triumph recovery. (Kickstarts).(building damaged by fire Hinckley, England, to be repaired)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Triumph says that reconstruction and repair at its motorcycle factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire, in the United Kingdom, began last April 16 following a fire in March that by one newspaper account did $38 million in damage. Although the...

Stayin' Safe training. (Kickstarts).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Rider magazine safety columnist and on-street trainer Larry Grodsky has announced his 2002 schedule of Stayin' Safe Neo-Alpine training rides. Each of the two- and three-day rides-which cover some of the twistiest routes in the Appalachian...

Harley on the hill. (Kickstarts).(Jeffrey L. Bleustein, boss of Harley-Davison, in the government)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson Inc., has been appointed by President George W. Bush to the President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce. The Council provides information and advice to the president relating to...

Medical info carrier. (Kickstarts).(life-saving kits)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Here's a cheap helmet stickie that could save your life. The Motorcycle Information Carrier System is just $1.99 and includes a tear-resistant, waterproof form on which you fill out your medical information (contacts, medical/surgical history,...

Powersports Awards. (Kickstarts).(Ehlert Publishing Group banquet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Ehlert Publishing Group, of which the magazine you're holding is a proud member, throws a Powersports Awards banquet every year so that the editors of its snowmobile, PWC, ATV and motorcycle publications can present their annual...

Ridin' the Web. (Kickstarts).(internet)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... www.tiresunlimited.com A larger dealer of discount motorcycle, ATV and specialty tires. www.ideaforce.co.uk This outfit is offering a moderately priced motorcycle tour of Ireland. www.bigbikeparts.com Click on the Custer...

2002 Honda Silver Wing: the scooter for motorcyclists. (Ridden AND Rated).(Evaluation)
July 1, 2002... Scooter sales in this country have been on the upswing since 1998 because scooters are stylish, chic and loads of fun to ride. But with all the high-tech, low-maintenance motorcycles available today, why buy a scooter? You don't necessarily...

Protection out of thin air: does this new technology promise a safer future? (Riding Around).
July 1, 2002... Anyone who has ever dismounted from a motorcycle at speed knows all too well how swiftly gravity manages to find you and suck your carcass forcefully onto the pavement. Momentum and gravity are constant but merciless riding companions. You...

Beast: the 2002 BMW R1150GS Adventure. (BMW in 3-D).(new bykes)(Evaluation)
July 1, 2002... When a rugged, off-road-styled motorcycles is classified as an "Adventure Tourer," it generally means two things: 1) Its larger engine and fuel tank, wind protection, plusher seat and extra load capacity make it better for the long, open road...

Southwestern detours: Utah Canyon Country and the Grand Canyon.
July 1, 2002... What ended up as one of the highlights of my Utah Canyon Country tour started out as a detour. I had read of this incredibly scenic little road that runs along the edge of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, from Highway 24 near Torrey...

Daytona doings: start to finish at Bike Week 2002.(competition)
July 1, 2002... Bike Week has grown into some sort of supernatural giant, a huge living, breathing organism covering many square miles of Florida real estate. With vast tentacles stretching out for at least 50 miles in every direction, it reaches deep into the...

Biking to bodie: ghost town in the gold country. (Favorite Ride).(northern California from a byke)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Living in Northern California's wine try means riding year 'round in world-class scenery and on world-class motorcycle roads. To kick off this trip we wound our way down Cobb mountain to Middle Town on Highway 175, where we turned southeast...

Backfiring be gone. (Tech Q and A).(technical help)(Column)
July 1, 2002... Q: In the past you have written about the backfiring problem sometimes found in mid '90s 1500 Kawasaki V-twins. Would just blocking the vacuum line to the air pump with a ball bearing and plugging the hoses leading to the reeds in the cylinder...

Firstgear Women's Pearl Suit. (Gear).(Evaluation)
July 1, 2002... A few of the apparel manufacturers are finally offering some practical women's riding gear, so that even in a loose-fitting nylon suit, we now can look stylish instead of frumpy. The two-piece Firstgear Pearl Suit tested here is just for women,...

BarEnders.(protective gear for bikers)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Although it sounds like some kind of treatment center program, BarEnders is actually a product for securing your helmet to the end of your bike's handlebar when parked. Most original-equipment helmet locks are mounted toward the rear of the...

Roadgear Euro-Sport Jumbo Hauler. (Gear).(biker accessories)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... I have packed in a lot of different soft luggage for motorcycles, good and bad. Tankbags, saddlebags and seatbags of every make, size and description fill the Rider shop and a couple of cabinets at home. Yet for versatility and overall...

Harto Intenational introduces long-distance touring saddles. (Product Spotlight).(bike accessories)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Has the seat on your Honda Valkyrie or Valkyrie Interstate made long-distance rides a literal pain in the butt? Hartco International introduces long-distance touring saddles to ease the pain of all-day riding on the big Hondas. The saddle comes...

Hydro Trek Suspension Backpack. (Product Spotlight).(accessory by Chase Harper)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Hydro Trek Suspension Backpack from Chase Harper is designed specifically for the off-road adventurer in you. A unique suspension system helps to keep the pack off the rider's back, while distributing weight evenly and promoting airflow...

Rifle Fairings. (Product Spotlight).(Windshield Bag, accessory)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Rifle Fairings is taking aim at the cruiser market with the introduction of the Windshield Bag. The bag is 9 inches wide, 6 inches high and 4 inches deep, providing ample space to store an entire arsenal of riding gear and personal belongings....

Opera Lights. (Product Spotlight).(bike light by Big Bike Parts Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Proving that it is possible to guild the lily, Opera Lights for the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing from Big Bike Parts Inc. add to the already eye-catching look of the two-wheeled beauty. Fifteen bright LEDs are housed in a chrome insert frame with an...

Fatso Big Twin crankcase. (Product Spotlight).(product by Sputhe Engineering)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Hey, hey, hey! The Fatso Big Twin crankcase is on its way. Sputhe Engineering Inc. introduces the single-cam crankcase with increased cylinder deck height that's designed to allow any Evolution-powered motorcycle to increase performance by...

Mustang. (Product Spotlight).(new catalogs available)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Mustang is trotting out two new catalogs for 2002. Replacement Seats for Harley-Davidson and Cruiser Seats 2002: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki are free, full-color catalogs including Mustang's complete line of seats, tank bibs, sissy bar...

Cool K Max. (Product Spotlight).(riding jacket by Brosh Tech Ltd.)(Brief Article)(Evaluation)
July 1, 2002... Brosh Tech Ltd. has developed a way to beat the summer heat while still enjoying the protection of a riding jacket. The Cool K Max is made out of polyester/cotton and Kevlar for added safety, and features Cool Max fabric, which promotes maximum...

Eric Hermann. (Product Spotlight).(prints for sale)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Up Late, the latest painting from Eric Herrmann, is a unique view through the rider's perspective as he ambles down the streets of Deadwood, South Dakota, near Sturgis. As in many of his works, Herrmann has paid incredible attention to detail,...

Liquid-Crystal Display Oil Temperature Dipstick. (Product Spotlight).(accessories)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Harley owners can help shed a little light on the subject of oil temperature when they install a Liquid-Crystal Display Oil Temperature Dipstick from Harley-Davidson on their Hog. The LCD dipstick features a readout that is displayed with a...

Eyeride Motorwear. (Product Spotlight).(Road Readers, reading glasses)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Still not wearing glasses because you're afraid of somebody calling you "four-eyes" and stealing your homework? Well, grow up, and get a pair of Road Readers from Eyeride Motorwear. These reading glasses are so compact that you can safely store...

Motion Pro. (Product Spotlight).(Battery Booster Cables, bike accessory)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Nothing ruins a weekend ride like a dead battery, especially if you opted to carry the cappucino maker in your saddlebag instead of the jumper cables. Motion Pro offers a solution that won't only get things cranking again, but also won't eat up...