Rider articles from July 2003

Rider archives from July 2003

Things that make you go "Uh=Oh". (One-Track Mind).
July 1, 2003... You know the feeling. It's that initial moment of paralyzed helplessness you experience--Uh-Oh--when something goes wrong. Hopefully you have a few moments in which to act and turn "Uh-Oh" into "Whew." Often as not, though, uttering Uh-Oh is...

Response.
July 1, 2003... Valkyrie Rune I really liked the article The Rave That is the Rune in May's issue but can't help but think Honda has fallen short. While the Rune is sexy, unique and expensive, it's not the bike the Valkyrie is. The Valkyrie is a sexy,...

BackOFF[TM] Brake Light Signal Module. (Innovative Product).
July 1, 2003... When something comes along that can possibly save our lives and save our bikes from getting nailed from behind by some sleepy, inattentive motorist, we're interested. This neat little unit called the BackOFF[TM] Brake Light Signal Module...

A liter of adventure: the 2003 KTM 950 Adventure. (Riding Around).
July 1, 2003... Let's say you want one bike to ride across the Kalahari desert in Africa, one to carve canyons on the weekend, one to ride to the local store for light shopping, and one to commute to work on daily. But they all have to be the same bike. A...

Big easy: the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic.
July 1, 2003... Wait a minute--this isn't the Way it's supposed to work. When a motorcycle cost less, should if? Yet the 2003 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Classic longer, lower more stylish and powerful, and at $10,499, it's $500 easier on the wallet that the 2002...

Keep your cool II: round 2 of our hot weather buyers guide.
July 1, 2003... OK, so last month we rolled out this MOABG (Mother of All Buyers Guides) on hot-weather riding apparel until we ran out of pages. The rest and some of the best is on the following pages. See Rider June 2003 for apparel from Aerostich,...

Breva new world: the 2004 Moto Guzzi Breva V750IE.
July 1, 2003... A little more than two years ago--after eight decades of building motorcycles in the mountainous lake region of northern Italy--the proud firm of Moto Guzzi was on the financial ropes; out of money, out of parts, and with little hope for the...

Zee whiz: the 2003 Kawasaki Z1000.
July 1, 2003... Kawasaki's sporty new Z1000 was first revealed to the public at the Intermot show in Munich, Germany, last September. In our March 2003 issue. Rider's Prolific British contributor Kevin Ash brought us an early scoop on this bike-which is based...

Shot in the starter. (Tech Q&A).
July 1, 2003... Q: I recently got back into motorcycling after a 13-year absence. The '83 Suzuki GS650L with 16,000 miles on it that I picked up is perfect for my two-hour loops though central Ohio. It does have a problem, though. In cold/cool weather, or...

Shoei X-Eleven Helmet. (Shop Talk).
July 1, 2003... I can't remember exactly when Shoei Helmets introduced its Quick Release Base Plate (QRBP) system, which eliminated the need to use a tool to change face shields on its full-face helmets. It's been at least a decade, though. A bonus aspect of...

Luggage Locker Seat-Sak. (Gear).
July 1, 2003... Have you ever had a motorcycle seatbag slip around on the back of your sportbike, lean over precipitously, or found it difficult to cinch it down securely? A solution may be the Seat-Sak by Luggage Locker, a soft seatbag designed for a solid,...

Cobra's sleek new Tachometer is available for Honda VTXs, Yamaha V-Stars and Road Stars, Kawasaki Drifters, the Nomad and most Vulcan models. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Cobra's sleek new Tachometer is available for Honda VTXs, Yamaha V-Stars and Road Stars, Kawasaki Drifters, the Nomad and most Vulcan models. This top-notch accessory provides flawless rev counting to 8,000 rpm and features a great-looking...

Cyclecraft billet forward controls for the Honda VTX. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... These new Cyclecraft billet forward controls for the Honda VTX are CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and then triple-chrome-plated for a show-quality shine. They move your feet forward a full 3 1/2 inches and really allow you to stretch...

MotoVentures, your newest source for fun and exciting motorcycle adventures, offers dirt-bike tours, training, and trials riding instruction for experience levels from beginner to expert. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... MotoVentures, your newest source for fun and exciting motorcycle adventures, offers dirt-bike tours, training, and trials riding instruction for experience levels from beginner to expert. Ride their bikes or your own. Many riders find that...

Pro Pad's new Top Pads have real sheepskin covers over their polymer seat pad for the ultimate in riding comfort. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Pro Pad's new Top Pads have real sheepskin covers over their polymer seat pad for the ultimate in riding comfort. Warm in the winter and cool in the summer, like all Pro Pad top pads, these come with straps for easy installation. The Pro Pad...

Baker Built Air Wings has introduced Hand Wings. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Baker Built Air Wings has introduced Hand Wings for the Honda GL1500 Gold Wing that deflect cold air away from the hands and arms of the rider and reduce wind buffeting for the passenger. Air Wings are fully adjustable, mount to the bottom of...

Keith Code is arguably the best known and most successful on-track motorcycle instructor in the world today. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Keith Code is arguably the best known and most successful on-track motorcycle instructor in the world today. More than 100,000 riders and 15 national Superbike champions have benefited from his insight into the science of motorcycle riding and...

Pirelli's new Diablo Corsa high-performance street radial is a premium trackday-oriented tire designed to retain much of the wet- and dry-grip street manners of the Diablo, but targeted at "hypersport" riders. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Pirelli's new Diablo Corsa high-performance street radial is a premium trackday-oriented tire designed to retain much of the wet- and dry-grip street manners of the Diablo, but targeted at "hypersport" riders. The Diablo Corsa's carcass is...

Arai has given its popular Signet Series helmet a removable, fully washable liner, several other upgrades and a new name--the Signet GTR. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... For 2003, Arai has given its popular Signet Series helmet a removable, fully washable liner, several other upgrades and a new name--the Signet GTR (the "R" for removable liner). A new "Enhanced Organic" shape is designed for a more natural...

Progressive Suspension's new GP3 pump series. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... Progressive Suspension's new GP3 pump series is a great source of air pressure for your bike's forks or air shocks, with a no-loss air valve that ensures complete and accurate filling. The GP3 comes complete with a flexible hose and an integral...

BIGDO remote controller from Motofx. (Product Spotlight).
July 1, 2003... With a simple, quick flash of their bike's headlight or turn signal, motorcyclists can activate a gate or garage-door opener, thanks to the new BIGDO remote controller from Motofx. No more groping for, or misplacing, a hand-held remote. The...