Rider articles from July 2006

Rider archives from July 2006

An exceptional legacy: Lawrence Grodsky, 1950-2006.(One trackmind)
July 1, 2006... This month it pains me to report that our dear friend and Rider ace contributor Larry Grodsky passed away in April after his motorcycle collided with a deer. Nearly everyone at the magazine has known Larry personally since he started...

Response.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Godspeed, Larry I just read about the terrible and sad news of Larry Grodsky's death on April 8th. I read his Stayin' Safe column each month in your magazine, and always felt smarter after reading it. Larry had a knack for explaining...

Monster finale.(Kickstarts)
July 1, 2006... The grand finale of the Ducati Monster Challenge concluded in April at round two of the AMA Superbike series at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama. The dozen winners of the regional Monster Challenge events squared off for this finale, and this...

Subscriber notice.(Kickstarts)
July 1, 2006... If you subscribe to Rider magazine, first of all, let me personally say thanks. Whether you're a new subscriber or one of our many veterans, to us you're family as well as fellow motorcyclists. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lately we've...

Errata.(Correction notice)
July 1, 2006... In May issue's test of the 2006 Yamaha FZ1, we goofed when we said the bike has radial front brakes and a piggyback reservoir shock. It actually has conventionally mounted, opposed four-piston calipers and a non-remote-reservoir shock. The...

BMW first rides.(Kickstarts)
July 1, 2006... In addition to the K1200GT and R1200GS Adventure for which we have ride reports in this issue, BMW also introduced its new R1200S sportbike and F800/F800ST twins at a huge event in South Africa in April. Rider was there for the duration, and in...

Catalog entertainment.(Kickstarts)
July 1, 2006... Though it would normally be an item for New & Cool, when something like the new Aerostich RiderWearHouse catalog has us acting like Steve Martin in the movie The Jerk when the new phonebook shows up, it really is news. Aerostich's inside...

Hypermotard ETA.(Kickstarts)
July 1, 2006... After the success of the concept presentation at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, and positive feedback from fans, Ducati has decided to begin producing the Hypermotard for spring 2007 delivery to dealers. The Ducati Hypermotard was awarded Best...

Super sequel: 2006 BMW K1200GT.(RIDDEN & RATED)
July 1, 2006... The number of current players in the 2006 heavyweight sport-touring segment can be counted on one hand. There's the BMW R1200RT twin, Honda ST1300 V-4, and Kawasaki Concours and Yamaha FJR1300 in-line fours. All have shaft final drive, full...

Expedition ready: 2006 BMW R1200GS Adventure.(RIDDEN & RATED)
July 1, 2006... There I was, on someone else's $17,000 motorcycle 9,974 miles from home, riding on a dirt road in South Africa almost completely blinded by the dust from the bikes in front. I could just make out the dark jacket of the lead rider a couple...

Triple threat: 2006 Triumph Daytona 675.(LONG RIDE * SHORT TEST)
July 1, 2006... When I first gazed upon the 2006 Triumph 675 Daytona, I was intrigued by its handsome, sharp-edged European styling, premium chassis components and unique-to-class three-cylinder power-plant. But is it just another toy for the young and the...

Two no-brainers: sport touring's most common mistakes.(TIPS & TRICKS)
July 1, 2006... As a solo and two-up sport tourer of many moons, in my experience there are two mistakes many canyon strafers make more often than most. No. 1 is hugging the centerline in blind left turns. No. 2 is riding over your head in order to keep up...

AGV Stealth helmet.(GEAR TEST TRIAD)
July 1, 2006... AGV, the Italian helmet maker whose lids are distributed by Parts Unlimited in the USA, has impressed us lately with its seriously upgraded line of full-face street and racing helmets. The new Stealth, for example, is light, comfortable and...

Tourist Trophy.(GEAR TEST TRIAD)
July 1, 2006... The folks who developed the exciting Gran Turismo car sim for the Playstation 2 have created a new motorcycle racing game/sim called Tourist Trophy. It one-ups other motorcycle racing sims with its very realistic handling traits, more than 100...

Lookwell steelmax riding suit.(GEAR TEST TRIAD)
July 1, 2006... With more riders taking part in track days and racetrack-oriented riding schools than ever before, there's a greater demand for riding gear that's up to the task. Although not widely known on this side of the pond, Lookwell offers several...

Continental Sport Attack tires: with the important exception of its Road Attack tire line, for the last few years continental has been coasting along with its street motorcycle product offerings, giving away market share. This is starting to change, as Conti has developed a whole new sportbike tire range called sport attack--with several other new products said to be coming soon.(GEARLAB)
July 1, 2006... Sport Attack replaces the long-running Conti Force Max and doubles Continental's Attack product line, which until now consisted of the Road Attack sport/mileage radial released in 2004. With the new Sport Attack tire, Continental is now...

Tourmaster Flex jacket and cortech air pants: mesh jackets are great in hot weather, but many times after the sun goes down or during a ride to higher elevations, we heartily long for warmer apparel. Even at a mild 65 degrees fahrenheit, the wind chill at highway speeds can be uncomfortable.(GEARLAB)
July 1, 2006... Tour Master's Flex is an innovative convertible three-season motorcycle jacket that offers flexibility (hence the name) to the rider in a variety of conditions. By unzipping large front and rear panels, it converts from a 600-denier Carbolex...

New & cool.(Product Spotlight)
July 1, 2006... ALL OF THE GOODS AND SERVICES LISTED IN NEW & COOL ARE CHOSEN BY RIDER'S EDITORS BASED UPON THE INTEREST TO READERS. THE FOLLOWING SECTION IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO VENDORS OF MOTORCYCLE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, WHO BEAR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY...