Rider articles from June 2006

Rider archives from June 2006

Spring tidbits: news and observations from a scattered mind this month.(One trackmind)
June 1, 2006... No Naked FZ1 As if our 2006 Bike of the Year in this issue isn't wicked enough, the FZ1 has an even nuder sibling deemed too risque for the U.S.A. In Europe, our faired FZ1 is called the Fazer, and its fairingless Euro-only counterpart is...

Sidehacking.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... I have just received the April issue of Rider and what a great article on sidecars by Clement Salvadori. I have had a sidecar on my Suzuki VL1500 for five years. The article is a must-read for anyone thinking of a sidecar. I had to find all of...

Cabot Trail.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... I hope the April '06 article about Nova Scotia by Bruce Hansen entices more riders to visit the Cabot Trail. I rode the trail in '97 after reading an earlier article about Nova Scotia in Rider magazine. It was so nice up there I went back three...

Lighthouse swap.(Response)(Correction notice)
June 1, 2006... A correction in April's Nova Scotian Island Getaway--identification of the lighthouse pictures should be reversed. Having seen both of the lighthouses ourselves, Bass Harbor Head is pictured on page 94 and Peggy's Cove lighthouse on page 93. I...

The secret's out.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... It was so nice to see Sherry Jones and Todd Mowbray's article Paradise Found in the April issue of Rider. It is a ride I have enjoyed numerous times since 1993--my secret is out. It is a fantastic ride that one never tires of. Wyoming has so...

Outta here.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... If Honda does produce the DN-01 sports cruiser (Kickstarts, February 2006), it should consider offering an optional package like it does on the GL1800, consisting of a more protective windshield, and a set of integrated saddlebags like on the...

Land of Enchantment.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Cooper Larson's memorable road in New Mexico (Favorite Ride, April issue) brought back many fond memories of the '80s when I regularly rode these wonderful back roads with their abundant multicultural images. As the state symbol says: "Land of...

Mixed feelings.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Having seen the flashing lights of three-yes, three--police cars in my mirrors when that trio pulled me over elsewhere in north Georgia last year, I am not unsympathetic to Gary Christopher's lament about law enforcement on Georgia SR 180...

Desert riding.(Response)
June 1, 2006... As I read thoughts from readers on various roads in the South, particularly Deal's Gap, with its 318-turn, 11-mile jaunt, I offer this variance of riding. Come to eastern New Mexico. The ride here is a virtual clone of Deal's Gap, with one...

Well balanced.(Response)
June 1, 2006... I've always found Rider to be balanced, and to cover all aspects of motorcycling in which I'm interested, but the new Sport-Touring Rider section really rounds out an already excellent editorial direction. Sport touring appeals to so many...

Twice the price.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... I always enjoy Clement Salvadori's writing and could not help but think of one thing after reading his Road Tales column, Foreign Travel, in the April issue: Why is it that rental cars cost more than half that of rental bikes when most cars...

Bar none.(Response)
June 1, 2006... Here's the deal: Rider magazine is, in my opinion, the best motorcycling mag on the planet bar none... otherwise, I would not subscribe. If your editorial content were not of the highest level, I would have no interest. Just keep doing what...

Sport-Touring Rider.(Response)(Letter to the editor)
June 1, 2006... Rider has always been very entertaining, as well as informative. Tech Q&A, Rallies & Clubs, Stayin' Safe... all of them are great. So, here come the March and May issues and what do I get? A big improvement over what I'm used to seeing! I love...

Kickstarts.
June 1, 2006... Americade Invitation Headed to the big Americade Rally in Lake George, New York, this June 5-10, 2006? If so, don't miss Rider magazine Editor Mark Tuttle at his featured seminar on Tuesday evening at the Roaring Brook Ranch. Rider will...

Errata.(Correction notice)
June 1, 2006... The gorgeous photography of the Laverda 750 SFC in Motorcycle Collector in Rider, April 2006, was given an incorrect credit-the photographer is Nick Cedar. In the same issue we gave the six-speed 2006 Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider just five...

Different drummers: BMW R1200ST vs. Ducati ST3s vs. Honda VFR800 Interceptor vs. Triumph Sprint ST.(RIDER TEST)
June 1, 2006... You couldn't ask for a more diverse group of sport-touring machines, each with its own unique architecture and country of origin. Every one of these four contestants--the BMW R1200ST, Ducati ST3s, Honda VFR800FI Interceptor and Triumph Sprint...

Triple treat: 2006 Triumph Sprint ST.
June 1, 2006... Triumph first introduced its current generation Sprint ST as a 2005 model, and for 2006 the only change to the bike is that the color Sunset Red--which was formerly only available on the ABS version--has now been extended to the standard model...

Touring sport: 2005 BMW R1200ST.
June 1, 2006... BMW's R1200ST was first introduced as a 2005 model, and 2006 production has been delayed because of the large number of other new models being introduced, according to a company spokesman. As a result, this is the only 2005 model in the...

Just right: 2006 Ducati ST3s ABS.
June 1, 2006... Ducati's new ST3s ABS is the latest of the Italian company's sport-touring models in an evolution that started with the ST2. That first model was powered by a two-valve-per-cylinder air-cooled engine, which some folks complained lacked power....

The veefer: 2006 Honda VFR800FI Interceptor ABS.
June 1, 2006... Honda's long-running Interceptor series offers a number of changes for 2006, including a revamped VTEC system, various styling tweaks and two pearl colors, black or white (but alas, that nice red is gone). When Honda incorporated the VTEC...

2005 BMW 1200ST, 2006 Ducati ST3s ABS, 2006 Honda VFR800FI, 2006 Triumph Sprint ST.
June 1, 2006... 2005 BMW 1200ST Base Price: $14,990 Price as Tested: $17,439 (hard bags, chrome muffler, centerstand, heated grips, ABS, luggage rack, power socket) Warranty: 3 years, 36,000 miles ENGINE Type: Air/oil-cooled longitudinal...

Motorcycle of the Year: our pick of the top new bike for 2006.
June 1, 2006... The 2006 model year is in full swing, and all but a handful of all-new or significantly changed motorcycles for the year have been put through their paces here at Rider. Time to pick the one we think succeeds best at its intent, raises the bar...

Motorcycle camping 101: the Rider staff's campout challenge.
June 1, 2006... For some the idea of a night in the wilderness, or even at an established campground, is simply unthinkable. How do you survive without a solid roof and hard floor, not to mention TiVo, the Dux bed and all of your stuff? What about insects,...

Madagascar: riding one of the remotest parts of Africa.
June 1, 2006... I never set out to ride around the world. I changed my mind in Peru because I was having too much fun and didn't want to stop. Travel is addictive and a lot more fun than working. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I...

Favoriteride: while a motorcycle tour to Florida might not conjure up visions of challenging twisties or scenic mountain vistas, there is one thing you can say about a ride to the Sunshine State--it's warm.(South for the Winter)
June 1, 2006... Watching the weather reports early Thanksgiving week showed freezing temps in many areas of the country, while South Florida was reporting a balmy 81 degrees. With a Thanksgiving family gathering planned in West Palm Beach, the long holiday...

Harley-Davidson FXRG Nylon riding suit: a lot of my riding gear is either too short, or long enough but so poofy that it makes me look twice my size. So when a motorcycle outfit fits me correctly right off the rack, it scores big points, like the Harley-Davidson women's FXRG Nylon jacket and pants.(GEARLAB)
June 1, 2006... The FXRG also comes in men's sizes and has many of the same features. The jacket and pants are constructed of Aquator, a waterproof stretch nylon. Don't be fooled by the word, "nylon," thinking this outfit is a lightweight. The...

Deltran Battery Tender BT-Twin 800: now here's something you don't see every day. This good-looking, 6-inch-high chrome plastic V-Twin replica suitable for display in your family room is actually Deltran's new BT-Twin dual-output international battery charger.(GEARLAB)
June 1, 2006... Plug it in and you can charge or maintain two 12-volt batteries, either in your bike or sitting on the shelf. And get this: When you connect the BT-Twin to a battery, it roars to life with the sound of a V-twin being started before it settles...

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