Rider articles from March 2003

Rider archives from March 2003

Hang up and drive. (One-Track Mind).(driving and chatting, safety concerns)
March 1, 2003... I love gadgets. Don't ask me to prepare a meal unless it goes "ding" when ready, but if it's got a battery and a silicon chip I can usually figure it out. The one tentative relationship I have with such a device is with my cell phone. If...

Response.
March 1, 2003... ST Reliability In regard to Larry Grodsky's 22,000-Mile Sprint in the January issue, I say, "Ditto." My Triumph ST's been rock-solid and stone reliable. I've only added brighter headlight bulbs and an AirHawk seat to the factory bags...

Don Vesco, 1939-2002. (Kickstarts).(rest in peace)(Biography)
March 1, 2003... Don Vesco lost his year-long battle with cancer and passed away last December at the age of 63. The AMA Hall of Fame member, speed shop owner and former roadracer and motorcycle dealer is the holder of 18 motorcycle and six automotive records,...

Coming soon. (Kickstarts).
March 1, 2003... We're burnin' rubber and the midnight oil here at the palatial but hazy Rider offices. Just around the corner are riding reports on the new Triumph Speedmaster, Kawasaki ZX-6R and RR, Honda CBR600RR, BMW K1200GT, Aprilia Tuono and Suzuki...

Good RAP. (Kickstarts).(Nextel scores one with its customers)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Nextel Communications says that it has added motorcycles to its 24-hour Standard Roadside Assistance Program. The program now covers its customers for any vehicle in their prearranged service package, as long as they have their Nextel wireless...

Ridin' the Web. (Kickstarts).(Directory)
March 1, 2003... www.wimausa.org www.wimaworld.com The Women's International Motorcyclist Association recently reopened its U.S. division; check out the international site, too. www.motorcycleadventuremap.com The 2003 edition of the Blue Ridge...

Wheelie good school. (Kickstarts).(Interview)
March 1, 2003... Keith Code says, "Doing wheelies ranks high on the list of the most frivolous and decadent things in the history of mankind!" We couldn't agree more. "I look at it from the perspective of skill and control," says Code. "It just happens to be...

Hot wings. (Kickstarts).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... We have received a number of letters from Honda GL1800 Gold Wing owners complaining about an overheating problem they're having with their bikes and--in some cases--the lack of a satisfactory response from American Honda. After these owners,...

New crash study? (Kickstarts).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... According to the American Motorcyclist Association, after repeated calls by it and other motorcycle groups for new comprehensive research on the subject, the House Appropriations Committee has recommended giving the National Highway Traffic...

Long-term files: the 2003 Honda ST1300 ABS. (Long-Term Test).
March 1, 2003... One of the most highly anticipated 2003 motorcycle models, the Honda ST1300, also turned out to be one of the most controversial, what with its late delivery and engine heat issues. Following the bike's Rider road test in the September 2002...

Moan for loan. (Tech Q and A).(Column)
March 1, 2003... Q: I have a problem with my 2002 Harley-Davidson FXST. I know you can't be here to listen to it, but the rear brake makes a moaning sound when the bike is coming to a stop. As usual this will never happen when I take it to the dealer. The...

B.W. Cycle Shield. (Gear).
March 1, 2003... Long periods of storage, indoors or out, can really take a toll on an unprotected motorcycle. In some cases, storage can even cause more deterioration to a bike than riding it regularly. Temperatures can warm up during the day and get cold and...

Edelweiss Bike Travel. (Product Spotlight).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Edelweiss Bike Travel has several new tours for 2003 that leave you with no excuse not to get out there and explore. At the new Dolomites Touring Center you'll reside in Italian alpine heaven for a week, with daily loops over famous passes and...

RiderWearhouse. (Product Spotlight).(new products)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2003... The Compass, Thermometer and Clock Clip from RiderWearhouse is accurate, durable and easy-to-read. Available together or separately, each member of the liquid-filled trio simply clips onto any 7/8- or 1-inch handlebar. The luminous floating...

Dowco Guardian Secure motorcycle covers. (Product Spotlight).(new products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... For years Dowco motorcycle covers have protected bikes from the elements. Now they can be a theft-deterrent system as well. Dowco Guardian Secure motorcycle covers include a self-contained alarm system built into the cover. If someone...

Crossing America: You Can Ride Across the U.S. on Your Motorcycle. (Product Spotlight).(Book Review)
March 1, 2003... The book Crossing America: You Can Ride Across the U.S. on Your Motorcycle, by Dick Peck, was written to encourage anyone contemplating a motorcycle trip to get on their bike and ride. When the author decided to ride his Harley-Davidson Softail...

Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). (Product Spotlight).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The latest accessory from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), this reflective vest was designed specifically for motorcycling, as opposed to many vests that are adapted from other applications. It has more than 176 square inches of...