Rider articles from October 2003

Rider archives from October 2003

Who are you?(One-Track Mind)
October 1, 2003... Every few years the guys who pay the light bill around here employ an independent research company to poll a random yet representative sample of our subscribers. As an incentive to complete and return the eight-page survey, a one dollar bill is...

Letdown.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Regarding your August issue, after waiting for two years for the release of the Ducati Multistrada, there it was right in front of me. I was ready for the best ride of my life. What a letdown! Who designed the seat? Gimme a break. And the...

Tire wear.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Thanks to Bill Heald for asking the tough questions about new tires for the Honda GL1800 (Riding Around, August 2003). I am one of those who hopes the manufacturers can figure out how to make sticky tires that last a bit better--or at least...

Get a grip.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I bought a used 2001 Suzuki SV650 and, after Ohlins, Race Tech and Leo Vinci, I thought I had an almost perfect thing. But those darn grips were just too far from my shoulders so I said bye-bye to the SV. Then I saw the 2003. Read every...

Keeping cool.(Response)
October 1, 2003... As I am a big offender when it comes to wearing T-shirts when the weather gets really warm, I purchased the Hondaline Mesh Air-Tek jacket mentioned in Donya Carlson's Keep Your Cool in June's issue. The temperature in New Hampshire was...

Shown up.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Thank you, Clement Salvadori. You did a fine job of taking the wind out of my sails. I left in April from a small town just northwest of Orlando, Florida, but only got as far as Garberville, California, due to snow in the mountain passes and...

Parked in the wrong spot.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Well I'll be hornswoggled! Those sneaky folks in Wyoming (outnumbered two-to-one by antelope) have pulled off a historic middle-of-the-night heist and can now claim--according to a photo caption in Full Timing by Genevieve Schmitt in your...

One and the same.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Clement Salvadori's articles seem to be how I feel about motorcycles and riding. His latest Vive La Difference in August's issue really sums it all up... his experiences seem to be mine. Love his stuff! Randy Turk Olympia, Washington...

Northern California.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I really enjoyed Denis Rouse's Favorite Ride in the August issue, as I have ridden many enjoyable miles over these same roads. I prefer the "Fall-Cassel Expressway" when cutting over to Highway 89--except in the dark. One of my favorite stops...

Drinking and riding.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Mr. Tuttle, I think you are talking to the wrong bikers. When you get data like this (The Ride is Enough, August 2003) you assume that it represents all bikers. I don't. From what I have seen on my turf the deadly booze/bike accidents are...

Self-indulgence.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I have been a long-time reader of Rider magazine. I have always enjoyed the articles on the scenic road trips. Over the years I have collected some of the articles... saying someday I am going to do the ride. Well, someday is here. The kids...

Restoration.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Thanks for excellent back-to-back articles about restoration projects--Frank Palmeri's Skinned Knuckles and David Kettlewell's Restoration Ride in the August 2003 issue. Reading these real-life stories quickly convinced me that I have neither...

Been there, done that.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I read Kevin Ahlstrom's Bridge and Ferry (August issue) and loved it. I live about 25 miles from the Mackinac Bridge and he summed it up correctly. The weather in the months after August can go from 80 degrees to 40 in minutes. All I could say...

Class act.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I hadn't read Rider for a long time and recently subscribed again. What a great magazine. It isn't polluted with mostly naked women, sex, drug ads or profanity. The articles and features in the August '03 issue are well written and interesting....

Picture perfect.(Response)
October 1, 2003... Once again Kevin Wing has shown that he's the best photographer in the business. His spread of the Ducati Multistrada in the August issue really caught my attention. Perfect scenery, perfect technical detail, and the shot looking down on the...

Tech tips.(Response)
October 1, 2003... I especially enjoy the Tech Q&A part of your magazine by Andrew MacDonald. Regarding uses for the laser infrared thermometer mentioned in the August issue, they are handy in diagnosing cooling systems. Recently my BMW's temp gauge indicated the...

Fill-up tips.(Response)
October 1, 2003... For those riders who must use high-octane gas in their bikes, especially small-tanked vintage bikes, it may be advisable to buy from gas pumps with separate hoses for each grade. I have confirmed with all oil company that, yes, you do get a...

2004 Victorys.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... Keeping its promise to launch one or two new models every year for the next several years, Victory has introduced two new models and significantly upgraded the Vegas and V92TC Touring Cruiser for 2004. True, the basic V92C has been dropped,...

Triumph get-acquainted ride.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... Triumph recently invited Rider magazine on a ride to sample their current product line and hang out with some Los Angeles-area celebrities who are motorcycle enthusiasts. Mike Vaughan, CEO of Triumph Motorcycle America Ltd., told us that...

Corbin motors sued by California.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... The state of California has filed several civil lawsuits against Tom and Mike Corbin and others involved in Corbin Motors, reports Powersports Business, a trade publication by Rider's Ehlert Publishing Group. The suits claim that now-defunct...

Profile: Francesco Quinn.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... Actor and motorcycle enthusiast Francesco Quinn co-starred in the movie Platoon and network series 24. As the oldest son of Anthony Quinn, both acting and motorcycles are in Francesco's blood, and he rides every day, often with his wife Julie...

Rumor mill.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... In addition to the Harley-Davidson Road King Custom in our exclusive test this month, the Motor Company will introduce a "completely redesigned" XL Sportster line (based upon the larger XB12 Buell engine on page 33, perhaps?) for 2004, and a...

Ridin' the web.(Kickstarts)
October 1, 2003... www.evoluzione.net Italian sportbike accessories ranging from the practical to the exotic by Evoluzione Cyclesports. www.rhinewestperformance.com Performance software (computer chips) and accessories for BMW motorcycles. ...

New Buells: the XB12R and XB12S join the XB9R/9S and blast for 2004.(New For 2004)
October 1, 2003... It's been roughly a year since the Buell XB9R sportbike and XB9S naked version were introduced for 2003, with their steep 21-degree fork rake, ultra-short wheelbase, fuel in the frame, huge rim-mounted brake rotors and massive swingarm with...

Riding the Rune: putting the whip to Honda's wildest motorcycle, the 2004 Valkyrie Rune.(Rider Test)
October 1, 2003... Its wheelbase stretches a mighty 68.9 inches, the longest in Honda's lineup by more than an inch. With six gallons of the premium fuel it requires aboard, the bike weighs 878 pounds, two more than the Honda GL1800 Gold Wing. Its flat six...

Mega scooters: the 2003 Honda Silver Wing 600 vs. 2003 Suzuki Burgman 650.
October 1, 2003... Cast aside your preconceptions, sports fans, because scooters have been taken to a new level. With the U.S. introduction of Suzuki's Burgman 650 this year and Honda's Silver Wing 600 last year, say farewell to the wimpy, frou-frou scooter...

Slipping Vulcan.(Tech Q&A)
October 1, 2003... Q: I ride a 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic FI. At 38,000 miles, the clutch began slipping at high speeds. It works fine when starting out and between shifts, but the engine revs and the clutch slips while cruising. The dealership tells me...

Stubborn Pegaso.(Tech Q&A)
October 1, 2003... Q: I have an Aprilia Pegaso 650. Every once in awhile, the engine just quits. The last three times I was on the interstate doing 70 mph. After I pull over and let it sit for a few minutes, it starts up and I am back on the road. What could be...

Whining Wing.(Tech Q&A)
October 1, 2003... Q: My '01 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 has a loud whine between 1,500-2,500 rpm. I believe it is coming from the alternator drive assembly. Please explain what can be done to eliminate this annoying noise. I understand that the drive assembly is a...

Chain complaint.(Tech Q&A)
October 1, 2003... Q: For the past 25 years, I've had shaft-driven bikes. I recently took a test ride on a Triumph Speedmaster, and the bike fits me and my riding style almost perfectly. The problem is the drive chain. I live in a dusty area at the end of a mile...

A tale from the trenches.(Tech Q&A)
October 1, 2003... I hear this a lot at work from customers: "I feel so stupid not knowing how things work in motorcycles." Well, friends, the next time you get that frustrating feeling, remember this Tale: A guy phones our parts counter and asks for a new...

Cyclegraphics reusable vinyl graphics.(Gear)
October 1, 2003... Until now, graphics on motorcycles have been virtually permanent. Once applied they're almost Impossible to change, and they either leave a sticky mess, or are ruined during removal. Perhaps no longer. Cyclegraphics is a company that designs...

Big Bike Parts has introduced this new CNC-billet aluminum luggage rack that fits Honda's GL1800 Gold Wing and Valkyrie Interstate and works with the Hondaline spoiler.(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Big Bike Parts has introduced this new CNC-billet aluminum luggage rack that fits Honda's GL1800 Gold Wing and Valkyrie Interstate and works with the Hondaline spoiler. It has a black rubber center inlay for a distinctive look and mounts to the...

Metzeler's range of wide whitewall tires continues to expand with the introduction and availability of the new ME880 150/80-16 rear tire, bringing the number of ME880 bias-belted wide whites to six.(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Metzeler's range of wide whitewall tires continues to expand with the introduction and availability of the new ME880 150180-16 rear tire, bringing the number of ME880 bias-belted wide whites to six. Metzeler's expanded ME880 wide-whitewall...

Fulmer Helmets has added a bold new design to its extremely popular AF-S7 model.(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Fulmer Helmets has added a bold new design to its extremely popular AF-S7 model. The S7 Dragon features intense new dragon-theme graphics over an iridescent blue shell, making it the most striking design in the Fulmer line. The Snell- and...

Sargent Cycle Products has a new World Sport Performance Seat for 1996 and newer BMW R1100RT and R1150RT motorcycles.(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Sargent Cycle Products has a new World Sport Performance Seat for 1996 and newer BMW R1100RT and R1150RT motorcycles. It's built on a precision-molded base pan for a perfect fit and works in all three seat-height positions. Designed for...

You've probably heard all about arm pump, but what about "hand pump?".(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... You've probably heard all about arm pump, but what about "hand pump?" Well, the manufacturer of $100 Total Cycle Cleaner must have heard of this malady, because $100 is now offered in an aerosol can. The cleaner uses an environmentally friendly...

Snap-on Tools Company salutes Harley's centennial with a commemorative 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Top Chest tool storage unit.(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Snap-on Tools Company salutes Harley's centennial with a commemorative 100th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Top Chest tool storage unit. Designed for the Harley-Davidson enthusiast, the limited-edition top chest sports a custom silver paint job...

Have you dropped your bike lately?(Product Spotlight)
October 1, 2003... Have you dropped your bike lately? Whitehorse Press offers a selection of plastic-mending items, including lens repair kits, Plastic Renew, PlastiFix for rigid plastic repair, and the Mini Weld airless plastic welder. These products complement...