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March 2017 | 2 | CityBike.com News, Clues & Rumors

Volume XXXIV, Issue 3 Publication Date: February 20, 2017

On The Cover: The Arizona Twin. Photo: Max Klein

Contents: NCR ...... 3 Shop Rag ...... 5 Pit Stops ...... 6 Uneasy Rider ...... 7 New Stuff ...... 8 Events ...... 11 Twins ...... 12 AFM Round 1 Program ...... 16 Baja Not-so-Fresh ...... 18 Fi5, Trois ...... 21 Photo: Surj Gish “2017 Outstanding Road Rider” Why, God, Why? Part 2 ...... 22 Maynard ...... 24 really all you folks who deserve the kudos As noted in our calendar (page 11, yo!) we Hertfelder ...... 25 Budman: AMA’s Outstanding Doc Frazier ...... 26 Road Rider Of 2017 for allowing us to be an influence on our still don’t know the location, but we know Devine ...... 27 motorcycle lifestyle." that the meeting will (probably) be in Classifieds ...... 28 This is getting to be a little ridiculous. Sacramento, from 6 to 8 PM. We also know Locals Only ...... 29 His unofficial response? Hopefully a Dennis “Budman” Kobza, previously that we’ll be looking to roll up on The Sac Tanks For The Slaps ...... 30 well-deserved ride. Like many of the dubbed the “moto-rights Wizard of with as many riders as we can, to continue Last Page Photo ...... 31 tireless folks sacrificing hours and days and Spy Photos: 50 New H-D Models . . . 33 Oz” in these pages (“Who Cares About the show of interest and engagement we weeks working on this stuff on behalf of Motorcyclist Rights? Dennis “Budman” began at the last meeting. So tell your boss motorcyclists, Budman is time-starved for Find us online at: Kobza” – April 2016) is getting even more you’re out the afternoon of April 12th, and CityBike.com time to actually ride. He does ride a Ducati, love from the American Motorcyclist stay tuned here or at our Facebook page /CityBikeMag but it’s a white one, so maybe that cancels Association, after making a smiling (facebook.com/CityBikeMag) for details it out? /CityBikeMag appearance on the cover of American as we figure out a meeting time and place. Motorcyclist Magazine (the AMA’s /CityBikeMag Congratulations, Budman, from the entire member rag) back in November 2015. CityBike crew. EBR Calls It Quits… Again Contact CityBike: We’re not complaining—there’s no one In a not-unexpected but certainly PO Box 18738 more deserving, but goddamn, we’re New California Lane Splitting unfortunate case of “damn, that dude Oakland CA 94619 running out of good pictures of The Guidelines Coming… Soon-ish? just can’t get a break,” Eric Buell Racing Phone: 415.282.2790 Budman. Editorial: [email protected] Speaking of the Budman and lane splitting, announced in January that it was shutting Advertising / Business: [email protected] The AMA gave The Budman its 2017 down again. word on the street, or rather emails and Outstanding Road Rider Award, an texts, is that there’s a conference call CityBike Staff: annual award that recognizes those who When EBR first shut down and then was Editor in Chief & Jackass of All Trades: Surj Gish planned soon to kick off the discussions for have contributed to the promotion of the purchased by Liquid Asset Partners and Master of Puppets & Layout: Angelica Rubalcaba V2 of California’s lane splitting guidelines. motorcycle lifestyle and the protection of production restarted, we had perhaps- Senior Editor: Robert Stokstad In the last CMSP Advisory Committee misguided hopes EBR would make it on-highway motorcycling, and presumably meeting, an audience member proposed Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk: includes a year’s worth of extra-special happen this time. Although EBR is still Dr. Gregory Frazier “just using the old guidelines,” an idea roadside service from the AMA to say looking at other options, it’s probably Staff Photographers: Robert Stokstad, that was literally frowned upon by CHP thanks. time to give up and move on: production Angelica Rubalcaba, Max Klein Assistant Chief Chris Costigan. Besides, equipment is slated to be sold off starting Artwork: Mr. Jensen, Sam Devine The reasons for the award include Berkeley / SafeTREC’s research suggests in March. Operations: Gwynne Fitzsimmons Budman’s “pivotal role in grassroots that higher speeds are acceptable, up to Road Scholars: advocacy in California.” We’ve listed this 50 MPH at a 15 MPH delta, so ideally the We’re frankly tired of analyzing and Sam Devine, An DeYoung, Jeff Ebner, Fish, guidelines will reflect that and we won’t looking for grains of hope in latest chapters Max Klein stuff out before, but here it is again in case one of our readers is still somehow head- have just been dicking around for a couple of the EBR story. What else is there to say? Contributors: Other than maybe, well, shit. Michele Appel, Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, J. scratching, like “Bud… who?” Budman years, only to reintroduce the original Brandon, Blaise Descollonges, Julian Farnam, owns and runs BayAreaRidersForum.com, guidelines. 3 More Years For SCRAMP Alonzo Fumar, Will Guyan, Brian Halton, David was instrumental in getting AB 51 passed, Hough, Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder, Otto serves on the California Motorcycle Spring CMSP Meeting: Are You Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway posted Hofmann, John Joss, Bill Klein, David Lander, st Lucien Lewis, Larry Orlick, TJ Noto, Courtney Safety Committee and the California In? a press release on January 31 stating Olive, Jason Potts, Bob Pushwa, Gary Rather, Motorcyclist Safety Program advisory We reported last year (“CMSP Advisory that SCRAMP, the Sports Car Racing Charlie Rauseo, Curt Relick, Mike Solis, Ivan committee. He was a primary driving Association of the Monterey Peninsula, Thelin, James Thurber. Committee Fall ’16 Meeting: Good, Bad, force behind the original lane splitting & Ugly” – Pit Stops, November 2016) that has been given a three-year management Alumni (RIP): guidelines, and has somehow wrangled his the suggestions of making CMSP meetings agreement by the Monterey County Board John D’India, Joe Glydon, Gary Jaehne, of Supervisors in accordance with county Adam Wade way into having some input into SF’s Vision easier for regular riders to attend were met staff. For back issue and archive requests, email [email protected]. Back Zero program. with resistance and constipated faces from issues (if we have ‘em) are five bucks a pop. No, we will not mail you our last copy of an issue from the ‘80s for free, just because your buddy some. And when we reached out for more was on the cover. We can find stories (maybe) and send you scanned Budman’s official response? The AMA’s Michael Smith, president of SCRAMP’s images for $5, too, but please know what you’re looking for and the year th of publication… at least! If you say something like, “Well, it was about information about the upcoming April 12 Board of Governors, was quoted in the this cool bike I used to see at Alice’s and I think it was in 1988... or maybe press release quoted him saying, “"I am 1994, or maybe it was in Urban Moto” we will buy a cheap latex adult actually both shocked and stoked to meeting, we were initially told it would release, saying “We have been working novelty and mail it to your grandkids. just be a call, in spite of agreement in the CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month. Editorial receive this award from the AMA. This very closely with County Staff over the deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always welcome. Please fall meeting that it’d be in-person. After past several months to develop a plan that include a full name, address and phone number with all submissions. We [2016] was a big year for motorcyclists reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use them to wipe our large, fragrant in California, and I am proud of BARF's some complaining by our Editor Surj to builds upon this iconic facility’s heritage of bottoms. CHP staffers, which probably did nothing ©2017, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed at over influence on these actions. Working with delivering significant economic impact to 200 places throughout California each month. Taking more than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike Magazine, Inc, more than piss them off while someone the Central Coast.” especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will be prosecuted to the the state in the committees I am on, and full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah! with the AMA and Assemblymember more patient worked on this behind the CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has teams of scenes, we’re happy to report that the April We’re glad for some respite from concerns sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend it from frivolous Quirk on A.B.51, the lane splitting bill, lawsuits, so even if you see Fish doing one of his wheelies on the cover and about management of Laguna Seca, Mazda decide you want to do that too and then you hit a parked car and your bike meeting will be not only an in-person is wedged under a van and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come was extremely satisfying and successful. or otherwise. CityBike will be at Laguna for and extinguish the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted meeting, it’ll be an evening meeting! into slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie, Thanks very much to the AMA board for sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault and World Superbike in July, and we hope to we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better. this recognition and to all the riders who Another baby step for motorcycling-kind. see you there. Gotta enjoy if while you can, supported the efforts made by BARF. It is folks.

March 2017 | 3 | CityBike.com surprised to be reporting on two more bills, be even more effective as an advocate for in Montana and Hawaii. us. And anyway, he rides a V-Strom, so we know he’s trustworthy. Wait… they have roads in Montana? Anyway, Montana’s Senate Bill 134 would AMA: Profiling Is Wrong, allow riders to “drive between adjacent Mmkay? lanes of traffic under certain circumstances Speaking of the AMA, America’s moto- on certain highways where traffic is slowed rights watchdog has issued a position or stopped.” statement on motorcyclist profiling, Like Oregon’s overly restrictive SB 385, saying “The AMA, in diligently Montana’s law would allow splitting on scrutinizing government policies directed highways where the speed limit is 45 MPH at motorcyclists, is concerned over or higher and traffic has slowed to 10 motorcyclist profiling. This includes MPH or less, at a delta of no more than 10 motorcycle-only checkpoints and MPH. The bill’s status is “tabled” what is a predisposition in many cases in the Senate Highways of law enforcement officers targeting and Transportation motorcyclists solely because they are committee, so it’s not wearing motorcycle-related clothing.” looking good anyway. The statement closes with Hawaii’s House Bill this paragraph: “The AMA 727 has already passed strongly condemns the profiling of the House Transportation motorcyclists by government agencies committee. This bill text and has long championed the undeniable includes three pillars of why fact that the vast majority of riders and splitting is good: rider safety, air-cooled enthusiasts are upstanding, law-abiding bikes overheating, and “modest” alleviation citizens. Motorcyclists and motorcycling of congestion. The bill specifically enthusiasts represent the full range of mentions both splitting in congested Americans and should be judged on traffic and filtering to the front at stops, their specific behaviors and actions, not and adds language specifically prohibiting their chosen mode of transportation or drivers “dooring” riders who are splitting association with others.” according to the proposed vehicle code Look, we’re on board. Our own Editor Surj changes. Nice! went toe-to-toe with CHP Assistant Chief However, the language on speeds and delta Chris Costigan at the last CMSP Advisory is overly restrictive, essentially specifying Committee meeting when Costigan splitting speeds of 10 MPH in stopped attempted to justify checkpoints by traffic. drawing parallels between the drunk driver problem and the motorcyclist problem: As always, we’ll keep you posted on these “I’m sure DUI drivers feel like we target Now Taking Requests? 50 New please. bills (all five of ‘em) as they—if they— DUIs.” Models Coming From H-D 2. A street-legal version of the XG750R progress. Flat-Track Racer. Also orange, black and But it’s hard for us to stifle our laughter at The Milwaukee Business Journal reported white. Ted Cabral Leaves AMA Board some of the anti-profiling efforts, which st on January 31 that Harley-Davidson 3. Something based on the excellent Low Of Directors are mostly driven by capital-B Bikers that plans to introduce 50 new models over the Rider S, but with ground clearance and trade in tough guy imagery and cry out next five years, according to president and California Off-Highway Motor Vehicle over and over, “no new laws!” while at the more standard-esque ergos. Yes, it won’t Recreation Commission Chairman Ted CEO Matt Levatich, presumably before be a Low Rider any more—maybe just call same time pushing for legislation to protect packing up his Ultra Limited for a ride to Cabral, who was elected to the AMA their special “lifestyle” from The Man’s it “S,” for Editor Surj, because he’ll totally Board of Directors in January 2016, has DC, to sell his soul to President Trump buy one. This one can be black. overreaches. in exchange for… a bunch of younger left the board ahead of the December 4. A modern Yes, getting fucked with by Johnny Law customers? 2018 end of his term, citing difficulties production version balancing his State Parks / OHV and is unacceptable, and the AMA is right to Anyway, rather than Like this, but with better ergos and of Fish’s Redwood- AMA commitments: speak up on this. But also: “vest-wearing engaging in the facile longer suspension please. Thanks! owning FXR. Harley rider” isn’t a protected class, nor “riiight, fifty new 5. A police bike "I appreciate the opportunity I had to be should it be. paint versions” banter along the lines of on the AMA Board of Directors, and I have Check out the Motorcyclist Profiling that oh-so-clever and the old Defender, confidence in the direction the AMA is Position Statement in all its glory at insight “motorcyclist” available to regular going as an organization," Cabral said. "I AmericanMotorcyclist.com/About-The- commentators fall folks. am going to miss my working relationship AMA/motorcyclist-profiling. back on online, we’ll that I have developed with the AMA take this opportunity Keep the prices board. I have found it increasingly difficult to ask for exactly reasonable, please. to perform my duties as an AMA board what we want, since And we’ll love you member while also being the chairman of Wheel Works the ‘Stich-wearing extra-long time California's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle CityBike Wrecking if you produce a Recreation commission. California State Crew is exactly the faithful version of Parks is going through a transformation demographic that Mert Lawwill’s process that requires an incredible amount Harley-Davidson is Street Tracker. of dedication and focus going forward. trying to reach. Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba We can dream, With that, I think it would better serve the right? AMA if I step down from my position on These are our the AMA board." demands: Legalizing It MORE: Lane Wire Wheel Splitting Bills In Two More Ted is also on the California State Parks 1. Bring back the XR1200. Yeah, you Transformation Advisory Committee. Service & Repair totally saw that coming, and yeah, we’ll States We enjoyed dinner with him after the have to find a way to make all the people We reported last month on new lane State Parks / OHV Open House evening Wednesday - Friday: 1PM - 6PM currently whining about the lack of splitting bills in Texas, Washington, and in Sacramento, and given the contentious Saturday: 11AM - 6PM XR1200, who didn’t buy one when they issues facing the OHV commission—and Oregon (“Legalize It: Lane Splitting Bills 1957 W. Winton Ave, Hayward were available, to put up the dough when In Three States” – News, Clues & Rumors, motorcyclists in general—in California, it comes back. Orange, black and white, February 2017) and quite frankly, we’re we hope this refined focus allows Ted to 510-785-4396

March 2017 | 4 | CityBike.com required. Some of these changes would be a-brewin’, so there’s really no telling what manageable and others nearly impossible. else is next. As with all relationships, there are ups and Affordable If you like the idea of concierge-level downs. Sometimes you grow together, as we service and accommodations at the track Luxury did with Triumph, and sometimes there are DNA Motor Lab: Alive & Well In (or elsewhere) but don’t have the budget 0% APR for 36 months or profound disagreements. Unfortunately, 1.99% APR for 60 months* Hayward for your own full-time staff, give Galen a *OAC call at 510.502.9881, and stay tuned for the Hayward’s DNA Motor Rodrigo, Daniel and Jack at the new, post-book proper launch of rollinghospitality.com. Lab, which suffered a burning DNA Motor Labs. devastating fire last fall New Shop: RX Moto In Belmont thanks to an apparently cursed scooter’s electrical What? A new shop? Not another shop system gone way rogue, closing?! Yep. Chris and Kate Adams, a re-opened down the husband and wife team, have opened street last November. RX Moto, at 401 Old County Road in We went by to see how Belmont, helping to fill in the somewhat barren moto-biz landscape between SF and they’re settling in to 2490 MIDDLEFIELD WAY SJ. Vespa MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94043 their new shop space, 650.966.1183 / CALMOTO.COM also in Hayward, Focused on racing, RX Moto gear by Sidi, Mention CITYBIKE for Free Delivery to San Francisco at 21739 Mission Photo: Surj Gish Alpinestars, EVS, 100%, Bell, and others, Boulevard. Also, we plus tires, oil, and parts. Get more info at wanted to see some melted bikes. Triumph’s vision for the RX-Moto.com. future, and ours of how to best achieve success HELIMOT DNA lost 50+ bikes in the fire—some for our family run business, are no longer in And hey, for some fun, we’ll give a free The Buffalo Pro melted into near-unrecognizable and alignment. This time, we cannot stick with t-shirt to the first person to send in a photo Our Best Selling Glove semi-frightening mechanical monsters, like them.” of themselves with a copy of CityBike at RX All Deerskin props from an Alien reboot. Parts, books, Moto. Make it good, or we’ll just act like we gear, and tools were also damaged or We’ve observed that Triumph, like most didn’t receive it, ok? destroyed. But the crew are up in running motorcycle brands, aspires to Harley- in their sweet Davidson-esque levels Moved: Quickturn Cycles . of “experience” in and Speaking of good news instead of news of The DNA crew hard at work. Totally not posed around their dealerships, another shop closing, Quickturn Cycles $229.95 which we understand to out in Concord, has moved from their be the result of onerous old location on Erickson Road to 1751 We repair what we make. requirements from H-D. Concord Avenue, still in Concord. And if you have fat hands and short It’s understandable that fingers, or skinny hands and long brands want to attach Why? Owner Steve Davis says, “We just fingers, we can probably help you. more experiential outgrew our current spot. We heard components to every our customers’ complaints as far as no 510-252-1509 [email protected] “branded touchpoint” parking and we decided to move to a better www.helimot.com (ugh…sorry) in an location.” attempt to achieve For Sale: California Choppers Photo: Surj Gish connections, emotional or otherwise, that San Francisco’s California Choppers, drive sales. But it’s tough all over, known as the “original home of the Frisco new space, with the only downside being and dealerships, even in moto-Mecca style chopper,” is up for sale. If you’ve got a that the spot is easy to miss, so here’s a California, are often already operating near desire (and the requisite insanity) to give tip: it’s behind Star Auto Glass. Look for redline in the ongoing uphill challenge of a moto-biz with serious street cred a shot, the breezeway at the southeast end of the running a successful motorcycle business. Wayne will sell you the “whole cha-cha” for building—cut in on that driveway and $750k, inventory and all. That inventory, Cal Moto will still stock parts for and head to the right, and you’re there. by the way, is ridiculously expansive, service Triumph motorcycles, although according to CityBike’s resident V-twin Stop by for some bike maintenance, or just warranty work ended February 4th. They Closeout Pricing expert, Fish. Interested? Give Wayne a to check out the melted-down R1200C. will of course continue to sell and service shout at 415.431.8181, and tell him we sent on 2016 Aprilias It’s not a Phoenix model—that’d be all too BMW, KTM and Vespa motorcycles and you. Very Limited Inventory surreal, and inaccurate as well, because scooters. Need more information? Cal that bike is going nowhere. Moto has an FAQ for you on their Hey! If you’re a local shop and have new to CALL 510.594.0789 Cal Moto Says Goodbye website, CalMoto.com. share with the Bay Area riding community, shoot us a note at [email protected]. And © Piaggio Group Americas, Inc. 2017. Aprilia ® is a U.S. and worldwide registered To Triumph don’t forget, we offer free help wanted ads for trademark of the Piaggio Group of companies. Obey local traffic safety laws and always wear a helmet, appropriate eyewear and proper apparel. After 21 years as a modern all local moto-businesses! Hinckley Triumph shop, Cal Moto has parted ways with the British marque, arguably the only true success story among the many attempts to revive storied, dead Addiction Motors: Born Again, moto-brands. Cal Moto’s press release tells the tale of sticking with the partnership Again through two decades-plus of challenges, Addiction Motors, which re-opened in and provides this background on this Richmond after a hiatus after their original decision: Emeryville location, and then closed late last year, has returned again… sort of. “Recently, Triumph has announced Galen had started providing trackday multifaceted changes for its dealership transport / accommodations / chow network. We have examined their vision services while Addiction 2.0 was still a carefully and with an open mind. To meet going concern at the Richmond location, their vision would require many changes. and is now focusing on that endeavor, what Changes to our business hours, staffing he calls a “bed and breakfast on wheels”— levels, inventory levels and business capital although if you’ve ever spoken with Galen requirements. In addition, significant you know he’s always got a bunch of ideas and costly building construction would be

March 2017 | 5 | CityBike.com Worker” of the year award. I’m not totally Auction Week In Vegas place to buy or sell a classic motorcycle. sure, but I believe this is in recognition of By Andy Tallone MidAmerica built it up from their early all the work he does making sure there are one to two and finally three-day events that programs, photos for banquet posters and Every January, the classic motorcycle would ultimately roll 700 bikes across the trophies; serving as a director on the AFM faithful make their annual pilgrimage to block. Las Vegas for what some call “Motorcycle AFM 2016 Season Banquet board, delivering CityBike to AFM’ers on race weekends; and also being Their success in Vegas attracted other By An DeYoung the racer who worked on his auction houses, first Bonhams with a one-day sale at the Imperial Palace in If there’s one thing AFM racers, crew and race bike(s) more than anyone 2009—and every year since. In 2011, RM hangers-on know how to do, it’s throw a else throughout the year. Auctions showed up to run their three- proper party, and once a year this party is Good job, Max. We’re all proud day sale on the same days as MidAmerica, in a hotel banquet room instead of the pits of you here at CityBike World each with around 500 bikes. It was a at the track. I do enjoy both, but the hotel Headquarters. Now stop with contentious year, with three auctions rooms are a nice change from my tent, competing for the same business. In usually set up on 157-degree asphalt. Plus, 2014, the owners of MidAmerica Auction no frogs in the shower. Co. sold their business to classic car For this year’s banquet, I brought my real The 2016 AFM Top 10 auction giant Mecum Auctions and camera in hopes of staying sober enough when the formerly-MidAmerica event 1. Joey Pascarella – 328 points to get some decent photos. I quickly Photo: An DeYoung returned to Las Vegas in 2015, it was realized I take crappy pictures either way 2. Wyatt Farris – 306 points called it the Mecum-MidAmerica Las 3. Cory Call – 259 points and opened my cider (shout out to Two Auction Week.” It used to be the Vegas Motorcycle Auction, to keep some Rivers for having giant bottles) in the 4. Chris Siglin – 247 points continuity with 25 years of MidAmerica 5. Devon McDonough – 245 points MidAmerica Auction, when that family- room before heading downstairs for the owned auction company ran the only Auctions in Vegas. The goodwill wasn’t bad festivities. 6. Bradley Champion – 361 points either, I’m sure. 7. Brandon Crawford – 352 points motorcycle auction in Vegas. Since 1990, MidAmerica had been slowly building Max wasn’t carrying a camera (wha…?) 8. Patryk Buchcik – 340points For 2016, Mecum brought nearly 1,000 and asked me to cover him. After dinner, 9. Dave Moss – 337 points up their biggest motorcycle auction of the bikes to the South Point Hotel & Casino for I positioned myself at the side of the stage, 10. Ricardo Villegas – 335 points year, until the Vegas Auction became the their first four-day motorcycle auction in hoping to give myself half a chance at some Vegas, from Wednesday, January good winner shots. This also got me in the 25 through Saturday, January 28, perfect spot to get my head into just about the greasy fingerprints on the office coffee 2017. Across town at the Rio Hotel every shot my buddy Koi tried to take, maker, ok? & Casino, Bonhams Auction Co. who, Max neglected to tell me he had also was back with almost 200 bikes asked to get some good winner shots. So, Congratulations also go out to the 2016 top in a one-day sale on Thursday the apologies to whatever rag those pro shots 10, hell, to all the people that put so much 26th. This made for a hell of a week end up in. into the AFM—racers and workers alike. for any motorcycle enthusiast, It’s some major love of the sport, money, just trying to get around to see it Speaking of Max, our very own CityBike dedication, money, time, mild heatstroke, all. With almost 1,200 bikes on cover model and beard #2 was called up and more money, for a hobby that so few display, just checking them all out to the awards stage and given the “Racer / have the guts to try. Photo: An DeYoung

March 2017 | 6 | CityBike.com in any detail at all took my entire first day movies. The auctioneer speaks in clear, the British bike nuts getting older, retiring identical), that sold for hammer-prices there (of course, I was taking six pictures of measured tones, calling out the bids slowly out of the motorcycle market. ranging from $3,000 to $13,000. How can each British bike for my website, Classic- and repeating them several times, with a that happen? Mecum’s biggest sellers this year were British-Motorcycles.com). pause now and again to allow bidders to Henderson Fours, making up the top three It’s the power of the auction. Anything is keep up. It’s not nearly as intense as the sellers at their auction this year. A 1912 possible, and it’s all about timing. When It’s interesting to contrast the styles of Mecum event, Henderson Four sold for $490,000, setting that bike rolls onto the block, is there only these two but the overall the record for the week. one guy in the room who really wants that auction effect seems legends. bike, or two, or to be about Overall, Mecum runs three? the same: Mecum sold a typical both auctions $13.7 Million at And it’s the American-style sold a lot of this year’s Las allure of the sale: fast- motorcycles Vegas auction, possibilities, paced, high- in Vegas this with an the dream energy, with year. excellent 92% of maybe the auctioneer sell-through absolutely snapping off As a general rate—a 53% stealing some bids rapid- trend over Photo: Andy Tallone improvement item of great fire, ringmen the years, over the value that jumping up British previous year. draws people and down screaming out bids from the bikes have been the largest segment of Photo: Andy Tallone Both the total to auctions audience. Bonhams is quite the opposite: auction inventory. Today, it’s Japanese volume and all over the being British, their style is very...uh, British. bikes. Mecum’s nearly-1,000 bikes broke the sell-through rates smashed all records world, and motorcycle people to Las Vegas down to 37% Japanese, 28% American, set during the Las Vegas auction’s 26 years. every January. Bonhams is the oldest operating auction 20% British, and 15% European. This is house in the world, originally established partly due to many Japanese bikes aging As usual, prices were all over the board. As Andy runs Classic-British-Motorcycles. in 1793. Their auctions are decidedly into classic status, but mostly because the an example, there were five 1979 Triumph com, an online catalog of—you guessed it!— refined and very genteel, very much like demographic of Japanese motorcycle fans T140D Bonnevilles at the Mecum sale, classic British bikes. He currently owns two the upper-crust art auctions you see in the is younger than the Brit enthusiasts, and all very similar (all T140Ds are nearly classic Bonnies and an ’08 Dyna.

through real pain well before the turn or whatever misnomer we assign, keeps of the century. The blues is so moving, withering—sometimes frighteningly so vital, that guitar players keep coming fast, like in the years following the Great back to it, hammering that root-four-five Recession, and sometimes more slowly, thing into the ground, positively pulping like today, when things are good, at least that dead horse. Some of these players if you’re a relatively wealthy old guy with are really amazing musicians, but they’re time, money, and garage space to spare. the motorcycle industry, we all doing the same fucking thing. The Good Night & Good Luck? I sure don’t have the answers, so I’m were already riding a crusty, blues has become a mechanical, technical sorry if you read this far in hopes Last month, we reported on the death of wobbly cruiser towards a certain, pursuit—devoid of the emotional of some big reveal. I fear that like Polaris’s original cruiser brand, Victory eventual crash. Sure, things keep looking component that created it. Motorcycles, and Polaris’s reasoning that up—we’re even in better shape than we human communication, passionate one of America’s original motorcycle were just three years ago, and kickass, And don’t we have the blues? but thoughtful debate, privacy, critical brands was a better bet. Shortly after truly exceptional new models and Manufacturers churn out blurry thinking, guts and all the other good we went to print, EBR Motorcycles, game-changing technologies make the photocopies of previous models, hoping shit the old timers mourn the passing of, now owned by Liquid Asset Partners, twenty-teens a no-bullshit golden age of for a nostalgia-driven cash cow. I’ve motorcycling is soon to be obsolete. motorcycles… but not motorcycling. written previously about how Triumph unfortunately but unsurprisingly We can trash-talk the posers, the announced that EBR was shutting down collectors, the wannabes, till we th All this tech makes bikes more again, for what… the 27 time? expensive, mostly just braggart real riders are blue in the face, As underdogs ourselves, we here at toys for old boys. The industry is but the reality is that consumer CityBike really wanted EBR to succeed, desperate to reach young dudes, majority—the motorcycle owners, though it seemed more and more unlikely and women too. Check out arguably not motorcyclists—those every day. EBR’s last new model, the Black Honda’s recent Rebel reboot, for are the people supporting the Lightning, dashed our dreams for a last- example. industry with their purchasing power. Whether they actually ditch, brand-saving new bike that would Cheap entry bikes like the Grom turn things around. That damn thing ride or not is immaterial. If we’re and Z125 would seemingly not successfully introducing looked deflated to me, like something was provide a starting point for new wrong with the suspension, like it had new people to motorcycling riders, but it seems they’re mostly in a way that means they stick given up… perhaps it was an omen. But being bought as second or third at the time I wondered why they didn’t with it until they get old enough, or twelfth bikes—again, toys. successful enough to piss away just go whole hog and put an extended And anyway, while these bikes swingarm on there, or at least call it a Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba their disposable income on bikes have a seriously high fuck-yeah Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba and bike stuff, motorcycling will “power cruiser” instead of trying to make factor, if we’re being truthful with it sound like a proper motorcycle with be reduced to ren fair status—a ourselves, they’re inadequate and Harley-Davidson do this best, what now sounds like disingenuous claims weirdo subculture sideshow stuck in the utility machines once you get beyond the building bikes that look so right, while of “improved performance handling for all past. skate park. And that’s what the industry other marques’ retro-authentic models rider styles.” needs—bikes that people ride because it’s look like castoffs from a Dali painting, Maybe we’re already in a societal tailspin, When two brands die in a single cheaper, easier, better, and yes, more fun tossed aside because they look wrong, but where interfaces—mechanical and month, it gets people thinking, talking, than sitting in traffic, taking the bus, or not wrong enough to be interesting. human—and experiences continue to be pontificating. whatever. abstracted to software, to taps and swipes, Vintage-esque bikes are the root-four- to app-summoned services built on the Look, in many ways, we—motorcyclists, We’re no longer attracting youngsters with five of motorcycling, and manufacturers backs of a modern-day servant caste. But the industry, its offerings for us—are the sexy side of riding, the rebellion, the hope that these fashion accessories, boldy consider this: while the auto industry can in way better shape than we were post- middle finger. But if we can trick ‘em into termed “authentic” because no one even continue through evolution, shaping itself Great Recession, although it’s worth riding because it solves a problem, they values truthful language any more, will around regulatory and economic forces, noting that while the Great Recession can’t help but fall in love, right, at least revive motorcycling in America. But there’s no real motorcycle equivalent of a is a socioeconomic waypost useful for some of ‘em? Maybe? it’s unlikely there will be anything new self-driving car. Why would there be? under the sun—bikes keep getting better, marking the most recent bubble-bursting, Perhaps an apt comparison is the blues, but the industry, or sport, or lifestyle, that certainly did kick the nuts right off a form of music built on and perfected

March 2017 | 7 | CityBike.com systems not just standalone components, and a serious, no-compromise We stock a large selection consideration of actual, knobblies-in-the- of heavy duty jackets , dirt use cases. As a guy who alternates ON SALE NOW between boredom and disgust at the pants, chaps, & bags. fashion-centric nature of so much moto- Custom garments $359 Only $149! gear, I’m refreshed and engaged by this and accessories. Johnson Leathers Textile Jacket approach. We repair, alter and with Force eld Body Armour The Backcountry 30L duffel (also available clean leather products. In Stock Only in a 40L version) is clearly borne of this approach, with thoughtful features Our leathers are throughout that make it much more guaranteed against We now make custom capable and usable than a typical drybag. defect for life. 1 & 2 piece leathers! The 30L measures 18” wide, 13” deep and 10” tall. It’s about the size of a backpack (a real backpack, not one of those bitchass little ones) or about 2/3 the size of a typical 1833 Polk St. (@ Jackson) San Francisco - johnsonleather.com carry-on. Construction is tuff—misspelled for emphasis and cool factor, got it?—with (800) 730-7722 • (415) 775-7393 beefy buckles, sturdy straps, and the bag is actually constructed of two layers: a nearly Force eld Body Armour, e worlds firehose-heavy, water-resistant nylon outer leading “So armour technology” bag, and an internal, waterproof 22oz PVC Body protection system specialists. bag with welded seams. There’s a third bag, too—a 20-ouncer included for the purpose of keeping your dirty unmentionables Big Sac O’ Moto History This past January, as part of that exhibit, separated from your maybe-less-dirty other stuff. The top panel and the inside of By An DeYoung the museum hosted a night of motorcycle stories told by local moto-history buffs the beavertails are also 22oz PVC. We’ve got a gem of a museum up here in and members of local clubs that have been In Soviet Russia, Bag Packs Beaver what? the Sac—The California Auto Museum. around for decades… many decades. Since September 2016 (through February There were stories from the turn of You: Mosko Moto’s Backcountry Yep, one of the Backcountry’s tricks is the 2017) they’ve had a small but interesting the century, featuring the Capitol City 30L Duffel beavertails, featuring adjustable straps exhibit on the history of motorcycle Wheelman bicycle club, which formed By Surj Gish which let them expand to hold a riding culture in California. Worth seeing, if you around 1886 and later morphed into the jacket, a tent, or maybe even a beaver if can stomach a drone up 80 from The Bay. I mentioned last month (“CityBike you get really… lucky? There’s also a little Project Bike: The Return Of Triple wet / dry mesh pocket and removable map Black Beauty” – February 2017) pocket inside the beavertails, and Mosko that I’ll be testing serious soft says that the PVC surfaces also serve as luggage by Mosko Moto along great work surfaces for prepping food and with the Bumot sidecases that other tasks. replaced the OEM BMW luggage, and that my initial impressions If you’ve never had to prep a meal of the Mosko were very good. I’ll somewhere that your only options for a share more on the Backcountry work surfaces were dirt, mud, bear shit, or Pannier kit—a soft sidebag / your bike’s seat, you’re obviously not a real hard mount setup—in a future adventure rider. Get thee back to Starbucks Photos: An DeYoung installment of the GS project to browse ADV Rider, pretender! story, but since the duffel works The other thing about the beavertails— on just about any bike, I’m reviewing it Capitol City Motorcycle Club, in 1913. yes, we’re still talking about those, and I separately as something of a preview. We heard of the Polka Dots formation in haven’t made a joke about beavers, or… 1954 as a competition club, created by tail—is they’re set up with racers in order to provide support for each cool li’l pass-through ports other while competing in the rough sport on each side so you can strap of motorcycle racing. on (another missed comedic opportunity, dammit) the bag Mike Blanchard from Scooter City—one and still have access to some of the few, proud CityBike outposts in The tail. The tail, I mean. Tails. Stuff Sac—shared a wealth of information and inside the tails. Get CityBike photos from the early 1900s, of a local delivered to your door club member and Excelsior dealership Let’s move on, shall we? The by the meanest, most owner named William Langley. Other outside of the bag offers an psychotic, well-armed historians were on hand, and the stories extensive array of additional branch the government were flying fast and furious around the attachment points for another has to beat you with. room. All that was missing was s’mores small bag, or the miscellaneous and a giant campfire. I became aware of Mosko Moto, a newish crap that always seems to need That’s right! We’ll send the man company based up north in White somewhere to be bungeed on. There are to your mail hole once a month Salmon, Washington, during three carry handles: one on each end, and for an entire year delivering the conversations with Gwynne another one on the side. The bag opens at latest issue of CityBike. about luggage for one of her Baja either end, so you can access the contents expeditions. They seem to be from either side while its attached to the Go to CITYBIKE.COM best known for their all-in-one bike—a nice touch, even if this style of to subscribe Reckless luggage system. I was access isn’t as easy as a wide-opening flap. immediately impressed not This is a common compromise, though, Or send a check for $30 to: just by their designs but also PO Box 18738 gladly made in exchange for actually by the methodologies behind keeping the contents of the bag dry. Oakland, CA 94619 the designs. Mosko seems be sure to include your name, to approach bag design very There are even hidden backpack straps, address, & phone number! methodically, with concern for so you can walk out when your expensive

March 2017 | 8 | CityBike.com European dual-sport gives up the ghost wasted tape. Or pixels, or whatever videos halfway between nowhere and nothingness are made of these days. because you didn’t change the oil every Mosko is an Aerostich model company, ten minutes or whatever the required meaning you buy right from them. They maintenance interval is on those things. emphasize this on their website and in the M Everything about the bag says overbuilt, included brochure, saying it allows them except maybe for Mosko’s cute little lizard to deliver premium products at a lower GARAGE logo. price. While Mosko’s gear is mostly outside the casual purchase, just cuz range, at All this manliness in construction does Vintage / Modern $199.99, the feature-packed, seriously stout Motorcycle & Scooter make the bag a bit of a Backcountry 30L feels like a hell of a deal, handful. It’s true that considering that good moto-specific dry Service Specialists any adventure rider bags—minus beavertails!—already run worth their ADV sticker between $100 and $150. (Pre-1975? Come on in!!) and rambling road reports will prefer a bit One caveat—Mosko’s website more complexity and says they’re out of the current Moto Garage toughness if it’ll Backcountry 30L, with a 415-337-1448 prevent a failure “new and improved” version 112 Sagamore St, SF, CA. 94112 in the desolation currently in production, wilderness which will use “the same If you’re unfamiliar with the Knucklehead between coffee closure system as name, it refers to the shape of the rocker shops, and the Backcountry box section on top of the cylinder head. the bag will 40L Duffle, Harley has never officially adopted the presumably with the roll-top nicknames that have been bestowed upon get a little clipping to the their bikes, but The Knuckle was the first. easier to side of the bag Harley had produced overhead valve work with rather than engines before, but this was their first as it continues clipping back venture into a production twin cylinder to break in. I’ll to itself, which OHV engine. Beyond the technological personally take the reduces the length advancements, the EL was the bike that repetitive burden of of the bag by several really defined the classical H-D style and rolling up the slightly inches without reducing those classic lines. bulky ends of the bag Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba capacity.” Mosko says the over an unplanned new version will arrive this We may have moved forward from foot side trip to replace a waterlogged camera spring. Since the relative bulkiness at the clutches and tank mounted shifters, but or laptop every time… but that doesn’t ends of the current 30L is my one niggling stop me from grumbling a little each time complaint, a similarly burly bag with less I close the bag, partly because my brain bulk sounds downright bitchin’. wants me to get the roll just right, and the $199.99. Learn more and get your own at stiff-n-sturdy nature of the bag makes that MoskoMoto.com. point that established Harley as a cutting- tricky. edge motorcycle manufacturer: the This is clearly an “it’s not you, it’s me” kind CityBike Book Club: Harley- specifics of overhead valves, a recirculating of problem. Davidson Knucklehead - Eighty oiling system, and the iconic springer Years front end, and then on to the pre-war era There’s a lot more good stuff going on with Knuckleheads, wartime production, and the Backcountry 30L than I can possibly By Fish post-war production. explore in these pages and still have room There’s always one legendary, marque- While Knucklehead can serve as a lovely for our review of the Africa Twin (page defining bike from each manufacturer. coffee table book, what makes is such 12, yo!), but if you’re sitting there all, For Honda, it was an interesting read for an enthusiast like “Yeehaw, Surj! the CB750, For me (I’m CityBike’s resident “Harley guy,” This sounds Kawasaki it was the after all!) is the wealth of knowledge and pretty utili- H2. the Knuckle really defined much of what comprehensive technical details presented. harcore, and we think of as a Harley these days. The I have been Harley-Davidson In many cases the manufacturing operation made the horseshoe oil tank is still used today on the changes are documented down to the thirsting for some Softail line. adventure…” Knucklehead— month. officially I urge you Harley-Davidson Knucklehead is well It’s a great look back to the time when known as to go to arranged, systematically detailing the manufacturers were fixing flaws in new MoskoMoto. the EL, first minutia that made the 1936 EL a turning com and sold in 1936. watch the The iconic 23-minute shapes and product engineering video for the of all things we Backcountry know as modern duffels. Sounds Harley can find crazy in this age of their roots in this millisecond attention bike. spans, but I watched If you were ever curious the entire fucking about all the things—and thing, and I guarantee I mean all the things—that if you do too, you’ll Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba make the Knucklehead be asking yourself what it is, this is the book for you. Author how you’ve managed to muddle through Greg Field gives us a comprehensive life without a beavertail on your goddamn walkthrough, down to the production pathetic normy dry bag. Seriously… the month, of the changes and developments pace of the video isn’t exactly John Wick 3: that made the Knucklehead such an icon. Death of a Bagman, but there’s not a lot of

March 2017 | 9 | CityBike.com that “what would a motojournalist, or at a cute little curly-cable connecting the least someone from CityBike do?” stuff device to your camera’s USB port. There sneaks into things like product reviews, are Canon and Nikon versions, and it breaking the fourth wall or whatever that’d apparently works with some other brands be called with print media. too—Alpine says to contact them first to find out. Since we’re a low-dough operation and not one of the mainstream mags, So back to the question of whether the where presumably rider / writer types Pulse can turn a lone rider into a self- are followed by Sprinter-loads of sufficient photo-journo machine, which photographers and support staff wherever I should mention is not what Alpine Labs they may ride, we often end up out and designed the device to be, nor do they sell about alone. Yes, it’s terribly sad, but it it as such. Classic CityBike bastardized also means we must get creative with product review, right? photography outside of the “real”—and Anyway, as a remote, the Pulse is pretty real bitchin’—shoots we do with Bob, Max killer, and since I always have my phone and Angelica. I no longer need to carry a remote trigger So I was pretty excited when I received this which makes my camera bag weigh lightweight Bluetooth gadget. In my mind, something like 41.7 pounds instead of 42. I’d figure out a way to be a self-contained But the holy grail would be the ability to solo-moto-journo-photo maniac, which get motion shots somehow, and try as I would actually be kind of a game changer might with photo booth mode, it was just for us. Is the Pulse that magical device? too haphazard to be reliable. And since Well… yes and no. But it’s still pretty cool. long exposures and other such artsé fartsé pursuits are well above the low brows here More on that yes / no in just a moment. First, what’s this thing do? It’s basically a camera remote, but with a lot more capabilities. If you’re a serious photographer—or fancy yourself to be one—you likely have a remote trigger, which is helpful for all kinds of things, from getting shots of yourself, to avoiding shaky photos 17 hours into a well-caffeinated SaddleSore 1000. But remote triggers are often simple go Angelica RubalcabaPhoto: buttons—the Pulse gives you access to your camera’s designs and able to update the production shines a light on the foundation Harley basic settings: shutter line almost instantly—back when “failing built their legacy upon. speed, aperture, and fast” and learning from it happened in ISO. In addition to a hardware, not ones and zeros. There are $50. Hardcover, 200 pages, 12” x 9.75”. Learn at CityBike, those features are lost on the QuartoKnows. “smart” remote trigger breakdowns of oiling system updates, more and get your own at likes of me. com mode, it has modes for controlling video, new hardware, dash and instrumentation . time lapse photos, long exposures, HDR It’s not perfect—at $99, it’s expensive if you updates, and Field doesn’t just go into the Alpine Labs’ Pulse: Get Your shots and a “photo booth” mode that lets just want a remote. And I had issues with what, but also covers the why. Duck Face On! you act like an ass while the Pulse fires it disconnecting now and then, although shots every few seconds. All of these modes There are copious amounts of beautiful, Expect Tankslapper to be full of “that a firmware update seemed to help it have settings that can be controlled from detailed photos, and not just the standard shit ain’t even about moorsickles!” for the reconnect quickly. the app—intervals, etc. In regular shooting stock photos or picture-perfect museum next couple issues after this one, but if mode, you can also review a thumbnail But like I said, it’s still pretty cool, and for a pieces either. Field went to great lengths there’s anything of the shot you just took, complete with normal photographer it’s a nice addition to motorcyclists histogram and shutter speed / aperture / the standard kit, more than a just a remote. love (more than ISO data. And if you have one of the many pro-level riding?) it’s taking cameras that doesn’t have wifi, it’ll give you pictures of their The Pulse sits in the hot shoe of your wireless control. motorcycles— camera, although that’s really just a everywhere, all mounting point—control happens via $99. Learn more and get your own at Alpin- the goddamn eLaboratories.com.com. time. This was a big part of the • Porting • Polishing • reason we added pro photography Cylinder Head along the route for the 2016 Specialists Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba Ride Friday Give In Business Since 1978 Back—everyone All Makes to find unrestored examples that are still loves photos, but All Models correct, as well as bikes that have been instead of sweet motion shots they usually ridden and show the working updates as get poorly shot pics of their bike outside All Years flawed designs were corrected in the real some restaurant or coffee shop. Yes, you, world. Scattered throughout are sales Ducati Bike Nights. flyers from the era detailing Harley’s ad Here’s another thing—a big part of what campaigns and marketing slogans. we do here at CityBike, right behind the ENGINE DYNAMICS, LLC Even if you’re not a “Harley person,” this “pissing off the readership” is photography. Phone 707-763-7519 Fax 707-763-3759 • Valve Seat & Guide Replacement • Race Prep • And since a lot of what we write about is • Flow Bench Testing • Competition Valve Jobs • book is worth a read. It’s an incredibly www.enginedynamics.com detailed piece of motorcycling history that what we’re up to on and around bikes— think Pit Stops, for example—sometimes 2040 Petaluma Blvd. N.Petaluma, CA 94952

March 2017 | 10 | CityBike.com NorCal AFM 2017 Short Track Season Summer Schedule Season The AFM has Nor-Cal released its 2107 Short Track’s schedule. If you like mission is racing, put these to encourage participation in flat dates on your calendar! Get more track racing and nurture youth details at afmracing.org/schedule. involvement, and to keep the racing Round 1: March 18-19, 2017 fun, family-friendly, competitive, Buttonwillow accessible and affordable. The racing Round 2: April 29-30, 2017 happens at Lakeport Speedway Sonoma at Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St, Lakeport, CA 95453. Round 3: May 27-28, 2017 NorCalShortTrack.com. Thunderhill Round 2: March 12, 2017 Round 4: July 15-16, 2017 Thunderhill Round 3: April 2, 2017 Round 5: September 2-3, 2017 Round 4: May 7, 2017 Sonoma Round 5: June 18, 2017 Round 6: September 23-24, 2017 Round 6: July 23, 2017 Thunderhill Round 7: August 13, 2107 (tentative) Round 7: October 21-22, 2107 Buttonwillow Head to the 49th annual Hanford for 150+ vendors of fun at show. Bikes and parts for sale must be one of California’s premier over 35 years old. The show will include vintage motorcycle events. awards for best Japanese, European and ClassicCycleEvents.com British motorcycles, as well as best Rat, May 20, 2017: Sacramento Mile (Cal Competition and others. Camping, Expo, Sacramento, CA) showers, and RV hookups available at American Flat Track action in The the fairgrounds. FortSutteraMCA.org Sac. Take the river road to Sacramento June 19, 2017: Ride To Work Day to avoid the drone of 80. There’ll even (Everywhere, damnit!) be free motorbike parking! Tickets Ride to work on the 26th annual Ride start at $25; kids under 12 are free. To Work Day (and hopefully some EVENTS how our money is spent on motorcycle SactoMile.com safety programs here in California, put other days too) to help increase public May 20-21, 2017: Sheetiron DualSport March 2017 this date on your calendar. It’s extremely and governmental awareness about the (Stonyford, CA) April 8, 2017: San Jose Pro Indoor likely we’ll organize a ride to the benefits of moto-commuting and riding Short Track Races (Santa Clara County meeting. The Sheetiron is a two-day, in general. RideToWork.org noncompetitive, ride hosted by the Fairgrounds, Exposition Building, 344 April 30, 2017: Pacific June 24-25, 2017: Bungee Brent’s Tully Rd. San Jose, CA 95111) Coast Dream Machines Backroad Bash (Long 11th annual pro short track on polished (Half Moon Bay Airport, Barn, CA) concrete. Handlebar bashing, elbow Half Moon Bay, CA) The CityBike Wrecking to elbow flat track racing in a “cage.” “The Coolest Show on Crew goes to the BBBB Tickets are $25, not a bad seat in the Earth” runs from 10 AM every year—it’s one of house! SanJoseIndoor.com to 4 PM at the Half Moon our favorite events, and in April 8-9, 2017: California Nitro Bay Airport, just 20 miles addition to being a freakin’ National Hillclimb (Carnegie SVRA, south of San Francisco. blast, it raises money for A 18600 Corral Hollow Rd, Tracy, CA DreamMachines. Song For Wellness and the 95736) MiramarEvents.com/ UC Davis Cancer Center. index.php We’ll be there again in The 30th annual Nitro, and opening 2017, and you should be event of the 2017 NAHA Pro Hillclimb May 6, 2017: The Quail too. Seriously. Stay tuned th Series, happens at Carnegie April 8 and Motorcycle Gathering for details. 9th. NAHAHillclimb.org/schedule (Quail Lodge & Golf Club, Photo: Surj Gish July 15, 2017: OMC April 12, 2017: CMSP Advisory 8000 Valley Greens Drive, Carmel, CA 93923) Three Bridge Run (OMC Committee Meeting (Location still not Clubhouse, Oakland, CA) confirmed—let’s just say The Sac for The 9th annual Motorcycle Gathering Oakland Motorcycle Club. Starts in now) celebrates the past, present and Stonyford, breaks for the night in Fort Annual poker run through SF and Marin Bragg, ends up back in Stonyford. then back to the OMC clubhouse for This event is getting a little hard to future of motorcycling, with special attention to 50 years of the Norton Riders of all abilities are welcomed. prizes, music, and dancing. There’s a track. The date has changed from Applications will be accepted starting non-SF alternate route this year as well. what we posted last month, based on Commando, along the usual passel of Japanese, British, Italian, competition April 1st. OaklandMotorcycleClub. OaklandMotorcycleClub.camp9.org information from the previous CMSP camp9.org meeting. The good news is, it’s now an bikes, and more. 10 AM to 4 PM on evening meeting, from 6 to 8 PM, which Saturday, May 6th. General admission June 16-17, 2017: Fort Sutter AMCA will make it easier for more people to tickets, including lunch, are $75. Chapter Annual Swap Meet & attend. The bad news is, we still don’t SignatureEvents.Peninsula.com/en/ Motorcycle Show (655 South First Send Us know where the meeting is going to be. Motorcycle/Motorcycle.html Street, Dixon, CA 95620) Your Event So stay tuned here or at facebook.com/ May 20, 2017: Hanford Vintage The Fort Sutter Chapter of the Antique [email protected] CityBikeMag. We’ll share more info as Motorcycle Rally (New venue to be Motorcycle Club of America hosts their PO Box 18783 th Oakland, CA 94619 soon as we get it, but if you care about announced in March—stay tuned!) 17 annual swap meet and motorcycle

March 2017 | 11 | CityBike.com By Surj Gish, Max Klein & Fish Photos by Max Klein & Robert Klein onda’s marketing lead-in for its True Adventure? True Story. Africa Twin was one of the most extensive in recent memory— Hrightfully so, one might argue, with the rich history of the Africa Twin name. But it started out with “true adventure,” which Honda’s Africa Twin DCT caused us here at CityBike to alternate between barely muted snickering and outright guffaws. Adventure is one of the most overused buzzwords in the history of motorcycling, almost always used quite optimistically. But as we waited for an Africa Twin to darken the tailgate of our diesel moto- transpo, it began to look like there might be something to this true adventure. Sure, the single-cylinder “real adventure bikes weigh less than 350 pounds” guys carried on with their conveniently context-free complaining, and the “Honda has lost the plot—so boring” peanut gallery continued to not look much past their own oh-so- insightful noses—but by the time the Africa Twin hit the streets, it was clear that this was not your rich uncle’s adventure bike. Sure, at 511 pounds wet—standard tranny—it’s no lightweight 350 single, no “real” dirtbike. But only an extreme S&M enthusiast would ride such a bike very far on the pavement, and they’d probably have to rebuild the goddamn sensitive, touchy, race-bred thing just this side of Flagstaff. Meanwhile, Max would be dodging saguaros with nary a care about ludicrously short maintenance intervals—with no bruises on his ass. So yeah, the Africa Twin is a real porker compared to a proper dirtbike—as if that’s a legitimate comparison. Might as well bitch about how an R1 makes a shitty daily rider. Yes, we’ve done exactly that. But let’s say you’re not a true grit real rider. You want a bike capable of some serious miles in somewhat serious comfort, but you’d like it to be manageable if you decide to take a ride on the wild, dirty side now and then. What are your options? Lucky for you, we have recently ridden a couple of the worthiest competitors, BMW’s (still, arguably) class-leading R1200GS and Yamaha’s Super Ténéré. You can check out our October 2016 issue (CityBike. com/back) for the whole story, but here’s the short version: the Yammie starts at Photo: Robert Klein $15,099 and weighs in 64 pounds heavier

Photos: Max Klein

March 2017 | 12 | CityBike.com Photos: Max Klein than the suddenly slender-sounding Africa I thought about Alaska, because 1) Alaska leg over, and I figured heading back there tradition. On road, shifts are smooth (both Twin. You can drop 50 of those pounds screams epic ADV (and I’ve never been), on a bike that draws on Honda’s ADV up and down) and once you sort your by choosing the GS, getting within 14 of and 2) Alaska and Africa both start and end history would make for a romantic tale of preferred power mode the transmission is the AT—but you’ll need to come up with with the letter A. Symbolism. bike and rider chasing down their roots damn near omnipotent. at least another $1,400 for a stripper GS. together. Like the DCT in our NC700X (“The Assuming you can find one so shamefully That was back in May of last year, and trip Motorcycle You Deserve, Not The equipped. Sure, the AT arrives at the after trip to Honda’s SoCal warehouse Sure, the 998cc parallel twin is a bit Motorcycle You “Need” -Honda’s party with comparatively bare bones, ended in heartbreak. No Africa Twin in the different than the original Africa Twin’s NC700X” – December 2016) the AT has D with no luggage or even a centerstand— truck back to CityBike World Headquarters. 650-then-750 V-twin, and a bit heavier at 511 pounds. But I’m not the same rider I and S modes, but also a G mode as well… Actually, was when I started either, and I was eager Confused? Honda calls the modes Drive, heartbreak is a to see just how far we had both come. little too dramatic. Sport, and Gravel. Honda gave us I hit the road bright and early, with 742 Drive is economy mode, suitable for fuel bikes. Great bikes. miles between me and Arizona, from economy and humming down I5 at 4 AM. But no Africa where my dad warned me of the previous Sport is the fun setting (with three levels Twin. day’s snowfall. “Nothing stuck to the road, of fun) for when you get to the twisty bits. but be careful,” were the words of advice I And Gravel? It’s a supplemental setting This went on for received prior to my departure. So much for D and S, and makes the DCT shift at least six months, for heading south for warmth. Fortunately. even more seamlessly. It’s intended for while the real a quick look at my weather app convinced motojournalists off-road use, but it was happy to assist on me I’d probably just miss the next storm. gave the big CRF road as well. The only bummer is that the press fleet a right Remember, we’d been given the automatic bike defaults to Drive mode whenever you Photo: Robert Klein proper break- version of the Africa Twin, and for the first switch it off, forcing you to switch it back into Sport mode every… single… time… you start it up again. D is for seriously?!—but you see where I’m going disappointing in this case. with this, right? But that’s ok. Like I said: nearly You can fall back on “it’s the rider, not the omnipotent. No matter which mode I bike,” and you’d be right—mostly. After chose, the bike always knew what I was all, Fish outrode most of us on a knobbied trying to do. Traveling downhill? No Honda Hawk 650 at Bungee Brent’s upshift, better engine braking. Longer Backroad Bash last year. But a $13,299 uphill? Delayed upshifts, plenty of power to (6-speed), 511 pound bike with proper summit. dirt-sized wheels is a compelling choice, if it’s true adventure you seek. And if our So back to the weather app, and why you enthusiasm for Honda’s DCT has sold you should never trust the weather app. ditching the clutch, you can get the auto version for another $700 and a 23-pound About 80 miles from my dad’s place penalty. in Prescott Valley it began to rain. No problem, I had my ‘Stich on. As I climbed - Editor Surj into the high desert the rain got a bit more… fluffy. So fluffy, in fact, that it Max: Arizona Twin began to stick to the windscreen, then my As soon as I found out that Honda’s new faceshield, and then the road. “No biggie, I Africa Twin was going to be for reals, I Photo: Max Klein began scheming on doing something epic with one. All the Honda “adventure” bikes in. And then, finally, we had our Africa time I was not we’ve ridden, apart from Editor Surj’s Twin—gray, not red (dammit, again!) and worried about village bicycle CRF250L of course, have DCT-equipped, which would be a subject bringing a giant the freaky ADV styley down, but in my of much debate. scooter home to mind leave a bit to be desired in terms of the CityBike World Now, I’m up for some true adventure, truly adventurous performance, at least if Headquarters. In but Alaska in winter time seemed a bit your adventures take you off-tarmac. case you’re just ambitious. So I decided to head to the next tuning in, the But the Africa Twin is not an “adventure” best letter A bookended state. Wrecking Crew bike, where the quotation marks are No, not Alabama. has pretty much required. This bike continues the heritage unanimously of the original, the one based on the NXR- Arizona. voted the Honda 750—a bike famous for winning four Paris- DCT as “bitchin’,” Dakar races in the late eighties. This is a I figured heading south instead of north would be warmer, and also a homecoming and the AT proper ADV machine, we were told—no continues that air quotes or beak required to prove it. of sorts. Arizona was where I first threw a Photo: Robert Klein March 2017 | 13 | CityBike.com have heated gear on. I’ve ridden in snow in applying the brakes in a non-Neanderthal its weight a little on some of the tighter For these photos, I thought I’d be putting two other states, on less capable machines.” manner resulted in minimal sketchiness. corners, and seemed to require some the fully adjustable Showa suspension to The rear brakes took a bit more pressure to muscle to get pointed in the right direction. the test, but brisk runs down fire roads Right as I had that thought I came upon an engage the ABS, which added to my winter Compared to other big ADV machines, and crawling through rock gardens were a overturned Jeep. wonderland turn-in felt a little sluggish, but there was walk in the desert for the fork’s 9” and the Great. confidence. nothing lacking in grunt out of the corners. shock’s 8.5” of travel. While I never ran Later, I did Despite the occasional corner battle lost out of travel, I did test the shit out of the No clue how the panic stop to my dad and his buddy, the rangy Africa (unfortunately) plastic hand guards and Jeeper lost control testing on dry Twin was pretty easy to manage—a credit the (thankfully) metal bash plate on more of his fancy rig with roads, and much more to ergonomics than suspension than one occasion. less than an inch of was equally geometry, in my opinion. You’re not Encounters of the cactus kind achieved, snow on the ground, impressed perched high(ish) like the R1200GS my time in Arizona had to come to an end. but there he was with how little and similar beaked warriors. The height After a delicious breakfast of chicken fried standing next to the ABS made adjustable seat and relatively narrow steak and eggs with my dad, it was time the officer that was itself known. knee placement made the riding to hit the slab home. I’d have also wondering the For those experience more plenty of time same thing. I waved of you that of an in than on the to reflect on not at them, stood on would rather bike affair, making only the trip and the pegs and gave the not have the Africa Twin the bike, but my throttle a bit of a twist ABS kick in less acrophobic entire “career” as as I went by. The back ever, Honda than some of the a rider. I thought stepped out, traction has made it other big dogs. of the first time control kicked in, and I super simple For special “won't I followed my giggled like an idiot as to shut off see that on the dad around his the Africa Twin made the rear Dakar” cred, I neighborhood a glorious cacophony, anti-lock Photo: Max Klein wanted to get years ago when fishtailing through the assistance photos of the he taught me the snow. with a simple bike amongst basics. I thought Rear ABS Off button—no scrolling I rode the remaining 75 miles or so in the Saguaro about all of the through menus. the snow, marveling that even in Sport cactus. Going to techniques I have mode with traction control set to the most Genius, right? You don’t even have to press Arizona and not learned over the intrusive setting I had to try pretty hard to it twice to confirm or sign some digital getting a picture years and realized get the TC to interfere. It just didn’t get in waiver. Traction control is just as easy to of a mighty how effortless it my way like it does on some other bikes. adjust—on the fly even. Saguaro would was navigating The crappy conditions gave me a chance be like going those same streets. to so test out the ABS on the dual 310mm The next day, my dad and I rode with one to Africa and I pondered the front and single 256mm rear rotors. of his local riding buddies to the former not listening Photo: Max Klein history of the mining town of Jerome. Instead of snow, With an inch of snow under the front tire, to Toto on Africa Twin and the roads were covered in sand to help the plane ride over. Some shit just has to wondered what the engineers thought stabbing at the brake lever produced a bit traction on the icy spots, so we kept a fairly of sliding before the ABS took over, but happen. about the significance of the name as mellow pace. The Africa Twin showed they developed this new, much-advanced version, this next generation of Honda ADV. My riding and Honda’s tech came together as if fate had intervened. For the first time ever, I took off into the wilds—no tracks or trails, just me, the desert and a bike with a bitchin’ transmission. This is the part of the story where just about every person who’s gone off into the desert on a bike without Honda’s bitchin’ tranny has told me I wasn’t really riding in the desert. Sometimes those words were said explicitly, sometimes I just got a little side-eye from the critic, but DCT-equipped desert ride still gets belittled. Why? Because I had an automatic? Whatever. Much of my free run found the bike in second gear, sometimes bogging, sometimes near the rev limiter, but here’s the thing: keep the Twin in manual mode and control the shifting from the left hand controls. The fact that I didn’t have to worry about the bike stalling—ever—gave me more confidence than I would have had on any other machine, even smaller more dirt-oriented bikes like my KLR. I guess all those guys with Rekluse clutches are fakin’ it too. I went places and did things on our Africa Twin that I would be hard pressed to March 2017 | 14 | CityBike.com replicate on my trusty, lighter—yes, I hear but the whole package is really well thought But it’s the truth—in spite of its reasonable more signals than I had successful your laughter—KLR, and I’m talking out. Throttle response is perfectly linear price, fit and finish is great, typical of what downshifts. about more than just extended runs over and predictable. Fueling is spot-on. The you’d expect from Honda. Solid switches, My other real complaint is that the tires 80mph. I maneuvered the 500+ pound exhaust note is just what you want from nice button placement, fantastic feel. The and sizing are not fun for true hooligan CRF1000 around obstacles like it had a bike that is supposed to carry you for heated grip switch feels like something of adventures on pavement. I’ll sing the one less zero in the name, and on-road, it 100’s of miles a day. While not exactly a an afterthought, unexpectedly placed on praises all day long of the 19” / 17” wheel ate up freeway miles comfortably, while rocketship, it has all the guts you could ever the left grip, just to the left of the switch combo, which generally has enough grip still dancing in the twisty bits with the pod. It’s not intuitive, but not overly and feel to make on-road hooning fun, nimbleness of a cat. An older, paunchier complex either once you get used to it. while offering competent off capabilities. cat, but feline nonetheless. If you read our review of the updated The 18” / 21” combo on the AT is just For most people that is all that this NC700X last year, you know how I feel skinny enough that pushing it gets a little bike is going to experience, save for the about Honda’s DCT technology. Short uncomfortable. occasional fire trail or gravel parking version: the pairing of the DCT with the It’s not surprising—this bike is about more lot. The only drawback that I found NC’s unusual powerband was a match realistic off-road capabilities (for a big ADV to the automatic was not being able to made in heaven. On the Africa Twin, it’s bike) than maximum canyon prowess, but easily clutch up a wheelie in certain off- even better— nothing short of amazing. I need more rubber. Maybe a rapid-swap road situations, a problem Fish worked While the lack of clutch lever can be supermoto setup is in order? tirelessly to find a solution to. unnerving at first, the DCT can shift The ADV segment continues to grow, but The Africa Twin isn’t the most faster than you can think about shifting. the direction for most of the latest offerings electronically advanced machine I The gravel button does soften things up, seem to be moving toward rugged-looking have ridden. You have to manually but doesn’t water down the experience. street bikes, in acceptance of the actual adjust the suspension. There’s no cruise Sport mode keeps the bike in gear long usage of these two-wheeled SUVs. The control. But out there in the desert, enough to use all of the liter twin’s Africa Twin is truly the first big ADV bike dodging rocks and prickly pear cactus torque. I never had to find the downshift that seems committed to realistic dirt at an unrestrained pace over uncharted button to get extra oomph for corner use. It’s light for its size, has a fantastic terrain ,I felt unstoppable. exits. As with the NC, sport mode level turning radius and a truly off-road oriented 2 suited me best, but even standard The Africa Twin might not be the best wheelset. It’s more than adequate as a Photo: Max Klein automatic mode was pleasant and fun. bike I’ve ever ridden, but it did move daily rider for sure, with real “getting out me to do some of the best riding I’ve The manual shift buttons, however, take there” capabilities. It just lacks the rubber desire, and doles it out in a very good way. ever done. In fact, I was so inspired that some getting used to, and the bike could for beating up on 600 super sports in the after I passed the bike on to Fish I started There’s a specific turn that I encounter on almost be better without them. This is only canyon. researching a big bore kit and Rekluse for Pinehurst Road, a 180-degree steep uphill a problem for constant bike switchers like This is unfortunately the second version of this my KLR. turn with a poor surface. It’s a recipe for me, but looking for the horn button or review. Fish reportedly wrote the first on some dropped bikes and bruised egos—in fact, trying to cancel the turn signal could cause Max is still the SF chapter Director of the sort of 12v device, but the cord wouldn’t stay one of the Ride Friday Give Back-ers drops an unintentional downshift if you’re not AFM, and can be found mocking up his connected to the bike, so his words were lost to his bike negotiating it. But the AT made familiar enough. It never got me, but when Arizona Single in CityBike’s top secret dev the abyss when the battery went dead. short work of it, easily carting me and my rode in pure in manual mode, I cancelled facility. passenger around and up. Fish: DCT FTW At no time did I feel like I was asking too CRF1000L. Say it out loud. The letters C R much of the bike on all the high quality F inspire dreams of massive tabletop jumps roads throughout the Bay Area. The and huge doubles. Not to mention energy forks are beefy, with great out-of-the-box drinks and flatbill hats. Honda has built a damping and spring rates. I did have to pretty huge legacy with their off-road bikes, bump up the compression damping on the for good reason. shock, but the OEM equipment was up to the tasks I gave it. I really couldn’t ask for Slapping those letters on the new Africa more—Honda got it right. Twin was a bold move. The good news is that the bike seems to be able to cash Like Max, I found braking and traction those checks. But since control to be good, and non- Max covered the off-road invasive. Wet side of things, I decided to pavement, gravel, see how the biggest CRF dirt, panic stops handled the mean streets. in town… nothing fazed the riding aids. Off-road prowess is Even stupid muddy a boastful claim few gravel parking lot adventure bikes get antics were well called on, because the within the AT’s platform generally capabilities… or so Daily Commuter? Weekend Rider? Poser? makes for an incredibly I heard from other useful daily rider or riders at Ride Friday tourer. Who knew that Give Back 2016. wind protection and cargo capacity would be The windscreen is useful things? minimalistic, but SUPPORT effectively shaped for My introduction to the Photo: Max Klein maximum protection. AT was the CityBike There’s a power outlet, LANE SPLITTING “Ride Friday, Give Back” event. but the forward placement I was elected to lead the first group, and and lack of nearby pocket mean that you’ll carried a passenger as well. Just to really get have to route a cord to charge your phone to know the bike, of course. while you ride. It is effective for a handlebar Generally, parallel twins don’t excite mounted GPS or other devices, though. STICKERS - NEWS - RESOURCES me. The layout is conducive to boring What a world we live in, where my biggest and predictable power delivery and gripe is the placement of the stock 12v LaneSplittingIsLegal.com low redlines. I can’t say that I feel any outlet on a bike. So far, anyway. differently about the Africa Twin’s engine,

March 2017 | 15 | CityBike.com AFM Round One • March 18 - 19 • Buttonwillow Raceway Park

8:00 Riders Meeting 8:00 Practice Groups 1-5 8:25 Practice Groups 1-5 RD 1 9:15 Riders Meeting 9:30 Practice Groups 1-5 RD 2 9:45 Race 1: 650 Twins 10:50 Practice Groups 1-5 RD 3 Race 1: 450 Superstock 12:00 Lunch Break Race 1: Formula II 1:00 Practice Groups 1-5 RD 4 10:05 Race 2: 750 Superstock 2:10 Practice Groups 1-5 RD 5 Race 2: Legacy Heavy 3:15 National Anthem / 10:30 Race 3: 450 Superbike Mark Grids Race 3: 300 Super Sport Race 3: 250 Superstock 3:30 Race 1: Formula III Sponsored by Spears Racing Race 3: Legacy 250 Race 1: Clubman Light 10:50 Race 4: Open Superstock Sponsored by San Jose BMW Race 1: Vintage Race 4: Open Twins 3:50 Race 2: Formula 40 Heavy Sponsored by JPH Suspension 11:15 Race 5: 600 Superstock Sponsored by Keigwins@theTrack Race 2: Formula 40 Mid Sponsored by JPH Suspension 11:40 Race 6: Open GP Sponsored by Fastline Cycles 4:20 Race 3: AFemme Sponsored by MCTechnologies Race 6: Super Dino Race 3: Formula 40 Light 12:00 Lunch Break Sponsored by JPH Suspensio 1:05 Race 7: Formula I Race 3: 350 Superstock Sponsored by Galfer Brakes Sponsored by Feel Like A Pro 1:30 Race 8: Formula IV 4:40 Race 4: Formula 50 Race 8: Legacy Middle Race 4: Clubman Heavy 1:55 Race 9: Formula Pacific Race 4: Clubman Middle Sponsored by Dunlop Race Tire Services Winner's Circle Presentation 2:40 Race 10: 700 Superstock Don't Forget To Visit Vendor Row! Race 10: Lightweight Twins Sponsored by Spears Racing Catalyst Reaction Suspension Feel Like A Pro Race 10: Formula Singles CT Racing Pirell Project Serenity Massage Serious RnD Trackside Massage 3:00 Race 11: 600 Superbike Dunlop Race Tire Service Galfer 3:25 Race 12: Open Superbike Ocean Heat Race Pace Motorsports Sponsored by Pacific Track Time Sportbike Upgrades VnM Motorsports 3:55 Race 13: 750 Superbike Fastline Cycles GP Suspension 4:20 Race 14: 250 Superbike Pacific Track Time Racer Gloves Sponsored by Catalyst Reaction Texas Tea Oil Zoom Zoom Trackdays Race 14: Legacy Light

March 2017 | 16 | CityBike.com Special AFM Round 1 Program Insert AFM Round One • March 18 - 19 • Buttonwillow Raceway Park Welcome Back To Racing! Where We Last Left Off... All your riding friends already race? If you missed last season's final round, Introduce your non-moto friends to the you missed some of the best racing that sport by having them come and experience Formula Pacific had to offer. our family friendly environment. That is not to say that the rest of the If they want to get a little more hands on, season was a slouch—far from it—but they can always spectate from the best round seven found Joey Pascarella seats in the house as a turn worker! and Wyatt Farris separated by only six Whether they are riders or not, the AFM points. has something for everyone! Add in the fact that MotoAmerica Superstock 600 champion Bryce Prince and Daytona 200 winner Steve Rapp Have Something To Say? were gridded up with the rest of the We all have a story to tell, and now you regular KFG's from the club and that have a public outlet for it! should paint a pretty exciting picture. (Like that one on the right taken by Each round we will have space to share BMW James Carr.) Yamaha just about anything that you AFMers BMW has put all their eggs in one very want—what got you started, where you are If that wasn't enough, the normally 12 Yamaha has $15,300 burning a hole fast basket. They have $53,200 total for planning to race outside the club, old race lap race was extended to 15 based on a in their pocket, and they are looking the season in Formula Pacific. $2000 photos, bench racing tales of seasons gone vote by the participants. to give it to podium finishers in 350 for 1st, $1600 for 2nd, $1300 for 3rd, Superstock, 600 Superstock, and Open by, why you named your bike Betsy— pretty much anything that is not a want ad. In the end it was Joey Pascarella taking $1000 for 4th, and $750 for 5th. Superstock. the win and with it the privilege of Kawasaki Each brand has their own rules and We are a pretty tight knit club with a lot running the number 1 plate with the restrictions as to how to get signed of history, and by sharing your stories With $50,925 total for the season here you are not only helping to preserve club for the second year in a row. We up and qualify for the cash money. spread across seven classes, For details check out the contingency this history, but you also get to broadcast should probably mention that the competition should be heavy. it outside of your racing family with Friday before the race, a freak accident link on afmracing.org or contact Kawasaki will be paying for a podium [email protected]. thousands of loyal CityBike readers. caused Joey's bike to be upside down finish in 300 World Super Sport, on I-5 supporting the wreckage of a 600 Superstock, 600 Superbike, 700 Here's how it works*. Email what you have to say to afmsfdirector@afmracing. rolled over trailer. Here's to hoping he Superstock, Open Superstock, and Share The Fun! Open Superbike. Running Formula org. Your content will then be added to keeps all of the excitement on the track You know how much fun it is to come out Pacific? They are offering payouts the queue (first come first served) and for 2017! to the races each round, so why are you down to fifth place for you. printed in the centerspread of the next keeping it a secret? issue that features the AFM. Then people Contingency Plan KTM fall in love with your story. Sponsorship Everyone has that friend who is always So it turns out that many motorcycle money starts rolling in, you drop 5 seconds bragging about how fast they are in the manufacturers understand that racing KTM has $162,750 available for the a lap, and your fanclub builds up to Rossi canyons and at track days. Why not invite is expensive and that racers have a lot season, and there is cash available for proportions. Imagine the stands at Sears them to come out and help you in the of choices in quality machines these almost every podium finish. Seriously. Point full of thousands of screaming pits? Introduce them to the sport that you days. Five of those moto-makers have 31 Expert AND Novice classes are people all wearing your team colors high- love and show them what fast really looks ponied up a collective $256,975.00 in eligible for their $400, $250, $100 fiving each other and weeping tears of like! Once they see what they are missing, payout cash if you do well on one of payout structure. joy as you wheelie over the line a full 15 tell them about the New Racer Schools, their machines. Yes, the decimal is in seconds ahead of second place. Suzuki and get them hooked! With any luck you the right spot, we checked the math... will stop hearing stories about how they three times. While there is not enough Suzuki is paying all the way down It all starts with an email. space here to go into complete details, to 5th place in 600 Superstock, 750 "owned highway 9" or "dominated A here are the brands and what they are Superstock, Open Superstock, and group" and start hearing about how hard it is to pass you! *Results not guaranteed, minus the "we will print your offering up. Formula Pacific with a total of $28,000 story" part. for the season.

Rules For The Pits Speed limit in the pits is a walking pace (5mph). Alcohol abuse and drug use is prohibitied.

No intentional wheelies, stoppies, or other exibitions of speed. Only entered riders and race officials may enter the racing surface

Kids under the age of 16 may not ride or be a passenger on any pitbike. Be a good neighbor. Keep the noise down and consider turning off your generators after 10pm Pets must be leashed at all times. Do not leave fuel cans, tires, or any other trash behind. This is a fineable Please be aware of traffic in the pits at all times. offense.

Riders are responsible for their pit crew and guests. Remember to have fun! Special AFM Round 1 Program Insert March 2017 | 17 | CityBike.com To Baja, With Love & Wrenches Risa Rides The Baja 4000

Bamako Adventures calls their Baja 4000 non-timed, navigational and endurance race and/or road trip the “longest and most difficult Baja race ever.” It runs from Los Angeles, down the Baja peninsula and back, and is a “minimal assistance” event: no helicopters, no sweep trucks, no ambulances—you’re on your own, and must rely on yourself, luck, fortune, and the kindness of others. Sound like a good time? Damn right it does. Go to BamakoAdventures.com for more information.

Andy, one of the “Polish Boys,” somewhere in Santa Rosaliíta. By Risa Strobel of R1200GSes, and the odd man out on soaked, but back on pavement, so I hunker sand, shallow sand, it all looks sort of the Photos by Risa Strobel (and the an XR650R. Brief hellos, a few words down and crank it. Suddenly—fuck!—I same, and I quickly fall over for my first, occasional random helping hand) from race direction, and then WE’RE hit reserve. I’m 30 miles out, pretty sure I’m second, third and fourth times of the rally. dventure bikes inspire Dakar RACING!!! not going to make it. Double fuck—yup, Eventually I find the first race point. It’s far daydreams. So, when a coworker I’m outta gas. That Rotopax would sure be more difficult than I hoped. What have I Over the start line in a flurry of confetti handy right now. gotten myself into? asked me if I wanted to join an and we’re off! I immediately take a Aamateur rally race from Budapest to wrong turn and end up halfway—the I wait, shivering. Thirty minutes later, the The second number is easier to find, Bamako, of course I said yes—but then wrong way—across LA. Clearly my GPS Poles roar up. When did I pass them?! In a painted on a cactus. As I stop to discovered that while there’d be no navigational flurry of Polish, they produce a hose and photograph it, I discover my taillight Budapest-Bamako in 2017 skills are… two bottles. I’m back on the road in less dangling by the wires. A few zip ties and (it went biennial in 2016), First to pick up my race number! worrying. than 5 minutes. I’m riding again. the organizers, Bamako Adventures, were putting on a I get turned Seven miles to the hotel. We pile into After the sandy stretch, the roads turn to race in Baja instead. around and the lobby, shivering. “Do they have dirt. I’m flying—until I come around a head toward wifi here?” “There’s a password.” “Try corner and find the Poles stopped in the Baja is close. Baja is cheap. Let’s Mexicali. It’s BADWEATHER.” I enjoy a steaming road. Jerry (on the Versys) has dented his do this! chilly, but shower, and after a quick trip to the corner front rim, and has a slow leak. Andrew One by one, my would-be though I’m store for beers for my saviors, I’m welcomed bashes the rim back into shape with a accomplices bailed, so after only wearing into their rooms with a chuck of canned hatchet. Someone points out that my months of wrenching and dirt gear, I’m meat off the tip of a knife and a teacup of taillight is gone. So much for my “repair.” thrilled and mysterious sweet liquor. I sip and set it packing and fretting and I see Kristian every so often, his leaky immune to the down to enjoy slowly, and am immediately excitement, I trucked my bike rental replaced by an apparently cursed cold… until it accused of hogging the cup—we’re all down to the start line alone. F700GS that’s breaking nearly every day. starts pouring. sharing! He comes in really late every night, but I’m first in line to check in, eager Soaked “What are your names?” Andrew, he’s perseveres with admirable optimism. to meet other racers. It seems through in Andrew too, but you can call him Andy, to be a mix of local Baja vets seconds, I This is the first day it hasn’t rained, and Luke, Peter, Yellow, Jerry. It’s several more and savvy Europeans who’ve spend the next Baja is showing me all its beauty: massive, days before I begin to remember them. shipped their cars from places like Estonia, 100 miles cursing the rain. dramatic rocks, azure seas, enormous cacti Hungary, and Lithuania. I haven’t met or Dawn is all people fixing broken vehicles, everywhere. I’m continually rewarded with Razvan, our marvelous support van driver even seen another biker, but there aren’t making do since it’s Sunday and the local desolate desert beauty at every turn. (carrying gear for me and the Poles) is many of us: I’m one of two bikes in the race parts store is closed. “Yeah, my rear brakes class, along with a Finlander. There are waiting for us Calexico. The Poles are also Again I’m flying; again I encounter my seven bikes in the touring class: another drenched. A brief discussion: Polish pals, this time stuck in yet Finn and six Polish dudes from Chicago. will the van make it to camp Hotel courtyard in San Felipe. Parked with more deep sand. I instantly join at Guadalupe Canyon? Dirt the Polish boys. them axle deep in immobility. My fellow racers are nearly unanimous in road, water crossing… it’s As we’re digging out, Kristian their assessment: “You’ve gotta be brave on not sounding promising. We rips past, ferociously kicking the a bike.” Brave, I think, or maybe just stupid. head for San Felipe instead. sand’s ass. Nevertheless, I get a round of applause as I’m disappointed—it means the only biker at the first race meeting. missing the first points-scoring I enjoy more magnificent race day (today was a no points Mexican countryside as the sun After a brief explanation of the navigation sets, and discover my latest loss and scoring system, race director Andrew shakedown day) but we’re in this together. The rest of the day is to the bumpy Baja roads—my Szabo dismisses us with a reminder: this is license plate. not a closed course. “We’re not providing a blur of rain and cold and more hermetically sealed conditions. You’re in rain. I’m up at 4:30 the next morning, the real world. You’re in real life. Deal with Day two is similar. I’m numb intending to ride to the 6 AM it.” from cold when we finally make race meeting, but it’s freezing. it off the pavement and onto I’m done being miserable in the I’m also the first bike at the start line the aren’t working. I guess I just won’t follow dirt, but my elation is short-lived as things cold, and back to bed I go, feeling guilty for next morning, though not the first biker. that closely!” Today’s race meeting doubles immediately start falling off my bike. I blowing off a race day. But this is supposed Kristian, my Finnish adversary, is here… as a birthday party for two entrants. don’t notice until the Polish guys rip past to be fun, right? but without a bike? His rental has a massive Someone has brought a birthday cake all (they’re fast!) and one of them pulls over oil leak, and he’s taking it back to the shop the way from the start in Los Angeles. It’s Over breakfast, Andy and I decide to break to inform me he found my Rotopax on the as soon as it opens. fared remarkably well and is only partly off from the group. Tonight’s camp is in trail and handed it off to Razvan. Fantastic squashed. Ciudad Constitution, and we find a dirt Bleary racers mill about, scoping out luck. I make plans for some quality time road that loops off the main highway out the competition. Finally, my first look with Loctite. Heading south out of town, I get lost again. to San Sebastian and the Sea of Cortez and at the Polish guys—basically a rolling The “road” is just a jumble of diverging I’m an hour from the hotel and a hot back again—a fun little ride to get to know adventure bike shootout: an Africa Twin, tracks in the sand. Ugh. Sand. Deep each other. a Super Ténéré, a Versys, a matched pair shower when the rain finally stops. I’m still March 2017 | 18 | CityBike.com As soon as we turn off the highway onto of there and back to the main road. The first things he reaches for are maps and the road over the mountains. He says it goes to the dirt, I’m lost again. We end up in San race course and the main road run parallel, roadbook. He’s already planned his day Cataviña, where we’ll be camping. Nicolas, a tiny coastal fishing village that’s with lots of interconnectedness, so we pop before I find my first cup of coffee. not on my map. “Muy tranquilo,” says one back and forth between the two, trying Off we go into the mountains but the of the locals, and I cannot disagree. We to pick up race points as we can. We split Sunrise on the beach is stunning, and road is really muddy and we keep getting take what the map calls an “improved dirt up midday, but it’s been an encouraging people I’ve only just met hand me coffee stuck and falling. It’s getting dark fast. road,” which actually means rutted all to morning riding with my competition. and eggs without even asking if I want I’m lacking in skill. Andy’s lacking decent hell and covered in softball-sized rocks. I lights. After picking my bike up yet again, have my first real spectacular get off. “No After yet another dramatic get off (silt Shivering at Coco's Corner. I come around a corner to shame in falling down,” Andy reassures me this time!) I’m done for the day and head find Andy stopped behind an as he helps me out from under my bike. I to camp. The signs to San Juanico point abandoned pickup truck. “I hope not, because I do seem to fall down a down pristine pavement, and the beach think we should stay here. The lot. campsite is easy to find. I’m baffled to truck is unlocked and we can find neither the support van nor any other sleep inside and continue when I’m back to racing the next morning—solo, bikers. I wander around camp, visiting, it’s light.” heading toward the day’s first points in San Luis Gonzaga. As I pass I attempt to raise the rest of the team on my (required) rental small villages, schoolchildren run Coco’s Corner, south of San Felipe. out of class to the fences hoping sat phone, but can only leave for stickers. I feel like a celebrity messages. We’re in the middle of in these moments, instead of the nowhere with very little food, but slacker quasi-racer I’m turning at least we have shelter—as soon as we shut the truck doors it starts out to be. Everyone is asking if breakfast. As I’m sipping coffee, pouring. We exchange a wide-eyed look I’m pre-running the Baja 1000, the founder of the race comes by. of “Holy shit, we are so lucky,” and settle and I attempt to explain this rally, “Hey, want to race on the beach?” down to sleep. “This will be something to but my Spanish sucks. Still, their Can’t turn down an offer like that, tell the grandchildren,” he says, and then excitement is contagious, and so I abandon my coffee and throw starts snoring. after so much cold and wet and on my gear. Drag racing in the surf exhaustion, their enthusiasm is as the sun comes up is something At 2 AM, I am startled awake by… exactly what I need to get excited that I’ll never forget. headlights? It’s Peter with a big grin and about racing again. looking for news. Eventually I learn that an even bigger hug. Three teams have We’re 100 miles out of San Ignacio, and the support van isn’t coming; he turned come out over the mountain to find us. I head out of the settled area, opening it up. it’s a great morning of dirt, sunshine, and around at the river. There’s some debate about what to do, I’ve got a fair bit of speed on as I approach desert. The afternoon is pavement to but eventually we leave the bikes and a car full of locals, and I’m surprised when The river? Turns out if you miss the signs Gurrero Negro, then dirt roads through head down the treacherous mountain they pull to the left and the salt flats to a whale watching camp road towards the coast. Andy and I fight slow down. “I don’t My newest fans in San Luis Gonzaga. They ran across where we are spending the night. I find against leaving the bikes, but the medical usually pass on the right, a field to mob me hoping for stickers. Andrew and Peter there, but it’s several staff is part of the rescue party and we’re but sure,” I think, and I lay hours before the rest of our crew shows up. overruled. I’m thanking everyone profusely on the throttle. As I pass, Poor Kristian is still without his team, but and constantly, but Andy puts it best: “It they swerve hard, RIGHT Razvan has enough extra gear to take care was a tremendous thing they did.” AT ME. I brake hard and of him. immediately stack it in the At about 4 AM, the 4Runner gets stuck The campsite has flush toilets and showers! sand. They speed away in in a river that used to be the road. We try Cold showers, but Andrew disappears for a cloud of dust as I sit up, to pull it out, but the mud is deep and the a bit and returns wearing just a towel and a trying to catch my breath. Jeep is too light. The rain finally stops, satisfied smile. “I hacked the I right my bike and and (ultimately fruitless) attempts are lean against it for a few Drag racing on the beach in San Juanico. made to divert the river as we wait for minutes, shaking. I’ve daylight. After dawn and many more to the paved road, GPS hours of trying, we’re getting ready to ridden alone a lot, all over. I’ve crashed a lot route-finding takes you on in the dirt and on the street. This is the first give up and leave the 4Runner behind a dirt road over a mountain when I see trucks in the distance! It’s the time I’ve ever really been scared. Pissed off, and through a river. shook up, and afraid. motherfuckin’ cavalry, come to rescue the Kristian eventually turns rescuers! Suddenly everything is a flurry of I’m at a fork in the road. My attackers have up, minus his team— shoveling out under the tires and attaching headed east, down the race route. I’m not they’re broken down in a winch and handing out hot burritos to ashamed to admit that I turned west, back La Paz. He lies down everyone who’s been out all night. to the highway. in the sand next to his bike to sleep, and we’re The rest of the day is long, boring highways Cabo sunset. A gorgeous end to a rough day. and beating myself up for bailing on the immediately offered a day’s racing. I’ve never been scared on tent. Andrew and Peter arrive, exhausted; shower.” After sleeping a bike before—I’m uncomfortable and they came over the mountain in the dark. in my filthy riding gear unsure, so I just keep heading on down the They confirm the van isn’t coming, and the night before, the highway. I’m the first to arrive at the hotel neither are the rest of the bikers. I offer hot shower is bliss. in Cabo, with plenty of bike maintenance space in our borrowed tent, but they end up We’re overjoyed to be to fill the time. sleeping in the back of an SUV that belongs together again, and the to a Lithuanian team. “Our countries are night is a blur of liquor In the morning, I find Kristian sharing neighbors, so we take care of them.” and laughter and goofy my parking space. We catch up a bit—he As I make my way from fire to fire, people Polish pop music and got stuck on a beach for hours the night dancing on the beach. before until a fisherman helped him get his offer food and drinks and fuel and I bike out of the sand. He didn’t get to the manage to come up with a loaner blanket. We’re all a bit rough hotel until 2 AM. He’s exhausted and I’m I offer to share it with Kristian. He insists around the edges the he’s fine, but in the middle of the night I In no time at all the truck is free, and I am still shaken, so we decide to ride together next morning, but Andy, Andrew, Peter chatting with some of the rescue party for the first part of the day. “Yesterday I wake to a tiny whisper. “Hello, I am very and I head off into the dirt. Andy patiently cold.” I’m happy to share the blanket, and when Andy slides up. “The Hungarians realized when you are stuck in the sand and sticks with me while the other two ride are going to take me back up the mountain lost with angry dogs, it would be good to we fall back asleep instantly, grimy and ahead, and we enjoy a morning of dirt and exhausted. to get my bike.” Emmett, who showed up have some friends,” he says. mud and collecting race points and goofing this morning, turns to me, “Can I ride your Kristian’s dedication so far has impressed, off on the beach. As the sky darkens, we bike out?” We’ve gotten to know each other Of course the day’s points begin with more cross paths with a rancher who points to a bottomless sand, so we nope the fuck out but the morning is a whole new level. The over the past few days; he’s an experienced March 2017 | 19 | CityBike.com dirt rider, he’ll be a lot faster than me, It rained 4 inches that day, and I think it all deserved. The night ends in drunken blur Risa lives in Oakland, has never met a and he’s not exhausted from being out all fell on me. I didn’t expect the last 120 miles of hugs and promises to keep in touch. road trip she wasn't up for, and is Founder night. Abso-fucking-lutely. I hand over of California highway to be some of the and President of the Sam ‘n’ Fish Stupid After an intense 10 days together, it’s my gear, and try not to beat myself up for sketchiest riding of the whole race. I make Adventures Fan club. weird to think that I’m not being a bailer. After the past 24 hours, I’m the finish line around 5:30. It’s closed, but going to see these people in the trying to make smarter choices. And this is Kristian is here. I shake his hand, honored Making a (short-lived) taillight repair. morning, and even weirder that supposed to be fun, right? to have ridden with such a I’m not going to get on my bike passionate and dedicated and ride hundreds of miles We’re all greeted with One of the few race point competitor. Fitting somehow through every sort of terrain, joyous hugs and cheers photos where I don't look that he’s the only one I see at but instead load my bike into at the hotel in Cataviña, horrific. the end, soggy and unbowed. where we settle in to my truck for the drive home. wait for the bikes. Andy Despite everyone’s I’ll be back, though. The next is back first. His account exhaustion, the awards Baja 4000 is in 2019. Join of the ride back is a bit ceremony and closing party me? chaotic, but it sounds is a raucous night of drinks like Emmett’s crashed and stories and dancing hard a few times, and his and plans to race again next I Left My Part(s) In Mexico teammate Brian is riding time… or in Africa. I’m the rest of the way back. shocked, delighted, and This is a list of things that fell off my bike. I put some of them back on, Half an hour later Brian maybe a little offended only to have them fall off again. But I managed to make it back into the pre-wall US stumbles into the hotel to receive a special award: “The Donald without even a license plate! wearing my gear. As he takes a long pull Trump Grab Them by the Cactus Award - Both auxiliary lights (separately) from the bottle of tequila I hand him, he for Idiotic Fearlessness.” I also came in - Both handguards (separately) asks, “Did you know your bike can go 105?” second place in the motorcycle class! - The entire Rotopax system (2 tanks (Out of two, but hey, that’s still podium.) and mount) The last day is a long one. Ready to be Kristian takes first, of course, well- home, I whack open the throttle and try - The entire Rotopax system again and keep up with the - Tail light - License plate Polish guys on their big Andy playing on the beach in Santa Rosaliíta. bikes. Turns out my bike - 3 out of 4 bolts from the rear rack, can go 105. The finish line which eventually broke anyway. And closes at 4 PM, and despite one of subframe mounting tabs cracked getting lost again trying to off at the weld. weave around protests at - The muffler the border, we’re on track - The right side cover to make it when the skies - Me (so many times I lost count) open up just north of San - Emmett (at least twice, maybe 3 Diego. times?) - Brian (only once!)

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March 2017 | 20 | CityBike.com Select your spot using Ouija, Sears Point, ’87. horoscope, moon phase, Feng Shui or séance. Own it, stake it down. Use the same spot whenever… Hot? Get shade. Cold? Get heat. Dirt? Get carpet, tarp, something. Chairs, table, food… duh! Photo: Lynn Norene Boulay. Dry? Drink water MF! But not so season opener… Look at how y'all be rollin' Part Three: Box much that you’re using the spinning door at morning meeting, standing together like on the porta-pottie. You will be busy out a billboard a wall. Marching orders from Peter Mars in the third entry in his “Fast In Five Easy Steps” there—best be ready for it. series, now channeling his distant lineage with Chingus Kahn, Tammerlane, Alexander Things I did: front wheel yellow, rear wheel the Great, Wellington and Douglas MacArthur. Yoga, meditation, stretching, telling black. Day-glo orange seat. "Have fun" in jokes, reading, pit stroll, talk to buds, hand-painted letters on back of tailpiece. By Peter Mars gun metal rock ‘n’ roll in headphones. White and blue in a sea of red and black. Artwork by Jim Serfass Whatever works for you. Color in my hair. Crash-damaged parts on The Spinlads at the ‘88 WERA Western United Photos by Mr. Mars, Lynn Something that worked for me: Vitamin racebike, shiny as the new ones. Stickers Norene Boulay, and the States Endurance Racing Championship, B-12. It’s a blood oxygenator, and will from actual sponsors, leathers bespoke, Peter Mars Collection Willow Springs. help you keep your cool. Allows the lettering on leathers from actual sponsors. acing is not necessarily blood to retain more oxygen. You will Pit display with sponsors’ products a team sport. A notice less fatigue upon your return featured. team can help. And to your box after practices. Stays in Opened a shop. Sponsored myself. sometimes…R your system till you pee. Take another. Sponsored other racers. Made donations to Sublingual. Only way faster into your When I returned to the track for Photo: Mr. Mars club in exchange for PA announcements. a second go in 1984 I befriended system is the needle. Hey! This is a Made friends with trackside announcer. a fellow racer I dubbed 'the Road family sport. Leave that shit on the Payed industry publications for space street. Rat.' Not sure why. It seemed to garage, shop, dining room back yard deck featuring myself, my shop and my me colorful, and generous, on my part. I sidewalk. sponsors. Set up racebike and sponsors’ did not admit to him this, the name. For product display at non-race events and race reasons unclear and never to be known, Here you can work on that program, events for other types of we pitted next to each other spring to late uninterrupted. Calmly. Thoroughly. racing, not bikes. summer that season. S’why it's called practice, cuz you never get it right when you're doing Smile. Shake hands. I grew to depend on the Rat. I had not been it. That semi-hug pat on the on track since '78, was coming off multiple opposite shoulder thing. knee surgeries, and appreciated the steady Bike is ready—right? Not? Fix that. Bump. Bash. Get it over presence my slightly furtive new friend Ready? Good… What did you use with now… Mount up. bestowed upon me so freely. to put it in that state? Pack that We’re going to war. My wife—my first—even Peter Mars loves telling his started referring to him with that war stories. He is currently verminous title. Short-ish. Hair not medicated, and is often slicked back ready for quick action. accused of suffering from Wiry. (Him, not her.) Darting shell shock, battle fatigue eyes. Always clear, most times far and PTSD. If you missed searching. Raced a two-stroke the first two parts of “Fast street bike of forgotten make and Put your tools on those In Five Easy Steps,” check out the January model. In several classes. squeezy rack things. Rivet and February 2017 issues at CityBike.com/ those squeezy rack things back. Traveled solo in a predominantly down. One layer, two primer, sagging-swaying-frayed, layer tops per drawer. See seen-better-days Ford Ranchero. everything without looking. Stored his tools in I swear to God Foam sheets with cutouts for what looked to be a young boy’s pliers, ratchets, unpainted wooden bedroom wrenches and the dresser. Unit probably weighed close to shit up. Medium sized containers. Similar like. Put it all back in its place. the Rat's best fighting weight, but dude size, too. Avoid cardboard for the heavy Always. Track box different never needed a hand getting it down from items—crates, dude. Avoid the milk crate than your at-home box. the 'gate. There was one time I touched it. police—you don't have to worry about that Only the once, at the close of an achingly so much now, having Home Depot, The There will be times when hot Northern California Sears Point late Container Store and CVS… but back in you are barking orders at summer’s day, touched it from pit apron the day! Troops would swoop down on us, your crew, your squad, all asphalt to Ranchero steel tailgate. dump our shit, collect the fine and depart. of you fully engaged in a firefight to make That was it though, and Rat didn't need Man, them troops was tough! S'okay, so pre-grid for the any help hoisting his three trophies that are you. Even now, even with your snap-lid sighting lap. Be clear. same two and a half feet. He smiled, shook boxes and color-coded crates. You are an Concise. Firm. both our hands and drove off, sagging and invading army, even if you are an army of Grateful. This is swaying on his way. one, these boxes and crates the bulwarks of your squad. They your beachhead, the sandbags of your fox are here for you— You can pass people in the pits. Takes hole, the perimeter of your LZ. and themselves. Do not leave them behind. some work. Takes a different kind of work, different kind of program. Best to Things will need be done behind that Or empty-handed. Lunch at least, fool! start at home, in your box, your pit, your barricade. T-shirts in team colors. Jackets for the

March 2017 | 21 | CityBike.com Why Do We Ride? Photo: C. McIntosh

The camaraderie of hundreds This is the conclusion of TJ’s lifelong quest to understand the moto-vations of riders roaring through behind millions of motorcyclists’ mindsets—and his own. the city began to fade as Why do we ride? Why do you ride? the entire group fired up and rode away, leaving just By TJ Noto is physically demanding even on track. me and one other victim Artwork by Mr. Jensen Heat, traffic and the Folsom Street Fair? behind. Matthew’s old CB had cooked its battery, ScooterNoto with his Photos from Moto Noto’s personal Downright torturous. Vespa 200 at Scooter Rage ’86. archives and as I sat forlornly near In another fifteen minutes, we’d all strap my dead Duc he asked if art 2: “Maturity” our helmets on, mount up and roar off I’d watch his bike and backpack It’s almost noon. Me and almost to our next destination. At least some while he went in search of water. Misery 900SS and upgraded to a 916. P400 other participants in the 2016 loves company—and I love It seemed inevitable that I’d end up racing Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are fixing broken things—so the Ducati Superbike and I was proud to together we worked toward race it in the late 90s in AFM. searching for sparse shade in SF’s Civic ScooterNoto aboard his ’70 Lambretta Center Plaza. We’ve spent 45 minutes GP150 with Toby Tuttle at Scooter getting his Honda running. With marriage came new responsibilities, going five miles on what must surely be the Rage ’86. I keep a small rechargeable but the fact that I was now a husband did hottest day in the history of San Francisco, battery pack in my old F150 not mean the end of riding. The woman I with temperatures rising to a Duc-roasting and that extra juice was all married confessed to having always wanted 97 degrees. There is no water, no food. the old girl needed to fire up. to learn to ride when we first began dating, His trip home was a short ride and in the subsequent years, many hours I’m wandering, looking at pretty bikes and across the Bay Bridge but I pretty owners, hoping for feeling to return of we time were spent riding. I even began wasn’t certain he’d make it to explore motorcycles that didn’t force my to my left hand, thanks to the fourteen home without needing another million times I pulled in the clutch lever on body into uncomfortable riding positions. Photo: C. McIntosh jolt, so without really thinking I rode adventure bikes, came back to dirt my ‘86 Ducati F1, trawling downtown. Pull I said, “Here’s my card. Why lever in. Click in to 1st, slowly let lever out. bikes, and vintage machines. I took dirt don’t you just keep it until you track style schools from Rich Oliver and Pull lever in. Stop. Over and over, for 45 of us. The heat got to the F1 and the old get home and mail it back to minutes. Colin Edwards, and I even bought and girl simply gave up—when I turned the me.” The cost of the battery pack never restored an old Lambretta. Yes, it’s ok for you to question my choice of ignition and pressed the starter button entered my mind—I simply couldn’t motorcycles for the ride. The F1 is one of I was dismayed to hear nothing but an imagine that there was any real possibility Every kind of motorcycle and associated the most miserably uncomfortable bikes unenthusiastic groan as the starter labored Matthew would neglect to return it. riding style is fun for me, and I’m guessing ever made. It was made for racing and to turn the engine over even once. that holds true for most riders. I would By the time I returned home, he’d already argue that only the closed-minded rider emailed to inform me he’d made it back would say, “Nah, I’m not interested in to Oakland without incident. My battery that kind of riding.” For me, if it’s got two pack arrived a few days later. We’re friends wheels and an engine in between them, I Don’t Be a Statistic on Facebook now, and unsurprisingly, we wanna ride it. share many interests, not least of which is Learn to be a safer, better rider now! our love of Pit Bulls and Pit Bull rescue. I Past the fashion statement—and you’re Our comprehensive Intermediate and Advanced hope that I get to go for a real ride with him damn right motorcycles are a fashion clinics help motorcyclists become defensive riders. some day. statement, even if one only other motorcyclists understand—the act of Rewind riding a motorcycle is itself incredibly Golden Gate closed rewarding. From the moment I swing a leg due to #motorcycle #SMIDSY The roads that connect young MotoNoto crash #RiderDown to a slightly more seasoned MotoNoto are over, I become aware of my hands and feet more like Nürburgring than a drag strip. searching for common touch points: clutch Report of My post-minibike high school years were lever, brake pedal, shift lever, throttle. I #RiderDown #motorcycle crash - mostly devoid of motorcycles, other than settle in and take inventory, relax and feel lanes blocked the machine. #RiderDown the odd joyride on someone else’s bike. After graduation, I began taking classes Once underway, the lessons begin—like a #MC down #1 at De Anza—less than a half a mile from ballroom partner, the machine and I begin lane #RiderDown on our house—and somehow convinced to dance. The same basic laws of physics Bay Bridge my mother that a scooter was a practical, apply, but they’re tweaked in ways which economical and even vital transportation teach us new things about the effects of #motorcycle option. And so my adult life on two wheels #crash Police and engine configuration on engine braking, ambulance on began on a Vespa Rally 200. I rode that of frame dimensions and steering angle on scene #crash Serious crash, Vespa everywhere: bought a parka, dressed turn-in, of tire size and contact patch. Motorcyclist injured #motorcycle motorcycle vs. car #RiderDown like a Mod, and listened to The Jam. on 880 #moto All good motorcyclists consider themselves #accident I played with scooters for a few years, lifelong students of the art of riding. before upgrading to vintage British Perhaps what makes so many of us machinery. After college, my new career incapable of owning only one motorcycle, working for a software company afforded or the reason why so many of us migrate me the income to buy my first modern from one to another as years pass is a motorcycle, a Ducati 900SS. Nearly every subconscious desire to recapture that California Motorcyclist Safety Program weekend my friends and I rode the same Training Site of The Year - 2015 magical moment when we first learned to Bay Area Mountain and coastal roads you ride. The great thing about motorcycling Learn Total Control at our three Bay Area ride today. We thought we were fast, but is that once you’ve gotten proficient in one locations: Santa Clara, Newark and Gilroy eventually started going to track schools, style of riding, or at one level of riding, you where we learned in the most brutal of can quickly realize how little you know by Call today! 510.784.8978 ways that we were not at all fast. learning a new discipline or merely trying 2wheelsafety.com/advanced-clinics After a few years of trackdays I’d begun to to go faster (hopefully on a race track). meet the limits of the 2-valve, air-cooled The single most challenging skill I’ve ever March 2017 | 22 | CityBike.com tried to learn as a motorcyclist is dirt track, bond between father and son, travelling, The time at RawHyde Adventure and after five visits to Texas Tornado Boot camping and sharing the experience of Challenge when I ended up at the top of a Camp and thousands of laps spun on the riding motorcycles were the inspiration mountain above Jawbone Canyon, front little TTR125s, I’m only now just starting behind Why We Ride. To quote Bryan, “We tire punctured and no way to fix it. A fellow to see glimpses of how it’s done. Talk about weren’t talking about the motorcycles… it participant stopped to help me repair it, feeling like a kid all over again. had to be a story of ‘we’. It’s our story. It’s even though in doing so he jeopardized his our passion.” own chances at making it back to camp in So motorcycles are cool, riding is fun, and time to compete in the skills challenge. despite being serious business—riding It’s easy for us to become jaded and even demands our full attention; it is not for cynical about riding. Those of us who’ve Or when I crashed in the desert, smashing the risk-averse—every time we go for a been around a while sometimes need to my collarbone in to what my surgeon ride, there is a little boy or girl inside us, be reminded that it’s ok to feel like a kid later called “bone dust” with only my whether whispering quietly or screaming again, that we should allow ourselves to friend Carl to help get me back to camp, like a lunatic, “this is so fucking fun!” The be inspired by people who do great things then to the hospital nine hours later, and bonus: there are a lot of other motorcyclists on two wheels. Why We Ride helps us to eventually home. with their not forget that despite the soul we see and The day some random guy in the feel in our beloved parking lot at Alice’s (he wasn’t even on a Chasing Superbike racer Cory West around the motorcycles, they motorcycle) helped me repair my Mach 1’s TT track at Texas Tornado Boot Camp in 2016. only become flesh and fractured exhaust hanger with some sort of blood once held up in magic tape, which was good enough to get front of the mirror of me home. our own experiences Competing in the team challenge with aboard them. Scott Redding at Texas Tornado Boot I’ve owned many Camp, and watching him lift one of our motorcycles, and I’ve 10-year-old teammates on to his shoulders been on thousands when we won. That kid, like this kid, will always be a Scott Redding fan. Photo: Louise Khoury of rides. All were special at the time, Or simply a moment of pragmatism and some more than trust between two like-minded souls, others, but many have been stranded by the fickle cruelty of vintage own internal kid yelling the same thing, relegated to the rarely visited corners of charging systems on a hot fall day in the From 3:14 Daily and that makes for a strong sense of my memory. My old friend Kari Prager city by the bay. community. once put the words “Experience Shared” Valencia @ 25th on his CalMoto shop tee shirts. Past the These are just a few of the thousands of In 2013, director Bryan Carroll released moments that keep me coming back to Why We Ride, a movie about “the passion of cool machinery, the perfectly executed downshifts, the track and race day motorcycles. I ride because I like the sights the riders and the soul of their machines.” and sounds, the feeling of speed and the It is unquestionably a celebration of sensation of controlling 415-970-9670 all the joy, love, and rich rewards that the machine. It never come from riding motorcycles, but AFM glory days at Thunderhill, 2000. occurs to me that it is the human element, portrayed adversity, moments of so perfectly by the film’s characters quiet introspection, both young and old, that resonate or helping and being with me. After all, riding alone is helped by strangers may ok; sometimes spiritual in its own be part of the deal, and way—but sharing the ride with sometimes they’re not. another is even better. It was this But when they do, they’re sense of “we” that is central to the extraordinary, a perfect movie. confluence of man and Editor Surj had questioned whether machine, of man with the movie created a movement mankind—and they’re a or simply tapped into existing Photo: Brian J. Nelson big part of why I ride. community, so I spoke with Bryan about the movie in late 2016. Bryan is justifiably proud of Why We Ride’s triumphs and defeats, the most meaningful online presence: nearly 1 million Facebook moments of motorcycling, the ones that likes, 43,000 Instagram followers. This, give my soul succor, are those that involve and the growing popularity of the Why another human being. The mechanics and We Ride “moto-vational” events are signs aesthetics of motorcycles may be a large that the movie part of our community’s culture, but they has inspired significant social interaction based on our mutual love of motorcycles. Bryan is the same person as you and I, the same kid you and I were. He loved riding serve as mere points of connection, for it is minibikes, and he looks back with nostalgia the unexpected moments of life, love, and on the childhood joy of first learning to joy that reinforce our shared passion. ride a motorcycle. In 2011, after many years of editing, directing, and producing films Like the time during my rookie AFM he and his partner James decided to make season when I crashed during a free a movie about Ed Kretz, the legendary practice day at Thunderhill, one week racer who won the first Daytona 200 before my next race. I destroyed my new aboard an Indian Sport Scout. It was while helmet, leathers, rear wheel, and swingarm. interviewing Ed Kretz Senior’s son Ed Jr. A fellow competitor loaned me a wheel, that the “tangentials,” as Carroll calls them, and Helmut Kluckner offered me a set of came out—these family stories of the leathers, so I wouldn’t miss the race and my opportunity to gain Expert status. March 2017 | 23 | CityBike.com chain and who sells faux waxed cotton and unapproved helmets. Artwork by Mr. Jensen It’s a commuter disguised as an Ace Cafe rocker’s roadburner. So thirty horsepower is plenty. It’s what the bike represents, not what it will do, maynardmaynard HERSHONHERSHON that attracts young urban buyers, the future of motorcycling. Sigh. ike many of you, I fondly remember The Continental GT, motorcycling in the ‘60s. I especially alas, is unsuited to our liked British singles in those days nearly endless interstate Land I’m still interested in old British single- highways, especially here cylinder bikes and British bikes generally, in Northeastern Colorado current and ancient. where your high-rise’s Okay. We So I have told Google News that I am underground parking garage have 50 states. interested in Royal Enfield, the Indian is at 5,200ft. We have millions company that has been building old British I have to think that a rider of one of people, many singles, sorta, for decades. of those lovely Enfields would simply be of whom own I like looking at the Continental GT, the in the way on a high-altitude interstate, motorcycles. Some Indian company’s homage to the ‘60s hugging the fog line at the road edge while own multiple motorcycles. 250cc cafe racer of the same name. I only semi-trailer trucks blast by at 85. Even brands you’d think would be niche brands, saw one of those 250s fifty years ago, and When I owned my early singles, the it was a pretty thing. Even the larger, more KTM, say, or Aprilia, sell lots and interstate highway network was a work no longer lots of bikes in this country every celebrated Royal Enfields did not sell well in progress. Roads we now call “old here. Small ones were scarce indeed. be used by year. No wonder we read so much roads” were still in regular use by locals travelers. about them. We Yank riders raved among ourselves and by travelers. Route 66 was an actual They’d be 450 bikes is nine bikes per state. about rare, focused, sporting motorcycles, highway from Chicago to LA, not a zigzag routes from How many promotional “news” BSA Gold Stars, Velocette Thruxtons or navigational challenge of secondary roads. people’s homes items does it take to sell 450 Royal Enfield 250 Continental GTs, say, to Wal-Mart, or Back then a 30-horsepower motorcycle handsome, old-timey bikes in a land and bought Bonnevilles or 450 Hondas. the feed store. was suitable for any sort of journey. You as vast, diverse and wealthy as this? No doubt the Continental GT is a lovely didn’t have to tell Google Maps you wanted But I wasn’t really thinking about Royal I have read 50 items masquerading as news motorcycle. It’s a $6,000 motorcycle in this to avoid the interstates—as if you were Enfields until I saw an item featured on my in print magazines and online, just since country, and it boasts something like 30 traveling by bicycle. version of Google News about the new RE the Continental GT was announced (and horsepower, no more. Thirty is, I’m sure Himalayan. announced and announced) a few years The Himalayan ago. I have read at least one press release is a 400cc or not very newsworthy article for each single-cylinder of the Royal Enfields of any model sold in dual-sport. I Colorado since they have been imported. have never seen a Himalayan, I read about the Continental GT before you’ll agree, not many horses. Vibration but (oh my) it was introduced, as it was unveiled from the authentically vibratory engine I live in central Denver. I can, I’m sure, find have I read about them. Thousands of and each time a new color has become limits cruising speed to 65 or so. ways out of town on roads that would allow words… available. Even riders who have no interest me to feel safe on a slow motorcycle, but in Enfields—apparently meaning almost I feel sure the Continental GT was aimed Have you seen one? How is it that we know those roads would be one stoplight after every US rider—has read about the red at urban youth, bearded moto-commuters all about them: the broken footrest fiasco, another for miles. They’re local roads these ones, yellow ones and black ones. As if who’re bored with bicycles and crave musty everything, and no one’s seen one? Isn’t the days, shopping streets, not cross-town the introduction of one more color was as long-swinging-kick authenticity as long as internet wonderful? highways. revolutionary as the first Yamaha Enduro, there’s an outlet or two for phone charging. The LA Times article I read was an Honda Fireblade or Suzuki GSX-R. And a nearby dealer who’ll adjust the On trips I’d have to search for alternative informal test that was not entirely routes around cities. Those routes would Sales figures notwithstanding, I still enjoy flattering. There was, no kidding, another looking at Continental GTs. I imagine rider footpeg disaster: They’re welded, not living somewhere that would showcase a bolted, to the bike’s frame, so they’re not Continental GT. And I imagine owning easily repaired or replaced, and they fold, one as a second bike, so that I wouldn’t Reliable, timely service at but not willingly. The tester reported a wear it out and frustrate myself trying to painful bruised shin. reasonable rates on all travel on it. He also thought to include a few Who knows, maybe there’d be 10 of us in paragraphs about the company’s makes of motorcycles the Colorado Continental GT Owners international successes. They Club. And I might be the first who got his sell thousands of backward- bike’s oil thoroughly warm. Would those Visit our new shop: looking motorcycles all around the be lasting satisfactions—worth six grand? 990 Terminal Way, San Carlos world—675,000 in 2016. Hooray for Royal Enfield! Maynard started a Facebook page for motorcyclists and road cyclists that use OLD COUNTRY HOLLY Sadly they have not had great success in INDUSTRIAL blood thinners, but have continued to the US. In 2016, Royal Enfield sold just ride despite the added danger. If you ride 450 motorcycles in This Great Land. Four 101 despite it all, please go to facebook.com/ hundred and fifty. There are enthusiast WarfarinRangers and post something: a TERMINAL farmers in Nebraska with more bikes than story or a photo. And be careful out there. BRITTAN that in their barns.

March 2017 | 24 | CityBike.com eded HERTFELDERHERTFELDER Artwork by Mr. Jensen

timers, clipboards for the back-up sheets, It took me almost an hour to repack the I hiked back to the last bar I'd passed to use replacement score cards for riders who stuff. The 4’ x 8’ sheets of plywood had their restroom, phone, and whatever cool lost the ones they started with (yellow, not somehow turned themselves into 5’ x liquid they could offer. white, to keep them honest). 9’sheets, much harder Though the phone wasn't actually bolted to to slide the juke box, it was close enough that you All the gear from twelve checkpoints had in. to be packed into had to wait till the record changed to make my son Tom's van your call. I got through to Tom between (I’d borrowed his Kenny Rodgers and Merle Haggard. here was a time, long ago, when because someone had "Tom!" I shouted, "the left rear tire has the only things needed for staging borrowed mine) along gone flat—just on the bottom, Tom, just a successful enduro were a staple with boxes of pennants on the bottom, heh, heh!" I tried to inject a gun,T a few hundred arrows (homemade, we'd used to jazz up the little levity but couldn't convince either of with a stamp made from a rubber floor start line. There were also us. "You must have taken out mat), a roll of white adhesive tape, paper, boxes of trophies that were the spare tire and forgot to pencils and some old donated trophies. not picked up by winners replace it." who left before the These donated trophies were usually enduro ended, "Daaad, the spare tire isn't topped with the figure of a man about to destined to be under the platform! It's bolted deliver a bowling ball big enough to make carried along to the front of the van." a 7-10 split the easy way. We’d unscrew the to the next ten figure and glue on an exceptionally flat enduros before Oh… motorcycle was cast from lead type slugs crossing that’d been carried out of the Courier Post Get Ed’s latest, 80.4 Finish Check paths with on Amazon.com! pressroom in lunch pails that weighed their new two pounds going in and forty-six pounds owner, and coming out. hundreds In this era of product-liability litigation, of metal and it's almost comical to remember how we wooden stakes made those little flat motorcycles over the that held up the no kitchen stove. Any growing boy without parking signs. Last to a casting set for lead soldiers, fishing go into the van, because sinkers and flat motorcycles, was grossly we could slide them on underprivileged and doomed to go through top of everything else, life without a single burn scar on his wrists, were the scoreboards: 4’ x his eyes not permanently downcast in 8’ sheets of marine plywood hopes of cast-off automobile wheel weights painted white, neatly in the gutter. lettered for each class of competitors and numbered We got the adhesive tape from the final few to show the top 10. feet off the discarded rolls used to tape the ankles of semi-pro football players. The Nails on the boards held finishers’ score tape was unrolled—"Sticky side down, cards which moved lower and lower as Harry, sticky side down!"—on the top of better scores were posted until, finally, the a reasonably clean picnic table and sliced concerned competitor “dropped off the into squares; then the riders' numbers were board.” inked in with a laundry marker pen. Forty On the way home Murphy—you know, the numbers were usually sufficient. If more Murphy that makes the laws—caught up riders showed, the adhesive tape squares with me on Jackson Road. The borrowed were sliced progressively smaller, down to van’s left rear tire went flat. postage-stamp size. Now, before we loaded the van, I’d noticed The usual practice was for a rider to pick Tom had built a foot-high platform any number stuck to the table. I remember covering a good bit of the floor—a nice hanging back at my first enduro until a place to put an air mattress with storage dozen riders signed up. I paid my $2 and space underneath. I opened the back doors received—don't you know?—the only of the van and unloaded all the gear I could number left: one. reach easily. Then, opening a panel on the As a guess, I'd say 900 arrows were used back of the platform, I found the jack and on 80 miles of trail back then; today, due to lug wrench, but there was a solid divider in the tight, twisting trails needed to slow the the middle. vastly improved motorcycles (and riders), Great, just great. I had to unload the rest of almost 5,000 markers are used. the gear through the side door to get at the After one Sandy Lane enduro, someone spare tire. volunteered me to gather up all the club I was dripping with sweat from the heat gear and return it to Mike's basement. Used and frustration. There was stuff strewn to be, check crews wrote a competitor's over every inch of the school bus stop I was arrival time on a slip of paper and stuck it parked in. between his lips. Somebody else entered that figure in a copy book and the racer There was no spare tire under the damn kept the slip as his receipt. platform! The newer checkpoints are packed with Nothing, nada, zilch. Dust bunnies, empty hardware: welded iron uprights for the flip paper cups, but no tire. cards, the flip cards themselves, electronic

March 2017 | 25 | CityBike.com dr. gregory w. FRAZIER Chief, World of this machine you are the Adventure ultimate captain of adventure. Affairs Desk Look over the windscreen and imagine how you would look Artwork by Mr. Jensen and what you would be seeing as you piloted it over the Alaska Highway or tourist what he recommended on the The customer carefully dismounted the possibly Russia’s famed Road of Bones.” menu, saying, “In its class, the weight 1200, took back his helmet and jacket from is comparable to others, but with the the salesman, and walked slowly around The customer gazed ahead for a few impressive 125 horsepower it’s made to the motorcycle… twice. He unknowingly moments, conjuring as suggested haul the goods. You can easily carry all was making a less lustful inspection while hat’s the ultimate adventure the vision of how he’d look your camping gear, luggage and the Mrs. the image of his wife’s booted feet on the riding motorcycle, if you standing on the pegs, dodging on the back, adjust the rear foot pegs during his annual two weeks know what I mean,” said potholes on his suspension electronically of solo holiday riding freedom kept flashing “the salesmanT as he approached the way to Alaska and not notice the weight on his cranial flat screen, “Delete!” customer who was eyeballing a black as smoothly change in handling or He then walked over to the F700GS with BMW R1200GS Adventure model on the as the Boeing speed. Picture how you the salesman in tow. As he walked around it showroom floor. Dreamliner could could be cruising at 80 mph the salesman described technical aspects of fly over storms. on interstate 80 through rugged what he thought the customer was looking The potential buyer quickly commented, sections of Wyoming or Returning to reality, at, like tire size and oil filter location. “That’s the ultimate immediate divorce Utah and not be fighting the customer He was careful to not offer any verbal decree my wife needs to clean out the the infamous winds, both studied the forward suggestions for the customer to compute to savings account and take the house. How you and the Mrs. on your body work and next a look of adventure. about that F700GS over there—what can summer adventure.” you say about how much adventure I’ll get the rear panniers, “Let me sit on it. I want to see how it feels,” if I buy that?” then said, “It’s feels a The customer pondered the customer said as he handed his helmet bit wide at the knees, that cranial projection for and jacket to the salesman. “The F700GS is a very fine motorcycle, looks wide in the back. It a few moments, and then and a bit more affordable if you’re a feels comfortable but looked over at the F700GS, Once on the firm seat, feet on the pegs and budget-strapped adventurer,” answered the must be heavy.” pointed with his chin, and hands gripping the handlebars, he noticed salesman. He then added, “But first, before said, “Won’t that 700 His reality check there was no need to wiggle his buttocks we walk over there and check out that little haul the same goods included his into a softer mode. Looking over at the 700, why don’t you sit on the 1200, see how for nearly half off the subconscious 1200, he asked the salesman, “Besides it feels, and then you can try the 700.” price and over half the whispering having the ultimate look, and spending horsepower?” The customer handed his Harley-Davidson to him, twice the money, why buy that 1200 over this 700?” helmet and leather jacket to the salesman “This “Well, yes and carefully climbed on the 1200. He thing feels it will. The salesman, sensing twice the price gripped the handlebars and squirmed like my However, slipping away, opted to go with his last around on the seat to settle in his 55-year- neighbor’s you are best sales pitch, a final option that he’d old buttocks. Looking down at the Goldwing. I making a been taught was a successful hook, the switches, buttons and indicators, he said, feel like I’m clear statement about adventure psychological deal maker. He stepped “Man, this looks like what the pilot of a sitting in my Lazy Boy recliner while when you are on the 1200 closer to the customer and softly said, Boeing 787 must see when he straps into watching the Sunday football game Adventure versus the 700GS. The “Some buyers find the 1200 their secret his captain’s chair.” with a beer in one hand and a bag of chips looks you get on the 1200 from other real prescription for a solution to SPS, if you The psychologically astute and well- in the other. The only thing missing is the old adventure riders, anywhere in the world, know what I mean.” trained salesman quickly offered a lady yelling at me about falling asleep again tells you they know you are in the ultimate The customer, cold steely-eyed and with perfectly-timed positive affirmation to and spilling beer on the carpet.” adventure rider category because you have chosen the ultimate adventure riding no smile, looked at the salesman straight in the potential customer’s opinion, saying, The salesman spoke with the smoothness motorcycle over the smaller, less expensive his eyes and held the deadly stare until the “Yes sir, you’re clearly on top of the of a slippery tip-calculating waiter in models.” salesman blinked and looked away. adventure curve. When you take control a restaurant when asked by an idiot Dismounting the F700GS, the customer took back his helmet and jacket from the red-faced salesman, and said, less quietly, “Yeah, I know of Small Penis Syndrome. That final suggestion, added to the factors of the Mrs. and my unstrapped budget, has weighed heavily on my decision. I need this 700. Let’s go do the paperwork right now. I’ll be paying with USBF.” “Ahhh, errr…USDF?” asked the salesman. “United States Ben Franklins, as in the two wads of hundred-dollar bills, each a Repair & Service We Ship Worldwide minimum of six inches long, that I will immediately pull out of my two tightly packed front pants pockets, if you know what I mean.” Dr. Frazier’s all-color coffee table book, Down And Out In Patagonia, Kamchatka And CALL US FIRST! Timbuktu, available at MototorBooks. com, is the first-ever first-hand chronicle Salvaged & New Parts! of a never-ending motorcycle ride by “the world’s most cerebral motorcyclist,” and is highly recommended by Grant Johnson of Tue–Fri 10–6 Sat 9–5 HorizonsUnlimited.com.

March 2017 | 26 | CityBike.com Shadow, Sportster, Hayabusa. We Artwork by Sam Devine samsam DEVINEDEVINE catch on to their model numbers, those gobbledeegoop, alphabet soup titles like CB750, K100, SV650, FXR. We even get wise to nicknames like the Flying Brick, the Widow Maker, the Big One, the Black Bomber, Gixxers, Bonnies, Beezas and Beemers that come in Airhead and Oilhead; the varieties of Milwaukee Iron: Knucklehead, Panhead, Shovelhead, blockhead and gimme-head. We get hip to calling Ducatis “Ducks,” claiming KTM stands for “Kick Til Midnight” translating BMW to “Big Money Waster.” We try different bikes, find out what they he fake woodgrain counters are can do—and what they can be tweaked to cracked and chipped, fading to do. We discover that there are a thousand a strange nameless hue of pink. different ways to ride a bike, with infinite SmoothT patches of luminous plasticity have variations under each style. There are cafe been worn on them by packages and oily racers; cruisers; sportbikes; track bikes; hands. There’s a framed sign for a Star Trek dual-sports; flat trackers; rat rods; scooters; stamp collection… they can’t possibly still naked bikes; scramblers; streetfighters; be selling it, can they? dragsters; baggers; sidecars; dirtbikes; Don’t get your hopes up. This is the dirtbaggers; two-smokers; Wankels; post office—and the second attempt at mopeds; customs; gussied-up turds; retrieving a package. Consider it lucky if farkle-clad the motorcycle parts are actually here this tourers, and time. Dismiss any notion of “USA Forever” gas, electric stamps with Spock’s hand silhouetted around the Enterprise. Just hope there’s no five-dollar penny-counting (“fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-eight—oh, that’s not right! Let me start over. Now: one, two…”) or bad noise from some junkie desperately and steam-powered contrivances for every ride onto a trailer; or perhaps when you Sam is our SF-based columnist. He seeking some care package from home. intention. look at a post office you think: “Two pieces motorbikes, kitesurfs, and picks guitars. Miraculously, after a little wait, the parts The details cake up like mud on a fender of Iron for Motorcycle,” well, you just might Get a copy of his book, “Fifty Rides,” at are actually here. Unbelievable. until we hardly even see bikes any longer. be some kind of “motorcyclist.” SamDevine.com. Time to push the luck, just a little… We don’t just see make, model and serial “I'll be seeing you…” number. We see memories, stories, lives. “You don’t have any of the Star Trek stamps We imagine the rider that matches the bike. left, do you?” We picture ourselves on the bike, scheming new customizations. “No.” We remember friends we’ve ridden with. Dammit! Of course not! Sometimes we actually recognize a friend’s “Ok, thanks.” bike. Then, perhaps, we realize that friend was driven bonkers by the tech-boom— The package has come from Germany, particularly the influx of the tight pants bearing an import sticker declaring: known as “Nantucket Reds”—and he rode “Two pieces of iron for motorcycle.” that bike with his whole life away from Gotta love zee Germans. No sense Silicon Valley and into Tuscon. labeling the package more specifically than that. “DR350 lowering links” would The associations spiral out until there is be needlessly confusing to the customs no wizardly surgeon with any mystical agent—perhaps even alarming! “Just what scalpel capable of cutting bikes out of type of explosive compound is DR350?” our lives. The water is murky with two- “Where is this ‘lowering link’ in the wheeled tire tracks. As the bikes dissolve terrorist cell chain?” into our day-to-day world, they lose all their call-signs, becoming nameless pieces Regardless, visiting this post office in of metal again—tools, rolling wristwatch the years to come will cause a certain puzzles that let people chase dreams. The nostalgia for these metal dog bones. The parts we get from shops or in the mail—in tedious process of waiting in line, the their brown paper packages and stapled, joy at obtaining them, the rewarding plastic OEM bags—they start as float bowl and delicious egg sandwich at the cafe gaskets and lowering links and meld into next door. The cafe’s strange red shrines camping trips and conversations, early and unfamiliar music… The memory of morning meet ups and empty, winding the bike will be pungent in these places, country roads. recalling where it was parked, how it behaved in the rain, wondering how the To some folks, a bike is just a bike. They’ve parts will change its feel. never stopped to consider the differences between models, never pondered who the We attach memories to things that affect rider might be. And that’s fine but it’s also us, both good and bad. As motorcyclists, what separates bike nuts from the rest of Download the Catalog now! we naturally associate memories with society. If, when you look at a 350 EXC, aerostich.com/cb bikes. Not only do we remember the places your mind is whisked away to the side of a our bikes bring us, but we paint invisible dirt road and three friends fixing a flat; or layers of memory on motorcycles we when you see a 1150 GS, you think of your encounter. We learn their manufacturers roommate; or when you see a CL350 you Photo of Michael Campos, by Clint Graves -2015 ©2017 and engine sizes. 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March 2017 | 28 | CityBike.com Locals Only:

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Motor Works BMW Parts Take a European trip this year! Visit www.motorworks.co.uk • Huge range of new and used parts and accessories for all models from 1970 onwards • UK’s largest independent, 25 years experience • Competitive prices, fast shipping • Expert and friendly advice available • Trade customers welcome By Surj Gish He acquired the RT on the cheap from his there… but we all just kinda never got Photos by Surj Gish housemate and hit the road, without much together to go up there to do it. in the way of specific plans: I first met Nicco Eneidi at CityBike’s “So I had my father’s ashes in one 2016 Ride Friday Give Back benefit ride. “It was pretty sudden. I quit my job, sold saddlebag, and my grandpa’s in the other Gearing up in the parking lot, he told me off my other bikes and decided to spread saddlebag… I rode up as far as you can, he’d just returned to the Bay Area after his ashes across the country… just any and from there there’s a chairlift you can being on the road for three months. I said place that was beautiful and seemed right. take another thousand feet higher. I’d something like “that sounds interesting, But also, my grandfather had passed away originally planned to spread his ashes Quality Motorcycles we should talk,” and went 235 Shoreline Hwy. while hiking around up there, Mill Valley CA about the business of running Nicco’s onboard maintenance log. but I’m on the chairlift, and (415) 381-5059 the RFGB. I later learned that We’re not afraid of your old bike there’s no one around, and I’m Nicco wasn’t just footloosin’ like… might as well just do it about the country, fancy free, here while I’m up in the air.” EVENT SERVICES but that part of the ride had ANNOUNCING: "DUFFYDUZZ been about spreading his We share a laugh over the PROMOTIONS" father’s ashes. melancholic scenario, and then If you’re planning a M/C event of any sort, whether an Open House, a Special Sale Event, a Competition Event or even a Rally, a “pleasant but Nicco turns pensive: not pushy” voice (and your choice of music) can make a huge difference In early February, Nicco and in the excitement and remembrance of your event. I met up at Middle Harbor “I had this misconception that Have P.A. / Will Travel... Shoreline Park to talk about when I got back, you know, I have been “The Voice” of Ducati Island at Moto G.P. (‘98 - ‘06) the Wilseyville Hare Scrambles (‘98 - ‘12) ...Most recently; La Ducati Day, La his travels and take pictures everything would be like, ok Honda, MOTORAMA Car Show, Lafayette, sub’ Announcer at Continental Sports Car Challenge Laguna Seca, Santa Rosa flattrack for Circle Bell of him and the R1150RT again. It fuckin’ wasn’t, man. Motorsports... and more... References and resume available. Find me he put 14,000 miles on over You know? It’s still difficult, on FaceBook: “Duffyduzz Promotions” for all contact info - or - call 510- 292-9391 - or - E/M: [email protected] three months. We talk of his almost more difficult. Now I’m route, destinations, national back, I’m no longer on a mission, parks… but I’m interested in and there’s more time to think his motivation. three years ago and originally we had this about things. plan, we were all gonna get together and Like many of us, he longed to escape spread his ashes on Mount Hood, outside “It definitely helped a lot to be on the road, the daily requirements of normal life, to of Portland. it was definitely a healing road. For sure. disappear on a cross-country ride for a I don’t know why I thought everything while, but found those shackles hard to “My grandparents actually met on would be better, magically, after I got break: that mountain, got married on that back. But it was very much needed.” mountain… there’s a lot of family history “I’d wanted to do a cross-country trip for the past few years, but then this last year, I kinda got to the point where I couldn’t take that much time off from my job, can’t afford to pay my rent ADVERTISING the whole time I’m gone… it’s basically not doable. And then, it works! my father passed away in the summer and at Contact CityBike to place a that point, I was like: fuck it man, now or advertisement and reach never. I could just work thousands of Bay Area the same shitty job that motorcycle enthusiasts. I’ve hated for the past five years, be in the same place… or get on my bike and go.” 415-282-2790

March 2017 | 29 | CityBike.com Tankslapper

Well Jeff, calling it a “study” has been sued, and what support can we send Second year in Baja saw a better suspended Mr. Smelly is back, with his handmade notes to CityBike! might be churching it up a bit. them to fight the lawsuit? DRZ with a smaller front sprocket and some But we did take a bunch of old K270s cruising across the dry lake bed where helmets down to Bell’s lab in I found these giant sign posts marking a path Scotts Valley and give them a Safest car in the world. through the desert, each with a water cache. good rogering, with professional "Damn" I thought, "I wish I had a copy of guidance from the lab staff, or City Bike. And a camera." course. You can read that story Third year (this year) I again bought a dirt (“The Truth About Helmets” – bike a month before the trip. A Yamaha November 2014) in one of the TW200. A machine designed to make the many glorious PDFS available most inexperienced dirt biker feel confident on our back issues page at in sandy terrain surrounded by cactus and CityBike.com/back. Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba Burro shit. Hauling both there solved the Unsuitable "Who gets to ride the dirt bike today?" debate. Editor Surj in the lab at Bell. Good question, So here it is, CityBike, myself and 2-time Dirt Andrew, from Andrew. This stuff Bike Camp alum Jen "JD" Devine at Sign Berkeley, or is maddeningly Post Seven, Laguna Salada, Baja California, Berserkely, as difficult to keep Mexico, 32.20 N, 115.66 W. the rest of the US track of. There are has undoubtedly now three lawsuits, Fun Fact: Under the armor, I'm wearing an started calling filed by Alameda "Any Two Wheels" t-shirt! the home of 924 County; an Gilman Street, alliance consisting Boxed Out Keep A Lid On It wrote to ask about of Friends of Tesla We got an anonymous email from a North Jeff emailed to ask about our helmet- the Carnegie legal situation Park, the Center Bay reader: bashing history: we wrote about back in for Biological January (“Surprise, Surprise: Diversity and FYI the Santa Rosa boxes at The Motorcycle I understand you guys gathered up a whole Carnegie Expansion Lawsuit” the Alameda Shop and Santa Rosa BMW are empty :-( bunch of helmets and had Bell helmet test – News, Clues & Rumors, Creek Zeke at ATW 2015, orange Laverda them. I was wondering where I could get the Janury 2017): Photo: Angelica Rubalcaba Alliance; and results of that study please? Thanks! And in the back. I just read your story on the thanks for doing your part to make Riders SPRAWLDEF (Sustainability Parks lawsuit filed over Carnegie expansion. Who safer! Recycling and Wildlife Legal Defense Fund). Mas Baja We met Zeke at our man Sam Devine’s Any Two Wheels show a couple years ago, thanks to his striking orange Laverda. He’s been Photo: Surj Gish to Baja recently, too—and he took CityBike with him! Thanks for the heads up, nameless friend. For the past three years I've been bringing Sad face indeed! my DRZ400S down to a place in Baja called Canyon De Guadalupe, on the edge We try hard to have just enough copies of Laguna in our racks without Salada, too many left over at southwest of the end of the month, Mexicali. The but it’s hard to know. first year, I had Someone spills some just bought oil or cleans their the DRZ and birdcage, grabs a had never bunch of extra copies, ridden off-road. and all the sudden "At the age of we’ve got an empty 44" I thought, rack crisis on our "Why not teach hands! yourself off-road riding in a remote canyon 50 miles south of the border. Your What could go wrong?" I survived, and no s U S Med-Evacs were needed. t

u

I felt I could have done better, so I went to Dirt d f

Bike Camp with Kevin Anderson, back when n f

he had his track up in Orland. I learned that e

a DRZ400 is like riding Bullwinkle Moose S around a motocross track, and anything in the 200cc and below range is more Rocket J. Squirrel. "Think Outside The Berm!" I would yell as the DRZ entered another wormhole [email protected] and reappeared somewhere else on the track. PO Box 18783 Oakland, CA 94619

March 2017 | 30 | CityBike.com Goodbye, turkey. With this much true adventure on tap, someone’s attorney is surely gonna be in touch. Photo: Max Klein