photo of the month

News, Clues & Rumors Volume XXIX, Issue 4 Publication Date: March 19 , 2011

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

On The Cover: On the Cover: Bob Stokstad snaps his shutter on CityBike reader Richard Harmon showing off his shiny new 2012 Zero S in front of Golden Gate Park’s freshly restored Murphy windmill.

RASH DECISIONS

Contents: NCR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 New Stuff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Moto5ive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 eBikes: Zero and Brammo . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Renting and Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Hough: Rider Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Maynard Hershon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ed Hertfelder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Dr Gregory W Frazier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Tankslappers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Marketplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Call your Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

CityBike Staff: PO Box 10659 Oakland, CA 94610 Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 415/282-2790 E-mail: . . . . . . . . . . . . . info@citybike .com Find us online: . . . . . . . . . . . . citybike .com News ‘n Clues: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Staff Editor-in-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . .Frank Jeckell

San Francisco Police Officers Alan Hom and Rene LaPrevotte keeping abreast of the latest CityBike at the Hoa Lo prison (aka the Hanoi Hilton) in Hanoi, Vietnam. One interesting rule is stated in English on the sign behind Hom (right): “Smoking, moving artifacts are prohibited.” Frolicking is also prohibited. It is a prison, after all...

GOLDEN GATE CYCLES CLOSING After 35 years, San Francisco’s multi-line Japanese motorcycle dealership, Golden Gate Cycles, is shutting its doors. Owner Ray Nowakowski told CityBike he “got a

Nowakowski told us the buyer and sale price are remaining anonymous for now, although we assume it’s another dealer of motor vehicles, as he told us he’ll try to sell one or two of his brands along with the building, in which case it’ll probably keep operating as Golden Gate Cycles. The

Senior Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pat Karwan Contributing Editors: . . . Steve Mortkowitz, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Gutowski Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk:. . . . . . . . . . . .Mick Mansuetto Staff Photographers: . . . . . . . .Jerry Yester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glenn Lewis Art Director: . . . . . . . . . Oscar Dominguez Advertising Sales: . . . . . . . . .Floyd Marcus

Contributors: Dan Baizer, Craig Bessenger, John Bishop, Joanne Donn, John D’India (RIP), Mike Felder, Dr. Gregory Frazier, Will Guyan, Joe Glydon (RIP), Brian Halton, David Hough, Maynard Hershon, Ed Hertfelder, Harry Hoffman, Otto Hofmann, Jon Jensen, David Lander, Lucien Lewis, Ed Milich, Courtney Olive, Larry Orlick, Jason Potts, Bob Pushwa, Gary Rather, Curt Relick, Charlie Rauseo, Mike Solis, Ivan Thelin, James Thurber, Adam Wade. CityBike is published on or about the third Monday of each month. Editorial deadline is the 1st of each month. Advertising information is available on request. Unsolicited articles and photographs are always welcome. Please include a full name, address and phone number with all submissions. We reserve the right to edit manuscripts or use them to wipe our large, fragrant bottoms. ©2012, CityBike Magazine, Inc. Citybike Magazine is distributed at over 150 places throughout California each month. Taking more than a few copies at any one place without permission from CityBike Magazine, Inc, especially for purposes of recycling, is theft and will be prosecuted to the full extent of civil and criminal law. Yeah! CityBike magazine is owned by CityBike Magazine, Inc and has teams of sleep-deprived, coke-addicted attorneys ready to defend it from frivolous lawsuits, so even if you see Lucien Lewis doing one of his wheelies on the cover and decide you want to do that too and then you hit a parked car and your bike is wedged under a van and it catches fire and the Vallejo FD has to come and extinguish the resulting blaze and four cars and your bike are melted into slag and you suffer permanent trauma including a twisted pinkie, sleeplessness and night terrors, it’s not CityBike Magazine Inc.’s fault and we don’t have any assets so just suck on it. You know better.

After 17-plus years of accident-free riding, Publisher Wills managed to wash his Superhawk’s front wheel out five feet from a crosswalk in Berkeley at eight mph when he was surprised by an oblivious bicyclist and grabbed more brake lever than the painted Stop mark on the road allowed in traction. Wearing a two-piece Dianese suit and boots, he fractured a bone in his lower left leg when it got tangled up under the falling bike, but credits wearing armored gear with keeping him from avoiding a broken shoulder and serious road rash, since well designed gear does that sort of thing. Hat tip to the Berkeley PD, FD, and Meat-wagon for not once telling him that “motorcycles are dangerous, dontcha know?” The Berkeley PD Motor Pool gets a free CityBike delivered for the motor officers there as a reward. A few days later, confined to the Armored Magazine Carrier at speed on 880, our Publisher saw a guy on a Buell float by with a cheap helmet, cheap jacket, garden gloves, and what looked like Velcro-strapped baseball-umpire lower leg protection over jeans. If you look around, you may see similar (or much worse) out on the road. After wrecking Editor Ets-Hokin’s K100RS 17 years ago during a swapperoo on a ride and seeing his kneecap laid open during the get-off, he’s a disciple of wearing good protective gear, and wants to remind all of the jeans-wearers out there that nobody’s immune. Thinking/hoping it won’t happen doesn’t change your odds or the outcome when there’s a round in the chamber with your name on it. Getting yourself some serious gear if you’re serious about not being turned into hamburger is the theme of the month. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

great offer on the building, things have been slow, and I just turned 60.” In other words, after decades in the industry (he took over at GGC when he was just 29 years old), it’s time to do something else.

remaining brands he’ll try to sell to other local dealers, or we may see a new player on the scene. GGC will operate for at least another 60 to 90 days, depending on how fast the deal goes through.

Like what? Well, Nowakowski has other passions, including personal fitness and competitive bass fishing, and we didn’t get the impression he’d miss the motorcycle biz too much. However, he does have lots of friends in the industry—he is also head of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association, a trade group that has flexed some serious muscle fighting legislation including anti-lane-splitting (an annual thing, says Ray) and regulations to keep us from fitting aftermarket exhausts and other accessories.

When asked if he had any regrets about leaving, Nowakowsky said, “I love the industry, love the people in it—dealers and customers. I’m gonna miss that. I may still do some things in the industry, but I want freedom to do other things. It’s been a lot of fun--it’s been a great time, but I’ve got the opportunity to move on, so I’m going to.”

April 2012 | 3 | CityBike.com

SO YOU WANT TO BUY DUCATI? We told you last month that Ducati’s owner, Investindustrial, is considering selling the company for a cool $1.3 billion (reports since then put the purchase price closer to $400 million, as Ducati’s

liabilities are less than what was suspected previously). Much speculation about who will buy has followed, with the usual suspects—BMW and Harley Davidson— rolled out. The actual buyer may be a surprise. A prime suspect is Indian motorcycle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp, which was also in the news recently for teaming up with Erik Buell’s AMA racing program in exchange for R&D support. Hero is probably the largest motorcycle company you’ve never heard of—and one of the largest manufacturers on the planet, with 5.4 million units sold in 2011. Previously called Hero Honda, the 55-year-old company once had a licensing agreement to build Honda motorcycles in India. That agreement will end in 2014, so the company (with something like a billion dollars in cash reserves) is looking for a company with design chops and big-name cachet to keep it up to speed and help it to grow into new markets. “We’re talking to a lot of people. Not just Ducati—whoever comes to us, we talk to them,” said Hero Managing Director Pawan Kant Munjal in an interview. Hero wouldn’t be the first Indian automotive firm to snap up a European brand—Tata Motors bought Land Rover, and Bajaj Auto now owns a big chunk of KTM. These partnerships seem to benefit both buyer and buyee, as parts get cheaper, capital gets infused, new customers start buying and the new parent gets the branding and prestige benefit. Mahindra and Mahindra may also be a possible suitor.

Another possible buyer may be Audi. As reported in the U.K.’s Car magazine, Volkswagen Auto Group has been eyeing the brand since the last time it was teetering on bankruptcy—in 2008 CEO Ferdinand Piech said it was a mistake to not have bought it—and has secured a right of first refusal should Ducati officially be up for sale. That would probably work out well, as VW has saved several auto brands, like Bugatti, Bentley, Skoda—and yes, Audi— from death or even extinction.

EXCELSIOR-HENDERSON TO BE RE-REVIVED?

a former sewing-factory space over SF Moto (275 8th Street in San Francisco) to use as workspace for his design company. Industry insiders expect that private equity SF Moto had been using the space to firm American Investment Partners will store sales inventory and customer’s bikes formally announce on April 1st that it will waiting for service (there’s a large freight invest $100 million to resurrect the revived Excelsior-Henderson brand name. Production on a new series of motorcycles will begin at the end of 2013.

The first model to be rolled out will be known as the “New New OLD AND BOLD? Excelsior-Henderson Super This nice note and photo came from the New X All New,” a cruiserHayward Motorcycle Club: styled sporty dirt bike with a small windshield and extra “The 65th annual Cowbell Enduro, wheels, according to a press hosted by the Hayward Motorcycle Club release dated April 1. The design took place in November, 2011. Phil Ray competed and got the class win plus he was harkens back to the glory days of recognized by the club for competing in the 1999, when Excelsior Henderson motorcycles roared down America’s Cowbell for 50 years, 1961-2011. roads in select markets in the hundreds, Phil is pictured receiving his award from or possibly 1100. Jim Donahoe of the Hayward MC, Phil, Phil’s daughter Barbara and Bruce Kelley of Another model, the “New E-H Heritage the Hayward MC. Phil is the retired owner Classic Late 1999 Soft-o-Rigid Sporty Tour Classic Super Classic” will have an extra of Kawasaki-Honda of Modesto.” slathering of chrome and will include a commerative umbrella stand made from an elephant’s foot. “We want folks to remember a simpler time, when Gloria Estefan was big news and we were just starting to get sick of “South Park” said Rod Hurlickson, director of Old-New-New Projects at the New New Excelsior-Henderson Motor Company. “The market is ripe for a late-’90s styled retro-bike.” American Investment Partners gained notoriety in business circles for resurrecting such great names as Coleco, Necco, Hupmobile, and George Peppard.

elevator to the street), but Anderson realized it could be a great studio space for local artists to show their work: “there are tremendously talented people in San Francisco’s motorcycle community.” Jason Friend participates heavily with Bay Area Vintage Riders, a discussion forum for owners of older motorcycles, owners who all had unfinished projects in their garages and basements. Rather than wait (forever) for these projects to be finished, why not show them in their unfinished state? Unfinished Projects 2011 was born.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Most custom-bike shows feature an array of perfect, completed motorcycle projects with polished chrome and perfect paint, accompanied by squads of Hot Chicks having photos taken with drooling middleaged men. But isn’t the process what’s interesting about projects? Where the bike came from, what the builder wanted to accomplish, where the parts came from, what it looked like before the building began? That’s why Jason Friend and Jason Anderson came up with their “Unfinished Projects” show around Christmas time in 2010. It started with Anderson renting

Gallery Moto SF’s Unfinished Projects show got so packed you couldn’t see the bikes on display.

Organized by Anderson, Friend and their wives Lori (Friend) and Tara, the event was a success, with 15 bikes on display and work from seven artists on the walls. But 2012 turned out even better. Twenty motorcycles in various states of completion lined the walls of the gallery and 10 artists showed their sculpture, paintings, photography and other work. “News, Clues” was on hand on the opening night at the end of February, and we were stunned by the crowds swarming through the show and out on the street. Not only were there large numbers of people (Anderson guessed around 300, but he had no way of really knowing), but they were much younger (and more attractive) than the usual gang of surly, pot-bellied middle-aged men seen at most S.F. Bay Area motoevents (we love you guys, but can you at least trim your ear hair every so often?). We ain’t art critics, but we slept through enough college art-history lectures to know the art on display was cutting-edge, fresh and interesting. But we were really there to check out the bikes, and this year held no disappointments. SF Vintage Cycle showed off a 1948 Triumph ST racebike, there was a very cool BSA Rocket III cafe


racer, a 1936 Indian Four that “Red Fred” Johansen is converting to fuel-injection (“I should be the only one on the block with this kinda shit”), a ‘65 Norton Atlas 750 getting the vintage racer treatment and an original Arlen Ness Panhead Digger from the ‘70s getting brought back to pristine condition by Darren Lee Rowe. Groovy. But the star of the show, if you ask us, was Bob Guynes’ (star of “the World According to Bob,” August 2012) incredible Benelli/ Honda hybrid. It’s a 750cc 6-cylinder Benelli Sei grafted into an early Honda CB750 frame with a CB72 front end. The

techniques.” Superbike Coach’s courses start at just $49 and cover a large range of topics, motorcycle styles and skill levels. Find out more by going to the website or calling 916/712-1817.

NO-SHOW SHOW This note came from the organizers of the Classic Japanese Motorcycle show and swap meet that was scheduled for the end of March at the Indoor Flat Track in San Jose on March 31. “Due to an unfortunate sequence of events, we are forced to cancel the European and Asian Motorcycle Show scheduled for March 31, 2012 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds (The short-track racing and the All-British show are not affected and are scheduled to occur).

“Many issues have converged forcing us to postpone the event for one year. An unexpected conflict and travel out of the country for the full week surrounding the show, stumbles the God-like fabricator Bob Guynes contemplates his Benelli-six/ coordination and support Honda CB750 hybrid. No big deal, right? that the show requires with its small army of volunteers, fabrication and engineering work that went into the finished (is that cheating?) project that are recruited every year for the several days of setup, assistance on show day and is incredible, made even more staggering when you consider the 70s-ish Guynes put the following day for break-down. the bike together in a month. “Secondly, our space sign-ups are at less than 10% of where they were in any of the Clearly, the event needs more space for last years at the same time (as an example, next year, and Anderson told me they’re working on it. In the meantime, the gallery the entries for the show number 8 (3 for will be used to showcase local moto-artists the Japanese and 5 for the Euro at this and will be open to the public. Even though point). Last year at this time we had over 85 pre-registrations (40 Japanese and 45 he’ll be at work, he told us “I always love European). Hans and Allen fund this event to have an excuse to put my pen down on their own. It costs several thousand and have a chat about bikes or art.” You dollars to rent the hall, purchase insurance, can go to the Galley Moto SF website buy trophies and coordinate the event. (motosf.com) or Bay Area Vintage Riders With pre-registrations at this unexpectedly (bayareavintageriders.com) for more information about gallery shows and hours. low level we believe that this may be a significant money-losing event for us.

KARI’S KORNER

She reveals her curves with a timing that teases and taunts me to turn up the wick, Kari’s Korner is a regular feature we started in honor of Cal Moto BMW/Triumph founder Kari and run just a little harder. But I know my limits, and know when, and where, Prager. It highlights poetry, music, prose and and what pushes them, and it’s not luck other artistic expressions of CityBIke readers. This month we have two submissions: a prose or stupidity, because for me, respect will piece from Marin Sunday Ride regular Jeff Latta. always remain as lesson one. My Monster

On the outside you feel the wind, heat, and the engine, but on the inside, you By Jeff Latta could hear a pin drop, as your body I start to giggle in my helmet, as I wind absorbs the load and forces from the road out all of third gear, and feel the hair passing by inches underneath you. So I on my arms stand up, and rest of me listen with my whole body, because she is becomes alive. telling me her secrets in a language that can only be heard by feel, attempting to My internal tachometer then indicates decipher an ocean of feedback, making the right rpm, so I click fourth gear, and adjustments, all within a split second. twist the throttle wide open again. Out of There is no room for anything else at the corner of my eye, I check my gauges. this speed. So I release my thoughts as We are way past a buck and change, so my quickly as the road passes by, and let it all giggling continues. disappear into my mirrors. Everything Whatever mental luggage I was carrying vanishes into the past behind me. got dumped the second this road began, Welcome to my favorite place in the and I am now totally consumed by world. The horizon’s tail. my passion, in my version of heaven, as the high-speed rhythm of the road This is my place that I found. I spend hypnotizes me, unfolding herself, corner as much time here as I can. It is the by corner. only place I have found that makes being anywhere else worth it. There is a I focus only on the creation point, monster inside of me, always has been, coveting the rest of my view peripherally, and all it wants to eat is asphalt chasing the horizon, as my helmet slices my view, as it goes blurring down each side of my visor. Just let us know how you want us to handle it.”

extreme longdistance Contact the Classic Japanese Motorcycle rider John Club at cjmc.org. We’re dissapointed, as Ryan. we were going to enter an editorial project Ryan’s in the show, but we’ll still attend to check claim to out the Clubman’s show and the awesome fame is indoor racing. See you there! riding from Prudoe AT LEAST STOP FOR THIS... Bay, If you weren’t at the Combustion Event Alaska— book-reading at Addiction Motors on on Alaska’s March 4th, you missed out. The event north was packed (about 100 people), and put coast, and Melissa reads from “The Man together in a first-class way, and even Who would Stop at Nothing.” we didn’t though it was five hours of sitting on folding Photo by Bob Stokstad NEW SCHOOL realize “We plan to carry on and hold the event chairs and listening to people talk, there Alaska even When we’re made aware of a new next year, and if you are able to help and wasn’t a bored-looking visage in the shop. had a north coast—to Key West, Florida motorcycle-training opportunity, we volunteer for next year please let us know! in just 86 hours, 31 minutes, 9.5 hours less want to let our readers know about it. Can We can use the help. Also, please remember The event’s purpose was to let Bay Area than the prior record. Akkaya, former German Superbike racer, riders (and readers) meet writer Melissa to sign-up early for next year! author and founder of Superbike Coach. Holbrook-Pierson (author of The Perfect After a gourmet lunch, time to mingle and Superbike Coach (superbike-coach.com) is “For those few who have sent in checks, Motorcycle and The Man Who Would Stop at a raffle for door prizes, Pierson gave an a Sacramento-based school with programs they can either be destroyed or sent back. Nothing) and the subject of her latest book, for everybody from basic street riders to top racers. He teaches both street and racetrack classes, and seems excited to announce his first classes at Laguna Seca on May 28th. He is also fearless enough to offer a wheelie course, which the Editorial We might just need to take, as covers have been getting kind of boring lately. “Superbike Coach courses don’t require a fancy track bike or tons of experience.” the school tells us in a press release. “Riders can use their own motorcycles or rent one of the school’s specially designed instruction bikes, and every class is personally tailored to the needs and skill levels of the individual students. Beginners and professionals alike have benefited from Coach Akkaya’s years of experience and professional one-on-one training April 2012 | 5 | CityBike.com

inconvenient distractions. The Interstate highway system is the preferred method of travel. Some interesting surprises: Ryan doesn’t break the law and didn’t rely on the expanded tank on his Yamaha FJR1300 as much as you’d think—he gassed up every 250 miles or so on average. He discussed managing his diabetes on his rides, and it was fascinating to learn it actually helped him manage his time and fuel-stop schedule. Ryan seems to treat his body as another piece of machinery, to be managed and maintained on a regular schedule. Also of interest: Ryan rode a 1400-mile day completely within the City and County of San Francisco (he just rode back and forth on I-280).

Above: John Ryan enjoyed answering the many questions from the audience about longdistance riding and was willing to talk a little about himself as well. Top right: Wrappping up the afternoon, Ed Milich read from “Wrenched” and from his new event organizer Nicky Yeager). As good as book, “Fueled.” Bottom right: Christina Shook tells about the new book “Live Full Throttle” by Tamela Rich. It’s about motorcycling and surviving cancer. Christina did the photography. Photos by Bob Stokstad

1204 PORTOLA AVE

925-371-8413 • WWW.MOTOWRX.COM

excellent and emotional reading from The Man Who Would Stop at Nothing, followed by a Q-and-A session with Ryan himself (both Pierson and Ryan were flown in and hosted at considerable expense by

Pierson’s reading was, Ryan’s time at the mike was memorable, as he revealed many details of the logistics and strategy of the long-distance rider. Also in attendance (although he didn’t speak to the crowd) was LD champion Dave McQueenie, with 1.7 million miles under his belt. What was remarkable is how focused and disciplined Ryan is. The clock is what rules his life on the road—meals, sleep and waste elimination are treated as

Pierson and Ryan were preceded by photographer and author Christina Shook (Chicks on Bikes), who gave a slideshow of her work from a new book by Tamela Rich, Live Full Throttle: Life Lessons From Friends who Faced Cancer. The book tells the story of women cancer survivors raising awareness for cancer research by riding motorcycles around the country. The program was wrapped up with CityBike contributor and man-about-town Ed Milich reading lively poems and prose from his collections Wrenched and Fuelled. It was a classy event, well attended and enthusiastically received, a kind of onlyin-Northern California sort of thing that reminds us why it’s good to be a motorcyclist here. Combustions Event and Addiction Motors both indicated they want to do more stuff like this in the future, so be sure to read our events calendar to get the latest information.

NEW STUFF NONE OF YOUR LIP Excited about Suzuki’s new V-Strom? We are too, but we’ll bet the wind protection could use improvement. Fortunately, Laminar Industries is offering one of its LIPs just for the new model. It installs with included adhesive in minutes, is easily detachable, and if it works like other LIPs we’ve tested (for a Triumph Speed 4 and Kawasaki Versys, if you want photo: Steve Burton

photo: Hana Krulova

photo: Steve Burton

THE QUAIL MOTORCYCLE GATHERING Saturday, May 5, 2012 The Quail Motorcycle Gathering 10:00am – 3:30pm Celebrating the Evolution of the Motorcycle

Friday, May 4, 2012 The Quail Ride

specifics), it will expand wind protection without adding turbulence or noise. Cool products—check them out at laminarlip.com or call 714/540-8006.

Tickets and information Phone: 1 (831) 620-8887 Toll-free: 1 (877) 734-4628 [email protected] www.quaillodgeevents.com


I just got a Harley last year after riding mostly Honda street bikes. It is a different animal, and I wasn’t aware how much until I got one. So here are 5ive things I learned about Harleys:

5. Non-Harleys are called Metrics. ‘Metric’ is a somewhat derogatory term for a bike that isn’t American. There actually are some metric bolts, especially with aftermarket parts, but whatever. Also, they refer to models with names instead of numbers. Sportster, Super Glide, and Road King instead of GSXR (gixxer), FZR, or CBR, for example. When there is an R in the name it means a rubber mounted engine, not Racing.

4. They make a signature noise. The sound of a Harley is unique. It’s a deep whup-whup sound that is very pleasing. I never completely grokked the differences before riding one. Also the thing rattles so much that if you take your hand off the handlebar, the mirror shakes so much you can’t see out of it. It sets off car alarms. And actually it feels pretty good.

2012 FZ8’s Are Here!

3. They are simple machines At least until fuel injection in the late 90’s early 00’s, you can just look at the engine from the side of the bike and be able to tell pretty much what’s going on. Air sucks in here, mixes with the fuel there, and I can tell by the rattling that explosions are happening near the top of the engine at the spark plugs right there.

2. Harley riders don’t do peace signs

carmel c aliforni a m aY 5 , 2 0 1 2

Vintage and modern motorcycles welcome Early Bird Departure / Regular Departure Featuring parade laps at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

by Torrey Nommenson Photo courtesy Harley-Davidson. CityBike neglected to run a by-line for last month’s Moto5ive by Torrey Nommenson. We regret the error and assure readers that “Torrey Nommenson” is actually a real person, even if he lives in L.A.

When I was riding a crotch rocket, I noticed that when I gave the twofingered deuce to guys on Harleys, they usually didn’t respond. Turns out it’s a different kind of salute. It’s a sort of a low wave: you stick your arm out at about 45 degrees or less, palm facing down and parallel to the road.

This bike screams attitude!

1. Chicks dig Harleys

BERKELEY YAMAHA

No, really. I have been getting a ton of looks and interest from this bike. I don’t have a rear seat and I’m in a relationship so it does me no good. But I can’t help but notice that I’ve been getting more attention from the ladies, oh yes.

Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Please respect the environment, obey the law, and read your owner's manual thoroughly.


735 GILMAN STREET BERKELEY (510) 525-5525 www.berkeley-yamaha.com Tues.-Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-5 — Sun.-Mon. Closed

SHOCKING NEWS

new model gets redesigned side-by-side damping adjusters, and the sum of the Do we really have to tell you that Öhlins improvements means “less hysteresis, makes the best motorcycle freedom from cavitation, and completely suspension in the world? isolated rebound and compression Well, if it’s not damping functions.” Well, for $1457, it the best, it’s better, (and it probably does) that’s all we certainly can say. Head to ohlinsusa.com or call the most 828/692-4525 to find out if “all current and desirable. many late-model sportbikes” includes your Its ride, and if there’s a CityBike discount. TTX36 roadracing BIG RACK ATTACK shock has been Black Dog Cycle Works sent us a press adopted by racers release telling us about its BDCW worldwide, and Multi-function Rear Rack no wonder—its ($109 and up) and Winch twin-tube design Support Plate ($79), and delivers consitent we had to ask, “did you say performance. winch support plate?” Really? Behold the tastiness Really. The racks are made in the USA out of 1/4-inch of the upgraded TTX36 MKII. Aside hard-anodized aluminum and have the ability to from a number mount the Rotopax one or of improvements two-gallon fuel or water in piston design carriers or the (wait for it) and materials, the

Warn XT17 or RT15 electric winches with the optional winch support plate. We here in the editorial offices regard going to the post office box an adventure most days, and feel if we had to prepare for a ride by having a winch on our luggage rack we probably would stay home. But we hope many of you would think this is the greatest expression of adventure-rider manly-man cool ever and will head to blackdogcw.com or call 208/263-0438.

EVENTS APRIL 2012

Every day through April 28, 2012

First Monday of each month (April 2, May 7):

Moto Bellissima Exhibit at SFO

2:30 – 10:00 pm: Northern California Ducati Bike Nights at Benissimo (one of Marin’s finest Italian Restaurants), 18 Tamalpias Dr, Corte Madera. NorCalDoc.com 6:00 pm: American Sport Bike Night at Dick’s Restaurant and Cocktails, 3188 Alvarado Street, San Leandro. Bring your Buell and hang out with like-minded riders. All brands welcome! Our meeting of Buell and Motorcycle enthusiasts has been happening the first Monday of the month for the last 12 years, without ever missing a meeting. We have had many local and national celebrities from the motorcycle world grace our meetings. It has been fun and exciting. americansportbikenight.net 6:00 pm: California (Northern, East Bay) NORCAL Guzzi Bike Night at Applebee’s at McCarthy Ranch Mall, off 880, in Milpitas, California. All MGNOC members, interested Guzzi riders, and all other motorcycle riders always welcome. More information, contact Pierre at: 408/710-4886 or [email protected]. Second Tuesday of Each Month (April 10, May 8) 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm: East Bay Ducati Bike Night at Pizza Antica (3600 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, 925/299-0500) Bike parking on the street right in front of the restaurant, indoor and heated outdoor seating, excellent wine list. All moto brands welcome. Bring your appetite and a smile, be prepared to make new friends. Third Sunday of each month (April 15, May 20): 9:00 am: California (Northern) Moto Guzzi National Owners Club (MGNOC) breakfast at Putah Creek Cafe in picturesque Winters, California (Highways 505/128) MGNOC members and interested Guzzi riders meet for breakfast and a good time. The Putah Creek Cafe is located at Railroad Avenue. More information contact: Northern California MGNOC Rep, Don Van Zandt at 707-557-5199. Evenings: Moto-Sketch at Tosca Cafe: come and sketch a live model draped over a custom bike. $7 to sketch, free to just watch. Tosca Cafe, 242 Columbus Ave. in S.F. First Saturdays of each month (April 1, May 5) Mission Motorcycles (6292 Mission St. Daly City, missionmotorcycles. com 650/992-1234) has Brown Bag Saturdays: 15% off all parts and accessories you can stuff into a brown paper sack.


The Italian propensity for artistic design, historically demonstrated in a wide range of manufactured goods, has perhaps never been better exemplified than in the beautiful motorcycles that graced Italy’s racetracks and roadways in the 1950s and 1960s. Over the course of two decades, an unprecedented number of Italian firms, many of them lost to history, produced a dizzying array of smallsized motorcycles for a country with a desperate need for mobility after World War II. These machines were created at a time of impoverished resources, but consistent with a characteristically Italian insistence on producing, and demanding, objects of extraordinary design and beauty. Nineteen motorcycles, ranging from singularly produced racers such as Carlo Ubbiali’s 1951 Mondial 125cc Bialbero Grand Prix to 50cc production bikes from the late 1960s, demonstrate that while necessity breeds invention, the results can be truly stunning. Moto Bellissima: Italian Motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s is located presecurity in the International Terminal Main Hall Departures Lobby, San Francisco International Airport. The exhibition is on view to all Airport visitors from November 5, 2011 to April 28, 2012. There is no charge to view the exhibition. For more information, please visit flysfo.com/museum .

The Ultimate Sport-Urban-Adventure-Tourer 150 horsepower 15,000 mile service intervals Traction Control Plus available ABS Electronic Suspension Luggage System

Friday, March 30th to Saturday, March 31st Indoor Flat-Track Racing at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds (344 Tully Road San Jose) Indoor motorcycle racing on concrete is back in San Jose. Come see one of the most exciting races of the year! The machines are 450cc flattrack bikes tearing up the fairgrounds in San Jose. Handlebar bashing, elbow-to-elbow racing in a cage. Friday: Practice and optional barbeque. Practice starts at 2:00 pm and runs till 6:00 pm, then the barbeque will follow. Invite all your friends to join us for practice, dinner and a night of bench racing and remembering the “Good Old Days.” Saturday: 2:00 pm-10:00 pm: Calling all spectators: don’t miss this; come out to see 3-4 hours of close racing inside the Expo Building at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Saturday, 6:00-9:30 pm. Experience Pro Racing at its best! Spectator’s seats will make you feel like you’re almost on top of the action.

Call to schedule a private demo ride

Pit pass: $30, Spectators: $20. Riders: $30 for Friday practice, $50 to race first class, $35 for each class after that. Info: sanjoseindoor.com or call Pete at 408/249-4336 or email: heartoncl@ aol.com.

412 Valencia, San Francisco www.munroemotors.com

3600 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz www.motoitaliano.com

1289 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale www.hondapeninsula.com

(415) 626-3496

(831) 462-6686

(408) 739-6500


machines competing for trophies in various classes, motorcycle celebrities, vendors, a swap meet and throngs of adoring fans. This all-indoor show is the largest All-British Motorcycle Show West of the Mississippi. And it’s right here in our backyard, in San Jose.

8:00 am-4:00 pm: Clubman’s AllBritish Weekend, also at the Fairgrounds (see above). An amazing all-volunteer show that attracts over 150 pristine classic

This is a great opportunity to see so many rare and interesting classic British motorcycles all in one place. These include vintage machines all the way back to the turn of the last century, pre-war and post-war classics, military

machines, racers, customized choppers, bobbers and cafe racers, and some modern-day British classics. It’s all under one roof, the bikes are gorgeous, the people are friendly, and they even serve food, beer and wine.

Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1, 2012

Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th: 10:00 am-4:00 pm both days:

22nd Annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show (Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 N. Cabrillo Hwy on Hwy. For more info, go to classic-british1, 5 miles north of Hwy. 92) Half Moon motorcycles.com/clubmans-all-britishBay’s spectacular showcase of motorized weekend-2012.html Admission is only $5 mechanical marvels from throughout (and kids under 12 get in free). the 20th and 21st centuries—more than 2,000 beautiful flying, driving and Sunday, April 1: working machines on display for public 10:00 am: What could be better viewing—motorcycles displays include than viewing scads of classic British everything from antique turn-of-themotorcycles? Only one thing: riding century models, high-performance sport, them! So, at 10:00 am the following racing and off-road bikes to the hottest Sunday morning, the faithful gather in custom bikes of the modern era. nearby Los Gatos for “The Morning $20 ($30 for 2-day pass) for adults, $10 After Ride” through the Santa Cruz ($15 for 2-day pass) for ages 11-17 and Mountains, the Redwoods and the 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under. Coast. Contact the BSAOCNC (see for more info call 650/726-2328 or visit above) for meeting places and times. miramarevents.com. Sunday, April 8 Saturday May 5th 11:00 am: Watch live WSBK racing at 6:30 - 7:30 pm the D-Store (131 South Van Ness, San Francisco, 415/626-5478). Meet Josh Herrin and celebrate Mojotown’s 3rd Anniversary Saturday, April 14 (Mojotown Motorcycle Gear Shop, 1345 Noon: Big Time Speedway Spring E. Francisco Blvd. San Rafael, 415/457Opener at Prairie City SVRA-OHV 6656 or mojotowngearshop.com) Come (13300 White Rock Road Rancho meet AMA Superbike Rider #2 Josh Cordova). Methanol-burning madness Herrin and AMA Supersport Rider Zach as top-ranked national racers battle it Herrin. Bring your swag in to get signed out on these fast, light machines with by the Herrin Brothers and help celebrate no brakes or suspension. Adult Tickets our gear shop’s 3rd year of business! are $20—go to bigtimespeedway. Take advantage of storewide discounts com or call 925/786-3263 for more and enjoy refreshments courtesy of information. Mojotown and Stang’s Hotdogs of San Saturday, April 28 Rafael. Open House hours 12:00 pm ‘till 9:00 am-3:00 pm: 5th Annual Vintage closing. Sidecar and Motorcycle Rendezvous, Friday, May 4 through Sunday, May 6 Downtown Paso Robles City Park. Arts, crafts, vintage sidecars and motorcycles! AMA Pro Road Racing West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway Call 805/238-4103 or email (Highways 37 and 121 Sonoma) The [email protected]. two-wheel excitement of AMA Pro Road Racing returns to Infineon The Dainese D-Store San Francisco (131 South Van Ness, San Francisco, 415/626-5478) will be partnering up with Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this 2012 MotoGP season, giving local fans a place to purchase tickets directly. The D-Store hosts race viewing parties on its big multi-screen video wall for the entire season and Mazda Raceway will be present at the store on specific race viewing days to sell general admission tickets.

Raceway for the West Coast Moto Jam, May 4-6. Celebrate your Cinco de Mayo weekend with the ultimate motorcycle fiesta! In addition to six AMA Pro Road Racing main events on the road course, you’ll be treated to Supermoto USA on the karting track and the return of the TTXGP Electric Motorcycles. And, don’t miss free demo rides in the expanded Motorsports Midway, appearances by the Infineon Raceway Girls, autograph sessions and more! Sunday, May 6 - 9:00 a.m. CityBike Magazine’s Ride to the Races: Ride with CityBike contributors, staffers and members of the major Bay Area motorcycle clubs to the West Coast Moto Jam at Infineon Raceway, featuring the best in AMA Pro Road Racing and Supermoto USA. Meet us at 9:00 am on your insured, street-legal motorcycle at the Fort Mason gates (across the street from the Marina Safeway in San Francisco) for an individual ride/mutual destination caravan to the Infineon Raceway front gate. This is an individual ride with group destinations, so you bear your own risk and will ride your own ride. Purchase your Race and Ride Ticket now and save $15, call (800) 870-7223 ext. 161 or visit infineonraceway.com/citybikeride.

2-day (Sat/Sun) General Admission: $75 Friday General Admission: $35

Friday, May 18

Saturday General Admission: $45

7:00 pm: Big Time Speedway Hang’em National Night Races at Prairie City SVRA-OHV (13300 White Rock Road Rancho Cordova). Methanol-burning madness as top-ranked national racers battle it out on these fast, light machines with no brakes or suspension, under the lights! Adult Tickets are $20—go to bigtimespeedway.com or call 925/7863263 for more information.

3-day (Fri/Sat/Sun) General Admission: $80

Sunday General Admission: $55 Beginning April 8 at 11:00 am, the D-Store will kick off the 2012 season with a live viewing of the MotoGP season opener at Qatar. In addition to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca selling tickets, Riders for Health will be in store promoting their Day of Stars event that happens on Thursday July 26th (the Thursday before the races at Laguna Seca) which include a private pit tour, an exquisite lunch, a ride around the track with Randy Mamola, and an auction selling rider memorabilia. Riders for Health provides two and four-wheel vehicles to assist health-care workers in remote African areas. April 2012 | 10 | CityBike.com

CityBike says if you haven’t done a Doc Wong clinic, go do one ASAP. It’s fun, free and will make you a better/safer/happier rider. Register by emailing [email protected] or call Full Motion Chiropractic at 650/365-7775.

Thursday, April 12, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop” 7:15 pm Friday April 13, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 1” 7:15 pm Sunday April 15, 2012 “Smooth Riding - Handle Bar Pressure” 9:00 am-2:30 pm

Saturday: The Swap Meet (starts at 7.00 am and continues through Sunday) Find the parts you need Bikes for sale at the Corral. Hear the sweet sounds of Japanese horsepower (new event) Learn at the afternoon tech sessions (new event) Don’t miss the sunset group ride. Swap info: Chal at [email protected] or 530/559‐0350. Sunday: The Bike Show 10.30 am –2:00 pm: See Vintage, Classic, Race, Café, Custom, Off‐Road, Future Classic and other bike categories (people’s choice voting with awards to follow). This year we will feature Bridgestone Motorcycles. Pre-register and get a gift bag filled with motogoodies! Bike Show entry forms: Roger at [email protected] or 408/933‐8784 Save the Date: Sunday, July 22nd

CityBike’s 2nd Annual CityBike Day at the Junction, our regular excuse to ride Mines Road and meet our readers. Food, music, trivia contests, bike Saturday, May 12 show, questionable prizes, seminars, bad jokes, seminars and much more. 10:00 am-3:00 pm: Livermore Motorcycle Safety Event (Carnegie Park, Check citybike.com/events for more information as it’s posted. Fourth St. at S. K St. in Livermore) Take your Saturday ride to Downtown Livermore! Stop by Carnegie Park and check out the local Vendors, Dealers and Displays! Try out our Civilian Rider Course and watch Livermore P.D. Motor Officers show off their riding skills! This event is free to the public. Slow Race, Free Inspections (no citations) and more. For further information please contact Livermore Police Officer Justin Lash at 925/371-4847

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will sell tickets at the D-Store from noon–3:00 pm on the following dates: April 8th and 29th, May 6th, June 3rd and 17th, July 8th and 15th and you’ll save $20 over paying at the gate.

17th Annual Classic Japanese Motorcycle Swap and Show At the Gold Country Fairgrounds, Auburn (Hwy. 80, between Sacramento and Reno). Enjoy food, fun and the fantastic bikes at the West coast’s largest strictly Japanese motorcycle event. Presented by the Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club. Details at cjmc.org (see our calendar section).

Doc Wong Clinics!

AFM SCHEDULE Take it to the track! Catch some of the best, most varied, most competitive roadracing anywhere with our local racing club, the American Federation of Motorcyclists. For racetrack and spectator info orto find out about corner-working opportunities or how to get your race license, go to afmracing.org or call 510/796-7005. March 17 and 18: Buttonwillow May 12 and 13: Thunderhill June 2 and 3: Thunderhill June 30 and July 1: Infineon August 4 and 5: Thunderhill September 1 and 2: Infineon October 6 and 7: Thunderhill April 2012 | 11 | CityBike.com

Friday and Sunday April 27/29, 2012 “Dual Sport Adventure Riding Clinic” 7:15 pm Friday, 9:00 am Sunday Friday night May 11, 2012 “Basic Suspension Part 2” 7:15pm Friday, May 18, 2012 “Riding Position and Ergonomics Workshop” Fri 7:15 pm Sunday, May 20, 2012 “Cornering Confidence - Lines of Travel (2 Step)” 9:00 am-2:30 pm More info: docwong.com

chargers. The Brammo charges in four hours, the Zero in six. For faster charging (as little as 1.8 hours for the Zero), you can get accessory quickchargers, which may

Electric Boogaloo: 2012 Zero S and Brammo Enertia

Big Fun at Two Cents per Mile bite and power and, as befits a supermoto, the rear brake has enough grab to easily skid the back tire. Decent stoppies are also possible. Ride quality is very nice on the Zero, and it handles quickly, but doesn’t give up much in the way of stability—until you get over 80 mph, when the front end starts to feel vague. The Brammo is more composed and staid. The seat’s a little lower, the bars are higher, and you don’t feel you have to pin it everywhere. Acceleration—especially midrange—is ample, plenty to maintain your safety cushion in traffic. The brakes have enough power and control to meet your braking needs safely. A new rider should be able to ride either of these bikes with no difficulty, which I think is a problem—a clutch and gearbox is just a small part of operating a motorcycle safely, and I worry about a flood of untrained riders getting hurt on these things. Get proper training before you buy or ride any motorcycle. Please. By CityBike staff Photos by Bob Stokstad

First Take: Gabe Ets-Hokin Age: 42, Height 5’6”, Favorite Electric Appliance: Toaster Oven (not this one, the last one I had)

A

t some point, we’ll have to stop saying “the electrics are coming,” and start saying “the electrics are here.” And I suspect we won’t realize when that moment has come and gone. We may already have passed it.

fork and an expensive-looking Elka rear shock. Brakes are by Brembo. The motor is a sealed, brushless AC unit with permanent magnets—that means low maintenance. There’s no clutch or gearbox, just a chain and a big sprocket. It weighs 324 pounds, and is wrapped in futuristic, rounded bodywork that looks much more like a flowing, integrated design than the Zero.

Zero’s offering is the techno-champ here, to be expected from a three-year lead. It uses the distinctive basic frame design we first saw on the 2009 Zero (“Zero Electric Motorcycle,” June 2009), a very light I didn’t think we were there until last week, structure composed of aluminum tubes when CityBike Art Director Alan Lapp and and beams. A large metal box conceals the I spent a long afternoon cruising around Z-Force power pack. Behind it is a doubleSan Francisco on a pair of battery-electric stator axial flux (I don’t know what that motorcycles, a 2009 Brammo Enertia and means, either) sealed, brushless motor. a 2012 Zero S ZF6. Let’s be clear: this is Power goes to the rear wheel via belt—that not a comparison test between these two change and numerous others to styling and vehicles. The Enertia is a four-year-old components were made by former Buell design, so in electric-vehicle terms the Zero engineer Abe Ashkenazi—and suspension has a huge technological lead, as battery, is from a nameless Asian supplier, but is motor and software developments have fully adjustable (the Zero is made in Santa leapfrogged mightily every year. We rode Cruz, but much of the parts list comes from both bikes so we could get a feel for the Taiwan, I was told at the factory last year). different approaches the two companies It weighs in at a reasonable 297 pounds. use and see how well they’d hold up to So they sound like pretty similar bikes, but what’s a pretty tough environment. show very different characters. The Zero The $7995 Brammo is the slick and is the hooligan. It has two drive modes— polished product, and less expensive. That’s eco or sport—which gives you a choice because it’s an older design, with a much of good acceleration or better range and smaller lithium-iron-phosphate battery—3 regenerative braking. It won’t stun you if kilowatt-hours instead of the Zero’s 6 kWh you’re used to middleweight sportbikes, but lithium-ion unit. The battery is wrapped in it’s more than enough to stay well ahead an extruded-aluminum frame, suspended of car traffic or to merge safely onto the by a compression-adjustable Marzocchi freeway. The no-name brakes have good


Actually, getting started on an e-moto is harder than it looks. The Brammo has a complex start procedure intended to minimize accidental motion. Though the Zero is easier to figure out, they both have big green lights on the instrument clusters to tell you the bike is energized and ready to ride. Instrumentation on both bikes includes the all-important ‘charge remaining’ meter, with the Brammo’s telling you how many miles you have before you have to plug in somewhere. Both bikes include onboard chargers, and have enough storage space to stash rolled-up power cords. Charging is something to think about. A full charge on the Zero is good for 76 miles of slow, around-town riding going by the EPA’s ‘City’ UDDS standard, 43 miles on the higher speed (cruising at 70 about half the trip) test. Opt for the $14,000 ZF-9 and you may go 114 city or 63 miles at higher speeds. The older Brammo will do 42 miles on the city loop, ‘20-plus’ miles in higher-speed commuting, according to Brammo. To achieve those numbers on either bike, you’ll need a full charge—easy to do with the on-board

to Munroe before the battery wore down. savings of $1800 per year at 15,000 miles—spread over five years, that’s about But the charge was still well above halfway by the time I rolled through Daly City, and the cost of an entire motorcycle. the experience of riding was not so different Okay, that’s the practical, economical from a gas-powered steed. Quick off the argument—if you’re using your bike line, and then midrange like a Twin, except less than 50 miles per day (as are most that there was no noise or vibration—at moto-commuters), an e-bike may be the all. That smooth, silent torque, that magic way to go. But what sensation is character, if a subtle one. I’d about soul? Won’t even call it soul. you miss the roar At the big 280 interchange, I lane-split of the V-Twin, the to the front of the pack, worried the bike top-end hit of your wouldn’t get up to speed quickly enough as inline-Four, the

or may not make your house burn down, depending on your wiring. Check with an electrician. Zero offers an SAE J1772 charging socket so you can take advantage of public charging stations (and primo parking spots). Battery pack life is more of an issue with the Brammo—it’s rated for 2000 full charge/discharge cycles, although topping the charge off before the battery is flat will prolong life. Two thousand cycles is about eight years of Monday-Friday commuting, after which the pack will still have 80 percent capacity and have core value (as recyclable materiel or as back-up batteries for solar systems, for example). A new pack costs about $3500, and I’m guessing by the year 2020, that pack will be a quarter the price and offer four times the performance.

Tito Puente ritmo of your Thumper? As Alan points out below, isn’t an e-bike just a rideable computer? An appliance? That’s what I thought until I decided to take the long way back to Scuderia with the Zero. It was a 16-mile trip through surprisingly light afternoon commute traffic, and my main worry was getting back

The Zero, on the other hand, offers serious battery life. Like 205,000 miles to 80 percent capacity, according to Zero, and the ZF9 will go 308,000 miles, or about my total moto-mileage for the last 20

years. If you want to geek out and do the math, batteries and electricity are really cheap for the Zero: at 40 miles per charge, it’ll cost you about two cents per mile before you have to buy a new battery in the year 2032. My Triumph Street Triple R runs about 14 cents per mile when you factor in the expensive regular services and $4.50 cent-a-gallon gas. That’s a April 2012 | 13 | CityBike.com

I silently rolled past dozens of grim-faced commuters. The light turned green, I put the cheesy-looking toggle switch to the ‘sport’ position, and pinned the throttle. We took off, not blazing fast, but plenty fast enough to stay ahead of any potential roadrager, and I experienced the weird feeling of coasting uphill as I turned the throttle. The speedometer reached 75 in a hurry,

and 80-plus was no problem at all. Again, completely silent, the only noise the wind rushing past my helmet. Do you remember your first high-speed ride on a motorcycle? It was like magic, wasn’t it, the way a movement of your wrist translated into effortless acceleration as you whipped past all the suckers trapped in their ugly rolling boxes? That Zero made me feel that all over again. I had another gratifying moment as I whizzed past a BMW K1600GT rounding Hospital Curve. Sure, that $25,000 motorcycle can do 160 mph and go 220 miles on a ($30) tank of premium. But the Zero, though slow off the line, accelerates well between 60 and 80 mph, where I spend most of my freeway time. It

ER H T A E L E FRE ASE C P O T P LA r $150)

lue Ove

may have been that little rush of torque I felt at higher speeds that really convinced me e-motos are here. In fact, my Zero ride

was a transformative experience that made me feel (for a change) very good about the motorcycle industry’s future. So: what got you into riding in the first place and keeps you riding today, so many years later? Is it the camshafts, carbs, gears, clutchplates and exhaust pipes? Is it the vibration, the leaking oil, the 14 cans

of almost-empty chain lube in your garage? The passiveaggressive notes your next-door neighbor slips under your door on Sunday afternoon? (“I hate to bring it up, but do you think you could maybe push your bike down the street before you start it up at 6 am every Sunday, instead of under my bedroom window? Thanks!”) Yeah, I like that stuff too, but what drew me to two wheels was freedom, and while two cents a mile isn’t free, it’s pretty freakin’ close. Rather than snubbing electric motorcycles, enthusiasts should embrace them, because they represent the best chance we have of getting a new generation onto two wheels. Before you assume I’m just pimpin’ for a long-term test bike (Zero S ZF9 in black, please), go down to Munroe, Scuderia, Mission Motorcycles or another e-moto

We stock a large selection of heavy duty jackets , pants, chaps, & bags.

se Purcha Custom garments and accessories. y n A With er $500! Ov a (Retail V

We repair, alter and clean leather products.

Our leathers are guaranteed against defect for life. We make custom 1 & 2 piece 1833 Polk St. (@ Jackson) San Francisco - johnsonleather.com leathers!

(800) 730-7722 • (415) 775-7393

and feed the dashboard information about remaining power level and current power usage. What I find extraordinary is the smooth power delivery: it is regal, refined, and gentlemanly. With no interruptions for shifting, and no coming on the cam or peaky power delivery, acceleration is velvet-smooth, and feels as if you are being swept away in a fast-moving river. Because the computer controls torque delivery, you simply pin it and go. It’s the ultimate beginner bike: there is simply no way to do anything wrong with the throttle when leaving from a stop, other than forgetting it’s turned on. It’s not an on-off switch like a two-stroke, but a rheostat that works as smoothly and precisely as the volume knob on your stereo. dealer and test ride an e-moto on the freeway. If you don’t have a huge grin when you get back, if you’re not amazed at how fun and practical these things can be, I’d be very surprised. And if you think they’re good now, what will five or 10 years bring? I think we’ll get $5000 motorcycles with 125 mph top speeds, 250-mile ranges and 20-minute recharge times. And that’s when you can have my gas-burning relic to use as a lawn ornament.

Second Take: Alan Lapp Age: old enough to know better Height: 4.3 cubits, Favorite Electric Appliance: Automatic Olive Pitter

I had never ridden an electric motorcycle before Gabe tapped me to help with this review, so I was uncontaminated by previous experience. I am a bit of a technophile, and I have friends who are avid e-bike fans who drip-feed tidbits of information about the electric-vehicle industry to me. So, even though I lacked experience, I had opinions; some political, some pragmatic. Pragmatically speaking, the e-doubters raise a number of issues: range, speed, recharge times, etc. In other words, people want the convenience we are accustomed to with petroleum-fired vehicles. I fall into the camp that see e-bikes as inevitable, but remain skeptical about how useful they are in real life.

Forcefield Body Armour, The worlds leading “Soft armour technology” Body protection system specialists.

To find out what is it like to use an e-bike for a day, I met Gabe and our staff lensslinger and Senior Editor Bob Stokstad at Scuderia to pick up Don Lemelin’s personal Brammo. Since Don’s Brammo is three years old, it simply cannot be directly compared to the new Zero S. The e-bike industry is making improvements by leaps and bounds, so three years is an eternity.

Repair & Service

We Ship Worldwide

CALL US FIRST! Salvaged & New Parts! Tue–Fri 10–6 Sat 9–5


Astride the Zero, we set off from Duboce Street and headed uphill toward Twin Peaks, then out to the Cliff House for photos. The first thing I noticed is the absence of a clutch lever. No transmission, no gears... no clutch. Every time I hopped on, I whiffed two or three times thinking I’d missed the non-existent lever. It’s not a problem, but it is disconcerting. The next thing I noticed is that the bike simply accelerates at its own pace, more or less regardless of where you put the throttle. All e-bikes have computerized controllers that manage how much torque is delivered to the wheels, handle regenerative braking,

ADVERTISING

it works! Contact CityBike to place a classified or business advertisement and reach thousands of Bay Area motorcycle enthusiasts.

[email protected] 415-282-2790

Speaking of sound, it is truly a unique experience to ride next to another e-bike at 30 mph, and hold a conversation without shouting. These bikes aren’t quite silent, but nearly so. There is just the whir of the finaldrive belt and the tires on the road. One perception I have harbored over the years is that e-bike design has typically put the emphasis on the ‘e’—the electric power—and less emphasis on the ‘bike’. Many early e-bikes looked like bicycles with hormone problems, hampered by spindly frames and weedy brakes. The Zero S demonstrates that this company is paying attention to the whole package and have produced a comfortable, properly suspended motorcycle equipped with effective brakes. It was quite fun to toss around the curves near the Cliff House. My sole complaint about my brief time on e-bikes is that they aren’t hooligan-y enough. Sure, you can do stoppies all day long, and skid the rear tire into your parking space in front of the cafe where you hang out for all to observe your conspicuous conservation. But—and this is big for me—you simply can’t wheelie one, no matter what. Anti-social adrenaline junkies need not apply. However, I predict that e-bikes will continue to improve, that eventually range and acceleration will become comparable to internal combustion bikes, and that costs (if you evaluate the performance/ dollar ratio) will decline. I believe e-bikes will offer a riding experience that will satisfy nearly anybody.... except people who are actually ideologically opposed to conservation of resources, clean air, or bikes not made in Wisconsin. Furthermore, I believe that since e-bikes, at their core, are computers, that hacking them will become very popular. It is undoubtedly possible to program the controller to execute perfect, effortless balance-point wheelies. The Zero S already has a two-position switch for Sport and Economy modes. Why not add a setting labeled “WHEELIE”? How did I like my day on e-bikes? I’ll just say that the first few aprés e-bike miles on my KTM Enduro were dismaying: it felt like it was shaking itself to bits, the noises my brain had automatically filtered out flooded into my ears—the rattling fairing bolt, the clicking valves nagging me for adjustment, the clattering gearshift, and the bleating intake honk. My state-of-the-art fuel-injected six-speed 63-hp dual-sport bike suddenly felt like an antique.

Living with a Zero By Richard Harmon

So what is it like living with a 2012 ZF9 Zero S? Two words, cheap and easy—if you can get past the $14,000 MSRP, of course. The Zero requires little maintenance. You don’t need to change oil or filters, maintain and clean a chain, replace sparkplugs, replace batteries, adjust valves, balance throttle bodies, adjust the clutch, or spend an hour removing bodywork to get to all that stuff. That really cuts down on maintenance costs. How about running expenses? The other day I rode the Zero from my home in Pacifica to the town of Fairfax to visit my daughter, a round trip of 76.8 miles. I adhered to the speed limit during my ride. About 10 miles of my travel was on the freeway and the rest was on surface streets. Using a ‘Kill-A-Watt’ meter to measure the power consumption needed to recharge the battery pack, I used a total of 7.6 kWh of electricity for the trip. PG&E charges me 13.7 cents per kWh, so the round trip only cost $1.04, or about 1.35 cents per mile. If I had ridden my Triumph, which gets 42 mpg, my fuel cost would have been $8.21, based on the $4.49 a gallon price for gas at my local station that day. A savings of $7.17 on just that one trip. When you add the lack of any substantial recurring maintenance costs and the likelihood that the motor and battery pack will outlast the chassis, it shouldn’t take too long to recoup the greater purchase price of the Zero if you ride it a lot. That’s the cheap part. But the bike is also easy to use. You just turn on the ignition key and ride off. You no longer

have to play with the choke and/or wait for the motor to warm up. What the Zero lacks in its ability to go long distances it makes up with its ability to do all those daily short trips (within a 40-mile radius) quickly and easily. And of course, commuting to work is where it excels. Plus, since the bike has no transmission or clutch, getting stuck in a traffic jam is a breeze. You can do the ‘beep and creep’ easily just by turning the throttle slightly to move at a walking pace, or you can ride between stopped cars as the bike is very narrow. No smoking clutch, overheating engine, or cramping left hand. And if the bike gets dirty it is easy to clean since it has no exhaust system or chrome to polish. You might ask if the lack of noise is a safety issue. So far it has not been for me. No one has moved into my lane any more than usual and my only real concern is when riding around pedestrians or bicyclists. I tend to be very careful riding in an urban environment since the bike is so quiet. But that’s probably a good thing, no? Finally, there is the issue of reliability of a new product and customer service from a small start-up manufacturer. I had a minor issue with my bike twice stalling at stoplights. The staff at Zero heard about my complaint on the Internet and called me to say that they would pick my bike up at my home, take it to the factory in Scotts Valley and return it to me with their latest programming and a new throttle assembly. They did as they promised and the bike has been running great ever since. While an electric motorcycle may not be for everyone, it works for me.


close enough to make Vegas by mid day unless we kept going, so we wound up riding through the last national park in the dark. Pitch-black dark, the kind of dark that points out the relative inadequacy of your own headlight—something not usually experienced in an urban setting. Driving through the tunnels alone was a surreal experience that, while fun, suggests that an extra day would have been rewarding.

The Right Tool For the Job: Using Someone Else’s Touring Bike

Better than Buying Your Own? By Kenyon Wills Photos by Margaret Pereira

I love my Honda Superhawk, which by design is somewhere between sportbike, aggressive sport-tourer, and hooligan bike. It’s my third one, and I’m not really interested in owning anything else. It’s good for local Bay Area day rides, but probably not the right thing for touring, especially with girlfriend Margaret on the back.

gone, and were very easy to deal with and helpful through each step of the process. If you’ve ever rented a car, the experience is pretty much the same, with a motorcycle twist to it. We took our own gear and put them into garment bags to avoid checking them. Did not get hassled by the airport people about that—the ‘one bag’ rule didn’t seem to apply to garment bags, and we got on with one carry-on each and one

itself, and I forgot all about the misery that being still in desert heat had brought.

A recent vacation experience showed me that you can have your cake and eat it, too. I booked tickets to Las Vegas and cashed in my reservations at Eagle Rider—a motorcycle rental company with locations worldwide (including San Francisco). So he could live the dream, my buddy from New Zealand (also along on the trip) insisted on a fully kitted Harley-Davidson. Margaret and I opted for a Honda Gold Wing.

garment bag with both sets of leathers. The experience was incredible, and I loved Helmets went into the carry-on stuff and the bikes for what they were when deployed got stuffed with clothing to maximize space. Had we opted to travel light, Eagle to do what they were designed for—long Rider rents riding gear—gloves, jackets, distance riding on open highways— helmets—as well as Harley-Davidsons, something that I’d never done much of Honda Gold Wings and ST1300 sportpreviously, especially in the American tourers and scooters. Southwest. Eagle Rider Las Vegas was happy to hang onto luggage not needed while we were April 2012 | 16 | CityBike.com

leather suit and full-face helmet. I was surrounded by numerous other patrons sporting vests, T-shirts, shortie helmets, and other regalia that said ‘biker’ rather than ‘motorcyclist.’ They thought I was out of place, and I just kept looking at all of that exposed skin and wondering what it’s like to have no fear of asphalt contact. When in stop-and-go traffic (no lane-splitting outside civilized California), the leather outfit was tough to bear, but once on the open road, a properly designed suit cools

The strangest part of the experience was showing up in the late-fall warmth of Las Vegas and putting on a two-piece Dainese

settings pulled straight from the Road Runner cartoons of my childhood. The roads arced and curved delightfully, with strange landscapes and unusual sights—

What did I get out of the experience? The convenience of flying out of the region to start the trip into a totally different area was incredibly convenient. Getting a bike tailored for long distance, with comfort and good design, made all the difference. Margaret was thrilled with the backrest, hard bags, and giant back seat. The GPS unit built into the ‘Wing made navigation considerably easier, allowing us to skip written directions/maps, which was a big deal on the complex route that I’d mapped out in advance. Should you take a vacation from your own bike without even needing airfare? There are plenty of local rental companies and they rent the big battle-star touring bikes, electric bikes, scooters, and middleweight stuff too. Below is a list of what’s going on locally, and presumably similar competing choices exist elsewhere. A visit to Eagle Rider’s website (eaglerider.com) might be worth it for the map and multiple destinations if you’d like to leave town. Here is a list of the local rental companies (in alphabetical order), in case you’d like to take a vacation from your bike, host a visiting buddy, or go out of town altogether:

exactly the kind of thing one needs to feel that they’ve truly gotten away from the drone of life back home.

A hilarious surprise was the town of Mexican Hat—I’d seen it on the map and on the GPS screen as we approached it. Starting in Las I thought that was a funny name, until Vegas, we made we rounded a corner and saw a flattish a loop down rock with a bubble in the center top that over Hoover looked just like a sombrero perched atop Dam to stay the a pinnacle-point of similar rock. It looked night on the south rim of the just like a ‘Mexican hat’ sitting there, and was good for a laugh inside the helmet as Grand Canyon. A lot of interstate we went by. droning was The roads were empty, totally devoid of involved and speed enforcement or other vehicles in the people general, just smooth ribbons of pavement down there that never taxed the bikes’ suspension, think far too brakes or engine. Both motorcycles came much of Route with sound systems and cruise control. The 66 for their cruise control was really appreciated, and own good. Too while the sound systems stayed off for the many trinkets, most part (there was an iPod jack on the not enough Wing), playing music out in the middle of preserved history to really warrant the nowhere seemed acceptable to me. A far pilgrimages that people (especially cry from the annoying sound systems that Europeans?) seem to make. have popped up on some of the candycolored attention-needer bikes that blare at Things didn’t get interesting until we’d stoplights locally. gone north and east. I’d suggest staying north of the Grand Canyon. There is a The best/worst part of the trip was having desert region with Monument Valley at the to make a dash from Utah to Las Vegas the southern end, and Utah farther up north, next-to-last day. We went through several that was a motorcycling paradise. The national parks that were simply gorgeous. super-slab experience gave way to desert By nightfall it was obvious that we weren’t

From 3:14 Daily Valencia @ 25th

415-970-9670 Service & Repair

California Motorcycle Adventures, Mountain View: Harley, Honda, BMW. californiamotorcycleadventures.com, 800/601-5370 Dubbelju, San Francisco: BMW, Triumph, Honda, Harley-Davidson, Brammo Enertia e-bikes and more: dubbelju.com, 866/495-2774. Dudley Perkins HD, South San Francisco: Harley-Davidson. [email protected], 650/737-5467. Eagle Rider, San Francisco, San Jose, & Worldwide. Harley-Davidson, Honda, BMW, Vespa, Piaggio MP3. eaglerider. com, 888/390-6400. Moto Haven Motorcycle Rentals, Novato: Harley-Davidson. harleymc.com, 415/898-5700. Oakland Harley-Davidson: Harley Davidson. oaklandh-d.com, 510/635-0100.

While we are well-known for our work on Ducatis, we provide outstanding service on all brands and all models! Plus, it’s a friendly place...swing by on a Saturday for a cup o’ coffee and some bench racing.

Spyder Rentals, Oakland and Los Angeles: Can-Am Spyders. spyder-rentals.com, 877/518-1444 U.S. Motorcycle Rentals, Concord: Harley-Davidson, Dirt, and ATV usmotorcyclerentals.com, 925/980-0691 Businesses listed are not endorsed by CityBike and are provided for our reader’s convenience. If we left your shop out, let us know: [email protected].


Nichols Sportbike Service 913 Hanson Court Milpitas, CA 95035

(408) 945-0911

For Ducati product info, please go to:

www.nicholssportbike.com

Lessons From Ug and Ag By David L. Hough

M

ost of us would encourage new riders to take a training course. We have to assume that a basic rider-training course will give the new rider some tools to survive the ride. Rider training in the USA got started around 1980, a response to escalating motorcyclist fatalities. Training caught on slowly, but by the mid-1990s most states had a rider-training program. Some states (including California) have since made training mandatory for younger riders.

Why rider training may be causing more crashes

For many years after peaking in 1980, the fatality numbers declined gradually. Motorcycle fatalities bottomed out in 1997 at 2116 nationwide, with a rate of 55.3 fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycles. Then the numbers went back up, to 5290 fatalities in 2008, with a rate of 68.23. The numbers dropped slightly in 2009, but fatalities climbed while rider training was expanding rapidly. What are we doing wrong? To help understand why rider training might not be solving the fatality problem,

Ag’s brain commands his feet to get moving, without wasted thought. Ag survives, passing along his genes to us.

One morning Ug exits his cave, yawns, stretches, scratches his ass and suddenly realizes that a saber-tooth tiger is crouching behind a boulder. Ug recognizes the danger and quickly evaluates his possibilities. “Maybe I could pick up that rock and conk the tiger on the head. Maybe I could jump up and down and shout. Or, maybe I could grab that piece of firewood and use it like a club. Or, Ug wastes too much time thinking through his options and is maybe…” Before Ug can deleted from the gene pool. complete his thoughts, the tiger leaps and Ug is we must look back a few years—in fact a breakfast, deleted from the gene pool. few hundred thousand years, to a couple of cavemen. Rather than using their real Meanwhile, Ag leaves his cave, yawns, names, I call them Ug and Ag, to avoid any stretches, and sees the shadow of a tiger embarrassment. about to leap from the rock overhead. Ag instantly puts his feet in motion, like a

and BAM! was only 1.9 seconds. Crash researchers also noted that the majority of riders either froze on the grips, or attempted a maneuver but didn’t pull it off successfully.

Training developers decided that the solution was to teach riders the correct emergency maneuvers, especially quick stops and swerves. Since the first ridertraining courses were developed, that really fast Fred Flintstone. philosophy has been an integral part of Ag escapes the slashing curricula. Even today, you’ll find quick stops teeth as he dashes back into and swerves included in training courses. the cave. Let’s note that Ag doesn’t waste any time Okay, where do Ug and Ag fit into the thinking about his options. rider-training picture? Well, the concept of teaching emergency maneuvers assumes Some part of his brain sends signals directly to the that a rider has time to consciously observe muscles, without conscious what’s happening, decide on an appropriate evasive action, and remember how to do thought. it—like Ug’s attempt to deal with the tiger. The point of all this is But thanks to Ag, our brains are ‘hard wired’ that we’re descendants of to respond quickly and subconsciously to people like Ag. Our brains emergencies—whether a crouching tiger or function more like Ag and a left-turning SUV. In an emergency we just less like Ug. “What’s this act, and only think about it later. got to do with riding a bike?”

you’re probably wondering. Well, here we are today, riding motorcycles through traffic, depending upon brains developed for staying alive in a cavedweller’s world.

What Should We Teach? When the famous ‘Hurt Report’ appeared in 1981, training gurus quickly used the new statistics to decide what to teach. The statistics showed that riders who crashed reported a very short time between recognizing an emergency and the impact; the median Training courses teach emergency swerves and quick stops, time between awareness rather than focusing more on situational awareness. Our eyes, ears, fingers and butts are sensing too much information for the brain to process consciously, so the subconscious does most of the work, instantly taking command of the muscles when needed. It’s not just coincidence that the ‘fight-or-flight’ parts of the brain are positioned close to the brain stem where they can instantly fire signals to the nerves in the spinal column.

Ted Tries to Get out of Town Imagine Triumph Ted leaving town, thinking about the twisty back roads away from the big city. Ted sees a pickup truck on a side street to his left but doesn’t consider it a threat. When it pulls out suddenly, Ted is surprised. He has only 1.9 seconds to pull off an evasive maneuver. April 2012 | 18 | CityBike.com

When Ted got into motorcycling he took a basic riding course, where he learned to do quick stops. But when the truck appears suddenly in front of him, Ted’s survival reaction is to snap the throttle closed. The bike doesn’t slow much before bouncing off the truck’s rear bumper. Why couldn’t Ted get on the brakes and do a quick stop, as he was taught in the novice class? The answer: just like caveman Ag, in an emergency we resort to habits. Like lots of other riders, Ted normally rides through intersections without using the front brake. His habit is to slow for intersections just by rolling off the gas. So, when the truck suddenly appeared, Ted’s emergency brain ordered the muscles to slam the throttle closed, but didn’t order the muscles to squeeze the front brake. If our actions in an emergency will be determined by our ‘muscle memory,’ is there any point in thinking consciously about what’s happening? Absolutely. In fact, it’s the key to avoiding nasty crashes. Let’s suggest that Ted had a lot longer than 1.9 seconds to realize what was happening. Veteran riders survive not because of faster emergency reactions, but because they have learned good habits, including not only braking and steering habits, but also mental skills such as predicting the future. It’s another characteristic of our brains inherited from those caveman days. Bernt Spiegel, the famous German man/ machine expert, suggests one important skill is ‘hypothesis construction.’ A rider approaching a blind corner constructs a hypothesis about what might be lurking around the corner. If something dangerous could be lurking—say a stalled logging truck, or a landslide—the rider begins evasive action long before the situation turns into an emergency. Let’s go back to Ted, approaching the busy intersection. If Ted is thinking ahead, he can predict potential hazards—such as that pickup preparing to pull out, or an oncoming car turning left. He can ease on some brake to shorten his reaction time

and stopping distance, even before he sees the other vehicle moving. Or he could, as many experienced riders do, ‘cover’ the front brake lever habitually with his index and middle fingers, further reducing his reaction time. Certainly you can think consciously about what’s happening right now, but anything close to the bike is already history. Like caveman Ug, you can’t react quickly enough to do anything about it. That’s why you need to be looking and thinking well ahead of the bike, not just waiting to react to sudden emergencies. However, you can’t predict every dumb maneuver. Occasionally you’ll encounter an Ug/Ag moment where you’ll need to make a quick stop. That’s why you should ease on a little front brake approaching every intersection—to give you the ‘muscle memory’ to brake automatically and perfectly without having to waste time thinking it through. Editor’s Note: This article is the opinion of David Hough. CityBike magazine holds that rider training is both essential and beneficial to new riders. However, CityBike (and we assume, the MSF) agree that further study and improvement is necessary and that the MSF’s Basic RiderCourse is not the final word in safety training.

$14.99 + $5 shipping Sizes S-XXL Email us: [email protected] or by mail: City Bike Magazine PO Box 10659 Oakland, CA 94610 April 2012 | 19 | CityBike.com

maynard

HERSHON

D

ay before yesterday I took my Kawasaki ZRX1200 to an independent repair shop that I’ve used in the past for tire mounting and for work the bike needed when I first got it last year. Last year, Bert, the lead mechanic and service manager, put new seals in my forks, replaced a scaryworn front tire and did small jobs around the bike made necessary by the previous owner’s neglect and/or ineptitude.

That Lift-side Manner

if he thought the valves had been adjusted previously. Had he noticed any sealant that didn’t seem factory? He said he hadn’t and suspected that the clearances had not been checked or adjusted before.

Then he looked at me and told me that he’d noticed wear on the points of my cam lobes. In 10 or 15,000 miles, he said, we could install ZZ-R cams (from the Kawasaki sport bike that used the same basic engine) and high-compression pistons...we could do a complete top-end refresher. He said all that as if it were news I’d be delighted to hear.

The last thing I need is more power. My bike has more power than I ever use.

I gulped mentally. My 11,000-mile bike had worn camshafts. How I was happy happy could I be with Bert, with about that? And his familiarity with my bike model, with was I pleased at the prospect of doing a his gentle ways with tools and with his top-end rebuild—for more power? The last reputation in the motorcycling community. thing I need is more power. My bike has Happy with Bert and happy with the shop. more power than I ever use. This week I took the bike in for a valve Bert left the shop counter room. I turned adjustment and carb synch. I’d set up the to Jeff and asked him another question he appointment two weeks previously under couldn’t answer. He suggested I go back in the vague impression that Bert himself the repair area to talk with Tony—the guy would work on my bike. who had done the work on my bike. Oh. A day and a half later the service writer, Jeff, Really? Tony did the work...? called to tell me the bike was done. I got a lift to the shop from a friend. When we got I found Tony and could see immediately there, I could see my bike waiting for me. It that he was straightforward and easy to talk looked fine. I worry about it when it’s out of with. He said two of my valves had needed shim changes of a mere thousandth or so. my care. Maybe you’re the same way. If it had been his own bike, he said, he’d I asked the service writer about my valves. have left it as it was. But I’d paid for a valve He told me they’d only had to change two adjustment so he did it. Now all the valves shims; the other 14 valves had been safely were well within spec. Shouldn’t need within spec. I asked him if he knew how attention for thousands of miles. badly out of balance my carburetors had been and he said he didn’t know, but that I I asked him if he thought the cover had previously been off and the valves adjusted could talk with Bert. by the previous owner. He said he didn’t When Bert walked into the shop’s customer think so. He felt sure he’d lifted the cover area, I asked him about the shims and for the first time. I asked him if all the

rubber tubing and vacuum caps had looked good and he said they had.

In fact, he said it looked like a fine 2004 ZRX1200. Your carbs were pretty badly out of synch, he added. I thought to myself that after 11,000 miles they had a right to be. You’ll notice, as I did, that Tony did not mention cam-lobe wear. Tony, who’d been up to his elbows in my ZRX, who’d been intimate with my ZRX, did not notice cam wear. Or if he did, he didn’t mention it to me or call attention to it on the work order. Why, if he saw wear, would he not say so? Your guess is as good as mine. So the service manager, who did not work on my bike, who perhaps never even looked closely at the exposed upper cylinder head, noticed wear on the ends of the cam lobes. Or so he said. First I reflected on how easy it would be to say something like that to a customer, a guy who probably would not himself be removing his valve cover to look for wear on his cam lobes. How easy it would be to put the specter of doubt in that guy’s mind. And how easy it would be to suggest that the customer could use those worn lobes for an excuse to rebuild the engine’s top end with upgraded—need I say expensive?—performance parts. Then I thought about our relationships with our mechanics. If we love our bikes, we’d like to think they were well designed and constructed, and they will last

practically forever—given good care. I like to think those things anyway. And I thought about how vulnerable our bikes are under the ministrations of mechanics, how we’d like to believe they care about us and our motorcycles, that we’re not just customers. I do as much of my bike’s maintenance as I can. When a job is out of my comfort zone and I entrust it to a mechanic, I feel like I’m dealing with a doctor. I listen carefully, aware of every inflection, every nuance. Worn cam lobes? Spoken like a throwaway line, as if I were unlikely to mind very much...? Oh, and we noticed spots on your lungs in the pictures. Seen any good movies lately? All that said.... The work that’s been done to my bike at that shop has been done well. They’ve kept all their promises. It’s the most generally respected independent repair shop in our city. I’ll continue to use their services. I wonder sometimes if people feel they can say anything to others, anything, because in most cases the other person isn’t listening or he or she is only nodding and pretending to understand. While standing there fidgeting, in a rush to get back to focusing on a smart phone.

my cam lobes?

If you’re in a mood to write a letter, write the editor and weigh in. If I take off my fuel tank and disconnect hoses and wires to remove my valve cover, will I find wear on the points of

If I install a magnetic drain plug, will I find tiny bits of metal stuck to it when I change the oil? Does my top end have a problem? Or the shop’s bottom line? Whaddaya think? What’s your vector, Victor? Tell us: info@citybike. com

ed HERTFELDER

Lost and Found only one problem with this operation: on a cold, windy day that thumb would get cold enough to really hurt. From sad experience I discovered that the last thing you wanted to do was to warm it by squeezing it between your thighs.

Because the can came to a point, more or less, you couldn’t stack anything on top of it; you wouldn’t put it on the bottom layer lf-gallon metal Lost: Antique two-and-a-ha of cans on a gas truck Oil.” Green container stamped “Sinclair and risk getting two side. Much with white letters SJER on pints worth of dents .. reward sentimental value. Sizable hammered into it on a ve message. Phone (520) 885-1951. Lea

I

’ve lost my old gas can and the left rear corner of my van looks bare without it. It was given to me by a Matchless 500 rider who insisted that anyone riding a Triumph was a loser in general and pointed out that my Triumph in particular was squirting more fuel past the ‘tickler’ than for locomotion. I gladly accepted the can, but what I really wanted were his right leg muscles; that man could kick start his machine on cold mornings when other “Matchbox” riders were looking around for a car with an automatic transmission from which they could beg a tow. The top of the can was shaped like a funnel with a screw cap covering a thumb-size hole. The can could be upended into a motorcycle fuel tank and left on its own, as it would automatically stop ‘glugging’ once the tank was filled. A bent thumb, plunged in below fuel level to seal the opening as the fuel can was lifted, would produce one final half ‘glug’ without spilling a drop. There was

accent). I had been number 534, the number 4 rider on row 53, and that’s where old Gaitheroux put my can–534 yards up the trail from row #1. The lost can had been painted and lettered by Colin Pilkington, a misplaced British rider who said he had immigrated to New Jersey so he could sleep an extra few hours every morning for the

road last resurfaced during the Roosevelt administration (that’s Teddy Roosevelt).

It was also easy to find. The gas cans were usually in some number sequence at fuel stops, but when they were returned to the finish area they often seemed to have been pitched off a tall truck by a short driver who bowls a lot. Then riders hurrying to get home to find out whether or not they were still married would scatter them as they pawed their way into the pole looking for the container they came with. At an enduro in Louisiana a man named Gaitheroux (say ‘Gatrow’) lined the gas cans in neat rows a yard apart–1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D etc, depending on how they were tagged. Gaitheroux read the back of my tag and saw the number I had at a Texas event where they used numbers without letters (scorers yelling rider numbers to the suffering backup sheet crew discovered that they often couldn’t tell an Austin-dialect B from a Beaumont-dialect D, and they couldn’t understand any letters pronounced with a Tucson, Arizona,

It was given to me by a Matchless 500 rider who insisted that anyone riding a Triumph was a loser in general...

We Service European and Japanese Motorcycles

415-454-7433 www.marinmotoworks.com 44 Harbor St. San Rafael



rest of his life. Colin said the can color (‘colour,’ that is) was chartreuse, but I called it green. Apparently British people can say words like chartreuse with no problem, but every time I try it I get a cramp on the bottom of my tongue. We started out with identical green cans, but Colin discovered my Triumph fuel didn’t really improve the performance of his twostroke Can-Am at all. The can means a lot to me because at times I was so poor that the only money I had didn’t fold, and I often had to empty the dregs of fuel from the can into my Dodge van just to get the thing home. In the only picture I have of the late Jerry Bolt he’s topping off his trials machine with my old can. The can wandered off somewhere between New Hampshire and Florida and I’d sure like to have it back, as I intend to make a lamp out of it. I told Len Lowe that the can was missing and that I intended to reward the finder at least a thousand fold, maybe more. Lenny thought about this for a minute then asked why I thought anybody would want a thousand green gas cans? For a copy of Ed’s latest book, 80.4 Finish Check, send $29.95 with suggested inscription to Ed Hertfelder, PO Box 17564, Tucson, AZ 85731.

dr. gregory w. FRAZIER

So Many adventure MotorcycleS-So Much debt

cement from town to my house for post holes. But the three bags of cement weigh less than a passenger and touring gear. Driving the Lincoln to town and back can be as much of an adventure as he new adventure motorcycles on my adventure can dig me into a deep hole. I could easily spend $15-20,000 to motorcycles. The one time I did it in July join the club of heavyweight adventure last year the casing riders. Adding farkle, bling, OEM came off the rear tire adventure accessories, adventure suit, and wrapped around adventure helmet, adventure boots the rear axle housing and some electronic adventure devices at speed. I spent two and training programs will get the cash register ringing at $30,000. Toss in sales hours in the sun on the hottest day of tax and insurance and my banker and I are having the same discussion I had with the year changing the tire. Less than him about a new car. Whew! 20 miles later the Where I call home, the good motorcycling alternator quit weather can go south and stay south from charging. I was able October until April. The 42-mile trip to the to install a rebuilt nearest town on my adventure motorcycle alternator in town by is not a fun adventure when the road is ice myself for $50. Net or snow covered. Yes, serious adventure is cost for the new tire, involved—the risk of crashing or suffering rebuilt alternator frostbite from the snowy, icy conditions. and gas for the day of running the Lincoln After I talked with Mr. Banker about was $250—to drive a new car, my old car won my cranial 90 miles. economic argument about better gas mileage, onboard security systems and Had I been on a other features. I hate to admit it, but not new heavyweight considered in that debate was anything adventure to do with helping the economy by motorcycle and had purchasing a new consumer good or saving the flat, the $250 might have covered the oil. My 1979 Lincoln Continental Town rear tire and shipping to install it myself. Car kept me from having to send a massive The alternator, which would have to be check to the bank each month to eventually dig out of the hole of debt.

The downside of the economics of my Lincoln adventure car is it does not like offpavement, though at 5000 lbs. it does better in the mud than a Goldwing I used for some adventures. Both, however, require a

Knowing the new motorcycle will not be ridden three to six months a year unless I relocate to a warmer climate at great financial expense is forgotten when I picture myself hammering the Rocky

T

I face challenges by using the motorcycles, like when I have to carry a few bags of

installed at a dealer, could have set me back $500 and I would have had to find a way to deliver the motorcycle 100 miles to the nearest dealer. A $1000 day could have been my credit-card hit.

BULTACO NIGHT Maynard: Really great to read your Metralla article. Between the Metralla and the Ducati Diana is where I lived in fantasy through my teen years. As an adult I managed to acquire an early example of both bikes, but find that I am more interested in riding my Multistrada than getting my hands dirty. Perhaps you or someone responding to your article could make better use of my Metralla 200 than I am; it languishes in the back yard under a cover. It is a complete track bike with an extras engine and number of scarce and useful parts. Good tank and strong spark includes. $1500 seems reasonable to me. Bruce Sexauer Wait a minute—did Sexauer just get a free photo classified? Email us if you want to buy it: info@ citybike.com.

tractor to dislodge when stuck in Montana gumbo—a bigger one for the Lincoln. I suspect that one of the new adventure motorcycles could grunt through the muck.

Driving the Lincoln to town and back can be as much of an adventure as on my adventure motorcycles

My annual car-driving miles usually fall in the 2-4000 mile category. At 10 mpg the Lincoln looks better parked from my wallet’s viewpoint than rolling with me in it. My motorcycles carry me 40,000plus miles each year, and most get 30 mpg or better.

Tankslapper

Triumph, BMW, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha all have new adventure offerings. As they have unveiled their new models I have been Jonesing for each. When I looked at them, the economics of a new adventure motorcycle simply disappear from rational financial thinking. Factors like ‘job creation’ replace the ugly word debt, as if when I buy a new adventure motorcycle I will be helping someone stay employed or even create a new job.

Mountains in July or August. Taking the place of that great financial loss is thinking that I will be saving oil, doing something good for the environment, something politically correct by getting 40 mpg on the new adventure motorcycle versus 10 mpg in my Lincoln lead sled. I can even rationalize the deep hole of new debt. If you listen to some bankers and politicians, debt is a good word. My increased debt would be helping some loan officer keep their job if I stretch my thinking far enough. So what will it be for me? A new adventure motorcycle or maintaining the old one and driving the Lincoln to town when the road is icy or weather cold? So many new adventure motorcycles to choose from, so much debt. Maybe the next trip to town on a chilly spring morning when the Lincoln blows a tire will help me decide. If I am going to be cold for two hours on the side of the road I could just as well be a happy debtor smiling in my helmet with heated grips, heated seat, heated gloves, pants and jacket. I just have to somehow rationalize that the deep muck of debt is good, and so become a political thinker. Dr. Gregory Frazier says, “As a motorcycling economist I admit to being conservative. Add to that a Quaker upbringing and I’m also a bit frugal. Given those descriptions I have to laugh at myself when looking at the way dollars fly out of my accounts when pursuing motorcycle adventures.”His latest book, Motorcycle Adventurer can be found at motorcycleadventurer.com.


PICK UP LINE Hi Guys,

bike to another. Both times were when the bike(s) were moving as can be attested to by my girlfriend. That is all. Chess M. San Francisco Eat more fiber, Chess. Or less fiber. Or just ride sweep.

ENOUGH, HOUGH As an active MSF rider coach I read David Hough’s article on mandatory training (“Should Rider Training Be Mandatory?” April 2011) with great interest. I, too, would like to believe that rider training makes a difference and, anecdotally, I know that for some people it does make a difference. Last Sunday I had a young Navy Seaman tell me that she wouldn’t have wrecked her first motorcycle if she knew then what she learned in class over the weekend. It’s comments like that which keep many RiderCoaches coming back weekend after weekend to stand around in a parking lot and watch other people ride. Having said that, I don’t believe that mandatory training is going to significantly impact motorcycle accident statistics. To reduce accidents a lot more than training needs to change.

with it. As part riding well. We’d of the classroom much rather let introduction people “do their for the BRC I own thing.” David frequently ask Bromfield wrote an students if they excellent article in think riding a On The Level (the motorcycle on the organ of the BMW street is a risky Rider’s Association, business. I rarely edited by CityBike get anyone who contributing editor RiderCoach Rob Kong shows new riders how it’s Will Guyan—go tells me that it’s not and yet only a done. Alameda, 2011. Photo: Bob Stokstad to bmwra.org/ small fraction of otl for more info) riders opt to take advanced riding courses a couple of months ago on the reception (which the MSF is starting to offer, but few he got when he tried a little constructive schools in the Bay Area offer—ed.) offer—ed.). For criticism with some of his riding peers. It most people the BRC is the first and last seems that it didn’t go well. In a culture training they will ever get on how to ride a that valued riding well, David’s comments motorcycle. As one of my peers frequently would have been met with a little more tells students at the end of class, “As a positive response. Training by itself new rider you now have 17 miles of riding whether mandatory or not probably isn’t experience in a parking lot at no more than the answer. Training with a commitment 25 mph. I wouldn’t recommend hitting to improving upon what you’ve learned I-80 tomorrow at rush hour. Practice what would be a big step in the right direction. you’ve learned on your own motorcycle Unless the culture changes it’s unlikely that and get additional training.” I know that mandatory training is going to do much to at our range we see maybe 2 percent our reduce the statistics. students back to take the BRC2, a class that I would consider at best the bare minimum Scott Cory in additional training. If even 20 percent Scott responded to David Hough’s article last year, but we failed to print Scott’s thoughtful response. of the students who went through a BRC Luckily, this month’s Hough article covers much of followed up with an advance course, the the same ground, so his writing seemed like a good fit. MSF, Reg Pridmore CLASS Motorcycle School, Lee Parks Total Control Riding Send your traffic to [email protected]. Best letter gets a CityBike T-shirt, and remember: we Clinic, et al would be swamped with business. I haven’t noticed that happening. now stock women’s shirts. Order yours by going to In general, I don’t believe that our current culture as motorcyclists values the idea of

Just wanted to say I love CityBike, and I pick it up whenever I can. I also wanted to send in a pic of my ‘71 CB500 up on Grizzly Let me explain. I spent 25 years of my life Peak the other day. This is why we love the working in heavy manufacturing. For the Bay Area!! first 10 of those years we basically paid lip service to safety. We met our OSHA Cheers! commitments, measured our incident rate Gregg Rosenblum and got along with the business of making paper. About 15 years ago the CEO of the Is your CB500 for sale? Sexauer’s in the market as soon as he sells his Metralla. company I worked for at the time made employee safety his top priority and made ICON GONE the point that management was going to To the person who stole my Icon helmet in “walk the talk.” He drove accountability for working safely down through a company Antioch, with 55,000 employees. It resulted in an 90 Hope you show bone real soon. Think of percent reduction in serious injuries and me when you bump your head. a complete shift in the company’s culture. It didn’t come easy, but today you would Thanks for printing this, CityBike. be hard pressed to find an employee that Jessica Grindheim doesn’t understand what’s expected of them when it comes to working safely.

5 JIVE

CityBike: I finally got to see the CB issue and i just have to say that I have debunked the moto5ive #2 (“News, Clues,” March 2012) as I have not only farted on the bike and have had the passenger smell my butt burp, but I have also performed the daring feat of floating an air biscuit from one moving

So, how does that relate to motorcycle safety? All of the employees of the above company went through extensive training. The training included a significant safety focus, not unlike the MSF’s Basic RiderCourse. Most employees understood how to work safely, but the culture in place didn’t support it. Once the culture shifted, employees’ behavior shifted to conform April 2012 | 23 | CityBike.com

citybike.com/subscribe.

CLASSIFIEDS

Our monthly rides, meetings and tech session and events are open to all members and guests see our web site calendar at www .nortonclub .com . Now celebrating our 40th year!

CLUBS OMC Ride with other local sport bike riders in the Bay Area. • Mostly sport bikes • Routes go to ALL parts of the bay area and focus on the “twisty’s” • We set a quick pace and newbies may get left behind ;) • Group riding experience is highly recommended, as is proper riding gear • We also do track days, drag races, motorcycle camping, and attend motorcycle racing events http://www .meetup .com/BayAreaMotoGroup/

Leave your husbands, boyfriends or significant other at home. This is a place for women to ride with no ego’s present or male testosterone to get in the way. Head-to-Toe gear is strongly preferred, leather if you got it. And if you need gear, then ask GearChic aka Joanne to help you find some. • Mainly sport bikes. • Scooters welcome, as long as they’re freeway legal (over 150cc) • All skill levels welcome. • We don’t allow crashing - so please ride within your limits. • Our parent group is BAMG (Bay Area Moto Group). http://www .meetup .com/BAMGirls/

BSA Owners Club The BSA Owners’ Club of Northern California was formed to promote the preservation and enjoyment of the motorcycles produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company in England. Founded in 1985, the Club now has over 500 members, and has produced the monthly newsletter, The Bulletin, since the Club’s inception. Rides and activities are scheduled each month in addition to two major activities: The Clubman’s All British Weekend in the spring, and the Northern California All British Ride in the fall. Membership is open to all BSA enthusiasts. For more information: www .bsaocnc .org

The Classic Japanese Motorcycle Club is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of the Classic and Vintage Japanese motorcycle. We have rides, meets, shows, swaps and can help you find and sell parts, bikes and motorcyclerelated services. Members make the club function! www .CJMC .org .

Exciting women-only motorcycle group in the SF Bay Area. For more info visit www .curveunit .com

The Ducati Vintage Club was founded to assist vintage Ducati MC (1987 and older) owners with information and resources to preserve, resurrect and bring these MC’s back to the road! Owners and enthusiasts are welcome to join. We meet once monthly at the Ducati Bike Night event and we sponsor the annual European Motorcycle Show and Swap held in March at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, the La Ducati Day Concorso held in LaHonda each October and more. Visit us at www .ducativintageclub .com

Homoto is a queer and queer-friendly motorcycle club based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our rides are sport-focused with an emphasis on safety and camaraderie. For more info: http://www .homoto .us sanfrancisco@homoto .us sanjose@homoto .us

The Northern California Norton Owners’ Club (NCNOC) is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of the Norton motorcycle. Membership is open to all British Motorcycle enthusiasts and is currently $25 per year, you can join online.

The Oakland Motorcycle Club is the fourth-oldest club in the nation and celebrated 100 years of continuous operation in 2007. The OMC is dedicated to supporting the sport of motorcycle riding. We are a diverse group of male and female riders with a wide variety of motorcycles, including street, dirt, and dualsport bikes. We sponsor and organize the following annual events to which all riders are invited: Sheetiron 300 Dualsport, held in May; Three Bridge Poker Run, held in July; Jackhammer Enduro, held in October. Regular club meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. Guests are welcome. 742 – 45th Avenue, Oakland. (510) 534-6222. www .oaklandmc .org .

San Francisco Motorcycle Club San Francisco Motorcycle Club, Inc., established 1904, is the second oldest motorcycle club in the country! Our business meetings are Thursday nights at 8:30pm, and guests are always welcome. Our clubhouse is filled with motorcycling history from the last century, a pool table, foosball and pinball games, and people who currently enjoy motorcycles, dirt riding, racing, touring, riding and wrenching. Check our website for events such as club rides, socials and events, and come visit us, no matter what bike you ride! San Francisco Motorcycle Clubhouse is located at 2194 Folsom St, @ 18th St in San Francisco. www .sf-mc .org 415-863-1930

IRON HORSE Consistently maintained by certified mechanics, SHOWROOM QUALITY 2009 Harley Davidson Road King Classic, Model: FLHRC, Price: $15,999.00 Description: Leather wrapped bags, Luggage rack, Mustang seat w/backrest, S/E slip ons, Hi-Flow 20755 miles. 2008 Harley Davidson DeLuxe, Model: FLSTN, Price:$16,599.00 Description: Leather wrapped lockable bags, luggage rack, removable windshield, 1934 miles. Color: Crimson Red 2003 Honda VTX 1300S, Model 1300S, Price: $5,999.00 Description: BUB Exhaust, Lindby Bar, Mustang Seat w backrest, Floorboards. This is a beautiful bike that’s ready to ride, nothing left to do. 20347 Miles Color: Black 2004 Harley Davidson Road King, Model: FLHR, Price: $13,499.00 Description: Pro-Pipe, Hi-Flow, Removable backrest, Corbin Seat, Hard Bags, Miles: 26,055, Color: Black 2001 Harley Davidson Road King Model: FLHR, Price: $14,199.00 Description: Vance&Hines, Hi-Flow, Touring Seat w rider backrest, removable chopped tour pak. Too many extras to list, come see it in person. 28692 Miles- Color: Concord Purple 2002 Harley Davidson Custom WideGlide Price: $13,999.00. Color-Red, White, and Blue on Silver. Miles: 5673, 95” Motor, Screamin Eagle heads, 211 Cams, 111 HP, 114 Ft/Lbs 2008 Harley Davidson, “1200 Custom” Model: XL1200C Price: $7395.00 Description: ThunderHeader. Hi-Flow, Removable backrest 6287 Miles 2001 Harley Davidson, “FatBoy” Model: FLSTF Price: $11,999.00 Description: Chrome front end, Windshield, removable backrest, Corbin seat, 1350 miles 2004 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic, Model FLHTC. Price $14,499.00. Description: 95”, Flowed Heads by Hannan, S&S 585 Gear Drive Cams, Rineharts, S/E Clutch, Progressive 440’s, Racetek frontend, Too Much to list. 48957 Miles 2003 Yamaha V-Star Model 650-Price: $3499.00 Description: Windshield, Saddle bags, 11805 Miles 2011 ATK, Model GT 250R- Price:$3995.00. Description: 27 HP, Carb, Dual Disc front, single disc rear brakes, free flow exhaust, 5 speed. 1 year warranty. Sales Tax, Freight/Setup, License and Doc. Fee additional. 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide, Model FXDWG-Price:$11,499.00. Description: Pipes, Hi-Flow, Bags, Removable windshield, Passing lights, 6 spoke split wheels, Chrome Frontend Miles:34646, Color: Silver & Black Anniversary 2010 ATK, Model GT 650R-Price: $5,595.00. Description: 80HP, Carb, Dual Disc front, single disc rear brakes, free flow exhaust, 6 speed 1 year warranty Demo unit. 441miles. 2010 ATK, Model: GT250- Price: $3,995.00 Description: 250cc, 70+mpg,Color: Maroon 1 year warranty Demo unit. 870 miles. 2001 Harley Davidson Road King Custom Model: FLHRCI- Price: $14,299.00 Description-95” Motor, Hi-Flow, 203 Cams, Pipes, Corbin Seat, with backrest, Tour Pak. 40,938 Miles 1998 Harley Davidson Fat Boy- Price: $10,299.00 Description- S&S Super B, Python pipes, Turquoise and white custom paint on Fat Bob tanks, Bag Stand Offs.

2002 Harley Davidson Softail, “Deuce”, Model FXSTDPrice: $17,499.00 Description Custom Paint, V&H Sweeper Pipes, Hi-Flow, Legend Air ride, Ness Wheels, 6 Speed, 23895 miles 2008 Harley Davidson Street Glide- Price: $17,499.00 Description-Pearl White, Rinehart pipes, Hi Flow, Chrome Front End, Profile Wheels, 12,409 Miles. 2000 Heritage Softail Custom- Price- $13,999.00 Pearl white with hard back kit added, Hi flow pipes, 95” motor, wind vest shield, Custom Tach. 8,200 miles 2004 Custom STX- Price: $14,500.00 110 Rev Tech motor, less than 1,000 miles Color-Red, white black and gray 2007 Sportster 883 Low- Price: $8,999.00- Added 1200 kit, Buell heads, 551 Cams, Screaming Eagle Exhaust, Heavy breather. Color-Brown. 5859 miles

J&M Motorsports 1931 Old Middlefield Way #201 Mountain View www .jm-ms .com 650-386-1440 Good-used-motorcycle/Fair-price specialists—Sportbikes, Cruisers, & Dirt Bikes We are a licensed operation run by two brothers who love motorcycles and specialize in newer, low-mile, affordable bikes that are worth owning. We have in-house financing and a wide variety of bikes all in one place. Looking for your first bike? Your 10th? Come by and see why people like us: Easy to deal with and we really enjoy our work. J&M is not a giant dealership. When you call or visit, you’re talking directly with the owner. Come by and take a look! Open Tues-Sat - Closed Sunday We buy (nice) used bikes. Trade-ins and consignments are almost always welcome. $2,795 1994 Yamaha XV535 3,293 miles $4,995 2006 YZF600R Yamaha 5,541 miles $7,995 2009 YZFR6 Yamaha 1,297 miles $6,995 2007 YZFR6 Yamaha 3,177 miles $7,495 2008 YZFR6 Yamaha 5,131 miles $3,795 2003 Yamaha Vstar 650 Classic 4,894 miles $4,995 2007 Yamaha Vstar 650 Silverado 3,840 miles $5,995 2009 FZ6R Yamaha 4,244 miles $9,995 2009 YZFR1 Yamaha 2,501 miles $3,795 2002 Suzuki SV650S 6,134 miles $4,995 2007 Suzuki SV650S 9,469 miles $5,295 2009 Suzuki DRZ400SM 2,322 miles $6,995 2007 Suzuki GSXR600 4,203 miles $7,495 2008 Suzuki GSXR600 7,552 miles $6,995 2007 Suzuki GSXR750 4,245 miles $7,995 2008 Suzuki GSXR750 3,285 miles $7,495 2006 Suzuki VZR1800 M109R 5,280 miles $1,495 2006 Kawasaki KX100 $2,995 2007 Kawasaki EX250R Ninja 7,392 miles $3,995 2009 Kawasaki EX250R Ninja 51 Original Miles $3,995 2009 Kawasaki EX250R Ninja 6,030 miles $5,495 2009 Kawasaki KLE650 Versys 11,654 miles Warranty $6,495 2009 Kawasaki ZX6R Ninja 12,954 miles $4,995 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan VN1500N 9,402 miles $3,995 2007 Honda VLX600 Shadow 5,748 miles $5,295 2009 Honda VT750 Spirit 2,078 miles $5,795 2009 Honda XR650L 20 Actual Miles! $2,995 2006 Honda CRF450R $9,495 2009 Honda CBR1000RR 245 Actual Miles! $7,495 2007 Honda CBR600RR 5,121 miles $7,995 2008 Honda CBR600RR 1,438 miles $7,995 2008 Honda CBR600RR 1,438 miles $6,495 2006 Honda CBR600RR 5,633 miles $6,495 2006 Honda CBR600RR 5,633 miles $6,995 2007 Honda CBR600RR 7,447 miles $6,995 2008 Honda CBR600RR 13,110 miles $2,995 1983 BMW R65 10,946 miles $18,995 2004 Chevrolet LT Duramax HD 145,243 miles

Mission Motorcycles 6232 Mission Street Daly City, CA 94014 (650) 992-1234 www .missionmotorcycles .com 1st Saturday of the month is BROWN BAG SATURDAY! Get it in the bag and get 15% OFF! Any Parts or Accessories in stock are 15% off the marked price! One bag per customer, so get as much stuff as you can and Have Fun while Saving Money! Our factory-trained technicians in our Service Department have decades of experience. Rely on us to keep your bike, ATV, scooter or generator in tip top condition whether it’s for regular scheduled maintenance, crash repairs, or for any accessory installation you may be thinking about. We will check your tire pressures for free.

NEW BIKE SPECIALS 2012 Super Tenere Demo Rides! Please call to schedule a ride (650) 992-1234. This is the ultimate adventure touring bike with power modes, traction control, and ABS! Come and see what all the excitement is about! 2012 Zero Electric Motorcycle S and DS have arrived. Imagine where you can go with up to 114 mile range and a top speed over 80 mph. Plug in and get charged with a standard


household outlet. Street models are eligible for the $900 CA Clean Air Vehicle Rebate. Call for a Demo Ride and mention Citybike. 2011 ZERO Electric Motorcycles savings available here at Mission Motorcycles. Get Plugged In! The UX (Urban Cross) and MX (Motocross) models are $1000.00 OFF!!! Plus, select ZERO Motorcycles qualify for a $900 CA Clean Air Vehicle Rebate! Call (650) 992-1234 for a Demo Ride. TIME TO GET DIRTY! Wide selection of new and used motocross and trail bikes in stock now! The rain is finally here, it’s time to ride. Get your kids or significant other riding! Easy to ride and fun for all. 2011 Kawasaki ZX-6R $9,499. New Supersport Motorcycle! This bike has fully adjustable front and rear suspension, excellent handling, and cornering capabilities. Available in Black, Green and Blue! 2011 Yamaha FZ1 $9,990 Silver. Want a comfortable ride, but don’t want to give up sport performance and handling? This is the ride for you. 2009 Honda CBR1000ABS $12,999. Spectacular engine performance with solid, confidence inspiring, handling. Feels like a 600cc in the tight turns, yet open the throttle and feel the acceleration of a liter class bike. Red/Black. 2009 Yamaha V Star 650 Custom $6,090 Blue Flame. Perfect for the freeway or getting around town. Easy to handle and big value for the price.

PRE-OWNED VEHICLES 2010 VICTORY KINGPIN $11,999 Only 460 miles! Twotone Ocean Blue/Sandstone, Kingpin cruising with an Arlen Ness Stage 1 Kit Installed! Stock # U1114 2005 Honda VTX1800F $7,699 Only 9,553 Miles! This bike has it all! Comfort, performance, great handling, and it looks great! Comes with a windscreen and saddlebags installed! Stock # U1150 2009 Yamaha VMax $15,999 Just 1,663 miles on this limited edition power cruiser. This is #275 of 2,500. Can you handle this 197 hp bad boy? 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 500R $2,999 Only 1,022 Miles! Candy Red, all stock and perfect for beginners! Stock # C472 2009 Honda CBR600RR Limited Edition Phoenix $7,299 with 11,446 miles and ready to go! Leo Vince Exhaust, adjustable levers, aftermarket mirrors with LED turn signals, and fender elimination kit. Stock # U1154 2007 V-Star 1300 in Blue $6,299 with 27,286 miles This is a great bike to tour around the country on or just around the city! Comes with cobra pipes, power commander, saddlebags, passenger back rest and rear rack. Stock # U1121 2007 Vulcan 900 Classic LT Black and Silver Only $4,999 with 41,024 miles. Comes complete with windscreen, saddlebags, engine guards, highway pegs, corbin seat with rider back rest, Passenger back rest, and cobra exhaust pipes. Stock # U1146 2004 Honda Silverwing 600 in Silver $4,499 7,983 Miles Great all around scooter! Great for commuting in the city or crusing down the coast! Stock # U1144 2010 Vespa GTS 300 Super Pearl White $4,599 only 1,504 Miles! Scoot around town or down the freeway in style. Stock # U1147 2003 HONDA REFLEX W/ ABS $2,499 21,878 miles and awaiting more! Plenty of power for two-up freeway riding with Antilock Brakes, lots of storage with an extra Givi trunk. Stock # C442 1988 Honda Elite 250 Black $2,199 Only 9,821 Miles Classic, freeway legal scooter. Smaller, compact frame than most freeway legal scooters, makes this scooter easy to maneuver. Stock # C469 2007 Kawasaki KLX110 $1,699 The mud is here! Take your kids riding with this three speed dirt bike. Easy to ride, just twist and go. Very low hours. Stock # C466 Prices do not include government fees, dealer freight/setup fees (new vehicles only), taxes, dealer document preparation charges or any finance charges (if applicable). Final actual sales prices will vary depending on options or accessories selected. Check out and compare our bikes online at www .missionmotocycles .com!

THE MOTOR CAFE 1289 W. El Camino Real Sunnyvale, CA 94087 408.739.6500 We are the south bay’s source for all your Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and KTM needs. Big savings on all new 2011 and older inventory. Financing specials as low as: 3.99% from Honda 3.95% from Kawasaki 5.99% from Ducati 3.99% from KTM Stop by and check out our clearance prices on our last 2010 and 2011 models, including a killer price on the 2011 KTM 250 SX-F Sample of our current used inventory: ’03 Ducati ST4S 22,150 mi. $6,499 ‘04 Ducati MTS1000S 7,437 mi. $6,499 ‘06 HD Nnigthrod 6,909 mi. $9,999 ‘08 Honda Goldwing 52,667 mi. $13,999 ‘01 Kawasaki KX100 green sticker $1,495 ’10 KTM Duke 690 500 mi. $8,499 ’07 Suzuki GSXR750 13,596 mi. $7,299 ‘06 Suzuki C90 13,752 mi. $6,999 ’07 Yamaha Star 950 32,210 mi. $6,399 ’07 Yamaha R6 3,929 mi. $7,799 ‘03 Yamaha YZ450 OHV $2,399

TriQuest Motorcycles

ZBF, Ian Armstrong Full service on Harley Davidson models. Ian is HD certified and is happy to join the Addiction Motors team!

CityBike Classifieds

SF MOTO 255 8th Street at Folsom in San Francisco: 415/255-3132, www .sfmoto .com . Located in the SOMA (South of Market) neighborhood in San Francisco, California we provide the bay area with new and used motorcycles, scooters, service,and gear. We have an overflowing inventory of used sportbikes, cruisers, supermoto, and scooters. Lots of options for financing as well. Our Service department has INCREASED operating hours. Every weekday morning service now opens at 8:00 a.m. We also offer motorcycle storage! Includes battery tender to keep your bike ready to ride! Call for rates.

What’s New: In the Service department: Please remember that our service department opens early every weekday morning at 8:00 am. Now we have a direct phone line into the service dept: 415/861-7196 LoJack is on SALE. Buy the LoJack anti theft system at SF Moto and SAVE $250. (While supplies last or till August 31th. 2011.) Come in for details.

The Sales department says: We buy used motorcycles and scooters, we can also help you sell your ride with our no cost consignment program. Bring your bike, title (or loan statement), owners handbook and keys. It’s OK if you still have a loan on your bike we can still take care of you. We will provide the safest way for you to get cash for your motorcycle or scooter. It only takes about 20 - 25 minutes. Sign up on our mail list to get NEW INVENTORY NOTIFICATIONS in our weekly e mail newsletter.

MOTORCYCLES! BEST USED SELECTION IN S.F.!!! 2009 SYM Mio 50 scooter, $1999 2009 SYM RV250 Scooter, $3588 2010 SYM HD200 EVO scooter, $3399 2010 HYOSUNG GT250R, $4199 2010 SYM SYMBA (Honda Cub) scooter, $2398 2012 Hyosung GV250 Aquila, $3999 2007 Vespa GTV 250ie, 4,895.00 2007 VESPA GTS250 i.e., scooter $3995 2010 SYM Fiddle II scooter, $2298 2007 Yamaha Majesty 400 YP400 maxi scooter, $4295 2005 Yamaha Majesty 400 YP400 maxi scooter, silver, $3695 1969 Vespa Primavera ET3 scooter, $2495 2008 HONDA Shadow 750 Spirit VT750, $4995 2007 YAMAHA V-star 650 Silverado, $4895 2007 KAWASAKI Vulcan 900 Classic VN900 VN-900, $5295 2007 HYOSUNG GV650 GV 650 Avitar650 Avitar, $3895 2009 SYM Citycom 300i scooter, $3999 2008 SUZUKI DR200 DR 200 200S 200SE 200 S E, $3395 2002 BMW R1100S R1100 S R 1100, $5995 2005 KAWASAKI Ninja 250R, Call for price 2009 KAWASAKI ZX600-P ZX600 ZX6R ZX 6R Ninja 600, $7895 2012 SYM Wolf Classic 150 WolfClassic, $2999 2012 SYM HD200 HD 200 scooter, $3499 2012 SYM Fiddle II, $2299 2005 SUZUKI DR200SE DR200 SE DR 200, $2895 2007 HONDA VT1100C2 VT 1100 VT1100 C2 Shadow1100 Shadow Sabre, $5695 2009 HONDA Shadow 750 Spirit VT750 VT750C2F $5895 2009 SUZUKI GSX-R750 GSXR750 GSXR 750 GSXR-750, $9495 2005 KAWASAKI Vulcan 800 Classic VN800, $4295 2007 SUZUKI V Strom 650 DL650, $5295 2009 YAMAHA R6 R6s YZFR6S, $6895 2009 YAMAHA R6 YZFR6, $8599 2008 YAMAHA FZ6, $4995 2006 HONDA Shadow 600 VT600 $3795 2010 Vespa GTS 300 Super scooter, $5499 2009 KAWASAKI EX250-J EX250 Ninja 250 Ninja250, $4295 2009 KAWASAKI ZX600-P ZX600 ZX6R ZX 6R Ninja 600, $7895 2006 SUZUKI V Strom 650 DL650, $5395 2007 KAWASAKI EX650A EX650 EX 650 Ninja650 Ninja, $4995 2003 YAMAHA R6 YZFR6, $4295 2009 YAMAHA R6 YZFR6, $8495 2009 HONDA Rebel 250 CMX250, $2995 2009 YAMAHA FZ6-R, $5895

NEW 2010 Ural Solo sT Special ordered bike for show display. Custom factory painted Maroon, with extra stainless steel & chrome bling. Bike is sold as new with 2 year factory parts/labor/unlimited mileage warranty 58km … equal custom 2012 list … $8649 … this one only $6,500 plus tax/lic. VIN X8JMH2382AU220346 Sold by CA licensed URAL dealer … TriQuest Motorcycles 408-855-8358 www .triquestcycles .com

USED MOTORCYCLES:

Introducing Marin Moto Works! ADVANCED CYCLE SERVICE *Motorcycle Service and Repair* • Tires • Service •Insurance estimates Monthly bike storage available Come check us out 1135 Old Bayshore Hwy San Jose, CA 95112 (408) 299-0508 jim@advcyles .com — www .advcycles .com DUCATI SUZUKI KAWASAKI YAMAHA

AMERICAN CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE PARTS 2006 Suzuki DRz 400 SM 9000 miles. Very tricked out: 436cc big bore, cams, carbs, exhaust. The suspension is re-sprung and re-valved for a 250lb rider. Lots of spares, 18/21” dirt wheels available. $4400. Al at 510-295-7707

Large Parts Inventory for American V-Twins Full service on all American-made bikes Machine Shop & Welding 925-689-9801 2395 H Monument Blvd, Concord

Aprilia, KTM, and BMW Service and Repair Located at 44 Harbor street, San Rafael Open Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm (415) 454-RIDE

MOTO GIO Motorcycle Performance Parts, Accessories, Services. Low price on Tires!!! We will PRICE MATCH with any store. Phone : 408-298-8887 1391 N. 10th St San Jose CA 95112 Email: info@motogio .com www.motogio.com Please mention this ad and you will receive an additional 5% off on your purchase.

Honda 90 Trail Bike – Yellow color – Low Miles. $985 OBO 510-387-2624 or 510-893-4821

Mind-Blowing Custom Paint Since 1988 Visit Our Showroom!

Magazine collection - Cycle/Cycle World $800 Motorcycle Magazine Collection for sale. Cycle, Cycle World from ‘60s to ‘90s. Also have Motorcyclist, Dirtbike, others, $800/all. Email: frisbeedad@aol .com 2003 Suzuki SV1000S, silver. One original owner, still on first set of tires! Just 3000 miles, like new. Other items available. $4500. Ask for Otto: tthrnndz@yahoo .com

V-Twin Service, Repair, Parts, & Fabrication. Harley Factory Trained Tech.

DNA Motor Lab, LLC DNA specializes in affordable scooter/motorcycle repair (including Chinese) in the SF Bay Area. We provide services on-site or pickup. 510-473-7349 www .dnamotorlab .com

DUBBELJU For sale, 3 antique motorcycles - part of estate being liquidated in Los Altos Hills, Ca. These three bikes look old with spoke wheels and chrome exhaust. Owner paperwork says that they are Shadow model but they don’t look like a Honda. They have “Vincent” on the tank. Not currently running, not registered since 1960’s. No titles. Dirty but seem complete. Unknown mechanical condition with flat tires. AS IS WHERE IS. Need to be removed from the property in April. 650-903-6771 1999 Yamaha R1, blue, 4.6K miles, Öhlins, Race Tech, Graves rearsets, V&H slip-on: $3950. Also, ‘97 Aprilia RS250 & ‘99 R6 track bikes: prices negotiable. 408/3430381/921-9689. 1969 Ossa Pioneer Lots of new, original parts, matching numbers, $1000 as is. Owen at 831/426-5107.

PARTS AND SERVICE

MOTORCYCLE STORAGE AND RENTALS IN SAN FRANCISCO Never worry about theft, vandalism, weather damage or parking tickets. DUBBELJU MC RENTALS, San Francisco’s oldest motorcycle rental shop, offers safe storage for your bike in our shop at 689A Bryant St. Not only is it a great shop to store your motorcycle but we have cool rental bikes as well; BMW, Triumph, Harley, Honda, Suzuki, and even Yamaha scooters. Keep us in mind when your bike is in the shop or you have a friend come in to town. Be sure to check out our web site: www .dubbelju .com and see all the things we have going on. 415/495-2774.

FRISCO VINTAGE Vespa Service & Repair 2-stroke shifty only. 30 years experience. Great rates. No job too small. In San Francisco. By Appointment. info@friscovintage .com

Use our shop workstations, lifts, & tools to fix your own motorcycle! We offer mechanical classes that teach new tricks and selfsufficiency. Find out more online! www .BayAreaMotoShop .com (650) 873-1600 325 South Maple #20 South San Francisco, CA 94080

MOTO TIRE GUY

www .MotoTireGuy .com Motorcycle Tire Services San Francisco - Bay Area (415) 601-2853 Order your tires online, Zero CA sales tax plus Free UPS Ground, then have a Preferred Installer in your local area do the installation and save! Please visit website for details.

Address: City: e-mail:

Scotts Valley Motorcycle Service Center All aspects of motorcycle service and repair 4865 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley (831) 438-6300 Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm

Galfer Braking Rotors, Brake lines, Pads, Street, Race, Off-road, Super-Moto PashnitMoto is one of the largest Galfer Braking dealers in the USA. Colored brake lines, custom lengths, Wave Rotors. 50 Pages of part numbers. www .GalferBrakes .net or call 530/391-1356

Enter these contacts into your phone now, while you are thinking about it, so that you will have them when you need them .

AMBROZ TOWS 24/7 Service 650, 408, and 925 area code specialist Jump Starts • Gas Refill • Tire plugs & fills • Motorcycle Storage Emercency Parts Delivery • Designated Driver • Easy-Load truck 510-385-2374 650-260-2157 www .ambroztows .com

SAN FRANCISCO AND BEYOND: DAVE’S CYCLE TRANSPORT

235 Shoreline Hwy. Mill Valley CA (415) 381-5059 We’re not afraid of your old bike.

RABER’S BRITISH MOTORCYCLE PARTS AND SERVICE We offer parts and service for Triumph, Norton, BSA, Amal, Lucas. In-house cylinder boring, valve jobs, surfacing and much more. 1984 Stone Ave. San Jose, CA 95125 Phone (408)998-4495 Fax (408)998-0642 Tues-Fri 11-6, Sat 8-5 www .rabers .com

State:

Zip:

Werkstatt Motorcycles has an immediate opening for an experienced Service Manager/General Manager to join our dynamic team in a positive and professional work environment in our independent San Francisco shop. Requires previous SM/GM experience and broad knowledge of Japanese, German and Italian Motorcycles. Sales, eBay, or mechanic experience helpful. Salary based on experience. Applicants with racing related experiences are encouraged. Paid health benefits + bonuses + many other benefits (full machine shop, racing support, and shop sponsored track days). Please send a resume and cover letter to: Jennifer@ werkstattsf .com Small independent used motorcycle dealership located in Mountain View is seeking an experienced, well rounded full or part-time employee. We only sell gently used bikes at fair prices, and do not have a service or parts department. This position requires strong communication skills, since you’ll be the sole point of contact with customers (-we’re that small) when you are on duty. Verifiable sales experience and current motorcycle licence seem like a no-brainer to us, but we’re willing to listen to reason and really want a good fit more than anything. Must be able to perform general maintenance and minor mechanical tasks on motorcycles. For questions please call: 650-386-1440. For best results: submit a resume to: sales@jm-ms .com.

WHEELS AND DEALS ACCIDENT OR INJURY? Call 415/999-4790 for a 24-hr. recorded message and a copy of the FREE REPORT EAT AT REDS JAVA HOUSE, SF. “IT’S REALLY GOOD FOOD” SAYS CITYBIKE MANAGEMENT.

The Old Man The Old Truck Dave is working Dave’s Cycle Transport San Francisco-Bay Area and Beyond... 24 Hour Service (415)824-3020 — www .davescycle .com

Quality Motorcycles

ADDICTION MOTORS

4052 Watts St @ 40th Emeryville, CA 510.473.7247 www .addictionmotors .com Addiction Motors is proud to present the latest addition to our team, Ian Armstrong! Ian’s reputation as an experienced and certified Harley-Davidson technician spans several years throughout Florida and the San Francisco bay area. With a focus on general maintenance, accident repair, accessory installation and after-market performance enhancements, we are pleased to offer his vast expertise as we continue with our commitment to provide our clients with a full range of motorcycle services. Please stop by our shop and join us in welcoming Ian to our team of motorcycle experts. Addiction Motors is a full service motorcycle repair and maintenance cooperative in Emeryville CA. In addiction to motorcycle service, we offer seminars, classes and events of interest to the motorcycling community. Check out our website for upcoming events. Cycle Wizard, Bobby Simon Full service on most Japanese and European makes and models. I’m Bobby Simon, formerly of Subterranean Cycles giving you excellent service in the East Bay. LG MOTO, Lawrence Giardina Servicing for dealerships since 1996, Lawrence Giardina has likely kept your finer motorcycle running well for years. See LG Moto for the experience you deserve. SpaMoto, James Roberts Let James at SpaMoto give you that Look, that Sound, that FEEL. SpaMoto - Motorcycle accessorizing and detailing at Addiction Motors in Emeryville.

Name:

MOTORCYCLE TOWING Custom Design Studios MOTOSHOP

Honda cbr1000rr. Showroom condition.less than 100 miles! Must sell asking 11690.00. Title in hand. Extras included. Rae .SJSU@gmail .com

Reach thousands of Northern California motorcyclists. Just $15 for 25 words, 25¢ each additional word. Photos add $25. Industry classifieds are a higher price. Free 25-word listing for stolen bikes. Deadline is the 3rd of each month. Just fill out the form, or copy and send it with your check, payable to CityBike PO Box 10659, Oakland CA, 94610

Motorcycle & ATV Hauling Sonoma, Marin, Napa & Mendocino Counties 24 hour Roadside Pickup 707-843-6584 Insured & Licensed California Motor Carrier Permit www .mcmotorcycletransport .com mcmotorcycle@att .net

EBAY SALES eBay sales. Specialist with vehicles, 12 years experience, and 5000+ positive feedback rating. Flat listing rate. I can produce auctions with 20+ large format, gorgeous, high quality pictures with my dealer account and pro-grade camera. Dr. Hannibal Lechter reminds us that “we covet what we see.” Let me show people what you have and why they should pay top dollar for it! Interested in larger lots of identifiable, good-quality motorcycle and car parts to buy as well. imperialist1960@yahoo .com or 415/699-8760.

SELL YER STUFF IN CITYBIKE! Yes, you can do that—it’s easy. Easier than calling your grandson, having him post a Craigslist ad, then ask you for $20, which you wind up giving him because you decided to go riding instead of going to his high school graduation and you feel guilty. We here at CityBike understand your guilt feelings, so we will run your ad (25 words or less, please) ‘till sold for just $15. Add $25 bucks to run a photo of your ride so people believe you’re really selling something and not just lonely.Subscribers get a free ad every month! Maybe you should subscribe, eh cheapskate?

THE UNDERTAKER Motorcycle towing system. No trailer, no tires, no tags. No parking or storing. Check it out at www .TowYourBike .com . 925/413-4103. Dirt Bike or Cruiser.

HELP WANTED Lightning Express Stories Request

ROCKRIDGE TWO WHEELS Since 1956 Knucklehead Panhead Iron Sportster Shovelhead Evolution Twin Cam Multi Valve 450cc and up Cyl. boring on H.D. only 21050 Mission Blvd. Hayward, 94541 (510) 581-5315

Need new rubber? Rockridge Two Wheels is offering a $50 mount and balance with the purchase of two tires. Factory techs. 40+ years experience. Full service facility. 510/594-0789 vespawalnutcreek .com 925 938 0600 rockridgetwowheels .com 510 594 0789 For all your Bay Area Vespa / Piaggio / Aprilia needs


Messengers ride in legend! Soliciting tales of Lightning Express, 1983-2010. Contact Allan Slaughter, (650)-3643403, thanatoscycle@att .net . Part-time or Full-time. Male or female. Immediate opening for attractive, upbeat, intelligent, well-spoken individual with flexible schedule able to work well both independently and as part of a larger team. Must be healthy & fit. Many day-time and weekend commitments, occasional evenings. Primary location will cover much of Northern California and reliable transportation is required; possible opportunity for paid air travel at company expense within the continental United States. Mileage and parking reimbursed in addition to regular flat rate compensation or salary (not commission-based). No sales or quotas. Well-respected company with established reputation and services you can proudly represent. Easy industry relationships. Relevant marketing experience and excellent people skills are a must! Knowledge of motorcycles is a plus but not required. Send resume or job history, current photo and a list of your hobbies/ past-times. Company name witheld by request. email to kenyon@citybike .com and we’ll get it to the right person.

FREE HELP WANTED ADS In our ongoing effort to support and promote local motorcycling businesses that we rely on, all motorcycle industry help wanted ads will be listed in the CityBike Classifieds Section for free. Contact us via email: info .citybike .com

Marketplace

city bike ride to the

National Organization of Regional Motorcycling Publications

Notice of Receivership CityBike Magazine, inc. (CBMI)

west coast moto jam

FREE!

April 1, 2012 On March 9, 2012, CityBike Magazine, inc. (CBMI) was placed in receivership by order of the Judicial District Court of Alameda County, California. On the same day the court appointed the California Commissioner of Motorcycle Journalism, José Miguel deSilva-Colon, as Receiver. The Commissioner has delegated his authority as Receiver to Special Deputy Receiver (SDR), Jack M. Webb & Associates, Inc. Also on March 9, 2012, Motorcycle Journalism Association in your state was activated to pay claims and provide continued coverage to CBMI claimants, subject to certain terms, limitations, and conditions of your state guaranty association statute.

ADMISSION & RIDE OUT

Sacramento Drive-In – Sacramento, CA

MAY 20 & JULY 22 (800) 762-9785 • WWW.TOPPINGEVENTS.COM

You are receiving this notice because the books and records of CBMI reflect that you may be a reader, subscriber or advertiser with CBMI or you were an assignee of benefits under a CBMI contract on March 9, 2012, or maybe we just like how you smell. The purpose of this Notice is to inform you of the receivership, provide you information about filing claims and paying subscriptions, and advise what you may expect in the future. Since March 9, 2012, your state Motorcycle Journalism Association has been providing continuing coverage to you, subject to certain terms, limitations, and conditions of your state Motorcycle Journalism statutes. Your state Motorcycle Journalism Association, through the National Organization of Regional Motorcycle Publications (NAMBLA) has negotiated with a third party administrator, Administrative Journalism Management Services, Inc. (YOMOMA), to handle all policy and claims administration on behalf of your state guaranty association.

Administrative Journalism Management Services, Inc 767 Forest Boulevard, Suite 124-425 Lakemont, TX 75244-7100

Award-Winning Customs Full Service Department Paint • Parts Fabrication Insurance Work All Makes Welcome

Claim forms will be used to make a life-sized papiermâché model of a 1960 Chrysler Imperial, which will then be burned. Subscriptions: Please continue to pay your subscription as before. Your subscription will terminate if you do not pay your dues and you may actually choke on your own saliva while watching a rerun of Friends in your boxer shorts, which would be tragic if it wasn’t so funny. Questions: If you have questions about your subscription, this notice, or what exactly happened on the series Lost, please call the Richard Nixon Library at: (714) 993-5075 (M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. GMT)

56 Hamilton Drive #A • Novato, CA 94949 415.382.6662 • CustomDesignStudios.com

Cylinder Head Specialists In Business Since 1978

All Makes All Models All Years

ENGINE DYNAMICS, LLC Phone 707-763-7519 Fax 707-763-3759 www.enginedynamics.com

2040 Petaluma Blvd. N.Petaluma, CA 94952

Ride To The Races with CityBike

Sunday May 6, 2012

Meet us at 9:00 am on your insured, street-legal motorcycle at the Fort Mason gates (across the street from the Marina Safeway in San Francisco) for an individual ride/ mutual destination caravan to the Infineon Raceway front gate.

People who attend the West Coast Moto Jam will get the following bonuses: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Race-Day Ticket Costs Only $25 (See the ad on the right to get discounted advance tickets!) Preferred Motorcycle Parking at Turn 2 Complimentary helmet and leather check at Turn 2 Great AMA Pro Road Racing, featuring four main events on Sunday Supermoto USA, Vintage Motorcycle Display, Clint Ewing Stunt Show and more April 2012 | 26 | CityBike.com

• Flow Bench Testing • Competition Valve Jobs •

Submitting Claims: You should submit claims for damages caused by the appalling way CBMI treats its readers to:

• Porting • Polishing •

• Valve Seat & Guide Replacement • Race Prep •

Serving the Bay Area’s motorcycle needs since 1988

[email protected]

Claim payment and Coverage Limits: Your state guaranty association will pay all “Covered Claims.” These are valid claims per the terms of your CBMI agreement subject to the statutory limits, terms, and conditions in your state moto-journalism statute. Your state moto-journalism association is prohibited from making additional payments once it has paid your Covered Claims and may receive a spanking if it does. If you submit claims that are not moto-journalism association Covered Claims, these will be forwarded to the SDR for processing as a claim against the assets of the CBMI estate and then soaked in sardine oil and fed to a cat. At this point the SDR does not anticipate that there will be sufficient estate assets to pay policyholder and general creditor claims against the estate, as he doesn’t really understand any of this. In fact, none of us do. My God, what’s happening to me?

THIS!

Join the City Bike team on a scenic group ride to the West Coast Moto Jam @Infineon Raceway

• West Coast Moto Jam Sunday, May 6th:

AMA Pro Road Racing, Supermoto USA, TTXGP Electric Motorcycles

• Race & Ride Ticket ONLY $25

(A savings of $15 when you buy in advance!)

• Preferred Parking at Turn 2

• Complimentary Helmet & Leather Check

contact: scott hartwick 800-870-7223 ext.161 | [email protected]

infineonraceway.com /citybikeride