April 2014

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APRIL

2014

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Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure Volume 20 No. 4

Going Down the Coast Alps & Lakes Tour with Edelweiss Bike Travel Something of the Best of Everything

Getting Ready for Spring Tons of Great New Products

Monthly Columns • Upcoming Events

W H A T ’ S

I N S I D E

MON T HLY COLUM N S FREE WHEELIN’ ...............................................................4

22 Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

WHATCHATHINKIN’........................................................5 POSTCARDS FROM THE HEDGE................................6

Publishers

Brian Rathjen • Shira Kamil

ON THE MARK.................................................................7

Contributors

Jeff Bahr, Mark Byers, Bill Heald, Mike Simonette, Mike Stackhouse Dr. Seymour O’Life

THROTTLE BLIPS ............................................................8 BACKLASH .....................................................................10 INDUSTRY INFOBITES .................................................11

Editorial Office BACKROADS, POB 317 Branchville NJ 07826

MYSTERIOUS AMERICA .............................................14 BIG CITY GETAWAY......................................................16 GREAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN.......................18 WE’RE OUTTA HERE....................................................20

40

phone

973.948.4176

fax

973.948.0823

email

editor@backroadsusa.com

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE .....................................30

online

www.backroadsusa.com

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR.............................36

Advertising

973-948-4176

FEAT URES

BACKROADS (ISSN 1087-2088) is published monthly by BACKROADS™, Inc. 2014. All rights reserved. BACKROADS™ may not be reproduced in any manner without specific written consent from the publisher. BACKROADS™ welcomes and encourages submissions (text and photos) and suggestions. Include phone number with submissions. BACKROADS™ will only return material with enclosed sufficient postage. The written articles and opinions printed in BACKROADS™ are not necessarily those of the publisher and should not be considered an endorsement. The Rip & Rides® published are ridden on the sole responsibilty of the rider. BACKROADS™ is not responsible for the conditions of the public roadways traversed. Please respect the environment, read your owner’s manual and wear proper protective gear and helmet. Ride within your limits, not over them.

GOING DOWN THE COAST.......................................22 EDELWEISS ALPS & LAKES TOUR.........................40

EVEN TS SYPDERQUEST RECAP...............................................32 COG NATIONAL & NEW SWEDEN 450.................34

PROD UCTS HJC SI-33 HELMET......................................................15 REVIEWS AND SPOTLIGHTS....................38 + 46-47

20

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 4

FREE WHEELIN’ BRIAN RATHJEN

CraCk in the iCe By the time you will be reading this it will be near April. Perhaps some flowers will be showing and a touch of green will be making an appearance here and there.

Since I am writing to you from the past let me remind you of where I am at now. Looking out the office I see white.

Just white.

There is snow and tons of it. You had it too.

As we all know we are coming out of one of the deepest winters on records.

That one week in February literally buried our region in ‘feets’ of snow and that was on top of all the other storms that previously pounded the northeast.

Even our friends in Atlanta and the south were not spared by this season; and we received none of their snide remarks on the telephone this year.

This past Saturday it actually warmed up enough that we could see the driveway, although it was still surrounded by a track-like luge or bobsled run. Leaving in the truck we felt we would have to push it quickly down the driveway and then jump into the seats before getting underway.

This day did have a brief respite where we could see the actual driveway and local temperatures rocketed to the low 50’s.

Ahh – a crack in the ice?

This was what I had been waiting for, as I needed to pick up my KLR from our local Kawasaki dealer. (Town & Country- great folks!) The bike had been running poorly and was beyond my meager wrenching skills, so I brought it to the pros. Carb cleaned, valves adjusted, fluids changed and the large mouse condo that I had missed was removed from the back of the air box. The bike had been parked at the shop for a few months while we had to sort out some things and I didn’t want them to have to store it ‘till spring. With a half-way nice Saturday on hand and fairly clear roads around the north Jersey region I knew I had a window of opportunity.

Unlike before the KLR started happily and settled into a nice idle.

I geared up and gingerly put on and buckled my helmet.

Snapping the Army green machine into gear I was off.

After a very long and difficult winter – in many ways – I felt reborn piloting the KLR back to home. The bike that had been hesitating, dropping power and just running deplorably was now in top shape. Cracking the throttle open the KLR responded instantly with its old vigor and smoothness.

Never a speed demon the bike still had far better feel to it.

I promised myself I would ride it more this coming season and not let it languish in the barn for months at a time – the downfall for any great machine.

We, well Shira, had concerns on a large patch of ice coating the front entrance, but we threw some barn grit atop it before we left and I was confident on passing this light barrier easily.

The ride was cathartic, energizing and healing in some ways - even if it was just 20 or so miles.

I stopped to top off the 650’s tank before scooting through some of the backroads, still coated with salt sand and gravel, home.

Down through the Twin Bridges and up around the Paulenskill and then finally the long hill leading to Backroads Central.

When we left we had a more or less clear run into our barn.

Managing the ice flow nicely I rolled up to the barn, which in the last two hours, had the entire snow from the roof slide down in front of the doors.

Nice. One last slap at me from Old Man Winter.

Thankfully the KLR likes this sort of stuff and I had some fun as well up and over the small snow bank and into the barn. next page

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 5

W H ATC H AT H I N K I N ’ SHIRA KAMIL

Care and Feeding I was listening to Sirius radio yesterday and, on Deep Tracks, the DJ reminded everyone to turn their clocks, watches and other time-keeping devices ahead one hour the next night. Funny thing, Brian and I were just questioning when this rite of Spring would take place and BAMM - there it is.

Now, I certainly am not one to give up an hour of my life so easily, but when it comes to Spring, sunshine and daylight, I’ll be a bit sleepy for one day to keep my vitamin D supplier around for an extra hour in the afternoon.

More importantly, it means this dreaded winter will be that much closer to departing, baseball will return to Queens and my butt will be back on the saddle of my motorcycle.

In preparation for that return to two-wheels, I start the next project of Spring cleaning and going through the gear closet to see what’s new, what’s old, what needs taking in (yeah, right) or letting out (more likely) and what needs a cleaning.

Last season I took possession of a new Aerostich Roadcrafter suit, which got a good deal of use and, thus, a good deal of road dirt, bugs, etc. If you ask most ‘Stich wearer they’ll say ‘Yeah, so what?

That’s what’s holding it together, keeping out the moisture and such.’ Well, I’m not one to have all my riding gear look black or grey when it actually has a very nice color to it. So I did a little looking and, lo and behold, the good folks in Duluth have updated their care and feeding formula for their garments. Since they’ve taken the time to put in in writing, might as well take advantage - here’s what they say: The Laundry and Care guides for all Aerostich GoreTex textile gear have just been significantly revised as a result of newly-completed testing results obtained by by technicians at Gore-Tex. The newly recommended laundering procedures noticeably help Aerostich rider's jackets, pants and one-piece garments function better in extreme and severe conditions, and also last longer.

The critical changes involve the types and amounts of detergents and fabric treatments recommended, and changes which increase the effectiveness of Gore Tex's unique breathable-waterproof membrane. Essentially, all powdered detergents, fabric softeners, and other kinds of additives should no longer be used. Small amounts of liquid detergents are the only recommended type of cleaning agent, and clear-water-no-soap double rinsing are also recommended. Drying in a clothing dryer is also recommended to renew the fabric's DWR (Durable Water Repellant) treatment.

If you have any garments from Aerostich with GoreTex, you can view their garment care updates on their website: www.aerostich.com Yeah, baby, no more drip drying, waiting for a warm, sunny day so my suit won’t freeze outside as it tries to shed its moisture.

With the suit being handled and ready for the season, it was on to boots and gloves (doesn’t that make you think of that stupid GEICO Pig commercial where he’s on vacation and starts saying ‘Boots and Pants’? What the heck does that mean anyway?) I have been wearing Held ‘s Steve gloves for a very long time, replacing them every couple of years when necessary. Recently, we got word from Tommy Kincaid, Held North America distributor, that he would no longer be handling their product. I checked the status of the ones living in my tankbag and determined they’d make it through at least one more season. Taking stock of the other six or seven pair of various weather and temperature gloves showed me to be good to go no matter what Mother Nature had in store this season.

As for foot cover, I have a brand new pair of SiDi Livia Rain sitting and waiting for my feet to return to them. The last pair lasted a number of seasons and were one of the only boots I’d found to truly keep my feet dry, if not a bit on the warm side. Measuring in at just the right height, and quite comfortable for any amount of walking, I do hope SiDi keeps them in their roster for the forseeable future.

As I’m writing this, the temperature has risen into the 50s, there is a constant dripping coming off the roof of the barn that houses the iron steeds, and a passle of motorcycles just went by Backroads Central. The Mets will be on SNY in just a few minutes, from their southern training grounds, and maybe, just maybe, this will be their year.

I know it’s going to be a great riding season and I hope to see you on the road often.

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Free Wheelin’ First little ride of the season done and minor mission completed.

But, more importantly it was now nearing spring.

The sound of baseballs coming off bats could be heard all the way from Florida and even though it was still winter and anything was possible snow-wise I felt the riding season approaching.

I had seen that crack in the ice and I was looking forward to have to open my vents on some warm summer’s day.

Let’s go riding!

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888-379-8652 www.IslandPowersports.com OPEN 7 DAYS The Tri-State’s #1 Spyder Dealer ©2013 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A. products are distributed by BRP US INC. *Tested at a constant speed of 62 mph. Fuel mileage may vary depending on the following: Spyder RT models, personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition, vehicle configuration and other conditions. Up to 202 miles tested at a constant speed of 75 mph. Break-in mileage may also vary. See an authorized BRP dealer for details. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always observe applicable laws and regulations. Don’t drink and drive.

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 6

know they are certainly not available ‘round here.

But this is not really a rant about ethanol, and believe me you’re fortunate because I could really go on about the stuff in a fair amount of detail. No, BILL HEALD what I’m really thinking about this still icy day (did you know when you think you broke your finger falling on some ice it may have just been dislogettin’ Pretty thin cated? Just sayin’) is the latest oil we’re seeing in new cars and trucks. I was It is a necessary evil from time to time to take a peek doing the press review treatment on a 2014 Chevy Silverado pickup, and in into the automotive world as certain aspects of the perusing the engine compartment it came to my attention that the required cagey realm have a way of entering the two-wheeled sphere with disturbing OEM oil viscosity was 0W-20. Whaaaa? This is a truck after all, with a subspeed. This is especially appropriate when we look at shared resources like stantial V8 and a very impressive towing spec. Back when I was a lad, I battery technology, tire development and even the precious bodily fluids than leaned that the heavier-use engines found in trucks usually required a heavier circulate our crankcases. At this writing I have been informed of a victory of oil than their automotive counterparts. This of course has also been balanced sorts in that last category, in the form of the EPA backing off a bit on the prowith the contradictory demands that only multi-viscosity oil can satisfy, posed 15% Ethanol implementation which is a very good thing in my opinnamely being as thin as possible for cold starts and thick as necessary for ion. I say this as a person considered more environmentally focused than higher temperatures and heavy loads. most that are considered motorheads. Ethanol is an OK fuel additive when Over time the need for better fuel economy and additional muscle from used in small proportions (up to 10%), but it has its own issues and when smaller, higher revving engines have made the evolution of oil even more used in the higher 15% scenario has the potential of screwing up a lot of older critical, and now as I discovered we’re actually told to put 0W-20 oil in truck engines and fuel systems, not to mention reducing overall fuel economy by engines, which would have seemed a recipe for failure a few years ago. Ina noticeable margin. At least as the regs stand now there will be huge labels cidentally, lest you think the Chevy was a fluke the 2014 Toyota Tundra with on any pumps carrying 15% stating that there’s poison in the well (or the fuel its impressively strong 5.7-liter V8 also requires the same viscosity of oil. It additive equivalent thereof) in the form of the higher concentration of gets more interesting in that in Toyota’s case, for example, new purchasers ethanol. Yes, some “flex-fuel” vehicles can run much higher concentrations get two years of complimentary maintenance and for regular service, oil but motorcycles are not among them. True, I haven’t really checked, but I changes are scheduled for 10,000 intervals. This is the requirement for the warranty, you understand, so the company seems confident the vehicle can handle such thin oil for such a long period of time. The idea that you can improve fuel economy by just using a lubricant that in and of itself allows components to spin more easily (especially when the engine is started when fuel economy and emissions are at their worst) is very attractive to engineers and bean counters alike, provided the engine is able to perform reliably under stress.

So what does this mean for motorcycles? Plenty.

Vulcan® 900 Along with truck engines, our mills are really pushed Custom or Classic to the limit in terms of tolerances and squeezing the Affordable and Stylish Package most power out of the smallest package, and the importance of reliability is even more paramount for us on two wheels for a variety of reasons. In addition, there’s one critical difference you always have to address when it comes to motor oil and motorcycles: most bike engines out there share their oil with their transmissions, which present their own challenges in terms of the proper lubrication of the gears and the proper operation of wet clutches. The base oil that all the additives are added to is changing in composition all the time, in accordance with what the manufactures need and as breakthroughs in chemistry arrive. What ultimately is going on is the need for motorcycle-specific oil is more Sometimes, you can’t help but smile. pronounced that ever, especially if you do have a maVulcan® 900 Custom is an easy motorcycle chine with the shared oil approach. Oil in general is getto like. First, the bike’s custom styling oozes attitude from it’s big front tire to the blacked out mufflers and other parts that ting more expensive as the sophistication of the elixir typically wear a chrome coating. The drag-style handlebar and the low-slung seat put the rider in the perfect position to continues to expand and more elaborate additives are get the most out of this easy to ride yet powerful cruiser. used, but in return the stuff is more resistant to breakThe name may be Vulcan® 900 Classic, but you should hear “definitive.” This midsized cruiser has the timeless goods down and therefore we get the longer change intervals wrapped in a long, low package with a presence that’s larger than its name. From its two-tone ebony and metallic gray I mentioned earlier. The bottom line here is while we paint scheme to its spoked wheels, this Vulcan garners attention wherever it goes. Details, like rider floorboards and tankseem to be doing OK on the gasoline front in terms of mounted instrumentation that includes a handy fuel gauge and an easy-to-read analog speedometer, only strengthen the the safety of the fluid composition we’re using, oil conbike’s ties with tradition. tinues to change dramatically and you need to keep up with this march of progress. This is even more imporExperience the full line of Kawasaki motorcycles, tant with older motorcycles compared to the latest ofsales and service we have to offer. ferings, and as always if you have any uncertainties about exactly what you should be putting in your YCLE ENTER crankcase consult the OEMs and dealers to get their latest counsel. “Older” mixes will still be around for a 115 Route 23N • Hamburg NJ • 973-875-2111 while to be sure, but as formulations change it will bewww.townandcountrycyclecenter.com come less feasible for oil makers to keep “older” oils around since all the other products they make will require the newer oil technologies.

Better living through chemistry?

I hope so, but as always we must remain vigilant.

P O S TC A R D S FROM THE HEDGE

TOWN & COUNTRY C

C

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

ON THE MARK MARK BYERS

aCCessorizing: the Way oF the Farkle I used to know a guy who was married to a woman who was “high maintenance.” She’d buy a dress from someplace hideously expensive, but just when he thought he’d get out of the mall before the credit card exploded, she’d say “Now, we have to ACCESSORIZE!” and go off to buy shoes and handbags and hats and unmentionables to go with it. I’m sure the credit card payments outlasted the marriage.

When it comes to regular clothing, I’m the opposite: if I could wear the same pair of jeans and a couple favorite shirts every day of my life, I would.

To me, “fashion” means convincing me the perfectly good stuff I own is no longer any good so you can sell me slightly modified new stuff. I don’t believe in buying new clothing for appearances: as a 51-year-old engineer, I’m pretty much a hopeless geek.

I am, however, a diva when it comes to “specialty” clothing and motorcycle gear. I might not change it every year, or even every decade, but I have gear that is specific to every type of riding. Trials? I have a trials helmet and boots. Dual sport? I have a dual-sport jacket, pants, and protective gear, including a motocross helmet and goggles. Road? That begets two different kinds of boots, three or four jackets, and three pair of pants (two leather, one textile). I even have specific gear to wear when I’m refereeing a bicycle race on the moto (helmet, vest, jackets, shirts, et al).

When it comes to motorcycles, I’m no different. There is nothing, repeat NOTHING more dangerous than a winter day and a guy with a new motorcycle, a good glass of whiskey, a credit card, and a high-speed internet connection. When you know your credit card number by heart, including the security code, you know you’ve been doing too much online shopping. If my card was stolen, I’d probably wait to report it so I could see if the thief was spending less…

You see, each motorcycle also needs “accessorization.” My V-Strom came

Page 7 mostly as an empty canvas, having only a topcase and a few other sundries, like heated grips and engine protection bars. A coupla bourbons and a little surfing on the Stromtrooper site convinced me that Twisted Throttle was the answer to my prayers. Soon, I had quick-detach bag mounts, side bags, and a tankbag, along with their accoutrements.

It didn’t stop there: my dealer had a used intercom and a fuse panel with a relay harness. Another vendor had some LED lights that mounted on the engine bars. My own garage yielded some flashing LED brake lights, a BMW power socket, a Zumo mount, and enough wire, fusible links, and heat-shrink tubing to make a proper spaghetti bowl of the area under the seat. Knowing the Wee Strom’s limited electrical capacity, a friend suggested I add a trailer hitch to pull a small generator. I demurred, giving him a vulgar suggestion on the placement of said generator.

Still, I’m sure in the middle of my massive farkling session, or perhaps during the first couple of post-farkle rides, I’ll realize something vital is amiss. Most likely, the stock seat will be found wanting and I’ll end up setting the electrons ablaze again in search of a commodious perch for my ample ass. I already have a couple notions of which aftermarket offerings might pamper my posterior, having been through this with two other machines.

Stock motorcycle saddles are, after all, the Spanish Inquisition of original equipment.

The windscreen will undoubtedly need help, as motorcycle manufacturers seem to delight in creating frontal appendages that subject your head to buffeting reminiscent of an Ali one-two combo to Sonny Liston’s noggin. The range of aerodynamic appendages to combat that malady is staggering, and all but a few of them are useless. The aerospace guy in me will undoubtedly try to solve that one with homemade vortex generators, but that will still require acquisition of raw materials and “flight tests” at various airspeeds…

So there you have it: I’m a high-maintenance, motorcycle apparel and accessory diva. I’m addicted to late-night motorcycle vendor accessory porn.

I need to go to AA: “accessorizer’s anonymous” before I need to raise my debt ceiling and go into deficit spending. I would wear the same jeans, flannel shirt, and hiking shoes I wear every day to the Academy Awards as long as I had a new, flip-front helmet and proper riding boots for the trip. Don’t get me started on gloves…

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 8

THROT TLE BLIPS JEFF BAHR

got gear?

The following suggestions may strike some as preachy. This perception can arise when the wearing of protective gear is discussed in almost any fashion since, not unlike politics, the issue can be polarizing. Still, I think it’s better to be informed than misinformed; more advantageous to know one’s safety and comfort choices than to dwell in a no-man’s-land of ignorance, apathy, or both. Here are some things that you can do to make your ride safer and more enjoyable.

‘Quiet’ helmets and hearing loss – aka ring-a-ding-ding Hear ye, Hear ye! Here’s a practice so silly I still shake my head in bewilderment when I see it. Riders will happily fork over big bucks to obtain the latest, greatest “quiet” helmets, and then stick these pricey, majestic, cranial crowns on their noggins sans earplugs.

Five years ago I woke up with a debilitating case of Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The condition occurs for many different reasons, but those who expose themselves to loud noises for extended periods of time (I.E. unprotected riders) are really asking for it. Two years of therapy have made the condition more bearable for me, but only just. Given the chance, there are many things that I would do differently to sidestep this life-altering malady. One would be to wear earplugs from the get-go while riding.

Wind noise is something that motorcyclists adjust to until it becomes tolerable, but the devil is in the details with this one. Hearing damage can occur even when decibel levels aren’t particularly objectionable to the rider; 85 mph equals roughly 100 decibels, a level that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) categorize as loud and damaging.

A so-called “quiet” helmet blocks unwanted noise to a degree, but a superlid alone can’t come close to the protection provided by a cheap set of foam earplugs (up to 30 dB) or other such noise-blocker. Don’t believe me? Try this simple test: Ride your bike on the highway for an hour with earplugs in.

Then pull them out and return home. You will probably be shocked by the difference and you may just become a convert. an overly sunny outlook Do you wear a full-face helmet with a tinted shield on sunny days? If so, you may be on your way to developing a basil-cell carcinoma or worse form of skin cancer. There’s just no getting around it. The sun’s rays can be deceptively cruel. Even when you think you’re protected (tinted shield, etc.) the rays can be getting through. But there’s an easy way to ward off the insidious effects of Mr. Sun. Just rub some sunscreen onto your mug or other exposed parts before you set off for the day. Experts recommend an SPF rating of at least 15 (higher if you’re fair-skinned) to help keep you safe. A “dollop will do you,” they say. Cheap insurance, I say.

Since we’re talking about sunshine we should also consider its nemesis, rain. This tip is straightforward. If you haven’t yet purchased a dedicated rain suit or rainproof outerwear you’ll only have yourself to blame when you find yourself sitting beneath an overpass, wet and miserable, hoping against hope that the deluge will eventually stop.

Cool heat Riders, listen up. It may look way-cool to ride in winter with nothing more than a leather jacket and jeans, but you’ll ride farther and happier if you throw some electric clothing into the mix. I know some of you will claim to be hardy and dismiss my suggestion as the mere ravings of a wimp (guilty as charged), but there’s nothing at all wimpy about being pro-active against the cold.

It helps to understand that Hypothermia is more than just a little shivering.

Even in its earliest stages, it absolutely will affect your judgment and reflexes; vital functions that need to be working at 100% while riding. Besides, what’s so cool about freezing to death? Even tough guys sit beside a fire now and again, right?

If I’ve managed to convince at least some of you, here’s the hot set-up.

Get yourself a jacket liner with sleeves as opposed to an electric vest. This will keep your all-important core warm, as well as your arms. Then, you can add electric gloves down the road, or even go full wimp with electric pants.

When you find yourself actually looking forward to cold weather riding, you’ve come full circle. The heat is on!

HARLEY-DAVIDSON OF LONG BRANCH 671 Broadway • Long Branch, NJ • 732-229-8518 www.HDLongBranch.com

www.facebook.com/harleydavidsonlongbranch

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

BACKLASH Hi Brian and Shira, Take a look at the attached photo!! Looks like we were both at the same place. This is from a club ride (Rolling Iron Riders-formally Legends HOG) we took 3 years ago to Maine.

Great magazine!! I have been a loyal reader since day one. Keep up the great work.

PS we are now an all brands club; and yup - I represent the Beemer Faithful as I now ride a 2012 BMW 650 GS Sertao.

Regards Lou Fraulo - Clifton, NJ

Cuba – one last thought The Editor Backroads: As motorcyclists we are naturally wary of four-wheelers making left turns because while their drivers seem to look, they often do not see us. In the same sense I read with interest and little surprise that some took exception to my article about the first motorcycle tour of Communist Cuba without noticing in it the differences between the rulers of that country and what we learned about the people living under their yoke.

Letters to the Editor We met many Cubans who, some openly and some more quietly, showed us friendship expressed in many ways. We saw that Cubans of all ages admire the United States of Americaand not only for our American made Harleys and automobiles.

We found that the Cuban people were in many respects just like us, particularly regarding motorcycles. Mindful that the people we met still live in Cuba, I tried to express how difficult that is under a totalitarian regime. We didn’t go to Cuba to see how the Castro brothers run the place, we went for a new riding experience, and we ended up admiring the people we met because we share common interests.

No doubt a better writer could have made clearer the differences of what life is like living in freedom as we do (and take for granted), and living under a dictator, but Mr. Siegel’s freedom to express his disapproval in an open letter, and published in the magazine he complains about, is itself, a simple but perfect example of that difference.

David Taylor David, We had more comments - some against, but the majority positive on your article - than any in recent memory. I have never had to write an editorial about letters and comments in the 20 years we have been doing this magazine. Always good to get folks thinking by stirring the pot. Your superb writing and Don’s incredible photography are always welcome in our pages. ~BR Hey Brian & Shira, Really enjoyed your Edelweiss Rome to Sicily tour.

You really portrayed the countryside, customs, and exciting food varieties. What a wonderful riding experience!! You both put together quite an adventure!! Keep up the great work!

Les and Debbie Backroads, We were always a big fan of the Honda VFR 700 & the VFR 750 as we have 8 of them in our rental fleet for the old Lotus Tours. They were great sport touring machines that handled well and never seem to need any unique service or much maintenance. Ultimately, we graduated to the VFR 800 and continued to ride them from the Mediterranean coastal roads to the top of the Alps with great regularity. They made good riders even better, more confident riders after two weeks of exploring Europe. As Bill Heald points out once Honda added the VTEC around 2002, they became impossible to ride.

As one decelerated, the VTEC continued to consume unburnt fuel, which kept the engine running an extra 1520 seconds. So, when you snapped the throttle closed in the middle of your switch back, the bike continued to roll on under throttle. Ouch, more brake! They only lasted one ride and we sold all four of them as we felt they were too unpredictable.

Diane is still happily riding her 2000 VFR! It only came in red, but it did not match her leathers...

All the best!

Burt Richmond Got something to say?

We’d love to hear it.

Letters may be edited, never censored, to fit.

Mail: BACKROADS • PO Box 317, Branchville NJ 07826 Fax: (973) 948-0823 • Email: editor@backroadsusa.com

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 11

IND USTRY INFOBITES

News from the Inside

INDIAN MOTORCYCLES WILL BE CELEBRATED AS MARQUE OF THE YEAR AT AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS JULY 11-13 The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce that Indian Motorcycle will be celebrated as the 2014 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days Marque of the Year, July 11-13, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Indian Motorcycle as Marque of the Year will include special recognition, displays and race classes for historic Indian-brand motorcycles (including Indian “Motocycles” from the early days), as well as participation from the new Indian Motorcycle. Attendees to the three-day festival of vintage motorcycling will experience a special Indian Motorcycle-themed tent on the Mid-Ohio infield featuring beautiful examples of classic Indian machines, as well as the latest machines from the new Indian Motorcycle. In addition, a full demo fleet of Indian Motorcycles will be at the event, allowing attendees to get a feel for the Indian Motorcycle line-up AMA members can purchase a weekend pass to AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for $45, or a one-day pass for $25, saving $5 off the regular advance purchase rate. The AMA member discount is in addition to the regular $10 savings on advance ticket purchases, and there is no service charge for AMA members when purchasing through the AMA, making the savings even greater. AMA member pricing, available through May 27, is only available by calling the AMA directly at (800) 262-5646. Advance tickets are available to the general public at www.midohio.com, with all kids under 12 admitted free with a paying, supervising adult.

For updates about events and activities and information about past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.

If you’re not an AMA member, we invite you join the nation’s largest grassroots organization that fights for your freedom to ride and race visit www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com Join the AMA.

MOTOVERMONT DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2014 DUAL-SPORT TRAINING TOURS IN VERMONT Enjoy the beautiful trails and dirt roads of Vermont with the expert guidance of renowned motorcycle instructor, Lorne Banks. The 3-day Vermont Training Tour will be spent perfecting the art of Off-road motorcycling on historic dirt roads and trails. Obstacles such as water crossing’s, deep mud, hill climbs and rocky terrain will be encountered, addressed and executed with professional instruction. Subjects pertaining to riding technique, motorcycle adjustments, mechanics and safety will also be discussed.

The dates for this event are July 18-21, 2014 and September 19-22, 2014. The cost for the entire weekend is $1,499.

Each evening will be spent at the brand new Hotel Jay, part of the 4.5-star Jay Peak Mountain Resort.

Dining at Jay Peak is second to none as special attention is made to provide fresh and local offerings such as Vermont raised meats and freshfrom-Maine seafood. After dinner, relax by the fire with a warm Cider or a refreshing Vermont microbrew while we

While BMW has spent 90 years producing one of the best motorcycles in the world, we’ve spent 15 years providing you with the latest and best in BMW products.

From the newest motorcycle technology to the hottest new scooters, we can help you find the right fit for your needs.

Combine this with our friendly, knowledgeable staff and expert service, we’re convinced Cross Country BMW will become your only stop for all your BMW needs.

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CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES

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732-635-0094 www.CrossCountryCycle.net

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 12 recount the day’s events and discuss the riding itinerary for the next.

Retire to your deluxe, King room and get some rest for another great day of riding!

Tour includes 3-day dual-sport tour, on-trail guidance and support, 3-night deluxe accommodations, 3 fresh meals per day and access to amenities at Jay Peak Resort.

Kawasaki KLR 650 Dual-sport motorcycles with off-road tires will be available for rent if needed for a cost of $129/day.

For more information about the class please visit www.motovermont.com or call 802-860-6686. For more information about head instructor Lorne Banks: adventureridersinternational.com/about-us.html.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO OFFER FACTORY DEMOS AT AMERICADE 2014 Harley-Davidson Motor Company will once again have a huge factory demo fleet at Americade 2014. Among the dozens of motorcycles ready to ride, Harley-Davidson will be bringing its newest 2014 motorcycles, including its latest Project RUSHMORE touring bikes and the new Street 500 and 750.

“Demo rides, at events like Americade, are a great opportunity for riders to experience the latest products from Harley-Davidson—-the best way possible: getting in the saddle and taking a ride,” said Manon Durand, HarleyDavidson Events Lead.

“Harley-Davidson has been a big supporter of Americade every year since our very first event in 1983,” said Americade Director, Christian Dutcher.

“We’re delighted to have them as such strong partners, and look forward to seeing the orange and black return.”

A full list of activities and demo providers can be seen at www.americade.com. Registration is available online through May 1, and via post entry at the Lake George’s Holiday Inn.

NEW YORK LEGISLATOR SAYS NOBODY SHOULD EVER RIDE A MOTORCYCLE A Long Island legislator has sparked controversy, saying motorcycles and bicycles don’t belong in his County.

Thomas F. Barraga, 70, a member of the Suffolk County Legislature in New York, made remarks regarding his opinion on two-wheelers when replying to 17-year-old Matthew Cutrone.

Cutrone wrote to Barraga after his mother had been knocked off of her bicycle by a car driver who wasn’t paying attention, suggesting: “there should be some sort of bike lane or maybe even just some warning signs to put around in certain areas so that drivers can know when to be careful of bicyclists.”

Barraga responded to Cutrone six weeks later saying: “I have lived in West Islip most of my life and my personal feeling is that no one who lives in our hamlet or for that matter in Suffolk County should ever ride a bicycle or a motorcycle.”

Adding: “drivers expect to see other drivers on the road not bicyclists and motorcyclists.

“Reality at times can be difficult for some to come to grips with but giving false hope would be inappropriate.”

Barraga has said he is standing by his remarks after a copy of the email he sent lit up social media.

STATES RANKED BY MOTORCYCLE OWNERSHIP With 8,410,255 motorcycles registered to 311,800,000 U.S. citizens, according to the most recent DOT and Census data that means that out of every 37 Americans you meet, one of them probably owns a motorcycle. But in some states your odds are better than others, and when you compare

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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statewide motorcycle registrations with population figures, you might be surprised where some states stand in the rankings.

For example, Iowa comes in third with 18 people for every motorcycle, more than double the national average. In 2011 the state had 173,929 motorcycles registered, and a population of just over three million.

The second highest ratio of bike ownership is in New Hampshire, whose 1.3 million population shares 79,266 motorcycles, equaling 17 people per motorcycle.

First on the list is South Dakota with 12 people for each motorcycle, over three times the national average. In 2011 the state had 69,284 motorcycles registered, representing just 0.82% of all motorcycles in America, but its sparse population of 816,598 gives it the highest concentration of motorcycling in the country.

Rounding out the Top Ten are; Wisconsin (4th with 18 people per bike); Wyoming (5th/19); North Dakota (6th/21); Vermont (7th/21); Montana (8th/21); Minnesota (9th/22) and Alaska (10th/23).

KODEWA PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLES (PMC) C-01, LICENSED BY LOTUS, IS ROAD READY Following two years of careful planning and intense development, Kodewa is delighted to announce that that the prototype of the world’s first motorcycle to bear the legendary Lotus marque is now road registered and ready for action.

Kodewa has been granted a license to produce the motorcycle by Group Lotus plc the world renowned sportscar manufacturer and engineering consultancy.

The C-01 combines ample power via a V-twin engine with a distinctive body designed by Daniel Simon integrating carbon fibre, titanium and aerospace quality steel.

The C-01 motorcycle is not designed, engineered or produced by Group Lotus plc but is the result of a collaboration between motorsport veterans under the leadership of Kodewa, lead by Dr Colin Kolles. The development on the C-01 was carried out with the support of Holzer Group (co-owners of Kalex) and design guru Daniel Simon. Drawing on their wealth of motorsport experience, the team of engineers has designed a unique high performance superbike.

The C-01 will be available in a range of liveries some of which pay homage to Lotus’ sporting pedigree. A customisation service is also available, limited only by the imagination of the client. With an exclusive production run of just 100 units, superbike collectors and fans of the Lotus brand will need to move fast to secure one.

The original idea to create the C-01 came from Kodewa’s Dr Colin Kolles. Speaking about the project he said: “We set out to create a bike that isn’t just great to ride but also represents a piece of art in motion. Over the years I have seen my fair share of style over substance, what this bike brings to the market is a unique combination of both - state of the art technology with a truly jawdropping aesthetic.”

MASA NEW TOP MAN AT KAWASKI Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. has announced that Masafumi “Masa” Nakagawa will succeed Takeshi

“Tak” Teranishi as president of the company, effective April 1. Nakagawa, who spent six years at KMC’s Irvine headquarters in the late 1990s, will transition to his new position when Teranishi, who joined KMC in 2009, leaves to assume the presidency of Kawasaki Motors Corporation Japan.

Nakagawa, the new KMC president, joined the parent company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. in 1977, after receiving a degree in Economics from Kyoto University. He held several titles within KHI and subsidiary companies in Japan and Europe in addition to his earlier posting in the United States. Most positions emphasized marketing and sales, and included a threeyear stint as the managing director of Kawasaki Motors Europe N.V. as well as his recent position as general manager of the Marketing and Sales Division of KHI’s Motorcycle & Engine Company in Japan, where he was also promoted to executive officer in 2010.

“Masa’s experience in all aspects of Kawasaki’s business operations will allow the company to continue its growth path and strengthen efforts to broaden our brand’s impact in the powersports arena,” said Teranishi, the outgoing KMC president.

During Teranishi’s tenure at KMC, the company introduced several new products that have helped to increase its market share. Included among these are the Ninja 300, KLX 250S, Vulcan 1700 Voyager, Teryx4, Brute Force 300 and Jet Ski® Ultra 310 series.

Information about Kawasaki’s complete line of powersports products and Kawasaki affiliates can be found on the Internet at www.kawasaki.com

SLIM CHANCE YOU’LL FIND ANOTHER BOBBER LIKE IT, ANYWHERE.

ROLLIN’ FAST Cycle Sports 104 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ

908-236-9000 www.rollinfast.com Here to serve you Monday-Friday 9a-6p Thursday 9a-7p • Saturday 9a-5p Gone Riding Sunday

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 14

Morton’s BMW Motorcycles Presents Dr. Seymour O’Life’s M YSTE RIOUS AME RICA Wd-40 the unusual history oF something We all use I was watching one of my favorite shows, the Travel Channel’s ‘Mysteries at the Museum’, when a segment on the Cold War, nuclear annihilation and a common household product came on the screen.

“What was this all about,” I wondered.

Many times you are left guessing till the very end to find what the artifact or story is really about. I admit to getting this one quickly, although I had never heard the entire story on this product that just about everybody has in the home or garage. WD-40.

Here’s the real deal.

During the early ‘50s the Cold War was heating up and the United States and the Soviet Union were oneupping each other with atomic and hydrogen bombs.

Looking to create a safe and accurate delivery system for their deadly payload that didn’t involve aircraft actually carrying the bombs to Moscow, the US military decided on a system of missiles to do the dirty work for them.

But, there was a problem.

The outer skin of the new Atlas missile was prone to corrosion and rust. Failure of the outer skin might result in failure of the missiles flight and possibly creating a nuclear problem far short of the intended target, or even here in the United States.

The military needed a solution and they turned to a small company in San Diego called the Rocket Chemical Company.

Company founder Norm Larsen, and his staff of three, set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry that would specifically displace water and stop corrosion on the Atlas missiles.

But this proved to be no easy task as each attempt failed by not being able to withstand the extreme cold of the upper atmosphere or the heat of the actual launch.

Again and again Larsen and crew tried different combinations of formulas only to be defeated by heat or cold.

Thirty nine times the Rocket Chemical Company tried and failed at manufacturing what they had set out to create.

Then Larsen added in two common compounds – baby oil and petroleum jelly.

This addition, on the 40th attempt, seems to do the trick and the Rocket

Chemical Company’s Water Displacement #40 stopped corrosion regardless of temperature extreme.

The Air Force coated the prototype SM-65 Atlas missiles with the compound and it halted all the corrosion and the missile system went active just a few years later.

Yep, the same thing that protects a baby’s ass would protect our missiles too.

But the workers at Rocket Chemical find that the new ‘military secret’ formula has many uses and they take it home for all sorts of uses and lubricating chores.

Squeaky hinges, sticky locks, lubricating tools and the like. It seemed the uses of this Water Displacement #40 were endless.

Seeing an entire industry opening in front of him Norm Larsen asked the U.S. military if his company can sell the compound to the general public and was happily surprised when they said yes.

They changed the name to the easy to remember WD-40 and began selling the lubricant in San Diego in 1958.

In 1969 the company was renamed after its only product, WD-40 Company, Inc. In 1973, WD-40 Company, Inc., went public and was listed Over-The-Counter. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of listing.

WD-40 can be found to be in 4 out of 5 American households - it seems everyone has a can or two – I know we do.

Sales have grown to more than one million cans each week.

We all know that WD-40 is great at silencing squeaky hinges and removing road tar from automobiles to protecting tools from rust and removing adhesive labels. But the uses for this miracle lube get a lot crazier than that. Some of the more interesting stories include the bus driver in Asia who used WD40 to remove a python snake, which had coiled itself around the undercarriage of his bus, or when police officers used WD-40 to remove a naked burglar trapped in an air conditioning vent.

There is even a website with over 2,000 uses for this product at wd40.com/uses-tips.

This might seem like the most non-motorcycle article we have ever done in Backroads; but, in truth, you probably have a can of WD-40 right in your own garage not far from your motorcycle. If you don’t you should.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

PRODUCT REVIEW

Page 15

HJC IS-33 HELMET

For a few years now, I’ve been contemplating getting a ¾ open-face helmet. Now, before everyone goes off on me, I KNOW it’s not the protection that my full face gives me. However, I’d been wanting something lighter than my full face that would allow me to pull it on and off without taking my glasses off. As it was going to be a backup helmet, I wasn’t going to drop a lot of money in case I didn’t like it.

The HJC IS-33 appeared to fit the bill.

Retailing at between $139.00 and $149.00, the price was right and trying it on at my local dealer, the fit seemed absolutely perfect. Made from an advanced polycarbonate/composite construction, the IS-33 has a SilverCool anti-bacterial interior and EPS multi-density liner. The shield is an optically correct unit with 95% UV protection. The strap has a handy retainer and there is also a one-touch, easy to operate retractable sun shade. The shield releases and re-installs with ease and it seems to hold up against scratches. All great features for a $140.00 helmet.

When I tried it out for the first time, it slid right onto my head without disturbing my glasses. It snugged into place nicely and the fit, as mentioned before, was outstanding. With vents open, I took the test run on my ’02 Bonneville which has no windshield or fairing.

Wind noise was surprisingly low for a helmet without a chin bar and a wind block under your chin. Even though the Triumph’s gauges tend to direct the windblast to the chin bar area, it seemed fine riding around the

neighborhood. Ventilation also seemed to be much better than my full face and even in very hot weather this helmet seems to keep you cool.

The helmet stayed in place well until speeds got up around 65, at which time it started to get a little lift. Otherwise, the aerodynamics of the shell work well. The sun shade is a one hand operation that slides the shield into your preferred position and releases, with a snap, at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, with the visor down far enough for me to be able see forward through it without lowering my chin a bit, it was just about touching my nose. It does work great when riding into the sun, allowing me to actually see things, so I guess that makes it a wash in my book.

Since the purchase, I have gotten to use the HJC often and on different bikes. On the V-Strom, the windshield always buffets the shields and yet the HJC stays as quiet as my full face when riding. Once again, this isn’t a helmet to go fast on and I believe continuous highway riding at speeds above 60 would fatigue you a bit because of wind lift. (This is on a bike with no windshield) Other than that, this is a cool, attractive helmet that seems well made, light and very, very comfortable. Yes, this helmet won’t give the protection of a full-face BUT, if you’re someone who is now wearing a “pudding bowl” or no helmet at all, this helmet would be a great step up. It’s going to give you more protection, both from the helmet shell itself and having a shield, and of course it’s much better than going without. This is a no excuse helmet and I really enjoy riding with it. ~ Mike Stackhouse

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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Hanover Powersports Presents

BIG CIT Y G ETAWAY the ameriCan museum oF armor 1303 round sWamP road, old BethPage, ny 11804 museumoFameriCanarmor.Com When we mention Tank, we have some drummers bring up Carl Palmer and ELP, a phenomenal drum solo, but not what I have in mind. What I am really talking about is the mechanized behemoths that changed warfare forever - the armored tank.

The history of the tank began in World War I, when armored all-terrain fighting vehicles were first deployed as a response to the problems of trench warfare, ushering in a new era of mechanized warfare. Though initially crude and unreliable, tanks eventually became a mainstay of ground armies. By World War II, tank design had advanced significantly, and tanks were used in quantity in all land theatres of the war. The Cold War saw the rise of modern tank doctrine and the rise of the general-purpose main battle tank. The

daytrip ideas to get out of the daily grind tank still provides the backbone to land combat operations in the 21st century.

Powerful, seemingly indestructible and getting faster and modernized with each successive generation tanks, in a nutshell, are just cool!

Sure you will see tanks on just about every VFW or American Legion Hall, but the best is to see a number of them and get to read about their history and how each of them changed history.

With that in mind we have a great place to take an up close and personal look at some real tank muscle – brand new for 2014 - The American Museum of Armor on Long Island, New York.

Here in this steel-plated and iron jewel, found in Old Bethpage Village, you will find one of the most serious collections of armored vehicles in the nation and it is still growing.

The Museum of American Armor is in the throes of building a 25,000 square foot facility at Old Bethpage Village Restoration, where it will not

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

only honor every American G.I. but will strengthen the county’s tourism and destination industry, providing a new source of revenue for the county’s park system. It reflects an effective multi-purposing of OBVR that has won the endorsement of the History Channel as it campaigns to preserve our nation’s history.

Over 25 pieces of operational WW II vehicles in the museum’s collection have the ability to create an armored column that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II. Place the armor in a setting of vintage farmhouses and country roads reminiscent of the WWII era Normandy countryside, and one has walked into a virtual time machine that puts visitors in touch with the heroes in their own family. While based in its new facility, armor will operate in the village setting several times a year in concert with living historians so that visitors can capture the sights and sounds of Europe in 1944.

Page 17

All this takes money and History Channel Historian endorses this effort with a $1,000,000 grant from Armor Museum’s founder and president Lawrence Kadish that was matched by a $1,000,000 grant from the State of New York that, in turn, allowed construction to begin. Chief Historian for the History Channel, Dr. Libby O’Connell, stated, “This museum marks a unique commitment by public and private sectors to preserve and present a seminal chapter in the history of our nation... and our world. It also reflects a commitment to apply a variety of innovative resources to the task of funding the preservation of our history.

Visiting the American Museum of Armor, opening this spring, you will surely take a journey back and come away with the knowledge that your motorcycle isn’t really that tough after all.

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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G REAT ALL AMERICAN DINER RUN

tasty places to take your bike

texas smoke BarBeCue 400 rte. 15 south, JeFFerson, nJ 862-209-4078 • WWW.texassmokeBBQ.Com Awhile back we did a few weeks touring the Lone Star State of Texas. Despite the wrap it gets from some, we found Texas to be a wonderful place.

The people were nice, the roads in the Hill Country fun and the food, most excellent, especially the barbeque.

For the last few years, just outside the town of Jefferson, New Jersey – in the very rideable northwest part of the state – you can find a bit of Texas here in the Garden state.

We’re talking about Texas Smoke Barbecue.

This place is not all too far from where we call home and we have been there more than a few times; whenever we get a hankerin’ for some serious barbeque.

We got a chance to hear owner Scott Reid’s story…

“Welcome to Texas Smoke Barbecue. We specialize in authentic, Texasstyle barbecue. I have been trained and worked with one of the biggest barbecue teams in Texas, The Texas Rib Rangers. We continue to work with them on some events. We are also a competition team, winning several awards since 2007, including being named Grand Champion of the Champions of

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the Grill at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in 2009, 2011 and 2012. We also won Best Ribs 6 years in a row at the Champions of the Grill.

We are truly southern authentic barbecue. While other barbecue restaurants around here will add barbecue sauce to their meat to give it a barbecue flavor, we leave it out and let the customers add it later if they choose. One of the first things I was taught in barbecue is that there are 3 things that you should taste in true barbecue- the spices, the smoke and the meat, not the barbecue sauce. This is the true Texas way.”

We were first turned onto Texas Smoke at the Champions of the Grill at the Sussex County Fairgrounds.

Here you would find a good number of professional and semi-professional barbequers and Texas Smoke’s booth always had some serious delectable fiddles.

We made it a point to try their restaurant and have returned a number of times since.

Make sure to arrive here hungry; as looking at the menu you might have a hard time choosing your meal.

They have a good selection of sandwiches – pulled chicken or pork, chopped or sliced beef brisket and grilled Texas toast.

The mac ‘n’ cheese was awesome as was their chili.

If you are in the mood for chicken their wings are awesome and come in a wide number of servings, from 6 to 50, that’ll handle the largest group of famished riders. Texas Smoke also offers “dry rub” smoked chicken as well.

Personally I will usually go for the ribs and their St. Louis cut ribs are large and meaty and come with their savory sides.

The same great pork and beef that came on the sandwiches is also available by the pound and half pound.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 If you really like your riding buddies why not just order one of Texas Smoke’s “Family-Style” meals of pulled pork, chicken or chopped brisket.

If you have trouble deciding, do what Shira did and just order “The Sampler,” pulled pork, chopped beef brisket, pulled chicken and ribs, with two sides. Baked Beans, Cole Slaw, Macaroni Salad, Potato Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Spanish Rice, Tossed Salad, Garlic Mashed Potatoes or Seasonal Veggie Purely a case of ‘eyes bigger than her belly’ and she had lunch for later in the week – which I promptly stole.

For you healthy types… and, you know who you are, there are a couple of tasty salads available and TS’ Tex-Mex offers burritos, chimichangas, cheese and meat quesadillas and empanadas stuffed with a variety of good and scrumptious fillings.

If by some outrageous reason you can actually do dessert you are in luck as Texas Smoke has dessert empanadas filled with strawberry, apple or chocolate chip fillings. Deep fried ice cream is always a treat, or stay basic and get the Triple Chocolate Brownie.

Page 19 Whatever ends up in front of you we know you will not be disappointed and you will find that we have led you to a little bit of Texas right here in NJ. And, if you are looking for a good excuse during the week to try Texas Smoke, they have just announced Tuesday Bike Nights!

Many of our readers from the south have asked for more Rip & Rides so this route will start at Washington’s Crossing in Pennsylvania – enjoy the ride!

Rip & Ride® on page 50

2014 Raider SCL

BE SEEN. The limited production Raider SCL is loaded with premium cruiser features. Crafted for riders who value exclusivity, only 500 of these exceptional machines will be built.

The Raider SCL features newly developed, aggressive, robust, dark Matte Iron paint accented with a Matte Raven color including unique pin striping on the front/rear fenders and headlight. A new blacked-out theme embodies the Raider SCL with black components throughout: oxidized titanium coated fork tubes, push-rod tubes, forks, exhaust, air cleaner box, wheels, meter panel, switch gear, and master cylinders, just to name a few. The 2014 Raider SCL simply stands out from the crowd. Get yours today at:

Long Island Yamaha 67 North Broadway • Route 107 • Hicksville, NY

www.LIYamaha.com • 516-935-6969

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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Bergen County Harley-Davidson Presents

W E’RE OUT TA HERE sPillian – a PlaCe to revel 50 todd mountain rd, FleisChmanns, ny 12430 1-800-811-3351 • sPillian.Com This story begins with something simple. Something we all take for granted.

Bread.

Most of us know that one thing you need for good bread is good yeast. A few centuries back that was not as easy as today. In fact it was one man who changed all that.

Charles Louis Fleischmann.

In the late 1860s, he and his brother Maximilian created America’s first commercially produced yeast, which revolutionized baking in a way that made today’s mass production and consumption of bread possible.

Who has not seen those familiar yellow and red packets in the grocery store?

Creating something like this for the masses also creates a good-sized fortune.

The bank accounts rise like yeast!

Soon Fleischmann’s Gin followed, adding more to the ledger.

The Fleischmann’s built a wonderful summer lodge above the town now named after them; a town that they cared for and looked after. The Fleischmann generosity was near legendary.

Building this wonderful Great Camp in the mountains brought a boon of sorts and many of the noble homes of the area found their creation at that time.

Sadly, most are gone now to time, vandals or fire.

But, Spillian remains.

And, if you wish to ride back into time and find “a place to revel” then

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a weekend destination keeping you on the backroads you must follow along with us to the reborn Fleischmann’s Mansion.

The old building, high above Route 28 and the town, had seen far better days. It had changed hands a number of times after the Fleischmann family headed west, but for the last two decades and then some, it sat quiet, empty and secluded.

Enter Leigh Melander and Mark Somerfield.

The couple have been together since college and looking for a place that could be many things - retreat and escape, a place to broaden your mind and place for family, friends and strangers to enjoy life.

They found it in an old and dilapidated mansion in the Catskills.

Remarkably, even though the building and its many outbuildings had sat idle for decades they were still in workable shape and Leigh and Mark set about the tough job of making this old place right.

Much like the Twelve Labors of Hercules, this would not be an easy task. But, it would be fun.

Under the Backroads logo you will read motorcycles, travel & adventure.

As we visited this Catskill jewel in mid-February - exchanging New Jersey snow for Catskill snow – we kept the two-wheel German machines in the stable and brought out the “other German toy” – the Audi R8.

This R8 has been specifically modified, for insurance and licensing concerns, to resemble a common Audi A4 cabriolet.

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 Spillian was and still is a retreat, so the road up the hair-pinned hill is not paved (but well groomed and hard packed when the weather leaves it alone). Toss in this winter’s mess and we had some real fun each time we went up or down the road.

With its 5.2 V-10, 525 horses and Quattro AllWheel Drive system, Shira made the boys at Top Gear look like wankers.

Okay, maybe not the Stig.

Atop the hill, where Spillian majestically sits, the view from the porch is just phenomenal. And, on a warm summer’s evening – with the bikes cooling off in the lot and a cool breeze circling the mountains - a seat on one of the many rocking chairs with a glass of wine cannot be beat.

Walking into the entrance of the Great Room, with its early last century furniture, Salvi concert grand harp and Steinway grand piano your breath might just be taken away.

But, that is just the beginning.

Spillian has one of the greatest dining rooms in which we’ve broken bread - it seats 20 - and add to that the bar and their professional kitchen and you have quite the place to “revel”.

Spillian offers 8 different rooms, all with their own themes and flavors.

Page 21 While we were there we stayed at Scheherazade Room, with its middleeast flavor and dreams of 1001 Nights. This was an unplanned surprise for us. There was even a camel and monkey wearing a fez. Above the bed a carpet seemed to ‘magically’ fly.

There is The Lotus Room, marrying the Catskills with the Far East. The Camelot Room, which will make any couple feel like Lancelot and Guinevere. The Secret Garden Room makes use of the lovely original painted decorations found throughout the house.

Leigh and Mark are especially proud of The Four Seasons Room. They believe it was originally Max Fleischmann’s sitting room with its own fireplace and big bowed windows and magnificent vista.

There is also the William Morris Room and the Klimt Room celebrating the work of symbolist painter Gustav Klimt.

My favorite just might be the Jules Verne Room. Like Morris, Verne saw and imagined so many great things. So many of his fantasies came to life in just a century. They say the room is part Victorian travel, part Steampunk.

It has a telescope – that works for me, especially with Spillian’s great views.

We rarely gush about individual rooms but, as you see here, we must.

In the morning we were treated to an excellent breakfast of bacon, eggs, bagels, fruit, muffins, cereals, juice and coffee (really good coffee).

If you feel like a walk Spillian’s offers 32 acres of pristine Catskill woodlands and trails and, of course, there is wi-fi for those who have forgotten they are trying to escape.

You would think that a place so thoughtfully created would cost you a small fortune? You would be wrong.

Rooms are $150 for the night, stay a second night and get a 15% discount for just $255. You can also arrange for the entire place for your family, friends or riding group.

Visit them at their website for more information or to book a well deserved get away today.

Spillian is an old English word that means “to play, to jest, or to revel.”

It’s also the root of Leigh’s mother’s maiden name.

It fits this magical place well.

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 22

I

was a bit surprised at how smooth this ferry was. No herky jerk start to this short journey and nothing jarring as the cable led the mighty - 700’ something - crossing of the Willamette River at Buena Vista. At one time there were dozens of ferries crossing rivers like this in Oregon, today just three remain on this river.

Sure there are dozens of free bridges to be taken, but we always enjoy a good ferry crossing over a bridge any day and besides – it was a great way to start another journey.

We had left the capital of Oregon, Salem, just a short hour before, leaving early the Sunday after the BMW MOA Rally. We had four days to get back to Los Angeles and we wanted to be able to make them four reasonable and enjoyable days of riding.

Leaving the Ferry Buena Vista we vectored south and searched out Route 34, also called the Alsea Highway, which snakes its way some 45 miles through the Siuslaw National Forest.

This is prime Big Foot territory and I could almost feel those deep dark eyes tracking us as we sped by along the very enjoyable road.

Going Down the Coast (Coming from Up the Coast) words and images • Brian Rathjen

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 About an hour later, with no ‘confirmed’ sighting of a Sasquatch we rode by the protected Alsea Bay and made a left, south on US 101, called the Oregon Coast Highway in these parts.

We passed a number of state parks including ‘Devil’s Elbow’ and made a quick stop at the Sea Lion Cave, reputed to be the largest sea cave in the USA. The lines, screaming children and price made us reconsider this and we rode onward.

This part of the coastline of the northwest is quite stunning with its jagged cliffs, and rocky islands just off shore.

As with the Willamette River earlier in the ride this coast presented a bit of a challenge years back, but modern en-

Page 23 gineers would not be thwarted and a series of bridges were built crossing over dozens of deep chasms and gorges, such as the Cook’s Chasm Bridge that was first built in 1931 and then rebuilt, as the constant pounding of the Pacific finally took its toll after so many years.

Later on we crossed over the highest bridge in Oregon at some 345 feet above the crashing waves.

Heading further south we found the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

The Oregon Dunes are a unique area of windswept sand that is the result of millions of years of wind, sun, and rain erosion on the Oregon Coast.

These are the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America. Some dunes tower up to 500 feet above sea level, providing numerous recreational opportunities including off-road vehicle, of which we saw plenty.

The hike up the dunes was a bit tough with riding gear on but the view from the top was well worth it.

Further down the coast we rode into the historic section of Bandon, Oregon and found a little crab shack on the wharf. Fresh raw Pacific oysters and Dungeness crab sandwiches made for a perfect break in the day.

Walking around town we learned of its history, some not very pretty.

Original settlers mingled well with the local Coquille tribe for years until

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 24

gold was discovered, bringing in less desirable men.

Eventually the lust for gold brought things to a boiling point and on January 28, 1854 a group of miners burned the local native village while they slept. The survivors were later forced to leave their lands and move to a reservation far to the north.

Reading this it was hard to understand anything so evil.

There is a Coquille totem pole down by the pier, a silent reminder of whose land this once was.

Another thing we spotted in the town, as we did one the road, were a number of tsunami warning signs. On this part of the Oregon coast tidal waves are real and present danger. Anyone who saw the video of the tsunami in Japan knows how dangerous these killer waves can be.

An earthquake in Alaska could mean big

waves along the Oregon coast. In fact one sign said if there is a quake to immediately seek higher ground and to move inland as fast as possible.

After lunch and a stroll we geared up once again and continued south toward the California border.

The coast here is truly amazing and we had to stop more than usual just to take it all in. At one vista we hiked down to the ocean, walking along the beach and around the giant rocks jutting from the dark sand.

Along the road I spied a familiar giant figure.

Big Foot, or as close as I could hope to come meeting the large man face to face!

By early evening we rode into the waterside town of Brookings, along the Chetco River, and found an excellent suite on the water.

Showered and refreshed we strolled next door to a small local place for chowda’ and fish tacos and then made it an early night as we had some serious miles to tackle the next day.

Brookings Harbor to Napa Valley This part of the United States has an amazing amount of micro-climates, especially along the coast, and when we started from the little Oregon harbor town it was misty, almost drizzling, and a chilly 50 degrees. On went the lin-

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ers and the HEDz and all the vents were zipped closed. The first 50 or so miles went in and out of the fog and mist, with the occasional burst of bright morning sunlight filtering down through the Redwoods.

I have always loved riding here; the giant trees making this rider feel humble and small. We turned off the 101 to the Avenue of the Giants; 25 miles of great pavement closed in by massive Redwoods.

As I rode I began to sing a song that would not leave my head…

Page 25 They wanted the highway.

They’re happy there today Funny how a song will park itself in your mind for days and never leave.

Earworms, gotta love ‘em.

Parking the bikes in a small clearing amongst the trees we walked around a bit feeling like we had left Earth and landed on Star War’s Endor moon. I was waiting for an Ewok to pop out.

They’re just like Bigfoot only smaller.

Riding a bit further inland the temperatures rose by the mile. What was high 50’s on the coast was low 90s in the hills.

All day long gear went on and off many times.

We found Bigfoot, yet again, right off the highway. He has his own store. Notso and Pepe tried to make friends and almost got carried away.

We rescued them and went in search of a late breakfast which we found in a tiny town on the Pacific side.

Who would expect such delicious bagels so far from the Lower East Side?

We soon caught up to Route 1 and did the complex 22 miles down towards the Pacific and a free run down towards Fort Bragg.

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 26 Yet again Shira was in search of one of her now famous ice cream joints and Cowlick in Fort Bragg was on her list of 10 best ice cream stops in the nation.

This would be the second on this entire trip. Well worth the search.

Earlier we had contacted our friends Rich and Kathy from RKA Luggage – makers of some of the best motorcycle luggage on the planet – as we had been invited to stop by their home many times and today would work out perfectly.

They live in the Napa Valley region so we had to vector off Route 1 and head east. To do this we chose Skaggs Springs Road that twisted and turned for nearly 50 miles up and over the hills.

The first half must have been the “Skaggs” part as it was technical, tight, bumpy and closed in by deep forest.

We loved it.

The second part heading down into Geyserville was newly paved, twice as wide, graded, sprinkled with motorcycle goodness flakes and had a Rossi freshness in the air as it wound around Lake Sonoma.

It has to be one of the finest riding roads in California without a doubt.

Remember this road…. Skaggs Springs!

Oh, and it had wild boar running around the rustic parts as well.

Dropping into the valley we saw a couple walking their goats.

California can be so strange.

Our night with our RKA friends was fantastic and we got to watch the USA Moto GP as well. Did you see that pass?

Napa Valley to the U. S. Army…sorta In the morning we stopped by the RKA World Headquarters and took a tour before giving and getting hugs all around and blasting off south.

We toured in and around the vineyards and then found

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 breakfast in the town of Napa that was a bit too built up for my taste, but we found some wine for later that evening, so it was worth it.

Shira had a surprise for me this evening and we needed to get near King City by early evening.

I plotted our route around San Francisco, avoiding the city traffic and Golden Gate and instead focused on a number of mountain roads that seemed to convulse around on the map.

These turned out to be as fun as they looked and at one point we rode for miles and miles along golden California hills high above the valley.

Near Salinas we picked up the 101 again, but this highway is a far cry from the beautiful roadway far to the north. This was a busy California Freeway, but it did the trick, as we needed to make time this day.

We rolled through the center of Gilroy and there was no mistaking that this town is the garlic capital of the world. The aroma was delicious and by the time we were done with the town I was famished.

Just south we rode through miles of strawberry fields. Once again our senses were treated to wonderful smells. California is truly a great agricultural state.

By evening time, under directions from Shira, we rolled up to Fort Hunter

Page 27 Liggett a US Army Base located on land once owed by Randolph Hearst.

Many folks go to the coast in this part of California and stop by the Hearst Castle, on Route 1. Sure you can pay $20 or more and hang out with thousands of tourists at the world famous Castle. But did you know Hearst had another mansion near Big Sur called the Hearst Hacienda? Even better, this second mansion is far from the throngs of tourists, and free to visit and you can overnight there as well.

Before he constructed the massive Hearst Castle, William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper baron, built this much more modest hunting lodge and ranch he called the Milpitas Ranch House. It was designed by Julia Morgan, the same architect who built the Hearst Castle, and was designed after Mission San Antonio, less than a half mile away. In the 1930s, the entire ranch including the hacienda was sold to the US Army to become Fort Hunter Liggett.

Today the military has priority on hotel rooms at the Hacienda, but any of the remaining 14 rooms in the

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Page 28

small hotel are available to the public. Also in the building are a nice bar and a restaurant. Hotel rooms range from $45 for a shared bath to $145 for the private suite, more reasonable than many chain hotel and far cooler.

Along the road leading into the base we spotted coyote, rabbit and there was even a bobcat slinking through the grass.

The Hacienda was stunning, reminding me of the Eagle’s Hotel California album.

Shira had booked the tower suite.

As dusk fell a full July moon rose large and orange over the California hills.

This was a wild part of California and a great place to spend our last evening on the road, made even better by the colorful July full moon rising over the California hills that evening.

Nearby the Hacienda is the San Antonio Mission. This mission was one of the first in California and the first Christian wedding in California happened here on the 16th of May, 1773.

We were given free reign to explore the old church and museum, quite the place and full of rich history. Miles behind the Mission and looming in the horizon is Junipero Serra Peak. The mountain has been used for centuries as a guidepost and landmark; first by sailors and then by pilots flying across the region.

And, to think all this history ‌. the church, the Randolph Hearst and now the United States Army continues here.

Fort Hunter Liggett to LA We followed a small road that wound tightly through miles of oak forest and then over the peaks that were deeply shrouded in the clouds.

We paused atop one turnoff on the crest and just drank the whole scene in.

What a fantastic few weeks on the road.

We picked up the PCH 1 and motored south, stopping to visit our friends,

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 as we always do - the Elephant Seals near Hearst Castle.

These mighty beasts can weigh up to 5,000 lbs. at certain times of the year and avoid their adversaries, the great White and Killer Whale, by diving more than a mile deep. This colony and part of the California coast is the perfect opportunity to see them lounging, birthing and occasionally battling for supremacy amongst the herd.

We needed to return the machines this day and hop a flight back east, so we made time down the 1 and 101, making a short side tour through the Chumash Indian reservation.

Stopping for one final meal on the road at a seaside café we talked about how wonderful this particular trip had been.

After a few curve balls being thrown at me these last two years, I needed a real trip and adventure to clear my head and soul.

I wondered aloud if this had done it.

My answer came in a form of a song coming across the café’s sound system. As if the universe was throwing me a bone.

Of all the songs in the world why would, how could, this particular tune come on at this exact moment, I wondered.

The quiet little atheist in me shuddered.

The words to The Way by Fastball could not say it better.

Anyone could see the road that they walk on is paved in gold And it’s always summer, they’ll never get cold They’ll never get hungry They’ll never get old and gray You can see their shadows wandering off somewhere They won’t make it home But they really don’t care They wanted the highway They’re happy there today, today…

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 30

Welcome to the Jungle - The Art of Learning to Ride Skillfully A column dedicated to your riding survival toP gear in nam • you Weren’t there, man!

Over the winter we have taken to taping the episodes of Top Gear that run on BBC America during the day whilst we are busy with the daily workings of the magazine.

In the evening we have a couple of Top Gear episodes and pop the corn and get couch-bound for a few hours of fast fun.

For those of you who have never seen it, Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars, and is the world’s most widely watched factual television program. It has been around for years and has 350 million views per week in 170 different countries.

Always humorous and a tad irreverent it is hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, and a silent test driver known as The Stig - their version of Dr. Seymour O’Life and the only driver that seems to understand the need for real protective gear.

Yes, Top Gear is basically a car show… But, what cars!

We’re talking competitions between some of the highest end automobiles on the planet. Pagani, Ferrari, Caparo, a few Formula 1 cars, as well as more realistic Mercedes, Porsche, and Jaguars – just to name a few.

We recently viewed a special program they filmed years back, that was originally aired on December 28, 2008 - Top Gear: Vietnam Special.

Here the trio found themselves in Saigon and were each handed shoeboxes full of 15 million Vietnamese đồng each to buy vehicles. Though at first the presenters were ecstatic about the seemingly vast amount of money they were given by the producers this time, they soon discovered that it was not nearly enough to buy a car. It was about $1,000 U.S.

Much to our surprise they decided to buy motorcycles….sort of.

Hammond bought a Belarusian-built 125 cc twostroke Minsk (the powerhouse here), May a four-stroke Honda Super Cub (a classic ride – but, not this one) and the unenthusiastic Clarkson purchased a two-stroke green 1967 Piaggio Vespa. Clarkson does not ride at all and really is a bit scared of things on two-wheels. He is also six and half feet tall so he made quite the sight on the Vespa.

Their challenge was to ride the bikes some 1,000 miles up the coast from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Ha Long City. If any of their machines failed they would be forced to ride a 1973 Honda Chaly mini-bike festooned with an all-American red, white and blue stars and stripes paint scheme, American flags and that constantly and unstoppably blared Springsteen’s Born in the USA. Maybe not exactly the machine to be tooling around on in Vietnam.

Vietnam is a stunning and beautiful place and we think it is best seen by motorcycle, but we think every place is best seen by motorcycle, so we were keen on watching the special episode.

But, from the beginning it was obvious that as far as gear, these guys were clueless.

Yes, they say when in France, but of the hundreds of motorcycles we saw on this show it was obvious that current, modern and reliable riding gear is as rare as snow in this Pacific coast tropical nation.

Lacking helmets and any sort of riding gear they went in search of such. Only Richard was able to get one that fit; to Clarkson’s 6’5”, Hammond is 5’6”. So are most of the Vietnamese. A local welder created a wok-like colander helmet for James May. Clarkson began with a steel bucket, but upgraded to something akin to a cheap helmet. They had no riding jackets, pants or boots. It was the rainy season and they needn’t take showers as

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 31 But, they were thinking cars in Nam, not bikes when they arrived in Saigon.

Watching this show while the snow was coming down a few months back we couldn’t help to take notice how much more enjoyable and safe this journey would have been with just a real jacket, helmet and gloves; bare minimum gear – even in Vietnam.

Our point is real gear all the time makes for better and safer riding.

As the Global Warming crowd likes to say – “The debate is over!”

If you’ve never seen Top Gear, please don’t judge the boys from this adventure – there’s a reason it’s the most popular show on the planet and most times (and I mean that) they know what they’re doing.

You can Google the Top Gear: Vietnam Special and watch it on YouTube.

they were soaked to the bone each day.

The traffic in the cities here is not even close to controlled chaos and makes Rome look easy. Nobody is wearing anything of worth and it was said that four times the riders die here in Vietnam than in Great Britain.

With the mayhem and lack of any protective gear you wonder why?

It just seemed to us, watching the show, that the producers might have gotten some actual riding gear sent to them. Fun, frivolity, blood and road rash instantly followed. And, once Jeremy Clarkson got used to two-wheels, something completely new to him, he got cocky and had one heck of a nasty spill.

Some tending too and a few bandages later he was back on the road, though not nearly with as much bravado.

It was obvious that Richard can and does ride a lot and I bet he wished he had his own gear with him. The same for James May.

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EVENT RECAP

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT….

Mike Simonetti

…as our friends from Monty Python might say. In late September I attended SpyderQuest 2013 at Lake George NY, home of the venerable Americade rally. This was a Can-Am Spyder event being held for the first time, and envisioned and executed by the NY Spyder Riders. This is the only rally in the northeast dedicated to Spyder aficionados.

By now I imagine all motorcyclists are at least aware of the Spyder line, but for the record Spyders are reverse trikes (two wheels in front) displacing 998 CCs and producing around 100hp. They come in pure sport (RSS), sport touring (ST), and touring (RT) configurations, and they rival even Gold Wings in their available creature comforts.

SpyderQuest, though small by some standards, drew about 100 participants on a wide variety of customized Spyders. Spyder riders love their farkles as much as anyone!

The event began with a meet and greet for participants at the Lake George RV Park. I was impressed by the genuine warmth of both the staff and the rally participants. They seemed even tighter than riders I’ve encountered at two-wheel rallies, their bond perhaps being strengthened by their common addiction to all things Spyder.

A BBQ followed the tire kicking in the parking lot.

The food was plentiful, hot, and delicious. We had an opportunity to see some of the prizes being stored on stage for the next event, “farkle” bingo. The bingo and prize drawings saw many attendees win valuable prizes, including several hundreds of dollars worth of service vouchers donated by BRP. Also up for grabs were LED accent lights, and some unique Spyder accessories donated by Lamont Brydon, aka “LaMonster,” our spyderlovers.com forum moderator. I had the pleasure of meeting Lamont at the end of one event and to commiserate with him over our mutual “bingo fuel” status. I thanked him for his efforts in moderating spyderlovers.com, and I hope he made it to the gas station unscathed.

My friends John and Donna, known to us collectively as Johnna, won the 50/50, collecting $200. They also scooped up an IPS key cover and some Spyder decals.

With luck like that it’s too bad we didn’t sign up for the next day’s Saratoga Casino run!

The next morning we gathered at Progressive Motorsports in Hudson Falls for a breakfast sponsored jointly

by Progressive and BRP. BRP’s representative discussed some tantalizing leaks about the 2014 Spyders’ increased displacement and performance over fresh pastries and steaming coffee. From there we rode as a group to Fort Ticonderoga for a historical tour and a great lunch. A group of 60 or so Spyders riding single file down the pristine roads of the Adirondacks was something to behold. The short ferry ride across the lake is always fun too.

The Fort Ticonderoga is itself a very historic site.

Originally called Fort Carillon, it was built by the French in the classic star shape during the 1700’s to guard the strategic narrows at the south end of Lake Champlain, and was again of great importance during

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 33 the American Revolution. Walking the fort will take you back to the days of Red Coats, Indians, and Minutemen, and a visit is always time well spent.

From the Fort we rode as a group to the Queensbury Airport to see the annual Balloon Festival. Police escorts guided us in as we approached the airport, which was closed to fixed wing traffic for the duration of the festival. As dusk approached huge, fanciful balloons began to rise as if by magic from the airport grounds. Traditional spherical balloons drifted over the crowd, punctuated by the occasional hiss of propane and tongues of flame, as balloonists drifted in their fragile baskets into the evening sky. A balloon shaped as an elephant stood on his nose, and character balloons both familiar and strange slowly inflated as hot air bellowed into them. Hot air balloons are something everyone should take the time to experience!

The next day’s agenda was a ride to Whiteface Mountain followed by a dinner cruise on Lake George but, as one of our group was under the weather that morning, we skipped the ride in favor of John and I relaxing by the pool as money was spent at the outlet stores.

I’d like to ask riders in general to take a closer look at Spyders, and perhaps even test ride one. No, they don’t provide the exact same visceral feedback as a two-wheeler, but they are a growing part of the biker community, and there are destined to be many more of them as the biker population ages. At a time when the general public is equating us with the Sons of Anarchy, broadening the spectrum of riders might be just the ticket. I say this as a rider with 40 years of two-wheel experience.

Besides, Spyders are FUN! I’m looking forward to adding SpyderQuest to my list of annual motorcycle events.

SpyderQuest 2014 will be held September 11-13. The Rally Headquarters will be Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury, NY, with rooms $99/night and a two-night minimum. Either call 518-824-6060 or book online at www.sixflagsgreatescapelodge.com. Use discount code 091014SPYD to receive discount.

For other SpyderQuest information please visit www.spyderlovers.com

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 34

CONCOURS OWNERS GROUP 25TH ANNIVERSARY ”SILVERDAMMIT” NATIONAL RALLY JUNE 16-20, 2014 – JOHNSON CITY, TN The Concours Owners Group (COG) will host the 2014 “Silverdammit” National Rally the week of June 16-20, 2014 in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The rally marks the celebration of the group’s 25th anniversary, and will include many social activities, information seminars, guest speakers, technical sessions, and a banquet dinner.

For over a decade COG and its European sibling, GTR Club Europe (GCE) pull off a remarkable effort called “Over the Pond” (OtP). This is where a lucky rider is selected by their peers to attend the foreign rally as the OtP Traveler. Alternating years the OtP Traveler is selected from the U.S.A. or EU. This year two lucky members from the EU will travel to the “Silverdammit” National Rally. This covert operation is funded by member pledged donations to assist the OtP traveler’s expenses. Normally a Concours is provided to the traveler in the host country by a fellow member, however, the past few years Kawasaki has generously provided a Concours 14 for use by the OtP Traveler during their visit to the host country.

The Silverdammit Rally is the namesake of a term affectionately used among owners that they felt best described the color of the first U.S. production Concours in 1986. Kawasaki’s official color name was “Pearl Gentry Gray”. However, the running inside joke one member started was “…it’s not gray, it’s silverdammit!!”

Johnson City is a perfect venue to celebrate COG’s big event. Conveniently located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson City is a very motorcycle friendly community, and the surrounding region offers some great riding. The twisty, scenic mountain roads surrounding Johnson City is sure to please sport-touring and other riding enthusiasts. Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau maintains the “Southern Dozen” web site that promotes a “series of 12 of the South’s greatest motorcycle rides that start and end in Johnson City, taking riders to historic sites, unique caverns, famous music venues, wolf habitats and more.” Additional self-guided rides will be planned, including a dual sport ride.

The Holiday Inn of Johnson City has been selected to serve as the rally headquarters. There will also be nearby tent and RV camping available to rally attendees. The rally area offers many nearby tourist attractions for attendees to enjoy. The rally team has been working on this event since summer 2011. Bob Dombrowe, the rally committee chairperson, says “we are working diligently to make this the biggest and best COG National Rally ever.”

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014 chosen route will put an ear-to-ear smile on any rider’s face. The roads that were selected are hidden gems that stay away from interstates and heavily congested primary roads. Over hill and dale, riders will be blown away by the roads and scenery! Detailed route sheets will be handed out during registration and GPS downloads will be available as well. The route sheet will also highlight fuel stops and local eateries along the way. This is not a parade ride. Entrants can ride with friends, as a group or solo. Modeled after the famous Ramapo 500, this ride will expose local riders to this type of touring event and hopefully get them to participate in the Ramapo 500 as well. The New Sweden 450 offers miles of great roads, a night of camping up north, dinner and a quick breakfast, plus awards, prizes and surprises for under 50 bucks. For those riders who do not prefer to camp, the Barryville, NY area has plenty of other overnight options (not included in entry fee). More information can be found at 450.nsbmwr.com. Discounted admission fee is available when registering before May 3, 2014 and is limited to 200 riders.

The New Sweden 450 starts and finishes at the Pic-a-Lilli Inn, Shamong, NJ. All makes are welcome. This event is AMA sanctioned.

Log onto their website at www.newswedenbmwriders.com for more information.

MOVE OVER SPA VACATIONS! MORE WOMEN BUYING MOTORCYCLES TO DE-STRESS More women than ever before are choosing motorcycling as their way to unwind and de-stress from their busy lives. Latest motorcycle ownership numbers, just released by the Motorcycle Industry Council, show female motorcycle owners rose to 12.5 percent up from 10.5 percent in 2009.

This comes as no surprise to Genevieve Schmitt, founder and editor of the leading resource for female motorcyclists, WomenRidersNow.com. She has her pulse on the women’s motorcycling demographic.

“More than ever, women need a way to unwind, disconnect and de-stress from their busy, on-the-go lifestyles.

My readers tell me riding a motorcycle does wonders for their soul as being out on the open road re-charges their mental batteries while helping them find clarity and peace of mind.”

“I’m a busy realtor in one of the most desirable areas of the country, Scottsdale, Arizona,” says 56-year-old Jan Kane. “Motorcycling is my way of unwinding from my busy life. Feeling the wind on my face and getting out in nature on the open road helps to slow me down enabling me to prioritize and focus on what’s really important. Riding is far better for me for de-stressing than a day at the spa.”

Ashly Holland, 33, of Livingston, Mont., started riding last year. “If you told me I would feel this good by simply riding a motorcycle, I’d have started years ago.

I actually spend less time mentally unwinding on a massage table now that I have a motorcycle,” she laughs.

Page 35

“It seems counterintuitive to think that riding motorcycles could have such mental health benefits,” says Schmitt, “but talk to any woman rider and she’ll agree riding is far more powerful at creating balance in one’s life (excuse the pun!) than one would imagine.” Harley-Davidson recently publicized results of a survey indicating women who ride motorcycles feel happier, sexier and are more confident than those who don’t.

Of the approximately 27 million motorcycle riders, 6.7 million are women.

WomenRidersNow.com, now entering its 10th year online, is the most comprehensive resource for the growing number of women riders, offering motorcycle and gear reviews, a beginner’s guide, advice and a way to connect with other riders through the WRN Forum.

Visit WomenRidersNow.com to learn more.

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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UPCOM IN G EVENTS CAL ENDAR EVERY MONTH - WEATHER PERMITTING Every Sunday • Eastern Suffolk ABATE Breakfast Run. Crossroads Diner - Calverton NY. 10:30am. Eat and Ride After • 631-369-2221 Every Tuesday • The Ear - Spring St, NYC. Come meet some fellow riders and do some benchracing or whatever. 8pm-ish Every Tuesday • Bike Night @ Texas Smoke Barbecue, 400 Route 15 South, Jefferson, NJ. Dine indoors or out with dinner specials. Meet and kick some tires while enjoying some terrific barbeque • www.TexasSmokeBBQ.com • 862-209-4078 Third Tuesday • 7:30pm ABATE of the Garden State, North Jersey chapter. Black River Barn, 1178 Rt. 10 West, Randolph, NJ. 7:30pm. New members and all mc brands welcome. Help fight for rights as a motorcyclist in NJ! Alex Martinez 973-390-1918 Every Wednesday • Chelseas Restaurant/Pub, 1051 Rte. 22 East, Lebanon, NJ 6-9pm, weather permitting all summer • www.chelseasrestaurantpub.com Every Thursday • Bike Night at the Chatterbox Drive-In, Rtes. 15/206, Augusta, NJ. Tire kicking, good food and friends • www.chatterboxdrivein.com Every Saturday • Stop by the dealership at 9am for coffee and bagels. Ride departs at 10am. Return to the dealership for FREE food and music. Proper attire MUST be worn!

No shorts or sneakers. • Bergen Harley-Davidson/BMW Motorcycle, 124 Essex St, Rochelle Park, NJ • 201-843-6930 • www.bergenbmwmotorcycles.com

APRIL 2014 2 • Victory Metuchen Victory Demo Day. Victory Demo Truck will be on-site for demo rides. For full details please visit www.VictoryMetuchen.com • 732-906-9292 6 • Motorcyclepedia Museum Swap Meet. Clean out your garage and closets and make some money. 10am-4pm. Indoor motorcycle parts and accessories. Vendor spaces are available, and included in museum admission cost. Adults $11 • Kids $5 • Under 3 free.

Motorcyclepedia Museum, 250 Lake St, Newburgh, NY • 845-560-9065 • www.motorcyclepediamuseum.org 10-12 • Montgomeryville Cycle Center Spring Kickoff Open House. 2901 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield, PA • 215-712-7433 • www.MontgomeryvilleCC.com 12 • Morton’s BMW Spring Open House • 9a-4p. Join hundreds of bike enthusiasts for one of the largest BMW open houses in the region, featuring demo rides, food, music, door prizes, sales and much more - ALL FREE. Morton’s BMW, 5099A Jefferson Davis Hwy, Frederickburg, VA • 540-891-9844 • www.MortonsBMW.com 12 • Liberty Harley-Davidson Blood Drive. 12 W. Milton Ave, Rahway, NJ • 732-3812400 • www.LibertyHarley.com

What’s Happening 23 • Liberty Harley-Davidson Garage Party • 12 W. Milton Ave, Rahway, NJ • 732381-2400 • www.LibertyHarley.com 26 • Harley-Davidson Long Branch Spring Open House. 9am-4pm. 671 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ • 732-229-8518 • www.HDLongBranch.com 28 • Bob's BMW Spring Open House. All brand riders are encouraged to join the fun.

FOOD, PRIZES, ONE-DAY SPECIALS, VENDORS AND LOTS OF FUN . Motorcycle Dyno.

On-site food trucks. Vendors contact hanna.creekmore@bobsbmw.com 10720 Suilford Rd, Jessup, MD • 301-497-8949 • www.bobsbmw.com 29 • Liberty Harley-Davidson Blacktop Bike Nights • 12 W. Milton Ave, Rahway, NJ • 732-381-2400 • www.LibertyHarley.com

MAY 2014 May 23-26 • Backroads Spring Break • Marion, Virginia 4 • International Female Ride Day • www.motoress.com 4 • Ramapo MC Spring Run. Most unique Poker Run combining marksmanship, hand/eye coordination, intuition or just dumb luck. $15/entry • Sign in: 9am. Rhodes Tavern North, Route 17N, Sloatsburg, NY. Charity benefits Helen Hayes Hospital. Info Dick Roberts • 201-767-3594 14 • FW Speer Yamaha hosts Vito’s Full Moon Cruise. Call for details • 7 Main Ave, Passaic, NJ • 973-778-6256 • www.SpeerYamaha.com 16-18 • Morton’s BMW 2014 Spring Fling Rally. A weekend of great roads, good food, interesting seminars, and terrific company, all at historic and scenic Natural Bridge, VA. $45 rally fee incl. vendors, seminars, route sheets/GPS data, scavenger hunt, door prizes, Sat. dinner and presentation. Optional Friday nite Brats & Brew dinner $20. Visit website for complete details • Morton’s BMW Motorcycles, 5099A Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA • 540-891-9844 • www.mortonsbmw.com 16-18 • 9th Annual Whitehorse Gear Open House. Expanded hours to accomodate everyone. 9am-5pm with 10% off any non-sale items. Saturday enjoy morning coffee on us and enter for free raffle prizes. Free lunch at noon. NO SALES TAX. 107 East Conway Road, Conway Center, NH. GPS: N 44° 00.33' • W 71° 05.03/ Elevation 553 ft.

17 • Tramontin Harley-Davidson Puppy Rescue Ride to benefit The Puppy Rescue Mission, helping military men and women bring their battle buddies home. Sign in: 10-11am • Kickstands up 11am SHARP. $20-rider/$15-passenger/$15-non-rider participant. 2 hour scenic ride led by NWJ HOG Chapter, followed by food, music, vendors, prizes and more.

Tramontin H-D, Route 80 Exit 12, Hope, NJ • 908-459-4101 www.PuppyRescueMission.com

FALL FIESTA 2014 September 25-28

Motorcycles, Travel & Adventure

A SHAMOKIN’ TIME IN SOUTHCENTRAL PA Join us for our 16th Backroads Fall Fiesta We’ll have our base camp at the historic Shippen Place Hotel in Shippensburg, PA Surrounded by some of the most scenic and twistalicious roads in Pennsylvania You can explore the beautiful Michaux State Forest, take a spin to Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum or check out Centralia, the town on fire.

We’ll have a group dinner Saturday night at the University Grille, at the hotel.

Rooms start at $87.20/night Call today and get yours. Please ask for Backroads Group when booking.

www.shippenplace.com • 717-532-4141

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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17-18 • The New Sweden 450. The premise is simple: we provide you with 450 miles of amazing roads, throw in a night of camping, provide a hearty dinner and a quick breakfast, then invite 199 of your fellow riders. All for under $50. Be part of te inaugural run.

The ride stars and ends at the Pic-A-Lilli Inn. Make plans to attend this annual ride through NJ, NY and PA. SIgn in: 8-10AM • Pic-A-Lilli Inn, 866 Rte. 206, Shamong, NJ • Pre-Reg: $43 / Day of event: $48. Details/Info email: ns450@newswedenbmwriders.com

14 • 4th Annual Carney Vetrano Benefit. Sign in: Shore Lanes Bowling Alley, Rte. 35, Neptune, NJ (Just south of Asbury Park circle) Poker Run sign in: 10am-Noon. Bowling Noon-5pm. Ride-in Bike Show Sign in 1pm. Poker Run $20-rider/$15 passenger • Car & Bike show $20/entry • Bowling $20 donation includes 1 adult + 1 child 2 games and shoes. All proceeds beneift the Ronald McDonald Childrens Cancer Camp. Contact Steven Vetrano: svetrano@thebarhamgroup.com

17 • Maghogomock Hook and Ladder Benefit Ride. Rain date: May 31. Sign in Riverside Park, King St, Port Jervise, NY 8-10:30am. $20 rider/$15 passenger. Benefit ride through the beautiful scenic byways in Orange/Sullivan Counties. Chicken BBQ, live music and door prizes at end

14-22 • 90th Anniversary of the original riding rally- Laconia Bike Week. Weirs Beach, Laconia, NH. www.LaconiaBikeWeek.com • 603-366-2000

18 • Bergen County Harley-Davidson Freedom Run & Festival. $25-Rider/$15-Passenger.

Incl. ride entry and meal tickets. First 500 receive FREE event pin. Start point: Overpeck Park, Ridgefield Park, NJ • 8:30-9:30am - Ride leaves 10am SHARP. Live music, vendors, great eats. For full details please visit website www.bergenharleydavidson.com 24 • 12th Annual Twisted Throttle Open House. You've probably heard by now about how much fun previous Twisted Throttle Open House events have been. Entertainment, food, and see what's new for the upcoming season. REGISTER NOW. Stay tuned for details about performers, vendors, demontrations, workshops, seminars and special deals.

TwistedThrottle.com 29-June 1 • 42nd BMW RA NATIONAL RALLY. Barber Motorsports Park/Museum, Birmingham, AL. Get ready for a close encounter with every little thing you love about our sport: grand scale riding, the finest motorcycle museum in the USA, good food and drink, grassy and comfortable camping and thousands of your moto brothers and sisters--new and old. As an added bonus, Keith Code’ California Superbike School will be on hand with his fleet of BMW S1000RR superbikes. Participate or watch as students fly around the fabulous undulating track. Your rally fee includes 3 nights camping, admission to the Vintage Museum, entertainment and much more. www.BMWRA.org

16 • RIDE TO WORK • www.RideToWork.org 16-20 • Concours Owners Group 25th Anniversary ‘SilverDammit’ National Rally. Rally Headquarters: Holiday Inn of Johnson City, TN . Tent and RV camping located nearby. registration available online @ concours.org/national/nationalrally2014

JULY 2014 2-5 • Wing Ding - Madison, WI • www.GWRRA.org 12-13 • 38th Annual Ramapo 500™ • Sign in and 'day-of' registration 7-9am, Veterans' Memorial Association, 66 Lake Foad East, Congers, NY. This two-day 500-mile tour, designed and orchestrated by the Ramapo Motorcycle Club, will take participants on an original ride through the northeast along back-country roads and routes less-traveled, culminating at a unique camping venue (hotel accommodations will be available). Dinner and breakfast, pins, patches, and dozens of prizes and awards are part of the package. *Total participation strictly limited to 400 – Rain or Shine this event is always a sell-out.

Further information and money-saving advanced registration forms (highly recommended) are available on-line at www.ramapomc.org 18-20 • AMA Vintage Motorcycle Rally. Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, OH • www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com

JUNE 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014

1 • Morton’s BMW Off-road training - exact date and details TBD. Stay informed with our News & Notes e-newsletter or check our website. Morton’s BMW, 5099A Jefferson Davis Hwy, Frederickburg, VA • 540-891-9844 • www.MortonsBMW.com

5-7 • Women’s Sportbike Rally VIII - Deals Gap, NC • www.WomensSportbikeRally.com

2-7 • World’s Largest Touring Rally Returns. Americade, Lake George NY. For all the details and registration information visit www.americade.com 6-8 • AltRider Adventures Conserve the Ride Weekend. Ride the scenic, lush trails of Pennsylvania. GPS routes (created by the locals in Seven Mountains Conservation Corp.) for all skill levels on scenic off-road trails, 2 nights of camping at Woodward Caves in Central PA, 5 meals including a special pig roast + adult beverages, off-road seminars, live EnduroCross race on a custom built track, prize giveaways from our sponsors. Find out all the details at www.altrider.com • info@altrider.com 13-14 • Rhinebeck Grand National Meet. 8am-5pm. Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6550 Spring Brook Ave, Rhinebeck NY

10-13 • Westchester Beemers NY Trio Tour 2014. Sport-touring ‘scavenger hunt’ event.

3 consecutive daily rides begin and end at Hampton Inn, Elkins, WV base location. Daily rides average 8.5 hours covering 350 miles. Limited to 33 riders. $50 incl. Sat. evening closing dinner, rider card and prizes for top three finishers. Discounted lodging arrangements in place at base location (304-630-7500). For full details call or visit 914-3287909 • www.triotour.org

Sept. 26-28 • Backroads Fall Fiesta • Shippensburg, PA 16th Backroads Fall Fiesta. We’ll have our base camp at the historic Shippen Place Hotel in Shippensburg, PA. Surrounded by some of the most scenic and twistalicious roads in Pennsylvania. We’ll have a group dinner Saturday night at the University Grille, at the hotel - $34/pp. Rooms start at $87/night. Call today and get yours. Please ask for Backroads Group when booking. www.shippenplace.com • 717-532-4141

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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PRODUCT REVIEWS & SPOTLIGHTS GERBING COREHEAT 12 HEATED JACKET LINER NEW & IMPROVED HEAT FOR COLD-WEATHER RIDERS We have been big fans of heated riding gear for decades and always have our heated liners and gloves stashed somewhere on our bikes while touring.

Recently Gerbing Heated Gear, now owned by Prospect Brands, has released an updated heated jacket liner for motorcyclists.

The Gerbing Coreheat 12 Heated Jacket Liner lists for $249 – money we think is well spent.

The new liner, still made in the USA, is more significant in a number of ways as it is created with a bit thicker padded inner-lining and almost feels like a light jacket rather than just a liner.

The Coreheat 12 Jacket Liner plugs directly to your bike’s battery or electrical system and uses Gerbing’s own heat controllers (an additional purchase).

The heated collar area and pockets are made with a soft red material, adding a touch of style, and there is a zippered area on the back that can hold a separate Flex-Pack lithium battery if you wish to stay heated up to 4 hours while off your machine. The Flex Pack is an optional purchase at $199. Yikes!

The jacket liner operates the same way they always have, but the new liner has an easier plug system. The older style had a small, but hard, plastic “box” that could sometimes get a bit uncomfortable.

The new version has simple color-coded leads that are found in a small zipped pocket on the lower left side of the liner.

As before the leads for heated gloves are found at the end of the liner’s sleeves for easy and comfortable connection.

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All the “micro-wire” elements, originally developed for the US Military, are coupled with thermal resistors.

If the liner temperatures get too hot they shut down till they reach the maximum temperature of 135 degrees, which draws some 77-watts of power.

Like before this liner goes from off to warm in about 5 seconds, which can be important on very cold rides and the first few miles.

The Coreheat 12 Jacket Liner comes in a variety of sizes and fitting is crucial.

It also comes in a ‘long’ version that has a bit more sleeve to it.

When you buy the Coreheat 12 Jacket Liner and you wish to add gloves, pants or socks you will need the Dual-Controller as well. This allows you to heat and control the liner and extras separately. This is also an additional $99, but we never said that top of the line heated gear was a cheap investment.

All in all Gerbing has made small, but noticeable, improvements to their heated liner and their high quality heating elements (life-time guarantee) will extend and make your riding season safer.

If you find yourself in a riding situation where the temperatures are quickly dropping and you are able to add some serious heat to your body-core and extremities you will appreciate every penny of your investment. gerbing 200 s henry street, stoneville, nC 27048 1.800.646.5916 • gerbing.com or search for a store location near you

MACNA PROTON ELECTRICALLY HEATED GLOVE FROM TWISTED THROTTLE Riders everywhere are interested in continuing to ride longer into the cold season, and getting back on their machines before Mother Nature might like them to. Macna has addressed this with the all new Proton Heated Glove. The Proton is constructed with drumdyed, water-resistant leather and has touch screen sensitive field on the index finger. Underneath the leather sits a waterproof, breathable Raintex liner, offering a truly waterproof glove that won’t waterlog like some other gloves. Other materials incorporated into the Proton are a Bemberg liner for comfort and a layer of Thermolite for added thermal protection from the

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 39

cold. The Proton is not just a cold weather glove, however; it was designed with a rider’s safety in mind. Protective details include a TPU protector over the knuckles and extra layers of leather on the outside of the palm. A screen cleaner is incorporated into the ergonomically designed index finger of both gloves, and the Velcro-style fastener at the wrist is rotated 30° to reduce pressure and increase comfort, a common design element seen throughout the whole range of Macna Gloves. The Macna Proton glove uses low-draw pulse-width modulation to automatically regulate temperature and includes a fused wiring harness so there are no additional parts to buy. The controller is an intelligent regulator of heat that senses and adjust the temperature to keep you focused on the road not the cold. No more constant fiddling with the temperature; similar to modern vehicle climate control systems, the rider simply sets the dial to the desired temperature setting and the intelligent controller maintains it. The Proton also includes a thigh mounted leg band to clip the controller to so that the rider can simply unplug from the bike and step off without fidgeting with wires, and the coaxial connector makes the Proton compatible with heated gear from a wide range of suppliers. Retailing at $237.50 the Proton Gloves stand apart from the crowd as a well-designed, protective, great fitting, truly waterproof glove that offers the added feature of intelligent heat control.

Available from Twisted Throttle and its retailers throughout North America. Sizes XS- 4XL. twisted throttle • 570 nooseneck hill rd, exeter, ri 02822 • 1-855-255-5550 • www.twistedthrottle.com

INTRODUCING A REVOLUTIONARY NEW HANDGUARD BY BARKBUSTERS • AVAILABLE NOW FROM TWISTED THROTTLE Barkbusters, whose original handguard design in 1984 has now become the industry standard, is leading the way again with the revolutionary new Blizzard. The Blizzard is made of a lightweight, semi-rigid material and durable, abrasion-resistant textile fabric that encircles the grip and levers, creating a cave of warmth and protection and making this cool new product unlike any other handguard available for motorcycles today. Unlike other “muff” type products that might hinder the rider’s ability to extract their hands quickly in the event of an emergency, the unique enclosure of the Blizzard is a perfect balance between protection from the elements, good looks, and safety. The flexibility of the Blizzard material allows it to bend when contacting objects such as windscreens and tankbags, thereby allowing almost any motorcycle, snowmobile, or ATV to be fitted with the handguards.

The unique flexible, yet rigid design will not flap at speed and even provides some protection against small objects such as stones, hail, or brush. In the event a rider already has standard handguards installed, the Blizzard can be fitted over the existing backbone. They can be attached or removed in minutes via a hook and loop strap on the control side of the handlebar, and a simple screw in the bar-end. Included in the Blizzard kit is a wide range of hardware to facilitate mounting to handlebar weights, hollow handlebars, and existing aluminum handguard backbones. twisted throttle • 570 nooseneck hill rd, exeter, ri 02822 • 1-855-255-5550 • www.twistedthrottle.com

LOOKING FOR AN IMPROMPTU RIDE? HAVE A FREE WEEKEND? CHECK OUT/LIKE US ON FACEBOOK FOR LAST MINUTE RIDES.

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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Something of the

Best of

Everything

words and images: Mark Byers

C

arve a hairpin on a winding alpine road amidst snowy peaks. Catch a ferry over a placid lake, en route to a palace built by a mad monarch. Finesse the bike over a writhing path through Austrian farms. Order tea at a quaint chalet and be fed a selection of fantastic pastries. Have a laughter-filled dinner with twenty new, international friends at a restaurant dating to the ninth century. Do it all within a week designed to suit a busy schedule.

The Edelweiss Alps & Lakes Tour is a sample of the best of many worlds.

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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When my wife and I chose a tour, we wanted to scratch my itch for hairpins and hers for stunning views and culture, but time was limited. Fortunately, guide Marko Bauer designed such a tour five years ago when he created Alps & Lakes. An elevenyear veteran with Edelweiss, he described the tour as for the ‘Alps beginner.’ Challenging passes were coupled with pastoral roads to give riders and passengers a chance to absorb the scenery. Because Marko has a sweet tooth, we also sampled great cuisine.

The odyssey started in the Munich suburb of Ismaning at the modern Hotel Zur Post. Ismaning has a charming business district and a park where we walked off the jet lag. We saw Marko returning from the optional ‘Alps Riding School’ with two pupils; if your mountain riding is rusty, this instruction hones your skills. Some chose to do the Munich Tour instead, and reported it to be well done.

Our group rode eight BMWs, two Ducati Monster 1100s, and a Harley Road King.

Marko rode a Honda Crosstourer, demonstrating the wide range of brands and models available. All were equipped with bags, so even though Edelweiss carries your luggage in a van, it is nice to have storage for riding gear and souvenirs. After a brief inspection, assisted by Tobi, our co-guide and van driver, the bikes were ours!

Our tour companions were great. We were pleased to have seven couples (riding two-up) of the 18 people in our group. The demographics ranged from

retired folks to financial professionals.

Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and the US were represented. Marko set a nice tone for the week, making sure we knew it was “our vacation” and stressing that Edelweiss wanted us to be “free to ride and meet the locals.”

From the banter, it was clear this group would get along.

I don’t remember dinner: I was busy talking to new friends. I’m certain beer was involved, as most places featured an Oktoberfest brew. I do remember Marko saying “No one ever lost weight on this tour!” and he was right – the two meals per day included in the tour were always more than ample. We nicknamed the tour ‘Eating Austria.’

Our first day started with breakfast in time for the daily briefing and 9 AM departure. We chose the more sedate of two routes, as did most. We took our only short sortie on the Autobahn and I found it to be just an expressway, except that Germans are very well-disciplined drivers! We were soon on some excellent secondary roads to the ferry at Prien, which took us across Bavaria’s largest lake, the Chiemsee, to one of King Ludwig’s three architectural wonders.

Ludwig’s third and final palace is as beautiful as it is tragic: he spent $250 million of today’s dollars to create a replica of Versailles as a tribute to Louis XIV, bankrupted himself, was declared insane, and drowned in mysterious circumstances after spending just 16 days in his unfinished masterpiece. We

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Page 42 spent just a little over an hour in the breathtaking palace and on the grounds. The island is also home to an old Augustinian monastery, part of which is now a restaurant with a beautiful view of the lake. We lunched on weisswurst and pretzels, strudel, and apfelkuchen, served by waiters in traditional garb.

in Salzburg followed by a short, straight ride to Gmunden (a charming, lakeside town known for ceramics), or an immediate departure to visit Hitler’s mountaintop lair, the Eagle’s Nest. Riders all, our group was soon on the way into the Alps.

One thing to remember about the Alps in the fall is that you have to be prepared for any kind of weather – we were and it was fortunate. A wet, but beautiful ride brought us to the Kehlsteinhaus, or Eagle’s Nest.

We encountered our worst traffic entering Salzburg, but Marko skillfully guided us through it to our hotel. Tobi arrived earlier and our bags were already in the room. Salzburg is a charming old city known for its culture and its most famous resident, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Marko artfully steered us through the narrow streets on an impromptu walking tour, stopping at Mozart’s birthplace and the Sound of Music Square and fountain. We even sampled ‘Mozart’s Balls,’ a local chocolate delicacy.

Keeping with the epicurean theme, we dined at St. Peter Stiftskeller, the oldest restaurant in Europe, dating to the year 803! Another fine meal was seasoned with the shared experiences of people who were quickly becoming friends. We lifted glasses with our companions to toast a successful first day and we shared stories, not only of our rides, but of ourselves. We had a nightcap at a rooftop bar overlooking the Salz River and the old part of town.

Our second day dawned rainy and offered two options: a half day walking

May 23-26

SPRING BREAK 2014

Three thousand workers built the Eagle’s Nest as a present for Hitler’s 50th birthday. It sits at just over 6,000 feet, is reached by a 400 foot elevator from inside a tunnel… and Hitler hated it! Afraid of heights, Hitler wanted no part of this beautiful structure with stunning views, so he came just 14 times. We braved wind-driven rain and spitting snow to take photos outside, then retired to the café for tea, sandwiches, and warmth.

The weather improved and we came to some of the best roads of

Join Team Backroads as we head to the southern Virginia Mountains where we’ll call the General Francis Marion Hotel in Marion, VA home for three nights. This region has some of the most serious motorcycling roads such as the Back of the Dragon and Claw of the Dragon, with hundreds of miles of incredible riding. In addition there’s quaint towns, deep history and phenomenal scenery. We hope you can travel south for what promises to be a superb weekend of riding and a memorable Memorial Day Weekend.

We have set up a group buffet dinner at the hotel Saturday Night, May 24

Get out your maps and start planning now!

Call for a free brochure 877-255-9928 visitwytheville.com/motorcycle-trails.html

Cost: $34.40 per person (incl. tax and tip)

RESERVATIONS MUST BE IN BY MAY 1st Please email name and number in party editor@backroadsusa.com Walking distance to GFMH • Collins House B&B • 278-781-0250 • Lincoln House B&B • 276-781-0804 The host hotel is fully booked but taking waiting list names. The Comfort Inn is 6 miles on Rte. 11 (AAA rate $112/night)

General Francis Marion Hotel • 107 East Main St, Marion, VA • 877-783-4802 • www.gfmhotel.com

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Page 43 the trip, the beautifully-paved goat path from Pernegg to Voglau, and the toll road to Strobl. Our ‘kaffee stop’ on the toll road was at a small ski chalet, the Blonden Hutte, for tea and pastries, including ‘Kasierschmarrn’ (Emperor’s mess), a torn pancake with powdered sugar. Soon we were on the road, passing the Traumsee and through a couple tunnels, one of which was 3 miles long. A dozen bikes in a tunnel was an Austrian symphony! We rode across the courtyard in front of city hall to get to the Seehotel Schwan, a beautifully-appointed older hotel right on the lake, my favorite of the trip.

Bad Ischl is anything but – “bad” means “spa” – and the beautiful Café Zauner was our first stop the next day for their famous pastries. Our next stop was unique for lots of reasons, the first of which is that we parked inside a tunnel! Hallstatt is a lakeside town on the side of a mountain, but the rocky Alps present a problem, because there’s no room to bury the dead. The solution is to dig up the old and reinter the bones and skulls in the Beinhaus or “bone house” in the churchyard. The skulls, the last of which was placed in 1995, are painted with crosses and other adornments.

It’s Edelweiss tradition to hold a picnic, which is a well-prepared lunch served using special features on their van. Ours was on the shore of the Hallstatt lake before departure for Kaprun. The selection of cheeses, meats, fresh fruits, salad, and goodies reinforced our nickname for the trip.

Dessert was the tasty route we surfed on our way to the resort village of

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Page 44

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

Kaprun and the modern, comfortable Hotel Sportskristall, our home for two nights. It not only has a great bar, but also a bowling alley and an automotive museum in the basement!

Our penultimate day was for rest, but we rode. A large group went to Italy, while we did a double-shot of the highest pass in Austria, the 8,200-foot Grossglockner! We danced the snow-lined hairpins, enjoying electrics in the 42-degree summit temperatures. The views were stunning, as was the riding. We snaked down the other side, through a couple tunnels, and had a fine lunch of spaetzle and other goodies at the scenic Hexenkuchl restaurant at the foot of the ‘Virgin’s Jump’ waterfall. Then, we rode the Grossglockner again in the opposite direction, bagging over 100 hairpins! This was the best day by far.

Our final day was eventful.

The quirky hotel owner gave us a sendoff using a replica Olympic flame and a checkered flag! We surfed great roads on the way to the Krimml Waterfall, the highest in Austria. Soon after our kaffee stop in Hainzenburg, we

had the only mishap of our trip. In September, people dressed in traditional clothes herd cows down the roads to lower pastures. It’s quite a spectacle, as the cows are decorated with evergreens, tinsel, and huge bells. While threading our way around one herd, a decorated cow rear-ended one of our BMWs, sending a saddlebag skittering down the road.

Marko made a field repair and we were on our way back to Ismaning for a final dinner and fond farewells with newfound friends. I am not always a fan of group tours, but this one was excellent and I highly recommend it, as does my wife. It has a great mix of different types of roads (with options for more or less challenge) and picturesque stops. It is definitely a gastronomic delight! If you have always wanted to ride the Alps, but aren’t quite sure whether it’s your cup of tea, or whether your passenger will like it, this is an excellent introduction. Tchüss!

To find out more on the tours offered by Edelweiss Bike Travel, point your web browser towards www.edelweissbike.com. You’re sure to find a tour to fit your needs, wants and desires.

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

F IRST G EAR R AINIER TPG J ACKET R EVIEW

Page 45 Jeff Bahr

With the recent surge of adventure bike sales three-quarter-length jackets are suddenly all the rage.

If one plans to ride off-road it makes good sense to go for the greatest degree of upper-body protection available. On road, it’s pretty much the same story.

In all likelihood, however, that’s not what’s driving this trend. Fact is these jackets symbolize the new “cool” in motorcycle attire. Sure they’ll protect riders one-quarter more than their shorter counterparts, but the latest crop of textile “longs” will also make riders look and feel as if they’re on an exciting two-wheeled expedition – even when that far-flung trek terminates at the local cappuccino shop. First Gear has been at the motorcycle outerwear game for some time now and the company certainly has its fans. This is why I was so jazzed when given the opportunity to test the latest iteration (re-release) of the company’s Rainier TPG three-quarter-length jacket.

For the past five years I’ve been rockin’ the First Gear Teton jacket and have been plenty happy with its performance – save for a stubbornly stiff collar that never took a liking to me. But jackets need updating now and again if only to impress one’s friends take advantage of the latest safety advances. For my current needs (I’m on my second adventure bike) this jacket fit the bill splendidly.

The newest Rainier departs in concept from its predecessors by completely eliminating inner liners for thermal/water protection. This move is becoming more common in mid to high-end jackets these days since seasoned wearers generally prefer choosing their own insulating layers. Or so I’m told.

First Gear now places engineering emphasis on the shell by incorporating a number of high-tech comfort and safety elements within.

Standouts in the Rainier are D30® adjustable T5 Evo-Pro armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back; YKK zippers; Teramid® fabric protection reinforced with Dupont™ Kevlar fiber in critical abrasion areas, and Cocona® waterproof/breathable technology throughout.

D30 molecular armor is CE-approved and nearly impervious to temperature extremes. Relatively soft when not put to the test (read that flexible), the pucks stiffen-up upon impact and transfer energy away from the rider. Impact areas are further bolstered against abrasions by Kevlar-reinforced, Teramid fabric.

The Cocona breathable waterproof system lives inside the shell and takes care of H2O duties. Similar in scope to the often pricier Gore-Tex®, the membrane allows smaller sweat molecules to escape while blocking larger rain droplets. Active “micro porous particles” use a rider’s body heat to hasten evaporation and accelerate breathability, according to First Gear.

Additional niceties found in the Rainier include double storm flap entry; articulated sleeves with cinch straps; two front and two rear exhaust vents; a sculpted drop-tail back; comfy air-blocking cuff gaiters; two large rainproof cargo pockets on the exterior, and stash pockets including a cell-phone pocket on the inside.

A handy waterproof hood guards against rainy and/or cold weather, on or off the bike. The material used here is thin and stretchy – just the ticket when worn under an already snug helmet. When not in use the hood folds back into the fleece-lined collar. Nice touch. (next page)

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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Since I tested the Rainier in winter I wasn’t able to put the jacket to the rain test. Nevertheless, the Rainier never made me feel clammy; a claim I cannot make about other jackets that I’ve tested.

Impressions The Rainier is on the thin side for a three-season jacket but therein lies its beauty. Without a waterproof mid-liner to add bulk, wearers never look overly inflated or feel overheated. This slimness should prove beneficial during summer when stifling temperatures and sudden rainstorms conspire to make one sweaty and miserable.

The Rainier jacket feels considerably more flexible and less crunchy than most, a fact owing again to its relative slenderness. Sizing seems spot-on with a size large fitting my 44” chest perfectly.

The adage about getting what you pay for really applies here. While there are many jackets below this price point, I have yet to experience one as comfortable off the rack (nice friendly collar, too!) or as sophisticated (read that beefed-up) in critical impact areas as the Rainier. At $500 the jacket falls into the middle of the cost equation - but you do get a lot of jacket for the money. This one, as they say, is a definite keeper.

The First Gear Rainier TPG jacket lists for $499.95. It comes with a two-year crash protection warranty and a five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty. It’s available in sizes small- 4XL, and tall sizes Medium- 2XL. Two colors – silver/black and Day-Glo/black – are available.

The First Gear TGP jacket is available at your local dealer. You can find yours on the First Gear website: www.firstgear-usa.com

PRODUCT REVIEWS & SPOTLIGHTS NEARLY 40 ON THE 37 “There’s no time like the present to explore…” A few days before his fortieth birthday, author Trevor Marc Hughes hopped on his motorbike and rode north into the unknown. Part of his motivation was his age, some came from a desire for adventure, but overall, he just wanted to get to know his home province of British Columbia. Awe and surprise awaited him.

Inside the pages of Nearly 40 on the 37: triumph and trepidation on the Stewart-Cassiar Highway readers travel along with Hughes into seldom explored northern British Columbia along Highway 37, a part of the province that is set to change very soon…

His new book is available through Whitehorse Press at whitehorsegear.com • e-book available through the Amazon Kindle Store.

TREKKER – OUTBACK BAGS FROM GIVI GIVI have ventured into the adventure touring market with the new Trekker series. These aluminum/polypropylene cases utilize the patented GIVI Monokey system giving a lockable, waterproof and easily removable case option.

Givi’s new Trekker – Outback series add cutting edge looks and high performance to your adventure machine. These fully aluminum cases are available in 37 and 48liter versions in both polished and flat black aluminum finishes. Trekker – Outback These can be purchased individually as either left or right, alternatively they can be purchased as pairs. Prices per case start at $460.00 each up to $1,020.00 per pair. Additional accessories include inner bag, exterior bag, carrying handles, lid protectors and reflective stickers.

SUSSEXMOTORSPORTS 446 Route 23 • Sussex, NJ • Located across from the A&P Shopping Plaza

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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The 37 and 48-liter GIVI TREKKER series are their newest adventure touring cases utilizing a unique full and partial lid opening system. The spacious 52-liter top case does not sport the dual opening system but does allow the storage for two modular helmets.

Made from a combination of polypropylene and aluminum panels, the TREKKER series with its patented MONOKEY© latching system now offer the convenience of GIVI hard cases in a more rugged style for the adventure touring motorcycle rider. And, the new Trekker Outback series uses the all-new PL - CAM series model specific mounting hardware. This heavier duty side case mounting hardware has been designed and manufactured specifically with adventure touring style riding in mind. The PL - CAM hardware utilizes a heavier gauge tubular frame and comes complete with a unique and easy to use lock/unlock indicator. These cases are fully lockable and removable cases.

Givi offers durable custom bag liners for the Trekker bags, making stowing, packing and carrying that much easier. see your local dealer or contact givi • 9309 Forsyth Park dr., Charlotte, nC 28273 704-679-4123 • www.giviusa.com

PIAA’S NEW LP550 AND LP560 LED LIGHTS PIAA Corporation USA has introduced two new rugged and durable LED driving lamps that offer new choices of size and performance to drivers of on-highway and off-roading cars, trucks, 4x4s, SUVs, and powersports vehicles like ATVs and snowmobiles. The new lamps from PIAA (pronounced pe’-uh), models LP550 and LP560, nominally five or six inches in diameter respectively, nicely fill the niche between their existing LP530 3.5” lamp and the LP570, at just over seven inches in diameter.

The new medium-size LP550 and 560 lamps, like the other lamps in the LP family, each use a pair of 7 watt LED bulbs that offer better illumination and greater durability than traditional halogen bulbs. Current draw of LED bulbs is far less than that of halogen bulbs, and the near-indefinite lifespan of LEDs makes these new lamps very costeffective. In fact, these new lamps, like all PIAA lamps, are covered by PIAA’s exclusive limited lifetime warranty, which reflects the company’s confidence in the durability of their lighting products.

All of the lamps in the LP series feature PIAA’s exclusive Reflector Facing Technology (RFT), in which the LED bulbs actually face rearward into a computer-designed multi-surface parabolic reflector that concentrates and focuses the beam pattern more precisely than other lamp designs. This provides greater light output per watt plus far less power consumption than traditional halogen and forward-facing LED lamps. The result: more concentrated light exactly where you need it. PIAA invented RFT technology, and was the first company to offer fog and driving lamps using this design.

Both the LP550 and LP560 feature a rugged design with a cast aluminum housing, high strength polycarbonate lens, and protective grill. Both offer a 30-degree driving beam, and produce a very crisp white beam of light with a color temperature of 6000 kelvin. The LP550 and LP560 lamps are sold in pairs, and come complete with pre-wired harness with fuse and switch.

Both the LP550 and LP560 are SAE/DOT-compliant, which is important in many of the United States and Canada where such compliance is required.

Piaa Corporation • 3004 ne 181st ave., Portland, oregon 97230 • 800-525-7422 • www.piaa.com • or locate a dealer near you

www.EuropeanCycleServices.com

Page 48

OLYMPIA MOTO SPORTS AND MOTOQUEST TEAM UP TO INTRODUCE THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE TOURING JACKET Olympia Moto Sports has teamed up with Alaska based MotoQuest to deliver what they consider to be the finest adventure touring suit on the market.

The basic design principles incorporated in Olympia’s MotoQuest guide gear are based on enhanced versions of their highly functional “Mega Vent Panel” and “Multi Layer Systems Designs”. These time tested product features are widely reported to deliver unmatched levels of performance when riding through extreme wind, rain, heat, and cold.

The MotoQuest Guide Jacket – Layer one consists of a rugged main shell outfitted with zip down, self stowing oversized “Mega Vent Panels” located at the chest, arms and back. These panels transition the shell from solid body to adjustable airflow construction in seconds. This allows the jacket to function extremely well in a wide variety of temperatures. Constructed in authentic 500 and 2000 D Cordura® the shell also includes a zip off integrated backpack with a 2 liter hydration bladder. Seven storage pockets and an oversized waterproof back pocket offer plenty of room for storing personal items.

Layer two includes a sleek soft shell liner jacket with authentic Thermolite insulation for added warmth. Forget having to pack a casual jacket as this

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS stylish liner pulls double duty as functional sportswear. Layer three includes a fully functional rain jacket with a stowaway stretch knit hood and rubberized aqua barrier at the front and back neck. This fully functional rain jacket can be worn over or under the main shell as weather dictates, a first in motorcycle apparel design.

The MotoQuest Guide Pant Layer One consists of a rugged 500 and 2000 D Cordura® main shell. Zip down selfstowing “Mega Vent Panels” at the front thighs transition the pant from solid body, to adjustable airflow construction in seconds. Standing, boot on entry is a snap as side leg zippers extend from cuff to waistband. 3 tier adjustable knee armor positions, stretch waist panels and Olympia’s exclusive EZ hem bottom detail helps riders achieve a custom fit. Two front zipper pockets and two rear stash pockets offer plenty of room for stowing personal items. Washable leather reinforcement panels at the inner legs offer tank-gripping stability as needed. Layer Two offers a fully functional rain pant that’s sized to fit over or under the out shell. Generous leg openings with an adjustable Velcro closure system makes standing boot on entry a breeze. An elasticized waist plus side waist slide buckles help riders achieve a custom fit.

As the official apparel supplier for MotoQuest, Olympia Moto Sports owners Kevin and Karilea Rhea agree that they’ve been blessed to explore the globe with MotoQuest’s team of ace international guides. As part of their ongoing research and development, they’ve toured with MotoQuest in such diverse and exotic locations as Alaska, Peru and Japan. When MotoQuest founder Phil Freeman asked Kevin to design a riding suit that would protect his crew across the widest possible range of harsh weather conditions and constantly changing micro-climates, he was definitely up for the challenge. According to Kevin, “Phil and his guides are world class adventure touring riders who demand ultimate performance from their gear.

The enhanced technical features offered in the MotoQuest suit could only be achieved through intense product testing and direct collaboration in the field”.

According to Phil “We’ve tested other top brands both foreign and domestic but none came close to matching Olympia’s level of quality, function and fit.

As enthusiasts, they truly understand the tough demands our guides place on gear. They walk the walk, they listen. They just get it”.

MotoQuest Guide Jacket - MSRP $549.99 – sizes S – 4XL. Colors -fatigue grey/ black, neon yellow/black, Ivory/black. MotoQuest Guide Pant -MSRP $349.99 – sizes 30-44. Colors - ivory/black, black, black/neon yellow. olympia moto sports • 824 locust st ste 100, hendersonville, nC 28792 www.olympiamotosports.com • 866-473-4327 motoQuest • 4346 spenard road, anchorage, ak 99517 www.motoquest.com • 800-756-1990

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

THE S PLUGS FROM PLUGUP.COM A number of years back we made the investment to have created ‘custom ear plugs’ by Marilyn Navia, licensed audiologist, from PlugUp.com. In addition to being ungodly quiet and banishing much of the hearing destructive noise that comes with motorcycle riding, they also had small speakers to allow for more pleasant sounds, music and point-to-point directions.

It is hard to wear other and lesser ear protection when you have experienced earplugs this good. Add in the speaker drivers and you have crisp and clear spoken Garmin directions, music or cell phone if wanted. Still, as well made as these are. I have found numerous ways of destroying, breaking and rendering them inoperable over the last decade.

Each time damaged plugs get packed up and sent to Marilyn who, dreading my phone calls, repairs and returns them in perfect condition regardless.

I now have two sets of these custom earplugs – one for the BMW and one for my KLR. Last summer I once again tugged the wire loose when dismounting the GS (yes, I am clumsy) and, looking to still be able to hear my Garmin’s voice prompts and that afternoon’s Mets game on XM radio, I went to a local sports shop looking for suitable replacements.

Nothing I found came close.

After this tour was over and we were back at home I took a look at PlugUp.com’s website looking for suitable back up.

We had once done a review on their ‘S-Plugs’ and I thought that a set of these would make good Plan B for the next time I spoil my custom set.

Over the years Marilyn has made improvements to the S-Plug and the newest are available with dual speaker drivers in each ear bud, each containing a woofer and tweeter. If you want a truly awesome sound then this is the way to go, even at the higher price over the single driven earbuds.

I placed my order that day.

A few weeks later I received my new S-Plugs that came in a protective zippered carrying case with a clip for a lanyard or attachment sewn on.

The S-Plug Earbuds are the smallest of their kind on the market and the only truly flexible ones as well.

Your ear canal has a basic ‘S’ shape to it and these buds conform nicely to most ears, even if they are not custom made for the individual.

This flexibility allows for the speakers to be placed deep in the ear for increased bass response and better outside noise cancelling.

Circumstances had me off the bike for a part of this year and with the need to test my new S-Plugs we booked a cabin on the Norwegian cruise line’s Breakaway and sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean on a cold and very windy January weekend.

We would tough this out as nothing is too good for you kids when we need to test products.

When the gale was at its peek I bundled up, put in the S-Plug Earbuds and took a seat outside the port side of the Breakaway.

With gusts well over 40 miles per hour and ten foot swells, I felt I had approximately the same din of wind noise I would get on the bike at speed.

Just having the S-Plugs inserted cut the noise down considerably. Turning on a small iPod I dialed up ‘In the Country’ from Chicago’s landmark ‘Live at Carnegie Hall’ collection. For 10 minutes and 38 seconds, including the quiet introduction by WNEW’s Scott Muni, the earbuds transported me back to 57th street in Manhattan and April of 1971. The sound was crisp, clear and loud (my doing) with each instrument and even comments from the audience being heard by themselves and not getting lost in a stew of sound.

Although not as good as professional headsets or their own custom earplugs the S-Plugs did an excellent job

Page 49 reproducing music or Garmin voice prompts.

When the song ended I turned off the iPod and in the background I could here the wind softly blasting along the side of the ship.

Removing the earbuds the true volume of the ocean wind gust, on the moving ship, came clear, that and the fact that the S-Plugs do an awesome job in both quieting outside noise and delivering clear music and voice commands at speed.

Simply stated PlugUp.com’s S-Plugs are the best earbuds you can buy without having custom plugs of your own created.

The S-Plugs also fit in tighter and more snugly than anything else on the market, allowing for a more comfortable experience when you put your helmet on. Gone was the tightness and pinching found with more commonly found and store bought earbuds. It is our experience that if your helmet is not completely comfortable or you have pain and pinching around the ears and throat there is really no point in using this sort of product.

The S-Plugs are free of that issue.

The S-Plugs are available in 22”, 3.5’ and 4.5’ wire lengths and the singledriver S-Plug sells for $139.95 and the dual driver S-Plugs run $235. The difference in both price and performance is very noticeable and dramatic.

Either way you go we know you will not be disappointed.

Plugup • 10265 n.W. 56 street, doral, Florida 33178 305.477.2333 • www.plugup.com or find marilyn navia at various rallies around the country

APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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August 15, 16 & 17 3 Days of Music, Food, Vendors, Beer, Wine and Lots of Fun! Under the Big Top Tent and Knowlton Lions Club Pavillion • Route 46, Delaware, NJ Highlights for this year include the return of the Grand Slambovians • Friday, Aug. 15 Check website for full schedule and tickets

www.WNTIstage.org

Rip & Ride® • TEXAS SMOKE BARBECUE 400 RTE. 15 SOUTH, JEFFERSON, NJ 862-209-4078 • WWW.TEXASSMOKEBBQ.COM GPS DOWNLOAD: WWW.SENDSPACE.COM/PRO/DL/CAMLJ9

START: WASHINGTON CROSSING PARK, PA CROSS BRIDGE INTO NEW JERSEY STRAIGHT WASHINGTON CROSSING PENNINGTON RD. LEFT AT BEAR TAVERN RD. STRAIGHT AT MT. AIRY HARBOURTON RD. RIGHT AT MT. AIRY VILLAGE RD. LEFT AT QUEEN RD. STRAIGHT AT SANDY RIDGE MT. AIRY RD. LEFT AT SANDY RIDGE RD. QUICK RIGHT AT CEMETERY RD. RIGHT AT CR 523 LEFT AT COVERED BRIDGE RD. LEFT AT LOWER CREEK RD. RIGHT AT CR 519 RIGHT AT CR 625 BEAR LEFT AT MINE RD. RIGHT AT IRON BRIDGE RD. LEFT AT RIVER RD. STRAIGHT AT CR 643 CROSS RTE. 57 STRAIGHT AT MILLBROOK RD. RIGHT AT CR 647 LEFT AT CR 623 BEAR LEFT AT BRASS CASTLE RD. RIGHT AT SOUTH BRIDGEVILLE RD. RIGHT AT RTE. 46 LEFT AT HOPE RD. RIGHT AT SHADES OF DEATH RD. LEFT AT LONG BRIDGE RD RIGHT AT CR 615 RIGHT AT CR 612 LEFT AT CR 517 CROSS RTE. 206 RIGHT AT CR 613 LEFT AT CR 605 RIGHT AT RTE. 181 RIGHT TO RTE. 15 SOUTH TO TEXAS SMOKE

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

Rip & Ride® THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF ARMOR 1303 ROUND SWAMP ROAD, OLD BETHPAGE, NY 11804 MUSEUMOFAMERICANARMOR.COM

FROM NEW YORK CITY (TRIBORO BRIDGE) GRAND CENTRAL PARKWAY CROSS ISLAND PARKWAY SOUTH SOUTHERN STATE PARKWAY EAST ROUTE 110 NORTH LEFT AT SPAGNOLI ROAD RIGHT AT ROUND SWAMP ROAD TO VILLAGE AND MUSEUM

Rip & Ride® • SPILLIAN – A PLACE TO REVEL 50 TODD MOUNTAIN RD, FLEISCHMANNS, NY 12430 1-800-811-3351 • SPILLIAN.COM 100-MILE ROUTE • GPS DOWLOAD: WWW.SENDSPACE.COM/PRO/DL/ZOH7TW

FROM PORT JERVIS RTE. 97 THROUGH HAWKS NEST RIGHT AT CSR 41 STRAIGHT AT SR 42 RIGHT AT SR 43 LEFT AT SR 44 STRAIGHT AT PLANK RD. STRAIGHT AT STARLIGHT RD. LEFT AT RTE. 17B RIGHT AT RTE. 55 BEAR LEFT AT WEST SHORE RD. RIGHT AT HURD RD. LEFT AT BRISCOE RD. RIGHT AT RTE. 52 LEFT AT SR 149 LEFT AT CREAMERY RD. RIGHT AT COVERED BRIDGE RD LEFT AT SR 179 BEAR RIGHT AT BEAVERKILL RD. SR 151/152 BEAR LEFT AT BIG POND STARIGHT TO BARKABOOM RD. LEFT AT BWS RD 8 RIGHT AT RTE. 30 RIGHT AT RTE. 28 LOOK FOR SIGNS ON LEFT IN FLEISCHMANNS FOR SPILLIAN GRAVEL ROAD, SHARP TURNS – TAKE YOUR TIME

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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APRIL 2014 • BACKROADS

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MOTORCYCLE MARKETPLACE Worth the ride from anywhere!

ALL THAT GOOD STUFF

Sharing your passion for good food since 1983 Member of

NOW AVAILABLE Barbeque Catering Flexible • Affordable Ready When You Are 320 Front Street, Belvidere, NJ • 908-475-2274 • www.thisilldous.com

Open Daily for Breakfast and Beyond • 7am to 4pm • Sunday 7am to 1pm Try our Full Throttle Breakfast Special every Saturday + Sunday

The Boat House Restaurant Join us for Brunch, Lunch or Dinner overlooking Swartswood Lake

Member

Excellent Ride Destination Tuesday ~ Sunday 11am-9pm Brunch 10am-2pm • Closed Mondays Call for Seasonal Hours 1040 Cty Rd 521 • Swartswood, NJ 973-300-0016

www.theboathouserestaurantonline.com

lley’s Hudson Va ne Riding Number O estaurant R e u q e b r Ba W North 1076 Route 9 mery, NY Fort Montgo

oute 9W icturesque R Located on P D Perkins rive minutes from State Park and Harriman Point historic West just south of

845-446-0912 rmerbbq.com www.barnsto

Celebrate the Season with some awesome barbeque!

If you go home hungry it’s your own fault

The Riverton

Travel along the scenic backroads of the Delaware river.

Meet the Markopoulos family and taste chef George’s Greek American cooking.

Best bar menu, lunch or dinner.

Fresh poppers, perogies, calamari, clams and crispy wings with 8 different sauces.

Tues. thru Sat. 11am-10pm Sunday: Breakfast 9am-Noon Lunch and Dinner served until 9pm

John, Christina, chef George and Eoanna welcome you and your friends.

The Riverton Hotel and Restaurant

‘50s-Style Drive-In Restaurant Full and Varied Menu Room for the Whole Gang Cool Nights, Hot Bikes • Two-Wheels or Four, join us at

THE CHATTERBOX DRIVE-IN GREAT FOOD • GOOD TIMES • EXCELLENT RIDING

Member of

At Belvidere-Riverton Free Bridge, Riverton, PA

610-498-4241 • www.rivertonhotel.com

Located at Ross’ Corners • 1 Route 15 • Augusta NJ • 973-300-2300

www.chatterboxdrivein.com

If you didn’t like cool stuff, you wouldn’t be reading this magazine.

Here’s something you’re going to love.

TORQ-IT

‘Like’ us on Facebook for all the latest news, up-to-the-minute rides and events and just cool motorcycle stuff. We often do impromptu lunch or dinner rides, as well as weekend jaunts. Don’t be left out.

Screwdriver/Speed Wrench/ Palm Ratchet All In One Tool Variable Speeds Over 600RPM Low Profile, with an “Ergo” Grip and a Non-Slip Design Accepts All 3/8” and 1/4” Sockets and Extensions

BASIC SET: $19.95 • DELUXE SET: $29.95 • ACCESORY SET: $9.95

TORQ-IT PRODUCTS, INC. 1701 Manor Road • Havertown PA 19083 Tel: 1.888.876.9555 • Visit Our New Website: WWW.TORQ-IT.COM

www.facebook.com/pages/Backroads-Motorcycle-Touring-Magazine/86102625812

BACKROADS • APRIL 2014

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MOTORCYCLE MARKETPLACE

Come Ride the Dragon Deals Gap 318 Curves in 11 Miles

www.dealsgap.com 800.889.5550 17548 Tapoco Road, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Deals Gap Store Motel Bar and Grill

Sussex Hills Ltd.

Specializing in Motorcycle Repair, Parts & Supplies • Cycle Tires Mounted & Balanced • Batteries & Hard

Now stocking a full line of heated gear Make your riding season last all year.

Parts • Dynojet 250 Dyno available for testing

973-875-2048 946 Rte. 23 South Sussex NJ 07461

Norman Gross Since 1976 Our Reputation Speaks for Itself

For All Your Harley-Davidson Needs

3 miles north of Sussex Borough

ALL THAT GOOD STUFF

THE BIKE SHOP Motorcycle Service Repair + Parts

@ Automotive Revelations Custom welding service and PA inspections available on site

Specializing in resurrecting old bikes and Vintage Custom work 111 Mountain Spring Rd, Milford, PA • 570-228-6101 • fisherfabrications@gmail.com

MOTORCYCLE TRAILERS DAYTONA, BIKETOBERFEST, STURGIS AND BEYOND

BARN TRAILERS

SALES 718-426-7039 • www.barntruckrental.com RENTALS 57-05 BROADWAY • WOODSIDE NY 11377 (OFF THE BQE & LIE)

WASHINGTON CYCLE WORKS We cater to road racers and support all Track Day organizations Check us for Suspension Setups • One-piece Road Race suits in stock

WCW

www.washingtoncycleworks.com

Washington Cycle Works

Junction of Rtes. 57/31 • Washington, NJ 07882

908-835-0043 Closed Sun-Mon • Open: Tues-Thurs 9:30AM-7PM • Fri 9:30AM-6PM • Sat 9AM-3PM

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION PAYPAL NOW ACCEPTED FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS

Easy • Convenient • Secure Subscribe Today via our Website

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Unleash the Beast 1290 Super Duke In Stock Now • Come Get Yours Today!

In the form of the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R, KTM has crowned its legendary Naked Bike model range with a machine that redefines the term 'Streetfighter'. Thanks to unbeatable performance in conjunction with the versatility provided by the adjustable riding modes and PowerParts setups, pure riding pleasure is pre-programmed - from the racetrack to the city and everywhere in between. The new KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R perfectly embodies the KTM philosophy: endless power, highest precision, perfect ergonomics, finest ingredients, not a gram too many, simply "Ready to Race"! The KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R – high-tech in an aggressive design with unprecedented functionality and razor-sharp sportiness reduced to the essentials.

FRIDAY APRIL 25 KTM Red Bull

ONLY Full Line KTM Dealer in the tri-state area

HUGE inventory of KTM Parts, Accessories and Apparel 210 Route 10 West • East Hanover, NJ • 973-428-1735 JUST 35 MINUTES FROM NYC BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

www.HanoverPowersports.com Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9am-6pm • Thur: 9am-8pm • Sat: 9am-5pm SUNDAY: CLOSED - GONE RIDING

2014 VFR®800 Interceptor

The leaner, meaner V-4 is back.

Honda's iconic V-4 powerplants have an alluring character all their own, a unique combination of torque, an aggressive rush of power as the tach needle swings up into the meaty part of the powerband, and a certain texture to the engine feel that tells you this could only be a Honda V-4. This is a sport bike with plenty of emphasis on sport, plus the versatility for commuting, two-up fun rides and long-haul sport touring.

2014 Valkyrie® Legendary Power • Groundbreaking Style Here’s the formula: Take Honda’s legendary 1832cc flat six and build it into the ultimate cruiser—powerful, awe-inspiring and like no other. Now add in great handling and iconic style, and you’ll see why it’s the cruiser that only Honda could build.

WE INVENTED SUPERSPORT TOURING. NOW WE’VE PERFECTED IT. The FJR™1300ES features an all-new electronically adjustable suspension to take the bother out of adjusting the suspensions to fit different riding conditions and bring greater convenience to touring, and all the other great features that continue to make this the supersport touring king.

210 Route 10 West East Hanover, NJ 973-428-1735

www.Powersports.Honda.com Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9am-6pm • Thur: 9am-8pm • Sat: 9am-5pm SUNDAY: CLOSED - GONE RIDING honda.com

ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. NEVER RIDE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, AND NEVER USE THE STREET AS A RACETRACK. OBEY THE LAW AND READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL THOROUGHLY. For rider training information or to locate a rider training course near you, call the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at 800-446-9227. CTX™ and Gold Wing® are registered trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (07/13)

210 Route 10 West East Hanover, NJ

973-428-1735

www.HanoverPowersports.com Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 9am-6pm • Thur: 9am-8pm • Sat: 9am-5pm SUNDAY: CLOSED - GONE RIDING Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227.

Professional rider depicted on a closed course. ©2013 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. • YamahaMotorsports.com