ROAD RACING . DRAG RACING . STUNT RIDING
CUSTOM BIKES . MOTO TECH
FEBRUARY 2015 VOL 5 ISSUE 5
SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM TM
THE CUSTOMS’ ISSUE
GADSON’S H 2 R G THE BIG
G U N
P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y M E E K A I L S H A H E E D
“THE INVITATIONAL” CUSTOM BIKE REVIEW|GRAND RAPIDS’ FINEST | 2015 P.R.O. CONVENTION | SANDRA STAMMOVA’S TURN ONE | THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW: MIAMI EDITION
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THE FEATURES THE SHOW: GADSON’S H2RG//THE BIG GUN
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TURN ONE: BRITISH SUPERBIKES
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THE INVITATIONAL: CUSTOM BIKE REVIEW
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THE MAIN POINTS: GRAND RAPIDS’ FINEST
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THE IMS: MIAMI EDITION
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THE USUALS
FEBRUARY 2015 - VOLUME 5, ISSUE 5
12 THE PRESS ROOM http://issuu.com/action/page?page=12 16 THE INBOX http://issuu.com/action/page?page=16 http://issuu.com/action/page?page=18 18 SHOP SPOTLIGHT - BRIGIT’S CUSTOM WORKS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=22 22 THE SHOW - GADSON’S H2RG//THE BIG GUN 110 THE GRID NEWS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=110 118 THE ROCKET - By James Rispoli http://issuu.com/action/page?page=118 124 TURN ONE - By Sandra Stammova http://issuu.com/action/page?page=50 http://issuu.com/action/page?page=130 130 LINES OF A LEGEND - By Rickey Gadson 134http://issuu.com/action/page?page=134 THE YOUNGEST IN CHARGE - By Dystany Spur140 THE MAIN POINTS - By Dena Sodano http://issuu.com/action/page?page=140 152 FEATURED CLUB - GROUND PILOTS M.C. http://issuu.com/action/page?page=152 http://issuu.com/action/page?page=154 154 KNOW YOUR ROLE - By Lady Kim 158http://issuu.com/action/page?page=158 THE LION’S DEN - By Lion James 162http://issuu.com/action/page?page=162 FEATURED RIDERS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=168 168 IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS - By Eric Wood http://issuu.com/action/page?page=184 184 DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS - By Billy Morrison http://issuu.com/action/page?page=192 192 THE NEW ISH http://issuu.com/action/page?page=198 198 STAFF STUFF
INTERACTIVE CLICK ON NUMBERS TO JUMP TO A PAGE
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FEATURED RIDER: SARAH
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FEATURE STORY
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GADSON’S H 2 R G THE BIG
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P H O T O G R A P H E D B Y M E E K A I L S H A H E E D
PA G E
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EDITOR’S LETTER
IMAGE BY RYO KANETA
T
he custom sportbike culture is alive and relevant. It is the same flair of individuality that leads to someone dressing differently from the next person that resides in the spirit of the custom bike visionaries and the owners of these rolling canvases of art. Why be the same, when you can be different?
get me wrong, cars have their place and their purpose in a biker’s universe. However, on the side of being different from the next person, we ride motorcycles. The custom bike scene is an extension of that individuality. The aftermarket is booming with options for exhaust, levers, wheels, windscreen and tons of components that can applied to make sure your bike unlike the bike that is next to it. Whatever the reason is, be it for show or go, there is something out there for your bike. For those that want to take it to the next level, the work of custom bike builders must be acknowledged and appreciated. It is their skill and craftsmanship and craftwomanship that is responsible for some of the most captivating, motivating and inspirational two wheeled machines on the road today. The art of customizing a motorcycle is just what it is... An art.
Take a look at the MotoGP teams. Every year before the launch of the season, the teams make a presentation of their livery for the year. This usually includes the rider’s custom racing leathers with coordinated helmet, gloves and boots. However, the star of the presentation is always the bike. Decked out with new color ways that feature their sponsors in a strategic fashion along with their individual race number. Yes, MotoGP bikes are custom bikes that are driven by performance and inspired by individuality. If this wasn’t the case, every single bike on the grid would have the same appearance sans the racing number and From the MotoGP grid to the streets and bike the distinct lines of the bike model. nights, individuality is in our bloodline. Everything It is our individuality that inspires us to ride about us is custom. We should salute each other. motorcycles in the first place. Otherwise we would all be sitting in a cage rolling on four wheels Best, instead of rolling on two wheels unencumbered Allan by the stuffy cabin of an automobile. Don’t allan@sportbikesincmag.com 8 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
THE TEAM Publisher/Editor in Chief: Allan Lane allan@sportbikesincmag.com
Fashion Editor: Kiana Gadson kiana@sportbikesincmag.com
Staff Writers: Billy Morrison billy@sportbikesincmag.com Dystany Spurlock dystany@sportbikesincmag.com Michael Lawless lawless@sportbikesincmag.com Lion James lion@sportbikesincmag.com Meekail Shaheed meekail@sportbikesincmag.com Sandra Stammova sandra@sportbikesincmag.com Joanne Donn joanne@sportbikesincmag.com James Rispoli james@sportbikesincmag.com
Moto Tech Editor: Thomas Campion tommy@sportbikesincmag.com
Copy Editor: Angela Lane angela@sportbikesincmag.com
EDITORIAL
Drag Racing Editor: Rickey Gadson rickey@sportbikesincmag.com
Riding Editor: Eric Wood eric@sportbikesincmag.com Rev Limiter Editor: Dena Sodano dena@sportbikesincmag.com Bike Life Editor Lady Kim ladykim@sportbikesincmag.com Senior Staff Writer Red Spade redspade@sportbikesincmag.com
ART & DESIGN
Creative Supervisor: Leon Brittain leon@sportbikesincmag.com Graphic Designer: Baz baz@sportbikesincmag.com Staff Photographer: Meekail Shaheed meekail@sportbikesincmag.com Cover Photographer: Meekail Shaheed Contributing Photographers: Brian J. Nelson Blair Phillips Impact Images Flaunt Ryo Kaneta Paulo Santos Blair Phillips Greg Caparel Grant Schwingle Drew Ruiz
SportBikes Inc Magazine - February 2015 Volume 5, Issue 5 To receive SportBikes Inc Magazine’s 2015 Media Kit and Advertising Rates, please email: info@sportbikesincmag.com.
In no way can any part of this magazine be reproduced in print, digital, broadcast or any other manner without the expressed written permission of the publisher.
SportBikes Inc Magazine (ISSN 2158-009X) is published monthly by Hard Knocks Motorcycle Entertainment.
SportBikes Inc Magazine is not responsible for any advertising claims made by its advertisers or partners.
Any and all items submitted to SportBikes Inc Magazine will become the sole property of SportBikes Inc Magazine and are subject to, but not limited to edits, comments and titles.
Sportbikes Inc Magazine, staff and partners are not responsible for injuries, loss or damage to their being, vehicle or property, including death that may result from contest submissions.
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THE PRESS ROOM REDSPADE JOINS THE STAFF OF SPORTBIKES INC MAGAZINE
Anna Rigby has joined the staff of SportBikes Inc Magazine as a Senior Staff Writer. Anna, known in the global riding community as Red Spade, has been an influential personality in the motorcycle industry, on both sides of the table. She is a talented writer and photographer and in a short amount of time established herself as an industry up and comer. Anna’s first feature will appear in the March edition of SBI. “I’d like to bring a fresh and passionate perspective on the topic of motorsports. With an eye for details in photography and words, I seem to have gained a solid presence in the moto community. Even though my venture into motorcycling is still young, I share a personal outlook on my journey that many riders can 12 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
relate to. My goal is to share this passion with other like minds and embrace the joy of pursuing a dream and challenge that the spirit of riding embodies.” - Anna “Red Spade” Rigby, SportBikes Inc Magazine Senior Staff Writer “Her genuine passion and authentic curiosity for what makes things tick are great qualities for a motojournalist. She’s smart and inquisitive. Red’s interview with MotoGP Photographer Andrew Wheeler in the 2014 December issue of SportBikes Inc is a prime example of her ability to deliver the goods in a very motoedutaining way. She’s an asset and we are happy to welcome her to the family.” - Allan Lane, SportBikes Inc Magazine Publisher and Editor in Chief.
INDIAN MOTORCYCLES UNVEIL THEIR 2016 DARK HORSE The 2016 Indian Chief Dark Horse is best described as the anti Indian. While other models in their line up celebrate the Indian heritage with attractive color ways, the Dark horse is completely murdered out, save a few bits of trim. The Dark Horse is powered by the
Thunder Stroke 111 engine, features a remote key fob for keyless ignition, cruise control and ABS. The Dark Horse will be available at dealerships in this spring with a MSRP of $16,999.00.
RECALL: POLARIS ISSUE RECALL FOR THE 2015 SLINGSHOT Polaris has issued a recall for the 2015 Slingshot because their roll cage bars may not be up to spec. The recall affects over 1500 vehicles. This recall follows an OEM issued Stop Sale and Ride Notice that was announced only a few weeks ago. That notice was related to the roll bar and to the steering system’s faulty ball bearings. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 13
THE PRESS ROOM KAWASAKI’S BIKE NITE IN THE DAYLITE RETURNS TO DAYTONA BIKE WEEK
Kawasaki will once again host their popular Bike Nite in the Daylite at Daytona International Speedway as part of Daytona Bike Week. Beginning on March 13, the Kawasaki display area will open for Kawasaki riders and enthusiasts where they can enter their Kawasaki Motorcycle in the bike show beginning at 11.00am. The entry classes are as follows: Best Sportbike, Best Cruiser, Best Unique Bike and Best Vintage. The bike show will run from 11.00am until 4.00pm. Winners will be announced at 3.00pm. Visit the event site for the official rules and information by clicking here...
MARKETPLACE EVENTS ANNOUNCE CONSUMER SHOW SERIES FOR 2016 The producers of the annual AIMEXPO have announced that they will be creating a consumer show to tour the US in 2016. This show’s focus will be on the consumer’s needs as well as showcase new industry products and bike models. This will place them in direct competition with Advanstar’s International Motorcycle Shows that already tour through out the US in select cities. MarketPlace Events have
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quickly established themselves as a formidable force in the Motorcycle Industry trade show arena. Their AIMEXPO, now going into its third year has received many kudos from the industry for their well produced and executed exhibition. Their 2014 show welcomed over 18,000 attendees for the event weekend. The 2015 AIMEXPO is scheduled for October 15 -18, 2015.
DUCATI ISLAND RETURNS TO COTA FOR MOTOGP Always a fan favorite and event highlight, Ducati Island will make its return to the Circuit of the Americas April 10 through 12, for the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas. A mega event inside of a mega race event, Ducati Island is a destination for Ducati fans and owners as well as enthusiasts of motorcycles in general. Ducati Island schedule of events for the weekend
include fashion shows, new model displays, technical demonstrations and special guests. Ducati owners will also enjoy exclusive benefits such as gear check and access to the Ducati Owners Hospitality area. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit http://circuitoftheamericas.com/motogp.
LIGHTECH SELECTS TAW PERFORMANCE AS ITS SOLE U.S. DISTRIBUTOR Things are about to get a little easier for fans of Lightech products here in the US. The Italian component and accessory manufacturer has teamed up with TAW Performance as the official importer of their goods. The Sonoma, CA. based distributor already stocks their warhouse with high end Italian motorcycle components from Brembo and Marchesini as well as Scorpion Exhausts, Capit Tire Warmers and WRP and Aliant Lithium Batteries. For
more information, visit http://tawperformance.com.
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THE INBOX Email SportBikes Inc Magazine at INBOX@SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM for a chance to have your letter published in SBI. Dear SBI, Cool write up on the Indian Scout. I appreciate how you guys are expanding your coverage to include the cruiser class and other types of bikes. I personally own a GSXR 1000 and a M109 and I think that others own multiple styles of bikes. I’m glad that you guys got it covered! I notice that your write up of the Scout didn’t include a spec chart like you do when you cover custom bikes. Is there a particular reason for that? Anyway, keep up the great work. - Curtis Phoenix, AZ Dear Curtis, SBI is about the lifestyle and culture of motorcycles. Part of
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our culture includes riders that own and appreciate multiple styles of bikes and various riding disciplines. SBI embraces this and we are happy to provide what our readers want to see. Regarding the absence of spec charts for bike tests and reviews... It is very simple. When we review bikes, it is our intent to convey the performance, the feeling and the experience of the ride. While we touch on specifications as they are pertinent to the review, they are not the basis of the article. The manufacturers list detailed model specifications on their site so we avoid the redundancy of reprinting them. We focus on the ride. Best, SBI Magazine
AK LARGE ROLLER // AVAILABLE IN STEALTH & HI-VIS // MSRP - $200.00 You name it, we thought of it. The capacity is huge at 8,000 cubic inches. All the wear areas are reinforced and the telescoping handle is designed to take the abuse of transporting your gear. The AK Large Roller comes with a customizable number plate, a fleece lined goggle pocket for up to 6 pairs of goggles, and a padded changing mat.
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SHOP SPOTLIGHT: BRIGIT’S CUSTOM WORKS
Words: Allan Lane Images: Courtesy of Brigit’s Custom Works
CONTACT:
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Shop Name: Brigit’s Custom Works Location: 406 N. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Hours: Monday, Saturday, Sunday 9:00am to 3:00pm, Tuesday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm Year Established: 1997 Brands Serviced: All
T
he next time you are in Daytona Beach, stop in and visit with the team at Brigit’s Custom Works. Owner Brigit Duncan takes great pride in offering great customer service to all makes of bikes and all types of riders. And it makes sense, since the shop is right in the center of two of the largest motorcycle rallies in the U.S., Daytona Bike Week and Biketoberfest. The 5,000 square foot shop keeps two full time
experienced technicians on hand to handle whatever rolls into the shop. Brigit’s Custom Works is very active in community events not just during the major rallies, but throughout the year such as poker runs and bike nights. The team at Brigit Custom Works loves what they do and their community, offering their space as a hang out spot for riders to meet other riders and just talk shop. Want to see your shop or dealership featured here? Drop us an email!
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GADSON’S H 2 R G THE BIG
G U N WORDS//ALLAN LANE IMAGES//MEEKAIL SHAHEED
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THE SHOW: GADSON’S BREAKLITE’SH2RG NIGHTMARE
M
y initial thoughts when I saw the Ninja H2 and eventually the H2R were quite simply of intrigue. I had never seen anything like it on two wheels before. I was captivated with the hard, aggressive line work of the body, the metallic paint job, the engine... The sum of the H2’s parts seem to suggest a tipping point in modern motorcycle engineering and design. After Kawasaki released the factory limited edition models, Rickey Gadson began to hint that there was another surprise on deck. Knowing Gadson, being part of the official design team of the H2 and H2R wasn’t enough. Leaving a fingerprint on the world’s first production super charged motorcycle wouldn’t be enough for the most winning drag racing champion in history. Gadson would need to create one that was all his own. And so the Ninja H2RG was conceived. Gadson goes into great technical detail regarding the concept, construction and creation of the H2RG in the December and January issues of SportBikes Inc Magazine. As a machine, the bike qualifies as a modern marvel. Using what Kawasaki created as a platform, one hell of a platform at that, Gadson and Coby Adams of Adams Performance pushed the envelope of engine performance. The H2RG is essentially a hybrid bike, a H2 that has been tuned into a H2R. Out of the crate, it produced 259 horses. By the time Gadson and Adams were done, the H2RG’s 1000cc engine was pumping 320 braking horses. 24 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE SHOW: GADSON’S BREAKLITE’SH2RG NIGHTMARE
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As a custom motorcycle, it elevates the bar into the stratosphere. The term, “one of a kind” does this bike no justice visually nor mechanically. To stand next to the bike can only be compared to standing next to Bane from the Dark Knight Rises... I swore the H2RG growled at me, “Do you feel in charge?” It is intimidating. Gadson’s choice in components are strategic selections to fortify the H2R’s ample abilities. The Adams Performance swingarm extends the wheelbase to sixty eight inches so upon launch, the front wheel has the best chance of staying on the asphalt. The carbon fiber rear BST wheel is a premium option for saving weight while maintaining strength. However, what is most striking and equally defining, the defining green that is branded with Gadson’s signature racing number “62”. This colorway, which is SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 27
THE SHOW: GADSON’S BREAKLITE’SH2RG NIGHTMARE
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Rickey Gadson “H2RG” 2015 Kawasaki H2R Hybrid Engine: 1000cc, Supercharged, 320BHP. Brakes: Brembo. Exhaust: Full Titanium. Suspension: JRI Rear Shock. Swingarm: Adams Performance Strongarm. Wheels: Rear BST Carbon Fiber Wheel. Tires: Shinkos Tires. Builder: Adams/Gadson. Paint: KHI Japan. Owner: Rickey Gadson.
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THE SHOW: GADSON’S H2RG
harmoniously offset by the key carbon fiber bits throughout the bodywork, sets this bike apart from the other factory limited editions. To refer to this bike as the Big Gun is being nice. Technically, it sits at the top of the food chain. It rolls down a fine line between inspiration and intimidation. You want to ride it knowing well that it will most likely hurt your pride. For the average man, it just may be too much. Gadson’s pedigree places him well above the laws of average. Armed with his H2RG, they are a match made in heaven, destined for the asphalt.
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THE SHOW: GADSON’S BREAKLITE’SH2RG NIGHTMARE
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THE INVITATIONAL W
e reached out and asked a few of the world’s hottest bike builders and owners what they had cooking in the lab. From the mild to the wild, responses came in from Japan, Europe and of course, the U.S.A. The result is an eclectic virtual bike show that includes something for everyone. Enjoy.
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SUICIDAL OVERDOSE
IMAGES: PAULO SANTOS
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Mortagua Fighter “SUICIDAL OVERDOSE” 1995 Suzuki GSXR 750 Engine: Stock Engine, K&N Air Filter. Brakes: Dual Caliper Nissin Front Brake Setup. Exhaust: Full Custom Slash Cut System. Suspension: Single Sided Double Spring Front, Double Outer Spring Rear. Swingarm: Custom Single Sided Swing Arm. Wheels: Custom. Tires: Metzler Tires. Custom/One Off Accessories: Hand Built Aluminum Fuel Tank and Steele Frame, Polished Handlebars, Custom Built Levers and Controls. Builder: Mortagua Fighter. Paint: Garage Joe/Crumb Design. Owner: Mortagua Fighter.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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DRACO’S PHOENIX IMAGES: FLAUNT
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Draco “PHOENIX” 2001 Suzuki Hayabusa Engine: 175HP, Nitrous, Power Commander. Brakes: Oversized Chrome Roaring Toyz Front and Rear Rotors. Exhaust: 4 into 1 Alien Head Brock’s Performance Exhaust System. Suspension: Custom Painted Rear Factory Shock, Powdercoated Front Forks. Swingarm: Roaring Toyz Entended Chrome Swingarm, Chrome Lowering Kit. Wheels: Roaring Toys 240 Chrome Rear End Kit and Wheels. Tires: Metzler. Custom/One Off Accessories: Tail section with LED lights, Nitrous System with Painted Bottle, Chrome Rotor and Stator Covers, Chrome Rear Grab Bar, Chrome Bar Switch Set, Chrome Side Mount License Plate Bracket, Chrome 150 Chain, Chrome Braided brake /clutch cables, Chrome Instrument Panel, Chrome Air Screens, Chrome Sliders, Chrome Bolt Covers and Caps, Gel Seat, LED White Light Kit, Chrome Hayabusa Oil Cooler Cover, Chrome Custom Kick Stand, Powder Coated Vortex Triple T, Custom Grips, Chrome Master Cylinders, Chrome Switch Blade Mirrors, Custom Painted Memphis Shade Windscreen. Builder: Chris DRACO Osborne/Roaring Toyz/ Red LIne Performance. Paint: Ronnie Setser Custom Paint/BKP Custom Paint. Owner: Chris Osbourne SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 49
THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
“T
o me this bike is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and for me it goes to show that if you’re willing to put a little work into something thats not perfect or may be a little broken that it can turn out to be something amazing and eye catching...” - Chris Osbourne
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CHA CHA
IMAGES: BLAIR PHILLIPS
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Garwood Custom Cycles “CHA CHA” 2013 Kawasaki ZX14R Engine: 1441cc, Timing Retarder Eliminator, Power Commander V. Brakes: Nissin Front Caliper, Galfer Wave Rotor. Exhaust: Voodoo Exhaust System. Suspension: Air FX Air Ride Front and Rear System. Swingarm: C and S Custom Single Sided 300 Wide Tire. Wheels: Performance Machine Paramount Rims. Tires: Avon Cobra. Custom/One Off Accessories: 15 Color LED Light Kit, 15 Color Halo Light Kit, See Through Clutch Cover, Custom Seat, Kawasaki ZX10R Front Fender Conversion. Builder: Garwood Custom Cycles. Paint: Team Neyon. Owner: Leslie “Legend” Keys.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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“F
or all those that have questioned... It’s not just for show. I do ride.I ride often. I ride hard. I live to ride.” - Legend. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 59
A GANGSTER’S AFTERLIFE
IMAGES: LEON BRITTAIN//ALLAN LANE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Pairadice Cycles “A GANGSTER’S AFTERLIFE” 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide Engine: Harley Davidson Tuner Fuel Management, Diamond Cut Heads and Juggs. Brakes: RC Components 18 Inch Front Rotor. Exhaust: Akrapovic. Suspension: Arnott Bilstein Air Ride. Swingarm: OEM. Wheels: SMT The Edge 30 Inch Front Wheel. Tires: Vee Rubber Monster Front. Custom/One Off Accessories: 10 Inch Monkey Bar Handlebars. Custom LED Light Kit. Dirty Bird Concepts Foot and Hand Controls, Alpine Stereo, Wetsounds Speakers and Amps, Builder: Pairadice Cycles. Paint: Pairadice Cycles. Owners: Harry and Jackie Enggasser.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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“P
eople say that I have one of the nastiest bikes out there. But I say I have a nice bike because you have to stay grounded and humble. What’s here today can be gone tomorrow. ” - Harry Enggasser.
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HIGHWAY SQUAD II IMAGES: RYO KANETA
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Still Rollin’ Model Art “HIGHWAY SQUAD II” 2005 Yamaha R1
Engine: Power Commander V, K&N Air Filter. Brakes: Front Tokico Chromed Calipers, Braking Rotors, Rear Roaring Toyz Radial Mount Chrome Calipers, Roaring Toyz Rear Rotor. Exhaust: LASER X- Treme Black Out System. Suspension: OEM. Swingarm: Trac Dynamics 8 Inches Over Lower Loop. Wheels: Performance Machine Heathen Platinum Cut, 240 Rear. Tires: Dunlop Q3. Custom/One Off Accessories: Custom CCFL HALO Headlight, LED Light Kits, Stealth HID Kit. Builder: Still Rollin’ Model Art. Paint: Still Rollin’ Model Art. Owner: Kimihiko Tsuzuki.
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THE CONTINENTAL SCOUT IMAGES: GRANT SCHWINGLE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Analog Motorcycles “THE CONTINENTAL SCOUT” 1949 Indian Scout
Engine: Hand Cut Billet Cylinder, 12 Volt Conversion, Dyna III Electronic Ignition, Amal 928 Carburetor, Maund Speed Equipment Velocity Stack. Brakes: TZ750 Hubs Detailed by Analog. Exhaust: Custom Analog Exhaust, Cone Engineering Stubby Mufflers. Suspension: Betor Forks and Triples. Frame: Frame Crafters’ Track Master Wheels: Buchanan’s Spokes and Rims. Tires: Avon Road Rider Tires. Custom/One Off Accessories: Custom Seat by Rod’s Designs. Modified GSXR Windscreen, Analog Custom Bar Switch, Radiantz Puck LED Tail Light, Crime Scene Choppers Gas Cap. Builder: Analog Motorcycles. Paint: Crown Autobody, Brando. Owner: Tony Proust.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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BLANK SLATE IMAGES: GREG CAPARELL
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Breaklite Motorsports “BLANK SLATE” 2009 Yamaha R1
Exhaust: Voodoo Moto Slip On Exhaust. Suspension: PSR Fully Adjustable Rear Link and Kickstand. Swingarm: Single Sided 300 Kit, 10 Inches Over Stock Length. Wheels: RC Component Widow Wheels. Tires: Metzler. Custom/One Off Accessories: Custom Seat by Seats By Tommy, Chrome Frame, Chrome Engine Covers, Chrome Forks, Chrome Triple Trees. Builder: Breaklite Motorsports. Paint: Breaklite Motorsports. Owner: Jeff Johnson.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
“T
he bike as you see it is just a step towards the customer’s ultimate goal. The final product will feature air brush paint and a molded iPad mount. We can build anything. This customer has a goal and we are building towards it. Rome wasn’t built overnight and neither is a first class custom sportbike.” - Mark Tempesta
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RT S1000RR
IMAGES: COURTESY OF ROARING TOYZ
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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Roaring Toyz “RT S1000RR”
2010 BMW S1000RR Engine: Power Commander V. Brakes: OEM. Exhaust: Brocks Performance Alien Head Exhaust System. Suspension: Roaring Toyz Lowering Links. Swingarm: Roaring Toyz 6 Inch Over 240 Wide Tire Biller Single Sided Swingarm Kit. Wheels: Performance Machine Element Platinum Finish Front and Rear. Tires: Rear Pirelli Diablo 240. Custom/One Off Accessories: Roaring Toyz Billet Aluminum Mirrors, Roaring Toyz Billet Fork Covers, Roaring Toyz Billet Lowering Kickstand. Builder: Roaring Toyz. Paint: Roaring Toyz. Owner: Robert Fisher.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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NEW JACK
IMAGES: COURTESY OF ICON 1000
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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ICON 1000 “NEW JACK”
1982 Suzuki Katana Engine: 1200cc Suzuki Bandit. Custom Velocity Stacks. Brakes: Pro Lite Brake Rotors, Pro Performance Pads. Exhaust: Custom Full System. Suspension: Honda 929 Triples, Nitron NTR Race Pro Rear Shocks. Swingarm: TL1000R Swingarm. Wheels: Honda RC51 SP2. Tires: Continental Race Attack Slick. Custom/One Off Accessories: Dish Stock Fuel Tank with Rollewd Seam, Custom Tail, Endurance Fuel Caps, Sharpened Front Fairing, Relocated Cooler, LED Lighting. Builder: ICON 1000. Paint: ICON 1000. Owner: ICON 1000.
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THE SHOW: THE BREAKLITE’S INVITATIONAL NIGHTMARE
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“The New Jack is ICON 1000’s reimagination of what could have been. One possible future. Built within the confines of our Portland based headquarters, the New Jack uses a host of pilfered Suzuki kit, custom fabbed components and a splash of Honda.” - ICON 1000
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MSRP $489
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THE GRID: NEWS MOTOAMERICA: YOSHIMURA IS THE OFFICIAL EXHAUST OF THE 2015 SEASON Yoshimura Research and Development are the official exhaust of the MotoAmerica Road Racing Series. Yoshimura has been in involved in American road racing for over thirty years. In 1979, Yoshimura won their first AMA Superbike Championship with Wes Cooley. The 2015 Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Race Team is composed of Roger Hayden and Jake Lewis.
MOTOGP: MARQUEZ AND PEDROSA MOUNT UP FOR 2015 The 2015 Honda MotoGP team was presented in Bali. Vice President of Honda Racing Corporation, Shuhei Nakamoto along with Team Manager Livio Suppo presented Champion Marc Marquez and his team mate
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Dani Pedrosa with their new 2015 machines. Thea Repsol Honda machines stay true to their familiar colorways with new graphics that incorporate the Red Bull energy drink logo.
WORLD SUPERBIKE: THE 2015 ARUBA.IT RACING DUCATI SUPERBIKE TEAM With the opening round of World SuperBike only a few weeks away, the Aruba.it Racing Ducati World Superbike Team unveiled their 2015 livery in Arezzo Italy at the ARUBA.IT headquarters. ARUBA. IT CEO Stefano Cecconi hosted Team riders
Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano as they were presented along with the 2015 Ducati Panigale R. The opening round of the 2015 season is staged for Phillip Island, Australia on February 22.
MOTOAMERICA: DUNLOP SELECTED AS THE SPEC TIRE Dunlop Tires, who have served the AMA Pro Racing Series up until the series disbanded, will continue to leave rubber on the tracks of America. They have been selected by MotoAmerica as the exclusive tire supplier for all classes. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 111
THE GRID: NEWS MOTOGP: 2015 PREMIER CLASS COMPETITORS Here is the standing list of competitors of the premier class as released by the FIM... #4 Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati Team #6 Stefan Bradl, Forward Racing (Yamaha) #8 Hector Barbera, Avintia Racing (Ducati) #9 Danilo Petrucci, Pramac Racing (Ducati) #15 Alex De Angelis, IodaRacing Team (Art) #17 Karel Abraham, AB Motoracing (Honda) #19 Alvero Bautista, Aprilia Racing Gresini (Aprilia) #25 Maverick Vinales, Team Suzuki (Suzuki) #26 Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team (Honda) #29 Andrea Iannone, Ducati Team (Ducati) #33 Marco Melandri, Aprilia Racing Team (Aprilia) #35 Cal Crutchlow, CWM LCR Honda (Honda) #38 Bradley Smith, Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (Yamaha) #41 Aleix Espargaro Team Suzuki (Suzuki) #43 Jack Miller CWM LCR Honda (Honda) #44 Pol Esparago Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (Yamaha) #45 Scott Redding Estrella Galicia Marc VDS (Honda) #46 Valentino Rossi, Movistar Yamaha (Yamaha) #50 Eugene Laverty, Drive M7 Aspar (Honda) #63 MIke Di Meglio, Avintia Racing (Ducati) #68 Yonny Hernandez, Pramac Racing (Ducati) #69 Nicky Hayden, Drive M7 Aspar (Honda) #76 Loris Baz, Forward Racing (Yamaha) #93 Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team (Honda) #99 Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha (Yamaha)
MOTOAMERICA: APRILIA AND HSBK FORM NEW TEAM TO RACE IN THE SUPERSTOCK CLASS Aprilia and HSBK have partnered together to form a two rider team that will compete in the Superstock 1000 class. The yet to be
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announced riders will pilot the Aprilia RSV4 as “Aprilia HSBK Racing”.
MOTOGP: AGOSTINI INDUCTED INTO THE JEREZ WALK OF FAME Giacomo Agostini, the most celebrated champion in MotoGP history was honored with a star in Jerez’s Walk of Fame. It is more than fitting as Agostini has racked up 122 GP wins and a total 15 Championships. Agostini’s induction is only the second, following fellow MotoGP Legend Angel Nieto’s earlier this year.
WORLD SUPERBIKE: KAWASAKI RACING TEAM 2015 LIVERY
The 2015 Kawasaki Racing Team made its presentation in Barcelona. Tom Sykes and his new teammate Jonathan Rea unveiled the new
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THE GRID
Images: Courtesy of Cory West
THE NUMBERS EVERY MONTH, WE ASK PROS AND AMATEURS WHY THEY CHOSE THE NUMBERS THAT IDENTIFY THEM ON THE GRID...
CORY WEST
“13
#13
was where I finished in the Superbike championship when I was Rookie of the Year. Two years after that I ended up being assigned number 13 and that number had a weird way of popping up in my everyday life. I’ve stuck with it because it’s different and I like the superstition and stigma that surrounds it.” 114 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE GRID
THE ROCKET: THE SWITCH UP
WORDS: JAMES RISPOLI IMAGES: IMPACT IMAGES
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H
ey everyone! We received such a good response on the first column that I’m back to give you guys some more! I’ll be back for at least ten more after this but to recap last month, I gave you a bit of an overview of the first half of the season. This month I am going to tell you about the team’s switch to the Yamaha midseason and how having fun plays such a big roll on being fast on a motorcycle. When I got the phone call that we were switching brands in the middle of the year I was floored and ecstatic at the same time. I knew when I signed up with Keith Flint and TTC Team they promised to give me the
best opportunity possible and to make a manufacturer switch middle of the year is unheard of at the top levels of the sport. It’s a crazy and ballsy move, one that if it didn’t work could mean curtains for me and maybe the team and it carried a lot of pressure on me and my crew to perform. The first race on the R6 was at Brands Hatch which happened to be my birthday and I guess you could say I received the biggest and baddest present anyone could receive. I can say with a straight face that right from the first free practice session I knew we made the right decision. We were fast right out of the
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THE GRID: THE ROCKET gate and headed straight into qualifying not far off the pace. As it has been the conditions changed to being mixed with some damp spots around the track. Then right before qualifying it rained so there were wet patches around and it made for a very sketchy first couple of laps. Since this was the time to shine getting a brand new opportunity to show my skills I was full of confidence. I was almost immediately up to speed and when I came around I remember seeing P1 on my pit board. Let me tell you it’s been a long season up to that point and a real struggle for both me and the team and to see that definitely gave me loads more confidence. Probably more than it should of in those track conditions. Battling for pole for the next three
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to five laps was a big break through for us. Just as I felt the connection between me and my bike were getting so strong I had one of the biggest high sides of my career. Going into T1 at Brands Hatch, for people that don’t know, is the largest off camber downhill corner I have ever ridden. To top it off and make it interesting there was a wet patch that you had to cross over on the entry. If that wasn’t enough, every lap I was given notice with a little wiggle that made me pucker just a little. As I crossed it on this one particular lap the rear of my motorcycle shot from underneath me like I had just walked out on black ice. Let me paint the picture, anytime you have time to think... while your in the air... you know it’s big
and it’s going to hurt! Luckily I walked away from it ok and finished the weekend of racing.
meant letting everything I know come out and get back to having fun!
After that incident and opening weekend on the R6 every weekend from then on we made progress in different areas even though we were ending up in the same top ten positions. This made it tough for some people to see the real progress we had made and continued to make. We had no data to work from and I never rode a competition R6 at the top level before. So it was only natural that we were questioned constantly if we had made the right decision. It was clear to me and the team that it meant we really had to step up our game and get the results we said we could get. It
I made a few friends while over in the UK but I really connected with another racer named Danny Buchan. He and I were sitting down at a spot called Nando’s for a bite and he was telling me how he was going to Spain for a week to train in the sun and hang out at the beach. I didn’t need a written invitation and the next thing I know I am at my house franticly packing for a flight the next morning. Picture this, two British blokes and an American in Spain trying to speak Spanish. It was hilarious! I was in Spain for a whole week training and enjoying the sun. What a rough life. When I showed up to the next race at the legendary Assen TT I had a completely different attitude. I felt confident, composed and ready to have fun, if nothing else. I trusted my inner instincts and my training and I soon realized again why I race a motorcycle in the first place... Because I love it so much. That weekend was our first podium with a second place finish, in crazy mixed wet conditions. It was a beautiful thing. What helped was that my team crew chief made a tactical decision while on the grid and told me we needed to run a wet front and dry rear. He said I could do it and if I rode smart I would end up at the front. I remember being so nervous and scared on the start line. The only thing that kept my head in the game was that everyone else had to roll the dice as well. We ended up having another amazing race, finished the year strong and backed it up with another podium at Silverstone as well as being fast and on the money at the final round. I ended up staying in the UK for about another month hanging out with with all the friends I had made and spending a lot of time up north SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 121
THE GRID: THE ROCKET
with James Ellison. I got to see and spend a lot of time checking out the scenery and we did a lot of hiking and mountain biking. I think the only good thing about it raining all the time in England is that the vegetation is full of color and the country side is so pretty. 122 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
After that, I was ready to take a break and get back home to see my family for the holidays. I wanted to enjoy what 2014 brought and start to dream about how awesome 2015 is going to be.
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THE GRID
TURN ONE: BRITISH SUPERBIKES
WORDS: SANDRA STAMMOVA IMAGES: COURTESY OF SANDRA STAMMOVA
I
received this random email from Nick Morgan, the owner of the MSS Kawasaki Team in the UK while I was living in Australia. I asked him eventually why did he contact me. He said he was looking for a female rider and he had been watching me for long time on FaceBook as I was constantly moaning about racing, racing, racing... So my strategy was obviously successful! It was July when we started to speak. I told Nick I would do anything I could to race again and move to UK the next day, if I had to. Nick invited me to come for a test and left me in his assistant’s hands, who helped with necessary paperwork. The test was supposed to be in October after the last round of the British Superbike Series at Oulton Park. We agreed I would arrive the 6th of October, go to watch the last round with the team and then test for tow days at Mallory Park circuit. My Australian coach Bernie told me I wasn’t ready yet. He was probably right but I didn’t care. You don’t get these opportunities every day! So I thought I would give it a proper go, all or nothing! At the end of the day I had nothing to lose and I was excited like a small child to experience British Racing with the vision of being closer to my racing dream. I also couldn’t wait to see my family after three years not being in Europe! Slovakia is just a two hours flight from England so I planned Slovakia as a next stop over after the test in England, before my return to Australia. To be honest at the time I had no clue how strong the British racing scene is and how tough it would 124 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
be for me to test in new country. A new track, different bike without having any proper track time for few months prior to test. I could do only my maximum so I was training like the Duracell Bunny from July to October and eating as clean as ever... with no beer! I was watching videos of Mallory Park to be able to learn at least where the track goes. Thank God that the track is very short and goes only one direction. It’s October and I am off to England. This was my first time in the UK so I wasn’t sure where I was going. I only had a phone number of my coach’s mate, who was so kind and offered to help with accommodations for the week I stayed there. I arrived at the airport, hired a car and was driving about three hours to Sheffield, which was meant to be my base. The very next day, we drove to Oulton Park for the race. I met finally the MSS Kawaski Superbike team, all the crew and riders like Gary Mason and legendary Simon Andrews. He passed away at the NW200 last year... Very, very sad. Let’s wish his soul to rest in peace. It was just an amazing experience for me to be a part of the team and watch their professional and clinical approach of their mechanics and crew towards their job in general. I was also blown away seeing how fast all the riders were and how many people came to watch the racing. I think it was sixty thousand people there over one weekend! I could feel that this was not going to be easy for me to show the team that I will be able to
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THE GRID: TURN ONE
race against these guys the following season. But on the other hand, I wanted it so badly and I knew I would have the opportunity to learn so much and improve quickly, riding in such a competitive championship and having MSS Kawasaki backing! No matter how anxious I was I was over motivated to not let this opportunity go! Two days later I arrive with my little hired car to Mallory Park circuit. It was very very cold and wet, I remember wearing a winter jacket. There is nobody at the track just this massive race truck, a few guys from crew, a few bikes and riders Danny Buchan (Superstock 1000 BSB Champion) and Alex Lowes (current WSBK rider) who were going to test with me. I didn’t know too much about them at the time otherwise I would have been even more intimidated! 126 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
The whole track was there just for us. Dean, my crew chief for the day showed me my bike to test on. It was a 2010 Superstock 1000 ZX10 model from Howie Mainwaring who was racing it in BSB that season and who is one of the top riders in British Championship. The ZX10 was massive compared to my almost stock Honda I was racing in New Zealand. It had about 35 more horse power! Anyway Nick the team owner walked the track with me to show me a few things, not that I could remember that as I had butterflies in my tummy since I got there. But I didn’t show it. I was pretending that it was all cool and I was relaxed. I was just happy to jump on the bike as soon as the track dried up a little.
Written in the unmistakable voice of Earl “the Squirrel” Hayden, The First Family of Racing gives readers an inside look into the lives of the Hayden motorcycle racing dynasty.
NOW AVAILABLE IN THE HAYDEN BROTHERS GENERAL STORE HAYDENBROSGENERALSTORE.COM SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 127
THE GRID: ON THE COME UP
Images: Courtesy of Stacey Michele
STACEY MICHELE
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NAME: Stacey Michele HOMETOWN: Nashville, TN AGE: 26 ASSOCIATION/AFFILIATIONS/SERIES: WERA Motorcycle Roadracing GOALS: To be a competitive contender this season. ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Achieved my WERA licensure this past August 2014.
DEFINE YOUR PASSION IN ONE SENTENCE: My passion is feeling the power and adrenaline running from the handlebars into my hands and through the rest of my body! Â CONTACT:
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THE STRAIGHT LINE
LINES OF A LEGEND
WORDS: RICKEY GADSON IMAGES: RICKEY GADSON//KIANA GADSON
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I
n 1992 at the age of 37, I lost my big brother Skip who is twelve years my senior and solely responsible for teaching me the ins and outs of the street racing hustle. My brother was a legend in street racing in the 70’s and 80’s and taught me everything I needed to know to become one of the most feared street racers on the East Coast at the early age of 18 years old. As a teenager I was extremely close to my nieces and nephews and took them with me everywhere I could even back then. They spent nearly every weekend at my house. Four of the five kids he had were very very young when he passed away in 1992. And because I knew the love he had for them, I kind of felt like it was my responsibility to make sure they had a father figure in their lives. I lost my father at the young age of 13 and I didn't want them to go through the same things I went through growing up by not having a man in their life. I started taking them to the races when I was barely making it there myself financially. All five of my nieces and nephews enjoy motorcycling but there was one who was more excited and more interested in racing than the rest. One who watched video tapes of me racing every day, the same video tape every day, before school and after school. One who recognized everything I did differently. Each time I changed riding styles, he would not only notice that I changed but would ask why did I change riding styles, he was asking questions like this at the age of 7 and 8 years old. By the time he was 8 years old he was at each event filming all of my races and observing SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 131
THE STRAIGHT LINE: LINES OF A LEGEND the strategy I used to win championships. The kids started riding dirt bikes at an early age but were introduced to the dragstrip at 14. I still laugh when I think about how we spent an entire afternoon before heading to the track trying on suits for my
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extended collection until we found one that wasn't too deep for him to swim in. The very first time I put him on the racetrack I was in the middle of trying to explain to him how to roll
RICHARD GADSON out of a burnout and he started the process and completed the roll out all by himself as if he knew how to do it already. This kid over the years had been studying all of my videos! From that day on I knew I was grooming a future champion. I can show him many things but I can't get on the bike and ride for him. This guy's talents are all his own and he is the real deal! If you don't already know by now, I'm talking to you about the "Grudge Racer of the Year" and "South Eastern Motorcycle Drag Racing Pro Mod Champion"... Richard Gadson. Now at 28, he's gone from being with me at a magazine test in 2011 for the editors to see his talent to testing the Diavel for Ducati on this own in a video titled "Diavel VS Corvette". Richard has proven his ability to fill his father's shoes, who
was a legend on the street racing scene and more importantly has and will continue to blaze his own trail with his own legacy. This year we've decided to start a two bike team that consists of the Uncle Rickey and Nephew Richard Gadson. This has been long overdue. "Team Gadson" will take on all comers in IDBL (International Drag Bike League) and the Manufacturers Cup series. Richard's weapon of choice will be a Turbocharged 2014 Kawasaki ZX14R built by Cooper Performance outfitted with an AEM stand alone fuel management system. I hope to see you all at the races. Stop by the Team Gadson rig on the Midway to support and show some love to the team. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 133
THE STRAIGHT LINE
THE YOUNGEST IN CHARGE WORDS: DYSTANY SPURLOCK IMAGES: MEEKAIL SHAHEED
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T
he word “custom” is fluently used in the motorcycle world. From sportsbikes to lowrider choppers, the sky is the limit. Getting creative as possible is the ultimate goal. In the NHRA,Shawn Gann and LE Nitro Fish Mmotorcycles are the epitome of art. They both have extremely bright colors that will stand out from here to the moon. Being a part of the crowd is definitely not what you want to aim for. I remember going to my first NHRA race and thinking Shawn was my favorite racer because of his motorcycle. When you’re a child and you don’t know much about racing you try to find something that you can relate to. Most of the times its going to be a color or design that will make you more interested. Once I became a racer and began my journey, I thought of my first race experiences and the beauty of the bikes. I strive to stand out and be my own person. I have always had a niche for corsets. As I started to venture into designing my bike, I integrated corsets onto my motorcycle. When I first started racing, no one had powerful plush pink on their bikes. I saw the opportunity to paint the town pink, as the saying goes. In the words of Nicki Minaj, “I am the pink print.” Outside of the speedy drag strip and on to the main roads, some may call them trailer kings and others may call them hot rods. I call them beautiful machines. There are absolutely no limitations to what a person can do to a motorcycle. I have seen Suzuki Hyabusas turned into trikes and BMW S1000RRRs turned into Street Glides. It baffles me to see in blogs how individuals bash other owners for their creations. We are all entitled to our own opinion, but we have to realize that it is something for everyone. My uncle Ricky Gadson went above and beyond to change the motorcycle world forever. He decided to turn his Kawasaki H2 into a drag racing motorcycle. There were so many naysayers saying that it could not be done or that it would be a failure. Let's just say calling it a success is a massive understatement. Not only did he successfully complete the project, he took the bike into the low eights in the quarter mile. Grief is given anytime a sports bike is lowered and stretched to be put into the quarter mile. Many motorcycle enthusiast feel that crotch rockets are only made for corners. If that was the case, then the motorcycle would have come with a warning label that stated as such. Be creative when it comes to your motorcycle. Paint it with bright colors, add the brightest of lights and add your own special touch. Never be afraid to step outside of the box and do the unthinkable. Make your stamp in the motorcycle world. When I think of bright colors my focus immediately goes to Charlie's Chop Shop in N.Y. Every project that they take on gets crazy attention! From the neon colors to the unique way that they piece the project together. Charlie and his team always succeeds. Make a name for yourself when it comes to being creative. Let your personality come out through your design and be all that you can be. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 135
THE STRAIGHT LINE: ON THE COME UP
Images: Courtesy of Doug Brice Lloyd Gall
DOUG GALL
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NAME: Doug Gall HOMETOWN: Loveland, OH AGE: 32 ASSOCIATION/AFFILIATIONS/SERIES: NHDRO, Manufacturers Cup, IDBL GOALS: To win the PROstreet in all three series. To win the “BAMF” award. To win the Crazy 8’s and Street Fighter classes, as well. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: One PROstreet Championship in NHDRO A Crazy 8’s Championship in NHDRO. Won multiple classes in every organization. DEFINE YOUR PASSION IN ONE SENTENCE: To be the best, you have to beat the best. CONTACT:
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2015
schedule
april 24-26, 2015
Maryland International Raceway
may 29-31, 2015
Maryland International Raceway
july 24-26, 2015
Maryland International Raceway
september 11-13, 2015 Atco Dragway
october 2-4, 2015 Maryland International Raceway
RaceIDBL.com
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THE REV LIMITER
THE MAIN POINTS
WORDS: DENA SODANO IMAGES: GR’S FINEST//SPEED N STRENGTH
G.R.F.
W
local bar and both had been riding motorcycles for about a year and that gave us something to talk about. Then as you know the question of “Do you stunt ride?” came about. From GR’s Finest, that’s who! These two riders have been traveling the country for the past few years there we met with friends and other riders on weekends to learn this whole stunt-riding thing. putting on some pretty gnarly shows to the public. With their newer generation of style, This all took place back in 2008. I got my Shelby and Joe have shown no mercy to their biggest influence with sport bikes due to my father racing super bikes for about six years, bikes. so I got to travel the country as a kid watching him race every weekend. I rode on the streets DS: Tell us a little bit about GR’s Finest. How until I had an overwhelming amount of tickets did it first come about? GRF: GR’s Finest is a stunt team based out of and was just being careless, so I decided to try focusing on parking lots. Joey on the other Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joey and I started this team with the intentions to just go ride in hand got a bike because he had never owned parking lots and to individualize us from other anything with a motor and his friends had groups of riders. Joey and I randomly met in motorcycles and due to crashes on the streets Grand Rapids when attending a VIP party at a he soon went on to focus on the lots. ho are Shelby Moore and Joe Tobolic you ask?
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THE REV LIMITER: THE MAIN POINTS
DS: You guys are known for your entertaining shows. What made you decide to travel and perform for people? GRF: Our Team GR’s Finest, has built such a good name for itself because we focus on putting on shows for people. Joey and I are very outgoing people and friendly to everyone and that has given us amazing opportunities to travel the world and country to perform and meet all these great people. We do about 20 to 25 shows a year and we have our fans and sponsors to thank for helping us along the way with finding us shows and supporting us. Speed N Strength, Screaming Needle Tattoo Company, Tucker Rocker, Blindside Armor, 180 Designs, and Village Motorsports have
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really helped keep our bikes maintained and our backbone to GR’s Finest throughout the years. There is no better feeling than filling the van hauler filled up with buddies and traveling the country to perform these shows. You get to see parts of the country that normal everyday people don’t get to. DS: I remember when you and some other riders had quite the trip to StuntJam a few years back, a.k.a. The Florida Trip of Death! Is it safe to say that there may have been a few close calls and injuries between all of you? GRF: The Trip to Florida that everyone remembers! It was an idea that we came up with Me, Kyle Sliger, Joey, Paul H, Jeff Flaherty and Josh Graham. We wanted to take a few
G.R.’S FINEST JOE TOBOLIC (L) AND SHELBY MOORE (FAR R).
weeks to travel the east coast and just do it with no place to stay and to just do whatever we wanted really. We partied in random cities, rode at random factories in the night, and when we finally arrived to Florida we hit up a few events… Stunt Jam and Stunt Wars. That was the weekend that Joey T’s front forks snapped on his bike leaving him sliding 100 yards down the black top! Kyle Sliger broke his foot, I ended up placing third at Stunt Jams and Paul H rode as C-bear a.k.a. Jeff Flaherty. The Trip had its fights and arguments but for the most part, it was one of the best trips any of us had ever had. DS: What else do you guys do when you’re not riding?
GRF: When Joey and I are not riding, we are golfing, out having fun riding with some buddies. We built bobbers to cruise on the street so that gives us a joy just cruising and not having to worry about pulling a wheelie or going 140mph and getting tickets. Joey also has a large family and a lake house so he spends a lot of time on the lake and with his family. He also likes riding pit-bikes on the dirt tracks. I on the other hand, love building cars and trucks because it has been a passion ever since I was a teen. My vehicles are memories that I build and I enjoy making works of art out of them; whether I’m installing air ride on all my cars or making my trucks lifted so high that you can’t get in them. It’s all for my love of fabricating things and changing the look of SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 143
THE REV LIMITER: THE VIOLET MAIN STARS... POINTS
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things. I also love spending time with my family and playing basketball, tennis, golf, anything that really has to do with the outdoors. DS: What’s in store for GR’s Finest for the new year? GRF: GR’s Finest sees the future being just like the past, doing shows traveling and meeting
new people. That’s what we do and that’s what we enjoy. We like doing shows for kids and people that enjoy the passion of motorcycles. 2015 is looking like a great year and we are ready to see what it has in store for us because we are ready to leave our mark on things and have a kick ass time! SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 145
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THE REV LIMITER: ON THE COME UP
Images: Courtesy of Joe Bertone
JOE BERTONE AKA JOE PAVEMENT
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NAME: Joe Bertone AKA Joe Pavement HOMETOWN: Long Island, N.Y. AGE: NA ASSOCIATION/AFFILIATIONS/SERIES: Lot Starz, Swoop Productions, Shinko, Redline Oil, UClear, Eyewear8, Drayko, Fly Street. GOALS: I just wanna stay healthy and murder it as long as I can. Travel the world to ride with other stunters on other bikes. Also stay off the pavement! And build an R1 drift bike. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Being able to ride a bike that everyone said I was not able to ride. Being able to tour and to session and do shows and not have many major problems with the R6’s. Also to have such a great team. DEFINE YOUR PASSION IN ONE SENTENCE: I just wanna ride anything and everything, every where... That’s all that’s on my mind. Contact:
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THE LIFE: FEATURED CLUB
Images: Courtesy of Ground Pilots M.C.
GROUND PILOTS M.C. Club history: The Ground Pilots Motorcycle Club was founded by five riders from Camden, New Jersey who shared a passion for riding. They also shared a true sense of family and wanted their club to reflect that. They wanted to surround themselves with like minded people who loved to ride, participate in community service and fellowship with family. Club milestones/memorable moments: The Ground Pilots were proud to celebrate their tenth anniversary in July of 2011. They participated in a number of charitable events such as Barb’s Harley Davidson Armed Forces Ride, Autism Speaks Ride, Bikers Against Breast Cancer Run as well as the Stop the Violence Ride. In 2012,
CHAPTER: Camden, N.J. FOUNDED: 2011 MEMBERS: 11 ELECTED OFFICIALS: PRESIDENT: Mr. Perfect VICE PRESIDENT: Cuzin Larry FOUNDER: Old Man P.R.O.: Phoenix SECRETARY: Two Centz SERGEANT AT ARMS: Ritz
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the club adopted the McGuire Community Center and have donated school supplies and holiday gifts for local Camden residents. Between 2010 and 2014, two members passed away. Their spirits continue to ride with the Ground Pilots everyday, wherever they go. Future of the club: The Ground Pilots are getting back to the foundation of family and the love of the ride. They are hosting several events in the near future to exemplify that such as their old school skating party in April and their poker run in July that will be part of their anniversary weekend. Remaining true to their core values, the Ground Pilots are and will forever be about family, charity and the love of the ride.
Want to see your club featured here? Drop us an email!
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THE LIFE
KNOW YOUR ROLE: THE 2015 P.R.O.C. WORDS AND IMAGES: LADY KIM
I
started off year 2015 at one of the biggest motorcycle conventions for clubs called The PROC in New Orleans with more than 530 clubs! It is the best place to start collecting motorcycle event flyers for your club’s riding calendar. It started out as the Public Relations Officer Convention for club P.R.O.’s but it has grown to include other positions such as President, Vice President, Road Captain, First Responder, Business Manager, Leadership, Financial Management and Sergeant at Arms. For the 12th Annual P.R.O.C., they have changed the name to THE MC PROFESSIONAL CONVENTION and expanded the scope of the convention to include everything from establishing a club, charity giving, safety, Female Biker forums, motorcycle maintenance for the non mechanic, riding twisties, buying and selling used motorcycles, getting street legal and running a club house. The breakout sessions were held in forty five minutes time slots so attendees could participate in multiple workshops throughout the day. I attended the P.R.O. workshop which talked about how to be an effective P.R.O. and what type of person you need to be as a P.R.O. The General Session which is the welcoming session included two keynote speakers. Harley Davidson Dealership owner, Maurice Slaughter, is one of six African American owners in the world. He spoke about his journeys and being a successful businessman with two dealerships. The second speaker was Flaming Knights M.C. Regional Vice President Kingfish, speaking on Club Longevity. He has
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THE LIFE: KNOW YOUR ROLE
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been on the set for more than twenty years and has established several chapters across the country. With so many popup clubs forming for the wrong reason and disappearing just as fast as they are formed, Kingfish spoke on how to prosper and navigate your club within the motorcycle community. My club, DLP, has twenty years on the set and it isn’t easy as your membership gets larger and older. His advice was well taken! The P.R.O.C. ended Saturday night with a full Mardi Gras parade and party with attendees adorned in Mardi Gras beads and masks! What better place to meet, greet and network with other clubs and riders from across the country. I believe this was the best convention I have been to so far even though it was forty degrees outside which didn’t stop anyone from bundling up and taking in the
sites of ‘Nawlins! With everything within three to four blocks of the hotel on Canal Street, I was able to meet clubs walking up and down Bourbon Street, around the French Quarters and in restaurants eating Louisiana Gumbo, Fish n Grits and Jambalaya. I wasn’t brave enough to try the turtle, alligator or frog legs… No Thank You! The drink of choice for the weekend was the Green Grenade and it bombed anyone! The 13th Annual PROC will be held in Norfolk, Virginia, January 8 through 10, 2016 and hosted by the Flaming Knights MC. For more information, go to the website at www. proconvention.com! See you all in the 757… Seven cities next year! SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 157
THE LIFE
THE LION’S DEN: THE JOURNEY IS THE DESTINATION WORDS AND IMAGES: LION JAMES
used to have this nagging and annoying reoccurring dream where I was driving to some Iphantom destination. I never got to where I
was driving before waking up. It was a boring uneventful drive and I never knew where I was actually going or recognized any of the roads from real life. The drive was always the same either headed to or from this mystery location. No matter how hard I tried to exercise what little control over dreams I had ever been able to, for example making different turns or taking roads I hadn’t previously, the dream still played out pretty much the same each time. What made this dream so dreadfully mundane and boring is that it was all from a first person view and perspective the entire length of the dream. Picture playing a first person shooter game like Call Of Duty only with no action, cinematic scenes, interaction with anything or anyone and the only mission to complete is what felt like a commute from Philadelphia, PA to someplace in Canada to get groceries. I know you’re thinking “worst video game ever!” Oh and here’s the absolute worst part, the whole dream was in real time. If I slept for six hours the nights I had this dream, I would be on the road behind the wheel of my truck on the same old highways and streets for the whole six hours. I’ve had legitimately scary nightmares that I didn’t try this hard to wake up from. I’m not making this up, I would literally try to crash just so I’d wake up and when I did manage to wake myself up guess what happened. I would fall right back asleep into the dream and pick up where I left off. True story, this monotony would go on for the length of the dream. These reoccurring dreams are among the only times in my life where I felt like I actually wasted time sleeping. I always woke up pissed off and frankly frustrated that I never even knew where 158 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
I was headed in the first place and never actually got there in the dream. Despite having this dream long before I started riding motorcycles, it made me curious as to why after I did start riding motorcycles I was never on two wheels in the dream. I couldn’t help but think that this same destination-less journey would have been great if it were on two wheels. Had I been on a motorcycle, the same dream would have been beautiful sleep therapy. I would have reveled in that drawn out real time first person view of the open road from my bike’s saddle and wouldn’t have had to stop the day’s ride just because I went to sleep. When on a motorcycle the ride is often times much better than the destination. One might even say that on two wheels the ride is the destination. I imagine that like me, many of you have gone on motorcycle rides with no destination in mind or have simply ridden for the sake of the ride. I also believe that like myself, many of you have enjoyed wonderful and eventful rides only to be disappointed by the destination. In my close to a decade as a club rider I have ridden thru several states to attend Motorcycle Club events only to turn around and ride home instead of paying the cover charge to walk into a party to dance, drink and show off. I have been riding and partying long enough to know thru experience that the party is rarely as much fun as the ride. Of course this is not meant to take anything away from parties and MC events, not by a longshot, I just have become more interested in riding than partying or socializing. I love to network and have fun with like minded folks especially when the setting revolves around this sport, lifestyle, hobby of motorcycling but if there’s ever a choice to be made between throwing back a few shots of fine spirits or throwing a leg over well then the ride trumps the revelry every time.
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THE LIFE: THE LION’S DEN
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The ride on two wheels to a destination being more enjoyable than what awaits you there is no new or radical concept for most motorcyclists and those for whom the ride is merely transportation to their real prize have my pity. A motorcycle ride is no mere bus trip or just some bridge toll payment, gas tank fill up or city street traffic light tour. No my friends, when on two wheels the ride is the destination. Of the many ways one could choose to get from point A to point B none are more exciting, invigorating, euphoric or as provocative than doing so on a motorcycle. It doesn’t take skill to hop on a train. Adrenaline rarely makes an appearance when swiping your bus pass. When driving in your four door sedan from one place to another how often is it exciting unless something is going wrong? Do you take bus rides for fun, I think not. Besides buckling your seatbelt, do you gear up to drive your car? Have you ever bragged to your friends about the way you hopped from one train car to the next? I don’t know about you but I have never enjoyed a four, or more, wheel commute more than the venue, people, sights and activities at the other end and I have never thought or said while at some party, motorcycle race, community event or even the grocery store for that matter “gee, I wish I were still driving here.” Place me on a motorcycle headed to any of those same settings and I’m looking for the scenic route or taking the long way there. It doesn’t matter if the venue is engaging or appalling I am thinking about the ride afterwards just the same. The ride is the destination when on a motorcycle and if I had to try to explain this to someone who didn’t experience it for themselves I guess I would have to do so by stating the obvious. Riding motorcycles is downright fun. There’s nothing like it plain and simple. Have you ever lost yourself in doing something to the point that you forgot what that something was leading to? It’s the means that is more appealing than the end. Have you ever surprised yourself with how wonderful something was because you weren’t expecting to enjoy it or almost took it for granted? That’s what riding a motorcycle is like every single time. You know it’s going to be fun but you’re still caught off-guard by just how much. I wish full face motorcycle helmets had a way to allow onlookers a glimpse of the ear to ear grins we motorcyclists wear while atop these machines. You develop your skill as a rider
just by riding. You get more and more in-tune with the motorcycles and discover that the limits of your ability are pushed out further and farther with each leg thrown over, key turned and throttle opened. You grow to look forward to going just as much, nay, more than you do getting there because of all the things that make riding a motorcycle a worthwhile experience. You look forward to the going there more than the arriving there because the ride becomes a journey and when on two wheels the journey is the destination. You aren’t riding your motorcycle to get to where you are going, a motorcycle ride is where you were going. When you’re riding you are indeed already there and the destination has become just a rest stop before you journey back from where you came. I don’t own a fancy car nor have I much interest in driving record breaking sports cars but I assume those who do feel similar about taking that classic automobile in the garage out for a Sunday cruise or after pulling the car cover off that finely tuned hunk of technology and performance engineering they paid an arm and a leg for. I wish I could say that I’ve never dreamt about driving my truck to nowhere while I fantasize regularly about doing the same on my motorcycles but as I explained earlier, that just ain’t true. Don’t let that derail my point though, I’m clearly a special case… or perhaps a basket case but I digress. If you enjoy the journey more than the destination and it’s because of the motorcycle or the ride then you get it. You understand the journey as the destination concept and are, congratulations, an enlightened individual. I’ve never told anyone about that reoccurring dream before this out of expectation that they would try to interpret the dream and give me their unprofessional “diagnonsense” about how I lack direction in life, don’t know where I’m going, am somehow lost on my own personal soul search, have unresolved mother issues or that I’m metaphorically trying to make a getaway from some latent feelings of inadequacy... I don’t know, people are judgmental. I also haven’t had the dream in many years. I really hope I haven’t just talked it up or uncovered and exhumed some long repressed buried skeleton in my psyche’s closet. If I dream about an aimless drive north tonight I will be pissed. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 161
FEATURED THE LIFE FEATURED LIFE:RIDER FEATURED RIDERS RIDERS
downshift83 LOCATION: Panama City, FL. OCCUPATION: Contractor. YEARS RIDING: 7 years. RIDING STYLE: Street. BIKE/S OWNED: 2010 Yamaha R1, 2015 Ducati Diavel FAVORITE BIKE MODIFICATION/ACCESSORY: Custom SBK carbon fiber.
FAVORITE PIECE OF RIDING GEAR: My ICON Variant helmet. MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: Riding on the Bonneville Salt Flat.
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Docerlanda Green AKA Storm LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI.
OCCUPATION: Manufacturing. YEARS RIDING: 17 years. RIDING STYLE: Street. BIKE/S OWNED: 2003 Suzuki Hayabusa. FAVORITE BIKE MODIFICATION/ACCESSORY: I love everything about my bike!
FAVORITE PIECE OF RIDING GEAR: My boots. MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: My first year as a member of Boogie Down M.C., the Breakout Ride to Fort Wayne Indiana.
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FEATURED THE LIFE FEATURED LIFE:RIDER FEATURED RIDERS RIDERS
Jarrad Davenport LOCATION: Bethesda, MD. OCCUPATION: United Staes Army. YEARS RIDING: 10 plus years. RIDING STYLE: Streets. BIKE/S OWNED: 2013 Custom Kawasaki ZX14R. FAVORITE BIKE MODIFICATION/ACCESSORY: It’s a tie
between the single sided swingarm that is stretched 20” over and the complete air ride suspension system.
FAVORITE PIECE OF RIDING GEAR: My Suomy helmet. MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: Riding with my father who also has a
ZX14R.
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Sarah Lahalih LOCATION: Los Angeles, CA. OCCUPATION: Motorcycle Instructor, Racer, Writer. YEARS RIDING: 20 years. RIDING STYLE: Street and track. BIKE/S OWNED: 2012 Triumph Speed Triple R, 2011 Triumph Tiger 800 XC, 2014 Triumph Thruxton, 2000 Suzuki SV650, 2001 BMW F650 Dakar , 1973 Honda CB175. FAVORITE PIECE OF RIDING GEAR: My helmet is always my favorite piece of riding gear. But I have a vintage Hein Gericke jacket that I will wear forever.
FAVORITE BIKE MODIFICATION/ACCESSORY: Heated hand
grips.
MOST MEMORABLE RIDE: My favorite motorcycle experience was racing for a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2013 aboard a Triumph Rocket lll Roadster 2300cc, with a Carpenter Racing kit giving it 240HP.
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IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS
BIKE ERGONOMICS: PART TWO - FOOTPEGS
WORDS: ERIC WOOD IMAGES: DREW RUIZ//ERIC WOOD
A
big part of having the ability to get the most out of your motorcycle is to ensure that the controls are set up properly. Having maximum leverage on the motorcycle and instant access to the controls will not only help you ride faster, but it can save you in your moments of greatest need. Every part of your body that touches the motorcycle should be in a position that enables maximum dexterity, comfort and control. This month we will talk about the importance of proper lower body motorcycle ergonomics and discuss how a few minutes in the shop can save critical tenths of a second on the track. The most basic place to start on any motorcycle is to adjust the height of your pedals. This should be done on every motorcycle, even those with stock rearsets. Your shift lever should be set so that upshifts and downshifts can be made effortlessly. You should never have to pull your foot off the peg or adjust your lower body in order to complete a shift. When setting your bike up in the paddock, be sure to experiment with your ability to shift not only when sitting in the middle of the seat, but also when you are leaning off the bike on both sides. A little change here can make a big difference.
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Since most stock footpegs tend to drag, the first bolt on that many riders opt for when setting up a track bike is a set of rearsets. Some models do not offer any adjustment at all, and others have a massive range of choices. The reality is that a vast majority of riders are best served with pegs positioned within a small window. Once we understand why the pegs need to be where they are, that window is easily located. There are certain adjustments that both very tall and very short riders need to make, and we will discuss how to address those as well. PEG HEIGHT The two biggest factors that determine the height of your pegs are the width of your pegs and the lean angle that your bike is capable of. With this information alone the height that your pegs need to be can be quickly estimated. Of course, the nature of each corner can come into play since factors like G forces, compressing the suspension and raised curbing can have an effect on the amount of available clearance. However, we have found that for a vast majority of riders and motorcycles once the peg height is set it does not change from track to track. With this said, how high do you want your pegs?
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IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS: BIKE MAKEERGONOMICS THE PADS TOUCH In general, you want them just high enough so that they do not drag and not any higher. If a rearset manufacturer has experience in this area, they can nail the peg height within a quarter of an inch for most riders. There are just a few checkpoints that need to be considered. 1. Is the height sufficient to keep your pegs and toes off the ground? If the answer is no, there are two important things to consider before raising them higher. a. Ensure that you are riding on the ball of your foot, especially on the inside peg. This is especially true if you have big feet. In addition, riding on the balls of your feet both a puts you in a more athletic position and acts to help absorb bumps and transitions. b. Ensure that you are getting off the seat in order to help the bike turn. Sitting in the center of the seat requires much greater lean angle in order to turn. If you do not have at least one butt cheek fully off the seat, you need to get off the seat more.
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2. Are you able to firmly anchor your leg on the outside of the tank? This is the most important factor when it comes to the ability to release bar pressure at full lean. At the Penguin School we strongly recommend that all riders adhere an aftermarket grip pad on the tank to assist in the use of legs to support the weight of the rider at full lean. No outside leg pressure equals bad turns, every time! a. If you are a shorter rider and have a difficult time getting enough leverage on the tank at full lean, then you are in that ten percent who actually need to raise the pegs to a level higher than is required for ground clearance. Again, a firm grip on the tank is absolutely critical! There are a few down sides to running pegs higher than required for ground clearance. Since the human body usually works best when joints are bent at about ninety degrees we want to avoid excessive knee angles. However, OEM seat heights are set so that the average rider can comfortably place their feet on the ground. The height that the pegs have to be to stay off the ground is independent of
FIGURE 1
the seat height. This combination of factors results in an average knee bend angle between seventy and seventy five degrees, fifteen to twenty degrees tighter than the desired ninety. As many older riders can attest, riding with your knees bent at this angle can inhibit circulation and cause considerable discomfort. In addition, it takes a lot more strength and energy to produce the same force at a greater knee bend. I’ve heard power lifters who do squats at the gym say that every inch that you go below a ninety degree knee bend is like adding another ten pounds to the bar. Keep the pegs lower and you’ll have more available power! There are two common instances where the comfort and clearance equation becomes difficult to solve. The first is with very tall riders, whose long legs are forced to bend to extreme angles even when the seat to peg distance is comfortable for most of us. The second is when entry level motorcycles like a Ninja 300 or an SV650, are turned into track bikes. Once these bikes are outfitted with suspension upgrades and good tires, they need a considerable raise in the pegs to keep them off the ground. However, their low seat heights create a shortage of real estate between the pegs and the seat. The best solution in this case is to raise the seat height. This can either be done by fitting up a superbike seat, which uses a fiberglass base and adhesive stackable foam seat pads or by simply adding a foam pad on top of your OEM seat and having it recovered. The primary down side to this modification is that the rider is higher on the motorcycle and the rear wheel will lift more easily
during maximum braking. However, the trade off of having proper ground clearance is always the better bet. PEG SETBACK There are two main concerns when it comes to the horizontal movement of a set of footpegs. Much like the vertical offset, there is a small range that works for most riders. The number one concern for locating your peg setback is to make sure that your pegs are directly under your hips. Looking at the series of images in FIGURE 1, you can see what happens to balance when pegs are either set too far forward or too far back. When pegs are not directly under your hips, there is significant loss in the ability to move side to side without using your arms. This use of your upper body upsets the chassis, slows down the transition, and consumes precious traction. Riders can move the pegs slightly rearward to relieve knee pressure or slightly forward to help weight bias. Older Ducatis, for example, typically benefit from this. This usable range tends to be very small, often half of an inch or less. The most important factor is the ability to maintain a balanced and athletic position on the motorcycle. Before next season, take a look at your setup and see if a few adjustments could yield you some extra dexterity, comfort and control. Thirty minutes in the shop can pay big dividends next season. Until next time, ride fast and ride safe! SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 171
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FRICTION ZONE
WORDS: ALLAN LANE IMAGES: LEON BRITTAIN//ALLAN LANE 174 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
THE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW
MIAMI EDITION
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FRICTION ZONE: IMS MIAMI
L
ast fall, the International Motorcycle Show announced their 2014 and 2015 show schedule. Many were elated to see the inclusion of Miami on the tour. Many were pondering what took them so long to set up camp in Miami. It makes sense, after all. Miami, known for its flashy lifestyle and all things awesome from a night life point of view is home to one of the healthiest motorcycle communities in Florida. We are not just talking the custom bike scene, either. Miami is prime real estate for many aspects of the bike culture
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that includes everything from cruisers, customs, sportbikes and everything in between. The show weekend was more than welcomed by the natives. It seemed as though they had been waiting for someone to give them a a weekend to shine. The show kicked off on Friday afternoon at the Miami Convention Center, taking residency in two halls. The main hall was were the heavy hitters and major manufacturers were on display. Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki were all on deck with great booths that were well designed to showcase their new models while engaging their customers and other event attendees. BMW, KTM and Ducati took advantage of the spacious hall to showcase new models like the BMW S1000RR, the KTM RC390 and the Ducati 1299 as well as the Scrambler. Not to be left SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 177
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Davidson, Victory and Indian showed great presence with captivating displays and interactive booth activities. The heavy days for attendance were Saturday and Sunday where riders and families from every walk of life were seen strolling the aisles, trying out new models, enjoying the free rock concert courtesy of the School of Rock student
band. Over the three day event weekend, it was very clear that the city of Miami appreciated and felt appreciated. For some, it was a measure of recognition that inspires them to continue to be excited about the industry. With the first Miami IMS show successfully in the books, it seems like a sure thing that next year, they will return with even more for the city of Miami. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 183
FRICTION ZONE ZONE:: ERIK BUELL SBI AT FIVE YEARS
DIRTY LITTLE SECRETS WORDS: BILLY MORRISON IMAGES: BILLY MORRISON
A
s I am on tour with Billy Idol right now, this month’s column is a reflection of where my head is at: random motorcycle anecdotes with no cohesive structure, through line, or point to them at all! That’s the beauty of having my column here at SBI. Sometimes I can simply write whatever’s in my head. And so, with that disclaimer firmly in place, let me take you all the way back to... 2001, The Cult US tour, New Orleans, sometime during the summer months. It was hot and sweaty and we had been on tour for most of the year. Sitting on the bus and entering The Big Easy, Billy Duffy and I started to talk about going riding. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could get a couple of bikes for the day and just head out into the countryside, over the bridges, and get the wind in our hair. Well as is usually the way on tour, someone knows someone who knows a guy, and by the time we got to the hotel that morning, there were two amazing
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when that was first released. Right up until I was given one for a day to actually ride. All previous comparisons and preconceived notions went right out the window! What. An. Amazing. Motorcycle. Sitting on the thing, I could tell it was light. I could feel the aggressive body position. I could hear the roar of the engine as I blipped the throttle, getting a feel for how this thing was going to behave. But nothing could have prepared me for tipping it in to the first corner... The machine pulled up so sharply on the brakes as I approached the right hander in the Malibu canyons that my manhood almost suffered a Harleys waiting for us outside. And not any old Harleys either. Waiting in the hotel lobby for us with keys to the two pimped out bikes was none other than Laurence Fishburne. Yeah, that’s right. Ol’ Morpheus himself! He was the owner of one of the rides, and the other one belonged to Lenny Kravitz. No big deal... So Morpheus hands over the keys, simply says “enjoy” and we were off into the humid, heavy air of the city and away across the Pontchartrain Bridge for a day of killer cruisin’. That thing never ends. It isn’t the world’s longest bridge for nothing! On the way back into town, tired but beaming smiles from the day spent on two wheels, we stopped at a tiny hole in the wall café for a coffee and ran into all the remaining members of Lynryd Skynryd just hanging out. One of the more bizarre and truly unique days of riding I have ever done. The Ducati Desmosedici RR caused quite a stir when it was released. Reminded me of the excitement of the Honda CBR900 Fireblade
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huge blow on the tank. I slid slightly off the seat, positioning my weight to help the bike smoothly into the apex... And I very nearly lost it completely. The bike weighs so little and the weight distribution is so perfect that it tipped into the corner violently and suddenly without any need for help from me. After an hour or so I had become used to the lack of effort needed to point this thing in a certain direction and was flipping through canyons effortlessly. Straight sections of road became like craps tables in Vegas. It was just a matter of time before I lost. I developed a complete inability to temper my right wrist and was powerless
against the insane acceleration, the second gear power wheelies, and the intoxicating howl of the engine as I screamed around Malibu for the day on the best machine I have ever ridden on public highways. Without a doubt, owning one of these things would have me without a license and quite possibly without a limb or two, very quickly. My third and final thought for this month, is just how much racing has changed in the last few decades. I came across this photograph of my Dad, leaning out of the sidecar while racing the Isle Of Mann TT back in the 50’s. Now first
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of all, this photograph explains much of who I am today. My parents used to wonder where such a crazy kid came from. Well folks, just look at the picture! My father raced motorcycles around an island full of horses that wander onto the track, with spare tires around his body, with no crew support, at triple digit speeds. Where do you think I get it from? And the safety gear they had back then... I can remember as a kid, wearing my Dad’s old lid around the house. It covered pretty much just the top of a head, with no sides or chin guard, and felt like it would smash like an egg if it hit the ground at anything over 7mph! If you then bring it all the way forward, to today’s multimillion dollar, 188 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
cutting edge technology racing, with support crews bigger than the Rolling Stones world tour and speeds of over 200mph, racing has indeed come a long way. But sometimes, just sometimes, I wish I could take a trip back to 1960 and watch a road race from back then. There’s something just a little crazier about those guys from that era, the Hailwoods and Agostinis of our world... The Golden Age Of Motorcycling. And that is a great idea for next month’s column!
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THE HIT
LIST
Do you ever wonder what MUSIC your fellow riders are listening to when they are not on the bike? We do... So we decided to ask them.
Harry Ace! What’s on your hit list?
“Here Comes the Boom” by DMX. It’s my favorite song to weight train to. It is the song that I play when I’m doing my 495 pounds deadlifts. “Ice Cream Paint Job” by Dorrough. It reminds me of the custom car and bike game. “Fire and Desire” by Teena Marie and Rick James. I use that to relax and chill out after a long day at the shop. Harry Ace Custom Bike Builder CEO/President of Pocket Aces Performances Inc 190 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE NEW ISH CATALYST RACING COMPOSITES • SHOOTOUT TANK FOR THE KAWASAKI ZX10 Weighing under four pounds, the Shootout Tank includes an internal vent tube. It is formed to fit a drag racer’s needs when running the straight line. It ships primed and ready for paint and is applicable for the Kawasaki ZX10R, model years 2011 through 2013. Price: $758.00 Contact: http://catalystracingcomposites.com
BROCK’S PERFORMANCE • HONDA GROM VELOCITY STACK Open that intake and allow that Grom to have a greater inhale with the Brock’s Velocity Stack. Designed specifically for the Grom, the Velocity Stack is made from billet aluminum and anodized black and lightweight, fitting snugly within the factory airbox. A higher rate of intake results in greater performance and better throttle response especially when you pair the Velocity Stack to Brock’s full exhaust system.
ICON MOTOSPORTS • OVERLORD RIDING PANTS The Overlord Riding Pants are not just jeans with exterior knee protectors. They sport jeans constructed with fourteen ounce denim that is equipped with Aramid knee and seat sections. The molded external knee armor is coupled by internal D3O armor that can be positioned in three positions to suit the height needs of the wearer. The Overlord Riding Pants have an active riding and relaxed fit that allows for movement without being baggy. Sizes: 28 - 44 (Waist) Price: $160.00 Contact: http://rideicon.com 192 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
Price: $49.95 Contact: http://brocksperformance.com
COREMOTO • UNIVERSAL CHROME DIAMOND CUT OUT GRIPS When you are looking to set your ride apart from the others, it’s the details that matter. These universal billet grips from CoreMoto have a diamond cut out design with flat bar ends that give them a distinctive style and look which is sure to add to your bike’s custom theme. Sold as a set and install with ease. Price: $175.00 Contact: http://coremoto.com LIGHTECH • MAGNETIC LOCK FUEL TANK CAP FOR THE BMW S1000RR
The locking fuel cap comes with a set of magnetic key fobs that are unique to it making it a secure method of keeping the unwanted out of your gas tank. The cap locks when it closes and can only opened with the magnetic key. Finally, you can have a sleek looking fuel cap that operates like a quick turn race with the security of a locking cap. Fits the 2009 through 2013 BMW S1000RR. Colors: Black, Gold, Red, Blue, Silver Price: $278.50 Contact: http://tawperformance.com C&S CUSTOM •
ECONO STREET EXTENDED SWINGARM
C&S Custom is now offering the “Econo Street” Extended Swing Arm with new C&S inlaid logos for Suzuki Hayabusa GSXR and Kawasaki ZX-14 for the budget minded enthusiast. The Econo uses your factory hardware, rear wheel and tire, offering the same great fit, finish and quality fabrication of our regular swing arms. Machined using their custom extruded aircraft grade 6061 T6 aluminum, the Econo swing arm delivers a clean and professional look. Price: $749.95 Contact: http://www.candscustom.com
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THE NEW ISH JOE ROCKET • THE MANTA XL TANK BAG The Manta XL Tank Bag offers a number of features that make it a great selection for you riding needs. The water resistant tank bag mounts to your tank via maximum strength magnets that keep it in place even at speed. A complete waterproof cover is included in the event you get caught in a shower. It features a quick access external pocket that can house a smart phone for navigation purposes as well as a spacious internal storage area for your ride essentials and then some. The Manta XL has a belt buckle guard to eliminate tank nicks. When you arrive at your destination, carry the Manta XL with you thanks to the removable shoulder straps. Price: $84.99 Contact: http://joerocket.com
SPEED MOUNTS • MIRROR BLOCK OFF CAMERA MOUNT FOR THE ZX14 This camera mount is designed to secure a GoPro camera to the mirror mounting point of the Kawasaki ZX14. Made from billet aluminum and anodized black, the bracket eliminates the need for suction cups or sticky adhesives for mounting recording devices. Ships with everything needed for an easy install. Fits all model years of the ZX14.
PUIG RACING • STAND WHEEL LOCK The Stand Wheel Lock allows you to safely store or assist in securely transporting your bike in the upright position. Simply roll your front wheel into the chock and your bike is secured into position. This is a great option for storing, transporting or displaying your ride. If using for transport, definitely use this wheel lock in harmony with tie downs for security while in motion. Price: $122.11 Contact: http://puigusa.com
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Price: $59.95 Contact: http:1stopspeed.com
TOCE PERFORMANCE • S SLIP ON EXHAUST FOR THE GSXR 1000 Toce Performance Exhausts have always possessed a unique look and sound. It was always easy to spot a set of Toce pipes on a bike from across a crowded parking lot. Well, they’ve taken the next step in their pipe evolution. The S Slip On Pipe features a distinct Suzuki styled “S” outlet on the pipe end. The MotoGP fashioned slip on is made from aluminum that has been treated with high temperature black powder coating for durability. Fits all Suzuki GSXR 1000’s 2012 through 2014. Price: $885.00 Contact: http://toceperformance.com
NEW RAGE CYCLES • STEALTH FENDER ELIMINATOR KIT FOR THE DUCATI HYPERMOTARD
The team at NRC continues to expand their line of quality fender eliminator kits. Their latest offering is the Stealth Fender Eliminator kit for the Hypermotard. Installed, this kit sits tucked underneath the tail section of the bike giving it a super clean look eliminating the factory turn signals. A white LED license plate light, turn signal and license plate bracket are also included in the kit. Price: $159.95 Contact: http://newragecycles.com MOTO D RACING • FOLDING RAMP
For whatever reason you may need to load your bike into the back of a van, truck or trailer, having the right ramp makes all the difference. Moto D Racing’s folding motorcycle ramp is made from aluminum and has a 750 pound weight capacity. The ramp is designed with a slight arch that helps loading and unloading your bike without hitting the bellypan. It ships complete, ready to use and includes a locking strap to secure it place while in use. Price: $119.99 Contact: http://motodracing.com SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 195
THE NEW ISH: FEATURED ITEM VOODOO MOTO • CARBON FIBER PERFORMANCE EXHAUST FOR THE DUCATI 848/1098/1198 Voodoo Moto has expanded their line of exhaust to include the Ducati 848 through 1198 models. The slip on system is composed of sleek carbon fiber mufflers and titanium pipes that offer lightweight performance enhancements as well as an improved exhaust sound. The hexagonal shaped carbon fiber cans flow in harmony with the distinct line work of the 848-1198 model series giving an improved appearance in aesthetics when compared to the oval shaped stock pipes. Fits the following models and years: 848 (2008-2010), 848 Evo (2011-2013), 1098 (2007-2008), 1098R (2008-2009), 1198 (2009-2011) and the 1198S (2009-2011). Price: $1,099.95 Contact: http://voodoomoto.com
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STAFF STUFF CHAOS • ADRENALINE MULTITASKER PRO BALACLAVA Lion James
My latest attempt at making my winter rides more comfortable has led me to the Chaos CTR Adrenaline Multitasker Pro Fleece Balaclava with Windproof Face Mask. They retail for 32.99. The balaclava is a tried and tested garment that is simple enough in its design but very effective while being compact enough to take with you much easier than a full pullover or zip up hooded outerwear top. The CTR Chinook Multi Tasker Pro is basically a hybrid of a hood, fitted cap and face mask but because of the Polartec micro fleece material, the specific way the mask is cut, the breathable mesh panel for your nose and mouth and the various ways you may configure the fit to achieve different types of protection it gets extra cool points among garments like it. The fleece material is thin enough to make it easy to store in a jacket pocket or sleeve when not in use but thick and warm enough to insulate and protect. The downsides for this particular item is that if you wear your helmet snug or have a helmet that is an
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exact fit to your head without any additional layers, the helmet’s retention system and comfort padding may make the helmet fit noticeably tighter once you put the Adrenaline Multitasker Pro on underneath. If this is a problem for you simply pull back the portion of the Adrenaline Multitasker Pro that covers the top of your head leaving your face and neck protected. The same can be done with only the portion that protects your face while still protecting the top of your head and neck. The face mask is contoured to the nose so that the prevention of fogging is aided in the event your full face helmet or eye/sunglasses do not have a fog free feature built in. I have been using this product for just over one month on several winter rides and wish I would have gotten one long ago. http://chaoshats.com Rating: 4 (out of 6)
www.mvagusta.it
Adrenaline addicts only.
BRUTALE DRAGSTER 800 Pure adrenaline: 3 cylinders, 12 valves, 125 hp - MV EAS Electronically assisted shift MVICS (Motor & Vehicle Integrated Control System) integrated ignition and fuel injection system with three injectors, misfire detection and torque control with four maps - Traction Control with eight levels of intervention - ABS e RLM (Rear wheel Lift-up Mitigation) as standard. Warning: it can be addictive.
Motorcycle Art
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THE BACK SHOT!
Image: Ryo Kaneta Location: Japan