ROAD RACING . DRAG RACING . STUNT RIDING
CUSTOM BIKES . Moto tECH
january 2013 Vol 3 Issue 4
SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM TM
The industry: a reality check mccoy motorsports | flat track racing: where it all begins | winter stunt riding | 2013: looking forward | A biker’s winter
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License to thrill
New Hypermotard SP
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Professional rider on a closed racetrack
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THE FEATURES The show: MCCOY motorsports
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know your role: A biker’s winter
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IMprove your skills: 2013... looking forward
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flat track racing Where it all begins
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Ask the pro wrench
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the industry: a reality check
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THE USUALS
january 2013 - VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4
http://issuu.com/action/page?page=8 8 EDITOR’S LETTER
http://issuu.com/action/page?page=10 10 THE PRESS ROOM http://issuu.com/action/page?page=28 28 SHOP SPOTLIGHT - bc motorsports http://issuu.com/action/page?page=30 30 THE GRID NEWS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=34 34 THE INSIDE TRACK - By Corey Alexander http://issuu.com/action/page?page=52 52 The youngest in charge - By Dystany Spurlock 54http://issuu.com/action/page?page=54 CAPO’S CUT - By Ashon CAPO Dickerson http://issuu.com/action/page?page=60 60 VIOLET STARS & HAPPY STUNTING - By Leah Petersen http://issuu.com/action/page?page=72 72 FEATURED CLUB - Unleashed Rydaz ACNJ M.C. 76http://issuu.com/action/page?page=76 KNOW YOUR ROLE - A biker’s winter 80http://issuu.com/action/page?page=80 FEATURED RIDERS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=84 84 MOTO TECH - Ask the pro wrench http://issuu.com/action/page?page=92 92 IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS - 2013... looking forward http://issuu.com/action/page?page=118 118 SPORTBIKES INK!!! http://issuu.com/action/page?page=120 120 THIS LIFE - By Tyson Beckford http://issuu.com/action/page?page=122 122 THE NEW ISH http://issuu.com/action/page?page=128 128 STAFF STUFF
INTERACTIVE CLICK ON NUMBERS TO JUMP TO A PAGE
FEATURED RIDER Liat
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EDITOR’S LETTER EDITORIAL
THE TEAM
The SBI Booth at the International Motorcycle Show in D.C. Thanks for the pic, Sam!
2013 started off at the IMS in D.C. with Columnist and Pro Drag Racer, Dystany Spurlock holding autograph sessions at the SBI booth. That first weekend of January was so much fun. It was full of networking, socializing and negotiating... All the elements that I revel in. As I watched Dystany smile as she relentlessly signed posters and took countless photos with fans, I was flushed with pride. She wasn’t just representing the magazine. She wasn’t just representing drag racing. She was representing something larger than herself. She was representing the entire motorcycle industry and she was doing so, flawlessly. It’s moments like this when it is ever so evident, that despite what “they” may want you to believe, (sidebar: who the hell is “they”, anyway?!) we are ultimately responsible for our industry. And when I say we, I mean us. Traction... I’m just started to feel it underneath me. It’s a new year. It’s a new day. Let’s lock and load and handle that.
ART & DESIGN
I turn 38 in March. I am just starting to get it. I am just starting to feel the slight traction beneath my feet. It’s interesting because I have been in this industry for over 10 years but I feel like I am just getting started.
Editor in Chief: Allan Lane Lifestyle Editor: Tyson Beckford Moto-Tech Editor: Mark Rozema Technical Advisor: Thomas Campion Drag Race Editor: Ashon “Capo” Dickerson Riding Editor: Eric Wood Contributing Writers: Dystany Spurlock Corey Alexander Michael Lawless Leah Petersen Kim Roper Copy Editor: Angela Lane
Creative Supervisor: Leon Brittain Graphic Designer: Baz Contributing Photographers: Leon Brittain, Meekail Shaheed, John Hanson, Jason Brueggemann, Glenn Hägg Cover: Allan Lane
SportBikes Inc Magazine - January 2013 Volume 3, Issue 4 To receive SportBikes Inc Magazine’s 2013 Media Kit and Advertising Rates, please email: info@sportbikesincmag.com. SportBikes Inc Magazine (ISSN 2158-009X) is published monthly by Hard Knocks Motorcycle Entertainment. 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.
No bitchassness.
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.
Best, Allan
SportBikes Inc Magazine is not responsible for any advertising claims made by its advertisers or partners.
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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.
The press room BMW issues a recall on the S1000RR BMW has issued a recall on 2012 and 2013 S1000RR’s due to a faulty kickstand bolt. The bolt could potentially loosen and cause the side stand to give way. A total of 2,385 bikes are possibly affected. BMW dealers will fix the side stand issue free of charge.
BUSA FEST 2013 What can only be described as the mecca gathering for the Suzuki Hayabusa, Busa Fest returns in 2013 with a new venue and more everything Busa. “I am honored that Busa Fest has become one of the premiere, must attend motorcycle events. While this event highlights the Suzuki Hayabusa, all riders of all brands of motorcycles are welcome and have enjoyed the event in the past. This year promises to be bigger and better featuring Curves in the Quarter, which is an entry level drag racing class for the ladies. Other activities include bracket drag racing, live entertainment and a variety of vendors from all over the nation.” - CJ Jamison, Busa Fest Founder. Busa Fest will take place at the Rockingham Dragway, September 20-22, 2013. For more event
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Bell Helmets go Rogue Bell Helmets came into production in 1954, finally offering racers real protection for their heads. Throughout the years, they constantly improved upon their function and design. The helmets became stronger, lighter and better looking. Bell has remained at the forefront of the helmet game for just shy of 60 years. That was yesterday...
Bell has created a completely different lane for helmet manufacturing with their latest creation, The Rogue. Granted, you will not see this helmet on the grid, it is definitely a DOT approved piece of safety gear designed in three quarter fashion with half helmet looks. The muzzle is held in place via Bell’s Fidlock magnetic system. You may see the cruiser crowd flock to this piece of kit, but don’t be surprised if you see the street riders rocking the Rogue.
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The press room C & S Custom is now owned by Garwood Custom Cycles
David and Kelly Garwood of Garwood Custom Cycles have taken ownership of C & S Custom which is known for their quality wide tire kits and billet accessories.
has been world renowned for being innovators in the sportbike industry. From simple billet accessories to wide tire kits… the quality of our products has always come first. Now under new management, our goal is to improve on our customer service and Garwood Custom Cycles began 15 years ago in a keep producing quality, affordable products. We barn behind David’s mother house and has flourished are also excited about our new website launching to one of the top sportbike dealers and builders in later this month. We will be unveiling new products existence today. throughout 2013 and attending as many trade shows and bike events as possible.” – David Garwood, C “Both C and S Custom and the Garwood family are & S Custom/Garwood Custom Cycles very excited about this new era. C and S Custom
CORRECTION: THE BRAMMO EMPULSE In the “ZERO COOL” feature of Zero Motorcycles in the December issue of SBI, we mistakenly noted that the Brammo Empulse had a sustained top speed of 70mph when it was compared to the Zero S. We received a letter from Adrian Stewart, the Director of Marketing informing us of a slight error on our part. The sustained 70mph is how range was calculated. In fact, the Brammo Empulse and the Empulse R will both exceed 100mph and sustain that speed. Look for a review of the of the Brammo Empulse in an upcoming issue of SBI.
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THE SHOW
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mccoy
motorsports:
the MCn02 w o r d s : i m a g e s :
a l l a n l a n e J o s h V a n h o o s e
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THE SHOW
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T
he Yamaha YZF R1 has never been typically the first choice for custom bike builders. The machines that normally fill those roles are of the Kawasaki and Suzuki lineage. However, talented builders, looking to venture off into uncharted or unfamiliar territory have looked at the R1 as a serious contender to the Busa and the ZX14. Several builders have approached the R1 and have created incredible machines, capturing the essence of the bike’s line work and classical symmetry by enhancing its presence with components and bodywork. The R1 was developed for competition on the grid. With its rebirth as a top selection of choice among builders, Yamaha was quick to create a platform for these craftsmen to showcase their work. But the let record show... A family of builders known as the McCoys choose the Yamaha R1 and R6 as weapons of choice straight out of the gate. Yes, those McCoys. Their creations have been widespread across the media landscape in the thick of the custom sportbike builder revolution in the early and mid 2000’s. The McCoy family was long praised for their bikes aesthetically pleasing appearances that were backed by a power punch of nitrous. The McCoys became synonymous with the R1 and R6 and are arguably responsible for the R1 and R6 revolution with their extremely successful and popular forums. Their effect on the motorcycle industry, across the board, is undeniable. And then, just when you thought it could go no deeper... McCoy Motorsports dropped the McN02, a 2004 YZF R1 with an attitude that could crack a rock. The McN02 is the pinnacle of the engineering and quality craftsmanship that made the McCoys the go to developers and builders that they are. It’s aggressive stealthy exterior bloodlets slightly with the red powder coat over the chrome frame and swingarm. It’s angry and unforgiving, a reflection of intimidation that offers no mercy. But why should it offer grace? It is these types of machines that remind us what a real custom bike is. More than a SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 19
THE SHOW collection of bolted on components and a run through powder coat and paint. Perhaps an appropriate alternative name for the McN02 would be the “Ex Wife.” The McN02 is a testament to engineering and design with the execution of form, beauty and function. It’s counter culture appeal lies in the fact that it was one of the first builds that began the anti bling movement. The ultimate “get the hell outta Dodge while looking good” vehicle, the McN02 is a classy marriage of beauty and beast mode.
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A
n appropriate alternative name for the McN02 would be the “Ex Wife.”
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THE SHOW
mccoy
motorsports:
the MCn02 22 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE SHOW
MCCOY motorsports: The mcn02 2004 Yamaha YZF-R1 Engine/Power Upgrades: Nitrous Express, Graves Velocity Stacks and Smog Block Offs, McCoy Custom Tuned PC3 Map, MPS Racing Autoshift, BMC Race Filter Brakes: Galfer Wave Rotors, Brake Lines, Pads, and Fluid Exhaust: McCoy Custom Exhaust Wheels: Performance Machine “Factor” Wheels with Contrast Cut Edition, 240 Rear Tire Kit Tires: Pirelli Suspension: Air FX Air Ride System “McCoy Edition” SWINGARM: C&S Customs Dual Sided Swingarm Custom/One Off Accessories: Powder Coat over Chrome by Vinny at Action Translucent, McCoy Slam Stand, Shorty Full Race Exhaust System, McCoy Custom Shifter Air Bracket, McCoy Oil Cooler Line “McN02 Edition”, Seat Cover, Built By: McCoy Motorsports Paint By: Dixon’s Customs Paint Hazard KY Owner: Robert Odell
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Shop Spotlight: BC Motorsports
Words: Allan Lane Images: Courtesy of BC Motorsports
CONTACT:
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Shop name: BC Motorsports Address: 10002 6th Street, Suite A Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Hours: Monday thru Saturday 8.30am - 6pm, Sunday appointment only Year established: 1994 Brands sold: All (consignment) years in business does not come easy. It’s a testament of time put in to nurture relationships with your customers and community.
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are active in the community by supporting local festivals and charities as well as sponsoring and donating to several local riding groups and clubs.
BC Motorsports has proven their commitment to quality customer service through the years and that has allowed them to flourish. In 2011, they moved into a 6,000 square foot shop and significantly increased their work force. They
In today’s economic climate where major dealerships are going under, BC Motorsports is growing stronger and shows no signs of slowing down. Remarkable for a shop that sells all brands of bikes on a consignment structure.
Want to see your shop or dealership featured here? Drop us an email!
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THE GRID: news FMF RACING EXHAUSTS CELEBRATES 40 YEARS Premiere racing exhaust manufacturer FMF is celebrating 40 years in the aftermarket performance exhaust industry. Don Emier began making FMF exhausts in his garage in 1973. Today, his pipes grace the bikes of several AMA competitors including Michael Jordan Motorsports and the Celtic Fairless Hill Race Team.
ParkinGO and MV AGUSTA announce their team riders for 2013 WSS Roberto Rolfo and Christian Iddon will compose the debut ParkinGo MV Agusta F3 World Super Sport team in 2013. “I’m really happy to ride in the World Supersport Championship in 2013 with MV Agusta and such a professional team as ParkinGO. I want to thank them for the unique opportunity to ride with such a historic brand in the year of their comeback to races. I am really motivated and I will give my 100% to achieve all the goals and be on come true for me and a huge change for the top of the category.” - Roberto my career! I will have to learn 11 tracks that are completely new for me and will Rolfo have to concentrate as much as I can but “To sign the contract with Giuliano to race with the best will be very exciting. and the Team ParkinGO is a dream In any case, we have a good package 30 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
to achieve great results with this team. I want to thank ParkinGO and MV Agusta for their trust. To have a contract with an official team and such a prestigious brand in my fourth year of road racing is a dream come true.” - Christian Iddon
Monster Energy and Factory Yamaha together in MotoGP for the next two years Yamaha Factory Racing has signed a two year sponsorship deal with Monster Energy for 2013 and 2014. Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi both are personally sponsored by Monster. Monster’s existing partnership with the satellite Yamaha Tech 3 team will remain intact and unaffected by this new development.
HJC HELMETS sign Jorge Lorenzo for the 2013 MotoGP season
Yamaha Factory Racing has signed a two year sponsorship deal with Monster Energy for 2013 and 2014. Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi both are personally sponsored by Monster. Monster’s existing partnership with the satellite Yamaha Tech 3 team will remain intact and unaffected by this new development.
Corey Alexander takes a lap around Road America SBI’s very own Corey Alexander gets busy on a lap around Road America. Thanks to his multiple GoPro cameras setup, we get great angles showing throttle hand, clutch hand and the always popular… Big Brother watching your back angle!
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THE GRID: news Brock’s Performance rejoins MIRock Series as sponsor for the Street E.T. class The MIRock Drag racing series continues to pick up strength for the 2013 season with the renewal of their partnership with Brock’s Performance. Brock’s Performance, a supporter since 2008, has announced their sponsorship of the Street E.T. class. “Street ET is a fantastic class which provides a fun, yet highly competitive place to race for everyone from entry levels racers to the stars of our sport. I can’t think of a better class for Brock’s Performance to show our support in the MIROCK series.” - Brock Davidson
Yamaha drops 2013 promotional video In a very polished promo video, Yamaha introduces their 2013 MotoGP team featuring the current champion Jorge Lorenzo, Valentino Rossi and of course the 2013 Yamaha YZR M1. This short video offers a first glance of Rossi in his Yamaha blues since 2010. Click on the image to check it out.
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THE GRID
The inside track
Words: Corey alexander IMAGE: john hanson
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Connect with Corey...
A
s a young rider it seems every year the expectations that not only the people surrounding you have but the ones you have for yourself continue to grow. If you finished in the top five several times then the following year you better hope to be on the podium several times. Racing is a sport of progression whether it is within the rider, the bikes, the team, the crew, and so on. When one of these elements stops progressing it’s usually time for a change and when a rider stops progressing... Well they better make a big change or find a new career choice. In my case, I’m coming off an unlucky season followed by a broken leg. With that said, my expectations for myself are mixed. I definitely expect to have a better year than last year and hope to win the championship but I’m still tentative coming off of my broken leg. The next few months prior to Daytona will be very telling to how the season will start off. In some ways I feel fortunate that I got hurt because it gives you sort of a reality check. When you realize you’re not capable of doing the one thing you live to do, you start to think about how important it is or for some people isn’t. Ultimately, I think this year will make me or break me as a rider and ideally the injury will not impact me at all and I will win the championship. We will see what the future holds, I can only hope and train. I’m lucky enough to be back with an amazing team with an amazing bike so I’m very excited to ride again! Just on a side note, yesterday I watched a YouTube movie on Trey Canard’s life and the overcoming of his various struggles. I found it very inspirational particularly because I can relate but, even if you haven’t recently been injured I think many can relate to the story of being an underdog and always facing a struggle in which you must overcome. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 35
AHRMA The American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association Festival
AUGUST 2 - 4, 2013
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AMA PRO AMA Pro Road Racing
SEPTEMBER 13 - 15, 2013
Sponsorship and vendor opportunities available. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 37
THE GRID
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flat track racing: where it all begins
words: michael Lawless images: jason brueggemann SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 39
THE GRID: flat track racing
F
lat track racing is the ground zero for American racing. Most American racers from Kenny Roberts to Nicky Hayden have roots there. Flat track racing teaches throttle control, how to slide a motorcycle sideways... even at high lean angle, how to race in very close quarters, and to be relaxed, yet aggressive, with starts. Our great champions have learned from flat track how to steer with the throttle and feel for traction even when the tires go “off”. There is an indoor short track series of flat track racing in Timonium, Maryland. It’s basically flat track indoors on a smaller circuit. If you have access to a 100 or150cc dirt bike and a set of tires you too can go racing. As a matter of fact, for a mere $20.00 you can sign up for a two-hour practice session. If you are a female or male alpha dog with issues who loves to battle or lives to race motorcycles this may be a great learning tool for you too. My personal adventure in flat track began in
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earnest when my editor wanted to find offbeat events for SBI readers in the winter. I told him of the Timonium event but got a blank look. I explained that an indoor racetrack looks like a hockey arena, just without the ice. You basically race on concrete floor with the boards acting as walls. The race is held under the lights at night. When the stands are packed, the ref and flagman are in the center of the oval, the hyped announcer is screaming, the crowd is yelling and the sounds of racing motorcycles running hard indoor... It's damn close to intoxication and well worth the $12.00 for spectator admission. I ended my pitch to the editor by saying how much I wanted to race this event myself. Being the creative individual that he is, “Sergio” aka Allan Lane, spun this around and said, “Ok, what we'll do is have you learn to race flat track. We'll have some legit young bull teach you, get you some practice, have you race the event and have you write a series of articles about it.”
It all seemed like a moon shot to me. I spend about 60 hours a week working in a cube and most of my riding time is spent commuting to said cube. Where would I find the time? I put out some feelers and was very fortunate to find help from Jake Shoemaker. After watching Jake all season I realized how lucky I am to have a teacher with perfect technique who can articulate on it, too. Jake is amazingly mature for his young age. He is a one man race team. He builds the bike, does the research and development, maintains his machines, drives to the races by himself all over the USA, all while managing his time and money. The week leading up to the race I had a horrible cold and had no time to prep my bike, but was still sure I would shake it by the weekend. I told Jake about the issue and he generously offered to loan me his practice bike to use at Timonium. Jake warned that it was set up for outdoor stuff; so it had the wrong size wheels and the wrong type tires but he felt that since I was going for the experience
and not the win I would be ok. Sadly I awoke on my big day feeling awful. Beyond awful. I drove out to Jake’s thinking I would tell him I was too sick to go, but then again, flat track racers are legendary for being tough. He took one look at me and said, “You better drink some DayQuil because your ass has practice in two hours”. I took his advice but slept most of the way to the track. As we unloaded the race van I suddenly realized that under the fog of cold meds I had forgotten my helmet bag! I felt so close but yet so far from my dream. Jake took one look and said, “You’re a mess!” Luckily he carries a spare Bell helmet and again was kind enough to loan it to me. I mirror Jake’s moves at the track: unloading my bike, check it out, cutting and taping the carpet to my left boot as all other indoor racers do. Ready for practice we are held in queues according to classes. We are let out onto the track and staged in a narrow cattle shoot. Being in the shoot makes me feel like I am in a rodeo. I must admit it is super SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 41
THE GRID: flat track racing
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THE GRID: flat track racing exciting. In practice the ref leads us out to the grid and we start on a four lap practice race. I try and get used to riding a bike with no front brake on concrete, a bike on knobby tires, and the fact that I’m surrounded by walls. I follow my orders. Upshift to second gear, flick ‘er in while braking to a slide, I never shut down the throttle fully, I try to be smooth. I just shoot apex to apex never really seeing the walls around me. I feel like I’m on the track for only five minutes when in reality each race takes less than two minutes. Pros like Jake manage a lap in seven seconds. As Jake comes in from his practice he rides past me and yells “Go crash it!” Some of the uninformed look alarmed but I just laugh in my helmet knowing that he wants me to find how far I can push the front end. I am on pole for my next session and I do not want to get run over so I go for it. Unfortunately the guy on the outside has the same idea. We hit hard at the apex and I get high sided to the hard concrete floor falling on my side. The guy who was next to me on the grid now slams on the brakes and turns right but still hits me in the back, and hard. Thank God for spine protectors. I jump up and pull my bike free, kick starting it back to life but only manage to get in one more lap before that session is over. When I pull back into the queue for the next session I feel someone kick my rear tire and I look over at the guy I collided with and he looks all of 14 years old. He sticks out his hand and says, “Sorry”. As I take off my helmet he remarks that he really feels bad now that he sees how old I am! We shook hands and had a laugh. The next few practice races go without incident and I am having a world of fun. After practice Jake invited me to lunch. I end up being a fly on the wall seated with five pro level flat track racers: Jake Shoemaker, Nick Henderson, Chris Klinefelter, Jason Isennock, and Johnny Lewis. The conversation goes from bikes to girls met while on the road, all quite funny. Conversation eventually turns to me and Jake explains that I write for SBI and that I came down to race and write about the experience. They laugh and joke about the fact that I’m on the wrong tires but since I’m on 44 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE GRID: flat track racing
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so much cold meds it doesn’t matter much. I tell them that with running practice I probably have enough intel for the article but they feel that to really experience it I must race. The consensus is that I did fine in practice, I have the bike and the gear and I’m already there. It’s pretty obvious they want me to enter. So I agree. I find myself back at the track drinking another shot of colds meds while getting geared up. I close my eyes as I sit on the bike warming up the engine rocking to the beat in my head. One of Jake’s buddies walks over and slaps me in the back and yells, “Shake and bake!” I realize that I might not win a race but I did win a little respect that night. I must admit that as I pull onto the track under the lights with the screaming fans and announcers I feel like a baller. It’s crazy exciting. I start well but get hit hard on lap 2 going into the first corner. Thanks to the technique that Jake taught me I stayed upright but dropped way back. I still have a blast that night pushing hard and enjoying the experience. On the cool off lap I see the faces in the grandstands realizing that thanks to Jake Shoemaker and Allan Lane I have scratched one thing off my bucket list. Jake, Nick, and Jason all go on to win races that night too. It all seemed like a perfect night to me. After racing we all stopped for some food at a local hot spot where all racers get in without a cover charge. Good times. I drive us home while Jake was in and out of sleep. I finally arrived at Jake’s place at 2 a.m. It’s 3 a.m. before I reach home and I absolutely reek of the race track so not wanting to wake anyone I sleep on the couch. The next morning I get a text from Jake saying that Chris Klinefelter was killed in an auto accident on the way home from the track. It all seems so bitterly ironic and an ultimately sad way to end an adventure. Godspeed Chris.
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THE GRID: ON THE COME UP
Images: Bob Edwards
Marcel Irnie
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NAME: Marcel Irnie AGE: 28 Association/Affiliations/Series: Canadian Superbike Championship, Pacific Northwest Roadracing series: Â OMRRA, WMRRA, AFM, WERA, Master of the Mountains Goals:Â To be involved in motor sports at a professional level and make an enjoyable, profitable career in motorsports and video production. Accomplishments: One of the top 10 fastest Superbike racers in Canada. Irnie Racing has engaged track day riders to become racers and has developed a large international fan base. Featured in a 2013 superbike documentary TV Show. Define your passion in one sentence: Harmony, nature. From an early age, I always knew I was meant to ride motorcycles. Contact: http://irnieracing.com
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THE STRAIGHT LINE
the youngest in charge
Connect with Dystany...
Words: Dystany Spurlock IMAGES: Allan Lane
ow the phenomenal year of 2013 is here! I’m not going to be cliché but I truly do feel W that this is my year. There are only 365 days in a
year and I am going use each individual day to my highest potential! I am definitely going to redefine the definition of hard work, determination, and great success. I believe and have great faith in the sports that I do, and with that comes the goals that I must achieve. Three of my goals, just to name a few, consists of learning the Arena Car racing sport inside and out then finishing in the top ten of points as well as getting Rookie of the Year. I am going to eat, breath, and sleep Arena Car racing just as I do with motorcycle drag racing. This sport is my first step towards NASCAR, therefore I am going to learn everything possible so that I will be great at it. This brings me to my next goal. My second goal is to make history in NASCAR. I am not sure what history I will make but I can assure you that I am a very driven and determined individual. Anyone that knows me knows when I put my mind to something I won’t stop until I achieve it. I am a true
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go getter. NASCAR is a very well known sport. Just as Danica Patrick paved the way for females in the sport I plan to do the same and more. Danica is one of my idols. She had a dream and she made it a reality. Maybe one day she could be a mentor to me in NASCAR? Who knows what the future may hold. My third goal is that I want to help two to three children this year with making a dream of theirs come true. Whether it consist of going to a basketball game, traveling outside their state, or getting on the honor roll in school. My goal is to help them make that happen. I love to help others and I feel that since I am able to, then I am going to do just that. There is such a different feel in the air this year. I am ready to work harder than I’ve ever worked. Nothing is impossible, and whatever you put your mind to you can achieve it. My message to you is don’t get distracted by the negativity or it will bring you down. Stay positive even when it gets tough and you will succeed with great success.
“S
tay positive even when it gets tough and you will succeed with great success.”
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THE STRAIGHT LINE
Capo’s cut
Connect with Capo...
Words: Ashon capo dickerson IMAgeS: Terrance belton the off season between Basketball, Wrestling and Football. For example, it’s a Tuesday and our youngest son is at bball practice, our middle son has a wrestling match and our oldest son has a bball game where my wife has volunteered to work the concession stand. Right after the game we get a call that the youngest son was hit in the head with a basketball and is at my mother in laws house still dizzy. Long story short, late night visit to the ER and one slight concussion later, the day is over! Race season please hurry! My hair is getting gray and hair line will look like my buddy Brock Davidson’s (Sorry Brock!) by the time I get back on a bike! But that’s a small part of the day in the life of Capo as a parent.
hat’s up my Two Wheelers and Rubber Peelers! This is Capo signing in to the new year of 2013. And yes! We have survived the projected end of the world prophecy by the Mayans. I’m not gonna front, I kept the kids home from school on December 21... Just in case. Please don’t judge me but I am a vet watcher of Doomsday Preppers and Ancient Aliens.
I would like to switch speeds a little and talk about some goals I have for the 2013 race season. I don’t do any New Year’s Resolutions. Why choose to change or go harder just because the physical calendar has changed. When you are a go getter, you eat, sleep and shit accomplishing your long term and short term goals. Some of mine as far as racing in 2013 are, of course, winning a championship and setting some new records. I would like to also continue to put motorcycle drag racing in the media spotlight. I will be going back to my roots of bracket racing on a sportsman level from time to time to compete for another National Wally Championship! It would look great sitting next to the one I already have. I Hope to work with some new sponsors and put them in the spotlight also looking to get some dealership or factory backing on some level. But as the old saying goes... You must pay the cost to be the Boss! Hard work always pays off!
I am barely surviving this winter layoff and need to get back to competition fast. My sons and their sports keep me and the wife very occupied during
Thank you family, friends and fans! Remember that whatever you do, keep your word as your bond and above all else, loyalty is everything.
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THE STRAIGHT LINE: ON THE COME UP
Images: Courtesy of Ben BriceKnight Lloyd
Ben Knight
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NAME: Ben Knight AGE: 25 Association/Affiliations/Series: NHRA, MIROCK, NHDRO, TNL, Manufacturers Cup, DER Series Goals: Win championships in MIROCK & NHDRO in 2013. Promote healthy lifestyles and this great sport. Accomplishments: 2011 DER Series Motorcycle Champion, 2012 Manufacturer’s Cup Street ET Champion, 2011 NHRA Division 2 Race of Champions qualifier, 2012 Street ET Race of Champions qualifier (MIROCK & NHDRO), Numerous wins in NHDRO, MIROCK, TNL series. Define your passion in one sentence: I live drag racing and always have, ever since I was a kid. Contact: http://benknightracing.com
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wake up. ride. keep riding... •world class service, maintenance & repair •parts, apparel and accessories •visit us online at www.nolimitms.com
Jason Britton’s No Limit Motorsports 14726 GoldenWest Street, Unit H Westminster CA 92683 www.nolimitms.com 714.891.8600 SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 59
The Rev LIMITER
violet stars and happy stunting Words: Leah petersen IMAGES: Glenn Hägg
David “Dabba” Hjulfors stunting in Finland.
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Winter stunt riding I
t was December in New York, the black clouds had gradually moved to cover the entire sky and the winds were tossing our motorcycles around like reeds in a storm. We decided it was time to load it up and head home, hours before we would normally call it quits on a Sunday afternoon. We loaded the gear and motorcycles, shielding our face from the icy wind. As we were saying our good SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 61
The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...
byes, we asked each other, “What are you going to do for the rest of the afternoon?” We stood in silence for a few seconds; pondering a question we never had to ask ourselves. What could we do on Sunday if we weren’t making wheelies on our motorcycles? My friend DC answered, “I guess I’m just going to buy some fish.” I burst out laughing at the comical nature of that out of context answer, picturing him an aimless stunt rider without a bike, filling fish tank after fish tank. We were certainly a hapless bunch without our bikes. This leads me to my point: What do stunters do in the winter time? Many motorcyclists enjoy the four month sabbatical and meticulously tuck their two-wheeled babies away, gas stabilized and battery trickle charging. Stunters are a slightly different variation of rider though and the urge to ride year-round keeps us developing solutions to make that happen. Most of us, hit the spot once the snow has been cleared as snow drifts surrounding the stuntspot aren’t an issue. Heavier gloves help keep your clutch and handbrake fingers going longer, but for the most part, stunting itself keeps us warm. Naturally the hardest part is getting out to the spot. Cold, dark nights don’t necessarily beckon you off the couch. But with the text from a friend, we rally and hit the spot, even through the snowy winter. Riders in more extreme climates have a slightly harder time. More and more stunters over the 62 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
“D
avid ‘Dabba’ Hjulfors from Finland experimented with some Metzeler Mce Karoo tires for snow riding...”
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The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...
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“W
e take a set of old tires and trace out a stud pattern in a “V” shape. We start drilling pilot holes for the studs. Then using a screw and fender washers, drilled through the tire, put another fender washer on the outside of the tire and secured the screw with a lock washer and nut. The rear tire has almost 300 screws...” - Ryan Hawco
years have begun studding their tires to stunt on the ice or snow. Ryan Suchanek, a professional stunter from Wisconsin told StuntBums.com last winter, “I have been making ice tires for about seven years now... I now have a tire setup that is great, but it's very hard to progress while riding on ice, the rear tire feels like pavement riding, but the front tire technology just isn't where I would like it to be quite yet. Every time you want to ride, the surface must be plowed and perfectly clean of any snow, you want “glare ice” if possible. I was fortunate enough to be involved with the first X Games exhibition with XDL and someday I think our sport could make winter X Games!” Ryan had just set a Guinness Book Record for the “fastest motorcycle wheelie on ice” traveling 95 miles per hour across a frozen Wisconsin lake. That’s a fast wheelie even in desirable conditions! As far as ice tires go, most riders make their own. Ryan Hawco and Craig Latimer, stunt riders who both battle Canadian winters, told us how they construct tires that are ice wheelie ready. Ryan Hawco from Fort McMurray, Alberta Canada said, “We take a set of old tires and trace out a stud pattern in a “V” shape. We start drilling pilot holes for the studs. Then using a screw and fender washers, drilled through the tire, put another fender washer on the outside of the tire and secured the screw with a lock washer and nut. The rear tire has almost 300 screws. I make sure each line of studs is off-set from the previous line of studs which SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 65
The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...
helps with traction by covering more surface area. After that is completed we line the inside of the tire with HT Moto hydro turf so the heads of the screws won't puncture the car tube that we use for the rear tire or the dirt bike tube we used for the front.” Pretty innovative, but that’s nothing new in the stunt culture, we are used to making our dreams possible through creative solutions. Another stunt rider, David “Dabba” Hjulfors
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from Finland experimented with some Metzeler Mce Karoo tires for snow riding. He used enduro studs and studding glue to install the studs and said he could do quite a few tricks in some very wintery weather. It’s certain some riders prefer to take a few months off, let their bodies heal and catch up on YouTube riding videos. But for those who can’t shake the itch to ride every day, there are options on the table.
“I
have been making ice tires for about seven years now... I now have a tire setup that is great, but it's very hard to progress while riding on ice, the rear tire feels like pavement riding, but the front tire technology just isn't where I would like it to be quite yet“ - Ryan Suchanek SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 67
The Rev LIMITER: ON THE COME UP
Images: Courtesy of JD Leonard
JD Leonard aka Showtime
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NAME: JD Leonard aka Showtime AGE: 36 Association/Affiliations/Series: Showtime Stuntz Motorcycle Stunt Team, TygerShark Cages, HT Moto, HEL, Inc., Thrust Company, Moto-Heaven, Stunt4Life Clothing,1st Chance Graphics Goals: To learn as many new stunts as I can. To perform stunt shows all over the United States. To inspire children to follow their dreams no matter what obstacles. To promote positive outlooks on life no matter the disability. To be sponsored by major motorcycle corporation. Accomplishments: Bounced back from paralysis. Successful Stunt Team Established. Sponsored by top name brands in the stunt industry. Multiple stunt shows for wonderful causes. Define your passion in one sentence: My passion for stunt riding is an adrenaline rush that is indescribably awesome! Contact: http://www.showtimestuntz.com
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ADVERTISE WITH
FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFO PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM 70 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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THE LIFE: FEatured Club
Words: Allan Lane Images: Courtesy of Unleashed Rydaz ACNJ M.C.
Rocker Interpretation: While so many in today’s stressful world are bound by day to day anxieties, the Unleashed Rydaz rocker represents the freedom they experience from the woes of the world when they ride and break free from the chains that can hold one back from achieving their full potential. History/Origin of Club: The Unleashed Rydaz M.C. began as many clubs do... A select group of family and friends that rode together and shared a common passion for motorcycles. However, they decided that in order to be a member of the club, all members must have their motorcyclist license and insurance coverage. Further, members would have to honor a code of conduct that frowned heavily upon performing wheelies or showboating with burn outs, no street racing and no lane
Unleashed Rydaz ACNJ M.C. REGION: Atlantic City, NJ FOUNDED: 2005 MEMBERS: 29 ELECTED OFFICIALS: President - G Money VICE President - Mr. Tibs P.R.O. - ROC SERGEANT AT ARMS - Brotha Kahil SERGEANT AT ARMS - Beast SERGEANT AT ARMS - Psycho TREASURER - Pretty Boy
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splitting or weaving. The mission was and is to show what fun bikes are and how enjoyable the club is without breaking the law. They took responsibility for their safety and others. From the onset, they were determined to make a difference.
league.
Future of the club: The Unleashed Rydaz are looking to expand but are driven to maintain their core values and morals. Priding themselves on their charity efforts and abilities, they offer their knowledge, expertise and services to other communities in Club Milestones/Memorable Moments: Seeing the need to support our future, the other states. The M.C. has a vision of creating children... The Unleashed Rydaz began a world where there is free health care... sponsoring programs after the funding for many children have clothes on their back, food in of the after school and weekend programs were their bellies and school supplies... after school cut. They also sponsor a free health services fair programs that keep kids of the streets and for their surrounding community. Their efforts do out of trouble... all started by bikers that took responsibility of themselves and decided to not stop there. They support the Stanton Family Manor Christmas in July, a women’s shelter. The make a difference. M.C. sponsors the Pleasantville Jokers football Want to see your club featured here? Drop us an email!
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Indianapolis, IN Lucas Oil Stadium February 15 – 17, 2013 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Convention Center February 22 – 24 2013
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www.motorcycleshows.com
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THE LIFE: Know your role
A Biker’s Winter
Words: Lady Kim ImageS: dj
W
hat do bikers do in the winter? It’s freezing outside and there is still four months until Bike Week in Myrtle Beach! If you’re like me, then you have a major case of PMS! Better known as Parked Motorcycle Syndrome! Although winter riding can be done, it can get too cold or be unsafe if the road is covered with snow or ice because your tires do not warm up and you have less traction to grip the road. So if you live in the northern states, this kind of riding can be torture if you are not prepared with heated gear, gloves, motorcycle accessories and an extra high wind screen to block the wind blasts. I don’t ride in the winter unless it’s over 50 degrees to eliminate the unnecessary hazards of freezing conditions. I ride my bike enough each month to keep from putting it in winter storage. Since I have a need for speed, I like to go on biker ski trips to have fun riding snow mobiles or dipping and diving on my skis on the black diamond slopes in the Poconos or Vermont…Vrooooom! So what do bikers do to get through the winter 76 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
months? A lot of us are reading the latest biker magazines such as Sportbikes Inc to get the upcoming biker news, watching the Speed Channel on TV or surfing the web looking for our next custom bike accessories, chrome parts, paint schemes, motor work for the drag bike, new tires and skins for the road racing bike, new stunts to perform, new leather riding gear to wear... Most of the bike clubs are planning for the next year’s activities such as participating in holiday charity and awareness runs, volunteering in community service projects, making travel plans for road trips to bike events, attending bike and trade shows or finding new roads to ride. Non winter riders clean their bikes, change their oil and filters, input fuel stabilizer, lube their chains, attach a battery tender if needed, lift the tires off the ground, throw on the bike cover and put their bikes in storage. Whatever you do during the winter, keep warm and I will see you on the first day of Spring, March 20!
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FEatured THE LIFE FEatured LIFE:rider FEatured riderS riderS
Derek Mack AKA “D. Mack” location: Warner Robins, GA Occupation: Jet Refuel/Defuel Supervisor Years Riding: I have been riding approximately 13 years. Riding style: I use to have a strong passion for drag racing but as I have gotten a lil’ older I am just chillin’ on the street! Bike/s owned: I’m a Kaw Boy, ZX-12R at heart but I belong to the Hawg Life now with my 2006 Harley Davidson Road King Custom! favorite bike modification/accessory: In my sportbike days, it was suspension and gearing mods! A good gear can take you down through there at the track! On my Harley, it’s my stereo and chrome! And cruise control for those long rides! Favorite piece of riding gear: My helmet and jacket are the most important part of my riding gear. They saved my skin after a fall at the track! most memorable ride: I rode 12 hours to Dallas TX and back for the National Round Up. 80 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
Liat Hen location: Chatsworth, CA Occupation: Executive Manager/Student Years Riding: 3 years,all year round. Riding style: Street until now but I intend to do track soon. Bike/s owned: 2000 Suzuki GSXR 600 favorite bike modification/accessory: My exhaust. It makes my bike really loud and I love it. Favorite piece of riding gear: My heated gear. It allows me to ride in the coldest weather. most memorable ride: My first brotherhood ride in a group of over 500 bikers. It’s a great feeling when we all come together and ride.
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FEatured THE LIFE FEatured LIFE:rider FEatured riderS riderS
Tanya Lamothe AKA “Rain” location: Brooklyn, NY Occupation: Child Protection Specialist Years Riding: 4 years. I’m still a baby! Riding STYLE: Street. Bike/s owned: 2002 Kawasaki ZX6R favorite bike modification/accessory: Lowering
links... I’m short and need every bike lowered. Lighting kit... I don’t know how I rode without them at night.
Favorite piece of riding gear: Heated gloves! I don’t know how I made it during past winters without them. most memorable ride: October 2011 to the MLK monument in Washington DC. The ride was awesome down I95 from NYC. We meet up with riders from Philly and Maryland along the way. When we reached our destination, more riders from Virginia met us there. The monument was amazing and it was great run with one of my dearest friends Mz. Nez. R.I.P. Nezzy! 82 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
Adrian Robertson location: Warren, OH Occupation: Bike Tech Years Riding: 13 years. Riding STyle: Street and Strip Bike/s owned: 1993 Kawasaki ZX9, 2002 Suzuki GSXR 1000, 2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000
favorite bike modification/accessory: Brock’s Shorty Megaphone Exhaust, Voodoo Exhaust, Stretched and Slammed, Carrozzeria wheels and my 300 wide tire. Favorite piece of riding gear: All and anything that protects me. most memorable ride: Any charity ride.
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MOTO TECH Words: Mark Rozemo Image: Courtesy of Motion Pro
Ask the pro wrench
Words & images: thomas campion
Q A
: What do race mechanics do in the off season?
: We continue to travel and rebuild race bikes!
In December I went out to Colorado to visit my buddy Scott Jensen at Moto Garage. I drove out by myself and it is about a 28 hour drive from my place to his. So obviously, I wanted to drive out there as fast as I could. Left my place at 6pm and drove through the night until 6am, woke up at 7am and drove the rest of the way. With the
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exception of a few crashes to look at, it was a pretty boring standard drive. Just a little traffic in the beginning then smooth sailing. The first night I got there, Scott showed me around the thriving metropolis of Loveland, CO! Lots of open land and not too many people but I did find the best town in America, Campion, CO! The next day we went down to the dyno to do a base run at altitude with our bike before refreshing the motor. This bike’s motor was down almost 10hp just from the altitude change! I thought that was huge! After that we went back to the shop to start pulling her apart. During the chassis refresh I was a little surprised at how worn the rear linkage pins were. Most of my experience is with Ducati and MV Agusta, and that has a completely different rear suspension design.
The front end was business as usual, and nothing special to note. Same with the rest of the chassis, no weird wear marks on the harness or frame. The chassis gets put to the side and a few parts are ordered for that. On to the motor... I think the last time I rebuilt an R6 motor was 2004 so that is the main reason I came out to Scott’s shop. He does them all the time and I can bug him through out the build when I have questions. Once I got the engine apart and inspected all parts, most of it looked good and normal wear. The one thing I didn’t expect is some transmission gears that needed to be replaced. I guess just a few rough shifts and they are done. Now that the motor is apart and all parts are on SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 85
MOTO TECH: ask the pro wrench
Words: Mark Rozemo Image: Courtesy of Motion Pro
order it was time to have a little fun with our down time. Before I got there, Colorado did not have any snow but I think I brought it with me because it started to snow as soon as I got here. Not too much where Scott lives but in the mountains it was coming down heavy! First we took to the slopes! Even if the mountain wasn’t fully open we managed to have fun and the place was a ghost town so we had it to ourselves! After that we were back at the shop and Scott asked me to help him out with a customer’s bike. He points it out and it is this gem of a Ducati 998 turned into a street fighter that shut off while the guy was riding it down the street. After that it was at a dealership for 4 months and finally the guy just picked it up because they couldn’t figure it out. Now that confuses me because it literally took me 5 86 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
minutes to fix it. Simple electrical problem common with this model. Scott was stoked that we were able to get the bike out of his shop so it was time to celebrate with some snowmobiling up in the hills. We were keeping an eye on the weather reports and they just got 5 feet of powder up at Rabbit Ear Pass! I was super excited about this because Scott has some sweet sleds for us to use. Our drive up there was a little frightening because I wasn’t sure if our fuel was going to start jelling. The brakes were starting to freeze and the truck couldn’t produce any heat at this temperature. Somehow we made it up there though! This is only the second time ever I rode in this much snow. What a workout! Although I was about 100% better than the last time I went, I was still getting stuck.
I run a lot and feel that I am in good shape but if you’re not accustomed to the altitude, then your’re done. At one point I was digging myself out from a small sapling I “hit”... And I had to stop and just sit there because I was getting light headed and dizzy. There just wasn’t enough oxygen for me! After that we stayed to the meadows where it was a lot easier and plenty of room if you started to get yourself in trouble. I was riding across this one meadow that we came upon and all of a sudden I’m only on a few inches of snow. I think nothing of it and go to turn. Next thing I know, I’m sliding on my head! Apparently, I was on a frozen lake and that is why there was no snow! It all blew off because of the ice. I look back and I see water filling my tracks! I’m like, “Shit! I broke through!” Luckily, I wasn’t at a deep spot and the sled stayed on top. With a few heavy lifts, we got it out. After that, I was spent. I rode around a little longer then headed back to the truck. What a great day in the wilderness. Such beauty
up here at almost 12,000 feet. Now back to reality and back to building this motorcycle so I can make it back home for Christmas! I got pretty lucky with the new pistons I got for the R6. They were a matched set! Everyone probably doesn’t know this but there are certain tolerances for production parts and there could be variances in the same part. It doesn’t mean that part would fail but it’s nice when you are working with all the same parts. I put the bottom end together, rebuild my head and put that together. I slapped the motor together, it was all pretty basic stuff. With a few solid hours at the shop while Scott was Christmas shopping I had the motor in the chassis and started heat cycling the engine. After we were done for the day a few celebratory beverages were consumed and we prepped to head to the dyno in the morning to see if I knew what I was doing! The next morning we are waiting for the temp to rise so we can dyno and it finally does around noon. We break the engine in and it makes great power! Only 4hp less than what the bike dynoed at the NOLA AMA round at sea level. Actually, SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 87
MOTO TECH: ask the pro wrench
Words: Mark Rozemo Image: Courtesy of Motion Pro
below sea level as we were at about 5500 feet below. All in all, it was a successful trip. Before I leave, I pick up a buddy I haven’t seen in a while. Former mechanic for Ben Spies, when he had all that success with Yoshimura in AMA, Wade Hafenstine. He was on his way home to Kansas for the holidays also. I dropped him off and I was on my way across the country, back home! I did the same thing as on the way out. Drove
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for 12 hours, slept 1 hour and drove the final 16 hours. That’s a tough drive to do by yourself. I just wanna put that out there. But I managed to get it done and was home on Christmas eve. I just want to say a big thank you to Dennis Espinosa and Ryan Cino of MOB Racing, Scott Jensen of Moto-Garage, and Danny Walker and the whole team at the RoadRace Factory. Even though they are the competition, they are still my friends and I appreciate them.
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us.pirellimoto.com
SBK TECHNOLOGY FOR EVERYDAY ROADS. 90 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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Improve your skills
2013... Looking Forward Words: eric wood IMAGES: Allan Lane
or much of the United States, riding season is in remission. Those of us who live in a world where winter weather has our riding (at least on the road) on hold for a few months, our attention is diverted to somewhere or something else for the time being. New Years Day has come and gone and resolution season is in full swing. Perhaps this will be the year to eat better, make the gym a regular part of our routine, or just to put in the extra hours at work that will allow us to either upgrade our ride or make a trip to one of the racetracks on our "bucket list".
F
It doesn't matter if you are an aspiring national champion or an occasional track day rider; I find a common thread among nearly everyone that I meet at the track is the desire to improve. To reach your true potential on the track requires the mastery of dozens of techniques, all the while dealing with literally thousands of visual and physical bits of data that are thrown at you at a high rate of speed. Our sport is not one generally taken on by the lazy or uncommitted, and with this in mind I challenge our readers to make some resolutions and goals for the 2013 season.
Whether the love affair you have with track riding is an occasional one night stand or a life-long relationship, the absence in the off season always tends to make the heart grow fonder. Our minds drift into a happy place where we dream about upgrading our rides with the latest suspension, moving around on grippy new rearsets and making sweet music with a trick titanium exhaust system. We might watch re runs of the 2012 MotoGP and imagine ourselves riding through our favorite tracks with the style and speed of Rossi or Stoner.
Our articles this year covered a myriad of topics ranging from line selection to body position, braking methods to starts, and many things in between. As we progress through this year, there will be a dozen or so additional topics added to the list... many of which are the direct result of questions or suggestions from our readers or students at the Penguin School. This parallels what I do as an instructor at the school, as I also always do my best to provide information on a range of topics during each class. Since every rider, and reader of this magazine, is at a different level, each person can then pull out the information that is most valuable to his or her specific needs at that time.
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Improve your skills: 2013...
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That challenge for each rider is to identify what those needs are and to have the willpower and focus to concentrate on the biggest priorities first. Before we get too far into next season, perhaps it is prudent for each of us to look at where we are now and what got us here. For the purpose of this article, we will focus solely on motorcycle riding....but one of the great things that I have learned about our sport is that the lessons learned are directly applicable to "real life" outside the racetrack. A lesson I once learned from a wise man was that in order to achieve success, a person first needs to define what success means. On the track, this could be achieving a certain lap time, making it into the "fast" group at your local track day, mastering a particular corner or racetrack, or winning a championship in racing. It does not matter exactly what your goal is, other than it must be personal and important to you in order to drive you to success. A borrowed definition of success does not tend to produce the motivation required to reach the finish line. Contained with the hundreds of books that have been written on goal setting there are many common themes, and I think that there are a few that are directly applicable to helping us reach our riding potential and enjoy our sport to the fullest. First, a written goal (as opposed to a dreamt or
spoken one) will produce both clarity of outcome and internal, permanent motivation. Your goal should be specific, measurable and time bound. Goals stated positively and in present tense help reinforce the reality of achievement every day. "I will ride faster and will not get down on myself next year" does not produce nearly the same drive as "I will consistently lap at 1:30 and ride in the Red group at VIR by October of 2013". Next, you should evaluate your goal to be sure that it is both challenging and reasonable. Beating Nicky Hayden is an admirable goal, but not within the realm of reason for most of us next season. Finally, we need to determine the knowledge that we need to gain, the physical training required and the specific skills that we must develop in order to reach our goals. Many of the things that a rider needs to do are easily identified. Physical conditioning, sleep and diet are the three things that riders can focus on that will produce immediate results on the track. For many of us, riding on the racetrack is our most highly anticipated avocation. I have seen many riders take time off from work, spend all of their disposable income (and more) preparing a beautiful machine, drive to the track and then realize that they can only ride 3 to 4 laps at a time before they start making mistakes and find
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Improve your skills: 2013...
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themselves completely exhausted before 3PM. In the next few months that most of us have before the riding season arrives, we can accomplish a lot to be able to take full advantage of our time at the track in 2013. As for setting priorities with our riding itself, the first thing to do is to look at some photos of yourself and compare them to top riders from the AMA and around the world. You don't have to generate the lean angle of Casey Stoner to ride like a pro. However, supporting your body weight properly on the motorcycle is the #1 priority for all riders. In our last two articles in SBI (November and December), we touched on both strategies for implementing body position change and a critical detail in supporting your body weight mid corner. In short, the fastest way to ride faster with more confidence is to learn the principles of supporting and moving your body with your legs so that you hands and arms can be as relaxed as possible. Without this foundation, riders will hit frequent road blocks to their progress, and the asphalt as well. The next step is to set out to truly understand each corner at the racetracks that you frequent. Riders need to not only know exactly where the line is, but they need to know why the line is what it is. What is the goal in each corner? Is it to carry maximum entrance speed, look for peak mid corner speed, or to get the maximum possible drive? Not
every corner falls perfectly into one of these little boxes, but know what you are trying to do and the feedback you need to feel for as you approach the limit in that area will go a long way to increasing both your speed and safety on the track. Look back at the September issue of SBI to help with establishing priorities in this process. Finally, after riders have a solid understanding of body position and track strategy, it is time to work on advanced riding techniques. Many great riders have noted that smooth equals fast on the racetrack. The biggest mistake riders make is to try to focus on late braking or early drives before they have figured out how to sit on the bike or truly memorize the track. As a racer who made many mistakes early in his career, I understand this all too well. Even as a racer in my 40's, I still need to remind myself that the effort that is most often rewarded is not gritting your teeth and exerting maximum physical effort, it is mental preparation, bursts of physical effort and absolute precision that provides results. I look forward to prosperous and successful 2013, and I thank the good people at SBI for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you every month. As you plan your goals and efforts for the coming season be assured that we will be working hard to help provide you ideas and tools along the way that will help you to achieve each and every one of them. Until next time... ride fast, ride safe! SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 97
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THE
industry
A reality
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words and images: Allan Lane SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 101
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Let
me make this clear... The motorcycle industry does not make me. I make the industry. You make the industry. We make the industry. The early morning Sunday rider, the local wrench, the vice president of sales, the brand manager, the motorcycle club, the stunt rider, the racer, the cruiser, the dealership staff, the apparel and gear company, the event promoter, etc. If you are reading this right now, regardless of your level of involvement... You make the industry. It’s frustrating these days. Trade shows are smaller and attendance is down. There is less sponsorship money being invested in our sports and lifestyle brands. Businesses are shutting down. It can be a little frightening when you look at it. Or, it can be viewed as an opportunity to address the issues that plague our industry, to discuss a game plan to turn things around. If nothing else, it creates a need to communicate. This is more of reality “check in”. An open letter to the industry from the industry, highlight the good, the bad and the in between. The following collected thoughts are from people just like you: industry insiders, manufacturers, sales reps, motorcycle club members, independent riders, business owners, pro racers... Often, the words that we need to hear are the words that we do not want to hear...
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drag racing industry is bigger than Ta bitheeverinmotorcycle in my opinion. The dynamic has changed that not everyone is in one spot any longer,
though. There are more motorcycle drag racing organizations and series spread out across the country than ever before, which has helped grow the amount of motorcycle drag racers across the nation. The days of the traveling national series are over and it’s happening on the car drag racing side as well. What this rough economy has proved, is that it has forced promoters to work harder and to look within their market and build programs that their market can support. Now you see various promoters putting on a great motorcycle drag racing series in their region of the country and the majority of their racers and fans don’t have to travel more than 6 to 8 hours to compete at a high profile event.
image: meekail shaheed The key to maintaining the progress of our sport of motorcycle drag racing is the consistency of rules among all of the different series and organizations out there. I know I have worked with many different racing series and promoters to maintain this goal and so far everyone of the series has been relatively on board. I only hope this continues, and I am optimistic that it will. The reason for the need of consistency and standardization of rules is so racers know what to build when constructing say a $20,000 or even a $60,000 drag bike. Â I am eager for 2013 and if 2012 was any inclination of what next year will bring in terms of racer and fans count I believe our sport is as healthy as it ever has been. - Jason Miller, MIRock Superbike Series SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 103
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fter I wrote nearly 900 words and after re reading it, I deleted my short novel and reduced it to this. Work hard. That's it, plain and simple. Change when change is needed, never put off what you can do now, and be a leader not a follower. Is it harder today than 5 to 6 years ago to slap a sign on an empty building and print money? Of course it is. Today you have to be more innovative, analyze deeper, and reach that much deeper to
achieve goals. I was given some great business advice when I started in this industry 14 years ago: "Look at what everyone else is doing and do the opposite." Now this advice has boundaries of course but really sit back and think about it. I am not going to tell you how to apply it or give you comparisons or say well this is what I did. You either get it or you don't. - Rob Uecker, Voodoo Industries
“W
ork hard. That's it, plain and simple.
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I
'll summarize it the best I can. More people are getting their endorsements these days, and that is great for the industry. Things are looking up for the corporate side of motorcycling too, dealerships and perhaps in the long run even big racing. More ladies are getting involved with motorcycling now, too. To me, that foreshadows even better things for the future. I say this because women are the purchasers in households, according to many statistics. - Alicia Elfving, MotoLady.com
image: courtesy of alicia elfVing
image: courtesy of Triumph
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verall, sport bike riders are just as passionate as ever. AMA Pro Road Racing is producing some fantastic action. And the athletes in XDL’s Championship Stunt Series competition have set the global standard for their sport right in our back yards. These are the days that we’ll want to remember several years from now. - Matt O’Conner, Doe Anderson SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 105
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his is my opinion on the good, the bad and the ugly in my own words regarding the motorcycle industry I devote a great majority of my time towards. To me the good would have to be the things that keep me involved. I began my passion for motorcycle riding as an intro from ex husband. It evolved into a full blown passion simply because I loved the adrenaline high. As I began to learn about riding I was shown both tough and genuine love more so from my own club members but also from some male brother clubs from whom I owe a lot to in guiding my riding skills. For this, I often feel connected. Its a beautiful thing when you have male clubs that want to see the true potential of a female rider when you are coming into a male dominated turf. The resources of unlimited information shared in regards to riding is and can be very overwhelming in terms of being someone either new to the bike scene or new to riding, however they are pluses in keeping you informed in those areas. The support and charitable aided contributions that clubs generally pour out in the community speaks volumes. To me, this is very good! The bad, I would say are the number of deaths we have in our community that arise during peak riding seasons spring and summer that personally I feel can be avoided from both civilians and motorcycle riders. During the on seasons, many non riders forget or tend not to care that we share the road with them, but also at the same time we can be just as guilty with our riding styles, need for speed and techniques while riding amongst others. The ugly would be claiming to be a motorcycle rider or biker when your bike never gets out of the garage! Some would classify these as impostors within the community. My personal opinion to this is, you either confirm to what it is you feel you have the drive to do or you leave it to the masses that do it very well and step aside. It’s just that simple! - Fyre, Xecutive Ryders M.C. P.R.O.
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image: courtesy of fyre
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think overall the industry is doing a good thing by making the heritage of motorcycling and the champions of the past a prevalent marketing strategy for brands like Triumph and Moto Guzzi. It's hard to know where you are going if you don't know where you have been. It's a shame that our champions today are about as exciting as a wet fart on and off the track. Where are the assholes like Mladin and Roberts, the fighters like Hunt and the fuckers like Sheene? Better yet the Hat tricks like Nixon!
It's hard to get excited about a bunch of sixteen year old kids going in circles when they all have to be in bed before the race coverage ends on SPEED. I’m not saying that we need to idolize dog fighters like Michael Vic, but the reason racing is so exciting is because you can cheer for the good the bad and the ugly all at the same time. AMA pro racing has made quite a few strides in a positive
direction during the events with on site activity and partnering with M1 last season, but they have a long way to go before we can go out and expect to give potential sponsors some return on investment. Half of the towns we hit on the circuit know more about the local VFW brunch than the fact that a kick ass fuel circus is in town. The AMA needs to work a bit harder on a better television package and grass roots marketing prior to the events if they want to see this sport survive. The reason I race the Harley's is that they provide close racing, loud noises, odd personalities, a place for old dogs to perform some new tricks and spectacular crashes. Racing the way it's meant to be. Now if you will excuse me I have to prep some chickens for their fight tonight. I'm kidding! I'm kidding! I don't don't prep my own chickens anymore. - Brice Cooper, AMA Pro Flat Track Racer #105
image: meekail shaheed SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 107
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image: courtesy of peter frechie
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do think that when the industry features sexy women, racers and fast bikes, they do not speak to the common man. They need to promote safe, skilled, controlled riding on their machines, whichever type it is. The industry should promote off hour riding and events to separate cars and cycles from bad interactions. It should promote safety and defensive riding skills. One cycle death is one too many. - Peter Frechie, Rider
“O
ne cycle death is one too many.�
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A
sking me the state of the motorcycle drag racing industry is such a loaded question. This industry is my passion, and I have sacrificed tremendously for it. But, I will continue to bleed for it. We are at the most fragile point I have ever seen this industry in. There are so many components that must work together for us to grow and we are currently stifled. Part of this is the economy thinning the racing fields. It wasn’t too long ago that we had numerous organizations running at one time with strong racer participation. Racing associations would have a full tournament ladder of 64 bikes in Top Gas, with some racers going home Saturday night because they didn’t make the show. Now we get excited if we have over 20 bikes racing in the same class. But it's just not the economy that is changing our industry, it's technology and media. Twenty years ago we didn't have gadgets, cell phones, video games etc. that we have now. Everything competes for your attention. If your dad was tinkering around with a motorcycle in the garage, you were out there with him watching, learning, and falling in love with racing. You were going to the track every weekend with your family, because really what else was there for you to do? There are so many more options for kids today on how they spend their time and racing gets less and less attention. I think awareness and involvement are the biggest changes that need to be made. We currently lack a real national series and one of the reasons, I think, is that racing on a local level is dwindling. There are a million ways to help this situation. It has to start with the small things. We need to go back to a grassroots movement. We need to help build up our local programs again. And that means going to your local dragstrip and helping them grow their bike classes. Get local bike businesses to help promote and sponsor these local events. Once
we start seeing local growth, we will be able to sustain a National Series again. That’s what we need to bring spectators in to see a good show, get the bigger sponsors involved, and get back on TV! As a mother I believe that our kids are our future, so let’s get the kids more involved. Take them to a racing event, get them a motorcycle magazine or point their Internet browser to a motorcycle site. You never know what might pique their interest. Always go out of your way to invite a friend or even a stranger to a race. Be social online about where you are going and then report on how the event was. Make more of an effort to educate your non-racing friends about how much fun you have and how it’s a great sport for them and their kids. Be social at racing events. When you go to a race, you have the opportunity to walk right up to the bikes and talk to the racers. This makes the event about people and not just about bikes. And if you are racing, make more of an effort to talk to people that seem interested in what you are doing. You never know when you will be the inspiration for someone to get their first bike, or finally get the nerve to finally take their bike down the track. If you have never had that feeling of seeing someone else do something because you were the catalyst, make 2013 the year you get that feeling. It's tremendously rewarding. In closing, remember we are in a fragile state. We are on the verge of seeing more race organizations shut down. Talk to event promoters, find out what they can give you to help promote their events in your area and then go out and spread the word on motorcycle racing. Do more to make the difference this year! - Brandi Neithamer, Dragbike.com
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offerings or eliminating the unpopular dates at our home track.
So the plan in 2013 is to go back to one retail location which has always shown growth and profit in Rahway, NJ. With the addition of two more tracks on the east coast we decided to expand our offerings to those venues while decreasing our
Basically we are focusing on quality not quantity. Having learned from expanding too fast on the retail side we have held back the temptation on taking too many days for a schedule. Also with the other venues available we were able to increase our offerings to our customers. We have changed our membership programs to a more affordable program which we hope will free up some money that the rider will choose to use on an additional day. ACE has always had the lowest prices for track access and we plan on keeping those prices the same for 2013 which should in return fill our dates and stabilize our business. We hope the tracks are looking into the future as well and will negotiate with their renters throughout the season. If they do not have a plan they will have more inventory, when some organizations go away. We have seen this happen on the west coast moving eastward. We are braced for this change. Hopefully the tracks are also. - Roy Cadoo, Absolute Cycle
bsoluteCycle's retail division has slowed progressively due to our choices. The plan was to scale back, close two stores, renegotiate our web site costs and scale back on advertising. We switched to distribution and manufacture fulfillment. Sales from the retail division balanced out the same as previous years without the additional expenses so it was a good switch. Absolute Cycle Experience is the track day provider sponsored by AbsoluteCycle. Started in 2004 we emulated the same plan by scaling back operations to one track. This helped us regain momentum in 2008 thru 2010 peaking in 2011. Unfortunately the recession hit us hard in 2012 which caused us a 50 percent decrease in revenue. In addition the hurricane the last weekend of our 2012 season forced us to cancel dates which added to this downward trend.
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e’re seeing signs of the economic recovery in sponsorship sales and in P.E.M.’s of all sizes recommitting to participating in Motorsport activities. As an industry, we have to make sure that we build value in our properties that will excite non endemic sponsors to invest in our fan base, ultimately growing both properties and sales. We can all grow together. - Kreig Robinson, Michael Jordan Motorsports
image: courtesy of kreig robinson
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he biggest threat our industry has deals with MAP (minimum advertised pricing) on the internet. Basically we as OEM's ask for our products to be sold at the MSRP so there is a level playing field for traditional brick and mortar locations vs the Ecommerce dealers. REV'IT! has always had one, but in the past few years we have had to constantly tweak it to cover up loopholes that were being exploited by some dealers. If our industry doesn't start enforcing a strong MAP, you will see the brick and mortars start to vanish and all but a few will remain in 5 to 10 years time. Nothing wrong with the brick and mortars having to compete with the online dealers as some online dealers are adding value to brands and are providing a service to the consumer such as education and product knowledge. We as an industry must police ourselves to insure we all have the same fair shot, so you and I don't need to figure out how to do a ring job or schedule an oil change with an online Ecommerce retailer. - Michael "Tex" Mawby, Rev’It! Regional Sales Manager
image: courtesy of Michael mawby
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y biggest pet peeve with the industry is the lack of shops in our Northeast area to customize a bike. For us, everything is online and we all know just how frustrating online can be. - C Note, Outsidaz M.C., President
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he biggest threat our industry has deals with M.A.P.” SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 111
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he state of the industry, like many others, is not good! Suzuki motorcycles in the States is a prime example. However, the industry is full of some great leaders and I am optimistic it will pull through and come back before long. As for Moto GP, it needs to branch out more. Look at new countries... India, Russia and South America and stop focusing on the comfort zone of Spain and Italy where it is a given for it's popularity.
We are lucky in the States to have three races in the USA next year. Let's embrace this and strive to make the sport we love as popular as we can. To do so, we need to have more Americans coming through and this is a challenge that we must push hard for as there is some amazing home grown talent just waiting to prove a point. We will never rival Football, Basketball or Baseball, but there is no reason why we can't compete on the same level as Nascar.
I don't like the CRT's running with the "real" bikes but the economy makes this understandable. However, Here's hoping 2013 is a great year for one and the sooner there is a middle ground reached and all. Think and ride safe! - Phil Baker, SA 1 Management all bikes are the same, the better for the sport, the riders, and most importantly, the fans.
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T
his industry is a collection of thoughts, a gathering of passion, a horde of ideas that have culminated into a physical existence. The industry is a concept that is constantly being reformatted and executed, executed and reformatted. It is forevermore a work in progress, never to be completed and never to be perfect. It is the best of times and the worse of times and only guarantees two things: You will laugh and you will cry. Day after day, we wake up and fantasize about these machines that have not only captivated our minds but have carved out a corner in our hearts. Those who are not vocationally employed in the business side of motorcycles troll the internet looking for an opportunity to get their foot in the door, in any capacity. That’s how it happened for me. My older brother Greg introduced me to the bike life and I was hooked. Until then, I never considered myself one with an addictive personality... then along came the undeniable rush of adrenaline raging through my blood stream, the rhythmic pulsating of my heart, the dilating of my pupils and the realization that this is what living is about. I was finally breathing. I was finally alive. Then reality hit. This new addiction was gonna have me in the poor house in the quick, fast and the hurry. Becoming consumed with the life, my spare moments were spent in bikes shops and dealership, when I wasn't actually riding, scanning for the new, the latest, the greatest... I needed for my addiction, my habit, passion.. to be funded somehow. I needed motorcycles to be a tax write off. That’s how I landed my first job in the industry working the parts counter at Fast by Ferracci. The sales manager at the time, Vince, took me under his wing and mentored
me on the business of motorcycles. It was Eraldo Ferracci who schooled me on reality of the business of industry. Since that day when I first punched a clock at Ferracci’s, my love for “this thing of ours...” has grown at a rapid rate. Through the years, the ups and downs of it all, I’ve seen much to do about everything and much to do about nothing. Traveling, meeting people, sharing ideas and concepts, interviewing and working with others of like minded individuals, my fellow addicts... I’ve learned that we are united by our insatiable passion for all things two wheels with an engine. It’s not that I am not interested in numbers, statistics, the latest quarterly reports, units moved or percentages. Of course I am. But I am more interested in discussing the truth regarding how we control the manner in which our industry is perceived and received. Granted, the economy weighs in heavily on sales and the growth of a business. But the economy does not weigh in on our passion. The stress and sadness of today’s universe is a heavy burden. My release valve, my stress release is my machine. That’s my getaway. That’s my escape. Embrace the blast of freedom. It’s a longing that can never be replaced, removed or erased. “I don’t think I’ll ride today, even though I have some time and the weather is on point...” Said no real biker, ever in the history of bikers. I’m from the school of thought... “All we got, is us.” It is up to us. All of us for all of it. - Allan Lane, SportBikes Inc Magazine Publisher and Editor in Chief
Want to chime in with your thoughts on the state of the industry? Continue the conversation on the SBI Blog by clicking here. SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 113
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A ppa ren t ly , t h ey are about that life...
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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.
Shane McCoy! What’s on your hit list? My playlist changes a lot but here is what’s on deck from this morning’s hour and a half at the gym: Red Rider’s “Lunatic Fringe”. Wiz Khalifa’s “Remember You” and Meek Mill’s “Believe It.” It’s what keeps me fueled, inspired, ready to ride and ready to hit the gym. And you gotta have some Rick Ross on deck at all times.
Join the SBI ONLINE COMMUNITY today!
VISIT THE SPORTBIKES INC FORUM
Shane McCoy, Graves Motorsports G.M. of Media Technologies
SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM/FORUM
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FRICTION ZONE: SPORTBIKES INK!!!
Want to show off your SPORTBIKES INK? Please click on the icon to send clear, high quality, hi res photos.
RIDER// Pudge BIKE// 2004 Kawasaki 636 TATTOO ARTIST// Mikey, Joel and Matt
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RIDER// Matt Gordon BIKE// 2005 Suzuki GSXR 1000 TATTOO ARTIST// Mike Rouse
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This life
NEw beginnings
Connect with Tyson...
Words & Image: TYson Beckford
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he beginning of a new year always brings life and the promise of better days than the year previous. Sometimes it’s not good to bring past issues and negativity to a situation that needs not to be even addressed as we move forward with new dreams and create new goals for ourselves. This year I plan to ride a bit longer with greater distances and more track days, dirt and street riding. I also wish to see more improvement in products that are already great. If it can be better,
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make it better. This time of year brings about the International Motorcycle Shows and the new bikes that are about to be released. We here at SBI plan to bring you another level of the thing we love most... motorcycles and the lifestyle that goes along with it. Stick with us and witness the growth of what we do best. Remember, the genius of life is knowing when to move forward.
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THE NEW ISH WOODCRAFT CFM • DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE STANDARD SHIFT REARSETS Offering 6 points of peg placement, the Woodcraft kit ships complete with shift and brake pedals, adjustable toe pieces, rearset plates, footpegs and heel guards... every thing you need for greater ground clearance and optimized footing. Also available with folding toe piece for the shifter and brake as an upgrade. Price: $549.99 Contact: http://woodcraft-cfm.com
TRIUMPH • PORTLAND GLOVE What was old is now new and cool, again. The Portland borrows from the vintage looks of gloves from yesteryear but are made with the quality standards and measures of the current industry guidelines. Made with Brazilian leather, they feature double leather construction in the palm, vented fingers and rubber wrist enclosures. Branded with the Triumph logo, just in case there was ever any doubt. SPEED AND STRENGTH • STRIP SEARCH 2 PIECE DRAG SUIT With a growing list of Pro Drag Racers on their roster, including SBI’s own Dystany Spurlock and Rickey Gadson, it was only a matter of time before Speed and Strength brought their high level quality of leather drag racing suits to the consumer market. The Strip Search 2 Piece Drag Suit is designed for the straight line, featuring a race cut, C.E. approved armor in the shoulder, knee and elbows in addition to a dual density spine protector. Size: 38 - 54 Colors: Black, White Price: $599.95 Contact: http://ssgear.com 122 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
Size: S - XXL Price: $59.99 Contact: http//:shop.triumphmotorcycles.com
SCHAMPA • TOUCH GLOVES The Touch Glove is designed to work with any touch screen device and also offer great warmth as a glove liner. The special material is located in the thumb, index and middle fingers allowing for easy manipulation of your smart phones, GPS and other touch screen devices. Price: $14.99 Contact: http://schampa.com
COMPETITION WERKES • 1199 PANIGALE LTD FENDER ELIMINATOR
The Ducati 1199 Panigale has arguably the great tail section of the 2012 and 2013 model lineup. The Competition Werkes LTD Fender Eliminator offers you a chance to show off that fine tail with their kit that ships with a CNC’d 304 stainless steel plate holder, a black LED plate light, black cover plate and smoked turn signals that are mounted into the rear vents. Price: $159.95 Contact: http://competitionwerkes.com
CATALYST RACING COMPOSITES • HONDA CBR 1000RR SUPERSPORT SET New from Catalyst is the Supersport Set for the 2012 and 2013 Honda CBR 1000RR. Made in the USA, this set includes the upper, lower fender, tank cover along with the tail and undertail. Price: $966.00 Contact: http://catalystracingcomposites.com
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THE NEW ISH ABUS • BORDO GRANIT X PLUS SECURITY FOLDING LOCK One of the most innovative anti theft, theft deterrent items to be offered in quite some time, the Bordo Granit X Plus offers massive visibility and intimidation without the bulky awkwardness that one might expect. What the German engineers at ABUS have created is a security device that can secure your bike to a fixed object or ground mounted security u bolt, as well as perform as a wheel lock. Easily fits in the back pack when not in use. Price: $169.99 Contact: http://abus.com
SIDI • NITRO BOOTS Showcasing the latest footwear closure systems, the Nitro boots are designed with the Techno 3 Entry System. The Techno 3 Entry System is based on a ratchet system that is comfortable, easily adjustable and secure. In line with Sidi’s top of the line safety foot gear, the Nitro is a great selection for the daily ride or commute.
C and S Custom • Hayabusa Chrome Medieval Kickstand
Now is the time when a lot of winter projects are in full swing. If you’re a Busa owner and you’re looking for a nice piece of chrome to add to your show bike, take a look at the triple chrome Medieval Kickstand from C and S Custom. Available in short and long versions. Price: $179.00 Contact: http://candscustom.com
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Size: 7.5 - 13.5 Colors: Black, Black/White Price: $215.00 Contact: http://motonation.com
ROARING TOYZ • 2013 Kawasaki ZX6R Megaphone Slip On
From a company that has built their reputation on reliability and quality, this slip on exhaust for the new Kawasaki ZX6R from Roaring Toyz is an inexpensive upgrade from the stock system. Light weight and loud, it offers a considerable amount of additional horsepower. Composed of stainless steel, it features a tunable baffle that allows you to adjust it’s decibels to your liking. Price: $349.99 Contact: http://roaringtoyz.com ALPINESTARS • THERMAL TECH TOP The Thermal Tech Top comes from Alpinestars base layer line of under garments that help maintain your core temperature, regardless of riding conditions. The compression fitted material is specially treated to increase circulation and blood flow as well as minimizing muscle fatigue. It’s not just underwear. It’s composed of a Warm Tack fabric construction, nano treated and engineered for cold weather riding. Size: S - XXXL Price: $79.95 Contact: http://alpinestars.com JOE ROCKET • Rocket Nation 2.0 Glove Joe Rocket latest offer to the glove game is their Rocket Nation 2.0. Great fitting and great looking, these gloves feature silicone printed graphics in the palm and double reinforced thumbs as well as injected molded knuckle armor. It’s a clean looking glove that offers the protection needed and is available in a variety of colors to coordinate with your gear or ride. Size: S - XXXL Colors: Orange, Red, Blue, White, Black Yellow, Green, White Price: $35.99 Contact: http://joerocket.com
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THE NEW ISH: Featured Item Öhlins • TTX36 MkII Shock for the Kawasaki ZX10R Öhlins introduces the TTX36 MkII,a mechatronic shock, engineered specifically for machines that do not come factory equipped with electronic suspension. Developed in World SuperBike, the TTX36 MkII is now available for the Kawasaki ZX10R, model years 2011 through 2013. It features steel tubes and a redesigned piston band for better bump absorption. Additionally, the TTX36 MkII has Öhlins EC actuators joined to the shocks ECU which is connected to the ZX 10R’s ECU. The system monitors throttle position, rpm range, wheel speed and reacts accordingly to the rider’s needs. And that’s just the beginning of what the system offers. Price: $1,625.00 Contact: http://ohlinsusa.com Join the SBI ONLINE COMMUNITY today!
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Staff stuff BILT RACING • Hurricane Waterproof Gloves Michael Lawless
Ahhh... Christmas gifts! My lovely wife always struggles to give me something motorcycle related. Knowing that I am painfully practical she purchased a pair of Bilt Racing Hurricane Waterproof gloves she saw in a catalog that was sent to our home. Amy knows I ride in the rain and maybe a new pair of waterproof cold weather gloves might be the perfect gift. The gloves looked nice in the photos and had a good price point. I tried on the gloves and couldn’t help but notice the minimal protection at the palms, the thin padding, the cheap lining and worse still, when I make a fist the seams stretch alarmingly. No, I would not like to crash wearing these gloves! But it’s the thought that counts, right? Nice try. http://biltracing.com Rating: 1 (out of 6)
PUMA • Ducati V2 1000 Boots Allan Lane
They are not the most comfortable boots ever constructed, nor are they the lightest. In fact they were quite cumbersome and weighty. I previously owned a pair of the Puma Desmo 800 boots and were totally in love with them until the zipper popped... Even then, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. So I was quite surprised when I put on the 1000’s and discovered the stark differences between the two. I attributed the initial fit to the need for them to be broken in. That wasn’t the case. However, once I was in them, and that was slightly tricky at times, I was in them and I do mean in them. I definitely felt secure and protected while riding and the articulation made for easy foot placement in the proper position. The weight and discomfort level really doesn’t work well for the boot considering there are so many other footwear options that offer the much needed balance of protection and comfort.. http://puma.com/motorsport Rating: 4 (out of 6) 128 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM
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Image: Allan Lane Location: Montgomery County, PA