SportBikes Inc Magazine March 2013 (Volume 3, Issue 6)

ROAD RACING . DRAG RACING . STUNT RIDING

CUSTOM BIKES . Moto tECH

march 2013 Vol 3 Issue 6

SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM TM

corey alexander’s

the inside track The road race issue

cook neilsen’s daytona | racing by the numbers | lot wars | on the come up | the one show | where’s your bike? | focused on fashion

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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 inside track

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racing by the numbers

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the one show

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cook neilsen’s daytona

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THE USUALS

March 2013 - VOLUME 3, ISSUE 6 INTERACTIVE

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=16 16 SHOP SPOTLIGHT - Apex motorcycle & race Services http://issuu.com/action/page?page=18 18 THE GRID NEWS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=24 24 THE INSIDE TRACK - By Corey Alexander http://issuu.com/action/page?page=54 54 The youngest in charge - By Dystany Spurlock 56http://issuu.com/action/page?page=56 CAPO’S CUT - By Ashon CAPO Dickerson http://issuu.com/action/page?page=54 62 VIOLET STARS & HAPPY STUNTING - By Leah Petersen http://issuu.com/action/page?page=88 88 FEATURED CLUB - 6 gear ryders M.C. 92http://issuu.com/action/page?page=92 KNOW YOUR ROLE - where’s your bike?

96http://issuu.com/action/page?page=96 KNOW YOUR ROLE - where’s your bike?

102http://issuu.com/action/page?page=102 FEATURED RIDERS http://issuu.com/action/page?page=106 106 MOTO TECH - Ask the pro wrench http://issuu.com/action/page?page=110 110 IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS - Vision http://issuu.com/action/page?page=138 138 SPORTBIKES INK!!! http://issuu.com/action/page?page=140 140 THIS LIFE - By Tyson Beckford http://issuu.com/action/page?page=142 142 THE NEW ISH http://issuu.com/action/page?page=148 148 STAFF STUFF

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FEATURED RIDER: BIG E PAGE 104

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EDITOR’S LETTER EDITORIAL

THE TEAM

10 years plus in the motorcycle industry, I’ve made a number of friends that race on the professional level. I’m talking individuals that I really socialize with, send to and receive random texts from, get likes on my Instagram from... You get the point. These ladies and gents of the grid that I consider friends, I hold in the utmost regard. I have the maximum capacity of respect for them. They are just like you and I...

Breathe, sleep, wake up, eat, laugh, joke, cry... But there is there that uncanny moment when the helmet is donned and then it happens... They are no longer humans. They’ve become something else. Something from out of this world.

Regardless of where I am watching the race from, the effect is always the same... Chills.

With all of the talk, murmurs and chat about the future of the sport of road racing, I’d like to remind you... It’s more than a sport. It’s just as I have said, it is the essence of being.

Try no t to let the business of the sport get in the way of the reality of what it is.

ART & DESIGN

Road racing... racing in general is more than a sport. It’s a way of life, a manner in which to exist. It is, dare I say... the essence of being. For fans and participates alike, perhaps the most sorrowful time of the year is the period between the checkered flag of the last race of the season the rumbling of the bikes on the grid at the first race of the next.

Editor in Chief: Allan Lane Lifestyle Director: Tyson Beckford Fashion Editor: Kiana Gadson Moto-Tech Editor: Mark Rozema Technical Advisor: Thomas Campion Drag Race Editor: Ashon “Capo” Dickerson Riding Editor: Eric Wood Contributing Writers: Rickey Gadson Dystany Spurlock Corey Alexander Michael Lawless Leah Petersen Kim Roper Lion James Copy Editor: Angela Lane Executive Administrative Assistant: Jillian Titus Creative Supervisor: Leon Brittain Graphic Designer: Baz Contributing Photographers: Steven Spoons, Terrance Belton Meekail Shaheed, John Hanson Cover: John Hanson

SportBikes Inc Magazine - March 2013 Volume 3, Issue 6 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.

Enjoy the issue.

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 Suzuki launches THE ULTIMATE HAYABUSA contest!

The Ultimate Hayabusa Contest gives Busa owners a chance to not only show off their rides, but also compete for a brand new 2013 Limited Edition Hayabusa. The contest is online at http://ultimatebusa.com where Busa owners can upload images of their bikes and go head to head with other Busa owners in a bracket style competition. make sure to tell them that the good folks from SportBikes Inc Magazine sent you!

Here’s how the contest works: Beginning today, March 11… Register online at http://ultimatebusa.com and begin uploading pics of your Busa. The key is to promote the heck out of your entry! Utilize your social network to get votes for your ride. The more votes you receive, the higher your rank will be.

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local Suzuki dealer to enter and represent their region The “geo location structured” bracket system is broken into four phases with the following prizes: • The 3 Regional Finalists will win a custom painted full face helmet to match their champion Hayabusa • The 3 Regional Finalists will also be invited on a 5 day / 4 night trip to the live finale during the Indy MotoGP race weekend in Indianapolis, IN. The Grand Prize Winner will win a 2013 Hayabusa Limited Edition and the title of “The Ultimate Hayabusa” For complete contest details, visit http://ultimatebusa.com.

A purple Panigale 1199 on the set of KICK ASS 2 It looks as though the character of Hit Girl, played by Chloë Grace Moretz, has received an upgrade in the wheels department. In the soon to be released sequel to 2010’s Kick Ass, Moretz’s character Mindy Macready’s alter ego Hit Girl will be fighting crime with the help of a Ducati Panigale 1199… in Purple.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Minneapolis, doves are crying…

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The press room GREG WHITE LAUNCHES NEW SHOW “GREG’S GARAGE” Greg White is an industry pioneer. Many of us got to know him from his hosting of the Speed Channel’s Two Wheel Tuesday and then more recently from his commentating the AMA Pro Racing broadcast that aired on the same network.

With hopes to fill the void of quality shows for motorcycle enthusaists, White has put together a web based lifestyle show that covers the span of the powersports culture and subculture.

Click on the image below to check out the first full episode and support Greg’s new show, “Greg’s Garage.”

To get more information on Greg White and all of his endeavors, please visit http://www.gregsgaragetv.com.

NORTON MAKES DONINGTON HALL THERE NEW CORPORATE DIGS The famous Donington Hall , located on 26 acres of English countryside on the grounds of the Donington Grand Prix Circuit, has been purchased by Norton Motorcycles. Donington Hall will serve as the manufacturer’s corporate headquarters.

While the main building will serve as the office facilities, the nearby Hastings Hall will operate as the production facility.

“Where else in the world can one tour an 18th century Gothic Revival mansion, view a Norton Motorcycle being built, watch a World Superbike race and attend an Iron Maiden concert all at the same place?” - Dan Van Epps.

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Team No Limit’s Eric Hoenshell joins Speed and Strength!

Speed and Strength announced the newest rider to their line up, Eric Hoenshell today via press release.

Hoenshell, a long standing member of Team No Limit has toured the world as a professional freestyle stunt rider and has appeared on the Speed and Fuel channels as the co star of Superbikes and Stealth Rider.

The following press release is courtesy of Speed and Strength/Tucker Rocky: “Hank Desjardins, Vice President of Marketing for Tucker Rocky Distributing, Fort Worth, Texas, is pleased to announce the endorsement of Kawasaki/Monster Energy freestyle stunt rider Eric Hoenshell.

“Eric brings another gear to the Speed and Strength team, his experience and work ethic are second to none in the industry,” said Desjardins. “We’re excited for the new opportunities Eric brings to our brand.”

“As a member of the No Limit stunt team Eric brings a lot of national exposure,” said Bruce Parker, President of Parker Synergies. “As the fastest growing street apparel brand in America, we’re proud to have Eric on board for 2013. His special talent and connection with fans across the country make him a perfect fit for Speed and Strength.”

“I am proud to announce that I’m now a part of one of the top riding gear suppliers in street bike protection. I’m looking forward to a great year working together with Speed and Strength. See you on 1wheel!,” said Hoenshell.

Look for Eric on tour this year with the No Limit Team.”

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The press room HARLEY DAVIDSON LAUNCHES THEIR NEW SOFTAIL, THE BREAK OUT Harley Davidson released their new model, the Breakout as a premium bike with features unavailable on other models. It’s a throwback to the bikes of the 60’s and 70’s and has a Bobber style to it with it’s big 240mm rear tire, thick forks and Chopper styled fenders.

Prices start at $17,899. Click on the image below for more information on the 2013 Harley Davidson Softail Breakout.

YAMAHA’S 2014 BOLT THE URBAN PERFORMANCE BOBBER Branded as an Urban Performance Bobber, Yamaha’s 2014 Bolt looks just about, every bit the part. The machine is minimized with an old school vibe and “less is more” look. Belt driven, the Bolt produces 942cc’s from an air cooled, 4 stroke, 4 valve V Twin engine.

Available in the standard model and the R Spec versions, the Bolt prices begin at $7,999.

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Shop Spotlight: Apex Motorcycle & Race Services

Words: Allan Lane Images: Courtesy of Apex Motorcycle & Race Services

CONTACT:

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Shop name: Apex Motorcycle and Race Services Address: 701 Miner Road, Suite 7, Hypoluxo, FL 33462 Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9:00am - 5:00pm Year established: 2012 Brands serviced: Specializing in Japanese sport bikes but also service Ducati, Aprilia and Harley Davidson.

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ou can’t beat the right kind of experience. With it comes an understanding of how and what should be. When it comes to preparing your machine for the beating that it will take on the track, Apex Race Services applies their decades of knowledge to make certain that your time on the asphalt is all that it should be and more.

Tim Hunt opened Apex Race Services in 2012 after his years as a professional racer lead him to create a business that offers the services that today’s aspiring and established racers need to get an edge up on the competition. Hunt’s time spent in the racing and general

motorcycle industry translates into incredible customer service and relationships. In fact, Hunt is still a very active member of the race community participtaing in regional CCS/WERA events and AMA Pro Racing as well as mentoring upcoming young riders as a coach at Florida Track Days and Southern Track Days.

Apex Race Services strives to be your on and off track partner. “We are here to not only service customer bikes but provide a one stop shop for all things pertaining to motorcycles! We have a passion for the motorcycling industry and do everything we can to promote and help others realize that passion.” - Tim Hunt

Want to see your shop or dealership featured here? Drop us an email!

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THE GRID: news Michael Jordan Motorsports debuts their 2013 livery Shot on location in Chicago at the former Sears Tower, now known as the Willis Tower on the 103rd floor Skydeck, the 2013 livery for the MJM team rocks an electric blue inspired by the Air Jordan XX8 shoe.

“The whole MJM team is looking forward to Daytona,” said Kreig Robinson, MJM Vice President of Corporate Relations. “We

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expect solid results from Danny and Roger in AMA Pro National Guard Superbike, and we’re excited about James (Rispoli) racing the Daytona 200 for the first time. Additionally, we look forward to supporting Corey (Alexander) in AMA SuperSport. Overall, 2013 is a landmark season for MJM as we reflect on the significance of a successful decade in road racing and the unlimited potential of the future.”

KEVIN SCHWANTZ VERSUS COTA It appears as though the one time 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz is begining the legal process as he and the Circuit of the Americas are at odds. You may recall that Schwantz was a major advocate and spokesperson for the new Austin circuit and was an influential force in bringing light to the venue’s upcoming inaugural MotoGP round. It is the understanding, that alledgely, there was a contract in place between Schwantz and COTA for Schwantz to be the promoter for the GP round in his home state of Texas.

Schwantz is now claiming that COTA has breached that contract and in essence, boxed him out of the event weekend by means of being involved with the marketing and promotion of the race.

Reportedly, Schwantz offered his expertise to COTA in terms of what it would take to produce a succesful GP event at the track and was resourceful to bring Dorna to the table.

However, what alledgely appears to be missing is an acutal contract that would detail Schwantz’s role and duties.

No comment, as of yet from COTA or Dorna on the matter.

WORLD SUPERBIKE AND PHILLIP ISLAND EXTEND THEIR PARTNERSHIP

From the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” department... WSBK and Phillip Island really seem to have a good thing going on. The 2013 season opener yielded an attendance in surplus of 61,000 over a span of three days. The Phillip Island GP circuit is one of the most visually and technically appealing tracks in the world. Their great relationship with FIM and the Victorian Department of Tourism and Major Events has aided them in building a solid event that will return to the track until 2017.

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THE GRID: news EYES ON TOM SYKES the British born, Kawasaki Racing Team rider under the spotlight. A position he gladly welcomes with open arms.

“Yeah, in 2013 my goals are to build on our momentum from 2012 and really to beat my achievements from last season. I feel if we improve on these then both myself and Kawasaki can be in a strong position at the end of the season.”

Half a point is what separated Tom Sykes and his winning the 2012 World Superbike Championship last year. The 2013 season will once again place

Sykes is mentally prepared for the task that is before him as his popularity among fans has soared to new heights.

MV Agusta returns to the Isle of Man Gary Johnson will pilot the ValMoto MV Agusta F3 675 in the supersport class this year at the Isle of Man’s Tourist Trophy.

To gain as much intel and knowledge as possible, the team will work closely with ParkinGO’s World Supersport team to share development and thoughts on set up.

“This is a project that I’m extremely passionate about and I am only embarking on it because I’m confident that victory is within our reach. Having spent the last few years working for manufacturer teams in BSB and WSBK, it feels good to be bringing ValMoto out of retirement and returning to the roads seems a fitting and high profile way to make our return. Gary (Johnson) is an extremely talented rider and the F3 675 is a great

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bike – I’m sure the pairing of the two will be a recipe for success and a reason for me to celebrate another successful TT.” Jack Valentine, ValMoto Team Owner.

The Isle of Man TT takes place May 25 to June 7, 2013.

NICKY HAYDEN SPEAKS ON THE 2013 MOTOGP SEASON With the start of the 2013 MotoGP season literally around the corner, Factory Ducati pilot Nicky Hayden shared his thoughts on the upcoming season.

“2013 is a very important year for me and Ducati.

The goal is clearly to return to the front. We know time is not on our side and with a lot of changes in Ducati, we gotta stay focused and hungry. We must remember that its a long season and recovering

the gap won’t happen over night. But we got to start putting small pieces together that will add up.

I’m really excited about the challenge and ready to claw my way back to bring a regular podium threat on every Sunday!

Hayden recently underwaent minor wrist surgery but is ready for the 2013 season operner at the Losail Circuit in Quatar on April 7.

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SBK TECHNOLOGY FOR EVERYDAY ROADS. 22 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM

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THE GRID

The inside track

Words: Corey alexander IMAGE: john hanson

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Connect with Corey...

D

aytona is only... a week away? Say what?! Feels like just a month or two ago I was laying in a hospital bed thinking about how much the next few months were going to suck. Instead, here I am at my computer writing an article for the Mr. Lane talking about what I’ve been doing up until this point in time to prepare myself.

Other than healing from a broken leg, which is harder than it sounds, believe me, I’ve been working with a trainer and riding the bicycle trainer a few times a week. Since I’m one of the unfortunate to live in the northeast I lose the luxury of being able to ride or train year round. The weather absolutely sucks for the six months in between racing seasons. With that said, I spent a few hours a week pedaling my legs off on a bicycle trainer indoors as well as visiting the gym. If you could think of the most possible boring thing to do, than adding sweating your ass off while doing it, that describes pedaling on the trainer. I do go to the gym which I do enjoy, though I have to stray from my teenage friends’ daily bicep and chest workouts for fear of gaining any muscle weight or just making myself look stupid in front of the gym.

One could only wish to be able to actually ride their motorcycle during the offseason. What a lovely thing that would be. Those of you that are fortunate to ride during the winter need to come spend time in the cold New York winters because it is really not fair, what so ever. Not only am I genuinely excited to ride but I’m genuinely excited to get out of the cold, permitting that Florida is kind to us this year.

Perhaps I’m a tad naive but, after coming back from this injury, training, and feeling as good as I do... I am confident. Confidence for me is a bit scary because it means two things. It means I have the self awareness to do really well, or the ability to not do so well and really make myself unhappy. Time will only really tell, though. All I can do is keep training this next week and see what comes of Daytona!

Also, we just released our bikes for 2013, which I designed myself, and they look sick! I’d love to hear your take on the bike though, so please reach out!

(Editor’s note: Corey put it on the podium with a THIRD PLACE finish for Race 2 of the SuperSport Race at Daytona! Congrats Corey! Your SBI Family is very proud! We salute you!)

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THE GRID: the inside track

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“C

onfidence... It means I have the self awareness to do really well.”

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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.

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THE GRID

Cook Neilsen’s Daytona words: Michael lawless images: courtesy of cook neilsen

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T

o many a rider, Daytona symbolizes the end of winter. Racing and riding can now resume. Here in the northeast we know warmer weather is finally coming.

So why does Daytona have such mystique? To understand the draw of Daytona, you need to watch the action of a practice session. The Superbike racers come howling around the banking, throttle wide open, speeds touching 200 miles per hour. Approaching the first corner, the riders brake, downshift and at the apex put a knee down. This track is not for the timid or weak.

To win at Daytona really makes a statement. When recently asked what I thought to be the most significant motorcycle race at Daytona, ever... I thought to myself, “There are just too many.”

However, in 1977, two magazine editors, privateers no less, won at Daytona on a Ducati. That win would mark Ducati’s first big win in America. A victory so big that the Italian company still regards it as one of their greatest. The Ducati that won the race was not some “works” race bike flown in from the factory, lovingly cared for by engineers and technicians. The bike was actually tuned by Phil Schilling and Cook Neilson in their off hours from running the fabled magazine “Cycle”. They were not full time racers but guys who did it for the love of the sport. The victory was epic. Definitely one for the under dogs.

The story began long ago. Like many teenagers in the early 1960’s, Cook Neilson talked his parents into allowing him to buy a Vespa scooter. Soon after being bitten by the two wheeled bug, Cook went out and purchased the fastest street bike of his era, a Harley Davidson Sportster. Soon he was modifying and drag racing the Sportster and with that same bike, Cook began a successful drag racing career and even set records at Bonneville.

After graduating from Princeton, Cook seemed set for a promising career on Wall Street. But instead he took a job writing for Cycle magazine and was the editor by the age of 26. Under Cook's leadership Cycle hired Phil Schilling and together they rewrote the rule book and pioneered new techniques on the way to grow the largest motorcycle magazine in America. Somewhere along the way they found time to campaign a self tuned Ducati road racer and win at Daytona. In fact, the Ducati 750 Super Sport that carried Neilson to Victory started out as his road bike.

At the top of his game, in 1979, Cook Neilson retired from the motorcycle

industry.

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THE GRID: Cook neilsen’s daytona

Not too long ago, a friend on FaceBook posted a cool vintage racing photo.

Both Neilson and I commented on the photo. I did not know Cook but figured “what the heck” and sent him a friend request. He accepted and we have several small conversations that follow. A few months later my brother John mentioned he was looking for a VIP Judge for Radnor Hunt’s Concours d'Elegance. The gears start turning.

John had tried to contact Neilson, but had no luck. I mentioned that I was friends with Neilson on Facebook and received an eye roll from John. I tell John that I had access to the correct contact information for John to not only contact him, but invite him to be a VIP judge at Radnor Hunt.

I was amazed how humble Neilsen is considering the incredible achievements he’s had over the course of his career. He’s not one to brag or boast and does not take credit, unjustly.

It’s motorcyclists, racers, journalists... like Cook Neilson who inspire me to try harder to reach my goals and dreams, yet remain humble.

I am grateful for his time and friendship.

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Cook Neilsen (L) and Paul Smart SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 33

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racing by the numbers

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words: Kreig robinson images: allan lane

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THE GRID: racing by the numbers

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’m all too often asked, “What does it cost to go racing?” or “How much does one of your bikes cost?” And while I try to explain that costs vary according to each team, their budgets, their methods, and the bits and pieces they use, the answer always seems to be a bit muddy.

As the person who asked the question begins to glaze over with contempt in asking what was intended to be a simple question with a simple answer, I launch into reciting a thesis no one wants to hear. I’m not being difficult, but it is ‘muddy.’ There is no set cost, and there are a number of ways to accomplish arriving and racing at a GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Racing National Guard Superbike event.

Here’s my attempt to ‘unmuddy’ the waters a bit, by trying to define some of the costs that any privateer would encounter in entering a Superbike race.

You’ll need at least two motorcycles. Taking your pick of OEM motorcycles allowed to race

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in the National Guard Superbike class will lead you to the 2013 Suzuki GSX-R 1000 with an MSRP of $13,799, the Yamaha R1 with an MSRP of $14,490, the KTM RC8 R at $16,499, the Honda CBR 1000RR at $13,800… you get the idea. Head down to your local dealership and double down. While you’re there, grab the Vortex catalog and order rearsets, clip ons, brake and clutch levers, a host of sprockets, rear stands and rear stand spools, fairing brackets, frame sliders, gas caps, lowering links, case covers, and gas caps...

Don’t forget to multiply by two.

Don’t leave the parts counter, yet. Order up some Armour Bodies race bodywork, D.I.D. chains and at least three sets of magnesium wheels per bike to make changing multiple sets of tires a bit easier. This will probably set you back $10 to 15K depending on which brands you choose. Remember, you get what you pay for!

Dizzy yet?

If you still have a wad of cash burning a hole in your pocket, add on your electronics for fuel mapping, quick shifting, and traction control, like the Bazzaz Z Fi series of products. Don’t forget a host of fluids and K&N filters and high performance lubricants like Maxima. Now, you can leave the parts counter.

Take your bikes and piles of parts to your favorite engine builder and put down a deposit.

Prices range from a $1000 to who knows what for a performance build which balances and blueprints your engines and adds the unseen bits and magic that continues to ring the cash register. Make sure those cams and pistons and other chunks of metal meet AMA Pro’s homologation upon random tear down, or your efforts will be for naught.

But wait, your bodywork is still in primer and you’ll need personal safety gear before you

leave for the track. Are you keeping tabs on the cost yet? On the low end, you’re at about $45K. On the high end? You do the math. And you haven’t paid the entry fee or driven to the track that’s 300 miles away in your van pulling your tow behind trailer. If you own an RV, that will cut down on hotel expenses. If not, pull out the plastic and keep that plastic out for Sunoco race fuel and Dunlop race tires.

Podiums are made for individual athletes, and while delusions of personal grandeur often include achieving massive fame, riches, a gaggle of umbrella models and your mug placed on multiple pages of your favorite racing magazine, racing is a TEAM sport. Meaning that although you’re most likely financing your Superbike career from your personal grove of money trees in your back yard, you’ll need some buddies to come along and shag tires, push bikes on and off the grid, set up canopies and turn the hot dogs on your grill. That means more hotels, meals, and probably a respectable SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 39

THE GRID: racing by the numbers

bar tab to ‘pay’ your crew.

Let’s go back to those bikes. Hopefully your engine builder owns a Dyno and has done you a favor by doing some pulls and dialing in some fuel maps for you. If he doesn’t, you’ll need to find a Dyno, and a person who knows how to operate it, to do some runs and let you know where you stand. These kinds of services start at $50 and up, per hour. You’ll want to make sure that the Dyno operator knows your electronics system or you could find yourself headed down a rabbit hole never to return.

Pick up a laptop to download your data from each practice and qualifying session. Next, you’ll need to test. Head to your local track day and hope for some clear space or pony up to rent the track all by your lonesome or with a few other pros. This will probably run you a minimum of $5K per day but as much as $20K. If you’re spending that much money, you may as well find an engineer to help you further refine your electronics and chassis set up.

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Speaking of chassis set up, you’ll need to purchase shocks and cartridge inserts for your front forks from the approved AMA list. We use K-Tech, and that comes with a technician to change and service the equipment.

So, let’s go back and tally all of this up. Before Race 1, you will have probably spent $100K before you turn a wheel in anger on the high banks of Daytona. Multiply by ten rounds of racing and the picture becomes vivid. It will most likely be autumn as you begin this process, so get out your rake and bag up the Benjamins from those money trees out back.

After you've gotten everything ready to go and tallied up the costs, you’ve got to realize, but not be intimidated by the fact that the “factory” bike, those motorcycles that the manufactures and well financed teams field on the line next to you, spent 10 times what you spent to get on the same grid. Their costs for staff,

overhead, transporters, caterers, P.R. people, videographers, "works parts", truck drivers and all the other costs that are necessary to support a top flight race team are tremendous. And while all of these ancillary costs don't show up in the answer to the question "what's the bike cost," that amount dwarfs the cost of the machine itself.

All of this assumes that you never hit the ground and need a spare part, and we all know how that story ends… multiple trips back to the parts counter. In summary, the answer to the question of how much does it cost to go racing in the American Superbike class is still this, it varies.

advantage available to shed tenths off their lap times, chasing podium glory.

There are certainly ways to cut costs, and definitely an infinite number of ways to spend your kid’s college fund, your 401K and the inheritance from grandpa. This is also by no means a discouraging indictment against Superbike racing, but hopefully a reality check as to what goes into the basics of funding a true privateer effort as you seek to bend metal, asphalt, and rubber to your will. Support your local dealer, support your local racer, and we’ll see you at the races!

The AMA Pro Racing organization continues to make strides towards containing the costs of racing by limiting electronics and controlling certain specialized parts construction materials (e.g. carbon fiber wheels and bodywork).

However, in order to be as competitive as possible, racers and teams spend to find any SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 41

THE GRID

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THE GRID: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Nico Ferreira

Nico Ferreira

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NAME: Nico Ferreira AGE: 27 Association/Affiliations/Series: AMA PRO Road Racing Superbike Goals: Work a lot, learn a lot and improve my results in every race.

Accomplishments: 2006 Andalucia 600cc SS Championship 12th place, 2007 Andalucia 600cc SS Championship 2nd place (7 races with 4 wins), 2008 Suzuki European Cup 12º place (points in all races), Andalucia 600cc SS Championship (2 races with 2 wins), 2009 Castilla-La Mancha 600cc Champion, 2010 CEV Moto2 Championship, 2011 Andalucia 600cc SS Championship (8 races with 4 wins), 2012 Won the Interlagos 500, 5 races in CCS with 3 wins, 2 races in AMA Sportbike, both with points.

Define your passion in one sentence: My family and road racing are all in my life.

Contact: http://nicoferreira.com

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THE GRID: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Joi Harris

Joi Harris aka S.J.>

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NAME: Joi Harris aka S.J. AGE: Young enough to drag a knee and old enough to know when not to.

Association/Affiliations/Series: Threader Racing, NEXX, Big Apple Motorcycle School, Rubber Chicken Racing Gararge, Absolute Cycle Experience, Team Pro-Motion, Northeast Sportbike Association, Tony’s Track Days Goals: To keep improving upon my technique and decreasing lap times.

Hoping to attend Yamaha Champion’s School this year. Earn my race license from Aaron Stevenson’s CornerSpeed School in 2013. To begin competition by mid 2013 in: CCS Novice middle weight SS classes and Femmoto MW class, WERA C middle weight SS classes and Women’s SS class.

Peak interest and increase partnerships through sponsorship. Put Threader Racing in a position to foster nothing but professionalism and success on and off the track. To quietly but aggressively make my way through the ranks to an AMA Professional License.

Accomplishments: Currently in the process of being sponsored by Big Apple Motorcycle School in NY to earn the MSF instructor cert. Completed levels 1and 2 of Keith Code’s California Superbike School.

Acquired one of the greatest mentors to have in my corner, Tom Cutter aka “The Cutter Man”. Successfully secured sponsorship with NEXX USA. Completed CornerSpin School “road racing in the dirt” with Aaron Stevenson. Earned my MBA in 2012.

Define your passion in one sentence: 1 life... Live it! 1 chance... Take it! 24 million possibilities... Hold your line.

Contact:

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THE GRID: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Tim Hunt

Tim Hunt

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NAME: Tim hunt AGE: 45 Association/Affiliations/Series: AMA, WERA, CCS Goals: 5 National #1’s, 37 Regional #1’s and 2 National Endurance #1’s.

Track Record Holder at Roebeling Road (1:10.558).Starting Apex Motorcycle and Race Services. In WERA we have partnered up with Kat Zimpel and Katra racing. Katra/Apex will be running the Wera National Endurance Series. I will be chasing the WERA National Sprint titles along with two up and coming talented brothers, Hayden and Colin Shultz that are racing under the Apex tent. We will also be competing and help supporting racers in a few CCS rounds when it doesn’t conflict with our schedules.

Accomplishments: Racing goals have been all met... Won national titles, endurance championships and many regional championships. Now the focus is on helping others realize their potential! What I really love to do is coach and help get street riders up to a track day level, then track day riders to club racing level and also help club guys get to the Pro level. I have worked with many of todays stars and had a hand in many young riders to develop their career. The short version, be a mentor and someone people can come to for help and use my knowledge and past experiences to help develop riders and teams, along with building the shop to a national presence.

Contact: http://apexroadracing.com

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THE GRID: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Bruno Silva

Bruno Silva

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NAME: Bruno Silva AGE: 27 Association/Affiliations/Series: Apex Motorcycle and Race Service Ballistik sponsored rider, CCS, AMA Goals: Do all the 2013 CCS Flórida races on Superbike and unlimited classes and a couple of AMA races.

Accomplishments: 2012 Homestead AMA Race SBK 16th place on first race and 7th place on second race.

2012 CCS Florida results: 3rd place on Expert GTO, 3rd place on Expert Unlimited Supersport, 3rd place on Expert Unlimited Superbike, 9th place overall Define your passion in one sentence: No matter the challenge, the opposition, if you really love racing, success and happiness is going to come. You just have to believe!

Contact:

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THE STRAIGHT LINE

the youngest in charge Words: Dystany Spurlock IMAGES: Terrence Belton

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Connect with Dystany...

What is a Competitor?

T

he dictionary says “a person who takes part in an athletic contest.” That is a very true but yet limited definition in my opinion.You can be in a competition as a competitor and not compet. But does that really make you a competitor. Or are you just attempting to put your self around other competitors to make yourself look as such? Are you just trying to look the part? A competitor wears many crowns and is not limited to just one.

A competitor to me is someone that has a heart wrenching passion for the sport that they do. They eat, breath and sleep the sport, they study it to learn as much as possible about it so that they can be the best at it. Being a competitor, in my opinion, also means that you must be a role model for others, and showing them that anything they put their mind to, they can achieve it.

Being a competitor, myself, in a predominately male dominated sport is something unique. Therefor it is even more reason for me to stand my ground. I could easily be just racing in the sport and not be competitive. That is not in my blood. I am a competitor. I knock down barriers and do things that aren’t suppose to be done. When I set my mind to something I do it to its highest ability. In drag racing I look up to Rickey Gadson and I see how he’s done so much and knocked down so many barriers in the sport. He has that passion and love for what he does, and that makes him a true competitor. I am striving to do just as he has. The same with Danica Patrick. She has set a path for women in NASCAR just as I am going to do. I will not settle for less and I will success in all that I do because I am a competitor.

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THE STRAIGHT LINE

Capo’s cut

Connect with Capo...

Words: Ashon capo dickerson IMAgeS: Stefanie Dickerson/Terrence Belton

M

y two wheelers, what’s Good?! Hope all is well as we are reaching the last of the winter stretch. Riding season and the well awaited race season is here on deck. I want to say it has been a hectic winter for me and I’m super excited about getting back to biz on the 1320, aka... the dragstrIp. I just would like to touch on a few things that have been really getting under my thick skin lately. My job as the Drag Racing Editor of SBI Magazine is to bring you, the readers the “Real Deal, Holyfield!”

Over the off season we have had a lot of companies contact us ADickersonRacing and 1030 Motorsports about sponsorship and business opportunities. Some, we are now in business with and looking forward to a productive long term beneficial relationship for all parties involved. A lot of other companies, which I won’t name, I have chosen not to represent. I, as a rider, will not represent or promote a product that I wouldn’t or don’t use myself! We have a lot of misleading information out here. Some companies are just looking to make a quick buck or pimp riders to promote.

Attention riders: Please know the truth about the products you use for Safety, rider gear or what you use for performance enhancements for your machine!

And if it’s BS, we want to know about it! So please hit me up and let me know the scoop and your experience. Racers, always do your R and D before you go jumping in on the new fad or trend just because you see it on FaceBook or other social media sites. Just because they say, “Pour it in and watch the horsepower increase” doesn’t mean that it will work just like magic. The only thing that has ever given me instant horsepower by direct pour in my tank is VP Race Fuels!

Always remember my people, the blind can never lead the blind. Five percent are the poor righteous teachers. Ten percent are the blood suckers of the poor. Eighty five percent are dumb, deaf and blind to the misleading ways of the world. So let’s all help each other see this trickery and support the companies and people who support us!

Positive progression Is the only progression!

Loyalty Is Everything!

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THE STRAIGHT LINE: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Jay BriceW. Lloyd Beasley

Jay W. Beasley

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NAME: Jay W. Beasley AGE: 41 Association/Affiliations/Series: AHDRA, MIROCK, NHRA, Manufacturers Cup, Bobby Hoover Nitro Racing Goals: Progress to Top Fuel and to be the best competitor and person I can be on and off the track.

Accomplishments: Fifteen years ago I gave up bull riding to start my family and my electrical company. I love extreme sports. I’m currently studying the art of Tae Kwon Do and received my nitro pro-drag licenses in 2011.

Define your passion in one sentence: I want to be the best at anything I do - whether it’s for my family or racing.

Contact:

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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 | 61

The Rev LIMITER

violet stars and happy stunting Words and Images: Leah petersen

The Problem with Freestyle Competition W

hat is the problem with judging sportbike freestyle? The problem is that fundamentally and philosophically it is, in fact, unjudgeable! I know that sounds adverse to anyone involved in competitive freestyle, but stick with me for a second and I will bring this around 360 degrees.

“Freestyle” activities sometimes work in athletic competition, but only when it can be measured. For instance, freestyle swimming, where there is an obvious winner however they reached the finish line... If they got there first, they are clearly the winner. But individual freestyle, like the type of riding stunters currently do in competition around the world, is subjective. Styles, trends and preference become a big part in creating a “winner.” Clearly skills are a monumental part of the spectrum, but put your ear to the ground at any stunt competition and you will hear the significant grumblings from riders and fans, feeling someone got shafted for an unquantifiable reason.

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Jon Pena Zalla

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The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...

Pierre Renaud

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Currently most stunt competitions adhere to a similar model of judging. The sport recognizes four “categories” of tricks and a few style concepts that help you get high marks in competition.

The categories are: wheelies on the rear wheel, stoppies on the front wheel, acrobatics usually on two wheels and burnouts or drifts. How you put these categories together normally separates the top five from the rest of the pack. Currently most judges look for exciting energy in a run and properly executed tricks, pleasing flow which weeds out boring lulls and overall showmanship.

This method of judging stunt riding does a good job of “generally” placing riders, for instance, normally if you place in the top five, everyone agrees you deserve it. But the close placings, for instances the difference between third and second, is commonly debatable. The gray area involved in this method of judging raises the question... Are we really awarding the “Best” or “Most Skilled” rider at each event? And that returns us to the crux of our problem; you can’t judge a subjective activity in absolute terms. When it boils down to it, first place and second place or fifth and sixth, are more an outcome of chance and preference, than skill.

So how do you fairly judge something artistic, like stunting, in absolute, indisputable terms? We don’t have a finish line or goals to score. It seems the only solution is to create a standardized format, which clearly pits each rider against each other, fairly, on the same terms. I come from an equestrian background and competed in dressage which is a very classical type of horse riding that encounters similar complications as stunt riding. Everyone has their own horse and it’s not a timed event, it’s a display of skills learned over a long period of training; so someone needs to create a concrete challenge that allows each rider to display their skills for measurable comparison.

Dressage’s solution is that an international committee creates a standardized course for each “level.” The levels allow for new riders to easily get involved in competition, which is something stunting currently doesn’t address very well. To compete, you learn and practice the course, find a local, recognized competition and compete! Once you have earned a passing score, you move onto the next level; moving forward until you are competing at the top level or “Grand Prix.” There is still a freestyle option for competitors, were you construct your own SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 65

The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...

Lee Bowers

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Angyal Zoltan

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The Rev LIMITER: VIOLET STARS...

Kyle Sliger

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course, but that is separate from the core judged event that titles the top riders. If everyone does the same, set course, you have something you can judge with a clear winner. Sometime the scores are disputed, but dressage offers a complete breakdown form, with notes and comments from the judge to back up his or her reasoning.

While that is one solution which works in the real world, dressage has run this way for decades and is performed throughout the world; it brings us to another problem with current sportbike freestyle competition.

Sometimes, it gets boring.

It’s a delicate thing to balance and a hard thing to get right, what is most important, the sincerity of the competition or how many people the event is packing into the stands? Obviously stunt events cost money and you need to draw a big enough crowd to pay the bills. But if you’re creating the rules and event to keep fans happy, are you providing the best platform to judge athletic capabilities and all that is possible on a motorcycle?

The way I see it, both the serious competition and the entertainment aspect are important to grow the sport. After traveling to stunt competitions around the world, I support anyone trying to create something for our sport, but I would also say define what you’re doing and don’t be afraid to try something new. There is no need to please everyone; some riders are going to prefer true athletic competition that might not attract the largest crowds. On the other hand, some rider might prefer learning crowd-pleasing tricks and doing events that are more about making the public happy. I know I’ve listed many problems and obstacles our sport faces, but that’s only because I believe the solution lies out there with you, the passionate rider or fan.

We hold our future in our hands and this is our sport to build.

We already have eager consumers and participants. Fans want more shows around the globe to attend, amateur riders want to compete and current competitors want more opportunities to challenge themselves. If you have an idea and the drive to make it a reality, go for it, you never know. It might be the next X-Games or Nitrous Circus!

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LOT WARS words: Dena Sodano Images: Steven Spoons

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The Rev LIMITER: lot wars

jesse toler

T

hat time of year rolled around again. It’s the dead of winter. Well for most, but not for those who live in sunny Florida! Lot Wars has struck again! But this time, it took place in a secret location in Lakeland, Florida for its third, yearly session.

Riders from literally everywhere made the trip to take part in Lot Wars 2013. Some drove an

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hour, others nearly across the country and even some from Europe, in order to take a much needed break from the everlasting cold winter.

Going at it nonstop for a week straight, riders kept grinding into the early hours of the morning turning circle combos, tattooing the lot with drifts, killing straight line combos and rollin’ ‘em tall! Photographers were having a field day

nick garlato

chuck malott

capturing badass shots and if they missed one, you know someone else caught it with a video camera or GoPro on hand. When some finally decided to call it quits for the day, these die hards were more than ready to get right back on their bikes and do it all over again the very next day.

Although my visit to Lot Wars was brief,

it brought together such a mass variety of riders, styles, bikes, setups, and personalities like it always does. Some of the killers out there were Speed and Strength’s Shelby Moore and Joe Tobolic of GR's Finest who made an early breakaway from frigid Michigan to start the Lot Wars party. You had some O.G.'s from the Dirty Jersey, Chicago's best Paul H. and Detroit's Matthew Guidas. XDL competitors from SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 75

The Rev LIMITER: lot wars

chris sandberg

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Chris Madatyall

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The Rev LIMITER: lot wars

combat barbie

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Jessica Pecora and Mike Engel

rowdy

jesse toler

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The Rev LIMITER: lot wars

beaver bob up north Nick Karipis and Brian Bubash as well as riders from the NEC and New York's G Stoddard were all getting it in. I also finally got to do a little bit of riding with fellow female riders Combat Barbie and Robyn Diamond.

Team Anger Management's Jesse Toler and Rodney Sargent rolled the weekend away on their front wheels as usual like kids on a playground.

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Lot Wars simply had way too many people to name, but everyone had the same agenda: to hang with friends and ride in the warm weather.

Just like any big riding session, it's usually a bit of chaos in finding a spot to ride amongst the mass amount of stunt bikes wheelieing literally everywhere. You have to remain aware of your

ruthless tactics

surroundings by checking over your shoulder because at any given moment a bike is coming at you from every direction at all times. It didn't matter, it was still a fun time.

Riding is about having fun. I think sometimes people occasionally lose sight of that. This years Lot Wars was simply another day at the spot for the sole reason to ride and have

nothing but a good time!

2014 Lot Wars will be yet another awesome session to be sure not to miss here in sunny Florida!

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The Rev LIMITER: lot wars

shelby moore

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The Rev LIMITER: ON THE COME UP

Images: Courtesy of Alexis Manning

Alexis Manning aka Combat Barbie

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NAME: Alexis Manning aka Combat Barbie AGE: 24 Association/Affiliations/Series: LOTSTARZ, Dreamworx Cycles, SickNasty Clothing, BSP Productions, Team Myrtle West, 5th Gear Sprockets Goals: My goals are to learn new tricks and motivate more females to start riding. I want to travel to more states and ride with more stunt riders and to explore new lots and areas. I also want to win a comp in a XDL event in the future.

Accomplishments: I won1st place in the Baldwin and QBMC 50 Comp. Being able to ride at events and shows for SickNasty Clothing with other amazing riders. I’ve been a featured rider of January 2012 for GirlClutch. Having my fans, friends and family there to support me.

If it wasn’t for them I would not be where I am today. Mostly Dreamworx Cycles for hooking up my bike to the max!

Define your passion in one sentence: I live to stunt and stunt to live!

Contact: http://CombatBarbieStunts.com

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ADVERTISE WITH

FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFO PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM 86 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM

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THE LIFE: FEatured Club

Words: Allan Lane Images: Courtesy of 6 Gear Ryders MC

Rocker Interpretation: Like the gears of a motorcycle, the club must operate flawlessly to rotate. In essence, they must work together as a unit to move forward and progress. Their rocker is a constant reminder for them to maintain that unity. “6 gear, just like gears we must work as a constructive mechanism or we will not rotate.”

History/Origin of Club: The first vision of the club, 6 Gear MC was founded in 2002 by Jack V. Johnson, aka Big Jack. Driven by a desire to establish an organization that was deeply rooted in the community and had firm fundamentals, 6 Gear MC was only the beginning. The club as it is known today, 6 Gear Ryders Motorcycle Club came into existence in 2007. This second stage of the club’s vision expanded beyond the social and entertainment aspects of the group. It

6 Gear Ryders MotorCycle club REGION: Newark, Nj FOUNDED: 2007 MEMBERS: 14 ELECTED OFFICIALS: President - Bishop Vice president - Poker P.R.O. - Rush GM - RudeBoy TREASURER - Cholly Murphy

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matured into a club of solid individuals that in addition to socializing, now added the pillar of service to their structure. It was decided then, that anyone that desired to become a member of the 6 Gear Ryders MC had to be spirit filled, family oriented, educated, business minded, charitable and committed.

Club Milestones/Memorable Moments:Â Club highlights include Founder Big Jack moving to Savannah, GA and starting 6 Gear MC of GA. Now, 6 Gear MC has two chapters. Big Jack also opened the 6 Gear Motorcycle Parts and Accessories store.Â

gave away over 60 turkeys to a local home for Senior Citizens.

Future of the club: The 6 Gear Ryders MC is looking to completing their club house and establishing a chapter in Florida. This July, they will celebrate their sixth year in the MC community with an anniversary party on July 6.

As unit, this club has crossed borders, traveled near and far: Myrtle Beach, Baltimore, Bear Mountain in NY and Boston. They also celebrate the community at their 6 Gear Family and Friends Cookout. This past Thanksgiving at their Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, the club Want to see your club featured here?

Drop us an email!

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THE LIFE: Know your role

Where’s your bike?

Words: Lady Kim

don’t know about you but my hand is twitching for the twisting of my motorcycle throttle! I have been collecting bike events for my club so we can plan our travel calendar for the 2013 riding season.

I

how a lot of the motorcycle and riding clubs have a large amount of members at bike events. However, as soon as the bike season starts the members disappear? Where did they go?

I am ready to spread my wings because I wanna ride! I wanna ride! I wanna ride!

I get excited as soon as we have to turn our clocks back for daylight savings time. This is not only when we lose one hour of sleep, but unfortunately, this is a time that we always lose a lot of members in the bike community.

All winter these clubs members were wearing their colors, hardcore! Only to find out that they have no bike! Have you noticed these same club members have FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram pages that are filled with bike parties pictures only. There seems to be a growing epidemic of clubs accepting members that do not own or know how to ride a motorcycle!

Have you ever noticed during the winter time

I see a lot of new patches being made to reflect

“T

here seems to be a growing epidemic of clubs accepting members that do not own or know how to ride a motorcycle...”

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this nonsense such as: “NEWS FLASH! NO BIKE = NOT A RIDER! So, why are you wearing MC colors, and perpetrating a fraud???”

“NO BIKE? NO BIKER!” “NO BIKE = VESTED PEDESTRIAN ONLY!”

In some states, there is the 80/20 rule. That means that 80% of your club members must own and ride a motorcycle. The other 20% are nonriding members. Inquiring minds want to know.. Why did you join a club if you don’t have a bike and why does your club accept nonriding members? The nonriding members should be in a Social Club. I mean, what exactly is the purpose of nonriding members in

the club besides driving the chase vehicle? Is it to make the club look bigger? To get more incoming dues? To win trophies at parties? To get women or men to date you because your “cool” now?

There is a history, respect and protocols that come with wearing your colors. It’s not a fashion statement, hence the patch “NICE VEST, WHERE IS YOUR BIKE?”. Oh you have a bike but you don’t ride it because it has been in the shop for how many years? They got me scratching head trying to figure that one out.

Let’s be clear! If your bike has been in your garage with two inches of dust or you have permanent PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome), then you are not a biker. You are a motorcycle enthusiast!

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THE LIFE: The Lion’s Den

Real Recognizes Real

Words & images: lion james

A

s a club rider, track day veteran and self proclaimed passport stamping sport touring street motorcyclist who reaches out to and networks with other two wheel enthusiasts from multiple sub categories of this sport, lifestyle, hobby in my travels on two wheels, I often hear an expression, or about a dozen variations thereof, that has always intrigued me. We all know one or more, we’ve all said it before and secretly we all long to be recognized by our peers as a “real rider.” What does it mean to be a real rider? It is a completely subjective title with a significance, meaning and categorization as varied as our peers who would bestow the title upon us. Even if, like me, you don’t particularly favor this expression because of its exclusionary

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context, you can’t help but be flattered at the thought of yourself being regarded as a real rider. What is a “real rider?” Can two motorcyclists from very different disciplines, with very different riding styles or atop very different types or classes of motorcycle both be “real riders?” How often must someone throw a leg over in order to be a real rider or more specifically how much time must one spend in the saddle to become a real rider?

These questions ultimately led me to one even more head scratching question which is...

If you are a real rider, then what are the rest of us?

My search for answers took me to the

paddock first. It occurred to me that professional racers, those on the CCS circuit and track day mainstays seemed to all have something in common that eludes the motorcyclists who ride strictly street, stunt or toured. That thing is the controlled pursuit of speed and proficient technique.

Albeit a one sided and somewhat narrow minded view of the sport, many of these racers believe that this pursuit can only be undertaken at the track. A motorcyclist I once spoke with at a CCS race at New Jersey Motorsports Park told me that racers and even track day regulars are real riders because they are using the bikes as the manufacturers intended. Only on the track can a motorcyclist move towards the goal of becoming faster than his or her competition and better as a rider. While I am paraphrasing what the rider said to me, what I took from the conversation is that when it comes to riding motorcycles, practice can only make better and not perfect. There is no end game where one

becomes a perfect rider, only improved in technique, speed, performance, knowledge, both practical and theory based, and experience. And only on the race track can a motorcyclist truly push themselves to the limits of their ability and the machine to the limits of its capability.

With great appreciation for the track purists and gratitude for the jewels bestowed upon me by this racer rising thru the ranks who explained to me what made him, and those like him, a real rider I went looking for real riders elsewhere.

For street riders, occasional or fair weather riders, club riders and two wheel commuters all over, at least those devoid of track day aspirations, it stands to reason that being a real rider does not include dragging a knee or reducing lap time. Often the real riders in the street are those with the best stories of memorable rides or the riders who are held in high regard by those in their circle as being of a better two wheel pedigree.

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THE LIFE: The Lion’s Den

The fastest on public roads, the rider who has seen it all, done it all on two wheels or the rider who’s logged the most miles or kilometers on the tachometer is often times seen as a real or the realest among an assembly of other real riders. Admittedly, I myself have on occasion looked at a motorcyclist’s rear tire for wear to determine his or her “realness” as a rider. My curiosity about what makes a rider real led me next to explore these criteria in the street to discover if these were appropriate or even widely enough accepted measurements of a street rider’s worthiness as real. I met a young lady from Philadelphia at a bike night in the city once that I recognized as being among the more respected of female motorcyclists in this male dominated and at 98 | SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM

times chauvinistic sport, lifestyle, hobby. She seemed more confident than your average urban motorcyclist regardless of gender.

Her demeanor, gear, motorcycle and most notably the way those around her treated her told me that surely this was a real rider.

We spoke briefly, as I could immediately tell that she was not interested in having her time monopolized by me at bike night.

This two wheeled vixen explained to me that being a real rider had to do with the individual rider’s outlook on their riding more so than the way those around her or him see her or him. A real rider, she told me, doesn’t just ride for the attention or to be counted among the relative few who would dare to dabble in this lifestyle. Quite surprised, pleasantly might I add, by her poignant and

rather well thought out, almost rehearsed, assessment of what makes a rider real, I decided that to probe any further would only yield more of the same conviction.

Another street only motorcyclist I spoke with at that same bike night told me that a real rider isn’t timid when faced with adverse road and weather conditions. A real rider is more interested in state to state day long treks in any and every direction than he [or she] is in quick jaunts to a local eatery and back reaching the bike’s rev limiter from traffic light to traffic light. Confident that this was a more conventional interpretation of what makes a rider real in the opinion of a street only rider, I sought the insight from the occasional street rider and their ilk.

Weekend warriors, as they are affectionately referred to, or the occasional motorcyclists are those who venture out only on warm summer days content with not straying far from home or approaching the break neck speeds that are all too commonly associated with motorcyclists in the eyes of the non riding public. If anyone could offer a fresh take on the real rider quandary I was examining, it would be these two wheel tourists. I discovered that the weekend warriors’ outlook by in large is that a real rider embraces the freedom that the motorcycle represents by focusing on the privilege of coming and going as they please. They are not constrained by the bureaucracy of a motorcycle club or the obligation that accompanies a back patch.

They are not hindered by the physical demands or financial considerations of the track. Furthermore they are not burdened by the ever present and often constant dangers of daily riding. The weekend warrior gets to treat the motorcycle like a toy in the sense that when they are done playing, the motorcycle simply gets put away. They see themselves as real riders, at least the ones who care to toss their helmets into the debate, because the, at times elusive, freedom that many motorcyclists seek is

theirs all the time.

After getting the perspective on what makes a rider real from a few different types of rider it became clearer to me that the discipline, genre or sub category of the rider, for lack of more appropriate terms, determines their respective opinions on what makes one a real rider. The touring motorcyclist I spoke to thought of himself as a real rider because he embraced the adventure that the motorcycle facilitates.

The drag racer I talked to claimed to be a real rider because of the focus and discipline it takes to be the fastest in a straight line. The club riders all seem united to an extent in their fervor that a real rider celebrates the common bond of brotherhood or sisterhood, community and mutual respect shared by the patch.

All these riders, one as real as the next in my assessment, were making valid points and to their credit could not be dissuaded in their individual and collective beliefs. I applaud them all for even taking a stand on the real rider debate but was still not convinced that I had found out what makes a rider “real.” I hadn’t found out if I was a real rider or not because it meant fitting into one of the boxes laid before me by these self proclaimed real riders. In fact I am not quite sure than any of us are even qualified to say who is and who isn’t a real rider since I doubt any of us have been riding long enough or have made significant enough contributions to the sport, lifestyle, hobby to hold the credentials that gives us license to comment on another’s validity as a motorcyclist.

Who am I, for that matter who are any of us to judge another rider that opens the same throttle as we do? Having taken all this into consideration, I believe that it is not the rider that is real but the ride that is real.

The ride.

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FEatured THE LIFE FEatured LIFE:rider FEatured riderS riderS

Marty S. AKA “Juice” location: Los Angeles, CA Occupation: Security Management Years Riding: 3.5 years.

Riding style: Street and track.

Bike/s owned: 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory favorite bike modification/accessory: Usually exhaust, but my Graves shorty exhaust is tied with the Favorite piece of riding gear: Motoport kevlar pants.

Cool in the summer and crash test verified. most memorable ride: A ride to Cold Springs Tavern in Santa Barbara from LA with a large group of good friends... two of whom are the most important people in my life, aside from family. We spent 150 of the 300 mixed canyon and freeway miles in heavy rain and managed to enjoy every minute of it.

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Jay Porter location: Somerset, NJ

AKA “Bishop”

Occupation: IT Security Years Riding: 10 years.

Riding style: Street and track.

Bike/s owned: 2006 Honda CBR1000RR, 2012 BMW S1000RR favorite bike modification/accessory: On the CBR, the blue and yellow Carrozzeria wheels and Samco Silicone hoses.

On the Beemer it’s the four power modes (Sport, Race, Wet, Slick) and the quick shifter. Awesome bike.

Favorite piece of riding gear: Riding gear is very important but my favorite is the helmet. AGV GP-Tech Rossi 5 Continents Helmet. My next one will be the AGV Pista GP Helmet. most memorable ride: Riding with 6 Gear Ryder’s MC, BadGirlz and Team Trilogy to Bear Mountain in upstate NY. Those hills and valleys with fast blind curves made me feel like I was on the Isle of Man. I was on my BMW S1000RR with sport mode on.

The bike and I were one that day.

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FEatured THE LIFE FEatured LIFE:rider FEatured riderS riderS

Big E location: Indianapolis, IN Occupation: Driver Years Riding: 11 years.

Riding STYLE: Street.

Bike/s owned: 2005 Kawasaki ZX10, 2012 Kawasaki ZX14 favorite bike modification/accessory: Vortex rear

sets, clutch and brake levers.

Favorite piece of riding gear: My Arai helmet. most memorable ride: Too many to list!

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Keisha location: Jackson, MS

AKA “1st Lady”

Occupation: Program Director Years Riding: 6 years.

Riding STyle: Street.

Bike/s owned: 2008 Kawasaki ZX14 favorite bike modification/accessory: Black chrome

wheels.

Favorite piece of riding gear: Has to be my favorite high top

Nike Airmax 95.

most memorable ride: My most memorable ride would be the SWAT MC Ride to End Domestic Violence Awareness Ride. There were so many men that participated in that ride and they took ownership and responsibility for the cause. I felt honored to ride with them because I felt like they took a stand to say violence against women is not a “female only” issue. It was great!

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MOTO TECH Words: Mark Rozemo Image: Courtesy of Motion Pro

Ask the pro wrench

Words: thomas campion images: allan lane/ROAD RACE FACTORY TEAM

Q

: What’s the key to a successful Daytona 200 pitstop?

A

: Daytona... There is so much prep work that comes with Daytona.

Nailing down those two perfect pitstops is only experienced by the most elite of crew members. This is the one and only endurance race on the AMA schedule that requires quick change tires, special

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dry break gas tanks and a whole lot of practice! Not to mention, tip of the sword fitness and concentration from the rider.

What makes Daytona even more difficult is it’s the first race of the season. For some teams that just means dusting of the winter

cob webs. For others, like new teams, it’s learning to work together. Some veteran teams have new crew members which can be just as bad as a new team. It takes a lot of time to learn how other techs work and to mesh together with each other. It all starts months before any motorcycle hits the high banking of Daytona. Techs work late hours in the race shops building the ultimate race machines. Reverse thread axles, captive spacers, modified fenders, chamfered brake

pads are the basics to change a wheel fast.

There was a time where the tire change was the longest part of a pitstop, not anymore.

Now teams can do a front and rear tire in ten seconds, while refueling can only be done in thirteen to fifteen seconds, depending on the amount.

If you can’t stay calm in the moment, all the prep work in the world won’t matter.

Click the play button to check out an on point pit stop performed by the Road Race Factory Team at the 2013 Daytona 200.

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Precision breakaway slots that help save damage in a crash SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 109

Improve your skills

Vision

Words: eric wood IMAGES: Eric Wood/Allan Lane

W

hen dissecting the nuances of a racetrack, rider vision is the key to success. I was recently asked by a student when he should look for the next reference mark when he was in a particular turn. He was having a difficult time "transitioning" from mark to mark in several turns and felt that it was slowing him down. As I began to think about this question I recalled many riders in the past who have had similar issues and noted how understanding track vision is a critical building block that can dramatically slow progress

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if it is missing from your riding foundation.

Reference points are vital to a rider's ability to run consistent laps on the track. Riders in nearly every basic riding school I have seen are taught the importance of the four basic targets; brake points, turn points, apexes and exit points. Since humans have poor internal speedometers, we instead use our ability to identify and follow concrete markers on the track. We can do this well and riders are always better with reference points than without

them. However, the way that different riders use their respective points can make a huge difference in their results.

Perhaps one of the most important points that is not always taught about reference points is that they should not be used individually. In other words, riders should not stare at one reference point until they reach it and then look for the next. When the rider that I mentioned at the beginning of this article asked me when he should "transition" his

focus to the next mark, the question should have been "why are you only using one mark?"

The most obvious symptoms of a rider who focuses on a single point too long are decreased roll speed and delayed drives. As any reference point draws closer, a rider's vision will become closer and closer to the front wheel. This effectively lowers the horizon, increases the perception of speed and tends to trick riders into slow down more than is really necessary.

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Improve your skills: vision If you can use your imagination, envision driving down the highway at 75mph and counting the dashed lines as far down road as you can see.

The lines come at you slowly and the ride is relaxing and clam. Then, for contrast, open your door and count the dashed lines as they pass by...and you can imagine that things will get exciting quite quickly, especially if there is other traffic around! The natural instinct in this situation is to slow down in an effort to regain a feeling of control. This is the classic feeling created when riders focus on a single reference point.

With this in mind, how far ahead should a rider look? The answer is that proper track vision begins with tracking the farthest reference point that you can see and then using all the references in your periphery to not only understand location but also trajectory. In order to feel 100% comfortable on the track, a rider need to understand both where they are and where they are going. In order to create a clear picture of a line, riders need to constantly scan near and far in order to both create the

FIGURE A

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proper line and to keep their vision high enough to reduce the perception of speed.

To illustrate, we have below the ultra fast entrance to turn 10 at Road Atlanta (FIGURE A). For simplicity, we are illustrating a very simple approach to this corner. At the first "X" riders are at 160 plus mph and getting ready to roll off and brake somewhere in the area of the white line, highlighted for clarity, before the tight left at the bottom. We have put a second "X" at the bottom of the hill that represents a possible turn point. Riders who are single point focused will watch this point approach the whole way down the hill and just as it approaches transition their view to the next reference, the apex.

With this single focus and high rate of speed, it's really easy for riders to feel like they are coming in hot. With eyes fixed on the yellow arrow, the entrance feels shorter than it really is. Since these riders are not looking through the turn, they are not exactly sure how much they need to slow down

FIGURE B or how much they need to turn to make the apex and, more importantly, avoid running off the outside at the exit. The entire entrance is stressful, and they often arrive at the apex much too slowly after braking more than is needed down the hill. As they approach the turn point, they quickly look up and need to locate and focus on the apex. Does any of this sound familiar?

In contrast, we will look at the same corner from the standpoint of a rider who uses proper track vision (FIGURE B). This rider seeks out the furthest reference point that can be found, which in this case is the exit cone indicated by the yellow arrow.

When this rider arrives at the first “X”, the length of track leading to the reference point appears to be almost double that of the first rider. As he scans back and forth from the turn point to the apex to the exit, the green line shows him a clear trajectory through the corner. Just like the driver on the highway counting lines on the horizon, the entrance feels more under control and the perception of speed is lower. When this rider arrives at the turn point, he is already looking through the apex,

which is simply in the peripheral vision, and the trajectory through the corner is clear. As a result the turn input can be made with confidence, he can trail off the brakes smoothly and is much more likely to roll the throttle on as he passes by the apex.

The next time you ride out on the track, try to take your reference “points” and turn them into “curves”.

Two points create a straight line, but three or more create a curve. This curve will force you to pick your vision up, which will slow down the scenery around you. Rather than focus from point to point, you will be confidently scanning back and forth from where you are to the furthest point you are going.

Your apex will not just become a location at the center of the corner, it will also have a direction associated with it. This extra information is there for the taking, and will help make you more confident, more consistent and faster.

Until next time... Ride fast, ride safe!

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FRICTION ZONE: the one show

I

n a nutshell: Over one hundred motorcycles on display inside, an ever changing parking lot show, beer, music, coffee, and tattoos in the back of the Chrome van. It was definitely a weekend that won't be forgotten.

"As Plato imagined a table, we imagined a motorcycle. We were thinking a lot about Mr. Plato’s words on the image of a table. The idea is perfect and the product; susceptible to elements and unknown factors, could never be perfect. The idea for us was the One Motorcycle: the stripped down, real deal, simple machine. It was then that we realized we knew a handful of motorcycle builders that in turn knew a handful of builders who all specialize in that ‘ONE’ type of bike.

From there, the idea grew. Our theme for the show would be 'The One Motorcycle.' " The show was built around an idea of perfection for a purpose, subjective and of personal preference... It began a short four years ago.

It has grown to be so much more- a hub for motorcycle builders and riders from all over the country and even world. Bringing together a huge variety of bikes- from machined masterpieces to wacky welding, daily drivers to vintage classics and barn finds. Saying there was something for everyone is a bit of an understatement.

When was the last time you heard of a show that included bikes from Roland Sands, Deus ex Machina, Chabbot Engineering, Icon Motosports, Hammarhead Industries, See See Motorcycles, and Smoking Seagulls in one place? Well actually it was at last year's show.

Friday the 8th was a beautiful day, greeting travelers with sunshine. Bikes were buzzing about Portland in preparation for the epic weekend that would all begin at 5p when the show opened it's doors.

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FRICTION ZONE: the one show

Set up began earlier in the day with photographs of all 136 motorcycles by Scott G. Toepfer. Builders waited for their bike to get their moment in the sun (literally, it was a really bright corner) and had a chance to talk and trade war stories. The photographs taken at the show are to be included in the One Motorcycle Show books that See See is running a kickstarter for right now. As the entrants completed their photoshoots, they were moved to their final flaces and other prep was handled.

Droves of motorcycles arrived at opening, a multi-tonal hum took over East Portland. As the sun set, bikes emerged like bees returning to their hive at the beckon of the queen. A noise that to most of the public sounds like an alien spaceship hovering above the Willamette Valley. But to a motorcyclist; it puts some spring in the step of your heartbeat, and you can feel your hairs standing on end from vibrations coming through pavement.

The folks at Chrome Industries hosted the Chrome + MotoLady ride into the One Show that began at their retail store downtown with over 20 bikes participating. The crew arrived at about 7:45p, battled the mob of attendees on NE 9th Ave in front of the entrance and parked their bikes wherever they could. The streets were packed, finding a space was difficult for those of us on two wheels, let alone four. Offset from the busiest areas of Portland but still nestled in convenient location very close to the heart of the city... parking was free (and a free-for-all).

If builders and bloggers were as recognizable in person as their brands are online you would recognize a slough of amazing talents when you walked into the giant packed warehouse.

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FRICTION ZONE: the one show

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FRICTION ZONE: the one show Cafe Racer, Sideburn, Motorcycho, and Deus blended in with the native Portland with ease.

The range of party goers covered the entire scope of humanity. Adults to children, bow ties to cowboy hats, little black dresses to ripped jeans. Hell, one builder was proudly wearing a kilt... his bike had panniers made from a keg.

Space on Friday was limited... it felt like being packed in a can of sardines. It did smell far better, though. Music and dancing kept an area in the middle of the room rotating and provided good opportunity for some movement. Getting a clear look at the bikes took a bit of patience, the beer line however moved quickly and just like last year sold out of Pabst. The beer and good tunes pacified most everyone enough that the crowd was worth it. Dancing and drinking went on late into the night.

Returning at 11a (opening) the next day proved fruitful for getting a chance to gaze at the beautiful two wheeled art- though many people were funneling in by 11:40 and it was pleasently packed. Room to breathe with friendly faces abound. More families attended Saturday in the A.M.- little kids enjoyed drawing on the Smoking Seagulls two stroke dirtbike racer and cavorting around with other younguns. As the day progressed the vibe did as well. A family event gone honky tonk, a ball room dance gone white trash... but you know, in that hootin-and-hollerin smoke-em-if-you-gotem sense. The beer flowed like... well, like beer in Portland... and the party went on. As the night wrapped up at the Sandbox Studios art warehouse- VIP's made their way around the corner to the after party. More music, more beer, more dancing... less motorcycles. At 2:45am the party closed down with an epic burn out that left a smell of burnt rubber and smoke lingering in the light above the sidewalk reminding everyone why we had all come.

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FRICTION ZONE: the one show  Over 10,000 people attended over those three days, Sunday being popular for one last chance to get an eyefull of the gorgeous bumps, curves, and hallows of the builds.

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FRICTION ZONE

Focused ON Fashion

Words: Kiana Gadson IMAGES: Vanson LeAThers/S&S/Meekail Shaheed

I

t’s ya girl, K.G your fashion expert. This piece, I’m focused on Race Leathers… How to choose them and what’s “The hotness”.

Since safety is first, we gotta talk about how to choose your leathers. Leathers are one piece suits, or two piece jackets and trousers worn by riders for protection in a crash. The leather used is not fashion leather but protective leather which is stronger, moderately flexible and much tougher than your everyday leather. The most important thing is definitely the actual material that your suit is made of. Leather is always going to be more protective than any type of textile or fabric material currently available. Textile motorcycle gear does not protect riders as well as leather in a crash. It’s light weight, comfortable and breathes well, but there is a reason that no pro or amateur racer today is using textile gear on the track.

Because safety is key, I interviewed expert Matt Silva from Vanson Leathers to help us out with what we need to know when choosing a leather suit. Matt is not just a salesman. He knows exactly what it’s like coming off of the bike at 150mph.

"I listen to what other racers have to say about the suits fit and options. I always look at my suits after a crash and see what happened to it and I also look at the rider to see what happened them.

I take all of that information back to Vanson and we make changes to the suit to be safer. Asphalt has no compassion for skin. Leather holds up very well in a slide."

The best and safest choice in leather is going to be goat, cowhide or kangaroo skin. There are other materials that are used to make leather suits. But here's what the expert says about those materials. "Sheepskin is great for a jacket but does not belong on a race suit. Goatskin is used by many companies worldwide for racing suits. It

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Speed and strength’s Strip search 2 piece suit

works very well for racing suits. Buffalo is way too heavy and stiff. I would use that for furniture not for suits. Suede is also great for jackets and pants.

It will grab the asphalt if you went down and not slide. Steve Johnson likes the suede look on his suit.

I use reverse black cowhide. It looks like suede but will not grab. Cowhide is the best leather for a racing suit.”

As a road racer Matt has tested his Vanson’s a lot. “It takes tons of abuse and still performs great.

Kangaroo, most people do not know that you get two different kinds of leather from this animal. The main body leather is just like using goatskin. It does it’s job. The pouch is the best leather. Very very very strong and light weight. But Kangaroo leather will cost you triple what cowhide will cost. It’s nice but not at all necessary.Use brass zippers all the way. If the zipper is sliding on the asphalt it tends to weld itself together and not break. Metal zippers tend to shatter it they get hit really hard. Plastic zipper should not be on a race suit in my opinion."

There are all kinds of leather on the market.

Companies like Vanson and Speed and Strength use American cowhide. While some companies use goat skin. Both do their job. Goat skin tends to be thinner and softer and the cowhide runs heavier and stiffer.

A two piece suit is slightly more versatile than a one piece suit, since it can be unzipped at the waist and be ridden as a jacket alone. This choice is all about the need of the individual rider. Drag Racers favor the two piece and road racers favor the one. Road racing suits are a different animal.

They come fully armored and have knee sliders on them. They weigh around 15lbs where a true drag suit will weigh in at 9lbs.

According to expert Matt Silva, when asked does weight matter, he answered, "For drag racers I say yes it matters very much. I have a suit for a NHRA racer that only weighs 6lbs. Road racers not so much... Their suits have all the armor. They fall off a

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FRICTION ZONE: focused on fashion lot more than drag racers do."

Your leather suit is your second, very thick skin. In a crash, your leathers should be made to protect you from impact force that would otherwise scrape your skin off. Your armor is there to absorb as much of any impact energy as possible.

Regarding your sizing, you want your suit to fit as snug as possible, even to the point of being a little tight. Again your suit is your second skin. Leather will give a little. A few creases and a little room is okay but baggy is not cute or safe. You shouldn't be able to grab a hand full of leather and easily and bunch it up in your hand if the suit is fitting well.

Badly fitting suits in a fall will roll your around arm or leg and the extra leather will grab the skin and tear it open. They can also flap in the wind and you slow down. The total fit of a suit should be spot

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on. If the suit is too long from crotch to knee, the knee seam will not be in the correct spot. So when you go to put your knee on the foot peg it will not work the way it is suppose to. If the torso is to short it will pull on the crotch and the shoulders area making it impossible to get into the tuck position.

If it is too long you will have bulk around your mid section and the suit will be pushing up around your neck and helmet. You always want a snug fitting suit. Just look at all the Pro Drag Racers and Road Racers, their suits fit like a glove.

There are only a few companies that make a true drag racing suit out there. All the other suits are for road racing.

Lots of Drag Racers remove the extra padding and protection from their suits. Something that Rickey Gadson learned the lucky way. He'll never do

- Leather type: cowhide, kangaroo, goat skin - Internal lining, removability - Knee Pucks Slider type and hardness (for road racers) - Venting and perforation features - Ask about the type and quantity of stitching - Ask about the leather type and weight - Extra features can include: Insert pockets or snap ins for back protectors (for road racers) - Stretch material used such as elastic panels - Padding and protection: spine protection, aero hump or inserts

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FRICTION ZONE: focused on fashion again. After a crash in fresh leathers that he had not gotten the chance to remove the extras padding from, Rickey says, "That extra protection saved my ass. I'll never take it out again!”

“Anybody taking armor out of the suit to save weight should have their head examined. The armor protects the suit if you go down and protects your body. It usually takes a good crash before some people want armor put back in their suit." says Matt.

You just want to try and make sure you have a little extra protection in the zones of your body that are normally impacted in a crash. Protection zones include: Shoulders, Elbows, Spine, Hips, Knees, Shins, and Chest. Other bells and whistles that make a difference for some riders include: perforated suits for ventilation on a hot day; Brass zippers versus metal zippers; and Kevlar stitching or safety stitching to make sure your suit will survive

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strong impact.

The straight up distinction between a high quality suit and low quality suit can be said to be the quality of the leather and the quality of the stitching.

A high quality well made suit can withstand the most brutal of slides and still stay together, protecting the rider’s skin. Lesser quality leather matched with poor stitching is what causes a suit to come apart on a rider during a crash. It takes a certain amount of skill, knowledge and craft to produce a suit will live up to the task.

The last, but certainly not least, important thing about choosing your leathers is the style! It’s the way the fans identify you from everyone else they see. Road racing and drag racing suits come in all different colors and styles. You can get them custom made by companies like Vanson. Over the years they have made suits for racers like Dave Schultz, Steve Johnson, Larry Mcbride, Chris Hand and

Korry Hogan.

Matt says "They give us input on what we need to do the make a better drag racing suit. If you look and Chris hands coming off, falling at 220mph and walking away and Korry coming off at 248mph and walking away... that speaks huge for my suits."

Vanson also sells off the rack drag and road race leathers. Speed and Strength now makes an off the rack line of two-piece suit called the “Strip Search' suit. For about $600 bucks you get a "Strip Search" suit and you can remove the patch on the back, get your name sewn-in at your local cleaners or embroider and come to the track looking like a million bucks. You buy them straight off the rack and still look like a "celebrity".

And speaking of celebrity looks… Y’all know I love the road racers. Especially guys like Nate Kern,

Dane “Wolverine” Westby and of course our own Corey Alexander, but…

Nobody does style, coolness and personality like the drag racers. Guys like Larry “The Spiderman” Bride and Jim “The Hulk” Brantly raise the bar on custom made suits. However in addition to style, originality was the determining factor in my male and female pick of the month and winners.

“The Hotness” awards go to Rickey Gadson, who takes care of business on the 1320 in his pinstripe suit and young Dystany Spurlock reppin’ for the ladies in her corset leathers, making hot pink and black hotter than ever! Say what you want. You must admit that those suits are nothing like what you’ve seen before. They are original. They reflect the personality of the rider. And they look cool as hell!

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FRICTION ZONE: Random

2 WHEELS (a poem)

Words: ashon “capo” dickerson image: elizabeth raab 2 wheels I love you dearly 2 wheels for life you have scared me

2 wheels you have giving me a purpose 2 wheels I know in my heart you are worth it 2 wheels we have left the projects to a world many from my hood is unknown... So on 2wheels for them I represent on the thrown 2wheels the faster we go I feel like life is moving slow 2wheels you got me questioning if some MF’s around me are Friends or Foe 2wheels to you I have always kept it real… But yet you have given me more LOVE and PAIN than I would ever feel 2wheels we gone ride for all the dead Homies and Riders 2wheels through you I have been for my family a provider 2wheels you have given me an outlet to address the world... And because of you I’m looked at as a role model for the inner city boys and girls 2 wheels we gonna continue to Rock ‘n Roll until they fall off C.A.P.O... Consistently Applying Pressure Overtime Boss!

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FRICTION ZONE

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.

Sandra Stammova! What’s on your hit list?

“Lies” by Burns. I love this song purely because I love dancing. This song gives me positive energy in any situation and reminds me of all the “fun” times.

“Not Afraid” by Eminem. Very powerful song for me. Reminds me to be strong and have no fear in difficult situations in my life. Whether it is racing or challenging situations that have massive importance in my life.

Alex Clare’s “Too Close”. I like this song because I like the music in it. It’s powerful and it reminds me a story of my life.

Join the SBI ONLINE COMMUNITY today!

VISIT THE SPORTBIKES INC FORUM Image courtesy of John R. Walker Sandra Stammova, AMA Pro Racing Vance and Hines XR1200 Series, British SuperBikes Series

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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// Drrty MarTini BIKE// 2005 Honda CBR600RR TATTOO ARTIST// Reggie

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RIDER// Big E BIKE// 2005 Kawasaki ZX10

2012 Kawasaki ZX14 TATTOO ARTIST// Joe

RIDER// Rachael Matlbie BIKE// 2005 Suzuki GSXR 1000 TATTOO ARTIST// John Soto

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This life

THAT BIKE LIFE

Connect with Tyson...

Words: TYson Beckford

“T

hat bike life...” is truly is a statement that rings worldwide.

My travels have taken me miles away from my home and my place of birth. This is the time of year I live in London, England until April. Man, let me tell you... The bike life over here is crazy as hell.

Don’t get me wrong. We in the USA are just as crazy. However, I see a different style of bikers here in the UK, as they have different styles all over the world. Different styles of riding are always great to see because I, myself have evolved as a rider. As much as I like street, I love dirt the same.

Here in the UK, it is the same passion of love for the bike life yet it seems more technical riding in the narrow streets among the traffic cameras that line the buildings. It causes me to think twice about riding here because a Ninja like me don’t know how to act when I get on a bike in a urban zone. I don’t want the “Bobbies” (Coppers) locking me up!

But if you are truly about that bike life, I strongly recommend that you travel and ride where and when you can.

Until then, love peace and chain grease!

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D

on’t get me wrong. We in the USA are just as crazy.

However, I see a different style of bikers here in the UK, as they have different styles all over the world.

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THE NEW ISH FORCEFIELD ARMOR • Ladies Back Protector Sport Lite L1 More and more manufacturers are making safety gear for the ladies that are hitting the street and track that are looking for protection. For a while, women were only dealing with the cards that they dealt and wearing small sizes of men’s gear. Companies like Forcefield have been paying attention. The Sport Lite L1 is designed specifically for the female body. The CE approved back protector offers Repeat Performance Technology which allows the protector perform well event after multiple impacts.

Size: M - L Price: $149.00 Contact: http://motonation.com

YOSHIMURA R & D • BMW S1000RR MIRROr HOLE CAP KIT This mirror hole cap kit is a great way to finish the look of your BMW S1000RR. CNC machined from aircraft grade aluminum, anodized black and finished with a laser etched Yoshimura logo.These caps are light weight and good looking.

Price: $84.95 Contact: http://yoshimura-rd.com CONVERTIBARS • RHINO ADJUSTABLE CLIP ONS Now you can really dial in your level of comfort with the Rhino Adjustable Clip Ons. Engineered with V Roc technology that minimizes vibration, these clip ons offer 16 degrees of down angle adjustability. Available in 41, 43 and 50mm.

Price: $259.95 Contact: http://convertibars.com

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MOTION PRO • COMBO Y DRIVE WRENCH This is one of those items that should always in your tool box or on bike tool kit. It’s a combination tool that features 8, 10 and 12mm hex sockets as well as 4, 5 and 8mm hex drives. In essence, it’s six tools in one.

Price: $15.99 Contact: http://motionpro.com

SPEED AND STRENGTH • LOCK AND LOAD GLOVES

Street, strip or track... It doesn’t matter. The Lock and Load Gloves from Speed and Strength are what is needed to get the job done. They feature a leather frame, reinforced leather palm and a thermoplastic palm slider.

Color: Black, White Size: S- XXL Price: $99.95 Contact: http://ssgear.com

REV’IT! • HUNTER ONE PIECE LEATHER SUIT

The design team at Rev’It! have always had the streamlined, svelte look on lock. The key is to reduce the bulk but maintain if not increase the level of protection offer in a suit. It was designed, engineered and constructed to function as second skin. Every aspect of this suit has considered to be the aero dynamic race suit from the Rev’It! line. Clean, simple, strong and sexy.

Colors: White/Blue, Black/Acid Green, Black/White, Black/Red Size: 44 - 56 (Euro) Price: $1299.99 Contact: http://revitusa.com

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THE NEW ISH JOE ROCKET • SPEED MASTER CARBON FIBER HELMET The Speed Master Carbon Fiber helmet’s shell is constructed with 4 by 4 carbon fiber weave process that makes it one of the lightest and strongest helmets in its class. The helmet offers great air flow thanks to the Quadport 2.0 Ventilation system. The Speed Master offers the same features and safety that has come to be expected from Joe Rocket. On top of all that, it’s just bad ass looking helmet. Joe Rocket finish the look of the helmet with dark gel coat that separates it from the rest of the Carbon Fiber helmet herd. Batman would be proud.

Size: XS- XXL Price: $399.99 - $424.99 Contact: http://joerocket.com

WOODCRAFT CFM • DUCATI 1199 CLUTCH COVER Protect that precious clutch of you Panigale whether on the street or track with this clutch cover from Woodcraft CFM. This is a two piece cover that features a skid plate that offers additional protection in the event of a slide or tip over. Yes, your clutch protector has a protector.

Price: $169.99 Contact: http://woodcraft-cfm.com

MONTGOMERY MOTORSPORTS • SUZUKI GSXR 1000 CARBON FIBER OUTER TANK

This carbon fiber outer tank for the 2005-2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 is a way lighten the load when replacing the stock tank. It’s total weight is 2 pounds.

Price: $449.00 Contact: http://montgomerymotorsports.net

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CATALYST RACING COMPOSITES • KAWASAKI NINJA 300 SUPERSPORT RACING TAIL Catalyst Racing Composites now offers race body components for the Ninja 300. The Ninja 300 is quickly becoming a popular machine to rip around on at the local track day in the same manner that the Ninja 250 was. This supersport tail is great way to clean up the tail section and get your Ninja 300 ready for some club racing.

Price: $149.95 Contact: http://catalystracingcomposites.com

ALPINESTARS • RACING REPLICA ONE PIECE LEATHER SUIT This may be the most technically sound and safest suit in production today. The Racing Replica suit is more than just what is worn by MotoGP and World SuperBike riders. It can be retrofitted with Alpinestars patented Tech Air air bag safety system. Constructed with 1.3mm full grain leather, CE approved armor in the strategic locations that matter in a crash, it can take a beating all while providing the utmost in protection that gives you a better chance of getting up and walking away from a crash. MotoGP/WSBK tested and approved.

C AND S CUSTOM • DUAL SIDED SWINGARM KITS

Colors: Black/White, Yellow/Black/White, Red/Black/White Size: 46 - 58 (Euro) Price: $2,899.95 Contact: http://alpinestars.com

C and S Custom has been producing quality components for sportbikes since 1999. Their dual sided swingarm kits accommodates wide tires ranging from 240 to 360. Made with aircraft quality aluminum and constructed in house by a team of certified welders, product quality and confidence is second nature.

Price: Contact C and S Custom Contact: http://candscustom.com

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THE NEW ISH: Featured Item SCORPION EXHAUST • CARBON FIBER GP SERIES FOR THE 2013 KAWASAKI ZX6R

Scorpion Exhaust continues their awesome line of aftermarket pipes with this offering for the new Kawasaki ZX6R. The GP series of exhausts from Scorpion are plug and play, requiring no fuel remapping nor repacking and come with a lifetime guarantee. More horsepower and powerful grunting sounds for your ride all from a sexy carbon fiber exhaust slip on.

Price: $799.00 Contact: http://tawperformance.com

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Join the SBI ONLINE COMMUNITY today!

VISIT THE SPORTBIKES INC FORUM

LESLIE PORTERFIELD

FASTEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD ON A MOTORCYCLE

CLOTHING

STYLE FOR THE BRAVE SPORTBIKESINCMAG.COM | 147

Staff stuff Motul • C5 CHAIN PASTE Allan Lane

I have always been a chain wax user over chain lube. The main reason is the fling factor. The thicker wax minimizes the fling much better than the lube and remains on the chain longer, giving better protection. Well, move over bacon. Now there’s something meatier... Chain Paste.

Motul’s C5 Chain Paste is exactly what it says it is. It comes in a tube with a brush tip applicator.

You squeeze the tube until you see paste on the brush tip then apply a generous amount to your chain. It was a little messy but remained in place on the chain., meaning it didn’t run off or drip.

I went for a quick blast after the first application expecting some fling, regardless of how minor.

There was none. I was further impressed that my chainThe C5 Chain Paste from Motul is upgrade to chain maintenance and protection for your ride without the fling. http://motul.com Rating: 6 (out of 6)

DON EMDE • The Daytona 200: The History of America’s Premier Motorcycle Race Book Michael Lawless

Do you like the Daytona 200? Do you want to give that special someone a unique gift? Do you need something cool for the coffee table? This is a wonderful book written by the 1972 Daytona winner, Don Emde. It’s packed with fantastic photographs that chronicle Daytona 200 from 1937 to 2003. If you order direct from Don, he will autograph and personalize it for you! http://partsmagazineonline.com Rating: 6 (out of 6)

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THE BACK SHOT!

Image: Courtesy of Eraldo Ferracci Location: Italy, circa 1958

Eraldo Ferracci (r) and his father Nello Ferracci, trackside in Italy. Circa 1958