The Motorcycle Times - September 2016 by The Motorcycle Times

volume 7 | issue 08

SEPTEMBER 2016

Canada’s

Sprockets

Most

Read

Motorcycling

Community

Newspaper

FREE take one

MOTORCYCLE NEWS

Setting a Land Speed Record with a Sidecar Motorcycle

Kevin Clemens built this electric sidecar motorcycle to set a world record on the salt flats of Bonneville Kevin Clemens, an engineer studying for a Ph.D. at the University of Canterbury, in New Zealand, has a rather unusual doctoral project: He’s researching the aerodynamics of asymmetrical vehicles. The topic is an outgrowth of his interest in setting land speed records with electric motorcycles, something that’s been a passion for him for the past five years. His latest effort in that sphere is to establish a land speed record for a sidecar motorcycle, a three-wheeled vehicle that is rarely seen on roads these days but is still raced. But he’s not using just any sidecar motorcycle: He has converted a gasoline-powered one formerly used for racing into an all-electric streamliner, albeit one with a very asymmetric cross section. Clemens is at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats right now, where he will be racing his electric three-wheeler. You can learn more at http:// www.thevelocityworkshop.com/Home.html

Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

Husqvarna Range Hots Up The rebirth of the historic Husqvarna brand will reach a huge milestone in a matter of a few months with the launch of a three-model family of modern roadsters later this year. For Canadians, there might be a longer wait, since things take a long time to get here. The latest stages of the New Husqvarna project at Kiska Design in Austria, the company that has been behind the design of every KTM for the past 20 years and is now tasked with bringing back Husqvarna under the bold ambition of making it Europe’s third best-selling brand. The first production bikes into production will be the Vitpilen 401 and 125 models.

Both share engines with parent company KTM with the 401 using the KTM 390 Duke motor, the 125 engine lifted from the 125 Duke. This duo will then be followed shortly after by the stunning Vitpilen 701, which the above image shows to have seemingly succeeded in the difficult task of taking a stunning motorcycle show concept and managing to get it through to production with minimal changes to the overall design. The normal process typically sees the dilution of the concept to the point where the production model is barely identifiable as the same bike.

The Vitpilen 701 will use the single-cylinder motor from the KTM 690 Duke and will follow a year after the 401 and 125 models. The studio images show the bike in almost finished trim, the lead designer Maxime Thouvenin talks about how the project has been progressing and how tough it has been to try and keep the production bike as close as possible to the original 2013 concept bike. He said: “What we have tried to do is reduce the architecture to the minimum to leave just a fuel tank, tailpiece, wheels and the engine. The line built into the 701 is called ‘The Split’ and we are keeping that for production. CONTINUED ON P.03

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 2

RIDE HARD. RUN COOL.

™

www.amsoil.com Quality is our reputation. Premium synthetic motorcycle oils, filters, fork oil, chain lube and performance products.

Husqvarna Range Hots Up

In terms of the stance and the proportions, the concept you see here is what the bike will look like. Clearly we are going to have some of the legal items like a licence plate and indicators but everything else is about there. “We want the 401 to look clean and progressive but the 701 will look more mechanical and more of a machine. These bikes are just the beginning of the line-up and we are just going to keep goWWW.READYHONDAPOWERSPORTS.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • SALES DIRECT: 866-819-4116 ing with new models.” FIND MY RIDE EVENT! Surely thatSUMMER internally fluted exhaust 2015 2015 2015 TRANSFER 2014 VFR800 GENERATOR CBR1000S or that open air filter can’t be staying CBR300RTA CBR500R PUMP $ * $ $ $ $ BF2.3H HP to $production? through “The exhaust is$1,779* 419* 1,289 20,069* $2015 TRX420FA6* 4,579* 6,269* 11,919* $ * something are working on very hard EG5000 7,349 9799 we WB20XK2C EU2000IT1 PARALLEL right now,” admits Thouvenin. 2016 LAWNMOWER 2014 2014 CTX1300A 2 2016 CBR600RA “We all really want this to be available GL1800BG GL1800ADE ports.com $ $ * * $ * $ * $ * 15,600 $ * (Airbag) on the production bike but if that’s not 2016 TRX420FM2 389 89 13,969 issauga 599 9 869 8 24,169 $ * $ possible then offer VKC itC as HRS2164PDC DC perhaps we can HRR2169V 29,169* 2.99%/367,199 HRRX2175HYC 9-4116 MTHS. PURCHASE FINANCING! an accessory. This is the same for the air *LICENCE FEE (IF APPLICABLE) AND HST EXTRA ON ALL OFFERS. OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, PROGRAMS OR DISCOUNTS AND ARE GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016. DOWN PAYMENT OR EQUIVALENT TRADE-IN ON PURCHASE FINANCING MAY BE REQUIRED filter which will only available as anINC. SALE PRICE ON THE NEW MOTORCYCLES INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E., ECRF, LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OMVIC FEE. FREIGHT & PDE ($50/$50/$65/$65/$65/$65/$75/$75/$50/$50/$600/$600), ECRF ($0/ BASED ON APPROVED CREDIT FROMbe HONDA FINANCIAL SERVICES $0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$24.86/$24.86) AND LICENCE ADMINISTRATION ($0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$299/$299) ARE ALL EXTRA ON THE FOLLOWING ON THE OTHER PRODUCTS: 2.3DK2SCHC/WB20XK2C/EU2000IT1/EG5000/HRS2164PDC/HRX2175HYC/HRR2169VKC /TRX420FA6/ option as it cannot pass legislation like TRX420FM2). PRICING OF THE POWER EQUIPMENT MAY INCLUDE A LIMITED TIME REBATE AND DISCOUNT AND THE MOTORCYCLES/ATV’S AS FOLLOWS: CBR300RTA $1,300/CBR500R $1,100/VFR800 $3,500/CBR1000S $1,000/CBR600RA $800/CTX1300A $5,000/ GL1800BG $1,000/ this when it’s open to the air.” $900. DEALER ORDER/TRADE MAY BE NECESSARY, IF WE RUN OUT OF INVENTORY OF SELECTED MODELS. VEHICLE(S) AND ACCESSORIES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT GL1800ADE $3,500/TRX420FA6 $1,750/TRX420FM2 NOTICE, US FOR FULLretro DETAILS.scene is huge. EvTheSEE modern eryone wants a piece of the action with BMW, Triumph, Moto Guzzi, Yamaha and Honda all clamouring for sales WWW.READYKAWASAKI.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • 866-819-4112 success. With the 112-year history of 4YR. Husqvarna this, surely, would have been K INC.! PP the easiest route to have followed to relaunch Husqvarna’s road range? design leads to pressure to ride fast. We2015 chassis platform with 2015 KTM to keep costs from “The Vitpilen 2015 NINJA and Svartpilen are 2015not NINJA 2015 2016 the KTM 1290 Super 2015 Duke R and VULCAN 900 NINJA VERSYS VAQUERO ULTRA 310 LX 300 650 see Vitpilen as the only alternative in down. The 1301cc bike has been seen in will sit at the very top of the Husqvarna retro,” says Thouvenin. “We understand CUSTOM ZX6SE ABS 1000LT 1700 JETSKI (NON-ABS) (ABS) very* early and rough prototype stages $ range. Below that will be a 390cc why the is *this ‘retro’ category.” $ café racer * and classic scene $ $ * $ $ * * $ * single Eventually Husqvarna will offer a but we know this bike is still another cylinder and 800cc parallel twin currenhere but we wanted to offer something *VEHICLE LICENCE FEE (IF APPLICABLE) ANDdoesn’t HST EXTRA ON ALL OFFERS. OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OR DISCOUNTS ARE GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016. SALE PRICE ON NEW MOTORCYCLES INCLUDES FREIGHT P.D.E., ECRF, complete range of bikes fromOFFERS, 125 PROGRAMS to three yearsAND away from a showroom. That tyTHEunder development as a AND completely that was simpler and that offer LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OMVIC FEE. FREIGHT & PDE ($650) AND LICENCE ADMINISTRATION ($299) ARE ALL EXTRA ON THE ULTRA 310LX PRICING OF THE FOLLOWING INCLUDE A LIMITED TIME REBATE OF: EX300AFF $1,100/EX650EFF $1,100/VN900CFF $1,000/ZX636FFFA 1301cc, allPROTECTION sharing and main will310LX useJETSKI. theMOTORCYCLE(S) 1301cc 185bhp V-twin something so $900/VN1700KGF aggressive.$0/JT1500MFF An aggressive $1,400/KLZ1000BFF $1,000. 48 MONTHS KAWASAKI PLANengines IS INCLUDED AT NO CHARGE ON THEbike 2015 ULTRA AND ACCESSORIES SHOWNnew ARE FORengine. ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. ACTUAL COLOURS MAY

HONDA’S FIND MY SUMMER RIDE EVENT!

KAWASAKI SUMMERTIME SALES EVENT!

4,985

7,765

9,465

12,815

15,215

20,169

19,865

VARY DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY. DEALER TRADE OR FACTORY ORDER MAY BE NECESSARY. OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, SEE US FOR FULL DETAILS.

ONE STOP SHOPPING: THE ONLY FACTORY AUTHORIZED RETAILER IN ONTARIO TO OFFER HONDA, KAWASAKI, KTM, SUZUKI AND YAMAHA ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!

SUMMER ROLL-OUT EVENT! WWW.READYYAMAHA.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • 866-819-4086

2013 Yamaha V-Star 2015 Yamaha R3 * 250cc Cruiser Black $ $ * Coloured $ *

4,600

2016 FZ7

5,179

100

Body add

8,000

2013 Yamaha 1300cc Stryker $ *

11,099

2017 FZ-10AHG

16,869 11,970

Generator EF3000iSEB $ *

2014 Yamaha 2014 Yamaha Grizzly EF2000iS R6 550EPS - YF55GPEL $ * * $ * $ *

9,449

1,000

2,715

Transfer/Water Pump YP20GY $ *

399

15HP

Yamaha Pressure Washer 3000PSI/2.8GPM $ *

Outboard Motors

3,088* 4HP

1,490*

829

*VEHICLE LICENCE (WHERE APPLICABLE) AND HST EXTRA. SALE PRICE ON THE NEW MOTORCYCLES INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E., ECRF, LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OMVIC FEE. FREIGHT & PDE ($550/$75/$75/$50/$50/$850/$60/$60), ALL EXTRA ON THE FOLLOWING ON THE OTHER PRODUCTS:YF55GPEL/EF2000IS/EF3000ISEB/YP20GY/PW3028/ VX1100BMB/F4CMHA/F15SMHA). PRICING OF THE FOLLOWING INCLUDE A LIMITED TIME REBATE AND DISCOUNT OF: (XV250D $400/R3 $500/FZ7 $160/XVS13C $1,000/FZ-10AHG $0/R6 $900/YF55GPEL $550/EF2000IS $225/EF3000ISEB $150/YP20GY $200/PW3028 $0/VX1100AMB $750/F4SMHA $50/F15SMHA $100). IN ADDITION, THE FOLLOWING IS EXTRA ON THE YF55GPEL: $299 LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE & $24.85 ECRF. DEALER ORDER/TRADE MAY BE NECESSARY, IF WE SELL OUT OF OUR INVENTORY. VEHICLE(S) AND ACCESSORIES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. OFFERS GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016 AND ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, SEE US FOR FULL DETAILS.

www.readyktm.com 430 Hensall Circle, Mississauga 866-812-5582

POWERSPORTS OVER 70 USED

*Vehicle License Fee (where applicable) and HST extra. Some of the prices include limited time Factory Incentives: 390 Duke $400/250 SX-F $1,500/690 Duke $0/350 EXC-F $0/690 Enduro $0/Super Duke R $1,500. Offers good until August 31, 2016.

MOTORCYCLES IN-STOCK! 430 Hensall Circle, Mississauga www.readypowersports.com

2015 390 DUKE

5,920

2014 250 SX-F

2013 - 690 DUKE

8,200

9,599

2016 350 EXC-F

12,369

2016 690 ENDURO

2014 1290 SUPER DUKE R

12,995

18,265*

SUZUKI SIZZLING SUMMER SALE!

WWW.READYSUZUKI.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • SALES DIRECT: 866-819-4114

2 2016 GSX-R600

129

Plus Get $ * a 5 Year /bw Warranty! Inc. HST & Licence* @ 9.9% for 60 months $781.25 Down

2015 SV650A

7,669

Plus Get a 5 Year Warranty!

2016 2 GSX-R750 Plus Get a 5 Year Warranty!

2015 RM-Z450 $

6,899

Plus Get a 4 Year Warranty!

129*/bw

Inc. HST & Licence* @ 9.9% for 60 months $1,798.23 Down

2015 SFV650A S 3,804KM

7,099*

Plus Get a 4 Year Warranty!

20 016 GSX-S1000

129*/bw

Plus Get a 5 Year Warranty!

Inc. HST & Licence* @ 9.9% for 60 months $2,250.00 Down

2015 GSX-S750A 5,054KM

7,389

Plus Get a 4 Year Warranty!

2015 V-STROM 1000 3,901KM

Plus Get a 4 Year Warranty!

10,198*

*VEHICLE LICENSE FEE (WHERE APPLICABLE) AND HST ARE EXTRA. VEHICLE(S) AND ACCESSORIES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. PRICING INCLUDES FACTORY INCENTIVES. THE 2015 MODELS ADVERTISED ARE COMPANYVEHICLE/ DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLES.THE 2016 MODELS ARE BRAND NEW. 2016/2016/2016/GSXR-600/GSX-R750/GSXS1000/9. 9%/9.9%/9.9%/ MONTHS:60/60/60/# OF PAYMENTS:130/130/130/ DOWNPAYMENT $781.25/ $1,798.23/$2,250/C.O.B. $3,589.78/$3,589.76/$3,589.53/TOTALPAYMENTS 16,770/$16,770/$16,770. SEE US FOR FULL DETAILS. OFFERS GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016.

3 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

CONTINUED FROM COVER

September 2016 , The Motorcycle Times – 4

TwoCents Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

The Motorcycle Times is published 11 times a year from Feb thru December. Motorcycle Times distributes 15,000 free copies for pickup throughout Ontario from our network of Dealerships, Motorcycle related retailers, Motorcycle friendly locations and Subscribers. For more information about becoming a retail associate of The Motorcycle Times email the circulation Department.

scott macdonald EDITOR

My How Time Flies What happened to summer? Just yesterday it was June 17th, the forecast was sunny with a high of 28° and I was planning a ride with a few buddies down through the Niagara parkway. Then, I wokeup this morning and the calendar says it’s September and the weatherman is forecasting a high of just 21°. Brrrrrrrrr, time to get out the long underwear I suspect. Ok, well maybe I’m over exaggerating just a little, but when we have become accustom to near 30° temperatures it is a real shock to the system when you head out on the road and realize that you should have put on an extra layer. It’s easy to forget when you look out your window and see a beautiful sunny day that from this point on, the days will become shorter and the temperatures will begin to drop more drastically when the sun sets to the west. Being prepared for the fall is just another component in a safe Canadian riders saddlebag of tricks. The old saying of having and not needing is better than needing and not having rings loudest during our spring and fall seasons. Of course there will always be the super macho biker wannabe who will throw common sense out the window and head out in a t-shirt and jeans on a sunny day in October thinking he’s cool and tough. The truth about this is, if you ride long enough into the season, you are bound to find this dude at the local coffee shop shivering like he’s having a seizure while he tries to down an

extra-large double-double in an effort to bring his core temperature back up, while at the same time, with his teeth chattering so much he has difficulty trying to convince you that everything is good and that’s he’s just a toughened biker who can handle a little chill in the air and that it keeps him alert while he rides. …some people will never learn. Years ago, I met a fellow rider who, at first impressions would lead you to think he was the toughest, meanest, don’t let your daughters near him son-of-a-gun, gnarly biker you’d ever meet. What he projected was only an image, the stereotypical biker, with the full black leathers, jacket, pants, boots, the whole nine-yards. As I got to know him and became friends, I quickly realized that he was one of the most intelligent people I’d have the pleasure to meet and his approach to riding made a lot of sense. I have incorporated many of his tips to my riding philosophy. As a new rider back then, I quickly learned from him that riding safely in cooler temps is all about being prepared. As I mentioned, he wore full leathers, not because he was a bad ass, but because riding leathers didn’t allow the wind to penetrate and provided safety. Under his jacket, moisture wicking cotton t-shirt, layered with a long sleeve t-shirt to keep his torso toasty. His tall boots, protected his feet, and the lower part of his leg from wind and water, a couple of lay-

ers of socks and underneath it all, his comfort foundation started with a pair of pantyhose. Pantyhose? Yup, they provided a base layer of insulation much like long johns, but were ultra thin to reduce the bulk under the leathers and make it comfortable to ride. Insulated gauntlet gloves and an insulated leather neck protector completed his ensemble. As he started out on a cool morning he was warm and dry, as the day warmed up, he would shed some of the layers and stowed in his saddle bags. If the temperature fell during the evening, he would simply reapply layers as required. I now continue to follow his approach during cooler weather rides and am able to enjoy an extended season of riding well into the fall and sometimes winter (before the snow falls). Obviously, each rider is different and their approach to maintaining comfort levels and warmth will vary. Some riders will choose to go the electric route and outfit themselves with the latest gadgets like heated grips or electric clothing, while other prefer natural fibers or man-made. Regardless of what you choose, it’s important be prepared for whatever mother nature throws at you. When heading out on a nice sunny day, especially in Ontario, the weather can change dramatically within a short period of time, Wind Chill and Real Feel factors need to be considered during all seasons. Stay warm, stay dry and stay safe this fall.

2O16

Payment Info Please print clearly

Name:________________________________________________

$15 = 1 Yr -11 issues

Address:______________________________________________

VISA

_____________________________________________________

MasterCard

$30 = 2 Yr -22 issues Cheque

CASH

Make Cheque payable to: Advantage Media

City:__________________________________________________ Name on Card,(if different):_______________________________ Prov: ONTARIO

Editor Art Director Assistant Editor Circulation Manager Distribution Manager Advertising Manager

Contributing Writers Mark Stanisz Scott Jackson Charlie Ambrose Paula Benoit ‘Rotten Apple’ Ronnie

Brent Wakeford David Heron Tim Shamess Ben Apedaile Marissa Baecker

Contacts Circulation/Subscription/Distribution: circulation@themotorcycletimes.ca Editorial/Story ideas: editor@themotorcycletimes.ca Events/Community Spirit: readers@themotorcycletimes.ca Advertising Information: laura@themotorcycletimes.ca Ad Submission: production@themotorcycletimes.ca Accounting Department: accting@themotorcycletimes.ca

Subscriptions Subscriber Info Please print clearly

Scott MacDonald Richard Ackroyd Amanda Primeau Michal Mellon Laura MacDonald

Card Number:__________________________________________

Postal Code:___________________________________________ Expiry Date: ___________________________________________ Phone Number_________________________________________ CVV Number: __________________________________________ (What’s this? 3 or 4 digit number on reverse of card) Email: ________________________________________________ Cardholder Signature: ___________________________________

Digital Subscriptions are always FREE! www.themotorcycletimes.ca facebook.com/motorcycletimes Articles, photographs and all advertising material published within The Motorcycle Times is protected under Ontario Copyright. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of any dates, prices, addresses etc of any material published in The motorcycle Times at time of publishing. Any and all prices, dates, addresses etc may change without notice at any time and The Motorcycle Times will not be held liable. Any reproduction without written permission by The Motorcycle Times or the Publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions and comments are not necessarily those of the publisher/editor. Comments and submissions of editorial should be addressed to the Editor. All submissions to The Motorcycle Times become the property of The Motorcycle Times and will not be returned.

By signing this subscription form you acknowledge and release fully The Motorcycle Times as responsible or liable for incorrect mailing information provided to TMT. Please ensure the accuracy of all information prior to sending. Unreadable entries can not be processed - Please print clearly. Subscription includes Ontario HST.

Mail to: 105 West 25th Street, Hamilton ON L9C 4X3

105 West 25th St., Hamilton ON. L9C 4X3 905.962.1890

Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

Suzuki GSX-S 1000F marissa baecker

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I was barely in the door after a long day when my phone began playing a symphony of text message alerts from a pilot friend who also happens to ride. “What are you doing? I saw some F18’s. We need to go look! Get the bike out and let’s go.” I am game for just about anything so I swapped out my dress for leathers and my heels for boots, pulled the all new 2016 Suzuki GSX-S 1000F out of the garage and by the time I reached for my helmet, my riding partner was at the end of the driveway fired up to find some cool fighter jets. Onto the bike, down with visor, grab hold of the grips on the Renthal FatBar and with a twist of the wrist, we were off for some plane spotting. This roadster is new to the Suzuki line up boasting a newly designed chassis and can be purchased fully faired or naked. “You mean a Gixxer” is the usual response when I identify the bike. The ‘Gixxer’(GSX-R) has been a fan favourite of the Suzuki supersport lineup since its introduction in approximately 1992. The first 1000cc model appeared in 2001. Now, with the introduction of the GSX-S 1000, Suzuki has the competition in the cross hairs

in the sport-touring category - except this one has a feisty personality. What’s the difference between an R and an S? R is a race bike, designed for speed and agility. Race bikes are aggressive; offer a compact rider triangle (seat-pegs-bars) lending the rider to a crouch position. These bikes are designed and tuned for high speed performance on a track. S represents Standard or Sport, which offers a more generous rider triangle with an upright seated position for extended saddle time in comfort and in this case, without sacrificing great handling. For 2016, its all about the ride and less about the adventure of where the 17 litre fuel tank can take you as overnight accessories, like side bags, are not planned until 2017. The GSX-S may be marketed as a sport touring bike but shares not only the GSX-R Swingarm, but also the 999cc, four stroke, liquid cooled engine of its GSX-R sibling, albeit in a slightly tuned down version. The lowend torque is prevalent from the first twist of the throttle and will get your heart pounding with excitement running up the six-speed transmission to merge with highway traffic. You will run through the gears quick. The digital tach has markers at 5,000 and 10,000 RPM but I found based on sound and speed alone, I was changing gears right around the 5K marker. If your speed is lowered without paying attention to your gears, the bike is

quick to remind you in performance that a downshift is necessary, especially at city speeds. With instant power delivery, an inexperienced rider may be caught off-guard, but a more seasoned twowheeled junkie will delight to experience front wheel lift between 3rd and 4th gear and beyond. Throttle response is evenly matched with compression to quickly correct a surprise. Cue traction control. The advanced Suzuki Traction Control System puts the rider in charge of the throttle with four modes – low, mid and high sensitivity as well as off. Switching from 1 (low) and 2 (mid) noticeably tames the experience. With varying levels, a rider can build confidence as they get to know the bike before unleashing its full potential. I was grateful for this fea-

ture after getting caught in a torrential downpour that came with a loud light show a few days later. In these situations, it is reassuring to know that you have ABS braking. Pair that front disc twin rotor Brembo’s, and single rotor disc brakes in the rear and you’re ready for anything mother nature tries to throw at you. The 24 lb weight gain (472lb curb weight) over the GSX-R is hardly noticeable allowing the GSX-S to compete against the best in show in the agility course. Just as the Dunlop radials were starting to stick, 120/70ZR17 in front and 180/50ZR17 in the rear, we found the F18s. They were nothing short of magnificent. Security clearance definitely has its perks as I managed to ride up alongside these beasts and was fortunate to get a cool shot.

Whether you’re new to the powersports industry or an old-timer, Klotz is one name you can trust. Driven to perform at the highest levels, we race-test every product to make sure it meets the most stringent demands. You can trust Klotz with your favorite bike or ATV and be confident that we’ll take better care of it than any other brand.

Visit us at www.klotzcanada.com Ask for it at your local dealer, Find a local dealer or You can order right online.

5 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

Rider’sSpirit

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 6

MotorcycleNews Mix - 0/35/85/0

Can-Am to Make Two-Wheeled Motorcycle? As reported in The Canadian Press, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), the parent company to Can-Am, is considering a re-entry in the motorcycle market – as in, motorcycles of the two-wheeled variety. Apparently the manufacturer of the Spyder trike is taking a look at two-wheelers as a component of its growth plans. “We are in an ongoing process of evaluating the market, looking at different possibilities, trends,” BRP spokesman Sylvain Morissette said. “Motorcycles could be an option as we’ve done in the past.” BRP, formerly Bombardier, built a series of off-road and motocross two-strokes in the 1970s. Former 500cc World Motocross Champion Jeff Smith was instrumental in their development. When he brought the new 175cc Can-Am to CycleNews for a test ride, we found it the equal of most 250s. (Papa Wealey was a long-time member of the CycleNews team –Ed.) BRP offered no specifics on possible motorcycle production, saying the current emphasis was on the new Can-Am Maverick X3 side-by-side vehicle and a Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited. The Quebec-based company plans to expand the product line every six months through 2020, and expects earnings to grow by 9 percent annually to reach $6 billion by fiscal 2021. Analyst Benoit Poirier of Desjardins Capital Markets sees great promise in motorcycles. He estimates BRP could add $325 million to $600 million in annual revenue over time and gain 3- to 5-percent market share. While BRP’s extensive dealership system (4,200 dealers in 100 countries) is wellsuited to add motorcycles to the product line, some express caution on entering an already crowded market. Andy Galliher of Freedom Cycle in Concord, New Hampshire, said sales growth is very low aside from dirt bikes. He thinks BRP would have a challenge entering the market given the struggles faced by other manufacturers. “I think it’s a tough market to come into with a brand-new product, against a lot of guys with a lot of years of experience under their belts,” he said.

TV Motorcycle Series

Harley and the Davidsons will be aired as a three-night series and on Discovery Channel on Sept 5, at 9pm. For all you two-wheeled petrolheads out there, Saturday afternoon indeed brings a good news. Discovery Channel is soon going to air a unique mini motorcycle TV series named ‘Harley and the Davidsons’. As the name suggests, this consecutive three-night series is based on motorcycles and to be specific it revolves around the iconic American motorcycle brand, Harley-Davidson. Harley and the Davidsons is basically a true story of two men who founded the legendary brand back in 1903. The duo namely William Harley and Arthur Davidson faced numerous difficulties while pursuing their dream of making off-beat robust motorcycles and the TV series ‘Harley and the Davidsons’ will portray their life events and struggle on the screen.

Triumph Land Speed Record Broken at Bonneville

TRIUMPH INFOR ROCKET STREAMLINER BECOMES THE FASTEST EVER TRIUMPH ON THE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS TT Legend Guy Martin pilots the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner to 274.2 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats The Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner has become the world’s fastest ever Triumph by achieving a speed of 274.2 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 8 August 2016. Piloted by TT legend Guy Martin, the streamliner smashed the previous official Triumph record that stood at 245.667 mph as well as the unofficial Triumph Record of 264mph, both set by Bob Leppan, in the Gyronaut X-1. Near perfect conditions greeted the team on the final day of the team’s land speed practice week. With confidence high after a successful number of days running on the salt at Bonneville the team’s goal for the day with the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner was the Triumph record. Just after 8:30am Guy Martin and the team set off on the first run of the day, after a steady start, Martin accelerated the sleek looking streamliner to a staggering 274.2 mph, rewriting Triumph history in the process. Just after the twomile marker Martin came to a controlled stop near to the team’s base camp to be greeted by the news that he had broken the 46-year-old Triumph record. Today’s record run is further proof of Martin’s growing confidence on the salt and commitment to breaking the World two-wheeled Land Speed record. Throughout the week Martin has continued to impress everyone within the team with the speed in which he has

been able to master the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner on the salt. Each time Martin has sat in the streamliner on the salt he has been able to achieve the goals set by Crew Chief and the Triumph Infor Rocket Streamliner designer Matt Markstaller and his team with the required level of control. When asked about becoming the fastest ever Triumph record holder Martin commented: “It’s good and we are moving in the right direction, but it is just one step on the way to what me and team are here to do.” The Triumph Infor Rocket features a carbon Kevlar monocoque construction with two turbocharged Triumph Rocket III engines producing a combined 1,000 bhp at 9,000 rpm. The motorcycle is 25.5 feet long, 2 feet wide and 3 feet tall. Powered by methanol fuel, the bike is competing in the Division C (streamlined motorcycle) category. Triumph has a history of breaking the land speed record, holding the title of ‘World’s Fastest Motorcycle’ between 1955 to 1970*. The record-breaking Triumph Streamliners included: Devil’s Arrow, Texas Cee-gar, Dudek Streamliner and Gyronaut X1, the former achieving a top speed of 245.667 mph (395.28 km/h). Today’s record, held by Rocky Robinson since 2010 riding the Top OilAck Attack streamliner, sits at 376.363 mph (605.697 km/h). The iconic Bonneville name was conceived following Johnny Allen’s landspeed record runs at the Salt Flats in September 1956, when he reached the record breaking speed of 193.72 mph. The first T120 Bonneville model was unveiled at the Earls Court Bike Show and went on sale in 1959.

Weego Jump Starter Battery - No More Jump starting When you find your motorcycle with a dead battery, the days of looking for someone to jumpstart your engine are done. Modern technology has put the starting power of a car battery into a package the size of an iPhone 6, that’s under a half-pound but a little thicker . The portable battery starter couldn’t be easier. Simply attach the included miniature jumper cables to the battery terminals and plug them into the Weego. Turn the Weego on, and it is ready to rock.

It also has an 18-Month Warranty. A 1,000 cycles of a full charge and a full discharge before you’re battery starts to reach the end of its life. Runs Hot & Cold. It’s also a flashlight and has a USB output port for charging phones and tablets. This is an essential product for the touring rider. The standard ($139.99CDN), but Weego also offers a Heavy Duty version for engines under 6.4 liters, and the Professional for engines under 9.6 liters. Visit www.weego.com

30%K

New Exhaust System

• Socially responsible motorcycle exhaust system arrives in Canada • Electronically controlled and adjustable exhaust system with the push of a button • Innovative technology, premium quality, and spectacular sound you can choose One of the first things people modify on their motorcycles is the exhaust. This makes their bike different from the rest of the pack and easily identifiable at the twist of the throttle. That said, one’s neighbours or the surrounding community might not be so excited about a newfound exhaust note. Though there is now a way to have that incredible tone without drawing unnecessary attention. The Jekill & Hyde Exhaust Company, based in The Netherlands, has arrived in Canada (Toronto, Ontario) and brings with it a revolutionary exhaust system. How It Works: The electronically controlled and adjustable system allows riders to open and close the exhaust valve with the push of a button mounted on the handlebar. Keep in mind, all of the exhausts are compliant with governmental regulations for sound decibels (in quiet mode), and emissions (all modes). As an example of how the system works, when arriving in a town at night or leaving first thing in the morning, closing the valve initiates quiet mode, so the sound is dramatically reduced. However, when on the open road and the environment permits, open the valve for a beautifully crafted sound that enhances the joy of riding. With the exhaust system fitted on a motorcycle, the first chamber eliminates high and middle frequency noise that can be irritating. The valve then directs the exhaust to one of two secondary chambers. The quiet chamber has the same backpressure as stock, whereas the loud chamber gives 6% to 10% more performance, along with a fantastic sound. No mapping or fuel system is needed since the O2 compensates +/- 20%. Each exhaust system is made with highgrade German stainless steel. Additionally, the proprietary dampening is made of single strand fiber that prevents blowout, and the Nomex outer layer prevents discoloration of the exhaust. The valve is made of chemically hardened steel and is controlled by an aeronautic servo engine. For the various temperature zones in Canada, there’s a weather-resistant actuator ‘sound’ switch. What motorcycles can be paired with the system? Harley-Davidson models include: Sportster, Dyna, Softail, Touring, Vrod. BMW models include: R 1200 GS(A), R 1200 R, R 1200 RS, R 1200 RT, R Nine T. Honda models include: Goldwing, F6B and the C-ABS. Indian models include: Scout, Chief, Chieftain and Springfield. Victory models include: Bagger, Cruis-

7 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

er and Touring. Future brands include KTM and more. Each Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde system is made to order and specifically matched for an individual’s bike. They are exclusively sold through authorized dealers, whose Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde trained mechanics will install them, to keep the warranty intact. Each exhaust comes with a two-year warranty. The Jekill and Hyde Company understands the desire for customization and individualization. That said, there over 20,000 combinations that can be made for the various bikes available around the globe. Each custom order comes with 1 or 2 bodies, end caps, electronics, servo engines and sound switch. For bikes with longer saddlebags, an extender is available. Furthermore, configuring your bike can be done easily online at www.jekillandhyde. com.

Kawasaki developing AI motorcycles

Japanese manufacturer’s new technology would mean you’re never really riding solo. As a means of transportation, motorcycles have a lot of things going for them. They’re fuel-efficient, compact enough to easily navigate narrow roads, and provide a unique kind of undeniable fun. Now, manufacturer Kawasaki wants to give its models one more selling point, by letting riders talk with their motorcycles via an AI program. The just-announced, still-in-development system is called the Kanjo Engine, which translates as “Emotion Engine” (though it’s not to be confused with the PlayStation 2 CPU that bore that English name). The goal of the system is to be able to understand and react to motorcyclists’ normal, human speech. Through continued communication, the bike will learn the owner’s amount of motorcycle experience, skill level, and individual riding style. Conversations won’t be entirely onesided affairs, either, as the AI will offer suggestions for a safe, enjoyable ride. But what’s likely to have a more direct effect on the riding experience is a planned feature in which after developing a profile of the rider, various vehicle settings will automatically be adjusted accordingly. While Kawasaki is yet to specify what exactly can be altered in this way, engine response and power output seem like likely candidates, along with suspension settings. Obviously the AI will only be able to work with the parts the motorcycle comes from the factory with, which means a skilled performance mechanic should be able to carry out the same sort of tuning. However, by having the AI handle the process, Kawasaki has the potential to greatly broaden the appeal of models fitted with the system. Given the greater difficulty in operation and fewer safety features motorcycles have compared to cars, many new riders start off with an older, used bike, so as not to get themselves in trouble with something that has too much power or sharpness in handling for them to safely use. The Kanjo Engine, however, could allow even less-experienced riders to purchase a new, higher-end Kawasaki, secure in the knowledge that the machine will be doling out its performance gradually and in effect growing along with its owner.

GET UP TO

$2 000 REBATE $2 000 REBATE GET UP TO

†

ON SELECT 2016 MODELS †

GET 4-YEAR COVERAGE

‡

ON 2017 MODELS

‡

ON 2017 MODELS

ON SELECT 2016 MODELS

HURRY, OFFERS END OCTOBER 31, 2016. VISIT US TODAY

OFFERS END OCTOBER 31, 2016. VISIT BennettHURRY, Powersports Uxbridge Motorsports MarineUS TODAY Factory Recreation 701Brock St North, Whitby 3 Douglas Road 347 Cranston Cres. 905-430-6360 or 866-430-6360 Uxbridge - 905-852-5884 Midland - 705-526-2248 www.bennettpowersports.com www.uxbridgemotorsports.com www.factoryrecreation.com

Dealer Imprint Goes Here Revs Full Throttle Powersports 42 Darte Drive, Welland 905-732-7529 or 866-774-0909 www.revsfullthrottle.com

Northland Recreation Limited 1007 Cowan Park Road Utterson Dealer- 705-769-3671 Imprint Goes Here www.northlandrecreation.com

Team Vincent Motorsports 1148-2 Northumberland St., Ayr, 519-632-8810 or 800-221-4360 www.teamvincentmotorsports.com

©2016 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Offers valid in Canada, from August 1 to October 31, 2016. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your province and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. See an authorized BRP dealer for details. † SAVE UP TO $2,000 ON SELECT 2016 MODELS: Eligible units are select new and unused 2016 Can-Am Spyder models. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. While quantities last. ‡ GET 4-YEAR COVERAGE WITH FREE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: Eligible units are select new and unused 2017 Can-Am Spyder models. The buyer of an eligible unit will receive the 36-month BRP Limited Warranty plus 12-month B.E.S.T. coverage. The buyer of eligible units will also receive 48 months of FREE Roadside Assistance. B.E.S.T. service contract is subject to a $50 deductible on each repair. For complete details, please see the BRP limited warranty and the B.E.S.T. agreement at an authorised BRP dealer near you. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Follow all instructional and safety materials. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and appropriate protective clothing. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. ©2016 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Offers valid in Canada, from August 1 to October 31, 2016. The terms and conditions may vary depending on your province and these offers are subject to termination or change at any time without notice. See an authorized BRP dealer for details. † SAVE UP TO $2,000 ON SELECT 2016 MODELS: Eligible units are select new and unused 2016 Can-Am Spyder models. Rebate amount depends on the model purchased. While quantities last. ‡ GET 4-YEAR COVERAGE WITH FREE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: Eligible units are select new and unused 2017 Can-Am Spyder models. The buyer of an eligible unit will receive the 36-month BRP Limited Warranty plus 12-month B.E.S.T. coverage. The buyer of eligible units will also receive 48 months of FREE Roadside Assistance. B.E.S.T. service contract is subject to a $50 deductible on each repair. For complete details, please see the BRP limited warranty and the B.E.S.T. agreement at an authorised BRP dealer near you. Some models depicted may include optional equipment. Follow all instructional and safety materials. Always observe applicable local laws and regulations. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and appropriate protective clothing. Always ride responsibly and safely. Always remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

7 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

Kawasaki developing AI motorcycles

GET UP TO

$2 000 REBATE $2 000 REBATE GET UP TO

†

ON SELECT 2016 MODELS †

GET 4-YEAR COVERAGE

‡

ON 2017 MODELS

‡

ON 2017 MODELS

ON SELECT 2016 MODELS

HURRY, OFFERS END OCTOBER 31, 2016. VISIT US TODAY

Dealer Imprint Goes Here Revs Full Throttle Powersports 42 Darte Drive, Welland 905-732-7529 or 866-774-0909 www.revsfullthrottle.com

Northland Recreation Limited 1007 Cowan Park Road Utterson Dealer- 705-769-3671 Imprint Goes Here www.northlandrecreation.com

Team Vincent Motorsports 1148-2 Northumberland St., Ayr, 519-632-8810 or 800-221-4360 www.teamvincentmotorsports.com

S RE IVE SS RE

PR OG

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 8

PR OG TRAIN ING

Brain Storm

ADVANCED ROAD CRAFT

a r

NIN G

SAFETY

ADVANCED ROAD CTake RAFTyour skills to the next level.

Our European inspired course begins by evaluating your current skill level and tailoring our program to meet your needs. Challenging you to take your riding to the next level. Using an advanced riding system as taught by the UK police to their riders.

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES... Call or go online to book your course today! www.advancedroadcraft.ca

519-725-1262

advancedroadcraft@gmail.com

The

mes e Ti cycl r o t Mo

The Motorcycle Times is looking for a few good writers. If you think you have what it takes to be a part of our team, send in a sample story to: editor@themotorcycletimes.ca Ya never know, maybe there’s a hidden Woodward or Bernstien in you somewhere. ExtraExtra.indd 1

12-05-30 2:24 PM

Toronto’s only authorized Moto Guzzi, Aprilla, Vespa and Paiggio dealer and service centre New and used motorcycle sales, service parts and accessories.

34 Futurity Gate, Suite #1, Vaughan 905-760-9933 • www.corsameccanica.com

brent ‘storm’ wakeford CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Wiring and Electrical Repairs

Realistically, anybody with a few simple tools, some common sense and a bit of patience should be capable of fashioning a solid electrical connection, particularly the type needed to repair a simple broken wire or add some sort of electrical accessory. So why do I see so many connections and splices that look like crap? Bare, twisted-together wires wrapped with a yard of electrical tape, householdstyle wiring nuts do not make for a reliable transmission of current. Those half assed electrical abortions usually lead to clouds of smoke followed shortly by component meltdown and the occasional barbecued motorcycle. There are only two ways to make sound wire-to-wire or wire-to-terminal connections: soldering, which admittedly takes some skill and special tools, or crimp-on connectors and terminals. Crimp-On Terminals - Crimped connections are far more common than soldered joints these days. A crimped connection is quick, reliable and takes no particular skill to accomplish. If the crimp is properly made, it’s nearly as strong as a soldered joint, or in some cases stronger, and when the finished joint is properly protected, oxidation, leading to corrosion, shouldn’t be an issue. Terminal kits, containing an assortment of terminals and a combination crimping tool/wire stripper, are available from hardware, auto parts. Terminals are available in both insulated and non-insulated styles, the insulated version being preferable for most motorcycle applications. To make identification of the insulated connectors easier, manufacturers normally colour code the connector’s plastic insulators. Non-insulated connectors (and solid, solder-on terminals) may have a dash of paint indicating the size, or it may be stamped into the sleeve end. Make the Connection - To make a crimp joint you’ll only need to strip enough insulation from the wire to fit into the terminal. Crimping tools have a gauge on them to show how much wire to strip for a given terminal size. If yours doesn’t, use the appropriate size-stripping hole in the tool to strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from the wire, with the insulation removed, give the strands a light twist to prevent spreading. Select the correct terminal and insert the wire into it. If the stripped wire is too long, trim it down so that no bare wire extends past the terminal sleeve. Insert the terminal into the crimping portion of the tool, and give it a squeeze to compress the terminal. Give the finished connection a good yank; it’s better that it should separate now rather than 100 miles from nowhere. Soldered Connections - When I was a little boy, most electrical connections were soldered, and given the choice, some of us old curmudgeons still prefer to use solder when we can. Soldered connections work well because the solder itself is a good conductor of electricity, and the solder, when properly applied, seals the connection, preventing oxidation at the joint. All electrical con-

nections must be made using a dedicated electrical solder. Typically these solders are labeled “Rosin core” or are multicoloured, and have some indication as to their suitability for electrical work. Soldering an electrical connection is by no means difficult. A standard electric soldering iron or gun with a 100 watt heat rating will work just fine. Heat the objects you want to join together until the solder melts. The key to a good connection is to heat the joint until the solder melts and flows through it. Don’t use the soldering iron to melt solder onto the joint it will result in a “cold-soldered” connection that is weak, ugly and generally has high resistance to current flow. To create a soldered connection (wire-toterminal) strip back the insulation 1/2 inch, use wire strippers it does a neater job. With the wire stripped, gently twist the ends to prevent them from spreading and apply enough solder to “tin” the wire, allowing the solder to flow between the strands. Tinning acts as a primer coat of solder, making for a better joint. This step is sometimes omitted, generally without any dire effects. Insert the wire into the terminal and heat both until the solder flows and fills all gaps. Don’t disturb the connection while the joint cools. Make sure to test it before considering it done. Slide your heat-shrink tubing over the joint, use a heat gun to secure it. When joining two wires, I make a simple inline splice or, if the joint is subject to high stress, a telegraph (twist) splice, and allow the solder to flow through the connection. This creates a tidy connection that will lay hidden in the wiring harness. Wait, We’re Not Done Yet - Like life in general, making the right connections will only get you so far, especially if those connections are abused. Don’t think that simply connecting the wire is all there is to it. Terminal connections should always be lubricated with a spot of dielectric grease, as this will prevent oxidation from forming and make future removals much easier. Any connection made with a non-insulated terminal will need protection from the elements, and obviously any connection that carries current will need to be insulated. My preference is to use heat-shrink tubing. Make sure to select the appropriate size for your wire, as the stuff only shrinks so far, and always make sure to slide it onto the wire before making your connection. Lastly, remember that any electrical system is only as good as its connections. Many a bad alternator/starter motor/ignition system has been resurrected by repairing a broken wire or loose connection. Your new driving lamps will do you little good if a poorly made connection or improperly crimped terminal causes them to flash on and off with every bump in the road. And trust me on this one, an extra few minutes spent in a warm, dry garage making a perfect electrical connection is always easier than standing on the side of some dark road in the rain trying to repair a poor one.

9 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

ITS HEART BEATS STRONGER THAN EVER. so will yours.

Clare’s Harley-Davidson® of Niagara

590 York Rd, Niagara on the Lake 905-684-4647 OR 866-979-7403 www.claresharleydavidson.com

Freedom Harley-Davidson® of Ottawa 1963 Merivale Road, Ottawa 613-736-8899 www.hdottawa.com

Kitchener Harley-Davidson® Davies Harley-Davidson® 2255 Kingsway Drive, Kitchener, 519-893-0493 OR 866-803-6837 www.kitchenerharley.com

8779 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill 905-709-1340 OR 866-977-1340 www.daviesharley.com

Mackie Harley-Davidson®

880 Champlain Avenue, Oshawa 905-434-6550 OR 800-668-5828 www.mackieharleydavidson.com

Rocky’s Harley-Davidson® 900 Wilton Grove Road, London 519-438-1450 OR 866-438-1450 www.rockys-harley.com

Barrie Harley-Davidson® 311 Bryne Drive, Barrie 728-5322 OR 888-743-1903 www.barriehd.com

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 10

RoadTrip Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

Now Things are Getting Interesting dom, ben and tym

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Grand Prairie was our last taste of civilization before we were consumed by the vast wilderness of Northern BC and The Yukon. The next few days saw us riding on the Alaska Highway through sun, rain, hail, mud and dust. Wildlife such as black bears, moose, mountain sheep, and buffalo came out to greet us periodically. Highlights of the Alaska Highway included stopping at Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park on the end of second day, and exploring an old hunting road where we set up camp next to the Hyland River along the BC-Yukon border. The next morning we checked out the Sign Post Forest in Watson Lake, a collection of over 100,000 signs brought down from travellers all over the world. We then rode 500km of gravel, dirt and mud through stunning scenery along the Robert Campbell Highway. Filling up in Ross River, YT, we were struck by the harsh realities of living in such a remote northern community with little access to services. Businesses were boarded up and the town felt quite somber. We pushed on to Faro for supper, which was prepared by an ex-army cook and served by a lovely Austrian lady who moved from Europe to the Yukon to have a bit more space and fewer people. She’s

The Alaskentina Motorcycle Team

certainly come to the right place, and we’ve noticed a recurring theme from speaking to people who had moved to the Yukon: that those that live here permanently love it, and are extremely proud of their home. It truly is a magical part of the world. The next day we made it to Dawson City. Once the capital city of the Yukon with a population of 40,000 during the peak of the gold rush, it is now home to roughly 1,300 people year round and can reach up to 5,000 during the summer months. That night we enjoyed some local Yukon beers, had the famous Dawson City Sourtoe Cocktail (Google it!), and finished the night playing pool at ‘The Pit’ as the local bartenders and waitresses who had served us elsewhere earlier in the night trickled in. The town was full of activity into the early hours of the morning when dusk took over the threatening skies. We set off the following afternoon not knowing what lay ahead of us. Travelling across the Top of the World Highway was an unforgettable experience that we were happy to cross of our bucket lists before we even knew it existed. No words or pictures can capture its power or beauty, and we hope that all of you reading this can one day experience it for yourselves. The day ended in Chicken, AK - an extremely cool little town where the bar doesn’t

close until you leave and you’re able to camp in the backyard for free. The following day we pushed past Fairbanks and set up camp. We woke up in the rain, packing up our soggy gear and setting off to ride the infamous Dalton Highway. The James W. Dalton Highway was built in 1974 as a supply road to support the construction of the TransAlaska Pipeline System that carries crude oil from Prudhoe Bay to be refined further south. The highway, 414 miles (666 km) in length, offers various challenges for motorcyclists including many fast-moving semis, deep gravel and mud, tight corners and steep hills. The road is very remote and bikers need to be ready to deal with their own breakdowns or medical emergencies. After a foggy and wet ride from our campsite, we arrived at mile 0 of the Dalton and began our journey upwards. The first few hours of the highway were extremely muddy, with the each member of the team taking turns leading and navigating the rest through potholes and muddy drop offs. We crossed the Arctic Circle, filled up in Coldfoot (the only permanent settlement on the Dalton), and pushed on another 100mi to a campsite at Galbraith Lake, just north of the beautiful Atigun pass that crosses the mighty Brooks Range. We were tired but in awe of the tall, snow-topped peaks splashed by the late-night sun. With rich green valleys between the mountains, it was a beautiful place to lay down our heads. Friday morning arrived and we stepped off leaving our tents to dry off in the wind that continued to beat down on the campsite. We soon hit a wall of fog and bitter cold, accentuated by the need to open our visors that had clouded over. With awful visibility we were moving slowly, stopping occasionally to warm our hands by our engines and exhausts. When the fog lifted, we continued to dodge gophers, potholes and semi trucks before reaching a 36 mile construction zone right before Deadhorse. After waiting for the construction pilot car to lead us through, Tym’s bike required a bump start to get going and to add to his troubles, he also noticed fuel had been leaking on to his riding pants, his headlight was broken and some bolts had fallen out, leaving his muffler and luggage racks hanging on

by a thread. Tym was having a bad day. The deep gravel sections were the most difficult sections of road along the Dalton, but we managed to stay rubber-down despite a few close calls - especially for Ben. After taking 3.5 hours to complete the first 100+ miles of the day, the last 36 miles of construction took another 2.5 hours to get through. Dom’s tank ran dry just outside of Deadhorse, forcing us to use our auxiliary fuel, but despite this last hiccup, we were eating lunch at the Aurora Hotel by 3PM. We then stopped at the hardware store, took a few pictures by the Deadhorse sign, quickly fixed Tym’s starter, headlight and muffler, and were ready to turn around and truly begin our adventure to Ushuaia, Argentina. We were finally heading south! We got back to our site by 11 that evening, and the following morning we blew past Coldfoot eager to get to Fairbanks and the comfort and warmth of a real bed. The Dalton, however, was not quite finished with us. After helping two friendly Brazilians fix a flat tire, Dom blew a bearing. Having the right replacement part was incredibly good news, and with some creativity we were able to get the job done relatively quickly. We finished the Dalton as we started it - tired and in the rain - but it was over. Before we know it, we were back in Fairbanks in rented dorm rooms at the University of Alaska. After a much needed maintenance day in Fairbanks, we made our way towards Denali National Park eager to lay our eyes on the tallest peak in North America. Denali, formally known as Mount McKinley, is known for being one of the most isolated peaks in the world and has claimed the lives of many who have attempted to conquer it. When we saw Denali on the map it didn’t cross our minds that it may be harder to see in real life. The big rock was stubbornly hidden behind a wall of clouds, and after waiting around for a while with fellow Denali enthusiasts, we lost hope and mounted our bikes to leave. Then, all of a sudden, there was a brief flurry of activity as the Denali enthusiasts hurried for their binos to catch a glimpse of the emerging peak. There it was. The mountain, although still partially obscured, was much higher and more powerful than expected. The entire summit was revealed and it became clear to us why

to return to Canada. After a couple of hours we were back to the land of kilometres, litres, faded road paint, and unlocked fuel pumps. Home sweet home. Our first night home was spent in Whitehorse, where we found a replacement odometer cable for Ben’s KLR and changed our oil at the local Jiffy Lube. After a couple of nights near Teslin and Dease Lake, we were excited to take on the beautiful Stewart Cassiar highway. An hour into the ride though, and we had a problem: Tym’s bike blew the same bearing that Dom’s did exactly a week prior on the Dalton. This time, however, there was no replacement part and no quick fix. As we were hours from any cell service, we used our satellite texting device to arrange for a replacement bearing (located at a shop 600km away) to be given to a biker who was heading our way. We flagged down a truck and got Tym and his bike hauled down South to intercept the motorcycle part at an agreed upon location. As Tym rode in the pickup, Ben and Dom continued down the Stewart-Cassiar highway slightly rushed for time with 500km left to ride, a part to pick up, a

bike to fix, and a campsite to find. Riding along the windy road we experienced tight corners around large outcrops of heavy rock, and at times we were seemingly within arms reach of the rivers, streams and lakes whose paths we shared through the Cassiar mountains. These mountains were magnificent, at first emerging bluegrey from the horizon over the tired pavement, then coming into focus as the tall forest-green walls gave way to the jagged peaks dotted with snow and ice, breaking through the low lying clouds as they reached for the sky above. Alongside the bikes rushed lush ditches of mottled greens, punctuated by pockets of purple wild flowers that covered wide swaths of the roadside. The deep yellow and bright white petals of shorter plants seemed to mirror the lines on the pavement, almost signifying a seamless transition between road and wilderness. At times the tall forest all but encompassed the road, as if we were riding through a long corridor of wavering green. Though the weather was calm, above in the treetops there must have been a firm breeze as fading green leaves and the

first touches of yellow fluttered to the ground in front of us, only to be kicked up by the speeding rubber by our feet. Our pace was aggressive but our hearts were at peace, and the partially obscured sun cast light perfectly on the dancing leaves and rugged peaks for a brief moment in every turn. The day had had its challenges, but none of that mattered while the road swept us up in its charm. Along the way we saw several black bear, including two on their hind legs playing on the shoulder of the road. Before long, we made it to the Petro-Canada where Tym and his bearing were waiting for us. The piece fit and Tym was back on the road! After camping the night in Kitwanga, we continued southeast along Highway 16 through Burns Lake and Prince George, noticing a growing population and an increase in settlements. Wild valleys had evolved into a quilt-pattern of cultivated farmland maximized to produce crops even on the sloped soil that seemingly disappeared into the canyons below. The fertile land was now fenced in, creating pastures for hungry horses feeding on abundantly CONTINUED ON P.17

Biggest

Clear-out of the year

THe BeST DeAlS

OF THE YEAR START HERE

Ready Suzuki 430 Hensall Circle, Mississauga 905-896-1600 or 855-896-0430 www.readysuzuki.com

F I N A N C I N G

60 MoNths**

Belleville Sport & Lawn Centre 128 Church Street, Belleville 613-968-4559 or 877-968-4559 www.bellevillesportandlawn.com

Sturgess Cycle 615 King Street West, Hamilton 905-522-0503 or 888-421-3333 www.sturgessonline.com

5 YEARS SUZUKI WARRANTY PlUS ReTAIl INceNTIveS UP TO

$2,000*

CLARE’S CYCLE & SPORTS LTD 799 Highway 20 West, Fenwick 905-892-2664 or 888-663-6135 www.clarescycle.com

Snow city cycle & marine 1255 Kennedy Road, Scarborough 416-752-1560 or 877-766-9248 www.snowcity.com

† SEE YOUR DEALER FOR DETAILS. SUZUKI RETAIL INCENTIVES UP TO $2000 or 0% PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS/ 0% PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS/ 2.99% PURCHASE FINANCING FOR 60 MONTHS is available on selected 2015-2017 models. Offers cannot be combined with any other special offers, promotions or financing incentives unless specified. The Effective Rate of borrowing will vary depending on the model and amount financed. Example: The monthly 60 month payments based on the 2015 V-Strom 1000ABS (MSRP $12,399) @ 0% with $0 down payment are $206.65. Cost of borrowing is $0 for a total obligation of $12,399 plus taxes and fees. Effective rate of borrowing is 5.19% over 60 months. *Suzuki Retail incentives are direct-to-dealer incentives. **Limited time finance offers available O.A.C. Financing provided through TD Auto Finance and is subject to credit approval; not all applicants will qualify for credit. Minimum financing total of $5000. Financing promotions void where prohibited. ***These offers are valid only on select new and not previously registered Suzuki Street Motorcycles. Offer ends September 30, 2016. PDI charges from $110 to $528, freight charges from $165 to $275, taxes, license, insurance, applicable fees and registration are extra dependent on model. Specifications, product features and colours are subject to change without notice. Read your owner manual carefully and remember to observe all the safety regulations. SEE YOUR PARTICIPATING AUTHORIZED SUZUKI DEALER FOR AVAILABILITY AND COMPLETE DETAILS. Suzuki Way of Life!

11 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

summiting this mountain is such a feat. We left Denali behind us, continuing into a chilly night along the Denali Highway. We are learning that the term ‘Highway’ is used loosely in this part of the world, because like the Dalton and the Robert Campbell, this was little more than a dirt road. We enjoyed the beauty of riding through the lush valleys south of the Alaska Range and ended the day at a remote campsite on the Brushkana River with soft sounds of rushing glacier water lulling our tired bodies to sleep. The next day we enjoyed our last bit of rough riding before returning to pavement and taking turns with a bit more speed on our way back to Tok, where we set up camp for the night on an unnamed gravel road near the Tanana River. As much as we have enjoyed the freedom of having light late into the night without need for a headlamp to set up camp, we noticed the days shorten as we continued southwards. The newly discovered darkness was refreshing and has helped improve the quality of our sleeps in our translucent tents. The following morning we were set

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 12

Space Tight? Limited Edition Dual Ride-Up SRL Stand-Up™ Motorcycle Trailer Shown

Haul it, Fold-it and Store -it Kendon Standup trailers maximize not only your trailering needs but your storage needs too. When not in use, the folded trailers foot print is minimized and can be stored virtually any garage.

Key Features & Benefits: • Patented Eliminator Torsion Axle, removable spindle and SuperLube from Tie Down

Available in singles, doubles and even choppers, there is a folding trailer option that’s right for you.

• Aesthetically beautiful with diamond plated decking and powder coating

• Exclusive torsion bar suspension system • Double mounting brackets • Triangulated round tube steel frame, similar to a race car chassis

• Superior longevity…Kendon trailers hold their value and many are still in service for over 19 years

UNBREAKABLE: The Story of Onehandmade Queen Houng is the globally-acclaimed custom motorcycle builder known as ONEHANDMADE. He’s based out of Taipei, Taiwan, and has a remarkable story of how he got to where he is now. For Houng, it hasn’t been a stroll in park: he lost the use of his favored arm during a critical time in his development as a builder after a car crash severed his right hand’s nerve plexus. But he didn’t let that keep him from pursuing his dreams. With the unyielding support of his girlfriend (now wife), he overcame this difficulty that would have been insurmountable to most, and now produces exceptional custom motorcycles. The piece below is a translation of his story in his own words. I have always been fascinated by things with wheels since I was a child. All of my toys, books, and models were related to the vehicles. I dreamed of becoming a racer when I was in high school (I’m still holding onto the same dream, if it’s possible). To learn more about cars and to fulfill my dream, I became an ap-

at the age of 22. I studied machinery and watched videos on YouTube in my spare time in order to get answers for my questions. I watched the Indian Larry sheet metal video over and over again to make sure I didn’t miss any little detail in it. And I made good relationships with the local subcontractors. I learned to operate a lathe from them. I always thought that those who are learned aren’t unwilling to share their knowledge with others. What really matters is that if the learner actually showed his passion in learning. The more I learned about how to make custom bikes, the more I found out what I needed to work on. But as I worked hard with enthusiasm, I was unfortunately hit by a car while riding my motorcycle. The accident broke the nerve plexus of my right hand. I will never forget what the doctor said. He said a terrible accident like that could have easily resulted in me becoming a quadriplegic or even dying. Despite rehabilitation, my hand would never fully recover.

prentice in a bike shop. The starting salary in the bike shop was $100 a month. I knew that my boss wasn’t short of hands, and at some point, he would turn me away. But all I cared about was becoming a racer. It was worth all the stress and hard work to work towards my dream. The bike racing industry was declining in Taiwan. Once, I randomly found a picture of a fixed-up custom bike in a Japanese magazine. That’s when I started to become interested in the custom industry. We didn’t have much information, and mostly only older people rode motorcycles in Taiwan. With the experience I gained from working in the shop, I started running my own studio

A few days later, watching my withering right hand, I wondered if I would ever be able to ride a motorcycle again. I thought all my work and efforts came to naught, and that I would have to give up on my dreams. I tried to adjust to my state in those days after the accident. My girlfriend (who later became my wife) went through all of the physical therapy treatments with me. She supported me as I refused to let go of my dream. Having difficulty eating with my single left hand, it was obviously even harder for me to create custom motorcycles. Thanks to my girlfriend’s help, my life became so much easier. She helped me operate the welding rod while I welded,

1-800-883-8915 519-658-5777

www.ontariotrailer.com

Custom Made Motorcycle Insurance

Call or go online for your no obligation quote We Make It Simple!

416-798-8001 or 888-768-8001 www.csib.org Cornerstone Insurance Brokers Limited Oﬃces in Woodbridge, Markham, Barrie and Aurora Monday to Friday: 8 am to 8 pm Saturday: 10 am to 2 pm

That was when I changed the name of my business to “Onehandmade.” Most people misunderstand the meaning of the name. In fact, it’s “made by one hand,” instead of “one handmade.” What’s really interesting was that I trained myself to be able to do all this with my non-dominant left hand, and after a while my right hand could start to exert a little. I actually started working on sheeting metal after losing an arm. After all, the accident neither broke my original intention nor brought me down to give up on what I love most. I started learning something new and holding onto my passion in order to make better builds. I was never satisfied with my work. It seemed like most of the time, my finished products were somehow affected by others’. My mind had been trapped in this small city. That was when I decided to leave for something new. I was 31 years old then. I borrowed money to open my own studio in Taipei. The studio looked a little shabby because of the lack of funds. And customers were hard to attract without having gorgeous decorations in a city like Taipei. So all I could do was focus on my work. However, I found out that doing only sheet metal work is never enough.

FEEL

13 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

and she took me for a ride whenever I felt like going out for a ride. She said, “My hands will always be your right hand.” I will never forget that. It took me a long time to get used to using only my left hand. But I won’t limit myself because of that. I believe that my passion and the heart of never giving up makes infinite possibilities. And I was eager to enjoy riding my scooter again. In order to ride again, I changed the throttle from the right hand side to the left hand side. It worked. I was so excited, and it felt like getting on a motorcycle for the first. At the age of 25, I went back home and started all over again. I worked slow because I lacked some of the machines, and, of course, I only have one hand. And yet customers couldn’t understand my difficulties, which upset me. To improve my efficiency, I added new machines to my studio. At that time, the masses in Taiwan had just started to accept modified cars. And every city has its own consuming habits. The highest payment I received for a single build was $2,700. I didn’t think things would get any better if I stayed in my hometown, so I left for the city with my wife and child. It took a lot of courage, especially because I had no savings.

The design and the curves of the paint would both directly impact the result. I’m still working on learning new things even now, hoping that every tiny improvement makes my work a little bit better. In order to make a greater distinction for Onehandmade, I changed everything to a skinny style after moving to Taipei. People started believing me and let me justify myself. Finally, Onehandmade has been known by more and more people, even

in foreign countries. I hope that I can continue working on better builds. I will maintain my original intention of loving motorcycles while sophisticating myself. And I’m hoping that one day I can join the AMD competition to test my limits. As for my dream of becoming a racer, I suppose it’s never going to come true. However, it’s still possible for me to get on the speedway and go for a ride. It would be a fabulous experience, wouldn’t it?

THE FREEDOM FOR A LIMITED TIME

SAVE UP TO

1,500

2015 SHADOW AERO

Classic influence meets modern functionality, creating an authentic cruiser feel with superior performance, reliable quality and open road comfort.

Honda Motorcycles Canada

@HondaMotoCA

Offers apply to eligible retail purchase agreements for a limited time, while supplies last. Offers valid on select new (not previously registered) models purchased from an authorized Honda motorcycle or Honda Powerhouse dealers in Canada. * “Save up to $1,500” value is based on the 2015 Shadow Aero. “Save up to” values shown are deducted from the manufacturer’s suggested retail price before taxes and can be combined with lease and finance offers. Offers are subject to change, extension or cancellation without notice and are valid at participating Canadian Honda motorcycle or Honda Powerhouse dealers. Honda Canada reserves the right to change, extend or limit its offers at any time. Models and colours may not be exactly as shown. Errors and omissions excepted. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and please respect the environment when riding. Obey the law and read your owner’s manual thoroughly. Honda recommends taking a motorcycle riding course. Honda encourages you to operate your vehicle at all times in a safe and responsible manner and in accordance with the law.

honda.ca

Ready Honda 430 Hensall Cir, Mississauga 905-896-3500 or 855-896-0430 www.readyhondapowersports.com

KW Honda 465 Conestogo Rd, Waterloo 519-746-7900 www.kwhonda.com

Clare’s Cycle & Sports Ltd 799 Highway 20 West, Fenwick 905-892-2664 or 888-663-6135 www.clarescycle.com

Barrie Honda Powerhouse 74 Mapleview Dr., W., Barrie 705-797-2006 or 800-267-4449 www.barriehonda.com

Sturgess Cycle 615 King St. West, Hamilton 905-522-0503 or 888-421-3333 www.sturgessonline.com

West City Powersports 676 Dundas St, W., Belleville 613-966-8828 or 888-966-8828 www.westcitypowersports.ca

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 14

TheOtherside Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

Bitsa 2

A Wrench in the Works david heron

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I am now certain that there is a black cloud following me which descends every so often and screws up my best laid plans. The work on the H1A has gone according to plan. By plan, I mean that I brought it home, LSW said I was nuts and then I have dived into it with a vengeance. We covered the sourcing of parts and various quandaries as to who I could get the best deal from and the trials and tribulations of actually finding parts for a 45 year old motorcycle. Kawasaki abandoned the triples after a very short time so, no parts there. Anyway, here is the latest little hiccup in the road from piece of crap to beautiful road king. As noted earlier, it was amazing that the cylinders for this diamond in the rough were still on the original bores. It was however, determined that it would be best to re-bore and go to the first over- sized pistons. Again, as described earlier, I ordered pistons which are not even close to cheap and sent the whole business off to the local machine shop for re-boring. Well, I got a call at home on the answering machine from the guy at the machine shop asking me to call him. Usually one of these calls means that what I have given him is no good and can’t be saved. So, I call him expecting bad news that will cost me more money. Much to my surprise, it is not a pleasant bit of news saying that all is well and to come and pick up the finished work. It seems that a mistake was made, which

is only human and they managed to bore the cylinder off centre and basically ruined a perfectly good, and very rare, standard bore cylinder. So, Jim, your mission is to find a 45 year old cylinder for a two stroke motorcycle whose bores only last about 15,000 miles which has not been bored. Hey, I think I would rather look for a snake hair jacket in a flea market in Turkey. The first step is always an appeal on the Triples board. I get a few promises to check private stashes but no results. Lots of second over size bores. Next, I go to ebay for a peek. This has become a good but very expensive source for parts. You get access to a very large market but the US exchange rate and then exorbitant shipping fees piled on top make for a very expensive part. No go anyway. Again, there are lots of cylinders but only larger bores. The prospect of having to pay to ship back my set of pistons and pay freight again is not overly attractive. Now I have to resort to the big guns. From various meets with the Triples Club and with over hearing various conversations, I know who has the secret big stashes and must go, hat in hand to try to wrestle some of the parts out . My friend in Winnipeg recently bought a large parts lot and is willing to check it out for me. He calls back with the good news that he has 2 right and 2 centre standard bore cylinders but, of course, no lefts. Next is the member who actually runs a parts business but he does not answer my emails. My guess

is that he is away on vacation. My other friend in Paris checks but he can’t come up with anything either. This is getting very depressing. I have pretty well exhausted all of my Canadian and Canadian dollar choices so, as a last resort , I go to the US. There is a guy in New Jersey who is great to deal with, can be trusted and, has parts. I send him a pleading email and beg for him to be gentle with me on the freight charges and, lo and behold, he has a cylinder. Since it is a rare standard bore, he only has one. He also reveals to me that the exhaust studs are pulled out and the holes are stripped but, remembering the old adage, “ Beggars can’t be choosers” , I accept. He doesn’t charge the usual “rare find” standard bore price but the price is very acceptable so it’s paypal time. Now, as stated before , the darn freight charges are almost the same as the part price. Once again, what can I say? I know, I promised not to use clichés but, … The machine shop has promised to bear the burden of replacement and after asking him if the bad exhaust studs present a big problem, I am assured that all will be OK. When the cylinder arrives, I bring it to the machinist, he has a quick look, and then tells me that he will send it to his buddy’s who is a good welder, he will fill in the stripped holes and then the machinist will re-tap them for the exhaust studs. We’re off to the races. Of course, two days later and , after the cylinder has been shipped and, of course, paid for, I get a text from one

of the original plead-ees saying that he found a standard bore cylinder with exhaust studs intact . A little too late but, I think I will take it anyway and add it to my own stash of parts. Certainly, if anything happens in the future and I need another cylinder, I can pretty well guarantee that I will not need a left one because that is the one that I will have. Such is the life of a hoarding old bike fixer. So, while I wait to get my cylinders back, the kick start shaft has arrived so I can start putting the engine bottom end back together. As I said before, I have done this many times so it is no big deal. I get out the emery cloth and make sure the case mating surfaces are nice and clean. I have painted the lower case and baked it to perfection in the LSW’s oven, again, when she was out of course. I made use of my ultrasonic parts cleaner and cooked up all the nuts and washers for the cases. They are not really shiny but who gets on their belly and looks under there anyway. I smear up the surfaces with just the right amount of gasket sealer, not too much so it squeezes into the inside but enough to not leave any gaps that will leak oil. You know, just the right amount. The nuts get torqued just right, or, as close as I can get with my old torque wrench with the moving needle. Also, it is ½ inch drive so the 10 mm nuts’ torque figure was guessed at with my little ratchet handle. I flip it onto its stomach and put in the gear change shaft and clutch basket and then see the

15 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

oil catcher that goes underneath the gear changer and take it all out again and screw in the collector. Repetition makes for better learning and doesn’t limit the curse words while the repetition is taking place either. Next is the re-assembly of the clutch. All the bearings and various thrust washers go in in the correct order. Well, this happens because I know myself so, when taking the whole kit and caboodle apart, I run a string through the whole deal in the order I took it off. Simple. Feel free to use that one yourself. I mean, we’re here to share you know. Clutch plates, steels and little wavy thingees are all in. Since the clutch cover gasket does not come separately and I don’t want to buy a whole new gasket kit if I have to take it apart again, I have ordered new Barnett heavy clutch springs. Kawasaki triples are well known for slipping clutches. Again, don’t ask how I know this. Anyway, I slide the new springs in and lay the pressure plate on and try to screw in the spring retainers. I mean, I am pushing as hard as I can and the springs aren’t compressing enough to let the bolts screw in. I finally tire of this and lay the originals and new springs side by side and find that the new ones are a full half inch longer. That is about 13 mm for you in the younger crowd. No wonder. I check the part number and find that the supplier has sent the wrong springs. That was a good half hour of frustration and sweating for nothing. So, I am stalled again waiting for the correct springs . it’s a good thing that this is next winter’s project. Finally, the correct springs arrive and I can continue. The Barnetts are still longer and stiffer so I have to devise a way to get the clutch spring bolts in. I have been pushing for all I’m worth but I can’t get the bolts to seat and start in the threads. The bolt head is being pushed too deeply into the socket so I put a nut into the socket and then put the socket onto the clutch bolt and push and voila, it works like a charm. I guess that I must add that most of my ideas for this type of solution fail miserably. Thde newly painted covers look great on the assembled engine and zi even remembered to set up the distributor cap in the right spot before putting on the clutch cover. The engine is complete and, if I say so myself, looking really good. I remember to clear a path through the ruin and mess that is my shop and lift the engine down to the blocks on the floor that I remembered to put down there. Again, it seems that repetition makes for good learning because usually I forget and have to drop the engine all the way down to the floor, get the blocks out and then lift it up again. In case you didn’t know, these engines are heavy especially for an old guy like me. The pry bars and crowbars work to perfection to not- sogently persuade the engine into place and only a few curse words and crowbar lifts are necessary to get the engine bolts in and the nuts tightened up. There are no visible scratches on the newly painted frame and I am ready to get it rolling so I can move it around the shop. Let’s see, what next? In order to roll it will need forks, fork tubes, wheels and, oh yes, tires preferably with air in them. I guess also a set of shocks would be a good idea. Things are looking up. It seems impossible that anything else could possibly go wrong……….. but,

1290 Super Duke R Special Edition RAW, PURE AND BEYOND REASON King of the jungle, beating its chest with a hair-raising rumble. Wild on the face of it, but just as refined as the original within. And packing a knockout PowerParts punch. The result is lightweight and tailor-made, with an Akrapovič silencer howling for more and an exclusive paint job screaming for attention. From you, the boss.

Visit an Authorized Dealer for more details FACTORY RECREATION 347 Cranston Cres., Midland 705-526-2248 or 888-537-0636 www.factoryrecreation.com

ORANGE MOTORSPORTS 6423 Dale Rd., Port Hope 289-252-0693 or 866-288-2712 www.orangemotorsports.ca

WHEELSPORT 1390 Youville Dr., Ottawa 613-841-9400 or 888-696-2163 www.wheelsport.ca

HB CYCLE & OUTDOOR CENTRE 66 McLarens Creek Rd., Cameron 705-328-2453 www.hbcycle.com

GP BIKES 1100 Champlain Crt., Whitby 905-428-8983 or 866-475-7111 www.gpbikes.com

CLARE’S CYCLE & SPORTS LTD 799 Highway 20 West, Fenwick 905892-2664 or 888-663-6135 www.clarescycle.com

READY KTM 430 Hensall Cir., Mississauga 905-896-1600 or 855-896-0430 www.readyktm.com

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 16

the FEEL A FEEL DEEPA CONNECTION DEEP CONNECTION club life OF WITH THE ROAD. THREE

#1 CHOICE

WITH THE ROAD.THREE OF THEM BE TO EXACT. FEEL ATO DEEP CONNECTION THEM BE EXACT. WITH THE ROAD. THREE OF mark stanisz THEM TO BE EXACT.

FOR MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

The Can-Am® Spyder® RT and RS ®roadsters. With a unique, The Can-Am Spyder® RT and RS roadsters. With a unique, three-wheeled stance and intuitive, rider-focused features, three-wheeled stance and intuitive, rider-focused features, it’s everything you need to become one with the road. it’s everything you need to become one with the WRITER road. CONTRIBUTING It’s riding. Reinvented. Discover what thousands of riders It’s riding. Reinvented. Discover what thousands of riders already know at can-am.brp.com. already know at can-am.brp.com.

Biking to the Festival

The Can-Am® Spyder® RT and RS roadsters. With a unique, three-wheeled stance and intuitive, rider-focused features, it’s everything you need to become one with the road. It’s riding. Reinvented. Discover what thousands of riders already know at can-am.brp.com. sat huddled under a narrow aw- to, what strategies they are using and who

1-800-269-2728 www.manthainsurance.com

As I ning along the main strip in Oshawa try- has perhaps disappeared from the scene. ing to fend off the rain I thought about And don’t tell me bikers aren’t into how ironic the scene was. fashion. Over the years I’ve extolled the virtues Male or female there are definitely of various motorcycle festivals and get- styles of clothing that come into vogue togethers all over Ontario. I’ve attended (although in my mind the black leather as many as I could and encouraged ev- jacket and jeans will exist at least as long eryone on two wheels (and lately three as the combustion engine on two wheels VEHICLE does) STABILITY SYSTEM TRANSMISSION DYNAMICSTEERING POWER STEERING SEMI-AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DYNAMIC POWER wheels) to go if they hadn’t VEHICLE beenSTABILITY to one.SYSTEM and SEMI-AUTOMATIC many baubles like rings, tsystem No clutch or foot shifter here. required Adjusts required effort through An automotive-like systemAn automotive-like No clutch lever or foot shifterlever here. Adjusts effort through But this bikefest got rained out at the shirts, boots, gloves, saddlebags and more integrating stability, traction Your left thumb shifts up and your acceleration, speed and steering integrating stability, traction Your left thumb shifts up and your acceleration, speed and steering braking forshifts an down. forefinger shifts down. Withangle reverse. angle comfort data. Moreand comfort and and anti-lock braking for and an anti-lockforefinger With reverse. data. More confident ride. improved control. last minute. I felt bad for the organizers display. incredibly confident ride. incrediblyon (Manual available) (Manual available) improved control. who looked a bit shell-shocked after they These festivals often have dozens of STABILITY SYSTEM SEMI-AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DYNAMIC POWER STEERING cancelled the event due to theVEHICLE storm. biker-friendly businesses present who An automotive-like system No clutch lever or foot shifter here. Adjusts required effort through I was there when they went integrating around and gladly aand fair in exchange for stability, traction will Your left thumb ask shifts up your price acceleration, speed and steering and anti-lock braking for an forefinger shifts down. With reverse. angle data. More comfort and had to tell some of the vendorsincredibly it was over good quality confident ride. (Manual available) gear. improved control. - some of those businesses had already beAlong with the biker fashion you get gun cooking food which would likely go a chance to check out the latest motorto waste or fill bellies already full enough. cycles and new models or old models, But would I trade it all for no bike fest? sidecars, big bikes, small bikes, every coNo way, man! lourDealer of bike Imprint you can imagine plus some Dealer Imprint I had volunteered through a friend to14 interesting modifications. Regional Road 13, Courtland, ON Goes Here help corral the incoming bikers along Goes the Here Motorcycle festivals also encourage main street (Bond Street) for the Bikes on tourism.519-688-3278 Bond rally but by the time we got into www.lockhartsodyssey.ca You get a good chance to see a commuposition the clouds had opened up - Dealer at Imprint nity at its best and learn about that town Here exactly the wrong time. Any bikers whoGoes and surrounding area. were considering coming down for the afSure, often these things can devolve ternoon were not going to leave. Those on into a marketing project for a town but the road would likely pull over and head usually the townspeople themselves join to the nearest Tim Hortons or whatever in the fun. shelter was nearby and head home. Anyone, for example, who has been to Going to a motorcycle fest is one of Friday 13th in Port Dover knows what the quintessential actions that is synony- I mean with local townsfolk setting up mous with bikers. I guess it harkens back lawn chairs in front of their house and to those Hollywood images of the Wild waving to passersby sometimes even Ones invading a town. with signs and flags. This year’s Highway The existence of motorcycle festivals, of Heroes Ride to Port Hope had a town mostly in the summer months in Canada, eagerly welcoming of the biker commutempts motorcycle clubs of every stripe, nity. groups of friends and even the die-hard While most clubs also sponsor one or soloists to check out the show. more charities, these motorcycle festivals And why not? usually have several available where othEvery biker knows that the most fun er groups or clubs are raising funds for a you can have with a motorcycle - is to cause. So if you are looking for a chance actually ride. There simply is no substi- to say win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle tute for the wind on your skin, the sun while supporting a good cause this is heating your neck, shoulders and arms, where you can do it. the sounds and smells of the countryside And what better place to take a selfie along with the gentle movement of the than among thousands of bikes and bikpavement beneath you with the sky and ers from all over? horizon beckoning to you to follow. There are often also mechanics around But to say that you’d rather be riding who design motorcycles so if you are means by definition you are riding except looking for something interesting to do this time with a purpose. with your motorcycle or a project then I find one problem for some people you can find it here. leading clubs is that people don’t know If you are not in a motorcycle club or where to bike to or how to organize a riding group then usually there are sevride on their own. That’s where bike fes- eral clubs in attendance and you can intivals and rallies come in. They provide troduce yourself and see if they have local every club and group an opportunity chapters that you could contact. to put something on the agenda. SomePlus if you see someone with the same thing to rally around. Somewhere to ac- bike as you - you can get advice! Or if you tually go and somewhere likely outside see a bike you want in the future you can your normal haunts. ask questions. While at a biker festival you are also Motorcycle festivals and bikers and molikely to see other clubs. torcycle clubs belong together and are an You’ll probably bump into buddies you amazing display of humanity. Next time haven’t seen in years. You almost always you are leafing through websites or newsmake new friends. Regardless, you have papers and see an ad for a bike festival to the chance to see other motorcycle make a note of it and make a point of it clubs and groups in action and see who’s to get together with your motorcycle crew growing and developing, what they’re up and head on down! ©2011 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Always ride responsibly and safely and observe applicable laws. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix. ©2011 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. 610376 Always ride responsibly and safely and observe applicable laws. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

610376

©2011 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Always ride responsibly and safely and observe applicable laws. Remember that riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix.

610376

helMeTS FoR lIFe

The lightest helmets on The planeT

Carbon

Fibre

Check out our complete line of european inspired helmets

Find a dealer near you at

www.nexxcanada.com

17 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

CONTINUED FROM PG.13

Now Things are Getting Interesting rich grass. Continuing on, small groupings of remote homes would appear out of blind corners and quickly vanish again behind us; their inhabitants’ lives and stories remaining as mysterious to us as ours did to them. We had organized a stop for the night in Quesnel BC, where we were graciously hosted by some friends who live on a wonderful property with four lovely horses. The following day we made it to Marble Canyon Provincial Park, which is usually a warm dry climate with desert-like conditions. It was our wettest night yet, by far. We packed up our soggy tents the next morning as it continued to pour down on us. As we rode into Souther BC, the highway hugged the hillside as the railway tracks criss-crossed above and below us on wooden trestle bridges and through dark tunnels in the massive rock walls that frame the Fraser Valley. As we entered the Coast Mountains on the Sea to Sky Highway, multitudes of plucky pine trees were perched precariously on the steep rocky slopes that were cloaked in a patchwork of mist. Watching beads of water slide to the side of our visors, we sped along wide-eyed, as pencil-thin lines of water trickling down the vertical rock faces, feeding the emerald green glacial rivers and lakes of the mountains. The road snaked upwards towards the sky only to slither back down again, crossing creeks on narrow wood-

planked bridges giving us an experience to remember as the fragile seam between land and sky is not often felt so closely. Traffic and speed steadily increased as we approached Vancouver, sharing the road with busy people trying to live their lives within the tight grip of urban life. Towers of concrete and steel replaced towers of rock in our sights and the grey of asphalt that was once a small human scar on the otherwise infinitely green wilderness had become the overwhelming norm as lonely trees and bushes had become rare

ment and adventure: the United States and Central America. Be sure to check on our progress by checking out our travel blog and pictures at: www.alaskentina.com. By spreading the word about our trip and our cause, you can help us reach our goal of raising $22,000 for Free The Children’s Adopt-A-Village program. The organization works to break the cycle of poverty in developing countries and all the money raised through our campaign will be directed to the existing programs in Ecuador and Nicaragua.

sources of shrubbery. Having been living the same busy city life only weeks ago, it feels like the northern solitude had instilled in us already a lifetime of change. We spent just shy of a week in Langley, busy repairing some lingering issues with the bikes such as a broken headlight, malfunctioning odometer, and a balding tire, resupplying our dehydrated food collection and catching up with friends and family, while at the same time resetting our minds as we geared up to say goodbye to Canada and hello to the next chapter of excite-

HONDA’S FIND MY SUMMER RIDE EVENT! WWW.READYHONDAPOWERSPORTS.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • SALES DIRECT: 866-819-4116

FIND MY SUMMER RIDE EVENT! TRANSFER PUMP

BF2.3H HP

9799

ports.com issauga

9-4116

419*

WB20XK2C

GENERATOR

1,289*

1,779*

EU2000IT1 PARALLEL

EG5000

LAWNMOWER $

389 89

HRS2164PDC DC

2015 CBR300RTA

4,579*

HRR2169VVKCC

11,919*

20,069*

2016 GL1800BG

15,600

2014 CTX1300A 2 $ *

13,969*

869* 8

2015 CBR1000S

2014 VFR800

6,269*

2016 CBR600RA

599 9*

2015 CBR500R

HRRX2175HYC

2015 TRX420FA6

7,349*

2014 GL1800ADE (Airbag)

24,169*

29,169

2016 TRX420FM2

7,199*

2.99%/36 MTHS. PURCHASE FINANCING!

*LICENCE FEE (IF APPLICABLE) AND HST EXTRA ON ALL OFFERS. OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, PROGRAMS OR DISCOUNTS AND ARE GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016. DOWN PAYMENT OR EQUIVALENT TRADE-IN ON PURCHASE FINANCING MAY BE REQUIRED BASED ON APPROVED CREDIT FROM HONDA FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. SALE PRICE ON THE NEW MOTORCYCLES INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E., ECRF, LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OMVIC FEE. FREIGHT & PDE ($50/$50/$65/$65/$65/$65/$75/$75/$50/$50/$600/$600), ECRF ($0/ $0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$24.86/$24.86) AND LICENCE ADMINISTRATION ($0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$0/$299/$299) ARE ALL EXTRA ON THE FOLLOWING ON THE OTHER PRODUCTS: 2.3DK2SCHC/WB20XK2C/EU2000IT1/EG5000/HRS2164PDC/HRX2175HYC/HRR2169VKC /TRX420FA6/ TRX420FM2). PRICING OF THE POWER EQUIPMENT MAY INCLUDE A LIMITED TIME REBATE AND DISCOUNT AND THE MOTORCYCLES/ATV’S AS FOLLOWS: CBR300RTA $1,300/CBR500R $1,100/VFR800 $3,500/CBR1000S $1,000/CBR600RA $800/CTX1300A $5,000/ GL1800BG $1,000/ GL1800ADE $3,500/TRX420FA6 $1,750/TRX420FM2 $900. DEALER ORDER/TRADE MAY BE NECESSARY, IF WE RUN OUT OF INVENTORY OF SELECTED MODELS. VEHICLE(S) AND ACCESSORIES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, SEE US FOR FULL DETAILS.

KAWASAKI SUMMERTIME SALES EVENT! WWW.READYKAWASAKI.COM • 430 HENSALL CIRCLE, MISSISSAUGA • 866-819-4112

4YR. K INC.! PP 2015 NINJA

2015 NINJA

300

(NON-ABS)

4,985*

2015 VULCAN 900

650

(ABS)

7,765*

CUSTOM

9,465*

2015 NINJA

ZX6SE ABS

12,815*

2015 VERSYS

2016 VAQUERO

1000LT

15,215*

1700

20,169*

2015 ULTRA 310 LX

JETSKI

19,865*

*VEHICLE LICENCE FEE (IF APPLICABLE) AND HST EXTRA ON ALL OFFERS. OFFERS CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS, PROGRAMS OR DISCOUNTS AND ARE GOOD UNTIL AUGUST 31, 2016. SALE PRICE ON THE NEW MOTORCYCLES INCLUDES FREIGHT AND P.D.E., ECRF, LICENCE ADMINISTRATION FEE AND OMVIC FEE. FREIGHT & PDE ($650) AND LICENCE ADMINISTRATION ($299) ARE ALL EXTRA ON THE ULTRA 310LX PRICING OF THE FOLLOWING INCLUDE A LIMITED TIME REBATE OF: EX300AFF $1,100/EX650EFF $1,100/VN900CFF $1,000/ZX636FFFA $1,400/KLZ1000BFF $900/VN1700KGF $0/JT1500MFF $1,000. 48 MONTHS KAWASAKI PROTECTION PLAN IS INCLUDED AT NO CHARGE ON THE 2015 ULTRA 310LX JETSKI. MOTORCYCLE(S) AND ACCESSORIES SHOWN ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. ACTUAL COLOURS MAY VARY DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY. DEALER TRADE OR FACTORY ORDER MAY BE NECESSARY. OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, SEE US FOR FULL DETAILS.

ONE STOP SHOPPING: THE ONLY FACTORY AUTHORIZED RETAILER IN ONTARIO TO OFFER HONDA, KAWASAKI, KTM, SUZUKI AND YAMAHA ALL UNDER ONE ROOF!

September September2016, 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 18

FinishLines M M iixx -- 00//3355//8855//00

Szokes dominates rounds five and six at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. For people who attend or work with the Mopar CSBK National roadracing series, the domination of Jordan Szoke is something interesting, gradually occurring one race at a time. It has not been all plain sailing for Szoke. A number of racers, especially Kenny Riedmann, Jodi Christie, Matt McBride, Ben Young, Frank Trombino and Michael Leon, have been in a position where they might win. Still, Szoke has not lost a Mopar Pro Superbike Feature in 14 rounds, undefeated since July, 2014. This dominance has led some fans to become dismissive, ignoring the actual racing and simply stating that Szoke makes things boring. Clearly this is not Szoke’s problem – he is doing his specific task, doing it very well. These considerations frame the final events at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park last weekend, where Szoke took on a very strong and motivated field, earning his third career perfect season. The challenge was ramped up by two factors: the arrival of Dunlop’s ultra soft Qualifying tire for Friday’s Dalton Timmis Insurance second SuperPole session, and the simultaneous appearance of Italian star Claudio Corti aboard the Pure Genius Beverages Houston Superbike Aprilia RSv4. Szoke had more important work than

merely winning races six and seven in a row for 2016 – he wanted to claim National overall number one status for the 11th time. When Corti charged to the front from the second row at the start of Saturday’s round, Szoke didn’t rush, merely taking up fourth spot at the back of the lead pack. Szoke was fully engaged by mid-race, and perfectly placed on the exit of the last corner when Riedmann and Corti got a little too heated with their win-it-or-bin-it efforts. The podium featured new number one Szoke (BMW), Corti (Aprilia) and Riedmann (Kawasaki). Event organizers love these podiums. On Sunday, a determined Corti pushed the pace in the red flag shortened race, so he and Szoke settled it between them. Corti suffered a technical problem mid-race and couldn’t do much as Szoke pulled away at the front, turning the fastest lap of the race at 1:21.152. This effort compared favourably to Szoke’s new lap record of 1:20.778, earning pole on the yellow stripe Dunlop “Q” in Friday’s Dalton Timmis SuperPole. It is clear that Szoke, 37 years old, is still up for a challenge. As Szoke builds his brand with BMW, you could fairly argue that he has never been as dominant as he is right now. At least the competition knows what they have to face as they prepare for 2017 over the long Canadian winter.

Ken Roczen scores his ninth win of the year at Ironman Raceway The 12th and final round of the 2016 Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship, sanctioned by AMA Pro Racing, returned to Ironman Raceway on Saturday, with just the third visit to the newest and fastest growing event in American motocross. With both the 450 Class and 250 Class titles already decided, the Ironman National presented an all out battle for victory between the world’s fastest riders, who were tasked with navigating a difficult track following a morning filled with rain. One week after wrapping up his second 450 Class title, RCH Soaring Eagle/ Jimmy John’s/Suzuki Factory Racing’s Ken Roczen capped off the summer with yet another dominant effort, sweeping the motos for the ninth time this season to earn his ninth overall victory. In the

A 1:55.394 lap from Movistar Yamaha MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest lap of the one day official test af-

Just for comparison and to help illustrate Jordan Szokes accomplishments in superbike racing, below is a top 10 Alltime superbike win list provided by CSBK.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Wins

Jordan Szoke ........... 59 Steve Crevier ............. 26 Pascal Picotte ............ 16 Michel Mercier .......... 12 Don Munroe .............. 12

Rider 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Wins

Rupert McMurter ..... 11 Brett McCormick ...... 11 Michael Taylor ........... 10 Gary Goodfellow ...... 8 Francis Martin ........... 7

250 Class, Monster Energy/Pro Circuit/ Kawasaki rookie Austin Forkner broke through for the first overall win of his career following an exciting and wild afternoon of action. The sun emerged just in time for the motos, but the track was still predominantly wet. Fresh off his second title in three years, Roczen put his Suzuki out front to start the opening 450 Class moto, claiming the holeshot ahead of the Autotrader/Monster Energy/Yamaha duo of Justin Barcia and Phil Nicoletti. Roczen and Barcia set an impressive pace on the opening lap and were able to open a small gap over the rest of the field. Roczen led wire-to-wire to earn his 19th moto win of the season, crossing the line just over six seconds ahead of Barcia.

Reigning MotoGP™ champion completes 43 laps and goes top

Alltime Superbike Win List Rider

3300% %KK

ter the Czech GP by three tenths, with track action delayed in the morning as

the track was cleaned. The Movistar Yamaha team tested some new front tyres from Michelin in development for 2017, a new chassis and swingarm, and made the most of the afternoon session to make some positive improvements ahead of the upcoming British GP at Silverstone. Electronics supplier Magneti Marelli also brought some adjustments and updates to the test, with the Yamaha duo of Lorenzo and Rossi proving one team eager to test the changes. Jorge Lorenzo (P1 - 1:55.394): “We had more or less similar things to try and some of them gave us a benefit to go faster. It has been a positive journey because we were afraid we wouldn‘t be able to test today because some corners were dirty in the beginning, but finally the bikes on track improved the grip, it was not the same as during the weekend but we were able to test many things. We tried both new Michelin tyres and they were better than the standard one, better stability and they have better grip in the corners.”

19 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

Michelin ready for Silverstone Tyre manufacturer gets ready for the longest track on the calendar

Michelin heads across La Manche for round 12 of the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship, as the paddock travels to the heart of England and the Silverstone circuit for the Octo British Grand Prix. The 5,902m layout of Silverstone circuit is the longest on the calendar, as well as one of the fastest and with a total of 18 corners – most of them flowing and fast. This usually adds up to quick lap-times and competitive racing. The long and rolling nature of the track, coupled with the medium abrasiveness of the surface, will make tyre durability an important factor this weekend and with many straight sections featuring hard braking zones, front-end stability will be another crucial aspect. With all these features, combined with Silverstone’s position as one the most northerly circuits of the year – only Assen is further north – the selection of Michelin tyres has been chosen to cover all eventualities – even the vagaries of the British weather. The choice of MICHELIN Power Slicks will feature three front tyres in soft (identified by a white band), medium (no band) and hard (yellow band), whilst the two rears will use compounds especially dedicated to the Silverstone track. With 10 right-hand turns the rear tyres – in soft (white band) and medium (no band) – will have an asymmetric design featuring a harder right shoulder, with the softer side designed to warm-up quicker through the eight left-handers. With wet weather always a possibility in England, the MICHELIN Power Rain will be available in full wet extra soft (light blue band) and full wet soft (blue band) front varieties, along with a wet medium (no band) version. These will be accompanied by rear tyres in a soft (blue band) full wet compound and a hard wet (no band) version. The MICHELIN Power Inter (silver band) will also be available and with the changeable weather that is ever likely at Silverstone this tyre could play an important role.

THOMBOYS POWERSPORTS & EQUIPMENT 202297 Highway 6 & 21, Owen Sound 519-372-0937 or 888-865-5782 www.tbpowersports.com

WAYNES WORLD POLARIS 29513 Highway 28, Bancroft 613-332-4649 or 613-332-3902 www.waynesworldpolaris.com

SPOILED SPORTS 1898 Baseline Road, Bowmanville 905-436-6487 www.spoiledsports.com

APEX CYCLE SPORTS 200 Preston Parkway, Cambridge 519-880-8800 or 888-702-4150 www.apexcycle.ca

* This is a limited time offer which is valid for the purchase of selected qualifying models and is subject to credit approval on qualified purchases financed during this program. Offer may not be combined with certain other offers, is subject to change and may be extended or terminated without further notice. Offer valid on new 2014 through 2016 Victory models. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Minimum amount to finance is $5,000. Example: $10,000 financed at 3.99% over 36 months = 36 monthly payments of $295.20 with a cost of borrowing of $627.03 and a total obligation of $10,627.03. Monthly payment examples exclude tax, title & other fees. * Offer valid on new 2017 Victory® Octane®. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed and down payment/trade. Minimum amount to finance is $5,000. Example: $7,500 financed at 1.99% over 72 months = 72 monthly payments of $110.60 with a cost of borrowing of $462.87 and a total obligation of $7,962.87. $4,999 down payment required to achieve promotional offer of Bi-Weekly payments as low as $55. Monthly payment examples exclude tax, title & other fees. See participating retailers for complete details and conditions. Offer ends August 31st, 2016. **Rebates vary by model and model year. Must purchase a 2014 through 2016 Victory model between July 26th and August 31st, 2016. Victory or Polaris® dealership employees are not eligible for this offer. Victory® and Victory Motorcycles® are registered trademarks of Polaris Industries Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing and obey the speed limit. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. ©2016 Polaris Industries Inc. Offers valid in U.S. and Canada, subject to credit approval, and valid on new 2014 through 2016 models. Good through 8/31/16. Certain restrictions and exclusions apply. See dealer for details.

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 20

RealWorld Mix - 0/35/85/0

30%K

Charging Systems Lets Talk Audio

scott hooper

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

I hope you are all enjoying your summer so far and have had some time to enjoy the open road. This article will focus more on one of the most important components in your bike, your charging system. We will begin looking at your battery as it is an easy component to work with and can give you some big hints as to what the rest of your charging system is up to. Guilty as charged. A solid understanding of your charging system will help answer a number of questions when it comes to how your audio system is performing. People often believe that the charging system will keep powering every component you put on the bike no matter what. This simply can’t happen. Like the gas in your tank the power from your charging system will run out at some point and leave you stranded just like your empty tank. The power starts with your bikes stator. This is a generator that will spin while the bikes engine is running and it will produce AC voltage. This is of little use to us though as our bikes require DC signal to run the electronics. This is where the rectifier and regulator will come in. The rectifier will use a series of diodes to convert the AC voltage to DC. The regulator will make sure that the outgoing DC voltage stays around 14.4 volts so as not to damage our components we have hooked to the bike. Although it seems simple if one of these components is operating improperly the results can be significant. What if your stator is failing and not producing the output it should? What if your regulator goes bad and higher voltage is now getting to the electronics on the bike? We often believe that just because our bike

started when we pressed the button everything must be good. I have witnessed people holding their starter button down for periods of time while the starter struggled to turn over the engine. Eventually catching the rider, now relieved, proceeds on their way with the false sense that everything is ok, after all the bike started right? Looking at why this issue occurred could easily stop it from happening again or getting worse. This situation could be nothing more than a simple loose, damaged, or corroded battery terminal that is creating a poor connection at the battery and therefore limiting power to the starter. This would be a simple fix that regular inspection and some simple maintenance will keep in check. What if its something more severe? Maybe it’s a stator that is no longer producing the output it needs to power the bikes electronics and charge the battery. It could be the regulator that is failing leaving the battery subject to a higher than expected voltage that can cause permanent damage to the batteries internal plates. These scenarios could be more difficult to check and not always part of your routine maintenance. If you notice anything odd going on with your electrical components it would be a good time to check a few simple things. Below I’ll give you a very simple way of checking the basics of your charging system to see how it stacks up, go ahead try it, your next ride may just have been saved! One of the easiest things to check with the charging system is the battery voltage. Do not rely solely on the gauge in the dash for this job. Get a good multi-meter in your hands for this. A test light should be left in the tool box for this go-round. With

the bike off use your meter to measure the DC voltage across the battery terminals. A battery in good shape should be measuring 12.6 volts. Your battery is made of 6 individual plates. Each plate holding a charge of 2.11 volts. If your battery is sitting below this reading it could be indicating an issue. While you’re there it’s a good time to check the cables and make sure they are tight. Make sure that there is no corrosion or excessive dirt/road grime on the terminals, if so take a moment and clean them. If the battery is showing it is low try starting the bike, does it start quickly or does it take a few cranks of the starter to get things revving? A bike that has been sitting will likely have a lower than normal battery and a couple of cranks may be required. If you just rode home and your showing low this could be an issue. With the bike started let’s look at the next measurement. At idle you should be able to measure across the terminals again and see a reading of at-least 13.8 volts. Anything less then this and your battery will not be charging properly and you may have come across part of the issue. Bringing the RPM up you should see an increase in voltage. Ideally you want to find that you get to a point where 14.4 volts is able to be measured across your battery. If this is the case then congratulations, you have proper incoming voltage to the battery from the regulator and your battery should be charging properly! The off season. One of the biggest opportunities you have to damage your battery will be when the bike is not being run for long periods of time. If the battery is still connected to your bike you will have what’s referred to as parasitic draw on your battery. This means that the electronics in your

bike will have a small draw on the battery for many different reasons. Your radio as an example needs a small amount of power to maintain things like your clocks time, or your radio pre-sets. Having an amp in the bike may cause an increase in draw while it awaits a turn on signal so it can switch over to your battery power to operate. This draw will slowly drain your battery and without the recharging that occurs from regular riding your battery will slowly be depleted and damage could occur. An easy way to combat this is to disconnect your battery from your bike to avoid having any draw on it. This action will only do so much however as your battery will naturally loose power even while its just sitting there. The best line of defense in this case is to use a battery tender if the bike will not be ridden for an extended period of time. A tender is different than a battery charger in a few ways. The main being it is a low current supply to the battery. Typically at only a few hundred milliamps (1000miliamps = 1 amp) the tender will slowly charge your battery and maintain a topped up level ensuring your battery remains in peak condition. In some cases tenders will also be able to monitor the battery levels and shut off when topped up and periodically turn on to maintain the proper voltage in your battery, others will cycle your battery by placing a small draw on the battery and then a top up charge effectively working out your battery while it is preparing for the next big riding season! No matter what you choose using a tender will increase the useful life of your battery. As always we welcome your questions. Please submit questions to: readers@themotorcycletimes.ca Until next month, Ride Safe and have fun out there!

Mix - 0/35/85/0

I don’t see MY ad here...

Chrome at Great Prices

125

neither do our readers.

Always Buying Used Goldwing Bikes, Parts and Surplus Inventory

ONLY

www.goldwingking.com 1-855-WINGKING (946-4546)

Hamilton Bikers Church is hosted at the First Church of the Nazarene. 92 Ottawa Street North

INCLUDES TAXES

Our fellowship meetings start at 6:30pm, Thursday evenings in the downstairs hall.

FULL PROCESS COLOUR

905-870-8584 www.hamiltonbikerschurch.com

905-962-1890

www.beltdrivebetty.com

K_wing-world-ad_bc-size_2011-06-29_ver2.indd 1

30%K

COFFEE STOP FOR BIKERS

11-11-13 5:07 PM

Home of Canada’s ONLY Weekly National Newspaper for Bikers “The Busted Knuckle Chronicles”

Your #1 Source for Motorcycle News, Events, Contests & Rider Friendly® Businesses in Canada!

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Every MONDAY Starting May 2, 2016 (weather permitting)

AT THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 25

www.beltdrivebetty.com

96 Great Northern Rd. Sault Ste. Marie A great place where motorcyclists can gather for coffee and camaraderie. If popular, we can expand

‘EVEN A USED TRAILER ISN’T WORTH BUYING ANYMORE”

UNBEATABLE PRICING & QUALITY

Call today to become a factory outlet

KANGAROO T

905-634-1205 • 1-85 KANGAROO • Kangaroo Trailers 3385 Mainway, Burlington The Largest and Best Selection of Used Harley-Davidsons

PRIVATE Motorcycle Instruction • Your Bike, Your Location • Choose Your Lessons • One-on-One Instruction • Skills Refreshment • Slow Speed Riding • Emergency Skills • M2 Exit Skills Practice

Great Quality! Great Selection! Great Prices! & Most important Great Service! Start your dreams of freedom and adventure here! Drop by for a visit and experience the difference!

1399 8th Line of Smith, Lakefield

www.usedhd.ca 1-888-292-8305

Note: Proper riding gear required, DOT helmet, leather gloves, boots and sturdy jacket. Gear Not Supplied.

905-975-1890 or privatelessons1965@gmail.com for rates or to reserve your space. Minimum M1 required to qualify.

21 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

MarketPlace

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 22

CommunityEvents Mix - 0/35/85/0

THURSDAYS Cycle Salvage Bike Night 6860 Highway 7 Cavan-Monaghan from 6-8:30pm (weather permitting). Free Hamburgers and hotdogs, A mystery draw, store and recycling yard open to stroll thru, 50/50 draw in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Ends Sept 22nd. September 3, 201 10-52 Shaun Walker Memorial Ride Ride registration starts at 11am with the ride starting at 12pm from Reeb House on 2481 Hwy #3 Port Colborne, Ride ends at Cat’s Caboose 224 Glenridge Ave St. Catharines. Cost is $20 a rider and $10 a passenger. Food is included with ticket purchase as well as entry in grand prize raffle. Additional tickets are available for purchase for other raffle prize as well. Proceeds raised will go towards Team Paige’s Power in support of juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Visit www.10-52.ca or email 10-52@hotmail.ca September 4, 2016 Ride for the Breath of Life Pre-Register at www.rideforthebreathoflife.ca. Driver $25 Passenger $20. Don’t ride? Join us for breakfast at 8-11am at Applebees for only $6.99. Ride-day registration starts at 9am. Kick stands are up at 10:15am at Applebees 2250 Walker Road Windsor and ending at Belle River Legion. The Ride for the Breath of Life is an annual motorcycle fundraising event in support

of Cystic Fibrosis Canada at which Riders from all backgrounds band together to help change the face of cystic fibrosis from one of despair to one of hope. Funds raised through the Ride for the Breath of Life support life-changing cystic fibrosis research, clinical care and advocacy. This support has resulted in outstanding progress in the quality of life for Canadians with cystic fibrosis. With your help, we are getting even closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease. However, while we have achieved enormous gains in quality of life and life expectancy, we still lose precious young lives to cystic fibrosis every day. Visit www.rideforthebreathoflife.ca or Courtney Quinn at cquinn@cysticfibrosis.ca or www. cysticfibrosis.ca September 11, 2016 Drivers Against Distraction Ride Ride for Motorcycle Awareness. Look Twice For Motorbikes. Husky Restaurant Joyceville Rd & 401. Registration 8 am $30/rider. Kickstands up at 10am. Early Registration: $25 September 10, between 5-8 pm in lobby. See Me Save Me. Prevent Deaths and Injuries on Ontario Highways! Don’t Text and Drive! Distracted Drivers Kill Bikers! Online Registration $25 at www.dadontario.org. Funds go to Printed materials, Road signs & Events to raise motorist awareness. September 17, 2016 The Ride for Memories Registration and Check in: 12-1pm at the

Call us directly for fast to-your-door delivery: 1-877-549-4454

Don’t Be This Guy! Next-Day Delivery • Free Freight

Call us at toll free: 1-877-549 - 4454 We are Canada’s largest wholesaler of batteries for OEM & dealer requirements

Powersports vehicles need a powerful battery, one built to take the constant pounding that comes with the territory. Whether you ride a metric cruiser, sport bike, scooter or American iron, the staff at Great Northern Battery Systems has the right battery, testers & chargers for your ride. And we can get it to you quickly

visit us at: www.absolutebattery.com MASTER DISTRIBUTOR

Great Northern Battery Systems, 475 Parkdale Ave. N., Hamilton

September 24, 2016 Ride Against the Wind Registration at 9:30am, Ride starts at 10am, 494196 County Rd. 2, Feversham, Grey Highlands, $30/single, $50 w/passenger. Ride supports Grey Highlands Wind Concerns. Enjoy winding roads, incredible views, colourful autumn leaves. Hot lunch included. Silent auction with really cool items. Contact Gary Fohr rideagainstwind@gmail.com or 519 922 3072.

Get One Step Ahead If you have your charity event or ride planned for 2017, why not get a head start and let our readers know about it now. This is a free service that we offer to you. It will also be posted on our website and our facebook page as well as the Community Events page in The Motorcycle Times (space permitting), please email the following information in text format to: circulation@themotorcycletimes.ca. Date: Name of Ride: Times: Location: Costs/Fees: Description of what is going on: Supporting: (Charity) Contact Name: Email, Website & Phone Number: If you have another type of event that is motorcycle related and wish to advertise here in the Community Events section but are not sure if it qualifies, send it anyway and a representative will email you back as to the status of your event in this free section.

YOUR HONDA MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP IN THE HEART OF BEAUTIFUL BELLEVILLE

Check out our Pre-Owned Inventory

When life throws you a curve, you can count on us to deliver! Over 70 Years Experience at your fingertips.

Alzheimer Society of Dufferin County’s office at 25 Centennial Rd, #1 Orangeville. Ride leaves at 1pm. One Bike$50/rider, $10/passenger. The Ride for Memories is an event with the purpose of bringing awareness and understanding to the needs of caregivers in Dufferin County. The funds raised by this event are used to ensure that services offered by the Alzheimer Society of Dufferin County are available to clients and caregivers in our area. This event is designed to reach people who have a passion to ride motorcycles and who have a desire to support our programs and services through fund development events such as this. We will be stopping at retirement and Long Term Care Homes along the route to socialize and offer support and encouragement to the clients we have in Dufferin County. Visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/alzheimer-society-of-dufferin-county/events/ride-formemories-fall-tour

30%K

MASTER DISTRIBUTOR

We carry a full line of Honda

• Motorcycles • Scooters • ATV’s • Side by Side • Marine • Power Equipment • Accessories • Parts • Service And lots of Apparel It’s a one stop shop.

Stop by for a visit and see what we can do for you.

676 Dundas Street West , Belleville 613-966-8828 or 888-966-8828 www.WestCityPowersports.ca

23 – The Motorcycle Times, September 2016

Take advantage of our Special Retail Financing offer for as little as 0% for 36 months. Visit your local Kawasaki dealer today for complete details and get moving - for less - right now.

Sturgess Cycle 615 King Street West, Hamilton 905-522-0503 or 888-421-3333 www.sturgessonline.com

Cycle One 127 Ingersoll Road, Woodstock 519-421-3333 www.cycleone.ca

GRAND RIVER POWERSPORTS 1264 Colborne St. E. Brantford 519-759-8140 www.grandriverpowersports.ca

FasT Track Performance 3418 Catherine Street. Dorchester 519-268-8429 www.fasttrackperformance.ca

BELLEVILLE SPORT & LAWN 128 Church St. S. Belleville 613-968-4559 or 877-968-4559 www.bellevillesportandlawn.com

MotorsportS Pickering 3260 Highway 7, Pickering 905-620-1171 www.motorsportspickering.com

ThanksKawasaki To a cusTom concepT called ergo-fit™, wiTh Ready 430opTional Hensall handlebar Circle, Mississauga and seaT accessories, and adjusTable 905-896-1600 or 1-855-896-0430 fooTpegs, The Vulcan s is The perfecT fiT for any rider. www.readykawasaki.com The Ninja inspired 650cc gives you all the confidence and power you need at the same time, and comes with ease of handling you’ve yet to see in this category, Until now, that is.

kawasaki.ca ©2014 Canadian Kawasaki Motors Inc. Always wear a helmet, eye protectionis and proper apparel. ride under theCanadian influence • The 0% Special Retail Financing Promotion available on riding select 2015 and Never 2016 models sold by Kawasaki Motors Inc., purchased between June 1, 2016 and July 12, 2016. Receive a financing rate of 0% for up to 36 months, on approved credit. This promotion is time limited and certain conditions willof apply. The SpecialAdhere Retail Financing Promotion cannot be combined drugs or0% alcohol. to the maintenance schedule in your with any other promotion unless otherwise indicated. See your dealer for complete details. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and proper riding apparel. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. owner’s manual. Professional riders on a closed course.

@CanadaKawasaki

CanadianKawasakiMotors

September 2016, The Motorcycle Times – 24

HUNGER FOR THE UNKNOWN TWENTY17 I SCR950

DISTINCT SCRAMBLER STYLE I POTENT 942CC V-TWIN I NIMBLE HANDLING

VINTAGE CHARACTER MEETS MODERN ENGINEERING.

Unit shown with optional accessories

CLARE’S CYCLE & SPORTS LTD 799 Highway 20 West, Fenwick 905-892-2664 or 888-663-6135 www.clarescycle.com

BENNETT POWERSPORTS 801 Brock St., Whitby 905-430-6360 or 1-888-430-6360 www.bennettpowersports.com

MOTOSPORT OF TRENTON 114 McCauley Rd., Trenton 613-965-6626 www.motosportsoftrenton.com

Ready Yamaha Powersports 430 Hensall Cir. Mississauga 905-896-3500 or 855-896-0430 www.readyyamaha.com OAKVILLE YAMAHA 615 Third Line, Oakville 905-465-9555 www.oakvilleyamaha.com