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THE THREE, TWO-WHEELER–UNTIL last month, I had never test-driven a motorcycle or an automobile. Then, on a frigid Thursday morning two weeks ago, I had a chance to do both – at the same time.
Well, sort of.
I climbed onto a 2008 B.R.P. Can-Am Spyder Grand Sport Roadster, a sleek vehicle with three wheels – two in front and one in the back. Part car, part motorcycle and a whole lot of fun, the futuristic Spyder looks more like the love child of Henry Ford and Isaac Asimov than a creation from a Canadian maker of leisure-time vehicles.
Handsome as Brad and curvy as Angelina, the Spyder has enough cargo room to hold a pair of helmets big enough to contain the egos of both. It also has more than a few traces of the DNA found in Sea-Doo watercraft, Ski-Doo snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles also manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products, a spinoff of the maker of aircraft and rail cars.
The Spyder is B.R.P.’s first highway-legal vehicle, and I was one of the first people outside the company to test it, cruising cautiously on public roads here near First Energy Park, the home of a minor league baseball team, the Lakewood BlueClaws.
The setting was appropriate, as I was about to put on a truly minor league driving exhibition for a team of B.R.P. technical and riding experts – as well as a few dozen passing motorists whose necks turned to rubber at the sight of the brilliant yellow Spyder.
I confess that I have never ridden a motorcycle, and like many natives of the New York City area I have never driven a car with a manual transmission. So I was slightly intimidated by the thought of placing my backside on the forefront of a new kind of crossover vehicle – one that Chris Dawson, vice president for strategic planning at B.R.P., described as “defying categorization.”
But I was in good hands. Before the test drive, Mr. Dawson, accompanied by Jos? Boisjoli, president and chief executive of B.R.P., and Marc Lacroix, the company’s product and marketing manager, sat me down in a conference room for a video tour of B.R.P.’s history and the Spyder’s inner workings. (“Continually reshaping how a rider rides, one goose bump at a time,” was the best line.)
I learned that the Spyder, which the company says can reach 110 miles an hour, uses a 106-horsepower Rotax V-twin – the kind of engine found in sport motorcycles made by Aprilia – to drive the rear wheel.
The Spyder, which in most jurisdictions will require a motorcycle or three-wheeler driver’s license, will be introduced to dealers and the press on Friday in San Diego. There will be two transmission choices: with a five-speed manual, the price is $14,999; with a five-speed sequential gearbox that deletes the clutch lever from the handlebars, the price is $16,499. The prices include electric power steering, a reverse gear and antilock brakes.
The Spyder will go on sale this fall in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin and Virginia, as well as the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. By next January, nine more states will be added as well as France and Spain.I became, and I was sad when my ride ended.
Later, it dawned on me that it could take longer for someone to learn to ride a bicycle than it took me to learn to operate the Spyder – not that I’m recommending it for 5- and 6-year-olds. But I can recommend it for weekend warriors like me – even if you feel like cruising on a Thursday.
–from Clyde Fessler
WATERPROOF FOR 60 SECONDS … WHY NOT TO BUY SEALSKINZ–Attention All Motorcyclists:PIL Membranes Ltd. (formerly Porvair International, website:PilMembranes.com) is a UK-based company that claims to specialize “… inthe science, development and manufacture of high-performance waterproofbreathable membranes for fabrics and leather”. They, along withCalifornia-based Danalco, Inc. (Danalco.com), claim to be the manufacturersand/or distributors of a line of supposedly “waterproof” gloves and sockssold through Bass Pro Shops (BassPro.com) and other major U.S. sportinggoods retailers under the “SealSkinz” brand. On the SealSkinz.com website,they make the following claim:
“SealSkinz are suitable for cycling, walking, climbing, golfing, riding,canoeing, motorcycling, sailing, fell running, orienteering, gardening,fishing, rowing, caving, backpacking, mountaineering … and 100%waterproof.”
I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU THAT BASED ON MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITHSEALSKINZ SOCKS AND GLOVES, THEY MOST CERTAINLY ARE NOT “100% WATERPROOF” INA MOTORCYCLING CONTEXT, NOR ARE THEY LIKELY TO BE WATERPROOF IN ANY OTHER.
Based on the assurances of SealSkinz.com, in October 2006 I placed twoonline orders through BassPro.com for two pairs each of (a) SealSkinzChillBlocker Waterproof Gloves, and (b) SealSkinz ChillBlocker WaterproofSocks. I placed the second order after road-testing their socks, and beingpleased with how well they did in fact “block the chill” under dryconditions. I gambled that they would also in fact be waterproof as claimed.In December 2006, I found out nothing could be further from the truth. Inriding through less than 100 miles of hard rain, the SealSkinz “waterproof”socks proved to be nothing more than thick sponges. And just to verify thefalse nature of their claims, I let the lower half of a dry pair sit in apot of water, weighted by a smaller pot, and in less than an hour they weresoaked inside and out!
–from Bruce Arnold
LEARNING CHANNEL BIKER BUILD-OFF PARTY TONIGHT IN VENICE CALIFORNIA–We’re headed to the Gard Hollinger Build-Off party tonight for the season premier. We received the following regarding a build-off in March:”Our Biker Build Off Show will air on March 8, 2007 following American Chopper(OCC) on The Learning Channel. Please tune in and I hope you enjoy.”
Thanks for everyone’s support.
–Dawn & Butch
BACK TO THE BIKERNET TIME MACHINE–Bandit pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1964 – Vice Principal comes over, takes a look at Bandit’s rifle, goes to his car and gets his to show Bandit.
2007 – School goes into lockdown, FBI called, Bandit is hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
THE HORSE SMOKE OUT 8-June 22 & 23 2007– DATES: June 22 & 23, 2007
LOCATION: Rowan County Fairgrounds, Salisbury, North Carolina
HOURS: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday
COST: $35 for two days or pre-register for $30
Event Information: www.horsebackstreetchoppers.com
Event Contact: edgehorse@aol.com, Edge (803) 210-7272
The 8th Annual The Horse Smoke Out is an event for and about choppers. More specifically, home-built choppers. But you don’t have to own one to join in the festivities. Just be there to kick back or cut loose.
Named after its original event location in the Great Smoky Mountains, The Horse Smoke Out is, above all, about camaraderie – people from around the United States who share an appreciation of cool bikes and good music.
The event always includes some of the biggest names in the chopper world. Billy Lane will be back again this year and past events have featured Indian Larry Legacy, Eric from Voodoo Choppers, Mad Dog, Ian from Bad Monkey Motorworks, Cole Foster, Fabricator Kevin and Chopper Dave.
The two-day event includes a build off in which talented chopper builders bring machines constructed from the ground up with a limited budget. The Horse staff also chooses the ten best choppers at the event to be featured in future editions of the magazine.
THE NEW HORSE SMOKE OUT TENT & RV CAMPING
Camping facilities are now being offered for the Smoke Out. For details contact SmokeOutCampting@aol.com or call Gem at (803) 467-4240.
NEVADA HELMET LAW CHALLENGED AT LAST–SB49 is being introduced to the Nevada Legislature. This bill will MAKENEVADA A FREE STATE by removing “… the requirement that drivers andpassengers on certain motorcycles wear protective headgear.”
The Nevada Legislature is giving us all a chance to vote and post ourcomments online about SB49 by going here:https://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/opinions/Poll/index.cfm?drpMenuOne=120#EnterInfo
OR here:http://tinyurl.com/2uttwm
You will have to include your name and address in order for your vote tocount, but you do NOT have to be a Nevada resident, and your name andaddress are not posted publicly. But your comments will be!
You can viewthe current opinion vote count by locating “SB49” here:https://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/opinions/reports/OpResults.cfm
OR here:http://tinyurl.com/2u4cfh
You can view yours and other posted comments by submitting “SB49” here:https://www.leg.state.nv.us/74th/opinions/vwComments.cfm
OR here:http://tinyurl.com/2vmegr
PLEASE take the time to cast a vote FOR SB49 and FOR FREEDOM in this poll.And PLEASE post comments in a respectful and persuasive manner. Rememberthat this is NOT a “helmet issue”, it is a “helmet law issue”. Mandatoryhelmet laws are discriminatorily unconstitutional in that–by mandatinghelmets for motorcyclists as opposed to all motorists–they violate the”equal protection” guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the United StatesConstitution.
And besides, helmets cannot prevent crashes, and allmandatory motorcycle helmet laws do is make negligent, care-less, distractedand impaired motorists feel less guilty about maiming and killing us!
VOTE ONLINE FOR SB49 … a law that will restore FREEDOM OF CHOICE in thegreat state of Nevada. And PLEASE FORWARD this email to every concernedmotorcyclist you know!
–Bruce Arnold
Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.com
BIKER RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2008–Motorcycle Rights Activists and Motorcycling Businessmen meet with Tommy Thompson to discuss his bid for President in Madison WI in January.
Left to right: Former Wisconsin Senator Dave Zien, ABATE of WI’s PR Director Dave “Chubby” Charlebois, ABATE of WI Founder Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, Jerry Weiner, Lt. Rich Kuchenbecker, ASMI Founder and Director Vicki Sanfelipo, Tommy Thompson, MRF VP Gov’t. Relations Jeff Hennie, San Diego HD owner New York Myke, President of Low Riders MC of Staten Island NY “Stormin” Joe Norman
BUILDERS BREAKFAST DAYTONA ROCKIN’–I spoke to Billy in Cincy and we discussed his new Builders’ Breakfast in Daytona. He wants to recognize new builders at these events and you may see a show of sorts emerging.
This event is all about supporting the boogy Creek Camp for Kids, don’t miss it.
When: Wednesday March 7th, 2007
Time: 9AM
Where: Destination Daytona
Beneficiary: Boggy Creek Camp for kids
TICKETS: $25 available online at: Limited number will be available morning of event on site Darcy Betlach SAXON MOTORCYCLES UNVEILS MAD JACK V-TWIN STREETFIGHTER AT CINCINNATI TO CRITICAL ACCLAIM– Cincinnati, OHIO February 3, 2007?Saxon unveiled a prototype of the newestaddition to its line, the Mad Jack, at the V-Twin Expo in Cincinnati. TheMad Jack is an aggressive V-Twin Streetfighter designed by master builderGard Hollinger of L.A. County Choprods. It features numerous, unique?old-school modernistic? styling elements, including a proprietary frame,gas tank, fenders, machined aluminum strut system, LACC beehive sidemounted oil filter, Moon Eyes barrel type oil tank and LACC hydraulic seatshock dampening system. In addition, each Mad Jack will be numbered andsigned. The Mad Jack is the second production motorcycle that Gard has designedfor Saxon. In 2005, Saxon unveiled the Black Crown, which quickly becameone of Saxon?s best sellers. Based on its success, Saxon partnered withGard to create a bike that would look like no other production motorcycleand be incredibly fun to ride. The result is a true statement in modernmotorcycle design. The Mad Jack is scheduled to go into production in late spring as a 2008model and begin shipping to dealers early this summer. I have attachedsome images for your convenience. The Mad Jack will be featured on Bikernet soon.You can visit Saxon online at www.saxonmotorcycles.com –Ken Conte BIKERNET ART EXHIBIT SECOND HALL FOR SCOTT JACOBS–At last the latest entry to the HD Wine Series of paintings is completed?.TOASTING A LEGEND?.and here for your viewing pleasure. V-Twin TV has been following Scott?s activities at home in the studio and also on the road for several months now and the documentary is set to air soon (see memo below). It will show in great detail how the master artist creates his stunning and photo-realistic paintings from start to finish. The show is dynamic, informative and very entertaining –John Starr NEW SKULL COLLECTION AXLE NUT COVERS FOR HARLEY-DAVIDSON– MILWAUKEE (January 30, 2007) ?The new Skull Collection Axle Nut Covers from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories fit over the front or rear axle nuts to add custom detail that matches other accessory items in the popular Skull Collection. Sold in pairs, the axle nut cover kits include all necessary mounting hardware. Skull Collection Rear Axle Nut Covers (P/N 42064-07, $26.95) fit 2006-later Dyna models. Skull Collection Front Axle Nut Covers (P/N 42055-07, $25.95) fit 2000-later Touring models and 2004-later Dyna models, except 2004-05 FXDWG and 2007 FXDSE. For additional information on Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories, see your local Harley-Davidson dealer or visit the Harley-Davidson Web site at www.harley-davidson.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada. WE?RE ROCKIN?–scrambling and bobbing and weaving. I?ve got a list a mile long of articles that need to be posted. Johnny Humble is overloaded and Paul Garson is asleep at the switch. I was determined to face only one major bike-build project this year, the Assalt Weapan for Bonneville, and I currently stumble over three, maybe four in the shop. I was going to try to publish one book this year and now it?s two. Plus we?re going to kick off our first Bikernet TV department. If anyone tells you the motorcycle market is down, they?re fulla shit. This year is destined to rock the record books. Shit?s flying because shit is happening and it?s happening fast. There?s a handful of companies struggling, but twice as many coming on line. Eight new mags are crowding the newsstands. New television shows are being launched and new products are hitting the market. Shit, there?s even more web sites being plugged into the mix. Mark my word. I can?t keep up with e-mails. So tonight we?ll celebrate the launch of a new Biker Build-Off series and this weekend we?ll visit Wil Phillips, Mr. True Track, who is in Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He has discovered a very serious form of cancer. If you pray, make it a good one for Wil. He?s constantly been an innovator in our industry, and perhaps saved thousands of lives with his True-Track stabilizing system for Touring models. There you have it. Keep the faith and be respectful of the noise you make and when you make it. As you know, there?s a right time for everything. Ride Forever, –Bandit
Chrome Marketing Inc
Phone 952-470-4297
Fax 952-470-4597
(970) 227-3588
Segment Producer, V-Twin TV
