THE NORTON TRANSFORMER

Check this great short video featuring a cool bike.

Read more...

BD: INTERVIEW WITH A LENSMAN

Big Dave Interviews 'Barker'. Images: William J. Le Petomane

It’s pretty commonplace to read about how personal internet experiences have turned sour and it’s all ended with thrown toys and tears.

On the other hand I’ve ‘met’ an astonishing array of people who have become friends and with whom I simply connected, more than just a buddy list.

Some have a personality that is bright enough to shine through the written word and the letters you are looking at on your monitor right now.

Netizens with interesting stories to tell.

There's this mad Viking in Sweden who drag races turbocharged Triumph Bonnevilles. Even though we about as opposite as two places can be – we’re close - and we’ll likely never meet in person.

Occasional KR contributor Peter Jenks is another that has become a pal from long distance, Salisbury UK to Auckland.

I met ‘Barker’ while dribbling-on about Buell motorcycles in the Buell specific forums.

‘There’s an open mind’ was my first impression on reading some of the thoughts he expressed. On the back of that first impression I went on to discover more about the man.

When I logged on to his profile page and read this personal quote:

Got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough. Every time Katherine revved up the microwave Id piss my pants and forget who i was for half an hour or so. Well I am Married to my wife Kath and have two kids and my dog Snotz. Watch out for Snotz hes got a little Mississippi Leg..heh heh if you know what I mean. It's better to let him finish. Let him have a ride and he'll take you all the way to town. I've been out of work for the past seven years. Kath says I should find some temporary work to help pay the bills but I'm holding out for a management position. So with the extra money I bought me a Recreational Vehicle and she is a Beaut... Only problem is the Shitter gets backed up whenever I eat too much of that Mexican food.

I knew he was a man I needed to talk to.

That and the stunning arrays of images of motorcycles, women on motorcycles and action video he was posting up at the time.

So I buttonholed him publicly online for an interview, and went straight to my in depth, probing, Big Dave steely eyed, '60 Seconds' style.

BD: So, Barker, Tell us about some of your recent projects? How did you get started in cinematography?

BARKER: Where it all started:

At age 16 -- a week after I got my driver's license -- I drove to the nearest TV station, found the owner, and told him I wanted to learn to make TV shows.

He took a chance on me and told me to show up Saturday morning at 5 a.m.

I did just that. For the next few weekends, I watched the producer and director work on the weekend programming (news, talk shows, a country music video show, and a televangelist show).

One weekend when I showed up, there was no producer or director to be found. I stepped up and somehow did both of their jobs for the day. (One of my gifts in life is my ability to watch someone do something and remember the sequence and details very well.)

When the owner showed up later that day and discovered me covering for the producer and director, he fired those guys and hired me. So as a high school junior, I found myself producing and directing 3-8 TV shows on the weekend.

I fell in love with the job.

BD: Whereabouts was School - home town?

BARKER: I grew up on a farm near Martinsville, VA in a little community known as ‘Horsepasture.’

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Martinsville's only current claim to fame is its NASCAR track where drivers like Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Rex White and Wendell Scott got their start.

I found growing up near a NASCAR track to be an annoyance. Imagine a sea of 60,000 shirtless rednecks screaming at the top of their lungs while throwing chicken bones and beer cans.

In its heyday, this little town was known for being home to several textiles and furniture manufacturing industry giants.

When I was growing up, Martinsville was home to DuPont’s largest nylon plant, Lee Jeans, Tultex Corp. (at one time the largest textile company), Nike Apparel, Basset Furniture, Stanley Furniture, Ridgeway Clocks, American of Martinsville Furniture, Hooker Furniture and other various manufacturing companies.

Just about everyone in the area worked in a factory--until NAFTA. These days, nearly all of the factories have shut down. It makes me glad my parents beat into my head that I had to figure a way out of the town and not work in a factory or on farm.

Here’s a deeper look at what Martinsville is facing: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/sports/otherspor ts/31nascar.html

‘Education?’ That is a question I get all the time. ‘What did you study or where did you go to school to get a job like yours?’

In elementary, middle and high school I was a below average student. I almost flunked out a few times. I was often placed in Special Education programs because of my dyslexia.

My parents spent lots of money on summer tutors for me. School was always a drag for me. Technically I should not have graduated high school. Every year we got to "pick" our electives and core classes for the upcoming semester. Evidently no one checked my picks or my prerequisites.

I always added extra electives and never wrote down the "core classes” that I had to have to get a diploma. Some how I skid by and never took senior English class, biology, physical sciences or algebra.

Instead I opted for agriculture, drama, wood shop, study hall, home economics, journalism, metal shop, library sciences, and oceanography. I hated high school.

I just wanted to get out of class and go work at the local TV station and make money. I was unmotivated student with poor grades. I wanted hands-on experience instead of a set curriculum.

My philosophy somehow paid off. Three days after graduating from high school, I found myself heading to Wyoming to shoot a documentary of paleontologist for the Smithsonian.

And so began my career.

After working full time at the TV station for a while, I felt the pressure from my mom to go to college. After being rejected from a few schools, I decided to take night classes at the community college for a year. Nothing new there.

I always refereed to my community college as high school with ashtrays. Mom was happy, but she wanted me to get a 4-year degree. I would be the first in my family to do so.

She was elated when I got into the media studies program at Radford University, which had the best in our state. The class work was a breeze since I already had on-the-job experience.

Within a few months, I was offered a work scholarship producing marketing and promotional videos for the university. My boss was a full-time video guru, not a professor. I learned more from him than I learned in my classes.

On the day before my 21st birthday, my parents watched me graduate Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies. Somehow the Special Ed student who should have not graduated high school finished a 4-year degree in 3 years with a 4.0.

So the moral of the story?

Find someone with a heart of a teacher who is wining at what they do. Do everything in your power to learn as much as you can from that person. Maybe one day you can return the favor.

BD: What have been some of the best gigs?

BARKER: So far my favorite gig was my hardest so far.

Following a few mushers on the 2009 Iditarod. I camped out for about a month as I followed mushers on an 1100 mile journey over some of the toughest terrain in one of the coldest places.

I pushed my body and my gear to limits it has never been before. I experienced temps around -50 F with wind chills approaching 100 F. My equipment froze and failed repeatedly.

I slept in snow caves and tents on frozen lakes. We got around by snowmobile and helicopter. I crossed part of the frozen Bering sea by snowmobile. My still photog I was teamed-up with had hard a hard time in the extreme conditions as well. His snowmobile blew-up on a 200 mile trip in the mountains. We submerged a snowmobile in a river. I crashed my snow mobile.

We all suffered from chilblain and early stages of frostbite. I got 2 ear infections and pink eye in both eyes for the last week. We broke alot of gear. We often worked 20+ hour days and lived off of MRE's and what ever we could buy from the local villages.

It was an epic adventure. I got see places most will never see. It was the most beautiful places had ever seen and one of the most dangerous. It was the suckiest most awesome adventure I have ever had.

I also really enjoy any gigs with Special forces.

I had the opportunity to shoot for Army SF a few times. Its a real blast working with these guys.

Here are a few shots I threw together from the shoots. Please watch them in HD.

BD: They are amazing work. Where to from here? Plans for the future? Professional Goals?

BARKER: I hope to get better and better @ all things video. Right now I want to improve my shooting and lighting skills. I consider them my strongest areas, but also the area where I could use improvement.

What developments (sic) do you see in the medium?

Change. The internet is changing the the business side of things. Tech is changing how it is made. On the professional side of film and video, technology is just growing in capabilities not necessarily smaller or cheaper.

I see "Super Hi-def", "4K" and other super resolutions taking over video and film production. Its basically a high-res still camera than can shoot 24+ fps. Its is already starting with the RED camera and the DSLRs.

I have been working in Video/TV/Film for quite some time. I have been abel to work with alot of talented folks on alot of different projects.

Some of my clients:

E! True Hollywood Stories
BBC
ESPN
WWE
Jeremy Camp
Michael W. Smith
Gospel Music Channel
NASCAR
Indy Racing League
Third Day
3 Doors Down
Kid Rock
SPEEDVISION
U.S. Army
Army National Guard
Honda
The Smithsonian
Michael Jordan Motorsports
NBC
Midas
SERVPRO
Jones Film Group
Ripe TV
Orange County Choppers

And a few others I am forgetting.

BD: That is a very impressive list and accomplishments to be proud of.
Tell us about some of your bikes?

BARKER: I currently own 3 rides. Between them I ride about 12k miles a year.

2003 Buell XB9R Firebolt:

This was the first XB in my state. A real sweet ride. She might not be the fastest or prettiest but she is the kinkiest bike I have owned. Every time I turn her on, she returns the favor. With currently 30k miles, me and "Scarlet" have many memories together including multiple get-off-and-walk maneuvers. From long 600 mile runs to short wheelie bombing sorties, her soul always shines. I honestly cant see myself ever selling my little red tractor.

2006 Buell XB12X Ulysses:

Ah, my "Oranjello". The ugliest bike I have ever owned. A real sleeper. A hidden jewel of the motorcycle world. Jack of all trades. A mean sport bike hidden under the guise of a dirt road bagger. It's a odd site to see a Ulysses with full hard bags out corner a group of 1000cc squids like they are backing up. A comfy horse of a motorbike that can haul the mail @ a good clip, and tackle most un-paved roads. This bike has be repeatedly be baptized in many creeks and seen time on the track.

2007 Genuine Buddy 125

My Buddy. Tons of fun. 200lbs and a whopping 9hp. I ride this hog all over my urban jungle. 100mpg of twist-n-go fun. It has also seen its share or dirt roads and off road adventures.

I am currently shopping for another ride to add to the stable. Right now the Ducati 1198 is on the top of my list, but there is a lot of competition out there. It’s an exciting time to be into motorbikes.

Here’s some more pics to from behind the scenes to finish up on.

BD: Mr Barker, thank you so much. This has been an education and a pleasure. We’ll be looking out for more adventures.

Check out more of this incredible work here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/barkerbox

Read more...

THE 10 GREATEST MOTORCYCLES?

It's a while since The Discovery Channel produced a series of documentaries about the 10 Greatest Motorcycles of all time.

Do you agree? What would your nomination for the greatest ever motorcycle be? Let's get this from a Kiwi perspective.

Here's the link to the Discovery Video Page.

And here is the countdown by their experts with the You Tubed Video.

Number 10. Harley-Davidson Knucklehead

Number 9. Moto Guzzi V8

Number 8. Vespa PX 125

Number 7. Brough Superior SS 8

Number 6. Britten V1000

Number 5. Triumph Bonneville

Number 4. Y2K

Number 3. Honda CB 750

Number 2. Ducati 916

Number 1. Honda Cub

-----------------------------------

I think some of those ratings and selections are way off. Certainly the Discovery Channel has a global audience and that no doubt moderates their perspective and these ratings. But if we look at this from a Kiwi Rider's point of view a Guzzi V8 or a Y2K have very little - if any - relevance and the 916 Ducati is a great motorcycle indeed - but 2nd greatest ever?

I'd say the bike they rate Number Three is the greatest. The Honda CB750. It shifted the centre of the motorcycle Universe almost single-handedly. Regardless of its on-road performance or any other factor that must be the greatest feat yet?

BD

Please leave a comment with your nomination for the Greatest Motorcycle ever.

Read more...

ERIK BUELL ON SPEED TV

Interview with Erik Buell talking about racing and the beginning of the company on US Cable Channel 'Speed TV'.

Read more...

RIDDEN: APRILIA RS125

Pics: BD & Aprilia

We have a bit of banter, the boys at the Triumph/Aprilia/Vespa Importers and the Blogspot. Good natured rev-up here and there, all good fun, pi$$ taken.

I rocked in un-announced and suggested to Mark Mullins, the Ops Manager, that he should lend me a bike suitable for photographing with my new Arai Phil Read Replica Helmet.

'Sure Big Dave, got just the thing for you.' and proceeded to wheel out a brand new RS125.

'Fantastic - exactly what I need' says 195cm of large David. Meaning it. What an interesting machine!

I was thinking like a RSV1000 factory or a MV Agusta F4 would be the go, but what a blast I had on the wee 125. Looked like a normal size bloke on a Pit Bike and about as much fun. Yet quite capable of freeway riding.

It's good to about 9,000rpm in the run-in mode and will stretch to about 12,000 when ripe.

But what a blast anyway - it has a full-on two-stroke wail and it feels like you are absolutely scorching along, at quite moderate speeds. Then chucking it around is like being on a mountain bike.

With a RRP of $9,995 this could be a whole lot of fun as a city weapon and it's even going to be a bit of a hoot up SH16 too. Lessons in carrying corner speed.

It's not a tiny machine and I rode it for a few hours with only a typical sports bike knee ache.

I called in and showed it to 'The Hippie' who rated it 'Bewdifuuul' too.

If you are into small packages - well worth a look.

Here's the official Aprilia verbiage:
(Sorry it doesn't list power and torque - I'll chase them up)

BD

------------------------------------

APRILIA RS 125

Aprilia has always been the undisputed leader in 125 cc supersports, a market segment in which Aprilia has pioneered new concepts and advanced solutions, and developed technology that others have struggled to follow. Like all Aprilia motorcycles, the RS 125 has benefited from the sophisticated technology that has been developed over years of success in GP racing, and quickly transferred into production. Over the years, the RS 125 has forged a reputation as the standard setter for sports 125’s. Sales success has come naturally too, with the RS 125 topping the sales tables on major European markets. The RS 125 is the inevitable choice of riders entering Sport Production racing. And rightly so, because when the competition gets tough, there is simply no other bike like the Aprilia RS 125. The Aprilia RS 125 offers young riders the best in components and equipment, and a concentration of technical refinements worthy of a flagship supersport.


The following are just some of the main features of the Aprilia RS 125:
• tried and tested yet extremely sophisticated Rotax two stroke engine;
• super-rigid aluminium frame and swingarm derived from Aprilia’s vast GP experience;
• upside down fork;
• front brake with radial caliper and four opposed pistons;
• RSV 1000 R style fairing, windshield and tail;
• RSV Factory style, crossed spoke wheels;
• analog/digital instrument panel with multi-functional computer;
• RSV Factory style, forged steering yoke;
• oval section racing silencer with riveted end plates;

STYLE

The mean, cutting edge look of the new RS 125 tells you that this is a professional racing machine. The styling of the RS, like that of all Aprilia sports bikes, is the result of painstaking aerodynamic research.
The fairing, for example, was perfected by extensive wind tunnel testing, to guarantee great wind protection and minimum drag for maximum racetrack efficiency. The fairing, windshield and tail not only look mean and aggressive, but allow the RS 125 to reach a blistering top speed, eliminating all turbulence around the rider and allowing man and machine to become one.

The latest generation twin halogen headlight also adds to the mean look of the new RS 125, and delivers a high power light beam for enhanced visibility and safety at night.

The sleek tail looks exactly like the tail of a GP racer. Thanks to the effort put into the design of
the RS 125’s tail, not even the passenger seat disturbs the bike’s impeccable lines.
The crossed spoke wheels are not only lighter and more stylish, but safer and more reliable too.


ENGINE

The powerful but reliable, single cylinder, two stroke, Rotax-Aprilia engine needs no introduction. Over the years it has won a reputation for being unbeatable on the track and dependable on the road.
Still today, this engine boasts technical solutions that are state-of-the-art for two strokes, including a crankcase reed valve intake, liquid cooling, an anti-vibration balancer shaft, and an automatic mixing system. The RS 125’s engine has been constantly updated over the years to keep in line with the latest emission control legislation without penalising performance. A catalytic converter and precision carburation has won Aprilia’s single cylinder two stroke homologation to Euro 3 standards. And the amazing thing is that this has been achieved without losing out on performance: the Aprilia RS 125 engine remains the reference point for all 125 cc powerplants.

CHASSIS

Without a doubt, the most advanced single component on the RS 125 is its frame. Developed from Aprilia’s vast experience in GP 125 racing, the RS 125 frame is made from cast aluminium alloy with cross-ribbing reinforcement. Despite its extremely light weight, this advanced structure achieves amazing torsional rigidity, setting the standards for Aprilia’s competitors.

The box section, aluminium alloy swingarm has the highest torsional rigidity of all production 125 cc swingarms. Differential side members enable the exhaust to follow a path that maximises engine performance and enables more acute angles of lean to be achieved on bends without risking dangerous contact with the asphalt.

The suspension too plays a fundamental role in ensuring not only the RS 125’s performance, but its safety and comfort too. The RS 125 can rely on an upside-down fork that has been optimised for maximum performance on the racetrack while also delivering a more satisfying ride on public roads.

The rear suspension features rising rate linkages based on Aprilia’s 125 GP racing technology, for excellent traction and superb comfort even over uneven road surfaces. The hydraulic monoshock that provides the damping for the swingarm is also adjustable in spring preload.

BRAKES

Like any self-respecting supersport motorcycle, the RS 125 has to have the best when it comes to components. The braking system is the best available, and designed for maximum efficiency under competitive riding conditions. The front brake is a genuine state-of-the-art, high performance system with a radial caliper and four opposed pistons. In addition to the 320 mm front disc, the system also incorporates a radial master cylinder and aeronautical hoses for maximum precision and unrivalled braking power. The rear disc is 220 mm in diameter and is also equipped with metal braided hoses for perfectly balanced, high performance braking.

EQUIPMENT
The Aprilia RS 125 is packed with prestige components. Compact and impressively light in weight, the instruments include an analog rev counter and a multifunctional digital display with an on-board computer that can be operated from the handlebars. The speedometer, rev counter, coolant temperature gauge and exclusive racing chronometer put you in total control. The on-board computer even has provision for interfacing with the optical finishing systems used on racetracks.

COLOUR SCHEMES

The Aprilia RS 125 comes in a choice of three colour schemes chosen to enhance its aggressive lines: Aprilia Black, Fluo Red and the exclusive Talmacsi Replica.


APRILIA RS 125 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Liquid cooled, single cylinder two stroke. Aluminium cylinder with Nikasil coated liner. Read valve intake. Separate lubrication. Homologated to Euro 3 standards.
Bore by stroke 54 x 54.5 mm.
Displacement 124.8 cc.
Compression ratio 12.5 ± 0.5:1.
Carburettor Dell’Orto VHST 28.
Ignition Electronic CDI ignition.
Starting Electric.
Alternator 12 V – 180 W
Lubrication Separate mixing with variable displacement, volumetric pump.
Gearbox 6 speed.
1st 10/30 (0.33)
2nd 14/29 (0.48)
3rd 17/27 (0.63)
4th 19/25 (0.76)
5th 21/24 (0.87)
6th 22/23 (0.67)
Primary drive Gearbox: 63/19 (3.31).
Final drive Chain: 17/40 (2.35).
Clutch Multi-plate in oil bath.
Frame Sloping twin-spar frame in thin wall box section cast aluminium, with reinforcement cross-ribbing.
Front suspension Upside down hydraulic fork, Ø 40 mm. Wheel travel 120 mm.
Rear suspension Swingarm with asymmetric members in thin wall box section cast aluminium. Hydraulic monoshock with adjustable spring preload. Wheel travel 120 mm.
Brakes Front: Floating Ø 320 mm disc. Radial caliper with four differential diameter pistons, Ø 32 mm – Ø 27 mm.
Rear: Single Ø 220 mm disc. Caliper with two Ø 30 mm pistons.
Wheels Aluminium alloy. Front 3.00 x 17”; rear 4,00 x 17”.
Tyres Tubeless radial. Front 110/70 17”; rear 150/60 17”.
Dimensions Overall length 1,955 mm
Overall width (at handlebars) 720 mm
Overall height (at windshield) 1,100 mm
Seat height 805 mm
Wheelbase 1,345 mm
Tank 14 litres (3.5 litre reserve).
Colours Aprilia Black, Fluo Red, Talmacsi Replica.

Read more...

SOME CLASSIC BIKER MOVIES & TV

Here's some different Motorcycle entertaiment over three decades.

'Meet the guys who know their motors.'
Trailer for the film 'Motorcycle Gang.' (1957).

To the 60's. Chrome & Hot Leather.

'Gabriel - can't you see we are menacing someone?'

And into the wholesome 70's
Here's a full episode of the classic 70's TV show Chips. Good for a giggle.

Read more...

BD: AND THE SUNSHINE BAND

With several threads regarding retro bikes around, it's time to put some thoughts on Old Skoolers online. Here's some lifted from the May edition.

First the tone.

Words & Slideshow: BD. Mag Pics: Ospics.

‘Are you feeling OK?’ Quizzed the Co-pilot.

She couldn’t quite get over the shock of me fizzing about a Moto Guzzi and fired me that look that couples that have been together for 30 years give each other.

‘Yes’, I assured her as I was dancing around like a late 70’s disco demon. ‘I rate the Moto Guzzi V7 as a very highly desirable motorcycle and have described the 2009 Bonneville SE as ‘I want to have its babies’’.

Her surprise was that I still had the ‘KC’ moves, but more that I’d been carrying baggage about the models that both of these classic reproductions pay homage to for most of those 30 years….and now I’m all ‘Get down on it’?

In 1979 I just didn’t fit on a Guzzi. My pal Kim had one that he used to ride home from Perth to Adelaide for the weekend. 2,692km of mostly dead straight line each way - shortest route.

It was a ‘bitser’. Part Le Mans, part Sport and part something else that he used to keep pinned pretty much all the way across the Nullarbor Plain.

On our numerous rides around the Golden West he bespoke it with that religious zealot sort of manner that hard-core Guzzists affect.

It was no doubt much better specified than the original V7’s 42 Horsepower and 240kg dry weight but my knees hit the middle of the cylinder heads and with no desire to suffer roast kneecap syndrome the marque fell off my radar. Friend’s and Brother-in-law’s bikes.

At the time, the ‘79 Bonneville SE seemed like the death knell of Triumph factory V2. Union lockouts, strikes and re-badged Heskeths dotted the Meriden headline.

That Black and Gold Special Edition Bonneville was a pretty good road bike in its own right. Air-cooled, four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, 54 ponies, 200kg in a frame and geometry that was developed over nearly 20 years of dominance on road and track.

But as any student of bike history knows, the 80’s dawned and the quality and performance of the product from Japan against the Bonne’s reputation for Lucasian nightmares and porous casting, meant the market had passed them by.

‘I mean, what would you choose back then, A Kawasaki Z1 or a Diana?’ mused the Ed.

The problem for us die-hards was that the ‘79 Bonneville SE appeared to take its styling cues directly from a Yamaha XS650 Special, which was altogether too cruel an irony, so it also slipped off the Radar.

30 years later and I’ve gone all ‘Sunshine Band.’

Whilst Guzzi claims that the styling for the V7 Classic borrows the tank from the 70’s Sport model and the bling from a similar vintage Special, to us non-officiandos it’s just a great looking Italian Retro bike.

Guzzi’s site claims the bike was produced as ‘a 40 year celebration of Giulio Cesare Carcano’s original V7, the bike which marked the debut of the transverse V90, twin-cylinder, 703cc engine and the first Italian maxi-cycle’. It actually turns out to be a really cool, good fun, 2009-style bike to ride.

The new incarnation of the push-rod, 2 valve per cylinder Vee-Twin is only slightly wider than its ALS steel tubular twin cradle frame.

In fact the whole bike is slender and rather compact, but the upright riding position and wide, flat seat make it quite comfortable for a larger rider or even an occasional 2-up jaunt.

30 years on and the new Bonneville SE will be on my short list the just-damn-sweetest looking bikes ever. A far cry from the inward ‘nooooooooooo’ of anguish that greeted the original concept.

The lines and demeanour of the ‘09 incarnation are far less soft-chopper and much more ‘standard’ than the original and it comes with a reputation of being unstressed and bulletproof in the way of the Hinckley twins. Reliable and easy going and gone full circle.

The Air-cooled, DOHC, parallel-twin, 360 degree crank, measures 865cc and pumps out Maximum Power of 68PS / 67bhp / 50kW @ 7,500 rpm and produces Maximum Torque of 69Nm / 51ft.lbf @ 5,800rpm.

It tips the scales at 200kg dry and the switch to EFI has improved the smoothness of the Bonne even further.




The slightly smaller ‘09 Guzzi is also somewhat lighter at 182kg dry and has a 35.5kw / 48 horsepower output.

The one thing common to both engines is that they like to rev and both have a very rewarding pulse about doing it.

Opening the throttle on either is a whole load of fun. Whether it was dropping it to the freeway flow on the Bonneville or hammering the V7 over Woodcocks Hill I found real joy in RIDING both of these vehicles.

You can actually keep the throttle pinned through the first several gears and not worry about losing your licence.

On a modern sportsbike it’s wham bam thank you mama and the fun is all over before you shift to second, if you have pretensions of keeping a licence long term.

These mid-power retros are great ‘rider’s’ bikes on the Queen’s highways.

They don’t lack overtaking power or the chutzpah to power out of a sweeping corner, but they do require judicious use of the gearbox and throttle to keep them spooled up.

I find them more rewarding and more fun that the current crop of hypersports bikes on the open road.

I spend a lot of my time on the 160 plus horsepower jobs going ‘sh*t! How fast!?!? Every time I look down at the speedometer.

On the retros I was in that world of my own, you know when you have a bike in its sweet spot and are just enjoying the ride, tuned, zoned and focused on the machine and the road? I was there when Mr Plod in his mufti rig appeared un-announced on SH16.

There was that moment when you look down immediately at the speedo with hand and foot poised to wash off speed as surreptitiously as possible. 95kph. Smile. Wave. Imagine disappointment in his eye.

I just dig ‘em for that. I was really into the ride, feeling the engine, zoning, grinning, and it was all quite legal.

Both vehicles will happily leave most of the tin-tops behind at the traffic lights and do all the other things that were expected of a ‘Superbike’ in 1979 - better than the originals.

To stop, the Guzzi has a Floating 320 mm stainless steel disc with 4 opposed calipers of differing diameters up front and 260mm rear.

The Bonne has a Single 310mm disc, Nissin 2 piston floating calliper front and Single 255mm disc at rear.

Both sets of brakes work well within the performance parameters of the bikes and their overall handling and suspension is also in line with their power outputs.

Both have a smattering of hi-tech under the old school skin, both bike’s fuel injection was stumble free and easy to live with but mostly they are unadorned, basic, essence de-motorcycles.

Who are they for?

There are more and more retros appearing in the market. Offerings from Ducati, Harley-Davidson and Honda are on the showroom floors or the drawing board.

Triumph have dined out on the retro rage and offer seven different variants of the 865cc parallel twin – most of which are decidedly old school.

These bikes are ideal for someone coming off their restricted licence and looking to move up to very cool bike. They are great looking, quite beautiful modern machines. Their compact nature and low saddle heights – the Bonne now has a 17” front wheel and lower, sculpted saddle – mean they work well for both male and female riders.

They are also fabulous for more experienced riders looking to put some joy de vive back into their riding and not have to just ‘idle’ around everywhere, but rather to have to put some effort into the task of making brisk transit.

Both bikes are a lot of fun to ride nonetheless and don’t require the self-control that a litre monster or super-sports needs these days.

They are also excellent commuters suited to narrow work but will happily perform as a pleasure ride or very cool weekend recreational vehicle.

They suit someone not interested in high tech doohickeys unless it’s for making the bike perform better and more reliable than the ‘originals’. The instruments are simple and there are no countdown computers, GPS or headphone sockets. These are about you, a motor and two wheels.

‘And…..That’s the way uh ha ah ha I like it uh ha ah ha that’s the way uh ha ah ha……’

Here's some snaps of a few other Retro Styled favourites:

Read more...

BD: THE MONDAY MORNING GP

12.00: Ahh. A quick surf with the remote control before heading to bed and I landed on the warm up lap for the Moto GP. Belay the nightmoves.

It's always nice when you pick it up as they are on the starting grid and ready to go.

Whoo-hoo - they are away! And I just got here. Lorenzo leads Rossi and Stoner into the first corner.

Lorenzo looking strong at the end of the first section.

The procession starts. Still on Lap 1, Takahasi has a big off.

12.03: Rossi sticks his leg out big time at the end of the back straight. Hard braking.
More of them are doing a Bayliss. Stoner looking. Stunning onboard camerawork form Spain.

12.04: It’s a real freight train still. 24 Laps to go and the front three – Lorenzo – Rossi - Stoner are tight and clearing out slightly. Very tight at the front.

12.06: Overhead shots are stunning too. Front three continue to gap the rest of the field. 3 wide down the main straight. Rossi takes the lead under brakes. Stoner all over Lorenzo.
Stoner pushing very hard. Bit twitchy.

Fastest lap Rossi 1.43.blah blah blah. The 2 Repsol Hondas are dropping back in 4th & 5th.

12.08: Lap 4 – Front three spread out then concertina under brakes at the end of main straight. Caparosi 6th. Pedrosa 4th, won last year. Stoner goes the Bayliss, hanging leg off during hard braking. They look settled in – Speaking of braking. Beer break. 21 to go.

12.10: Back. Victoria Bitter in hand.

Procession continues. Front three approaching 2 seconds out from rest.
Coverage is now panning back through the field.

12.16: 17 laps to go.
Stoner is dropping off the pace.
16 to go. Looks like Bye Bye Valentino. Lorenzo half second error at the chicane.

12.18: Pan through field to Tony Elias who obliges the spotlight by low siding into the gravel pit. Meanwhile Lorenzo is back on Rossi’s rear wheel. Stoner now 1.5 secs back.

12.21: 14 to go – 2 horse race. 13 to go and Rossi smooth. Half way.

12.23: Lorenzo under brakes – to the front. Rossi sits in behind. Looks to hang on.

Stoner gone. Diviosio catching him for a battle for third.

12.25: Racing steady as they set up for the final third. Now comes the first statement of the blindingly obvious by the commentators. Backed up by a bunch of wistful wishing about how Colin Edwards would be winning – if he wasn’t losing.

Strange race developing. Lots of 2 man battles all the way down the order.
Then a gap 2-4 then a gap 5-6 gap 7-8 gap

1.43: lap times Stoner clearing out again.

Nothing changes Yamahas up front.

12.28: Onboard camera from Yamaha catches the engine noise.
Commentators do shut up long enough to let us listen to it. Absolutely beautiful.

12.29: 10 Laps to go. Lorenzo still leads.

12.31: Status quo remains unchanged. (No – it’s a pun).

So commentary informs us what Rossi knows. He knows he has to win. Fabulous.
8 to go lots of onboard vision. Hard out. Commentary however has now descended into waffle. Caparosi and Pedrosa having a ding dong battle for a few points.

12.34: 7 laps to go – still very, very tight in front. Stoner going backward quickly. Lost 1 second.

6 to go. Rossi all over Lorenzo. Stoner in trouble. Pan through field, Hayden 10th, Vermuellen 11th.

5 to go Great racing between the two Yamahas. Cliché alert. ‘This is like two world class boxers slugging it out with each other.’ We are informed. Actually, it isn’t - Tyson can't ride for dooley– although they all do wear gloves.

12.37: 3 and a half to go. ‘This is all about who is top dog at Yamaha.’ Uh-huh.
3 to go and Rossi storms back in front – takes him under brakes into turn 1.
Rossi hanging it out sideways on the gas. Spectacular. Lorenzo all over him.

2.5 to go. Did you know ‘this is important to both riders?’

Rossi foot on the ground at the end of the main straight best ever.
Stoner now solid in third.

12.41. 2 to go – ‘A classic duel’ – OK – I have to agree with them - fabulous racing.

Rossi in front – less than a bike length. Lorenzo hanging in. So close.

12.42: Last lap – Lorenzo huge under brakes, Rossi takes it back – runs wide – Lorenzo back in front. Cigarette paper between them and it’s no Rizzla.

12.44: Half a lap to go. Coat of paint between them – did they touch – no.
Sick braking. Centimeters apart.

Rossi ‘invents something’ in the final corner and takes the lead – and the race in the sprint to the line. Rossi wins by a fraction of a second. An absolutely amazing head to head race.

Stoner hangs on for third.

Championship table has the three of them level on 106 points.

Yep - Rossi, Stoner and Lorenzo are ALL on 106 points.

The last passing move was absolutely incredible. Rossi just threw the bike into the corner. Sheer genius for his 99th GP win. Lorenzo was huge too.

Rossi’s team goes birko. Scenes of deliriously happy FIAT logos abound.

Next one is at Assen.

Head over to motogp.com for the full results.

Find a tape or a replay (particularly the last third) if you can.

Read more...

BD: GREYBEARD'S PHOTOS II

The report on the Greybeard's Scrambles features in the July Edition of Kiwi Rider so here's a fuller photo set.

BIG apologies to Mr Ken Marter whose name I misspelled in the print edition. Sorry Ken - my bad.

Ken is on the XL175. Hugh Anderson is #77 on the Black CZ.

If you click on the slide show it opens the Flickr site and a range of bigger viewing options are available.

For more info on the Greybeards visit:
http://vintagemx.org.nz/

Read more...

BD: 5 MORE BIKE SONGS

I'm open to suggestions for an earlier rock & roll ode to motorcyclism than the Shangrila's 'Leader of Pack'. Wiki says 1964 was the year of release.

Someone should have told the girl that the helmet goes OUTSIDE the hair however.



Fast forward 20 and if you want a REALLY Big Hair version it has to be the Twisted Sister rendition of the same song.



Sigh. Folk singers. Co-pilot carried the Joan Bayez baggage in out team and gets all soppy at various scenes in the Woodstock DVD. (I just put Joe Cocker on repeat.) Every now and then she'll get out 'Alice's Restaurant' and go all tie-dye on me.

The man does not want a pickle. This is Motorcycle lore.



As Graeme pointed out on the last music entry - The 'Rumble Strips - Motorcycle' is not only a great sentiment it's a very engaging video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLTx8fgRfHM
(won't embed)

And here's one that isn't engaging at all. In fact it's altogether lamentable. Zat zany European style of Harpo's Motorcycle Mama is a 70's version of Harley hiring Elton John for the 100th Anniversary Hogs do. What motorcycle mama with more than 5% visual capacity is going to go for this?



Billy was a bigger hit.



Few more to come.
I'll make up some new playlists for our You Tube channel too.
http://www.kiwirider.co.nz/krtv/krtv.html
BD

Read more...

BD: SIGNING OFF

Sample from New Camera - Hugh Anderson at the Greybeards.

No - You don't get rid of me that easily. It was my pleasure to be charged with signing off the proofs for July KIWIRIDER last night. 

All the players are on assignment or working up-country and printing was brought forward so we can have the latest magazines on hand for the upcoming field days. 

So I had a go. The process involves heading out to GEON in Highbrook, late at night, and casting an eye over bundles of digital printouts.

Since the lovely Linda has been proofing our pages Vege hasn't been calling us into the office and using bundles of the magazine, with the typos highlighted, like the telephone books in a Police interrogation scene from a B-grade movie any more.

Last night's job is more about making sure the pages are up the right way up and in order. (Wait till you see the AMPS advert - Dave was not drunk m'okay). I'm a good man for this job because the pain of a duplicated page three in 10,000 copies of the the Foodtown magazine still burns bright.

But this KR is going to be a stunning edition. If you haven't picked up the magazine for a while it's worth another look.

We subscribe to mags from all over the world over at Chez West Harbour office. There always seems to be a lot of Greek and German ones on the tables. In the last nine months we have gone from drooling over the production values of the European glossys to being ahead of them. Seriously. 

I can't objectively comment on the content, other than to say it's as good and professional as we can make it, but in terms of paper stock, print quality, readability, perfect bound, laminate cover, along with the quality of Osborne's and the other contributors photography we are as good as any in the world to feel and look at.

Last month we were printed on 90gsm sumo paper, a step up from our usual 85gsm stock. Because the printer couldn't supply the full print run in the standard paper - they upgraded us.

When we saw the results we all said 'Vege! Ian! give us some of that!' And they have.

We're on the really nice 90gsm sumo stock from now on too.

Personally I'm stoked. I have a stunning new Nikon D90 camera with a 18-200 VR lens and it is cranks out some pretty interesting images. 

Can't wait to see them on paper.

Roll on the Field Days - we'll be there doing a promotion with The Road/Dirt/ATV Guides.

The rest of the mag content looks great too. The Ed & Campbell have done the new ABS Hondas side by side. New Ducati with traction control is featured, my bits on the Yamaha XVS 950 and CR1125 Buell, Stretch has a Speedmaster bit and there are numerous Off road bits that caught my eye.

The place, GEON is amazing for any of you graphics people. They have a room full of huge direct-to-platemakers and around a dozen macs in the art department. 2 x A1 proofers running flat out.

The presses are all state of the art too. A bank of them - one large 6 colour blocked the view of several others. Huge things - and as clean as office equipment these days. 

 The mag will be on sale shortly. They are printing now.

BD

Read more...

BD: 5 GREAT BIKE SONGS

Even before Video killed the radio star, Motorcycles have been well represented in some of the iconic rock and roll film clips.

Here are some from the 60's, 70's & 80's, featuring, or about motorcycles, that have stuck with me for the ride.

Steppenwolf: Born to be Wild.

It didn't matter about the dang hippies, junkies or the (as we found out later) improvised script, or even the tragic ending, the song, lyrics and the mood of the opening ride scenes helped define a generation and the song is just still as downright diggable today.

Fast forward to the dawn of CGI.

History might note Judas Priest as a Glam Metal band, but they were one of the first to use digital effects in a Music video. And aren't they stunning! But we weren't too far past Frogger and Space Invaders at the time the album was recorded in 1986.

Motorbikin' - Chris Spedding.

From his playing with Roxy Music to appearances in the Wombles, nothing can dimish the appeal of Chris Spedding's ode to irresponsibility. This clip was taken from the film `Girl on a Motorcycle` featuring Marianne Faithful. Like a streak of Lightnin'!

Motorhead. Killed by Death.

Released in 1984. Old Skool Metal. The volume button is your friend and it likes to go to 11.

And now for something completely different.

Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing.

'Their highest charting hits were "She Drives Me Crazy" and "Good Thing", from the 1988 album The Raw and the Cooked. Both reached number one in the U.S. singles charts.'

More decades to follow.

Read more...

KR POLL: 30% GOING ADV/DS

Very early days yet in the current Kiwi Rider Poll, but the trend has been 30% of clickers nominating an Adventure/Dual Sport bike as their next bike purchase.

This will make Vege happy because of his ongoing commitment to covering Adventure riding in the mag, but it also shows what might turn into a trend in sales - perhaps.

A lot of us at KR already have a dual sport type bike and are fans of motard style road machines. We reckon they are a great way to see the real NZ.

Here's a few worth considering as excellent NZ Machines. They ride very well as Road Bikes in their own right - and are capable of dealing with a crappy road or occasional track.

If, like a lot of us, this is your idea of a 'great road'

you might want to consider one of these.

No - not a Geoff Osborne doing his KR thing - a V-Strom. Available in 1000cc and 650cc variants it's a great utility motorcycle.

It's doesn't lack for lean angle - but it's a very easy motorcycle to get the pegs on the tarmac through the sports bike sections and Campbell manhandled a 1000 around the Capital Coast Adventure Ride not so long ago too.

Currently the 'Zuki website lists the V-strom at $16,795 and the 650 at $13,995 and if you are a pure utilitarian that's their best angle right there. Big, strong, capable - and a Suzuki with all the dealer backup and advantages that entails.

If you are looking for something more traditionally styled and a different aesthetic - then a Triumph Scrambler could be the go.

We are always surprised by how well the Scrambler does every time we have challenged the bike.

It's a great day ride, works really well round town, tours nicely and is nicely capable on the gravel.

At $15,590 it a very cool all-rounder.

Or fancy something exotic and got around $25k in the kitty?

Try a Moto Morini Granpasso.

This is a really spectacular bike both on and off the road. Here an extract from the Big Dave KR quick spin article on the bike:

This vehicle up there with the BMW Meagamoto on the Big Dave ‘Most Desirable Motorcycles’ Shelf.

It’s quite a weird looking unit but it doesn’t care. Bulbous headlights in canisters on either side of a beak might not work on a lot of motorcycles, but the Mother of all Ohlins hanging off the back, Marzocchi upside down forks with 50mm stems and 190mm of wheel travel, the tasty Excel rims, serious bash plate, the Verlicchi high strength steel tubular trellis frame and the overall demeanour of the rest of the machine tell you that this is one is all about doing the business. ‘Enduro Veloce’ the factory calls it.

It tips the scales at 198kg dry and the detuned Bialbero CorsaCorta engine develops 86.5kw (118hp) @ 8,500rpm and 102 Nm (10.4 kg-m) of torque @ 6750 rpm. (How am I doing there, Ed?)

It gets along. That monster Ohlins single shock, with separate tank is preload, spring height, rebound and compression adjustable. It offers 200mm wheel travel to the cast aluminium swingarm and it soaked up all of the test loop conditions admirably.

I left the Sarge on the seal and punted the Granpasso up some marble strewn side roads with great interest.

Even without properly tuning the three way adjustable front end it proved neat and tidy and rather easy to get the Metzler Tourance shod rear wheel lit up. The Front Tourance is a 110/80 ZR 19 and the rear is a 150/70 ZR 17 and they were sweet on the tarmac and ‘not-knobbies’ on the dirt roads.

I was just sweet on the bike to tell the truth. My only gripe was I found it pretty easy to stall after coming off the gas. Once aware it was OK if kept spooled up.

Apart from that everything worked exceptionally well. A dream to punt through the twisties, wheelies on demand, light, chuckable, very comfortable for a tall man (870mm saddle height) and with a full inventory of the names you’d want on any component wish list.

The factory claims the 25 litre fuel tank will give a range of over 300km and the saddle felt like it would be good for several few tankfuls in a day. The small screen has some adjustability whilst on the move too.

Eighty seven degrees doesn’t make smoothest vee twin, nor does it shake like some others, but it is one of the most potent engines in an ADV style bike. It has simply fabulous punch and corner exiting drive.

Or there is the Stelvio 1200 by Moto Guzzi. Priced at $27,990 this is one of the sweetest sounding motorcycles we've ridden.

There's heaps more too - Numerous offerings by BMW, KTM, Aprilia, Honda and more.

What do you think, will we see a market and sales shift towards large utility bikes in the short term?

BD

Read more...