Editor: Gregg Mitchell
Saturday, February 24, 2007, we will be meeting at the Kerby's Koney Island restaurant in Northville, MI. Kerby's is located on Haggerty Road, just north of 8 Mile, across the street from the Novi Hilton. From I-275 / I-96 take the 8 Mile Road exit and go West on 8 Mile Road. Haggerty will be the first street off of 8 Mile. Go north and you'll see Kerby's on the right side of the street. The meeting begins at 8:00 AM . However late arrivers are always welcome!
2006 Toronto Motorcycle Show
By Pedro Gregorio
The beginning of December means two things: one, we have four more months of winter left (let’s face it, there’s nothing spring-like about March) and two, it’s time for my annual pilgrimage to the Toronto Motorcycle Show. As in previous years, the show was held in the Metro Toronto Convention Center but this year it was moved to the South Hall from the smaller North Hall. When our bike-addicted group of four Michigan HSTA members crossed the bridge and got on the 401, I was hoping that the larger venue would mean more vendors and more space to walk around. It turned out that, at least on one count, I was right. After surviving the snow belt around London, Ontario, we made it to Toronto under bright, sunny skies just after the show opened for the day.
For 2007, the sport-touring class gets four all-new models from three different parts of the world. BMW has been on a product offensive in the last few years that makes the Japanese manufacturers seem slow. Quite a change from the 70’s and 80’s when new BMW models were few and far between. Toronto was the first time I had a chance to touch the new F800S and F800ST models. From a distance it’s easy to tell them apart; the S has a quarter fairing whereas the ST sports lowers that cover most of the engine. Get closer and you also notice that the S has lower, cast aluminum handlebars compared with the ST’s taller, tubular bar. They’re both powered by a 798cc liquid-cooled, parallel twin engine developed by BMW and Bombardier-Rotax with a claimed output of 86 hp @ 8000 rpm and 63 lb-ft of torque @ 5800 rpm. I sat on the S first and then on the ST. Both had plenty of leg room and felt nice and narrow between the knees but I preferred the ST’s more upright position. The chassis is pretty conventional with telescoping front forks and large brake discs all around. I did like the single-sided swingarm and the low-maintenance belt drive. Belt drive may not be as attractive to look at as a chain but I wish more manufacturers used belts to eliminate messy chain lube. The S lists for $11,500 CAN ($9,999 US) and the ST goes for $13,000 CAN ($11,303 US).
Head south from BMW’s Munich headquarters and you’ll hit the home of our next entry into the sport-touring world, the MotoGuzzi Norge 1200. Aided by fresh cash from its owner Piaggio, this 85-year-old Italian manufacturer is also undergoing a product line update not seen in years. The Norge is not just a Breva 1100 with a fairing and hard bags tacked on. The engine has been bumped up to 1151cc’s for a bit more poke. The styling is clean and modern with touches of Yamaha FJR1300 but with a more European look. The heads of the transversely-mounted 90-degree V-twin stick out of the fairing along with fat exhaust pipes to remind you that there is a motor under this cycle. If your legs are as long as mine, your knees will get intimately acquainted with the valve covers. All of the modern amenities are there such as ABS and an electric windshield so the Norge should provide a good alternative to the German and Japanese sport tourers. I wasn’t able to get a price for the Norge but I would guess right around 15 grand U.S.
From the land of the rising sun comes what is likely to be the most powerful sport touring bike ever unleashed on the U.S. market and the replacement for a bike that has been around for 21 years. I’m talking about the Kawasaki Concours14. I had hoped that Kawasaki would have laid the ancient Concours name to rest with this thoroughly modern bike but Concours14 was the name on the side panels. I would have preferred something like ZX14GT. The new Concours gets its engine from this year’s ZX14, Kawasaki’s most powerful bike ever. Even if the engine loses some of the 160+ hp and 100 lb-ft of torque from its donor, the Concours14 will appeal to those riders who like to sport tour at warp speeds. The full fairing is very attractive with large cat-eye headlights and the obligatory electric windshield. The fairing also hides what has to be the largest radiator that I’ve ever seen on a bike. Hard bags are included and the design of the shaft-drive housing is an engineering work of art. The only detractor from the Concours14’s looks is the humongous, single, plastic-wrapped muffler on the right side. As European noise and emission levels get tighter and tighter, motorcycle mufflers are getting supersized everywhere. In the U.S. we can still install smaller and lighter aftermarket items but that too may be legislated out of existence in the near future. The price tag on the Concours14 said TBD but it should be competitive with the Yamaha FJR1300 and Honda ST1300.
In the cruiser world, the Toronto show reinforced my opinion that Harley Davidson still makes the best looking classic cruisers on the planet. The one that really caught my eye was the new FXSTC Softail Custom ($16,895 US in black). With a bobtail fender over a 200mm rear tire, a deeply scooped seat with integrated backrest, ape hanger handlebars leading down to a 21-inch chrome wheel, this Harley does for me what the pre-2006 Wide Glide did. It epitomizes everything a classic cruiser should be. In the non-traditional cruiser category, one bike stood out: the Kawasaki Vulcan Mean Streak ($16,299 CAN or $14,172 US). The finish and colors on the Mean Streak blew me away. All of the body work is matte black with red flames and the shotgun exhaust is also finished in matte black. For $11,299 US, you can own a bike that looks like something right out of a custom chopper shop.
The two-year sport bike life cycle means that this year it’s the Honda CBR600RR’s ($9499 US) and Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R’s ($8999 US) turn to get updated. These middleweight bikes represent the best technology that the manufacturers can put forth and every iteration gets lighter and faster around a corner. Although they may look similar to last year’s model, every component has been massaged to lose weight and improve performance. The Kawasaki’s engine is now a true 600 as compared to last year’s 636 and the Honda has lost 18 lbs, a massive amount when every ounce counts. I’m waiting to see which manufacturer will break the 400 lb wet weight barrier first. Light is right for racing but in the real world of semis and crosswinds, I wonder how useful a 400 lb, 110 hp bike is on the road. In the big bore arena, both Suzuki’s GSXR1000 ($11,399 US) and Yamaha’s R1 ($11,599 US) get revamped this year. The most innovative feature of the Suzuki is a rider-controlled engine mapping program.
A switch on the right handlebar will allow you to pick from three different engine management settings: rainy, mixed, and dry, i.e., a lot of power, even more power, and, a ridiculous amount of power. It’s a great feature if you’re trying to harness 160 hp at the rear wheel and I expect all of the other sportbike manufacturers to follow in Suzuki’s footsteps. The new R1 doesn’t get adjustable engine mapping but it does get an all new engine with variable-length intake tubes. A computer varies the length of the tubes between 65mm and 140mm to provide for maximum air flow at all rpm. Variable length intake manifolds have been used in cars before but this is the first time we’ve seen it in a mass-produced bike. As innovative as the GSXR and R1 are, the biggest news in the sportbike world is Ducati’s introduction of the 1098, the replacement for the 999. Although the 999 was dynamically a big step forward from its 916/996/998 predecessor, the angular styling let a lot of Ducati fans down. Ducati is hoping that the 1098’s styling reminds fans of the iconic 916 and brings them back with open wallets. The claim that the 1098 will be the world’s most powerful V-twin sportbike should also help.
Lastly, if you’re not interested in breaking the sound barrier with your sportbike or sport tourer, 2007 brings some added life to the middleweight, dual- or all-purpose category. Kawasaki takes this year’s Ninja 650R and creates the Versys ($8,999 CAN or $7,837 US), an adventure touring-styled parallel twin that looks beautiful in Candy Burnt Orange. A straight up riding position, comfortable seat, and adjustable windscreen make the Versys an excellent competitor for BMW’s F650GS or new G650 models. The downside is that I don’t see the Versys listed on Kawasaki’s website so I can’t promise that it will be available for the U.S. market.
For the sake of brevity I’ve left out other memorable bikes at the show such as Yamaha’s unobtainable MT-01 (not available in the U.S.), KTM’s wild 990 Superduke, Kawasaki’s restyled Z1000, and Benelli’s beautiful yet brutal Tornado TRE 1130 and TNT 1130. The Toronto Motorcycle Show’s new digs definitely made for roomier displays and a less crowded feeling but I was disappointed by the low number of vendors and choice of gear. In that respect, the Cleveland and Chicago shows are still #1 in my book. I hope that I’ve wetted your appetite enough to try and make one or both of those shows and fight S.A.D. (Seasonal Affected Disorder) the best way possible: shiny, new bikes under bright lights.
Ride Safely.
And your point is?
By John “JC” Cirner
The long cold days of winter are upon us and one can only daydream about riding until the warmer weather returns (even you Bob Primeau!). It’s even been too cold to work out in the garage and with temps in the 20’s I quickly lose interest in “wrenching” anything. So, with lots of spare time on my hands I have been thinking about the new Michigan HSTA Membership Recognition Awards program we have adopted for 2007, and points. Oh no ….. here he goes.
Since anyone can write and submit articles for points, regardless of writing skills (as I am living proof), and pick on any subject matter, I thought what better than the topic of points themselves. Actually I was bored and find it difficult to write Track Reports in the middle of winter and well …..I could use the points! LOL. In case you missed it the first time around that was my witty and sometimes stealthy attempt to convey that it never was about the points and never will be. I believe others may share this “purist” view about contributing in their own special way throughout the year and that’s what makes the Michigan HSTA a great group of people. Do I get a point for that?
Before I go on any further let me make it clear that I do endorse the SMOTY program, despite my jabs and attempts at humor, and support anything that contributes to getting people involved. Many of you who are into the track riding aspect of our sport know that I adopted a little HSTA track riders schedule and regularly send out updates with track events and attendees from our Michigan chapter to those who have asked to be included on the “list”. It was something that Dave Sallberg originally put together and as I became infatuated with track riding thing sort of took it and embellished it a bit. Full credit goes to Dave for starting the idea. Again the intention, much like this program, was to bring attention to more riders and try to bring more people together. It’s not unlike most of the HSTA events I have been part of from breakfast rides to dinner parties.
So when I first heard about the idea of a SMOTY all I could think about was High School and the “mock elections” we all experienced back in the days when it was still permissible to make fun of people. I thought about a candid approach to the program with categories like: Most improved rider, Most likely to crash on the track, Most likely to not get their bike dirty when riding, Best dressed rider, Most likely to be seen on a Harley, Person you would like to have with you if you have bike problems and fun stuff like that. I would even avoid the more sensitive topics like “Most likely to get beat up after school” (don’t ask me how I know that). Keep it light, keep it clean, and keep it purely subjective as voted on by fellow members at the end of the year. Perhaps we could do it by secret ballot at the Christmas Party and Pot Luck Dinner (sorry wrong group).
The challenge that lies within the program is giving due (points) to the “silent contributors” who we all know and are grateful for even though their contributions somehow are missed in the greater scheme of point earning guidelines. I don’t know why but it reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw that read “Jesus saves sinners……and redeems them for valuable cash prizes.” We are all likely to go about the next year doing the same things we have always done. Some people will get into it for the whole points thing and the competitive nature and others will be happy to just show up and continue to casually enjoy the sport, fellow riders, and environment that doesn’t remind them of work.
However we collectively decide to “keep score” I felt compelled (sounds like another Yahoo Group or Email thread – sorry you can’t reply here!) to bring attention to a few of the more “point-worthy” contributions that were somehow overlooked in the big picture. Don’t get me wrong, I understand the black-and-white basics of point earning and showing up for events and meetings, but what about all the other stuff?
In no particular order of point value assignment I began to think of all the things we might consider when measuring up the SMOTY, such as:
And then there are the truly subjective point-potential qualifiers we should consider such as:
And of course there are the really obscure qualifiers to consider such as:
There are so many ways in which we all contribute to the Michigan HSTA chapter that it seems like futile task to sort out the best of the best. If not for our State Director graciously taking himself out of the running (I mean really, who can compete with Gregg, every meeting, every event, track days, tire changing, newsletter, can I stop now?) there would only be one clear SMOTY and lots of second place finishers. I’m OK with that. So who will end the year with the most points? I can’t be sure but I’ll bet we all have a pretty good idea who might be in the running in December.
So getting back to the entertainment value of this group, and the potential for a good time, I would have to say that I’m glad that I’m not in charge of “keeping score” cause I would be too distracted having fun. Perhaps you should get a point for reading this far! When it’s all said and done I believe we should have a 114-way tie (or whatever the current chapter membership is today) for the Michigan SMOTY, but then where would this group of “Type-A’s” be without friendly competition?
Editor’s Note –
Some the volunteer items that were mentioned in the above article will in fact be awarded points under the SD Bonus Points that are available
*SD Bonus will be awarded at the discretion of the State Director to volunteers or organizers of other activities or services that benefit the Squadron
REMEMBER
It doesn't pay a reward, but your articles will be appreciated by all your fellow members and your local editor AND you will earn points toward the SMOTY Award! If nothing else - you'll get to see your name in print, somewhere other than on the Post Office bulletin board!
A special thanks to Pedro Gregorio and John Cirner for the article featured this month!
MICHIGAN SQUADRON RIDING EVENTS - 2007
One of the traditions of the Michigan Squadron of the HSTA is to organize a few events each year specifically for our State Squadron. These events are not sanctioned or official events of the HSTA, but are limited to those who are current members of the HSTA. Our 2007 schedule is listed below in order of occurrence:
May 16 - 19, 2007
Mountain Brook Resort
Sylva, NC
A Michigan Squadron Hallmark - 11 years and counting -- May in the Smokies! Ride Headquarters will be at the Mountain Brook Lodge near Sylva, NC at the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains - (605 miles from the I-75 I-275 interchange). We'll be riding on the best roads found in Western NC, North GA and Eastern TN for three glorious days. This event has limited space and reservations are required. There is space for approximately 25 people, with accommodations in cabins ranging from a private bedroom to hide-a-beds and rollaway beds.
GENERAL RESERVATION - $ 165.00 + $ 15.00 = $ 180.00
Covers lodging, taxes and landfill fee only for the 4 nights. You will be given your choice of cabin and sleeping arrangement (bedroom or hide-a-bed) in the order in which your reservation is received. The additional $ 15.00 covers a catered dinner at Mountain Brook - on Saturday evening - our last night there.
STATUS:
We have 27 people signed up to stay at Mountain Brook so far and 10 people who intend to stay off site.
All of the General Reservation space is spoken for at the resort and there is one person on the waiting list
If you'd like to attend this event there are three alternatives --
Contact me and check for space at the resort. If there is something still available I’ll ask you to send me a check ASAP. If all the space is taken, I’ll put you on the "Stand-By List". I would contact you if there is a cancellation at the resort.
Contact me and request one of the added cost options at the resort that are listed below. You would need to send me your money for the reservation and I would secure the spot at the resort for you.
Find and reserve a Motel/Hotel room for yourself off-site from the resort. You would still need to contact me and advise if you are planning on going to the event, but you will be staying off-site.
If you wish to join us for the traditional Thursday evening picnic and the Saturday evening BBQ at the resort, you will need to send me $ 15.00 per person per dinner prior to the event taking place ($ 30.00 per person for BOTH dinners)
The added cost optional space left at the resort is the following:
# 7 Mini Romancer - Queen Size Bed, Whirlpool Tub - For Couple - $ 555.00 for 4 nights
Romancer Cabins $ 650.00 ea. for 4 nights
# 12 King Size Bed, Whirlpool and Sauna, Covered Parking
# 14 King Size Bed, Whirlpool and Sauna, on hilltop w/ gravel drive, Covered Parking
NOTE - Add $ 15.00 per person to the above pricing for the Saturday night dinner.
Local Motels / Hotels
In Sylva / Dillsboro - 8 - 9 miles north of MB
Holiday Inn Express, Azalea Motel, Comfort Inn, Blue Ridge Motel, Best Western River Escape Inn
In Franklin - 8 - 9 miles south of MB
Days Inn, Hampton Inn, Microtel
Hocking Hills Twisty Tour
Lancaster, Ohio, June 1 - 3, 2007
Event Organizers – Don and Janet Pennington
Details to be announced soon!
HALACIOUS 9.1
Nine is Devine
Vienna, WV – July 20 – 22, 2007
Event Organizers – Hal and Donna Kramer
Here it is, 2007, and after missing Halacious 9 last year, Donita and I are having Halacious 9.1 to make up for it. Preparations and draft "Quiz" questions are already underway at a feverish pace. Anyway, dates have been set, hotel rooms secured, a blankie will be sewn together for Halacious 8's lucky recipient of the Halacious Blankie Drawing (uh, Jan and Don, that would be you - but ya gotta send the shirts!), and other special features are already in various stages of development. But I won't spill those beans (Mexican jumpings beans, of course) and risk ruining the surprises. Heh, heh....
So without further delay, here's the usual weekend agenda/details/etc:
Dates: Friday July 20 through Sunday July 22
Ride in Friday evening and catch grub at the Kramer Inn
Either stay at our hacienda, or the hotel of choice for you noisy sleeper types
Ride on Saturday on some blame route Cisco (me!) is riding
Donita will sponsor a day out with the ladies if they prefer, but if all want to ride, she will also.
Saturday night grub and antics back at the Kramer Inn
Ride home Sunday and catch lunch on the way (well, hopefully-this is always an adventure with this group!)
One note I need to add. Like Halacious 8, we are asking that all who join us be of legal age. Thanks for your understanding on this.
This year we have the usual accommodations at the Kramer Inn which are available first come, first served and are complete with the usual infestation of bugs, snakes, and insects. The corn crib and the guest "suite" will be available. If you prefer a hotel, you can call and reserve a room in your name at the:
Wingate Inn, Vienna, WV, 304-295-5501
1502 Grand Central Avenue (Rte 14) right next to Lowe's
$ 74.00/night plus tax, 2 queen beds
$79.00/night plus tax, 1 king bed
8 rooms reserved with queen beds, 2 with kings - smoking and non-smoking
Pool and hot tub, and only a couple miles from our house
Ask for the rooms reserved for the "Halacious group" (yes, really), confirmation by Ashley (ID # 17154), and convert one to your name.
Rooms will automatically be released early July, so reserve one before then, this place is known to fill up.
So give us a call and come join Pancho, Tricia, Donita and Cisco in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia for Halacious 9.1! And as you already know, my imagination is somewhat limited on event slogans, so that's why I ask for your ideas! Please pass them along. Also, don't forget to let us know whether you prefer the Wingate or the Kramer Inn. For those of you who are new to Halacious, we encourage couples, so bring your spouse/significant other/riding partner. And we promise, you'll fit right in (heh, heh). Cisco and Donita
WOMAN’S RIDE
August 10 - 12, 2007, Michigan
Explore the Leelanau Peninsula
Event Organizer – Jan Pennington
A leisurely ride is planned, leaving Friday morning and taking back roads to the Clifford Lake Inn for lunch. Lunch is served on the deck overlooking the landscaped grounds of the Inn and Clifford Lake. This Inn is just west of the community of Stanton. After lunch we will continue north along highway 66 and other connecting roadways to the Traverse City area where we will lodge for the night. We will leave Saturday morning, find a unique breakfast spot and begin riding along the shore line of Lake Michigan, generally following highway 22. The road winds through forests and small towns. We will ride through the Sleeping Bear Sand Dune State Recreation area and stop for a break at Good Hope Bay where we can walk the beach which is one of the best places to find Petoskey stones washed up by Lake Michigan. Continuing north to the unique community of Leland we will stop to walk the unique shops at “fishtown”. From Leland we will continue north along Highway 22 which at this point is one of the best twisty roads in the Leelanau Peninsula. The road winds through cherry orchards to the lunch stop at “Fisher’s Happy Hour Tavern” for the best pie and hamburger that can be found in the area. After lunch we will continue on highway 22 through Northport, a friendly town on Traverse Bay, to the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula and the historic Traverse Bay Lighthouse, where the shoreline is rocky and many islands can be seen. In the afternoon we will ride south via interior twisty roads through cherry orchards, wineries, and vistas over numerous lakes stopping at the community of Suttons Bay, where artistic shops and unique architecture abound. After Sutton's Bay we will again continue along twisty secondary roads through the communities of Cedar and Lake Ann to Traverse Bay for an evenings rest and a good meal at one of the local restaurants. We will plan to leave Sunday morning on the return ride, generally following highways 115, 66 and 50 to arrive back from a fantastic ride.
Please contact Jan Pennington if you wish to participate in the event.
eMail - janpennington@comcast.net
Phone - 734.482.8188
NOTE:
Riders of the male persuasion are also welcome on this event – provided you meet one of the following requirements –
M.O.B. - 2007
Michigan's Ohio Blitz – 2006
Sept. 14 - 16, 2007, SE Ohio
Event Organizer – Gregg Mitchell
Details to be announced!
HAZARDOUS TOUR
Hazard, KY, Oct. 4 - 7, 2007
Event Organizer – Gregg Mitchell
Details to be announced!
February 24, 2007
Michigan HSTA Monthly Meeting
Kerby’s Koney - Northville
8:00 AM
March 7 – 10, 2007
“Bike Week for the Rest of Us”
Triumph National Open House
Triumph Detroit – Roseville, MI
March 24, 2007
Michigan HSTA Monthly Meeting and Swap Meet
Karl’s Cabin
6005 Gotfredson Rd., Plymouth, MI
8:30 AM
April 13 – 15, 2007
HSTA T-19 Ride – Mena, Arkansas
April 21, 2007
AMA Supercross
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
May 6, 2007
Pennington’s Spring BBQ – 2:00 PM
Ypsilanti, MI
June 24 – 27, 2007
STAR – Ashville, NC
Registration Information is available in your latest STAReview! This event is shaping up to be one of the best and biggest STAR events ever. Register Early!
Home is where your bike sits still long enough to leave a few drops of oil on the ground.
Routine maintenance should never be neglected.
It takes more love to share the saddle than it does to share the bed.
The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rearview mirror.
Never be afraid to slow down.
Bikes don't leak oil, they mark their territory.
Don't ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise.
Pie and coffee are as important as petrol.
Sometimes it takes a whole tankful of fuel before you can think straight.
Riding faster than everyone else only guarantees you'll ride alone.
Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town.
Never mistake horsepower for staying power.
A good rider has balance, judgment, and good timing. So does a good lover.
A cold hamburger can be reheated quite nicely by strapping it to an exhaust pipe and riding forty miles.
Never do less than forty miles before breakfast.
If you don't ride in the rain - you don't ride.
A bike on the road is worth two in the shed.
Respect the person who has seen the dark side of motorcycling and lived.
Young riders pick a destination and go... Old riders pick a direction and go.
A good mechanic will let you watch without charging you for it.
Sometimes the fastest way to get there is to stop for the night.
Always back your bike into the curb - and sit where you can see it.
Work to ride & ride to work.
Whatever it is, it's better in the wind.
Two-lane blacktop isn't a highway - it's an attitude.
When you look down the road, it seems to never end - but you better believe it does.
A rider can smell a party 5,000 miles away.
Winter is Nature's way of telling you to polish.
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