Top Brit Sam Sunderland out of Dakar

Sam Sunderland finished seventh on day one, but is now out of the Dakar

By Michael Guy -

Off road

�03 January 2012 11:48

Sam Sunderland the 22 year old, Dubai based Brit has been forced to retire from the 2012 Dakar. The Team Honda Europe rider who claimed a stunning seventh place finish on stage one of the event saw his Dakar aspirations end at the first checkpoint of the 295km timed special stage, when he suffered an electrical problem.

Despite the massive disappointment of having to retire, Sunderland has shown impressive pace in his first ever Dakar and was just three minutes off the pace of the leaders when he retired.

Fellow Brits Jago Pickering and Tobias Younger both had extremely long yesterday, but remain in the race. After starting at 5am to start the 487km liason stage, Pickering took 7h 50m 41s to complete the timed specialand ended the day in 151st� and now holds 153rd in the overall standings. Younger finished� 156th meaning he currently lies 157th.

Source: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/Off-road/2012/3jan-dakar-brits/_/R-EPI-134426

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Hot Bikes - Readers' Rides

Got a bike you'd like to flaunt? Send prints or high-resolution digital files (300 dpi, please) of your cruiser plus info about it to Motorcycle Cruiser, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245 or cruiser@sorc.com.

David W. Garrett
Wiesbaden, Germany
'99 Yamaha Road Star

Since David Garrett is stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, he has the opportunity to ride his Road Star in places most of us can only dream of. This shot, taken along the Rhine River, is a good example. Garrett had his ride custom-painted in Germany by Chris Morrell. The bike also has Baron Flame Longboards, Iron Blade brake and clutch levers, Drag Specialties mirrors and a Baron shift linkage. David's plans for this year include a trip to Switzerland to ride the Alps.

Tony Albano
Dallas, GA
'00 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC

Tony Albano bought his used 2000 Suzuki Intruder 1500LC in 2005. He had it painted candy black cherry and the powder coating was done over a two- year period, a little at a time. Performance upgrades include a Stage 3 jet kit, K&N air filter, a Pingel high flow fuel filter and Progressive Suspension front fork springs. He also swapped the dual piston rear brake caliper for a four-piston rear brake caliper from a Suzuki C90. Tony's Intruder has about 63,000 miles and still runs like a charm. He won't be giving her up anytime soon.

Rick Cole
Langley, BC
'06 Kawasaki 1600 Vulcan Nomad

Rick Cole has owned a few bikes over the years but his Nomad is without a doubt his favorite. The trunk came from a 1984 Yamaha Venture and was painted at the local body shop. In the meantime Rick fabricated the rack and had it chromed. He also added an electronic/vacuum cruise control, fuel processor, K&N filters and a Custom Dynamics LED run/turn/brake kit. This photo was taken in Waterville WA on a ride to the National Rally for KawaNOW.org, the national Nomad owners group.

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/custom/1006_crup_hot_bikes_readers_rides/index.html

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2012 Victory High-Ball | First Ride

We all know that production ?customs? have become the norm. But while just about every manufacturer offers a less-is-more blackened model to the market, shape is now changing, as well as color. Ape hangers are in, straight bars are out. Enter the production bobber.

For 2012, Victory ups the ante with a new, Vegas-based city steed, boasting 97 horsepower, 113 foot-pounds of torque and even more attitude right out of the box.

The High-Ball is built on traditional Victory architecture: the massaged perimeter frame is suspended from a 43mm conventional fork with 5.1-inches of travel and a spring-preload-adjustable shock at the rear with 3 inches of travel. The brand-wide 106 Freedom V-twin and 6-speed overdrive transmission wick up the whitewalls via a belt final drive.

Splaying your fists in the wind, the High-Ball offers raw vibe over function, in a departure from the numerous baggers recently filling up Victory?s stable. The trimmed out steed is a pure solo mount?no pillion, no luggage and no bodywork to wax. The H-B is sparse and singular in attitude and aesthetic.

But what about those bars? Knowing that ?being cool? isn?t legal in every state, Victory?s engineers covered their bases by designing an easily-adjustable two-position handlebar?it can be set straight up or slightly laid back, depending on your location. Your local dealer will prep it to suit the law of your land. Laws vary by grip position: some states allow for grips no higher than eye level, others allow 30 inches over the saddle height. Others have no position regulation.

In the upright?and most bad-ass?position (see photos), your fists reach comfortably in the wind from the 25-inch high saddle (the second lowest in Victory?s line-up), putting the average rider upright, with a slight forward lean. The alternate bar position is more relaxed and closer to the rider, like on most other Victory cruisers. When set to the factory-suggested marks, grip positions drop a whopping 8.9 inches (from full-up) and back 5.4 inches. A comfortable riding position can be found for even vertically-challenged riders on the ?Ball.

But how does it ride? At first glance, it would appear that fashion won over function on the High-Ball, but the arms-up riding position was more comfortable than I expected. For boulevard cruising and local hops, the fuel-injected SOHC 106 packs enough punch to rocket you from traffic signs with a smile on your face, while the high bars bolster your street cred by adding a bad-boy look.

When street lights turned red, the 300mm front floating rotors with 4-piston calipers (and 2-piston rear) combo performed adequately, though I?d prefer a little more feel from the adjustable brake lever.

With Victory?s DNA seeping into every aspect of the High-Ball, from the ridged spine to the slash-cut dual exhaust, the high bar addition to a modified Vegas 8-Ball is a perfect fit. You?ll find very little chrome on the High-Ball, and it?s available in only one color (black)?though the darkness is balanced with strong white accents on the badge-less tank and Dunlop rubber.

Rolling on a pair of 16-inch laced wheels wrapped with Dunlop Cruisemax tires, the bike handles lightly. The bike itself is light, too?enough to pick up off the side stand with only your legs.

While similar in appearance, the High-Ball is more compact than the Vegas, making for a more nimble ride by way of a tighter rake (by 1.2 inches), longer trail, and shorter wheelbase (64.8 inches). Shorter bike, tighter geometry and narrower tires: a no brainer. It?s more flickable than just about any cruiser I?ve ridden thanks to the unique leverage on the bars as well as the tweaked geometry.

While the high bars are not a first from a major manufacturer, they still grab attention from onlookers. Of course, the high and mighty position has a few negatives. Luckily, the handlebar and triple tree clamps are solid, reducing the flex to nothing more than you?d experience on a standard bar; it?s the mirror position that could use a tweak. Dropping the mirrors below the cluster would open up your sightline as well as adding yet another cool-guy point to your ride.

With the High-Ball, Victory designers delivered a back-to-basics model with a minimalist dash and single-piece speedometer (with odometer, trip meter and digital tachometer). And the public has spoken; while I was shooting the bike on Main Street in Daytona Beach, thumbs went up all over, prompting the thought that even a dork like me can feel bad-ass on a production bobber.

While the trend this year in Daytona seemed to be three-wheelers, ?real bikers? gravitated toward the latest bad-boy releases from the big American builders. With an MSRP of just $13,499 (49-state), you?ll be looking at this retro-rod twice as well.

2012 Victory High-Ball
MSRP $13,499
Color: Black
Engine
Type: Air/oil-cooled, 50?degree V-twin
Displacement, Bore x stroke: 1731cc, 101 x 108mm
Valve train: SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio: 9.4:1
Fuel System: EFI
Transmission: 6-speed
Final drive: Belt
Chassis
Wheelbase: 64.8 in.
Rake/trail: 31.7 degrees / 6.7 in.
Front suspension: 43mm fork; 5.1 in. travel
Rear suspension: Single damper; 3 in. travel
Front brake: 300mm floating disc, 4-piston caliper
Rear brake: 300mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Tire: 130/90-16 Dunlop Cruisemax
Rear Tire: 150/80-16 Dunlop Cruisemax
Dimensions
Overall length: 92.5 in.
Seat height: 25 in.
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gallons
Dry weight: 659 lbs.

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/features/1108_crup_2012_victory_high_ball/index.html

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Dakar Stage 2 - Coma wins stage two to take control of overall standings

Coma powered his way to victory on stage two

By Michael Guy -

Off road

�02 January 2012 21:30

Marc Coma secured an impressive stage victory on day two of the 2012 Dakar to move into the lead of the overall race standings. The factory KTM rider completed the 487km liason stage before entering the 295km timed special stage setting a time of 3h 07m 21s.

The 35 year old Spaniard rode the majority of the day with stage one winner Francesco Lopez but was able to take control in the second half of the stage when the navigation and terrain got tougher.

He said: �??The start of the special was very fast today. I was riding at top speed with Lopez and let me tell you, the Aprilia is very, very quick. After that, we arrived at the second part of the special with sand and dunes. It was a lot more technical, with some navigation to do as well. I took the lead and kept riding at a good pace. I'm happy because it would have been very easy to get lost. So, it's been a good day for me!�??

Second place on the stage went to Coma�??s arch rival and 2012 team-mate Cyril Despres. The 37 year old made up for his slow start and 13th position on the opening day to come through the field and set a stage time just 1m 18s slower than Coma. The strong result sees him move up to third in the overall standings behind Lopez.

Despres said: �??Everything went well today. After the first stage I had a lot of riders to get through and I have to thank the guys in front who helped me by getting out of my way. The stage was very fast and with the difficult terrain at the end it was the first proper stage of the Dakar.�??

Joan Barreda Bort onboard his Speedbrain Husqvarna Rally 450 RR was the surprise third fastest man on the stage today. The Spaniard ended the day just 2m 33s behind Coma to secure Husqvarna�??s first podium of the race, which as a result escalated him up the leader board to fifth place.

Fourth place on the stage was secured by Lopez, which saw him drop to second in the overall standings behind Coma. Lopez who suffered a serious crash in the Tunisain Rally back in May, which threatened to prevent him even competing in the Dakar, said: �??I led the stage until the 240 km point, with Marc (Coma) following me, but then when we got to the dunes, he overtook me. I found it a bit difficult to follow, because I had a problem with my GPS aerial and I'm also quite tired. But these first two days of racing were important for me, to see how I am physically. I'm happy to have reached the finishing line. For the moment, I'm not thinking about the general standings, but I think there was a lot to lose today, because the special was very long and tricky.�??

Irishman Stan Watt enjoyed a better stage two, finishing the 295km timed special in 56th place with a time of 3h 54m 51s, 47m 30s behind the stage winner. He has now moved up from 87th to 56th in the overall standings as the race heads 561km from San Rafael to San Juan, which includes a 270km special.

Watt said: �??The stage was really fast, but also really dusty which made it very difficult to pass. We seemed to be lacking a little bit of top speed, but other than that the bike is working well.�??

At time of writing Brits Sam Sunderland, who claimed a stunning seventh position in the opening stage, Tobias Younger and Jago Pickering were yet to finish day two�??s 295km timed special.

Source: http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/Off-road/2012/2jan-dakar-stage2/_/R-EPI-134412

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Is Your Cornering Crap?

Say you?re cruising a twisty back road and can?t quite see through the turn. How do you know there isn?t a SUV crossing the centerline on the other side? That?s just one of the reasons the Streetmasters Workshop teaches motorcyclists the late apex cornering technique. Co-owner and lead instructor Walt Fulton says, ?The delayed apex is not the fastest line through a corner, but it offers you the most options. And options are a good thing for a rider.?

As a former MSF Instructor and Rider Coach, Fulton wanted to teach motorcyclists field skills without being confined to a parking lot. He knew a closed course would offer students the opportunity to practice advanced techniques in a real world setting. So, while Streetmasters does convene at a racetrack, the workshop adapts it accordingly. They paint a centerline on Horse Thief Mile at the Willow Springs Motorsports Park, and students then ride on the right side of the road. With the elevation changes, sharp curves and now the centerline, it?s exactly like the back roads we already ride.

The class is meant for riders with street-legal motorcycles, and Streetmasters? goal is for all students to leave with more confidence and better technique in their everyday riding?on any road. The workshop also offers the Teamwork on Two Wheels program, which integrates the passenger into the system of rider, co-rider and motorcycle. Everything from the correct way to mount and dismount to communicating without a radio is covered. I didn?t take the Missus to class, but I did manage to speak to some of the two-up students and came away impressed by the skills taught at this workshop, including stressing the importance of co-riders looking through turns with the rider. The rider and co-rider are taught to work as a team in order to complete tight U-turns. The instructors also encourage the co-riders to evaluate the rider?which may result in more marriage therapy than most of us can afford. I can just hear Mrs. Neric complaining now....

Tuition is $390. You will need a valid motorcycle license, proof of insurance and full riding gear. Half- helmets are not permitted. They also ask that you have at minimum 2 years riding experience, to ensure all riders attending are comfortable with their motorcycles.

If a car is right up your trumpet, you don?t want to be stuck in second gear.

Look where you want to go, not at other targets. Your motorcycle will go where you are looking.

A late apex gives the rider the safest line through a turn with the most options.

Know your tip-in point: it?s after you?ve settled your entry speed and can see that your exit is clear. Then you can begin rolling on the throttle.

Streetmasters Motorcycle Workshops........... $390

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/1108_crup_is_your_cornering_crap/index.html

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Johnson City?s Southern Dozen

The Snake Ride. Howling Wolves, Stars & History. Vinegar Pie. Two Rivers, One Mountain, and 10 Million Trout Eggs. These are the enticing names of four of the Southern Dozen.

Let me explain. In the upper right-hand corner of the parallelogram that is the State of Tennessee, there?s a mystical, untrammeled, hidden green spot where nature overwhelms you with sweet blossom smells. The friendly local folks want you to know about it. They want you to bring your motorcycle (or if you must, your sports car) and visit for a spell. Why? Principally because in a region of already noteworthy roads, the roads here are something else entirely.

Johnson City is at the heart of it all. The college town is home to East Tennessee State University, but somehow a visitor gets the feeling that it?s more about what?s nearby than about the town itself. Sure, it has pleasant, wide and clean streets and a downtown awaiting revitalization. It has nice bars and restaurants and all the trappings of modern American small cities. But it?s surrounded by gems?gems of emerald and asphalt.

So to help riders explore, Johnson City?s Convention and Visitors Bureau pieced together the Southern Dozen, an assemblage of named, charted rides starting from the town center. Each ride has a special flavor, sampling lakes, mountains, historic sites, using venues, and other attractions.

In the late spring of my visit, the universe of Appalachia bursts forth in an explosion of sparkling green, starting with the grass and moving upwards through the shrubs and into the trees, all of it edged in the purples, pink, oranges, and white blossoms of the tulips, azaleas, honeysuckle, wild rose, and most noteworthy, rhododendron.

Our hosts, Chuck Mason and Tallie Shelton, set forth a course on his Harley-Davidson from Bristol for The Snake Ride. We rumbled over Lake Holston and Holston Mountain down into Shady Valley, a placed rimmed by glorious mountains. The rural two-lane highway was a perfect fit for my aged Honda Pacific Coast, with smooth pavement, graceful flowing curves, and scant traffic. At the US-421 General Store, I spoke with a couple of riders from the Finger Lakes area of New York. They told me they come to the central Appalachians every year to partake in the scenery and exhilaration. One commented, ?The roads around home are nice, but they?re nothing like here.? Inside the store, in the restaurant seating area, there were scratched helmets and broken motorcycle parts wired to the ceiling?the wreckage of riders who underestimated the hazards of having too much undisciplined fun on the local roads.

Back on the road, we amped up our throttles and scuffed-up the edges of our tires on our way through Mountain City and Laurel Bloomery into Damascus, Virginia. The road slithered through the forests like a rattler through tall grass, with tree branches almost meeting overhead. Blissful!

We stopped for lunch at a restaurant and ice cream bar that clearly sees its share of motorcyclists, bicyclists (from the adjacent Virginia Creeper Trail), and hikers (from the adjacent Appalachian Trail). I spoke with some folks touring together on a variety of motorcycles. They were Internet buddies who met each year to explore the middle-Appalachians. One offered, ?The Rockies are great, but the variety of roads around here, and the beauty of these mountains, all cloaked in green, puts the taller Rockies to shame.?

We drove back and forth through ?The World?s Shortest Tunnel? at Chimney Rock, where we took the obligatory photos of this natural oddity. Then we looped around the second of the day?s two lakes, Watauga. It shimmered brightly in the gentle afternoon breeze, accented by mountainous, tree-cloaked shorelines.

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/rideanddest/1112_crup_johnson_citys_southern_dozen/index.html

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Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Winners In Long Beach Take Home $7,000

Long Beach, Calif. (December 14, 2011) - The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows announced the third round winners of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, an elite-level custom motorcycle builder competition, in Long Beach, Calif. Cash prizes and trophies were awarded to several local builders who took home top honors this past weekend.

Chris Richardson, a previous 2010 Modified Harley winner, came back this year with an outstanding custom to take home Top Street Chopper Freestyle and $3,000 in cash.

Top honors for the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in Long Beach went to the following builders:

• Street Chopper's Freestyle: Chris Richardson from LA Speed Shop in Alhambra, CA, won with his Benji Stacks 1927 JD Frame with Knucklehead engine ($3,000 in prize money)
• Hot Bike's Modified Harley: Todd Silicato from Todd's Cycle in Huntington Beach, CA, won with his 2004 Harely-Davidson Softail ($2,000 in prize money)
• Super Streetbike's Performance Custom: Tony Sesto from Sesto Custom Cycles in Gardena, CA, won with his 2011 Yamaha R6 ($1,000 in prize money)
• Motorcyclist's Retro Mod: Stephan Lacy from Long Beach, CA won with his 1964 Triumph TR6R ($1,000 in prize money)
• People's Choice: Rudy Martinez from Chatsworth, CA, was the People's pick with his 1969 Triumph Bonneville; (trophy)

Contestants are encouraged to enter the competition at any or all of the remaining shows for a chance to win a piece of the $90,000 cash purse, more than any builder competition in the world. With more than 500 custom-built bikes on display across the country, the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show sets itself apart as the world's largest touring custom bike competition.

Attendees who voted for the "People's Choice" award were automatically entered to win a custom-built Honda Fury, sponsored by MotorcycleUSA.com. The customized Honda Fury built by MotorcycleUSA.com will be featured at each of the tour stops, located at the MotorcycleUSA.com Voting Center, next to the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show. The winner will be selected at the conclusion of the tour. Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show coverage and results will be posted at www.Motorcycle-USA.com.

The next Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show competition will take place at the Seattle Motorcycle Show Friday, December 16 through Sunday, December 18, at the Washington State Convention Center, in Seattle. For more information, call 800/331-5706 or visit www.motorcycleshows.com.

About Progressive^� International Motorcycle Shows^�
From New York to California, the 12-city nationwide tour of the Progressive^� International Motorcycle Shows^� offers more than 500,000 consumers and 900 exhibitors from all powersports lifestyle interests an all access pass to the world of motorcycling. With hundreds of the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters and ATVs for both new and experienced riders, the world's largest traveling powersports event gives enthusiasts of all ages the opportunity to check out the latest gear and aftermarket accessories. The Show also offers hours of entertainment including a thrilling trials stunt show from The Smage Bros, made famous by their top 10 finish in a nationally televised talent competition; a custom bike competition offering over $90,000 in prize money and featuring $20 million worth of motorcycle machinery; an all-new exclusive Kawasaki Design-A-Bike digital light painting experience; information tailored for women riders, learning experiences and more. Show attendees are nine times more likely than the average motorcyclist to purchase a new powersports vehicle and related parts, products, and accessories, offering exhibitors exclusive access to the largest audience of potential buyers. For more information, visit:

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/newsandupdates/1112_crup_ultimate_builder_custom_bike_winners_in_long_beach_take_home_7k/index.html

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