Now

Transcription

Now

15D_IRIDE_RS2_sunset_sngl_MSTA_04_D208GPA_Henry_Stand._Spread 5/5/15 2:24 PM Page 1
I RIDE
FOR SUNSETS LIKE THESE
Linear and responsive handling
Traction characteristics on par with sport tires, plus extended tread life
thanks to MT Multi-Tread™ rear tire construction
Outstanding wet-weather performance
Intuitive Response Profile™ (IRP) intuitively offers
greater latitude in line choice while cornering
Share your I RIDE story
@RideDunlop
For more Dunlop tire information go to
dunlopmotorcycle.com or call 800-845-8378. ©2015 Dunlop.
Do not overload your tires. Never exceed vehicle load capacity found in your owner’s manual. Never exceed
maximum load molded on the tire sidewall. Check your tire pressure frequently and always before extended
trips. Obey all traffic and safety laws. Dunlop does not endorse or encourage exceeding legal speed limits.
26777
ROADSMART II
2015 Fools Run
Ride Report
By Norm Kern
Norm Kern and George Goard take
a break at the top of the mountain.
The Appalachian trail is on the left.
The annual Fools Run is a just-for-fun Dual-Sport ride
hosted by Galen Diehl. The name of this non-event comes
from the fact that it’s always held on the first weekend of April,
around April Fools day. Galen came up with this idea many
years ago to provide an excuse to get people out for an early
season ride, and I look forward to it every year. The Fools Run
has been held in a variety of places, but the riders tend to favor
the more southerly locations for a chance of better weather.
This year, we headquartered in Dillard, located just a mile
south of the North Carolina border in northeast Georgia.
Following my usual four-day-weekend format, I left home
on Thursday, April 2, driving about 450 miles from home in
Dayton, Ohio, arriving at the Gateway Inn about 5:00 PM.
Galen Diehl arrived later, but the rest of us (Jim Randall,
George Goard, Mickey Tyler, Mark Trent, Robert Cox, Doug
more fools run on 4 ➲
On the cover
Nick Zarras, Managing
Editor, on the Triumph
Tiger 800 XCx on Lake
Shore Drive, Lake
Mead National
Recreation Area.
Photo by Jeremie Elliot.
Mark, Mickey Tyler, Jim Randall and Doug Pippin gather in the
hotel parking lot for Friday’s ride.
IN THIS ISSUE
2015 Fools Run Ride Report . . . . . . 3
View From The Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
VP Views . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Entry-Apex-Exit Points . . . . . . . . . . 6
National Event Calendar . . . . . . . . . 7
Event Previews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Around the MSTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
North Georgia Classic . . . . . . . . . . 14
Safety Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
State Director Profile:
Gregg Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ride Group Sign-up System . . . . .
Make the Weather Work for You . .
Member Profile: Clay Gott . . . . . .
Road Test: 2015 Triumph Tiger
800 XCx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Trip to the End of the Road . . .
Product Review: AEROstich
Tool Roll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spring Training for Riders . . . . . . .
Product Review: AEROstich Arm
and Leg Window Pockets . . . . .
18
19
21
23
26
26
27
28
Eighteen Years in the Making . . . .
MSTA 2014 Financials . . . . . . . . .
Mail Pouch Fly-By PreRegistration Form . . . . . . . . . . .
Safe Money: 2005 Yamaha FJR . . .
STAR ’15 Raffle Bike Ticket
Order Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
STAR ’15 Registration Form . . . . .
MSTA Membership Form . . . . . . .
Road Test Quick Look:
2015 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES . . .
29
32
36
37
38
39
40
41
Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 3
➲ fools run from 3
Pippin, Jason Kinsey, Wayne Lawrence, Robert Simms and I
were already there, so we had dinner together and got ready
for Friday’s ride.
It had rained on Thursday afternoon and there was more
rain overnight. Friday morning arrived with fog in the valleys
and temperatures in the low 50s at the start.
mid 40s, but no fog. The day started with a morning loop of
80 miles that went southwest from Dillard, almost to Helen,
Georgia. There was a lot of paved road in the first part of
the route, but when the pavement ended, there was a long
mountain section with steep hills and rocky trails. The route
returned to Dillard by running the first part of Friday’s route
in reverse. We arrived back at Dillard for lunch at 1:00 PM at
the wonderful Cupboard restaurant, where most menu items
are homemade.
Saturday afternoon’s route was about 80 miles of dirt road
and trail east of Dillard. It stayed sunny all day, with a high
temperature around 62. Saturday night it was time for great
Mexican food at the La Cabana restaurant.
The group stops at Lynn’s Place restaurant in Robbinsville,
North Carolina for Friday’s lunch break. In the foreground,
George Goard, Doug Pippin and Galen Diehl.
Friday’s route was lengthy- about 190 miles, meandering
up into North Carolina and a bit of the Cherohala Skyway. We
stopped for lunch at Lynn’s Place in Robbinsville.
One of the nicer gravel roads. Steep drop on one side is the
rule in the mountains. Notice Galen’s GPS, SPOT tracking
device & clock on the handlebars.
Sunday morning I headed back home, but Galen Diehl, Jim
Randall and Mickey Tyler, who didn’t have so far to go to get
home, rode another 80 mile loop East of Dillard before leaving.
Typical Puddles after Thursday night’s rain. Notice surrounding dirt is still pretty nice and firm. Jim Randall and George
Goard pictured.
The dirt portions of the route were typical Georgia reddish
clay. There were puddles from the rain, but very little mud and
no dust. Temperatures ranged from the low 60s to a bit over
70, so the weather was just about perfect.
Friday night’s dinner was at the Mountain Man BBQ restaurant just down the road from the hotel.
Overnight there was more rain, but by Saturday morning the clouds were gone. It was cooler, starting out in the
4 | www.RideMSTA.com
Fools Run routes. Friday’s route in red, Saturday in green and
Sunday morning in blue.
As always, the Fools Run gets the riding season off to a
great start. Thanks to Galen Diehl for organizing and Doug
Pippin for his excellent GPS routes! 
view from the top
Volume 34, Number 4
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF MSTA
Promoting excellence and safety in the
enjoyment of motorcycle sport touring.
Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Zarras
editor@ridemsta.com
Feature Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pedro Gregorio
feature-editor@ridemsta.com
Contributing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Jundt
CE1@ridemsta.com
Contributing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . James T. Parks
CE2@ridemsta.com
Advertising/Benefits Director . . . . . . . John Boyd
advertising@ridemsta.com
State Newsletter Editor . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Jundt
CE1@ridemsta.com
Member Profile Editor . . . . . . . . . . Doug Logston
profiles@ridemsta.com
Safety Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Doug Westly
safety@ridemsta.com
National Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janet and Jon Campbell
national-events@ridemsta.com
Event Preview Editor . . . . . . . . . . Pedro Gregorio
event-preview@ridemsta.com
Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jay Campbell
webmaster@ridemsta.com
UPDATE: We’ve added another way
to buy your raffle tickets. Starting in the
3402 STAReview (pg. 33) we added a
page of 6 raffle tickets. Fill out the tickets on that page (copy this page for more
tickets), than mail with your payment
to Bill Rusk (Raffle Ticket Guy), 5515
David Drive, Tipp City, OH 45371
STAR 15 Raffle Bike:
2014 Yamaha FJR 1300A
Features: Traction Control, Cruise
Control, Unified ABS, Sport and Touring Drive-modes, Electrically Adjustable Windscreen, Adjustable Seat
Height, Heated Grips, 6.6 Gallon Fuel
Tank, Glove Box with 12v outlet, Shaft
Drive.
Reasons to buy raffle tickets: You
could win a 2014 FJR 1300A, “Stitch,”
and other premium raffle prizes. Most
importantly you will be supporting your
club!
STAR 2015 registration is open. http://
www.planetreg.com/
STAR2015
As of this writDennis
ing we have 280
Villarose
signed-up for STAR
MSTA President
15. Please sign up early
and purchase a boat load of raffle bike
tickets.
I know it’s hard to think about, but
STAR 2017 is west coast bound. If any
members have suggestions on a site,
please contact me with the info.
Remember the host hotel should have
200+ rooms, and meeting/banquet capability. Local presence is helpful, along
with great roads.
Any questions or concerns call me at
561-329-3257 or email me at
ipnman2002@yahoo.com
Great Riders. Great Roads. Join Us!
Ride Safe, Ride Home
Layout/Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faith Publishing
www.RideMSTA.com
STAReview
Submission Deadlines
3406 . . . . . . . . . . . 7/18/15
3407 . . . . . . . . . . . 9/5/15
3408 . . . . . . . . . . 10/3/15
3501 . . . . . . . . . . 11/14/15
Submission Guidelines
MS Word documents, raw text files,
300dpi (or larger) .tif, .eps or .jpg photo
files. If using a digital camera, be certain
to use highest photo quality setting (largest file size). DO NOT embed/place pho-
vP Views
Got a complaint? Let us know.
We’re listening.
Want to get something done about
your complaint? Then let us know your
ideas for solutions, too. Better yet, step
in and help us implement your solutions.
This is what Indiana member, Gary
Fourman, did. The result instigated
two new programs that will be tested at
STAR.
One of these is the new “Ride Group
Sign-up” system (see more on p. 18),
which Gary played an integral role in.
The other is an offshoot of our previous
MAP program, called “MSTA Ambassadors,” being coordinated by Harry
Hemstreet.
MSTA Ambassadors are charged
with seeking out new
members and firsttime event attendees,
welcoming them, anAnn Redner
MSTA Vice
swering any questions
President
and bringing them into
our fold.
If you really want to get something
done, make yourself part of the solution!
If you’re interested in being an MSTA
Ambassador, or have a great solution to
a problem that’s been bugging you, contact me at vicepresident@
RideMSTA.com.
See you on the road!
tos in Word documents. Separate, original
.tif, .eps or .jpg photo files are required.
entry-apex-exit points
The second aspect is proper
Last month’s Entry-Apex-Exit
gear. May is Motorcycle Safety
Points editorial talked about the
Awareness Month. The Motorhazards of riding on main highcycle Industry Council’s Rider
ways. This month has been a
Safety Committee is promoting
hazardous one for motorcyclists
their new “Gear Up Every Ride”
in Nevada. We all know the
initiative to promote proper
threat conditions to watch out
motorcycle apparel use. It is to
for from accident statistics. But
promote education, preparation
the question is why one rider
Nick Zarras
STAReview
and inspiration to choose the
never experiences a crash in a
Managing Editor latest in protective equipment.
life time of riding, and another
On May 1, 2015 “Gear Up Every
is not so fortunate? Let’s look
Ride” went live with their website and
more closely at some key safety compois now having a contest for equipment
nents all motorcyclist should be aware of.
provide by Motorcycle Industry CounNumber one is rider safety training.
cil partners. Check out their website at
MSTA has the Dan Clark Safety program which is administered by Ken and
www.gearupeveryride.org.
JoAnna Murray. This program provides
MSTA members often use the familiar
funding assistance for the MSF (Mophrase All the Gear All the Time (ATtorcycle Safety Foundation) Basic and
GATT). In Nevada there are moves to
Experienced Rider courses, Accident
make helmets optional. While I believe
Scene Management, American Heart
in a rider’s right to choose, my life expeAssociation C.P.R. Classes, Red Cross
riences have shown a full face helmet has
First Aid and Reg Pridmore’s CLASS
turned many hazardous situations into a
Riding Course; see the website (http://
feel good tire kicking story.
We have some great articles for you
ridemsta.com/srblog/dan-clarkthis issue. Norm Kern provides us a picsafety-program/) for the whole list.
turesque look at a three day dual-sport
MSTA also has a MAP (Members As“Fools Run” ride in the North Carolina
sistance Program) where an experienced
area. Galen Diehl hosts this yearly ride
MSTA rider takes a new rider under their
around April Fool’s day. Norm Kern also
wing and teaches them how to ride safely
provides us a very informative briefing on
outside of the school environment. Each
how to utilize weather reports in “Makstate has local organizations that promote
ing the Weather Work For You Rather
safety. In Las Vegas I am also active with
Than the Other Way Around.” Our “BluMARS (Motorcycle Awareness Rider
eRidgeRider” from North Carolina shares
Safety) that promotes safety events, track
a heartwarmingly proud father’s story of
days and member training.
his son’s growth in motorcycling in “18
Years in the Making.” Our contributing
editor James T. Parks educates us on how
to prepare for another season of riding in
“Spring Training for Riders.” Florida’s
Jim Parks showcases MSTA’s “just for
fun” North Georgia Classic, in the Bavarian culture rich Helen, Georgia. No
airline tickets required and clever English
is spoken there.
This issue also features an interview
with Gregg Mitchell, Michigan’s State
Director. This month’s Member Profile
is Tennessee’s Clay Gott. This month’s
Safe Money is Nevada’s Phil Florian’s
2005 Yamaha FJR. I bet he already has
STAR raffle tickets for the 2014 Yamaha
FJR1300. This month’s Road Test is
the vastly upgraded Triumph Tiger 800
XCx. This ride by wire upgrade greatly
enhances it’s on the road touring and
off-the-road capabilities. A “one bike
does all” candidate. Our Safety Editor
extraordinaire Doug Westly educates us
on “Mythbusting Brakes.” The Road Test
- Quick Look features the 2015 Yamaha
FJR1300 ES. STAReview Magazine has
two product tests this month. The first
is the AEROstich Tool Roll which is a
neat roll up case to put all your motorcycle tools in. The second is four add
on AEROstich pockets. They can house
maps, park IDs and a portable GPS.
They are designed for the AEROstich
suit but are attachable to other brands.
The pockets work well with my one
piece AEROstich Stealth suit.
I have a special treat for you this
month. At the recent BMW Motorcycle
of Las Vegas, NV open house Lisa
Song Sutton, the “2014 Miss Nevada
United States”, was kind enough to
pose with STAReview issue 3402. Lisa
Song Sutton, J.D. (Juris Doctorate) is
an accomplished real estate investor
and entrepreneur. Lisa is a contributing
editor for Forbes Women and is active
in several charities. She is also a Wilhelmina Model featured in over 70 US
and international publications. Lisa won
Miss Las Vegas, Miss Nevada United
States and the Fashion Hero in the Miss
United States pageant. You do meet
the nicest people reading STAReview
Magazine.
Here at STAReview Magazine we
want MSTA members to solicit product
tests and articles and photos of your personal stories, MSTA and “Just for Fun”
events. Send me your “word” articles and
high resolution photos as attachments
to your e-mail. Photos in high quality
portrait mode are considered for cover
photos. Showcase your treasured 20112015 motorcycle (Sweet Rides) or 2010
or older motorcycle (Safe Money). I will
provide you editorial support. STAReview Magazine is not only news but
cherished memories. Jim Park’s photo
archives are a treasure of great rides,
reaching back 34 years. Check it out on
www.ridemsta.com.
The digital STAReview Magazine
articles have hyperlinks to link you to
web sites for travel planning information,
motorcycle and accessories to lust over. I
want YOU to be the star in STAReview!
So kick back with a cool one and enjoy
this issue of STAReview Magazine.
Ride Safe my friend...
Clear skies, clear roads…
2015 Msta National Events Schedule
Date
Event
Location
Contact
Web Address/E-mail
JUNE 21-22-23-24-25
STAR 2015
Holiday Inn
1500 S. 48th Street
Springdale, AR 72762
479-751-8300
Dennis Villarose
32 Laurelcrest Lane
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
561-329-3257
www.ridemsta.com/star-2015.html
ipnman2002@yahoo.com
JULY 24-25-26
BIG LYNN LODGE RIDE
Big Lynn Lodge
Highway 226A
Little Switzerland, NC 28749
800-654-5232
David Brickner
1044 Belvidere Lane
Morganton, NC 28655
828-448-5429
brick@ncwireless.net
info@biglynnlodge.com
JULY 31/AUG.1-2
RIVER CITY RIDE
Holiday Inn Express
2449 Federal Drive
Corydon, IN 47112
812-738-1623
Will Bishop
7242 Clear Oak Circle
Nobelsville, IN 46062
317-431-3150
wilebee@sbcglobal.net
AUG. 28-29-30
MAIL POUCH FLY-BY
Best Western Marietta
701 Pike Street
Marietta, OH 45750
740-374-9660
Jon Campbell
731 Holbrook Ave.
Lebanon, OH 45036
513-465-4755
ohiomsta@cinci.rr.com
SEPT.11-12-13
OZARKS BS RALLY
Theodosia Marina & Resort
Highway 160
Theodosia , MO 65761
417-273-4444
Ed & Linda Young
P.O. Box 30
Mountain Grove, MO 65711
417-926-3075
www.ozarksbsrally.com
Quality Inn
540 N. Jefferson St.
Lewisburg, WV 24901
304-645-7722
Syd Mays
3408 Oxford Drive
Sutherland, VA 23885
Cell: 804-721-3399
ridemsta.com/mstaforums/
YO Ranch Resort
2033 Sidney Baker
Kerrville, TX 78028
830-257-4440
Vince Wells
5909 Colts Neck Drive
Colleyville, TX 76034
817-988-3490
vince.wells@sbcglobal.net
SEPT. 25-26-27
OCT. 30-31/NOV. 1
FALL COLORS RIDE
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
magna@centurytel.net
touringman5@gmail.com
yoranchhotel@yoranchhotel.com
Event Previews
MSTA SANCTIONED EVENTS
MAIL POUCH FLY-BY
DATE: Friday (8/28/15) to Sunday (8/30/15)
LOCATION: Marietta, OH
LODGING: Best Western Marietta
701 Pike St.
Marietta, OH 45750
740-374-9660
Rooms are on hold under the name of the
MSTA. Call the motel to make your room reservation, ask for one of the MSTA rooms on hold.
Room reservations are your responsibility.
Rate: $75.00 per night, double occupancy
(plus tax). Rooms not reserved by August
15, 2015 will be released.
• Pre-Registration will be $20 for Members and
$15 for M.O.H.
• Registration at the event will be $25 for Members and $20 for M.O.H.
• Sustaining and Lifetime members receive a
10% discount
Your registration fee includes:
The Unparalleled Roads of Southeast Ohio &
West Virginia – Friday Night Cook-Out – Saturday Night Catered Meal (cook-out and Saturday
night meal will be held outside on the Best
Western Inn property) – 17 Different Route Maps
– Welcome Packet – Door Prizes – World-Class
Motorcycling
See registration form in this issue. Fill it out
and mail it in now. Don’t forget the check.
Contact Event Coordinator:
Jon Campbell
513-465-4755 or ohiomsta@cinci.rr.com
OZARKS B.S.
(BULL SHOALS) RALLY
DATE: Friday (9/11/15) to Sunday (9/13/15)
LOCATION: Theodosia, Missouri
LODGING: Theodosia Marina & Resort
Highway 160
Theodosia , Missouri 65761
417-273-4444
The Ozarks BS (Bull Shoals) Rally is an AMA
Sanctioned, MSTA members only event. (You
can join MSTA at the Rally.) If you are joining
MSTA for the very first time at the Rally, when
you pay your $30 Rally Fee, you will receive a
one year free membership in MSTA. (This is a
one-time deal only, NO RENEWALS.) The first
BS Rally was in September of 1998, and had 76
attendees, a record for a first time MSTA event.
The Rally usually has between 100 and 130
Registered Attendees, and more are expected
for the next Rally, September 11-13, 2015.
Riders arrive throughout the day Friday to
register and receive their “Ride Packets,” which
contain complete Rally information. There will be
suggested “short rides” in the Ride Packet, for
those that arrive early on Friday, and want to get
in some extra riding.
The Rally kicks off around 5:30 PM on Friday
with a gourmet wiener roast, and lots of TireKick’n and BS’n. There’s always plenty of food
and nobody goes away hungry.
Saturday morning around 6 AM, a special
breakfast buffet is set up at Cookie’s, next to the
Motel and campground, and riders usually leave
around 8 AM to ride some of the greatest smooth
twisty roads found anywhere. You can ride a few
miles or 300 miles, your choice. You can even
experience a unique ferry crossing of Bull Shoals
Lake if you choose.
The first half of one of the BS Routes goes
over Bull Shoals Lake on the Ferry, and ends
back at BS headquarters, where you can enjoy
lunch at Cookie’s, or you can eat at a variety of
good places along the various routes.
After more great twisty roads in the afternoon,
riders start coming in around 4 PM or so, to get
rested and have plenty of time for some more
Tire-Kick’n and BS’n, before the gourmet banquet around 7 PM. After the banquet and door
prize drawing, folks usually gather around the
park area for more BS’n till all hours.
Cookie’s will open around 6:30 AM on Sunday
morning. You can order from their really good
breakfast menue, and folks can visit, say goodbyes and leave at their leisure throughout the day.
You can click on the “BS Location” button on
the BS homepage to check out the area and make
motel reservations at TMR (Rally Headquarters)
by calling 417-273-4444. You must mention
MSTA to obtain a reservation.
Contact Event Coordinators:
Ed and Linda Young
magna@centurytel.net
417-926-3075
Event Website: www.ozarksbsrally.com
Just for Fun EVENTS
SECOND ANNUAL
NORTHEAST JUST FOR
FUN EVENT
DATES: Thursday(7/16/15)-Sunday(7/19/15)
LOCATION: Milford, PA
LODGING: Myer Country Motel
(Craig & Sharon Cox, Owners)
600 Route 6 & 209
Milford, PA 18337
(800) 764-MYER www.myermotel.com
Quiet cottages with a
courtyard and separate
parking areas for each.
There are only 19 cottages on site so don’t
wait to reserve a room.
Please reference MSTA
Pedro Gregorio
when booking a room at
Feature Editor
the Myer.
ALTERNATE:
Milford Motel
591 Route 6 & 209
Milford, PA 18337
Typical one floor motel directly across the
street from the Myer.
Contact Event Coordinator: Jim(Doc) Lane
@ (908) 766-2330 or rdlzrds@juno.com
The Tri-State Area of New York, New Jersey,
& Pennsylvania provides an ideal backdrop of
scenery, good roads, and an abundance of great
eateries. As mentioned above, the motels are
directly across from each other on US 6 and 209.
Regardless of your approach to Milford, it would
best to use Exit 46 and venture into town via US
6. This route eliminates the potential traffic snarl
at the intersection of I 84, US 6 and 23 in Port
Jervis/Deer Park. The traffic there can be a real
bear especially at rush hour.
The highlight of this event besides the roads
and camaraderie is Bethel Woods, site of the
Woodstock Festival in 1969. The grounds are
gorgeous and the concert field is still intact. The
displays and memorabilia will take you on a journey from 1960 to 1969 culminating in a concert
experience in its tiered theater.
High Point State Park and its Monument is
a nice side trip off of NJ 23. Phoenicia, NY, is a
nice turning point on a route through the Catskill
Mountains. Frequented by Babe Ruth, it remains
a tourist destination for outdoor sports. If you
stop for lunch, I would suggest “Sweet Sue’s” or”
Brios” for some oven-fired pizza.
The Hawks Nest on NY 97 provides some nice
scenery and plenty of pull-outs for photo ops.
Dingman’s Ferry Toll Bridge is the last privately
owned bridge on the Delaware River. It connects
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and you will pay
both ways for the privilege of crossing.
The roads in New Jersey will surprise you
compared to what you may have heard. The
counties of Sussex and Warren provide a really
nice combination of roads, elevation changes
and technically challenging curves amidst a
backdrop of very picturesque scenery.
All three states have something to offer and
chances are you will return after your first exposure. I can’t compare it to West Virginia (my alltime favorite), but it has been my “playground”
for the last 37 years on two wheels.
around the msta
North Central Region
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kentucky Manitoba Michigan Minnesota Missouri
Nebraska North Dakota Ohio Ontario Saskatchewan South Dakota Wisconsin
Indiana
Alces Church has given us some updates on how members
of the Indiana Squadron are doing.
Ed Furbeck is spending a couple of weeks in Israel. His
company sent him to a small town just south of Tel Aviv just
in time to miss some of the horrendous weather we’ve had
here. Ironically, Tom Trieschmann, a St. Louis member was in
Tel Aviv at the same time according to Facebook.
Dave and Denise Kaler’s move to Dallas area draws closer
and closer. Texas’ gain is our loss. Dave will be coming to
Indy regularly as he intends to continue working for the foreseeable future so we may see him occasionally.
Some of you may remember Eric Blattert. Eric was the S.D.
in 1994 when the Hoosier Squadron hosted STAR in Nashville, IN. Anyway, he and Judy moved to Denver in January.
Judy got a job offer she couldn’t refuse.
Peter Jenkins moved back home to Australia. Dave “Johnny
Cool” Edinger move to Texas and then took a job in Canada. (But
that’s a whole other story). Bottom line, we’ve lost or will lose 4
great riding buddies to outta’ state moves in the last few months.
Roy Garrett had a hip, or was it a knee, replaced??? Anyway, he’s doing so well that he was in attendance at the Hoosier Bike show working the D.I.R.T. booth at the fairgrounds
just 3 weeks after the operation.
Mike Foddrill now has a full time job. He’s been a contractor for the big dig UNDER Indy for some time, now he has
benefits and all that stuff.
Joe Geiman has rebuilt his beloved ST1100 after his get off
last year. Joe is a huge fan of all the safety gear as he had nary
a scratch.
Steve “Santa Claus” Kirkendoll is also recovering from
shoulder “REPLACEMENT” surgery. He was back on the job
6 weeks after his scalpel time. Steve is itching to get back on
the road on his “new” WeeStrom. STAR 2015 is now on his
things to do list.
Dave Lawson is getting ready to get back on two wheels.
Health issues have kept him on the sidelines for a sometime.
Welcome Back!!
Greg Sickmeier will be heading up the Rider Recovery
team for BOTH MotoGP’s, CODA and Indy, again this year.
I think that Dave Kaler (Almost a Texan) will be one of the
team at Austin this year.
Josh & Paula Morgan have just returned from a vacation
in Cambodia & Thailand! This is their second trip and they
love it. They were able to add Cambodia and Thailand to their
bucket list of places ridden. They rented bikes (125 cc Honda
Automatics) Josh added, “Nice enough though”.
Mike Harrell tells us that the Exhaust Header business (The
Fab Shop) is booming (Pardon the pun) and any orders received now will not be delivered until mid-summer.
Mike Jundt | State Newsletter Editor
Also from Indiana is news of taxes (a
subject nobody likes but we all have to deal
with it).
Road taxes have been traditionally
charged at the pump. With those revenues
falling, states are looking for other ways to
fund their road building and maintenance.
More than 10 states are considering programs to tax drivers
by the mile driven. This could mean we (again) pay disproportionately higher percentage of taxes for our 2 wheels down
and better gas mileage. As a crossroads state, Indiana stands
to get more revenue from the pumps. So today it doesn’t directly impact Indiana. Regardless it is something to better
understand as to how it could impact us down the road (pun
intended).
http://www.autonews.com/article/20150306/
OEM05/150309871/oregon-prepares-nations-first-permile-road-tax
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/
nation/2013/08/01/oregon-gas-mileage-tax/2608067/
Lots of other links out there about how individual states are
pursuing it. Research the issues and contact the AMA to let
them know what you think:
http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/contact
I’m counting on AMA to look out for our interests (because
no one else will!).
Michigan
Time for the announcement from Keith Danielson about
Michigan’s annual Grand Tour event.
Spring is finally here, and it’s time to begin making plans
to visit the checkpoints for this year’s Michigan Grand Tour.
The theme for this year is lighthouses.
This year’s Michigan Grand Tour theme is lighthouses
With 129 lighthouses along the shores of the two peninsulas
and on islands and shoals just offshore, Michigan has more
lighthouses than
more around on 10 ➲
➲ around from 9
any other state in the U.S. Lighthouses have guided ships on
the great lakes around hazards to navigation and into harbors
since the first light was built in Michigan in 1825. Originally
they were built and operated by the United States Light House
Service (USHLS), or its predecessor, the United States Light
House Board. They were tended by light keepers, whose job
was to keep the light in top operating condition by keeping the
wicks trimmed and fueled, lenses cleaned, and mechanisms
functioning. In 1939 the USLHS was merged into the U.S.
Coast Guard, which still tends the lights, though the keepers
have been replaced by automation. Many of the lights today
are preserved by museums, and still have the residences that
the keepers lived in as they tended to the light during the shipping season.
I have selected 14 of the lights as checkpoints for our Grand
Tour. Most of these lights are accessible to visit by public
roads. One or two will require a little walk from the parking
area to actually see the lighthouse, and a couple of them will
require a tour to take you to the actual light. Eight are in the
Lower Peninsula, and six are in the Upper Peninsula. Many
are open for tours at various times. This year I’ll again award
extra credit points for being good tourists as you sport tour to
our lighthouses. Extra credit points will be awarded for taking
a tour of the light where they are open, as well as other Michigan lighthouses, Michigan museums, restaurants, points of
interest, or tourist destinations. Purchasing a recreation pass
as you renew motorcycle registration is recommended, as several of the checkpoints are located in Michigan State Parks.
It’s not mandatory, bit it will eliminate the need to buy a day
pass to get in to see those checkpoints.
The tour will be open to begin visiting checkpoints the
weekend of our March meeting. Although you may be able to
ride to see them as soon as the weather and roads can be ridden by motorcycle, most of the lighthouses will not be open
for tours until Memorial Day weekend. I sent a signup around
at the February meeting on the east side and at the March
meeting on the west side. If you signed up at either one of
those, you should already have your grand tour package by the
time you read this. I will again pass the signup sheet around
if you weren’t there for either of those meetings, or you were
there but missed the signup sheet. If you haven’t signed up and
want to get the information so you can bag your first checkpoint after the meeting, you can also sign up by sending me an
email at keith.danielson@wowway.com, and I’ll send out
the package before the east side meeting.
I hope you will enjoy this Grand Tour, and learning a little
bit more about the lighthouses that have played such an important role in the history of our Great Lake State. I know I will.
Vince Cardinale told us about the Friday the 13th rally in
Port Dover, Ontario, Canada.
For the 59 consecutive Friday the 13th since November 13,
1981 when it all started, motorcyclists of every ilk imaginable
descended upon a sleepy little fishing village located on the
Northeast shore of Lake Erie for the March 2015 edition of the
Friday the 13th Port Dover motorcycle rally.
Nestled about halfway between London ON and Buffalo
NY in Norfolk County, Port Dover (population 6,300) hosts
a motorcycle rally every Friday the 13th, regardless of what
month it falls. Billed as “The biggest single-day motorcycle
event in the world” – summer-month attendance is claimed
to be well into the six-figures, with estimates approaching
200,000 for the Friday, June 13, 2014 event.
“Stovepipe”, powered by a longitudinal 746 cc aircooled inline
4 cylinder featuring exposed valve train, shaft drive, and of
course - no front brake.
The early morning 200-odd mile ride to Port Dover from
the Metro Detroit MI area was, in a word, brisk. The Canadian border guard was rather bemused at my trip reason; I’m
guessing that holding a Nexus card is what spared me secondary inspection and possible on-the-spot mental health evaluation. Heated gear was without question a godsend, however
a BMW R1150GS provides nowhere near the wind protection
of a full-on touring bike. My riding partner, a London Ontario
resident and fellow Motor City Beemers member rode a fully
faired BMW R1200RT complete with a heated saddle – and
no, he was not interested in trading rides.
The ride back was considerably more comfortable. We
toured the Southern Ontario wine country (no joke), meandering our way along the back roads from Port Dover to the outskirts of London. It’s not exactly Napa Valley or the Bordeaux
region of France, but local wine connoisseurs may find something to their liking here nonetheless, particularly during the
summer months. GOOGLE, “Ontario CA wine country”.
We parted ways at London, and the remainder of the trip
back was uneventful. Not too many twisties in Southern Ontario or Michigan. Ontario’s roads generally speaking are in
considerably better condition than Michigan’s (who’s aren’t?),
and highway patrol police presence was pretty much on par
with what you might expect to find in the USA. Be aware
that flagrant speeding in Ontario can result in jail time and
vehicle confiscation. (Good luck getting your ride back.) Also
be aware that Canada uses kilometers per hour, and the OPP
(Ontario Provincial Police) probably won’t buy the “I didn’t
know how to convert KMH to MPH” argument. Notably, my
Garmin Zumo 390 conveniently converted most posted Canadian speed limits to MPH on the main map display.
Construction Alert: The Blue Water Bridge, which connects Sarnia ON and Port Huron MI, will undergo a scheduled
three-month resurfacing from April thru end of June 2015,
reducing the number of available lanes by half. Avoid like the
plague if possible.
The ride out was a bit challenging. Sub-freezing temperatures at freeway speeds on an unfaired bike over several hours
will, shall we say, keep your attention focused. But it is doable. After the February of 2015 we endured here in this neck
of the woods, I - and many others I suspect - are well overdue
for some serious wind therapy; albeit perhaps not quite that
cold... But it felt good to get out and ride, and associate with
other like-minded motorcyclists. So get out and ride.
Entering the Havasupai Reservation
Part of the fun on the Friday the 13th ride
South East Region
Alabama Florida Georgia Mississippi
North Carolina South Carolina Tennessee Virginia
Florida
Dave Schwartz by way of Phoenix, AZ posted an article on
his adventure ride on his KTM.
September 20th. I’ve been dreaming of this trip for a few
years. The route is planned, GPS loaded and the bike is ready.
But first, the super-slab. At Tusayan I turn off the pavement
and leave the regular tourists behind. There are MILLIONS of
visitors to the Grand Canyon each year. You may think getting
away from everyone would be more difficult, but I’ve heard of
a place even here on the South Rim where you can be alone.
It will cost you though. I cross the tracks for the Grand
Canyon Railroad and get reacquainted with my bike in the
gravel. I haven’t been able to ride much over the summer. I
enter the Havasupai Reservation. I reach a gate and am contacted by a Tribal Ranger. Actually, he was a teenager wearing jeans, t-shirt, and an unbuttoned, official-looking, ranger
uniform shirt. He was polite and asked where I was going.
“Havasupai Point,” I answer. He asked for $25 and I handed it
over. I knew this ahead of time and was prepared (financially
and emotionally). He tells me they have an elk hunt going
on and warns that all of the other roads are off limits and he
opened the gate for me.
My $25 allows me access to about four miles of this “road.”
The “road” went up a wash with heavy erosion damage. The
The Havasupai trail
trench and washouts crisscross the road requiring repeated
crossings. At times the entire track was washed out with loose
sand and rocks making it interesting. I leave the Tribal Lands
and enter the National Forest and then into the National Park.
No one asked to see my annual park pass.
Entering the Grand Canyon National Park
The trail doesn’t improve in the park. I reach the Grand
Canyon at the South Bass Trailhead. There were two SUVs in
the parking lot, but the owners were off hiking. I head back a
short ways and find the left turn towards Havasupai Point.
more around on 12 ➲
➲ around from 11
The trail gets narrower and it is obvious not as many people
venture out this way. This log wasn’t too big so I decided to
ride over my first-ever log even though I could have gone
around it. I was surprised at how easy the bike rolled over it.
This may have contributed to an over-confidence issue later in
the trip.
Log in the road that Dave road over
I reach Havasupai Point on a different route than planned.
Since the intended route is now closed, you must ride almost
all the way to the South Bass Trailhead before taking the trail
over to Havasupai Point. I like it here. I think I’ll be like a
cactus and hang out at the edge here awhile.
Camp on the rim of the Grand Canyon
The Colorado River flows thousands of feet below me. I set
up camp and make dinner plans. After dinner I crawl into the
tent and read a book before going to sleep. It feels nice to be
alone at the Grand Canyon again. This place isn’t even that far
from home. If you would like to continue reading, Day 2 of
Dave’s ride report continues at this link.
Stars at night at the camp
From South Florida director Van VanSteelant:
Oh, The Weather Outside Is Frightful...
How many northeasterners will be moving down to Florida
over the next 12 months?!? Two infamous winters in a row
and it’s a chinch for us to become the third most populous
state in the country!! Be looking for strangely smiling people
next winter, wondering why nobody else is at the beach and in
the ocean on a 60 degree day of sunshine!!
As for us, we had two great reasons to ride, and a vintage
show in downtown West Palm Beach. You’ll read about the
fun and frolic the Central riders had at the Umatilla Inn &
Restaurant elsewhere in this edition. I’m hoping to have a brief
report on the Vintage Iron and Clematis event from one of our
local members.
My work commitment over the last six weeks has made
Saturdays “just another day at the office...” So, you can imagine my disappointment on Feb. 28th when I only made it two
blocks from my house and found my Busa would not run....
The problem is still being diagnosed.... I made a quick call to
Jim Park who graciously accepted the “pack leader” role, who
then conscripted Buck Jones to lead the ride to Jay Bee’s due
to on-bike communication compatibility!! Despite the rocky
start to the day, the ride went very well, the weather was a
minor issue on the way there, and 13 riders enjoyed a typically
wonderful lunch! I suspect that our central area members were
not as lucky with the storm front, as the worst of the rain appeared to west and just north of Route 60. Due to afternoon
weather predictions, the group welcomed the fast and friendly
service Jay Bee’s always delivers. For some of the members,
the ride home was uneventful. For some, the last 5 miles were
the worst of the day!! I heard of fording streets with water
over the pegs!! So much for Florida’s famous “dry season”!!
(Oh, it could be worse, it could be snowing....)
From Central FL director Teresa Vipond
Mother Nature provided another great day for riding on
Sat., Feb. 7th. From the Central FL area, 16 riders & two local
guests met in Umatilla for lunch including....new member (as
of January) - Bill Rorke, Vero Beach; 1st time joining us J.P. Dumas, Orlando; longest distance ridden - Steve Evans,
Lake City; door prize (Amsoil Octane Boost) winner - Terry
Brown, Melbourne. The next central FL lunch ride is scheduled for Sat., March 7th to W. Deland at Brian’s BBQ, 795 N.
Spring Garden Ave. (Hwy15A).
The Central Florida gang
West Region
Alaska
Alberta Arizona British Columbia California Hawaii Idaho Montana
Nevada Northwest Territories Oregon Utah Washington Yukon
California
From California comes news of their upcoming
Paso Robles IX ride
Just four weeks until the Paso Robles ride weekend. April
17th will be here soon! Here are some updated details. The
link below will show my planned route for Saturday April 18.
Beware of being too committed to this route as I’m known to
change my mind during the day. :-)
https://trips.furkot.com/ts/U4XQpD
Friday night group dinner will be at La Mexicana in downtown Paso. Three blocks from the Melody Ranch Motel.
On Saturday, I will be having breakfast at The Southern
Station in Santa Margarita. Participants can make the short
ride from Paso to the breakfast location to enjoy a classic
small town breakfast, or sleep in, then meet curbside in Santa
Margarita at 9 am for riding.
Lunch on Saturday, during the ride, will be as last year at
the Wild Horse Cafe in King City. After lunch, riders might
opt for the G14 Interlake route, a quick drive on Hwy 101, or
my intended route over Nacimiento Ferguson Rd to the coast
and highway 1 leading back to Paso.
Saturday evening participants are invited to the Button
home (4 miles from the Melody Ranch) for a backyard bar-
beque with salads and sides.
Reminder, if you wish to participate in the optional Friday
winery outing, email me this week. The van is booked and
there are limited seats. Maybe two seats are remaining.
On Friday, April 17, the Buttons will host a wine tour outing, so please email John at john@buttonhome.org if you
want to participate so that they can rent the van for designated
driver transport and make reservations at the wineries. The
van will leave Paso at 9 AM to visit 3-4 wineries, stop for
lunch and return to Paso Robles by about 4 PM. Each participant is responsible for lunch expense and share of the van
rental, which was about $20/person last year.
Saturday will include suggested routes to ride, including a
ride to the coast.
The lunch stop will return to King City’s Wildhorse Café.
Nevada
Nick Zarras attended the Harley-Davison LiveWire motorcycle demonstration rides in Las Vegas, NV. Look for a Quick
Look Road Test in STAReview Magazine 3405.
Nick on LiveWire
Meal stop for the Paso Robles IX ride
Nick Zarras and Gary Koslowski rode on the Las Vegas
Outlaws BMW Motorcycles of Las Vegas Pregame Competition team. They performed with 8 other riders riding 10 BMW
S 1000 RRs for the pregame show on May 4th, 2015. Kiss and
several other celebrities attended the Outlaw Arena Football
team game. 
North Georgia Classic
By Jim Park, Florida
If there is paradise here on earth it must be the mountains
of Northeast Georgia. Moreover the springtime offers the best
riding conditions in the area with little or no traffic, ice free
roads and grand scenery around every sweeping bend.
It had been a few years since the “Boss” (my wife Dianne)
and I had attended the MSTA North Georgia Classic based
out of Helen, Georgia. So we decided that this would be a
good year for an early ride north to our favorite area of the
country. Unfortunately as our departure time neared a nagging head cold would not go away for Dianne so she elected to
stay home. So I packed my bike and headed north out of our
driveway alone five days before the scheduled event.
Riding out of Florida is never a rider’s dream. The roads
are flat, straight and boring so the Interstate is the usual route
of choice. I departed early on Sunday morning which yielded
light traffic most of the way to the State line. I made my usual
stop at the Georgia Welcome Center on I-75. While there I
checked my radar app, and it was apparent that I would be encountering rain in about 30 miles. Although the sun was still
shining brightly, I donned my raingear and continued north on
the Interstate. Sure enough I hit rain, lots of rain!
I’ve always felt more comfortable riding in rain as opposed
to driving in it. I can see above most cars and I trust the bike
tires for better stopping in wet conditions over an automobile.
However, this day the conditions became extreme. While
lightning was not present, the rain and wind became worse
with every passing mile. People that ride with me know that
I ride in most all conditions, but the little voice in the back of
my head was telling me it would be best to take a break and
let the weather blow through. I stopped at one of those big
truck stop gas stations that offered everything from gas (of
course), groceries, CB radio equipment and a Dairy Queen. I
spent an hour consuming DQ health food and conversing with
a group of riders on tour from Argentina. I had passed the
group earlier that day on the right, so I suggested to them that
they may want to use the right lane for travel and the left lane
to actually pass other vehicles. Apparently in parts of South
America driver/riders have the same mindset as drivers in
parts of our country….go figure?
There was still a light rain when I pulled away from the
truck stop but the radar looked pretty good for the road ahead.
As I traveled north towards Macon, Georgia there were areas
where the highway signs had not only been blown down but
were twisted and several yards from their original location.
“Thank you” little voice in the back of my head! I had made
the right decision to pull off earlier.
I stopped for the night in Macon where I enjoyed “fine
dining” and a few beers at the Hooter’s restaurant across the
street from my hotel. I heard on the local news that evening
that there were reported tornados that had touch down south
of the Macon area.
The next morning brought fabulous weather and best of all
I was through with Interstate travel. I continued north along
country winding roads and rolling hills. My first stop was at
the Whistle Stop Café in Juliette, Georgia. The Whistle Stop
was made famous by the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. The
town itself consists of about five or six buildings that look
exactly like the scene from the movie except the street was
covered with dirt during the filming.
As I got closer to Helen the rolling hills became mountains
and the curves became tighter…life is good!
I arrived in Helen before lunch. My first stop was the event
host hotel where I did not have reservations until Thursday night.
The hotel host graciously added three more days to my reserva-
Whistle Stop Cafe
tions at the same group rate that we were given for our rally.
Along with perfect weather over the next several days, the
roads were also perfect! I rode the Richard Russell Highway
just a few miles outside of Helen, Wolf Pen Gap, the “Gauntlet” only to name a few. On Wednesday I spotted a BMW GS
pull into the hotel parking lot. As my eyes strained to make
out the profile of the rider against the backlight I heard a voice
say “Jim?” It was Tom Blake out of Melbourne, Florida.
The next day Tom and I had a big day riding. We started
the day with a hardy breakfast at the Batesville General Store.
After breakfast we headed east along Lake Rabun Road followed by War Woman Road out of Clayton, Georgia to Highway 28 to Highlands, North Carolina. After passing through
Highlands we did a brief stop at Bridal Veil Falls where you
Batesville garage
Bridal Veil
Falls
Saturday’s forecast was for rain. Even though we had
around 25 in attendance I think the Weatherman kept riders
away. The original prediction for Saturday was 100% chance
of rain from 9AM to 9PM, not good to say the least! However,
late Friday night they started backing off on the rain chances
but too late by that time to head out for those that elected to
stay home. In fact, we had heavy rain in the early morning
hours but by 10AM the rain had pretty much stopped and by
noon the roads were dry for the most part. I elected to ride
over to Dahlonega, Georgia to a really neat motorcycle dealership, Rider’s Hill. The store featured a large selection of bikes
and high quality riding gear. They encourage riders to hang
out with a well stocked snack bar, tables and rocking chairs
out front on the front porch to watch passing riders enroute to
Suches and other great area destinations. Several of the MSTA
folks filtered in throughout the morning and afternoon hours.
Saturday evening 14 of us had an impromptu dinner at the
Haufbrau House Restaurant just down the street from our
hotel. Though a bit pricey, the food was good and it was a very
enjoyable evening.
Saying my goodbyes to those awake at an early hour I
headed out Sunday morning for home.
If you have never ridden the mountains of Northeast
Georgia you owe it to yourself to make the trip and there’s
no better way than basing out of Helen at a MSTA event.
Attend the North Georgia Classic one year. You won’t be
disappointed. 
actually ride under the falls! The day’s ride also included
Wayah Road outside of Franklin, North Carolina with a lunch
stop at River’s End Restaurant which over hangs the river at the
Nantahala Outdoor Center, a popular whitewater rafting area.
That evening Don Moe (Florida), Ken Gill (Tennessee) and
others had arrived. Having a few days advantage knowing the
town, I introduced my fellow MSTA riders to my adopted outdoor pub in downtown Helen. We made our ride plans for the
next day over a few German beers.
Ken had never ridden the area so Don and I decided to
give him a personal tour. That day we rode Blood Mountain
(US129), the Richard Russell Highway and Wolf Pen Gap
with a stop and a shuttle ride to the top of Brasstown Bald, the
highest point in Georgia. It was fun day for all.
Safety strategies
Mythbusting Brakes
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Ultimately, the
safety of motorcycle riders and their passengers is their own responsibility. Nothing presented in the column supersedes,
negates or relieves a motorcyclist and/or
passenger from assumption of personal
responsibility for their actions and safety.
Let’s talk brakes for a few minutes.
Yes, I know most MSTA members are
very experienced riders, but even our
group members have different perspectives on brakes and braking. It won’t
hurt to review just a couple of myths
about brakes and braking.
Myth #1 - “There is only one way to
handle your front brake.” In the MSF
Basic Rider Course, students are taught
to use all four fingers when employing
the front brake. Some riders interpret
this to mean they should forever after
employ that technique. The reality is
that basic students are taught that to
allow them maximum control over a
new physical skill set, and to get their
fingers off the throttle so they don’t
accidentally open it while trying to
squeeze the front brake. As you develop
your own techniques, and depending
on the type of bike, your front brake
lever manipulation will evolve. Different
bikes, because of the design of the braking system and force requirements, need
different amounts/techniques of lever
force application. You may end up using
four, three, two or even just one finger
on the front brake lever. I generally use
two fingers on my R1200GS and other
bikes, with the exception of my Hypermotard SP. The brakes on the Hyper
are so sensitive that I’ve evolved a one
finger technique for it. The one finger
(interestingly in my case, my middle finger works best) offers me finer feel and
control, plus plenty of stopping force application given the brakes’ sensitivity. It
also allows me to simultaneously manipulate both brake and throttle. This becomes extremely important when I trail
brake into corners (We talked about trail
braking in a previous issue). The bottom
line is that whatever works for you and
your bike(s), develop it and use it.
Myth #2 - “You should never use
your front brake on wet roads.” Ac16 | www.RideMSTA.com
Doug Westly | Safety Editor
cording to MSF, at least 70% of your
bike’s stopping capability (on average)
resides in your front brake(s). Not using
at least some of that capability seems
a little counterproductive, don’t you
think? Available braking force depends
on one key element: Traction. Different road surfaces and environmental
factors call for varying applications of
braking force. However, the physics
stays the same. You will (generally) stop
quicker using both brakes than just one.
The challenge is modulating the braking force to remain within the confines
of tire traction availability. Now for
the bad part. If the traction coefficient
is so low that ANY application of the
front brake will cause loss of traction,
then it’s a different ball game. Some
examples? You run off the pavement
into wet grass. Wet grass is like ice to
on-road motorcycle tires. Any loss of
traction tends to be immediate and nonrecoverable, ABS or not. Another one?
Grease or oil patches, same problem.
Another one (and one you may not think
about…)? How about the lane dividing
lines on the road? Some of these get
slick like ice when wet. Put your front
wheel on one while leaned over in a
corner, particularly if you are braking
at that moment, may just ruin your day.
Just another good reason to stay away
from the road center, particularly in corners. The key to using your front brake
on wet roads or in other slick ground
conditions is controlling the traction
environment.
In the photo below, notice the rider
is engaging the front brakes hard
enough on the wet pavement that he is
actually compressing the front forks to
their maximum travel. Photo courtesy
of motorcycle.com.
Myth #3 - “I don’t
need the ABS option. I can stop faster
without it.” OK,
technically a rider,
using a technique
called “threshold
braking”, can stop faster than the same
rider/bike combination just clamping
down on the brakes and letting the ABS
engage. Threshold braking involves
bringing both brakes to the point of
maximum braking force, just before
the tires lock up and start skidding. On
the other hand, ABS actually allows
the tires to lock up momentarily and
slide before the system allows them to
release and regain traction. On a good
pavement surface, you can theoretically stop faster using threshold braking than engaging ABS. HOWEVER,
this requires a number of things going
right. The rider has to be familiar with
threshold braking technique. He/she
needs to practice it. The traction environment has to favor threshold braking.
Perhaps most important, the situation
has to favor the rider’s reaction, and this
is also perhaps the least understood.
(Bona Fides: I used to teach this next
part at advanced government special
ops training schools) In an emergency,
life-or-death situation, our body reacts
differently. It is called the “fight or
flight” reaction, but what it really happens is that at this point, when you are
caught unawares, your body reacts by
immediately dumping loads of internal
chemicals into your system. Adrenaline,
dopamine, etc. all floods your system,
practically instantaneously. This chemical flood can cause you to mentally
freeze up, physical respond faster or
slower, or however your body and mind
handle these situations. Just as important, the chemical flood also tends to
make fine muscle motor control go
away. In terms of motorcycle riding, it
means our actions can get jerky, hamfisted, etc. In these situations, trying to
finely manipulate brake levers to induce
just the right amount of force needed to
achieve and hold the threshold braking
points on both brakes may be impossible (particularly if you haven’t pracmore safety on next page ➲
State director profile
Nicky Zarras | Managing Editor
This column is to honor the State Directors whose drive and personality improves the quality of life of their state MSTA members.
This month STAReview Magazine features Gregg Mitchell State Director of Michigan.
SRM: Tell me about your first bike? What motorcycle do you ride to
events now?
Gregg: The first bike that I rode was a Honda 50 Cub with the step
through frame. The first bike I owned was an Italian made 1964 Gilera 124 (also sold by Sears, badged as a Riverside 124). I was 15 at
the time. I now have seven or eight bikes, so I’m liable to show up at
an event on any one of them – or even have two in the trailer. Never
hurts to have a spare nearby.
SRM: How long were you a member before you became a State Director and what prompted you to volunteer for the position?
Gregg: I joined the club in 1995 and became the State Director in
1999, four years. The SD at the time, Doug Pippin, was moving to
North Carolina (lucky guy!), and asked me if I’d take over for him. I
became his new “best friend.”
SRM: What were your goals for your state once you became a State
Director?
Gregg: I really didn’t have any at the beginning. Doug Pippin (the
previous SD) had started doing a few things like monthly meetings
and an annual ride to North Carolina, so I was just continuing what
was already in place. Things just sort of grew from there. At the time
the Michigan membership was somewhere south of eighty members
and maybe twenty or thirty of us were “regulars.” The total club
membership was near its’ peak just over 2000 in the year 2000 –
2001. From there on in it has been in decline and my goal following
that was to find ways to reverse that trend, at least in Michigan. Our
squadron is close to 250 members now and the goal is to continue
our current rate of growth for as long as possible.
SRM: What does it take to be a State Director in respect to time and
effort?
Gregg: That really depends on a lot of factors, like the size of your
group and what your own personal goals are. My philosophy has
always been that result will reflect the effort. It takes some time to
manage a group as large as ours, but I have been doing the job a
very long time now and a lot of it has become second nature to me.
Bottom line, I probably spend anywhere from 8 to 16 hours a month
➲ safety from previous page
ticed all the time). Here’s the good part.
If you have ABS, it doesn’t mean you
can’t also practice and use threshold
braking. Threshold braking means you
take the braking force up to just before,
but not to the point where the tires lock
up. If you can do this, then the ABS
never activates. But…if you screw it up
messing about with things that can be directly tied to the SD position. To some that may sound like a lot, but most people spend more
time than that in a month doing absolutely nothing – so it’s not an
overwhelming endeavor.
SRM: What do you find to be the best way the members can help
the State Director?
Gregg: Get involved, participate and volunteer when the occasion
permits it.
SRM: What is one of your best memories as a State Director?
Gregg: I’m still working on that. I have a lot of good memories, not
one in particular is a favorite. It’s still a work in progress.
SRM: What one recommendation can you make to MSTA members
who are thinking of becoming a State Director, Assistant Director or
Co-Director?
Gregg: The MSTA is one of the best motorcycle clubs around. If you
think you can make a difference and encourage others to be a part of
it, by all means – volunteer.
All of us at STAReview Magazine and MSTA would like to thank Michigan State Director, Gregg Mitchell and his fellow Michigan MSTA
member staff for all their efforts at making Michigan a great place to
be a member of the MSTA.
and use too much force, then the ABS
becomes your back-up solution. Or if
the traction environment is too low. Or
if you haven’t been practicing the technique. Or…well, you get the point. Yes,
you are probably a very good rider and
have excellent braking technique. Get
the ABS option anyway. Call it brake
insurance. Oh, and when you get a new
bike with ABS, go out, find a safe loca-
tion with a good traction environment
and actually practice engaging the ABS.
Otherwise, how will you know what it
feels like if you ever need it for real?
There are lots of other topics to discuss when we talk brakes and braking.
Maybe we need to do a Mythbusting
Brakes Part 2. In the meantime…
Ride Safe - Ride Smart!
NEW! At STAR: Ride Group Sign-up System
By Ann Redner, Vice President
Do you remember being a new member and wondering who
to ride with when you didn’t yet know anyone?
Perhaps now you know members, but would like to ride
with fresh faces who ride like you.
The key in both scenarios is “like-minded riders.” No one
enjoys a day in the saddle with others who ride too slow or too
fast, and to avoid this, we tend to either 1) ride alone or 2) ride
with the same faces time and again.
Recently, Gary Fourman (Indiana) approached me with
recollections of his and wife Jan’s “first experiences” in the
MSTA. Gary’s story was not unique, as we’ve heard from others that it’s challenging to meet members, break into what appear to be established “social circles” and get included in likeminded ride groups.
But Gary also came to me armed with potential solutions.
Together, we’ve devised a new “Ride Group Sign-up” system that we’ll be testing at STAR. It will enable members to
ride with like-minded riders without having to already know
the other riders. It is designed for:
• Members who don’t know who to ride with
• First time attendees and new members
• Long-term members who’d like to ride with fresh faces
The system is based on 4 pre-defined riding styles. Participants will choose the riding style that best matches their own
riding style and sign up to ride with others in that category.
Take a moment and think about how you’d describe your
riding style. Now, clearly describe your riding style without
using words like “fast,” “brisk,” “10-20 over the speed limit,”
“slow” or the word, “Leader.” Not an easy task, but for legal
and liability reasons, this was our challenge – and I think
we’ve done it
Here’s a sneak peek at the 4 ride-group categories. Which
group do you fit into?
SPIRITED – We love twisties! We take short gas breaks,
don’t stop to sight-see and often ride 300+ miles of curvy
roads in a day. We’re all about the ride, so don’t hold us up!
MODERATE – We are smooth riders with a good line
through the curves and sweepers. We enjoy the ride plus the
destination. We might stop to see something along the way
and are typically happy riding 150-300 miles in a day.
LEISURELY – We are mellow! We take our time and
enjoy the scenery. We’ll stop to check something out and
might even pick up a souvenir. We often ride 200 miles or
less, but we see a lot along the way!
OFF-ROAD – We get off the pavement! Gravel, trails,
and even water crossings make us grin. We typically ride on
pavement to get to our route, but from there, it’s non-tarmac
nirvana on our dual-purpose bikes.
We’ll explain more details at STAR, so keep your eyes and
ears open.
Whether you’re a new member, first-time attendee or longterm member, check out our new Ride Group Sign-up system
and ride with fresh faces who ride like you! 
Making the Weather Work For You
Rather Than the Other Way Around
By Norm Kern
Most of my motorcycling life has involved travel and distance riding in all seasons and weather conditions. While it’s
great to have a bike with a windshield, fairing and a variety
of high quality gear to deal with varying weather, I’ve always
looked for ways to improve my comfort and enjoyment by riding in better weather conditions more of the time.
Most of you already know what combinations of gear and
bike setup work best for different weather conditions. The trick
is finding weather information with complete data and knowing
how to apply it.
The best web site I’ve found is Weather Underground at
http://wunderground.com. Go to their home page and enter
your desired location in the ‘Find Your Hyper Local Weather’
search box and hit <enter>. A quick summary for the location
will be shown to the right. Click the ‘Full Forecast’ button.
The Full Forecast page shows lots of info including a radar
map, but the most useful feature is the ‘10-Day Weather Forecast’ panel. Since this is probably your first time on this site,
you’ll probably need to customize the panel to show the items
we are most interested in.
Click the word ‘Customize’ in the upper right corner of the
panel, and select Dew Point, Temperature, Cloud Cover, Chance
of Precip, Hourly Liquid Precip, and Wind Speed. Also make
sure you select the Graph tab on the upper left of the panel.
You are now looking
at a 10 day forecast with
all the important data in
a convenient chart. From
top to bottom, you will
see for each day the high
& low temperature, and
a Daily Weather Icon.
Graphs: temperature
(red) dew point (green),
cloud cover % (gray),
chance of precipitation %
(blue), chance of snow %
(purple), hourly liquid precip. in. (green), and wind Click on a Daily Weather Icon
speed/direction.
Expanded one-day graph.
Customize the 10-Day Weather Forecast Display Panel
The 10-Day Weather Forecast Display Panel
Click on the Daily Weather Icon for any day to expand that
day to fill the panel. The chart now has everything you need
to know for that day in your selected location, on an hour-byhour basis.
Not everyone is familiar with Dew Point, but it is one of
the most important comfort indicators to be found in weather
data. Dew point is measured using a wet-bulb thermometer.
more weather on 20 ➲
Dew Point Human Comfort Chart
➲ weather from 19
Like the cooling effect of evaporating perspiration on the
human body, the evaporation of the moisture around the wet
bulb cools the Dew Point thermometer to less than the ambient air temperature. Humid air limits evaporation, raising the
Dew Point, making it a good predictor of the effect of humidity on physical comfort.
Weather Underground
forecasts are extremely
helpful for planning your
riding in a particular area,
but I also use two other
tools, mostly for dodging
rain. First, the weather
radar app found in most
smart phones is a great
way to do a real-time
check on rain and other
storms that may be nearby.
Most of these radar apps
have a feature that plays
the radar pattern in a onehour animation mode so
you can see how patterns
are changing, especially
the direction and speed the
weather system is moving.
The second tool is an
old one I’ve always used to
see whether it’s raining just Typical smart phone Radar App.
up ahead on the road- the
Blue dot just below ‘Dayton’ is
windshield wipers of onthe current location. Colors indicoming vehicles. You may cate intensity of rain.
laugh at this, but if you’re
debating on whether to stop and put on your raingear or keep
going, windshield wipers can help you make a better decision.
All these tools are pretty good for a particular location, but
they fall quite short for travel days, where you are covering
hundreds of miles and winding up far from where you started.
What if there was a tool that would tell you what the weather
was going to be throughout the day, along your route?
The weather Underground WunderMap Trip Planner does
exactly that. To reach this amazing tool, look above the small
Open the Layers Tab and select ‘Radar’ on the WunderMap
page.
radar map in the Full Forecast main page and click the word
‘WunderMap’.
After the WunderMap page loads, Click the Layers tab on
the right side and turn off all the layers except possibly the
Radar option.
Next, click the Trips
Tab. Enter your starting
and finishing city, the
departure date and starting time. You can add
additional cities to force
the route to more closely
follow your actual route.
Finally click the ‘Get
Directions & Weather’
button.
The map will update
to display a route with
weather icons and temperatures along the way.
When you click on one Open the Trips Tab and enter
of the icons, a detailed
locations, date and start time.
information panel shows
Then click on ‘Get Directions &
the weather conditions at Weather’ button.
the calculated time and
place on the route. In this example, it says ‘ShowersRain’, but
with an expected Precipitation Rate of 0.0 in/hr it is unlikely
more weather on 21 ➲
Detailed Forecast page. Click on ‘WunderMap’ above the small radar map to access the WunderMap and Trip Planner page.
member profile
Clay Gott
Route with weather icons along the way
➲ weather from 20
to be much of a problem. Notice the Dew Point is included,
which can be very handy on hot, humid days.
If conditions look good, you know what to expect all day
and can dress accordingly. OTOH, if conditions are not to
your liking, you can adjust your route, departure time, etc, to
see if you can improve on the conditions.
Last year coming
home from STAR, I was
in Goodland, KS, and
wanted to get to St Louis,
MO, the next day, which
was supposed to be hot
and humid. My question:
How early do I have to
leave to avoid temperatures over 85 degrees with
a dew point over 70. Using
the Trip Planner, I easily
found that if I left Goodland at 4AM, I would
arrive at St. Louis around
2:30 PM. I was also able
to find out wind velocity
and direction along the
route, always a factor in
Kansas.
This year at STAR in
Springdale, Arkansas,
there will be a seminar to
showcase these weather
Route weather icon detail panel.
tools. I will demonstrate
them and share other
strategies that have worked well for me over the years. I hope
to see you there! 
Hometown/State? I live in
Memphis, Tennessee.
What was your first motorcycle?
Mine was a 1975 Yamaha TX500 motorcycle with air-cooled parallel twin
engine.
Current motorcycle? My daily ride
is a 2003 Kawasaki ZRX1200R.
What is your all-time favorite
motorcycle? I have very fond memories of my 1999 Kawasaki
ZRX1100.
How long have you been riding? I’ve been riding motorcycles for
42 years.
When did you join the MSTA? I joined the club on April 25, 2009.
How did you hear about the MSTA? A local riding friend knew of
your rides through a director and asked me to attend the North Georgia
Classic. I had a great time at that event and have been a member since.
Who or what was your biggest influence in motorcycling?
My brother, Random, gave me a motorcycle while I was attended
university. His generous gift opened the door to a whole new world of
transportation for me.
What are your favorite places to ride? Out west makes for good
riding. Arkansas and Georgia have some great motorcycle roads too.
Actually, one can find good motorcycle roads anywhere in the USA,
except Kansas.
Describe a memorable motorcycle adventure? Most of my long
distance riding is done with a fellow ZRX rider. Our 2012 road trip was
from Arkansas to Seattle, WA and back. A memorable moment from
that trip occurred as we were standing next to our bikes in Monument
Valley, Utah, admiring the sandstone buttes in the distance. A Chevrolet truck, doing about 60 mph, came within two feet of where we were
standing. Once our heart rates settled back down, we jumped on our
bikes and high tailed it out of that beautiful place.
What is the best motorcycle advice or tip learned through
the years? Your bike goes where you look. If you can keep your wits
about you and pick a path of travel, your bike will follow.
What turns you on about motorcycles or riding? What it does
to my mind. Something special is going on inside my mind, while I am
riding. Whatever it is has a short half-life and demands to be replenished, often.
What do you get out of your MSTA membership? Experiencing new friends and new roads, hanging out with people of like mind.
Knowing that I can throw the Blue Book in my tank bag and find help
along the way (if I ever need help) is a nice membership plus.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of motorcycling? I enjoy photography and working on all kinds of machinery.
You meet the nicest people reading
STAReview magazine…
Lisa Song Sutton
Miss Nevada
United States 2014
Road Test
2015 Triumph Tiger 800 XCx
By Nick Zarras, Managing Editor
I rode the Triumph Tiger 800 during
my 2011 STAReview Magazine issue
3004 road test in Angeles National Forest, California. The climb up the Glendora Mountain Road to the multitude
of connecting upward then downward
curving roads is a motorcyclists dream.
The Triumph Tiger 800 was our STAR
2011 raffle bike. I liked the rugged
overtones. I was very impressed with
the unique styling, comfort, ergonomics,
performance and handling.
Now it is 2015 and I had the chance
to test the new Triumph Tiger 800 XCx.
Jeremie Elliot brought his 2012 Triumph
Tiger 800 along for comparison. Jeremie
photographed the action sequences. The
new Tiger 800 XCx has a very rugged
style and comes in Caspian Blue, Crystal
White and Phantom Black. My test bike
came in a very handsome Phantom Black.
The new Tiger 800 XCx is an evolutionary upgrade. This model opens up a
whole new set of riding horizons. It has
three different riding modes: Road, OffRoad, and programmable Rider Mode.
The rider can configure the throttle
response map (MAP), Anti-lock Brake
System (ABS) and Triumph Traction
Control (TTC) to tailor your ride exmore road test on 24 ➲
➲ road test from 23
perience. With Triumph placing more
emphasis on more off-the-road capability, the adventure pack includes hand
guards, aluminum sump guard, center
stand, engine protection bars, and additional power socket.
The Tiger 800 XCx has upgraded
their front wheel to a 36-spoke 21 inch
wheel. The rear wheel is a 32-spoke 17
inch diameter. The frame is a stiff tubular trellis frame with new titanium powder coat for off-the-road excursions.
The Trip computer instrument display
is also upgraded and provides information from the digital speedometer, trip
computer (trip1&2, odometer), analog
tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel
gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, the three rider modes (Road,
Off-Road, and Rider configurable) and
the clock display. The left switch array
has the instrument scroll and heated
grip switches. The right switch array has
the cruise control adjust button, and the
cruise control on/off button. The top button left of the panel is the Mode switch.
The frost indicator turns on at 32 degrees
F. On the tachometer face is the low fuel
indicator, cruise control on light, alarm,
traction control off indicator, alarm, and
high temp coolant indicator.
Additional upgrades to the 2015 Tiger
800 XCx are the Coded key immobilizer, adjustable handlebar position and
rider seat height. There is a hazard light
switch on the instrument panel along
with self-cancelling indicators. The
clutch and brake levers are adjustable.
Other standard features include a radiator guard, handguards, center stand,
auxiliary 12V power socket, engine protection bars, aluminum sump guard, and
a tool kit.
The riding mode system allows adjustment of the MAP, ABS and the TTC
settings to varying road conditions and
rider preferences. The MODE button on
the upper left hand corner of the instrument panel can select these modes while
stopped or moving. The three selectable modes are ROAD, OFF-ROAD,
and RIDER. The ROAD mode provides
optimized throttle, ABS and TTC set-
ting (minimal rear wheel slip) for road
use. The Off-Road mode changes the
throttle map for an off-road environment. In Off-Road the ABS allows
increased front wheel, and rear wheel
slip. This mode is not intended for on
road riding.
Only the Rider mode is adjustable.
The rider can adjust the MAP, ABS, and
TTC settings. The MAP has four options Rain, Road, Sport, and OffRoad. The available power is the same
just how quick the power comes on vs.
throttle grip angle is changed. Sport
is the most aggressive, and Rain the
most conservative. In Rider mode if
Off-Road is selected the ABS will
allow increased front wheel slip, and
allow the rear wheel to lock up under
heavy braking. In Off mode the ABS
will not interact. In Road mode the
TTC allows both wheels minimal wheel
slip, increased rear wheel slip in OffRoad, and if the TTC is turned off it
will not interact.
Ride Report: The torque rich, in-linetriple engine promotes rider confidence
and safety. On the highway out to Lake
Mead National Recreation Area, the
Tiger 800 XCx was surefooted, and very
user friendly. The highway ergonom-
ics are very comfortable. The 33.1 seat
height did not feel too tall for my six
foot frame. A nice touch for 2015 is
Triumph’s new throttle-by-wire upgrade.
The cruise control maintains speed on
any incline and can adjust speed in one
mph speed increments. To activate the
cruise control the XCx’s speed must be
between 30 and 100 mph, the gearbox in
the 4th gear or higher, and the set/- adjust button pressed.
Tiger 800 XCx is a more refined platform than the 2012 model I had a dealer
test ride on. The six speed gearbox has
been upgraded with the Daytona selector mechanism for smoother shifts. The
engine is still the 800cc in-line three
cylinder engine configuration which
produces 94 hp and 58 ft-lbs of torque,
but the engine system has been refined
to yield a 17% increase in fuel economy
with a publicized 65 vs. 55 mpg highway mileage. With its 5 gallon tank, the
Tiger 800 XCx has a potential 272 mile
range on the highway.
The multiple throttle maps allow the
rider to custom tailor the XCx’s performance feel. The throttle response is
sharper and power delivery is smoother.
The new airbox, larger radiator, new
catalytic converter, and secondary air
system makes the bike run cooler. This
is especially necessary in the southwest
where pavement temperatures can exceed
125 degrees F. They also installed a new
alternator which develops 476 Watts.
On the road and light off-road areas
of Lake Mead National Recreational
Area the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx’s 21
inch wheel and WP suspension showed
a definitive upgrade in this platform’s
capability. The front suspension is a
WP 43mm upside down assembly with
rebound and compression damping and
220mm of travel. The rear WP suspension has a remote oil reservoir, mono
shock with hydraulically adjustable preload and rebound damping, and 215mm
of rear wheel travel. While the Tiger
800 XCx is not advertised as a serious
off-road motorcycle, I found it was very
capable. The recommended street tire
pressures are 36/42 psi, and 22/22 psi
for off-road. The only limitation for
more challenging off-road work is the
stock tires.
The Triumph Tiger 800 XCx’s front
brakes are upgraded to twin 308mm
floating discs, Nissin two-piston sliding
calipers with switchable ABS. The rear
brake is a single 255mm disc, Nissin
single piston sliding caliper with switchable ABS. I felt the braking was strong
and predictable with no adverse performance demonstrated.
The northern route of Lake Shore
Drive had been “prepped” for new
macadam. The subsurface was cut in a
diamond pattern making it a very rough
concrete highway surface. The Tiger 800
XCx’s suspension soaked up the bumps
much better than I would have expected,
while still providing excellent handling.
more road test on 26 ➲
➲ road test from 25
The base 487 pound weight made the
XCx feel light, and very easy to maneuver at slow speed on or off-road. It was
a warm day but the new radiator duct
work made engine heat unnoticeable.
There is a large assortment of accessories available to enhance the utility
of the Triumph Tiger 800 XCx. Let me
recommend for consideration the side
and top cases (soft, hard fiberglass and
aluminum models), fork protectors, upgraded seats, headlight protector, tank
bags, Arrow exhaust, and adjustable
screen mechanism.
The new Triumph Tiger 800 XCx is an
evolutionary leap in rider comfort, performance and capability for the Triumph
Tiger 800 series platform. The XCx’s ergonomics fit my six foot frame well from
handlebar distance to foot peg distance.
The Tiger XCx MSRP is $13,499. For all
the stock features it is a best buy.
I would like to thank Craig Knapp,
the Sales Manager, at Freedom Cycle
Triumph Las Vegas for the use of the
Triumph Tiger 800 XCx. They feature
MV-Agusta, Vespa, and Piaggio motorcycles for sale. They also rent Triumph
motorcycles and Vespa scooters. Craig
product review
Knapp’s contact information is: (phone:
702-430-3500, cellular: 702-901-2044,
web: freedomcycleslasvegas.com and
address: 5031 Wagon Trail Avenue, Las
Vegas, Nevada 89118 (South Decatur
Blvd and I-215).
Clear skies, clear roads....
AEROstich Tool Roll
One of the problems with carrying
tools is the standard tool kit, which if
you are fortunate to have one, is usually
inadequate for more extensive repairs
on the road. Enter the AEROstitch
Tool Roll (CAT#4670). It’s the classic
biker’s tool roll updated with a better
design of smarter pockets and pouches.
There are three very large pouches with
Velcro closures and twenty smaller
pockets of varying widths for different
size wrenches and screwdrivers. The
heavy-duty adjustable clip end retainers
close it up nicely into a small compact
unit. Now you can insert your factory
and specialized tools into this easy to
pack tool roll. This unit is 25.5’’x21.5”
unfolded and 11”x3.5” folded. It only
weighs 9 ounces empty. There are no
tools included with this tool roll. MSRP
is $45. There are
several other tool
rolls ranging in
price from $35 to
$85. The higher
priced units
come with tools.
Aero Design &
Mfg. Co., Duluth,
Minnesota, USA
(www.aerostich.com) has been producing top of
the line AEROstich products since 1982.
This year they have their VBR (Very
Boring Rally) on Aug 22-25, 2015.
Check them out. 
Touring Tip:
Spring Training For Riders
By James T. Parks
Spring has finally arrived and it’s
time to get back out on the road and
enjoy the visual feast that is America.
But, just like professional baseball players, you may need some spring training
before venturing out. Here are a few
things to consider before heading for
distant destinations.
1. Are You in the Right Physical
Condition to Ride? In terms of
physical conditioning, here are
some possible areas to focus on:
• Flexibility: Tightness in the lower
back and legs can increase the onset
of rider fatigue. Moderate, but regular, stretching, particularly in the
back and the leg’s hamstrings, can
pay big dividends on the road.
• Muscle Tone: Unlike car drivers,
motorcycle riders may not be riding
in a relaxed position with lower back
support. Also, the process of riding
a bike requires much more muscle
activity and coordination than simply turning a steering wheel. Big
biceps and triceps may be desirable
for guys strutting around the swimming pool, but core muscle strengthening is much more important for
riders. Core strengthening also helps
improve balance, which is of obvious importance to riders.
• Endurance: Aerobic activity helps
a person’s all-around endurance
and health. One of my favorites is
bicycle riding, because it increases
lung capacity, strengthens cardiovascular functions, burns calories,
strengthens leg muscles and, best of
all, it’s fun to do.
Riders can also maintain their flexibility, muscle tone and endurance, even while
they’re on a road trip. Flexibility and muscle toning do not require special equipment and can be done almost anywhere.
While having a bicycle on a road trip isn’t
feasible, touring riders can achieve many
of the same benefits by walking.
2. Is Your Bike in Shape to Ride?
Before the touring season begins,
riders should thoroughly inspect
their bike, making sure that: key
fasteners are at their specified
torque; brake and clutch fluid is
fresh; regular services have been
performed (oil and filter changes,
etc.); tires are not damaged, have
sufficient tread and are properly
inflated; chains and sprockets aren’t
worn out; brake pads don’t need
replacing; all controls are freshly
lubricated. A list of other things to
check are most likely contained in
the bike’s Owners Manual.
3. Is Your Riding Gear in Good
Order? Make sure your riding
jacket, pants, gloves, rain suit, and
other apparel are in good shape. Most
importantly, though, inspect your
helmet closely to make sure it doesn’t
need to be replaced because of damage or age. Here are some indicators
of helmet damage to look for:
Visible Damage: Obvious damage
like cracks, chips or severe sun fading
are clear causes for concern.
Concealed Damage: Signs of helmet
damage may be concealed on the inside.
Remove the inner fabric liner to see if
the polystyrene liner shows any signs of
compression or other damage.
If your helmet has been in an accident, dropped or you have some other
doubt about its functional integrity,
there’s no need to inspect it further—
just buy a new one! A helmet can always be replaced, but your brain can’t;
buying a new helmet is relatively cheap
insurance.
4. Do Your Riding Skills Need
Brushing Up? There’s no better
way to start the riding season than
with a little parking lot practice of
fundamental skills, such as: emergency stops, swerving, tight, slowspeed cornering, etc. This also may
alert you to any potential mechanical issues, before embarking on a
long day or week in the saddle. Riders should always strive to be more
accomplished this year than they
were last year.
5. Are You in the Proper Frame of
Mind to Ride? Last, but certainly
not least, it’s always important to
have a calm, positive mental attitude before riding. That means you
should have an undistracted focus
on riding competently and safely.
Motorcyclists should avoid riding
when they are in a high emotional
state or are otherwise distracted
from the task at hand.
Motorcycle touring is great fun,
but make sure you’re ready before venturing out.
James T. Parks, MSTA member since 2001
and photo-journalist at RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine since
2003. Reprinted courtesy of RoadRUNNER
Motorcycle Touring & Travel magazine
(www.roadrunner.travel). 
product review
6.5” x 3.75”. It can hold a small cell phone,
By Nick Zarras, Managing Editor
GPS or radar detector. It is water resisAEROstitch suits, jackets and pants are noted for havtant and can secure on your right or
ing plenty of pockets. My STEALTH full length suit
left arm. The sleeve pocket opening
that I reviewed in STAReview Magazine issue 3204
also closes with a zipper. It provides
has been a durable workhorse on a variety of motorthe same EZ or Highway Toll Pass
cycles. The extra pockets allowed me to carry photocapability. The plastic should allow
graphic gear, food, water and medical supplies when
most electronic screen manipulation. MSRP is $35.
I could not mount anything on the bike. But someThe AEROstich Left Leg Map Pocket
thing missing on most riding suits are transparcomes in two sizes. The Standard Left Leg
ent pockets. I wanted my park IDs, maps,
Map Pocket (CAT# 153) measures 8.5” x
agenda and GPS visible at all times. For
7.25” and holds two open folds of a typithat AEROstich has a lot of neat pockets
cal gas station map. The Narrow Left
with a clear top that mount to their existLeg Map Pocket (CAT# 143) measures
ing velcroed location on their suits. They
8.5” x 6” and holds about a side and a
can also be mounted to your suit with the
half. Narrow is preferred for small or
included adhesive backed Velcro. They
medium suits or pants. Both map pocket
are very reasonably priced. Let’s look at
openings seal with a Velcro closure. They
them now.
both come with adhesive Velcro to attach to
The Aero Left Sleeve Map Pocket
non-AEROstich jackets and pants. The map
(CAT#152) measures 6.5” x 4.5”. It attaches
pocket is desirable to look down at stops to
to the hook and loop on the left sleeve on
review your plan if you don’t have a GPS. It
Darien jackets and Roadcrafter Suits. For
is also great for a reminder of your agenda or
adhering to other suits just use the included
timetable. Since I had both for the test I put
Velcro that has adhesive on the back to
the standard pocket on the left leg on the existglue onto your suit. The map pocket opening Velcro. I then used the furnished Velcro
ing closes with a zipper. The map pocket
to attach the Narrow pocket onto the right leg.
size works well for small garage door openYou just have to decide which side you want the
ers, parking passes, EZ Pass or Highway
opening to be on. I chose to open with my left
Toll Pass. Just extend your arm and you are
hand. The included sticky back Velcro attached
through the booth. I rode through a local
easily and worked as advertised. MSRP is $27.
state park with my license and pass in clear
Aero Design & Mfg. Co., Duluth, Minnesota,
view and they just waved me on. The MSRP
USA (www.aerostich.com) has been producis $25.
ing top of the line AEROstich products since
The HS Sleeve Window Pocket (CAT#
1982. This year they have their VBR (Very
1332) is the same as the #152 yet different.
AEROstich Window Pockets:
Boring Rally) on Aug 22-25, 2015. Check
The basic design is the same, but the
Top: L-R CAT#1332 and CAT#152.
#1332 is smaller than the #152 measuring
Bottom: L-R CAT#143 and CAT#153 them out. 
Eighteen Years In The Making
By “BluRidgeRider” North Carolina
BluRidgeRider lives near Monroe, NC and refers to himself as
“Numa Sr.” and his son as “Numa Jr.” He posted this ride report on
the AdvRider.com Forum. It has been edited for publication.]
This ride report covers a three-day ride from Charlotte, NC
to Robbinsville, NC to ride Deal’s Gap and the Cherohala
Skyway with my son on his first overnight motorcycle trip.
Prologue
In the summer of 1994, I bought my first BMW motorcycle.
I had owned a wide variety of motorcycles before then, but
had been bitten by the sport touring bug and had to have a
BMW. Shortly after I took delivery of my new 1994 BMW
K75S in Mystic Red livery, I found out my wife was pregnant
with our third child. My son, Numa Jr., was born on June 4,
1995 and the photo below was taken when he was still a just
a baby. My wife was standing just out of the picture ready to
catch him if he fell, but he showed wonderful balance on the
motorcycle even as an infant.
Since that date I have been looking forward to the day when
I might get a chance to take a multi-day trip with my son. In
his younger years he didn’t express a whole lot of interest in
looking at various motorcycles, but he did enjoy hearing about
my adventures and looking at the pictures I took while touring
around the country by myself and with my brother. We didn’t
have any good places for off-road riding near where we lived
so we never seriously explored making a dirt bike purchase.
When he turned 16, he told me that he wanted to get his
motorcycle license as quickly as possible after getting his
regular driver’s license. I encouraged him to get some driving experience in a cage before taking the next step. When he
was doing well with the cage, he approached me again about
getting his motorcycle license. My brother was kind enough
to loan us his Yamaha XT225 and the lessons began. Numa
started out in a small grass/dirt field and worked on clutch
release, balance and shifting. When sufficient progress was
made, we headed for the Charles County Fairgrounds where
he had more space to practice shifting and riding at higher
speeds. The fairgrounds was a great location because it offered pavement, dirt, gravel, sand and grassy areas.
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Beginner’s Course came
next and then many rides on the back roads around Southern
Maryland. With his skills still progressing nicely, we headed
for the large paved parking lot of a minor league baseball stadium where he rode my Suzuki V-Strom 650 for the first time.
Next we returned to the back roads, but this time he was on
the V-Strom with me on the XT225. After his first taste on the
V-Strom, he was reluctant to trade back with me. He loves the
V-Strom and it is now his preferred mount.
A move to the Charlotte area for work last October has
limited our opportunities lately to ride together and even to
hang out. He’s still living back in Maryland working for the
summer and getting ready to start college at the University
of Maryland in a few weeks. We decided the time was right
to take our first tour, so I made arrangements with Dean at
Carolina Adventure Cycles to rent a Kawasaki Versys
650, made a reservation at Phillips Motel in Robbinsville
and blocked my calendar for three days of motorcycle riding.
Numa Jr. – now 18 years old – drove down from Maryland in
his cage on Thursday and we stopped by Carolina Adventure
Cycles that evening to pick up the Versys. The plan was for
me to ride the rented Versys and for Numa Jr. to pilot my VStrom 650.
Day One
Friday morning we loaded up the saddlebags on both bikes
and headed west. We took secondary roads including SC 11,
Rt 276 to Brevard, Rt 64 from Brevard down through Highlands and into Franklin and then Rt 28 from Franklin up to Rt
74 before heading southwest into Robbinsville. The weather
on Friday started out nice, but we experienced some heavy
rain in the middle of the day – along with some fog thrown
in for good measure – while up in the mountains on Rt 276
headed up to Brevard. It stayed overcast the rest of the way
into Robbinsville, but we didn’t get any more rain after we left
Franklin. The tarmac was dry and the traffic light on Rt. 28
after we left Franklin and Numa Jr. got to experience the joys
of riding in the twisties.
more eighteen on 30 ➲
Cullasaja Falls, just off of Rt 64 west of Brevard.
Great form!
Numa Jr. taking a break at roadside near Cullasaja Falls
➲ eighteen from 29
Day Two
Getting diagonal on Rt. 129 at Deal’s Gap
On Saturday, it was raining hard in Robbinsville in the
early morning, but cleared up by mid-morning and we were
able to ride Deal’s Gap over into Tennessee and back on dry
tarmac. While at a scenic overlook in Tennessee, Numa Jr.
struck up a conversation with a very attractive young lady
who was also on her first mountain ride. Erica had come
down from Richmond, VA with her father and they were riding Deal’s Gap and other roads in the area with friends who
joined them from Florida.
Numa Sr. and Jr. at a scenic overlook in Tennessee just after
Numa Jr’s first pass of Deal’s Gap on only his second day of
mountain riding. (Photo taken by Erica.)
Like father, like son.
A requisite stop by the Deal’s Gap Motorcycle Resort
gave us a chance to stretch our legs, check out the bikes and
purchase a t-shirt. Erica and her riding party also made a stop
by the Resort and the conversation with Numa Jr. continued.
Her party was also staying at Phillips Motel and they made
arrangements to hang out later that evening.
headed east up to Asheville. We jumped on Interstate 40/Rt
74 east and then headed southeast on Interstate 26/Route 74
down to Columbus where Route 74 breaks off and heads east
back to Charlotte.
We got lucky with the weather on the final day of our ride
and only experienced a little fog in the mountains shortly
after we left Robbinsville. The skies cleared progressively as
we rode east back to Charlotte and our rain suits remained in
their respective stuff sacks for the duration. Numa Jr. wanted
to ride through the city so I took him through Uptown Charlotte for the final miles of the ride.
Epilogue
The weather was still sunny and bright so we made the decision to ride along the Cherohala Skyway. As we headed west
on Route 143 towards the beginning of the Skyway, we got
into a right-hand, decreasing radius turn and Numa Jr. ran a
little wide on the exit and crossed the centerline. I pulled over
at the next opportunity so that we could talk it over. He was
following me too closely (for the twisty road conditions) and
it made it difficult for him to see far enough in front to accurately judge the appropriate entry speed. A gentle reminder for
him to allow a larger gap between us, focus on the road and to
“ride his own ride” got him back on track.
We continued on and shortly after we got on the Skyway
– while between areas suitable for pulling over – the skies
opened up and we got soaked. There was no sign of it slowing
down anytime soon and our clothes were thoroughly soaked,
so we headed back down into Robbinsville to get dry. Reba,
the owner of Phillips Motel, was kind enough to let us use the
hotel’s clothes dryer so we wouldn’t have to pack wet clothes
when it was time to head home. Her employee monitored the
dryer, folded our clothes for us and even brought them back
to our room. Great service from a family run, motorcycle
friendly motel!
When Numa Jr. left to hang out with Erica, I spent some
time talking with other riders who were staying at Phillips.
Erica and her party invited us to join them for dinner and the
conversation-filled evening was very enjoyable.
Monday morning we returned the Kawasaki Versys to
Carolina Adventure Cycles and then Numa Jr. started the long
drive back to Maryland in his cage. Even though our motorcycle trip was only three days, the ride was fantastic and I’m
hoping it’s just the first of many motorcycle trips we’ll take
together. As for Numa Jr., on this trip he experienced many
firsts – his first overnight motorcycle trip, first riding in the
mountains, first riding in the rain and fog, first time riding in
the city and first miles riding on an Interstate. He handled it
all with aplomb and I’m very proud of how he has worked to
develop his skills. He’s still got plenty to learn and experience
on two wheels, but he’s off to a great start!
And I experienced a first on this trip as well. Although I’ve
been riding for close to forty-eight years, this was my first overnight motorcycle trip with my son. I’m so proud of how he handled himself in such a wide variety of riding conditions. It was
eighteen years in the making, but worth every second of the wait.
A special thanks to my brother for loaning us his XT225 so
that Numa Jr. could learn the basics and begin getting in some
dirt and street miles before graduating to something bigger. I
would also like to extend thanks to Dean and Jeff at Carolina
Adventure Cycles for providing us with the Kawasaki Versys
and some route tips. The Versys performed flawlessly and
was a close match for my V-Strom in the areas of power and
handling.
As I sit here finishing this missive, I’m already starting to
think about where we should head on our next ride. [Ed.] 
Day Three
I had to be back
at work on Monday and Numa
Jr. had work on
Tuesday, so we
checked out early
Sunday morning and took a
more direct route
back to Charlotte.
Routes 143 and 28
out of Robbinsville got us back
to Rt 74 where we
more financials on 34 ➲
➲ financials from 33
SafeMoney
By Phil Florian, Nevada
After my 1991 Suzuki GSX1100G
was rear ended in November 2010, I was
looking for something new. I have always preferred the sporty end of the motorcycle spectrum so a sport touring bike
was in order. Having looked at bikes for
months and not pulling the trigger on
any of them I found a 2005 Yamaha FJR
with only 4200 miles on the odometer.
I called Destination Cycle in Kerrville,
TX and got a price quote just out of my
price range. I talked to the wife and she
bet me that I could convince the dealer
to sell me the bike for much less. I took
up the challenge and 3 weeks later I was
flying to San Antonio to pick up my
new bike. When I arrived at Destination
Cycle, the bike was fully gassed and
ready to ride. Very thorough and professional people at Destination Cycle.
The next morning I departed on a
1200 mile, low flying trip, home to
Nevada. The trip was all I-10 freeway.
The one challenge to my ride was the
40+ mph headwind I battled all the way
to Lordsburg, New Mexico. I was impressed how this bike ate up the miles
the first day. If the temperature had not
dropped into the 30’s I would have ridden all the way to Tucson.
Day Two’s ride would cover 500
miles to home. My day started with a
hefty tail wind and 38° temperature.
Shortly after leaving Lordsburg I passed
two Harley riders that looked like they
were freezing while riding at 65 mph. I
was nice and warm, cruising at 75 mph,
thanks to the heated grips and seat.
The day warmed up nicely. Riding thru
Phoenix was a nightmare as I expected
it would be. For anyone riding in Phoenix, take care, they have no respect for
riders.
Just outside of Wickenburg there were
warnings of road closure but luckily it
was cleared by the time I reached the accident scene or I would have had to reroute to Prescott. I made it home around
5:00 PM that afternoon. This is the most
comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I
had never been comfortable enough to
ride a gas tank’s worth of miles in one
sitting before I purchased this bike.
2005 Yamaha FJR
That’s a 6.6 gallon tank of riding. One
of those tanks went 270 miles between
fill ups.
As for upgrades, I haven’t added any,
which is because it was all farkled out
already. It has a heated Russell seat,
Givi tail trunk, heated grips, a dash for
the electronics, frame sliders, a back
off modulator, and a J&M audio system
which has since been removed. I do not
like being tethered to a bike. I much
prefer the mobility and fidelity that my
Bluetooth phone offers.
As far as living with this bike I
couldn’t be happier. It is everything I
was looking for; all day comfort, speed
when I need it, great handling and great
brakes. The only issue I have had with
this bike is a cold start problem. It acts
like the battery is dead and won’t turn
over if the temperature gets down to the
low 40’s. Living in Nevada makes this
a small issue. I would, without a doubt,
recommend the Yamaha FJR to anyone
who wants a sport touring bike and I
can’t wait to get a new one. Hopefully,
and with a little luck, I will be riding a
new 2014 model that I will win in the
upcoming raffle, in June. 
Quick Look Road Test:
2015 Yamaha FJR 1300 ES
By Nick Zarras Managing Editor
The Yamaha FJR1300 was Cycle
World’s best touring bike in 2002 and
2004. It accelerated Yamaha’s sporttouring emphasis. Two years ago I got
my first taste of the Yamaha FJR1300.
I gave it a quick ride review in STAReview Magazine 3204 in my Laughlin
River Run article. I was impressed with
the upgrades to the electronics and
power delivery profiles from prior generations. This month I had the opportunity to get another test ride on the FJR
1300 ES. Yamaha/STAR was in town
with their demo truck and I was able to
check out the latest and greatest. Since
a 2014 Yamaha FJR 1300 is our raffle
bike, I felt it only fitting to provide a
quick review to those sitting on the
fence deciding whether to buy a raffle
ticket or not. I bought my raffle tickets
months ago.
The 2015 FJR 1300 comes in two
models the 1300A and the 1300ES.
Both models provide leading-edge sport
touring bike technology and luxury
with excellent performance and long
distance comfort. Both have the same
aggressive styling features. The difference between the 1300A and the
1300ES is the 1300ES adds an electronically adjustable suspension. The
KYB electronically adjustable suspension provides Soft, Standard and Hard
settings and within those rates are +3
to -3 settings. It is settable while on the
road. The custom settings are available
when stopped. In the Sport mode the
FJR1300 handles extremely well for its
644 pound claimed weight. Even in the
most comfort mode highway handling is
excellent and smooth on rough patches.
You can set spring preload for single,
more quick look on 42 ➲
➲ quick look from 41
single w/bags, dual and dual w/bags. For the FJR1300A the
front forks have manual spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustments. The rear shock absorber has
manual adjustments for spring preload and rebound damping
force adjustments. The MSRP for the 1300A is $15,890 and
for the 1300ES is $16,890. For the $1000 difference I would
go for the ES model.
The 1300ES comes in a Liquid Graphite color. It is powered
by a 1298cc liquid-cooled inline 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16 valve
fuel injected engine, through a stacked, tri-axis five speed
gear box directing power via shaft drive to the rear wheel.
The advanced fuel injection along with the low-vibration
crankshaft and two gear-driven secondary counterbalancers
provided a very powerful but almost turbine smooth feel. That
all added to the luxury feel of the FJR1300. The FJR 1300 has
a Unified Braking System with ABS where the front brake
activates six of the eight front braking pistons; the rear brake
activates two rear pistons and two front pistons balancing antilock braking.
mappings. It has two modes, the T for touring and S for sport.
It is selected with the Mode switch on the right switch array
and is displayed at the top of the speedometer. This works
with the Yamaha Chip Controlled Throttle for a sporty or
more relaxed riding experience. The traction control (TC) is
standard and adjusts ignition timing, fuel injection flow and
throttle valve opening to maximize traction. This gives you
more stability on more varied road surfaces. The TC can be
turned off.
Instrument Panel
The FJR1300ES has select Drive-modes to select varying
The instrument panel is a powerhouse of information.
Using the menu select you can pick and choose what information is most important. The instrument display is an analog
tachometer on the left, then a center speedometer and MultiFunction display (MFD) on the right. The two buttons below
the MFD are for menu item select and reset. The information
available on the LCD speedometer and Multi-function instrument display are: odometer, two tripmeters, time trip, fuel
reserve trip meter, clock, fuel meter, coolant temperature,
transmission gear indicator, ambient
temperature, average and instantaneous
fuel consumption and a self-diagnosis
function. The menu and toggle switch
on the left handlebar switch array controls the menu selections.
Left Switch Array
able when selected to view on the left
upper portion of the Multi-function
LCD instrument display. I found the
range of travel worked very well for
my tall seating height. I experienced no
buffeting. Even at the highest setting
I could look over the screen. The airmanagement system kept me cooler with
great air flow through the central vent
beneath the instrument panel. The seat
comfort is a key factor on this model. It
exceeded the comfort on all other Yamaha models tested. The seat has a one
inch adjustability and the handlebars
can be adjusted to three different positions for maximum ergonomic benefit.
When the temperature gets cold you can
warm your hands on the heated grips.
They provided plenty of warmth and
heated up fast. The FJR1300 has two
H4 headlamps with daytime LED running lights. The headlights have knobs
to adjust their vertical aim point. For
the electronics the glove box has a 12v
outlet for your phone, GPS or heated
gear. With the smooth ride, great super
smooth engine performance and 36 mpg
fuel consumption you can comfortably
enjoy the full riding range the 6.6 gallon
fuel tank provides. Long distance travel
requires gear storage. The FJR1300 has
two lockable side quick-release luggage
cases. One nice touch is the gas tank
is steel so you can use a magnetic tank
bag. A full line of accessories are available. A few options the tourer may be
interested in are: touring windshield,
foot shields, handguards, touring trunk
with back rest pad, and performance
exhaust.
I found the Yamaha FJR1300 ES to
be a premium ride at a not so premium
price. It gives you excellent performance
and handling. It is slanted more to the
sport than touring side of the equation. It
feels equally comfortable pushing tight
turns or long endless rides. For the price
it is a bucket list test ride. If you disagree
just ask Norm Kern. He is a convert.
Good luck with the raffle.
Clear skies, clear roads....
Right Switch Array
The FJR1300ES left switch array selects the cruise control. I found it easy to
select and maintained speed, while allowing one mph increments up or down.
The electronics also extend to the
powered windscreen which is adjustGreat Riders. Great Roads. Join Us! | 43
STAReview Vol. 34 No. 4
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
POSTMASTER, SEND TO:
MSTA
P.O. Box 7697
La Verne, CA 91750
www.traxxion.com
COMFORT
(770) 592-3823
CONTROL
CONFIDENCE
Crossing Town or Crossing a Continent… All We Do Is Suspension!

Now

Transcription

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