British Columbia Interior A Veteran’s

TRAVEL New York and Vermont CUSTOM Tribute

M AY 201 8

TESTED
2018 Triumph
Tiger 800
A handful of
competent felines
for the road or the dirt

Baja
1000
Rim-crushing
rocks and
barbed wire
couldn’t stop
this team

MOTORCYCLEMOJO.COM

The Legendary $5.95™KdajbZ&,>hhjZ)

Crocker
America’s First Superbike PM 40761040 Display until May 31
2018
STAR VENTURE TC
/// FOR THOSE WHO JOURNEY FURTHER
POWERFUL 1,854 cc V-TWIN I STATE-OF-THE-ART INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM I SURE-PARK RIDER ASSIST SYSTEM
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 CONTENTS
May 2018
18
FEATURES
18 THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM
PRESS LAUNCH – TRIUMPH TIGER 800
Triumph’s third-generation Tiger 800
has over 200 upgrades, making this
the most competent feline in a
bloodline that spans more than
80 years.
24 BAJA FAVOURS
NO ONE
COMPETITION – BAJA 1000
Five strangers sharing one
bike during 37-hour relay race
can be problematic, but it also
builds a stronger team.
32 AMERICA’S FIRST SUPERBIKE
UNOBTAINIUM – CROCKER
So many what-ifs. But one thing is
for sure, Crocker pushed the
envelope and developed the most
powerful American two-wheeler
of its day.
56
32
DEPARTMENTS
6 CROSSROADS
by Glenn Roberts
40 UPSTATE FRAME OF MIND
TRAVEL – VERMONT AND NEW YORK 8 THREADS
A long-awaited ride in northern Motorcycle information
New York and Vermont states left and inspiration
this rider realizing he was in a
motorcyclist’s paradise. 12 LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
by Misti Hurst
48 A BRIDGE TOO FAR 14 LIFE’S AN ADVENTURE
TRAVEL – BRITISH COLUMBIA
by Clinton Smout
Planning a backroad ride might be
best left until after the spring runoff. 16 ESCAPE ROUTE
by Jenn Martin
56 FOR A JOB WELL DONE
CUSTOM – EXTRAORDINARY PAINT 62 MOJO GARAGE
 'HFDGHVRIVDFULÀFHGHVHUYHVD Upgrading Your Ride
one-off paint job to honour a special
veteran. 70 REMEMBER WHEN?
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 3
 MAY 2018 • VOLUME 17 ISSUE 4
Publisher Riptide Resources Inc.

Editor Glenn Roberts

Art Director Amy McCleverty

Associate Editor&RVWD0RX]RXULV
Copy Editor Deanna Dority

Business Manager Gwen Roberts

Advertising Sales Margo Bock

Contributing Writers
Keith Baric, Alan Cathcart, Jeff Davison, Misti Hurst, Jenn Martin,
&RVWD0RX]RXULV*OHQQ5REHUWV6KDQH6FRWW&OLQWRQ6PRXW
Contributing Photographers
Keith Baric, Jeff Davison, Misti Hurst, Kingdom Creative, Curtis Leblanc,
-HQQ0DUWLQ&RVWD0RX]RXULV6KDQH6FRWW

Online & Technical Gooder Marketing

Social Media(PLO\5REHUWV&RVWD0RX]RXULV

Printing7UDQVFRQWLQHQWDO/*0±&RURQHW
Circulation and Fulfillment KCK Global Limited
ON THE COVER: Distribution Disticor

2018 TRIUMPH TIGER 800

PRINT & DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
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assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to editing. Some ISSN 1913-7621
DUWLFOHVGRQRWQHFHVVDULO\UHÀHFWWKHLGHDVRUWKRXJKWVRI0RWRUF\FOH0RMR0DJD]LQH
ZULWHUVRUHPSOR\HHV7RPDLQWDLQWKHLQWHJULW\RIMotorcycle Mojo0DJD]LQHZHDVN
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VWDPSHGHQYHORSHPXVWDFFRPSDQ\VXEPLWWHGPDWHULDOVLIWREHUHWXUQHG7HFKDUWLFOHV
written purely as reference only, please contact your mechanic prior to performing any
PDLQWHQDQFHRQ\RXUELNH1RSDUWRIWKLVPDJD]LQHPD\EHUHSURGXFHGZLWKRXWZULWWHQ
permission. Copyright 2018.

4 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 THE WORLD’S
BEST TIRE BALANCE

Complete wheel assembly

balancing inner tube for motorcycles.
Our new inner tubes come Pre-loaded
with Counteract balancing beads!

DIY Kits New Sevice Packs Dealer Bags

Ready-Balance
Tubes Handy DIY kit for one bike Valve Cores & Caps Included 4 applications per bag
Counteract installed from factory Do all your own tire work Bulk pre-measured bags 1oz, 2oz & 3oz
First ever pre-balanced inner tube From Kit A-J Intended for shop use Valve Cores & Caps included
Just install & ride, no wheel
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 CROSSROADS
by Glenn Roberts
ADVERTISER DIRECTORY
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS.

17 ADMORE LIGHTING

46 ADMORE LIGHTING – PARK-N-MOVE

CHOMPIN’ AT THE BIT 17

38

30

64
ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST

ATLANTICADE

BMW DEALERS

BOBCAYGEON BIKEFEST

65 CAN-AM DEALER

5 COUNTERACT BALANCING BEADS

A
s you read this issue, you,
like thousands of others, will
be taking the covers off your
motorcycles in anticipation
lever operation is smooth and doesn’t 68 GP BIKES - TRIUMPH
ELQG3XOODVKDUGDV\RXFDQRQWKH
67 HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERS
front brake lever and stomp on the rear
EUDNHSHGDOWRFRQÀUPWKHLQWHJULW\RI 45 HELPING HAND INC.

of getting out on the road for
\RXUÀUVWULGHRIWKHVHDVRQ
But after ripping that cover
off your bike and unplugging your
battery from its charger – you did put
your battery on a maintenance charge
over the winter, right? – there are a few
the brakes’ hydraulic systems – you 47 HERBERT’S BOOTS AND WESTERN WEAR
GRQ·WZDQWWRÀQGRXW\RXKDYHDEUDNH 47 HONDA DEALERS
SUREOHPZKHQ\RX·UHRQWKHURDG
46 HUMBER COLLEGE
Quickly test your brakes before you MOTORCYCLE TRAINING
even leave your driveway, and check
46 INDIAN OF OAKVILLE AND BARRIE
them again once you are on the road
EHIRUH\RXJDLQWRRPXFKVSHHG 64 KAWASAKI DEALERS

more things to consider before hitting Keep in mind that the tires and 7 KLIM
WKHRSHQURDG,NQRZVRPHRIWKLV pavement will be cold – this is a com- 68 KTM DEALERS
is a no-brainer, but with May being bination that will not return optimum 55 LAKE AND VINE VACATION RENTAL
Motorcycle Awareness Month, it doesn’t traction, so be careful when braking
13 MACKESY SMYE LLP,
hurt to be reminded of some simple DQGFRUQHULQJ7KHUHZLOODOVREHVDQG BARRISTER & SOLICITORS
facts, whether you’ve been riding for and salt dust on the road – again, think
17 MARANELLO MOTO SPORT
most of your life or you’re getting your ODFNRIWUDFWLRQ
ELNHRXWDIWHU\RXUÀUVWZLQWHUVWRUDJH ,W·VDJRRGLGHDWRKHDGWRDQHPSW\ 45 MOTORCYCLE INNOVATIONS

Check over your bike from tire to parking lot to practise some swerving 61 MOTORCYCLE MOJO BOOKSTORE
WLUH6RPHRI\RXPD\KDYHGRQHWKLV DQGEUDNLQJPDQRHXYUHV0XVFOHPHP- 39 MOTORCYCLE MOJO CALENDAR
in the fall when you put your baby to ory is a real thing, and you haven’t had PHOTO CONTEST
bed for the season, but you should have WRDSSO\LWIRUDIHZPRQWKV 69 MOTORCYCLE TOUR GUIDE
DTXLFNORRNDJDLQ0LFHFRXOGKDYH Car drivers have had a winter of not ATLANTIC CANADA
gotten into the nooks and crannies, seeing us, so be extra cautious on the 15 MOTORCYCLISTS CONFEDERATION
and they can do some serious damage URDGV2IFRXUVH\RXZLOOEHZHDULQJ OF CANADA
WRDLUÀOWHUVDQGZLULQJLQDGGLWLRQWR proper, protective riding gear, and it 45 QUINTE TT
PDNLQJQHVWV,RQFHIRXQGDQHVWZLWK wouldn’t hurt to wear bright colours so
13 RENEDIAN ADVENTURES
seven babies in the airbox of a trail bike \RXKDYHDEHWWHUFKDQFHRIEHLQJVHHQ
,KDGVWRUHGLQDJDUGHQVKHG$QRWKHU A lot of you will have travel plans 71 RIDE FOR DAD

WLPH,KDGWRUHSDLUDGR]HQFKHZHG LQSODFHIRUWKHVXPPHU.HHSLQPLQG 64 RIDERS PLUS INSURANCE

ZLUHVLQDZLULQJKDUQHVV we are always looking for your tales of 66 ROBINSON MOTORCYCLE
Be sure to carefully inspect the tire adventure, whether it’s a weekend get-
69 ROK STRAPS
sidewalls and the tire carcass between away or a longer trip, so keep a notepad
the tread for cracks when you are KDQG\DQGWDNHDGHFHQWFDPHUD0DQ\ 55 S100 TOTAL CYCLE CLEANER

FKHFNLQJWKHWLUHSUHVVXUH<RXUWLUH of our travel articles are from people 69 SARGENT CYCLE PRODUCTS
pressures are almost guaranteed to just like you, so if you feel like putting 66 SLINGSHOT
have changed over the winter – adjust a few words together and sending them 67 SMART
those according to the owner’s manual, WRPHDWJOHQQ#PRWRUF\FOHPRMRFRP
68 SUZUKI DEALERS
not by the pressure listed on the side- ,·GORYHWRUHDGDERXW\RXUDGYHQWXUHV
ZDOO'LJ\RXUÀQJHUQDLOLQWRWKHWUHDG DQGSRVVLEO\SXEOLVK\RXUVWRU\ 67 THE JAM POSTERS

if it’s hard, you’ll want to think about a 7KHVDPHJRHVIRULQWHUHVWLQJRU 72 TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES

QHZVHWRIWLUHV favourite eateries for our regular 15 TWISTED THROTTLE
2IFRXUVHHQVXUHDOOÁXLGVDUHDWWKH :KHUH·VWKH)RRG:7)VHFWLRQ-XVWD
65 WALRIDGE MOTORS
proper levels, and be sure to inspect IHZZRUGVDQGDSKRWRLVDOOLWWDNHV
the horn and check that all lights are Now go out and ride, and be safe out 2 YAMAHA CANADA

ZRUNLQJSURSHUO\0DNHVXUHWKHFOXWFK WKHUH 65 YAMAHA DEALERS

6 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

A L L- N E W L AT I T U D E
With each essential element refined, the ideal touring
companion is here. Mastering protection, ventilation,
and adjustability, the Latitude is your trusted
companion on your next odyssey.

# K L IML IF E K L I M .C O M
 MOTORCYCLE INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION
If you’re looking for the most

HEADLINES elaborately adorned, custom-

painted Indian motorcycle
money can buy – at least one

Indian that’s factory built – look no

further than the limited edition
2018 Chieftain Elite.

Chieftain The Chieftain Elite features

a 111-cubic-inch (1,811 cc)
Thunderstroke V-twin, remote

Elite locking hard saddlebags, a

200-watt sound system with a
seven-inch touchscreen, leather
rider and passenger seats, and
an electrically adjustable tinted
windscreen among many cus-
tom styling touches. But it also
gets pimped out in spectacular
fashion with a paint scheme
that’s called Black Hills Silver,
which takes almost 25 hours to
apply by hand. The Chieftain
Elite starts at $37,999.

Harley Teams with Alta Motors

Harley-Davidson has already committed
to producing electric motorcycles with its
Project Livewire, as we mentioned in the
April issue, and it has recently expanded
its interest in zero-emissions propulsion by
teaming up with electric bike maker Alta
Motors. Harley’s collaboration amounts to
an equity investment in the San Francisco-
based company, and will tap into Alta’s
expertise to help with the development and
production of future electric motorcycles.
Says H-D’s president and CEO, Matt
Levatich: “Earlier this year, as part of our
10-year strategy, we reiterated our commit-
ment to build the next generation of Harley-
Davidson riders, in part by aggressively
investing in electric-vehicle technology. Alta
has demonstrated innovation and expertise
in EV, and their objectives align closely with
ours.”
The Milwaukee motorcycle maker plans
WRODXQFKLWVÀUVWHOHFWULFELNHVRPHWLPHLQ
2019.

8 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

BY THE NUMBERS
77 Although 81 years have passed
VLQFHWKH¿UVWPRWRUF\FOHUDFHV
were held on the beaches of Daytona in
1937, a hiatus during the Second World
:DUPHDQVWKLV\HDUPDUNHGWKHWK
running of the Daytona 200.
400
The number of jobs to be created at the Harley-Davidson
plant in York, Pennsylvania, as the company moves
production of the Kansas City plant after its closure.
50
7KHQXPEHURI\HDUVWKDWWKH
Canadian Vintage Motorcycle
Group has been in existence.
7KHJURXSVWDUWHGZLWKPHPEHUVLQ
and over the years has grown to 33 sections
DFURVV&DQDGDZLWKPRUHWKDQPHPEHUVZKRVKDUHD
FRPPRQLQWHUHVWLQWKHSUHVHUYDWLRQRIROGPRWRUF\FOHV
40,000
The distance in kilometres that Expedition Electric riders JC Davis, Greg
Smith and Danell Lynn would aim to cover from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to
Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, on specially built electric motorcycles. The trio
attempted the ride in 2016 but stopped well short of their goal when they
experienced a mechanical failure in the Yukon. They expect to begin anew
sometime in 2019. You can follow their progress at expeditionelectric.com.
3
The maximum number of laps
that certain MotoGP race distances
will be shortened for 2018. The
changes will afect seven races,
and will be expanded to more
events in 2019. The changes are
designed to better accommodate
television broadcasting, as well as
fuel restrictions mandated in the
class. Moto2 and Moto3 classes
will see similar changes this year.
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 9
NEWS

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Spring signals the start of motorcycling season in Canada. That’s why May is
RIÀFLDOO\UHFRJQL]HGDV0RWRUF\FOH6DIHW\$ZDUHQHVV0RQWK
“Motorcycling is a passion,” explains Dave Millier, Motorcyclists Confederation of
&DQDGD0&&&KDLU´,W·VDVSRUWDKREE\DQHIÀFLHQWPHDQVRIWUDQVSRUWDWLRQDQG
an important economic industry in Canada. Our vision is for all motorcyclists to be
able to safely experience the sheer joy and sense of freedom that only motorcycling
can offer.”
Here in Canada we are fortunate to have beautiful scenery, great trails, and
fantastic travel destinations. The unfortunate fact is that motorcycle fatalities are
increasing, and it continues to be higher risk for vulnerable road users – including
motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians – to share the roads with cars and trucks.
“Motorcycle safety needs to be a greater priority across Canada and our road culture needs to change,” says Millier.
´$JURZLQJQXPEHURIGULYHUVKDYHDVHQVHRIHQWLWOHPHQWRQWKHURDGVDQGRSHUDWHZLWKD¶PHÀUVW·DWWLWXGH:HZDQWWR
remind drivers that safety and common courtesy on the roads is the responsibility of all road users.”
Motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Aprilia Founder Passes Helmets Reduce

Born on August 31, 1944, Ivano Beggio worked
in his father’s workshop as a child, building
handmade Aprilia bicycles. His knowledge
expanded over the years,
and in 1968, he took over
the family business. In
1975, Beggio began produc-
ing racing motorcycles for
his own race team, which
went on to win Italian
125 and 250 cc motocross
championships in 1977.
This followed, in 1980, with the production
of small displacement motorcycles and
scooters at the Aprilia factory.
He continued being involved in racing,
eventually supporting former world champion
Max Biaggi in his early years.
“Ivano Beggio was part of my life as an
athlete,” Biaggi says, “a sort of father in racing
to me. He gave me his trust and a competitive
bike when, after winning the European
championship, also on Aprilia, I was little
more than a boy.”
Beggio was involved with every aspect of
PRWRUF\FOHSURGXFWLRQEXWÀQDQFLDOGLIÀFXO-
ties forced him to sell Aprilia to Piaggio Group
in 2004. He passed away on March 13, after a
long illness.
Likelihood of
Spine Injury
Helmet use is mandatory in Canada,
but laws in several states south of
the border leave it up to the rider.
Some insist on riding lidless, and
one of their biggest arguments
against helmet use is that in a crash,
a helmet can actually break your
neck. Well, a study published in the
Journal of Neurosurgery suggests that
this argument has no merit.
7KHÀYH\HDUVWXG\H[DPLQHG The severity score of the overall
1,061 cases of motorcycle-crash injuries was also much lower on
victims treated at the Level 1 trauma helmeted riders (since they were
centre of the University of Wisconsin less likely to suffer head injuries),
Hospital (riders in Wisconsin don’t though there was no difference in
have to wear helmets), dividing the the severity score of cervical spine
patients into two groups – those who injuries between the two groups of
were wearing helmets during a crash riders.
and those who were not. The doctors conducting the
Cervical spine injury occurred in study, Paul S. Page, Zhikui Wei and
15.4 per cent of the non-helmeted Nathaniel P. Brooks, concluded
riders, versus 7.4 per cent for hel- that riders wearing helmets have
meted riders, while cervical spine a statistically lower chance of
fractures occurred in 10.8 per cent suffering cervical spine injuries
of patients without helmets, versus or fractures than riders without
4.6 per cent for those with helmets. helmets. So there.

10 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 Say What? editor@motorcyclemojo.com
GEAR CHANGE
I wanted to say thanks for your review of the “Saint:
Unbreakable Jeans” in the August issue. I read it earlier
this year when I was thinking of getting out of the storm-
trooper look of my endurance-type gear, thought they
sounded good and ordered a pair of Model 1 jeans from
VDLQWFFPDQDJLQJWRÀQGWKHPRQDJRRGVDOH
half off regular price and free shipping). It does take a bit
to get used to the knee armour, but it’s a nice combo of
comfy jean, casual look and what I’ve read is solid
protection. Looking forward to using them this riding
season. Now if only the snow would go away.
TREVOR MARC HUGHES VIA EMAIL

DOGGY TRAVELS
As my December 2017 issue of Mojo arrived on my desk, I
took special note of the Kuryakyn ad showing the pet
carrier. It’s about time someone came up with a safe way
to transport our beloved pets. I realize not all dogs are
meant to travel, but for those of us who have small furry
friends that enjoy a blast on a bike I was very impressed.
I will have to check this product out. Maybe Scotty will
have his own one day.
JAY CORBETT VIA EMAIL

ADVENTURE ISSUE
As a new subscriber I am impressed with the December
issue you gave me at the Vancouver show. The amazing
trips some people take are unreal. Although it is not in
the cards for everyone, it’s fun to read about. And thanks
for introducing me to Renedian Adventures in the booth
beside you. Thanks Glenn, and it was great meeting you.
ED STRUTH VIA EMAIL
ENTERTAINING STORIES
,DOZD\VÀQG&OLQWRQ>6PRXW@·VDUWLFOHV
entertaining. Sometimes they sound
familiar but that’s probably because I
have heard some of his stories at events
where he has spoken. Regardless, they
are always amusing and I sometimes
wonder how he remembers them all.
DENISE BLACK VIA EMAIL

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY? We love hearing your thoughts on an article, comments, suggestions or criticisms.
Comments selected for publication may be edited for grammar, readability and length. Send notes to editor@motorcyclemojo.com.

From Gwen Roberts

WTF
WHERE’S Parson’s Brewing Company
THE FOOD?
Your Picks

Got a favourite restaurant or

pub? Send us an email to
editor@motorcyclemojo.com
and tell us why.
Parsons Brewing Company in Prince Edward County
on Highway 49 is one of my favourite places to enjoy
food and drinks outdoors. With plenty of parking and
special events going on, it’s a happening spot. My
friend Nathan enjoys the Mousetrap Rye Pale Ale and
says the Crushable Pilsner is pretty damn good, too!
If you are in the area this summer, be sure to drop in.
You won’t be disappointed. Friendly staff, great food
and awesome beer. Parson’s Brewing Company is
located at 876 County Road 49, Picton, Ont.

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 11

 LIFE IN THE FAST LANE
by Misti Hurst
LEARN FROM
YOUR MISTAKES
W hen I first started riding,
my riding friends and
I did stupid things on
the street. We rode too
fast and took too many
risks. We thought it
was cool to have close calls or near
crashes, and sometimes we would
even brag about them. I once boasted
proudly about dragging a peg and
making sparks. A friend bragged about
feeling the front tire tuck and slide,
while somehow recovering from it. We
laughed and shrugged our shoulders
and didn’t give it further thought.
Sometimes we did crash, but usually
ZHZHUHÀQHDQGZDONHGDZD\WKRXJK
some of my friends did not.
As my riding career progressed,
I started to realize how detrimental
a crash or even a seemingly minor
mistake could be; it was as if my little
EXEEOHRILQYLQFLELOLW\KDGÀQDOO\
popped and suddenly I got it. Taking
courses and becoming a riding coach
with the California Superbike School
(CSS) certainly helped with that
realization. The more I improved
my riding, the more I realized how
little I’d initially known about riding
a motorcycle well. I learned and
improved by taking courses, and by
practising and studying, I became
good enough to teach. But a lot of
learning came from taking the time to
analyze any mistakes I did make.
The more I talk to riders around the
world, the more I realize that many
of them brush off riding mishaps or
close calls as things that just happen,
rarely giving it a second thought. They
don’t see the value of analyzing what
happened. However, you can’t really
improve your riding if you don’t truly
understand what you’re doing wrong.
12 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
I used to do it, too. I high-sided
several times while racing and had no
idea why it had happened. I knew that
the rear tire had slid out, but I didn’t
know why this had catapulted me over
the bars. I didn’t understand what I did
to contribute to the crash, so I didn’t
know how to stop it from happening
again. It wasn’t until I was taught to not
chop the throttle, but rather to hold it
steady or roll off slowly if the rear tire
slid that I truly understood. I was then
able to reduce the number of high-side
crashes, and my riding improved.
If you experience a riding mistake
and it results in a crash, or even a close
call, then you should look at it as an
opportunity to learn something new.
If you don’t take the time to look at
what happened, and why, then you’ve
missed a chance to learn, and you may
commit that mistake again.
While visiting an online riding
forum recently, I followed a thread
about a crash that someone had
recently experienced. The guy
explained that a car had suddenly
pulled out in front of him, and he
reacted by grabbing a handful of front
brake, and falling down well before
even coming close to hitting the car.
His main query was, why did his bike
go down so suddenly? He wanted to
know what he had done to cause the
bike to crash. Many people responding
on the thread were glad that he was
ÀQHEXWWKH\DOVRWKRXJKWKHZDV
thinking about it too much. “These
things just happen,” they wrote. “Just
be glad you are okay.”
Since these things don’t “just
happen,” I offered my thoughts about
what had happened, and also told him
that I thought it was great that he was
WDNLQJWKHWLPHDQGHIIRUWWRÀJXUHRXW
what he had done to contribute to the
crash. I suggested that perhaps he had
grabbed the front brake too suddenly
and with too much force, which locked
up the front tire and caused it to skid.
I also suggested that he likely tensed
up and gripped the handlebar tightly
while braking, adding unintentional
input into one side, which combined
with the skidding front tire to cause
him to crash. I walked him through
some of the things we teach about
emergency braking at CSS, and
suggested that once he recovered from
his injuries, he should go somewhere
safe, like a large, vacant parking lot,
and practise some of the techniques.
He was very thankful for the brief
education on emergency braking, and
also felt empowered now that he knew
exactly what he had done wrong. His
intentions are to practise some emer-
gency braking techniques so that he
doesn’t repeat the same error if he ever
encounters that situation again.
Sometimes we make mistakes. I’m
not saying that it isn’t going to happen,
but what I am saying is that those
ETECHPHOTO.COM
mistakes are lessons in disguise. Unless
you take the time to look at a mistake in
depth, and analyze what truly hap-
pened, then the opportunity to learn
from it might be lost forever.
 5 Years of Riding.
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weighted on animal encounters and game S. LEVITT, TAKEN ON THIS TOUR LAST YEAR
viewing. Now featuring two nights at the 5-star
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TWO NIGHTS AT THE 5-STAR VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL • GREAT TOUR FOR COUPLES • 99% PAVED (3400 KMS)
2018 JULY 14 - 28
JULY 31 - AUG 14
FULL
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Dates AUG 17 - 31 FULL

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for more details

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 13

 LIFE’S AN ADVENTURE
by Clinton Smout
IS YOUR BIKE
SAFE AND READY
FOR SPRING?
P oor mechanical condition
can be the cause of some
motorcycle mishaps. I know
you probably added stabilizer
to the fuel and put your
battery on a charger for the winter. If
you didn’t, you might be like thousands
of others right now, with your bike at
a shop for a new battery and a spring
tune-up. The good thing about that
is that the mechanic will most likely
inspect everything to ensure that your
bike is safe. Whether a pro looks at your
bike in the spring or you check it over
competently, you should do it more than
once a season. As the kilometres add up,
things can wear, loosen or even fall off
during the season. Since it’s not practical
to take your bike to a mechanic to have it
inspected weekly, you should know how
to check all the basics.
,·YHDVNHGSROLFHRIÀFHUVDQGPHFKDQ-
ics what kinds of mechanical issues
they have seen that have, or potentially
could have, contributed to a crash. After
a crash, the police often check the tires
for tread condition and air pressure.
0RVWRIWHQWKH\ÀQGWKDWWKHSUHVVXUHLV
WRRORZ6RPHWLPHVWKH\ÀQGFUDFNVLQ
the rubber close to the rim, caused by
age, since rubber hardens with time and
exposure to ultraviolet light. Even if your
tire treads look great, you should install
new tires if they are more than three
\HDUVROG7KLVLVRIWHQWKHÀUVWWKLQJ,
do after I buy a used bike. If your tires
are old and as hard as hockey pucks,
you’ll have less traction. Yes, they are
an additional expense, but you’re better
WRJHW\RXUZDOOHWRXWEHIRUH\RXÀQG
14 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
yourself sliding down the road on it.
Worn out or leaking suspension
components can be dangerous. Worn
suspension affects traction negatively,
and the bike can sag heavily, bottom out,
or weave and wallow through corners at
speed. Worn seals will allow suspension
oil to leak. This will cause poor damping,
but oil can also get onto the brake rotors.
While oily rotors won’t rust, they won’t
help you stop well, either.
Many mechanics I’ve spoken to have
seen bikes with brake pads worn to the
metal. Riders simply leave worn-out
brake pads on too long, and then wonder
what all the squealing is about. Not
only is this very costly, but it stupidly
increases braking distances. Brake
rotors can also wear too thin for optimal
braking with high mileage.
'27DQGEUDNHÁXLGW\SHVDEVRUE
moisture over time, and moisture in the
EUDNHÁXLGFDQERLOLIWKHEUDNHVJHWYHU\
hot, which introduces air into the lines.
The resulting reduction in brake feel is
gradual, and many riders don’t realize
the loss in braking power until it’s too
late. Have a professional look at your
brakes if the lever or pedal feels exces-
sively spongy. The system may just need
bleeding, or a complete rebuild. Age also
deteriorates rubber brake lines, allowing
them to swell under braking. This will
reduce the hydraulic pressure at the
caliper, which equates to poor braking.
Drive chains and sprockets take a
lot of abuse. Proper adjustment and
lubrication will extend their lifespan, but
it can also prevent incidents. Chains that
are too loose can come off while you ride,
and I’ve often seen drive chains jam up
at the front sprocket, which locks up the
rear wheel. Aside from possible crankcase
damage, it’s dangerous to lose traction
when the rear tire locks up unexpectedly.
Ideally, the chain should be lubricated
and adjusted when it’s warm after a ride.
Rotate the rear wheel and check for tight
spots on the chain, and sit on the bike to
compress the suspension when checking
the adjustment. Adjustment varies
between bikes, so check the owner’s
PDQXDORUÀQGWKHLQIRRQOLQH$FKDLQ
that’s too tight will wear out sprockets,
and it can also cause transmission issues.
In some cases, crashes have been
caused by damage from a previous crash.
If your bike even falls over at a stop, you
should have it checked over properly. A
bigger crash can cause frame damage,
steering could be out of whack or the
front end might be tweaked (the wheel
doesn’t point exactly where the handlebar
is pointed). Riding a bike with crash
damage can cause big handling issues,
PHOTO BY SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
especially at speed, and the highway isn’t
ZKHUH\RXZDQWWRÀQGRXWWKDW\RXKDYH
some hidden damage from a previous
fall. It’s probably not cool to suggest that
you swap bikes with your friend in that
case, either. Rather, get it checked out by a
professional. Mechanics might cost more
than doing it yourself, but either pay
them now or pay them more later.
Motorcycle safety is everyone’s responsibility.
2 0 1
A Y 8
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SAFETY

A
AWARENESS
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Take the 0RWRUF\FOH6DIHW\3OHGJH DWPRWRUF\FOLQJFD

The Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada is the motorcycling.ca

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#MotorcycleSafetyPledge
WKHSURPRWLRQRIPRWRUF\FOLQJLQWHUHVWV
Pursuing a better riding experience for all.

Distributed by TwistedThrottle.ca

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MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 15

 ESCAPE ROUTE
by Jenn Martin
SO, WHAT’S IN
YOUR BAG?
P ockets are truly amazing
creations. Are there ever
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16 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
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MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 17

PRESS LAUNCH 2018 TRIUMPH TIGER 800

Third Time’s
the
Charm
Triumph’s third-generation
Tiger 800 has over 200
upgrades, making this the
most competent feline in a
bloodline that spans more
than 80 years
Story by Costa Mouzouris
B y now you’ve noticed
that adventure bikes
are getting increasingly
popular. They attract new
riders wooed by the thrill of exploring
new, often-unpaved roads, and by
experienced riders stepping off sport
bikes and onto more comfortable,
more capable machines. BMW pretty
much invented the genre in the early
1980s with the R80 G/S; however,
many other bike makers followed
suit, producing their own variations of these do-all
PDFKLQHV<RXFDQÀQGWKHPZLWKHQJLQHVGLVSODF-
ing from 300 cc to almost 1,300 cc, and utilizing
HQJLQHFRQÀJXUDWLRQVIURPVLQJOHVWRLQOLQHIRXUV
The Triumph Tiger 800 falls just about in the
TRIUMPH HAS IMPROVED THE
PLGGOHRIWKHFDWHJRU\7ULXPSKÀUVWLQWURGXFHG
the Tiger name in the mid-1930s for a series of
RIDING POSITION, MOVING THE
bikes competing in the International Six Day
Trials. The modern Tiger that is powered by
HANDLEBAR REARWARD BY 10 MM
an inline-triple was introduced in 1993. The
current-generation Tiger, which is powered by
AND INSTALLING A SEAT WITH
an 800 cc liquid-cooled triple, was introduced in
2010, then refreshed in 2014; for 2018, it gets what
IMPROVED FOAM DENSITY FOR
Triumph calls a “major evolution,” with changes
to the engine, chassis and suspension, as well as
BETTER COMFORT
DELJLQÁX[RIQHZWHFKQRORJ\:HZHUHLQYLWHG
to Marrakesh, Morocco, to ride the rebooted Tiger
800 line, which includes the road-oriented XR,
starting at $13,500, and the off-road-ready XC, rear, which are respectively 40 and 45 mm more
which starts at $16,750. than the XR’s. This also bumps the two-position
adjustable seat height to 840-860 mm on the XC
Deciphering the Models from the XR’s 810-830 mm.
Visually, the biggest difference between the XR There are several spec levels to choose
and the XC is the choice of wheels: the former rolls from in both Tiger variations, each one with
on cast-aluminum wheels, with a 19-incher at the an increasing level of electronics and standard
front; while, due to its penchant for off-road explo- features – Canadian riders will be pleased that
ration, the XC rolls on aluminum-rimmed spoke heated grips are standard on most models, as are
wheels, with a 21-incher up front. Both bikes use ÀYHYROW86%SRUWVDQGYROWSRZHUVRFNHWVIRU
17-inch rear wheels. Suspension components heated clothing, which I had fortunately brought,
differ on the machines, with Showa providing since the forecast called for very un-Morocco-like
the suspension on the XR, and higher-spec WP sub-freezing temperatures and the possibility
units for the XC. Forks are inverted 43 mm units of some snow. Traction control and ABS are also
PHOTOS BY: KINGDOM CREATIVE

across the board, which are non-adjustable on
the low- to mid-level trim XRs, and adjustable
for compression and rebound damping on the
top-level XRT. The single shock is adjustable only
for preload, via a remote knob. The XC features
adjustable compression and rebound damping up
front, and rebound damping and preload in the
rear. To better cope with jumps, ruts and rocks, the
XC has 220 and 215 mm of wheel travel front and
standard. There’s even the XRX LRH (that’s a lot
of letters), which is a lowered version (“LRH”
standing for Low Ride Height) of the XR, featuring
a seat height of 760-780 mm.
A Tiger for the Road
We began the two-day launch on the road, aboard
D7LJHU;57ZKLFKFRPHVVWDQGDUGZLWKDÀYH
LQFKFRQÀJXUDEOH7)7FRORXUVFUHHQÀYHULGH

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 19

PRESS LAUNCH 2018 TRIUMPH TIGER 800

New silencer is 7ZRSRVLWLRQVHDW 0RUHWKDQ 5HSRVLWLRQHGKDQGOHEDUIRU

lighter and freer KHLJKWPPRQ XSJUDGHVWRWKH EHWWHUHUJRQRPLFVZKLOH
ÀRZLQJZLWKDQ WKH;5PRGHOV HQJLQHDQGFKDVVLV VLWWLQJDQGVWDQGLQJ
LPSURYHGH[KDXVW PPRQWKH;&PRGHOV
QRWH DQGDORZULGHKHLJKW
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PPVHDWKHLJKW

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3LUHOOL6FRUSLRQ5DOO\ KSDWUSP
WLUHVDUHDYDLODEOHIRU DQGIWOERIWRUTXH
WKH7LJHU;& DWUSP

20 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 )LYHSRVLWLRQ
windscreen is
DGMXVWDEOHRQWKHÀ\
6WDWHRIWKHDUW
HOHFWURQLFWHFKQRORJ\
LQFOXGHVDGMXVWDEOH
IXOOFRORXU7)7
LQVWUXPHQWFOXVWHU
/('OLJKWLQJEDFNOLW
switchgear with a
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QDYLJDWLRQ
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$7LJHUIRUHYHU\
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%UHPEREUDNHV
A full array of backlit switchgear buttons that
PDNHIRUHDV\LGHQWL¿FDWLRQZKLOHULGLQJDWQLJKW
However, it takes a lot of button pushes to change
the ride mode settings, and you need to stop the
ELNHWRFKDQJHWRWKHRIIURDGVHWWLQJV
modes, cruise control and a heated seat.
The Tiger’s 94-horsepower engine has
been retuned to produce a very broad
spread of torque. Although the engine
hits its peak torque of 58 ft-lb at just
a touch above 8,000 rpm, the torque
never dips below 50 ft-lb at anything
above 2,500 rpm. The biggest change
within the engine is in the gearbox,
ZKLFKQRZKDVDORZHUUDWLRÀUVWJHDU
that improves low-speed rideability,
HVSHFLDOO\EHQHÀFLDORQWKH;&ZKHQ
used to negotiate tighter off-road
sections or climbing steep hills.
7KH;57·VÀYHULGHPRGHVDUH5DLQ
Road, Sport, Off Road and Rider. Each
one has preset parameters for throttle
mapping, traction control and ABS
settings, except Rider mode, which is
FRQÀJXUDEOH7KHHQJLQHLVVPRRWKDQG
throttle response is excellent regardless
of which ride mode is selected. The
engine pulls in a linear manner up the
rev range, with its wide powerband,
giving it deceivingly smooth acceleration
that actually translates into a lot of speed
if you let the tachometer needle creep
toward the indicated 10,500 rpm redline.
Comfy Ergonomics
Triumph has improved the riding
position, moving the handlebar
rearward by 10 mm and installing a
seat with improved foam density for
better comfort. It proves comfy for the
day-long ride, especially when it was
emitting toasty heat. The handlebar is
high enough to easily accommodate
a six-foot-tall rider when standing on
the foot pegs while riding off-road.
The windscreen on mid- and top-trim
7LJHUVLVDGMXVWDEOHPDQXDOO\WRÀYH
positions, and it’s easily done with one
hand while riding. Newly added aero
GHÁHFWRUVFRPELQHZLWKWKHZLQGVFUHHQ
to offer excellent wind protection
for your chest and shoulders, while
producing minimal buffeting.
7KH7)7VFUHHQLVFRQÀJXUDEOHZLWK
many display options, and it displays
all the basics, as well as ride mode info,
temperature, time, gear position and
fuel consumption, among other things.
The display also changes with the ride
modes, though you can select and set
as default any of the available displays
regardless of which mode is selected.
On the road, the XR exhibits light,
neutral steering, and handles every-
thing from long sweepers to tight
switchbacks like a sport bike. You can
charge into turns modestly hard on the
brakes without experiencing excessive
QRVHGLYH,WVVXVSHQVLRQLVRQWKHÀUP
side of the adventure bike spectrum,
especially noticeable when we turned
onto a bumpy, broken stretch of asphalt
and it bumped me off the seat over
bigger bumps. Although the road was
fun, I was really looking forward to the
following day’s off-road ride. For this
we switched to the top-level XCA, which
was equipped with the newly approved,
and optional, Pirelli Scorpion Rally tires.
A Tiger for Off-Road
The day’s surface varied from pave-
ment to hardpack dirt to sand. Because
of the wet ground, the hardpack dirt
was slippery; the sand, which was
weighed down with water, offered
very good traction; and the pavement
varied between slick and grippy. The
aggressively treaded Pirellis give the
bike a ready-for-business appearance,
and they proved very capable over
the majority of different surfaces, only
revealing their limits on slippery wet
clay. Its softer suspension is better
suited for rough terrain, and the bike
can manage an impressively quick
pace, steering precisely and riding
over relatively big bumps without
bottoming. On the road, it gives up
little in the way of handling to the XR,
with slightly slower steering being the
biggest difference, and this likely due to
the knobby tires.
Riding over the different surfaces,
however, revealed my biggest gripe
with what is otherwise an excellent
machine: The ride-mode selection
process – it just requires too many
steps. You have to push one button on
the left-hand switch assembly to scroll
through the XCA’s six ride modes (it
also has an Off Road Pro mode that
switches off TC and ABS), use another
button to select the mode, and then
FRQÀUP\RXUVHOHFWLRQE\FORVLQJWKH
throttle and pulling in the clutch lever.
Also, the off-road modes can only be
selected while stopped, so if the terrain
changes constantly from pavement to
dirt and back again, you have to stop
every time you want to switch between
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 21
PRESS LAUNCH 2018 TRIUMPH TIGER 800

The adjustable suspension on the

XC and the newly approved, and
optional, Pirelli Scorpion Rally
tires make pretty quick work
RIPRVWRIIURDGVFHQDULRV

22 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 2018 TRIUMPH TIGER
800 XR AND XC

i
Upgraded Brembo two-piston calipers and
steel-braided brake lines offer a premium braking
LIST PRICE
FRQWURORQPLGDQGWRSOHYHO7LJHUV
XR – $13,500; XCA – $18,550
$¿YHSRVLWLRQZLQGVFUHHQZLWKDHURGHÀHFWRUV WARRANTY
NHHSVZLQGDWED\ 2 years, unlimited mileage
CONTACT
triumph-motorcycles.ca
ENGINE TYPE
Liquid-cooled inline-triple
DISPLACEMENT
road and off-road modes. On the other 800 cc
hand, all road modes can be selectable POWER
while riding. 94 hp (70 kW) at 9,500 rpm
TORQUE
Stop and Go 58 -lb (79 Nm) at 8,050 rpm
Although not a deal-breaker, this was BORE AND STROKE
74 x 61.9 mm
bothersome when I didn’t have time
COMPRESSION RATIO
to stop and switch modes, and got into 11.3:1
some steep, sandy climbs, which were FUEL DELIVERY
hindered when the traction control EFI with three throttle bodies
kicked in and killed my momentum. TRANSMISSION
You also have to remember to switch 6-speed
back to the off-road modes every time FINAL DRIVE TYPE
Chain
you shut the ignition, since the bike
FRONT SUSPENSION
defaults to road mode when it’s turned 43 mm inverted fork, non-adjustable
on again. (XR, XRX)
BMW circumvents this by allowing Adjustable rebound and compression
owners the option of installing a damping (XRT, XC)
dongle under the seat to activate the REAR SUSPENSION

ITS [XC] SOFTER more advanced off-road modes, and

retains them when the bike is turned
Single shock adjustable for rebound
damping and preload
WHEEL TRAVEL
SUSPENSION IS BETTER off. This way, an owner can’t take
legal action against the company by
Front: XR: 180 mm (7.1 in.)
XC: 220 mm (8.7 in.)

SUITED FOR ROUGH claiming the bike’s safety systems were

inadvertently deactivated – one must
Rear: XR: 170 mm (6.7 in.)
XC: 215 mm (8.5 in.)

TERRAIN, AND THE physically modify the electronics before

the ABS and TC settings can be turned
BRAKES
Front: Two 305 mm discs with
radial 2-piston calipers
off and retained.
BIKE CAN MANAGE AN The 2018 Tiger 800 has been
Rear: 255 mm disc with
single-piston caliper; ABS
improved in almost every way. About
IMPRESSIVELY QUICK the only area it could use a little help is
with the ride-mode selection, but as I
WHEELBASE
XR: 1,530 mm (60.2 in.)
XC: 1,545 mm (60.8 in.)
PACE, STEERING stated, this is not a deal-breaker. I can’t
see the need for the base XR model,
RAKE AND TRAIL
XR: 23.8 degrees/86 mm
PRECISELY AND RIDING which is priced a little less than BMW’s
new $14,550 F850GS, and Honda’s
XC: 23.4 degrees/93 mm
TIRES

OVER RELATIVELY BIG $15,099 Africa Twin (2017). It has very

few of the features I found appealing on
Front: 100/90-19 (XR); 90/90-21 (XC)
Rear: 150/70-17
WEIGHT (DRY)
BUMPS WITHOUT the mid- and top-trim models. Despite
this, with all of the models you can
199-208 kg (439-458 lb)
SEAT HEIGHT

BOTTOMING choose from, there’s certainly a Tiger

800 that will suit your adventure-bike
XR: 810-830 mm (31.9-32.7 in.)
XC: 840-860 mm (33.1-33.9 in.)
FUEL CAPACITY
needs.
19 L
FUEL ECONOMY (CLAIMED)
For additional photos of the 4.7 L/100 km
2018 Triumph Tiger 800 XR and
FUEL RANGE (ESTIMATED)
XC visit: motorcyclemojo.com
404 km

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 23

COMPETITION BAJA 1000

Baja Favours
Five strangers sharing one bike during
a 37-hour relay race can be
problematic, but it also builds a
stronger team

Story and Photos by Shane Scott

24 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 FA ST FA CT S

No One MORE THAN 1000

The 2017 Baja 1000 des
ert race actually
measures out at 1,134 mi
Ensenada to La Paz,
Baja California, Mexic
FINISHING IS A FEAT
The 2017 Baja 1000 had
les from

o.
IN ITSELF
405 starters:
300 cars/trucks/UTVs
and 105
motorcycles. Of these,
238 finished

“B
the race (59%), the hig
aja favours no one.” I remembered fellow Pikes Peak racer Carlin hest number of
Dunne’s words well as my Honda 450 bounced off the rev lim- finishers ever.
LWHURQDGXVW\PRXQWDLQURDGOHDGLQJRXWRI(QVHQDGD0\ÀUVW A WORLD-CLASS EVEN
T
section of the 2017 Score International Baja 1000 was to get our Entries for the 2017 eve
nt hailed from
team GoBajaRiding.com Honda CRF450X from the start, in downtown Ensenada, 46 U.S. states and 27 cou
ntries.
to my waiting teammate a couple of hours away in the mountain village of Ojos GOLDEN CELEBRATIO
N
Negros. Our race started at 12:45 a.m. on November 17. The racecourse out of The Baja 1000 was ori
ginally called the
WRZQZDVOLQHGZLWKORFDOVSDUW\LQJLWXS²ORXGPXVLFERQÀUHVFKHHULQJDQG Mexican 1000. It starte
d in 1967, making
ÁDVKLQJOLJKWV,W·VDSUHWW\FKDRWLFVFHQHIRUDGLUWELNHUDFLQJWKURXJKWKHQLJKW the 2017 race its 50th ann
Our team entry for this 50th Anniversary Baja 1000 was an effort of Bruce iversary.
J.N. Roberts and Malco
Anderson from Riverside, California, a six-time Score Baja Series Champion. The lm Smith,
both riding Husqvarnas,
rest of our team were Baja rookies: Tony Wilkinson, 45, from Kelowna, B.C.; Matt were the first
two motorcycle finishe
:HEHURXWRI'HODÀHOG:LVFRQVLQ6FRWW0F&XQHIURP5RFNSRUW7H[DV rs that year.
Marty Heitmann, 54, from South Okanagan, B.C.; and me, Shane Scott, 53, from
Moncton, N.B.

A Change of Plan
We were entered in the Pro 40 class because of Anderson’s record, but as a twist
of fate, he broke his leg in a pre-run crash. His riding talent would be missed.
$QGHUVRQLVDZHOONQRZQÀ[WXUHLQ%DMDDQGWKHRZQHURI*R%DMD5LGLQJFRPD
bike and buggy tour company. He knows the peninsula like the back of his hand.
And he soldiered on, broken leg and all, to manage our team along 1,134 miles to
WKHÀQLVK

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 25

COMPETITION BAJA 1000
Over the next 37 hours, our team
handed off the same bike to each other
18 times for two- to three-hour stints,
I LOOKED DOWN TO SOXVSLWVWRSVIRUJDVDLUÀOWHUV
headlights and tire changes, and we
SEE THE BACK RIM rode through 154 checkpoints and 20
speed-limit zones. Time penalties are
WRAPPED UP TO THE DGGHGRQWRDWHDP·VÀQLVKLQJWLPH
for being off course or for speeding
SPROCKET LQWRZQV2XUWHDPÀQLVKHGZLWKQR
penalties.
WITH RUSTY, THICK My second section started at race
mile 131 at 5 a.m. The crew quickly
MEXICAN BARBED fuelled up the bike and changed the air
ÀOWHUWKHUHZHUHDIHZELNHVWKDWKDG
WIRE DOUHDG\IDLOHGGXHWRDFORJJHGÀOWHU
The dust was brutal. I worked a speed
zone down the San Matias Highway
26 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
Author Shane Scott poses with one
of GoBajaRiding.com’s bikes and a
group of future Baja 1000 hopefuls.
for a few miles, then veered off-road
for the rest of the section. It was just a
gnarly stretch of endless tight and deep
whoops with a smattering of boulders
just looking for a front rim to crush.
Over the previous four days, our team
rode the entire course to familiarize
ourselves with the terrain and make
a plan for the race. I ran this section
20 per cent faster than in the pre-run,
and in the dark handed the bike to
Wilkinson, who then disappeared into
the night. So far, we were beating our
plan.
My third section was Baja at its best,
tearing through a beautiful wash valley
in the midday heat. I started to get some
desert riding skills down, skipping
 lanes side to side to rail outside turns,
ÁRDWLQJRYHUORRVHURFNEHGVVWD\LQJ
on top of the whoops, blasting through
silt beds, etc. The riders who grew up in
this terrain are truly impressive.

The Toughest Section Yet

My fourth section was just a world of
hurt, 58 miles to Loreto from 12:45 a.m.
to 3:15 a.m. Words of wisdom from the
team captain were “Just survive this.”
Lots of rocks and plenty of sand with
DKDSS\KHOSLQJRIVLOW6LOWLVOLNHÀQH
baking powder. The silt beds can be
bottomless, so the rule of thumb is, “just
pin it and never let off.” The crew had
mounted the big dual 8” Baja lights,
giving tremendous light. The downside
was that they are very heavy and it

Hopefully pit stops (top) and tire changes go without

any trouble when time is limited during a race.

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 27

COMPETITION
takes some muscle to navigate this slow,
technical terrain. My broken collarbone
was reminding me it was still not healed.
The 800-plus horsepower Trophy
Trucks were catching me at that point
DQGSDVVLQJ7KHÀUVWKLQWRIRQH
approaching was the black desert night
suddenly lit up like white noon with a
trillion lumens of LED. Next was the
unmistakable growl of the most pissed-
off-sounding race engine on the planet.
Team orders were “Never look back,
get off the course!” Seconds later, they
would rage by and leave me blinded
in a swirl of sand, only made worse by
my own light beams bouncing back off
the plume of dust. There was nothing to
do but stay still and wait for it to settle
enough to start moving. It was an eerie
kind of thrill.
The last mile of this section was
a steep rocky uphill that winds back
and forth up the mountainside. I was
too exhausted to stand up anymore
and I could barely feel my hands. But
,ÁRXQGHUHGWRWKHWRSDQGVRRQUROOHG
into our pits to hand the bike over to a
waiting McCune.
28 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
BAJA 1000
Sea Breeze
0\ÀIWKDQGÀQDOVHFWLRQDPLOH
KRXUULSDORQJWKH3DFLÀFFRDVWLQ
perfect weather was a race highlight.
,WZDVGHÀQLWHO\P\IDYRXULWHVHFWLRQ
of the race. I mostly enjoy fast and
ÁRZLQJKLJKVSHHGVWXIIWKDWFDOOVRQ
bravado more than talent. This section
delivered. The Honda was tapped out
often. Catching long, low air off some
of the hill crests was the game of choice.
Crowds of locals all along the race-
course were cheering racers, partying
and camping – a pretty cool scene.
Taking quick glances over at the killer
surf roll into the pristine beaches just
put this experience over the top. This
race is a huge deal in Baja California
and the estimated spectator numbers
along the racecourse are over 400,000.
I had keen eyes on a lookout for
cows and such wandering onto the
course, which is common in this section,
and has really messed up some racers
in past years. A few times I backed out
of the speed, not wanting to be the guy
ZKRFUDVKHGRXUWHDPRXWRIDÀQLVK
this close to the end. Around race mile
6FRWWDWWKH¿QLVK
The GoBajaRiding.com
WHDP¿QLVKHGWKHUDFHZLWKD
time of 37 hours, 24 minutes,
and no penalties.
1,100, I spied Wilkinson and pulled over
for a quick rider change. He roared off
to bring it home 1.5 hours later.
Showstopper Averted
The team piled into the trucks and
ERPEHGLWWRWKHÀQLVKOLQHLQGRZQWRZQ
La Paz. The mood in the bus was
noticeably lighter and the racing stories
ZHUHÁ\LQJ2XUWHDP·VUDFHKDGDOPRVW
come to an end on a couple of occasions.
,Q:LONLQVRQ·VÀUVWVHFWLRQKHKDGEHHQ
making great time coming into San
Felipe and had passed numerous bikes.
He then realized he had gotten a little
off course in the wide open dry lake
area. He could see the dust from the
racecourse about 250 yards to the north
and decided to bushwhack it over. As
Wilkinson explained: “I had gotten to 40
yards from the course and felt the back
 out of Loreto around race mile 850.
McCune referred to this section as the
“watermelons and cantaloupes tour.”
IT WAS JUST A GNARLY STRETCH OF ENDLESS TIGHT The racecourse follows a riverbed that
is entirely covered in huge, smooth
AND DEEP WHOOPS WITH A SMATTERING OF boulders packed tightly together.
Making it worse are 20-plus river
BOULDERS JUST LOOKING FOR A FRONT RIM TO CRUSH crossings where these boulders are
wet and slippery and can’t be seen.
Adding to the fun? It’s 4 a.m., pitch
tire lock up on me. I looked down to see black, foggy and cold. For a Baja rookie,
the back rim wrapped up to the sprocket it doesn’t get thicker than this. One of
with rusty, thick Mexican barbed wire. It
sent the fear of failure and helplessness
through my whole body.”
The smart Baja racer carries a
certain number of key tools in his or
her backpack, one being a quality
Leatherman multi-tool. Wilkinson
attacked the tangled mess, cutting,
hacking, pulling at the wire as piece by
piece was removed. Adding panic to the
procedure, he could hear all the bikes
that he had passed, and more, ripping
by him. Completely drenched in sweat,
but feeling a massive relief, Wilkinson
brought the Honda to life and rejoined
the race. We had lost some time, but he
had overcome a showstopper!
A second, more serious incident
occurred on McCune’s night section

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 29

COMPETITION BAJA 1000 Island BMW
Victoria, BC
Tel: (250) 474-2088

High Road Vancouver

Vancouver, BC
Tel: (604) 731-5505

High Road Langley

Langley, BC
Tel: (778) 366-1999

Bentley Motorrad
Kelowna, BC
Tel: (778) 755-5540

Argyll Motorrad
Edmonton, AB
Tel: (780) 435-6811

Blackfoot Motorrad
Calgary, AB
Tel: (403) 243-2636

European Motorrad
Saskatoon, SK
Tel: (306) 934-3717

Wildwood Motorsports
Winnipeg, MB
Tel: (204) 477-1701

BMW Motorrad Barrie

Barrie, ON
Tel: (705) 881-1420

Budds’ Motorrad
Oakville, ON
Tel: (905) 845-3577

BMW Toronto
Toronto, ON
Tel: (416) 623-4269
And then someone Maranello Motorrad

BMW Motorrad – Canadian Dealer Directory

brought out the tequila! Toronto, ON
Tel: (416) 238-7898

Endras Motorrad
Ajax, ON
the watermelons got to the Honda on Tel: (905) 619-5522
amount of time, but the team was
a river crossing and the Texan went buzzing. There were so many teams out Wolf BMW
down, submerged. Up quickly, McCune of the race at that point, and we were London, ON
Tel: (519) 951-9482
dragged the bike ashore. “My mind was still moving.
racing. I didn’t want to be the guy who When the bus pulled into the Finish Ottawa Motorrad
Ottawa, ON
caused the team to DNF.” He picked the Line area in La Paz, Wilkinson and
Tel: (613) 731-9071
front end up and drained water from the 407x were already there. We made
the internals. The electric start was no it! Historically, half the entries do not Moto Internationale
Montréal, QC
longer working, so the endless kicking ÀQLVKWKH%DMD2QWKLVGD\ZH Tel: (514) 483-6686
began, trying to clear the water out of ZHUHLQWKHEHWWHUKDOI+LJKÀYHVEDFN
Moto Vanier
the system. Hours passed, and things slapping and bear hugs all around. Québec, QC
were looking bleak for race bike 407x. The champagne was spraying, and Tel: (418) 527-6907
Back at the bus, we were informed the rightfully someone uncorked the Don
Estrie BMW
bike was no longer moving. Julio tequila bottle. Sherbrooke, QC
A week ago we were all strangers, and Tel: (819) 821-3595
407x Lives today brothers in arms celebrating our Carrier BMW
Because of the remote area, there was ÀUVW%DMDÀQLVK2XUWLPHRI Drummondville, QC
little for us to do but wait and hope. hours ranked us 148th place out of 405 Tel: (819) 395-2464
Then, oddly enough, a Lawrence Team entries, and sixth place in the Pro 40 class. Nadon BMW
support truck appeared out of nowhere. After the dust settled I heard some talk St-Eustache, QC
The crew pitched in until the soggy about next year’s race. That’s Baja. Tel: (450) 473-2381
Honda came to life. Everyone was Rallye Motoplex
out of the bus to greet McCune a few For additional photos of Dieppe, NB
Baja 1000 visit: Tel: (506) 383-1022
hours later when he rolled in wet and
H[KDXVWHG:HKDGORVWDVLJQLÀFDQW motorcyclemojo.com Avalon Motorrad
St John’s, NL
Tel: (709) 726-6500
30 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
 BMW Motorrad

EJTUJODUJWF
SFBS
BOE
DPNGPSUBCMF
ꠌ
PPSCPBSET
HJWF
UIJT
NBDIJOF

© 2018 BMW Motorrad Canada. BMW , the BMW Logo , all BMW model designations
and all other related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and/or
trademarks of BMW AG, used under licence.
The best roads are those that never want to end. Together with the new BMW K1600B,
the longer the road the better the memories. The 6-cylinder engine with exceptional power,
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XJOETIJFME
a unique character and gives you a memorable feeling of freedom.
Learn more at bmw-motorrad.ca.
 UNOBTAINIUM CROCKER
Alan Cathcart brings us the most lust-worthy bikes from around the world

America’s First
Superbike
So many what-ifs. But one thing is for
sure, Crocker pushed the envelope and
developed the most powerful American
two-wheeler of its day

32 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 FA ST FA CT S
SOLID GUARANTEE
Al Crocker was so confident
of his V-twin he offered a mo
ney-back guarantee
for any Crocker owner who
North America’s was “beaten” by a standard
Legend has it he never had
H-D or Indian.
to pay out.
legendary Crocker AHEAD OF HIS TIME
motorcycle was Crocker developed the Sco
otabout, a stylish scooter to
to the masses several years
bring transportation
untouchable by before Piaggio introduced
MADE TO ORDER
the Vespa.

Harley-Davidson Al built his motorcycles as

one-offs according to what
the customer
wanted. This customization
or Indian. included paint and engine
which ranged from 61 to 100
size,
cubic inches.
RATHER WRENCH THAN
RECORD
Wanting to build motorcycle
s and not do paperwork, Al
motorcycles’ serial number didn’t take the
s seriously. Because of this
, it isn’t clear how many
Crockers were built. Althoug
h there’s a general sentiment
of between 61 and 104,
experts agree the number
is likely around 75 complet
ed motorcycles..
CANADIAN CONNECTION
The Crocker name belongs
to Michael Schacht, a transpla
nted Canadian now
living in Los Angeles. The new
Crocker company produces
identical to the original par replica parts
ts, albeit with today’s technol
ogy and metallurgy.

Al Crocker was born outside of Chicago in originally spelled) Company in Springfield,

1882, and after graduating from Northwestern
University with an engineering degree, he
went to work just after the turn of the century
for the Thor Motorcycle Company based in
Aurora, Illinois. There, he achieved success
racing various high-performance Thor V-twin
models, in the course of which he formed
a friendship with his rivals George Hendee
and Carl Hedstrom, the founders of Indian.
By 1910, Al was working as a designer and
engineer at the Indian Motocycle (as it was
Massachusetts.
Crocker duly turned his attention to selling
the bikes he’d helped create, taking over the
Indian agency in Denver, Colorado, in 1913, then
PDQDJLQJ,QGLDQ·VEUDQFKRIÀFHLQ.DQVDV&LW\
Missouri. In 1928, he settled in Los Angeles after
having acquired the Indian dealership at 1346
Venice Boulevard, which in due course became
the Crocker factory. There, Al hired a talented
young engineer named Paul A. Bigsby, and
together the pair got involved with the sport

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 33

UNOBTAINIUM CROCKER

An original 1940 Big Tank Crocker. Only 38 Big Tank models were ever built. The cast aluminum
fuel tank held 13.2 litres of fuel compared with the 9.5 litre Small Tank model.

31 complete motorcycles between bikes running on alcohol, which would

November 1933 and 1936, of which 12
are believed to exist today.
7KLV6SHHGZD\VLQJOHZDVWKHÀUVW
complete Crocker motorcycle, and
proved superior to its American rival,
the Harley-Davidson CAC. It was, how-
ever, slightly down on power compared
with the imported British JAP-engined
dominate the sport for the next three
decades. The Speedway single was thus
abandoned, and Al Crocker – already
DJHG²PRYHGRQWRIXOÀODQRWKHU
ambition: constructing a class-leading
V-twin road bike that would be the
fastest thing on two wheels in America,
and maybe the world.

of cinder-track speedway racing. The

company began making frames from
1931 onwards to accept the 750 cc
Indian Scout V-twin engine, and an
overhead-valve conversion for the
Scout motor soon followed.
But after his V-twin speedway
UDFHU·VÀUVWVHDVRQRIFRPSHWLWLRQLQ
1932, Al recognized that a single-
cylinder engine made the most sense
for dirt-track racing. So, he developed
his own such motor, a 350 cc OHV
design around which he built a reputed

34 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018


AL CROCKER MOVED
ON TO FULFIL
ANOTHER AMBITION:
CONSTRUCTING A
CLASS-LEADING V-TWIN
ROAD BIKE THAT WOULD
BE THE FASTEST THING ON
TWO WHEELS IN AMERICA,
AND MAYBE THE WORLD
The Birth of a Legend
Al duly sold his Indian dealership in
1935 to none other than Floyd Clymer
(then fresh out of Leavenworth Prison
after doing time for mail fraud, who
would carve his own particular niche
in motorcycle history), then established
a 111-square-metre machine shop
with a self-contained foundry on Pico
Boulevard in L.A. and began work on
PDNLQJWKDWGUHDPDUHDOLW\7KHÀUVW
Crocker 61 cu. in. V-twin that appeared
in 1936 was a joint fruit of the talents
of Al and Bigsby, who together created
what was then the only American street
motorcycle with overhead valves –
although unbeknownst to them, the
2+9+DUOH\'DYLGVRQ.QXFNOHKHDG
was only a few months away from
following the Crocker into production.
Its 45-degree V-twin engine with
exposed rockers and valve springs (later
enclosed) established the platform for
all future Crockers, with the 61 cu. in.
unit bore and stroke measuring
82.5 x 92 mm.
These were shorter-stroke dimen-
sions than were then fashionable in the
U.S., with the OHV engine’s pushrods
sharing a common tube, as on the
earlier Speedway engines. This gave
viewers the illusion that it was an
overhead-cam design with bevel-gear
camdrive, whereas in fact it was
nothing of the kind. Instead, its most
advanced technical feature was the
use of deep hemispherical combustion
chambers with the valves inclined at 90
degrees, and domed pistons delivering
a 7.5:1 compression ratio, later raised to
8.5:1.
+RZHYHUDIWHUEXLOGLQJWKHÀUVW
such engines, Crocker discontinued the
hemi design, owing to cracked cylinder
heads and poor rocker lubrication,
opting for the simpler, less troublesome
arrangement of enclosed parallel valves
DQGDÁDWWHUFRPEXVWLRQFKDPEHUIRU
the remainder of production. This sac-
ULÀFHLPSURYHGEUHDWKLQJIRUGHSHQG-
ability and greater ease of manufacture,
as well as enhanced oil-tightness, and
PRUHÁH[LEOHSHUIRUPDQFHDWVORZHU
VSHHGVLQWUDIÀF
Performance Delivered
The original hemi engine had delivered
55 hp at 5,800 rpm, and was safe to
a then remarkable 6,700 rpm, which
allowed Bigsby to ride one of the
ÀUVWÀYHELNHVEXLOWRXWWRWKH
Muroc Dry Lake Speed Trials held in
the Mojave Desert near what is today
Edwards Air Force Base, where he
posted the fastest time of the day by
clocking an astounding 206 km/h on
a street-legal motorcycle. However,
Canadian Michael Schacht owns the
Crocker name and has produced
original-spec parts to replace or create
a brand new Crocker as a kit bike
as seen here.
although the parallel-valve models
weren’t as blindingly fast, Crocker
LQVLVWHGWKH\ZHUHVWLOOÁHHWHQRXJK
to post a 170 km/h top speed, a claim
YHULÀHGE\ÀYH&URFNHURZQHUVZKR
rode their bikes out to the Muroc Speed
Trials a year after Bigsby’s feat. They
removed the headlamps, and each
then clocked over 160 km/h on their
UHVSHFWLYHPRXQWVEHIRUHUHÀWWLQJWKH
lights and riding home to Los Angeles
with the timing slips in their pockets.
This was 16 to 20 km/h faster than
HLWKHUWKHÁDWKHDG,QGLDQ6FRXWRU
QHZ2+9+DUOH\.QXFNOHKHDGFRXOG
manage, and even with a milder 7:1
compression, the later Crockers ended
up making 48 hp. Compared with a
KS.QXFNOHKHDGPRWRURILGHQWLFDO
format, or the larger 32 hp 74 ci Harley
9/ÁDWKHDGHQJLQHWKDWSUHFHGHGWKDW
the Crockers delivered performance of a
different order.
But while U.S. motorcycle sales were
VWLOOÁRXQGHULQJLQWKHZDNHRIWKH
Depression – Indian built 5,028 bikes
in 1936, rising to 8,883 in 1939, which
was 500 more than Harley – a Crocker
cost $495 when, due to the economies
of scale and in spite of valve-train
problems in early engines that dictated
DUHGHVLJQKDOIZD\WKURXJKLWVÀUVW
year of production, a top-of-the-line
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 35
UNOBTAINIUM
(/+DUOH\ZLWKWKHQHZ.QXFNOHKHDG
engine sold for just $380 – and with a
four-speed transmission, at that, rather
than a Crocker’s three. So, in order
to maintain his motorcycles as a race
apart, Crocker responded with the
option of ever-larger displacements,
since the walls of his cylinders were
thick enough to tolerate a hefty over-
bore, and the bespoke nature of what
was always a hand-built motorcycle let
him offer engines in capacities up to
and even over 72 cu. in.
36 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
CROCKER
A exceptionally nice example of a 1937 Small Tank Crocker. Almost everything on the Crocker motorcycle
was fabricated or cast in-house. The exceptions being the magnetos, spark plugs, wheels and tires,
and the carburetor.
The Duesenberg of Motorcycles
The performance and allure of the
Crockers earned them the tag of the
“Duesenberg of motorcycles,” but
unlike his transatlantic counterpart
George Brough, the creator of the
so-called Rolls-Royce of motorcycles,
who relied on high-quality proprietary
components to assemble his Brough
Superiors, Al manufactured almost
everything himself in house, with only
items like the Edison-Splitdorf mag-
QHWRV&KDPSLRQVSDUNSOXJV.HOVH\
Hayes wheel rims and Firestone tires
being brought in. Al even started out
making his own carbs, before eventu-
ally obtaining supplies of a proprietary
LQFK/LQNHUWWRÀWWRKLVELNHV
7KHUHDVRQIRUWKLVVHOIVXIÀFLHQF\
was that, faced with the threat that the
Crocker represented to its investment
LQFUHDWLQJWKHQHZ.QXFNOHKHDG
Harley is reputed to have “persuaded”
several suppliers not to meet Crocker’s
orders. Among these, the Michigan-
based Edward G. Budd Wheel Co. and
.HOVH\+D\HV:KHHO&RZHUHHQWLFHG
not to sell their wire wheels to Crocker,
so that henceforth Crocker customers
were obliged to personally obtain their
own wheels and ship them to Crocker
for assembly onto their motorcycles! It’s
also understood that Harley-Davidson
acquired a Crocker motorcycle and
completely stripped it down in an
XQVXFFHVVIXODWWHPSWWRÀQGSDWHQW
infringements. Good try – but no cigar.
Built Strong
The Crocker 61 cu. in. V-twin engine
IHDWXUHGJHQHURXVO\ÀQQHGFDVWLURQ
cylinders deeply set into the substantial
aluminum dry-sump crankcases, and
two external oil pumps, one to feed
lubricant from the 2.84-litre oil tank
incorporated into the cast-aluminum
gas tank, the other to scavenge. All
bikes built had the same ultra-robust
constant-mesh three-speed gearbox
with a tall top-gear ratio – its pinions
housed in the massive cast-iron gear
housing were allegedly wider than
those of a contemporary tractor
transmission.
 CROCKER DISCONTINUED
THE HEMI DESIGN, OWING
TO CRACKED CYLINDER
HEADS AND POOR ROCKER
LUBRICATION
The Crocker employed a four-row
chain primary drive, and hand-shifted
via a gated rack mounted on the left of
WKHJDVWDQNPDWFKHGWRDÀYHSODWHRLO
bath clutch operated via a rocking pedal
on the left footboard. The heavy-duty
rigid frame was a then conventional
GLDPRQGSDWWHUQGHVLJQÀWWHGZLWKD
steel brace beneath the engine holding
the frame tubes in place, and girder
forks with either a single or dual spring.
As a key element in increasing perfor-
mance, Crocker held the weight of his
bike down to a genuine 240 kg dry, a
real 36 kg or so lighter than the equiva-
lent Harley, thanks to the liberal use of
aluminum components – including the
engine crankcases, fuel tank, generator
casing, primary chain cover, footboards,
instrument panel and taillight – cast in
his own on-site foundry.
Carrying 4.00 x 18 tires rather than
Harley’s ubiquitous 5.00 x 16 rubber,
the Crocker looked small and compact
next to its American rivals, and with a
short 1,473 mm wheelbase (1,524 mm
on the Big Tank model) that was several
centimetres shorter than that of the
equivalent Harley, was much more
in line with a British-style sporting
V-twin like the HRD-Vincent or Brough
Superior than a U.S. bike, albeit with
contemporary all-American bobber
styling. However, the brakes were the
usual pathetically small 178 mm single
leading-shoe drums of the day.
End of an Era
This didn’t stop the Arizona Highway
Patrol from allegedly purchasing a
ÁHHWRI&URFNHUVLQWRDXJPHQW
its other patrol bikes at a time when a
hopped-up Ford V8 coupe could outrun
any police Harley-Davidson or Indian
Author Alan Cathcart takes a spin on a ‘new’ Crocker. He says of the born-again Crocker, “The handling
felt very neutral, with no wobbles or front wheel shakes, as frequently happens with girder-forked bikes
asked to handle bumps at speed.”
Chief. However, this order from the
forces of law and order wasn’t enough
to forestall the demise of the Crocker
Motorcycle Company, and Al Crocker
ÀQDOO\SXOOHGWKHSOXJRQPRWRUF\FOH
production in 1941.
Because of his previous connections
with the marque, he’d hoped that
Indian might buy the manufacturing
rights to his V-twin motorcycle, and
had been negotiating with Indian
president E. Paul duPont about this. But
the advent of the Second World War
scuppered that – a pity for everyone,
except Harley-Davidson stockholders:
Imagine if Indian had based its post-
war revival on the Crocker! This meant
that Al’s last throw of the dice, a stylish
motor scooter called the Scootabout –
approximately 100 examples of which
were sold between 1939 and 1943, also
bit the dust. It’s a mark of Al’s clair-
voyance that he should have predicted
the demand for accessible personal
transportation six years before Piaggio
produced the Vespa.
Together with his son, Albert, Al
Crocker turned his business over to
manufacturing aviation parts for the
Douglas Aircraft Company in nearby
Santa Monica, before passing away at
his South Pasadena home in 1961, at
the age of 79. Paul Bigsby, however,
ZHQWRQWREHFRPHDNH\ÀJXUHLQWKH
evolution of electric guitars, creating
the so-called Bigsby vibrato arm, better
known as the tremolo or whammy bar,
still in use today, as well as the pedal
steel guitar. After founding Bigsby
Guitars (now owned by Gretsch), and
selling several of his bespoke guitar
designs to Gibson and other companies,
he passed away in 1968.
The Crocker story is the great might-
have-been of American motorcycling
– because the bike really was that good,
and during the late 1930s, it was by
some distance the class act of the U.S.
motorcycle industry. Yet, like a great
vintage wine that never made it to the
world’s cellar, it just withered on the
vine, and died.
In a 1948 interview, Al Crocker
explained why he’d ended production
of such a remarkable machine. “It was
WKHZDU:HKDGWKHODVWHLJKW\ÀYH
Crocker machines three-quarters
completed, but could not get the
government authorization for the
FULWLFDOPDWHULDOVWRÀQLVKWKHP:H
EURNHWKHPXSJRWVHYHQW\ÀYHGROODUV
for the junk, and an adjustment from
the government to make up for the
losses.”
For additional photos of the
Crocker visit:
motorcyclemojo.com
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 37
 Registered Participants can
WIN a 2018 Kawasaki Z650

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12th Anniversary / 12ieme anniversaire

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Submit your
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Your image could appear
in our 2019 calendar!
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MONDAY Y 2018 TUESDAY
WEDNESD
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February:
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es you just Blast
get the urge
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ruary. Pho
THURSD tzen Lake, to
AY Submitted
by Tom Wh
Coquitlam,
FRIDAY B.C.
ittle
SATURDA
1 Y
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Get Ready
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HOG DAY

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for your 18
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22
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(AB, ON,
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l^i]VWg^Z[YZhXg^ei^dc#>[ndjgh]di^hhZaZXiZY[dgdjg
2019 calendar you will receive a Mojo prize pack, and of
XdjghZVe]didXgZY^i#E]didhXVcWZeZdeaZ!eaVXZh!ZkZcih
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™>[ndjge]did^hX]dhZc[dgi]ZXdkZgh]dindjl^aa
receive $100 in addition to a Mojo prize pack.

™9ZVYa^cZ[dghjWb^hh^dc^h September 30, 2018

TRAVEL VERMONT AND NEW YORK

Upstate
Frame of Mind
A long-awaited ride in northern
New York and Vermont states
left this rider realizing he was in
a motorcyclist’s paradise

Story and Photos by Jeff Davison

D espite living 10 minutes from the U.S.

border, I had never explored northern
New York State, and only very little
of Vermont. It was high time. Leaving
Niagara, Ont., I was surprised at the beauty I had
been missing. Pretty little towns adorned Highway
104, which I followed all the way across the southern
shore of Lake Ontario, watching as it became neat
farmland and new vineyards. East of Watertown,
New York, was all beaver ponds and meadows (the
remnants of beaver ponds), and beyond Harrisville,
the increasing undulations and twisting roads began.
By Lake Placid, I was full out in the Adirondack
Mountains. The town itself was unassuming, but
the formidable ski jumps and the Olympic Training
Center were reminders of 1980, when the world
came to Lake Placid. Bicyclists tested their mettle on
the steep roadways, as did a group of young men in

40 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 FA S T FA C T S
OLYMPIC
F EV E R
Lake Placi
d, New York
to host the , secured th
third-ever e bid
Games to b O lympic Win
e held in th ter
e U.S., and
the distinct also has
Upper Cascade Lake ion to be o
locations w ne of only
near Lake Placid, three
orldwide to
host the ga
once rumoured to be twice – 1932 mes
and 1980.
bottomless because of its L A K E MO
NSTER
steep shoreline is actually Lake Cham
plain is ho
relatively shallow. (left) the lake’s re me to “Cham
sident mo p,”
Stowe, Vermont, is a Champlain n ster. Samu
is credited el de
picturesque little ski town. with being
European th e first
to spot the
(below) Reports of monster, in
its size var 1609.
Author Jeff Davison on y greatly, fr
metres lon om three
the Lake Champlain ferry g to an 1819
of a 60-met re p o rt
from New York to Vermont. re monster
with a hea
(lower left) like a seah d
orse.
GET YOUR
STROM FIX
Stromtroo
per.com is
a well-esta
forum for blished
V-Strom use
world to as rs around
the
k question
s, get answ
and join in ers
on conver
sations wit
like-minded h
enthusiasts
L OTS TO E .
X PL OR E
At 6.1 milli
on acres, th
e Adirond
are so big y acks
ou could fi
Yosemite, t Glacier,
Great Smo
ky Mounta
Yellowston ins,
e and Gran
d Canyon
National P
arks inside
of it.

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 41

TRAVEL VERMONT AND NEW YORK

Lattice type covered bridge, built 1875,
near Montgomery, Vermont.
an Ironman competition. The winding
road clung to the slopes beside Upper
Cascade Lake. The lake itself was once
rumoured to be bottomless – a belief
probably fostered by local guides trying
to drum up business. In fact, the lake is
surprisingly shallow.
A Different Kind of Riding
From here I followed Hwy 9N to the
western shore of Lake Champlain,
where I took the ferry from Essex across
to Charlotte, Vermont. On board, a
retired couple noticed me struggling to
WDNHDVHOÀHDQGDVNHGLI,·GOLNHKHOS
They wore bicycling gear and had
expensive mounts. They were returning
from a day of riding in New York.
“We love it on that side of the lake,” the
woman said. “The roads are so quiet and
the scenery is beautiful. Perfect, really.”
“How far did you ride today?” I
asked.
´7RGD\MXVWÀIW\PLOHVµVKHUHSOLHG
´8VXDOO\LW·VVHYHQW\EXWP\KXVEDQG·V
rear wheel is acting up.” I learned that

ELMORE
MOUNTAIN ROAD
Ottawa
East Franklin
Alburgh 78

Ontario
Vermont
118
2
LITTLE RIVER
STATE PARK 108

2
Charotte 100

BETHEL
3 Lake Placid MOUNTAIN ROAD
25
Brandon
Toronto Waterton
11 7
Lillington
Maple View Wallingford 140

St. Catharines 104 Ludlow

Rochester
104
New
Bufalo New York Hampshire
42 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
she had been an athletic coach at the
University of Vermont in Burlington
and now leads luxury bicycle tours in
places like Arizona and Oregon, and
even a wine tour in my own Niagara
Region.
Having chatted the entire 30-minute
trip, we bade one another farewell.
'XVNZDVIDOOLQJDQGZKHQ,FRXOGQ·W
TXLFNO\ÀQGDSODFHWRZLOGFDPS,
URGHWR6PXJJOHUV·1RWFK6WDWH3DUN
my planned starting point for tomor-
URZ·VULGH7KHFDPSJURXQGZDVIXOO
according to the park ranger, but I could
try Little River State Park not far away.
So I rode there, hopeful. At the gate,
I was met with a “No vacancy” sign,
but in the failing light I was not above
begging for a tiny square just about
anywhere. To my delight, a family had
just left their site a day early and their
spot was now available.
them up against trees near the trail for
WKHEHQHÀWRIRWKHUVWRFRPH
As I settled in for the night, I
GLVFRYHUHGWKDWVRPHKRZ,·GOHIWEHKLQG
several bungees for my lean-to setup,
and I discovered (too late) as well that
the batteries were dead in my headlamp.
I prayed for a dry night and no need for
light – I could buy these items tomorrow.
There were signs throughout the park
warning of an active bear in the camp-
ground, and once or twice in the night I
was certain I heard it. I was grateful to
realize it was a snoring neighbour, and
grateful, too, that his growling might
scare off the bear. Fortunately, I had not
forgotten my earplugs.
Some Local Advice
As a rider of a Suzuki V-Strom DL650,
,·PDPHPEHURIDQRQOLQHIRUXPFDOOHG
6WURPWURRSHUV,·PMXVWQHUG\HQRXJK
to love the name), and I had discovered
a thread by some riders native to
Vermont. They were planning a ride
that would not only cover much of the
state, but would include some gravel
roads, mostly in good condition. Even
though I could not join them, they were
JUDFLRXVHQRXJKWRVKDUHWKHLU*36ÀOHV
with me. So, in the morning, I set out at
the start of the route in the ski town of
Stowe. Elmore Mountain Road began as
hardpack gravel, but soon became loose
with some erosion. It was the perfect
level for me – just challenging enough
WRSUDFWLVHP\ÁHGJOLQJRIIURDG
skills; just easy enough to build my
FRQÀGHQFH(OPRUHOHGWR6WDJHFRDFK
Road, which led to Waltons Road, each
as rustic and nostalgic as they sound.
The route became a tar-and-chip

Abandoned
I learned this was
not the only site that
had been abandoned. THE ROUTE WAS
Indeed, an entire
farming community
remained abandoned
NECESSARILY SLOW WITH
within the park, com-
plete with stonewalls,
MANY SWITCHBACKS
cellar holes, a cemetery
and the remains of a
NEAR THE PASS
sawmill. Established in
1816, the community
thrived as the railroad
came through. But a
GLVDVWURXVÁRRGLQ
1934 forced residents
onto their roofs, and 50
people drowned. This
spurred the construction
of Waterbury Dam – an
appropriate name, I
thought, as some of the
now deserted commu-
nity was submerged.
There were also lots of
artifacts to be found
among the leaves, such
as glass bottles and
farming tools. And there
is a tradition among
hikers of arraying the
items along the tops of Elmore Mountain Road, part of the Stromtroopers’ northern route. The loose gravel was
cellar holes or propping FKDOOHQJLQJDQGFRQ¿GHQFHEXLOGLQJ

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 43

TRAVEL VERMONT AND NEW YORK
Smugglers’ Notch is reduced to a single lane
at one point between towering cliffs.
surface from Montgomery to East
Franklin (a mere kilometre from
the Quebec border) to Alburgh,
where it followed scenic Hwy 2 the
length of Grand Isle in the middle of
Lake Champlain. The mountainous
landscape of the morning gave way
WRWKHSDVWRUDOZLWKÀHOGVRIKD\DQG
FRUQDQGGDLU\FRZVEURZVLQJLQÁDW
meadows.
%DFNRQWKHODNH·VHDVWHUQVKRUHDW
Sand Bar State Park, I rode a serpentine
highway through Milton, Cambridge,
Johnson and Morristown before
DUULYLQJDJDLQDW6PXJJOHUV·1RWFK
State Park. This time I got a site and set
up camp before inquiring at the park
RIÀFHLIWKHUHZDVDQ\WKLQJLPSRUWDQW
to know before tackling the famous
6PXJJOHUV·1RWFKURDG
Best Burger Intel
The route is a narrow pass (truly a
“notch”) through the Green Mountains.
Lined with cliffs more than 300 metres
high, the road twists tightly to its apex,
where it is reduced to one lane. The
ranger explained that in earlier times,
it was a mere trail. In 1807, President
Thomas Jefferson had ceased all trade
with Great Britain and Canada, creating
real hardship for northern Vermonters,
as Montreal was much closer than other
U.S. markets. Locals began to smuggle
cattle and goods through the Notch.
Later, fugitive slaves used the Notch as
44 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
LINED WITH CLIFFS MORE THAN 300 METRES HIGH,
THE ROAD TWISTS TIGHTLY TO ITS APEX,
WHERE IT IS REDUCED TO ONE LANE
an escape route to Canada. And
during Prohibition, liquor was
smuggled over the improved
road built in 1922 – improved
but not perfected, as the road
still must be closed in winter.
“One more thing,” the
ranger added. “When you get
to Jeffersonville, turn right on
15 and stop at a little shack
called the Burger Barn. It
GRHVQ·WORRNOLNHPXFKEXW
people come from all over to go there.
They have 36 of the best specialty
EXUJHUV\RX·OOHYHUHDWµ
The route was necessarily slow with
many switchbacks near the pass, and
I stopped at the tightest to watch the
many motorcycles riding with me. As
I took a few photos, two young riders
stopped and introduced themselves.
Keating was a long-time rider, but this
ZDV:DOWHU·VÀUVWVHDVRQ+HZDVVR
excited I had taken his picture that he
asked me to email it to him. “Thank
you,” he said three times while shaking
my hand vigorously.
I did stop at the Burger Barn. And
the ranger was not wrong. As a bit
of a burger lover, I can say this place
is one of the best. In fact, I will say
unequivocally that there are many
´EHVWVµKHUH,WGLGQ·WWDNHPHORQJWR
conclude that northern New York and
9HUPRQWDUHDULGHU·VSDUDGLVH9HUPRQW
has the second-lowest population of
any U.S. state (only Wyoming is lower),
so roads are lightly travelled. Even on
a Sunday they were relatively quiet,
and while the bike-to-cage ratio was
not quite 1:1, it sure felt like it. By Lake
Placid, I had already stopped counting
the number of bikes, and their numbers
only increased in Vermont.
Taking a Day Off
,IWKHUDQJHU·VLQIRUPDWLRQKDGEHHQ
pleasingly helpful, the weather fore-
FDVWHU·VZDVGLVDSSRLQWLQJO\FRUUHFW,
woke up to the anticipated rain and was
glad to have opted for the luxury of a
wooden lean-to, really more like a cabin
with three walls. I could lie in my bivy
and just watch the rain – which I did,
,·OODGPLWIRUDJRRGSDUWRIWKHPRUQ-
LQJ,GLGQ·WUHOLVKDGD\RIH[SORULQJ
in a downpour, and it was pleasant to
have a day to do nothing. I made lunch
and hiked a little, but that was it. It was
good to just be Zen for a day.
The rain stopped just before dawn
the next morning, and I rode through
WKHUHPDLQLQJPLVWWRÀQGDSODFHQHDU
Montpelier where I could get a hot
breakfast. I loosely followed some more
RIWKH6WURPWURRSHUV·URXWHWKLVWLPH
south through tiny towns like Ricker
Mills and West Fairlee, along a wooded
route, rising and falling rapidly. At
Thetford Center, I turned west and,
nearing Sharon, passed a shrine to
the birthplace of Joseph Smith, the
original leader of the Mormons. Then
I headed up Bethel Mountain Road, a
paved but narrow, rough route between
Mount Lympus and Mount Rochester
to even higher elevations in the Green
Mountains National Forest. At Brandon,
I caught Hwy 7 to Rutland, where I
stopped for lunch before turning again
east toward Killington, a ski resort
town on scenic Hwy 100 south, through
mountains and past small lakes and
rushing streams.
With my ride nearing its end, I
was delighted to discover a crescendo
in Hwys 103 and 140 west between
Ludlow and Wallingford. Perfect
pavement and well-cambered tight
corners, up and down through the
National Forest. It was itself a recap of
all I had seen and experienced.
I breathed in deep the fresh moun-
tain air, glad to be alive and grateful for
the chance to experience this pristine
region. The magic of New York and
9HUPRQWPRVWGHÀQLWHO\KDGPHLQDQ
Upstate.
For additional photos of
Vermont and New York visit:
motorcyclemojo.com
 EARTHX LITHIUM IRON BATTERIES
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MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 45

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MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 47

TRAVEL BRITISH COLUMBIA

The Bridge
Too Far
Story and Photos by Keith Baric

Planning a back-road ride might be best left

until after the spring runoff

E mbarking on an adventure ride in early spring

in the interior of British Columbia is somewhat
of a gamble. Depending on the weather
conditions, it’s that time of year when all that
layered white stuff, nicely locked up in the mountains,
either travels down to the lowlands in leisurely increments
or unrestrained swiftness. Nevertheless, after being cooped
up all winter and the bike scratching at the garage door, I
decided that a short loop trip, spanning a couple of days,
would be worth the wager.
I had an enduring desire to ride a historic wagon route
turned secondary (to call it that is a bit of a stretch, so let’s
say tertiary) road that paralleled Highway 1, just south of
$VKFURIWDQGHPSWLHGRXWQHDUWKHFRQÁXHQFHRIWKH1LFROD
and Thompson Rivers at Spences Bridge. The road goes by
a few names – most notably the Kirkland Ranch Road, as
approached from the north; or Drinkwater Road, if tackled
from the Spences Bridge side. There is a lot of mystique
surrounding the road, originally built to serve several small
)LUVW1DWLRQVFRPPXQLWLHVWKDWDWRQHWLPHZHUHÁRXULVKLQJ
with names like Spatsum, Toketic and Pemynoos. Although
normally travelling solo, I asked my riding buddy Jon,
a seasoned adventure rider who originally hails from
England, to join me.

48 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 7KHUXVKLQJÀRRGZDWHUVFUHDWHGWKLV

WE ROUNDED A CORNER AND VLQNKROHDQGVZDOORZHGXSDOLJKW

VWDQGDUGDWWKHFRUQHURI&DQG'

WERE GREETED BY A CHASM MXVWRXWVLGHRI/RJDQ/DNH

WHERE ONCE STOOD A BRIDGE

TRAVEL BRITISH COLUMBIA
Too Good to Be True
So, we headed out at “eight thirty
for nine,” as Jon likes to call it, on an
unusually warm and clear Friday morn-
ing from our hometown of Penticton,
where the clouds to the west were low
on the horizon and the snow appeared
to be well seated on the nearby peaks.
However, we were following on the
heels of several days of torrential rains
and the reports were just beginning to
UROOLQDERXWORFDOL]HGÁRRGLQJ
7KHÀUVWVODPPLQJLQGLFDWLRQWKDW
we may encounter some wet spots
on the journey hit hard when we had
MXVWÀQLVKHGWKHVKRUWKLJKZD\OHJ
to Keremeos – those low clouds we
glimpsed in Penticton now amassed
an approaching dark grey Mordor-like
50 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
wall – the distance between obviously
being truncated by the minute as we
travelled at a steady 90 km/h along
Highway 3. Just outside the mining-era
town of Hedley, the clouds unloaded
their watery fury on us, so we took
refuge under the awning at the local
SRVWRIÀFHIRUDERXWPLQXWHV7KHQLW
was all clear and peaceful again.
Blue sky and a warm sun greeted
(and dried) us as we embarked down
Old Hedley Road, stopping at some
iconic pictographs along the way. I did,
however, note on my periphery, as we
rumbled over broken pavement and
cattle guards, that the little streams
feeding the river at right angles were
a surging deep chocolate brown – was
that just a localized event, or a hint of
7KHGLODSLGDWHG$QJOLFDQ&KXUFKRI6DLQW
$LGDQLQWKHDEDQGRQHGYLOODJHRI3RNHLVW
VLWVDFURVVWKH7KRPSVRQ5LYHUIURPWKH
7UDQV&DQDGD+LJKZD\EHWZHHQ$VKFURIW
DQG6SHQFHV%ULGJH
something else brewing high in the
mountains?
Wishful Thinking
We motored up the Aspen Grove high-
way north of Princeton and stopped
for some bannock at the Kekuli Cafe
in Merritt. In the parking lot, two local
sheriffs told us that they heard the road
along the Nicola River might be closed
GXHWRÁRRGLQJ8QIRUWXQDWHJLYHQ,
had planned to take in the curves on
that stretch to take us to Spences Bridge
and then embark on the Kirkland
Ranch Road from the south. Thinking
that perhaps they were wrong, we
headed toward the Nicola junction,
DQGDOOVHHPHGÀQHXQWLOWKHPDVVLYH
EDUULFDGHVDQGOHVVWKDQFKDUPLQJÁDJ
 7ZRRXWRIWKUHHDLQ¶WEDG,WZDVUDUHWKDWWKHSDLURIULGHUV
ZRXOG¿QGDEULGJHLQWDFWDVPRVWRIWKHZHHNHQGULGH
FRQVLVWHGRIZDVKHGRXWEULGJHVDQGURDGV

THE LITTLE STREAMS FEEDING THE RIVER AT RIGHT

ANGLES WERE A SURGING DEEP CHOCOLATE BROWN
– WAS THAT JUST A LOCALIZED EVENT, OR A HINT OF
SOMETHING ELSE BREWING HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS?

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 51

TRAVEL BRITISH COLUMBIA
lady stood in our way.
I asked her nicely what routes may
be open to get us over to Ashcroft. With
a scowling look, she suggested we had
a 10 per cent probability of making it
over the Highland Valley Copper Road,
EXWORFDOÁRRGLQJWKHUHZDVFRQVXPLQJ
parts of the highway, as the crackling
on her radio indicated. This turned out
to be true. Fortunately we squeezed
through, admiring the small falls
created by a sinkhole that swallowed a
lamp post at the Logan Lake junction.
Try Another Direction
As we descended in the Thompson
River valley, I had an epiphany that we
could still try the Kirkland Ranch Road,
attacking it from the north end. It was
still mid-afternoon, and I calculated
that it would only take us a couple of
hours to pick our way along to Spences
Bridge.
7KHÀUVWVHFWLRQVRIWKHJUDYHOURDG
were well travelled, meandering its way
through small ranches, cattle country
and sagebrush landscape. Off to the
west, I could see the deeply incised
Black Canyon, where the river makes
DQHDU8WXUQVOLFLQJWKURXJKVHYHUDO
million years of metamorphic rock.
52 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
IT TOOK US SEVERAL MINUTES TO REGISTER
THE CARNAGE LAID OUT BEFORE US
Descending further
through a series
of switchbacks,
the road levelled
off on a bench
that appeared to
be the contour
that would take us
southward.
As we left the
last of the scattered
residences, the road
became more rutted and
strewn with boulders com-
ing off steep scree slopes. In
places, deep sand made for fun,
albeit tense, moments as we struggled
to keep our bikes vertical. Feeling
FRQÀGHQWWKDWZHKDGQHJRWLDWHGWKH
worst sections and with Spences Bridge
in our sights, some 4 km away, we
pushed onward. I was elated to see that
crews had recently replaced a major
creek crossing, a tributary now swollen
with snowmelt, with a robust concrete
bridge – a hopeful indication that we
would be carried across a few more
surging creeks to our destination.
Don’t Look Now, But . . .
Feeling quite giddy in my helmet that
we had nearly accomplished riding one
of my bucket-list routes, we rounded
a corner and were greeted by a chasm
where once stood a bridge. In its place
was a brown, bubbling torrent, with
rocks the size of footballs, cascading
down toward the Thompson River. It
took us several minutes to register the
carnage laid out before us. A short foot
reconnaissance down the splintering
road surface revealed a ledge on
our side, about two metres down to
IDVWÁRZLQJZDWHU7KHUHZDVQRZD\
we were crossing – not unless we had a
crane or Bailey bridge in our panniers.
The painful realization sunk in – we
had to turn around. For me, the thought
of having to negotiate the more dicey
sections of road again, much more
fatigued and with the sun about to
creep behind the mountains to the
west, was rather soul crushing. Jon
had already started to make the effort
to turn his bike around on the hellish
angled slope leading to the former
bridge crossing, deep sand making it
even more of a challenging manoeuvre.
I followed suit and we just made the
best of an unfortunate situation, taking
it one kilometre at a time back the way
we came, with surprisingly no bike
drops.
At one point on the return, we came
across two locals in a pickup truck
heading in our direction, meeting side
by side on a narrow portion of the
road. I greeted them with a wave; they
slowed and the driver said, “I guess
you got as far as the bridge, right?” I
sheepishly nodded. He was impressed
that I had gotten that far, especially on
my “road tires,” as he called them. Jon’s
bike was equipped with Heidenaus, so
I guess my Bridgestone Adventure A40s
didn’t qualify for the off-road category.
When the Levee Breaks
Pressing on, we rode into the town
of Cache Creek, but upon arrival, we
were met with a community in chaos.
The Bonaparte River and Cache Creek,
having breached their banks, were now
FRQMRLQHGWZLQVÁRZLQJWXUEXOHQWO\
down the main street. We watched as
HPHUJHQF\YHKLFOHVÁHZXSDQGGRZQ
WKHKLJKZD\SROLFHDQGÀUHÀJKWHUV
VKRXWLQJRUGHUVIURPWUDIÀFLVODQGV
that became true islands in the liquid
carnage. Our bikes took a bath as we
navigated our way from a local gas sta-
tion to a food market across what was
now the new course of the Bonaparte.
Earlier at home, I had made a mental
waypoint of a campsite just outside
of town (aptly named Brookside), but
when we arrived, the access bridge
crossing Cache Creek was completely
gone. The campsite was under a
metre of murky water with severed
WUHHDSSHQGDJHVVXUÀQJWKHLUZD\
downstream, bouncing off marker posts
along the way. Later we learned that
WKHORFDOÀUHFKLHIKDGFRPHWRWKLVYHU\
spot earlier in the afternoon, only to be
swept away. His body was recovered
two weeks later.
Pushing Our Luck
7KHTXHVWWRÀQGDSODFHWRVWDNHGRZQ
our tents that night was stymied at
every turn, as every route we wanted to
take into the high country was met with
barricades (where they had time to erect
them) and impassable crossings. One
route seemed hopeful, the Deadman
&UHHN5RDGEXWDIWHUDERXWNP
ascending the plateau, we were greeted
by a small river that replaced the road
surface. A landowner had come out to
where we were stopped while we con-
templated our next move. We learned
that his house had to be abandoned, as
it had shifted on its foundation and it
had one metre of water in the basement.
I guess we were the lucky ones.
Descending to the valley once
more, we opted to camp at Juniper
Beach Park, situated on the Thompson
5LYHU8QIRUWXQDWHO\WKHVRXQGVRI
screeching train brakes that occurred at
regular intervals during the night were
reminiscent of wailing banshees, so we
didn’t have the most restful of sleeps.
Our journey home the next day was
like watching an episode of Extreme
Weather. Residents of several communi-
ties we drove through were struggling
to save their homes while keeping
bloated creeks and rivers from con-
suming their livelihoods. For Jon and
I, astride our V-Stroms, we were pretty
much spectators to most of the carnage,
but we agreed our adventure ride was
truly just one bridge too far.
For additional photos of
British Columbia visit:
motorcyclemojo.com
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 53
 DIY Subscriber Tools
Experience
™gZcZldca^cZ™eVn^ckd^XZh™hjWhXg^WZ™dgYZg\^èhjWhXg^ei^dch!
™X]Vc\ZndjgVYYgZhh™h^\cje[dgdjgcZlhaZiiZg
™X]ZX`l]ZcndjghjWhXg^ei^dcZme^gZh

e y o u’ r e
Whil ck out
r e c h e
the w s a n d
our ne ws
revie

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A va i l a b
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54 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 Enjoy Beaches, Winery Tours, Breweries, Artist’s Studios
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For more information contact: 12LakeandVine@gmail.com 705-791-2388

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 55

CUSTOM EXTRAORDINARY PAINT

For a Job
Well Done
Decades of sacrifice deserves a one-off
paint job to honour a special veteran
Story by Misti Hurst
Photos by Curtis Leblanc
56 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
A few months ago, a friend of mine sent me a video of
a bike reveal she did for a client of hers who is also a
veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces. She had custom
designed and painted his Harley Wide Glide in a
unique and brilliantly beautiful manner, and recorded him seeing it
IRUWKHYHU\ÀUVWWLPH7KHFDSWLRQRQWKHPHVVDJHVDLG´7U\QRWWR
cry.” Moments into the video, tears were streaming down my face
as I witnessed her client, and now new friend’s emotional reaction
WRÀQDOO\VHHLQJKLVELNHDQGWKHLQFUHGLEOHFRPSOHWHGFXVWRPSDLQW
job she surprised him with. I knew I had to write his story and share
photos of her talented work.
Bill Cameron only started riding a few years ago but already feels
like a seasoned and forever rider. What he loves most about being on
his motorcycle is the freedom and the fact that he isn’t in a big hurry
to get anywhere. When in a car, he is always white-knuckle driving
DQGVZHUYLQJLQDQGRXWRIWUDIÀFIHHOLQJIUXVWUDWHG7KHDQJHUDQG
frustration he often feels has a lot to do with the fact that he is dealing
with post-traumatic stress disorder from his 32 years of service in the
Armed Forces. All that disappears when he gets on his motorcycle. He
can relax more, and enjoy the freedom that riding brings.

HE STEPPED BACK, PUTTING

HIS HANDS TO HIS FACE,
TURNED AROUND, AND CRIED

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 57

CUSTOM EXTRAORDINARY PAINT

A Special Feeling
So far, his fondest motorcycle memory
LVIURPWKLVSDVW\HDU·V7R\5XQLQ3RUW
$OEHUQL%&´%ULQJLQJWR\VWRGRQDWH
and raising awareness was incredible,
as was riding through the township
with people on both sides of the street
and over 2,000 bikes riding together
LQRQHKXJHJURXSµ+HFRQWLQXHV´,W
was a pretty big feeling to be doing
something for the community and to
see such a huge support group for all of
us riders.” It really touched his heart,
and made him feel special as a rider
and connected to the community.
After spending some time getting
familiar with his bike, he decided to
make it more original with a custom
SDLQWMRE´,GHFLGHGWRFXVWRPL]HP\
bike because in the past, I have done
it with every car that I have owned. I
like to put my own spin on things and
could never leave anything stock,” Bill
explains.
´,KDYHERXJKWDQGVROGPRUHFDUV
over my time and lost more money
GRLQJLWµKHVD\VODXJKLQJ´,VHHPWR
SXWDOONLQGVRIPRQH\LQWRFXVWRPL]LQJ
FODVVLFDQGPRGHUQFDUV7KHFUD]\
thing is that I always ended up selling
them anyway and I’ve lost all kinds of
money but just kept doing it.”

This One’s a Keeper

%XWZKHQ%LOOERXJKWKLVÀUVWPRWRU
cycle, a 2010 Harley-Davidson Dyna
Wide Glide, he knew that he would
never let it go. Ever.
´,VWDUWHGKDYLQJDOONLQGVRILGHDVRI
KRZ,PLJKWFXVWRPL]HLWDQGDORWRI
WKHPFDPHIURPZDWFKLQJ79SURJUDPV
like American Chopper,” he says. Initially
he wanted something to do with
JKRVWLQJVNXOOV´,KDYHEHHQDELJIDQ
of skulls for a number of years and have
skull tattoos all over my arms.” After a
lengthy conversation with some friends
that he used to work with about his
desire and ambition to build his custom
bike, he was put in touch with my
friend Debbi Ferguson.
'HEELLVZHOONQRZQLQ9LFWRULDIRU
her incredible custom paint jobs on
bikes and helmets (fergyscustompaint.
weebly.com), and Bill felt he’d be able

58 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

to connect with her, as she, too, is a
veteran. He told Debbi about his idea
to take his basic black bike and turn it
into something really cool and special
E\DGGLQJJKRVWLQJVNXOOVDQGÁDPHV
DOORYHUKLVELNH´%R\GLGWKDWHYHU
change!” he says. After consulting with
her, the project took on a very new
dynamic.
Understanding the Job at Hand
It was after he went to Debbi’s shop
WRPHHWKHULQSHUVRQWKDWVKHUHDOL]HG
Bill Cameron and painter Debbi Ferguson
shortly after she presented her custom
paint job to him.
he was retiring from the CAF and that
he had served 32 years. She talked to
him extensively about his career, and
about what he has been through and
VDFULÀFHGZKLOHLQWKH&$),WZDV
only then that she decided that his
bike and paint job should, and needed
to, represent the years he served this
FRXQWU\WKHVDFULÀFHVKHPDGHDQGWKH
VDFULÀFHVPDGHE\KLVIDOOHQFRPUDGHV
and his friends.
6KHFDOOHGKLPDQGDVNHG´$UH\RX
KDUGVHWRQVNXOOVDQGÁDPHV",IQRW
will you let me have free rein on the
paint theme, as I feel it is important to
KRQRXU\RXU\HDUVLQWKH&$)"µ
He told her that he never thought
about going in that direction, and after
some discussion back and forth, and
after she promised to repaint the bike
for free if he didn’t like it, he agreed.
´:RZWKLVLVKXJHEXWRND\OHW·VJR
IRULWµKHVDLG´,KDYHIDLWKLQ\RXDQG
trust you.”
After many drawings and ideas
later, she began the process of painting
his bike in a way to honour his career
and pay respect to his fallen comrades.
Many hours went into his paint
job – the details, the theme and all the
colours. It took a lot longer than she
H[SHFWHG´,WZDVDQHPRWLRQDOSDLQW
job that brought back many of my own
painful military memories,” she says.
Ultimately, she came up with a
design that completely blew him away.
It was clearly something that Bill did
not expect, even though she frequently
sent him little teasers without giving
away the paint scheme.
The Big Day
On the day of the bike reveal, Debbi
was nervous that he might not like it.
Bill wanted to share the moment with
his two sons, so instead of just showing
him the bike, Debbi decided that she
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 59
CUSTOM EXTRAORDINARY PAINT

EVERYTHING IN THE PAINT JOB

REPRESENTS A PART OF BILL’S MILITARY
CAREER AND DEPLOYMENTS
WHDUZKHQSDLQWLQJWKHIDOOHQWULEXWHRQ
KLVUHDUIHQGHU7KHSRSSLHVDUHYHU\
LPSRUWDQWDVWKH\QRWRQO\UHSUHVHQW
RXUIDOOHQEXWDOVRKLVQLQHPHGDOV
7KHZLUHUHSUHVHQWVWKHIDFWWKDWZKHQ
KHZDVGHSOR\HGKHZHQWRXWVLGH
wanted to “present” it to him, in a way
that honoured the moment and him.
His boys were just as excited as he was
WRÀQDOO\VHHWKHELNH
Debbi had hung up the Canadian
ÁDJDORQJZLWKVRPHEURZQ&$'3$7
EHFDXVHKHZDVRYHUZKHOPHGWKDW,KDG
honoured him, and his service, with the
paint theme,” Debbi says, continuing,
´0HEHFDXVH,ZDVVRKDSS\KHORYHG
LW%XWDOVREHFDXVHWKLVSDLQWWKHPH
LVELJJHUWKDQXV,WUHSUHVHQWVHYHU\
WKHZLUHLQWRWKHVKLW,QVLGHWKHZLUH
is base compound, more of a safer,
SURWHFWHGSODFH:KHQVROGLHUVOHDYHWKH
compound, they go and become more at
ULVNRIHQFRXQWHULQJWKHHQHP\WKHULVN
of death. Everything in the paint job
UHSUHVHQWVDSDUWRI%LOO·VPLOLWDU\FDUHHU
DQGGHSOR\PHQWVµ
7KHPHGDOVWKDW%LOOZHDUVWHOORQO\
SDUWRIKLVVWRU\EXWQRZKLVELNHFRP-
PXQLFDWHVPXFKPRUH$QGWKDWLVZKDW
'HEELZDQWHGWRKRQRXU´,ZDQWHGWR
show him, to give him, the honour he
GHVHUYHV,GLGWKLVLQP\SDLQWWKHPH
IRUKLPZKLFKZHZLOOQHYHUIRUJHW+H
KDGQRLGHD,ZDVSDLQWLQJKLVKHOPHW
HLWKHUVRZKHQ,JDYHKLPWKDWKHFULHG
even more.”
She next presented him with the
7DQJR<DQNHHFRLQZKLFKPHDQV
´WKDQN\RXµ,WVD\VRQWKHFRLQ
´(YHU\WKLQJ\RXGRLQWKLVOLIHPDWWHUV
you matter.”
&DQDGLDQ'LVUXSWLYH3DWWHUQFDPRX-
ÁDJHQHWWLQJWRUHSUHVHQWKLVWRXUV7KH
ELNHZDVFRPSOHWHO\FRYHUHGVRZKHQ
WKHPDLQGRRUVRSHQHGKHFRXOGQ·WVHH
WKHSDLQW\HW2QO\ZKHQKLVVRQVWRRN
RIIWKHJUHHQ&$'3$7FRYHUGLGKHVHH
KLVELNH+HVWHSSHGEDFNSXWWLQJKLV
hands to his face, turned around, and
cried.
´7KHIHHOLQJV,KDGZKHQ,ÀUVWVDZ
WKHELNHZHUHDOORYHUWKHPDSDQG
LWZDVDORWWRWDNHLQEHFDXVHLWMXVW
EURXJKWXSDORWRIHPRWLRQµ%LOOVD\V
´1RWRQO\IURPP\\HDUFDUHHU
EXWIURPDOOWKHWRXUVRIGXW\DQGWKH
IULHQGV,·YHORVWDVZHOODVWKHIULHQGV
WKDW,KDYHPDGHRYHUWKH\HDUV,WZDV
MXVWOLNHHYHU\WKLQJDWRQFHDQGDELW
RYHUZKHOPLQJWRVD\WKHOHDVWµ
7KH\ERWKEHFDPHHPRWLRQDO´%LOO
60 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018
VLQJOHSHUVRQZKRLVVHUYLQJRUKDV
VHUYHGLQWKH&$)DQGRXUIDOOHQµ
:KHQ,WDONWR%LOODERXWKLVELNH
KHVD\VWKDWKHGRHVQ·WWKLQNWKHUHLV
RQHSDUWWKDWVSHDNVRXWPRUHWKDQWKH
UHVWDVLWLVDOOMXVWRQHKXJHGLVSOD\
RIGHGLFDWLRQ%HWZHHQKLVLGHDVDQG
ZKDW'HEELFDPHXSZLWKWKHUHLVDORW
RIKHDUWDQGVRXOSXWLQWRWKLVELNHDQG
WKHHQWLUHEXLOG´,I,KDGWRSLFNRQH
thing that stands out for me the most,
WKRXJKLW·VRQWKHWLSRIWKHIHQGHUµ
%LOOVD\V´,WNLQGRIGHPRQVWUDWHVWKH
VKDGRZVRIRXUIDOOHQVROGLHUVOLQHGLQ
hand-painted poppies.”
Outside the Wire
:KHQ,DVN'HEELWRH[SODLQZKDWHDFK
part of the paint scheme represents, she
WHOOVPH´,·PQRWJRLQJWROLH,VKHGD
6KHVD\VWKDWHYHU\VROGLHUDQG
veteran needs to be honoured, and she
is very right.
Please visit Facebook sites Send Up The
Count and Military Minds for support
or crisis information, or visit veterans.
gc.ca/eng/services/health/mental-health.
These sites are for veterans not just of the
military, but for all people who serve or
KDYHVHUYHGDVRXUÀUVWOLQHRIGHIHQFH
SROLFHÀUHÀJKWHUVPLOLWDU\SDUDPHGLFV
and so on. There are places to reach
out for help.
You can also visit Debbi Ferguson’s
other website at deltafoxtrot.ca.
For additional photos of the
Extraordinary Paint
visit: motorcyclemojo.com
 BOOKSTORE Visit our
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These are a few of my On Any Wednesday Around the Bend Adventures with Zero Avenue
Favourite Roads by Max Burns by Max Burns Neddow to Peace Park
by Max Burns $18.69 $18.69 by Max Burns by Trevor Marc Hughes
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Tales from the Road by and Darkness A Canadian Adventure
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writers who ride A motorcycle journey of fear in Central America
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Edited by Jeremy Kroeker and faith in the middle east by Jeremy Kroeker
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A must read for those looking for adventure! by Trevor Marc Hughes
$18.95
 MOJO GARAGE
tech by Costa Mouzouris

Upgrading Your Ride

S ince that first motorcycle you
ever bought, the urge to modify
it was almost second nature.
Whether you buy a brand-new
bike and have the dealer tack
accessories onto it before deliv-
ery, or you buy a used bike and order
up touring or performance accessories
at your local shop, you’re more than
likely to perform some kind of change
to either differentiate your bike from a
stock machine or, hopefully, to improve
its comfort or performance.
7KHÀUVWWKLQJ\RXVKRXOGGREHIRUH
making any kind of alteration is to
do some research to help you decide
whether it’s something you should
actually attempt. Although this isn’t
necessary if you’re just swapping out
a cover or lever for a shinier one, it is
especially true when making changes to
the engine or chassis. You don’t want to
change something that will inadvertent-
ly degrade performance or handling.
Older bikes had carburetors (well,
some dual-sport bikes like Suzuki’s
DRs and the Kawasaki KLR650 still do)
that almost begged to be altered. To
meet emissions standards, carburetted
bikes must run a leaner mixture than
what is needed to achieve ideal throttle
response or maximum power. Enriching
the mixture by changing the jetting, if
done properly, improves engine perfor-
mance, though it increases pollutants
and is therefore illegal because of emis-
sions laws. This might also increase fuel
consumption, so some online research
might reveal if the pros outweigh the
cons of rejetting.
This also applies to fuel-injected

Paint is a very personal addition to customizing

your bike and may not appeal to everyone when
it comes time to sell it.

62 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

bikes, which require reprogramming the
ECU or adding auxiliary electronics like
a Power Commander to alter the fuel
mixture. Unlike rejetting a carburetor,
which can be done at home, reprogram-
ming electronics is best done by a profes-
sional, which is costlier. And if you don’t
like the results, you’ll most likely have to
pay again to readjust the settings.
When it comes to suspension, the
PRVWFRPPRQPRGLÀFDWLRQLVWRORZHU
the bike. Some do this for aesthetic rea-
sons; some do it to lower the seat height
to easier reach the ground. On bikes
with twin shocks, it’s done by swap-
ping out the originals with shorter ones;
on single-shock bikes, by changing
suspension linkages. However, if the
job isn’t done right, it can damage your
bike, alter the handling in a negative
way or even lead to a crash.
When lowering a bike, you have
to make sure that you lower both the
front and the rear suspension equally.
This maintains the bike’s ride attitude,
which in turn maintains the bike’s orig-
inal steering geometry, or at least some-
thing very close to it – just dropping
the rear will slow the bike’s steering. At
the front, you can either raise the fork
tubes into the triple clamps by the same
amount that the rear end is lowered or
you can install an aftermarket lowering
kit, which I discussed in a previous
issue (June 2017).
You should check clearances all
In the quest for more power, some bike owners will change carburetor jets or reprogramme engine mapping,
but the addition of a supercharger may be a little over the top for most riders.
around; you don’t want to discover
that the rear tire makes contact with the
fender or that the front fender smashes
into the radiator after lowering your
bike. And don’t forget that lowering
your bike reduces cornering clearance,
so lower wisely and ride carefully.
When it comes to custom paint,
always keep in mind that beauty is in
the eye of the beholder. Although you
might be very fond of the airbrushed
unicorn applied lovingly onto your fuel
tank, which you then protected from
the elements by spraying a coat of clear
ÀQLVKRQWRSZKHQLW
comes time to trade up
to another bike, you
might be shocked to
discover that others
don’t share the same
feelings for mythical
animals. This also
applies to less garish
paint jobs. If you re-
paint a relatively new
bike, when it comes
time to part with it,
buyers will question
you as to why it had
been repainted. Was it
Custom wheels can get
very expensive but they can
certainly make a statement.
because of crash damage? You’ll have to
explain away why you chose a pearles-
cent paint scheme over the original
ruby-red, and then hope the potential
buyer likes it, too.
You should note that almost any
PRGLÀFDWLRQSHUIRUPHGRQDELNHZLOO
do little to improve its value, and in fact
will actually reduce its market price.
I’ve bought many motorcycles over the
years, and aside from my Harley street
tracker, which I built and has value
mostly only to me, they’ve all been
almost completely stock. I’m willing
to pay more for a high-mileage bike in
its original condition than for a bike
with low mileage that has engine mods,
chassis alterations and fancy paint.
And if you do own such a bike, you
should be prepared to take a loss upon
its sale. You did, after all, perform the
PRGLÀFDWLRQVWRSOHDVHRQO\RQHSHUVRQ
you. That’s the beauty of modifying
your bike – sometimes you just have to
do it because you want to. Just make
sure you do it right.
Technical articles are written purely as
reference only and your motorcycle may
require diferent procedures. You should
be mechanically inclined to carry out your
own maintenance and we recommend you
contact your mechanic prior to performing
any type of work on your bike.
MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 63
 ,QPHPRU\RI*RUG'RZQLH

READY KAWASAKI
430 Hensall Circle
Mississauga, Ontario
855-896-0430
ReadyKawasaki.com

BURNABY KAWASAKI
7771 Edmonds St.
Burnaby, British Columbia
888-852-8165
BurnabyKawasaki.com

SNOW CITY CYCLE

1255 Kennedy Road
Toronto, Ontario
MOJOMAY2018

416-752-1560
SnowCity.com

64 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 2018
XSR700
The all-new XSR700 is a
beautiful blend of modern
twin-cylinder performance
and classic styling with a
natural, comfortable riding
position. A short swingarm
and lightweight design
highlight the more serious
sport side of the XSR700.

Check out our website to find

™CZlh™K^YZdh
™:kZcih™LI;´
2018 Star Eluder L]ZgZ¸hi]Z;ddY
A stripped-down bagger version of the
Star Venture TC luxury tourer, the new
And sign up for our FREE
6WDU(OXGHUWDNHV<DPDKD·VÁDJVKLS monthly Newsletter
touring platform and gives it a dose
of attitude. Form meets function.
LIKE us on Facbook
BOBS MOTORSPORT LTD PRO CYCLE
615 St.Clair Street 360 Higney Avenue
Chatham, Ontario Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
519-354-6377 902-468-2518 INTRODUCING THE
BobsMotorsport.com ProCycleOnline.com

READY YAMAHA POWERSPORTS KELLY’S CYCLE CENTRE

430 Hensall Circle 1042 Upper Wellington Street
Mississauga, Ontario Hamilton Ontario
855-896-0430 905-385-5977
ReadyYamaha.com KellysCycleCentre.com

TILBURY AUTO SALES & RV

YAMAHA SNOW CITY CYCLE
20600 County Road 42 1255 Kennedy Road
Tilbury, Ontario Toronto, Ontario
MOJOMAY2018
800-387-3280 416-752-1560
TilburyAutoSales.com SnowCity.com

TRI-CITY CYCLE & SPORT MOTOSPORTS OF TRENTON

351 Weber Street North 114 McCauley Road 1255 Kennedy Road
Waterloo, Ontario Trenton, Ontario Toronto, Ontario
800-597-5219 613-965-6626 416-752-1560
TriCityCycle.ca MotosportsOfTrenton.com SnowCity.com

G.A. CHECKPOINT YAMAHA

3034 St. John’s Street
MOJOMAY2018

Port Moody, British Columbia

604-461-3434
®, TM and the BRP logo are trademarks of
GACheckpoint.com Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 65

 PrCaena-Odaw’s LanrgedestHSealerctlioenys

:KHDWOH\216LQFH

RobinsonM3UotLFoHVrcy2cQOlLQeH.com
3LFWXUHV DYDLODEOH
/RZPRQWKO\SD\PHQWV
:HVKLSDFURVV&DQDGD

5RELQVRQ0RWRUF\FOH/WG

PURE .DRIVING.FREEDOM.

GRAND RIVER POWER SPORTS DEERHAVEN

1264 Colborne Street East 896 Bell Boulevard West RR5
Brantford, Ontario Belleville, Ontario
855-767-3703 800-543-7869
GrandRiverPowerSports.ca DeerhavenPolaris.com

PEAK POWERSPORTS-BARRIE PEAK POWERSPORTS

22 Commerce Park Drive 1174 South Service Road West
Barrie, Ontario Oakville, Ontario
705-881-1420 905-681-7270
MOJOMAY2018

PeakPowersports.ca PeakPowersports.ca

Slingshot® is a three-wheeled motorcycle. It is not an automobile. It does not have air bags, and it does not meet automotive safety standards. Three-wheeled vehicles may handle differently than other vehicles,
especially in wet conditions. Always wear helmets and fasten seat belts. Driver may need a valid motorcycle endorsement. Don’t drink and drive. ©2017 Polaris Industries Inc.

66 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 4/08.0#*-&
t
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t
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53"*/*/(

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705-835-2790 (ext 1288) Barrie, ON
XXXDNUTPSH
r
yamaha@horseshoeresort.com

he ride of your life starts

at an authorized
Canadian
Harley-Davidson®
Dealership. Discover the
home of the American
legend, where you can
break free of the
everyday grind.

STREET BOB®
Visit your Authorized Canadian Harley-Davidson Dealer today!
®

FOX HARLEY-DAVIDSON® DUKE’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON® KANE’S HARLEY-DAVIDSON®

123003 Storybook Park Road 5 Classic Car Drive CALGARY
Owen Sound, Ontario Blenheim, Ontario 914, 11th Street SE
866-633-9003 877-354-0650 Calgary, Alberta
FoxHarleyDavidson.com DukesHD.com 403-269-8577
KanesHarleyDavidson.com
Vehicle shown may vary visually by market and may difer from vehicles manufactured and delivered. See your Dealer for details.
©2018 H-D or its affiliates. H-D, Harley, Harley-Davidson and the Bar & Shield logo are among the trademarks of H-D U.S.A., LLC.

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 67

 BOBS MOTORSPORT LTD
615 St.Clair Street
Chatham, Ontario
519-354-6377
BobsMotorsport.com
PRO CYCLE
360 Higney Avenue
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
902-468-2518
ProCycleOnline.com
READY SUZUKI
430 Hensall Circle
Mississauga, Ontario
855-896-0430
ReadySuzuki.com
TRI-CITY CYCLE & SPORT
351 Weber Street North
Waterloo, Ontario
800-597-5219
TriCityCycle.ca
CLARE’S CYCLE
& SPORTS LTD.
799 Highway 20 West
Fenwick, Ontario

MOJOMAY2018
GSX-S750
Toll Free 877-659-9831
Direct 905-892-2664
ClaresCycle.com
ASK YOUR DEALER ABOUT SUZUKI EXTENDED WARRANTY

READY KTM ille T120

THE BEASTLY POWER
POWERSPORTS Bonnev
TO TAKE YOU 430 Hensall Circle
Mississauga, Ontario
855-896-0430
FURTHER, FASTER. ReadyKTM.com

Meet the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE GT sports tourer. Packed with the same
ferocious power as the infamous KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R – but with
additional long-distance capabilities. A larger 23-liter tank and improved
wind protection enable you to race off further into the distance than ever
before. If eating up miles is what you’re after, we’ve created the perfect
machine for you. GP BIKES Thruxton R
1100 Champlain Court
Whitby, Ontario
866-475-7111
GPBikes.com
MOJOMAY2018

GP BIKES
1100 Champlain Court
Whitby, Ontario
866-475-7111
GPBikes.com

Please make no attempt to imitate the illustrated riding scenes, always wear protective clothing
and observe the applicable provisions of the road traffic regulations! The illustrated vehicles may
vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equip-
ment available at additional cost.
MOJOMAY2018

68 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 C:MI>HHJ: June 2018
2018 KTM 790 DUKE
Until now, KTM only had the single-cylinder 690 Duke to compete in the
crowded middleweight marketplace. But that has all changed with the
introduction of the 2018 790 Duke, dubbed “the Scalpel.” The newly
designed parallel-twin 790 Duke fills an important gap in the midsize
streetbike market, slotting between KTM’s 690 Duke and 1290 Super Duke
V-twin, and promises to raise the bar in this highly contested mid-range field.

THE WORLD OF LYNDON POSKITT

Lyndon Poskitt is a unique individual. Ater quitting
his job in 2014 and hitting the road to ride around
the world, he hasn’t looked back. His YouTube video
series Races to Places is just as it sounds – he rides
around the world, jumping from one rally to another
to compete in them. The Dakar veteran not only
competed in and finished the 2018 race, he also
found the time to record video for his YouTube
channel. Read about his amazing story in the
June issue of Motorcycle Mojo.

604-803-3537

For ad space inquiries contact:

Margo@motorcyclemojo.com

MAY 2018 MOTORCYCLE MOJO 69

 REMEMBER WHEN?
Your Motorcycle Memories

I read with interest the article on

“The Dispatch Rider”
(November 2017) since my father,
Ralph Hetherington,
was a dispatch rider with
the Corps of Royal Electrical
and Mechanical Engineers
in the Second World War.
He did not talk much about
it but always had a love of
motorcycles. Three years into
the war, he became a tank
breakdown mechanic.

The photo above was taken on February 26, 1941, while he

was attending a training course at Camp Borden.
In the group photo taken on March 12, 1944, Dad is standing
in the light-coloured coveralls behind the windshield.
Thanks for the article, and nice to know the
“Unsung Heroes” did get remembered.
Submitted by Martina Shaw (nee Hetherington)

Submissions to Remember When? are always welcome. If your photo(s) is printed we will send you $25.00
High resolution digital photos are acceptable as well as prints. If you wish the print back
please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Send to: editor@motorcyclemojo.com

70 MOTORCYCLE MOJO MAY 2018

 Spend your day in the countryside,
not in the hospital.

Prostate cancer is 90% curable

if caught early. Get checked today!

Save the date for the Ontario 2018 TELUS Motorcycle Ride For Dad in your area!
Visit RideForDad.ca for full Ride event listings across Canada
and to register, volunteer or donate.

Kingston-Quinte Saturday, May 26 Toronto West Saturday, June 2 Niagara Saturday, June 16
London Sunday, May 27 Grand River Saturday, June 2 Nipissing Saturday, June 16
Windsor Sunday, May 27 Durham Saturday, June 9 Grey Bruce Saturday, August 11
Ottawa Saturday, June 2 Golden Horseshoe Saturday, June 16
BORN FOR
ADVENTURE
THE NEW TIGER 1200 AND 800 XC & XR FAMILIES ARE HERE.
ALL BUILT TO BE BETTER IN ABSOLUTELY EVERY WAY, OFF-ROAD AND ON.
Available in two flavors – the of-road biased ‘XC’ and the road-orientated ‘XR’ – the new Tiger 1200s
and Tiger 800s feature the highest ever level of state-of-the-art technology on a Tiger with full-color
TFT instruments, up to six riding modes (including Of-Road Pro on the XCs) all-LED lighting, illuminated
switchgear and adjustable windscreens.

Both 1200 and 800 ranges also benefit from a significant engine upgrade for a more responsive Triple engine
plus a host of chassis updates for enhanced rider ergonomics, increased capability and all-day comfort.

The new Tiger 1200 and 800 XC & XR families – built for maximum adventure, every single day.

To find out more visit: triumph-motorcycles.ca