Feature Story
1st Feature :
BORN TO BE MILD
Story by Neal Bayly
Photos Courtesy of Kawasaki Motors, Inc.
Cruising south on A1A a few miles south of St. Augustine, Florida, the two-lane road crosses a low bridge revealing the vibrant Atlantic Ocean. Sitting low in the saddle of Kawasaki’s newest cruiser, the Vulcan 900, it is a strange concept to someone who grew up in the era of Kawasaki 900 Superbikes that this bike is now considered a middleweight in the big K’s cruiser line up.
Leading this pack is the monster Vulcan 2000, with each individual piston bigger than the entire engine in the company’s 200 mile-per-hour Moto GP race bike, followed by a more pedestrian cruiser, the Nomad 1600. Replacing the long-running Vulcan 800, the new 900 heads up a small line-up of lower-capacity cruisers, with the Drifter 800 remaining. Following these are the Vulcan 750, Vulcan 500 LTD and Vulcan 125, although they are beginning to look a little dated.
Good things are supposed to come in small packages, but this particular rendition of the established cruiser theme seems to have ignored that old adage.
Aimed to fill the gap between bikes like Yamaha’s 650 V Star and Honda’s VTX1300, the 900 might be middleweight in engine size, but in physical dimensions it is another story. The Vulca n 900 is large and, to the casual observer, looks a lot more like a full-size cruiser than the rest of the middleweight crowd. And this is a deliberate move by Kawasaki.
To facilitate this look, the original 800’s 63.6-inch wheel base has been extended to 64.8 inches, and a chunky 180-section rear tire wrapped around a new, spoke wheel. This gets covered by an even larger rear fender, which is borrowed from the Vulcan 2000, and is matched by a full front fender that sits on top of a 130.90/16-inch tire. The 5.3-gallon gas tank and broad, low seat contribute heavily to the bike’s large physical appearance, and, swinging a leg over while grabbing the wide pull-back bars, it is only the bike’s weight that gives it away as a mid-sized cruiser. Where on the Vulcan 2000 you feel glad you ate your Wheaties before lifting it off the side stand, the 595-pound 900 is a completely different animal, lifting up with ease…
For more on this story, pick up a current issue of FREE 2 WHEEL at your local dealer, or use the handy order form page found on our web site.
2nd Feature :
THE LAST KAMAKAZE
Observations by Nick Voge
“Motoko,
you laughed when you looked at me; you slept in my arms. And though you probably don’t remember it, we even bathed together when you were a baby. Motoko, when you grow up and want to know about me, ask your mother and Aunt Kayo. I also left my photo album at home for you. It was I who named you Motoko. I thought you would be a gentle, kind and sensitive person.
I want you to grow up to be a splendid bride. But even if I die without your knowing me, you must not grieve. When you get older and want to see me, come to Yasukuni Shrine. Pray with all your heart and my face will appear before you. I think you are a happy person. People say that you resemble me very much.
Your aunt and uncle treat you well because you are their only hope. And your mother — your happiness is her life. Whatever becomes of me, never think of yourself as a child without parents. I too will always be watching over you. Be good, and be the kind of person others will like.
Dad
P.S. The toy doll you had as a child I took with me in my airplane as a good-luck charm. This way you will always be with me.”
It feels uncanny to be reading such words in, of all places, an airplane. We’re in a 727 headed south. We being the videographer Mitsu, my boss from the ad agency, Taka, and Kentaro, our lensman. A transporter loaded with prototype Ninjas is also en route, as are two vans filled with camera gear.
Below us, playing peekaboo behind the clouds, is Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands. Like the main island of Honshu, Kyushu is mountainous and deeply forested. Viewed through the humid, milky air of mid summer, the island seems to float upon the sea. This must have been the last glimpse that many of those pilots saw of their homeland as they climbed out in their final flights over the Pacific…
For more on this story, pick up a current issue of FREE 2 WHEEL at your local dealer, or use the handy order form page found on our web site.
Ask the Sergeant:
I have enjoyed your column for a number of years. On more than one occasion you have made reference to riding techniques learned at the CHP motorcycle school. You have briefly explained training techniques when answering a reader’s question but usually say that it would take an entire column to explain the training concepts of a police motorcycle training school. Could you dedicate an entire column to describing a police motorcycle school and the riding concepts involved? Also, is there any way for a non-police person (civilian) to attend one of these schools? I would love the opportunity to enhance my riding skills. I am especially interested in why, as you discussed in a recent story, you start off riding in the dirt.
Drew Forsythe, via e-mail
Let’s start with a little background and build from there. There are a number of agencies in
California
that provide Police Officer Motorcycle Training courses. I graduated from the CHP basic motorcycle operator’s course in 1980 and, as I said in a recent article, it was the hardest law enforcement training class I attended in my 31-year career. I will always remember the sergeant supervising the course inspiring us during the first morning’s orientation. He told us if you were an average rider, or even a pretty good rider, you would never make it through the course. He said you had to have expert skills the day you showed up and that the CHP had a pool of 6,000 potential candidates for motorcycle duty, so it could afford to be very selective. As arrogant as this may sound, it makes perfect sense. The whole point of a motor school is to ensure that the officer has the necessary skills to recognize trouble, avoid collision, and basically not get hurt. Injuries sustained in a collision are frequently career ending and, in addition to being very costly to the agency, leave the officer looking at years of pain and recovery.
As the supervisor/manager of a Traffic Unit, I sent my candidates to a number of schools. The Los Angeles Police Department, San Diego Police Department and the San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department all have excellent programs that I have sent officers to in the past. Some of these agencies spend considerable time riding in the dirt and some do not. Obviously, my experience was with the CHP so that is where I will focus. Let me point out that I have not had any interaction with the
CHP
Academy
since it switched to BMWs about 10 years ago. It is my understanding that it has modified its program due to performance differences from the Kawasakis…
For more on this story, pick up a current issue of FREE 2 WHEEL at your local dealer, or use the handy order form page found on our web site.
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Scuttle Putt:
Oops! If you were planning to attend the Eddie Mulder West Coast Vintage Dirt Track Series on June 30 in Del Mar, you’re in for a surprise. The date originally advertised was in error and the event will actually take place on Friday, June 23, so please adjust your calendar accordingly. Practice for the 2006 Del Mar Fair/Motion Pro Short Track National starts at 3 p.m., and the racing gets underway at 5 p.m. Call (661) 944-1184 if you need additional information.
On the subject of racing, vintage dirt track fans are going to be disappointed this month. For 13 years, they have enjoyed an exciting program of flying dirt at the Ventura County Fairgrounds every June brought to them by The Guyz at The Shop in Ventura, but this year’s event has been cancelled due to conflicting schedules at the track. Dave Hansen, owner of The Shop, is exploring other options and Free 2 Wheel will keep you posted.
Interview:
TOUGH LOVE
Interview by Anne Van Beveren
Tom Hicks has one of the biggest soap boxes you’ll ever find in a motorcycle dealership. And he climbs up on it and starts spouting every chance he gets.
 “There are three types of motorcyclists. Those who have crashed; those who will crash, and those who will crash again,” he tells riders, new and old. “There are two things that are going to keep you safe on a motorcycle—training and proper gear. If you’re going to ignore either of those, you’re on your own.”
Not blunt enough? How about being told that a monkey may have about as much riding ability as you do?
“A monkey can go straight on a motorcycle. The question is, can he turn one? There’s too much ego in this world. You need to get over that and learn how to ride. You need to understand counter steering, how the front brake is 85 percent--up to 100 percent--of your brakes, and how to lean a motorcycle. Things like that have to come second nature, or a monkey might do a better job of riding than you do.”
 And then there’s the, “If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet” speech.
“Think your beanie’s real good? Lie on the ground, lift your head four inches and drop it on the ground. If you hit from four inches, it would hurt like hell with a beanie on. I’ve high sided off race bikes and flown from six feet in the air and not thought about anything but my sore muscles. And don’t even get me started on gloves. Do you know how long it takes for the skin to grow back on your palms if you scrape it all off because you’re not wearing good gloves? It takes forever.”
The beauty of Tom Hick’s soap box is that, when he’s on it, people actually listen. And he’s helping to turn riders into survivors...
Way2go
SOMETHING OLD… SOMETHING NEW
Story and Photos by Anne Van Beveren
Heading back east this Summer to experience the history of our great nation? Why not save your airfare and discover a little history in your own backyard?
 In just one Sunday afternoon, you can walk paths trodden by California’s Indians, then gallop ahead to stagecoaches that crisscrossed the Golden State in the late 19th Century. And, for a touch of the exotic, why not finish your backyard tour with a walk on the wild side that will bring out all of your animal instincts.
There’s no better place to start a tour of our So. Cal. backyard than the legendary Rock Store. Don’t know how to find it? Where on earth have you been all these years? Take the 101 (Ventura) Freeway west out of the San Fernando Valley. Just after you transition from L.A. County into Ventura County you’ll find the City of Agoura Hills, and the Kanan Road freeway exit.  Head south on Kanan and, in three miles, turn left on Sierra Creek Road. Turn right onto Mulholland Highway when the road T’s, and the Rock Store is a couple of hundred yards on your left. Or, on a Sunday afternoon, just follow the bikes from pretty much anywhere in L.A.
To start your tour, zero your odometer outside the Rock Store and head west on Mulholland. Ride carefully in the twisties. Sportbike riders who should know better might be cornering a little too far into your lane, and the CHP will be out patroling for them. Go straight across Kanan at three miles, bear right to stay on Mulholland at four miles, and make a right turn onto Westlake Boulevard as your odometer turns 6.3 miles. Now you’re starting to understand why the Rock Store is such a motorcycle magnet. After three miles of slaloming downhill, make a left onto Potrero Road at the traffic signal and discover the bucolic side of Los Angeles. Sheep graze under spreading oaks, alongside Arabian horses and motorized indicators of conspicuous wealth. Was that another Ferrari? Aspire to stay, if you will, but keep riding, until you reach Wendy Drive at 16.4 miles. Make a right onto Wendy, another right onto Lynn Road and, 2.4 miles later, turn left onto Ventu Park. Turn left again by the flags to enter the Stagecoach Inn Museum. The property is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., but Sunday is the best time to visit because everything is open (the Museum is all that is open on other days), plus there are docents on hand to explain what you’re seeing...
For more on this story, pick up a current issue of FREE 2 WHEEL at your local dealer, or use the handy order form page found on our web site.
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