On Saturday evening you will get a chance to have a few beers and meet the editors of Motorcycle Cruiser, Motorcyclist, Sport Rider, Dirt Rider and ATV Rider magazines. We call this popular event/seminar the "Editor's Ambush," since we get the most interesting questions. We're there to tell you anything you want to know...well, almost anything.
For more information about our Friday Reader's Ride, send an e-mail to jamie.elvidge@ primedia.com. For details on Copper Mountain and the Cycle Fest event, click onto www.cyclefestco.com.
We all know the finest mesh won't cool you in August, so head for the Rockies! We'll see you there. -JE
New Bikes 2005
Honda's Magic Touch
Along with most other OEMs this spring, American Honda has announced the release of its first wave of 2005 street motorcycles. We say "first wave" because the models shown here highlight only minor changes, and we're pretty sure the really big-ticket items have yet to come.
Honda's '05 cruiser motorcycles include a new entry in the VTX1300 series (which now offers three variations of the 1300), and the revived Shadow Spirit 750, which was dropped from the '04 lineup. Also reappearing are the '05 versions of the Shadow Sabre 1100, Shadow Spirit 1100, Shadow Aero 750, Shadow VLX 600 and the Rebel 250, which boast new colors and graphics.
The new retro-styled VTX1300R model mimics the traditional full fenders found on the 1300S and shares the same color choices, but comes with cast wheels and tubeless tires instead of the S-model's wire spokes. Like the other two VTX1300 models (the C and S), the R is priced at $9299, a $100 increase over '04. The base-price colors for the R and S models are metallic silver or black, with candy red or metallic magenta for $100 more.
The hard-core middleweight crowd will be pleased to see the return of the chain-drive Shadow Spirit 750, which gets reinserted into Honda's '05 lineup after a yearlong hiatus. Once again, Honda now offers two 750cc V-twin cruiser entries. You can get a Spirit 750 for $6099 in basic black or, for $100 more, choose from a black/red or pearl blue/metallic silver flamed paint scheme
The shaft-drive, single-carb Shadow Aero 750, introduced last year, has also seen a $100 price increase, while the suggested price for the bulletproof Shadow Spirit 1100-$8299-has been bumped up by $200. This long-running favorite is still one of the best buys in the 1100 V-twin cruiser class. For the '05 model year the Spirit 1100 is available in two monotone color choices. Honda is expected to announce additional '05 models in the near future, so stay tuned to these pages or www.motorcyclecruiser.com. -AC