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Star Road Star S
MSRP: $13,090
Caretaker: Bartels
Measurements: 6'0"/198 Lbs/33" Inseam
Odometer: 3220
Miles Since Last Issue: 97

"You can't tour with apes!" It's something I've heard for years by guys who don't ride with apes. The truth is somewhat more nuanced. I decided I'd put the myth to rest by doing some serious miles on my long term Road Star which has a set of 14" Burly Brand Apes.

(November 5, 2009) - Harley-Davidson announced plans to commemorate the 2nd Annual Women Riders Month in May 2010 by hosting women riders in its hometown of Milwaukee, Wis., on May 22 and 23, 2010. Women Riders Month is designed to celebrate the millions of women who have already grabbed life by the handlebars, as well as inspire more women to experience the freedom of the open road.

Chinese bikes have gotten a bit of a bad reputation. Perhaps it's not entirely undeserved, but Johnny "Pag" Paganini would like to change all that. "The China hurdle, some people can't go with it, but it's getting better, " says Pag. To beat the rap, Johnny Pag Motorcycles (JPM) went with a single, proven liquid-cooled 300cc parallel twin to power all of their American-Designed bikes. This made stocking parts far easier than if there had been a variety of power plants. And stock parts they do, with every part for each of the bikes sitting on the shelf at their Irvine, CA stockroom.inline_mediumwraptextright26954395/newsandupdates/0912_crup_johnny_pag_motorcycles0912_crup_20_z+johnny_pag_motorcycles+bikes.jpgTrue

2010 Stratoliner Deluxe
Star is introducing a new bagger, the 2010 Stratoliner Deluxe. Powered by Star's 113 cubic-inch (1854cc) air-cooled, pushrod V-twin, it's certainly no slouch in the power department. Featuring a full front fairing and large color-matched locking hard sidebags you'll be set for the long haul. Making the trip even more pleasant is an audio system with high fidelity speakers, handlebar mounted controls and an iPod jack.

Changing your motorcycles oil is a lot like doing the dishes isn't it. I mean it's not particularly fun, or hard for that matter, it's just one of those things you have do, because the alternatives are either gross, like eating off a dirty dish, or expensive, like rebuilding your engine. In any event, you've really only got two choices here, you can pay someone to change your oil for you, or you can do it yourself which saves time and money and is infinitely more convenient. Since I've probably changed more oil than some of you have had hot meals, here's 10 Easy Steps towards making the process as painless as possible.

How EFI works
When a carbureted engine is running, airflow creates a low-pressure area in the carburetor venturi. Because the fuel in the float bowl is at atmospheric pressure while the pressure in the venturi is something lower, fuel is forced through the metering jets into the venturi, and from there it's carried by the moving airstream into the combustion chamber. In short, fuel metering is dependent on the size of the holes in the jets and the strength of the vacuum signal in the carburetor venturi. Because the vacuum signal is affected by everything from the engine's rpm and throttle position to the condition of the rings and the type of exhaust system you're using, it's a particularly crucial piece of the puzzle and one that can complicate the jetting process to no end. Granted that's a great oversimplification of how a carburetor works but it hits the high notes and hopefully, gives you some inkling of why it takes a very sophisticated carburetor to provide really accurate fuel metering.

When Triumph launched its 2300cc Rocket III in 2004, the biggest challenge it faced was marketing. How do you position the largest production motorcycle engine on the planet? Over the years Triumph has tried to squeeze the Rocket into different niches, morphing the original Rocket into the more relaxed, floorboard-ed Classic, and most recently, into the touring-biased Rocket III Touring, complete with windscreen and hard bags as standard equipment.inline_mediumwraptextright31066671/newsandupdates/0910_crup_2010_triumph_rocket_iii_roadster0910_crup_01_z+2010_triumph_rocket_iii_roadster+right_side_view.jpgTrue

Bonneville Blues
Q I have a tech question for you. I have a '06 Bonneville with 7500 miles on it. Here's the problem; I went for a ride yesterday. The bike started right up and ran perfectly. I parked in the garage, took the key out and hung it on its nail. When I went out this morning I turned the key and nothing, no lights, the bike wouldn't turn over.

First Gear TPG Rainer jacket and Escape Pant

$249.95-399.95

FirstGear's TPG brand is their all-weather touring lineup. From this bunch we selected the full-length Rainier Jacket and Escape Pant.

$581.95 (as tested)

I've always had an aversion to large crowds, or even small ones for that matter, so I've generally avoided the rally scene. If you don't count Daytona, which I attended strictly to see (and in some cases, participate in) the races, you could count the ones I've attended on one hand, and that includes three trips to the now defunct Honda Hoot, which to be perfectly honest, were mandatory work assignments.

Back for 2010 is Star's pure evil VMAX. Similar to its re-introduction last year, the 2010 'Max is a limited-edition model available only by special pre-order from August 4th to November 30th, 2009. The 2010 VMAX has not been updated mechanically, but just read our Magnificent Muscle test

With lackluster financial results looming, Harley-Davidson has announced plans to discontinue the Buell motorcycle line and is actively seeking buyers for the recently acquired MV Agusta unit.

Got a bike you'd like to flaunt? Send prints or high-resolution digital files (300 dpi, please) of your cruiser plus info about it to Motorcycle Cruiser, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 or cruiser@sorc.com.

The new 8-Balls are the Hammer and the Vision. The Vision 8-Ball is a blacked-out budget version of the Vision Street (which it replaces) as you might expect, but goes its own way in a couple of respects. For one, considering its less tour-oriented mission, it's two inches closer to the pavement, with a seat height of just 24.5 inches. Special wheels also drop the unsprung weight on the this 8-Ball, compared to the tourers. Unlike other 8-Balls, it's got the full-on 106-inch motor with six-speed transmission combo found in the other Visions. Like the other Visions the 8-Ball sports a new airbox for quieter intake noise. The Vision 8-Ball is offered for $17,999.

Stretch Your Legs
Accutronix jumps into the Fury aftermarket with their new forward controls for the Honda Fury. The controls are available in a standard length or a +3-inch extended length. Accutronix Forward Controls combine form, function, and clean styling into one easy-to-install kit for your Honda. The shift and brake assemblies are adjustable for optimum riding comfort and utilize sealed bearings for smooth actuation and durability. The kits, which are manufactured in the USA from billet aluminum, come complete with all mounting hardware, pegs, and shift/brake rods. The controls are available in a wide variety of styles and finishes with either folding or rigid peg options. For additional information, visit Accutronix at www.accutronix.com.

The heart of the motorcycle market these days is bikes like this. Suzuki's new M50 is a continuation of the lineup that started out four years ago with the M109 and continued with the Motorcycle Cruiser shootout-winning M90, now appears in a 805cc version. Many of the familiar lines of the M-series will be readily apparent, from the controversial headlight cowl, to the flowing tank, and the wide boat-style rear. Like its big brothers, the M sports an inverted front end, sleek multi-function display, LED taillight, and a respectably wide rear end with a 170-series tire beneath the fender.

MORE TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE
(in reaction to Mark Zimmerman's challenge to car-tire wearin' "Darkside" motorcycle riders, Motorcycle Cruiser, July '09)
I have used a car tire on my Valkyrie for the past 30K+ miles. I have 110,000 miles on it right now. You are welcome to use it at any time, however, I am in Texas. I am an MSF RiderCoach and RiderCoach Trainer.
Eric West
Pampa, TX

Mr. Zimmerman, I'll take your offer for you to ride a cruiser with a car tire on the rear. Fly into Des Moines, IA, I'll pick you up, we'll go about three miles to my house and get the bike, I'll chase you around on my Chevy Trike and try to get you on several types of roads to get a good test. This is about my 7th car tire on this 1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer. I will never go back to a motorcycle tire on this bike willingly. I'm available everyday except Wednesday. That is the one day a week that I work. I'm 76-years old and retired. Been riding bikes about 62 years.
R J Bullard
Des Moines, IA

I recently read an article in Wired magazine about a shrine in Japan that specializes in giving blessings to portable electronics like cell phones, iPods, laptop computers and the like. The reasoning is that in Japan's Shinto religion all creations from rocks to people to Blackberries to motorcycles have a soul/spirit or Kami.

Lizzie Luna-Bartels
5'4'', none of your business lbs., 27" inseam

Honda VTX 1300T

MSRP: $11,299
Caretaker: Zimmerman
Measurements:5'10"/220 LBs/32" Inseam
Odometer: 2086
Miles since last issue: 1013