Cycle World Roundup

CYCLE WORLD ROUNDUP

We’re getting safer

The number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities dropped between 1981 and 1982, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. A 50-state survey of traffic statistics

found that the number of accidents dropped by five percent and the number of fatalities declined by six percent.

It marked the first time in the 10 years the foundation has kept nationwide statistics that there were reductions in both accidents and fatalities for two consecutive years, said Susan Rauth of the MSF. There were decreases in both categories between 1980 and 1981: accidents dropped by one percent and fatalities by five percent.

In 1982, there were 165,689 reported motorcycle accidents and 4540 fatalities—9333 fewer accidents and 304 fewer deaths than the 1981 tally.

Both the ratios of accidents and deaths to the number of registered motorcycles

dropped by five percent in 1982, according to

the survey. There were 297 accidents and eight fatalities per 10,000 bikes.

The two-year decrease reversed a trend of steady increases of accidents and fatalities. In the decade prior to 1982, the average annual increase of accidents was 4850; the average annual increase of deaths was 226.

MSF researchers couldn’t cite specific reasons for the decline, but Rauth suggested there were several factors. One was a slight decrease, one percent, in motorcycle registrations during 1982.

“But that very slight drop in the number of motorcycles couldn’t account for the significant drop in accidents and fatalities,” she said.

More likely causes for the better safety record, she said, were: an increase in the percentage of motorcyclists who have completed rider education training, the adoption by some states of tougher motorcyclist licensing requirements, and a campaign by the AMA to publicize the risks of alcohol and drug use. Finally, statistics indicate that fewer new riders are entering the sport; as a result, the average level of experience probably is higher.

“The important thing, though, is this: looking at the figures, you can say that motorcyclists are becoming safer,” said another MSF spokesman.

According to the 1982 survey, West Virginia and Iowa had the fewest accidents per 10,000 registered bikes (75.10 and 91.58, respectively); South Carolina and Florida had the most (576.39 and 570.96). Iowa and South Dakota had the fewest fatalities per 10,000 registered bikes (2.93 and 3.64); Delaware and South Carolina had the most (21.90 and 18.55). California, the state with the most number of motorcycle registrations (645,000), had 351.28 accidents and 10.55 deaths per 10,000 bikes.

KTM’s new 125: light, low, powerful

ICTM enters 1984 with an all-new, liquid-cooled I25cc motocrosser that’s light, low and powerful.

The I23.6cc two-stroke engine has a big, 36mm magnesium carb, a six-petal reed valve, direct crankcase feed and eight transfer ports Claimed power is 35 bhp.

The 125MX has 40mm forks and a mono-shock with integral mounted reservoir. Front travel is 12 in.; rear travel is 12.7 in. There’s a new, aluminum swing arm and bolt-on rear frame section. The transmission is a close-ratio six-speed. Brakes are double leading-shoe, front and rear.

The KTM also has a new tank, seat and body panels.

The seat height is 35.5 in. Weight, minus gas, is 192 lb., according to the factory.

The suggested retail price of the KTM 125MX is $1989. Dealers should already have them in stock.

Injured officer wins liability suit

A Santa Ana, California, policeman who almost died in a high-speed motorcycle crash in 1977 has been awarded $755,477 in a product liability suit against Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA.

A civil-court jury decided it was a manufacturing defect that caused Sgt. Richard Bower to lose control of his police bike during a freeway chase. Bower said the bike went into an uncontrollable front-end wobble at about 60 mph.

“There was nothing he could do about it,” said Robert Stone, Bower’s attorney. “His bike went down and he slid 300 feet down the freeway.”

Stone said Bower received massive, permanent internal injuries that will require future operations. After a month of hospitalization, however, Bower returned to

work; he now is Santa Ana’s chief traffic officer.

The jury found Kawasaki liable for negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty. Stone claimed that Kawasaki was negligent because the company’s engineers knew about the front-end instability, but failed to notify customers.

He said the wobble apparently was caused by the addition of 150 lb. of police gear to the modified bikes.

Three other defendants in the suit—Dan Gurney Cycle Products, Motorola and the Orange County (California) Communications Department—paid Bower $60,000 in a pretrial settlement.

Action on the 55-mph front

A Woodburn, Oregon, justice of the peace has been tossing speeding cases out of court, after deciding that his state’s 55-mph speed limit is

unconstitutional.

The Oregon law was adopted in 1974 during a massive fuel shortage. Although the state said the lowered speed limit was a necessary fuel conservation measure, says Justice Dewey Newton, it made no effort to survey the fuel supply.

That failure, maintains Newton, makes the law unfair, unjustified, arbitrary—and unconstitutional.

Dewey dismissed 20 speeding cases on the day he made his announcement, and indicated that he will continue to drop new ones until the law is repealed.

Meanwhile, legislation just approved in Wyoming sets a $5 maximum fine for daytime speeding up to 75 mph on the state’s interstate highways, and up to 65 mph on other roads.

Indications are that Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler will allow the bill to become law without his signature.

Well, almost everywhere, but you get the idea

As part of a motorcycle safety/awareness program, a Massachusetts rider is offering free bumper stickers reminding motorists to watch out for those of us on two wheels.

You can get a sticker by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Robert Lewis Doiron, RLD Enterprize, P.O. Box 143, Winter Hill Branch, Somerville, Mass. 021450143.

Doiron, former executive director of the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Rights Organization, also is looking for clubs, businesses and individuals to sponsor the stickers. For $115, a sponsor gets 500 stickers imprinted with his name at the bottom.

The stickers, by the way, say: “Check Twice—Save A Life. Motorcycles Are Everywhere!”

Harley offers FXRT accessory package

/farley-Davidson is offering $900 worth of accessories free to purchasers of new FXRT Sport Glides. The

“Hallellujah Package” includes a fairing-mounted AM-FM stereo cassette player with antenna; cylinder head temperature and oil pressure gauges, voltmeter and clock; a luggage rack; and Tour Pak and fairing pockets.

The offer applies to FXRTs purchased from participating dealerships between Aug. 1, 1983, and March 31, 1984. Purchasers can take delivery of the bike at any time during the offer period, and have the accessories installed later by the dealership.

The “Hallellujah” offer is valid only at participating dealerships.

But what about Gold Wings towing Airstreams?

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently allowed as how it would caution tolltakers at bridges and turnpike entrances not to overcharge some motorcyclists.

Seems like some toll-takers were charging motorcycles with sidecars and motorcycles with trailers the three-axle toll. That toll is considerably more than the toll for twoaxle vehicles.

In arguing before the commission, Hal Kendall of the United Sidecar Association pointed out that the sidehacks and motorcycle-trailer combinations were being assessed the same toll as heavy trucks and Cadillacs towing Airstreams.

AMA members eligible for discounts

Discounts on organized motorcycle tours and rentals of trucks and cars are available to members of the American Motorcyclist Association.

National Car Rental Corp. is offering members a five percent discount on mileageincluded rates and a 35 percent discount on time-andmileage rates.

A 10 percent discount on truck and trailer rentals is available to AMA members from Jartran Truck Rental Corp.

Western Adventures Inc. is granting a 10 percent discount on touring services. The Tucson, Arizona, company offers organized tours aboard BMWs throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.

And, Double B’s Motel also has established a 10 percent discount for AMA members. The Cazadero, California, company features organized tours aboard Yamahas and HarleyDavidsons throughout the western states, including Alaska.

Information on membership and the discount programs is available from the AMA, P.O. Box 141, Westerville, Ohio 43081. Phone (800) 262-5646.

There's just something about legislators and bikes...

More in our continuing round-up of the best from our brightest—

In Connecticut, a bill would require that motorcycle license plates be the same size as automobile plates.

In Minnesota, legislation would permit vanity plates on motorcycles. “My GPz,” anyone?

Legislation in Ohio carries the idea of reflective tape one step further. Not only would riders be required to wear helmets bearing reflective tape, they would be required to decorate their bikes with the stuff, too.

Finally, the best for the last: A Massachusetts bill would require that pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcylists wear reflective orange jackets or vests at night.

Coming up, the Tabernacle Choir tries to cross Salt Lake on Vespas

Strange, but there are those to whom the phrase “It can’t be done” is a dare to go out there, take a deep breath, swallow and then do exactly what can’t be done.

Men fly? Can’t be done. Walk on the moon? No way. Climb the World Trade Center? You gotta be kidding. Peace in the Middle East?

Well, some things are more difficult than others.

Anyway, what would life be without them, those willing to risk failure to prove a point, no matter how unusual? Boring, that’s what life would be.

With that in mind, here’s the tale of The Crossing of Lake Torrens.

Now, Lake Torrens is located in South Australia, near the hamlet of Parachilna, to be exact. Actually, it’s not much of a lake. It’s more of a huge salt basin: 22 mi. from shore to shore, a crust of salt topping a gooey filling of mud and silt. Because of that composition, no one has ever succeeded in crossing it, or even reaching the middle and returning.

Until recently, no one wanted to. Then, it was determined that there was a rich lode of valuable mineral deposits in the center of the lake, just ripe for the taking. Suddenly, there were a lot of people who wanted to cross the lake.

Bearing sophisticated machinery, they arrived.

They tried a hovercraft. They tried a two-seat, eight-wheel . . . hmm, octomobile? They tried military troop landing vehicles.

All failed. At least one still rests in the muck.

Can’t be done, was the verdict.

Wanna bet? said Barry McDonald.

McDonald, the owner of the only hotel in Parachilna, and his son Michael decided to conquer the briny bog. Nothing fancy for them. One day, they just climbed on their Yamaha XT500s and set off.

An hour later, they were on the other side. They would have gotten there earlier, but they bogged down twice and had to push one of the XTs three-quarters of a mile back to shore to restart it. Speeds reached about 80 mph.

The trick, said the elder McDonald, was riding fast so the bikes skimmed the salty surface. “Even so, the wheels are down into the salt about 5 cm. (2 in.). If you stop, you’ll be down in at least 30 cm. ( 12 in.) of black mud. You can’t get going from there; it’s back to shore before you completely sink,” McDonald said.

So that’s it. Another can’tbe-done done. Impossibility whipped. The inconceivable defeated.

Salt licked. g