Etc.

etc.

NOHVCC HELPS OUT

Chalk one up for networking: This past spring, the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (www.nohvcc.org) was invited to become a partner in “American Frontiers: A Public Lands Journey,” a multi-year effort by the Public Lands Interpretive Association and National Geographic Society to increase understanding and appreciation for America’s public lands. Centerpiece for the project is an eight-week, 1300-mile journey from Canada to Mexico, which began July 31st. Participants planned to travel by ATV, boat, foot, horse, motorcycle, mountain bike and raft, across some of the country’s wildest backcountry. Notes from the event are available on www. publiclands. org.

STOKED ON STROKER

Two hot motocrossers, a pair of racy middleweight sportbikes and a ballsy street-fighter are not all Kawasaki has up its sleeve for ’03. Also new is the Vulcan 1600 Classic, a reskinned, longer, lower

and more powerful spin on the Vulcan 1500 Classic. Big news is the stroked

1552cc V-Twin, which according to a company spokesman, “pulls like a horse.” Look for a better ride, too, what with dual-disc front brakes, a 43mm fork, Mean Streak swingarm and wider, tubeless tires.

RIPPED-OFF RIDES

Four of the five most frequently stolen streetbikes are Yamahas, reports CCC Information Services, a Chicago software provider for the automotive claims and collision repair industry. The 2000/2001-model YZF-R6 and YZF-R1 garnered spots one, two, four and five, with Honda’s CBR600 sandwiched in the middle. Honda’s CBR900RR is apparently popular among thieves, as well, as are Suzuki’s GSX-R600 and 750.

NEW DUCATIS IN DROVES

The 999 Superbike isn’t the only new motorcycle Ducati has up its corporate sleeve for 2003 and beyond, and we’re not just talking about the predictably downsized 749, either. The Monsters, Supersports and ST sport-tourers are all slated to receive cosmetic facelifts, accompanied by the same sort of packaging refinements ushered in by the 999. The two-valve V-Twins will grow in size, too, the 750 and 900 becoming the 800 and 1000, with Testastretta-derived “Twin Spark” technology a la the Multistrada. Speaking of which, that latter model will debut in mid-2003 as an early-release 2004 model, and along with the ST4S will be available with ABS. There continues to be much speculation about a production Supermono, with rumors ranging from a budget Monster (an under-$5000 “Buell Blast done right”) to a supercharged supermotard (a 90horsepower, sub-300-pound Single, anyone?). And there’s a lot of talk of a “really big” Monster power cruiser, realistically a sohc, two-valve, 1200cc VTwin that would pump out a “perfect”

100 horsepower and 100 foot-pounds of torque. A Desmosediciderived V-Four Apollo might be asking a bit much...

SHOW SEASON FULL SWING

Where to see the latest, greatest twowheelers up close and in person? At the Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows, of course! The 2002-03 schedule is as follows:

For more information, log on to www. motorcycleshows.com