Etc

etc

AN AMERICAN MONSTER

Curt Winter wants to see you on a U.S.made naked sportbike—er, make that his U.S.-made naked sportbike. If such a machine ignites your fireworks, feast eyes on the BTR (for Big Twin Racer) War Horse, sold as a basic kit-frame, swingarm, gas and oil tanks-for $5300 or as a complete rolling chassis wearing Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes and BST carbon-fiber wheels for $16,750. Into the big hole in the double-cradle steel frame you’ll plug your choice of Harley-style Big Twin motor and transmission. Add exhaust system (something more effective than the neighborannoyer shown here, please) plus paint, and you’re looking at a final tab somewhere north of $25K. But, hey, what price two-wheel patriotism? More info at www.bigtwinracers.com.

VICTORY RESPONDS

Following last month’s Roundup lead story, “Victory’s True Vision,” VP of the company Mark Blackwell wrote to clarify a point regarding its efforts on style and comfort: “The article indicates that ‘We want to crush our competitors on these two elements.’ Over the last six years at Victory, we have worked hard to delight our customers based on what we call ‘the voice of the customer.’ What we want to do is ‘crush it’ or over-deliver with the customers on what our research indicated were the two most important elements for luxury touring buyers. I firmly believe we will do that with the new Victory Visions. However, even if we are wildly successful over the next few years with these exciting new models, we will be a long, long way from ‘crushing’ our very large and well established competitors in this segment.”

CZECH, CZECH...

Remember Jawa? Investors from Prague last year bought the name from the Czech government and are trying to resurrect the street brand by importing Chinese engines to fit in Czech frames. The original streetbike factory closed years ago, while the separate racebike factory continued using the Jawa name producing speedway bikes. But the new investors have now forced the racer factory to change its name to JRM. Stateside JRM importer Cody Racing Products remains. For more information on the traditional 500cc or new 40-horsepower 250cc four-stroke racebike (pictured), visit www codyproducts.com.

ROK ON

Riders of Kawasaki and Medical Air Services Association (MASA) have announced an agreement that offers ROK members life saving medical air services. In the event of inlury or illness, air transportation will be provided to the nearest medical facility equipped to handle the emergency. "The value and beneffi of our partnership with MASA is plain and simple," said ROK Club Coordinator Derek Natvig. "MASA provides ROK members with yet another industry-leading service to help assure them safe, confident and hassle-free motorcycle experiences." For more information, visit www kawasaki.com/rok.