Canadian Biker - July 2012
The July 2012 issue of Canadian Biker is now on the newsstands and mailed to our subscribers.
On the cover of the issue is one of the bikes in Honda’s new NC700 series. A modular platform, the NC machines are being offered in Canada in two variants: the NC700S and the NC700X. The former more of a street standard while the “X” has a little of an adventure touring attitude. Honda heralds the bikes as innovative, user-friendly and fuel sipping - not to mention the huge compartment that looks like a fuel tank but is instead somewhere to keep your milk, eggs and WD40. The model not coming to Canada is the Integra which is a scooter built on the same frame (why does the rest of the world get the second coming of the long lost Honda Helix?). Are the bikes revolutionary as Honda is claiming? We take a jaunt to the introduction in Spain to find out for ourselves.
Helmet laws..... Okay I am just waiting for the shouting to die down. It seems as though everyone has a very strong opinion on what you should be wearing on the ol’ noggin while riding your favourite CT90 down the road or out to the fishing hole. Full face, open face, half helmet, novelty beanie. British Columbia is cracking down on what riders in the province are allowed to wear on their heads. The rational is to rid the province of the infamous “BC beanie”. In the issue we have an in-depth look at the law and the enforcement. Be warned there is a lot of “legal speak” but just think of it as an episode of Law and Order without the theme song.
Prior to Snell, ECE and DOT, there was the "Barnyard Wall" standard.
Next up we ride the latest in Vincents - a 1951 Black Shadow. It is a rare treat - literally.
It seems that the days of wild stretched customs have come and gone. Many manufacturers that rushed to build the machines during the heyday back in 2008 are no longer selling bikes. What is a fellow to do if he really wants a bike that is pushing ten feet long and riding on a 250 section rear tire? The answer. Build it yourself. And just as a change of pace, use a Yamaha Warrior as a starting point.
On the road we head to Brazil with the intrepid motorcyclist Larry Simpson. Take this as an excerpt from the story “The bugs are out again. They get blown inside my helmet sometimes and it becomes a battle of wills to see if I can hold out till they settle down” Does that sound like fun or what?
As for tidbits we have Honda’s new offering that looks more like Asimo the robot’s motorcycle, an electric drag bike, the so claimed “World’s Fastest Super Cruiser” and a web site that tells you where you don’t have to pay 25 cents to put air in your tires. We keep you informed and save you money, what could be better than that?
Enjoy.
