2003 Wasn’t Such a Bad Year, Really…

But first, let’s turn the clock back a little farther. It was my turn to write “25 Years Ago” last month, wherein each issue one of us performs the dogged research of finding a 25-year-old copy of CW and regurgitating/interpreting the pertinent contents. Yes, we get paid for doing this, and it should be hazardous duty: It’s so easy to waste hours when you start going through these thick bound annuals looking at old bikes, ads and the people who’ve populated the magazine over the years. When I came to work at CW for the first time almost 20 years ago, “25 Years Ago” dealt with people and motorcycles I’d never heard of (mostly because 25 years before 1992, CW was just getting off the ground and so was I). Suddenly, “25 Years Ago” is beginning to attain personal relevance: The late ’80s was about the time I began to accept the fact that I’d probably never amount to anything, and so began cultivating a serious relationship with motorcycles.

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Photo by Brian J. Nelson

When I looked at the new Kawasaki ZX-10R, I realized how much accumulated change in rider position there has been in recent years. Both rider and engine have had to be positioned ever-farther forward so that engine power—rising with every new model—drives the machine forward rather than just causing a big wheelie.

In the specific case of the 2011 ZX-10R, Team Cycle World Attack Performance crew chief Richard Stanboli reckons that the engine’s crankshaft is approximately 20mm forward of where it was in the Suzuki GSX-R1000 that Team CW operated last season.

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In 2008, when I rode a Can-Am Spyder GS in the Northern California Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids, I was surprised at the diversity of riders. I’d expected the mom-and-pop Harley and Wing riders, but not the mix of sportbike knee-draggers, dual-sporters, cruisers and others, including several Spyder Ryders. We had a great time, a great ride and raised a lot of money for the kids. What’s not to like?

Nothing. Which is why I shouldn’t have been surprised to discover that the American Legion’s “Legion Riders” program has been the most successful recruiting and money-raising program the Legion has had in living memory. So far, the Legion Riders membership is more than 106,000 riders in more than 1000 chapters. Since 2006, the Riders’ annual Legacy Run has raised money to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since September 11, 2001.

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Spurs in, ye ha!

The rare alignment of ideas and ideals is always worth noting. Formation of Team Cycle World Attack Performance is just that: an extra element to the already-exciting two-wheel racing environment that we love so dearly. We’ve taken responsibility to push the sport to a new level by bringing in new eyes, non-endemic sponsors, important new technology, such as the radically advanced Kawasaki ZX-10R, and, of course, the talent of tomorrow. Call it growth without cannibalization.

This program has not come together easily, and there have been bumps in the road. Thanks to the aforementioned organizations and tireless efforts of many individuals, on March 11th, Team Cycle World Attack Performance will launch a three-pronged attack on the AMA Pro Road Racing Series with Daytona Sportbike rookie JD Beach and me competing on the twice-best-in-class Kawasaki ZX-6R in the Daytona 200. We have big shoes to fill to repeat Attack Performance’s one-two punch delivered in 2007 and ’08 with Steve Rapp and Chaz Davies. Additionally, we will debut the impressive new ZX-10R in the American SuperBike class.

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Photos by Brian J. Nelson

I attended the second Dunlop tire test at Daytona, January 17-18, where rider Eric Bostrom rode the Team Cycle World Attack Performance Kawasaki ZX-10R AMA Pro American SuperBike for the first time. The new ZX-10R is the bike that went on production hold for a possible high-rpm valve-spring surge. This issue has now been corrected by installation of an altered intake cam plus new intake springs and retainers. Crew chief Richard Stanboli told me he made the changes on the CW bike himself. “It took about an hour,” he said. Stanboli was pleased to find that valve clearances after the change did not require adjustment—evidence of good precision in cam manufacture.

The test was to have consisted of a half day Monday, 12–5 p.m., and a full day Tuesday. Atlantic Coast weather had other ideas: It rained all Monday, and residual dampness kept bikes off the track until after noon Tuesday.

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Photo by Andrea Wilson.

Cycle World Technical Editor Kevin Cameron phoned on his way to the airport to update me on Team Cycle World Attack Performance and rider Eric Bostrom’s first day of testing on the new Kawasaki ZX-10R at recently repaved Daytona International Speedway. Day 1 of the planned two-day test was unfortunately called off due to rain, but Bostrom and his new teammate, JD Beach, who is riding a Kawasaki ZX-6R in the Daytona SportBike class, were both able to get in at least on on-track session today.

“It runs. It’s fast. Went 186 mph through the traps,” said Kevin. “Eric was fourth-fastest in the session that I saw behind the obvious people. [Bostrom cut the chicane on his fast lap in the morning session; his actual best lap, a 1:42.462, put him 11th out of 18 riders. He was 10th quickest in the afternoon session.]

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Repsol KTM rider Marc Coma wrapped up the third Dakar victory of his career with a fifth-place finish in today’s 181-kilometer stage. The Spaniard completed the difficult race with a 15-plus-minute advantage over his nearest rival, Cyril Despres. BMW-mounted Frans Verhoeven won today’s stage. Street was 13th and is 12th overall. Fellow American Quinn Cody recorded an impressive ninth-place finish in his first Dakar Rally.

We hope to hear from Jonah tomorrow with his final thoughts on the event.

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Photo by Joe Bonnello.

Jonah Street checked in today one stage away from reaching Buenos Aires and the finish of what has proven to be an immensely challenging 2011 Dakar Rally.

Here’s the latest, straight from Street:

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Photo by Jeff Allen.

Team Cycle World Attack Performance and rider Eric Bostrom will debut Kawasaki’s all-new 2011 ZX-10R at Daytona International Speedway March 10-12. Led by crew chief Richard Stanboli, the newly formed team will begin its pre-season development program by participating in the January 17-18 Dunlop Tire Test at Daytona.

Rising star JD Beach will also test with the team aboard a Kawasaki ZX-6R in preparation for his first crack at the Daytona 200. Kawasaki’s ZX-6R has won Best Middleweight honors in Cycle World’s Ten Best balloting for the past two years. Bostrom is scheduled to race in the 200, as well. Phil Baker of BCS Management has joined the team to handle contract negotiations, sponsorship acquisitions and other business matters. Baker also works with factory Yamaha MotoGP star Ben Spies and stunt rider Jason Britten.

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Photos by Jonah Street.

Jonah Street made a solid effort in the Dakar Rally today, completing the stage without any major mishaps. The course was brutal, though, and, on the heels of yesterday’s unavoidable crash and unfortunate navigational troubles, it took its toll on the American racer.

Here’s the latest, straight from Street:

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Here’s the latest, straight from Street:

“I had a crazy, crazy day today. I misread the road book and missed the first waypoint. It was a rookie-type screw-up—something I haven’t done in five or six years. By the time I found the waypoint and got back on course, [rally front-runner] Cyril Despres had just gone by, so I followed him into the sand dunes. The dunes were super tough. Then, we hit some sand hills—actually, sand mountains. It was really hot, and my Yamaha’s fuel system vapor-locked. I was stuck for quite a while. The bike would barely run, so I did a bunch of switchbacks to get up the last hill. Once I was over the hill, the bike ran better because I was moving faster and the airflow cooled things off.

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Photo by Joe Bonnello.

American Jonah Street won Stage 9 of the Dakar Rally after back-to-back days of mechanical misfortunes that pushed him out of the top 10 overall. Today, Street finished more than 3 minutes ahead of second place to earn his second career Dakar Rally stage win. He was relieved and happy when he called. Here’s what Street had to say about his victory:

“Did you see that I won today!? I’m so happy with the way I rode. The terrain suited me really well. The rocks weren’t the random sizes that we’ve experienced the past few days, and nothing went wrong with the bike. I’m stoked!

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Dakar Rally fans await the arrival of American Jonah Street.

Jonah Street suffered another mechanical setback at the 2011 Dakar Rally, losing more than an hour to his competition for the second straight day. Street managed to finish today’s stage without a functioning front brake or an odometer. Using his road book and GPS, he found ways to navigate and even pass a few riders. Despite all the bad luck he’s endured recently, the American still has a positive outlook on the race. He’s not quitting.

“I made it in, and I’m safe. No crashes. But 178 kilometers into the 508-kilometer Special, the front brake and ICO [odometer] lines came off and got stuck in the front tire. I had no front brake and no odometer. It was not awesome.

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The GP-inspired 1986 Suzuki GSX-R750 made other sportbikes of the era look almost general purpose.

We’re coming up on the 25th anniversary of the American launch of the Suzuki GSX-R, undoubtedly the most successful sportbike of all time.

One of Suzuki’s strategies on establishing the sporting credentials of the GSX-R in America back in 1986 was by paying generous contingency payouts to winners of club races who rode the new Gixxer. Winners of 750cc and Open Production classes in club events across the country could win $1000 per race. While $1000 doesn’t sound like a ton of money today, let’s put it in context: You could buy a new Suzuki GSX-R750 retail for $4299 and go racing. An AMA Superbike podium (third) at the time only paid $1900, and you’d have to have a motorcycle with at least $15,000-$20,000 invested to have a realistic shot at scoring that AMA podium. Also, Yamaha had a very successful contingency racing program for its FZ750 and FJ600 the year before that paid $500 per win. With mathematics like that, it’s easy to see why a lot of riders in 1986 decided to go the Suzuki route.

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Photo by Joe Bonnello.

Jonah Street had one of those days today. Approximately 140 kilometers into the special section, the American Yamaha GYTR pilot suffered an electrical failure, which, in turn, shut down the engine of his WR450F. Street quickly went to work, tearing into his machine until he found the problem. He eventually got his bike running again and finished the stage, albeit with disappointing results.

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