Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125471
II., 55' 5- .. _ _. _.-'--'---' ..- - 01 DHft ,...., ArM - ' r--=:=---- -..- - .. c' Q) oCl E! Q) > o :<= DEATH VALLEY By Curf Boswell Hollywood itself would fiod it bard to adequately describe the Death Valley Tour, biggest of all road rides io this or uy other COBBtry. Sapedative, magoificent, collossal, tremeodous! Yes, evea more. There is ootbiDg re88llbling it io the_uoals of motorcycliog - for sheer grudear of primeval setting, in oambers of participuts. Probably the last meotiooed (actor, participatioo, bas beeo most importut in the pbeaolleaal growth of the DV Tour in the last twelve years. Everyooe plays a role. Just by beiog there every rider ud bis friend become a part of the great eveoL 'Obstacles io the form of dia. tuce, desert terraio, moaowoous grades ud solitude face each participaat as be points bis motorcycle towards the center of the desert ud starts ridiog. Machines must be in good condition. Adequate clothing must be carried. and riding skill must be developed before a safe fun-filled ride can be fulfilled. With everything in top shape. though, there is no thrill like riding to Death Valley along with a couple of thousand others. The long thin line may stretch from Los Angeles to Baker, from Salt Lake City to Beatty, or from Seattle to Lone Pine. Riding singly, by pairs, or by groups, the mass migration towards this famous historical monument is a thrilling sight to behold and a greater thrill to ride. Here come Ihe Big ~ ~ Growing steadily in size from year to year the 12th annual Death Valley Tour reached the staggering proportions of 3500 entries this year. These are registered riders, mind you, not just the casual visitor or friend or last minute decider. who came along out of curiosity, or who waited too long to get his name in. Counting everybody, there must have been at least 4500 altogether. Almost everyone has heard in one W/J3 or another about Death Valley and has secretly vowed to see it if the OPportunity comes. The wild tales of lost wagon trains, and way-out yams about fabulous riches taken from its rocky !'anyons are enough to excite the inter- Wheels 01 ~ Kawasaki proudly announces two excitingly new motorcycles designed especially for U.S. cycle enthusiasts. Both are engineered better for better performance and dependability by the makers of the world's fastest and largest ships, trains and aircraft . .. and that knowhow goes into every Kawasaki motorcycle. Kawasaki 250 The slashing SAMURAI 250 is performancebred to give you the most power, acceleration and speed ever engineered into a 250. Features include: • • 250 CC DUAL ROTARY YALVE, 2-STROKE ENGINE DEVELOPS 31 HP/8000 RPM. • SUPERLUIIE OIL INJECTION - NO MESSY FUEL PREMIXING•• MULn·DISC WET PLATE CLUTCH. • DOUIlLE LEADING FRONT IlRAKE. • DUAL EXHAUSTS. • SEALED BEAM HEADUGHT WITH HIGH IlEAM INDICATOR. • MAXIMUM SPEED 100·105 MPH. Kawasaki 850 Here's the biggest and fastest motorcycle made in Japan. Delivers amazing acceleration: 13.8 second standing start quarter mile! Advantages include: • VERTICAL TWIN OHV 4-~ ENGINE DEUVERS FU LL 50 HORSEl'OW£R. • 115 MPH TOP SPEED, CRUISES AT !IO. • NEEDLE BEARINGS IN CON ROD IIIG ENDS. • CHROME FRONT FORK, R£AJl FENDER, MUFFLERS, TANK, CHAINCOVER•• "CANDY-AI'I'LE PAINT." Photos courtesy Cycle World DEALERS: Exclusive franchises for the full line of 2 and 4-stroke, 50 cc to 650 cc Kawasaki motorcycles are still available in many choice areas. Dealers are backed by Kawasaki's world-wide reputation for quality, service and performance. Shift up - with the new KawasalU line. American lCawasaki Motorcycle Corp. P. o. Box 2066, 15205 So. Main St.. Gardena. calif. (213) 329·1152