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/126946
How you can win (Conlinu('d from page 2) Magnum and .30 caliber rifle bullets (just like Ronnie Reagan wears). And don't forget the "flak jackets" worn by_most football quarterbacks which prevent rib and back inj uries. There's just no question that we can come up with a flak back thal will reduce the number and severity of spinal injuries from impact. After all, this is America. The world's most technologically advanced country. Our medical and surgical communities are the envy of every country on the planet. Well, no more excuses. Let's put our boot down here. No more David Bailey tragedies. Or Danny Chandler; Mitch Payton, Mitch Mayes and the hundreds, if not thousands, of others. I throw down the gauntlet and challenge the sanctioning bodies and promoters to install arule requiring spinal protection apparel for all racers. Let's say, no later than the end of th.is year. I challenge the factories, their teams and works riders to commence immediat~ c;levelopment and testing of spinal protection designs. There's already spinal protectors being used in Europe. 56 there's at least'a start from which to begin. I challenge all the protective apparel people to gear up in supporting the design, testing and development of spinal protectors. If you guys can come up with all these high zoot designs for pants and shoulder pads and boots and gloves and fanny cUshions, you can sure as Hades get behind protective gear for the old back. And you can certainly make it look trendy and stylish. I challenge thos..e orthopedic surgeons out there to jump in and offer their irreplaceable expert advice. (I'm sending a copy of this to my "bone man" today.) They're the first ones to give us a ration for riding and racing liikes, and the first to tell us we need more/better protective apparel. So Doc, let's see what you can come up with. There's really no reason why work- , able early production spinal protectors can't be in the hands of the professional race teams by spring of this year. That means all the magazines, can shoot all their pictures and talk about the new revolution in protective apparel. Then the readers and riders will start ttl understand and accept the concept. By year's end production versions of spinal protectors can easily be in the pipeline and on dealers' shelves. And an excellent Christmas present indeed. As has already happened in Europe, riders complained about early spinal protectors. They were cumbersome, caused itching, restricted movement, were unsightly, smelled bad, created extended bathroom visits, retarded sex life and distorted their names on their jerseys. We've all heard that before with new boots, full coverage helmets, knee guards, stone-proof goggles, shQulder pads and chest protectors. But do any pros or smart riders race without them? Of course not. The glitches and warts always get worked out. In any case, a spinal protector is immensely more comfortable than a lifetim-e in a wheelchair. Just think of the benefits. Sanctioning bodies can pronounce a safer sport. Promoters will spend less .time (and money) in the courtroom. Racers ~D(t ~.tc;!ers everywhere 'can ride with more security. The rest of society will see us as a more responsible group. And you won't have to read another rampage of mine of the subject. There's only one loser - General Hospital. And that's fine by me. Dave Holeman HUSQVARNA'S '250WR I.S.D.E. WIN SETS SCENE FOR EVEN GREATER '87 For 20-year old Husqvarna factory rider Randy Hawkins, the prideof Travelers Rest, S.C., 1986 was a year to remember. Randy was invited to carry the U.SA colors in the ltalia'n LSD.E, six day enduro on his Husky 250WR. His all-out racing style resulted in a gold medal, a success which outshone even his 1985 Spanish I.SD.E. effort, where he gamered a silver medal for Husky, despite racing with a dislocated shoulder, A week after finishing this year's I.SD,E., Randy returned to the U.SA thoroughly "pumped, "and proceeded to win his very first national enduro at the Houston, Texas Nationals, Add to this his accomplishments in the SETRA (Southeast Enduro Trailriders Association), where he's won four of eight enduros, and two of four hare scrambles. Although SETRA races don't have the prestige of an internationaII.SD.E. event, Randy gets a kick out of racing before an enthusiastic "down home" crowd, The '86 Husqvarna 250WR Randy rode in all 1986 events was strictiy stOCk, with the exception of a Pro Pipe, which is available through any H'usqvarna dealer. For 1987, several significant modifications have been made to make Team Husky's 250WR effort even more competitive. We've changed the stroke,added a new frorit disc brake, and moved the seat position so it's easier to position yourseif over the front of the bike, All these improvements make Husqvarna's potent 250WR the one to beat in the 1987 Polish I.SD.E. as well as the national point titie chase. You cah own the very same '87 Husky 250WR that will be competing on race circuits throughout the world. Make it happen. See your Husky dealer for a great deal on a 250WR. Husqvarna Distributed by G.gl.... North America, Inc. 700 W. 190th Streel. Gardena, CA 90248 ~ METZELER Member Motorcycle Industry Council, Inc. , B R A K E S OFRC~LBRAKESPONSOROFSXISUPERCROSSSER~S Top Privateers get the best from their DIRT BIKE BRAKES with EBC. Top riders Endorsing EBC are: ALAN KING #11. RICKY RYAN #12. TOM CARSON #28. ANDY STACY #48. SCOOTER STAFFORD #79 and dozens more. ASK AT YOUR LOCAL DEALER . Hy-Tech Motorcycle Components • 12860 Bradley Ave., 'Sylmar, CA 91342 • (818) 362-5534