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/126997
. ; ~. , r- "MOTORCYCLIST and DIRT RIDER give me what I want out .of a magazine." -Steve Johnson Riding preference: "I do as much street and dirt riding as I can. I ride a bike to work everyday . There are some neat canyons between my house and the office, and after a hard day it' s nice to take the edge off by going out and carving some corn ers. I also ride motocross and desert and try to get to Baja whenever possible." PHOTOS: STUDIO 10 Name: Steve Johnson Occupation: Director of manufacturing, Kerker Job description: "Kerker has always been 'a leader and innovator in aftermarket exhaust systems. I'm responsible for research and development and manufacturing of new products." Riding history: "Some of the kids in my neighborhood had trail bikes we'd ride in the orange groves. I saved money to buy a motorcycle against my parents' wishes, and they made me take it back. But I didn't give up. In high school I finally got a Yamaha 80. I began attending local races and got into dirttrack racing in 1966. By 1969 I turned professional and . started roadracing." Professional background: "I worked for Kawasaki Motors Corp. as a parts picker when I was 17. Eventually, I was transferred to R&D as a test rider. In 1971 I took a leave of absence and contacted " Kel Carruthers about going to work in Europe as a mechanic. Two weeks later, at 19, I was me- . chanic for four-time World Champion Phil Read, who'd lost his factory ride and was running as a privateer. We won the 250cc title. I rejoined Kawasaki's R&D department just as they were getting into motocross. They hired Brad Lackey, made me his mechanic, and we won the national championship in 1972: In '74 I was team coordinator, and we won the 500cc class with Jim Weinert. In '76 I was Jim's mechanic when he took the supercross championship. I transferred to roadracing in '79. Kawasaki hired Eddie Lawson, and we won the 250cc national championship in 1980 and '81. Probably our most significant win was the Daytona 100. Yamaha had won it 14 years in a row, and we pulled it off as the lone Kawasaki entry. When Eddie left to race in Europe, I became Wayne Rainey's chief mechanic and we won the 1983 Superbike championship. Kawasaki dissolved the roadracing department, and I was hired by Kerker." Magazines: " MOTORCYCLIST and DIRT RIDER give me what I want out of a magazine. I cut my teeth on off-road racing, and I really enjoy following the sport through DIRT RIDER. Also, their tests are informative, easy to read, and well-written. DIRT RIDER uses our dyno facility for aU of its test bikes. Kerker is known for performance and quality, and the fact that they use a reputable facility is a good example of their thoroughness. I love MOTORCYcLIsT. The best thing about it is that the editors have fun writing it. One of the messages we're trying to put out there is that motorcycling is fun, and in MOTORCYCLIST that always comes through. Other publications tend to be real dry, and I just skim over them and try to hit the highlights. But I sit down and read MOTORCYCLIST - from cover to cover. I don't do that with any other magazine." This endorsement is purely voluntary . No fee or other consideration is paid. AT NEWSSTANDS FOR $24.00 PER YEAR OR BY SUBSCRIPTION FOR $15.94. FOR SUBSCRIPT ION ORDERS CALL (21 3) 854ยท2470. ~