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/128166
power as it spins at a momentous 6700 rpm. So what's it like to ride the beast? Wish I could tell you more than this: It starts with an ear-splitting growl as the bike fires up. Normal procedure would then be to immediately head into the water box and lay down a smoky bumout in order to heat up the bike's DOT drag-slick rear tire for maximum stickiness. But seeing as there are over a dozen journalists on hand and tire wear could be a factor, we are instead directed to make two "dry hops" in front of the starting line before staging the bike and waiting on the four-tenths pro Christmas tree to flash green. I try three hops before realizing that there is no chance that the rear wheel is going to get a hold of the track. Having witnessed my predecessors either spin up through two gear changes after staging at too high an rpm, or misuse the air shifter (which is wired through the horn button) by shifting early, or slamming the rev limiter after attempting to shift by banging on the turn-signal indicator (it's the horn button, not the turn indicatorl), I decide that I will utilize a different tactic. The plan is to baby the machine out of the hole and then nail it after it comes up on the cams. Well that was the plan. Instead, I go too gently, and the bike bogs before ripping into the rev range some 20 feet off the line. With my legs flapping behind me, I ease off and nail the air shifter, only to nearly panic as the bike makes a vicious move out of the groove and toward the centerline of the track. Before swapping lanes, I nail the button again, and we're into third gear, with the rear wheel still spinning. The bike finally gets on the tire, and I execute a smooth shift to fourth just before crossing the finish line, charting a dismal 12.792 at 113.3 mph. And that's all there is to tell. What surely should have been an exhilarating ride is more or less wasted by unfamiliarity and a lack of friction. Even given one more chance on the bike that day, I'm convinced that little would change due to the greasy tarmac. Oh well, at least I can say I rode the world's quickest cruiser once. That has to count for something. eN ~ " " - _add ......... i h _ _ ,... ~ ItII:bW* lit ua. . - - FunIqJ ,.,.....- - - - . . ' _ _ . . .11III" dIt. AMA N8tlaa.' 1icJ . . ...,.. • .... .. .. Rac:e tuner Nigel Patrick has massaged the Warrior into an AMA Prostar class-record holder. Patrick makes most of his parts available to the general public. For more info, contact him at 714/554-RACE. Now Available Through egele news Video Theater "LIFE BEHIND BARS" Behind the Scenes of Supercross (#32SK) Find out what life is like for the racers and teams of the EA Sports Supercross Series and the AMA Chevy Trucks U.S. Motocross Championship Series - Life Behind Bars! Here's your pass to the inside of the fence as you spead alongside the fastest riders in the World. Featuring Greg Albertyn. Michael Brandes, Nick Wey. Casey Lytle. Danny Smith, and Jason Thomas. Produced in 200 I by Modern Industry Pictures for SFXlClear Channel Motor Sports. 35' VHS f I • V'd To Order Video". Call 714/751-7433 - Charge to Order Videos On-Line at: ~ -.., .""-:':"J II"J'7r::T.1 ~ ~ Th IS 'INVII'~_cyclene~s.com/product:lvideo.asp cue I _ n __ I . . $24 " 95 rC't.~l.S~ includ<-> shipping. S • AUGUST 7.2002 49