Northwest Cycle Report

News and Events for Motorcyclists in Washington, Oregon and Idaho

Archives for the ‘Rants’ Category

GPS = Global Pantywaist System?

By John Davis • Sep 10th, 2007 • Category: Rants

I was reading CycleWorld’s review of the new Kawasaki Concours last night. As have other reviews that I have read, this one praised the bike’s performance, handling, comfort and value. The reviewers did, however, bemoan the absence of a GPS system and heated grips.
Has it really come to this? A motorcycle that by all [...]



Choices

By John Davis • Aug 29th, 2007 • Category: Rants

The death of Shane Chapman is a tragedy. Like many motorcyclists, Shane left behind a wife and young children. One of those children, 10-year-old Emily, has decided to do something about it.
Shane Chapman was killed when a car pulled out in front of him. He was not wearing a helmet. Shane’s home state of Idaho does not [...]



A Biker’s Life <= $538

By John Davis • Aug 24th, 2007 • Category: Rants

On June 19 Raquel Cherie Lemos, 24, of Yakima, pulled out into traffic at the intersection of Tieton Drive and 15th Avenue in Yakima. She did this despite being unable to see through the heavy traffic.
Dean Wilson, 41, was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle when Lemos pulled into traffic directly in front of him. Wilson [...]



Lucky Idiot

By John Davis • Jun 5th, 2007 • Category: Rants

Maslow Magnotti is one lucky idiot.
Who is Maslow Magnotti? He’s the 20 year-old student who crashed his newly purchased YZF600 on I-90 last month within minutes of picking it up from the seller. He is also the subject of Monday’s page one article in the Seattle Times. Headline: Motorcycle ridership grows; rider death rate grows [...]



My Day In Court

By John Davis • May 29th, 2007 • Category: Rants

I arrived at the Courthouse about 45 minutes before my scheduled docket time of 9:30. I wanted to get a sense of the process before my case came up. I made it past the metal detector on the second try; I had to return my Official Cub Scout pocketknife to the saddlebag of the bike. [...]