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A COMMENTARY BY DOUG MEYER

Tuesday December 13th, 2005

My name is Doug and I'm.....

Having just attended the Seattle Motorcycle Show, I've come to realize something. I just have to come to grips with the fact that I'm a motoholic.
I realized that at least once a day I have the desire to buy a motorcycle. I keep it under control (well sort of) by consciously saying to myself everyday "Today I will NOT buy a motorcycle." It seems to work for 363 or so days a year.
I got away clean this time, but that doesn't mean I came home with fewer motorcycles than I had when I arrived in Seattle. I actually came prepared to take a bike home with me, courtesy of board-member, swft. He had a ZZR-1200 rolling chassis and well, I have an engine. So on Sunday, before I left town, we connected and I had the chassis in the truck. By next spring I will have added a ZZR-1200 (well a 1224 probably) to the stable. This is important because I need a motorcycle that comfortably seats two, something I don't usually have. Did I say need? Well, yes I did. Some people would argue that. They would say nobody needs a motorcycle, let alone several. But it is a need, maybe one we've created ourselves by repeated exposure to the adrenalin and joy of riding, but make no mistake all you non riders , it IS a need.
There were two outstanding offerings at the show. It will be a miracle if I don't by one of these within the next year. I don't have a V-twin. I've never had a V-twin. I need a V-twin.

(I had a V-4once, but that\'s different, and it was a horrendous piece of crap Interceptor that I couldn't get rid of fast enough. Leaving my garage was the ONLY thing that bike ever did fast.)

More to the point,
I think the Victory Vegas is a stunning motorcycle. The Ness styling is apparent and the engine is art. And they run pretty well too. A few years ago, I was a guest tester for Jamie Elvidge and the crew at Cruiser Magazine where we tested 14 big bore cruisers for a big shootout article. One was a Victory and I picked it as the best engine of the group. It was a torquey 92 incher that was smooth and willing to rev. It made an otherwise unimpressive motorcycle impressive. I'm looking forward to getting a chance to ride one of the new 100 inch Freedom engines this spring. I love the looks of this yellow bike!

The next thing that got me interested at the show was the new Ducati 1000 Sport. Now, I'm not usually a fan of replicas or re-makes. I especially don't believe they are worth the premium paid for the special color or signature. This Duck though, has a perfect look for me. I had an '81 900 Dharma SS that is one of my all time favorites and the desire for things Ducati has never left me. I'm always on the lookout for an old one, but this red sport has that look, no matter what it's vintage. It's a two valve 1000, about 100hp and pretty light. I'll be testing one of these when the roads clear as well. I need a Ducati.

So, I'm only back from the show a couple days and I get this call. It seems that a 2002 turbo 12 that Muzzy's had built a couple years ago for Mike Corbin to take to Bonnevile was no longer needed by the Corbin crew and was for sale. After it went 220mph on 11 pounds of boost ("World's Fastest Bagger"), I had offered to buy it from Mike, but the offer was declined. Apparently he still needed it. He called. "Did I still want it?", he asked. "Uh, yeah" said I, now in some form of stimulus /response mode. The price was too good to pass up (they always are, aren't they?) and now THAT bike is on the way. I don't know what form it will take when I'm done with it - Bonneville bike? Godawful fast street bike? I don't know, I guess I just need a 400 hp motorcycle.

You might be thinking "What about the 14?" Well, I'm going to work on that. I do sort of feel the need to own one.

Posted by Doug @ 11:40 - Permalink - 0 Comments - 0 Trackbacks
Tags: motorcycles

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THE AUTHOR

Doug Meyer has been working with race engines professionally and as a hobby for the past 45 years. He has built engines for everything from dragbikes and cars to outboard race boats, from the famous Can-Am sports cars and an F-1 car to motorcycle streamliners. He spent many years as a professional race team member and engine builder. Everything from nitrous to nitro, Doug's had his hands in it. He has set 16 Bonneville speed records...
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