Ups And Downs

UPS AND DOWNS

ROUNDUP

UP: To Harley-Davidson of Glendale, California, for sponsoring “Love Ride 8,” the nation’s largest motorcycle fund-raising event. This year, the annual ride raised $850,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and attracted more than 8600 riders, including actor Peter Fonda, country singer Dwight Yoakam and rocker Billy Idol. The 100-mile ride concluded with a barbecue and concert.

UP: To Mario Andretti, for joining the elite group of individuals who have ridden a 500cc GP motorcycle. Following the final round of the CART Indycar series at Laguna Seca Raceway, the former Formula One world champion and Indianapolis

500 winner sampled a Team Marlboro Roberts Yamaha YZR500. Although Andretti, an avid sportbike rider, was allowed only four laps, he was clearly impressed by the immense power and handling of the exWayne Rainey Yamaha. “The bike was awesome,” Andretti said. “You can pick up the front end in almost any gear, it’s so responsive and light. It was everything I expected it to be. I've always loved motorcycles and I really valued the opportunity to ride the thing. It was the experience of my life.”

UP: To Bruce Crawford, for his wood sculpture of a 1941 Indian Sport Scout. Crawford fashioned the 22-inch model out of a combination of 13 exotic woods. According to Crawford, the incredible detail was

created through inlaying, stack laminating, carving and lots of sanding without using dyes or stains. The Indian took approximately 1200 hours to complete and is priced at $8500. Best known for his commissioned sculptures of collectible automobiles, the Southern California-based artist can be reached at 805/528-6240.

UP: To the television show “Super Force,” for its portrayal of motorcycles in the future.

The weekly show stars actor Ken Olandt as a former-astronaut-turned-police-officer who is transformed into a force against evil using a specially designed space suit and technically advanced motorcycle. The 21st century bike used by Olandt’s character is based on a 1990 BMW Kl and was designed by Academy Award-winner Robert Short. The action/adventure series is in its second season and airs on 165 stations across the country.

DOWN: To the city of Anaheim, California, for its discriminatory parking policy. At the recent Anaheim Motorcycle Show hosted by Edgell Expositions, motorcyclists were forced to pay the same outrageous parking fee as car drivers and leave their bikes in an uncovered, low-security area. In response, Edgell refunded motorcyclists onethird of the $6 parking fee. Unfortunately, Anaheim is not the only city that discriminates against motorcyclists with its parking policies, even though motorcycles use only a small portion of the space required by four-wheeled vehicles. □