The Twisted Wrist News

Big Tim Chopper A Winner All Around

2007-11-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

The "Big Tim Chopper" bike that was recently offered up was won by Gary Parker of Bruce Mines, Ontario. A $25 ticket was what it took to enter and the proceeds went to the Tim Horton Children’s Foundation. The lowrider was built by Zeel Design, winners of more biker buildoffs than you can count, and includes a coffee cup holder of course.

Tim Horton's press release
SooToday.com article

End of Season Motorcycle Recalls

2007-10-30T06:55:00.001-07:00

photo by janjochemo

BMW, Triumph and Ducati have issued recalls for a number of their newer motorcycles. For BWM, the G650X Challenge, Moto and Country models are affected. For Triumph, it's the Rocket III, Rocket III Classic and Rocket III Classic Touring models. Rounding out the group, the Hypermotard 1100 is Ducati's sole contribution. As usual, no Japanese bikes, and surprisingly, no American bikes, were mentioned.

Ottawa Citizen article

The Great Race 2008 Spans Canada

2007-10-30T06:54:00.001-07:00

photo courtesy GreatRace.com

The Great Race 2008, a centennial re-enactment of the 1908 Greatest Auto Race from New York to Paris, will include 12 Canadian cities between Ottawa and Vancouver over two weeks. The event will span 65 days total, cover almost 35,000 kms and include a range of cars in the field of 30 from the classics of days gone by to modern hybrids. The sole motorcycle entry, so far, is a 2007 Buell Ulysses running on E85.

Canada.com article

Trail Bikes Modified for Street Use Prohibited

2007-10-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

photo by hawker665

The modification of offroad motorcycles for on-road use has been prohibited by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. Mods would normally include lights, mirrors, tires and such. The Ontario Federation of Trail Riders is, understandably, miffed by this targeted decision that prevents an offroad rider from travelling from one trail to another via a provincial road.

OFTR Information

Loud Pipes Impede Lives

2007-10-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

photo by Dominic's pics

Vancouver Councilor Lorne Mayencourt has introduced a private member's bill called the Motorcycle Noise Control Act in an effort to restrict the volume to 85 decibels in a 60 km/h zone or less. Following on his predecessor's work on restricting noisy leaf blowers, Mayencourt aims to reduce the disturbance in urban areas where people are concentrated.

Ottawa Citizen article

Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Inductees

2007-10-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

photo by Scott Jones

A whole slew of people will be inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame on October 27th, 2007 in Toronto, Ontario, including Yvon Duhamel, father of champion roadracer Miguel who will also be in attendance. Other inductees include Bernie Nicholson, Helmut Clasen, Bob Williams and Michelle Duff who was interviewed (right click and "save as") on CBC Radio's Sounds Like Canada.

Driving.ca article
RoadRacingWorld.com article

Oldtimers Army Stunters Reunite

2007-10-25T19:37:00.000-07:00

photo by fortinbras

The Canadian Armed Forces Motorcycle Display Team from the 1960's met for a reunion at CFB Kingston to reminisce about their glory days, never to be relived again. The men, now some 40 years older, were the 2-wheeled equivalent of the airborn Snowbirds today, entertaining crowds en mass with death-defying showmanship.

Kingston Whig Standard article

Father and Son Complete Epic Journey

2007-10-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

photo by some San Francisco bystander

Roland and Ernest Giles of Labrador City, NFLD, traveled to the four corners of North America on a grand tour aboard twin BMW R1200GS Adventure bikes. Although their daily average was low, racking up 31,000 kms in 71 days, it was no small feat just for the length of time involved.

The Packet article

What Goes Around, Comes Around

2007-10-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

photo by Lottery Monkey

The Old School Motorcycle Company, located in Vancouver, BC, has launched a new website and a new bike. You've got to hand it to them - while most other bike manufacturers are undergoing R&D on cutting edge technology and designs, they've build a brand new bike based on pre-WWII antiquity.

Auto Channel article

NB High Speed Chases Need To Slow Down

2007-10-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

photo by freefotouk

A coroner's inquest has suggested that high speed chases by police in New Brunswick need to be slowed down following the death of a motorcyclist. The rider hasn't been linked to the chase definitively, but the chase exceeded 200 kph at times and there are discrepancies as to the colour of the bike. The local police also couldn't adequately communicate with the RCMP because they each operate on different radio frequencies. As such, it was also recommended that the airwaves be standardized.

CBC Article

Links to Provincial Motorcycle Licensing Bureaus in Canada

2007-10-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

Transport Canada

The Canada Safety Council's Motorcycle Training Program

British Columbia

Alberta

Saskatchewan

Manitoba

Ontario

Québec

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland

Yukon Territory

Northwest Territories

Nunavut

The MSF's Motorcycle Operator Manual (pdf)

Can-Am Spyder Rolls Forward

2007-10-04T20:13:00.000-07:00

On September 14, the first Can-Am Spyder for the 2008 model year was produced in Valcourt, Quebec. And it's set for Jay Leno's personal collection. The Canadian "bike" made by Bombardier sports 2 wheels up front and one in the rear. When it first arrived in the press it garnered much attention, but that's waned somewhat since then. Now that the actual production bikes are ready to be picked up by the long list of eager buyers, it will be interesting to see if that hoopla was justified. As the Baby Boomer generation of motorcyclists age, the Spyder is one of a number of rides that will fit the bill for people who won't be as strong or sure-footed as they once might have been. The inherent stability coupled with good power and handling should aid the Spyder in it's domination over the sidecar and trike markets.

Motorcycle USA article

The Cavalry Donates A Monument To Soldiers

2007-10-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Photo by Macspite

A monument for Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan was given to the town of Hanna, Alberta by the 3rd CAV Motorcycle Unit Western Formation and has finally been mounted in place at a ceremony attended by the mayor, veterans, family and the RCMP. The donating unit is comprised of past and present Canadian Armed Forces members who ride motorcycles.

CAV Website

Ontario Ups The Ante For Aggressive Drivers

2007-09-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

Beware Ontario motorists, car and bike alike. Hefty new restrictions have been implemented on any sort of driving that might even remotely resemble aggressiveness. 50 kph over the limit will see your vehicle impounded and face an immediate $2,000 fine with a one-week license suspension. Look for a much larger fine after a later reaming in court. Burnouts and wheelies will get you got too. There is no chance for appeal. If you doubt this is safety-related and is a cash grab for the province, you'd be right in part. The police admit as much in the article that it is their "business". One thing the province anticipated? The increase in vehicles fleeing enforcement for fear of the reprecussions, and they might not just be those reckless teenagers anymore.

Toronto Star article

Joshua Jackson Filming New Bike Ride Movie

2007-09-28T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dawson's Creek actor Joshua Jackson has begun filming a new movie where he plays a cancer-sticken character who sets out aboard a Norton on a motorcycle journey across the left-half of Canada. One Week is the title and it aims to capture the beautiful scenery between Toronto, Ontario and Tofino, BC.

WestCoaster.ca Article

Maritimes Finally Get A Motorcycle Show

2007-09-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

For those Maritimers who've been yearning for an annual manufacturers bike show like the larger western cities get, the MMIC has yielded and come February 15th, 16th & 17th 2008, the inaugural Atlantic Motorcycle & ATV Show will be held at the Moncton Coliseum in New Brunswick. The only show to occur east of Québec City, this will serve the 1.8 million people residing in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, a region of the country forgotten about all too often.

Canada East Online Article

Horseback Riding Is More Dangerous Than Motorcycling

2007-09-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

Photo by Formula Photographic

It appears that our mothers were wrong, motorcycling is not a dangerous activity, at least not as dangerous as riding a horse. Western-style riders look to be more at risk because of a lack of standard safety gear while equestrian English-style riders tend to be equipped with helmets and even Kevlar vests. Do I see a parallel with cruiser and sportbike riders here? Hmmmm. It should be noted that Christopher Reeve was injured while show-jumping, an English-style event. He was wearing a helmet which prevented brain-injury, but his upper vertebra were crushed, causing paralysis.

Globe and Mail article
Calgary Sun article

Canadian Motorcycle Media

2007-05-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

MAGAZINES

Cycle Canada
Canadian Biker
Motorcycle Mojo
CMGOnline
Upshift
Inside Motorcycles
Rider's Mag
RideON (defunct)

TELEVISION

The Motorcycle Experience
BikerTV

Canadian Motorcycle Enthusiasts

2007-05-03T13:10:00.000-07:00

Bruno Valeri
Neil Dolson
Thane Silliker
Peter McAvoy

Canadian Motorcycle Clubs

2007-05-03T09:06:00.000-07:00

ALBERTA

Southern Alberta
Retreads - Foothill Chapter

BRITISH COLUMBIA

MANITOBA

Coalition of Manitoba Motorcycle Groups

NEW BRUNSWICK

NEWFOUNDLAND

NOVA SCOTIA

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

NUNAVUT

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatchewan Motorcycle Association

ONTARIO

QUEBEC

Québec City
Quebec Motorcycle Medical Intervention Unit (UIMMQ)

Montréal
West Island Motorcycle Club

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

NUNAVUT

YUKON

Dakar 2007 Rider Websites

2007-04-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

#001 Marc Coma

#002 Cyril Despres

#003 Giovani Sala

#008 David Casteu

#009 Chris Blais

#010 Helder Rodriques

#011 Henk Knuiman

#012 David Fretigne

#023 Janis Vinters

#025 Jonah Street

2007 CALENDAR

2007-04-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

JANUARY

5-7. Calgary Motor Show (ALTA)
12-14. Edmonton Motorcycle Show (ALTA)
24-27. Vancouver Motorcycle Show (BC)

FEBRUARY

MARCH

28. Rally Connex GPS Training Seminar (ONT)

APRIL

13. Port Dover (ONT)
14-15. Toronto International Spring Motorcycle Show (ONT)

MAY

4. First Canadian National Female Ride Day (CAN)
12. Rally Connex Spring Training Tour (ONT)
17-18. Forever Yonge Run (ONT)
25-27. MTF - Hyder Seek (USA)
26-27. Ride For Dad (ONT)
27. The BAD Ride (ONT)
? Ride To Remember (ONT)

JUNE

2. Ride For Dad (ONT & ALTA)
2-8. Isle of Mann TT Centenary (UK)
8-10. Ride For Sight (ALTA)
8-10. Ride For Sight (NWT)
9. Ride For Dad (NFLD, ONT & ALTA)
16. Ride For Dad (NS & ONT)
20-24. Atlanticade (NB)
22-23. Ride For Sight (MAN)
22-24. Ride For Sight (ONT)
22-24. Ride For Sight (NFLD)
22-24. ALDERS Rally (NB)
22-24. Ride Yukon (YT)
23-24. Mad Bastard Scooter Rally (ONT)

JULY

6-8. Rally Connex Summer Break (ONT)
6-8. Ride For Sight (NB)
7. ST.N - Sharbot Lake (ONT)
13. Port Dover (ONT)
18. Ride To Work Day (INTL)
27-29. Touratech Canada Travel Event 2007 (BC)
27-29. ST.N - The Kootenay Borscht, Burn and BBQ 07 (BC)
27-29. Canadian Biker Buildoff (ONT)

AUGUST

3-6. ST.N - SNOT2 (ONT)
18-19. Rally Connex Weekend Getaway (ONT)
18-19. Ride For Sight (SASK)
20-31. Iron Butt Rally (USA)
31-2. MTF - Great White North Tour (NS)

SEPTEMBER

6-9. ST.N - Banff Run (BC-ALTA)
8. Rendez-Vous 2007 Rally (QUE)
15-16. Rally Connex Rough'n it (ONT)
21-22. Ride 4 The Cure (NS)

OCTOBER

6-7. Rally Connex Fall Colours Tour (ONT)

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER