Japan Attacks
Occasionally a super-fantastic trip lands on our shoulders and we scramble to manage a way to get our work done while shoving off to some exotic land. This time around, Zamora was the lucky dog, and as is evident in two of our features this month, his recent trip to Japan produced some fantastic features.
I was forced to pass on the excursion because we were approaching yet another seemingly perpetual deadline, but John-boy was good to go...so he went.
Some of his stories weren't suitable for print, of course, but we think you'll be merrily impressed by the stuff that did make it into the pages. Although it's hard to argue with tricked-out custom sportbikes, these beauties all have a special something that makes them unique and definitely a bit more exotic than a lot of the bolt-on jobs we're growing bored with.
Dave of Super Streetbike
Having said that, we don't think these things would even exist if it weren't for American innovators like Custom Sportbike Concepts, Kickstand and Wheelies, Roaring Toyz and McCoy Motorsports. The American tuner-bike influence that's infiltrated Japan is nothing short of amazing; from stretched and slammed sportbikes to Joe Rocket and Icon street gear, the young Japanese sportbike enthusiasts are eating it up. We had a limited amount of space to show you the best of the best, but there were dozens of more sick rides worthy of showing.
Check them out and let us know what you think's hot. -Dave
Fastest female ride to date
Fastest Female - Quick Canuck Goes 218 MPH
On May 19, 2007, at the ECTA land speed meet in Maxton, North Carolina, the fastest officially recorded speed for a female motorcyclist was made by Trillium Muir on her Nickel City Racing turbo Hayabusa. Chief timer Joe Timney made the announcement of a 218.3-mph pass-making the Sudbury, Canada, youth counselor the fastest female rider to date.
She began speed racing in 2006 at the Super Streetbike Top Speed Shootout, where she quickly earned her "A" class license and became Maxton's first female to make a 200-mph pass on a motorcycle. A taste of land-speed racing was all it took for her, and she has attended every meet since then.
McCoys Win Metric Revolution
The Metric Revolution sportbike build-off finally concluded in Las Vegas and announced McCoy Motorsports as the winner of the $25,000 grand prize for its wild twin-turbo Hayabusa. Bringing in the second spot was Nick Anglada's Custom Sportbike Concepts with a gorgeous R1, while third place went to TOCC's turbo Kawasaki ZX-10.
McCoy Motorsport' Insane Busa
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Nick Anglada's Yamaha R1 | 
Steve Kehler's turbo ZX-10 |
"This challenge and stiff competition was what we needed to break outside the box" - Shane McCoy
Web Site Update
The hottest Yamaha builders in the world, McCoy Motorsports, has freshened up its Web site, and it features all-new products and sections. Whether you're after the latest bling gear, industry news or other hot performance items, the Web site has something for everyone and is as easy to navigate as it is to look at. Check it out at www.tobefast.com.
360 Rear Tire
Does the bulbous 360 back tire look the part or smell of fart? E-mail us at ssbmail@primedia.com and tell us what you think.
Reader response to the "shoeboot" was pretty equal:Alisa McCormick: "I think the feel is great and the looks are, too. My husband has a worn-out pair and would like some new ones!" Since you asked nicely, a pair of Joe Rocket Super Street boots are in the mail! Joshua Roark: "I think if you're going serious enough to have a full ankle support boot you should be wearing leathers, and obviously they don't work (or look appropriate) with riding pants."
Shanghai Surprise
The MotoGP crowd got more than it bargained for.
Red Riders - American Stunters Wow Crowd at Chinese MotoGP
The 2007 Chinese MotoGP crowd got an extra dose of adrenaline during the race weekend. Stunters Ryan Suchanek, Joe Beavers and Tony Levesque performed stunt exhibitions on the front straight at the Shanghai circuit-making them the first American stunters to perform at a MotoGP event. Suchanek recalled, "Being able to perform in front of a MotoGP crowd is a huge honor and the experience of a lifetime."
A stunter's horrible crash
E-Dub Injured - Pro Stunter Suffers Horrible Crash
Ernie "E-Dub" Vigil had been busy stunting from Japan to Sweden and everywhere in between when he was temporarily brought to a screeching halt at the SBFreaks West Coast Throwdown at Infineon Raceway. After swapping front ends from a 2005 ZX-636 onto his 2003 model, Vigil was unable to mount the front fender properly. During practice for the longest stoppie competition, the front brake line caught the tire and flung him over the handlebars. The impact caused a golf-ball-sized hole down to the bone in his knee and lacerated his liver. Vigil is healing quickly and is expected to have a full recovery, but warns against improperly installing equipment.
Wheelie ban
Wheelie Ban Passes Senate - State Legislature has Nothing Better to Do
Apparently the Tennessee State Senate has given up on chasing bootleggers to focus instead on hooligan sportbikers. The recent proposal to ban bikers from riding on one wheel passed the state Senate unanimously. Senator Dewayne Bunch said he sponsored the bill because prosecutors are uncertain whether they can charge riders with reckless driving for pulling wheelies. The Senate bill, which passed on a 30-0 vote, applies only to public roads and makes an exception for riding under 30 mph in parades. So, provided you keep it under 30 and dress like a clown, you're OK.
DVD - Judgment Day 4
DVD Of The Month - Judgment Day 4
Back in the day, having your footage in a Judgment Day video meant instant fame and notoriety for up-and-coming stunt teams. Judgment Day 4 is a continuation of the series, but it focuses on the top riders from around the world. The editing style is a bit dated and slightly lowers the production value though. The quality of the footage is good but has been seen in other videos. The early stunting shots of AC Farias are priceless and show that the latest and hottest tricks are not really that new. If you had to own only one stunt video, Judgment Day 4 would be a worthy choice.
www.impactvideo.com
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Model Search
Model Search
Super Streetbike is looking for models in the Los Angeles, CA, and Tampa, FL, areas to model for an upcoming issue. If you're interested, please send a photo and contact info to ssbmail@primedia.com.
SSB Wants You!
Do you love sportbikes and know the scene? If so, we might have a spot for you at Super Streetbike as Associate Editor. Send your resume to david.sonsky@primedia.com. Your dream job awaits...