The motor is stock for the series, with the only allowable mod's being a Dynojet carb kit and freer flowing exhausts. The head received a multi-angle valve job and had the air filter replaced with a freer flowing piece. The exhausts were retro style with reverse megaphones with a not too a mega-noisy sound, and they obviously looked the part.

"This is the 18th consecutive year that Harley-Davidson has achieved records for both revenue and net income," said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "We had a phenomenal year full of memorable once-in-a-lifetime experiences surrounding our 100th Anniversary. Introducing the Harley-Davidson brand to hundreds of thousands of potential customers has undoubtedly sparked the dream of ownership and created new excitement for our products."

Five 2005 Suzuki Boulevard models will hit showrooms in August 2004 -- the S40, S50, S83, C50 and C90 -- with more to come in 2005, including the signature M50 muscle machine. Suzuki has designated three separate cruiser lines as the basis for future line growth with specific product names reflecting not only engine size in cubic-inch displacement but also the style of the bike as well -- the stylish "S" series, the "C" series featuring classic cruiser styling and the more-muscled "M" bikes.

Drivers wearing reflective or fluorescent clothing had a 37% lower risk of crash related injury than other drivers. Compared with wearing a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk, and daytime use of headlights was associated with a 27% lower risk.

My attitude toward travel, particularly the sort of travel that is readily accomplished on a motorcycle, has become somewhat conflicted with the passing years. A measure of my tainted mood can be attributed to creeping curmudgeonism, but the changing profile of America is equally culpable.

It is hardly news that America’s “Blue Highway”, small town charm has been leveled by franchise culture. We all know too well the kid zoo-lined landing strips that make us “feel at home” as we enter Boca Raton or Laramie. More insidious and distressing are regional human peculiarities that are being subsumed by a universalism that is as codified as a Target floor plan.

I was very pleasantly surprised with the ergonomics of the CBR1000RR. Frankly, I was expecting a rather extreme, uncomfortable race tuck-style layout. Although plenty aggressive, the "rider triangle" (bar/seat/peg relationship) was nailed by Honda, once again. This [motorcycle] is remarkably comfortable. The footpegs did not feel too high (granted, I have only a 31" inseam) compared to the competition, and the reach to the bars felt comfortable and natural. Honda accomplished this without compromising ground clearance (see our track test). It certainly is no sport tourer, but the 1000RR manages to be aggressive and comfortable at the same time. Good job.

Finally, we have the four contenders for open-class honors together. Here are the results from our dyno day-all four bikes run on our SuperFlow CycleDyn dyno one after the other.