Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through our History - Part 11

Suzuki entered the Canadian market in 1973 alongside Yamaha and Kawasaki. Having started producing motorcycles in 1952, it only took them 10 short years to break onto the racing circuits in a meaningful way.

Suzuki built its first motorized bicycle, the ’Power Free’, it was designed to be inexpensive and easy to maintain, it used a 36cc, two-stroke engine clipped to the frame of a conventional bicycle.

The Power Free’s unique double sprocket gear system allowed riders to pedal without engine assistance, with engine assistance, or to travel completely under the engine’s own power.  The Power Free was followed by a number of renditions, namely the Diamond Free and the Mini Free.

During the 50's and into the early 60's Suzuki produced a motorcycle called the Colleda which was sold primarily in Japan until the late 50's.

Suzuki became the first Japanese manufacturer to win a motocross world championship when Belgium born racer Joel Robert won the 1970 250 cc title. In the 1970's, Suzuki established themselves in the motorcycle racing world with both British born racer Barry Sheene and Belgium born racer Roger De Coster winning world championships in the premier 500 cc division in road racing and motocross respectively.

Suzuki changed the face of motorcycling and motorcycle racing in a very meaningful way.

Suzuki was the first motorcycle manufacturer to utilize a design house to design a motorcycle.
The GSX1100S Katana was that bike  designed by the Target Design Team.

When they introduced the Katana in 1980/1, they made people stand up and pay attention, the aggressive in your face styling and innate handling of the machine made people realize that Suzuki motorcycles were going to be contenders on the track and on the road.

In 1985, they introduced GSX-R750 - the Gixxer - a motorcycle that radically changed the face of motorcycling and racing.  This machine (and the Katana), made it affordable for independent racers to be competitive.

In 1996, Suzuki re-invented GSX-R750. This was the turning-point model of the GSX R series.

Equipped with a twin-spar frame instead of the double cradle frame, a shortened wheelbase that generated smooth drivability and a dry weight of  only 179kg, this machine .

Suzuki kept innovating, wanting their machines to stand head and shoulder above the rest.
And they did so in 1999 with the unveiling of the GSX1300R Hayabusa. The 1298cc liquid-cooled DOHC in-line 4-cylinder engine that powered the Hayabusa  was the epitome of world class engineering. Aerodynamic in design with the superb balance of the engine performance coupled with impressive handling and a wide speed range on the road made the Hyabusa an instant success.

Suzuki had become a racers delight.
But the innovations did not stop in 1999. Oh no, it seems they were just gearing up.

The GSX-R1000 became the newest addition to the GSX-R family in 2001 and it had the same impact as the GSX-R750 did in 1985. The rule book on performance, weight, handling and styling were once again re written by Suzuki. Dominating race tracks and awards ceremonies around the world, the Gixxer became a racer and a fan favourite.

From 1985 to 2012, Suzuki sold over 1 million Gixxer models!

2008 was another banner year for Suzuki, a company that never rests on its laurels. A naked muscle bike with attitude, the Suzuki B-King, which had first been shown as a concept model in 2001 joined the Suzuki stables.

They also launched the worlds first production fuel injected motocross bike - the RM-Z450 in 2008 along with the GSX-R600 and 750 models. But they weren't done yet!
The motorcycle many called "the thinking mans bike" was introduced, the 2nd generation Hayabusa 1300.

The V-Strom 650 has been the best-selling model in its class since it was first introduced in 2004. 

In 2012, the revamped V-Strom 650 saw improvements its performance and comfort. The 645cc V-Twin engine had improved low-to-mid rpm performance that was matched by enhanced fuel economy and environmental performance.

In 2014, the V-Strom 1000 was released, the first Suzuki model with ABS.

When it comes to the race track, Suzuki has produced some impressive results.

Art "The Dart" Robbins from Scarborough Ontario was considered to be one of the most natural of all riders in Canadian Road Racing history. He was also sadly plagued by many personal problems which eventually caused his demise as a racer.

Colin Fraser, then organizer of the Parts Canada Superbike Series, commented that Art Robbins was "the greatest wasted talent in the history of Canadian Motorcycle Racing".

Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum

The machine that caused the meteor like rise of Robbins was the 1979 GS1000.

Winning his first major pro race in 1982, Art Robbins went on to win many races. 

In 1983 he won the Canadian Superbike Championship onboard the GS1000.  

He won the championship a second time onboard a Yamaha TZ750. 

He and Michele Mercier battled head to head many a time.  Michele, a factory Suzuki rider won the Championship in 86 & 87 on the GSX-R750, he too ended up moving to Yamaha, winning the Pro Superbike Championship 1990 on the Yamaha OWO1, the last championship in this class of his career.

The Suzuki machines, the Katana and the Gixxer in particular, made it affordable for many independent riders to become real competitors in the sport of road racing.

And that is true of all of the Japanese motorcycles. They took technology and design to new levels, coupled with affordable production, this made the Japanese bikes more affordable than North American built motorcycles.

In the final article of this series we will explore the Kawasaki motorcycle.

No other manufacturer in Canadian Racing has dominated the track the way Kawasaki has.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment of the "Motorcycling in Canada, A Ride Through Our History" articles.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Research for this article:

Suzuki Cycles dot Org
Overdrive
Bar Hodgeson
Canadian Motorcycle Heritage Museum

The Suzuki Katana

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Winter Driving & The Calgary Motorcycle Show

Last week I headed out from Grande Prairie AB to Calgary and the 2016 Motorcycle Show.

The weather was less than ideal with freezing fog, freezing rain, driving snow in various places.

As I was driving along I thought about the interview I had done a few days previous with Bill Gardiner a long time mechanic and recognized automotive expert who had some sage advice for winter driving.

Bill Gardiner

His first piece of advice, which my husband is adamant about is to use proper winter tires.
All season tires become too hard in the cold and that makes stopping as well as maneuvering very difficult.  All season tires are rendered all but useless after 7 C.

Engine care is another important aspect of winter driving.  Using proper lubricants/motor oil is also important.  Bill recommends Quaker State oil, because it contains a higher volume of low volatility zinc content than other oils.  The low volatility zinc does not take part in the combustion process thereby reducing how much ash builds up in the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors yet, keeps the engine lubricated better.

One other thing we discussed was washing your vehicle to get rid of salt, sand and debris.  Bill highly recommends that you wash your vehicle on a day when it is sunny and the vehicle can sit to dry all day. Otherwise you are better off leaving the vehicle dirty for a bit. That was something I had not known. So on this trip I took his advice.

Washing your vehicle keeps brake rotors cleaner making your braking system last longer as well as removing the debris and salt that causes corrosion of the body.

Bill has lots of tips on keeping your vehicle running at its peak. You can visit Motoring TV for more of Bill's tips.

Of course along with these tips Bill also recommended driving to the conditions and really knowing the limitations of your vehicle. A tip that more drivers here in Alberta would be wise to follow.

Driving too fast for road conditions will potentially land you in the ditch as was the case for many south central drivers last Thursday.  I really resent people who tail gate or are so impatient that they put you and everyone else around them in jeopardy.

I was grateful to arrive in Calgary in one piece, I can tell you that!

Paul Rawlins

The 2016 version of the Calgary Motorcycle Show hosted by Power Sport Services was reasonably successful in spite of the colder than usual weather.  Friday was slower than normal but Saturday was bustling busy.  There were a number of new vendors on hand and a lot of old staples that weren't on hand.

As always it was good to see Paul Rawlins from Celtic Rider Motorcycle Rentals & Tours.  His plane had been delayed from London due to high winds, and although he was tired, he was a happy guy when he got to the show to see how many people were looking forward to seeing him!

Bill from GPRC

The manufacturers didn't have a whole ton new on the floor this year, but many of the parts companies did.  Kimpex has a number of new products that I am looking forward to reviewing.

All in all the show was enjoyable, however many vendors I spoke with announced that sales were down by as much as 50%.  Obviously the economy has a lot to do with that.

Donations to my head shave that will take place on the stage in Edmonton on Sunday the 17th at 3:30 pm went rather well all things considered with the IOMC Snow City and Stampede Crews donating a combined $450.00!

Artist Jenny Luc German

I am looking very forward to the Edmonton Motorcycle Show this weekend and hope you come prepared to donate as I intend to be bald on Sunday.  I want this hair gone now so that it will have grown out enough that by the time riding season hits I will have enough regrowth that my scalp won't burn in my helmet!

Have you entered our "Beat the PMS Blues" Online Show 'n' Shine?  If not you really should. We have fabulous prizes from the Sports Camera Store, Prospector Central Inc., Nashville Bike Week and author Chris Holshek who wrote "Travels with Harley".

Check it out - as always, because of our sponsors, this is a free to enter event!

Another freebie we have for you is a Jacket Giveaway from our sponsor Viking Cycles...totally free to enter and who knows, you could be sporting an amazing jacket for FREE!

Have a safe and enjoyable day everyone!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Viking Jacket Giveaway!

AWESOME!







a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breaking News for Canadian Riders

Nashville Bike Week has agreed to let Canadians know first about some great accommodations that are up for grabs for their event in September of 2017.

Since their cabins sold out the same day they went on sale and some Canadians got bumped as a result, Mike Axle, the promoter has put up 10 travel trailers that sleep 8 and is giving Canadian riders 3 days heads up on them!

They are $2,400 for 10 days and include electricity, water, sewage dumping and are fully furnished including bedding and cooking utensils!

So - if you want to get your accommodations lined up for the FIRST EVER Nashville Bike Week and be part of history in the making, contact Mike Axle at:
Nashvillebikeweek @ gmail.com   (Fix the spaces!)
or visit their web site at www.nashvillebikeweek.com

Some of the highlights of Nashville Bike Week:

• 200 vendors on site.
• Motorcycle stunt shows.
• 4 stages of top artist playing every night.
• Bike games and bike shows.
• Bikini contest.
• Zip lines.
• Over $200,000 in giveaways

Plus there are all of these exciting venues and rides to take in:

• Natchez Trace
• Tail of the Dragon
• Tour all civil war history areas
• Grand Ole Opry
• Tennessee Titans
• Nashville Predators
• Fontenelle
• General Jackson 
• The Hermitage
• Ryman Auditorium
• Country Music Hall of Fame
• 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill
• Broadway in Downtown Nashville
• Wild Beaver Saloon
• 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill
• Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill
• Whiskey Bent Saloon
• Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar
• Wildhorse Saloon
• Honky Tonk Central
• Tin Roof
• Bootleggers Inn
• Rippy's Bar & Grill
• Legends Corner
• BB King's Blues Club
• Tootsies Orchid Lounge
• Riverfront Tavern
• Loveless Cafe
• Pucketts
• Ruby Falls and Lookout Mountain
• Jack Daniels in Lynchburg, TN
• Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY
• Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville
• Gatlinburg and the Smokey Mountains
• Dollywood

Nashville Bike Week will be THE EVENT to attend - September 14-24, 2017!

Check out their web site for more information: www.nashvillebikekweek.com

Happy New Year everyone! 

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

"Further Than Yesterday, That's All That Counts" - A Book Review

Medric "Cous" Cousineau, SC, CD, Captain Retired, RCAF should be called the Robin Williams of the Canadian Forces.

I have had the honour of knowing Medric and his wife Jocelyn Cousineau for a number of years.
My first time meeting this man was at the Wharf Rat Rally in Digby Nova Scotia.
He was performing magic tricks. Everyone called him "Sea Dawg the Magic Man".

On the outside, this very large and jovial man came across as a class clown kind of guy. But his eyes held a look of something hidden, blocked off, almost dead unless he was speaking from a place of anger, the laughter he made everyone else experience never seemed to reach his eyes.

Like Robin Williams, Cous brought joy and laughter to others lives, but privately he was dying an emotional death.

Cous's book, "Further Than Yesterday, That's All That Counts" is a real, raw and detailed look at military service. It chronicles his time in the Canadian Forces and the harrowing sea rescue that he and his comrades under took. The one that sent him into the abyss.

I found it very difficult to read Cous's book. I'd pick it up, read a bit and then have to put it down again, but it kept drawing me back.

His descriptions of the horrifying painfulness of PTSD, are so bang on, so poignant and that's why this read captivated me and repelled me all at the same time.

His style of describing the demon called PTSD, draws you in, makes you feel the darkness, the hurt, the anguish. He makes you feel and understand the devastation that PTSD wreaked on his family.

But it does far more than that.

It gives one hope.

Cous's service dog "Thai" has shown not only Medric and his family, but an entire nation the healing power of unconditional love.

Of all of the things a service dog does to enriched the life of its handler and their family, that unconditional love is probably the most profound.  This dog turned the lights on in Medric's head and heart and gave him a sense of purpose in his life, a renewed mission if you will.

That mission? To get others to understand and appreciate the life rejuvenating gift of service dogs.

This book is a must read for anyone whose life is touched by military service.

Get the book here: www.furtherthanyesterday.com

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider



Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Motorcycling in Canada - A Ride Through our History - Part 10

While Honda was the first Japanese Motorcycle Manufacturer to open offices in Canada, the true invasion of the Japanese motorcycle into Canada didn't begin until 1973 when Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki came to Canada.

The Yamaha Corporation in Japan began by producing reed organs in 1887 with the name of Nippon Gaki Corporation Ltd. 

The birth of the Yamaha Motor Company Ltd.,  is credited to Genichi Kawakami in 1953. Genichi was looking to make use of idle machining equipment that was previously being used for making aircraft propellers. While the company at that time was already doing well on the financial front, the first president of the Yamaha Motor Company was looking for the next area of business for Yamaha.

He looked into various products before the market and competitive forces led him to focus on the motorcycle market.  

Genichi visited the United States many times during the 50's. In his endeavor he had his research division chief and other managers visit various factories around the country of Japan. On their tour to Europe, Genichi and his team researched and learned how to make a motorcycle that would compete with the best there was in racetracks.  

The YA-1

The first Yamaha Motorcycle was produced in 1955, the YA-1, by 1958, they were distributing motorcycles through Cooper Motors in the US. The YD1 (250cc, 2-stroke, twin cylinder, streetbike) and MF-1 (50cc, 2-stroke, single cylinder, streetbike, step-through) were the models that entered the US market first.

By 1960 the Yamaha International Corp was founded and they began selling their motorcycles and setting up a dealer network.

The 70's were a time of huge expansion for Yamaha, they introduced the XS-1 (650cc vertical twin), their first four stroke machine, and in 1971 they introduced the SR433 high performance snowmobile.

1975 was a ground breaker year for Yamaha as they introduced the first factory produced mono shock bikes - bikes that forever changed the sport of motocross. The YZ Monocross machines.

The SRX440 snowmobile hit the market and quickly catapulted Yamaha to the forefront of the snowmobile racing scene in 1976.

Yamaha continued to expand their line of machines and in 1978 they introduce the XS1100 motorcycle (four cylinder, shaft drive) and the XS650 Special, the first production Cruiser built by a Japanese manufacturer.

The firsts for Yamaha kept piling up, and in 1981, their  first air-cooled, V-twin cruiser, the Virago 750, was introduced and the first production 5-valve per cylinder engine was introduced via the FZ750 motorcycle.

In the mid eighties, Yamaha introduced the V-Max 1200 muscle bike.

The later 80's Yamaha concentrated on increasing their presence in waterspouts by acquiring a number of boat makers and then in 1996, they introduced the first Star model, the 1300cc, V4 Royal Star.

In 1998 the first mass produced 4-stroke motocrosser, the YZ400F four-stroke motocross bike was introduced.

The YZF-R1 sport bike hit the track and set the standard for open class sport bikes for several years.

While a very diversified manufacturer, Yamaha proved itself on the race tracks of the world, not only in motocross but road racing as well.

In 1972, Canadian Ron Keys garnered both the 125 and 500 titles at the motocross races in Chicoutimi QC, beating out two-time 500 World Champion Jeff Smith, on a Yamaha YZ125!

Ross “Rollerball” Pederson of Medicine Hat Alberta took Yamaha to special heights during his motocross, supercross and arena cross career. He is considered to be the best motocross racer in Canada by many.

"Rollerball" dominated Canadian motocross, supercross, and arenacross for more than a dozen years. Between 1980 & 1993 he won an unprecedented 42 National Championships that included all eight of the Supercross Championships held in Canada.

In 1980 Pederson, who turned pro with Yamaha, took the 125, 250, and 500cc machines to three National Championship titles. Rollerball's domination wouldn’t end for 13 years. 

The racers who have taken Yamaha to some of its greatest heights in Moto GP were/are Valentino Rossi and team mate Jorge Lorenzo in the Moto GP.  between them they have racked up an impressive number of wins for Yamaha (Over 80).

Valentino Rossi, Fox Sports

As a corporation, Yamaha Canada has achieved some impressive heights. They are the first non American corporation to sign an agreement with the Cree's of Waskaganish QC. They were named one of the top 100 employees in Canada and were featured in Maclean's Magazine.

Yamaha's Riding Academy has taught thousands of young Canadians how to ride and instilled in them the desire to ride!

Next up we explore Suzuki and some of it's impressive history.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

Research for this article:

Legends of Canadian Motocross

Motopark Racing

Motocross Archives

Valentino Rossi

Yamaha

www.waskaganish.ca

Fox Sports
CVMG

Disclaimer:

All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Political Correctness - Breeding Resentment, Hatred & Fear

My daughter works for a multinational company that has just handed down the directive that no one is allowed to say "Merry Christmas" and the "Christmas" party is now a Holiday party.

We live in a country that is supposed to embrace Multiculturalism and yet, we who are white and Christian are being discriminated against on a regular basis.

We make allowances for others to celebrate their holidays so why is it that businesses and governments are making it so that we white Christians are being coerced into denying our religious backgrounds and traditions?

Where does any of this make any sense?

I don't get all pissy and cry that I am offended when Muslims celebrate Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr, Eid al-Fitr, Hajj, Day of Arafat or Eid al-Adha. 

I don't get all pissy or cry that I am offended when Sikhs celebrate Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday, Maghi, Diwali or any of their other holidays. 

I don't get all offended when peoples who came here from countries like Thailand, Japan or other Buddhist countries celebrate Visakah Puja, or when the Chinese celebrate their religious holidays like Qing Ming Jie or Chinese New Year.

I don't get offended when those of Jewish decent celebrate Hanukkah, and you don't hear me whining when those of Mexican decent celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

I find it interesting and intriguing. I am curious and enjoy watching their celebrations.

BUT

I do not understand how multiculturalism works obviously.  Apparently if you are white and Christian, you are not a part of the multiculturalism that creates the fabric of this country.

I am unsure as to why it needs to be this way.

I have contract employees who live in India, and I ensure that my work schedule for them does not conflict with their sacred holidays and other traditions, the same for those who are Canadian and American and of different faiths who contract with me.

I respect their right to celebrate their holidays and observe their faiths.

When Jehovah Witnesses come to my door, I thank them for caring and express that I have my own faith.  They respect that and leave peacefully and I peacefully shut my door.

Why can we not learn to live and let live?  WHY is it wrong to be white and Christian?

Why are our governments and the business community shunning us?

Can someone explain to me what the heck is going on?

I am truly becoming resentful of those who would change my way of life in an effort to push their will, religions and traditions.

I do my best to accept everyone, to see the good in everyone I can, but it's becoming harder and harder to be tolerant when we are constantly discriminated against.  

I can empathize with the First Nations peoples of this country and how our ancestors tried to rob them of their traditions and beliefs.

I am heart sick - completely heart sick.

When are we ever going to learn that we are all just people and that we can agree to disagree?

When are we ever going to just learn love, tolerance and acceptance?

Sometimes I wished I could just hide from all of the ugliness and the hatred.

I don't want to be hate filled.  I want to be loving, kind and accepting.

Can someone help me understand why it is so wrong to be white?  To be Christian?

Are we simply paying the price for the sins of our forefathers?

I pray that one day, we will all learn to respect each other and celebrate our differences.


CHALLENGE to ALL MY FRIENDS - for the next 24 hours, I want you to share with me posts about people helping other people. I figure if we ‪#‎LOOKforLove‬, ‪#‎Kindness‬, ‪#‎Helpfulness‬, ‪#‎Consideration‬, ‪#‎Tolerance‬ and ‪#‎Compassion‬ - we might start actually seeing it instead of all of the violence, hatred and abject sadness.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Disclaimer:
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. The Belt Drive Betty Blog makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site & will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.