News

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2009 26

‘I rode a million miles on ► Laura Kennerley I laura.kennerley@motorcyclenews.com

After five decades on the road, retired US State Senator Dave Zien, 59, has ridden more than two million miles around the USA. Amazingly, one million miles of those were completed on his 1991 plate Harley-Davidson FXRT Sport Glide, which is now heading to a museum. Unlike Mr Zien…

“I’ve been riding since I was 12,” he said. “I was born on a dairy farm, where I had a horse and I just loved the fresh air and the wind in my face. But the horse didn’t go fast enough. So I got a couple of Yamahas, including a 250 which I was riding when I hit a heifer. The accident scratched it up and gravel got in the air filter. But that didn’t put me off.

“I could have taken over that farm, but I don’t like milk and cows. I ended up joining the army and served in Vietnam but missed riding a bike so much. That time set the course of my whole life.

“When I left the army I bought a Yama-ha 350, rode it 2,500 miles home from

California – and since then I have done something over two million more.

“As a senator I had the opportunity to travel all over the US for talks and meetings. Everyone else flew, but I rode. I’ve done a lot of Iron Butt Rallies – that’s 1000 to 1500-mile days. I would end up riding in freezing temperatures and have to stop every 75-100 miles to keep warm.

“I also rode in winds so strong I couldn’t keep up with the tumbleweed blowing along the road. I lived on beef jerky and nuts. I peed in bottles and slept in truckstop lounges.”

Riding in 45°C desert heat“I also did a lot of riding in the hot weather – in the desert, when it’s been 45°C. I would buy a 10lb bag of ice and sit it in my lap and just crunch on the cubes and rub them on my face as I rode along. I still got heat stroke a couple of times – I get it rather easy, I think; I got it a few times in Vietnam.

“The last 31,000 miles on the FXRT were very difficult. It was just break-

down after breakdown. The engine broke, the transmission broke, I need-ed three rear and two new front tyres. The expense was unbelievable. Every breakdown was a tragedy. I would think I should just get a new bike, then I won’t have to go through this. But then I would get it fixed and decide to just keep going.

“When I reached a million miles, there were some parties and Harley gave me a new 2009 Road Glide with a seven year unlimited mileage war-ranty. They said: ‘This is your next million mile bike’. And you never know, it might happen...”

Bike is worn-out death trap“About 20 people rode my million-mile bike – including one of the vice-pres-idents of Harley. They couldn’t believe it. That bike was completely worn out. The frame was damaged, anything that had movement was completely worn out. It was a death trap.

“What kept me going all that way was the fact I dedicated this million-

mile ride to the cause of accident scene management and rescue riders. In my opinion, motorcyclists should help people at the scene of an accident, far beyond first aid. I believe if there is some chemical or biological war or natural catastrophe, where there are massive traffic jams, motorcyclists will come in to their own, as they can get to the front in traffic jams. Last year I came across the scene of a major accident and I helped the driver not go in to shock. My belief is all motorcyclists should have training in accident scene management.

“This summer I plan to ride coast to coast – Key West in Florida to Alaska, 8000 miles. Then I want to do the four corners of the US, which is New Hamp-shire, California, Florida and Washington State – about another 7000 miles.

“I guess what I’m saying is I would like to do another 100,000 mile year. Doing miles is like doing a marathon – you get a runner’s high. It’s just exhilarating.”

Average miles per year

Total miles covered 1986 to 2006

Front tyres used Rear tyres used

34 WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2009

Road test GSX-R1000 Guide

ON ANY SUNTrevor Franklin Itrevor.franklin@motorcyclenews.com

n the space of nine years, the GSX-R1000 has earned itself a reputation for being one of the best sports weapons around –

and with good reason. When the first example of the breed

hit UK shores in 2001, it decimated the competition with its 140bhp performance and 177mph top speed. Coupled with a lightweight, race-like chassis, the Suzuki out-handled and out-classed Yamaha’s all-conquering R1 by a considerable margin. And this is the way it has been ever since.

Sales of new GSX-R1000s are still riding high, while the demand for clean second-hand GSX-R1000s is running at fever pitch. But why is this so, when there are so many alternatives? What is the cult-like fascination of GSX-R1000?

In the next six pages, MCN seeks to answer this question by asking people with first-hand experience of this superbike phenomena.

We’ve talked to the people in the know – owners of all the dif-ferent versions of the GSX-R1000 and expert Mark Brewin (who has serviced every model, as well as fettling many race-winners).

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Suzuki’s GSX-R1000…

63 WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2009

GOLD

& G

OOSE

ANDR

EW N

ORTH

COTT

Relieved Scott Redding survived two massive scares on his way to claiming seventh in Mugello.

Redding was in a thrilling five-rider battle for fourth in the clos-ing stages when he escaped a huge highside. “I lost the rear in the last corner while I was trying to set up (Marc) Marquez to slipstream him for fifth. It just spat me up in the air and I don’t know how I held

on, I was lucky to get away with it. It was a full handstand and I smashed the seat when I came back down.”

Previously he’d been lucky to survive fellow Brit Danny Webb’s crash on lap nine. Redding was right behind Webb when he crashed: “He tucked the front and I nearly ran over his head. It was lucky for both of us.”

Webb’s crash was due to him carrying an extra 1.25mph entry speed at the Casanova Savelli on lap nine, which cost him a golden chance to score his career best world championship finish.

The 18-year-old said: “I’m re-ally pissed off. It was just a little mistake. I was about 2km faster on that lap and that just pushed me a bit off line.”

Redding survives horror highside

he’s a world class act BRADLEY SMITH