ROAD TESTS

44 Kawasaki VN700 Vulcan

When you're late it's hard to be different.

80 Yamaha XJ700X Maxim

The motorcycle that reinvented cruisers.

SHORTS

107 Kawasaki KX250

Once again, numbers can be deceiving.

SPECIAL FEATURES

23 Classic Configuration

Why V-twins are an idea whose time comes time and again.

26 Backroad Rumble Tour

Honda Shadow, Yamaha Virago, Harley-Davidson Sportster,

Cagiva Alazzurra and Moto Guzzi T5 reveal themselves east

and west of the Milwaukee meridian on American roads.

FEATURES

16 1985’s Most Vital Statistics

The 1985new-model prices: The official bore sizes into your wallet.

38 Requiem For A Vision

We liked it then, we like it now, so why didn't anyone else like it?

58 Aboard Sunday’s Child: Ducati TT750F1

Sell on Monday what you race on Sunday.

By Bruno de Prato

64 Desmo-Ships On a Time Belt:

Ducati 750SS And TT750F1

One old, one new; one retired, one ready for battle.

By Phil Schilling

112 First Peek: Suzuki VS700GL Intruder

The late(st) arrival for the V-twin Style-Cruiser Party.

114 Cycle Screen Test II: The Sequel

In Hollywood, there’s always a sequel.

By Benjamin Teplitsky

126 Touchstone Travelog

V-twins through the ages, by someone who was there (joke).

By Allan Girdler

143 European Dream: Honda XLV750

Paris to Dakar imagery, but Euro-Cruiser reality.

By Mark Lindemann

DEPARTMENT*

8 Editorial/For The Want Of A Part/Phil Schilling

13 Letters/Humans 4, Cows 0

14 Pipeline/n?e Great Sponsorship Hunt/Jim Greening

42 Review/Easyricters Cookbook/Mark Lindemann

110 Bits//Vottwng’s Really New/Mark Lindemann