of the latest street bikes. By Chris Gibbons.

In Europe recently, the average bike about town has been taking on a racy new look. The latest fashion sweeping the motorcycle industry is aerodynamichandlebar mouldings and side farings covered with flashy team-style decals that make two-stroke bikes look like they've just driven off the Grand Prix circuit at Imola or Brands Hatch.

But don't expect to find them negotiating the corners of Harbour Road or testing the radar gun on Kindley Field Road. Government is continuing to block dealers' attempts to bring in the new generation of street bikes - apparently because they don't fit Bermuda's "image''. In short, they just look too fast.

"It's ridiculous,'' says one dealer, who asked not to be named. "It's another form of Government censorship. There's nothing wrong with these bikes but obviously they don't suit the tourist postcard image that Government wants to project. Government doesn't say you can't bring in a powerboat because they don't like the way it looks, why should they do it for bikes?'' Val Caesar, manager of administration and registration at Government's Transport Control Department, says dealers were circulated as long ago as 1986 saying there was no guarantee that such bikes would be approved for road use.

The issue flared up again earlier this year when Denise Trew, owner of Eve's Cycles in Paget, complained about a long-running battle to get a range of Italian bikes, made by Aprilia, approved by TCD.

Government has since approved applications by Eve for Aprilia's road racer-style Europa and cruiser-style Red Rose models that look a lot more powerful than their 50cc engines but Eve's appeal over the Futura has been turned down. Explains Val Caesar: "The Europa, which looks more like a street bike than a racing prototype, has been approved by the the Futura certainly has not. The Minister (Ralph Marshall) has consulted with the Cabinet on this and in Government's view, the Futura and other bikes like it are not in keeping with the image of the Country.'' He points out that Government allows bikes with high front fenders - such as the popular Yamaha motocross-style bikes - and bikes with handlebar mouldings, such as the new Kawasaki models, but draws the line at bikes with side farings.

Even so, bikes such as the Aprilia Europa are impressive-looking machines which, for an on-the-road price tag of around $4,750, they should be.

Musician Clive Francis's eye-catching Europa (pictured here) is one of only two on the Island. Remodelled by Paul DeCouto of Cycle Care and Repair - the Island's other Europa owner - and painted by Dean Richards, it feels like a much heavier bike and, according to Francis, requires responsible handling, even with front and rear disc brakes.

With six gears and a top speed of 120 kph, it's a powerful two-stroke bike,and even Francis agrees that it's maybe not the type of machine a 16-year-old should jump onto as a first bike.

Francis admits the eye-appeal of the bike also has another advantage.

Richards' artwork has turned the bike into a promotional vehicle for Francis's band Cross Culture, whose album In De Area was released this month.

Says Francis: "The reason I had it (the artwork) done was because I knew people would look at the bike and it would get attention.'' DECEIVING: At first glance, Clive Francis' Europa looks more like a 125cc or more.

AUGUST 1993 RG MAGAZINE