Motorcyclist found dead, officer says

PLASTER CITY --- An Imperial Beach man was found dead today after he rode out into the desert on his motorcycle Sunday night, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The man, whose name and age was not immediately available, wanted to take his Honda 450 motorcycle on a "test ride" at about 6 p.m. Sunday after he installed a headlight on it, Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said. The man's friends and relatives came looking for him but it was too dark for them to search the area, Torrez said.

The man's body was found today at about 7 a.m. about a quarter mile from the campsite where he stayed, Torrez.

By SILVIO J. PANTA staff writer