Motorcycle Forum

Honda will soon release the CBR500R in the US

Dodsfall — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:40:19 GMT

Honda is rolling out three variations of it's CB500 series this year. The CB500F is a naked standard and the CB500X is an adventure bike. The CBR500R is a sport model that will be released this summer.

The CB500 series share the same engine, a 471 cc parallel twin. The CBR500R is meant to be a step up from the popular CBR250 and provide an alternative to Kawasaki's recently-released Ninja 300. The middleweight motorcycle is physically larger then the CBR 250, giving taller riders more leg and arm room.

The CBR500R is built in Taiwan for Honda. The US and European models will be identical to provide streamlining of manufacture. The engine produces 47 horsepower which was purposely designed to comply with the European system of tiered licensing. The 37 foot pounds of torque can be utilized through most of the fairly-flat power band.

A 6-speed transmission drives power to the rear wheel with an easy-pulling clutch. There is no included slipper clutch as can be found in the Ninja 300, possibly its main commercial rival.

Full size Dunlop tires cover the wheels and hold up the 429-pound motorcycle, compared to the skinny rubber found on most entry-level machines. The optional $500 ABS package will help with the braking through a linked system.

A big 4.1 gallon gas tank supplies a huge 290-mile range based on the claimed 71 MPG the CBR500R. That is a lot of road between drinks.

The CBR500R has a retail price of $5999, which should put it in reach of many new riders looking to start a bit bigger than the 250 market can offer. That also places it at about half the price of a 2013 CBR600RR.

[Motorcycle USA]

Scooter owner files suit against city

Dodsfall — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:33:23 GMT

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware is a small seaside community of about one mile square that has a population of 1,327 residents. One of those residents was upset enough by the required $40 scooter parking permit to file a class action lawsuit over the fee.

Lawrence Myslewski filed the suit in the US District Court of Delaware citing that the new scooter permits violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Motorcycle and automobile owners do not have to obtain a permit to park in the city.

Myslewski states in his suit that he cannot even park his two Vespa scooters in front of his house without first obtaining a permit for each. Myslewski's attorney, David Finger, said the new ordinance does not treat all motorists equally.

The stated goal of the new law was to �create safe and effective scooter parking�. Myslewski's lawsuit says the law does nothing to add to the safety of the residents. Scooters are already prohibited from parking or riding on sidewalks in Rehoboth Beach.

�There is no basis to conclude that use of motor scooters results in any greater threat to public safety than any other form of motorized transportation such that different treatment is required,� the suit says.

It is unknown at this time how large the class will be or when it will be heard by the court, as the suit was just recently filed. Myslewski is asking that attorney fees be paid and that the law is declared unconstitutional.

[Cape Gazette]

Taking the MSF BRC: Day Three

Dodsfall — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:24:58 GMT

This is the last in a short series on my personal experience with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginning Rider Course (BRC). The third and final day of the program was completed today.

The participants again gathered in the parking lot at 6:45 am. Greetings were made by those in the class as the riders filtered in. A sense of camaraderie had been established from the tiring previous day and it was good to see familiar faces.

We pushed our motorcycles out onto the range. This time I swapped over to a Yamaha XT225. It was slightly more high-spirited than the TW200, but still very easy to ride.

The schedule for the day included exercises 10 through 17 as well as a skills exam and written test covering information in the MSF manual.

The riding began with the dreaded box. Even some of the more experienced riders, myself included, struggled a bit with making clean U-turns in the tight confines.

After the first few exercises, the new riders in the group were showing marked improvement. Those that were struggling a little with starting and stopping were looking pretty confident and professional in their maneuvers.

One of the most fun exercises involved running over pieces of 2X4 laid out around the course. Personally, I was trying to see how much air I could get over the wood and instructor Greg assured me he could see daylight under the tires.

After the skills exam, we headed back into the air conditioned classroom to take the written test. This was multiple choice and easy to complete correctly if attention was paid in the classroom over the last couple days.

After the class, those that passed the exams were given the good news and those that had failed were in for a letdown. No one that attended the class was counciled out early and I suspect a good learning experience was shared by all.

Taking the MSF BRC: Day Two

Dodsfall — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:43:02 GMT

In a recent article, I relayed my experiences with the first evening of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Beginning Rider Course (BRC). The second day of the course was completed today.

It was an early start for the group of 21 riders taking the MSF BRC. The class started at 6:45 am and some of the participants had traveled over two hours to reach the course location. It was still fairly cool outside as the students were lined up for a gear inspection near the well-regimented lineup of class motorcycles.

Those that owned helmets had them checked for DOT or Snell certifications while those that did not own one were fitted for a loaner. Gloves, long sleeves, and boots were checked as well as eye wear for those without shields on their helmets.

Scott Haas, the Coordinator of the Northern Illinois University Motorcycle Safety Project, called over the 6 potential instructors taking the course as well as 5 other students. The other 10 students were assigned to a second group. We were then matched up with our motorcycles roughly by height. The shorter riders were equipped with Honda Rebels or Nighthawks, while the taller folks got the fat-tired, low-geared Yamaha TW200 models.

We then pushed our motorcycles about 100 yards to the range and went over the start up procedure, control configuration, hand signals, and some range safety rules.

Once the motorcycles were started, the class proceeded to familiarize ourselves with the clutch friction zone, first by rocking the motorcycles then by duck walking across the range a few times. That was exercise one.

After eight more exercises and six hours later, the students had progressed from simply rocking their motorcycles using the clutch to accomplishing a cone weave, shifting to third gear and back down again, and quick stops. Although half of the class were seasoned riders, the new riders that made up the other half did very well. There were a few stalls and a couple of out-of-control moments from the new riders, but they always recovered quickly and kept a positive attitude.

After a one-hour lunch break, we returned to the classroom which was wonderfully air-conditioned. We got into the same groups as the previous night and spent the next two hours going over the course material.

The third and final day of the course starts in the morning.

Taking the MSF BRC: Day One

Dodsfall — Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 GMT

The next few articles will break from tradition and be somewhat autobiographical. I recently started the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) RiderCoach program in hopes of spending some weekends this summer and fall helping train new riders.

As part of the MSF Rider Coach curriculum, it is required that the Beginner Riding Course (BRC) be completed. What follows are my personal experiences with the program.

The first night of the course was spent in a classroom of the local community college. There were a total 36 participants that were divided into two groups. One group was the early class, which would start at 6:45 am on Saturday and the later class would start at 10:00 am. 21 people elected to take the early class, which was the group I was part of.

Of the 21 in my class, 6 of us were prospective instructors.

The class was divided into three groups and our first assignment was to interview another student so we could introduce them to the rest of the class. This was a good bonding exercise and got people talking to each other.

After introductions were made, each group was assigned a section of the MSF manual to study for a few minutes, then each group discussed their assigned section with the rest of the class. A video was then displayed to reinforce the lesson. This procedure was repeated a few times, covering more of the manual.

The instructors then went over the range signals to be used the next day for the riding exercises. They also explained the required gear for the course, some range safety rules, and the fact that some people may be counciled out of the course if it is determined that they pose a safety risk to themselves or others.

Four hours after the start of the program, we were dismissed for the night to get some rest for an early start the next day.

The Gunny will ride Rolling Thunder

Dodsfall — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:49:05 GMT

Retired US Marine, Victory Motorcycle rider, and actor R. Lee Ermey, also known as The Gunny, will participate in the upcoming Rolling Thunder motorcycle ride in Washington DC. This will be the 26th annual Rolling Thunder ride, which takes place on May 26th.

Rolling Thunder honors US veterans and remembers the sacrifices they have made to secure our freedoms. Ermey, besides being an avid motorcycle rider, is an outspoken advocate for the rights of US military personnel, both active and discharged.

Ermey is perhaps best known for his role as a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant in the film Full Metal Jacket.

Victory Motorcycles has retained Ermey as an official spokesman for the company for several years now. He will be representing Victory Motorcycles in the ride. �We enjoy the freedom to ride because of the service and sacrifice of our nation�s military personnel, and we�re honored to have the Gunny represent our brand at this Memorial Day weekend event,� said Steve Menneto, VP of Victory Motorcycles.

Ermey will make scheduled appearances at four DC-area Victory dealerships the day before the ride. He will be riding his Victory between the dealerships and invites others to ride along. Victory's Facebook page has information as to where and how riders can join The Gunny for a ride.

[Cyclenews]

Honda updates the CFR250R for 2014

Dodsfall — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:33:27 GMT

Honda has designed several changes for the 2014 CFR250R. The championship-winning off-roader was taken back to the drawing board for many improvements.

The 249 cc single will have a new cylinder head. The compression ratio has been increased to 13.5:1 and a new porting design has been implemented. The low and mid-range power has been increased by tweaking the injector timing and angle. The airbox has been changed to allow for better airflow and to make the filter element easier to swap out when dirty. The gearing has been widened a bit to take advantage of the increase in power output.

Lowering the center of gravity was also a priority for the 2014 model. The aluminum frame has lower spars and the dual under-seat exhaust system has been shortened to centralize the mass. A new swing arm and linkage has also been added.

The bodywork has been adjusted slightly and the fuel capacity raised a bit from 1.5 gallons to 1.66 gallons. New front and rear rotor covers have been added to the braking system.

Pricing has not been released for the 2014 CFR250R at this time.

[Motorcycle USA]

2014 Honda Grom will be available in the US for $2999

Dodsfall — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:24:51 GMT

The Honda Grom 125 is an import from Taiwan that will soon be available in the US. The Grom is known as the MSX125 elsewhere in the world.

Honda states that the Grom has �all the excitement of a full-sized motorcycle but in a package that just about anyone old enough to have a license can handle.�

The Grom is powered by a four-stroke, single cylinder, fuel injected 124.9 cc engine. A four speed transmission delivers power via a chain to the diminutive 12-inch rear wheel. At a wet weight of 225 pounds, it is one of the lightest motorcycles available. The 30.1-inch seat height is about a 1/2 inch shorter than a CBR250R.

Other items that come standard on the Grom are inverted forks, a projector beam headlight, a LED tail light, a liquid crystal display instrument panel, and hydraulic brakes.

�Small it may be,� says Honda in a Yoda-like fashion, �but in terms of worldwide sales, brand awareness and owner satisfaction, its impact will be large.�

The Grom 125 will be available in both red and black this August. According to the video, people may spontaneously cheer riders of the Grom as they ride near mannequins.

+ YouTube Video
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[Cycle World]

The 2014 Indian Chief gets a price

Dodsfall — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:33:23 GMT

The redesigned 2014 Indian Chief has finally got a price tag. The $18,999 retail price is much less than previous Indian models and now can directly compete with it's rivals in the market.

Produced by Polaris Industries, who also build the Victory brand of motorcycles, the Indian Chief's price falls right in between Harley Davidson's popular Softail Deluxe and Road King Classic models. There was previously wide-spread speculation that the new Chief would directly compete with Harley Davidson's price points, and that seems to have panned out.

Polaris is using an all-new Thunder Stroke 111 cubic-inch engine in the new Chief. That makes the engine displacement slightly larger than both the current offerings from Victory and Harley Davidson.

Hints about the motorcycle's design have been leaking out slowly over the past few months. Many details about the motorcycle are still being kept under wraps until the final reveal at the 2013 Sturgis motorcycle rally this August.

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[Popular Mechanics]

Family Fun Day features motorcycle art

Dodsfall — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:44:00 GMT

The American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) is holding a Family Fun Day at the AMA Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 11th. The Pinkerton, Ohio facility will feature the works of several artists whose mixed media artwork is centered on motorcycles.

2 Wheels + Motor, an International Art Exhibition will feature a wide variety of art styles including photographers, sculptors, painters, illustrators, jewelers and potters. Several of the art pieces have been created exclusively for this event.

"Not only is the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame a place for motorcyclists to appreciate our shared heritage, but it also showcases our inductees' significance within society as a whole," said Jeffrey V. Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which oversees the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. "Our Family Fun Day is an excellent opportunity for members of the local community to stop by and learn what we're all about -- and that includes our latest exhibit of motorcycle-inspired art."

Admission this Saturday will be half price for adults and free for children 17 and under. The chance to see the combined works of dozens of motorcycle artists in one place is certainly worth the price of admission.

"We are thrilled that more artists are stepping forward to be a part of our growing exhibit," Heininger said. "Each piece is inspiring and entertaining in its own way and helps bridge the gap between rider and non-rider alike. This exhibit truly has something for everyone."

The Moto Trials Extreme Off-Road Stunt Show will also be featured at the museum this weekend.

[Cycleworld]

Discriminatory checkpoints may be stopped

Dodsfall — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:00:15 GMT

A bill to stop federal funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints has been introduced into the US House. The bill helps protect motorcycle rights and attempts to use the money instead for crash prevention.

Wisconsin US Representative Jim Sensenbrenner introduced HR 1861, known simply as the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act earlier this week. A previous bill (HR 904) was introduced last year. The new bill will additionally promote crash prevention and motorcycle safety efforts.

Motorcycle-only checkpoints are seen by many to be discriminatory. Efforts have been made in several states to ban the practice as a violation of civil rights.

The bill would also prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing grants to states to help enforce helmets laws. Additionally, it would stop the DOT from interfering in state policies by conditionally granting or withholding funding.

Federal law currently says that highway safety plans must �prevent crashes and reduce injuries�. According to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), funding used for checkpoints and helmet law enforcement is better spent on rider education programs and motorist awareness campaigns. Enforcement of helmet mandates has siphoned away funds from rider training programs, making them more expensive for a rider to complete them, putting more untrained riders on the road.

The AMA is asking for riders to contact their representatives in congress to support HR 1861.

[AMA]

The Zero MMX is developed for the US Special Forces

Dodsfall — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:36:14 GMT

Today Zero Motorcycles, a manufacturer of electric motorcycles, announced the development of the MMX military motorcycle designed to be used by the US Special Operations Forces.

The quiet electric motorcycle seems to be a great fit for stealthy special operations. The off-road capabilities of the Zero can cover some extremely rough terrain. The MMX can also ride through one meter of water without difficulty. Operatives can get to their mission location nearly anywhere quickly and with little noise and a small heat signature.

�It was a very rewarding experience for the Zero team to go through such an exacting development process. The military needed a very specific set of core features on the MMX, and we were incredibly thankful to work side-by-side with them to deliver such a unique product,� said Abe Askenazi, Chief Technology Officer for Zero Motorcycles. �The great news for our civilian customers is that we made the decision to incorporate into our 2013 MX, FX and XU retail motorcycles virtually all of the powertrain enhancements associated with satisfying this project�s stringent military requirements. Our 2013 product is truly �military grade�!�

Special features have been added to the motorcycle at the request of the military. Modular power packs that can be swapped out in under a minute cuts down time. A keyless ignition with a simple dash toggle makes sure the motorcycle is ready to go at a moments notice. A switchable headlight allows for use of night vision. Front and rear infrared systems can be added by simply plugging them in to available sockets. Heavy-duty tie-downs allow for transport by land, sea or air.

The 2013 MMX is built off the standard Zero MX platform. It has 54 horsepower and 68 foot pounds of torque. Braking power is used to recoup some of the lost energy and recharge the battery.

An undisclosed number of the motorcycles are just now finishing up full operational testing. So far, they have passed all of the stringent military standards. The MMX will not be available to the general public.

[Motorcycle Daily]

Motorcyclists refuse a roadside check

Dodsfall — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:33:23 GMT

Upon hearing that a large group of riders would join in a group ride last Saturday, the Combined Special Forces Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC ) and other police organizations set up roadblocks to conduct a roadside check.

The police �safety checks� were set up near Duncan B.C. to stop the group of motorcyclists on their way from Nanaimo to Victoria.

�The bikers, many of whom were observed allegedly ignoring red lights at intersections, speeding, and unsafely passing other vehicles on the road after leaving Nanaimo, were stopped on Highway 1 southbound near the North Cowichan Municipal Hall shortly after 2 p.m.,� Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said.

The motorcyclists, which included members of the Hells Angels, refused to pull into the roadblock area. Instead, they blocked the highway in what became a standoff. Eventually, the police backed down and allowed the riders to continue, although the police stated that they documented the motorcycles and would follow up with law enforcement at a later date.

�Seeing a large group of bikers rolling down the highway and through towns can be intimidating for the public and that is their intention � to intimidate,� Houghton said. �Today was yet another example of groups like the Hells Angels thinking they are above the law. and its policing partners will continue to monitor events like today�s and ensure the public�s safety by seizing every available and appropriate enforcement opportunity against those involved in organized crime.�

[12160]

Women in the Wind celebrate Women's Riding Day

Dodsfall — Mon, 06 May 2013 02:35:59 GMT

The all-female riding club Women in the Wind commemorated Women's Riding Day on May 3rd. The Florida She Shore Riding Chapter met in Sarasota and traveled to Bradenton.

"The ride started in Canada. Everywhere in the world women ride on May 3," said She Shore Riders president Esther Halt. "We sponsor the local women's ride every year. Usually we get about 40 women."

A sisters weekend followed the on Saturday where women riders from all over Florida ride in to share unique stories about riding.

Halt said. "My bike is my baby. When I first got my endorsement, I went on one ride with my husband and his friends. We got about 5 or 6 miles up Fruitville Road and I pulled over and cried. I said I'd never ride again. They were way up ahead of me."

Halt didn't give up after all. "A few months later one of the girls up the road invited me to go with her and it was a totally different experience. They put me in the middle, That was totally different. and now my husband's got to keep up with me!"

Next month, Halt plans to ride to the national Women in the Wind convention in Washington, DC. She is no stranger to long motorcycle trips. "I've taken my bike to New York, to Tennessee, on the tail of the dragon in the beautiful Smokeys. I took my bike on a cruise, and rode around Saint Martin and Puerto Rico," Halt said.

Aline Giroux, a member who works for the Manatee Sheriff's Office, gave up riding for several years and just recently started again, now riding a Can-Am Spyder. She said, "I was in training for my license on April Fool's day of '08, the same day I got my first puppy. I was 49. Turning 50 was a big thing. I didn't tell my family about it for about two and a half years.�

"Riding is total freedom. Sometimes when I'm going over a bridge I'll raise both hands and say I'm flying. Its total freedom! It exhilarates me. It regenerates you," Giroux said. "One of the club members was in the emergency room on Friday, very sick. When I spoke to her husband on Friday, he said, 'Her fever's broke and we're making her get out and ride.' It always makes you feel better when you ride."

Women in the Wind is a very inclusive riding club. They accept members of all ages, with the requirement of being female. One member just turned 70 when she started riding.

"Our point is to be a female and a rider. You have your endorsement and you have your bike and you're in. We're totally diversified. We've had some 20-year-olds and some almost pushing 80, so it's a wide range of every type of person. It's a riding club. An official motorcycle club is different," Giroux said.

[Bradenton Herald]

May is Women Riders Month at Harley Davidson

Dodsfall — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:48:36 GMT

Harley Davidson declared the month of May Women Riders Month five years ago. In order to highlight the independent spirit of women riders, a new contest seeks stories about incredible women.

From the beginning of May through May 15th, story submissions will be accepted on the Harley Davidson Facebook page in the Fan Machine section.

The stories submitted should be about how women have �unleashed their inner rebel� and have inspired others to do the same.

�There are thousands of women who have taken to life on two wheels�and they all have a story to tell,� said Claudia Garber, Director of Women�s Outreach Marketing for Harley-Davidson. �These stories are not only the lifeblood of the Harley-Davidson experience, but are instrumental in inspiring other women to live out their own dreams.�

The top 10 entries will get a space on the Harley Davidson Facebook page, the official company website, and on other social media. Each winner will also receive a $200 gift card that can be used at any Harley Davidson dealership as well as special Harley Davidson merchandise.

[Rider Magazine]

Ducati separates race bikes from crotch rockets

Dodsfall — Sun, 05 May 2013 01:30:44 GMT

The 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R demonstrates that the Italian company is not messing around when it comes to racing motorcycles.

The 90 degree v-twin at the heart of the 1199 Panigale R will develop 195 horsepower. New titanium connecting rods and a lighter flywheel drops three pounds from last year's model, allowing the red line rpm to be increased to 12,000 from the previous 11,500. A diamond-hard coating on the rocker arms helps them stand up to the stresses of moving faster. Updated engine programming raises the torque in the mid range rpm.

The gear ratio has been shortened a bit by increasing the number of teeth on the rear sprocket by two. The higher rpm limit allows the top speed of 185 mph to be remained unchanged while increasing the torque in the mid range by 10 percent at 87 mph in third gear and by 18 percent in high gear at 124 mph.

A taller windshield has been included in the new model, as well as �grippier� seat fabric and an exposed aluminum finish on the fuel tank. The R version also comes with a full Termignoni race exhaust system shipped in its own crate.

The seat height is about 32 inches as the rider straddles the narrow frame. An 8-setting traction control system and adjustable ABS allow the rider to fine-tune the electronics package. The chassis adjustability is world class.

The 2014 Ducati 1199 Panigale R will require a thick pocketbook to own with a retail price of $29,995.

+ YouTube Video
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[Autoblog]

The new BMW F800GT is reviewed

Dodsfall — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:07:16 GMT

The 2013 BMW F800GT was reviewed by Motorcycle USA today. The new middleweight touring machine replaces the ST model and includes many upgrades.

The 798 cc parallel twin can be considered small for touring standards, especially in the US. Being fuel-injected and water cooled with an exhaust system straight from the F800R sport bike, the mid-sized engine is a relative powerhouse. Achieving a claimed 90 horsepower at 8000 rpm, the engine has plenty of get up and go. The low-end power is impressive, with 85% of the available torque available at only 3600 rpm.

Some vibration kicks in at higher rpms, which can be expected in with a twin cylinder. The six-speed transmission covers a comfortable range at lower speeds while allowing highway speeds without feeling buzzy.

Moving away from the signature drive-shaft final drive, the BMW F800GT uses a belt drive to power the rear wheel. The cable-actuated clutch received high marks for being balanced and easy to use.

Anti-lock brakes are standard equipment, while traction control can be added as an option for an additional $400. The traction control package is not as sophisticated as the one on the flagship S1000RR superbike, but seems to do the job.

An optional tire pressure monitor ($250) will help remind riders to keep the 17-inch tires fully inflated. For an additional $295, a stopwatch, gear position indicator, and ambient temperature gauge can be added to the instrument cluster. A quick-release system for the saddlebags can be added for $150.

The base price of the BMW F800GT is $11,890. The price as tested was $14,511.

The testers found the handling, comfort, ease of riding, and engine power to be the top items when considering the BMW F800GT. The tiered pricing system adding cost for items that should really be standard was the low point.

[Motorcycle USA]

Royal Enfield opens a new production facility

Dodsfall — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:34:14 GMT

The new Royal Enfield factory in Oragadam, India began commercial production today. The 50-acre facility will begin with a production run of 150,000 units.

Royal Enfield is ramping up its capacity to produce motorcycles for worldwide distribution thanks in part to increased demand for new models.

Siddhartha Lal, company CEO said, �At Royal Enfield we have recorded a major milestone today with this plant at Oragadam becoming operational. Royal Enfield has witnessed a huge surge in demand in the recent past, recording a growth of over 50% for each of the last two years. We have been extremely successful in stretching the capacity of our existing 60 year old plant to record levels � achieving production of over 12,000 motorcycles in the month of March 2013. Yet the demand for our motorcycles has continued to outpace the supply. Therefore we have conceived of this new facility on a much larger tract of land and created a master-plan that can take the eventual production here to over 500,000 per year. With the speedy execution of the first phase of the plan, we have revised our production target upwards in 2013 � to 175,000 motorcycles from both plants. However, even as we start commercial production today, we have already begun working on the second phase of expansion at Oragadam, which will further increase the production capacity to 250,000 motorcycles in 2014. With this new facility, we now have the ability to scale our production quantity quickly in response to market demand.�

Along with the new factory, many of the Enfield parts have been re-tooled for tighter tolerances. The sheet metal process has been modernized, and a �world-leading� new paint system has been implemented. 800 motorcycles a day are projected to roll of the assembly line using two shifts.

Siddhartha Lal continued, �The ability to increase capacity fast and superior quality of motorcycles is a crucial step for Royal Enfield towards meeting our global ambitions. While we are adding new models and new dealerships in the Indian market which is fueling our growth, we are also working on building our presence globally. Higher investments into brand and distribution, as well as new products that are very appealing to international markets are going to be key for us to achieve global leadership in the mid-size motorcycle category.�

The new plant was completed in only 11 months. New automation processes will replace manual labor in several areas, increasing efficiency and uniformity and lowering production costs. Specialty processes such as the hand-painted pin-striping will still be done by craftsmen. A 1.4 kilometer track along with dynometers for testing are also available at the new facility.

[Cycle World]

Indiana strengthens position as motorsports leader

Dodsfall — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:38:50 GMT

A bill was approved by the Indiana General Assembly yesterday that strengthens the state's position as a leader in the motorsports industry.

House bill 1544 is now headed to Governor Mike Pense for final approval. The bill would create a Motorsports Investment District around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS). A fund will also be created to assist motorsports businesses to apply for loans and help with future development projects.

"We appreciate the hard work done by state lawmakers to ensure Indiana remains the worldwide leader in motorsports," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "This legislation will allow us to make transformative improvements to our 104-year-old facility over the next several years that will greatly enhance the fan experience."

The IMS will receive a loan from the state of up to $5 million a year for 20 years to work on capital improvement projects. The loan is planned to be repaid through increased taxes collected at the IMS and guaranteed by the parent company of the raceway, Hulman & Co. An additional $5 million a year will be set aside to loan to businesses and other tracks to make improvements to their facilities.

"The impact of motorsports in Indiana is felt in all 92 counties, and this industry provides 23,000 direct jobs statewide that pay an average wage of nearly $63,000 per year," said Tom Weisenbach, Indiana Motorsports Association executive director. "Our state lawmakers understand the significant economic impact of our industry, and we greatly appreciate their support as we look to grow our state's economy."

[Roadracingworld]

Harley Davidson displays its Scottish colors

Dodsfall — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:23:15 GMT

Davidson is an old Scottish Highland clan from Glen Ness. Some of the founders of the Harley Davidson Motor Company are direct descendents of that clan. A tartan (plaid pattern) has been created to represent the Motor Company.

Tartans have many variations, even within the traditional clans. Some may be used for hunting that had a different pattern than ones used for formal dress. The availability of local dyes played a big part in the designs. In the Victorian era, tartans became more standardized and even commercialized.

The traditional Davidson tartan was green and blue. The traditional colors of Harley Davidson are orange, gray, and black or red, white, and black. The �official� Harley Davidson tartan is still rather rare commercially. It usually has to be special ordered and fashioned into clothing by a kilt or scarf maker.

The Scottish Register of Tartans has a listing for the official pattern for the Harley Davidson company. It is the orange, gray, and black variety. It was designed in 2003 by Klaus Hoeller for Harley Davidson and was created before the government registry was formed.

It can certainly be considered a brave move to wear a kilt while riding a motorcycle, especially in the traditional fashion sans undergarments. A nice scarf might be a better idea for riders.

[Inventorspot]

Valentino Rossi carjacks Kyle Busch's Camry

Dodsfall — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:26:57 GMT

Legendary racers Valentino Rossi and Kyle Busch met at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina. Rossi decided he would like to take a spin around the track a few times in Busch's Nationwide Toyota Camry.

Busch went over the car with Rossi than gave him a headset to listen in as Busch ran a few high-speed laps, explaining the some of the finer points of taming the 650-horsepower Camry. It soon became Rossi's turn to run around the 1.5-mile super speedway.

When Rossi got the car up to speed, about 185 miles an hour, he became more comfortable and his lap times began to drop rapidly.

�It was so cool to understand the feeling!� beamed Rossi. �I have a lot of friends from Europe and Italy who follow NASCAR. It looks like it�s a completely different type of racing than what we do in Europe and I expected something more like this �exciting, high speed and a great feeling in the corner. In the bank you have a lot of grip, so you are glued on the racetrack. It was great, I enjoyed it a lot. I love driving the race car, and I always have, so it was exciting to drive a NASCAR.�

Rossi added: �At the beginning it was a bit strange because it�s difficult to go straight. But after some laps, I had a lot of confidence and I was able to go faster and faster and faster. I must say I got along very well with Kyle. He�s a good guy. I like him and he gave me a lot of important advice.�

�I thought it was a really cool experience and it also helps when you have two guys who are enthusiastic about their sport and have a good mantra about it,� smiled Busch. �I think Rossi is a really cool dude. We were just having fun, hanging out together. To me, I thought the experience was awesome. It�s cool Monster Energy brought us together, it was a lot of fun. Just getting the feeling of asking him about his sport and him asking me about NASCAR a little bit. Just having the dialogue there was good.�

�And as far as driving the car, I thought he did pretty good. He started out a little slow, which is fine, but every lap he picked it up a lot. He got to where he was running some competitive lap speeds � times that would put him in the top-15 in Nationwide Series practice. That�s pretty good for a guy in his first start, who is just coming over and getting used to things and someone that is used to driving on two wheels.�

There was no report of Busch attempting to ride Rossi's Yamaha around the track.

[Motorcycle USA]

CBS starts a new deal with AMA Road Racing

Dodsfall — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:41 GMT

CBS Sports Network will begin airing AMA Pro Road Racing this summer. The television agreement will run through the 2014 racing season as part of the CBS Sports Spectacular series.

Chet Burks Productions, who are handling the production of the program series, have been in business for 25 years creating sports television. GEICO currently sponsors Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing.

A 30-minute preview show on the CBS Sports Network will lead up to the races being shown on weekend afternoons, with several events airing live. A panel of industry experts will host the show and include interviews with riders and celebrity guests.

"We're excited to add AMA Pro to our CBS Sports Spectacular lineup," said Dan Weinberg, Senior Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports Network. "GEICO Motorcycle AMA Pro Road Racing is a high octane, action-packed sport featuring some of the world's best motorcycle racers and is a great addition to our live programming this summer."

"We are incredibly proud of this television package and excited to begin our new relationship with CBS Sports Network," said David Atlas, Managing Board Member of AMA Pro Racing. "Through the live action and in-depth features, we will present fans with the most intense immersion into our unique and exciting racing that the sport has ever seen."

"This agreement is the result of a tremendous amount of time and commitment from AMA Pro and is a significant step for motorcycle racing in America," said Chet Burks, President of Chet Burks Productions. "We look forward to producing an exciting television experience for CBS Sports Network viewers."

The first program will run on Saturday, June 1, 2013 starting at 2:30 pm ET for the preview show. Live coverage of the Subway SuperBike Doubleheader at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. will begin at 3:00 pm ET.

[Roadracingworld]

For motorcyclists, every day is Earth Day

Dodsfall — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:50:08 GMT

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is celebrating the contributions riders make to environmentalism. There are more ways motorcyclists are helping the environment than using fewer resources and producing less pollution.

"For motorcyclists, every day is Earth Day," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "Off-highway riders enjoy the outdoors and respect the land, sometimes even carrying out other people's trash from remote areas. Street riders -- whether on a motorcycle or a scooter -- have a positive impact on the environment and their rides result in a more enjoyable, less-congested experience for all road users."

Thousands of off-highway riders help maintain forest areas by planting new trees, cutting brush, and cleaning up trash. Tens of thousands of man-hours are donated every year by riding enthusiasts to help keep nature areas pristine.

Motorcycle manufacturers are also getting in on the effort. Yamaha Motor Corporation's employees have rehabilitated over 12 acres of the San Bernardino National Forest in California over the past five years.

The fuel mileage that motorcycles achieve, many getting over 50 miles a gallon, saves resources and lessens pollution in the air. Fewer materials are required to build a motorcycle, saving thousands of pounds in metal and plastic raw materials. Less fuel is required to transport new motorcycles from the factory than other vehicles. Motorcycles also generally require less oil and other fluids than cars do, and it all adds up.

The reduction of traffic congestion due to riders using their motorcycles to commute also helps save fuel for automobiles and trucks that end up spending less time stuck in traffic. Motorcycles also cause less wear and tear on roads, saving resources needed to repair them.

"When you add it all up, there is no question: If everyone rode motorcycles, the planet would be a greener, less congested place," Dingman said. "And just as important, more of us would experience the thrill and freedom that motorcycles provide. Riding is not just easy on your bank account and the planet, riding is a fun, and often a social activity that simply makes life more enjoyable."

[AMA]

No motorcycles allowed

Dodsfall — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:41:24 GMT

Last week, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) focused on public areas where motorcycles are banned. As part of the Freedom Friday program, the AMA sought to raise awareness of discrimination against riders.

Motorcyclists are often not happy when they see a �No Motorcycles Allowed� sign at a public beach, at gated communities, or in public parks.

"Motorcycle bans don't grab a lot of headlines, but they do exist," said Danielle Fowles, AMA grassroots coordinator. "We want to know about them, and we want to unite motorcyclists to block or overturn them."

Cities such as Chicago have seriously considered banning motorcycles from areas such as the city's Lake Shore Drive. Efforts from the AMA, Abate of Illinois, and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation stopped the ban from happening.

As part of the awareness campaign, the AMA is asking members to send in a picture of their motorcycle in front of something that will convey the idea of motorcycles being banned from or welcomed into an area. This can be something as simple as a �No Motorcycles Allowed� sign or a �Welcome Bikers� banner.

Winners of the photo contest will receive an AMA gift bag and a $20 gift certificate for BikeBandit. Participants will also be entered into a grand prize drawing at the end of the month for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Photo entries should be sent to grassroots@ama-cycle.org

[Motorcycle USA]

Boot camp for new riders begins

Dodsfall — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:04:13 GMT

At Gover Harley Davidson in Piqua, Ohio, beginning motorcyclists are anxious to ride. A new boot camp for riders has started.

Justin Fergerson was walking between the rows of motorcycles in the showroom when he was asked if he rides. He smiled largely and answered, �I'm in the process of learning.� He was in the first group of aspiring riders to participate in the dealership's first boot camp.

"This is geared towards new or what we call intended riders," said Dani Heeter, the marketing coordinator for Gover Harley Davidson. Introductions took place of the department managers, including the parts manager, the clothing and accessories manager, the sales manager, and the service manager, Jim Gover, Jr. All were on hand to answer questions about their areas of expertise.

The boot camp is sort of a prequel to taking a riding class. Many of the participants were registered to take the beginners riding course (BRC) at the Honda Rider Education Center in Troy, Ohio later this month.

Questions and concerns were answered such as the weights of different motorcycles, to braking system functionality, and the different types of accessories available for motorcycles. Protective gear was also covered and how it's more than just a fashion statement.

Fergerson recently got his learner's permit and is signed up for the BRC. After some co-workers let him know about the boot camp he decided to give it a try. The was just one major obstacle. "I'm still trying to talk my wife into it," said Fergerson. "She's on the fence."

[Piqua Daily Call]

Blue rides with his compatriot

Dodsfall — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 09:43:45 GMT

Wearing his gray goatee in a braid, Bervia Hooghouse can be seen often on his Triumph. The Blue Springs, Mississippi resident can be more easily identified as the guy with the dog in his sidecar.

Hooghouse looks like a motorcycle rider. "I know I'm not pretty," he said. "Even if I'm not wearing a bandana on my head, you can tell I'm a cyclist. It's in my DNA."

Blue, Hooghouse's 6 year old blue heeler, is his trusty riding companion. Wearing his helmet, jacket, and goggles, he looks like a motorcycle rider as well. "I had a custom leather jacket made for him. I spent more money on his jacket than on my own. He's worth it. I want him comfortable," Hooghouse said. "It was only logical. I like to ride year-round. We'll ride in the teens, not that long, but we go."

Blue is the one that draws the most attention of the pair. "I've had state troopers pull me over just to get pictures with him. Blue's been a star from the get-go," Hooghouse said. "He loves me to death, and I love him, too."

There was a time when the riding buddies went by a school bus full of kids. "They were on a field trip or whatever," Hooghouse said. "I watched as the whole bus leaned to the side. The kids were out the windows, hooting and hollering. He loved it. He just loves kids."

When the companions first met, Hooghouse was not looking for more pets. Someone brought Blue to his job site and said he would be taken to the pound if there was no one to adopt him. "I didn't need another dog. I didn't want another dog, but it's the best decision I ever made," Hooghouse said. "You could say he's a rescue dog because he rescued me. I've had many good dogs, but he's special."

[SunHerald]

Lane splitting may soon be a reality in Nevada

Dodsfall — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 04:19:46 GMT

A bill allowing riders to split lanes in Nevada has survived the committee process and now goes for a vote in the full congress.

The controversial measure, labeled AB236, passed the state's transportation committee, but has some serious hurdles to clear before becoming law. Assemblywomen Maggie Carlton opposed AB236 because �she doesn�t want motorcyclist�s guts end up all over the back of her car.� The opposition's arguments seemed based in fear and on anecdotal evidence while the proponents used research conducted in California and Europe, where lane splitting is legal.

The new law, if passed, would contain the following rules:

1. Mopeds would not be allowed to �lane split�;
2. The rider must drive in a manner that is reasonable and proper, having due regard for the traffic, surface and width of the highway, the weather, and other highway conditions.
3. The rider must not travel at a speed which is more than 10 miles per hour faster than the speed of other vehicles in the immediate area.
4. Must not exceed a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.

If the bill becomes law, expect it to take effect on January 1, 2014.

+ YouTube Video
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[Hell for Leather]

Electromechanical valve timing may revolutionize engine development

Dodsfall — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 03:32:49 GMT

Internal combustion engines usually depend on mechanical means to open and close the intake and exhaust valves. This is usually done with a spinning cam driven by a chain, gears, or belt. This means the duration of time the valve is opened and how far it is opened is fixed. A new development will allow valves to be operated in a variable manner allowing the timing and duration to be tuned to the demands of the situation at hand.

With conventional fixed valve timing, a happy medium must be achieved to cover all engine RPMs and loads. The benefits of variable valve timing are increased performance and lowered emissions.

LaunchPoint Technologies Variable Valve timing (VVT) system claims to achieve a degree of variability that no other commercial system has yet accomplished. The valves can continuously and independently change opening duration, speed, and phase on demand.

+ YouTube Video
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LaunchPoint's current prototype is implemented on a Rotax single-cylinder 500 cc engine. The valve system borrows technology from speaker coils and has an extremely fast valve seat time of less than .1 millisecond. The problems associated with �floating� a valve at high RPM due to the limitations of spring movement no longer become an issue. The only limiting factors in the speed of valve movement seems to be wattage needed to actuate the valves and mechanical wear potential.

+ YouTube Video
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The target of LaunchPoint's system design is to increase the durability to 100 million cycles, which would put it on par with the number of revolutions a modern car engine is expected to last.

[LaunchPoint]

Statistics in Michigan spark helmet law debate

Dodsfall — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:41:23 GMT

Last April, Michigan relaxed their helmet laws allowing optional helmet use for certain riders. Yearly statistics have now been released, reigniting the debate on helmet laws.

Most states in the US have some type of helmet law. Only three states have no helmet laws at all, 28 states have conditional helmet laws and 18 states require helmets for all riders. The state of Michigan changed their requirement to new riders and those under 21 years of age.

There were a total of eight more motorcycle deaths in Michigan last year than in 2011. The number of helmet-less riders involved in fatalities and serious injuries grew substantially, however. The number of deaths of non-helmeted riders grew from 6 to 55.

Mandatory helmet advocates point to the spike of deaths and injuries of helmet-less riders as proof that helmet laws saved lives. Those that support helmet choice point to the fact that there are simply more riders riding without helmets now that it is legal and the total number of deaths remained nearly level.

There has been no study on what percentage of the riding population of Michigan stopped wearing their helmets at all times, which leaves a large variable missing from the statistics.

Carol Flannagan, who headed the crash study for the University of Michigan, states that even though the statistics are not complete, riders are much safer wearing a helmet. �Number one, if you ride a motorcycle the risk of fatality is about 30 times more than riding in an automobile, (based on statistics provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). Number two, if you drink when you�re on a motorcycle and get in a crash, Michigan data shows that you�re four times more likely to die than if you�re not drinking and get in a crash. Number three, if you wear a helmet and get in a crash you�re half as likely to die than if you don�t wear a helmet and get in a crash, regardless of everything else. Number four, when the helmet law was in effect in Michigan, the helmet use rate among crash-involved riders was 97%, when the helmet law was modified so that it was not required for 21 and up in 2012, the helmet use rate was 74%. I think those are pretty good facts on the ground, but that�s only one side of the equation.�

ABATE of Michigan takes exception to the study. In a statement they say that, �Although ABATE questions the mandatory nature of a law that forces the usage of self-protecting equipment with questionable benefits, it is the use of doctored statistics, the misrepresentation of facts, and outright lies used by safety-crats to support their position which is especially bothersome.�

Vince Piacenti, statistician for ABATE of Michigan, said, �The average fatality rate on motorcycles from 2005 � 2011 is 119.7 with a standard deviation of 8.4 (+/- 3% to make statistically significant). This means that the normal year-to-year fatality rate can vary from 95 to 145. Anything within this range is normal variation; the fatalities would have to be above 145 or below 95 to make a statement with statistical confidence. Fatalities in 2012 were 129, which fall within the normal range of variation and proves conclusively that the helmet-law amendment has had no adverse effect on motorcycle safety.�

Other factors such as 2011 being a warmer than normal summer in Michigan bringing increased motorcycle traffic and a substantial increase in motorcycle registrations may have had an effect on the yearly statistics. It can also be pointed out that the 2009-2010 fatality numbers, when the helmet laws was in full effect, were at 125 and 127 compared to the total 129 in 2012.

[Motorcycle USA]

Vespa 946 available in the US this year

Dodsfall — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 03:26:19 GMT

The sleek new Vespa 946 will be available for US riders this November. The price may make potential owners think twice, however.

The all-new Vespa 946 is classically styled with modern flair. The body lines harken back to the Vespa scooters of old, with updated details such as the integrated tail light and cantilevered seat.

Modern technology such as ABS and traction control are standard. The 125 cc air-cooled fuel-injected engine puts out an anemic 11.6 horsepower, but gets 127 mpg. In order to cut down on engine friction, all moving parts are mounted on bearings, which is a first for Vespa. The 946 can also be considered very �green� where emissions are concerned. The 3-way catalytic converter cuts pollution by a claimed 30 percent. This even exceeds the Euro3 standards by a long shot.

A lengthened wheel base and sharper steering geometry make the 946 more stable at speed and faster to turn into the corners. Though longer than current model scooters, the 946 is lighter than most thanks to an extensive amount of aluminum in the frame and body panels.

The Vespa 946 will retail for $9946, which makes it much more expensive than most scooters on the road today. The price may go down after production picks up in later models, but in the meantime many would consider the 946 a luxury-priced item.

[Hell for Leather]

Adventure with a purpose on SPEED

Dodsfall — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:29:43 GMT

SPEED Channel will follow an eclectic group of adventure riders through the mountains and deserts of Peru in an upcoming three-part special series to be televised in June. Each rider on the trip has a different degree of experience and comes from a different background.

Leading the way is motorcycle journalist Neale Bayly, who has ridden in 45 countries over the past 35 years. The program, named Neale Bayly Rides: Peru, is being produced by Linda Midgett, who's credits include History Channel's Gangland and Investigation Discovery's FBI: Criminal Pursuit.

The group of riders are mounted on BMW GS 800 and GS1200 motorcycles. A doctor, an entrepreneur, and a �Whiskey Priest� are all part of the ride which will culminate in supporting an orphanage in Peru at the end.

�I guarantee it will be a life-changing experience � for all of them,� said Bayly. �You can�t go through something like this and come out the other side the same way. The way we sort of compress time and add so much adventure, excitement, adrenaline, hopes, fears � I think it will really dig into them emotionally.�

Dr. Laura Ellis, Rev. James Johnson and Troy Rice will accompany Bayly and test themselves to the extreme.

Ellis is the least experienced rider but has been training since last November for the trip. �The charity component is the most important part of the ride for me,� said Ellis, an Asheville, N.C., surgeon and co-Medical Director at medAge. �This came at a very important time in my life. I turned 50 this year. My husband and I have been talking for the last two years about how we can give back. We�ve worked hard all of our lives � I think being open to opportunities like this at this point in our lives is important; not only being open, but responding.�

Rice, an IT business owner, has ridden for four years. �It�s the fellowship of getting out in the middle of nowhere,� Rice said. �There is nobody that can call me on my cell phone about work. Just getting out there and rubbing handle bars � just getting back to the basics; almost like being a kid again.�

A Presbyterian minister known as the �Whiskey Priest�, Johnson is an experienced rider and world traveler. "One of the best things about having traveled as much as I have, is you learn to put away certain expectations and just be open to the ride,� Johnson said. �The more I do that, the more I actually see new things, experience new things � and I always find that when you travel in a group like this, Dr. Laura or Neale or Troy are going to experience things that I wouldn't see without being with them. It�s this shared experience of being together that just expands your horizons and your own experience. So, I�m trying to go into it as open-minded as possible � whatever comes. There is a fairly specific timeline and certain things we are trying to do, but just trying to be ready for it and suck the marrow out of life.�

The mini-series will run on June 9th, 16th, and 23rd at 9PM Eastern on the SPEED Channel.

[Businesswire]

Harley Davidson announces musical lineup for 110th anniversary

Dodsfall — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:17:13 GMT

During Labor Day weekend, Harley Davidson will celebrate the company's 110th anniversary with a star-packed musical extravaganza. The event will be held at the Harley Davidson Museum and at Milwaukee's Summerfest grounds.

The event runs from Thursday, August 29th through the weekend. Kid Rock is the headliner at the Marcus Amphitheater on Saturday and Lynyrd Skynyrd leads the roster on Thursday.

The entire confirmed musical lineup is below:

Thursday, August 29

Whiskey of the Damned
Lynyrd Skynyrd (H.O.G. Members only)
Elvin Bishop
Blue Oyster Cult
Dropkick Murphys
The Doobie Brothers
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Lupe Fiasco

Friday, August, 30

Gabriel Sanchez & The Prince Experience
MAD MEX
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights
ZZ Ward
Shooter Jennings
The Dirty Heads
Foxy Shazam
ZZ Top
Gaslight Anthem
Sublime with Rome
Buckcherry

Saturday, August 31

D.B. Bryant Band
Moderatto
The White Buffalo
Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown
The Whigs
Halestorm
Katey Sagal & The Forest Rangers
Common
Brantley Gilbert

Beyond the musical entertainment, the event will also feature a custom motorcycle show, fan-organized rides, a massive parade, activities at the Harley Davidson Museum, parties at local dealerships, and �the world's largest� bike night.

[620WTMJ]

BikeSpike may be the future of motorcycle security

Dodsfall — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 12:13:22 GMT

A new Kickstarter campaign has been launched to fund the development of a new security device. The BikeSpike uses GPS, an accelerometer, and cellular technology to provide motorcycle security.

Originally developed for bicycles, the BikeSpike can be attached to the frame of a motorcycle. The GPS tracks the location and the accelerometer can detect even small movements of the motorcycle such as someone sitting on the seat or moving the handlebars. The built-in cellular technology can alert the owner if the motorcycle is touched or moved.

The software used in the BikeSpike is open source, meaning it can be adapted, modified, and personalized fairly easily. For racers, the unit can record track times, elevation changes, acceleration and braking force and even lean angles around corners and curves.

The software is also sophisticated enough to detect if the motorcycle has been in an accident. If an accident is detected, the unit will send a notification to the rider's phone. If it does not receive a response in a per-determined amount of time, any number of contacts in the phone can be notified. The GPS will send the coordinates or triangulation of cellular signals can be used to locate the rider.

The same technology can be used to locate a stolen motorcycle. The license and VIN numbers, as well as pictures of the motorcycle can be stored on the device to help authorities locate it. This data is sent to a separate external server when activated in case the device is eventually discovered and destroyed.

The Kickstarter funding is attempting to raise $150,000 to start production of the BikeSpike. Those that pledge $150 or more will receive a BikeSpike unit, although the cellular package required for use will run somewhere between $8 and $13 monthly, depending on the package selected. The Kickstarter program runs through Tuesday, April 9th and has currently raised over $135,000.

[Motorcycle.com]

AMA focuses on health care bias against motorcyclists

Dodsfall — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 01:15:37 GMT

As part of the American Motorcyclist Association's (AMA) Go Ride! month, each Friday in April is designated as Freedom Friday. This week's issue is fighting health insurance bias against riders.

The week-long focus of the AMA will be health insurance discrimination. Danielle Fowles, the AMA grassroots coordinator says this issue is important to riders.

"With the current U.S. economic situation, we are hearing of more employers refusing to pay for health care for injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash," said Fowles. "Imagine getting seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident and then having your health insurance company refuse to pay the medical bills because you were riding a motorcycle. The AMA has been fighting this type of health-insurance discrimination for years and is now on Capitol Hill lobbying to change the law so that this form of discrimination no longer exists."

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was passed in 1996 to prohibit employers from denying health care coverage based on the employee participating in legal activities such as riding a motorcycle. When the bureaucrats wrote the rules to implement the act, they went against the original intent of the law and allowed discrimination.

"The AMA advises all motorcyclists to check their medical insurance policy for 'Exclusions,'" Fowles said. "That's where the insurance company spells out what it won't cover. If the wording is ambiguous, a motorcyclist should ask his or her human resources or personnel department whether injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes are covered under the company's health insurance plan."

As part of a month-long series of contests, the AMA is asking members to send photos of themselves and their motorcycle near a symbol of the week's topic. For the health insurance topic riders could, for example, take a picture in front of a hospital or ambulance. The AMA will award two winners per week with an AMA gift bag and a $20 BikeBandit.com gift card. Everyone who enters will also be eligible to win larger prizes such as a Shoei helmet, Tour Master Intake jacket, and Cortech tank bags in a month-end drawing.

Contest entries should be sent to grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

[AMA]

Motorcycle tells the story of Little Bighorn

Dodsfall — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:13:15 GMT

Mark Hamilton, of Minot, North Dakota, has taken his interest of Native American history and the Battle of Little Bighorn and expressed it in the form of a motorcycle. The 2004 Harley Davidson Sportster he owns tells the story of the historic battle.

Hamilton is the owner of Wild Things Gallery in Minot. He is also a former educator.

Talking about his creation, Hamilton said, "I did a lot of research. I thought for a long time about what I wanted on the bike. I knew I'd have Sitting Bull and Custer and also decided on Gaul. Gaul's presence is such a magnificent physical specimen. He has great character in his face." Gaul was one of the Sioux leaders at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Artist Andrew Knutson was approached by Hamilton to paint the motorcycle. Although reluctant at first, Knutson took the project on. "He does excellent work. You can see he really put his heart into it. No question about it. I got the right guy," remarked Hamilton. "Andy did a magnificent job."

It was important to Hamilton that the artwork was historically accurate. Historians were consulted as the artwork was planned. Hamilton made sure the colors and accouterments depicted in the scenes were on the mark.

The scene on the rear fender is called �Custer's Last Parley�. "The rear fender is really the hallmark of the bike. I spent a lot of time researching it. The meeting took place on June 25, 1876, at 12:05 p.m.," said Hamilton. "The scouts told Custer he was about 10 miles from the Little Bighorn."

"In 1909 Walter Camp interviewed survivors of the battle. One of the scouts took Camp to the exact spot and a marker was set there," explained Hamilton. "It is on private land today but the owner gave permission for a visit and I took a picture of the background from the exact spot where the parley was."

Everything from the bead-worked hand grips to the prairie chicken saddle are meant to be as authentic as possible to the era. The saddle itself was fashioned by Larry Bayliss, who was the historical consultant for the movie Dances with Wolves.

Hamilton's future plans for the motorcycle include displaying it at the annual reenactment of the Battle of Little Bighorn and taking it to the Sturgis Motorcycle rally. His primary goal for the motorcycle is to help teach school children about American history.

"That's my contribution, to use it to teach," said Hamilton. "We are not teaching enough history and this is one of the most fascinating periods, the passing of the frontier. That bike tells a story.

[Minot Daily News]

The EPA considers more fuel regulations

Dodsfall — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 23:31:44 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering regulations that would further limit the amount of sulfur allowed in fuel. This will, of course, make gas prices rise.

Oil refiners estimate that the new regulations, if implemented, will raise the cost of producing fuel by 8 to 9 cents per gallon. Some are speculating that the final cost at the pump will increase even more than that due to increases along the supply chain.

Currently gas prices in Chicago are even more expensive at the pump than in Hawaii due to the special formulation required there.

The Obama administration is claiming that the end cost to the customer due to the new regulations will only be around 1 cent per gallon. This estimate may be several times less than the actual cost according to industry experts.

Studies have not been done at this time as to the effects, if any, with burning the lower sulfur fuel in motorcycle engines.

[Breitbart]

Washington may join states that allow left turn on red for motorcycles

Dodsfall — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:51:47 GMT

A proposal for allowing motorcycles to turn left on a red light is currently making its way through Washington State's legislature.

Senate Bill 5141 calls for allowing motorcycles to turn left after exercising due care if the vehicle detection device does not detect the motorcycle waiting at the intersection. The bill passed the state senate by a wide 47-1 margin and is currently being considered by the state House Transportation Committee.

Unlike some other states that allow the practice, in the Senate version, riders would have to wait for at least one full cycle of the lights before proceeding. This means turning left on red in Washington would only be allowed at intersections with dedicated left turn arrows that are triggered by vehicle sensors. Lights that do not have vehicle sensors cannot be run. States like Illinois allow turning left on red when it is safe and after a reasonable amount of time has passed, usually 120 seconds. This can be done at any intersection in these states, not just those with dedicated turn arrows, and Washington riders would be subject to a $250 fine if caught attempting the turn in such a manner. The House version of the bill allows for simply waiting at least 90 seconds, which would allow the turns at any lights.

Although the bill seems to have wide support in the legislature, not everyone is happy with it. Capt. Rob Huss with the Washington State Patrol thinks that allowing motorcycle to proceed through a red light would be too distracting to other drivers on the road.

�It�s human nature,� Huss said. �Have you ever been stopped at a light and see someone in another lane start going, so you go too? It happens.�

�People aren�t taking advantage of the systems already in place,� Huss said. �The Department of Transportation and city and county public works departments have complaint procedures in order for drivers to alert them about malfunctioning traffic control devices. They�re just not getting the complaints.�

[Bellingham Herald]

The Easter Bunny is not immune to helmet laws

Dodsfall — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:44 GMT

San Diego California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer Adam Griffiths had an interesting experience on Saturday. He had to pull over the Easter Bunny riding a motorcycle.

Griffiths observed a giant rabbit riding a sidecar-equipped motorcycle along the La Mesa freeway. The problem was that the rabbit was not wearing his helmet, which is required in California.

�Griffiths stopped the motorcyclist on westbound Interstate 8 at Jackson Drive for not wearing a helmet,� CHP East County PIO Brian Pennings said. �The guy was on his way to a charity event.�
Pennings said Griffiths radioed in: �I�m stopping the Easter Bunny.�

Pennings', along with his partner, stopped for assistance and the partner snapped the photo which has gotten worldwide distribution since yesterday across the internet.

�Griffiths told him it was a serious situation and that it wasn't a joke,� Pennings said. �He explained to him the safety ramifications of not having a helmet.� The outfit also created a visual impairment, putting the rider and others in danger.

Instead of being issued a ticket, the rider was given a warning. The rabbit head was in the sidecar as the rider rode off down the highway.

[Patch.com]

One million GSX-R motorcycles roll off the assembly line

Dodsfall — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 01:00:24 GMT

The GSX-R is an iconic sport motorcycle. The model was introduced in 1985 and has gone far to lead the way in sport bike design over the years. The one millionth GSX-R has recently been built.

The 1985 GSX-R750 was originally introduced in 1984 at the Cologne Motorcycle Show. Instead of the Universal Japanese Motorcycle (UJM) design found in other models of motorcycles the GSX-R was a true racing motorcycle with added mirrors and lights for street use.

Suzuki originally chose a 750 cc engine to compete in the World Endurance Series. The air-cooled inline-four power plant cranked out 100 horsepower, which was quite a bit more than the competition at the time. It was also designed to be a lot lighter at 394 pounds.

The GSX-R750 hit the US shores in 1986, with it's brother the GSX-R1100. More of a sport-tourer, the 1100 did not see much track action, but was very popular with street riders.

In 1992, Suzuki made the radical switch to liquid cooling to help with keeping up with the rigors of racing. They also introduced the GSX-R600 the same year.

The mid-90's were kind of hit and miss for Suzuki in the racing world. The manufacturer had not won any major racing titles for a decade as other producers quickly caught up the the GSX-R's performance standards. In 1996, Suzuki added the Ram Air Direct (SRAD) to the GSX-R. This was designed to force more air into the air box to improve top end power. It worked. The 750 won World Endurance championships in 1997, 1999 and 2000. The SRAD system is still in use on modern GSX-R motorcycles.

Many changes have taken place with Suzuki's race horse over the years. The newest GSX-R1000 is now lighter and more powerful than ever. A special edition GSX-R100, of which there is only going to be 1985 produced worldwide, will be available this year.

[Motorcycle.com]

The last Suzuki motorcycle built in Spain leaves the factory

Dodsfall — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:19:01 GMT

The final production model Suzuki motorcycle built in Spain rolled off the assembly line yesterday and was loaded on a truck for shipping. After this event, the factory will officially shut down on March 31, 2013.

The Suzuki Motor Spain plant in Gijon, Spain employs around 200 workers, who will all soon be out of a job. Suzuki announced the upcoming plant closing last year.

It is currently not publicly known which model was the last to be produced, since the truck leaving the factory was enclosed. Suzuki manufactured nine models at the Gijon plant, which are a mixture of motorcycles and scooters. The motorcycles produced there were all 500cc and under machines, which are popular sellers in Europe.

Suzuki has been suffering in the sales department worldwide over the last few years. In the US alone, 98 dealerships have been closed. Suzuki has promised that other plants will be able to supply the parts to its customers that were formerly produced in the Spanish factory.

[Autoevolution]

Meet the 2013 Ducati 1199 Panigale R

Dodsfall — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 02:00:59 GMT

The 1199 Panigale was introduced in 2011. It was known as the world's most powerful production twin-cylinder engine, able to put out 195 horsepower at the crank. Ducati has upped the ante in 2013 with a new R-series Panigale.

The Panigale R boasts several improvements over earlier models. Parts straight from the race track such as titanium connecting rods and a three-pound-lighter flywheel allow the engine to spin up faster to its incredible 12000 rpm red line. The motorcycle showed between 170 and 175 horsepower at the rear wheel in dyno testing.

New engine and fuel mapping increases the top end power by 3% with up to a 15% increase through the mid range. The final drive gearing is slightly lower, adding two teeth to the rear sprocket. Instead of plastic body panels, carbon fiber is used aggressively. The weight of the motorcycle is just 417 pounds wet.

Ducati ditched the signature dry clutch for the Panigale R, moving over to an oil-lubricated clutch system.

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For riders interested in adding the 1198 Panigale R to their stable, the price comes fairly dear. At a retail price of $29,995, the R requires some serious commitment to own one.

[Motorcycle USA]

New bill in Congress threatens to limit off-road riding

Dodsfall — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:45:16 GMT

A bill was introduced into the House of Representatives last week that would make 23 million acres of federal land inaccessible to off-road riders. Primarily western states would be affected.

H.R. 1187, called the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act, would make the 23 million acres of public land into a designated wilderness area, barring its use by off-road vehicles. Designating land as wilderness is one of the strictest forms of land management, since it restricts all use to everything beyond foot traffic.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is standing against the measure. �Our public lands are for the enjoyment of all Americans and not just an elite few who would have you build a fence around them for those who are physically able to enjoy them,� said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. �Enthusiasts who enjoy the public lands of our nation are not just the nimble and fit but also families with small children who wish to recreate together as well as active senior citizens and the handicapped who enjoy the freedom to access the outdoors that OHVs and ATVs provide.�

It widely believed that responsible use of off-road vehicles in wilderness areas does not damage the ecosystem. The area of the proposed legislation would close off land equivalent in size to the state of Indiana.

New York City-based Representative Carolyn Maloney introduced the bill. Wayne Allard takes exception to that. �This is a huge land grab, yet no lawmakers from the affected states have signed on to support the bill," Allard said. "Shouldn't the people who live in those areas have some say in whether they should be banned from riding on public land in their states?

"To keep OHV riders from being shut out of even more public land, we have to act immediately," he said. "Concerned motorcyclists, ATV riders and others must let their lawmakers know that they enjoy motorized recreation, and that we have a right to do so responsibly on America's public lands."

[AMA]

ZX-14 sets new Australian speed record

Dodsfall — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:32:32 GMT

A Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 set the Australian land speed record in the production class during DLRA Speed Week. Rider Ralph Nicholls set the new record at 208.153 mph.

The Production Frame/Production Engine Class allows changes to the tires and gearing and allows for the removal of the speed limiter. The rest of the motorcycle is stock.

The record was broken at Lake Gairdner, a dry salt lake. Ralph Nicholls and crew are fairly new to salt bed racing. This is their first official outing.

Nicholls said, � We went to Speed Week with fairly large goals to fulfill and we achieved them all on the Kawasaki. We're so thrilled! It was hard work in extremely hot and hostile conditions. Over the week we progressively refined our approach to this unique form of racing and on the final day of racing on what was to be the Ninja's final run of the meeting we set the record.�

Speaking about what it is like to ride so fast Nicholls added, �It was an amazing feeling to travel at that speed. I was literally skipping along the salt. It was certainly a life experience I'll never forget.�

A film crew was in attendance equipped with 3D cameras. An upcoming documentary will feature the record-breaking run.

The motorcycle used for the race will be displayed in the salt racing flat livery and be transported for displays in future shows and events.

[MC News Australia]

Harley Davidson Breakout reviewed

Dodsfall — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:58:57 GMT

Low and long with simplicity of design describes the FXSB Breakout. Bobbed fenders, raked forks, low handlebars, and simple alternating black and chrome catch the eye.

The naming convention might be the first thing to set people back and make them do a double-take. The �FX� prefix on Harley Davidson motorcycles usually designates a model from the Dyna line, but like the new Blackline, the Breakout seems to be a hybrid of models which happens to have the Softail suspension. It is listed as an official Softail model by Harley Davidson.

The Breakout was originally offered as a Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) motorcycle last year. Harley Davidson removed the bells and whistles and redesigned the Breakout into a simplified production model. The is brought the retail down from a custom-priced $26,499 to a production-priced $17,899.

The raked 35-degree forks topped with 1 1/4-inch drag bars give the motorcycle a long and low look. The chopped fenders hug the tires fairly closely. The 24.7-inch seat height and the wide, low-profile tires accentuate the low stance.

Gloss black paint is used instead of the recent trend of flat black. The black mufflers on the chrome exhaust pipes are part of the alternating color scheme. The black and chrome is repeated throughout the design, including the black trim on the fuel tank with the chrome gas cap, the wheels, the headlight, and the black derby cover on the chrome primary cover.

The engine is a beefy 103 (1690 cc) cubic inch Twin Cam. The standard Harley Davidson 6-speed transmission is part of the package. Anti-lock brakes are an optional accessory.

[Motorcycle.com]

Klipsch will auction an OCC motorcycle for charity

Dodsfall — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:34:10 GMT

Speaker manufacturer Klipsch is auctioning off an Orange County Chopper motorcycle to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation.

Klipsch, along with Auctions America and Klipsch Music Center (Live Nation), will hold the auction at Auction America�s Auburn Spring event, May 9-11 in Auburn, Indiana. The highest bidder will take home the motorcycle and all proceeds will go to the Make A Wish Foundation.

�While no stranger to charity, this endeavor is by far the most exciting and rewarding experience we have ever conceived as a company� said Paul Jacobs, CEO of Klipsch. �With the help of our valued partners at Live Nation and Auctions America, we are honored and humbled to impact the lives of deserving Indiana children, while also sharing our passion for live music with the custom collector community.�

Donnie Gould, President, Auctions America added, �We�re delighted to be partnering with Klipsch and Live Nation for this exciting fundraising initiative, and are proud to lend our auction services to support Make-A-Wish and help grant wishes to children battling life-threatening medical conditions in Indiana. Not only does the auction provide a wonderful opportunity for enthusiasts to acquire a one-of-a-kind collector�s item, but to also support a great organization to deliver hope, strength and joy to local children when they need it most.�

The OCC motorcycle is equipped with Klipsch speakers and features signatures from over 50 music artists including Dave Matthews Band, Zac Brown Band, Lady Antebellum, KISS, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Bush, Jimmy Buffett, Jason Mraz, Darius Rucker, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Brad Paisley.

[Motorcycle USA]

New York City installs license plate readers

Dodsfall — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:12:32 GMT

The secretive Domain Awareness System (DAS) program, a partnership between New York City and the Microsoft Corporation, recently released a few details concerning a license plate reader system to monitor all traffic coming into Manhattan. It is expected to roll out this summer.

The license plate scanners were revealed in a budget meeting concerning the DAS. So far, plans have been released concerning linking 3000 closed-circuit cameras, license plate readers, and environmental sensors with data stored in a NYPD database. The known cost of the project so far is estimated to be between $30 and $40 million.

Privacy advocates, like the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), are concerned that tracking all vehicles will yet again lessen the freedom and privacy of those in the city. There are already several federal lawsuits against the city for what some see as violations of privacy rights. The Stop and Frisk program is one of the programs targeted in the lawsuits.

According to the NYCLU, the controversial Stop and Frisk program has logged its 5 millionth stop as of last week. An estimated 86% of those stopped were black or Latino people.

�This disturbing milestone is a slap in the face to New Yorkers who cherish the right to walk down the street without being interrogated or even thrown up against the wall by the police,� NYCLU Executive Director Donna Lieberman said in a statement. �The NYPD�s routine abuse of stop-and-frisks is a tremendous waste of police resources, it sows mistrust between officers and the communities they serve, and it routinely violates fundamental rights. A walk to the subway, corner deli or school should not carry the assumption that you will be confronted by police, but that�s the disturbing reality for young men of color in New York City.�

Motorcycle riders should also be concerned about the license plate reader system. Combined with the Stop and Frisk program, �suspicious� activities as defined by the NYPD could easily be used to stop and detain riders unnecessarily.

[The Blaze]

The Place Beyond the Pines brings motorcycle action to the big screen

Dodsfall — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:35:01 GMT

The upcoming feature film, The Place Beyond the Pines, promises motorcycle stunts and dramatic action.

The Place Beyond the Pines is the story of a traveling carnival motorcycle stunt rider named Luke, played by Ryan Gosling. After finding that he has a child with an old lover, played by Eva Mendes, he quits life on the road to provide for his family.

Luke tries to make a living as an auto mechanic, but finds that he is not making enough money to suit him. He decides to use his motorcycle riding skills to rob banks instead, and is pursued by a law enforcement officer (Bradley Cooper). The story then fast forwards ten years, where Luke's and the police officer's sons are attending school together. Violent events break out once truths are discovered.

Gosling had to learn how to ride a motorcycle for the film and even did some of the stunts, inclusing riding into oncoming traffic during a chase scene.

�The most complicated scene was where Luke goes into a bank, robs it, leaves the bank, escapes on his motorcycle, and drives at tremendously fast speeds through a busy intersection amidst lots of other cars while being pursued by a cop,� explains filmmaker Derek Cianfrance. �All of this happens in a single take, no place to do a �Texas switch.� So Ryan had to become very proficient on the bike. He trained with Rick Miller, one of the great Hollywood stunt men, six hours a day for two months. His prowess took our breath away. In order to get that scene completed, Ryan did 22 takes. Every time, he almost got hit.�

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The film debuts on Friday, March 29th.

[Motorcycle USA]

Saskatchewan considers mandatory motorcycle training

Dodsfall — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 02:11:34 GMT

Currently riders in Saskatchewan can get a motorcycle certification on their license very easily. Like most of the US, neither a motorcycle training class or a road test is required to get a learner's permit to ride.

A short written test covering the rules of the road, which can be taken in about 20 minutes, is all it takes to get a permit. Some are blaming the high motorcycle insurance rates on the ease at which riders can get started on the road.

"You could go up to this bike, which is a Suzuki Hayabusa which goes up to 300 km/h," Darcey Shaw, who sells motorcycles in Regina, explained. "In Saskatchewan you can technically ride that, just on your learner's permit."

Some Canadian provinces require motorcycle training classes. Manitoba and Quebec both require classes before a rider can take to the streets. In Saskatchewan, only about 15% of new riders take a riding course.

According to SGI, Saskatchewan's motorcycle insurance company, more than half of all motorcycle crashes occur within the first year of riding. SGI says motorcycle rates need to increase to offset the high incidence of claims and expenses.

Saskatchewan currently does not have the training capacity to meet the demands of new riders. More classes and trainers would be needed if more riders new began to take a class.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council has suggested offering a discount on insurance for riders who get training. They are also in favor of making the training mandatory.

[CBC Canada]

Norton purchases palatial Donington Hall for world headquarters

Dodsfall — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 01:27:14 GMT

Norton Motorcycles has been making a comeback, with new models about to be exported to the US. A new corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility has been purchased close to the current manufacturing site.

Donington Hall sits on 26 acres of English countryside located inside of the Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit. After the company relocates its corporate and engineering staff, the manufacturing process will be moved to the new location.

The main building of Donington Hall was built in 1790. The Gothic structure has been modernized over the years and features up to date office and meeting facilities. Formerly the headquarters for British Midlands Airways, the classic structure has 40,000 square feet of office space.

A new addition of around 45,000 square feet has also been added to the property. This area will eventually become the manufacturing plant. This area is known as Hastings Hall.

�While our current location has served us well as our starting point for Norton, it does not reflect the identity and culture of the Norton brand well.� stated Norton UK Boss Stuart Garner. �Donington Hall brings to mind a unique British style of permanence, strength and quality, attributes that we build into every Norton Motorcycle. Style and design alone is not enough however, and beyond the drama of Donington Hall�s main building, the site includes a thoroughly modern facility that will allow us to expand production capabilities, as it is clear that we have quickly outgrown the capacity of our original location.�

An important part of Norton's philosophy is to try to keep all the motorcycle production in Britain. A larger facility was needed to keep the increased production on site.

[Cycle World]

Indian unveils its new engine

Dodsfall — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:10 GMT

The Thunder Stroke 111 was announced by Indian this week. The 1811 cc V-twin is a completely redesigned power plant that will be used in the new models to be released later this year.

Polaris acquired the Indian brand two years ago and has been working toward producing new models. Details for the new Thunder Stroke 111 are the first hint at what direction the new motorcycles will take.

The 49-degree engine uses light, short pistons and fairly thin connecting rods. A three gear, three cam system drives four push rods for a total of two valves per cylinder. A single counter-balancer on the crankshaft smooths out the vibration and purposely leaves a little shaking in place for a classic feel.

According to Polaris, the engine produces more than 115 foot pounds of torque. No horsepower numbers have been released, although estimates of 100 hp should be pretty close. The fast-revving power plant has a red line of only 5500 rpm, which will limit the horsepower to some extent.

A six-speed transmission has been attached to the engine and the final drive is expected to be a belt. Other unique features of the engine are downward-facing exhaust ports and non-symmetrical cooling fins on the heads.

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[Motorcycle Daily]

How a 5000 cc V-Twin is built

Dodsfall — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 17:13:36 GMT

Allen Millyard has built a 5 liter V-Twin engine. Two cylinders from Pratt and Whitney engine were attached to a custom engine case to create a monster of a motorcycle engine.

The cast aluminum crankcase was hand-poured into a mold made from wooden patterns. The crankshaft and connecting rods are all custom built, along with most other internal parts.

Two spark plugs per head ignite the fuel/air mixture from a single carb per head. The engine uses a points-style ignition with a manual spark advance. The engine is heavy enough to require four people to carry it. The low rumble of the engine is typical of a single crank pin V-Twin, except possibly a bit louder.

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The donor Pratt and Whitney engine was originally a 22 liter (22,000 cc) nine cylinder radial aircraft engine. These were used in American aircraft in the early to mid 20th century and produced between 500 to 600 horsepower.

The engine was built for a Flying Merkel type board track racer.

[The Kneeslider]

Bankruptcy is approved for Suzuki

Dodsfall — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 02:46:33 GMT

American Suzuki Motor Corporation announced today that the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Plan has been accepted by the court.

The US Bankruptcy Court in Santa Ana, California has granted the ailing motorcycle manufacturer Chapter 11 protection from its creditors. The creditors overwhelmingly accepted the plan.

American Suzuki will be restructuring beginning on March 31, 2013. The company will sell its motorcycle, ATV, marine, and automotive parts and service operation. The Suzuki Motor Corporation will become the sole owner.

After restructuring, the company will be known as Suzuki Motor of America. They will continue to sell and service Suzuki motorcycle, ATV, and watercraft products. The automotive manufacturing division will be phased out.

�Today�s confirmation is a significant milestone and is one of the last remaining steps in our realignment and restructuring process,� said M. Freddie Reiss, the Company�s Chief Restructuring Officer. �During the next few weeks, we will take final steps to implement the Plan, which will allow the Company to sell its Motorcycles/ATV, Marine, Automotive parts and service divisions. This will promote the long-term growth of the Motorcycles/ATV and Marine divisions, as well as providing automotive parts and service through the dealer network.�

Current warranties for Suzuki products will remain fully in effect.

[Suzuki press release]

A Bill is introduced to stop E-15 fuel sales

Dodsfall — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 04:56:23 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently approved E-15 fuel to be used at gas stations across the US. The problem is that E-15 fuel is currently untested for use in motorcycles. A bill has been introduced in Congress that may put the brakes on the sale of the 15% alcohol fuel until further testing can be completed.

Representative Jim Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin brought HR 875 to Congress late last month. The bill would halt the EPA from making further decisions regarding E-15 until independent scientific analysis has been accomplished.

The EPA has not approved E-15 for use in motorcycles, but has approved the fuel for use in light trucks and automobiles made after 2001.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has fought hard to keep the fuel unavailable until studies have been completed to make sure the fuel will not damage motorcycles. There have been several unofficial tests done with smaller engines such as the ones used by motorcycles and ATVs, and engine damage has occurred.

Jim Sensenbrenner said, �(The previous studies)...have all been dismissed by the EPA. Therefore, we must force the EPA to stop the use of E15 fuel until the serious safety, durability, performance and environmental concerns have been addressed. Throughout the 112th Congress, I introduced several bills to address the risks associated with E15. And earlier this week, witnesses from AAA, the American Motorcyclist Association and the Coordinating Research Council all testified to the Science, Space and Technology Committee that more testing is needed.�

[AMA]

Toyota's concept three-wheeler

Dodsfall — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 02:34:08 GMT

Toyota produces more vehicles than it's competitor Honda, but has stayed well clear of the motorcycle market. A new concept vehicle may be signaling the auto maker's interest in personal transportation.

The i-Road was debuted at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this week. The three-wheeled electric vehicle leans like a motorcycle, but steers like an automobile. It is also fully enclosed and develops a measly 5 horsepower.

The range of the concept vehicle also leaves a lot to be desired. It must be plugged in after 30 miles and takes 3 hours to charge. Only as wide as motorcycle at 33 inches, the i-Road can certainly be parked in a small space.

The pivoting front wheels maintain stability around corners. A yoke ties the two wheels together while being turned by a lean actuator and gears. Equipped with a computer-controlled gyro stabilizer, leans are a lot less guess-work and a lot more pre-programmed motion. Uneven road surfaces are also compensated for via computer to keep the body level.

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With the Apple-like naming convention, speculation as to the final name of a possible production model is still up in the air. Toyota has not announced any plans at this time to produce the vehicle.

[Fox News/Motorcycle Daily]

All You Need is Kill and a Triumph Thruxton

Dodsfall — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:52:39 GMT

All You Need is Kill is a new science fiction movie due out March 7th, 2014. The movie stars Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Cage, who fights aliens called Mimics and rides a motorcycle.

The motorcycle Cruise is seen riding on set for the movie on location in London is a Triumph Thruxton. Cruise, being a motorcyclist for some years now, often does a lot of the motorcycle riding during the filming of his movies. From the Kawasaki GPZ900 he rode in Top Gun to the Triumph Speed Triple in Mission Impossible 2, Cruise has been on two wheels in quite a few films.

The latest movie is based on a Japanese science fiction novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. Aliens are attacking Earth and the hero gets killed almost immediately. The next thing he knows, he is startled awake and finds it is again the same day he died. He realizes he is stuck in a time loop and re-lives his final day over and over. He eventually finds ways to get smarter, faster, and stronger in order to defeat the alien menace.

The plot seems very familiar, especially being announced in February so close to Groundhog Day.

[Hell for Leather]

Tennessee is considering dropping the helmet requirement

Dodsfall — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:49:00 GMT

Tennessee is one of the 20 states that requires all riders to wear a motorcycle helmet. New legislation may change having to wear a helmet in the state.

The Motorcyclist Liberty Restoration Act would allow optional helmet use for riders over the age of 21 if passed. The bill is currently being considered by committees in both the state house and senate today. If the bill passes a vote in committee, it will go to the full house and senate where a reconciliation may take place for any differences then be forwarded to the floor for a full vote. The bill must then be signed by the governor to become law.

Rep. Kelly Keisling, R-Byrdstown, is the primary House sponsor, while state Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, has backed the Senate version.

All riders must wear helmets in 19 other states, while 28 states require helmets for younger or inexperienced riders. Illinois and New Hampshire currently have no restrictions concerning helmet use.

Tennessee health care providers are warning that dropping the helmet requirement for riders may increase injuries in the state. The American Automobile Association also points out that states that have weakened their helmet laws have historically seen an increase in fatal motorcycle accidents.

Some citizens see this as a freedom of choice issue rather than a public health concern. �I think it [the law] is a good idea, but I would still wear one,� Scott Fowlkes of Brentwood, Tennessee.

[The Tennesseean]

Florida Archbishop leads a motorcycle ride

Dodsfall — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 22:44:01 GMT

The Archdiocese of Miami held their first motorcycle poker run. Leading the ride was Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

The poker run started at Saint Richard Catholic Church in Palmetto Bay, Florida. A motorcycle blessing kicked off the ride. Over 60 riders followed behind the Archbishop who was wearing his collar, a leather jacket, and riding his Harley Davidson Street Glide.

Wenski has been riding for about 10 years. He said, �Bikers are people that are accustomed to praying because if you�re going to ride a motorcycle, you should know how to pray. This is a way to bring some good attention, find financial support for St. Luke�s Center [Catholic Charity] and have a good time.�

At each scheduled stop, riders picked up a playing card to try and build the best poker hand at the end of the ride. The grand prize for the best hand was a $500 Harley Davidson gift card.

Wenski said his favorite stop along the route was the Schoenstatt Center in Homestead. Riders were able to stop at the chapel there, enjoy some refreshments, and say a private prayer.

�Today he is not just my spiritual leader,� said Natacha Quiroz, one of only two women driving a motorcycle on her own. �He is my road leader.� This was the first time Quiroz had ever ridden in a group. �My heart is pounding so hard,� said Quiroz, �My motorcycle is the tiniest among these huge machines, and if you see me I look like a butterfly among eagles.�

�It�s always good to ride with good people,� said Bob Borges of Hollywood, who rode with his daughter. �The problem with a lot of other rides is that they all go from bar to bar to bar, and I don�t drink when I ride.�

Wenski seems to like to share his love of two wheels. �Many people know I�ve been riding a motorcycle for some years now, so hopefully they�ll support it even if they don�t ride a motorcycle,� Wenski said. �I pray before, during and after I ride my bike.�

[Miami Herald]

Helmet laws got you down? France may soon be requiring full gear at all times

Dodsfall — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 21:40:51 GMT

Helmets are required gear for motorcycle riders all throughout Europe. In France, a progressive set of new laws may eventually require full approved gear for all riders.

The first step of the new proposal is to require gloves while riding. This is already a requirement in Belgium. French lawmakers point to a study which shows that rider who wear gloves can reduce medical costs to their hands when in an accident. Since the state virtually runs the medical system, lawmakers are calling for this as the first initiative.

The motorcycle community in France has given little resistance to the measure requiring gloves. This is likely due to the fact that most riders already wear them. The next four steps in the new legislation may have riders thinking twice.

The next step requires a protective jacket or vest for all riders on motorcycles under 125 cc. This would effect scooters, which are very popular in France.

During the next phase, dorsal and lumbar protectors will be required of all riders on vehicles over 50 cc. Back armor would be a requirement for virtually all riders.

The next step is a requirement for airbag-equipped jackets for all riders on machines over 125 cc. These are fairly new technology and rather expensive at this time.

The last proposal would be for motorcycle-rated boots to protect the feet and ankles.

By phasing in these laws a little at a time, the French government hopes to minimize resistance to the measures. How long before two-wheeled vehicles are completely phased out using the same arguments of medical costs to the state?

[Motorbiker.org]

Winter does not slow down these riders

Dodsfall — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 13:34:33 GMT

With much of the US under a deep-freeze, many riders have stored their motorcycles to wait out the cold weather. The Steel Shoe Fund, which aids injured flat-track racers, sponsored a 3-hour endurance race on the frozen Kettle Moraine Lake in Campbellsport, Wisconsin.

Motorcycle.com editors Tom Roderick and Troy Siahaan signed up to compete in the event. Yamaha provided a 2013 YZ450F converted for ice racing for them to ride.

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The YZ450F has a unique engine in that the intake is in the front of the engine and the exhaust is in the rear. The fuel-injected 449 cc motorcycle has no problem running in cold temperatures. The suspension was adjusted to a �slow� position due to the flatness of the frozen lake. The tires were modified with an extra lining of a street bike tire and ice screws were added for traction.

Riding on ice is a little different than riding on pavement. When leaned over, the studded tires actually perform better. A healthy thump on the throttle when coming out of a lean helps bring the motorcycle upright. It was a little difficult for the inexperienced-on-ice editors to keep the motorcycle on track where there were ruts in the ice, but many racers had no issues.

[Motorcycle.com]

The Best Bar in America

Dodsfall — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:51:32 GMT

Motorcycle movies are fairly rare given how popular motorcycles are. A new feature film revolving around riding and traveling to bars is being released this spring.

The Best Bar in America is a road trip movie that began filming in 2008. It's about a writer taking a ride across the American West on his sidecar-equipped 1960 BMW R-60 on a mission to write a guidebook on the 9345-some-odd bars, roadhouses, and watering holes along the way.

The trailer features a lot of drinking, riding, hooliganism, and some beautiful scenery of the Southwest. The movie was filmed in high definition video on location over the desert highways and in 65 Southwestern bars. There seems to be a lack of big-name actors, but the production values seem fairly high for an independent film.

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The Best Bar in America will be released straight to DVD and available for download on iTunes. The release date is scheduled as �sometime this spring�.

[The Best Bar in America]

Polaris may be developing the Slingshot

Dodsfall — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:54:11 GMT

Polaris currently produces the Victory line of motorcycles and recently acquired the Indian brand. Polaris also manufactures off-road machines, snowmobiles and electric vehicles of varying types. One thing they haven't produced so far was a three-wheeled road vehicle. That may be changing.

Patent designs filed by Polaris reveal a side-by-side three wheeled vehicle. Like the Can-Am Spyder, it features two wheels in the front and a single in the rear. Unlike the Spyder, passengers sit next to each other as they would in an automobile.

Three-wheeled design has been around for a long time. Instability in turns has always been a major drawback, but recent developments have made them much more stable rounding the corners.

Dubbed the Slingshot, the Polaris design would not be subject to all of the stringent government safety tests that automobiles must pass. It would be classified as a motorcycle under law.

The design plans call for a tubular frame with quite a bit of bodywork. The drawings show a steering wheel rather than handlebars and a full windshield like a convertible might have. Like a standard motorcycle, the rear wheel is the drive wheel powered by a belt drive off the transmission. The patent shows a 4-cylinder gas engine being used, but the patent mentions being able to be be powered by hybrid or electric.

A patent filing doesn't mean that Polaris will actually produce such a vehicle, but it shows that they are at least interested. Details of the entire patent can be seen on Patentscope.

[Motorcycle.com]

The partnership of Best Western and Harley Davidson is extended

Dodsfall — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:34:00 GMT

In 2006, Best Western International and the Harley Davidson Motor Company signed a marketing and travel partnership. Yesterday, it was extended for another three years.

The partnership between the two companies allows the hotel chain to benefit from being included in official Harley Davidson tours. Motorcycle rental promotions at the hotels are part of the marketing deal that benefits Harley Davidson. Best Western has also been named the official lodging partner of the Motor Company for the 110th anniversary festivities planned throughout 2014.

�Our hotels across the world now have the potential to see more business and more motorcyclists,� said Dorthy Dowling, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Best Western. �I�m looking forward to take this already successful partnership from North America to our thousands of properties in more than 100 countries.�

Best Western currently owns 4000 hotels worldwide. 1200 of those hotels are labeled as �biker-friendly�, offering amenities for riders such as washing stations and wipe-down towels for their motorcycles.

�Most importantly, this partnership brings great benefits and on-the-road conveniences to our riders and fans,� said John Farris, director of global brands alliances for Harley Davidson.

[Phoenix Business Journal]

The KTM 390 Duke is coming to the US next year

Dodsfall — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:01:42 GMT

The popular KTM 390 Duke will hit the US shores for the 2014 model year. KTM is projecting sales of the adventure-style motorcycle to total to around 10,000 units in both the US and European markets.

The 390 Duke has a single-cylinder 373 cc engine that produces 44 horsepower. The naked orange and black machine weighs a svelte 306 pounds. The 390 Duke is being manufactured in Chakan, India by Bajaj.

KTM's Stefan Pierer said, �It is a strategic decision with Bajaj to go for sporty, stylish motorcycles, even for the saturated markets, because cars have become too expensive. We are entering the US street-bike segment for the first time and beginning next year, the Duke 390, built in India, would be sold in the US market.�

The 390 Duke probably won't be seen in the US before 2014. The current pricing in Europe is around $6700, but no official US price has been announced at this time.

[Hell for Leather]

Harley Davidson adds the Pro Dragster class to the NHRA series

Dodsfall — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:48:59 GMT

Harley Davidson is adding the 7-second Pro Dragster class to the NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series. The 10-round series starts next month.

Announced classes now include Pro Dragster, Top Fuel, Pro Gas, Draggin� Bagger, Street Pro and Hot Street. The new Pro Dragster class are nitromethane-fueled motorcycles capable of 1/4-mile speeds of over 190 mph. The Top Fuel class remains the king of the drag strip with 6-second times reaching 225 mph.

Kris Schoonover, Harley-Davidson Racing Manager said, �Anyone who loves the smell of burning nitro can share our excitement with this announcement. Pro Dragster will be a great addition to the NHRA Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Series, and we can�t wait for the season to get started.�

Harley Davidson will be putting up a purse of over $177,000 for the series. Winners will receive prizes of $400 to $4000 per race.

The drag racing series begins in Houston, Texas and wraps up the season this fall in Las Vegas, Nevada:

March 1-3, Royal Purple Raceway, Houston Texas
April 12-13, Virginia Motorsports Park, Petersburg, Va.
May 17-19, Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park, Norwalk, Ohio
May 25-26, Atlanta Dragway, Atlanta, Ga.
June 14-16, Bandimere Speedway, Denver, Colo.
June 21-22, Cordova Dragway Park, Cordova, Ill.
June 19-21, New England Dragway, Epping, N.H.
Aug. 17-18, Pacific Raceways, Seattle
Sept. 6-7, Bristol Dragway, Bristol, Tenn.
Oct. 31- Nov. 3, The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas, Nev.

[Motorcycle USA]

Motorcycle use is booming Down Under

Dodsfall — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:19:42 GMT

Australian motorcycle registrations have taken an upswing since 2001. It turns out daily use has also been on the rise.

The City of Sydney Parking and Transport Department researched motorcycle registrations made between 2001 and 2007 and found they increased nationally by more than 45%. The State of Queensland did a similar study and found their state totals of registrations doubled between 2001 and 2010. Car registrations in Queensland only increased 35% in the same time period.

When looking at yearly use, riders are also putting on the kilometers. There was a 2.8% increase in the distance that motorcycles traveled, compared to a 1.8% increase for cars and light commercial vehicles.

The largest amount of motorcycle riders are using their bikes for commuting through the metropolitan areas of the country. The lower cost of ownership, better fuel economy, and ecological concerns are the reasons given for the increase in motorcycle use. Motorcycles and parts are becoming easier to obtain in Australia as well.

The Bauer Media Group, the world's largest magazine publisher, has taken notice and have now expanded into online classified advertizing for motorcycles in Australia. According to their CEO, Keith Falconer, �This unique combination of print and web adds up to a richer, more user-friendly and powerful tool for both buyers and sellers.�

As more motorcycles head out on the road, other industries will take notice.

[I-Newswire]

TomTom debuts a new navigation aid for motorcycles

Dodsfall — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 05:33:37 GMT

TomTom is one of several GPS device producers. After doing research to find what navigation aids motorcyclists would most be interested in using, they have released the TomTom Rider.

The TomTom Rider allows a rider to pick which type of route they are interested in traveling, be it the scenic route or the quickest, most direct route. There is also the option to create a personalized route in advance via PC to be downloaded to the device. Routes can even be shared with other riders via Bluetooth technology.

The unit is rated for all weather and has a glove-friendly touch screen.

�With TomTom Rider, bikers can not only choose where to go, but more importantly how they want to get there,� said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director of TomTom Consumer. �We listened to feedback from motorbike communities to create a device that was customized for the way they want to ride. We found that the overwhelming majority of bikers use their motorcycle for recreational purposes and many actively seek out routes that offer fantastic scenic touring experiences. TomTom Rider gives bikers the ability to find and ride the best scenic routes in the world.�

Audio instructions from the device can be heard through Bluetooth helmet speakers, allowing the rider to concentrate on the road rather than watching the GPS screen.

One unique aspect is the �Winding Roads� feature which allows the rider to chose routes with the most curves.

The TomTom Rider retails for around $500.

[Sys-Con]

California publishes rules for safer lane splitting

Dodsfall — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 02:47:38 GMT

California remains the only state that allows motorcycles to ride between other vehicles. There is not a law prohibiting the practice in the state as there is in the other 49, but up until now there has not been any official guidelines either.

Lane splitting in a safe manner compared to an unsafe manner is a matter of judgment for the rider and sometimes for law enforcement. Tickets are often issued to riders who lane split unsafely or cause accidents.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) has now published lane-splitting guidelines to help riders determine what is considered safe and unsafe. The guidelines may also help riders avoid fines and other penalties.

Riders may find that most of the information given is the same as any CHP officer would have told them about lane splitting in the past. While no laws have changed in the state concerning lane splitting, this is the first time the CHP has officially listed what they consider safe.

The guidelines advise riders not to travel faster than 10 mph faster than the traffic they are passing and to refrain from lane splitting when the traffic is flowing faster than 30 mph. Riders should only lane split in the first and second lanes.

Further recommendations ask that riders carefully consider available space between vehicles, road conditions, weather conditions, and lighting.

[OC Register]

Nebraska considers allowing motorcyclists to go through red lights

Dodsfall — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:36:39 GMT

A handful of states have changed their legislation to allow motorcycles to continue through an intersection on red as long as a reasonable amount of time has passed and it can be done safely. Nebraska is the latest state to consider this change in the law.

Last summer, Illinois changed their traffic laws to allow motorcycles to go through a red light after a reasonable amount of time has passed without a light change. Nebraska is poised to follow suit.

Nebraska Legislative Bill 85 would allow vehicles weighing less than 1200 pounds to proceed through a traffic light on red after waiting for at least two minutes and making sure it was safe to proceed.

Often, the traffic sensors at intersections which use either an inductive loop to detect metal or a camera-operated system fail to detect a vehicle as small as a motorcycle. This can result in stalled traffic at intersections where the light is not on a timer and depends solely on detection of a vehicle to change.

Not everyone in Nebraska agrees with the proposed legislation. The Nebraska Sheriff's Association and the City of Lincoln, Nebraska do not think it is a good idea. The Sheriffs Associations says the new law would be hard to enforce and the City of Lincoln considers it a safety risk.

[1011 Now]

The next chapter in the Ethanol Wars begins

Dodsfall — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:01:00 GMT

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released new guidelines to keep E-15 fuel out of the fuel tanks of motorcycles.

The new guidelines are a response to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and power equipment manufacturers concerns over damage that will likely result from using E-15 fuel in motorcycle, ATV, boat, and lawnmower engines.

The EPA said, �In an effort to address this potential misfueling issue, EPA approved an industry-submitted [approach] that requires a minimum purchase of four gallons from blender pumps that dispense both E10 and E15 from the same hose and nozzle. Such an approach would prevent misfueling by diluting any residual E15 left in the hose from the previous sale of E15. However, groups representing motorcycle owners and lawn mower manufacturers objected to this [approach] because their products have gas tanks that are normally two gallons or smaller.�

On February 7, the EPA added a new option for fuel retailers on it's website called �E15: Misfueling Mitigation Plans�. Fuel retailers who sell E10 and E15 through the same dispenser must also have a separate pump which can only dispense E10 and E0 fuel. No minimum fuel purchase would be required at the E10/E0 dispenser. Dispensers that only pump E15 fuel would also be exempt from the minimum purchase requirement.

The minimum purchase of 4 gallons would still be required at any E15/E10 dispenser, which should be fine for automobiles manufactured before 2001.

The additional costs to the fuel retailers for dispensers has not been addressed at this time.

[Motorcycle Daily]

Honda unveils two new motorcycles in the 700 cc class

Dodsfall — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:04:14 GMT

Honda is adding two new motorcycles to its stable for 2014. The CTX700 and CTX700N will join the NC700X in Honda's mid-sized motorcycle category.

Honda has shown some success in the sales of their NC700X. The 670 cc parallel twin has plenty of torque and the retail price around $7000 has been a winner for buyers. The 60 mile per gallon motorcycle has upright ergonomics and a sporty design.

The 2014 CTX (Comfort, Technology, and eXperience) series of motorcycles use the same power plant as the NC. Honda is hinting that different engines may be available in future models. Both models are available with optional ABS and Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).

The CTX700 is styled almost like a sport touring motorcycle. An extended short fairing that reaches back to the fuel tank is a stand-out design feature. The seat on the CTX looks more comfortable than the smaller, adventure-style NC seat and the handlebars pull back further for a more upright riding angle. The larger windshield and saddlebags are available as factory options. The retail price for the CTX700 is $7799, with an additional $1000 for the ABS/DCT option.

The CTX700N is the naked model. The fairing is replaced by a small flyscreen, giving the motorcycle more of a power-cruiser look. Retail price for the CTX700N is $6999, with the ABS/DTC option adding another $1000 to the price.

Both motorcycles have a fairly low 28-inch seat height, are liquid-cooled and fuel-injected. The base model has a 6-speed manual transmission, while the ABS/DCT model has a fully automatic and paddle shift transmission.

Both motorcycles will be available at dealerships this spring.

[Rider Magazine]

Martin Brothers custom Road Glide

Dodsfall — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 06:28:00 GMT

Martin Brothers is currently moving their shop to Austin, Texas. The custom shop also dabbles in trucks, cars, and boats, but have had several stand-out motorcycle customs. Fire and Ice is the name of their latest build. It's a 2011 Harley Davidson Road Glide.

Fire and Ice is a commissioned custom that is tall in the front and low in the back.

�This bike was built for Mark Gray. Mark is a loyal customer of mine and I�ve done many projects for him including cars and boats. Mark is the co-founder of the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas. He is a colorful, fast-paced guy that likes to play as hard as he works,� explained Joe Martin. �Mark wanted something wild to ride for his upcoming rally; something he could be comfortable on.�

The Martin Brothers don't simply glue plastic panels to their custom builds. The added curves of bodywork are all hand-built sheet metal.

John of Martin Brothers said, �The pipes and the sheet metal are all done in Martin Bros fashion. I didn�t want to go with the typical snap-over rear fiberglass fender and glue-on tank sides.�

Fire and Ice is decked out with some very cool accessories. A Klock Werks dash, elongated bags, a custom-built seat, and a Kenwood stereo with Focal speakers and amplifier are all part of the package.

The color scheme uses the classic white, orange, and black of Harley Davidson.

[Hot Bike]

Motorcycle sales continue to grow

Dodsfall — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 03:33:27 GMT

Despite the sluggish economy, or perhaps because of it, retail motorcycle sales yet again increased in 2012. Rising fuel prices and relatively low retail prices seem to have driven more to two wheels than was projected.

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reported retail sales last year of 452,386 units. This constitutes a 2.6% increase over 2011 sales. The MIC had originally projected a downturn in sales for 2012, but a surprise increase was shown as the year's sales were tallied up.

A slight increase in street motorcycle sales accounts for 1.8% of the total increase. The additional .8% increase is from off-road vehicles, scooters, and dual-sport models.

The motorcycle market took a large turn for the worse in 2009, and has slowly been creeping back over the last three years. 2008 was the peak year for motorcycle sales at 611,133 units of street motorcycles. Despite the recent increase, street motorcycles are currently selling at only half the 2008 totals.

Scooters and dual-sport models had a large jump in their segments last year, jumping 7% over 2011 totals. ATV and dirt bike sales remained fairly flat after losing 13.5% in 2011.

The figures that the MIC released are taken from the major motorcycle manufacturers. The final sales numbers will likely get revised upwards slightly as reports from boutique and low volume motorcycle manufacturers come in.

[Motorcycle USA]

Pennsylvania will have a long and diverse motorcycle festival this year

Dodsfall — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:38:38 GMT

Harley Davidson of Erie is hosting a 9-day Bikefest this July from the 13th to the 21st. The seventh annual Roar on the Shore Bike Rally will also run concurrently from July 18th to the 21st. There is also the Thunder on the Isle event taking place.

Kelly Lapping, owner of Harley Davidson of Erie said, "We think the success of the Roar on the Shore, and the passion and the enthusiasm for motorcycles in the community provided the perfect foundation for at least a week-long bike event. This is not a competition with Roar on the Shore. We are a major sponsor of that. We think it's going to help enhance Roar on the Shore.''

The Roar on the Shore event attracted around 80,000 people to the Eric, Pennsylvania area last year and generated about $20 million in revenue.

"We've been there from day one. We've donated a brand new Harley motorcycle every year,'' Kelly Lapping said. "We will also sponsor and raise money for this year's (Roar on the Shore) charity through the Mayor's Ride. We anticipate we will help the Roar on the Shore raise between $30,000 and $40,000.''

Events planned for the Bikefest include an appearance by custom motorcycle builder Paul Yaffe, 14 local bands, two regional bands, and the national headliner Jasmine Cain Band. An assortment of vendors, a charity poker run, a tattoo festival, group rides, a bikini bike wash, demo rides, and a Harley Davidson boot camp are all in store for the festival.

[Go Erie]

World's fastest motorcycle was up for auction

Dodsfall — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:30:11 GMT

Jet-powered motorcycles have been around for a few years. A recent auction item on Ebay goes even one step further. Glenn Brittian's creation is a rocket-powered two-wheeler capable of over 300 mph.

The hydrogen peroxide-fueled drag racing motorcycle produces 3500 pounds of thrust, or the equivalent of 7000 horsepower. Theoretically, it could achieve upwards of 400 mph, but the laws of physics and the limitations of a rider necessitate slower speeds.

The engine is the same design that was earlier used in one of Brittian's 4-wheeled dragsters that reached 327 mph in the quarter mile. The motorcycle has not been tested with the engine at this time, so a potential buyer would be the first to try it out.

The motorcycle consumes 30 pounds of fuel per second when opened up.

The auction had a starting price of $27,000 which received no bids. The price might have been too high or no one was crazy enough to actually get on the machine and ride it.

[Gizmag]

Yamaha buys into suspension maker KYB

Dodsfall — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:22:00 GMT

Yamaha Motor Company has joined forces with suspension company KYB by purchasing 33.4% of the company stock. This is being promoted as a cost-cutting measure for the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer.

Research and development costs, as well as the cost of production of Yamaha suspension systems is the goal of the merger. Much of the production will be moved to India as a result.

�This initiative aims to further strengthen product competitiveness as well as improve profitability by combining the strengths of each company,� states Yamaha. �The plan targets 90 billion yen of cost reductions in 2015 and concentrates 65% of total procurement by value on platform (PF) components in an effort to increase the benefits of larger-scale production.�

KYB will open a new manufacturing plant in Chennai, India next to the new Yamaha factory currently planned for construction. The growing Indian motorcycle market is one major target of the operation, but exports will be a large part as well.

Yamaha was the majority shareholder in the high-end suspension company Ohlins from 1987 to 2007. They have since sold back 95% of their holdings to Ohlins. Raising brand awareness for KYB as well as developing higher quality suspension systems seems to be the goal of the merger.

[Hell for Leather]

Study shows ethanol blend fuel gunks up engines

Dodsfall — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 05:52:05 GMT

There is more bad news concerning the EPA-approved E-15 ethanol blend fuel. The Coordinating Research Council (CRC) found that fuel pumps and level senders showed negative effects or outright failures from using the fuel.

Although the EPA has already approved the fuel for use in automobiles made after 2001, tests on an assortment of vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2007 showed a high failure rate in the fuel systems. There are 29 million of these cars currently in the US.

Testing has not been completed for any makes or models of motorcycle at this time. The same issues found in automobile fuel systems are likely to also occur with motorcycles.

Bob Greco, Director of Downstream and Industry Operations for the American Petroleum Institute Group, said the E-15 fuel can lead to engine breakdowns. Tests done by the CRC using E-10 fuel did not show the problems that are happening with E-15 blends.

�Failure of these components could result in breakdowns that leave consumers stranded on busy roads and highways,� Greco said in a statement. �It is difficult to precisely calculate how many vehicles E15 could harm. That depends on how widely it is used and other factors. But, given the kinds of vehicles tested, it is safe to say that millions could be impacted.�

�EPA�s action was irresponsible,� Greco said. �Why did EPA move forward prematurely? Part of the answer may be the need to raise the permissible concentration level of ethanol so that greater volumes could be used, as required by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard. Most gasoline sold today is an E10 blend, but rising volume requirements under the law can�t be met much longer without going to higher blends. When Congress passed the law, it could not know it was creating this problem.�

[The Blaze]

The Magpul Ronin 1125R is a new take on the cafe racer

Dodsfall — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 03:29:55 GMT

Magpul is a company best known for unique firearm accessories. The company is diversifying into the custom motorcycle arena with the Magpul Ronin 1125R.

Ronin Motorworks, a subsidiary of Magpul Industries, is producing 47 Magpul Ronin 1125R motorcycles. These unique cafe racers are based on the Buell 1125R, which used a Rotax V-twin engine and a plethora of forward-looking design features.

The story of the 47 Ronin from feudal Japan is the basis behind the limited edition motorcycles. Instead of being numbered individually, the motorcycles will each be named after one of the 47 samurai from the story.

The first ten Ronin 1125R will be released mid-year. The chassis were acquired from leftover stock from when Buell was shut down. Magpul has hired a team of engineers and designers to evolve the design over time, so the price points and specifications will likely change as each new batch is produced.

The pricing for the first batch of 10 units will set their new owners back a hefty $38,000. The days of the $7,000 showroom closeouts for an 1125R are long over.

[Asphalt and Rubber]

Maine is considering mandatory helmet use

Dodsfall — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:19:42 GMT

The State of Maine will soon be deciding on new helmet laws. A bill brought to the floor of the legislature on Tuesday may signal the beginning of new rules for riders.

LD 66, "An Act To Require That Motorcyclists Wear Helmets" was proposed by Representative Paulette Beaudoin. It proposes changes to the current vehicle code covering snowmobile, ATV, and motorcycle helmet use.

Currently, passengers and riders under the age of 18 as well as riders with a learner's permit or in their first year of riding are required to wear a helmet in Maine. The new law, if passed, would require all riders and passengers of these vehicles to wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times. The bill states a chin strap must also be fastened when riding.

Fines included in the new legislation are to be not more than $500 per incident without escalation of charges on repeat violations.

The bill has been sent to the transportation committee for their consideration. If the committee votes on the measure positively, it will be sent to the full legislature and then the governor for approval and implementation.

A similar bill was proposed by Representative Beaudoin in 2009. It failed to get passed at that time.

[Maine State Legislature]

Hammarhead builds the V7 Wayward

Dodsfall — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:18:17 GMT

Simplification seemed to be the goal of James Hammarhead's Moto Guzzi V7 customization. The stripped-down and lightened Guzzi dubbed the Wayward has clean lines and an uncomplicated appeal.

The silver of the paint-free fuel tank contrasting with the black frame, headlight, and lower forks is the first striking feature of the motorcycle. A tough wax finish on the tank keeps the rust away, but seems to be labor-intensive to maintain.

Hammarhead explains, �The goal of the V7 Wayward was to create a bike that could take on the urban commute with appropriate functionality, then break free for fast and light travel.�

Most of the bodywork has been removed to provide a simple look and reduce weight. The fork springs and rear shocks have been replaced with higher-performance ones than stock. The foot pegs have been widened a bit and mid-rise handlebars maintain the upright riding position.

The instrument cluster, mounted in the headlight case, is very minimal compared to the information overload in some modern motorcycle instrumentation. The custom under-slung exhaust system keeps with the minimalist design.

As a finishing touch, wax cotton saddlebags with internal aluminum frames provide a bit of storage.

The Wayward V7 retails for $15,500.

[Hell for Leather]

The Freedom Jacket will travel the world this year

Dodsfall — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 01:35:30 GMT

As part of the 110th anniversary celebration for Harley Davidson, the Freedom Jacket will travel around the world this year, being passed from rider to rider. Harley Davidson has signed up several riders to take the jacket on its journey and report on their adventures.

The black leather jacket will visit iconic destinations across the world this year. The riders wearing the jacket will share the stories of their travels online. The jacket will then return home to Milwaukee to be displayed in the Harley Davidson Museum on August 29th.

�The Freedom Jacket represents one of the most elemental, yet powerful truths of what it means to be a Harley-Davidson rider,� said Harley-Davidson�s Chief Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer. �A leather jacket is like a rider�s soul � every pin, scratch, scrape and patch is a visual marker of your journey and becomes part of your identity and the stories you tell.�

The idea for the Freedom Jacket was developed when Mark-Hans Richer rode across the Tibetan Plateau in China earlier this year. He was wearing his leather jacket and stopped alongside the road where a local man was working on painting road markers. He asked the painter to paint a symbol on the sleeve of the jacket to symbolize what he thought about Harley Davidson. The man painted the character for freedom.

The jacket is currently on it's journey and updates on its location, videos, and stories can be found at:
www.h-d.com/110jacket

[Motorcycle USA]

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation celebrates 40 years

Dodsfall — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 00:56:26 GMT

Rider training and education is what the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is all about. This year, the MSF turns 40.

The MSF was founded in 1973 as the first large-scale training program for riders. The training program has developed over the years from simple learn-to-ride lessons into a full training system. The popular MSF program has trained around 6.5 million riders in the last 40 years and projects over 7 million by the end of 2013.

The continual evolution of the training program has kept it modern and serving the real-world needs of rider education. There has been a shift from instructor-based training to learner-based training over the years.

There are currently 2625 MSF training facilities in 14 countries today. Motorcycle manufacturers such as BMW, BRP, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha provide much of the funding for the not-for-profit organization.

�So much has been learned about safety and learning methods over the last four decades,� said Dr. Ray Ochs, MSF vice president of training systems and lead developer of the groundbreaking MSF Basic RiderCourse. �MSF looks at recent research and contemporary literature to ensure the best outcomes for riders. Program success results from being firmly rooted in substantive underpinnings, which include motorcycle-related research and experience, general and traffic-related safety principles, a focus on adult and accelerated learning principles, and motor skills development principles.�

[Motorcycle USA]

XL gets the Cafe racer treatment

Dodsfall — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 13:34:54 GMT

The Spanish customization company Cafe Racer Dreams (CRD) has produced some spectacular Triumph and Honda motorcycle conversions. The time came to attempt a cafe racer version of the Harley Davidson Sportster.

Most Harley Davidson customization in Spain is of the cruiser variety. Pedro Garcia of CRD wanted to try something completely different. The machine he built is called The Stroke.

Based on a 2008 XL1200, The Stroke has been fitted with 17-inch wheels for faster turning. Storz Performance provided the three-color custom fuel tank and megaphone-style exhaust pipes.

The rear frame has been shortened and modified and a custom-built flat seat has been attached to the motorcycle. An Ohlins suspension upgrades the shocks to world-class performance. The brakes were made by Performance Machine. A hand-painted K&N air filter finishes off the engine modification.

The headlight and handlebars have been lowered for the classic cafe racer profile. The bobbed front and rear fenders give the motorcycle a stripped-down look. Rear-sitting Tarozzi foot controls replace the more-forward stock ones.

The Stroke turned out to be a very unique Harley custom.

[BikeExif]

This could be a big year for Indian

Dodsfall — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:26:48 GMT

Polaris, the company that produces the Victory line of motorcycles, acquired the Indian brand in 2011. The company has been working hard on a re-design of the Indian line and has announced the new motorcycles will be available for the 2014 model year.

This weekend, Polaris introduced the 2013 Indian Chief Vintage Final Edition at the International Motorcycle Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It will be the last Indian to be based on the current design, and only 25 will be produced.

Polaris has been gearing up its factory in Spirit Lake, Iowa to produce the 2014 models. Hundreds of the closely-guarded 2014 models will be available this fall at dealerships. Tens of millions of dollars have been invested into the new Indian designs to directly compete with Harley Davidson.

Steve Menneto, Polaris Vice President said, "We are really excited. It's going to be a great year. Our team is committed to charting an inspired new future for this brand that fuses the iconic elements of its legendary past with (new) state-of-the-art technology and engineering prowess."

Mark Smith, a research analyst for Feltl & Co., said a lot of work went into getting the engine sound just right. "They have rooms full of special equipment and sound studios where they tuned and tweaked and tested to get the sound just right," Smith said. "You think of Harley-Davidson, and you immediately get that key piece of recognition because of the engine sound. [With Polaris' Indian], they certainly need that same feeling of wonder."

The new motorcycles will be a combined effort of Polaris engineers in Minnesota, engine builders in Wisconsin, and production workers in Iowa.

Building a larger dealer network will be one of the hurdles Polaris will have to overcome. Currently, there are only 14 Indian dealerships in the US. There are plans to increase that number to 150 across the US and Canada by the end of 2014.

[Star Tribune]

Motorcyclist is the prime suspect in the French Alps

Dodsfall — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:05:24 GMT

A shooting took place in Chevaline, France of a British family which included Saad al-Hilli, his wife Iqbal, his mother-in-law Suhaila, and French cyclist Sylvain Mollier. The couple's two daughters, aged 7 and 4, were at the scene but survived.

The older daughter Zainab was found injured near the scene and the younger daughter was found 8 hours after police arrived hiding under the bodies in the back of the BMW car where the shooting took place.

Brett Martin, 53, is an ex-RAF serviceman and was in the area when the shooting occurred. He witnessed a motorcyclist riding from the area wearing black clothing and a full face helmet. A farmer and some forest workers also reported seeing the motorcyclist leaving the area about 4 miles away.

French prosecutor Eric Maillaud is urging the motorcyclist to turn himself in for questioning. He said the shooting was, �a dramatic crime scene like we see on the TV�. French police confirmed yesterday that neither the motorcycle nor it's rider has been found at this time.

[Mirror UK]

Bill Davidson will visit New Zealand

Dodsfall — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:41:12 GMT

For the first time, Bill Davidson will travel to New Zealand for Harley Davidson's 110th Anniversary Celebration. After the anniversary festivities, he is scheduled to join the New Zealand Harley Owner's Group (HOG) rally.

Bill Davidson is the great grandson of Harley Davidson founder William A. Davidson. He currently holds the position of Vice President of the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Bill Davidson said, �I am looking forward to the NZ National H.O.G. Rally and joining our fans in New Zealand in celebrating Harley-Davidson�s 110th Anniversary. It�s always a pleasure to meet, speak with and ride alongside Harley-Davidson enthusiasts.�

Harley Davidson has multiple events scheduled for 2013 in cities all over the world. The New Zealand anniversary event will be in Auckland from February 14th through the 16th. The HOG rally takes place on February 23rd.

There are several activities lined up for the HOG rally including guided tours of the Auckland region, drag bike simulators, tech talks, Harley Demo Rides, rider formation displays, Chapter Games, local and international tattoo artists and the renowned Saturday Thunder Run. Each evening will feature star-studded entertainment such as �Give It A Girl,� the iconic NZ female band which includes Margaret Ulrich, Annie Crummer, Debbie Harwood and Sharon O�Neil.

Tickets for the rally go on sale tomorrow. Event and ticketing information can be found at www.newzealandnationalrally.com.

[Scoop]

Bell goes Rogue

Dodsfall — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 02:05:57 GMT

Bell introduced a new style of helmet today named Rogue. The open helmet design incorporates a type of removable face mask.

Bell has released details of the new helmet, specifically the �muzzle� system that is advertised to provide better protection from the elements than any other open-faced helmet. The removable and adjustable mask is designed to be useful in cold weather conditions or for long distance touring.

The muzzle design is not just functional according to Bell. It also creates an �ominous look... ideal for the attitude and lifestyle synonymous with the cruiser category.� Ominous or not, the quick-release muzzle looks like it can keep a rider's nose warm.

The DOT-approved composite shell, although looking like a half-helmet is actually a three-quarter helmet. The muzzle is attached with Bell's magnet Fidlock system for ease of removal and attachment.

�For years, our sales reps and dealers have had cruiser riders lamenting about the need to lose their bandanas for an open face helmet that�s got the attitude and style that they seek, but also provides some facial coverage for wet, cold or other harsh riding conditions,� said Chris Sackett, General Manager, Bell Powersports. �Rogue fulfills this need from both a standpoint of function and form, with an edgy design that makes it hands down the meanest-looking helmet we�ve ever made. So far, pre-orders from our dealers have been extremely strong, and we�re excited to see the consumer reception for this unique new design.�

+ YouTube Video
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Available in solid black, matte black, army green, and solid gunny colors, the Rogue will retail around $250. The Rogue will be shipped to stores this March.

[Bell Helmets Press Release]

Harley Davidson to produce a made for India motorcycle

Dodsfall — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 03:12:25 GMT

Harley Davidson is paying close attention to the growth of the motorcycle market in India. In recent years, very few units from the motor company made it into India for sale. High import taxes and the popularity of smaller motorcycles have become somewhat of a barrier.

About 700 Harley Davidson motorcycles were sold in India last year. The current year's numbers are projected to be about 2000 units. By 2015, the number should be 10,000 motorcycles.

Competition from Honda and Kawasaki, who produce motorcycles in the country to avoid the import taxes, is proving to be tough. They both sell motorcycles in the range of $6000. Current prices for an American-built Harley Davidson in India range from $9799 and up.

Harley Davidson is currently in talks with Indian vendors and dealers to bring a smaller, mid-sized V-twin motorcycle to the country manufactured at plants there. Starting in 2014, the 400-500 cc machine would retail at about $6300. The new model will compete against the popular Ninja 250R and KTM 390 Duke.

Sanjay Tripathi, Marketing Director of Harley Davidson India said, �Harley-Davidson is highly focused on the ramp-up of CKD (Complete Knock Down) operations in India as it allows us to improve our market responsiveness and production flexibility while reducing the tariff burden. We currently do not have plans to set up another plant in India.�

[Rushlane]

Motorcycle rides through blizzard during live weather forecast

Dodsfall — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 02:48:40 GMT

The most recent Midwest snowstorm dropped several inches of snow in Indianapolis. The obligatory live news feed in the snow storm caught an intrepid motorcycle rider cruising along I-65 on his Ural.

The two wheel drive Ural was spotted riding along interstate 65 in Indianapolis with snow coming down briskly. The sidecar-equipped motorcycle features two drive wheels for better traction in the snow.

Snow Team 13 WTHR captured video of the rider during their live feed to the surprise of the weather forecaster and crew. The unidentified rider was tooling along in the 29-degree weather during a virtual white-out.

The adventurous rider may have entered the snow storm intentionally for the challenge or got caught unaware of the approaching storm. Stopping distances are much longer in snowy conditions and visibility is greatly reduced. Whether brave or fool-hearted, hopefully the rider made it to their destination unscathed.

+ YouTube Video
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[Autoblog]

Motorcycles of the year 2012

Dodsfall — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 16:51:55 GMT

Motorcycle USA has released the yearly list of motorcycles in several categories for Motorcycle of the year. A couple models are returning to the list from previous years.

Best Motocross Motorcycle

The Kawasaki KX450F won the best motocross motorcycle. An all-new machine for 2012, the KX450F packs a lot of performance into a mid-sized motocross motorcycle. At nearly 30 foot pounds of torque and 45 horsepower, the green machine pulled off higher performance than the competition.

Best Enduro Motorcycle

The Beta 450RR was praised for both it's styling and performance. Beta came in second to KTM in the Endurocross this year, but the riders at Motorcycle USA gave it the win after riding both models.

Best Dual Sport Motorcycle

The Kawasaki KLR650 may not be the best looking or have the highest horsepower in the dual sport class, but for dependability, versatility, and adaptability it won top honors this year. If there is a road on the map, this motorcycle can ride it.

Best Sport Motorcycle

For the third year in a row, the BMW S1000RR takes top honors. Extremely powerful and having an advanced electronics package, the BMW has won the award again.

Best Street Motorcycle

The Triumph Speed Triple R is an upscale Speed Triple with an Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and light PVM wheels. The R model uses the same trusty 1050 cc engine as the base model does.

Best Touring Motorcycle

BMW wins again with the K1600 GTL. The decked-out touring machine is powered by an inline six-cylinder engine that provides sportbike-like performance. A sophisticated electronics package for engine and suspension and a huge 7-gallon tank make the K1600 GTL the ultimate touring machine.

Best Cruiser Motorcycle

The winner from last year and still champion is the Ducati Diavel. The power cruiser has the heart of a sport bike. The 1198 cc V-twin and exotic styling coupled with traction control and multiple riding modes left the competition behind.

[Motorcycle USA]

Yamaha steps into the 250 sport arena

Dodsfall — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 01:16:32 GMT

Kawasaki and Honda have been selling their 250-class motorcycles like hotcakes. These motorcycles have been popular for those beginning to ride and for people on a budget. Yamaha has taken notice of the sales figures and have thrown their hat into the ring.

Competition is heating up with the 250s. Honda's single-cylinder CBR250R is a relative newcomer to the 250 class that has been dominated by the Kawasaki twin for decades. Rapid sales of the CBR have induced Kawasaki to upsize it's 250 class machine to nearly 300 ccs and add other features such as ABS to claim the higher-end sales. Honda remains the low-price leader in the class.

Yamaha is looking for a piece of the action. A 250 cc sport bike is rumored to be in the works for the 2014 model year. It may be based on the YZF R15, which is a 149 cc single-cylinder and manufactured in India.

It is unknown at this time if Yamaha will use a single or twin for the 250 or what the price point and options will be.

[Motorcycle Daily]

Buell secures financing to sell three new models

Dodsfall — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 00:52:54 GMT

After Harley Davidson dropped the Buell brand in 2009, Eric Buell concentrated on building motorcycles in small production numbers for racing. Buell recently secured financing to bring his creations back into the public arena.

Eric Buell Racing is definitely a niche supplier of motorcycles. The current $40,000 1190RS is well outside the budget of most riders and only produced in small numbers.

Buell has gained financing and is working on a dealer network for three new street models priced under $20,000. GE Capital has provided the start-up cash for the Buell RX, SX, and AX models. These motorcycles will be a supersport model, a naked bike, and an adventure motorcycle.

Without the backing of Harley Davidson, production may be more difficult. The upside is that Buell can develop the motorcycles with less input from a large corporation.

Many of Buell's unique design ideas, such as the under-slung exhaust system have taken hold with other manufacturers. Other radical ideas such as the �inverted� front brake caliper and fuel in the frame design remain mostly relegated to Buell machines. Beyond the styling aspects, these innovations have practical uses such as keeping the weight lower to the ground and using fewer parts without losing performance.

The new line of Buell motorcycles is expected to be available for the 2014 model year.

[Motorcycle Daily]

Minimum purchase requirement for E-15 dropped

Dodsfall — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:43:16 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a regulation earlier this year requiring a minimum purchase of four gallons of fuel from single-hose dispensers that pumped both E-15 fuel and E-10 fuel. The ill-advised regulation has now been dropped.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) voiced concerns with the EPA over the regulation, since many motorcycle fuel tanks will not hold four gallons of fuel. E-15 fuel has also not been properly tested for use in motorcycles and ATVs.

The intent of the EPA regulation was to dilute any E-15 fuel to safe levels for use in vehicles that were not designed to run on the 15% ethanol fuel.

The EPA notified the AMA on December 17th that it no longer would require a minimum purchase at the pump. The new work-around for single hose pumps will be to attach a sticker to the dispenser notifying the customer that fuel from that pump is only for use in passenger cars and trucks.

The EPA will also require gas stations to maintain at least one dispenser that does not use E-15 fuel for motorcycles and other vehicles that should not use the fuel.

"With E15 gasoline, our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.

"Unlike an automobile or SUV that has a large fuel tank, the residual fuel left in a fueling hose could be detrimental to the performance of motorcycle or ATV engines due to the small size of their fuel tanks and the higher concentration of ethanol that would, therefore, be present in the fuel," Allard said. "In addition, the use of E15 will lower fuel efficiency and possibly cause premature engine failure. Use of E15 fuel voids many manufacturer warranties. In off-road engines, the effects can even be dangerous for users."

This means motorcycle riders, and those operating vehicles not approved for E-15 may soon have to look closely for the proper pump to fill up at.

[AMA]

Analog builds The Messenger

Dodsfall — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:52:54 GMT

Analog Motorcycles transformed a Yamaha XS400 into a beautifully minimalist vintage machine that is a cross between a cafe racer and a universal standard. The attention to detail is what makes The Messenger a stand-out custom motorcycle.

Tony Prust is Analog's builder of the Yamaha. It was designed in concert with the buyer, Mike Tomasian as a gift for Tomasian's wife. Several ideas were run by Prust as he picked out the key features.

Transparent brass powder coat was used on the wheel lacing and other parts such as the brake arm. Brass-colored pin-striping and accents carry the theme through the design of the motorcycle. The black wheel hubs, black powered-coated engine parts, and tall black-wall tires set off the touch of brass for a classic finish. The wheel rims themselves are polished aluminum as is much of the engine.

The seat is made of vinyl and Alcantara, which is a man-made swede material. The brass taillight is integrated into the seat itself. The hand grips are also Alcantara. The matching side-cover cases fit perfectly behind the carbs.

A bobbed front fender and shortened headlight finish out the design. The electronics formerly tucked into the headlight needed to be relocated to the area under the fuel tank.

[Bike Exif]

Overcharged motorcyclists get a refund

Dodsfall — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 01:34:23 GMT

Thousands of motorcycle owners in Massachusetts were found to be overcharged for their insurance premiums according to Attorney General Martha Coakley. A refund will be sent out to affected riders.

Amica Mutual Insurance Company and Encompass Insurance Company have been ordered to send out checks to 10,000 customers in a settlement with the State of Massachusetts. $2.8 million in total will be refunded.

The insurance companies illegally overcharged customers by inflating the values of their motorcycles when it came time to write the policies. Items such as depreciation were not calculated correctly.

This is not the first time such illegal charges have been made by insurance companies in Massachusetts. Since 2010, 15 companies have been accused and over $42.8 million in insurance premiums have been returned to customers in the state.

"This investigation began with a single consumer complaint, and has now resulted in the return of $42.8 million to Massachusetts motorcycle owners," Coakley said in a statement. "These cases underscore the need for transparent auto insurance rates. Consumers and regulators have the right to know how insurance companies are calculating premiums so that issues like these can be identified and addressed."

The insurance companies have until February to pay out the settlement to their customers.

[Cape Cod Times]

Vespa's new 946 is labeled Retro-Futurist

Dodsfall — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:06:09 GMT

Vespa designed a prototype scooter in 1946 called the MP6. It was a futuristic design with gentle swooping body curves. Returning to its roots, Vespa has introduced the 2013 946, which harkens back to the original design.

Two new engine options will be available on the 946. Buyers will have the choice of a 125 cc model or a slightly larger 150 cc. Both engines are three-valve singles with an electronic ignition and fuel injection. The power plants have a 7% increase in horsepower and a 10% increase in torque over current versions.

Traction control is used to keep the rear wheel from sliding. How rear wheel slippage can be a problem with a 11.7 horsepower engine is anyone's guess. ABS is included to help keep the disk brakes from locking during a hard stop. Rather large 12-inch wheels and an adjustable shock preload round out the suspension package.

The cantilevered seat and flowing curves are certainly stylish. The round integrated tail light and LED headlight integrate smoothly into the minimalist design.

Pricing has not been released at this time. The 946 will be available next year in Europe, with a US release currently unannounced.

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[Motorcycle USA]

Honda introduces the CRF110F

Dodsfall — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 03:06:02 GMT

With the bigger-is-better craze in the motorcycle industry, many of the staple two-wheelers have been getting upsized. The CRF70F has started many young riders on two wheels. Honda has replaced the little 70 cc dirt machine with the CRF110F.

The 110F retains the small frame size, with only marginal increases in dimensions and weight. An electric starter has been added to supplement the trusty kick start mechanism. The three-speed transmission of the 70F has been replaced with a four-speed. The clutch is automatic.

During Motorcycle USA's testing of the dirt bike, a nine-year-old test rider was recruited. At 4' 6�, he was able to flat-foot the diminutive motorcycle fairly easily. The young rider could also kick start the engine without issue.

A speed-limiting screw on the throttle can help new riders keep the throttle in check. For the test, the rider was allowed full speed since he has had some experience riding in the past.

During the test, the rider said the motorcycle was fast, but he felt in control of the throttle the entire time over the track. He had a few spills, mostly due to soft dirt in the corners and over-use of the front brake at the wrong moment. Both rider and motorcycle fared well with the only casualty being a bent shift lever.

The final verdict from a nine-year-old rider? �Awesome bike!�

The 2013 CRF110F retails for $1999, which is $39 more than the current year CRF70F.

[Motorcycle USA]

The Brammo Empulse R is a motorcycle first and electric second

Dodsfall — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 02:48:00 GMT

The Brammo Empulse R was tested by Cycle World recently. The all-electric motorcycle was found to be quick and impressive.

Brammo, based in Ashland, Oregon, has been working on the motorcycle for several years. The lithium ion-powered machine was developed from the racing motorcycles Brammo has been running in the TTXGP and other races.

The Empulse R looks like a sport bike and rides like one as well. The waiting list for buyers has grown considerably over the last couple of years as design improvements continue to be tweaked. The 100 volt motor has considerably less voltage than the 400-volt motors used on the racing machines. Brammo had the idea that the single gear ratio of the racing models couldn't be used on a street machine. A water-cooled 6-speed gearbox was added to the motorcycle to leverage gearing power instead of raw voltage.

The electric Zero motorcycles and even the Tesla electric automobile use a single gear ratio to drive power to the ground. Adding a shift-able transmission was a fairly radical idea. The result is a 50 horsepower sport bike that performs on par with a comparable 650 cc twin.

While there is a clutch, it works differently than a standard motorcycle transmission. The clutch does not need to be pulled in at a stop, since the electric motor stops when the motorcycle does. The motor will also take off from a start in any gear, although with a lot less pull in sixth gear compared to first. The clutch is basically used for shifting between gears.

As with other electric vehicles, the weakness of the Empulse R is the range. It can travel 75 miles at back road speeds between charges, but at 80+ mph highway runs, the range is limited to about 50 miles. Around town at city street speeds, the motorcycle can travel about 100 miles between charges.

The price starts at a shade under $17,000 for the base model Empulse R. Only 300 units will be produced by the end of 2012, bringing the motorcycle into the category of short supply even at the hefty price tag.

[Cycle World]

Radio host in tragic motorcycle accident

Dodsfall — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 01:31:46 GMT

Some are calling Glendale, California radio host Frank Pastore's broadcast on the night of November 19 prophetic. Earlier that evening, Pastore recorded a show segment discussing the human soul and death. On his way home after recording, he suffered an accident eerily similar to what he had gave as an example of fate.

Pastore says in the recording, "Isn't it interesting [that] secular science is addressing the question, 'Does man have a soul? Is there such a thing as immaterial reality?' And it's couched in the category of 'is there life after death?'

"I mean look, you guys know I ride a motorcycle don't you? So, at any moment, especially with the idiot people who cross the diamond lane into my lane, alright, without any blinkers, not that I'm angry about it, but at any minute I could be spread out all over the 210 (Freeway), but that's not me, that's my body parts. That key distinction undergirds the entire Judeo-Christian worldview and also your pursuit of reality."

Tragically, what Pastore described just a while before came to pass. While riding home on highway 210 in the carpool lane, Pastore was sideswiped by another vehicle entering the carpool lane from the right.

Although Pastore survived the accident, he remains in a coma due to head injuries. He was wearing his helmet at the time of the accident.
[Christian Post]

The EPA pushes for E15 and the AAA objects

Dodsfall — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:16:00 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved E15 fuel for sale in the US. The American Automobile Association (AAA) is urging the Obama administration to put the brakes on the sale of the higher-alcohol fuel citing potential damage to vehicles, which includes motorcycles.

A survey by the AAA shows a strong likelihood of customer confusion concerning the new fuel. 95% of the survey respondents had not even heard of E15 gasoline.

There is also the danger of voided warranties if the fuel is used in some vehicles. Less than 5% of the vehicles on the road today have been approved by their manufacturers to use the fuel. GM and Ford approved the fuel for use in new models only. BMW, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen have yet to approve the fuel for any models, and have stated they will not cover fuel-related issues under warranty if the fuel is used. No motorcycle manufacturers have approved the fuel.

The fuel has been approved by the EPA for use in automobiles made in 2001 and newer, but no testing has been done for motorcycle engines.

In a statement, the EPA said it shares some of the concerns of the AAA, but didn't go so far as to mention stopping the sale of the fuel. The EPA stated, "To address these concerns, EPA has been working with AAA and other stakeholders to help inform consumers about the use of E15 and recently required all retailers that sell E15 to label fuel pumps with a prominent orange and black label that EPA developed with the Federal Trade Commission. While EPA does not require retailers to sell E15, the label will help ensure consumers are aware about which vehicles are approved for its use."

Bob Dinneen is in charge of the Renewable Fuels Association, which is an ethanol advocacy trade group. Dinneen accused the AAA of being in the pocket of Big Oil. "For years, refiners in vast swaths of the country have sold sub-87 octane fuel, which no auto company warranties today. Where's AAA's outrage and concern about that?" Dinneen said. "Ethanol has helped reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil by 45 percent in 2011 and is supporting more than 400,000 jobs across the country that can't be outsourced."

Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin has come out against use of the new fuel as well. "AAA's findings affirm what we have already heard � E15 causes premature engine damage and voids warranties, even on new models," Sensenbrenner said. "Concerns about E15 are not diminishing, they are increasing. That is telling. When an organization like AAA, a nationally trusted source for motorists, calls out the EPA, you would think the administration would listen."

[Detroit News]

AMA thanks Veterans

Dodsfall — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:24:22 GMT

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) saluted veterans today in an announcement on their website.

Citing that many riders are veterans, the AMA gave tribute to America's armed forces.

"There has long been a special relationship between motorcyclists and veterans," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "Today, on Veterans Day, we honor that relationship, and salute America's veterans for their devotion to serving our country.�

"The patriotism, dedication and valor of American servicemen and women is unmatched anywhere in world," Dingman said. "Our veterans have put their lives on the line in the defense of our principles and freedoms, and we must never forget the sacrifices they've made on our behalf."

November 11 was originally Armistice Day, celebrating the end of World War I in 1919. The United States Congress made November 11 an official holiday in 1938.

Armistice Day was changed to Veteran's Day by Congress and President Eisenhower in 1954 after a 9-year campaign to extend the holiday to cover all veterans instead of only World War I veterans.

[AMA]