Sunday Morning Moto News - Indy Dealer Expo & MIC Meeting

At Indianapolis, Indiana, this weekend, the 2010 Dealer Expo has attracted a decent crowd of enthusiasts for this year's show - but the overall number of participants is way down. On day 1 at the show, Malcolm Smith was in attendance at the Husqvarna (only marque in attendance this year) booth, Ben Spies was signing autographs and Danny Eslick was wondering around a looking at the new bits and bobs. Today will have a host of other announcements and special events; so, get there if you can!

http://tinyurl.com/ylqszta

http://tinyurl.com/y94epfy

Day 2 of the Dealer Expo: http://tinyurl.com/ye6quow

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) also held their annual members-only meeting in Indianapolis in conjunction with the Dealer Expo. Their main topic was the economic recession and its effects on the industry. Of course, there was some good news, but there are also still plenty of businesses in our industry which are struggling. They even set up a booth at the Expo where members, exhibitors and dealers can stop by and get some information or voice their own concerns. For more, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yeuce9l

Even More Monday Afternoon Moto News - Buell Auction and Husky

The Buell factory in Easy Troy, Wisconsin, will be auctioning off equipment from the factory and some motorcycles used for design duties - though none of them are Buells. The motorcycles are a 1999 BMW R1100RT, a 1998 KTM Dakar, a 2007 Triumph Speed Triple and a 2008 KTM SuperDuke. Also available will be trucks, tools, lifts trailers and much, much more. It all starts on 28 January 2010 and will lats about a month, or until most everything sells. Get there or lose out on some great deals.

http://tinyurl.com/yb6wun7

Husqvarna is looking for more dealers in the United States. Now that they are part of BMW, the company is in great financial shape and is producing some of the most interesting, good looking and useful motorcycles in the world. I would become a dealer, but they would probably not have me. So, if you are lucky enough to be attending the Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana, 13 - 15 February 2010, stop by their booth and you may find yourself selling Husky bikes.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9g59q

XDL Championship Announces 2010 Schedule

The XDL Championship is the only nationwide stunt-riding championship series in the US. For 2010, they have a schedule which includes five events and a final in Indianapolis. The first event will be held during the first weekend of Daytona Bike Week. For the rest, take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y9awlgh

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum Offering Free Admission

The IMS Hall of Fame will offer free admission to their incredible collection - currently including Kevin Schwantz's 1993 World Championship-winning Suzuki RGV500 - along with a narrated tour of the track. This part of their “12 Free Days of Indy Christmas.” Live nearby? Then, get your rear end to IMS on 23 December 2009, the day of the event!

http://tinyurl.com/yg67g4w

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Is OK Despite Big Changes

At least the CEO, Jeff Belskus, states that everything is fine despite appearances. Many services at the track are being privatized and they are cutting back on the schedule. But, Belskus is telling the press that all is OK, especially now that they have made these changes. However, we have heard this before and then watched as a track goes into bankruptcy, so I hope he is right!

http://tinyurl.com/y8sxj3n

Own a Piece of History - A Copy of the Brick Contract

It may seem small, but it is put on a fancy plaque for display next to all of your other moto-related memorabilia. If you purchase four tickets to any event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, you will receive the plaque - this applies to anyone who makes the purchase on 17 December 2009. It will be exactly 100 years since the bricks were laid at IMS.

http://tinyurl.com/yd8fv68

Schwantz School Announces 2010 School Schedule

Based at the lovely Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, the Schwatntz School is one of the better motorcycle riding schools on the planet. They now have their dates for the 2010 season (including two schools at Indianapolis Motor Speedway), so take the link and see if you can attend Kevin Schwantz's riding classes...

http://tinyurl.com/y8nb7d3

Indianapolis MotoGP Round Discounting Tickets for 2010 Event

They are trying to get more people to attend the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix (though, this article incorrectly refers to this event as the USGP; that's at Lagna Seca) in 2010. So, prices have been reduced between US$10- 25 per ticket depending on the package you purchase. You should really look into attending this event as it is an incredible weekend for a family to spend together, or a great date!

http://tinyurl.com/yj63prr

AMA Member Wins Hall of Fame Grand Prize - Two Triumph Bonnevilles

Phil Kreuter of Goshen, Indiana, was one very lucky man. He won the annual AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum' fundraising raffle. For the top prize, he won two Triumph Bonnevilles - one 2009 model and a classic 1959 model as well. And, to add to the luck here, Kreuter only purchased the 5-for-$20 package. I hope you will join me in wishing this some very good times on his new bikes!

http://tinyurl.com/yzucovx

eBay Find: 1963 BSA Thunderbolt for Sale

It's not like these just pop up for sale every day. No, this is a rare machine we have here. The BSA featured here is even more uncommon in that it only has 23,000 miles on the clock and it is a daily rider. It looks as if it has been well taken care of. So, if you are interested in a classic motorcycle which you could ride just about anywhere, take a look:

http://tinyurl.com/yha7akj

Paul Whibley Takes 2009 GNCC Championship at Ironman GNCC

Whibley came to the finish in fourth place at the Crawfordsville, Indiana event, but it was enough for him to take home the championship as well. It was a three-way fight for the win and Nate Kanney took his KTM to the top spot by only inches - it was his first GNCC Championship victory. Filling out the podium - and any one of them could have taken any position there - were Suzuki's Charlie Mullins and Josh Strang. The weekend saw the largest attendance of the season as well...

http://tinyurl.com/yjqqce2

Rumor Only: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Up for Sale?

I just found this while perusing my morning news - though, it does come from a blog - and was shocked to hear it. It is only a rumor now, but there is reason to believe the part about Tony George's situation as he resigned from the CEO position at IMS back in July. There is certainly something afoot here, but what? Feel free to contact me if you hear anything else about this potential change at the historic track...

http://tinyurl.com/yg88v35

New Motorcycle Shop Opens in Lafayette, Indiana - All Cycles

The owner, Scott Marsell, opened the shop because he is a motorcycle rider and he knows how to work on them - simple enough. He graduated from MMI and, with a friend, opened the shop in August 2009. They will work on just about anything with an engine, but they specialize in motorcycles...

http://tinyurl.com/yczw9zm

Elkhart, Indiana Man Rides 40 Hours for Children's Hospital

In raising money for the Riley Hospital for Children and St. Joseph County’s Pet Refuge in Elkhart, Indiana, Marcos Manzur stayed on his motorcycle for 40 hours! He did so because he believes in his community and the people living within it...

http://tinyurl.com/q4azn6

Kruse Auction at Indiana Pulls $187,000 for 1976 Munch Titan Motorcycle

The Munch auction which I wrote about a few days ago went off on Monday of this week. Several historic motorcycles were included in this estate auction, and many of them did very well. But, the 1976 Munch Titan outsold everything else up for sale and went for a mind-bending US$187,000!

http://tinyurl.com/kwqquh

NHRA Drag Racer Matt Smith Out in Quarters

Smith missed his reaction time at the start and lost to Douglas Horne in the quarterfinals, unfortunately.

http://tinyurl.com/lfbz6w

Same story but with points totals: http://tinyurl.com/kvvcqf

Matt Smith Takes Qualifying Lead in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle

You will need to dig through the linked article to find the motorcycle results here, but if you follow the sport it is worth it.

http://tinyurl.com/ldwcwp

19th Annual Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle in Indiana

The event is entwined with the 55th Annual U.S. Nationals - and it will be held at Raceway Park in Indianapolis from 4-7 September 2009. Suzuki rider Matt Smith is ready for the challenge...and a championship...

http://tinyurl.com/nj79hg

Indiana Auction House to Sell Munch Motorcycle Collection

Wow, talk about rare machines; Munch motorcycles are rarely heard of or seen anywhere. In the US, there may be as few as 35, but some estimates put the number up to just under 100. Either way, you are unlikely to know anyone who has one, much less rides one. On September 7, 2009, you can head to Auburn, Indiana and attend the Kruse Auction and pick one up - if you have between US$25,000 and US$100,000 to spare.

http://tinyurl.com/l8dtzz