Hopper Rides Perris Short Track & Balatonring Issues Continue

John Hopkins was in California this past weekend and actually had the time to run the Perris Short Track. So, he borrowed a bike from his mechanic and took to the track. He did very well and he may be back...

http://tinyurl.com/ya69qf8

The Balatonring is facing more and more problems. First, locals complain about not being consulted - then various groups attack the government as their tax dollars are helping build the thing and they will not be getting any of the revenue. Now we hear again about the cancellation of the loan guarantee for construction of the track...and the various investors have not been notified of the issues...Please take the link to learn more.

http://tinyurl.com/yalulss

http://tinyurl.com/y9cndc5

Graves Motorsport Takes on WERA & MIC Announces Election Results

Graves Motorsports, Yamaha's team inside the AMA Pro Racing ranks, is also taking on the WERA with rider Benny Solis and a host of support programs. Many racers have used Graves parts over the lats 20 years of their existence, and many more will be using them this year in the WERA Championship. You will even find several former AMA racers in the WERA paddock, so take in a round - you will not be disappointed.

http://tinyurl.com/yavldkj

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has released the results of the election for their 2010 board of directors. The standard way they do this is to elect three of them one year and then the other three the next year, and they serve a two year term. Take the link to learn the details as the article does a better job of it than I would here.

http://tinyurl.com/ya2jkwv

More Morning Moto News - MCI Celebrates 100 Years & MotoGP Rookies Cup

The Motor Cycle Industry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and they are letting it be known that motorcycling provides some 3 billion British Pounds in added value to the UK. Of course, they plan on keeping up their best work and improving on other programs with the main goal to protect, promote and expand the motorcycle industry in the United Kingdom. Give them a hand by taking the link and getting more detail on what is planned this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yagf6zy

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has started to accept applications now for the 2010 selection season (for competition in the Cup in 2011). If you are young enough or know someone who is - get them to head on over and fill out an application for the series. Of course, there are expenses to worry about, but a chance at becoming a World Champion motorcycle racer is worth a great deal to a great many people. Take the link and get your details!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8wgha

More Morning Moto News - Balatonring Circuit, Interwetten Honda & Kawasaki Z1

The Hungarian circuit of Balatonring looks to be on course for the 2010 Hungarian Motorcycle Grand Prix. However, we did read earlier reports on how some local civic groups are quite upset at how much taxpayer money is going into the track - and how little profit will be coming back to state coffers. So, there will probably be some political bullying - hopefully, it will be more compromise and working together - to get this track ready for the MotoGP circus to setup and play. 19 September 2010 is the date to watch for...

http://tinyurl.com/y9pujfq

Interwetten Honda is following in the footsteps of the Aspar Grand Prix team and will have riders in all three classes, MotoGP, Moto2 and 125GP. They have signed on Marcel Schrotter for their 125cc effort; he is a young up-and-coming German rider who looks to be a competitive rider in the series. Even though it seems most teams are strapped for cash, it seems that these two teams are hedging their bets.

http://tinyurl.com/y8oqany

Looks like someone has a lovely, un-restored and healthy 1974 Kawasaki Z1 for sale on eBay. The price is close to US$9K right now, but it is worth every penny. You will have a very hard time trying to find one which has not been restored in this condition - it is almost perfect. Owning a piece of motorcycle history is simple, just take the link and then place a bid!

http://tinyurl.com/ydul33m

More Morning Moto News - Ducati Concept Trike, BMW in AMA & CPSIA, again

This design - the one you will see when you take the link - is from a French designer who decided he wanted something a bit more stable from the Ducati Desmosedici. He grafted a two-wheel front end onto the machine, believe it or not, and has turned it into a sort of street-quad, except that it is more like the Spyder RS. It may never be built, but at least the kid is thinking...

http://tinyurl.com/yfsjfxf

Liberty Waves Racing will be the first team to take the new BMW S1000RR racing in the AMA Pro paddock. The team is sponsored by Dairyland Cycle Insurance and they have some solid resources behind them. Eric Pinson, team boss, simply cannot wait to get the BMW on the track in the American Superbike series.

http://tinyurl.com/yew927s

Two rather well-known motorcycle personalities - Ben Spies and Kevin Schwantz, along with Robbie Maddison - have come together to help the fight against the CPSIA and what it has done to youth motorcycles and ATVs. If you are not familiar with this, you really need to take this link and brush up. If you are, then you know that having more celebrity behind the move to allow our children to ride bikes and ATVs their size is something we can make good use of!

http://tinyurl.com/yknn53z

MORE Afternoon Moto News - Hungary's Balatonring & Jeremy McWilliams

Some Hungarian civic groups have raised concerns about the Balatonring Circuit soon to be built in the nation (for F1 and MotoGP as well as other national race series). Apparently, these groups believe that the public expenditure on this track far exceeds the amount the government should expect from revenues at the facility. Apparently, global accounting firm KPMG produced a feasibility study on Balatonring and it was not made public - they are asking that it is produced so every citizen can see for themselves whether this is a wise investment at this time...Honestly, I do hope they build the track, but they may need more private investment...

http://tinyurl.com/ygkh3yj

Jeremy McWilliams has signed on to ride in the inaugural season of the Harley-Davidson XR1200 Trophy series, which is now a part of the British Superbike Championship. He will be riding for Warr's Harley-Davidson on a bike which barely makes 60 hp. This comes after a great deal of experience with some much more powerful machines - MotoGP, AMA Pro Superbike and Formula Xtreme. It will be a tough road for the 45-year-old racer, but he has the skills to pull it off!

http://tinyurl.com/yg5zbag

More Morning Moto News - Aprilia Recall, Honda Racing & CPSIA + MIC

The recall for the 2010 Aprilia RSV-4 has been updated. The North American side of this issue now has the RSV-4 engines on hand and the replacement should be complete in the next two to three weeks. That's good news for all the owners; at least they will get them done in time for summer!

http://tinyurl.com/yz7ocz5

Honda has now put out a press release detailing their factory racing efforts for the entire spectrum of motorcycle racing. They talk about MotoGP, WSBK, BSB, Moto2, etc. So, take the link and grab the racing update from Big Red.

http://tinyurl.com/yg7xb7b

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) in the US managed to deliver some 4000 signatures from experts, who work in the motorcycle industry and some who specialize in safety, to the US Congress yesterday. The petition calls for there to be an exclusion from the CPSIA bill for youth-oriented motorcycles and ATVs. It's really a simple idea and Congress should act on it soon. We do need your help, though, so please read the linked article and contact your legislators today!

http://tinyurl.com/ybar88k

More Morning Moto News - AMA Board of Directors Change, MotoGP Rules & Suzi Perry

The AMA has just finished up their annual Board of Directors meeting in Indianapolis (13 February 2010). At that meeting, they decided to make changes to the make-up of the BoD - instead of six industry representatives on the Board, there will now only be four. There will also now be two 'at-large' Board members who will be elected by the entire organization (or so it seems now), but the Board will continue to have 12 members total. For all the information, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8vx5f9

When the 2012 MotoGP season begins, there will be some new rules for privateer teams. They will then be allowed more engines and larger fuel tanks than the factory teams on the grid once the maximum displacement is increased to 1000cc. This is an obvious move to spur more competition in the paddock and to invite some others who may not have been in the series previously. It could cause some backlash, but it is likely to expand beyond the small number of current riders.

http://tinyurl.com/y8gp42d

Fan favorite Suzi Perry has quit the BBC MotoGP coverage unit - she will no longer report from the MotoGP paddock. After 13 years behind the microphone with the racing series, she will be moving on to work on her broadcasting career beyond motorcycle racing. She will be missed and we wish her luck!

http://tinyurl.com/y97vlck

MORE Morning Moto News - MIC and Kids & ASBK - Scott Charlton

The Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) has created a video letter which you can forward to your Congressional representatives. The subject is the CPSIA and how it has taken away the right of our younger brothers and sisters, as well as sons and daughters, to ride an appropriate-sized motorcycle or ATV. The only way to change the effects of the CPSIA is to get Congress to make a change - and they need to do it fast! So, get on over to the site and send your letter.

http://tinyurl.com/y8nsl8x

Racers Edge Performance Suzuki has made their testing debut with rider Scott Charlton at the Phillip Island circuit a few days ago. Charlton is doing very well so far, keeping his times very close to the larger and better financed teams in the Australian Superbike Championship. Plus, he has been able to get used to this new-to-him machine very quickly. I wonder if Charlton will be able to hang at the front...we don't have too long to wait to find out!

http://tinyurl.com/yfmbktn

And, More Morning News - LeoVince USA, UK M/C Industry & China Eyes Mission

LeoVince USA has announced their global sponsorship program and the teams that they will support for the 2010 motorcycle racing season. The list is rather long and includes such series as MotoGP, Moto2, World Superbike and many others. For the full details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yaytcd7

If you have been reading up on your U.K. cycle news, you have probably heard that the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) is trying to get some help from the government. They would like something similar to Britain's 'cash for clunkers' program (which was similar to the US scheme) for motorcycles. Also, some environmental subsidies would be very useful to them. Given the suffering of that industry in a place like the U.K. where it is so important, I am hopeful that their government officials will find some way to assist...

http://tinyurl.com/yb67nxp

Zongshen Power Machinery, a Chinese motorcycle manufacturer, is looking towards Mission Motors in San Francisco to aid them in developing electrical engine systems. There is an agreement already signed which will have them trading tech and knowledge and may even lead to a Chinese electric motorcycle start-up. Wow, once the Chinese start building them, they will get very inexpensive everywhere. Let's just hope the quality does not suffer in the brands we already know and love.

http://tinyurl.com/ylz7gbv

More Morning Moto News - World Supermoto DVD, EU Emissions & Demographics

The FIM Supermoto World Championship Review DVD is now available for purchase. This DVD covers the entire 2009 season and is full of commentary, great shots, and interviews with some of the sport's top riders. For more information, as well as how you can buy it for yourself or someone you care about, can be found after the link.

http://tinyurl.com/y8dkovg

The European Union is working to crack down on motorcycle emissions now. They want to put strict requirements on how much CO2 our two-wheeled machines can emit. It's not something which should surprise anyone, and the manufacturers have been waiting for something like this to come down. The real questions, though, are what standards will be set, and how much will it cost to meet those goals.

http://tinyurl.com/yajrb3a

The demographic of the motorcycle buyer is changing - and, if you were unaware of this, you have been living in a cave. This article, though, does explain that a younger and much more female audience is looking at bikes these days. We did know that, but you would do yourself no harm by taking the link and learning a little more.

http://tinyurl.com/ycoo2xz

And, More Morning Moto News - Paolo Flammini & CPSIA Changes

At the Infront Motor Sports annual pre-season World Superbike press meeting, CEO Paolo Flammini pointed out some key points of this year's series. He even tried to predict the outcome of the series slight based on the exit of Ben Spies. Flammini even covered the new schedule and the change to the British round of the series - from Donington to Silverstone. It was a good event and it excited us for the year to come in racing.


http://tinyurl.com/yb76ymh

The news keeps getting bigger and it is apparently not attracting enough attention, so they keep pushing it up higher and higher - and we should be very glad for this! This is the movement to make a change to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to exempt youth motorcycle and ATVs from that new law. The CPSC, as we all know, has delayed action, but Congress needs to get something done quick before we end up with no options for our children who want to ride. If you have not done it yet, contact your Congressional representative now and ask them to help.

http://tinyurl.com/yeapnl3

Wednesday Morning Moto News - Claudio Castiglioni, MotoGP, Moto2 & 125GP

MV Agusta's president, Claudio Castiglioni, is backing a plan to raise the overall speed limit in Italy from its current setting at 130 km/h (81 mph) up to 150 km/h (93 mph). The Italian transport agency is trialing the new speed limit in some areas with an eye to making the change national. Castiglioni has stated that modern motorcycles are perfectly able to travel safely at those speeds. Maybe he will have some influence...

http://tinyurl.com/yb9bm92

The FIM has released the entry list for the 2010 125c.c. World Championship. Bradley Smith is the favorite for the title, as we all may well know. But, he has some competition from Aspar rider Nicolas Terol. For the full list and a short article on the series, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ybksf3j

Moto2 has also been presented to us by the FIM. At present, there should be 39 riders lining up for the inaugural season. Many of the newcomers - and former 250c.c. riders - have already been mentioned as this class is getting an extraordinary focus from the media. It is a new series, and no one is sure who will be the favorite, so hold on tight as the season starts very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/ydootoe

We also get the official list of MotoGP entrants - 17 riders for 2010, at least full-time. There will be a few other teams which will only contest some rounds this year, but the rider group competing for the championship is only 17 bikes total. Have a look...as if you don't already know.

http://tinyurl.com/yke3zjm

MCN Motorcycle Show Update, Trails Videos and Tasmanian Riders

The Carole Nash MCN Motorcycle Show will take place at the ExCel in London during 4 - 7 February 2010. Get your tickets now! Or, try to win them through the various means available all over the U.K. Anyway, we have an update which includes all of the changes to date for the event. For all information on the show, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yh33abh

From our friends (and helpers) at the AMA, we have a selection of Public Land Advocacy Videos produced by the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC). The videos are meant to help local organizations and individuals keep the trails open in their part of the country. The videos help with everything from organizing against closures, to how to lay out a plan to keep the trails open and even clean. For more information, please take the link. If you ride off-road in the US, this is for you!

http://tinyurl.com/yjxrdu4

A pair of motorcycle racers from Launceston in Tasmania will be representing their island in the annual Phillip Island Classic to be held this weekend. They will be riding a 1966 250cc Bultaco Metralla, a 1972 TR3 350cc Yamaha, and an old Suzuki 500c.c. GP bike in the event. Please take the link and learn more about these very brave souls...

http://tinyurl.com/ykmy5ve

http://tinyurl.com/ykmy5ve

Thursday Evening Is Here and So Is More Moto News

A North Carolina law firm, Hardison & Cochran, has joined with a nationwide motorcycle safety promotion and education program known as the Road Guardians, a project of Accident Scene Management Inc. (ASMI). The Road Guardians promote motorcycle safety through many avenues including the road and online. The partnership will increase the reach of the Road Guardians program, which we all hope will continue to do very well at what they do.

http://tinyurl.com/ydrbv5u

This next one was going to be a link directly to the AMA website, but the blog post linked below actually sums things up much better - and it has direct links for the AMA. This is the 2010 AMA Motocross Rider Classifications for the 2010 AMA Amateur Motocross Season. Plus, there are some rule explanations regarding the classification.

http://tinyurl.com/ye63qnd

http://tinyurl.com/yayeenf - Direct AMA link

We also have another way to take action towards reforming the CPSIA to keep the CPSC from eliminating youth motorcycles and ATVs. Go there, read it, and take action!

http://tinyurl.com/ybvc5h9

Motorcycle Safety News from the MSF and German IVM

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Germany's Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland e.V. (IVM) are calling for paper submissions for the 8th ifz-International Motorcycle Safety Conference, which will be held 4 - 5 October 2010 in Cologne, Germany. There are specific areas of interest for these papers and the ones selected will be presented at the meeting. It is all supported by the motorcycle industry and is designed to improve the world of motorcycling through ideas and programs worldwide.

http://tinyurl.com/ycb55w4

Couple of Motorcycle Safety Tips and Stories - Good Reading for Riders

First comes the story of Jerry "Motorman" Palladino - the guy behind the "Ride Like a Pro" - will be putting several motorcycle safety videos on SpeedTV.com. There are already 29+ videos up on the site and more are coming soon. So take the link and learn how to ride like a pro...

http://tinyurl.com/qr8232

After that, we hear that Travis Pastrana is donating some US$5,000 to help Brad Lackey get Danny "Magoo" Chandler a special needs van due to his injury. Pastrana did so because he really feels that Magoo has done wonderful things for the sport and he is continuing to do great things for motorcycle safety. This is all apart of Bob "Hurricane" Hannah's Challenge to raise funds for the transport.

http://tinyurl.com/yg6shqk

And, finally, a great tale of a politician doing something right for motorcyclists. She has taken up the mantle for Denise Lodge, whose son was killed while riding on Vancouver Island, Canada. It is a sad story, but some good is coming from it thanks to Mayor Joanne Monaghan, who actually listened.

http://tinyurl.com/yhfa8q5

Mick Doohan Slams Australian Mayor for Closing Track

Mayor Ron Clarke has sided with residents living near a motocross track near Australia's Gold Coast who want it shut down - it has been there for 30-freakin-years, but they want it closed (like residents complaining about airport noise - if you don't like it, don't move there!). Doohan has said that this is a seriously short-sighted move and will actually endanger the kids who use the track...

http://tinyurl.com/ykgury3

The US Motorcycle Industry Council - Workers Feel Appreciated

The title says most of it. It seems that when you work for the MIC, you actually feel like someone takes care of you - not a common feeling in today's working world. It is certainly good news to know that the group out there working with us to improve the environment in which we ride - and to promote motorcycling in general - treats their employees like family. Now, if they would just give me a position...anyone out there who can help?

http://tinyurl.com/ylg85ql

Nice AGV Backmarker at Road Racer X Magazine

I had to post this one because it is a really good article. There are some misses, sure, but not much. Mark Gardiner writes a good piece which includes the things he is "thankful for." It is great that he mentions the AMA's efforts in trying to raise awareness of the distracted driver issue, which cannot be mentioned enough anywhere - and a really good reason that the electric motorcycle industry is doing so well now. The short bit about getting his US Green Card and the Department of Homeland Security was interesting, but I think he actually left out the more absurd parts of his experience. On this Thanksgiving Day (in the US), remember that there are some things which all of us are actually grateful for in this life.

http://tinyurl.com/yfgupqb