Wednesday Night Moto News - Honda in Ohio, Shifcustom Duster & Dal Smilie

Honda's former Goldwing factory in Marysville, Ohio, has now become a parts center for the auto factory next door. The factory has been in the city for over 30 years now...and, it really was a shame when they moved production to Japan. But, they have to do what they have to do...

http://tinyurl.com/y8zbmzv

Well, it is not my dream machine, but it is certainly creative! The Shifcustom Duster hails from Eastern Europe and the fabrication is done all in house. The builder is using it as a showpiece. A Ducati Monster S4 provides its engine for the machine. It's got its strong points, but white?

http://tinyurl.com/y9bvlfl

Former AMA Chairman of the Board is now serving time behind bars as opposed to in them. After the lengthy trial and some wrangling, he has plead guilty and will serve at least 30 days of an eight month sentence - he can apply for early release after his first month. Considering his crimes, it seems a fair sentence...but, he did pay the money back.

http://tinyurl.com/yho9ofj

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 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

Some Stories About Life with Motorcycles in Various Places

First up, is this lovely tale about a police department that broke into a garage of a rider, stole his bike, then phoned him up to say that they had recovered it from a thief. It happened...

http://tinyurl.com/yc8mqm3

Now, imagine you have worked for a television news broadcaster for over 20 years. Then, the company who you work for discovers that you are also the spokesman for a heavily-maligned motorcycle gang and fires you for it. What would you do? Well, it happened to Steve Jones...

http://tinyurl.com/yed7mdo

Now, imagine you are competing in the Rally Dakar, which is on the other side of the world form your hometown, and you are trying to race to the front of the pack. When you think you have a chance, you take off to the left a bit, see a rise, and decide to jump it a bit and take a better position. Well, then you find out that you are about to land in a five meter deep tomb! Can you say...D'oh!

http://tinyurl.com/yauxoef

Now comes the one we wish we all had happen to us. Suppose you are a very wealthy heir to an even larger fortune and you want a new motorcycle. What do you buy? Well, a Vyrus 987 of course!

http://tinyurl.com/yawhnkn - plus a cool video of the lusty machine!

Friday Evening News from the Moto World - AMA and Safety

The American Motorcyclist Association has announced the class distinctions and dates for the brand-new 2010 AMA Racing Vintage National Dirt Track Championship Series. This will hopefully be a very successful series throughout the US. The only limitation may be that all of the dates are in the East with the exception of two rounds in Texas. There is good reason for it to head to California or at least team up with the West Coast Flat Track Series to host events. It is very tempting to get out there and join in the fun!

http://tinyurl.com/yjp8qbs

Some people still do not get it - helmets save lives. I have seen racers high-side and land on their head and then walk away - on their own power - because the helmet did its job. I need no more evidence. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet is not accepting your risk. Even if you are the best rider in the entire planet Earth, you cannot control the actions of the cagers sharing the road around you. So, this new study has shown that fatalities have gone up in the seven years since Texas repealed its mandatory helmet laws. D'oh! Of course...the good news is that overall fatalities were likely down in 2009 - but that is simply due to fewer people riding due to the economy and the fact that Americans still consider motorcycles to be 'recreational vehicles.' No helmet = Organ donor

http://tinyurl.com/y9joplj

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

AMA Motorcyclists of the Year + Racing Athlete of the Year

Two big stories in one post (and a small one at bottom). First of all, the American Motorcyclist Association named kids who ride motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) as Motorcyclists of the Year. This was due to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) working out the details on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which ultimately banned youth motorcycles and ATVs. CPSC has pushed enforcement on those vehicles out two years, but the state can decide to prosecute if they wish. It's still complex, but they have made progress and a bill should soon make it to President Obama's desk very soon!

http://tinyurl.com/yh8y28t

And, in the news from the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, my favorite Speedway star, Greg Hancock took the AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award! He is such a hard core racer, he really deserved it. There were several other awards presented, though, so please take the link - I simply cannot write everything here.

http://tinyurl.com/ygz27nv

In other news - not what I call a good story, so I just threw it here anyway. Dal Smilie, former chairman of the AMA's board of directors, has had his criminal trial postponed until 12 January 2010. Since he has paid back most (if not all) of the money to the AMA, this just seems ridiculous...but, that is only my opinion.

http://tinyurl.com/yg4db7e

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

United Nations Recognizes Motorcycle Safety in Resolution

As reality is, this means nothing more than 'we know there are many dangers in some areas of transport and we do need to solve those issues', but it is a major step from the United Nations (UN). The FIM was present and paying close attention. And, it is great to hear this after all the omissions in the 'future transport' schemes being proposed. So, we should be grateful, and we are. We really need to pay close attention to this because it could cause the motorcycle industry some problems. Please simply support your local association. They will help keep us free to ride.

http://tinyurl.com/yj47e96

Know Much About The American Motorcyclist Association's Financials?

Well, probably not - unless you work there! The long awaited Form 990 document was filed, and the report was provided by the Guidestar site; they are a sort of non-profit watchdog. Nothing bad here, but also no direct information about how much was paid for AMA Pro Racing (essentially - it has had many names now) by DMG. Most are just curious, but some are truly interested. Well, it is left off of this form, but Paradama - so, this could be some indication. Anyway, if you are interested in your organization, go and take a look. I am not trying to offend the AMA in any way. I am just saying that this is public knowledge - nothing secret - and it is always good to make sure that your advocacy group is healthy. Interesting...

http://tinyurl.com/ykjgkvh

Important Legislation Action: AMA Urging Congress to Safeguard Youth Access To Off-Highway Vehicles

This is, of course, is about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and its restrictions on lead. Please contact your legislators and ask them to support language in the fiscal year 2010 Financial Services appropriations bill or the Omnibus Appropriations bill which will exempt off-road motorcycles from the CPSIA lead requirements. The fact is that no kid will be chewing on the battery terminals or the Schrader valve on their wheels. And, if they do not get vehicles their size, they will likely use something which is much too large for their age. So, think about safety and help get this language written into law!

http://tinyurl.com/y8n6rya

Try this link for Action: http://americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp

Motorcycles Get Greener in the the USA for 2010

In 2010 the EPA's standards for emissions from motorcycles becomes more strict. The new rules apply to all street-going motorcycles, some off-road bikes and some scooters. It all depends on their size and how they are to be used. The good part of all of this is that the motorcycle industry gets even more environmentally benign, which is not a bad thing for us. Additionally, we have lost no power or performance due to this. Take the link and learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/ygbtr4k

News Briefs from American Motorcyclist Association

Looking for information on various political issues surrounding motorcycling? Well, the AMA will always have you covered there as that is one of their primary missions. But, if you are interested in looking into threats to our riding rights, please take the link and at least briefly review each section and see if you can take action on any potentially harmful legislation. A majority of this deals with off-road motorcycles.

http://tinyurl.com/yzr2hxb

California Riders - Watch Out for Whittier Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations

Apparently, the city of Whittier, California - just between LA downtown and Anaheim - has picked up some extra funds for their police department. It would be nice news if it were going to be used for motorcycle safety. Instead, it will be going to "Enforcement Operations," which sounds like something from the Galactic Empire's CEO Palpatine. Be careful out there, unless they actually mean to cite cagers doing dangerous things around us two-wheeled people.

http://tinyurl.com/yhdxpmu

Wisconsin Attorneys Donate to Motorcycle EMT Organization Rescue Riders

Hupy & Abraham, S.C has donated US$7500 to the group known as Rescue Riders. It is an appropriate name as they are trained emergency response personnel who volunteer their time helping out at accident scenes - actually, a volunteer medics - good people helping out all of us. OK, enough of that. Anyway, the money will go on to help train 300 more volunteers for the roads of Illinois and Wisconsin. Nice to hear some good news...

http://tinyurl.com/yfd9vkr

NOHVCC Makes Webinar Series Available Again

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is making their webinar series available again. Its propose is to help local off-highway riders gain the skills and knowledge they need to keep trails open where they live. Starting 9 November 2009 and into December, users will be able to view the webinars on two separate occasions - just in case you miss one. This program is very useful for anyone involved in working for access to their local off-road riding areas. So, if you are, head on over and learn how you can help!

http://tinyurl.com/ybpdm39 - Forum post only...

Brammo Pushes for Broader Support from US Government for EV Manufacturers

Brammo's CEO, Craig Bramscher, met with government officials and Congress members at the Clean Energy Economy Forum hosted by The White House. Their chief complaint is that most of the funding destined for electric vehicle manufacturers ends up in four-wheeled projects - very little ends up in the electric motorcycle industry. The House has already provided and amendment which would help, but the Senate has yet to do the same. The 'Shocking Barack' trip was sponsored by Brammo and managed to get some attention on the subject...let's hope that the multinational corporations (who run our government) let the little guys get their hands on the funds they can use for everyone's benefit!

http://tinyurl.com/yzbqm7v

Scottish Rider Jailed for 166 MPH Ride - Fastest Recorded in Scotland

Neil Purves, 27, is a hairdresser and once owner of a Suzuki GSX-R1000. Of course, he lives and works in Scotland. One day he decided to really push the Suzuki and have some fun - well, 166 MPH will get the attention of law enforcement - and it did. Now - the motorcycle has already been sold - he will face 9 months in jail and suspension of his driving license for five years. To be fair, this was the fastest anyone has ever been clocked on a Scottish road, but the punishment seems extreme for a man who had no drugs or alcohol in his system, did not resist arrest at all, and caused no damage. Scotland is a funny place - they will jail you for going too fast, but if you blow up an airplane full of tourists you get to go home when you get sick...(http://tinyurl.com/ygmpjkt)

http://tinyurl.com/y98r7uz