Late to The News...and BUSY!

This one only came to my attention at the start of this week, unfortunately. I have had one rather notable week, to be fair to all involved. Run in with the police...for not having an operator's license...but I do have a valid driver's license which does not expire until next year...impounded vehicle...and, of course, it's going to cost me in the $$$$ range. However, there is light for this one. It seems that I have a valid case to plead - poverty. This is factual. But, oddly enough, had I lied to the good officer, I would have only incurred a minor ticket. Moreover, it was a dumb mistake and I made the safest move. Eh, we will see...cities are hungry for $$$$ right now just like the rest of us.

Good news, though, I have a real JOB now in my favorite industry...more later.

Enough about me...This is about the new FIM Speedway GP World Champion: American, and all around good man, Greg Hancock! He claimed it a few weeks ago now, but I just cannot ignore this and leave it off of this blog. Hancock is not only a fierce competitor with a heart that burns nitro-methane, he is also my age ;^)

It's sad that almost no one here in the USA knows who he is...

Congratulations Greg! Someday I'll see you out there...

Please read: http://tinyurl.com/3n8d62w

And, any readers, please at least share the linked article...his home nation should know this story!

So Much Work, So Little Time...

Once again this blog has been left languishing for a time...again. I have nothing which will excuse me from this oversight, but there are many reasons. Everything ranging from locating money to pay the bills, to helping a friend move, and then there is the magazine work. Plus, there is a new blog being created as I write this. It will be mostly unrelated to CurrentMoto, so you won't see much from here linking to it. However, if anyone is interested, I can pass the information along to you.

Stay tuned for some more posts with article links. For now, have a good look at the AAB magazine's website for your latest news: www.allaboutbikes.com.

Don't forget MotoGP hits LeMans this coming weekend!

More New and Useful Links - Motorcycle Help of All Kinds

Some more work of a good friend of this site which some readers might find handy to have bookmarked:

First up is the most recent - Help for buying a motorcycle gloves of any sort: www.motorcycleglovereviews.com

The search for a trailer is now easier: www.motorcycle-trailer.org

A nice and simple site which you may use to see if a recall notice has been issued for your motorcycle: www.motorcyclerecall.com

Only some motorcycle leather suits are covered here, but it's a little better than much of what is out there already (with one specific exception): www.motorcycleleathers.info

How about a new set of shoes for your bike this coming season; a guide full of reviews on motorcycle tires: www.motorbiketires.net

These are just a few helpful sites. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not make any money off of the websites linked above - none at all. They are run by a friendly company for the sole purpose of providing free information to motorcycle riders everywhere and I help set them up. If you want to help that group - if you actually like and use the information contained there - click on one of the ads so that he gets a half-penny or so!

Long Time Away...Again...Plus Links to Articles!

Well, dearest readers (if there is actually someone out there), I have been away from this blog for some time. It was not by choice, let me assure you, but by necessity. Numerous hard drive failures and problems with the data contained on them have placed a significant strain on my finances and my time. I have been very busy writing, though, as that is my only source of income these days. So, without anymore excuses, here is a list of links to some of the work I have done lately. I am planning to keep this up as much as possible and I do hope to start the blog itself again soon...it all depends on whether I an recover my lost data in the next two weeks or so...

Macau Grand Prix

Charlie Mullins Wins AMA Rekluse National Enduro Championship

Motorcycle Fixtures!

Own Rossi's TT R1

Az Heyadri and Riders for Health

Yamaha World Crosser Super Tenere

ASV's F3 Holiday Pro Pack Deal

Telefonica Movistar to Return to MotoGP

Honda Announces New Color for VFR1200F ABS

Royal Enfield in California

Billy Joel Opens Motorcycle Shop

Althea Racing's Gensio Bevilacqua puts his Motorcycle Collection online

Josh Herrin Remains with Graves Yamaha

Honda's CBR250RR to be at EICMA 2010

Schuberth Returns to North America

Zero Motorcycles Gathers Another $2 Million

MV Agusta F4 Voted Most Beautiful on the Web

Scary Study Shows Black Riders More Likely to Become Fatalities

KLIM Supports Team USA at ISDE

Wayne Maxwell Secures Dream Moto2 Ride at Phillip Island

MCN (UK) Blog at 2010 Isle of Man TT

This is a shameless plug, but not for myself...it is for the MCN blog written by Gary Pinchin while he gets to experience the annual madness that is the Isle of Man TT. It is more than just a race, and there are activities for just about everyone there. The population swells, though, so you must be ready for crowds at almost any venue. Simply grab a good place to stay, get your food and alcohol regimen locked in, and then let yourself enjoy every moment...try not to stress. If you are participating, that advice is useless - just ride your own TT! Take a look at this blog and check back often for updates on the linked site.

http://tinyurl.com/3x5xr8d

CurrentMoto Blog on Hiatus

I must apologize for just stopping the posts without an explanation. There are several reasons, but no real excuses. For one, I am having to dedicate more time to writing now in order to work at bringing in more money. I have some rather big projects in the works right now and they will take some time to complete. However, once I am done I will post them here as well...just in case someone is interested in reading them. The next problem has been my connection to the Internet. If you do keep track of what happens here you will remember the computer fiasco; well, that has gotten worse again as well but I am working around it just fine. I simply need a new machine, unfortunately. The Internet connection was a real problem - no stable connectivity for a week or so. Replaced the modem, replaced the router, and tested every single internal connection - all solid and working perfectly, with the notable exception of not being able to have a connection to the Web last for more than fifteen minutes or so. Part of it seems to have been faulty equipment - the testing bore that out for both units when simply using the direct LAN connections. And, the second part is a full-on attack on our connection from parties unknown. I have the logs and will hopefully get a certain ISP to do something about it. We will wait and see...

Anyway, I will start posting again soon, but it will be mostly big items missed by other outlets or just a pull of where you can find the best information on the major happenings. So, please forgive me and on with the writing! Thank you!

I'm Back, Finally...

OK, I am aware that few people read this blog...but there are some. Thus I am apologizing for not posting for the last few days. My computer crashed in a very nasty way on Friday night. I - and I do mean this literally, not figuratively - had to break it down and build it back as well as adding a new hard drive and installing the OS and applications, and then moving the data. I am using superglue, duct tape, solder and some banker clips to hold it together (much like my own self); I need a new computer!

Anyway, all will begin again tomorrow morning...back to the Moto News we all want to read...

Peace and Good Night...

Friday Afternoon General Moto News - Ethanol, Adventure and a Kart Challenge

First up is an important issue with the fuel which we use. Many oil-company supported group of auto and engine manufacturers have banded together to ask the Obama Administration to delay adding any more ethanol to the US fuel supply. This is important to us as riders because our engines and fuel systems are even more vulnerable to damage caused by too much ethanol in fuel. Of course, there is an ulterior motive as adding more additives to fuel reduces the amount of oil needed. But, even that self-interest may actually benefit us...maybe...

http://tinyurl.com/ybhaa36

Next, coming up on 12 January 2010 will be the 2nd Annual Monster Energy Extreme Indoor Kart Challenge. I have written about it before, but now we have an official list of participants. Take the link and see if you will be spending (only!) US$12 per ticket!

http://tinyurl.com/ygq8zbm

Another long-distance trip is being organized here in the US. Though they are taking the trip in different legs, the idea was to ride from Prudhoe Bay in Alaska to Tierra del Fuego at the very southern tip of South America. They call it the Continental Divide Adventure and the blog at the other end of the link below will keep you updated on all of their progress.

http://tinyurl.com/ygekvso

Check Out These Vintage BMW Motorcycle Safety Videos

These came to light earlier today and they are certainly very good and well-produced - especially given how old they are. There is one important aspect to remember, though, Germans are far superior drivers and riders to their US brethren. If you ever get to ride there, you will see what I mean...

http://tinyurl.com/yeqgpww

Nice Report on UK Transport's Vision Zero 2009 Report

I like this piece very much. In it, the author goes over the results of the United Kingdom's Vision Zero 2009 and how it applies to motorcyclists in that nation. It is a very good analysis of the safety aspects covered in the write-up and how they effect the rider on the road. The author is spot on with many of his arguments and I hope to see him do another one of these - we need people like him to criticise the government actions that involve all of us - anywhere in the world. At least Vision Zero has a very admirable goal of zero fatalities on the roads.

http://tinyurl.com/yaln99p

Canadian Motorcycle Association to Create Electric Motorcycle Race Series

The Honourary VP CMA, Chair CMA Environmental Panel, and Member FIM Environment Commission, Graham Read has been paying special attention (as you would expect given his titles) to the various electric motorcycle race series around the world. Given this, he is now working within the CMA to create a Canadian electric motorcycle race series. He is looking for input from the CMA membership and any interested parties, so take the link and get in touch with him.

http://tinyurl.com/yf8dou7

Incredible List of Italian Motorcycle Museums (in Italy)

Some of the collections are only available to view via appointment, so check the details to be sure. This list is quite inclusive and includes some of the rarest and most beautiful machines on the planet. The only problem...all of them are in Italy. But, that is a good reason for a vacation!

http://tinyurl.com/yfa4mlp

The Voltra Electric Motorcycle by Designer Dan Anderson

Voltra is a relative new player in the electric bike market - at least as far as I can tell. There is precious little information about the machine beyond the link, but at least it serves as a good introduction of a product we will probably hear more about later (I hope). The Voltra is obviously an exercise in minimalist design, but it sure looks good - I wonder how it rides?

http://tinyurl.com/yer7b9n

The 1954 Victoria Bergmeister - Post-War Beauty

The article does not have much there, but the motorcycle is beautiful! It really does look like a miniature Moto Guzzi engine! Not much information, but a bit of education and some nice photography...It is sad that so very few of these were made - and many fewer still running. Lucky person that Cam Greguske!

http://tinyurl.com/yzzgupg

Very Cool New Helmet Technology - ThermaHelm

This comes from the Sussex University Innovation Centre - located in the U.K. - and is probably one of the most interesting safety features that has been seen yet. It is called ThermaHelm and its job is to keep your head and, its valuable contents, your brain cool after an accident. It fits into any helmet and is composed of two lightweight and non-toxic chemical packs which act like an instant-on ice pack. So, right inside your helmet you have a cooler activated if a severe shock is registered against the helmet. The benefits are obvious and it may even become available for retro-fitting in your current lid.

http://tinyurl.com/ye22ldn

OK, I Will Post It! Self-Assembling GSXR on YouTube

Well, if you have been spending time in the motorcycling news and blogs, you have probably already seen this video. It is a stop-motion film of a Suzuki GSX-R. It took the guy only 30 hours to make the film - it sounds like a lot, but the quality is very good - and you should watch it. Make sure to pay attention to the background as many other parts in his garage move around and change places as the GSX-R is assembled. Very good work!

http://tinyurl.com/ybly4vf

Interesting Article Which Does Apply to Everyone Who Rides - Your Hearing

I put in my earplugs almost every time I ride. I say almost because I also use Sony in-ear phones to listen to music - it is legal here and, yes, I can hear sirens, the cars next to me, as it only cancels out certain wavelengths. OK, enough about me - You need to consider your ears. Personally, I love music and I do feel blessed to have the ability to hear. So, I take good care of my ears. As long as I am alive, I want to be able to hear music, thank you very much. I would think that those others who can still hear well - or just have a little left - would also want to keep it. Protect your ears.

http://prozie.net/?p=162

With Motorcycle Race Protection Getting Much Better, What Might Happen in the Future?

Well, the author of the linked article has been thinking a great deal about this. He offers some ideas but leaves most of the to the reader (you). In one section he is discussing the 'airbag' type systems which are finding which are finding their way into more and more race leathers. If you take all of the 'leg-waving' - I assume he is talking about Rossi's signature left leg off the peg when going into a corner in a race - and add it to such protective system, would racing change? Could it? Well, read and think about it for yourself!

http://tinyurl.com/yk57yoa

Nifty Restoration of Damaged MV Agusta F4-1000

The devil is in the details - so says an old pearl of wisdom. In this case, it appears that the details are the highlight of the devil - the devil being the MV Agusta F4. It is a mean machine, though not exactly evil to the owner, at least. The Garage Endeavors team were given a 'slightly worn' F4-1000 and took to working on the bike - the changes are hard to spot if you are not familiar with the build: carbon fiber fuel tank, special rearsets, lighting changes, and the most interesting customization is the easily switchable tail section; it can be easily changed to mono- or biposto in a few minutes. Have a look - and look close...

http://tinyurl.com/yccz3qs

Bob is On His Way to Alaska - "Bob's Motorcycle Adventures"

It's a blog from Bob (Robert Guzman) about his various long-distance trips around the Americas - yes, as in North and South America. He is now preparing for the run up to Alaska. If you want to follow his trip, just take the link and have a look at his regular posts - I know I will!

http://tinyurl.com/yzusqdg