Morning Moto News - Metzeler Sportec M5 & Husqvarna TE250

Metzeler has just released a rather interesting updated tire - it is the Sportec M5 Interact and it will gauge your lean angles for you. That's right, it has a series of numbers displayed on the carcass which will tell you just how far over you are actually leaning when riding hard - or lightly. Either way, you have a 5 point scale and an elephant which warns you when you are about to lose the grip entirely. Check it out and you may soon be able to brag about your 5-mark.

http://tinyurl.com/yc5l2tr

Husqvarna has released their TE250 Enduro. It is a road legal off-road machine which is based on the TC250, but the TE has electric start and EFI. It is also an easy bike to ride and fling from corner to corner - mass centralization and light weight help make this easy. If you ever get to ride one, you will be seriously smitten.

http://tinyurl.com/ylrzpu7

More Morning Moto News - Hopper, Mark Neale & Ben Spies

More news comes to us about John Hopkins and his dual role in 2010 with both the FB Corse MotoGP outfit and the M4 Suzuki AMA Pro Racing team. It seems that both options are a possibility - he may ride in two series this year. The FB Corse team, though, will only participate in select MotoGP rounds, but M4 will contest the entire American Superbike season. For more, take the link...

http://tinyurl.com/yf22uvd

More Hopper news: http://tinyurl.com/yd2gd89

Mark Neale is at it again! Remember the documentaries Faster and The Doctor, The Tornado and the Kentucky Kid? Well, he has now made on about last year's Isle of Man TTXGP race with the electric motorcycles - it is called, appropriately, Charge. Take the link and learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yzqcrtd

It seems that Ben Spies will be one of the heaviest riders on the MotoGP circuit in 2010. He has given serious thought to losing some weight, but he also had some great success at Valencia while being at his current weight. Given how fit he is, I have to think that his weight is only a minor concern for his team, so nothing important to think about there...he is very talented and his size will not change that.

http://tinyurl.com/yz4pqh3

At It Again - Moto News - Dr. Costa Speaks about Rossi

It is true that Valentino Rossi was rushed to the hospital for acute appendicitis, of a sort. Dr. Claudio Costa has spoken with Rossi about the issue while the latter was in the hospital, and his opinion is that all is OK right now. There was talk of the operation, but the severity of the condition was not so much that it was the only option. So, he will still have to get it taken out, but he needs a few days open to recover.

http://tinyurl.com/ydybet9

Saturday Moto News - Blackhorse Kawasaki and Valentino Rossi

Team Blackhorse Kawasaki - Ian Lougher's Kawasaki team - has now signed David Pearce and re-signed Conor Cummins for the 2010 British Superbike Season. Pearce will contest the Junior 600 Superstock class for his first foray into BSB racing, and Cummins will continue in the Superstock 1000 class (Cummins will also continue riding for the McAdoo Racing team in 'real roads' events). Lougher has put together a great team and we will benefit from the challenging racing...

http://tinyurl.com/yatddyb

Apparently, Valentino Rossi had to be rushed to the hospital on Thursday (14 January 2010) for pain in his abdomen. The reports say that he had an inflamed appendix, but there is no information on how it was treated. (In the US, they would operate and take it out for safety.) However, it does appear that his ride in the Ferrari F1 car is still on.

http://tinyurl.com/ye8mpdr

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

Friday Afternoon Moto News of a New Sort

Well, we already knew this as well, but it a new study has confirmed it further - riding a motorcycle is good for your brain in many ways. Not only does it help to improve hand-to-eye coordination and bring serious levels of dopamine and other chemicals derived from the excitement of riding, it also builds new brain pathways and improves knowledge absorption. Just have a read about the study and you will know why you are smarter than your cage-bound friends and family.

http://tinyurl.com/ycyh3so

American Honda has also commemorated Mike Traynor by planting a tree - as a living memorial - and placing a plaque honoring him on the campus of their Torrance, California, HQ. Traynor worked very closely with the people in that office while managing his Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's Ride for Kids.

http://tinyurl.com/yerwhxr

And, the last part of this post will be a video of Ducati engineer Massimo Capanna. In the video he explains the importance of motorcycle ergonomics to a race bike. He was the person responsible for converting the Troy Bayliss Ducati 1098Rs to Larry Pegram for his 2009 AMA Pro Racing effort. It's a good watch.

http://tinyurl.com/y8p8rqn

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 - ELF EMF Radiation & Your Private Bits

No matter male or female, we all have important organs between our legs - some just have outdoor plumbing - and even our hearts, breasts or entire torso could be in danger here (just look at the list of ailments!). According to some experts in the field, we often get hit hard with Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Field radiation while riding our favorite motorcycles irrespective of marque. These days, even the rankest looking piece of junk on two wheels may well have fuel-injection or a high-tech ECU; OK, only a few, but with modern motorcycles you know this is true. This article highlights some of the dangers related to it, proven and potential. Though it is directed at Californians, in many ways it applies to all of us riders. And, now that you know, do something about it!

http://tinyurl.com/y87fjf5

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

More Wednesday Moto News from Just About Everywhere, Part 4

Wow, we made it to part 4! It is a busy day!

Zero Motorcycles, preeminent electric motorcycle manufacturers in California, have received a new round of investment funding. They have managed to pull in US$5.56 million in a Series A add-on. This brings the total to somewhere north of US$10 million and should keep them stable for years to come - especially considering how many they have already sold.

http://tinyurl.com/yjg3zlc

Team Green Kawasaki (UK) was the result of hard work by Alec Wright. He passed away after suffering a heart attack at his home a few days ago. He was responsible both for the Team Green effort and for bringing true professionalism to motorcycle road racing in the United Kingdom. It is sad news for all motorcycle race fans...

http://tinyurl.com/yksm6zr

Now for something different - a new helmet technology which might reduce injuries to the neck and spine by 50% or more. This comes to us through the MIT blog and is a good read. The Pro-Neck-Tor helmet design differs greatly from what is no available on the market, but it could easily fit right in as the helmet shell can remain unchanged. This could be our future, so take a look as it could save your spinal cord!

http://tinyurl.com/yl9keg9

Thursday Morning Industry News - Christmas Eve Edition

There are only a few more posts here, but they are worth reading...

First, we have a report on a blog from someone who has been using the Bagster gear for riding in rather cold weather - read, freezing. They have a line of handmuffs which keep your hands warm and a heated apron / leg cover. The author takes both of them on the road and fins them well worth the investment if you have to ride in such conditions.

http://tinyurl.com/ycjzk4x

And, we get a report that British riders have voted Avon Tires' Distanzia and Gripster tires into the top ten of best adventure tires - over 12,000 votes were registered, so the sample size is very valid. It is a press release, but worth it if you are looking for some very solid tires to spoon onto your all-purpose motorcycle.

http://tinyurl.com/ybx2k62

The Siemens Smart Chopper is Destined for Where?

Well, that is for you to decide. You probably remember a few weeks back when Siemens and Orange County Choppers partnered up to create an electric chopper for charity...right? Well, even if you do not, you should go and check out what the dysfunctional family at OCC has turned out this time...Judge for yourself...

http://tinyurl.com/yad8zo8

Bell Helmets Announces 2010 Star Motorcycle Helmet

It is the flagship of the Bell motorcycle helmet line and will be available at dealers very soon. First of all, it meets Snell M2010 standards (as well as DOT) and has some all new design features. They have also added another graphic to the line-up - you should take the link and see it. It looks very good and word is that Bell is making a quality lid in the Star, so try one on and see if you may protect your noggin' with one of these.

http://tinyurl.com/ydqyfga

Australian Yamaha Off-Road Elite Training Program Very Successful

Over in Australia in 2007, Yamaha and Stephen Gall set up an intense training program for all Yamaha sponsored athletes in the nation - it was called the Yamaha Elite Training Program (YETP). The training program has provided for three championships in 2009 alone! That is what I call success. And, if you read the article, you will see how many other athletes have taken advantage of the program and improved their skills - and it not only helps off-road riders, but road racers too!

http://tinyurl.com/ybf8vlb

PR: New Ceramic Exhaust Coating - Zircotec

This is, obviously, a press release, so it is basically a written advertisement. But, I put this one here because the product this press release cover could be very useful to any motorcyclist - especially those with high pipes or under-seat setups. This stuff is not the prettiest addition to your bike, but it will protect you, your passenger, and your luggage against the heat from your exhaust system. If only the manufacturers would use it!

http://tinyurl.com/y95olbr

MotoVentures - Training for Trials Riding

That's right, the company MotoVentures is in business to train your ordinary motorcyclist how to ride a trials bike - those machines which seem to defy gravity and run straight up the side of a boulder. The classes are intense and it will tax every physical limit you have, but you will learn how to some amazing tricks. You simply have to read the linked article to grasp just how hard this form of motorcycle sport actually is.

http://tinyurl.com/yjop8ps

Harley-Davidson Recalls 2009 and 2010 Model Touring Motorcycles

H-D is recalling some 111,569 touring motorcycles for a problem with the fuel tank mounts. Models affected are unknown at present, but will include their touring line-up, CVO versions of those, and trikes. There is no specific information here, so you might want to contact your dealer if you have a model year 2009 or 2010 touring rig from the Motor Company.

http://tinyurl.com/yb96dag

AMA Partners with Extended Service Company ContegoDirect

Yep, the extended service business has really picked up over the last several years - this is probably due to the fact that people are hanging on to their vehicles longer than they ever have. Well, the American Motorcyclist Association has now partnered with one of the best of these companies in the powersports arena, ContegoDirect. The deal will give you US$50 off a new plan when you sign up. For all the fine print, take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/ylqael5

Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center to Host Female-biased Open House

This weekend, specifically on Saturday 12 September 2009, the Open House will be held at Scotts Valley Motorcycle Center in Santa Cruz, California. It will have a definite female rider bent as most of the activities are oriented towards that half of the population. This is a great idea as the number of women riders is increasing each and every year and they should be celebrated as any rider would be - so, if you can get there, do not miss it. Many local riding celebrities will be on hand to sign their books, a CPR class will be given, and much, much more! It doesn't matter what sex you are, it only matters that you ride!

http://tinyurl.com/yf4p7th

Have You Ever Seen the Martin Conquest?

If not, take the link below. The Martin Conquest was built out of a BMW R1150R for people with disabilities - it can be driven from a wheelchair and ca achieve speeds of 105 miles per hour. In Britain, this is business as usual - the government there really helps people who are less able. It's a real eye-opener for someone from the US, where we like to push handicapped people into the back of our minds for some reason.

http://tinyurl.com/y9byptm