CurrentMoto: motorcycle safety

Showing posts with label motorcycle safety. Show all posts

New Website Aims to Help Make Riders Ride Safer

Though this does not make the same impact that a new, wild, high-tech concept motorcycle often does, the new YamahaChampions RidingSchool motorcycle safety website is an important new source of riding knowledge and should receive the same sort of attention. The instructors at the school led the effort - well-known rider, teacher, and writer Nick Ienatsch and AMA Superbike racer and teacher Ken Hill, specifically - with the simple idea being to "improve the performance of the motorcycle's weakest link, the rider." Every rider should at least have a look at what is contained there since riding is a life-long learning experience - or, at least, it should be!

PR: http://tinyurl.com/7rk89v6

The website: www.FasterSafer.com

Wooden Motorcycle Helmet? Yes, and a Quite Nice One!

Roof Helmets is not exactly a household name in the motorcycle apparel industry; those who do know them are often impressed with the small French company's ability to innovate and have no small number of compliments about the design aesthetic Roof applies to their helmets. Inside the lids Roof manufacturers, though, are the modern and thoroughly-researched safety features we have all come to expect. Their latest is an idea which was bandied about many years back but never seemed to actually materialize - a motorcycle helmet made from bamboo. The appropriately named Bamboo is made from the fast-growing, super-strong, lightweight wood and even manages to live up to ECE 22.05 certification. It is a 3/4-style lid with the 'Jet' look and even carries some e-cred with it. Take a look, but you cannot yet buy them in North America, unfortunately.

http://tinyurl.com/8xamzoq

Creative Marketing - SHARK and sak_art design

Shark, the world-renowned helmet maker based in France who built the very first carbon fiber lid, provided a helmet and sak_art design s.n.c. provided the paint. Out of that comes the helmet pictured here. If you do not have a smartphone, that is a QR (Quick Response) Code painted on that smooth looking lid. With a properly equipped smartphone, scanning the code will take you to the Shark website...nothing special, but it is new and it does have its own modern style.

http://tinyurl.com/4y77kmq

Some Recent Articles Written by Yours Truly

My services will no longer be needed by All About Bikes as they have hired a new full-time writer in order to save money (which is odd when you consider how little I was compensated, but what do I know?). Hopefully, I will find a position somewhere else so that I can continue this passion.

First on this list is a piece about Moto Morini rising from the ashes: http://tinyurl.com/3s9q6bw

One of my favorite engine stories, the Moto Guzzi V8 Grand Prix: http://tinyurl.com/3slbawa

And, final for now, BMW and their constant evolution: http://tinyurl.com/3z7v8zu

There are several more which have yet to be posted here, so I will be getting back on them soon. Bit by bit...

Thank you!

Another Helpful Link - Assisting Your Hunt for Insurance

The site here will be useful for understanding motorcycle insurance, what to watch for, which coverage is right for your bike, and will even clue you in to how your insurance rates are determined - from a high level.

Check it out: www.insuranceforamotorcycle.org

It is very new, so the layout may change. However, the data there will always be available.

BMW Recalls 122,000 Motorcycles for Brake Issues

The model at the center of the recall is the K1200GT and the problem is with leaks in the front braking systems. BMW issued the recall today and has already worked with dealers to get a solution in place for current owners. If you have one of these, or a derivative model, you should check with your local BMW shop to see if your bike is one of those which needs the service. Do not wait - this is a huge issue which could result in serious injury or death! For the details, please take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/2bov6jb

A Very Good Series on MotoGP Safety in a Timeline

Road Racer X has just put up a timeline series on safety improvements in the motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship or MotoGP. They start at the very beginning of the championship itself and will continue up to the present - and likely 2012 as the rules are being worked out now - with six parts. They are only up to Part 3 now, but all of them are available online for free. It's worth your time...

Here we will start with Part 1 as the next parts of the series are linked from there.

http://tinyurl.com/ygng9zw

Dr. Gregory Frazier Sets Up a KLX250 for Adventure Touring

We have all read Dr. Frazier's articles on his travels and on a huge variety of other topics - most relating to health - and I can say that I have enjoyed every bit of it. He needed a motorcycle which he could take to Alaska and head off onto the roads which are almost never traveled - and it had to be light enough to be carried in some areas. Dr. Frazier's choice for a reasonable mount is a Kawasaki KLX250 and this is how he managed to get it prepared...and then rode it across the northern frontier.

http://tinyurl.com/yl78cdl

Rizla Suzuki Unveils Livery, MSF Promotes Gladden & Sommerset Rebels Meet Complete

There is not a lot beyond a photo, but the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP team has now shown us what their Suzuki GSV-R will look like for the 2010 season. Riders Loris Capirossi and Alvaro Bautista will look good riding one of these...And, I almost forgot, Troy Lee Designs was at the helm of this design!

http://tinyurl.com/yzfwvku

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (USA) has promoted Robert Gladden to be their General Manager. Gladden was the MSF Director, Program Administration, before he was promoted from within. He will now report to MSF President Tim Buche and will have much more responsibility. To read up on some Gladden history, please take the link. He has had an intriguing path to the top.

http://tinyurl.com/ylyu6ny

The Somerset Rebels Speedway meet coming up a week from today is now fully set. After Suyfutdinov's confirmation a few days ago, we now get news that his fellow countryman Roman Povazhny will be joining the event as well. That means that the weekend is fully set and ready to go. If you can get to this meeting, you will not be disappointed - you will have one hell of an evening!

http://tinyurl.com/ykcwm9j

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 - 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 Afternoon Moto News - New Norton, Motorcycle Safety & Allstate Giveaway

The new Norton Motorcycles will begin producing their Norton Commando 961 in England. Of course, we all know that the original design was penned by American Kenny Dreer, but it is Stuart Garner who had the resources to finally get the marque back in the business of making machines of lust. The first 50 Nortons should get to the US this year - that's a good thing when you consider how long many of these people have been waiting for their 2010 Commando.

http://tinyurl.com/y9zfewc

The California Highway Patrol is pushing a message of looking out for motorcyclists all across the state. Of course, the target audience is auto and truck drivers (mostly auto) drivers. The MSF is quite happy about this work as you would expect - and we should all thank the CHP for the effort. It is better than being ignored as we are in other states...

http://tinyurl.com/yhz7qo8

Through a press release, the Allstate insurance company has announced a special giveaway. One lucky winner will win a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle designed by legendary bike builder Dave Perewitz. It will be revealed on 19 February (I will update this post at that time) and will be a Pro Street style machine. To enter the "Allstate Pro Street Sweepstakes" please take the link to the link...

http://tinyurl.com/y8udajk

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

Tuesday Evening Moto News - AMA Expands Think. Ride. Program

The AMA has really added some content to their Think.Ride. Program, which was launched last October. They have added videos, audio tracks and print advertisements - many featuring AMA Board of Directors member and well-known actor Perry King - all of which are available online. This is a huge program to help with rider safety and motorcycle awareness. It's good to know they are doing this and doing it right. All we need now is more media coverage.

http://tinyurl.com/yztwg9s

Friday Evening Moto News - Bikesafe London / MCN London Motorcycle Show

Making a welcome appearance at the MCN London Motorcycle Show this weekend at the Excel Center in London were the representatives of Bikesafe London. The sessions are designed to stress motorcycle safety through skills development, training and good old experience... and it reduces their insurance costs as well. Charley Boorman and Chris Walker were among the many rather interesting people who were at the show as well. If any more decent reports come through, they will be here...and there are previous entries as well.

http://tinyurl.com/yjgk2s3

Sunday Evening Moto News - Wayne Gardner & SA Historic Racing

Seventeen years after he retired from professional motorcycle racing, Australian Wayne Gardner is now taking the reins at the National Road Safety Council - also in Australia. He plans on working very hard to reduce the number of fatalities and accidents among motorcyclists on the roads of his home country. Gardner was also a Honda safety Ambassador previously, which helped him in landing his new job. Let's hope the World Champion can win again and again in his new office! Give him a good luck toast at the end of your next ride.

http://tinyurl.com/ylghnvs

At Killarney, a circuit in Cape Town (South Africa), the annual International Historic - a leg of the local Springbok Series - some very well known and rather notable racers took some exceptional machines around the track. There are too many to list here and too much to cover without doing a full story about it. So, please take what the very good author who published the article after the link says and you will feel that you were there.

http://tinyurl.com/yhhurwd

More Afternoon Moto News - Rossi in India & Yamaha Motor Japan and Australia

Valentino Rossi was in India a few weeks ago to attend a local show and tour around the Indian Yamaha dealers to spur more interest in their machines. While he was there, he took time to speak with John Abraham - a HUGE Indian celebrity - and even signed a book for him. The two spoke with each other about motorcycle safety and how to improve it in India. With the momentum provided by the high-profile meeting, they may actually get a message through to the Indian riding public!

http://tinyurl.com/ykvujv5

Some more from Rossi about the test and a bit about his future plans: http://tinyurl.com/y9d9zym

Yamaha Motor Company is asking some 800 employees to voluntarily retire - thus removing some 7% of their workforce in Japan. This comes on the heels of several reports of financial issues at the company. Hopefully, they will do right by the workers they are asking to retire and give them an excellent severance package!

http://tinyurl.com/ycfyy56

Even with the financial issues, Yamaha in Australia knows that you have to spend some money to make alot of money. The manufacturer will continue to support the Australian Off-Road Championship (AORC) and has signed again, but with some help from Motorcycling Australia. The AORC series is growing year over year and this will only help its stability.

http://tinyurl.com/y8tvlsj

Friday Night Moto News - Monash University and HART & Jake Zemke

From the southern side of the globe - the relaxed and cool part - we hear that Australia's Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and Honda Australia Rider Training (HART) are looking for riders (in Oz, obviously) who have been away from riding for five or more years and are just now returning to the sport. They are conducting motorcycle safety research and they will pay you AUS$70 for one hour of your time. Not only do you help your fellow riders, you get money to take another safety course...since you have been away for a while. There are qualifications, so please click the link to learn more...

http://tinyurl.com/yj478q8

As most of you probably know, Jake Zemke just recently wrapped up testing at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Well, there is much to tell about his time on the National Guard Suzuki GSX-R1000 race weapon. All went rather well, but there is more to do; just take it from the man himself and take the link.

http://tinyurl.com/yc9gsta

Wednesday Evening Moto News - Dainese Thorax & Suzuki Sportbikes

Dainese has just released another interesting piece of equipment in their 2010 line. Actually, it may have been looked over in their big press event at their San Francisco D-Store - there were so many other colorful bits and bobs, honestly. The Dainese Thorax Pro Ladies Chest Protector is designed to protect a woman's important chest parts (parts everyone wants to protect) in case of crash. This particular model is made mainly for track use - as it may not be comfortable for long street rides - but it is an example of how Dainese is becoming more and more of a safety as well as design oriented motorcycle (and other sports) apparel producer.

http://tinyurl.com/yfbf4rw

It turns out that the rumors are true - Suzuki will not be importing any 2010 sportbikes to the US. Some other models are included in this, but most are street-oriented. Of course we have all heard of the limited editions in other parts of the world - but Suzuki bikes are selling there, so it makes some sense. It is an unfortunate situation brought about by the poor economy. Let's all hope that some deals come around and they sell the remaining the 2009 models. It is sad that we will not get any special editions on our shores...

http://tinyurl.com/y8v7tk9

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