Biker News

Don't Buy From RideGear.com

2008-06-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Jay Green, who writes the "Road Captain USA" blog, writes about his frustrations dealing with RideGear.com, an online retailer of motorcycle gear...

http://roadcaptainusa.com/2008/06/28/my-own-jacket-quidick-fiasco-with-ridegearcom/

What started out as a purchase of a jacket, turned out to be 80 days of e-mails, phone calls, and headaches.

Kawasaki ZX14 Recall Notice

2008-05-21T14:38:00.001-07:00

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced today that Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA issued a recall notice on its ZX14 motorcycles due to a faulty rear suspension.

Below is the full recall notice...

Make / Model/ Build Years:
KAWASAKI / ZX14 / 2006-2007

Manufacturer : KAWASAKI MOTORS CORP., U.S.A.

Mfr's Report Date : MAY 12, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V222000 PE08021

NHTSA Action Number: PE08021

Component: STRUCTURE

Potential Number Of Units Affected :

Summary: KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2006-2007 ZX14 MOTORCYCLES. THE REAR SUSPENSION CAN COLLAPSE WHEN A CROSSMEMBER SEPARATES FROM THE FRAME.

Consequence: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A CONSEQUENCE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Remedy: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY OR OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.

Naked on Scooters in Bermuda

2008-05-08T19:12:00.001-07:00

These two guys ride their scooters on the island of Bermuda, naked...

The video describes them as "two drunk maniacs driving naked on motor-scooters with 50 miles/hours in tropical Bermuda".

Public nudity in Bermuda is illegal, BTW.

NASCAR 60th Anniversary Motorcycle Series

2008-05-07T22:36:00.000-07:00

Bruce Rossmeyer of "Destination Daytona" fame, has teamed up with NASCAR to create an officially licensed "NASCAR 60th Anniversary Motorcycle Series"

To commemorate NASCAR's 60th anniversary, Rossmeyer is creating 60 custom motorcycles, each individually numbered, to capture the essence of NASCAR.

If you want to buy one, you'll have to hope that racing industry insiders pass up the opportunity, because they'll have first dibs. Sales will begin May 28. But if you're lucky enough, each bike will cost $48,600, and will include a commissioned painting by artist Sam Bass, as well as a limited edition NASCAR 60th Anniversary leather jacket, among other stuff.

Here's the photograph that accompanied the NASCAR press release...

However, I question that this is actually one of the "anniversary" bikes. It doesn't bear the official NASCAR 60th Anniversary logo, and the fact that these motorcycles aren't scheduled to be unveiled until next week.

But here's a link to the full press release, and you can decide for yourself...
http://www.nascar.com/..../daytona.motorcycle.series/index.html

Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show Cancelled for MC Rumble

2008-05-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Daryl at Biker-Events blogs that the Ironhorse Roundup Bike Show in Grayslake, IL was cancelled by the police and mayor, claiming that they received a tip that two rival motorcycle clubs were planning a "rumble" there...

http://www.biker-events.com/....bike-show-cancelled-at-the-last-minute/

Those who did show up, were disappointed to find that the show was cancelled.

Apparently, no rumble took place.

The article goes on to say that the mayor was trying to prevent what happened in Laughlin, NV in 2002. But that fight wasn't planned, it just materialized on its own.

So what do you folks think? Did the mayor simply want to do away with any kind of motorcycle events in town, or was this a real threat?

How many motorcycle clubs do you know of that schedule their "rumbles", and schedule them in in the middle of crowded area, where police and security are all over the place?

Louisiana May Repeal Helmet Law

2008-05-06T14:26:00.001-07:00

Television station KTBS 3 reports that a bill that will repeal the helmet law in Louisiana may have a chance.

It passed through sub-committee today, and will now make its way to a full House vote.

This is interesting being that the past several months has seen the Department of Transportation Secretary putting pressure on all states to enact helmet laws, and that the media across all channels has been putting spotlight on the increase in motorcycle fatalities.

We'll keep an eye on this one.

Virgin Mary Road Rash

2008-05-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

Television Station KARE 11 reports that a biker in Monterey, CA has the image of the Virgin Mary on his road rash...

Marc Lipton said he was riding his motorcycle when he lost control and slid about 50 feet along the road.

Lipton said he wasn't wearing leather chaps at the time because he was close to home.

Lipton said he believes the Virgin Mary protected him from further injury when the motorcycle slid out from underneath him.

Do you think this looks like the Virgin Mary? I don't.

It's obviously the image of Hillary Clinton.

Jay Leno 9-11 Memorial Bike to be Sold

2008-05-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

I received this letter today from Keith Thomas regarding Jay Leno's 9-11 Memorial Bike...

Frank Davis purchased this motorcycle on eBay in 2001 to show his support for the victims of the 9-11 terror attack. Mr. Davis died in 2003, at the age of 39, while trying to save another man's life. Frank was deeply in debt at the time of his death. He had a large life insurance policy that was sufficient to cover his indebtedness and to provide support for his two daughters. Unfortunately, Frank selected an inappropriate benefactor who took the money and left the day after his funeral providing no support for his two daughters.

Frank's daughters have fought off bankruptcy, repossession and foreclosure since his death. Now the girls know that they must sell their dad's most prized possession, the Jay Leno 9-11 Memorial Harley.

The auction will be on eBay, and will start on May 7, 2008

It's a Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider, with the signatures of several of Leno's celebrity friends. It had actually raised $360,000 to benefit those victims of 9-11. I guess it's easy to see how Frank got into debt.

I called Keith Thomas today just to verify the story, and he describes himself as a family friend trying to help out the daughters. He was on his way to transport the bike to its last public showing in New Mexico.

If you'd like to inquire about the motorcycle, or help out the daughters, you can contact Crystal Davis at (575) 219-7586 for more information, or e-mail her at: frank_davis_estate@yahoo.com.

Update May 12: The Jay Leno 9-11 Memorial Harley is not yet on eBay for auction. I received a call today from the family, and they're planning to have it online soon. We'll keep you updated.

Harley-Davidson says, "Screw It"

2008-05-02T16:02:00.000-07:00

Harley-Davidson launched a new advertising campaign based on the phrase, "We Don't Do Fear", designed to address everyone's pessimism on the weakening economy. It involves placements in newspapers and magazines, as well as a new feature on its own website...

http://www.harley-davidson.com/screwit

The website says the following...

"Over the last 105 years in the saddle, we've seen wars, conflicts, depression, recession, resistance and revolution," reads the ad, which shows a helmeted rider on a Harley chopper silhouetted against what appears to be the red and white stripes of a slightly tattered American flag.

We've watched a thousand hand-wringing pundits disappear in our rear-view mirror. But every time this country has come out stronger than before .... If 105 years have proved one thing, it's that fear sucks and it doesn't last long. So screw it, let's ride."

Well, I agree. There ain't much for us motorcylists to do other than ride our bikes, and continue working.

As part of the "Screw It" promotion, they're offering limited edition "Screw It" bandanas. All you have to do is go to a Harley dealer, and pretend as if you want to buy a bike.

Thrill or Buzz Kill?

2008-05-02T15:50:00.001-07:00

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) released a new educational video called, "Thrill or Buzz Kill?", designed to make riders aware of how dangerous riding a motorcycle is. It uses some gory photos and videos of actual accident scenes...

And here it is....

It's not quite the same as the CHP's famous, "Red Asphalt", which largely shocked driving students into submission. Instead, it's more of a testimonial video, that has various CHP officers, and accident victims, to warn people that no one is invincible.

The Harley Sucks Website

2008-05-01T20:44:00.000-07:00

Clayton Koenig bought a Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster in 1999 from Bartels Harley-Davidson in Marina Del Rey, CA, and ever since then has had nothing but problems with it.

Not only that, he's had frustrations dealing with the dealer wrench. Haven't we all?

So dissatisfied with his ownership, over 5 years and 20,000 miles, he decided to publish his story on a website called, "Does Harley Suck"...

http://www.doesharleysuck.com/

Since then, other people have submitted their "Harley Sucks" horror stories, and Clayton now envisions himself as the "IT guy" towards providing the slighted Harley ~~suckers~~ owners a place to vent.

Well ok, I'm a Harley owner too. I've had warrantee work done on it twice already, and experienced other minor problems that were easily remedied. But if you go through the NHTSA recall database, you'll find just as much recall notices filed by Honda and Yamaha as you will Harley-Davidson. And there are just as many bad metric wrench shops as there are Harley shops.

Yeah, I know metric owners are going to say lots of great stuff about their bikes. I own a metric cruiser too. But the fact is that no company produces a well-made motorcycle anymore.

Props to Clayton for not sitting quietly and taking his lumps, however. But my advice is to change the format of the website to an actual forum, like phpBB, it'll probably be a lot easier to manage.

Motorcyclist Injured by Kite String

2008-04-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

A Pakistani news service called "The Post" reports that a man was injured by a kite string while riding his motorcycle...

A motorcyclist was injured by a kite string in Baghbanpura area on Tuesday. According to Edhi officials, the victim, identified as Azhar Khan, 45-year-old, father of four, was on his way to home when he was injured by a kite string. He was rushed to Mayo Hospital where he was in critical condition.

It didn't say how the accident occurred, but it sounds like it may have been similar to an accident that occurred a few years ago here in the States, where a couple of kids stretched some clear plastic wrap across two light poles, thinking they could play a joke on a passing car. A motorcyclist came by instead, and was killed.

Kite string, on the other hand, could have possibly sliced this man's head clean off.

DOT Blog Launches

2008-04-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

The US Department of Transporation now has its own blog called "Fastlane", headed up by the DOT's leader herself, Mary Peters.

Peters, pictured here, has made a name for herself in the motorcycle circles, because of her self-appointed campaign to get every state in the Union to make helmets mandatory.

You might want to bookmark this one, and post your thoughts and feelings everytime she talks about helmets. Or you just might want to introduce yourself right now, and let her know how you feel...

http://fastlane.dot.gov/

Via Bruce and Ray's Biker Forum

Used Motorcycles For Sale - Increasing

2008-04-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

CycleTrader, a popular magazine and website that lets people list their motorcycles for sale, reports that its website business is up 46.7% in April 2008, compared to the same period last year.

They credit their recent website redesign, and the increase in demand for used motorcycles.

Earlier this month, I mentioned that NADA Guides reported a similar increase in its online service.

Read the full news from CycleTrader...
http://www.newswiretoday.com/news/33498/

Sons of Anarchy Pickup up by FX

2008-04-30T09:37:00.001-07:00

Last January I mentioned a new television series, "Sons of Anarchy".

Today, the Hollywood Reporter announced that FX has officially picked up the series, and should beging airing this September.

Interestingly, the cable channel will have some competition with HBO's "1%", another motorcycle club drama series.

Then add to that, the summer release of the film, "Hell Ride" by Quentin Tarantino. Looks like this year is the year of 1%er entertainment. I guess all we need now is a sequel to Wild Hogs.

Ok, maybe not.

Read the full article at Hollywood Reporter...
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/..../b1141a5b478cd5cd5f17210f

Harley-Davidson Museum - Now For Rent

2008-04-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

The Harley-Davidson Museum isn't even open yet, but that didn't stop the Motor Company from taking reservations for private parties.

You can actually reserve the museum to host your wedding, corporate meeting, class reunion, or whatever you want. And yeah, you can reserve the whole fricken museum.

Their indoor facilities can accomodate up to 1,000 people, while their outdoor facilities can accomodate up to 15,000.

Harley provides all the food and drink.

According to them, you decide ANYTHING you want, and they'll make it happen for you.

As you can imagine this kind of thing is hard to put a price on, and as it turns out, Harley doesn't provide any prices on its website. But if you want to learn more about it, check out that website...

http://www.harley-davidson.com/..../events/overview.jsp?locale=en_US

Biker Chicks - Photo Collage

2008-04-29T21:18:00.000-07:00

If you like motorcycles and girls, or girls and motorcycles, whichever order you'd like, then check out this Flickr photoset...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/34748066@N00/

I don't know if the person who made these photos paired up each motorcycle and gal based on somekind of rhyme or reason, or if it just looked good together. But then, maybe that's not important.

It's mostly sport bikes, but I did find a Harley in there.

Via Motodisiac

Yamaha Scooter Recall - CP250 & YP400

2008-04-29T17:24:00.000-07:00

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report yesterday that Yamaha Motor Corporation filed a recall notice on its Morphous (CP250) and Majesty (YP400) scooters, due to possible water leaking into the fuel pump.

Below is the full recall notice...

Make / Models / Years:
YAMAHA / CP250 / 2006-2007
YAMAHA / YP400 / 2005-2007

Manufacturer : YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA

Mfr's Report Date : APR 17, 2008

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 08V180000 PE08018

NHTSA Action Number: PE08018

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 9,600

Summary: YAMAHA IS RECALLING 9,600 MY 2006-2007 CP250 AND MY 2005-2007 YP400 MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE COULD STALL AND BE DIFFICULT TO RESTART BECAUSE THE WIRE TERMINALS IN THE FUEL PUMP WIRE COUPLER HAVE CORRODED. WATER CAN ENTER FROM THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS END AND RUN THROUGH THE HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP COUPLER.

Consequence: IF THE WATER REMAINS IN THE COUPLER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE TERMINALS CAN BECOME CORRODED, WHICH CAN PREVENT THE FUEL PUMP FROM OPERATING PROPERLY. IF THIS CORROSION AFFECTS FUEL PUMP OPERATION WHILE THE SCOOTER IS BEING RIDDEN, THERE COULD BE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SUB-HARNESS WHICH IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW ANY WATER BETWEEN THE WIRE HARNESS AND THE FUEL PUMP TO DRAIN OUT BEFORE IT REACHES THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTORS. IF EITHER THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR OR THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTORS IS ALREADY CORRODED, THE CORRESPONDING ASSEMBLY(IES) WILL ALSO BE REPLACED. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT MAY 1, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT YAMAHA AT 1-800-962-7926.

Marines Killed on Motorcycles - A New Epidemic?

2008-04-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports that 19 Marines were killed while riding their motorcycles last year, supposedly the highest level ever recorded. In addition, 77 Army personnel were killed in the same way last year.

To help combat that, the military is lecturing its members on the dangers of riding motorcycles, what many refer to as the "don't be stupid" lecture.

Apparently, the cause of all this are two things: boredom, and lots of money.

Marines returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan are paid combat pay in addition to their usual pay. On top of that, many of them are able to save thousands of dollars by moving out of their apartments, and storing their belongings into a storage space, before shipping out.

So, when they come back to the states, they've lots of money to spend, and almost nothing to do. As the Press-Enterprise explains...

Military commanders say the deaths are largely the result of boredom, bonus pay that can top $20,000 and $30,000, and adrenalin to burn off after troops return from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Carbajal, 21, said Marines and motorcycles can make a bad mix.

Last Sunday, here in Southern California, the Marines sponsored a motorcycle stunt show in Twentynine Palms, designed to attract thousands of military personnel, and at the same time, demonstrate the importance of safety gear.

Read the full article at the Press-Enterprise...
http://www.pe.com/..../PE_News_Local_H_extreme27.42563f8.html

The Uno Motorcycle - A One Wheeled Motorcycle?

2008-04-25T19:58:00.000-07:00

Motorcycle riders already get enough flack from the government that riding on two wheels in dangerous. An 18 year old guy named Benjamin Gulak wonders if we ought to ride on just one...

The "Uno" actually does have two wheels set side-by-side, but close enough together they may as well be just one.

To make it go forward, you lean it forward. To slow it down, you lean backwards. It apparently is so simple to operate, that the only controls are an on/off switch. There's a gyro inside that tells the ECU how much to accelerate. Each wheel is controlled by an electric motor.

Read the full details at Motorcycle Mojo...
http://www.motorcyclemojo.com/articles/the-uno/

Bikers Blamed for Too Much Poop

2008-04-25T08:04:00.000-07:00

Next time you plan to vacation in Africa, stay away from Nigeria.

Apparently, it's common practice to relieve one's self of fecal excrement on public roadways, in open view of everyone.

As The Daily Trust reports...

In Abuja, the nation's capital for instance, it is not unusual to see adults stooping by the roadside and passing excreta, oblivious of motorists and passersby.

It goes on to say that this practice was once limited to rural areas, but is now a common sight in the big cities, thanks to motorcyclists...

The situation was worse when commercial motorcyclists were allowed into the city as they would park their cycles and stoop to answer nature's call nearby.

When it rains, the festering excretia is washed into nearby rivers and streams, which happens to be used as drinking water.

Biker Killed by Beer Can

2008-04-24T21:09:00.000-07:00

Fox News reported that a woman in Mohawk Valley, NY, was angry at motorcyclists speeding down her street, and decided to toss a beer can at one of them.

The rider, 50-year old David Rivera, was distracted by the beer can heading towards him, just as a car pulled out of a side street. He collided with the car, and hit his head on its bumper, and died...

Authorities say 57-year-old Georgeanna Crisalli was charged Wednesday with felony reckless endangerment for her part in the April 8 crash in Amsterdam, 28 miles northwest of Albany.

However, police are blaming Rivera's speeding as the main cause of the accident.

Read the full article...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352445,00.html

Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008

2008-04-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the tide could be turning in the age old debate of "loud pipes save lives".

Earlier this month, with little media attention, legislators in the House of Representatives introduce a bill, HR5734, know as the "Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2008", which will require hybrid and electric cars to be more louder.

The bill, sponsored by Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and co-sponsored by 12 other representatives, says that such vehicles are so quiet, that they pose a risk to the blind, perhaps suggesting that the green energy cars heralded by environmentalists and big-oil protestors, may actually be silent killers.

According to the bill's text, it will require the Secretary of Transportation, to conduct a study to determine the most practical means of alerting blind persons of the presence of a hybrid or electric car, by providing similar audible information that one might receive from a combustion engine car.

And then once the study is complete, actually implement a regulation that will require all such vehicles to have this noise-making device installed.

The impetus for this bill appears to have come from a study conducted by the University of California, Riverside, under the direction of Lawrence Rosenblum, a professor of psychology. He made audio recordings of hybrid and electric cars, as well as combustion engine cars, and played them back to people and had them determine from which direction these cars were coming from. He found that folks could make these judgments sooner when listening to the combustion engine cars.

Rosemblum went on to say...

"There is a real difference between the audibility of hybrid vehicles and those with traditional internal combustion engines that could have effects on the safety of pedestrians which need to be studied. Our preliminary findings could mean that there is an added danger with hybrid cars, particularly at intersections and in parking lots."

The UCR study, which was funded by the National Federation of the Blind, concluded that when hybrid and electric vehicles are running at slow speeds, such as in congested city traffic, or in parking lots, they are able to creep up on all pedestrians by as much as 40% closer than combustion engine cars.

As a motorcyclist, I'm left wondering why it is that the needs of the blind were not considered when state and local governments chose to get tough on loud pipes. Not just blind persons either, but it seems like the hard-of-hearing could be saved from injury if they could hear a motorcycle coming.

Apparently, several US representatives found it necessary to take action to spare the lives of blind persons against the deadly wrath of the hybrid car. Perhaps ABATE can now benefit from the same UCR study in combating police decibel meters.

Brain Damaged Motorcyclists Wanted

2008-04-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

Tom Brossart, the editor of the Payson Roundup, the local newspaper for Payson, AZ, published an editorial in his fishwrap today, listing out the top 10 reasons why having more speeders on local roadways might be a good thing for his city...

Now, we were going to urge our beloved readers to slow down out there. But then we got to thinking: Maybe we're missing something. So many people speed with such flare and persistence, that perhaps we're being narrow minded. So, instead, let us consider some good reasons to speed.

And of course tops on his list is...

1. We need more brain-damaged motorcyclist to serve as organ donors.

I'll bet that Brossart will argue that he was just trying to be funny.

Ok Tom, you were really funny.

Consider yourself lucky not having to need someone else's kidney.

Matco - Screamin Eagle Harley-Davidson Toolbox

2008-04-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Matco Tools is now offering this limited edition, Screamin Eagle Harley-Davidson toolbox, now until May 2008.

The special Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle graphics package is available on two Matco models: the 4225R, a double bay toolbox, and the 4325R, a triple bay toolbox. The 4225R box has 11 drawers with a capacity of 6,432 square inches and 25,738 cubic inches, while the 17 drawers of the 4325R box have 8,286 square inches and 33,141 cubic inches of storage space to secure all of your tools with room to spare.

The Matco Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle box is available in Talon Orange and Outlaw Black with black or chrome trim. The cost is $4,150 and can be ordered through a Matco Tools distributor or online at www.matcotools.com via the Matco Toolbox Configurator.