Archive for the ‘Motorcycle advocacy’ Category

Motorcycle News: National Motorcycle Day and Radar Braking for Motorcycles.

Posted: August 21, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety
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ijustwant2ride.com

Up Shift – National Motorcycle Day?!?!!!

Did you know there was a United States National Motorcycle Day?  I did not until after it happened this year.  Turns out that the second Friday of each is now National Motorcycle Day. Do any other nations celebrate Motorcycling with a special day of recognition?

My Take – I like this idea and the possibilities it could have for exposure of our passion.  The next National Motorcycle Day for the United States is July 24, 2024.  Although I would have made the day on a Saturday to be able to really plan events.

What would you like to see happen to celebrate National Motorcycle Day? This would be a good weekend to put on a Motorcycle Show for example.

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Up Shift – Radar-Linked Brakes are a new safety innovation for motorcycles that use radar technology to help riders be safer and less prone to be involved in any unfortunate mishap. Yamaha and BMW, with others to follow, has fitted a new radar-linked unified brake system on some of there new and upcoming motorcycles.

This new tool is designed to prevent riders from rear-ending vehicles if the rider is distracted or has not noticed traffic slowing in front of them. The system works by having three main elements that operate only when the Brake Control is turned ON. Firstly, brake assist intervenes when the system detects that a collision is imminent. Secondly, front/rear brake assistance adjusts braking forces to both wheels for stable deceleration. Finally, the braking system is linked to the electronic suspension, and as well as assisting and regulating front and rear braking forces it also adjusts front and rear suspension damping to maintain chassis stability.

My Take: I like the idea and concept but, I would like to ride a motorcycle equipped with this new technology before rendering a final verdict.

*****

Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle Recall July 2023: Yamaha Tenere

Posted: July 28, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle recall, motorcycle safety
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Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others.

Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.

If you are US based use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.

If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V472000

Manufacturer Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA

Components SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Summary Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA (Yamaha) is recalling certain 2022 Tenere 700 (XTZ7N) motorcycles. The front brake calipers may have been assembled with bolts that have an incorrect thread length, which can damage the mounting hole threads in the brake caliper.

Remedy Owners should not operate their motorcycle, other than take it to a dealer, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect the length of the front brake caliper bolts and replace them, if necessary. If the caliper mounting-hole threads are damaged, the caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 20, 2023. Owners may contact Yamaha’s customer service at 1-800-962-7926. Yamaha’s number for this recall is 990168.

*****

Ride On Ride Safe

Motorcycle Product Review:  Women’s Riding Pants

Posted: July 19, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, motorcycle safety, Product Reviews
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motogirls Kevlar pants armor

PRO

+ Comfortable

+ So much easier to get on the motorcycle, their stretchy.

+ Pants arrived in 2 days

CON

–  When the weather gets hot and sticky, the pants can be hard to get off.

–  Your foot can slip into the armor pocket

–  Sizing chart is a bit confusing.

My wife has been looking for armored motorcycle pants for a while.  What she really wanted was armored motorcycle pants made for women. 

She tried several brands and did not care for them as they were too “masculine” in appearance.  I don’t think that anyone can say Sherrie Leggings by MotoGirls has a manly appearance.

My wife purchased the Sherrie Leggins form Wind and Throttle which advertises the leggings as breathable and moisture wicking mesh lining, that helps let air circulate to increase ventilation so you can cool down and get rid of sweat more quickly. There are that, until you are off the bike and without the airflow to help evaporate the moisture.  It can be a struggle to get them off when they are damp or wet after a rain storm.

By the way my wife was also very happy with the folks behind Wind and Throttle! She told me they were very easy to work with and were quite accommodating before and after the sale, that she will be buying more from them in the future.

As far as armor is concerned:

  • CE & UKCA Certified Garment – AAA rated.
  • CE-Approved Level 2 knee protection
  • CE-Approved Level 2 hip protectors 
  • Heavy duty, stretchable and abrasion resistant
  • High Impact areas reinforced with 100% genuine DuPont™ KEVLAR® fiber

My wife has been riding with these leggings for about six months now and really likes them a lot.  She likes them enough that she is likely to get an additional set in the coming months.

*****

Ride On, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: More Motorcycle Bans in Europe – Why is your Congress member not on this list?

Posted: July 10, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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ijustwant2ride.com

Down Shift – More of Europe Banned to Motorcycles

More of Europe has now barred motorcycles from traveling along public roads. To limit “noise pollution” motorcycles are barred from parts of Pyrenees National Park.  There were no restrictions on cars applied.

The year-round ban impacts not just motorcycles but also quads, buggies and mountain bikes. According to what I read this ban on “particularly noisy” vehicles occurred without taking into account actual sound levels of the vehicles in question.

From the documentation:

  • Limit the passage of noisy vehicles to certain areas of the ZEPQA, taking into account the regulation of motorized traffic inside the park, restricting access to certain tracks either throughout the year or at certain periods.
  • Restrict motorized access to the entire network of forest trails and paved paths of the ZEPQA of Alt Àneu and Farrera, except the access roads to urban centres, by vehicles considered excessively noisy consisting of all types of vehicles such as motorcycles, quads, ATVs and buggies that are not electric, except those of registered residents, beneficiaries of livestock forest exploitation, public services and those duly authorized by the Alt Pirineo Natural Park and/or the respective local entities.
  • Promote the use of electric vehicles.
  • In addition, there is a specific point dedicated to ‘Carrying out awareness actions specifically aimed at drivers of vehicles that emit more noise: motorcycles, mountain bikes, quads and buggies.’

My Take: This is not the first area in Europe to ban motorcycles.  I have written several articles on this issue referencing the following:

Dozens of roads closed to motorcycles in Germany.

Some of the best motorcycling roads in Europe now ban motorcycles.

The Swiss are planning banning motorcycles from certain roads.

IMHO this is a continuation of a Vision Zero mind state.  If there are no places to ride motorcycles, then there will be no motorcycle accidents.  Call me cynical but the bureaucracy of the EU will beat down motorcycling over time

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Up Shift – Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) 2022 Legislators of the Year.

Representative Susie Lee of Nevada and Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin were recently honored as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) 2022 Legislators of the Year.

Representative Lee was instrumental in seeking answers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the profiling of bikers. Representative Gallagher was the lead sponsor of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) bill which was included in a larger transportation bill that officially reestablished the MAC.

Other pro-motorcycle Senators and Congress members

  • Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin)
  • Senator John Thune (South Dakota)
  • Senator Joni Ernst (Iowa)
  • Senator Gary Peters (Michigan)
  • Congressman Tim Walberg (Michigan)
  • Congressman Michael Burgess (Texas)
  • Congressman Troy Balderson (Ohio)
  • Congressman Darin LaHood (Illinois)

My Take – I am just so glad that we have some pro-motorcycle folks in our national legislation branch of government!  If any of these people are representing you, you now have an avenue to approach them for more motorcycle actions! Sadly, none of these are representing my state.

How do you Ruin a Great Motorcycle Road? Ohio State Route 555

Posted: June 30, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring
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One of the best driving and riding roads in the United States is Ohio State Road 555, better known as the “Triple Nickle”. This is not just my opinion it is also from Car and Drive and many other publications. Also 555 is also one of the Ohio “Windy9” roads and is heavily promoted, by the state, in many motorcycle publications.

Well, the Triple Nickle use to be a great motorcycle riding anyway!

Starting at the southern terminus of the road the road Ohio has “repaired” by the “Chipseal” method (or Tar and Chip where I grew up).  SR 555 is a ROYAL MESS.  I cannot recommend you ride a motorcycle on this road at this time, maybe in a year?

Gravel chips are everywhere.  Tight turns, and this road has many, can be dangerous along with every driveway and intersection.  When it gets hot the tar may become slippery if the chips have been removed by traffic or weather.

I don’t know how far north the chipseal goes as we turned off after about 10 miles. State Route 555 is just unsafe for motorcycles.

So, to answer the question, “How do you ruin a great motorcycle riding road?”  Just chipseal it, you could ruin it for years!

*****

Ride on, Ride safe

Terrible, just terrible!

Motorcycle Recall June 2023: Ducati

Posted: June 28, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle recall, motorcycle safety
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Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others.

Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.

If you are US based, use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall.

If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you.

*****

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V377000

Manufacturer Ducati North America

Components EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Summary: Ducati North America (Ducati) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Panigale V2 motorcycles. The dashboard could automatically switch from low beam headlights to the headlight daylight position lamp (DRL), in automatic setting mode. As such, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

Remedy: Dealers will update the dashboard software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ducati customer service at 1-888-391-5446. Ducati’s number for this recall is SRV-RCL-23-003.

*****

Ride On, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: BMW 1,000,000 Record and Harley Davidson 440X

Posted: June 22, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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ijustwant2ride.com

Up Shift – 1,000,000 BMW GS Motorcycles

The one millionth BMW GS adventure motorcycle has rolled off the assembly line! This motorcycle, built in Berlin, is the culmination of work that started it run in 1980.

The millionth model, an all-black BMW R1250GS  may also be one of the last R1200’s as the new 1300GS is getting close to production.

My Take – Congrats to BMW, this is a major milestone that should be celebrated.  The boxer engine still has life!

*****

Hitting Neutral – Harley Davidson 440X coming to market soon.

The 440X motorcycle is the “only in Inda” bike, made by the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world HERO.  A few years ago, Harley Davidson struck a deal with HERO to produce a motorcycle that can compete in the Indian market.  It appears that HERO did all the work and Harley supplied the name.

This new bike is propelled by a 440cc single cylinder air cooled engine. It appears that this bike is designed to compete with both Royal Enfield and Bajaj.

My Take: Harley Davidson tried to crack the Indian market on it own with the Street Models, it did not work.  Working with HERO to develop and build an “up-scale” motorcycle for that market is a good idea with little risk to the company.  Basically, they are leasing the HD name to HERO.

Like the Chinese Harley Davidson motorcycles, I doubt we will see these bikes in the American market.  They may, eventually, make it other markets in Asia. 

I went with “hitting neutral” because, while I think this might be a positive for the bottom line, I worry that if the quality standards are not maintained the name Harley Davidson will be globally tarnished.

Ride on, Ride Safe

MICHELIN Tire Rebate! (until 6/30/23)

Posted: June 15, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring
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Michelin and Continental are two brands of tires I have never used, so I don’t have an opinion on there products. But with an $80 rebate now might be a good time give Michelin a shot.

Get a $80 Visa Reward Card via mail-in rebate with the purchase of two (front and rear) qualifying MICHELIN Cruiser Motorcycle tires.

Get a $60 Visa Reward Card via mail-in rebate with the purchase of two (front and rear) other qualifying MICHELIN On-Road and Road Racing Motorcycle tires.

Get a $40 Visa Reward Card via mail-in rebate with the purchase of two (front and rear) qualifying MICHELIN Off-Road Motorcycle tires or qualifying MICHELIN Bicycle tires.

If you need new tires, or shortly will, you might want to take advantage of this deal!

You can check out their range of motorcycle tires on their motorcycle website,

How to be a Motorcycle Friendly Town

Posted: June 13, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle safety
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There are a lot of great locations, around the globe, that pull a lot of motorcycles to a town.  But what makes a town motorcycle friendly? I am discounting rallies like Sturgis or Daytona as those are all onto their selves and not, necessarily, indicative of being “motorcycle friendly town”.

I asked myself this question on what it takes to be motorcycle friendly and came up with the following items:

A town that provides motorcycle parking in public spaces.

A town that has good signage so folks will know where to go in town.

                    Signage that states motorcyclists are welcome.

                   Maybe a few “Watch for Motorcycle” signs too.

A town that provides maps, GPS files of local riding opportunities.

A town that has places where we can take cool pictures with our bikes.

That the town websites that indicates the town is pro motorcycle.

That the town supports motorcycle events like shows and rallies.

Then I asked myself, “Self what makes local businesses motorcycle friendly?”. Because how can the town be motorcycle friendly if the businesses are not? Business can be motorcycle friendly by:

          Providing motorcycle parking, covered if possible.

          Has good signage indicating that bikers are welcome.

          Has places where we can store helmets/gear while eating or shopping.

          Provides rider discounts.

          Just be friendly to motorcyclists, ask them what they ride, where they are headed.

          Provide maps, GPS files of local riding opportunities.

Website that indicates the business is pro motorcycle.

          Lodging business should, if possible, provide a place to clean the motorcycles along with a hose, bucket, soap, and towels

Those are the ideas that popped into my head.  Do you have any additional thoughts or suggestions?

Motorcycle Recall: May 2023 – NONE!

Posted: May 30, 2023 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, motorcycle recall, motorcycle safety
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I think this is only the 2nd time we had an entire month without a recall!!!

Be aware that this motorcycle recall list is for the United States for the last 30 days, there is no way I could cover the entire world. But in the world of global manufacturing, if a motorcycle is being recalled in one country there is a good chance it is under recall in others.

Also, this should not be considered a definitive list, check for yourself if you have any questions.

If you are US based use the NHTSA website http://www.safercar.gov. Enter your VIN number to see if your motorcycle is affected by the recall. If you are based outside the USA, use the appropriate website to locate recalls that may impact you

Ride On, Ride Safe

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