Posts Tagged ‘news’

Motorcycle News: Upcoming international events and a flying motorcycle.

Posted: April 21, 2021 in Motorcycle news, Motorcycle Rides, Uncategorized
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Up Shift – Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – This year plan on your Dapper Riding to take place on May 23rd.  The format of the ride will be based on the COVID rules where you live and ride.  Some will ride solo, other on specific routes and some may even get to ride as a group.

The event has raised over $27 Million dollars for men’s health causes over the years and the organizers hope to pop the $30 million mark this year.  To help that along Triumph Motorcycles will be provide four motorcycles to give to the top fund raisers worldwide. Check out gentlemansride.com for more details.

My Take – I have participated in a couple DGR rides and raised a small bit of money for the cause.  It is fun to dress up and go for a ride, especially for a good cause! 

Check out this video of me leaving for the 2014 DGR.

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Up Shift – International Female Ride Day – This year plan to set aside May 1st to get your International Female Ride Day on.  This year it is going to be a fix of solo rides, socially distanced gatherings, and meetups in 120 countries and every continent except Antarctica.

 According to IFRD’s press release, “The movement places a spotlight on the diverse participation of women already engaging in motorcycling and powersports while inspiring other women to learn to ride and obtain their license.” It goes on to state that, even though female ridership has doubled over the last decade, women still represent just around 20 percent of all motorcycle owners, and the momentum needs to continue to advance the future of motorcycling for women and, arguably, the sport.”

The 15th version of the IFRD is using the theme (and hashtag) of #FocusFemaleForward to put more emphasis on the IFRD’s goals of encouraging new women to ride while aiming to move women forward in all aspects of motorcycling.

My Take – The 15th year anniversary!  Yet another reason to get out and ride… not that we really need one! 

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Down Shift – Flying motorcycle by Subaru.  OK I thought this was an April’s Fools joke but maybe it is not.  Multiple sources are reporting, including Motorcycle.com, that Subaru has filed for a patent on a flying motorcycle.

From what I can tell the wings and engines of the flying motorcycle would fold up similar to those on a airplane on an aircraft carrier. When flying the wings would fold out, the motorcycle wheels would retract and way you are off into the wild blue yonder.

My Take – Hooey

Motorcycle News: Lane-filtering, Supercharged Harley and Royal Enfield Racing

Posted: March 5, 2021 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing
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Up Shift – The State of Montana is now the third state to have legal motorcycle lane-filtering. 

Motorcyclists in the Big Sky State can overtake slow or stopped traffic by filtering between the lanes of traffic. But they have to stay at 20 MPH or below while doing so.

My Take – While I tremendously applaud the efforts of the motorcycle community in Montana for making this happen, was there much need for it? There are so few people in Montana how often will conditions allow lane-filtering?

ON THE PLUS SIDE…Other, vastly more populated, states (Oregon and Virginia for example) are also looking at legalization of motorcycle lane-filtering. Maybe the momentum is building for more states to pass the law.

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Up Shift – Harley Davidson my soon offer a bolt on supercharger for its V-Twin motorcycles. Cycle World is reporting that the Motor Company is working on the supercharger as part of it’s Screamin’ Eagle performance line. If you are not familiar with the Screamin’ Eagle line it is their in-house performance division that develops products (cams, exhausts, engines, etc.) to “hop-up” your motorcycle horsepower and torque. 

My Take – With the retraction going on at Harley Davidson I am a bit surprised with this development.  Harley has killed many new bikes designs, dropped out of racing and closed production lines so this new part is more the exception along the lines of the Pan American adventure motorcycle.

It will be interesting to see if it makes it into the parts catalog.

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Up Shift – Over the last few years American Flat Track racing has made quite a comeback, at least until Covid.  With the racing season to start soon Royal Enfield is joining the series with a factory sponsored team.

Johnny Lewis will be riding for Royal Enfield and the company is expecting good things to come from their involvement with American Flat Track.

My Take – This is great for the sport! More factory team involved means a greater chance for success.  But with American Flat Track on NBC and tape delayed how many fans are going to get to see Johnny and the other racers.

I don’t think that I am to different from the other fans in that if I know the outcome I am not going to watch the event.

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Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Somethings you might have missed in the last few months! OCC, Ducati, World Record.

Posted: February 12, 2021 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, Motorcycle news
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Hitting Neutral – Orange County Chopper is closing shop in the state of New York and moving to St. Petersburg, Florida. The following came from their Facebook page:

“And so, it begins, the next chapter in the Orange County Choppers story. Ground has been broken at the all-new OCC Roadhouse, Museum and Entertainment Complex in St. Petersburg, Florida.”

During a radio interview with WKRG, Paul Senior added some more commentary on the reason for the move:

“There’s more of a sense of freedom down there. I think I have more of a fan base down there in Florida and the riding season is nine months maybe even ten. In New York, you have a short season, maybe only three months or so. The whole thing makes sense.”

He added politics and taxes played a major role in his decision.

“Sometimes it’s just time for change, you know? Where I’m at in my life, it’s time for change and you feel the freedom in Florida, you don’t feel it so much in New York anymore,”

My Take – The last several years have been extremely hard on the motorcycle industry.  I bet Orange County Choppers have been hurt more than the big guys.  This move will reduce the tax burden and possible other costs.

This is a hard time which requires hard decision.  Good for them for making that hard decision. I hope it works out.

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Up Shift – Josh Herrin (racer with MotoAmerica) recently set a world record for the fastest motorcycle elbow drag.  He drug is elbow for about 100 feet (30 Meters) at 100.9 MPH (162.4 KPH) establishing the record!

The idea for this world record attempt came from a brain storming session with his sponsor “Fresh n Lean”.

My Take – Very cool!  It is also great to see a sponsor step up to do things like this in the motorcycle world!

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Down Shift – Armed FBI raid on Ducati North America. The FBI finical crimes division raided the headquarters of Ducati North America as well as the homes of some of their corporate leaders. To date, there has been no official statement as what warranted the raid or what is going on.  Ducati released a statement that confirmed that the raid occurred, and that Ducati was fully complying with the government.

My Take – Something that make you go hummmmm.   Is Ducati in trouble or are they the collateral damage from some other party.  Stay tuned.

Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News – Realignment in the Motorcycle industry.

Posted: December 8, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing
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Downshift – Realignment in the Motorcycle industry.

Suzuki – Suzuki Motor of America has announced a restructuring of US operations. Suzuki Motorcycles/ATV and the Marine Division will be split into separate companies on April 1st, 2021.

The motorcycle company will be headquartered in California, the marine company in Florida.

Kawasaki – Kawasaki Heavy Industries will spin off the motorcycle and “rolling stock (trains)” divisions as part of a major restructuring as the company faces a $47 million-dollar operating loss.

Hashimoto Yasuhiko stated that he hopes the motorcycle division will continue to build the brand and revitalize the market through collaboration with other companies.

Ducati – Volkswagen is again looking to sell Ducati and is hosting preliminary talks with potential bidders.  It appears that they are packaging Lamborghini and Ducati for a sell off.  Selling them together or separately is still unknown

Sources are reporting that the sale process may begin in early 2021. VW has not officially confirmed this activity.

Harley Davidson – Has dropped several new products, their new street fighter “The Bronx” for example, closed plants and most recently begin the process to pull out of India. Although now they are using Hero as a distribution partner in India and, in one article, will allow Hero to brand some of their motorcycles as Harley Davidson.

Harley also just pulled out of all factory sponsored racing.

This is all part of their new “re-wired” restructuring plan. 

My take – There is a major shift going on in the world of motorcycling and not for the better. 

Long term I feel that their will be a shrinking of manufacturing not all makers will survive. Governments around the world are pushing for all vehicles to go electric, but battery range for motorcycles just are not anywhere near comparable with fossil fuel engines.

Tie that with the Vision Zero desire to eliminate traffic deaths, which would require the removal of motorcycles from the road, and the on-coming autonomous vehicle revolution … can motorcycles survive?

So, I do not have a lot of hope for long term viability of motorcycling. Sigh.

But, there are a few good signs. Norton and BSA are going to make motorcycle again and both in Britian!

Reply to this post and tell me I am wrong.

Motorcycle News: Bagger Racing at Laguna Seca

Posted: October 29, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news, Motorcycle racing
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Upshift – King of the Baggers – MotoAmerica has a real winner with this new motorcycle race format!  The race had me smiling ear to ear.  Seeing motorcycles, that many of us ride, racing on a world-famous racetrack was so rewarding. It was also gratifying, if you listen to The DawgHouse Motorcycle Radio you know I have been calling for some kind of series like this for years.

This was not some kind of exhibition event; the bikes and the racers were there to win. With riders of the quality of Ben Bostrom (multi-time World Superbike winner), Josh Herrin (AMA Superbike Champion), Hayden Gilliam, Cory West, Tyler O’Hara, Travis Wyman are just a few of the many accomplished motorcycle racers.

Seeing these big baggers, literally, jump from the starting line and racing to the first turn hole shot was just spectacular. Then seeing the riders whipping the motorcycle left and right through the famous Laguna Seca corkscrew was a sight I hope to see again in the future.

Seeing these big baggers, literally, jump from the starting line and racing to the first turn hole shot was just spectacular. Then seeing the riders whipping the motorcycle left and right through the famous Laguna Seca corkscrew was a sight I hope to see again in the future.

Tyler O’Hara, on an Indian Challenger, even after running his motorcycle off the track was able to win with almost a 2 second lead over Hayden Gilliam and his Harley Davidson Street Glide.

My take – MotoAmerica this needs to be a real series!!!  Let’s get this on board for a 4-race series next year with the goal of getting to a 9- race annual event.

I would go with Road Atlanta to pull the south, Pitt Race for the North East and mid-Atlantic. Road America to pull the mid-American crowd and, of course, staff at Laguna Seca.  This will get more exposure across the country and pull more fans to the tracks.

Tyler O’Hara may have won the race, but the real winners were the American fanbase. 

Watch the entire race from MotoAmerica!

Motorcycle News: Supercharged Africa Twin, Indian Electric Motorcycle

Posted: October 13, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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Upshift – Honda Supercharging Africa Twin?

Honda has filed for patents, in Japan, for a supercharged engine.  From the diagrams it appears to be on an adventure motorcycle which would be the Africa Twin.

The mechanics of the supercharger set on top of the transmission directly behind the cylinders.  Air for the supercharger comes from a snorkel that opens next to the handlebars.

My take – While the diagrams are for an adventure motorcycle this kind of device would clearly benefit a lot of engines.  Look out Kawasaki, Honda is supercharging your way.

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Upshift – Indian launching a kids electric motorcycle.

The new eFTR is a kids size version of the dirt track FTR750.  Manufactured by Razor USA the motorbike is priced at $750.

The Indian eFTR motorcycle has two ride modes.  The “low” mode is for kids eight years or less old. While the “high” mode is recommended for riders 13 or older.

Ride time is 140 minutes in low and an hour for high mode. I did not see any comment on charging times.

My take – Awesome job Indian.  Anything that can get kids out of the house and on a motorcycle is a step in the right direction. The bike is rated for riders up to 175 pounds so that leaves me out, dang.

Motorcycle News: Baggers Racing at Laguna Seca???

Posted: August 18, 2020 in custom motorcycle, Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle racing
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Hitting Neutral ­– Harley on a new course – Harley Davidson Motorcycles changes course, again. Out with the old boss in with the new boss. Out with the old plan in with the new plan.

When the last Harley Davidson CEO was in charge, he put in place an ambitious plan of 100 new motorcycles in 10 years. 

The new guy thinks that is an overreach and ended the effort and has stating that 30% of new models will be cut. This is paired with a cut to production to “make them more exclusive”.

While the new streetfighter motorcycle looks like it may be on the cut list. Its engine sharing brother, the Pan America adventure bike, is coming out with the 2021 models.

The new guy also wants to drive up the parts and accessories business along with merchandise. 

My Take: Who is right? According to the board of directors, not the guy that got fired.  I thought trying to expand appeal by having different Harley Davidson motorcycles was an interesting idea.  Not sure where cutting production will help exclusivity when there are 1000’s of bikes on the used market.

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Upshift: The King of Baggers Race – MotoAmerica is adding a touch of the surreal to American motorcycle racing. Well maybe, in the age of COVID who knows.

If you always wanted to see American V-Twins race at Laguna Seca raceway, maybe this is the year.  Watching a mildly modified Harley Davidson Road or Street Glide swinging through the corkscrew is going to be bonkers at best.

The race is getting attention.  Drag Specialties is the King of Baggers sponsor. A bunch of accessory companies are getting in on the action, for example Saddlemen, the motorcycle seat and luggage maker, is sponsoring bike #87 in the race.

And Indian and S&S are teaming up to run a Indian Challenger as well.  It should dominate on the straights as it has more than a few cubic inches on the Harley’s.

Currently the race is schedule for October 23-25, but who knows if it will happen until it happens.

My take: OH HELL YEAH!

Hoverbike / Motorcycle —- How many hit points do you have?

Posted: June 19, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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I have been looking forward to flying cars and motorcycles from my childhood day watching the Jetsons.  The hoverbike is as close as we have come so far, at least for about just under $60,000.

But do I really want to be on the road, so to speak, with the same people I ride my motorcycle with today.  Holy krap, in gamer speak I just do not have enough hit points now let alone the ability to take fall damage.  PLUS, the four blades of a blender …. Gives me shivers!

The video above show that these quad-chopper hoverbike motorcycles can be ridden well.  However, the one at the bottom shows that it takes some serious training to get it right.

The police officer trainee walks away from the crash but DAMN!

Yes, I would, today, take one for a test ride but no way would I get more that 5 feet off the ground.  And, I would have to armored up even more then when I ride my motorcycle.  Humm maybe I would not ride one, but it the blades had shrouds maybe I would.

Still looking forward to the Jetsons future.

Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: The United Nations does Motorcycle Helmets?

Posted: June 16, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle news, motorcycle safety, Uncategorized
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Hitting Neutral:  Both the US, Europe as well as many other countries have their own standards on motorcycle helmet safety. This year the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) will issue new regulations on the testing of motorcycle helmets.

This will be the sixth version of the regulation and will go into effect 3 years after the regulations are issued. At that point it will become illegal to sell helmets that are not in compliance with the new version.

So just what does the new regulations cover?  (From the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations website)

Modular helmets – Helmets equipped with a movable or detachable protective lower face cover, will be tested with or without chin guard in position.

Sun shields – Sun shields cannot restrain or prevent the movement of the visor. On opening the visor, the sun shield can pivot in the working position. By means of a simple movement the sun shield must be able to be moved separately from the visor. Helmets placed on the market with a sun shield shall be tested with the sun shield in working position.

Reflective stickers – In order to comply with national requirements, the helmet may be required to have reflective materials. These materials can be delivered with the helmet, with proper instructions on where and how to apply them on the helmet.

Accessories – Helmets placed on the market with accessories shall be examined to make sure the equipment has no adverse effect and that the helmet and/or visor still comply with the requirements. Testing will be done with and without the accessory and its support with attention to energy absorption, sharp edges and field of vision. You are not allowed to modify the helmet from its original specification as manufactured. Accessories must be fitted in accordance with the helmet manufacturer’s instructions. Only accessories tested during the type approval procedure of the helmet keep the type approval valid.

High speed particle test for visors – To make sure visors don’t shatter when hit by something hard during your ride, they shall be tested with a steel ball at 60 m/s. The visor should not fracture or deform, and the visor housing should not separate into two or more pieces, or no longer be capable of holding the visor in position.

Brain injury by rotation – An impact test method of measuring rotational acceleration will be introduced, to test the impact on the brain when the helmet is twisted during an accident. To test this, the helmet will be allowed to fall, under specified angles and with a specified speed on to a rigidly mounted anvil.

My Take: As I am normally inclined, I am not a fan of regulations as too often it is a bureaucrat’s way of job justification that only adds to the expense of a product.  However, with the execution of one area, I do not see a problem with this update to the rules.

The problem I have is with the “Accessories” section.  I my mind I see accessory as anything placed on the helmet that was not sold by the manufacturer as part of the helmet.  I have a problem with that as it will be used as a cudgel against motorcyclists.

In Australia there is already a similar rule regarding helmet accessories.  Motorcycle riders are often pulled over and ticketed for have accessories on their helmet, click here for an example from “MotorBike Writer”. The primary culprit seems to be action cameras and Bluetooth communications modules. This new rule will infringe on the rider’s documentation and even their job.

 

Ride on, Ride Safe

Motorcycle News: Norton Going Out of Business? 1st Time Dakar Winner!

Posted: February 12, 2020 in Motorcycle, Motorcycle advocacy, Motorcycle news
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DOWNSIFHT: Norton Motorcycles May Not Last Much Longer – Norton has gone into norton“administration” which from an American view appears to be like bankruptcy. They have a £300,000 tax bill to the Queen; orders they can’t fill and internet rumors that they were taking parts off bikes in for service to put on the production line.
There was a lot of high hope for Norton Motorcycles recently with the introduction of Atlas and Ranger 650 parallel twins as well as a new V4. But the new plant for the 650s is not finished and may never be completed now.
MY TAKE: Is this yet another sign of the decline of the motorcycle industry? Sells are down even where the economies are good. Norton has been struggling but unless something starts a turn round, I think we will start seeing other manufactures closing shop as well.

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dakarUPSHIFT: An American Wins the Dakar Motorcycle Rally – Riding a Honda CRF 450 Ricky Barbec finished the 11-day, 5000-mile rally in 40 hours and 2 minutes! The rally was held within the boards of Saudi Arabria this year. Starting in Jeddah, Barbec took the lead in stage 3 and never gave it up.

MY TAKE: WOW and I never heard or saw it on TV or in the news. Sad