MMM's Last Issue

Way back in 1999, I met a pair of "kids" at a party for a long-defunct music magazine that, lucky for me, employed my daughter, Holly, as a writer/editor. I was introduced to Dan and Erin Hartman as a "motorcyclist," by the music magazine's publisher and we eyed each other suspiciously during the introduction. I was wearing the remains of my work uniform, a dress shirt, a loosened tie, slacks, and cowboy boots and they probably thought I was the prototype for Peter Mayer's "Brand New Harley Davidson." They were wearing black leather and I figured they were yuppie Harley posers with a trust fund to burn. We were, I think, both wrong and after discussing what we rode we hit if off well enough that our conversation went into the late night. Their complaint was that MMM was dying because advertisers weren't convinced anyone read the free newspaper. Nobody bothered to write the editors to complain about or praise their articles, editorials, and, most of all, ads. I offered to write an article that would absolutely get a response if they'd promise to publish it. The article, "What Are We Riding For?," appeared in the October, 1999 issue and I've been a regular columnist in MMM since.

As of the 2018/2018 Winter Issue, Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly will cease publication. The magazine hopes to maintain a presence on the web, MNMotorcycle.com after this "final issue" of the print version, but don't hold your breath. My favorite Euro biker magazine, Rider's Digest, went from paper to PDF to web-only a few years back and died a slow, discouraging death in mid-2016. The last "issue" is still there, August 2016, but advertising revenue just didn't happen for the on-line magazine. The UK, like the US, isn't a world leader in internet coverage, speeds, or even reliability. Being big believers in the "magic of the market," a good bit of the UK (like the US) is stuck in the late-90's technology-wise. The UK is a more motorcycle-friendly transportation culture, though, but that didn't help RD. It's possible that advertisers and readers will move to the webpage "magazine" and I really hope they do, but "plan for the worst and hope for the best" has been my motto for about 50 years.

Whatever the future may bring for MMM, I clearly failed in my job over the last few years. Hardly any of you are pissed off enough at something I've written to let the publisher know. Trust me, Victor loves to publish letters from people who want to fry the Geezer. If there had been letters, you'd have seen them. I almost managed to get 20 years of my silly shit in print with MMM. A few years back, Victor sent the MMM writers a really neat note saying that the Minnesota History Center had begun archiving the magazine and that's a pretty cool thing to know about the work we did with the magazine. It has been a good, long ride with MMM. I wrote 158 essays/rants the magazine published over 18 years, plus a bunch of bike, gear, and equipment reviews and a few trip articles. Most of the things I've done over my 70 years on this planet have had highs and lows. That wasn't true for MMM. It was all highs and even highers. I haven't loved everything I've written for the magazine, being my own most severe and least tolerant critic, but I have loved the opportunity and the experiences. I'm going to keep submitting crazy shit for the on-line magazine and as long as they'll take my stuff I'll be there.

Thanks for . . . everything.

August: The News . . . My Way

Sorry about the long pause. The news has been oddly less interesting to me since it stopped being a job function. I’ll try to do better.

Valentino’s Ranch
Three years ago, Valentino Rossi bought a big chunk of land near Tavullia, Italy, developed a good bit of the property into a dirt track he calls, “Rossi’s Ranch.” There is a fun video going around the web where he shows off his great track with some friends; Supermoto world champ, Thomas Chareyre, and Isle of Man TT movie star, Guy Martin. Of course, we’re all invited anytime we’re in the area. Just be ready to eat a lot of dirt because Mr. Rossi does not like being passed on his own track.

Wired Getting Wired for Six Months
Wired Magazine is doing a long-term electric motorcycle test on a Zero DS, dual-sport. You can read about the first installment at :http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/zero-ds/ and the follow-up will be interesting. Even more interestingly, the San Jose State University has put two 2012 Zero DS bikes into full-time service on the campus. The Hong Kong government has purchased 59 MY 2012 Zero S motorcycles
as part of Zero’s single largest fleet sale to date. Most of the units will be used by the Hong Kong city police, but a few will be designated for the airport security forces.

Congress Does Nothing for Motorcyclists, Too
“U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) are serving as co-chairmen of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus for the new 113th Congress, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The bi-partisan caucus, which has existed for many years, was formally recognized by the House for the new Congress. Official caucuses must register and be recognized at the start of every two-year Congress.
The caucus is made up of members of Congress who are passionate about motorcycling and who work to promote the interests of motorcyclists.“ This is the same congress that passed fewer bills than any group of lazy assholes in recorded US history. I can’t wait to see what they don’t do for us next.

The EPA Oversells Ethanol
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that demand for ethanol-related fuel probably isn't enough to meet the requirements of federal law and changes may need to be made next year, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.” The agency admitted that “"the ability of the market to consume ethanol in higher blends such as E85 is highly constrained as a result of infrastructure- and market-related factors. EPA does not currently foresee a scenario in which the market could consume enough ethanol sold in blends greater than E10, and/or produce sufficient volumes of non-ethanol biofuels to meet the volumes of total renewable fuel and advanced biofuel as required by statute for 2014. Therefore, EPA anticipates that in the 2014 proposed rule we will propose adjustments to the 2014 volume requirements, including the advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel categories."

In other words, there are more reasons that the damage done to motorcycles and pre-2004 vehicles (and, possibly, all vehicles) that adding more ethanol will result in a consumer revolt. Even with the Monsanto congressional connections pushing ethanol on us as if we desperately needed faster rusting gas tanks, damaged engine parts, and dissolving hoses, the EPA got the message and that is nothing but good for the rest of us. Fuck Monsanto and their corporate farm constituents. Now we need a few more stations selling E0 “blends” so we can keep the machines we own running longer. Now that would be an energy savings.

Elkhart, IN, Shuts Up Motorcycles and other Disturbers of the Peace and Discovers . . . We Really Are Hooligans
In 2008, Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore told the Common Council: “We are determined to eradicate noise pollution in our city, from boom boxes, broken mufflers, train whistles, loud motorcycles, and other sources by initiating a zero tolerance noise ordinance.”

The fines not only deter noise and punish noisemakers; they also fund the anti-noise program. Noise fine revenues have been used to purchase and equip three unmarked police vehicles, as well as to purchase dozens of black and white units with the latest computers, video, and recording equipment. Noise fine revenues are also used for anti-noise billboards and public service announcements.

Fines for noise violators in Elkhart are stiff:

• $ 250: first offense
• $ 500: second offense
• $1000: third offense
• $2500: fourth offense

Last year, Elkhart’s noise control officer did more drug busts than any other Elkhart police officer—and he was looking for noise violators, not drugs. Elkhart’s experience demonstrates the strong link between noise, guns, drugs, gangs, and crime.

Elkhart officials are enthusiastic about the anti-noise program. According to Police Chief Dale Pflibsen, “Elkhart’s nose ordinance has had a positive impact on the city’s quality of life.” Tim Balyeat, Elkhart’s assistant police chief, commented that “since the inception of the anti-noise program, Elkhart has become a quieter place to live.”

Bradley Vite, an Elkhart resident who led the campaign to institute the policy, said that “Elkhart’s anti-noise program is a great tool to reduce crime. Elkhart’s anti-noise officers have found meth labs, marijuana, cocaine, weapons, and individuals with outstanding warrants. Noise is a quality of life issue.” In addition, Vite noted that "noise has economic implications for a city, as it drives down property values.  Noise is a very serious health issue.  Noise is a growing concern throughout our country in the 21st century."

Vite concluded, "The actions of city government and the police have dramatically reduced noise. However, it is an ongoing, daily effort to maintain civility on our streets."

NHTSA Recalls:

Triumph 2012-2013 Speed Triple: Due to the incorrect engagement of the neutral switch and gear selector drum, the neutral light may remain illuminated despite the motorcycle actually being in gear. The operator may think the motorcycle is in neutral while the motorcycle is in gear. This could lead to unintended movement of the motorcycle and a possible crash. Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will correct the engagement of the neutral switch and gear selector drum, free of charge. The recall began on June 3, 2013. Owners may contact Triumph at 1-678-854-2010 for more information. (In other words, the idiot light will make you look like an idiot.)

Triumph 2012 Speed Triple & Daytona 675: The motorcycles may have been assembled without a guide for the throttle cables. Without the guide, the cables may move freely and become trapped in the steering stop, impeding the steering operation and affecting the driver's ability to control the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Triumph 2012-2013 Speed Triple ABS: The transmission on some motorcycles may have been built with an incorrect detent spring. As a result of the incorrect spring, the transmission may inadvertently shift out of gear while the motorcycle is moving, increasing the risk of a crash. Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised detent spring, free of charge.

Triumph 2012-2013 2012-2013 Explorer and Explorer XC: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating data on the certification Label is incorrect. Thus, the motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Part 567, "Certification." The incorrect label could cause the operator to overload the motorcycle which may result in handling issues and/or tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash. Triumph will notify owners and replace the labels with corrected GVWR data.

Morgan 2012-2013 3 Wheeler Limited Motorcycles: The brake fluid reservoir does not have a brake fluid reservoir filling warning statement. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 122, "Motorcycle Brake Systems." The operator may not be warned of the brake fluid reservoir filling requirements, which may result in a reduction of brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash. Morgan will notify owners and dealers will apply a brake fluid reservoir filling warning label, free of charge. [This qualifies as the lamest “recall” in NHTSA history.]

Zero 2013 FX motorcycles: A manufacturing defect with the sealant material in the battery may allow water to penetrate the battery and contact the cells. Water penetration into the battery may lead to corrosion of the cells, possibly resulting in a rapid temperature increase and off-gassing of the cells' electrolyte which may cause a burn to the rider. Zero will notify owners and dealers will replace the battery modules, free of charge.

Honda 2014 CTX700: Due to a manufacturing error, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) may malfunction and lose anti-lock functionality. The anti-lock function may not perform properly allowing for wheel lock up and skidding, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda will notify owners and dealers will replace the ABS modulator, free of charge.

Brammo 2013 Empulse motorcycles: The rear tail assembly bracket can fatigue and may allow the rear tail assembly to break off while riding. If the rear tail assembly breaks off, it could contact the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash. No solution has yet been offered.

Yamaha 2014 XVS950CU (Bolt) motorcycles: Slack or sag in the wiring harness may allow it to contact the exhaust manifold causing the wires to melt, and possibly short circuit. If the wires short circuit, the fuses will blow which may cause the engine to stall. An engine stall while riding, increases the risk of a crash. Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness and secure it away from the exhaust. If the wiring harness is damaged, it will first be replaced.

BMW 2013 F700 GS and F800 GS motorcycles: The side-stand switch that prevents the engine from running while the side-stand is down may become damaged allowing the engine to run with the side-stand down. The rider may start riding with the side-stand down, increasing the risk of a crash. BMW will notify owners and dealers will secure the side-stand switch, free of charge.

The News . . . My Way

Paul Young put me over the top with the first article in this month's news report, so if you're not entertained blame it on him. When the new Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly editor, Guido Ebert, took over the editorial reins from Sev Pearman he decided he wanted a more traditional news column. That said, he added, "You may not miss doing the news, but I think we’ll have readers that’ll miss you doing the section." Honestly, I won't miss that job. The pay was nothing spectacular and it was a lot of work; often a whole day out of my life each month. Worse, I felt that I needed to temper my own attitude on that column since it reflected the magazine rather than just me, unlike the Geezer column. With all that in mind, here comes the motorcycle news for May . . . my way:

Loud Pipes Will Get Your Weak Ass Strangled
A set of noise-makers got a Pasadena, Texas bozo strangled in early April. Chris McLain had about enough of his neighbour's loud motorcycle and the jackass's habit of riding across McLain's front lawn at 4.30am. When he complained about those two things, the biker-neighbour stabbed him. McLain's obvious response was to choke the biker to death. The biker-bozo's name has yet to be released by police. He was "in his mid thirties." Police and EMTs rushed McLain to Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute by helicopter. He's in critical condition for multiple stab wounds.

The police report said, "McLain's father said his son had no choice but to defend himself." The rest of us just say "good riddance" and hope McLain recovers soon.

Read, Fire, Aim - Our AMA at Work
Friday, April was the AMA's "Freedom Friday" somethingorother . . . celebration? Of the several items they equate to "freedom" is the freedom to terrorize, irritate, and otherwise make as many enemies as possible for people who actually ride motorcycles as opposed to the AMA's largely garage candy clientele. In that spirit, they whined that motorcycles are being "banned from public beachside parks, private gated communities or acre after acre of public land" and especially bitched about "signs that say: 'No Motorcycles Allowed.'" Clueless as always, the AMA appears to be completely unaware that their fight against limits on motorcycle noise, poor pollution and efficiency characteristics of most motorcycles, general biker hooligan behavior, and the fact that motorcycles have become mostly a rich kids' toy in the US is the core of the motorcycle image problem. "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Anyway, the AMA wants you to report motorcycle bans because, "We want to know about them, and we want to unite motorcyclists to block or overturn them." They also want insurance companies to be restrained from correctly assessing risk on motorcycles and motorcyclists. It's all part of their "freedom" campaign or something freedom-like.

April - AMA Go Ride! Month
In their usual clueless jibberjabber style, the AMA decreed the first two weeks of April as AMA Go Ride! Month. Are you clowns fuckin' crazy? There is a foot of snow on the road and ice packed into every turn. You assholes go ride. I'm staying by the fireplace. Moron Californians.

Maybe Riding Is Not Such A Good Idea
The first week of April was almost like a real April. The result was that a couple of Minnesota motorcyclists managed to kill themselves while the sun was shining.

Tyron Somaiah (23) of Crystal was "evading police at a high rate of speed on 694. He exited at Brooklyn Blvd" where he ran a red light at Welcome Avenue and was struck by a car. He died at the scene. A 57-year-old Brooklyn Center woman was injured in the crash and was taken to North Memorial Medical Center with minor injuries.

Anthony John Carlson of Lake Elmo was westbound on County Road 41 near Minnemishinona Falls when he lost control of his motorcycle and crossed into the eastbound lane and hit a guardrail. He was taken to Rochester's St. Mary's Hospital where he died.

Save the Corn Lobby, Buy Crap Gas
U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced a bill, H.R. 875, that would repeal the EPA's waiver decision approving the use of E15. The bill would require the EPA from making further "decisions" until the agency obtains some actual evidence that E15 isn't a stupid idea. Wisconsin, obviously, isn't a big corn state. Otherwise, that state's Republican representative would be all about forcing alcohol into our fuel systems. Who does Sensenbrenner work for, anyway? I didn't think there were any Republicans who weren't wholly owned subsidiaries of one or more corporations.

Why Idiot Lights are Called "Idiot Lights"
American Mental Giant (AMG), Jack Wilson, in an act of motorcycle mastery, crashed his Harley-Davidson (what else?) and tossed his wife hard and far enough to cause permanent brain damage. Judy Wilson suffered skull, facial, rib and scapular fractures and has a prosthetic skull and a permanent brain injury that often leads to future disability.

AMG Wilson is suing Harley-Davidson because he mistakenly believed his 2008 Harley-Davidson Road Glide was equipped with ABS. Wilson crashed on California's Highway 99 and told the CHP that the cause of the crash was that the bike's ABS malfunctioned. Unfortunately, the only hint of ABS his bike had was the space on the console where the ABS light would be if the bike had ABS installed. Wilson has Harley in court claiming that the icon and idiot light space fooled him into believing he was protected by magical ABS powers. Obviously, a pair of real (full-face, not toilet bowls) helmets might have been a better investment than the ABS idiot light.

Harley's lawyer said, "If the icon doesn't light up when you start the bike, anybody should know you don't have ABS . . . He should have known the bike's features after riding it for 15 months and 12,000 miles." Wilson sued Harley for the ABS icon "design defect" and hoped to win $3 million. A jury disagreed.

Victory Auctions a Playboy Playmate Autographed Bike for Charity
No matter what I do with this "news item," I'm damned. I'm just gonna say the three Playmates featured in the Victory catalog -- Raquel Pomplun, Anna Sophia Berglund and Ciara Price -- signed a 2013 Victory bagger "loaded with attitude and performance" for "Operation Gratitude, a charitable organization dedicated to providing material and emotional support to America's armed forces and their families." Nope, nothing more than that. I'm done.

Lane-Splitting Safety Guidelines
Supposedly, the CHP issued the first-ever guidelines for lane-splitting in California. I'm unconvinced this is a first, since it is exactly the same rules a CHP officer explained to me in traffic school thirty years ago, but what do I know?

"The agency's guidelines rest on a fundamental rule: a motorcycle is allowed to pass between cars in adjoining lanes of traffic as long as it does so safely.

"Safely" means three things:
1. A motorcyclist should split lanes at no more than 10 mph above traffic speed.
2. A motorcyclist should not split lanes when traffic is moving at more than 30 mph.
3. A motorcyclist should split lanes using the space between the No. 1 and No. 2 lanes.

"The guidelines are not laws. A motorcyclist could not be cited for breaking them, but neither could one avoid being cited by following them if he were otherwise riding unsafely -- not paying attention to environmental issues like lighting, weather and so on. An officer could cite a motorcyclist for riding recklessly, whether within the guidelines or not, said Sgt. Mark Pope, statewide coordinator for the CHP’s California Motorcyclist Safety Program."
My favorite section of the article was this little asside about ABATE: "Among the loudest voices was Steve Guderian, a former Ontario city motorcycle cop who is now the safety officer for the motorcycle rights group ABATE. (Formerly the American Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, ABATE is a political action organization with roots in the Hells Angels’ ultimately unsuccessful battles against the California mandatory-helmet law. Trying to shed its renegade past, ABATE now calls itself the American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education.)"

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Licenses and other Legal Crap
Alabama has been the only state in the Union that doesn't require a motorcycle license. Rep. Allen Farley, (R-McCalla) introduced House Bill 185 that would require said license. Farley has stated that he would also eventually like to see a skills test requirement. Currently, any Alabamian 16 and older with a regular driver’s license can also operate a motorcycle in the state. The law does not require an endorsement to operate a motorcycle.

Massachusetts may join California in outlawing "for competition use only" pipes on street bikes. Senate Bill 1663 would require every motorcycle built after Dec. 31, 1982 and parked or operated in the state to be equipped with an exhaust system labeled in conformance with the Code of Federal Regulations for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or aftermarket exhaust systems. The law would require the exhaust system label to be clearly visible without the use of inspection mirrors or other optical aids, or without removal of any equipment attached to the motorcycle. An initial violation would be punishable by a fine of $250; second violation, by a $500 fine; and third violation by a $1,000 fine.

Other states are considering laws that prohibit motorcycle checkpoints, children under the age of 5 years from being a passenger on a motorcycle, permit a motorcyclist stuck at an intersection controlled by a traffic-actuated signal to proceed with due caution, would create an aggravated offense for driving while using a video device, wireless telephone, or electronic communication device, authorize motorcycles to operate in toll lanes and on toll roads without the payment of a toll, to be equipped with a means of varying the brightness of the its brake light for a duration of not more than five seconds upon application of the motorcycle’s brakes, would make comprehensive motor vehicle insurance reparations (no-fault insurance) applicable to motorcycles, would permit motorcycle operators and passengers 21 or older to make their own decision with regard to motorcycle helmet use, and all sorts of dumb shit. Good thing we have government, otherwise nobody would think to do this sillyassed stuff on their own.

NHTSA Recalls:

Triumph Motorcycles 2012-2013 Daytona 675, Street Triple, Speed Triple, and Tiger 800 motorcycles: Due to a manufacturing error, the turn signal stems on the front and rear of the motorcycle may fracture. If the turn signal stems break, the turn signals may not be visible to other vehicles on the road, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Triumph will notify owners and dealers will replace the turn signal stems, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during April 2013.

Yamaha 2009 YW125 (Zuma 125) scooters manufactured between July 2008 and April 2009: Due to possible improper clearances in the internal fuel pump components. These improper clearances may cause an inadequate supply of fuel. The limited fuel supply could cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Yamaha will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump with a newly designed fuel pump. The recall began on February 27, 2013.

Zhejiang Jixiang Helmets JIXJX-B210: It's hard to find recalls to laugh about, but the April recall of the Zhejiang Jixiang JIXJX-B210 series of clownish toilet bowls hit that mark. NHTSA says "the affected helmets failed to conform to the impact attenuation, penetration, labeling and retention requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard # 218." So, if you somehow lose your balance and fail to skid down the road exactly on the top of your head (the only part of your empty skull these joke helmets pretended to protect), you're just as screwed as you will be in every other kind of crash.

March: All the News that Didn't Fit

Last One

The winds of change have caught me, again. This time, they are blowing in the same direction I'm traveling. MMM has a new editor, is taking a new direction, and will look a lot different in the future. I discovered, a little late, that I'm not doing the All the News that Fits column, beginning the first issue of this year. I am not sad, upset, or sorry. It's a hard column to write and it might be obvious from the tone I take to the news that I'm tired of doing it. Most motorcycle "news" is pretty much corporate drivel and about as believable as White House press reports (no matter who is in the White House). So, when Harley, BMW, Ducati, Honda, or whoever dumps some of their gruel into the press hopper, I grind it up a little before redistributing it. What Americans appear to want is "happy talk" and I rarely believe happy talk coming from anyone. Especially me.

With the deadline pressure off, I might find that looking at the news and reporting it from my pissed off perspective is fun. We'll see. Whatever happens, it will be happening here from now on. Thanks for watching!
 

KTM Buys Husky

After a brief (6 years) and confusing off-road adventure, BMW decided to return to paved civilization and put Husqvarna Motorcycles S.R.L up for sale. The buyer is, semi-surprisingly, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer's investment company, Pierer Industrie AG. If you're old enough to remember the vintage-yearss enduro and motorcross battles between Penton (KTM's original US importer) and Husqvarna, this is a confusing turn of events for both brands. Relatively speaking, Husky had a pretty good year in 2012, producing 10,751 motorcycles, up 15.8%. Obviously, that wasn't good enough for the 100,000-unit-sales BMW mothership.

Presumably, the new conglomerate will be something like "KTM/Husaberg/Husqvarna." Pierer and his company successfully took KTM from bankruptcy court to the all-purpose off-road-to-roadracer juggernaut that it is today. Fans of the Swedish-turned-Italian brand (production moved to Varese, Italy during the period when Cagiva owned Husky), can only hope this is a good move for the historic off-road motorcycle company and not an opportunity for KTM to eliminate EU competition in that market.

Minnesota Motorcycle Road Guard Certificate

The state is in the final stages of officially recognizing one of the least-loved motorcycle behaviors; pirate parades. The newly semi-deputized Motorcycle Road Guards will have the authority to hold up productive traffic so that miles of slow moving parade participants can crawl through cities and towns emitting volumes of noise and air pollution and solidifying general public opinion into a unified "I hate motorcycles" atmosphere for every solitary motorcyclist who happens to follow the parade route for weeks afterwards. Way to go Minnesota legislature!

Commuting Wastes Time & Money, Who Knew?

In an amazing demonstration of how long it takes for a few dozen PhD's to screw in a light bulb, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) published the results of their annual Urban Mobility Report (UMR) to the amazement of the barely-conscious major media. It turns out (wait for it) that Americans blew an average of $818 each sitting in traffic in 2011. And that was a "good year," due to the traffic reduction effects of the 2nd Great Depression. On average, Americans allow an hour for what ought to be a 20 minute commute for a grand total of $121B in wasted time and energy costs.

Bill Eisele, a TTI researcher and report co-author noted, “As bad as traffic jams are, it’s even more frustrating that you can’t depend on traffic jams being consistent from day-to-day. This unreliable travel is costly for commuters and truck drivers moving goods.” A secondary cost of slow-moving traffic is the estimated 380 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per auto commuter contributed to the atmosphere (for a grand total of 56 billion pounds annually).

If US motorcyclists weren't wasting political energy and clout on divisive issues like opposing helmet laws and jacking-up right-of-way violation penalties, we could offer a solution to congestion in a substantial number of urban areas with lane-sharing and lane-splitting. A 2012 Belgian consultancy Transport & Mobility Leuven study found that 10% percent of cars were replaced by motorcycles commuting time for all vehicles decreased by 40% and total emissions were reduced by 6%. That study claimed that a 25% shift from cars to motorcycles would eliminate congestion. It has been estimated that with lane-sharing and filtering introduced into the formula, if only 1% of freeway traffic swapped their cages for motorcycles and scooters, traffic congestion would be significantly reduced.

CHP Defines and Recommends Lane Splitting

After years of rumor and inuendo, The California Highway Patrol has published a lane-splitting guide and initiated a public awareness campaign to educate riders and drivers about the long-accepted, commute-time-busting practice (http://www.chp.ca.gov/programs/lanesplitguide.html.). If nothing else positive comes from this information, the clinically and chronically uninformed will

Here They Come (and There We Go?)

The Autonomous Vehicle Act of 2012 (B-931), introduced by Councilwoman Mary M. Cheh, would allow self-driving cars to allowed to operate on Washington, D.C., roads The bill provides for vehicle designation for registration, titling and operation permit purposes, and establish safe operating protocols for such vehicles. Autonomous vehicles are the hot issue all over the EU and Japan and are expected to begin to displace piloted cars and trucks in the next decade or two. Obviously, motorcycles are incompatible with computer-controlled traffic systems.

Legislative Foolishness Around the Nation

Florida State Rep. Ritch Workman wants to eliminate the state's motorcycle handlebar height restriction ("no higher than the top of the shoulders of the person operating the motorcycle while properly seated upon the motorcycle"). Ohio's State Senator John Kasich sponsored a bill that changed the maximum height of motorcycle handlebars from 15 inches above the operator’s seat to no higher than the operator's shoulder height. Kasich's bill also created a “cab-enclosed motorcycle” classification for two- or three-wheeled vehicles having an occupant compartment top that is either permanent or removable.

Kentucky State Rep. Kelly Flood wants to label motorcyclists "vulnerable users of a public roadway" to add "enhanced penalties" for anyone convicted of, or pleading guilty to, a collision resulting in serious injury or death to a vulnerable roadway user. (I wonder if there will be a Special Olympics for "vulnerable roadway users?" Are old motorcyclists "venerable vulnerable roadway users?") Rhode Island, Missouri, and New York all have proposed legislation that would enhance penalties for motor vehicle violations at intersections and right-of-way violations that result in serious bodily injury or death.

Maine State Rep. Paulette Beaudoin is trying to require helmets for "all motorcycle operators and passengers" in that state. State senators in Nebraska (Dave Bloomfield) and New York (Michael Nozzolio) are trying to repeal those states' helmet laws. The Virginia legislature sidelined it's attempted repeal of the state's helmet law after opposition from the Virginia State Police, local chiefs of police, fire chiefs, volunteer rescue squads,

New York Senator William J. Larkin is attempting to outlaw wheelies, stoppies, and any airborne motorcycle activity.

New York Assembly Member Thomas J. Abinanti wants to prohibit any passenger vehicle (including motorcycles) from "idling its engine more than three consecutive minutes under certain conditions when the vehicle is stopped."

As always, MMM applauds these fine states and officials for having resolved all of their states' critical economic, environmental, and criminal problems, resulting in lots of spare time to spend on these inconsequential motorcycle transportation issues.

Crazy People Scoff at Common Sense

Refugees from MMM dominated the Watertown, SD, 2013 Groundhog Road Enduro in mid-January. Off-roading promoter and all-around-tough-guy Lee Bruns and the rest of the STFU M/C hosted this frosty inaugural event. Either the reputations of the Minnesota contingent frightened off the locals or common sense kept them near their fireplaces and far away from their motorcycles, because "no locals" turned out to suffer the event. Lee's description of the weather was "Ice, wind, snow. No fun. " Bruce Mike, MMM's editor won. Rick Ashton took second. Former Sev Pearman took third. Only 1-point separated 1st and 2nd! The riders were polled at halftime and they unanimously decided to call it a day.

Total miles driven to/from event: 425

Total motorcycle miles ridden: 27

Satisfaction derived from staying home and warm: Priceless

Be Like Steve

In case you're a slave to fashion, but adverse to actually getting dirty or riding a real motorcycle the folks at Barbour have produced exactly what you need: a MacGrain Waxed Jacket that is a replica of the 1964 ISDT team jacket Steve McQueen wore for that event. The key feature of this reissue is the "mud-splattered design made of rubber compounded mud, made to match the mud marks on Steve's original jacket." (Personally, I'd rather have a replica of the jacket Bruce Mike wore at the 2013 Groundhog Road Enduro, with an ice-coated design made to match the frozen slabs of ice on his event-winning gear.)

A 250CC Triumph?

Triumph is building a new manufacturing site in facility in Narasapur, India, near the city of Bangalore where the company expects to be producing 250,000 bikes per year by 2015 and double that number when production is fully operational and the company's Asian marketing and distribution are up to speed. The new facility's first products will be twin-cylinder 250cc motorcycles.

Making Enemies and Spreading the Love

Sportbike gangbangers, Hector Martinez and Paige Hernandez, and at least 100 of their biker buddies put on a demonstration of arrogance and vandalism in late January when the wild bunch shut down L.A.'s I10 freeway traffic for about ten minutes. As rush hour traffic backed up for miles, Martinez proposed to Hernandez and the the pair's punk friends stunted, smoked up the California air with colorful burnouts, and generally made nuisances of themselves. While some of us imagine the wonderful future for motorcycles as a practical vehicle, these zombies do their damnedest to make sure that 99.999% of the population hate motorcycles and motorcyclists. Good job, douchebags.

Sidesaddle That Bike

The Indonesian town of Lhokseumawe has banned female passengers from straddling motor bikes, as passengers or riders. “We want to save women from things that will cause them to violate Shariah law. We wish to honor women with this ban, because they are delicate creatures,” said Lhokseumawe mayor Suaidi Yahya.

The loony mayor said an aspect of the law is to discourage women from wearing pants. “It will be easier for women to avoid straddling motorcycles if all of them wear skirts.” Sounds like a plan to convince all of the smart people in Lhokseumawe to move somewhere else. A lot of the Midwest and most of the South tried that tactic and the braindrain those places suffered as a result created the Teatards.

Making Up for Lost Time by Losing Time

The "good years" of slightly lowered Minnesota motorcycle death rates are over, which might be a sign that we're experiencing some economic recovery or just a side-effect of last year's mild winter and early spring. Whatever the cause, in 2012 Minnesota cycle fatalities were up 26%, for a total of 53 motorcyclist deaths; compared to 2011'S 42 deaths. The state has a record-high 230,000 registered two-wheelers and approx. 400,000 licensed operators (7.5% of the population).

NTSA Motorcycle Recalls

Triumph 2011-2012 Daytona 675, Street Triple, and 2012 Thunderbird and Thunderbird Storm motorcycles : Wheel bearings of poor quality could fail unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a motorcycle crash. Triumph will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected bearings free of charge.

Continental Tire ContiMotion motorcycle tires, size 180/60R16 M/C 74H: Sold as replacement equipment for Honda GoldWing 1800 motorcycles, some of these tires may experience uneven wear, groove cracking, and belt lift. This could result in a loss of inflation pressure. Continental Tire will notify owners and reimburse customers for the affected tires.

Triumph 2013 Trophy motorcycles: These motorcycles were produced with a label bearing incorrect tire data, which could cause users to install incorrect replacement tires, increasing the risk of personal injury. None of the affected motorcycles have been sold to consumers and they will be repaired prior to sale.

All the News that Didn't Fit

Our Motorcycle "Community"

Paula L. Larson, 42, of Bethel, was charged with two counts of criminal-vehicular homicide in Anoka County. Police charge that she was responsible for the deaths of John A. Jordan, 48, and Patricia L. Kalla, 46 when she made "an unknown maneuver" on Viking Boulevard (Country Road 22) that resulted in the motorcycle, probably driven by Jordan, striking the driver's side door after leaving substantial skid marks before the impact. Initial breath tests found Larson's blood alcohol to be 0.195%, more than twice the legal limit. Both motorcyclists were dead at the scene. Neither were wearing helmets.

Possibly the most disturbing aspect of this crash was that a witness at the scene saw two other motorcyclists riding with Jordan and Kalla. After they circled back to see what had happened, one of the riders exclaimed, "Oh my god!" They quickly did another U-turn and "took off west down Highway 65."

Better than 2011

The nonprofit trade association, Motorcycle Industry Council, announced that sales for scooters and motorcycles was up almost 9% for the first half of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011.  441,000 off--and-on-road bikes were sold in 2011, down from 950,000 in 2007.

New York Magic Act

Back in July, the New York City police commissioner and Manhattan district attorney put on a big show about having snagged a gang of motorcycle thieves who had plagued the city's motorcyclists for several years. The city officials were all ready to show off the 63 motorcycles they had recovered in a major press event when they discovered that seven of the recovered motorcycles had been stolen from the police impound lot.

Paul J. Browne, the chief police spokesman, provided an e-mail explanation for the disappearance, ''The lot is fenced, but not locked or not guarded in the sense that there are guards, private or otherwise.''  That does seem to be a pretty good definition of "unguarded," but it doesn't explain how disabled and wheel-locked motorcycles were removed from a police impound.

The 33 suspects in the original thefts were still behind bars at the time of the theft, so they probably didn't re-steal the bikes. In fact, the current theory is that this was an inside job. That has to a comforting thought for New York motorcyclists.

NTSA Motorcycle Recalls

Ducati 1199 Panigale 2012-2013: On the heels of five Panigal recalls earlier this summer, Ducati announced another recall due to improper attachment of the rear suspension to the swingarm that could cause a “catastrophic suspension collapse [to] occur and adversely affect the ability to safely handle the motorcycle, increasing the risk of a crash.”

All the News that Didn't Fit

Good News/Bad News

The good news is the economy is clawing back toward "normal," as first quarter 2012 US scooter and motorcycle sales are up 9%. The bad news is that we have a long way to go to get back to pre-depression sales. 2007 two-wheel vehicle sales were around 950,000 units and 2011 sales were at 441,000 on and off-road units.

Hoka Hey Payoff

The Harley long distance event continues to provide entertainment as the 2010 and 2011 "winner," William Barclay filed a suit against Hoka Hey organizers Jim and Beth Durham and "the Medecine Show Land Trust.” The Durhams "disqualified" all 11 2011 finishers from receiving the $250,000 cash and $40,000 motorcycle first prize. Barclay is asking for $5.29 million in damages, plus attorney fees and court costs. The 2009 and 2010 payoff was just as messed up, so this is nothing new for the Durhams. The 2012 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge is supposed to start on August 5. How many suckers will line up for a pie-in-the-sky this year? For that matter, Barclay is probably trying to get blood out of turnips.

Arrested for "Obstruction of Revenue"

Natalie Plummer, a Houston Texas bicyclist, fed up with her city's less-that-subtle revenue generating tactics (read "new taxes"), scrawled "Speed Trap" on a paper bag to warn fellow citizens of a road hazard ahead. The Houston cops threw a tantrum, forcibly searched her backpack, arrested her on a trumped up "felony obstructing justice" charge. Since that was clearly bogus, she was eventually charged with 'walking on the roadway" after being jailed for 12 hours. It's impressive that the Houston cops have solved all of the city's real crimes and have so much time on their hands for stuff like this.  

All The News that Didn't Fit

Can 4 Wheels be a Cycle?

South African company, Swago Motor, is producing a product they are calling a "four-wheeled leaning motorcycle" (also known called a motorized quadricycle). The model is the 575 EVR-1 and it is sort of like a trike for the handicapped. It cruises at 65mph with a 24 mile range, has all-wheel independent suspension, dual hydraulic disk brakes, dual rear-wheel direct drive electric motors with electronic torque control, takes 6 hours to charge, and will lean up to 42 degrees. It's still not a motorcycle, though.

Harley is in India, Sort of

Not long ago, HD opened up a new "mother plant" in Bawal, Haryana. Soon afterwards, there was a lot of talk about an "INR 3-4 lakh Harley Davidson" developed specifically for the huge Indian market. However, Harley Davidson India CEO Anoop Prakash made it absolutely clear that there will be no sub-800cc Harley products coming from his factory. The Company is trying to target emerging economies' younger buyers in India, Brazil and South East Asia. without a product aimed at that market's preferences, it will be tough for HD to make much of dent in those highly competitive markets. 

All the News That Didn't Fit

Aurora Motorcyclist Recalls Going Airborne in Intersection

If you Google this item's title, you can see one of the most convincing arguments for going AGAT (all the gear, all the time) ever presented. The Denver Post website article includes the video from a traffic-cam recording of a motorcyclist being broadsided by a car that ran a light into heavy intersection traffic. The motorcyclist, Greg Edwards, suffered "a fractured femur, fractured ankle, chipped teeth and a gash on his lip that required six stitches," but he survived flying through air, landing on his head, and is healthy enough to talk about the experience.

MSP Gives Up on Motorcycles, Again

The Minnesota State Patrol has, for the second time in sixty years, to give up on its motorcycle fleet. The two-wheeled unit was revived in 2007, 58-years after the last time Minnesota had a MiPS squad. The state patrol Chief said, "We decided not to put motorcycles on the road this year due to increased training costs, a concern for trooper safety, and a lack of troopers interested in volunteering for the unit." The first of five bikes went up for auction April 21 and sold for $13,100. The ad read:

2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON ELECTRA-GLIDE, 20207 miles

MOTORCYCLE, 100TH ANNIVERSARY POLICE EDITION, 103 CI MOTOR, 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION, ABS BRAKES, SINGLE SEAT SADDLE (AIR ADJUSTABLE), HARD SIDE SADDLE BAGS, TOUR PACK AND SETCOM PUSH TO TALK COMMUNICATIONS, DUNLOP RUN FLAT TIRES, 6 GAL TANK, 1 OF 5 2008 BLACK CHERRY PEARL COLORED ELECTRA GLIDES IN EXISTENCE (SPECIALLY PAINTED BY HD FOR PATROL, VERY RARE COLLECTABLE, RESERVE $8,000 

All the News that Didn't Fit

World Wide

On the world motorcycling front, the recession continues to hammer on manufacturer's profit margins. In the first 9 months of 2011, European two-wheeled sales registrations fell 9.03%, adding up to 122,095 fewer units on the road. The big hits were in Italy (-15.6%), Spain (-15.1%), the Netherlands (-13%), and Greece(-16.6%). EU market strongholds, Germany (-1.57%) and France (-3.58%) were the closest thing to bright spots in the EU's two-wheeled economic report. Summer sales were disappointing and even mopeds experienced 10% sales declines. This puts European sales more than 25% below 2008 levels.

French travelers will have a new transportation option waiting for them in the Paris French National Railway (SNCF) station at Montparnasse; e-scooters. In partnership with Peugeot Scooters, the SNCF has established a pilot program that combines train travel and two-wheeled mobility. The experiment is scheduled to expand into the Gare Monparnasse station.

Suzuki's Burgman Fuel-Cell Scooter is the world’s first fuel-cell vehicle to earn EU Type Approval. The air-cooled fuel cell and compact, frame-mounted hydrogen tank powers an electric motor with water as the only emissions.

An upside to the economic downturn is that EU motorcycle deaths dropped 11% in 2010 from 2001 statistics. Cycle deaths dropped as much as 33% in Luxembourg to as little as 1% in Portugal and Finland, but all EU nations had some level of fatality reduction.

E-Bikes made a big splash at this year's EICMA show. There were 40+ electric motorcycle and scooter companies, many are the infamous "made in China" disposa-bike variety, but some serious players are in the game, too.  For example, German manufacturer, E-Max, makes utility electric scooters that are being used by the Spanish postal system had several vehicles on display.

MythBusting Motorcycles

In September, the Discovery Channel series “MythBusters” ran the social responsibility of motorcycles against cars, fender-to-bumper, and motorcycles lost. With scientists from UC Riverside's Center for Environmental Research and Technology and Global MRV – Clean Air Technologies Division, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman tested production cars and motorcycles from three decades.

On pollutant emission measures (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitric oxides), motorcycles consistently came up short (or long, depending on how you feel about higher pollutants). On the plus side, they did find that motorcycles can be more fuel efficient and may produce slightly less carbon dioxide than cars, but even with a custom aerodynamic bubble cars outperformed motorcycles in limiting carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and nitric oxide emissions. Adam and Jamie are motorcyclists, so the data went against their personal biases.

Great, one more losing argument with my wife.

Wrightspeed Geared Traction Drive

Wrightspeed announced its Geared Traction Drive (GTD) integrated inverter, electric motor, and two-speed transmission. "The two-speed Wrightspeed GTD shifts electronically, using software-controlled motor synchronization instead of clutches, and provides a maximum output torque (per wheel) of 1,893 ft-lbs in first gear, and 810 ft-lbs in second gear (180mph max)." Currently, the GTD system is intended for medium duty truck retrofit applications, but it could spell dramatic improvements in all electric vehicles.

All the News that Didn't Fit

Two Motorcyclists Down in Mankato
At approximately 11AM on July 20th, a 17-year-old delivery driver for Arctic Ice, a Mankato packaged ice delivery service, crossed the center line on Highway 14 outside of North Mankato and killed two west-bound motorcyclists, Lars A. Albrecht, 49, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Robert N. Austin, 61, of Canby, Oregon. A car driver and his son were also injured by the out-of-control truck. The driver of the truck was slightly injured. The Minnesota state patrol said the teenager fell asleep at the wheel and allowed the company-owned Dodge pickup to drift into the opposite traffic lane.

Albrecht was pronounced dead at the scene and Austin was flown to St. Mary's in Rochester where he died of injuries. The truck driver's name has not been released because he is underage. Both motorcyclists were wearing helmets.

Motorcycle Hitchhiker
A Victorville, CA motorist discovered a semi-conscious motorcyclist in his backseat as a result of a rear end collision. After a motorcycle slid into the back of a turning minivan, the van driver continued a short distance to his home to call the police before returning to the scene of the crash. Meanwhile, police had arrived at the scene, found a damaged motorcycle, but no victim. The motorcyclist had crashed through the van's rear window and ended up dazed and confused in the van's rear passenger seat. Other than asking for an ice pack for an injured hand, the motorcyclist was, apparently, uninjured. Police said his helmet "sustained most of the impact," No charges were filed and the crash was listed as a "non-injury collision with a twist," according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's office.

American V-Twin Dealer Show
First they have segregated racing events, with each boutique manufacturer lumbering around a track tailed by a dozen identical motorcycles. Now, they want to have their own dealer show without the hassle of those nasty current technology manufacturers messing up the lines of giant chrome cruisers. So, Advanstar Communications is accommodating the "premium" v-twin brands with "The American V-Twin Dealer Show" at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis February 17-19, 2012.The event is designed to be "a haven for Independent Specialty V-Twin Dealers, Harley-Davidson Dealers, Custom Bike Builders/Designers and Multi-Franchise Dealerships with large cruiser lines." No motorcycles with any connection to 21st Century technology will be allowed.

Airbag Jackets and Vests
An US company, SaferMoto, is marketing a line of "airbag-equipped jackets and vests for all ages" that can "deploy in less than a quarter of a second. A tether cord connects the vest or jacket to the motorcycle, and inflation from a compact replaceable CO2 cartridge is triggered instantly when the rider falls." Airbag gear is used by the Tokyo Police Department, is marketed in more than 30 countries, and has been credited with saving lives and limbs by all sorts of riders. The company makes airbag gear for equestrians, too.

Suzuki Evacuates the Beach
Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that it would move the motorcycle business from Iwata City to north central Hamamatsu to consolidate operations and to be further from the Japanese sea shore. The new facility, tentatively called the "Miyakoda Technical Center," will be the hub for motorcycle and next-gen alternative energy vehicles engineering and research. The Miyakoda Plant will assemble motorcycle engines and should be in production by 2017. The current facility is only 200 meters from the ocean and Suzuki hopes to avoid catastrophe from the next Tokai earthquake.

Honda vs. India
In March, Honda dissolved its arrangement with Hero Motors, selling the 26% share and severed dealer and distribution arrangements with the Indian manufacturer. While it appeared that Honda was abandoning the massive and Indian two-wheel market (11.79 million units sold in 2010), the company's actual plan is to take on that market directly. Honda opened a new plant in June and will be adding a third manufacturing facility with the intent to increase Indian manufacturing capacity 2.5 times to 4 million units by 2015. The company expects to double its dealerships in 4-5 years, also. Currently, Honda owns a 10% Indian market-share. Hero Motors sold 5.26 million domestic units in 2010 (India, alone) and control 44.7% of that market. In 2014, Honda Hero dealers will have to decide to sell Honda or Hero and both companies are pressuring dealers to make the decision soon. Hero has gone on an engineering raid of the local Yamaha organization and rival Bajaj Auto and has more than four times (approximately 4,000 dealers) Honda's sales outlets.100-110cc commuter bikes, selling for approximately $900, are the volume product in the Indian market Honda is releasing several models in this size and price range.

If you've ever considered the possibility that the US might not be the motorcycling center of the universe, these numbers should shed some light on that discussion. In 2010, all domestic and importing manufacturers sold about 664,000 units in the US, with about half of the sales going to the 250cc-and-above category. The US manufacturers exported 493,464 units, 70% of which were over 250cc's and half of our export production went to Europe.

Triumph vs. India?
In a related story, Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK's Triumph Motorcycles (sometimes regarded as the "fastest growing motorcycle company in the world") appointed a "Managing Director for India" and issued a PR statement saying, “India is a very important motorcycle market and Triumph has assessed it carefully before deciding to step in. We see it as the next step in our global business model. The appointment of Ashish Joshi is a signal of our seriousness about success in India. I wish him the best and look forward to comprehensive growth from the Indian market.” [Wonder how a 100-110cc market will react to Triumph's 2,300cc Rocket III? Triumph's smallest bike is the Daytona 675.]

Land of the Brave and Free?
French drivers and motorcyclists banned together on June 18th to stage a protest against their government's draconian attacks on drivers and riders. Across the country, 75,000 motorcyclists staged a ride-in under the guidance of the French Federation of Angry Bikers. In Paris alone, 15,000 participated in the protest. Local police assisted in directing traffic and managing the protest riders' safety. Two of the prime considerations for protest were the banning of lane splitting and filtering and speed trap targeting of motorcycles. While in the US, we can't even manage to get a noticeable showing of motorcycles on the road for Ride to Work Day. [Almost makes you proud to eat French Fries, doesn't it?]

All the News that Didn't Fit

Harley Opens the Vault
The Harley Davidson Museum's 2011 summer exhibit is called "Collection X: Weird, Wild Wonders of the Harley-Davidson Museum." The exhibit is featuring never-before-seen concept bikes, early 20th century motors designed for "everything from lawn mowers to military drones," and the rich history of 108 years of Harley Davidson accessories. In a special event on July 23, Frank Fritz, from the History Channel's, American Pickers, will be at the museum telling stories of his "pursuit of rare and unique treasures."

Marketing Genius from Vespa
Some marketing wizard at Vespa came up with the brilliant idea of linking the scooter brand with Havaianas flip-flops which is either the most cluelessly stupid or the most criminally cynical promotion since Harley's 1990's promotion that used a prison background for their Bad Boy ads. The Vespa ad says, "You might win a stylish pair of MYOH and a chic & enviro friendly Vespa." Seems like a better link would be between Vespa and a foot surgeon.

All the News that Didn't Fit

A Motorcycle Safer May?
May was officially Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Early in the month, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) asked that "all motorists" use this as an opportunity "to improve their driving, improve their riding, make better decisions and increase safety for everyone on the road." I want to add to that that May should have been a month when we all got better SAT and IQ scores and made more informed voter decisions. How'd that go for you?

BMW and Husky
BMW's plans for Husqvarna is beginning to make sense. The German company has announced a new 900cc street model using BMW's 800cc Rotax twin power plant. It appears that BMW is going after KTM's adventure touring, supermoto business with their new label.

Motorcycles and Toll Booth Lines
Have you ever been stuck behind a truck in a toll booth line, or any kind of line? At a toll booth in France, a truck belonging to Herve Poncharal's MotoGP team decided another line was moving faster, backed up, and headed for the other line, only to find a motorcyclist tangled in the truck's wheels. The rider died before emergency vehicles arrived. The driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. The incident makes a strong case for motorcycle-only lanes in similar situations.

All the News that Didn't Fit

Celebrate RTWD

June 20 is, officially, Ride to Work Day. So, put away the video game controller, leave the SUV in the garage, and ride that piece of garage candy to work. As the RidetoWork.org press release puts it, "The date marks the twentieth annual worldwide ‘Ride to Work Day’ event. An estimated one million riders become two-wheeled commuters on that day to help demonstrate that riding is an efficient, economical form of personal transportation. Participant-riders are of all ages, occupations and from all walks of life." Even you.

85-90% of the Race

Nothing in motorsports is more exciting than the gate dropping at a motocross. Honda Powersport's YouTube site has a new video called "The Art of the Holeshot." Honda riders Trey Canard, Josh Grant and Ashley Fiolek tell you how to get moving "when it's go time" and how to look cool while spraying champagne on the trophy boys and girls afterwards. In fact, the whole Honda Powersports YouTube page is worth checking out: http://www.youtube.com/user/HondaPowersportsUS.

Zero News

In the "Coincidental? I don't think so" category, on March 3rd Zero Motorcycles received a $25 million cash infusion from it's principal investor, Invus, LP. Invus has been Zero's cash daddy since 2008. On April 5, Zero Motorcycles announced that its "long-time CEO," Gene Banman, was "retiring from the operational management of the company." I supposed 4 years is a "long-time" for an electric motorcycle company. Banman said, "I plan to get some R&R and travel, and then do some part time work with non-profits." He will continue to be a board member. I smell the acrid resin odor (similar to cooked brakes) of a golden parachute.

On the non-financial side, Zero announced it will have an entry in the 2011 AMA MiniMoto SX on May 6 in Las Vegas, advertised as "the world’s biggest mini bike event." Zero's electric motorcycles will be taking on the world's fastest 150cc gas-powered motorcycles. 

Had to Lay 'er Down

Eight riders (reportedly all were on Harley-Davidson motorcycles) were traveling in a group on Kentucky's Interstate 65 when they approached a road construction area and the scene of an earlier crash. The police reports stated that "the ones in the back didn't recognized that traffic had slowed. They had to lay down their bikes to avoid a rear-end collision." One rider, Jeremy D. Byrd, 33, of Dayton, Ohio, was airlifted suffering from life-threatening injuries. Two others, Peter A. Sendlbeck and Christopher Kauffman were taken to a hospital where Sendlbeck was treated and Kauffman refused treatment.

While the Kentucky police appear to believe that falling down is a valid emergency tactic, most of us suspect that tires and properly applied brakes will stop a moving vehicle faster than sliding metal bits. A more accurate crash description would have been "they panicked, grabbed their brakes, and fell down."

Even LEGO Hates Us!

LEGO Creator has included a motorcycling bad guy in the "Prisoner Transport" toy set. The set includes a "police officer and robber . . . [a] motorcycle, road block, money sack and money brick. I'd be ok with the concept, except the robber is riding a dirt bike. Whoever heard of a dirtbag dirt biker? Come on LEGO, get your stereotypes right.

From the I'm Crazier than You Mailbox

The wizards from Parker Brothers Choppers have assembled the nuttiest bit of garage candy yet. It's based on the Huffy Green Machine but it's a lot sillier. This goofy Big Wheel has a 45-inch front wheel and an 80hp Harley Evo power plant. Jeff Halverson, Parker Bro's nuttiest employee, took the thing up to 50mph and survived. The company is looking to get into Guinness Book of World Records with the world’s largest wheel on a trike.

The French Take A Crashing Course

France, a country already losing its patience with motorcyclists, saw a 49% jump in motorcycle deaths in March 2011 (compared to March of last year). 2.7% of all vehicle deaths were motorcyclists. Keep that up and French motorcyclists will have to do their riding in Quebec.

Jesse James Quits

Back in 2009, bad boy Jesse James saw the coming of the Honda Fury and sensed the beginning of the end. His exact words were, "I think it signifies the end of the whole chopper craze.” After having his day in the media sun, West Coast Choppers closed its doors and James is down to his eco-burger joint, Cisco Burgers. James said, “I guess I’m better at making burgers than I was at making motorcycles” and we can't disagree with that. Supposedly, he has 25 burger franchises in the works.

All the News that Didn't Fit

This month, I probably crossed a line. We had some real and some fake news reports (it's for the April issue, after all) and one or two didn't get picked up by my editor. However, I remain completely tasteless and until Google starts editing blogs, whatever Minnesota Motorcycle Monthly didn't want will end up here:

Indians Take Indian
Two diverse groups combined their resources to buy the Indian Motorcycle Brand. After tiring of waiting for the current owner of the fabled motorcycle company name to produce something that resembles a ride-able motorcycle, the Cherokee and Comanche Nations saddled up and raided the idle North Carolina facilities, catching the company's management in what one observer called "a mindless, pointless, endless executive planning meeting" and taking control of the facilities in a bloodless coup.

After the events at the Indian plant, Harley Davidson management is on the lookout for anyone wearing bowling shoes as there were rumors that AMF and Brunswick were looking at a copycat attack on what is left of the Harley Davidson Milwaukee facilities. Ex-Buell employees have hinted that they would be willing to join with the bowlers in the takeover.

Zero Helicopters?
Neal Saiki, the founder of Zero Motorcycles has left his own company to compete in the Igor I. Sikorski Human Powered Helicopter Competition. The former Cal Poly, San Louis Obispo aeronautical engineering student, founded Zero Motorcycles Inc. in a Scotts Valley, CA garage in 2006. The company now has 60 employees and a broad line of electric motorcycles. Saiki said, “Founding Zero was exciting, fun and a lot of hard work.  At this point, I think it is well established. I’m extremely proud of the team we’ve assembled to carry Zero into the future. I can now move on to pursuing the dream of building a human powered flying machine."

For Your Dirt Biking Pleasure
Finding a dirt bike is usually hit or miss, but BikeFinds.com makes the search a little easier, regardless of where you live. With search categories for "Mini, Motocross, Trail, Enduro, and Dual Sport," the website allows you to narrow your search to a region, state, or city.

More Motorcycle Airbag Technology
A French firm, the Bering Company, has released a jacket/air-bag intended to moderate motorcyclist injuries. This helium-inflated riding jacket puffs up like an oversized life jacket to minimize the torso's exposure to the forces of velocity and impact. As described in the company's press release, there is a "crash module, attached to the fork of the bike" that uses accelerometers to detect sudden deceleration. If a crash is detected, a microcomputer sends a signal to the jacket to release 21 liters of helium and inflate the jacket.

State Motorcycle Legislation
Georgia, Kansas, and Illinois state Houses are looking at Minnesota-similar bills permitting motorcyclists to escape motorcycle-hostile signals. Maryland and Rhode Island are looking at bills that will require state-owned parking facilities to provide motorcycle parking. The Tennessee, Oregon, Missouri, and New York Houses are considering bills that would modify the states' helmet laws.

The New Mexico House of Representatives passed the "Scooter Law Proposal, HB 11" by a 60-0 vote. The bill defines "motor scooters" as bikes with automatic transmissions, motors between 50cc and 150cc, and that are capable of exceeding 30mph. Under-50cc and under-30mph two-wheelers remain classified as mopeds. Scooters under 3.73 kilowatts are also "mopeds." Two-wheeled vehicles powered by 3.73 and 8.95 kilowatt electric motors are classified as "motor scooters." Everything above 150cc or 8.95kW are "motorcycles." The key term of this legislation state allows any licensed driver over age 18 to legally operate a motor scooter with no additional testing or endorsement required.

All the News that Didn't Fit

There wasn't much news that didn't fit this month. These are the scraps:

Motorcycle Parking

Brooklyn, NY cops are putting the arm on motorcyclist sidewalk parking, an illegal practice that has escaped notice in the past. Motorcyclists park on the city's sidewalks to protect their motorcycles from the city's infamously erratic drivers and for security. A parking ticket costs $115.

Cincinnati, Ohio officials are going to create more parking spaces for scooters and motorcycles. The director of Transportation and Engineering said demand for these spaces is high and the city will add more spaces as streets are being redone.

Fit Yourself to a New Motorcycle

Check out this website to see how you fit on a brand new motorcycle: http://cycle-ergo.com/

Road 2 A Cure

Former Army Ranger Chris Calaprice has crossed several milestones in his 43 years. He is a two-time survivor of pancreatic cancer and was also treated for melanoma (skin cancer). On November 20th (November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month), he came to the end of his 9-month-long, 42,000-mile 50 states tour.

Chris said, “We set out on the Road 2 A Cure to change the nation’s view of pancreatic cancer from one of hopelessness to hope, and to capture it in documentary style.What we learned is that cancer funding is largely driven by big marketing dollars and politics, but we can change that through our democracy – survivors and supporters need to exercise their voices. My wife and I paid a high price to bring pancreatic cancer awareness to America, but it is imperative for those millions of people out there being crucified by this unforgiving disease.”

Euro Market Disaster

Like the US economy, European motorcycle sales are crashing. Following a terrible 2009, 2010 sales are 33% below the previous miserable year. In fact, for the last 3 years, sales have contracted by almost one-third every year. Italian sales, which drives the European motorcycle market has been hammered, but Germany, the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, Poland, Norway and Sweden are all down. Even scooters, the under-50cc market, is down 26%. There is some hope, though. The 5-day Cologne INTERMOT show registered more than 210,000 motorcyclists and scooterists, which was a decent increase from the previous year.

H-D Set to Manufacture in India

Harley Davidson's CKD (complete knock-down) assembly facility is expected to go on-line in the first half of 2011. This plant will, initially, build "motorcycles for the Indian market from component kits supplied by its U.S. plants."

Harley-Davidson Motor Company President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew S. Levatich said, “This investment will allow us to improve our market responsiveness and production flexibility while reducing the tariff burden, which we expect will drive growth over time by making our bikes more accessible to India’s consumers."

All the News that Didn't Fit

Moto2 Takes A Life

Shoya Tomizawa, a 19-year-old Japanese Moto2 250cc racer died from cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma after a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix. He lost control of his bike in a corner and was struck by Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis. All three riders crashed and Redding was hospitalized for evaluation.

Tomizawa won the first race of the series at Qatar, took 2nd in Spain, and after ten series races, he was in 7th place. His death occurred barely a week after Peter Lenz's fatal crash in Indianapolis. He was the first on-track GP-level death since Daijiro Kato died in a crash at Suzuka in 2003.

Looking for a Few Good Racers

Vemar Helmets, Sidi Boots, and AGV Sport Apparel are looking for riders to sponsor for the 2011 season. Motonation, the USA importer for those brands, is "accepting resumes for rider support for the 2011 season." Contact Motonation, 10225 Prospect Ave., Santee CA 92071 or jojo@motonation.com to tell them why you should be the one to use their gear for free.

Noise in New Hampshire

In May, North Hampton, New Hampshire voters approved an ordinance requiring stock exhausts on post-1982 motorcycles. New Hampshire state law sets a limit of 106 decibels. The city attorney and the local police chief claims the law is unenforceable, but local citizens are adamant that motorcycles are a "nuisance." Planning Board Chairman Phil Wilson said, "What the chief should have asked the lawyers is, ‘The townspeople have passed this ordinance, now how do we enforce it?’"

Targeting Motorcyclists

NHTSA is offering up to $350,000 to be distributed among five law enforcement agencies under the "Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstration" grant program. The program is modeled after a controversial New York State Police experiment that setup 15 motorcycle-only checkpoints this summer to verify proper motorcycle "paperwork" (license, insurance, registration), fill quotas, and generate municipal and state income. The discriminatory character of singling out a specific type of vehicle for "inspection" has been questioned by the AMA and other motorcyclist organizations.

California Smog, Noise, and Motorcycle Bill

The California senate passed SB 435, the "motorcycle exhaust bill." The bill is on Governor Schwarzenegger’s desk, waiting to be signed into law. If passed, SB 435 will require stock exhausts on all model year 2013 and newer motorcycles.

All the News that Didn't Fit

No More HD Sidecars

From an HD press release, "As a result of the decline in retail demand for Harley-Davidson sidecars, which accelerated following the introduction of the Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide family of trikes, Harley-Davidson has made the decision to exit the sidecar business." Sidecars are made at the HD Tomahawk, WI facility and 2011 will be the last year the Company will be in that business. HD has produced sidecars since 1914, but as Boomers abandon motorcycles looking for vehicles that are more appropriate for handicapped parking spaces, Harley is trying to accommodate its customer base.

Sales Falling, Profits Rising

Cutting costs, eliminating unprofitable divisions and products, while the overall sales picture is depressing, Harley's profits are looking up: upwards of $71 million for the 2nd quarter of 2010. Harley-Davidson isn't the only company using this tactic, but they are using it effectively. Harley has warned its employees that if the union doesn't compromise, the company will move production to other locations.

The company is not worried about having to increase production any time in the near future. CEO Keith Wandell said, “The last thing we’re worried about is when are we going to have to add more capacity, because what we’re really doing is reconfiguring our entire operational system for greater flexibility.”

Feeling Like God

Bajaj Motorcycles has an idea for improving motorcyclists' image with the advertising program for their Avenger DTS-i 180cc cruiser. In posters and video ads, Bajaj is claiming that you can "Feel like God," "feel supreme," "feel immortal," and "f

eel above all" when you ride their 16hp Kawasaki Eliminator-derived cruiser. Royal Enfield's "Everybody Makes Way for the Bullet" ads are every bit as silly. Check it out on YouTube. India is trying to take up where Honda left off in the late 60's. You have to give them credit for trying.

Sccoters are Safer?

Liev Schreiber and John Stewart reminisced about the good old days when Steward rode babe on the back of Schreiber's motorcycle. Now, "because of the kids," Schreiber rides a Vespa because, as everyone knows, two little wheels are way safer than two big wheels. Of course, his press photo shows him posed on the little thing with a shopping bag dangling from the left grip, his face shield flipped up and the helmet unbuckled. "Because of the kids," indeed.

Anti-Rotation Helmet

Lazer Helmets has introduced a significant improvement in modern helmet design, called "SuperSkin" or "PHPS^TM - Phillips Head Protection System." This helmet liner material is fixed to the surface of the shell, but allows the interior of the helmet to slide during the initial period (15mS) of impact, preventing "rotational impact to the brain." Lazer claims that this design can significantly reduce brain injury due to hemorrhage.

California Gets Closer to Requiring EPA-Labeled Pipes

The California state legislature is a step closer to approving Senate Bill 435, which would require bikes built after January 1, 2013 to use only EPA-approved exhaust system components (which has been federal law since 1978). The AMA is fighting this and proposing its "model legislation" version of a system that would require complicated individual field testing by law enforcement.

The EcoTough® Piston

A US company, Federal-Mogul Corporation, is hyping a new design for an old device: a "coated piston for gasoline engines that combines the properties of low wear and low friction in a single application." Their claim is that the piston coating (made from "solid lubricants, including graphite, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and carbon fiber") can reduce fuel consumption by 0.8% and improve CO2 emissions.