Born To Ride LifeStyle

Motorcycle Safety Foundation to Release Innovative Rider Training Standards Paper

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 22, 2012 – In an effort to further improve and refine its rider training programs, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation will release the complete peer-reviewed paper titled, “The Standards Concept for a Rider Education and Training System,” authored by Dr. Jim Heideman, MSF’s director of licensing programs, on Aug. 24, 2012. Dr. Heideman previewed this paper via an executive summary and follow-up discussion at the Second Annual MSF International Rider Education Training System Conference, held at Eastern Kentucky University this past May. “The MSF’s mission is to create a comprehensive and relevant rider education and training system,” said…
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Sturgis Buffalo Chip® Repeats as Top Destination During Annual Motorcycle Rally

Sturgis Buffalo Chip- Sturgis, S.D. (Aug 21, 2012) – The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® earns honors from rally attendees as top destination during the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. While other Sturgis venues and properties struggled during the annual rally, The Sturgis Buffalo Chip® camp resort and music festival, achieved the largest attendance in its 31 year history by a wide margin. With more onsite campers and more concert goers then ever before, visitors have proven the Sturgis Buffalo Chip® is the #1 destination in Sturgis. Visitors from all 50 states and 24 counties flocked to the Buffalo Chip® for its high…
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Motorcycle Safety Foundation to Unveil Preliminary Findings at VTTI’s Third International Symposium on Naturalistic Driving

IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is honored to have been invited to participate in the upcoming Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s Third International Symposium on Driving Research, held Aug. 27 – 30, 2012, at VTTI’s facility in Blacksburg, Va. Hosted by VTTI’s National Surface Transportation Safety Center for Excellence, the two-day symposium has assembled a group of specially selected experts who specialize in the field of naturalistic driving research. According to VTTI, scheduled speakers include esteemed experts from Finland, Australia and Sweden, and multi-national participating companies include Toyota, Nissan and Ford. Finally, globally recognized agencies supporting…
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Second Annual MSF International Rider Education Training System Conference

Hundreds of Motorcycle Training Professionals Gather for Second Annual MSF International Rider Education Training System Conference   IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 20, 2012 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recently brought together more than 300 members of the training community to further its goal of continuous improvement in providing the very best way to be safe on a motorcycle, particularly for new riders. The participants represented 44 states and five countries in the Second Annual MSF International Rider Education Training System Conference, held at Eastern Kentucky University in May. Additional support for the IRETS conference included three military program coordinators and 22…
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Coolbeth Places Fifth on Factory Harley at Indy Mile

Halbert Rides a Harley-Davidson to Win, Mees Holds Grand National Points Lead   INDIANPOLIS, Ind. (August 18, 2012) – Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle® Factory Team rider Kenny Coolbeth finished fifth in the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship on the Lucas Oil Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The race was won by South East Harley-Davidson rider Sammy Halbert, riding a Harley-Davidson® XR750 motorcycle.   The Indy Mile race marked a return to action for Coolbeth, who was injured on June 30 in a race at Lima, Ohio. Coolbeth finished third in his heat race to qualify for the…
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Krawiec Makes it Three in a Row With Brainerd Victory

Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines Team is Undefeated in 2012   BRAINERD, Minn. (August 19, 2012) – Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines rider Ed Krawiec scored his third consecutive Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racing final-round victory and sixth of the season at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway. Krawiec, the defending NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle champion, defeated Hector Arana Jr. in the final when the Lucas Oil Buell rider fouled at the start. The win is also the ninth in a row in 2012 for the Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines team, which remains undefeated for the…
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Military & Motorcycles – August 17, 2012

Another Warrior Lost On August 2, Sarah Sitton’s life changed forever. Her 26-year old husband SSgt. Matthew Sitton stepped on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) while deployed in Afghanistan on his 3rd tour. Matt had been was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Matt’s wife Sarah, along with their 9-month son Brodey and family members were present at MacDill Air Force Base when the ‘Angel Flight’ landed which was transporting Matt’s casket. Prior to Friday, Sarah made a statement wherein she asked anyone interested was welcome to…
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Baggett, Barcia, and Dungey Picked for 2012 FIM Motocross of Nations

America's Ryan Dungey, Blake Baggett and Justin Barcia Will Race the World at 2012 FIM Motocross of Nations PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce the members of the U.S. team that will compete at the FIM Motocross of Nations Sept. 30-31 in Lommel, Belgium. The 2012 team will include Red Bull/KTM's Ryan Dungey, Monster Energy Pro Circuit Kawasaki's Blake Baggett and GEICO Honda's Justin Barcia. Perennial U.S. Team Manager and Motorcycle Hall of Famer Roger DeCoster will manage the team in its hunt for a record 23rd Motocross of Nations Championship. "We will have Ryan…
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Kids Celebrate Motocross Victories a Year After Lead-law Defeat

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- As many as 10 national motocross champions were able to take home the prestigious AMA national No. 1 plate this month thanks to the defeat one year ago of the "lead law" that banned the sale of kid's dirtbikes, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The 10 young riders under the age of 12 earned their awards at the 2012 AMA Amateur National Motocross Championships held July 30 to Aug. 4 at Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn. Cobra Motorcycles, which makes kids' competition motocross machines, saw a lot of that success. Cobra President Sean Hilbert said…
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Military & Motorcycles August 10, 2012

911 Motorcycle Rides  On a clear blue Tuesday morning at approximately 8:46 a.m. on September 11th, 2001 terror struck our shores. Some three thousand people perished between the hours 8:46 and 10:03 a.m. that fateful day at the hands of what we now term as ‘terrorists.' That is not exactly what I call them but this is however a family newspaper and I’m sure my pastor would not want to hear how I sometimes refer to those who were involved. Since 9-11, 2001 numerous others have died to complications from cancer and other related problems from the dust, debris, etc.…
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Electric Motorcycle Tax Credit may be Extended

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Buyers of on-road electric motorcycles would continue to be eligible for up to a $2,500 tax credit under a bill approved by the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. On Aug. 2, the panel approved bipartisan legislation extending dozens of tax breaks, including language offered by U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) to preserve the tax credit for buying electric motorcycles designed for the street. "Right now, companies like [electric motorcycle maker] Brammo in Oregon are keeping the American electric vehicle industry on the cutting edge, "Wyden said. "But without an extension of this tax…
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Riders Celebrate at AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association and the organizing team for the sixth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the participants, speakers, vendors, sponsors and volunteers of the four-day event that concluded Sunday, July 29, in Carson City, Nev. "This was another fantastic gathering of women motorcyclists," said AMA Board of Directors Vice Chairwoman Maggie McNally. "I am awe-stuck by these women and their inspiring stories. They represent the most exciting development in motorcycling over the last decade." Conference organizer Tigra Tsujikawa agreed: "Women came from all over the country to…
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Minimum Four-Gallon Gasoline Purchase From Certain Ethanol-Blend Pumps

Federal Officials Mandating Minimum Four-Gallon Gasoline Purchase From Certain Ethanol-Blend Pumps PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require all consumers to buy at least four gallons of gasoline from certain gas pumps after the new E15 ethanol-gasoline blend is introduced into the market, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The EPA revealed the requirement to the AMA in a letter dated Aug. 1, responding to AMA concerns that E15 -- a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume -- could be put in motorcycle and ATV gas tanks inadvertently when consumers use blender pumps.…
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NHRA Announces Formation of NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Championship Motorcycle Series for 2013

  GLENDORA, Calif. (Aug. 6, 2012) – NHRA announced today the formation of the NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Championship Motorcycle Series, a 10-race series that will compete at NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series divisional events beginning in 2013. The NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Championship Motorcycle Series will offer a total purse of $152,800 and will feature five classes: Top Fuel, Pro Gas, Draggin’ Bagger, Street Pro, and Hot Street. The classes will run in addition to the Sportsman ET Motorcycle class that currently competes at various NHRA divisional events. The 10-events scheduled for the inaugural NHRA Screamin’ Eagle Championship Motorcycle Series…
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Harley-Davidson Kicks off 110th Anniversary with Epic Rides Bridging East and West

Fans Invited to Join Rides to Sturgis and Tibetan Plateau through Social Media MILWAUKEE (Aug. 3, 2012) – Two groups of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders set off today to explore opposite corners of the globe, tracing routes across the American West and the Tibetan Plateau of China. These adventures kick off a year-long celebration of Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary, and for the first time the iconic American brand is inviting everyone to ride along through social media. “Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary year is about celebrating the experiences of riding and inviting all to join in on the good times, in ways and places…
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Military & Motorcycles August 3, 2012

2nd Amendment I have watched with great interest as to who says what regarding 2nd Amendment Rights which some want to take away since the shooting in Aurora, Colorado.   To preface this column I just want to say, 'For one, I do believe in the 2nd Amendment, and I’ll try to explain why in the space available.'   My weapon-carrying career started when I was in the military where I carried numerous types of weapons, which were utilized to protect this country while I was overseas and here at home while augmented to Security Police Squadrons to protect several…
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