Feature

EICMA 2018 Unveilings

EICMA 2018 Unveilings The 76th EICMA motorcycle show was held in Milan, Italy this past weekend. The Esposizione Internazionale del Ciclo, Motociclo, Accessori (loose translation: International Expo of Cycles, Motorcycles, Accessories) is the world’s largest moto show, and every year witnesses the unveiling of many upcoming models and technologies from the various brands around the world. This year’s show was no different. This year’s show showcased horsepower. Three European marquees displayed 2019 models that all make over 200hp, a level of power for years only known to professional superbike racers. Aprilia announced their 217hp RSV4 1100 Factory before the show,…
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Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood Raise Money for Tampa Homeless Outreach

On Sunday, November 11, the Elks Lodge in Tarpon Springs hosted the Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood who presented a check for $4000.00 to the Tampa Homeless Outreach, Inc., to Thomas “T-Man” Brown, army disabled veteran and outreach coordinator of the TPA Crossroads, Inc.   On September 30, 2018, the Italian Angels facilitated a well-attended Spaghetti Dinner Benefit, raising the $4000 in only 3 hours, for the Tampa Homeless Outreach, Inc., also in attendance was Thomas “T-Man” Brown representing the Homeless Outreach organization. The Italian Angels Motorcycle Brotherhood is a local and National organization of Italian descent members from all walks…
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Milwaukee’s “Other” Motorcycle Company

Milwaukee’s “Other” Motorcycle Company   Harley-Davidson has a neighbor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it’s older than the iconic American brand. Royal Enfield established their U.S. headquarters there about three years ago and has been rapidly growing their dealer network across North America. With dealerships now in 34 states and Puerto Rico, the brand has come a long way (literally) since first arriving stateside in 2015, from zero to nearly 90 dealerships in America and Canada, and more opening and/or joining the brand monthly. Celebrating their 115th anniversary this year as a motorcycle company, Royal Enfield established itself in England in…
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Fall Weather Riding Tips

Fall has arrived in the Southlands! Here are a few tips to keep you safe:   Know your skill level: Riding a motorcycle is a physical and mental skill and can diminish if you haven't ridden in a while. Take so time to get reacquainted with your bike if it's been some time since your last ride.   Hazard Awareness: Your nice relaxing ride through the country should be fun but you must maintain a constant state of awareness. If you try to identify every hazard you see when ride, there will not be any surprises. When identifying potential hazards,…
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High Tech Helmet

High Tech Helmet A Lid with AR Display and Alexa/Siri Support Numerous motorcycle helmet companies have been attempting to introduce built-in “smart tech” features in recent years, with limited success. Yet the trend is inevitable. The latest to debut a smart helmet is Jarvish, a Taiwan company known for cutting-edge, user-friendly technology for riders. Jarvish recently premiered two new models packed with rider aids, the X and X-AR motorcycle helmets, both of which will be available in 2019. The Jarvish X will include an integrated microphone and speakers, Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant support, and a 2K, forward-facing built-in camera…
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THUNDER BY THE BAY ANNOUNCES MUSIC LINEUP & CHANGES

THUNDER BY THE BAY ANNOUNCES MUSIC LINEUP & CHANGES Thunder By The Bay’s relocation to the Sarasota Fairgrounds, and date change to mid-February, proved to be very successful this year raising over $130,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children and generating $7.8 Million in economic impact. The 2019 Festival is scheduled for February 15-17 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds and has rebranded its name to be the Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival. This year’s entertainment lineup includes a variety of genres to include blues, rock, and country featuring national recording artist Steelheart performing on February 16. Steelheart’s memorable hits…
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Can-Am Unveils the Ryker

A Spyder for the Masses Can-Am debuted a new 2019 addition to their Spyder line this past week, a model targeted at younger, beginner, and women riders. Dubbed the Ryker, the new 3-wheeler is smaller, lighter, more affordable than ever before, and supremely approachable. Long perceived as a company building machines for older males with money to burn but who prefer the stability of a tripod stance, Can-Am takes a turn toward the younger generations with the Ryker. In two iterations, a 600cc twin and 900cc triple, plus an up-spec “Rally Edition” of the 900, all Rotax-powered, the Ryker models…
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Phil Peterson’s 2018 Florida Keys Motorcycle Poker Run

Return is a success Phil Peterson is smiling! The 45th Phil Peterson’s Florida Keys Motorcycle Poker Run was a success! Blessed with good weather (because Hurricane Florence pulled all the bad weather north) and a nice turnout of 957 Poker Run Players. Thank you, everyone who played the Poker Run Game and who donated Ten Dollars a hand for a total of $9,570. Dollars. All proceeds will go to all the local Rotary Clubs of the Florida Keys and Homestead and all the money raised is earmarked for Bright Future Scholarships for the local high school kids to be able…
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Winning Battles, Losing the War

Winning Battles, Losing the War MotoAmerica Epic Season Ender at Barber The MotoAmerica motorcycle road racing season wrapped up at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama this past weekend, in two days marked by devastating crashes, fierce competition, the retiring of a legend, and the crowning of the 2018 champions. An epic weekend to end an epic season. With most class championships sewn up by the New Jersey round earlier in September, the MotoAmerica staff nonetheless predicted stiff competition across the two days of racing, with riders battling for the remaining points and podiums, and their drive to finish strong…
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Major Moto Moves

Major Moto Moves   This past week, two major motorcycle companies announced plans to relocate large portions of their operations, on opposite sides of the United States. Both moves came as a surprise to industry insiders, yet both companies see great prospects in their new locales. Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited_Touring     Harley-Davidson announced plans to locate an all-new R&D division in the Silicon Valley of California. The company is moving forward with plans for a complete line of “E-Bikes”, electric motorcycles, and sees the tech center of the world as the perfect location to assist development. As H-D seeks to…
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Beaubier Clinches MotoAmerica Crown

Beach, Dumas, & Lee claim titles as well Cameron Beaubier claimed his third MotoAmerica Superbike title at New Jersey’s Thunderbolt Raceway this past weekend, after two wet, treacherous days of racing. Beaubier led race 2 from the get-go, sewing up the championship with the Barber round still ahead. Beaubier’s Sunday win also marked his eighth of the season, and his 32nd career, placing him in third on the all-time most wins list in AMA/MotoAmerica Superbike. Roger Hayden took second in Sunday’s race, followed by 2017 champ Toni Elias. Hayden has announced his retirement the end of the season. JD Beach…
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Creating a National Motorcycle Flashmob of Lifesaving

Following a visit to our headquarters by Ken Engelman, I reached out to BTR. Ken, who is an American, was on a tour around Israel to see how the country uses and works with motorcycles to respond to medical emergencies. He was very impressed with our operation and suggested that I reach out to Born To Ride. After looking at your website and online media, I thought that this would be a terrific place to tell the story of how motorcycles are used to save lives here in Israel. United Hatzalah’s motorcycle responders are Israel’s most active volunteers. We come…
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Race Like a Girl

Jamie Astudillo in MotoAmerica Not many females currently run professionally in motorcycle road racing, but those who do, have definitely earned their place. Here in the States, in MotoAmerica, there are only three—Caroline Olsen in Supersport 600, Melissa Paris in Stock 1000, and Jamie Astudillo in Liqui Moly Junior Cup. And of these, only one has rewritten the record books—Jamie Astudillo. We pointed out in our May issue that Jamie etched her name in the MotoAmerica/AMA Road Racing archives as the first woman to ever podium in an American professional motorcycle road racing event when she took third place in…
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Dirty’s Trouble Maker, Josh Kurpuis

I built this bike with the premise that I could barhop and smoke anyone light to light, or hop on and go 1,000 miles on the weekend. Happy to say ... have done both! That’s the good part of the story. The first build of this bike was slightly different, Denver’s springer, magneto, and a few other differences. On the way to Smokeout East, I pulled into JW’s place in Wilson, NC and the throttle stuck— launching me into the woods!!! Missed most of the trees! However, the last tree really de-raked the front end. Trailered it the last 50…
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Stephanie Karidas, More Than Just A Biker

There is assistance available when someone you know and love has had a traumatic brain injury resulting from a fall, an accident, or physical assault. People who have had an accident may not know what to do or what options they may have in order to treat these issues. Educating the public is very important when it comes to understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Aphasia. In this month’s cover story, we are going to introduce you to Stephanie Karidas, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Stephanie is an accomplished speech-language therapist, sailboat racing competitor, and Harley-loving rider! Stephanie knows just too well what…
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Spyke & Mike, Rise of the Phoenix

Check out these pics my BTR friends. From the destruction of the first Fat Bird rises the Phoenix, or more appropriately, the Fat Bird 2. My original ride was a legacy that ended during Leesburg Bikefest 2017. All it took was being parked in the wrong place at the wrong time, and one sport bike to come crashing into it. The blessing in disguise was that no one was hurt during the demise. Over the course of 10 months and with plenty of blood, sweat, and tears from Mike, a new legacy has been born. It took the help of…
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