Motorcycle News

MSF to Host Two International Motorcyclist Safety Conferences in Fall of 2013

IRVINE, CA – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation will hold two MSF International Motorcyclist Safety Conferences in an effort to further the non-profit organization’s goal of creating and supporting motorcyclists of good riding character and, ultimately, saving lives. Although both conferences are scheduled for the Fall of 2013, the exact dates and locations of the U.S. conferences will be announced at a later date.   Both MSF conferences will have a decidedly scientific focus, with heavy emphasis placed on the successful delivery of safety training and improved student outcomes. MSF’s own Dr. Sherry Williams will present results from the Safety Renewal…
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NEW HYDRATION HEADWEAR FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Evaporative Crystal Technology for Cooling Comfort MILWAUKEE – The new line of men’s Hydration Headwear from the Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® line delivers air-conditioned cooling in higher temperatures. Each item is lined with polyacrylite crystals that, when soaked in water for five minutes, slowly evaporate the water to create a cooling effect against the skin. The result is the comfortable cooling of your head during hot weather. Each Hydration Headwear item is cotton lined and features printed graphics. The Hydration Headwrap (P/N 97875-12VM, $30) offers fitted styling while the Hydration Baseball Cap (P/N 97874-12VM, $30) and Hydration Flat Top Cap (P/N 97876-12VM,…
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Motorcycle Safety Foundation First to Sponsor Unprecedented 100 Motorcyclists Naturalistic Study

  IRVINE, Calif.– Last August saw the Motorcycle Safety Foundation launch the unprecedented, one-year-long MSF 100 Motorcyclists Naturalistic Study in conjunction with Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. It was designed to track comprehensive, real-time routine riding that likely included near crash, pre-crash, and actual crash data that had heretofore been unavailable. The study is yielding preliminary results that will be released at a later date.   “This field research provides the opportunity to observe motorcyclists in their natural day-to-day experiences,” said Dr. Sherry Williams, MSF director of quality assurance and research. “We were interested in what riders do on a natural…
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Military & Motorcycles – August 24, 2012

The Cost of Voter Apathy On August 14, 203, four hundred eighty-one registered voters in Manatee County had the freedom to make a difference in the electoral process. Sadly only 21.02% of them took advantage of the process. There are numerous reasons for such a dismal showing at the polls.   One being most people have become upset with the mudslinging which is worse this time than any time in our history. The mud is so deep at this point that a voter has to wear chest waders just to trudge to the polls.   Secondly is the vast amount…
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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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