Motorcycle News

CORBIN SEAT FOR 2012 SUZUKI DL-650 V-STROM

Corbin Introduces Canyon Sport Saddle for 2012 Suzuki DL-650 V-Strom  Hollister, CA- Corbin announced today the addition of their Canyon Dual Sport Saddle for the redesigned Suzuki V-Strom 650. Corbin designed this ”touring” saddle to maximize comfort and usability while providing a custom look and longer riding range. Corbin's Canyon Dual Sport seat is covered using genuine Italian leather for a perch that breathes with your body. It also features dual ergonomically sculpted seating positions, neutralized posture and optional rider backrests front and rear. The Canyon Dual Sport is also available with optional electric heated seating panels for a luxurious…
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HELP PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDING OF MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS

Lawmaker urges committee leadership to include language to prohibit funds for motorcycle-only checkpoints in transportation bill U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) is urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to sign a letter addressed to the leadership of the House-Senate Surface Transportation Reauthorization Conference Committee to include H.R. 904 in the conference report. As we have reported previously, H.R. 904 would prohibit the Secretary of Transportation from providing grants or any funds to states or local governments to be used for any program to create motorcycle-only checkpoints. Sensenbrenner has placed a June 5 deadline to collect signatures. Therefore, time…
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AMA DIRT TRACK GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS KICK OFF ON SPRINGFIELD MILE

The Springfield Mile is one of the most Historic Motorcycle Racing Venues in the World PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The 2012 American Motorcyclist Association Dirt Track Grand Championships fired off the line in a big way today, May 29, with the fastest amateur dirt-track racers in the world running the legendary Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. "The Springfield Mile is one of the most historic motorcycle racing venues in the world, and we're thrilled for our amateur racers to have the opportunity to decide national titles on this track," said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley.…
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O’HARA WINS AMA PRO VANCE & HINES XR1200 RACE AT MILLER

Bartels’ H-D Rider Leads Flag-to-Flag  Tooele, UT (May 28, 2012) – Bartels’ Harley-Davidson/Scrubblade rider Tyler O’Hara produced a command performance in front of the World Superbike paddock Monday, converting pole position for the 8-lap AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 series race into a dominating flag-to-flag victory at the Big M Weekend at Miller Motorsports Park in Toole, Utah, to earn his second victory of the season. O’Hara jumped off the front of the field and never looked back, building a 4.260-second lead over KLR Group’s Kyle Wyman at the checkered flag. O’Hara’s Bartels’ Harley-Davidson/Scrubblade teammate Michael Barnes finished third,…
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COOLBETH AND FACTORY HARLEY ARE SIXTH AT SPRINGFIELD MILE

Willie McCoy Wins Grand National Twins Opener on Harley-Davidson XR750 SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 28, 2012) –Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Factory Team rider Kenny Coolbeth finished sixth as the AMA Pro Harley-Davidson Insurance Grand National Championship opened its Grand National Twins season on the Springfield Mile at the Illinois State Fairground. Coolbeth was the top qualifier for the event and ran as high as second place before falling back in the closing laps. The race was won by Harley-Davidson of Wausau/Independence Harley-Davidson rider Willie McCoy, who was riding a Harley-Davidson XR750 motorcycle. Coolbeth won his qualifying heat and recorded the quickest lap…
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DECREASED MOTORCYCLE-RELATED FATALITIES IN 2011

Increased Rider Training Next Step in Improving Motorcyclist Safety  IRVINE, Calif., May 25, 2012 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation commends the 23 states that experienced a decrease in motorcyclist fatalities during the first nine months of 2011, as compared to the first nine months of 2010, as reported by the Governors Highway Safety Association earlier this week. Also included in the GHSA report was the fact that many of these states experienced “notable declines” in motorcycle-related fatalities. These included Connecticut, where they dropped 37 percent, as well as New York and North Carolina, where they fell 16 and 21 percent,…
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TSUNAMI MOTORCYCLE TO BE PRESERVED BY H-D MUSEUM

Owner Ikuo Yokoyama Grateful for Support of Harley-Davidson Owners Worldwide Milwaukee (May 25, 2012) – A Harley-Davidson motorcycle recovered on the coast of British Columbia after drifting for more than a year and 4,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean following last year’s Japanese Tsunami will be preserved by the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee as a memorial to the tragedy that claimed more than 15,000 lives, in accordance with the wishes of its owner, Ikuo Yokoyama. The remarkable story of the 2004 FXSTB Softail Night Train motorcycle’s survival and recovery by Canadian Peter Mark made international headlines after he found it…
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ROD BUSH TO BE INDUCTED INTO AMA MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Industry leader, visionary Rod Bush to be inducted into AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the first member of the induction class of 2012. The late Rod Bush, who helped establish and grow KTM North America and served as company president from 1987 until his death in 2005, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 AMA Legends Weekend at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 16-17. "Rod Bush led KTM North America during its formative years in…
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MOTORCYCLES AND SCOOTERS AS VIABLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

  Rep. Duncan Promotes Two-Wheeled Vehicles as Fun, Fuel-Efficient Choices for Many Americans Washington, DC - May 23, 2012 – Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus Member and House Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman John Duncan (R-TN) entered a statement to the Congressional Record on May 18 recognizing motorcycles and scooters as viable transportation options for many Americans. Previously, President Obama had proclaimed May 15 through May 21 as National Transportation Week. In the proclamation, the President recognized that America needs a safer transportation network that will provide more transportation choices. “As a Member of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus, I would…
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PHOENIX SYSTEMS COMPLETE LINE OF BRAKE BLEEDER KITS

Phoenix Systems Offers a New Motorcycle Adapter Designed to Convert Their Line of Brake Bleeders ST. GEORGE, Utah - Phoenix Systems offers a new Motorcycle Adapter designed to convert their line of Brake Bleeders into tools that can quickly and easily reverse and vacuum bleed hydraulic brake systems on motorcycles. Featuring patented reverse bleeding technology, Phoenix Systems' Brake Bleeders remove trapped air to create a firmer brake lever, increase braking power and responsiveness, and reduce vehicle stopping time. "The Phoenix Reverse Brake Bleeder is a revolutionary tool based on an incredibly obvious concept: air wants to go up. That's it,"…
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SAFETY ASSOCIATION REPORTS MOTORCYCLIST FATALITIES DID NOT INCREASE IN 2011

Motorcyclist fatalities for 2011 will be about the same as 2010   PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Motorcyclist fatalities for 2011 will be about the same as 2010, according to a preliminary report released on May 21 by the Governors Highway Safety Association, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. Based on preliminary data, the GHSA reports that fatalities decreased by 1.67 percent during the first nine months of 2011. However, the association projects the final tally will be very close to the 4,502 fatalities reported for 2010. That figure is a slight increase over the number of fatalities reported for 2009 (4,469), which…
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OFF-ROAD DEMO RIDES COME TO AMA VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE DAYS

For the first time at this popular annual event, KTM will have several of the company's new XC and XCW off-road bikes available PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- How can you make a perfect day at the American Motorcyclist Association's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 20-22 in Lexington, Ohio, even more perfect? Include off-road demo rides on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course infield. For the first time at this popular annual event, KTM will have several of the company's new XC and XCW off-road bikes available for demonstration rides. Prospective buyers will get to see and experience the Austrian company's 2013 lineup.…
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MSF PROMOTES DR. RAY OCHS TO VICE PRESIDENT OF TRAINING SYSTEMS

  Ochs Lauded for Leadership and Ingenuity in Motorcycle Safety Training IRVINE, CA - May 21, 2012 – The Motorcycle Safety Foundation congratulates Dr. Ray Ochs on his promotion to vice president of Training Systems. Lead creator of the groundbreaking MSF Basic RiderCourse, Ochs is a lifelong motorcyclist, a safety professional and academician. He joined the MSF full-time in 2002 as director of Training Systems, where he developed multiple courses to address the needs of different types of motorcycles and motorcyclists. In his new role as vice president, Ochs will oversee MSF curriculum development projects and RiderCoach certification processes, as…
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DUST STORM MESH JACKET FROM HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Switchback Technology Reveals Mesh Jacket for Ultimate Versatility MILWAUKEE – With removable textile outer panels that zip-off to create a mesh jacket, the new men’s Dust Storm Switchback Functional Jacket (P/N 97273-12 VM, starting at $350) from the Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® line delivers ultimate versatility for varying temperatures. It’s constructed from water-resistant 600-denier polyester with lightweight, removable body armor at the elbows and shoulders. A removable, full-sleeve waterproof liner accentuates its climate-controllable versatility, while pre-curved sleeves with adjustable snap sleeve tabs increase comfort. 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material provides superior reflectivity in low-light conditions, and five available pockets deliver ample storage space.…
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REPORT ON BASE EXPANSION IMPACT ON OFF-HIGHWAY RIDING SOUGHT

Report on California base expansion impact on off-highway riding sought The U.S. House has approved legislative language that would require the Marine Corps to produce a report on how a proposed base expansion would affect off-highway riding near San Bernardino, Calif. The language is in an amendment that was offered by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (H.R. 4310). The House passed the bill by a 299-120 vote on May 18. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration. The report would focus on the proposed expansion of the…
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CASEY STONER RETIRING

Stoner to Retire at End of MotoGP Season SARTHE, France — Two-time and reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner says this will be his final season racing in MotoGP and he will retire at the end of the season. Stoner confirmed his retirement Thursday at Le Mans for this weekend’s round of the World Championship. “After a long time thinking, a lot of time talking with my family and my wife, this has been coming for a couple of years now but at the end of this 2012 season I will be not racing in the 2013 Championship. I will be…
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