Born To Ride

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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ROHV ASSOCIATION ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE DRIVING OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association Reminds ROV Enthusiasts to be Safe IRVINE, Calif., May 23, 2012 – As the upcoming Memorial Day weekend approaches, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (ROHVA) encourages all ROV enthusiasts to drive safely and responsibly, while having fun exploring trails, deserts and public lands across the country. Additionally, ROHVA recommends minimizing the risk while simultaneously increasing the fun by taking their award-winning ROV E-Course. The online training is a free, multi-media, interactive safety course that’s available 24/7 at www.rohva.org. The course addresses the risks caused by improper ROV use and reinforces safe practices that will reduce the…
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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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VETTER TO BE HONORED AS GRAND MARSHAL

Craig Vetter to be honored as Grand Marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame member and noted designer Craig Vetter -- whose contributions to motorcycling range from the iconic Windjammer fairings and the Triumph X-75 Hurricane to the Mystery Ship limited-production high-performance motorcycles and a number of high-profile motorcycle fuel-economy contests -- will be honored as this year's grand marshal at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days featuring Rockers and Mods, July 20-22, at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Vetter has been a member of the American Motorcyclist Association and a designer since…
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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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MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY

Meaning of Memorial Day I have approached this subject several times over the years, Memorial Day is not the official start of summer, nor should it be the reason for a three day long weekend of parties, barbecues or car sales. Memorial Day has had several names over the 150 years of its existence however the reason for Memorial Day stays the same. The day is for honoring and showing respect for those who have been killed while serving in the military, beginning with the Civil War through current military engagements. Over the years Memorial Day has diminished as a…
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NEW PURELL ADVANCED INSTANT HAND SANITIZER

New PURELL Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer Formulations Deliver Next-Generation Skincare AKRON, Ohio - GOJO(r) announces the new PURELL(r) Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer - a next-generation family of products designed to offer unprecedented germ-fighting qualities and a skin-friendly formulation. PURELL Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer combines leading antimicrobial and skin care science with advanced germ-fighting protection in a formulation that's gentle and nurturing to hands. According to research, PURELL Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer formulations outperform other hand sanitizers ounce for ounce - even those with higher levels of alcohol. "Taking advantage of more than 60 years of skin health and hand hygiene…
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AMERICADE: AMA NATIONAL CONVENTION

Americade: AMA National Convention comes to Lake George, N.Y., June 4-9 PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to recognize Americade as an AMA National Convention for 2012. The AMA Premier Touring Series event will run June 4-9 in Lake George, N.Y. Attracting motorcyclists on all types of bikes, especially tourers, sport-tourers and cruisers, Americade offers some of the best riding in the country in addition to a full slate of events and entertainment. "Americade is one of America's grandest motorcycle vacations, and draws thousands of true motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy having a great time on two wheels,"…
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