Motorcycle News

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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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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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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AMA VINTAGE DIRT TRACK NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series sets sights on historic Peoria TT PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Fans of all eras of dirt-track competition will get a special treat this Aug. 24 and 26 when the period-correct vintage race bikes of the American Motorcyclist Association Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series converge on one of the country's most historic dirt-track venues in Peoria, Ill. "You don't get much more classic or unique than the Peoria TT, and we are excited that the rolling thunder of the AMA Vintage Dirt Track National Championship Series will visit the famed track," said AMA Director…
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KAWASAKI GOOD TIMES™ STREET DEMO DAYS

Kawasaki Good Times™ Street Demo Days headed for sixth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference Early bird AMA member registration pricing ends today PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to announce that Kawasaki Good Times Street Demo Days will be part of the demo ride program at the sixth AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Carson City, Nev., on July 26-29. "Kawasaki motorcycles have a reputation for being sporty, trendy and well-engineered vehicles that every rider can appreciate," said Tigra Tsujikawa, AMA marketing manager. "We are excited that Kawasaki will be part of the demo…
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