Keep The Rubber Side Down

2012 Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC goes on sale in the U.S.

2012-05-30T23:58:00.000-04:00

Now available at Aprilia dealerships in the U.S. is the 2012 RSV4 Factory retailing for $22,999.

The RSV4 was introduced in 2010. The 2011 and 2012 models add, as standard equipment, the Aprilia Performance Ride Control (APRC) package, which is the same electronics package found on the race bikes. The 2012 version also has some small gearing and engine component changes as well as a change in the graphics package.

The APRC system provides the rider with traction control, wheelie control, launch control and quick shift.

The RSV4 Factory APRC is powered by Aprilia’s 999cc longitudinal 65-degree V-4 engine with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Maximum power is a claimed 180 hp at 12,250 rpm. Maximum torque is a claimed 85 ft.-lbs. at 10,000 rpm.

For more information on the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC, visit ApriliaUSA.com and the new Aprilia microsite, ApriliaMasters.com. The latter invites riders to get more familiar with the brand and the motorcycles through customer experiences, online trivia with user rewards, action-packed videos, and an “infographic” featuring company firsts and race wins.

The Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC is currently leading the 2012 World Superbike Championship. This weekend, Max Biaggi, Eugene Laverty and the Aprilia SBK team will be rolling into Salt Lake City for the only SBK round in North America.

Memorial Day

2012-05-28T06:29:00.003-04:00

Fewer motorcyclists dying on Ohio roads

2012-05-21T18:17:00.002-04:00

Michael Cooper of the Springfield News and Sun wrote a nice piece about motorcycle safety in Ohio. Read it here

Sunday's quote

2012-05-20T06:55:00.002-04:00

There's no adventure in turning around.

Zero Motorcycles will pay for electricity as part of summer promotion for new buyers

2012-05-20T00:13:00.002-04:00

Read more about Zero Motorcycles

Check out this Zero Motorcycles to host demo day after record-breaking quarter.

Zero Motorcycles will pay for the first 25,000 miles of electricity for new buyers as part of a promotion that runs through May.
The promotion is running concurrently with Zero's first-ever National Demo Day event that takes place May 19.

"With rising gas prices and the summer riding season just around the corner, we want riders to enjoy an exceptionally fun and carefree summer of riding on a new Zero," said John Lloyd, Zero's VP of global sales. "The fact that Zero Motorcycles can offer to pay for the energy for the first 25,000 miles of riding helps to highlight the incredible efficiency of our entire lineup."

Customers who purchase a new 2012 Zero Motorcycle model between May 15, 2012 and May 31, 2012 will receive a $200 Visa gift card. Here's a little technical background behind the offer: The 25,000 miles is based on the 2012 ZF9 Zero Motorcycle S model at 10 cents per kWh for 90 cents per complete charge cycles, and 222 charges with 114 miles range per complete charge cycle for a total of $199.80.

BMW Rider Training.

2012-05-16T07:20:00.002-04:00

BMW Rider Training

Have you been wanting to take more motorcycle instruction?

Want to be a better rider and increase your skill level?

Do you feel you are one with your motorcycle?

We will be taking 12 lucky customers to the BMW Performance

Center in Greer SC for a 2 day Off Road Class at a fantastic

dealer discounted rate on Tuesday May 29th and Wednesday May 30th.

Subject to minimum participants.

One of the best things about the class is you ride their bikes.

No damage liability. If you can ride on the road then you have

enough experience to take this class. Below is a web link for a quick overview of the class.

If you are interested or know of anyone interested please contact us ASAP before the class fills up.

Kirk@motohio.com or call 614-759-6686 ext 1009.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Experience/Events/PDS/

Pic of the week

2012-05-13T17:02:00.001-04:00

Great road signs

2012-05-12T12:49:00.002-04:00

Best buds in a sidecar

2012-05-02T23:17:00.000-04:00

BMW recalls S 1000 RR for potentially loose connecting rods

2012-05-01T13:15:00.000-04:00

BMW of North America is recalling certain 2012 S 1000 RR sportbikes due to possibly loose connecting rods in the engine. The potential number of units affected is 1,414.
Due to a manufacturing error, the connecting rod bolts may become loose during high engine temperatures and/or high engine operating speeds, which could result in catastrophic engine damage. In the event of engine damage, escaping oil could cause handling issues, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall affects models manufactured from Sept. 1, 2011, through April 10.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connecting rod bolts free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May.

Holt BMW Part 2

2012-04-29T21:21:00.000-04:00

You have heard the adage; "Through rain and sleet, and snow...", well, that pretty much describes my four hundred mile ride on Saturday (No snow).

It was raining when I left Springfield early Saturday morning, but as I rode southeast, the skies began clearing. Arriving in the small town Nelsonville I was able to snap a couple of photos of some of the trains at the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway.

Upon arriving at Holt BMW I scarfed down a hot dog and enjoyed the company of fellow BMW enthusuiast.

Minutes after leaving the dealership to return home some knuckle head surely pissed off the gods, because the partly cloudy skies began to churn and became as black as midninght. Apocalyptic rain, hail, and wind, soon began and I knew I was in for a long ride back (Cue the Gilligans Island theme song).

When I finally arrived home, I was chilled, hungry, and tense, from the ride, but as I rolled the RT into the garage I smiled as I was thankful for the adventure and can't wait to do it all again.

Heading to Holt BMW

2012-04-28T06:02:00.001-04:00

All across the country local powersport dealerships are holding "Open Houses," as the riding and buying season begin in earnest. Today, I will be riding to Holt BMW in Athens, Ohio to visit one of my favorite dealership.

Although forecasters are predicting horrid weather. I am looking forward to gearing up and riding the twisties that lead to the dealership.

Have a great weekend!

Shad USA's ST38 luggage built for the road

2012-04-25T14:24:00.000-04:00

Shad's new ST38 trio of matching, lightweight, aluminum saddlebags, top cases and model-specific racks are a turnkey luggage solution available for BMW, KTM, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha adventure bikes. Each top case and bag is reportedly waterproof and features steel hinges and a tough, high-security dual-lock system.
The cases have 38 liters of storage space and interior fastening straps, and are big enough to hold a full-face helmet. The panniers measure 18.5 in. wide, 13.7 in. tall and 8.3 in. deep. The ST38s come in black or silver, are backed by a two-year warranty, and can be purchased as a three-piece set or in saddlebag-only and top-case only applications. For more information go to www.shadusa.com or call 888-974-2387.

Women and motorcycles

2012-04-20T10:36:00.003-04:00

Ride in Peace: Motorcycle racer, media pioneer Terry Pratt

2012-04-19T08:54:00.000-04:00

Motorcycle industry and racing veteran Terry Pratt died April 15 from complications of pancreatic and liver cancer. He was 67. Pratt died at his home in Westminster, Calif., surrounded by family.
"Terry Pratt was a great guy, an enthusiast to the core, and personally an awesome friend and mentor to me for the 21 years I worked at [Cycle News]," said Mark Thome. "He was a shining example of one of those people that make the motorcycle sport and industry truly cool to be around, because of the people who are in it.
"His heroes were true American icons, and like them, TP was a class act, a patriot, and motorcycle enthusiast, and a friendly competitor to the end," Thome added.
Pratt was born in 1945 in Red Mountain, Calif., and graduated from high school in Boron. Coinciding with his service in the Army in Europe (1966-68) and Army Reserves (1968-72), he worked at as a European MX correspondent covering the World Championship Motocross Grand Prix series for a number of publications, including Cycle News.
In the late 70s, Pratt worked for Hester Communications on its Bicycle Dealer Showcase trade magazine. He returned to Cycle News in 1979 as an advertising manager and stayed with the publication for more than 32 years.
Pratt most recently worked for Topping Events, helping with PR and sponsorship sales for the company's vintage motorcycle swap meets. In his semi-retirement, Pratt was an active member with the Riders’ Club of the American Legion Post #555 in Midway City, Calif., organizing poker runs and socializing with his veteran military buddies.
Pratt was an active member of the National Rifle Association, American Motorcyclist Association, and AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association).
During his motorcycle racing heyday, Pratt was a winning +40/+50 competitor in the CMC Trans-Cal and Golden State Series, and the CVRG (which eventually evolved into AHRMA in 1986 where he sat on the committee that formulated the original rules for vintage motocross). Pratt went on to win many regional and national championship titles in the vintage bike classes on historic brands such as CZ and BSAs.
Pratt also enjoyed trail and dual-sport riding on his vintage bikes (primarily his restored Triumph models), and rode the historic Barstow-to-Vegas Dual Sport event many times taking the “oldest bike” award. His last race, and one of his proudest moments, was racing his personally restored and modified BSA at the return of the Catalina Grand Prix in 2010.
One of Pratt's most lasting and prominent legacies will be the book he co-authored with Volney Howard III, called Grand Prix Motocross, which documented the seminal 1972 MXGP World Championship season with sharp illustrative photography and insightful historical descriptions, capturing the momentous changes happening at that time in motorcycle sports.
Survivors include his mother Barbara, sister Shelley Keller-Gage, niece Brianna Gage, and nephew Sagen Gage in Boron, Calif.; niece Jennifer Keller in Albuquerque, N.M.; and niece Julie Keller in Lancaster, Calif. Pratt was preceded in death by his father John H. Pratt, and brother William John Pratt.

Family announcement posted by Mary Slepicka. Photo by Joe Bonello.

Annoying things people say to you at gas stations

2012-04-16T22:26:00.000-04:00

Here's a story from a dude named Bender...

"I stopped after work this afternoon to top off the bike. There were a couple of harleys on a trailer at the pump beside me, scraggy looking dipshits in the car pulling it. One of them looks my bike over and nods, I nod back. The driver dipshit cranes his head past his buddy and pipes up, "It takes a man to ride a harley, don't you know that son?"

To which I replied, "Yeah? Well what kinda monkeyboy does it take to trailer one behind a front-wheel drive shitbox?"

I thought the passenger was gonna fall out the car laughing so hard!"

Now I Remember.

2012-04-13T09:06:00.001-04:00

Warm shafts of sunlight trumpeted the entrance of morning like “Hail to the Chief” announces the President of the United States.

Confused from my sudden awakening, I was uncertain if I should welcome or curse the introduction of this new day.

But as the fog burned away, a faint smile appeared.

Now I remember; I am riding today.

7 Motorcycling Books I Would Recommend

2012-04-12T07:28:00.001-04:00

I have a wide range of interests and read extensively on many subjects. But over the past few months I have focused most of my reading to books dealing with motorcycling.

Here’s a list of some of the books I have enjoyed and I would be interested in any you would recommend. Many of these titles can be picked up at Motorbooks.

365 Motorcycles You Must Ride: Gingerelli, Michels and Everitt
The Art of BMW: Gantriis and Von Wertenberg
Motorcycle Touring Bible: Fred Rau
Modern Motorcycle Technology: Massimo Clarke
Proficient Motorcycling: David L. Hough
Far and Away A Prize Every Time: Neil Peart
The Devil Can Ride: Lee Klancher

Women and motorcycles

2012-04-11T22:04:00.000-04:00

Are you a mod, or a rocker? AMA welcomes both at this year's Vintage Days

2012-04-11T11:44:00.000-04:00

It looks like Brighton Beach is coming to Mid-Ohio. The American Motorcyclist Association announces that this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle days rally will highlight the classic Mods and Rockers two-wheeled subculture.

 The 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is set for July 20-22 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, where a spotlight will shine on British café-racer motorcycles and Italian metal-bodied scooters made popular by the self-described Rockers and Mods of the early 1960s.
"If you've ever seen the TV show Café Racers, or watched the movie Quadrophenia, you know the amazing impact the British Mods and Rockers had on motorcycle culture," said Grant Parsons, AMA director of marketing and communications. "At this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, it's not just about the custom café racers and blinged-out Lambrettas and Vespas, but also the crazy and wonderful people who are bringing these icons back to life 40 to 50 years later, an entire ocean away from where the craze got its start."
High-profile characters in one of motorcycling's most colorful bits of history, Rockers sported pompadours, wore leather jackets festooned with pins, and rode Triumph, Norton, BSA and other Brit-bikes chopped into café racers. The Rockers stood in stark contrast to the Mods of the same era -- dapper-dressed riders who prized the glorious cosmetic and performance enhancements of Italian metal-body scooters like Vespas and Lambrettas. For a Mod, the more shiny-chrome rear-view mirrors mounted on the front legshields, the better.
Both groups — and their machines — will be honored as the 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days "Marque of the Year." The Rockers and Mods showcase at Mid-Ohio will be most evident in bike and scooter shows focused on the two groups, and in a special tent devoted to the Mods and Rockers, with machines, memorabilia, history displays and live interviews and entertainment throughout the three days of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.
All Mods and Rockers, and everyone else who enjoys vintage motorcycle racing, riding, building, watching and bench-racing, are invited to the family-friendly event in Central Ohio July 20-22. Tickets are available now to the general public through www.midohio.com. AMA members can get a special discount through May 28 by calling the AMA directly at (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646). Kids 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Get your tickets today.
Heading up the café contingent and coordinating bike shows and memorabilia displays is Mike Seate, motorcyclist, author, founder of Café Racer magazine (www.caferacermag.com) and star of the Café Racer TV show (www.caferacertv.com) on Velocity.
"We've had a significant presence at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for several years now, and we love the crowds, the energy, the fun and the very cool vibe you get there," Seate said. "We're glad to be at the forefront of the modern resurgence of the café racer motorcycle, and taking that enthusiasm to the next level by being front-and-center at this event will be awesome."
Spearheading the Mods and their scooters will be Phil Waters of the Pride of Cleveland scooter shops (www.clevelandscooters.com), who is working with scooter clubs like the Columbus Cutters in Ohio, XYL in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh Vintage in Pennsylvania, to create one of the most unique opportunities for scooter enthusiasts to come together in years.
"This thing is just going to be great," Waters said. "Scooter riders — all scooter riders but especially those who love vintage metal-bodied scooters — will find plenty to love with everything we're pulling together for this event. We'll even have a special area for the scooter crowd to camp, and a few surprises that I don't want to give away yet but definitely involve field games. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and new ones from six states at this year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days."

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo motorcycles

2012-04-07T08:33:00.000-04:00

If you have watched the new film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you couldn't have missed the awesome rat bike ridden by Lisbeth Slander. Well, actually it was three bikes, and they were late 60's Honda CL350s rebuilt by Glory Motor Works. I am particularly fond of these old motorcycles being a disciple of "bigger bikes are not necessarily better." Read more here.

I love making mistakes.

2012-04-01T06:59:00.001-04:00

While riding through Kentucky, I made a wrong turn and discovered this. I love making mistakes.

Check out the newly designed Rossi helmet.

2012-03-31T06:42:00.000-04:00

Valentino Rossi’s PistaGP helmet for AGV is part of the company’s Standard project, which designs and tests helmets in innovative ways. Instead of starting design with the exterior shell, the company says, the AGV Standards project starts with the rider’s head, whose measurements are collected digitally. The measurements are then used to design the helmet from the inside out, in a technique similar to CAE/CAD.
AGV claims that the PistaGP helmet reduces the residual impact force transmitted to a rider’s head by 36 percent when compared to ECE regulation limits. Visor movement area has been reduced by 71 percent when compared to the GP-Tech helmet, which allows for more impact-absorption material. Field of vision also has been increased by 15 degrees, while air intakes have nearly tripled in size.
“I am very happy with the PistaGP, it feels like I am not wearing a helmet. Its aerodynamics have increased, with excellent ventilation and exaggerated visibility, like switching from the TV to the cinema,” says Valentino Rossi, the leading rider in the AGV Standards project.

Contact: Danese USA, 949-645-9500, www.agv.com.

Thanks Dealernews.

Women and Motorcycles. Don't miss this one.

2012-03-28T07:23:00.000-04:00

A wee bit of humor.

2012-03-27T14:41:00.002-04:00

A gynecologist was getting sick of his job and decided that he needed a career change. He'd always enjoyed tinkering with boxer engines so thought he'd become a motorcycle mechanic. The good doctor went along to the American Institute of Motorcycling, the best motorcycle mechanics school in the country, and completed the training class. The final exam was to strip a bike engine completely and reassemble it - obviously back into perfect working order. So our gynecologist friend did the test and anxiously awaited the result. The day he received the results he got quite a surprise, he got 150%! He quickly phoned the instructor and queried the mark. The instructor said, "No, no that's right. First I gave you 50% for stripping down the engine -- a very thorough job. Next I gave you 50% for reassembling it - a fantastic job really. Then I gave you a 50% bonus for doing it all through the muffler."