Keep The Rubber Side Down

Kawasaki issues a massive recall.

2012-02-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

Kawasaki is recalling certain Ninja ZX-10R and Ninja ZX-6R models due to a possibly faulty regulator/rectifier. The potential number of units affected is about 20,544.
The recall involves certain 2008-to-2011 ZX-10R models and 2009-to-2012 ZX-6R models manufactured from Dec. 14, 2007, through July 26, 2011.
Due to a manufacturing error, the regulator/rectifier may insufficiently charge the battery. If the battery discharges, the motorcycle may stall without warning.
Kawasaki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the voltage regulator for free. The recall is expected to begin on or about Feb. 27. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 949-770-0400.

2012 Women's Conference: The year's premier event for women riders

2012-02-23T04:48:00.000-05:00

AMA members can book now and save big on attending the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference in Carson City, Nev., on July 26-27, 2012. Early registration of $125 is available now exclusively for AMA members at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=vw9ldxbab&oeidk=a07e5b2rc65a3dc83f3. After April 30, 2012, registration will increase to $175 for AMA members and be available to non-AMA members for $235. (Not an AMA member? Join now!)

You also can call (800) 262-5646 to register

Harley-Davidson introduces two new models

2012-02-21T04:46:00.000-05:00

Harley-Davidson is releasing two new models. Below are the press releases announcing the bikes.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SEVENTY-TWO™ REVIVES A LEAN LOOK
Dark Custom Gets Some Color – A New Narrow Sportster in Sparkling Metal Flake Paint
MILWAUKEE (Feb. 1, 2012) – The Harley-Davidson® Seventy-Two™ motorcycle is a metal flake dream machine, a Sportster® on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb. Those motorcycles were long and lean; candy-apple color and gleaming chrome shimmering in hazy summer sunlight. From its Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint and ape bars to its narrow whitewall tires, the Seventy-Two is a respectful nod to that era, and to the influence of the custom culture that still percolates today along Whittier Boulevard, the legendary cruising street in East Los Angeles also known as Route 72. A new generation of custom builder is tapping into that era and making a fresh statement, not just in California but in garages across the country, even around the world.
“In creating the Seventy-Two, we were also inspired by the vibe of the early chopper era,” says Frank Savage, Harley-Davidson Manager of Industrial Design. “Those bikes were colorful and chromed, but also narrow and stripped down to the essentials. You look at period examples and they are almost as simple as a bicycle. It’s a custom style that’s very particular to America and that California scene.”
Metal flake, an iconic design element of the ‘70s, appeared in everything from dune buggy gel coat to vinyl diner upholstery, and on custom motorcycles. Harley-Davidson brings the sparkle back on the Seventy-Two with Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint. This new finish is created by applying a black base coat, followed by a polyurethane system that carries hexagon-shaped flakes that are more than seven times the diameter of metal flake used in typical production paint. Each flake is coated with a thin aluminum film and then tinted red. Four applications of clear coat, combined with hand sanding, create a smooth finish over the flakes.
“The final touch to the Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint is a logo on the tank top and pinstripe scallop details on both fenders,” says Savage. “Each was originally created by hand, and we recreated that art in a decal for production, so they still have the appearance of hand-applied graphics in that they are not exactly perfect. The graphics are then covered with a final clear coat application.”
A solo seat and side-mounted license plate bracket leave much of the chopped rear fender – and more of that paint – exposed on the Seventy-Two. The powertrain is finished in Gray powdercoat with chrome covers and a new round air cleaner with a dished cover. A classic Sportster 2.1-gallon “peanut” fuel tank adds a final period touch to the motorcycle.
Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson® Seventy-Two™ include:

Air-cooled Evolution® 1200cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 73 ft. lbs. peak torque at 3500 rpm.
Powertrain is finished in Gray powdercoat with Chrome covers.
Paint color choices include Hard Candy Big Red Flake with period pinstripe details on fenders and fuel tank, Black Denim, and Big Blue Pearl.
Classic 2.1-gallon peanut fuel tank.
Dunlop® white side wall 21-inch (MH90-21) front and 16-inch (150/80B16) rear tires.
Chrome Laced wheels.
Ten-inch mini-ape handlebar mounted on a two-inch high riser.
Chrome, eight-inch round air cleaner cover with center screw mount.
Chopped rear fender exposes rear tire.
Side-mounted license plate bracket.
Chrome, staggered, shorty dual exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.
Solo seat with black textured vinyl cover.
Handlebar-mounted speedometer with chrome cup.
Chrome rear fender struts.
Chrome coil-over pre-load adjustable rear shocks.
Forward foot controls.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's website at www.harley-davidson.com.
NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON SOFTAIL® SLIM™ IS A CLEAN, OLD-SCHOOL CUSTOM
Stripped-Down, Narrow Styling with Less Chrome and Retro Details
MILWAUKEE (Feb. 1, 2012) – Pare down a Harley-Davidson® Softail® motorcycle to its essential elements and you have the Slim. From its trimmed front fender to its narrow rear end, Slim is a no-nonsense, back-to-basics motorcycle. Call it stripped. Call it old school. Call it lean and mean. What’s left is the elemental Softail profile and iconic Harley-Davidson® style that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.
“It’s time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle,” says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I like to be able to look down and see what’s moving me.”
To keep the rear of the motorcycle simple and clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate. The rear fender struts are left uncovered, exposing the forged steel and fasteners. A thin formed-leather strap covers the fuel tank seam. The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders are left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose more of the tire.
“I’d personally like to strip the bike down even further,” says Ketterhagen, “but this is as far as we can go on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940s and 50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era, beginning with a Hollywood handlebar.”
The Hollywood bar, identified by its wide bend and cross brace, was originally an accessory for Harley-Davidson® models with a Springer fork. The name may have been coined because owners of that era who used the cross-brace to mount lights and bags had “gone Hollywood” with excessive accessorization. For the Slim, the cross-braced bar and louvered headlight nacelle are finished in gloss black. Other period styling cues include a gloss black “cat’s eye” tank console with a retro speedometer face, half-moon rider footboards, a round air cleaner cover, and gloss black wheel rims and hubs. The cover of the solo seat is stitched in a tuck-and-roll pattern.
“The seat really gives you the feeling of sitting in the bike, rather than on it,” says Ketterhagen. “The bars are nice and low, too, so when you’re riding you have an unobstructed view forward, which reinforces the idea that this is a very elemental motorcycle, a real back-to-basics ride.”
A counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B™ engine is rigid-mounted within the frame, creating a solid connection between rider and the machine. The Softail® chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight within the frame rails. With the combination of a 23.8-inch seat height and rider footboards, the Slim comfortably fits a wide range of riders and offers light side-stand lift-off. A pull-back riser from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories can be installed to move the handlebar back two inches without changing control cables and lines.
Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail® Slim™ include:

Rigid-mounted, air-cooled, 1690 cc Twin Cam 103B™ counter-balanced engine with Automatic Compression Release (ACR) rated at 98.7 ft. lbs. peak torque at 3000 rpm.
Powertrain is finished in Black powdercoat with polished covers.
6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission.
Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.
Gloss Black round air cleaner cover.
Classic 5.0-gallon Fat Bob® fuel tank.
Black “cat’s eye” console holds electronic speedometer with retro-style face.
Dunlop® 16-inch (MT90B16) front and rear (MU85B16) tires.
Black, Steel Laced wheels.
Hollywood handlebar with cross-brace
Gloss black headlamp with chrome trim ring.
Gloss black nacelle with punched louvers.
Half-moon footboards with retro-style foot control pads.
Chopped rear fender exposes rear tire.
Trimmed FL front fender.
Side-mounted license plate bracket.
Combination stop/tail/turn tail lights.
Solo seat with black tuck-and-roll vinyl cover.
Forged rear fender supports are finished in Gloss Black powdercoat.
Gloss black “horseshoe” oil tank.
Paint color choices include Vivid Black, Black Denim, and Ember Red Sunglo.
Security Package Option (factory-installed option) includes: Harley-Davidson® Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

AMA Ice Race Grand Championships crown first champions of 2012

2012-02-21T04:36:00.000-05:00

The AMA recognized its first champions of 2012 with the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships, Feb. 11-12 in Cadillac, Mich. The amateur championship event took place at the William Mitchell State Park.

In addition to 30 championships in classes featuring riders of all ages competing on bikes ranging from lightly modified off-road machines to full-on, purpose-built ice racers, the AMA also recognized two riders for outstanding performances. Kyle Johnson, from Twin Lake, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Ice Racer of the Year Award and Nathan Gross from Clio, Mich., won the 2012 AMA Youth Ice Racer of the Year Award.

I love what you have done with the garage.

2012-02-20T12:52:00.000-05:00

The price motorcyclists pay for riding.

2012-02-18T14:48:00.003-05:00

On Friday my Zen like state was abruptly interrupted by a Honda Civic. I was riding back to the dealership after a relaxing lunch, when a young driver ran a traffic light at the intersection I was crossing. By the time I saw him he was bearing down on my left side. Instinctively, I rolled on the throttle and narrowly escaped an impact.

I immediately breathed a sigh of relief then thought about going after the kid, but quickly realized that although yelling at him would make me feel better, it would be a coarse action and of no benefit.

Close calls are the price motorcyclists pay for riding in the breeze and that will always be the case.

The Price Motorcyclists Pay for Riding. (mp3)

Danger on State Route 43

2012-02-16T09:05:00.001-05:00

"As motorcyclist's we are constantly aware of the dangers of riding, whether it be approaching an intersection we navigate everyday or the twisties of a new road we have been anxious to try. This is a fictional story about those inherit dangers. I hope you enjoy it."

Rick

Danger on State Route 43

By Rick Slark

It was mid November in Gaithersburg and the winter season was beginning. Dillon my close friend had recently completed a motorcycle safety course and earned his motorcycle endorsement. Anxious to ride, he asked me and three other friends to ride to the Montauk River on Saturday. All of us agreed so long as the weather held out.

The Montauk River area is an outdoorsman’s paradise. Each year thousands of motorcyclists come from all over the state to ride the twisty roads and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Dillon had never ridden through this area on his motorcycle and was dying to give it a try.

SR 43 is the most famous motorcycling road in these parts and for good reason. It is eighty five miles of asphalt that snakes its way through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range. The roads are full of sweeping curves, narrow lanes, and plenty of opportunities to get a knee down. Some of the most beautiful scenery in our state is visible from this road, but danger is only one mistake away. Sheer drop offs are around every corner and with no guardrails for protection a rider must pay close attention. If one gets hurt in this desolate area, emergency help is a long way off.

On the morning of our ride, I awakened to the sound of rain pelting against my bedroom window. I continued lying in bed as I listened to the thunder roll across the sky. Michelle, my wife rolled toward me and said “Surely you aren’t riding to the river in this weather.” “I hope not, but I’d better give Dillon a call.” I replied. Dillon answered on the second ring,

“Hey buddy, tell me we aren’t riding today!” I said.

“What do you mean?” Dillon replied. “Of course we’re riding! I’m not going to let a little rain stop me!” He continued.

“It’s more than a little rain, Dillon. It’s coming down hard.” I said, staring at the newly formed puddles in my backyard.

“I know, but it’s my only day off for two weeks, I’m riding! The other three guys already cancelled. Come on Seth,” Dillon said gruffly.

“You have no idea how dangerous that road is when it’s wet.” I said. Dillon interrupted, “You don’t think I can handle it do you?”

“Listen, you just got your endorsement and this isn’t the best road to practice your skills.” I said firmly.

“I’m a good rider and I will be just fine!” Dillon said.

“Alright,” I said reluctantly. “I will meet you at the Dairy Mart in forty five minutes,” and ended the call.

Michelle overheard the conversation and glared at me with a stare of disapproval, then said, “You caved Seth, you guys should not be riding that road in this weather, especially Dillon!” I knew she was right.

It was 8:15 AM. As I rolled into the Dairy Mart, the rain was beating down and temperatures were in the mid thirties. Dillon was waiting for me in the parking lot and I pulled alongside him.

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

“I just got here. He replied.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I asked again.

“I’m sure, stop worrying!” Dillon replied. I wiped my visor with the back of my leather glove and we rolled toward the street.

Dillon had been leading the way for the better part of an hour as we approached a section of SR 43 called Bennington’s Gap. The gap begins with a series of steep S curves which flattens out to a long section of straightaway then finally into another series of curves. It’s thrilling and exhausting. I motioned to Dillon that I was coming around him, I rolled on the throttle and he quickly disappeared in my review mirrors as I roared through the gap.

On the other side of Bennington’s Gap is a small gravel pull off with a terrific view. Many riders stop here to take catch their breath, but on this rain drenched day I waited alone. I had only been waiting a minute when I saw Dillon coming through the final hairpin curve and he soon rolled beside me.

“Oh my God; that was freakin’ amazing!” Dillon shouted exuberantly.

“Let’s ride that again!” I assured him there was plenty of great riding ahead and encouraged him to be patient.

Soon we approached the notorious; Thunder Alley, the best section of the road to run wide open. In proper weather conditions an experienced rider can accelerate to speeds over one hundred and twenty miles per hour before braking hard into enter a series of descending curves that bend back upon one another. Most of the accidents that occur on SR 43 occur here. I had told Dillon I would meet him at the vacant country store just after the alley. Once again I lost Dillon in my mirrors as I began snaking my way through the alley. With the poor roads conditions I had to be more cautious than usual, but it was still a rush.

Adrenaline was coursing through my body as I pulled into the parking lot of the abandoned store; I lit a cigarette, and set back to wait for Dillon. I’d only been waiting a couple of minutes when I impatiently muttered “Come on!” My agitation turned to worry when after five minutes; Dillon had yet to show up.

“He is never this far behind me” I muttered to myself. I fired up the bike and headed back toward Thunder Alley.

I had only gone about ¾ of a mile when I spotted a silver F150 pickup truck parked awkwardly in the middle of the road with its emergency flashers on. As I rolled up closer, I saw Dillon’s twisted Fat Boy lying on its side and Dillon beside it writhing in pain. The left fender of the pickup had a large dent and pieces of plastic and chrome trim littered the pavement.

“Oh shit!” I said as I dismounted and quickly ran to Dillon. As I approached I could see his left leg was bleeding profusely and one of the men from the pickup was cinching a belt around his mangled thigh. The femur was protruding through the skin and his foot was turned backward. He was bleeding from his head and was unable to move his left arm.

“Did someone call the squad?” I asked one of the men and he assured me that he had. Dillon was drifting in and out of consciousness, but managed to tell me he had gone into the corner too hot and had gone left of center colliding with the truck. I told him that none of that mattered now and that help was on its way.

Dillon has been my best friend since third grade when his family moved to our town; we have been inseparable ever since. We attended public school together, played on the same sports teams, and even graduated from the same community college and watching him writhe in pain and not be able to help was almost more than I could bear.

For twenty frantic minutes I did my best to comfort my friend, but nothing seemed to stop the pain. I was so relieved to finally hear the faint shrill of sirens in the distance. A few minutes later a volunteer emergency team arrived on the scene, but with a quick assessment they recognized the severity of the injuries and dispatched a care flight team.

Another twenty minutes passed before a brightly colored helicopter landed in the middle of the highway. Everyone on the scene covered their faces as water, gravel, and other debris, was blown around by the massive rotor. I walked alongside the gurney as the paramedics rolled it toward the chopper all the while assuring Dillon that he was in good hands and that I would call his wife Grace. When the helicopter was air born I reached for my phone and made one of the toughest phone calls of my life.

“Grace, this is Seth. There’s been an accident!” I said, and then proceeded to give her the details of the calamity. I told her that I had spoken to Michelle and that she was on her way to drive her to the hospital and that I would meet them in the emergency room as soon as possible.

I remained at the accident site as the State Highway Patrol continued their investigation. At one point I noticed the driver of the pickup sitting alone beside the road trying to light a cigarette, but his hands were shaking so badly he couldn’t light it. I walked over to offer my assistance. I sat down next to him and neither one of us spoke for a long while, finally he broke the silence and said “It happened so fast. We came around the curve and there he was; coming right at us. I swerved to the right but there was no place to go. He hit us so hard!”

“I know it wasn’t your fault.” I said as I put my hand on his shoulder.

The rain continued as the accident scene was cleaned up and an hour later the road was re-opened, with nothing left to do, I headed to Birmingham General.

It was nearly 5:45 PM. By the time I arrived at the hospital. I was soaked, emotional drained, and afraid of what news awaited me inside that emergency room. I walked through the sliding doors to a small nurse’s station. I asked them about my friend and they informed me that Dillon was in surgery and then lead me to the waiting room.

It was a medium sized room and a few family members had gathered. A television was on, but no one was watching it, the lights were low and the smell of burnt coffee permeated the air. I looked around and saw Grace and Michelle talking quietly in the corner, it was apparent both had been crying. They both jumped up when they saw me and began crying again. I gave Michelle a big hug and assured her I was fine. I then turned toward Grace not knowing what to say.

She spoke first, “How could you let this happen? You should have been there!”

“It was an accident Grace, there was nothing I could have done.” I said. Just then the surgeon walked into the room, his scrubs and coal black hair all disheveled.

“My name is Dr. Adar,” the man said, “your husband is stable and should be fine, but…” he paused and took a deep breath before continuing. “His left leg was badly damaged in the accident and despite our best efforts we were unable to repair it. We had to amputate his leg just above the knee.” At that moment it seemed as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. We were all in disbelief. Dr. Adar continued… “We were able to save enough of the thigh so that a prosthetic limb will work well. He should lead a fairly normal life,” and then he turned and left the room.

Dr. Adar was right. Three years have passed since the accident and Dillon is doing great. Physically, he has fully recovered and has adapted to his prosthetic leg remarkably well. He continues to ride motorcycles and we make it a point to ride SR 43 several times a year.

A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson Turns 100 this year.

2012-02-14T13:41:00.000-05:00

Dealernews Top 100 dealer A.D. Farrow Harley-Davidson in central Ohio has teamed up with the Easyriders bike show and a local club to start festivities in conjunction with the dealership's 100th anniversary.
A.D. Farrow, with locations in Columbus and Sunbury, Ohio, plans to celebrate being America's Oldest Harley Dealer with a series of events, including a 100th anniversary celebration at the Bluestone club. The February party will serve as a Save the Date Reminder for a bigger series of events planned for June 13 to 23.
The Feb. 11 party will kick off at 8 p.m. with live music by artists Union Rose, The Jack, and Jasmine Cane with appearances by the Hard Candy Girls. A.D. Farrow Co. will be featured at the Easyriders Bike Show Tour at the Columbus Convention Center, once again hosting the “Baddest Bike Competition” with Columbus radio station The Blitz. The winner of the Baddest Bike Competition will have his/her ride displayed in the A.D. Farrow Co. booth at the Easyriders Bike Show Tour. Along with the Baddest Bike Display the booth boasts photo opportunities with Tommy Flanagan from the “Sons of Anarchy” TV show as well as the Hard Candy Girls.
The dealership will provide round-trip shuttle service from the Easyriders Bike Show Tour to its dealership in Sunbury and to Phillip's Original Coney Island. The shuttle will take guests of the show to the dealership for free for its second annual Merchandise Madness Event.
Posted by Holly Wagner

Streetfighterz Ride of the century

2012-02-11T02:56:00.001-05:00

Let me know how you feel after watching this.

Streetfighterz Ride of the Century 2011 from Shark Fins on Vimeo.

Solitude

2012-02-10T06:38:00.000-05:00

Baxley Trailer Company

2012-02-07T06:07:00.001-05:00

With the motorcycling season quickly approaching we realize many of our readers are looking for a new motorcycle trailer to haul their babies to Daytona, Sturgis, or many other rallies around the nation. If you are considering a trailer you may want to give the Baxley Trailer Company a try. Baxley trailers are American made and haved served the motorcycle community since 1946.

Here's what they say about their products,

"BaxleyUSA is dedicated to providing our customers with the finest American Made products available anywhere. We believe that success comes through hard work, innovative design, quality manufacturing and great customer service. It is our hope that you will find a product here that will meet your needs at a fair price, we guarantee it will be of the highest quality and built to last. If you want the cheapest, chances are you will get it; if you want the best, chances are it will be worth it."

2012 Easyriders Bike Show Tour Columbus, Ohio

2012-02-06T14:46:00.000-05:00

February 10 - 12, 2012 Columbus, Ohio

2012 Easyriders Bike Show Tour
Sponsored by Geico & Dennis Kirk

The show will be held at The Greater Columbus Convention Center. Gates open at 5:00 pm on Friday and 10:00 am on Saturday and Sunday. The event includes a bike show with two classes. In the spectator class bikes wil be judged by the voting public. In the judged class the winning motorcycles will be chosen by judges. Bike show entry is included with admission to the event. Entry includes a free 5x10 display spot for your bike. Enter 5 bikes or more and also receive a free 10x10 exhibitor or vendor booth. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to winners. The show caters to Harley-Davidson, Indian, Polaris, Vintage American, Vintage British, V-Twin Metric Cruisers or after market Harley-Davidson or Indian. The show also includes music, vendors, exhibits, and more. For more information call (404) 886-3467, click here to send e-mail, or go to http://www.EasyridersEvents.com.

An enjoyable Sunday ride.

2012-02-05T20:48:00.000-05:00

Mid afternoon I hit the road on the RT. No destination, just some back roads and interstate. Great to be riding in early February without a lot of winter gear.

Yamaha SR500, as featured on Cafe Racer TV season 1

2012-02-05T07:35:00.000-05:00

A short film by Ricki Bedenbaugh for Lossa Engineering, "Solus". Lossa Engineering built Yamaha SR500, also featured on Cafe Racer TV season 1

Lossa Engineering's short film "Solus" from Jay Lossa on Vimeo.

Women and Motorcycles

2012-02-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Motorcycle imports from Japan up 87% in 2011

2012-02-04T11:01:00.000-05:00

Japanese manufacturers in 2011 exported 164,875 motorcycles to the U.S., an increase of 87.2 percent compared to the year before.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, these same companies exported 53,342 units to the U.S., a year-over-year rise of 86.9 percent. Export increases for the first three quarters of the year: 81.1 percent, 105 percent and 82.7 percent, respectively.

These figures come courtesy of the searchable database of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association. They pertain to Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Japanese motorcycle makers in 2011 exported 14,353 units to Canada, a decrease of 21.0 percent.

JAMA reports that total motorcycle production in Japan was 638,987 units. Compared with the 664,175 units recorded for the previous year, this is a decrease of 25,188 units, or 3.8 percent. The production drop comes after last year’s upturn.

The motorcycle makers exported 504,985 units from Japan to all parts of the world in 2011, an increase of 2.3 percent after four years of declines. The U.S. share of exports increased sharply to 32.6 percent from 17.8 percent.

Total motorcycle production in Japan for each manufacturer in 2011: Honda, 200,493 (down 0.3 percent); Suzuki, 160,200 (down 4.4 percent); Yamaha, 162,821 (down 10.9 percent); and Kawasaki, 115,420 (up 2.4 percent). An “Others” category consisted of just 53 units. All the manufacturers also have manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Total motorcycle exports from Japan to countries worldwide for each manufacturer in 2011: Honda, 121,914 (up 14.6 percent); Suzuki, 116,273 (up 2.7 percent); Yamaha, 157,731 (down 4.3 percent); and Kawasaki, 109,067 (flat with last year).

Posted by Arlo Redwine

Cigar Night

2012-02-02T15:06:00.001-05:00

The Wharf: Premium Cigars, Pipe Tobacco, and Cigarettes For All Smoking Pleasures

Join us on Thursday February 2nd from 4PM until 8PM as we host the Evolution of Cigars, Drew Estate!

All of the Drew Estate staples will be here! ACID, Isla Del Sol, Tabak Especial, La Vieja Habana, Ambrosia, and Joya De Nicaragua!

We will also be introducing two new cigars to the Wharf! We are proud to announce that we will have BOTH the Undercrown and My Uzi Weighs a Ton. Both are sure to please!

DON'T MISS OUT!

Join us for the deals! Buy any three Drew Estate cigars and get 1 free! Buy a box of Drew Estate cigars and receive 20% off, 6 free cigars, a ball cap, and a t shirt! Don't forget, with any qualified purchase you will also get a raffle ticket for a chance at a host of wonderful prizes.

Great variety, terrific prizes, and TWO NEW CIGARS! What a night!

AMA welcomes Ken Ford to Board of Directors.

2012-02-02T06:39:00.000-05:00

AMA welcomes Ken Ford of Bartow, Fla., to Board of Directors

Ken Ford, a 27-year AMA member from Bartow, Fla., has been elected the member representative on the AMA Board of Directors from the Southeast region. Ford fills the seat previously held by Charles Goman.

Ford, a senior executive at a Fortune 50 company for 17 years, is an active off-road, dual-sport, adventure and sport-touring rider. He is a 32-year member of the Florida Trail Riders and former president of the AMA-chartered club. He is also a member of Sunrunners M/C, Dixie Dual Sport and the Concours Owners Group, where he is the current executive director. An environmental engineer by education, Ford has been riding for more than 50 years.

Snow storm rider

2012-01-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

My son was in the Cleveland area this afternoon and passed this year rounder. Way to ride brother. Thanks for the picture Jonathan.

BMW K1600GT Hidden Function

2012-01-27T17:24:00.000-05:00

Awful 10+ Dirtbike Pileup On Horribly Narrow Ridge

2012-01-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

I would look like a bad ass with these.

2012-01-22T07:45:00.000-05:00

I am always on the lookout for new products and gadgets. This week I found these tatted sleeves that claim to offer a rider protection from harmful UV rays. I don't know if that claim is true or not, but they certainly would make me look like a bad ass on my BMW.

MissingLink has released a nifty way to protect exposed arms from harmful UV rays while riding. The ArmPro is a four-way stretch sleeve with SPF 50 protection. Not only does the ArmPro have a stylish tattoo design, but it also wicks away sweat and provides muscle compression. Fabric is stretch- and fade-resistant, and can also be worn wet when riding in hot temperatures. The ArmPro is packaged in pairs.

Contact: Missing Link, 888-489-9984, www.missinglnk.com

Ducati unveils a new design concept for their dealerships.

2012-01-22T07:26:00.000-05:00

Finally, Ducati reveals what their newly designed dealerships will look like. Dennis Johnson gives us the story.

For 2012, Ducati North America has launched a new retail design program aimed at improving the customer experience and communicating the "story" of the Ducati brand.

The move, which will see changes in design and fixturing and participating Ducati dealerships throughout the U.S., is part of the Italian marque's new corporate changes announced at its 2011 dealer meeting. These improvements included the addition of new staff members, improved communications between DNA and the factory in Italy, and a new IT system meant to support and synchronize marketing, dealer support, product availability and delivery information.

With the investment in infrastructure and product R&D — see the Diavel and Panigale for proof of this — it's now time to focus on improving the retail-consumer interface, says Dominique Cheraki, Ducati North America general manager.

"Everything we've done is with the same goal and objective in mind, which is to satisfy the customer," Cheraki says. "We know very well that most of our customers, they don't just buy a bike, they buy a full story so we need to make the store really attractive. "It's very important for us to work with our dealer network to implement this new retail identity program. It isn't just a revamping of the show room, it's a completely new process to properly design the [store]."

The first store to undergo the transformation is Ducati New York, Ducati's flagship store in Manhattan. The unveiling today coincides with the moto-press happenings going on this weekend during the New York City stop of the Progressive International Motorcycle Show tour.

The new design — which features elements of the brand's trademark Italian design, performance and lifestyle through images, furniture and fixtures — will give equal weight to the show room and the store's service area. Given the legendary attention to detail that Ducatisti show to their bike's performance and service, taking the service department out of the "back shop" is important. As Cheraki says, "Service is part of the experience. The work being done by those technicians, who have been trained by Ducati, should be shown to the customer."

The space in-between, which in many dealerships is a customer lounge or reception area, is being called the Red Zone. There will be a specific design to this area, Cheraki says, that includes a social area, seating area, a help counter and video monitors.

Since the initiative's introduction at the dealers show in Florida, more than 50 percent of DNA's dealer network has signed up for the project — among these are dealerships that account for 60 to 70 percent of DNA's sales, Cheraki says. "I think it's a pretty good result," he adds.
Overall, Cheraki notes that the design changes are meant to be easy for a dealer to implement. The product is the star of the show," he says. "We don't have to create a show around the bikes, apparel and accessories. Let's just give them a nice way to present them."

The retail design announcement come alongside reports from DNA that it saw a 43 percent growth in motorcycle sales in 2011, compared to 2010. The company also reports that it has a record market share in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and that for the first time, North America is now Ducati's No. 1 market.

International Motorcycle Show comes to Cleveland.

2012-01-21T08:39:00.000-05:00

Give me a heads up if you are going to be there. You can buy me a beer!

January 27-29 I-X Center Cleveland OH

www.motorcycleshows.com

Author and cross-country motorcyclist Tamela Rich to speak at Motohio.

2012-01-20T08:31:00.002-05:00

Motohio is hosting a guest Speaker, Tamela Rich, on Tuesday January 24 at 6:00pm. Please join us as Tamela will share her motorcycle adventures while traveling with the International Motorcycle Show.

Author and cross-country motorcyclist Tamela Rich wrote Live Full Throttle: Life Lessons From Friends Who Faced Cancer based on two years of riding her motorcycle across the US and Canada with other women committed to the breast cancer cause. She learned how a brush with cancer helped survivors re-examine both their priorities and their assumptions about how to live their best lives.

Keep The Rubber Side Down

Kawasaki issues a massive recall.

2012 Women's Conference: The year's premier event for women riders

Harley-Davidson introduces two new models

Harley-Davidson is releasing two new models. Below are the press releases announcing the bikes.

AMA Ice Race Grand Championships crown first champions of 2012

I love what you have done with the garage.

The price motorcyclists pay for riding.

Danger on State Route 43

A.D. Farrow Harley Davidson Turns 100 this year.

Streetfighterz Ride of the century

Solitude

Baxley Trailer Company

2012 Easyriders Bike Show Tour Columbus, Ohio

An enjoyable Sunday ride.

Yamaha SR500, as featured on Cafe Racer TV season 1

Women and Motorcycles

Motorcycle imports from Japan up 87% in 2011

Cigar Night

The Wharf: Premium Cigars, Pipe Tobacco, and Cigarettes For All Smoking Pleasures

DON'T MISS OUT!

AMA welcomes Ken Ford to Board of Directors.

Snow storm rider

BMW K1600GT Hidden Function

Awful 10+ Dirtbike Pileup On Horribly Narrow Ridge

I would look like a bad ass with these.

Ducati unveils a new design concept for their dealerships.

International Motorcycle Show comes to Cleveland.

Author and cross-country motorcyclist Tamela Rich to speak at Motohio.