Reading about motorcycle accidents that could have been prevented with just a little bit of skill-building practice is frustrating. Anytime someone is a beginner at something – especially something that requires technical skill – a course is never a bad idea. Some people don’t want to take the time, and many newbies think there is all there is to know; even if they know absolutely nothing.
With a short amount of research a person can find weekend-long (15 hours is the usual timeframe) classes taught by instructors who have years of riding experience under their prospective belts. Their job is to give tips and tricks that a newbie may not necessarily think about and to provide basic instruction on balance, reaction, counter-steering, quick-thinking and countless other helpful skills. These classes are in places like school parking lots or other large asphalted areas that give students room to maneuver around pylons, learn about navigating unsafe road conditions, etc.
The CMSP (as well as other training programs) has at least 100 different locations throughout the state at which to take these basic classes, and there are also longer, more intensive courses that a person can learn and practice all necessary skills. Practice makes perfect!
Despite reports coming to the public’s attention that motorcycles and scooters produce significant carbon emissions for their size, sales are increasing. Scooters are known to be affordable when it comes to gas mileage. With the volatile prices of fuel in the U.S. the Aprilia Sportcity 250 is right up there with gasoline-affordable two-wheelers – it averages 67 miles to the gallon. The exciting thing is that the Sportcity has electronic fuel injection to clean up its emissions. Tooling around town on one of these babies can ease your conscience and the burden on your wallet.
Like the majority of scooters, the Sportcity does better on the surface streets than the highway. This report says that 60 mph is about all it can handle before it starts to lose power. However, with traffic congestion, a person doesn’t often have the opportunity to go much faster than that anyway.
The Aprilia is owned by the Piaggio Group, an Italian manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles that was started in the late 1800s in Pontadera, Italy (near Pisa). Piaggio pretty much has the scooter market cornered; they own the Piaggio, Vespa, Aprilia, Derbi (Canada) and Scarabeo (Europe) lines of scooters as well as Moto Guzzi motorcycles.
Charity events - not just bingo in the town square anymore. There is a charity event for every person with every interest. Just think…How many people, really, would be interested in attending an event called “Leather Meets Lace at the Playboy Mansion?” Like pulling teeth to fill that event to capacity, eh! Motorcycles, scantily clad women, maybe a celebrity sighting…
Gene Simmons, for example…Who would ever think that he might be at the Playboy Mansion for any reason, right? Heh heh. Whenever people think of philanthropy I am not sure if Gene Simmons is the first name that comes up, but good for him giving back to the community! He’s got the right idea. If you like motorcycles and you have a chance to spend the evening at Hugh’s Place, why not make it for a good cause…in this case Generation Rescue (the kick-ass Jenny McCarthy vs. Autism organization).
Whether you can’t afford to own bike or you’re on vacation and away from your own, why not rent a Harley to get some miles in? This is a great idea. The people at MotoHaven haven’t come up with an original idea, but they have adapted it for the more alternative crowd. Motorcycles can be expensive to maintain and own, and if your lifestyle just doesn’t allow for a full-time motorcycle, renting is a great alternative.
Based out of Novato, a city north of San Francisco in Marin County, MotoHaven have some fantastic and flexible policies that allow you to have a bike delivered directly to the airport, so that you can come out of baggage claim (better pack light), find the bike, and then ride off into the sunset.
A corporate motorcycle rental company can be stuffy. MotoHaven boasts that they are riders renting rides. If you’re a relative newbie, it’s great to have experienced riders walking you through the rental. They’ll offer things up that Joe I-just-do-this-to-pay-my-rent won’t. There are several different styles and types of vehicles from which to choose. After all, variety is the spice of life.
MotoHaven will even rent you a person to ride with if you don’t have a valid motorcycle license, now THAT’S full service.
The AMA has announced that next July 24-26 Lexington, OH will once again roll out the red carpet for the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. The event that celebrates motorcycle heritage will take over a 35-acre area and see nearly 70,000 people through its turnstiles.
It is always exciting to find out which vintage marque the event planners will choose. Last year (2008) it was the Triumph, the truly legendary and regal two-wheeled machine that has been through the Industrial Revolution as well as two World Wars. The 2007 event celebrated the American favorite - the Harley-Davidson Sportster. In 2006 it was the MV Agusta; a beautiful four-cylinder ride first produced in 1946. Steeped in Italianate operatic drama, the Agusta was the motorcycle of choice for many grand prix winners over the years of its production, including Giacomo Agostini who, decades after retirement, still holds the record for Grand Prix victories. What motorcycle’s historical tale will be told this year?
This event is a must-do for any of the motorcycle obsessed. The AMA has been putting this event on for 17 years (2009s will be the 18th). The AMA’s network of people work to protect riders’ rights at the national, state, and city levels and membership starts for as little as $39 a year.
Upwards of 25,000 motorcyclists will converge on Glendale, CA on October 26, 2008 for the 25th version of the “Love Ride 25.” Once again Jay Leno will be the Grand Marshall for the annual fundraiser, concert and all around good time. Though more widely known for being a talk show host and (professional) comedian Jay Leno has been a motorcycle junkie for much longer. Not only riding, but restoring and tinkering with all kinds of two-wheeled machines have been part of Leno’s life since he was a kid. Leno owns practically innumerable two and four-wheeled vehicles as well as many other flights of fancy.
Easy Rider Peter Fonda has been named Honorary Grand Marshall along with scary Terminator II, Robert Patrick. Since the Love Ride’s roots are near Hollywood it has always been a star-studded event. So much so that this event has helped bring motorcycling out from society’s seedy underbelly and into the mainstream. However, those of you who want to keep your kids in helmets on their vehicles, keep them away from expected guest William Shatner. Shatner is a longtime eschewer of helmet laws and was in the news last year after crashing – wearing nothing but shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops – no gear for him! Talk about an easy rider.
Longtime President of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (and current president of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group), Pete Gagan is an author (The Legend of Fireball Fleming), antique motorcycle enthusiast, tinkerer, and historian of sorts.
From this video it seems like Pete is someone whose hobby has become a way of life. His passion for the two-wheeled vehicle is shared with viewers through storytelling and contagious enthusiasm. Gagan has definitely done his homework; historical stories of steam technology and life-and-death drama are all covered in this fantastic showing of Roper’s 1896 Steam Powered Motorcycle.
This walk through turn-or-the-century motorcycle history is truly compelling.
Once a soldier’s service in the active military is through, it doesn’t mean that they don’t continue to help their fellow veterans. Many veterans continue to feel the call of duty even once their discharge papers are signed and the American Legion Riders (and its chapters) are just one of the many motorcycle clubs who have veterans in their midst.
The American Legion Riders is a riding club directly affiliated with the American Legion. Each chapter rides out of the American Legion Post of that area. There are over 890 posts from 48 states with associated riding clubs. California currently has 27 chapters all over the state. Each post has agreed to and follows the rules set up by the Legion itself including conduct, charity and education. To find out more about becoming an ALR go to http://www.americanlegionriders.net/chapters.shtml
The American Legion is a non-profit service organization that was started by Congress in 1919. Its programs serve veterans and their families. The nearly 15,000 Legion posts located throughout the country and across the world are highly charitable and help veterans in many, many ways.
To be eligible to join the American Legion, a person must have served honorably for any of the armed services during war time.
Whether you are a sport bike, V-Rod, or vespa person, the 2009s are now on the market and ready to be drooled over. Every inch needs to be looked over - components, parts, colors, style - every inch. What is new and what is different? And what’s new that makes you want to sell you purebred puppy for a down payment!
For instance the changes to the 2009 Ducati Monster - it is next-to-identical in style to the Monster 696 and has 1100DS engine borrowed from the Ducati Hypermotard. Great time to compare and contrast (our English professors would be proud), and a great time to have that garage sale and bring your change to Coinstar.
On September 26, 2008, the awesome “ACK Attack” motorcycle streamliner set a new land-speed record in a private meet out at the Bonneville Speed Flats in Nevada. The 350.885mph record was beat by 10.029 seconds. Doesn’t seem like much, but just think of something traveling 350 mph for an additional 10 seconds – it’s a looooong time. The new record was set at 360.913 mph, pending ruling by the governing body of the FIM.
Owner and designer Mike Akatiff and his ACK Attack team had broken the speed record two years before (only to be beat two days later, but still).
Both records (for the car class and the motorcycle class) were broken out at Bonneville. The Burkland Streamliner (built in 1996 by Tom Burkland and the Burkland family) was the record-breaker in the car class.
That same record-breaking car (and driver) had a near-death experience when the parachute didn’t deploy as it hurled toward the end of the track. When referring to some close calls that happened at the raceway including the parachute’s non-deployment, Scott Evans says, “The weekend wasn’t without hiccups.” I’ll SAY!
Now that we know that they can go that fast, the question is…How much faster can they go?