Category

General Posts

Apr 07
0

Tickets on Sale for Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo Powered by General Tire

By | General Posts
POMONA, Calif. (April 7, 2020) —Tickets are now on sale for the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo Powered by General Tire, Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4 at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA.

Save money, by purchasing discount tickets in advance online at www.offroadexpo.com. Adult single-day tickets (ages 13+) are $16 when purchased online and $6 for kids (ages 6-12). Children ages five-under will be admitted free of charge.

Participating O’Reilly Auto Parts locations will also have discount tickets available, starting 30 days prior to the event.

At the gate, Adult single-day tickets (ages 13+) are $20 and $7 for kids (ages 6-12). Children ages five-under will be admitted free of charge.

The Off-Road industry comes together at the Off-Road Expo as a full collection of leading companies including parts manufacturers, equipment suppliers, gear producers and industry experts/insiders, unite for a full weekend of everything off-road related.

More details on Expo Features and Demos will be coming soon. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels.

For more information on the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire and to purchase tickets online, visit www.offroadexpo.com.

Apr 07
0

RSD ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH COMOTO HOLDINGS

By | General Posts

 

Revolutionary Motorcycle Parts & Apparel Brand, Roland Sands Design has reached a strategic partnership with America’s largest omni-channel platform in the powersports industry – Comoto and will align efforts for 3PL functions and US wholesale distribution.

.  

 

Los Alamitos, CA. April 6th, 2020. – Roland Sands Design and Comoto have entered into a partnership for sales and distribution for RSD Apparel. Under this partnership, Comoto will be the exclusive US distributor for RSD Apparel through their entity Upshift Distribution, while also offering 3PL services for the brand for direct to consumer fulfillment.

 

“We’ve always been excited about two wheels; it’s 100% what drives our business, the bike builds, parts and apparel, and the Comoto crew shares that moto stoke. With that as a concrete foundation for both businesses, we can’t lose.” Says Roland Sands, President/CEO of RSD.

 

“Aligning with the Comoto group ensures best in class sales operations for our dealer’s and efficient fulfillment to the end consumer. Revzilla & J&P Cycles are powerhouse eCommerce retailers and have always been huge supporters of our apparel business, plus with UpShift managing our dealer network, we feel this partnership is a great opportunity for all involved” Says Rob Ramlose, Director of Product, RSD.

“This strategy will allow for Comoto to maximize business potential through multiple channels including our eCommerce platforms Revzilla & J&P Cycles, our retail chain Cycle Gear and UpShift Distribution LLC, which will target motorcycle dealerships and specialist retailers in the US.” Says Stevan Popovich, VP, Merchandising and Business Development at Comoto.

Apr 07
0

More Relief Coming from the President

By | General Posts

Brothers and Sisters,

Immediately after passing the 2.2 trillion-dollar stimulus, Congress began planning for a 4th COVID-19 related bill.  Initially, Nancy Pelosi indicated that infrastructure would be the main focus of the next large piece of legislation. However, Friday afternoon, she changed her tune and said that infrastructure would have to wait.  Congress now will attempt to pass another bill similar to the CARES Act with a focus on extending enhanced unemployment insurance and doubling forgivable loans administered by the Small Business Administration.

This shift in focus does not mean that infrastructure will be ignored. President Trump has publicly announced his preference for a massive infrastructure package. Additionally, with the current highway bill set to expire at the end of September, the timing to do something seems near.

It is still unclear what the size and scope of any infrastructure bill will end up being. There could be a focus strictly on “shovel ready projects,” or it could incorporate the long-planned Highway Reauthorization. Regardless of what the final bill looks like, we as motorcyclists need to make our voices heard.

This simple call to action outlines four Highway Bill priorities that were approved in September at Meeting of the Minds for the 2020 Legislative Agenda. Let your voice be heard and make sure that in a rush to pass massive legislation, the priorities of motorcyclists are not forgotten.

Take Action

 

Ride Free,

Tiffany Cipoletti

Director of Government Affairs

Apr 06
0

With Harley-Davidson Production, Sales Frozen, Argus Downshifts On Stock

By | General Posts

by Priya Nigam , Benzinga Staff Writer from https://www.benzinga.com

Although shares of Harley-Davidson Inc HOG 11.31% have significantly underperformed the S&P 500, the company has suspended production at most of its U.S. manufacturing facilities and shut its retail stores due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Argus.

The Harley-Davidson Analyst David Coleman downgraded Harley-Davidson from Buy to Hold.

The Harley-Davidson Thesis

While Harley-Davidson’s stock has lost around 59% over the past three months versus a 24% decline for the S&P 500, recent developments have been particularly disappointing, Coleman said in the Monday downgrade note. (See his track record here.)

The motorcycle manufacturer has withdrawn its 2020 guidance.

Argus lowered its adjusted earnings estimates for 2020 and 2021 from $3.52 per share to $3.07 per share and from $3.68 per share to $3.41 per share, respectively.

Harley-Davidson had witnessed a marginal improvement in sales in the fourth quarter, raising expectations of its strategic growth plan leading to a turnaround by the end of 2020, Coleman said. The company instead stopped production and closed its retail stores.

Although Harley-Davidson’s shares are trading near the bottom of their 52-week range, they are not attractively priced given the company’s substantial challenges, including the loss of production and sales due to the coronavirus, the analyst said.

HOG Price Action

Harley-Davidson shares were trading 5.47% higher at $15.82 at the time of publication Monday.

Apr 06
0

Custom BMW R nineT Is a Two-Wheeled Lost in Space Robot

By | General Posts

by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

BMW’s latest motorcycle wonder, the R 18, is the freshest Bavarian creation, and the world keeps talking about it even days after it was launched by the Germans. But there are other BMW motorcycles worth talking about, both factory-made and custome, like the R nineT we have here.

When BMW announced it is building a cruiser motorcycle based on the new Big Boxer engine it developed, it did so by tasking custom builders with advertising the powerplant. This is how with about a year left until the actual unveiling of the R 18, we got the Custom Works Zon R18, and later the Revival Birdcage. But the R nineT is even more tunable as the R 18, it seems.

The bike pictured here is the result of work conducted in Moscow by a builder called Zillers Garage, allegedly with the support of BMW Motorrad Russia. It is, in essence, a tuned-up, futuristic version of a stock R nineT.

Officially scheduled to have been shown at the now canceled Moscow motorcycle show, the bike made its online premiere this week. It presents itself as a stock two-wheeled Bimmer that sheds its skin and wrapps itself in a shell of aluminum, one that ends at the front with a large HID lamp that brings back memories of Lost in Space’s Robot.

According to the information available, the modifications made to the standard motorcycle include altering the suspension to bring the body closer to the ground, some changes to the brake and clutch levers, and the additions of buttons required to control the air suspension.

The engine of the R nineT remains the original one, and no modifications have been made to it. That translates into a 1,170cc powerplant, developing 110 hp and controlled by means of a six-speed transmission.

There is no word yet from Russia whether this concept is just a show motorcycle, or some production run is planned for those able and willing to pay.

Apr 06
0

BIKERNET BANDANAS TO THE RESCUE

By | General Posts

Hey,

We’ve had numerous versions on how the exclusive Bikernet Bandana can be used to save lives during this wide-spread Pandemic, while we work on the magnificent Pandemic Panhead.

The first, above, came from a secluded source in downtown Long Beach.

Then Sin Wu started to manufacturer Bandit’s Safety Masks sequestered on her boat in the Wilmington marina.

Currently Paul Davis, a former Harley mechanic, is working on one in Tennessee. He ordered six more so he would have one for every day of the week. We will keep you posted as we road test the Sin Wu version on a run to Winco, the only employee-owned grocery store in the area for supplies. But I was just informed that Emilio who owns his dad’s old shop in Wilmington was broke into last night by a homeless meth head. I need to take some welding gear up the street and see if I can fix his gate.

If you buy any book in the 5-Ball Racing shop, you get a Bikernet Bandana for free. Such a deal. The same applies if you buy any leather piece, and then you’ll receive a free book and a Bandana.

https://shop.bikernet.com/

Apr 06
0

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE COVID TUNNEL CRITERIA

By | General Posts

When Can Life Return to Normal? 4 Signs to Monitor

Peter Brookes

Senior Research Fellow

Peter researches and develops Heritage’s policy on weapons of mass destruction and counter proliferation.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The coronavirus crisis has widely disrupted modern life.

Any decision to loosen social distancing restrictions has to be based on data, not emotion.

Social distancing won’t last forever—and there are signs that we can watch for to see that it might be coming to an end.

While a firm date for the end of this biological battle in the United States is just unknowable at this point, it’s reasonable to ask: How will we know when we’re seeing some light at the end of the social distancing tunnel?

Here are some of the things we would want to see:

1. Numbers: Any decision to loosen social distancing restrictions has to be based on data, not emotion. For instance, a locality, state or region must see its confirmed COVID-19 case numbers decrease over a two week period (to account for the disease incubation period) before considering mitigation modifications.

Similar dips in hospitalization and death rates, as well as improved recovery rates, would also be a welcome sign. In addition, experts must develop a comprehensive nationwide reporting system so that the data can be comprehensively collected, collated, analyzed, and shared.

2. Testing: A robust diagnostic test architecture must be in place across the country. Optimally, testing should include not only testing for COVID-19—the disease derived from the SARS-CoV-2 virus— but also for the presence of possible immunity through serological antibody testing in people who may have self-resolved the illness.

Moreover, we need to have widely available testing with quick turnarounds, so that we have the data sooner to make the most efficient and effective public policy decisions in this dynamic situation.

3. Health Care System: Our health care system is under significant stress and strain—not to mention the immeasurable pressure on our intrepid doctors, nurses and medical staff, who are on the frontlines working tirelessly to protect and heal us.

We have to get to a place where the health care system is no longer at risk of being overwhelmed, meaning it must have the necessary personal protective equipment to keep the medical staff healthy and enough ventilators for those in respiratory distress.

Taking care of our health care system means rebuilding the Strategic National Stockpile, which can be immediately dispatched to a COVID-19 hot spot if local supplies are on the verge of being exhausted.

4. Medicine: There is not yet a vaccine for this new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and no proven therapeutics or anti-virals.  However, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of some treatments, such as hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, under an emergency use authorization.

While an effective vaccine is likely at least a year away, proven therapeutics or anti-virals could arrive sooner, reducing pain and suffering. Effective treatments will likely reduce the hospitalization and death rates, too.

Social distancing is a major disruption to our lives in so many ways. It affects the economy and well-being of the American people, hurts the education of our children, and separates us from loved ones, including  those who may be vulnerable.

While social distancing may be painful now, it offers the possibility of reducing the overall level of pain we may have to endure during this crisis. Ultimately, we are social distancing to save lives.

Social distancing won’t last forever—and there are signs that we can watch for to see that it might be coming to an end.

This piece originally appeared in The Daily Signal

Apr 05
0

DORF Reviewed

By | General Posts

A Book about Two Brothers Riding from Los Angeles To Sturgis

Book by Bob Bitchin, Review by Rogue

I was thinking about all of you on Quarantine and how much I think you would enjoy reading this book by my friend Bob Bitchin. I will tell you ahead of time, it is an ADULT PUBLICATION and if you are offended by Sex, Drugs, or Rock and Roll it is probably not for you.

READ THE BOOK REVIEW ON BIKERNET – CLICK HERE

Shop for Books, Leather Gear and more in the 5-Ball Racing Shop

https://shop.bikernet.com/

Apr 05
0

BMW S1000RR review: The latest version of the super superbike is, well, quite superb

By | General Posts

by Fraser Addecott from https://www.mirror.co.uk

Fraser puts the German firm’s hugely popular thousand to the test – just before the lockdown kicked in – and finds he runs out of superbike superlatives

As someone who grew up riding Japanese sportsbikes, I still find it a little surprising that the definitive model for the past few years has not derived from the Land of the Rising Sun.

No, it’s German manufacturer BMW Motorrad which has, arguably, dominated the supersports market – in the form of its S1000RR.

The bike was first introduced in 2009, when just 1,000 were produced in order to meet homologation requirements for the firm’s new World Superbike Championship machine.

Since then, it has racked up successes in that series, the Superstock 100 competition and the Macau Grand Prix – not to mention multiple Isle of Man TT wins.

The S1000RR was given updates in 2012 and again in 2015.

This latest version I am testing here came out last year and represents a major overhaul.

Claudio De Martino, BMW’s vehicle technology team leader, told Mirror Motorcycling: “Our brief was to take the predecessor model – which has been a dominating force in all disciplines for 10 years – and significantly improve on its performance.

“This we translated into straightforward targets – one second faster on the track, more than 10kg lighter and easier to control.

“These targets were taken as the basis for every decision.”

Claudio and has team were true to their brief – the new engine produces a whopping 207bhp, an increase of 8bhp on its predecessor and the bike has dropped from 208kg to 197kg.

It is also more controllable with an enhanced ride due to a redesigned main frame, even better suspension and improved technology, such as traction and wheelie control.

The red model I tested looked superb – sleek, powerful and classy.

On board, the ride position is surprisingly comfortable.

Yes, its a sportsbike and the ergonomics leave you in no doubt of that, but it is less tucked-up and cramped than some others.

There are four ride modes – Rain, Road, Dynamic and Race.

For track fans, there’s also an optional Pro mode, which offers individual tweaking of the throttle, engine braking, traction control, wheelie control and ABS.

Everything is beautifully displayed on the 6.5in TFT screen, which has multiple view options, all adjusted via the intuitive switch gear.

Out on the road, the power on tap is simply awesome.

Whereas previously most of this tended to be up towards the redline, now it is much more broad and linear, with plenty available in the mid-range.

This is made possible by BMW’s variable valve timing system, plus hollo-bored titanium valves – a world first.

Handling is superb thanks to the new Flex Frame, improved suspension and dynamic damping control.

Braking, employing Hayes calipers and 320mm front discs and a 220mm rear is pleasingly subtle at first and reassuringly powerful when needed.

I’ll leave the overall verdict to Claudio himself, who said: “The result is a fascinating new motorcycle that exceeds the targets we set ourselves and will once again set the benchmark.”

The Facts: BMW S1000RR

Stylish: Available in three colours

Engine: 999cc in-line four

Power: 207bhp @ 13,500rpm

Torque: 83 ft lb @ 11,000rpm

Colours: White/blue/red; silver; red

Price: £15,585

Apr 05
0

MIC Update on Good Deeds in a Bad Situation

By | General Posts
We are all in this together.
We are all inundated with the impact of COVID-19. Yet, amid the devastating news, there are stories of hope; people and companies coming together to help our country’s most vulnerable, the heroes in healthcare and our brave first responders.
Within the powersports industry, we’ve seen Yamaha Motor Manufacturing of America in Newnan, Georgia, donate 380 respirators, 49,000 gloves, 325 Tyvek suits, and 18,000 alcohol wipes to the Piedmont Newnan Hospital. “We thank Yamaha for their support as we provide care to the community during this COVID-19 epidemic. The care we provide each day to our patients, especially during these times of crises, wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community,” said Vicki Kaiser, Executive Director of Community Affairs, Oncology and Support Services at Piedmont Newnan “The acts of kindness shown by our community partners helps encourage our team to push through as we strive to make a positive difference in every life we touch.”
What is Honda doing to help Americans in general during this crisis? Honda’s effort is led by an initial $1 million pledge to food banks and meal programs across the United States, Canada and Mexico and is intended to provide the most vulnerable with access to food. In addition to the $1 million pledge, the company also will implement a special matching gift program that enables Honda associates to make monetary donations to food programs in their local communities, matching up to $1,000 for each individual gift.
In addition, Honda has inventoried its stocks of Personal Protective Equipment at their North American facilities and have donated much of this equipment, including N95 face masks, to support frontline healthcare providers. They are also deploying 3-D printers to manufacture visors for protective face shields that will be used by medical providers.
Polaris, through its foundation, has donated more than $220,000 in technology to meet the needs of local students in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa as they transition to distance learning. This includes donated iPads, Chromebooks, wireless hotspots, chargers, and more. Furthermore, when learning that Smiths Medical, a leading global manufacturer of specialty medical devices, was looking to ramp up their manufacturing of ventilators and IV infusion pumps at their Oakdale, Minnesota, facility, Polaris reached out to see how they could help. This week, several employees from Polaris signed up to work at Smiths’ facility to help production efforts, with the potential to increase the workforce support as Smith continues to assess its need.
In New York City, a group of more than 60 motorcyclists collaborated with MasksforDocs.com, a grassroots campaign created to “get protective supplies into the hands of healthcare workers as quickly as possible.” These motorcyclists helped distribute personal protective equipment to some of the neediest doctors and hospitals in the city. We know motorcyclists in many other states are also working to do the same.
If you or anyone you know has a story you want to share with us, please email ckernes@mic.org.  We can help you tell your story to a broader audience to provide hope to our community and demonstrate all that we in the power sports industry are doing to help.
We will get through these difficult times, working together to #RideItOut.
Your MIC Team