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Duke’s Harley-Davidson closing in early 2020

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Duke’s Harley-Davidson is closing its doors early in the new year, but enthusiasts of the classic motorcycle will have a chance to get some holiday deals. The business, located just off Highway 40 South, between Chatham and Blenheim, was established in 2005 by local entrepreneur and motoring enthusiast Rob Myers. He said a lot of thought and consideration has gone into the decision to close the business. “As an absentee owner, I thank my staff for their incredible hard work and leadership over the last 15 years,” Myers said in a media release. “Duke’s is something I always thought would be a good business for a husband-and-wife team to be a partner of mine in, but I was never able to find the right partner,” he added. “I’ve always enjoyed Harleys, and to own Duke’s has been a fun ride, but it’s time to move onto new projects.” Myers received an early introduction to the motorcycling hobby after he traded his 1959 Edsel Corsair for a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle. From there, he went on to acquire other bikes and then a series of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the last of which he still owns today. Myers’ passion for bikes and deal-making led him to build Duke’s Harley-Davidson. Following its closure, Myers will look for an appropriate tenant to re-lease the Duke’s Harley-Davidson building to. Holiday sales have commenced at the business, which also features motorcycle parts, accessories and Harley-Davidson clothing. Duke’s Harley-Davidson will fully honour any pre-existing agreements with customers regarding motorcycle storage and repairs, stated the media release.

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NAWA’s Radical Electric Motorcycle Highlights The Potential Of Supercapacitors In EVs

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by Bill Roberson from https://www.forbes.com/ Despite the fact that they have built an electric motorcycle, French tech company NAWA Technologies, or just NAWA for short, isn’t in the business of building electric motorcycles – they build batteries. But maybe they should reconsider the motorcycle market option, especially in light of the one-off bike they did just indeed build, because it’s a serious looker packed with possibly industry-changing technologies. The NAWA Racer’s sleek, minimalist styling comes courtesy of a collaboration with Envisage Group, who have been involved with Jaguar and other brands that want some cool lines with their new tech. One highlight is a hubless rear wheel, although the bike is covered in cool touches including the wrap-around LED taillight and duck-tailed seat. But beyond the slick lines and hubless rear hoop of the NAWA Racer, the cafe-racer inspired from-the-future motorbike carries an underlying technology that significantly boosts performance and could signal a significant step forward for electric motorcycle performance – or the performance potential of anything that needs batteries for motive power, including electric cars. NAWA has added a supercapacitor to the Racer (NAWA calls it an ultracapacitor, and have branded it as NAWACap), and the short version of the technese is this: A supercapacitor is similar to a battery, except it can be charged in seconds, and can then dump that charge at an extremely high rate – far beyond what a battery can provide – for an instant boost in power. It can also repeat that feat millions of times without any substantial performance losses. NAWA isn’t the first company to put a supercapacitor into service; supercar maker Lamborghini is integrating a supercapacitor system into their new Sián hypercar (sorry, but all 63 are sold out at $3.6 million per copy). According to information provided by NAWA,

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The Slow March toward Forced Temperance: NMA Weekly E-Newsletter #571

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It’s been seven years since we wrote about the Driver Alcohol Detection System and Safety (DADSS) program–A Frog in the Pot, E-newsletter #187–and efforts to make ignition interlock devices standard equipment in all vehicles. Proponents of forcing all drivers to pass alcohol detection testing before being able to operate their cars are nothing if not determined. The Reduce Impaired Driving for Everyone (RIDE) Act of 2019, per U.S. Senate Bill 2604, and its counterpart House Bill 3159, keeps their hopes alive by requiring all new vehicles to have alcohol detection systems within four years. We recognize the politically incorrect timing of addressing the issue of impaired driving during the holiday season, and restate that the NMA does not support, encourage, or condone drunk driving. Impaired drivers who put themselves and others at risk do not belong on the road. But we also do not support zero-tolerance concepts that subject the vast majority of non-imbibing motorists to intrusive testing every time they get behind the wheel. The unreliability of detection technology is a major cause of concern. False positives are commonplace. Imagine a DADSS device that requires the driver to submit a breath sample to start a car, and to also give regular-interval samples while the vehicle is in motion, forcing shutdown at inopportune times and possibly under unsafe conditions. And if those “rolling samples” require active involvement by all drivers, distracted driving will become an even more widespread road safety concern. SB 2604, sponsored by Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Rick Scott (R-FL), currently sits with the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The House bill, 3159, is sponsored by six Republican congressmen and women and is being considered by the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Committee. Consider reaching out to members of both committees, particularly those who represent you directly.

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MOTORCYCLISTS RUSHES INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO SAVE A WOUNDED BALD EAGLE

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Dandon Miller was on his way home from Philadelphia this past Memorial Day, and he was stuck in a highway traffic. He pulled his motorcycle aside and found out that the reason for the traffic was a bald eagle. “I looked down to see why everyone was stopping and there was a bald eagle in the middle of the road,” Miller reported for The Dodo. “Another person was there and they kind of nudged her a little bit to see if she would walk off the road or fly away. She spread her wings open and was not going to go anywhere.” Seeing no signs that the animal will move, Miller carefully went near and picked her up. Surprisingly she was quiet and allowed him to let him wrap her in his shirt. When they moved to safety, the man immediately dialed 911 and got in contact with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research, which is a rehabilitation center for wild birds. After 45 minutes that he saved the poor bird, the help was finally there. The bird was taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue , to be treated for soft tissue injuries and an eye injury. “Her wounds were treated by our wildlife veterinarian while the eagle was under anesthesia. The unexpected can always happen, but we are optimistic that she will make a full recovery,” said Rebecca Stansell with Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research. And they were spot on, the eagle was able to get back into the wild one week after Miller rescued her. –from All about Pets and Rogue Senior Editor Bikernet.com(TM)

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Man robs Historic Harley Davidson, Topeka police find within 24 hours

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by Mark Feuerborn, Kelli Peltier from https://www.ksnt.com/ TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) – A local motorcycle vendor and museum thanked the Topeka Police Department after a man stole cash and property from their building. 29-year-old Floyd Earl Taylor III, the man accused of breaking into Harley-Davidson in Topeka, is in jail. Harley Davidson of Topeka’s general manager, Eli Geiger, said a burglar broke in on Monday night. “It was a sinking feeling. You know it’s a terrible feeling,” Geiger said. The burglar got away with money, merchandise, and even took items belonging to employees. Police were able to find the suspect the next day. “The detective work was spot on, they were quick and very thorough and led to an arrest,” Geiger said. Officers arrested Taylor on Tuesday at the Capitol Plaza hotel and found all of the stolen items. Taylor faces charges of burglary and theft of items and cash totaling more than $1,500, according to his booking record. Taylor also faces an additional charge for possession of a controlled substance. Taylor is in the Shawnee County Jail on a combined $20,000 bond.

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They honor Veterans who have no one else–James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital – Tampa, Florida

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A JAHVH chaplain says a prayer as Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association members prepare to escort a deceased Veteran to Florida National Cemetery. By Ed Drohan It was a chance meeting between a James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital employee and a funeral director that led to a program that now honors deceased Veterans who have no one else to honor them as they transition to their final resting place. That program – Final Salute: The Last Mile – is now being considered for implementation at VA hospitals across the country.  It provides a motorcycle escort to the Florida National Cemetery for Veterans who pass away at James A. Haley and Bay Pines VA Medical Center who have no family to claim their remains. David Allen, a Haley biomedical information systems specialist and member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, was looking for a little fresh air when he stepped out onto the hospital loading dock earlier this year.  When he saw a hearse parked there with a flag-draped coffin clearly visible inside, his curiosity got the better of him. “I was thinking this has got to be somebody important, so instead of going where I was going to go, I climbed down and went to talk to who I thought was the driver,” who turned out to be the owner of Veterans Funeral Care, Allen said.  “We got to talking and he said no, this is an unclaimed Vet, and that struck a chord with me.  He explained that the Veteran had passed away and either had no family who would claim him or no family to claim him.” Allen found out that Veterans pass away without family to claim them several times a year at both Haley and Bay Pines, which is across Tampa Bay from Haley.  When that happens,

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At 70, Honda hits a milestone of 400mn motorcycles

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Honda currently produces a wide range of motorcycles, from 50cc commuters to 1,800cc models, at 35 facilities in 21 countries. Japanese automaker Honda has produced 400 million units of motorcycles globally since it had begun production in 1949 with its maiden Dream D-Type bike. According to the company, it achieved 100 million-unit milestone in 1997, and 300 million-units in 2014. In 2018, Honda exceeded an annual production of 20 million units for the first time in its history, and enjoyed strong support from customers in the Asia region and worldwide, it said. Honda currently produces a wide range of motorcycles, from 50cc commuters to 1,800cc models, at 35 facilities in 21 countries. Honda was founded in 1948, and began mass-production of motorcycles at its first overseas production facility in Belgium in 1963. Since then, Honda has expanded its production globally in accordance with its fundamental principle of producing locally where there is demand. Honda will continue to construct its development and production structure to meet rising demand, it said. Takahiro Hachigo, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Motor said, “For 70 years, Honda has provided to customers worldwide motorcycles that make life easier and enjoyable. As a result, we have achieved our 400 million-unit milestone. I am grateful to all of our customers, and everyone involved in development, manufacturing, sales and service of our products. We will continue to do our best to provide attractive products that meet the needs and dreams of our customers worldwide.” Honda would strive to realize its 2030 vision, to serve people worldwide with the “joy of expanding their life’s potential,” he added.

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A futuristic new electric motorcycle that will power itself by braking

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by Michael Thomsen from https://www.dailymail.co.uk Futuristic new e-motorbike uses a lightweight ultracapacitor that allows it to harvest up to 90 percent of its braking energy – but the prototype won’t ever be sold The Nawa Racer will have a 99-horsepower engine and have a range of 180 miles It will be powered by a hybrid lithium batter and ultracapcitor system The ultracapacitor will rapidly store and discharge energy released from braking Nawa isn’t planning to release their bike commercially The company hopes the energy system will inspire other manufacturers A new electric motorcycle will use an innovative system to capture energy from its own brakes to extend its range up to 180 miles, more than 50 percent further than other electric motorcycles. Called the Nawa Racer, the e-bike will be shown at the Consumer Electronics Show 2020 in January, and was developed by the French energy technologies firm Nawa. The Racer will have a 99-horsepower engine that will allow it to go from 0-62mph in under three seconds, and come with a 9-kWh lithium batter pack. The real star, however is a unique ultracapicitor system that acts as a secondary power source for the engine and which is housed elegantly above the battery in the motorcycle’s frame. The unique ultracapacitor system that will help give the back a maximum range that’s 70 miles more more than Harley Davidson’s anticipated LiveWire. The extra range is made possible by a unique system that captures energy generated when the bike brakes. Unlike traditional lithium batteries, which are both slow to recharge and have a limited number of times their cells can discharge energy before wearing out, ultracapacitor can be charged quickly and repeatedly discharge small amounts of electricity with minimal wear. This makes it an ideal power source for in-city driving, where frequent

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NCOM Legislative News Bytes for December 2019

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From Clubs in Tasmania to Auto Cycles By Bill Bish THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ON-A-BIKE.com. CLICK HERE TO READ THE LEGISLATIVE NEWS

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