General Posts

  Bills that would close 9.1 million acres of Utah public land to off-highway vehicles have been introduced in Congress, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) introduced H.R. 1630, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced S. 769, on April 18. Both bills are called America's Red Rock Wilderness Act and would designate more than 9 million acres of Utah public land as Wilderness. Once land is designated as Wilderness, no vehicles, including motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or bicycles, are allowed on that land. Included in the 9.1 million acres are existing OHV riding areas around Moab, the San Rafael Swell and Chimney Rock. These popular OHV areas represent some of the most important remaining OHV recreation areas in Utah, and are some of the most popular with responsible OHV riders. The targeted areas also include existing roads and developments. Passage of the legislation would have a significant, negative effect on local economies already struggling to recover from the recession. "It is outrageous that Rep. Holt of New Jersey and Sen. Durbin of Illinois would attempt to bypass the Utah congressional delegation to shut down 9 million acres in Utah to just about everyone but hikers," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. "This legislation is also puzzling because much of the land in question doesn't come close to meeting the definition of Wilderness that's spelled out in federal law. According to the Wilderness Act of 1964, Wilderness can only apply to land 'retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation.'" On April 18, the Republican members of Utah's congressional delegation sent a letter to their congressional colleagues asking them to withhold their support for the legislation. The lawmakers, Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, and Reps. Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart […]

  All new from John Shope’s Sinister Industries, this rear fender is the first NYB Polymer injected fender for use on Harley-Davidson touring model motorcycles (Baggers). It is virtually unbreakable, ready to prep, and easy to paint. It is designed and manufactured to be a direct bolt-on replacement fender for all Harley-Davidson 2009-to-present original equipment rear fenders. (Game Changer rear fender is available only as shown, “smooth” with cutouts). For all further information contact Sinister Industries at www.sinisterindustries.com

Check it out, from the vault… Enjoy!

Mark Fiedler got his first motorcycle, a Kawasaki dirt bike, about 15 years ago, but he’s getting older now and he’s looking for something a little more comfortable – and unique. So he set out to build his own custom motorcycle. That, whether you know it or not, is a time-consuming and expensive proposition. Fiedler, 39, a machinist by trade, bought what he called a straight-up chopper frame from a licensed frame builder in Florida. The frame, he points out, has an MSO number – that stands for manufacturer’s statement of origin. He picked out the kind of engine he wanted, and the transmission. He had to fabricate some of the body parts himself. After a year and a half and about $20,000, he had a completed motorcycle with a candy tangerine paint job, all kinds of chrome and lots of custom made pieces. “Nobody else has that style,” Fiedler said. “It’s unique. I just wanted a cruiser, the kind of thing that would turn heads.” In a way, despite all the time and money he put into the bike, Fiedler got a bargain of sorts. Big Dog, a motorcycle maker, would charge $25,000 for a bike like his, he said, and some other makers might charge up to $60,000. “It’s cheaper to build it yourself,” he said. Continue reading

The show is put on by Jim Kuhman and is co-sponsored by Sinclair Law Offices and Matt’s Kasbah

Hot Leathers Rolls into Florida for the Leesburg 17th Annual Bike Fest April 26-28 and Laughlin NV April 24-28 Hot Leathers rolls into Leesburg, FL as an event sponsor for Leesburg 16th Annual Bike Fest. With a hot three-day weekend packed full of events and activities April 26-28, 2013, you can be sure that Hot Leathers will have all the gear you need. Come join Hot Leathers and Leesburg Bike Fest for another great year of outstanding riding in central of Florida. Leesburg is very close to the breathtaking Ocala National Forest and between three of the region's most picturesque and welcoming lakes, making it a great place to ride. Hot Leathers is proud to be a sponsor of this renowned bike festival, and this long weekend is sure to be an amazing experience for bikers from all over the U.S. You'll also find a full slate of entertainment, including an impressive array of bikes, poker runs for charity, and bands, including Stephen Percy, Candlebox, The Outlaws and Nova Rex. Take in the tattoo expo, some classic biker games, hot body contests all weekend or visit great spots like the Rat Hole's Custom Bike Show. Leesburg Bike Fest hours are 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday thru Sunday. Admission to events and entry fees for participation in competitions vary. Motorcycles only on the downtown streets during the event, and Park N' Ride services will be available. In addition Hot Leathers is ready to roll into the Regency Casino in Laughlin, NV. With five days packed full of events and activities April 24-28, 2013, you can be sure that Hot Leathers will have all the gear you need. Come ride the historic US Route 66 and take in all the sites in and around Laughlin, NV. Hot Leathers' impressive selection of

Stop into the new Indian Motorcycle dealership just south of the North 27th Street exit on Interstate 80 and you might still see some remnants of the space's former tenant, a Quizno's sub shop. For instance, General Manager Justin Vandevort has his office in the former drive-through window. "You've got to have a sense of humor," Vandevort said, joking. The shop, which used to be at the Nebraska Crossing outlet mall in Gretna, had to move at the end of December because the mall is being torn down so a new one can be built. Continue reading Advertisement

Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny The City of Norwalk, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department are conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violation. Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18 percent in 2011. Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. In the City of Norwalk, there were 16 motorcycle-involved collisions in 2011, with one fatality and 15 injuries. In 2012, the number of collisions rose to 21, but the number of fatalities dropped to zero, with number of injuries dropping to 13. California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Norwalk Sheriff’s Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes. As the economy turns upward, there will likely be more miles driven by all vehicles, plus more novice motorcycle riders who are untrained and unable to handle the power of today’s motorcycles. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.” Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org

The AMA "Fuel for Thought" lobbying day will be held Wednesday, June 19, in Washington, D.C.         E15 is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn't approved its use in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. The EPA has approved its use in 2001-and-new light-duty vehicles, which include cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles, however.  "We've repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15, which is now becoming available at gas stations," said Danielle Fowles, AMA grassroots coordinator. Freedom Friday is a special call-to-action to alert motorcyclists about important issues that pose a threat to motorcycling freedoms. Riders can take part in a contest related to the issue and win prizes. Each week's Freedom Friday photo contest asks AMA members to send a photo of themselves, preferably with their bike, near a symbol of the current topic.  The issue that kicks off today is E15 fuel safety and the "Fuel for Thought" lobbying day on June 19 in Washington, D.C. The issue can be illustrated with a photo of a motorcyclist near a gas pump or station that sells E15 or, if not available, other blends. Photo(s) and the AMA member number should be sent to grassroots@ama-cycle.org to be entered in the contest. For entry details, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/goride/contestdetails.  Freedom Friday contest entrants have two chances to win. Two photo winners will be announced and each will receive an AMA gift bag and a BikeBandit gift card. Contest entrants will also be entered in a month-end drawing with great prizes, including a Shoei helmet, Tour Master Intake jacket, and Cortech tank bags, courtesy of AMA partner Helmet House.  The "Fuel for Thought"

  According to Polk data, in 2012, for the fifth straight year, Harley-Davidson was the number one seller of new street motorcycles (all engine sizes) in the United States to young adults ages 18-34, women, African-Americans and Hispanics, as well as Caucasian men ages 35 plus. The newly available data shows that Harley-Davidson experienced a double-digit market share gain from 2008 to 2012 in the U.S. with these customer groups. Harley-Davidson Chief Marketing Officer Mark-Hans Richer attributes the company's success to its unique purpose. "We don't just build motorcycles. We fuel personal freedom," said Richer. "The desire for individual expression draws customers from all walks of life because it's a universal, human value that transcends cultures, generations and history." A DIVERSE FAMILY OF RIDERS In 2012, sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew in each of the company's key U.S. customer segments. Altogether, Harley-Davidson's U.S. sales to young adults, women, African Americans and Hispanics grew at more than twice the rate of sales to Caucasian men 35 plus. According to the Polk data, for street motorcycles (all engine sizes):    — Harley-Davidson attracts more U.S. young adults, ages 18-34, than any        other motorcycle brand in the U.S., and in 2012 sold nearly twice as many        new street motorcycles to young adults as its nearest competitor.       — The company sold more new street motorcycles in 2012 to women in the U.S.        than all other brands combined.       — Harley-Davidson sold nearly half of all new street motorcycles purchased        by African-Americans and Hispanics respectively in the U.S. in 2012.  "It's more than an adage that almost no two Harley-Davidson motorcycles are alike," added Richer. "The same is true for our customers. Members of our community come from all