FIRST-EVER MOTORCYCLE CAUCUS FORMED IN U.S. SENATE In a rare bipartisan effort, motorcyclists are getting a very special form of representation in the U.S. Senate as two Senators are reaching across the aisle to establish the first Senate Motorcycle Caucus. Kickstarting this unique legislative road trip, Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Gary Peters (D-Michigan), both lifelong motorcyclists, will serve as co-chairs of the caucus, which will advocate on behalf of both motorcycle riders and manufacturers. Sen. Ernst said her concern for motorcycles and motorcyclists started when she was a child. “Some of my most cherished memories include motorcycles, from delivering messages as a young girl to my dad while he was working out in the fields, to riding through the rolling ...

A humble Harley Davidson dealership owner named Dennis Packee is going viral for a letter he wrote to a soldier’s wife. The soldier, named Christopher Walters, left his motorcycle in some rented space at Reiman’s Harley-Davidson before being deployed overseas. Christopher’s wife, Jaime, was supposed to stay on top of payments for the storage space while he was gone, but she recently fell behind. Jaime sent in a check with her husband’s payment along with an apology note explaining why she was turning in the payment late. When Dennis saw Jaime’s note, he refused to accept her money. “You send that money back to her!” he told his office employee. “I never, ever!”   Read the full story here.

John Parham dedicated most of his life to motorcycling and to his wife Jill. With passion and perseverance, through tough times and success, together they created J&P Cycles in 1979 and helped motorcyclists world wide enjoy two wheel adventures. Later John devoted his time and resources to amassing one of the world's largest and most comprehensive personal collections of motorcycles, in excess of 300 machines, and found a home for many of them when he moved the National Motorcycle Museum to his home town of Anamosa, Iowa. Then he again invested his time and talent to make this a great place to preserve and present American motorcycling history. He worked tirelessly until his long battle with pulmonary fibrosis consumed him, ...

Electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles launches a partnership with the Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race to be included as part of the race’s motorized support fleet for the pivotal men’s Big Bear Lake Time Trial stage. Zero says their motorcycles are ideal for cycling race support, as there is no exhaust or noxious chemicals for the athletes to breathe in, and with virtually no sound, athletes can clearly hear any audio instructions given to them by their team over race radios. From May 11-20, this seven-day men’s and four-day women’s event attracts World Champions, Olympic medalists and Tour de France stage winners from around the world to California to compete across one of the most scenic and challenging courses in any race ...

Bonnier Motorcycle Group and Dealer Motorsports, have teamed up and now offer a new inventory classified program that's designed for powersports dealers across the country. It allows participating dealers to advertise their inventory and receive qualified buyer inquiries by email and SMS. The program can be accessed through many of the Bonnier Motorcycle Group enthusiast websites, including Cycle World, Motorcyclist, Dirt Rider, Hot Bike, ATV Rider and UTV Driver. “Never before have dealers been able to advertise their new and used inventory on our media network,” said Andy Leisner, Bonnier Motorcycle Group Senior Vice President and Managing Director. “This new program gives dealers access to the millions of powersports shoppers who visit our sites each month where we engage, inform and inspire consumers in ...

Hey, Some weeks are damn exciting like this one. I have the chance to help a brother get a job in the industry. I’m working on his resume. I’m working on Hugh King’s Chopper King Chopper sale. The Trailblazers banquet is Saturday. I’m introducing a couple of race fans to the club. We are working on Grandson Frankie’s Dyna today getting ready to take the sheet metal to paint. I’m working with a photographer to launch his vintage motorcycle print business. And of course I’m helping the Redhead of Redheads. Warren Buffet recommends as least two sources of income. The first is your job, then second could be by purchasing a home and fixing it up. Or you could build ...

That's it, folks. The end of an era is upon us. One of few independently owned motorcycle print publishing groups is up for grabs. The brand is legendary and it has a storied past. Does it have a future? What kind of future? That's for a buyer to decide. Interested parties can register at  www.PaisanoAuction.com or email Brian Wood for more information. bwood@paisanopub.com

Harley-Davidson Inc kept its 2017 outlook unchanged despite first-quarter shipments hitting the high end of the company's forecast. Milwaukee-based Harley's shares were down 4 percent at $57.00 in premarket trading on Tuesday. The company, which commands about half the U.S. big-bike market, said motorcycle shipments fell 14.7 percent to 70,831 units in the quarter ended March 26, compared with its forecast of 66,000-71,000 units. Harley said it continues to expect full-year shipments to be flat to down modestly. Harley's first quarter shipments were helped by warmer-than-usual weather that led to an early start to the annual riding season, probably resulting in a pull-forward in demand from the second quarter, analysts have said. Harley also took the rare step of offering ...

Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America will sponsor vintage motorcycle racer and Spirit of Sturgis Vintage Festival organizer Brittany Olsen throughout 2017. Olsen started the year right with a win at Billy Lane's Inaugural Sons of Speed Vintage Races in Daytona, Florida, and will ride her 1923 Harley-Davidson Board Track Racer outfitted with Avon Speedmaster-MKII and GP tires at various events throughout the United States. "Brittany brings amazing energy to every race and event," said Ken Warner, Vice President of Marketing for Avon Tyres North America. "We are proud to partner with her and look forward to the excitement that her passion for vintage racing will undoubtedly produce this year." The Speedmaster-MKII is a classic ribbed front tire and is available ...

Here's a near-miss situation involving a motorcycle rider and a snake. What just happened there? Snakes are lunging at passing riders now? What's next?