This week, Bandit learns about suffering, ponders the teaching of the Dalai Lama, tells us about new and exciting developments at Bikernet and gets us ready to start the weekend in earnest. Read more.

Today, we heard from our friends at Victory Motorcycles. They told us that Victiry and Roland Sands Designs have just committed to a program dubbed “Project 156”. According to sources at Victory Motorcycles, more information will become available by May 28th. A quick look at the included, not-so-cryptic art speaks volume, we think. It looks to us like Victory and Roland Sands are fixin' to take on Pikes Peak with fire-breathing American V-twin. We look forward to filling you in on this project as soon as we find out more.

In analyzing data from over 12,300 motorcycles across 10 brands, Consumer Reports found that Victory leads the pack with best overall owner satisfaction, also getting a top mark for comfort, followed by Can-Am and Harley-Davidson at better than average in comfort. Read more at Consumer Reports.

30 Years And 100,000 Miles Later, a great Shovel is back on the road. Read more.

Just hitting the market, Renegade’s Newton wheel is shown here in custom Royal Blue Phantom-Cut Finish. This aggressive design features a machined rim edge that gives detail to the entire wheel. All Renegade Wheels are made in the U.S.A. and CNC machined from forged lightweight billet aluminum. Phantom-Cuts are hand polished after machining to which highlight the cut accents and rich black and brilliant color anodized finishes. Rims are available in Chrome, Phantom-Cut, Black Powder coat and the company’s new custom colors. Diameters available: 16” thru 30”, along with matching Rotors, Sprockets, Pulleys, Derby Covers and Air Cleaners. MSRP on the wheels starts as $1,249. Optional custom colors run additional $200.00. More info at www.renegadewheels.com.

The Daytona Chamber and Bike Week Festival Task Force members welcomed the 2015 Official Bike Week Motorcycle winner Madeline Fay from Kennesaw, GA on Wednesday, April 15th. Madeline (‘Maddie’), along with her father Jim Fay, claimed her grand prize at Lonestar Motorcycle Tech, 1841 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach. Madeline was announced as the winner of a 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide on Saturday, March 14 at Noon where the Official Bike Week Task Force pulled her name out of a barrel of over 2,500 world-wide participants in the contest. The bike was a custom build featured in four issues of internationally distributed American Iron Magazine including the final build on the cover as well as stories featuring the build from ...

News of Erik Buell Racing calling it quits was announced on Wednesday. Employing a staff of 126 employees, EBR would have in excess of $20 million in outstanding liabilities and is now seeking court protection from creditors. Bikernet is very sad to hear this. We've ridden Buell motorcycles, enjoyed them and particularly appreciated the independent spirit that Erik Buell could only bring to the marque. You can read more about EBR's demise here.

Today’s larger and heavier motorcycles, especially those with fairings, can be difficult to safely load onto a bike lift by only one person. To solve this problem, JIMS now offers a guide to help the front wheel track into the correct position. For use with Handy lift or equivalent, this device becomes the “buddy” that is needed to safely lead the motorcycle into the lift’s front wheel vice. It may also work with wheel chocks in trucks or trailers used to transport motorcycles. For more information contact us at sales@jimsusa.com, call (805) 482-6913 or click on the banner below. Advertisement

A new motorcycle racing competition will throw dirt June 4 during the inaugural Harley-Davidson Flat-Track Racing at ESPN’s X Games Austin.  “This June, fans in Austin will experience a new kind of action sport as they watch top athletes in flat- track race for gold,” said Dino Bernacchi, Director U.S. Marketing, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Words can’t explain the rush of watching these athletes riding within inches of each other, kicking up dirt and carving through corners. It’s pure adrenaline-charge action.” The inaugural race is an invitational format, with athletes from around the world receiving the opportunity to be part of the action. The Harley-Davidson XR 750 also joins the field of motorcycles battling for the top podium position at Circuit ...

A measure to exempt motorcycle riders in Missouri who are at least 21 years old and meet certain insurance requirements is now going to the Senate for consideration. The Missouri House on Monday approved a proposal to allow older riders to go without helmets by a vote of 97-57. Supporters say it is a matter of personal freedom and that adults should be allowed to make their own decisions. Republican Rep. Eric Burlison, of Springfield, says Missouri could attract more motorcyclist events if the requirement were to be lifted.