Rivera Primo spent a little over a year designing and testing their newest badass product, the TransparaGuard. Here’s what they have to say about it.

Over the past gazillion years, I have constantly been asked by customers from all walks of life (and almost living) to come up with a belt guard that covers the belt and moving stuff, but where they still can see that they have an open belt drive. As we all know, open belt drives are way cool, but can also be a bit dangerous to bell bottom jeans and long scarves. Well, the engineers at RPI (Rivera Primo Inc.) for many years have been pouring over technical manuals, going to plastics seminars (what fun), studying star charts and generally sitting in our conference room with a doobie and a bottle of torpedoe red trying to come up with such a thing as an invisible force field for an open belt drive. And guess what? We done did it! Well, not the forcefield thingy, but we created a polycarbonate, optically clear, UV-resistant, shatter-resistant outer guard for most open belt drives.

The TransparaGuard does what we were asked for, it protects you fully from the moving parts, but allows everyone to see that you indeed run an Open Belt Drive. Its a beautiful thing, and whats more, you can paint, machine, engrave or just stare at the TransparaGuard™ anytime you like. This puppy will be available for the Primo® Brute IV Extreme (2014-0078) and also for any manufacturers belt drive as a universal fit (2014-0149). Other applications will soon follow, as well as versions with built-in LED lighting.

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We went on the interthingy last night and found this:

Headwinds, the leader in custom headlights, introduces their new 7” LED Headlamp. Rugged solid state LEDs are energy efficient and can withstand shock & vibration. You’ll never have to replace another bulb again, making these considerably less costly to maintain! These non-glare lamps offer brighter, whiter color and a superior light pattern, providing drivers with improved visibility. Die-cast aluminum reflector provides maximum protection. Easy-to-install, equipped with a hi/lo beam and DOT approved. Contact Headwinds 626-359-8044 or look them up on the webby-web.

First fifty bike entries received will be free of charge

Being staged in Europe for the first time, at the all-new BIG BIKE EUROPE expo at Essen, Germany, on May 10th to 12th 2013, AMD is pleased to announce a series of competitor promotions and incentives being funded by confirmed European BIG BIKE EUROPE exhibitors such as Motorcycle Storehouse, Zodiac International, Parts Europe, MAG Europe, Paaschburg & Wunderlich and TTS Wheels.

'Early Bird' competitors can scoop a 200,00 euro saving as the first 50 bikes (plus concessions) to be entered for 2013 will be able to enter for free – register now and you will receive a 200,00 euro voucher to cover the standard AMD World Championship entry fee.

Second, all AMD World Championship Competitors can invite up to 25 of their employees, friends or customers to attend all three days of BIG BIKE EUROPE (the Trade/VIP Rider Day on Friday May 10th as well as the 'public days' on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th) free of charge! This is a special offer worth up to 300,00 euro for each visitor … 7.500,00 euro promotional value for each competitor.

All competitors also receive the AMD World Championship 2013 special edition 'Competitor Logo' for use in all their own advertising, marketing, print, website, and social media activity, in addition to a free of charge studio-grade photo-shoot set of pictures of their bike.

Full details of all these special opportunities and of the expo itself will be sent to competitors once they have registered. At this time, the BIG BIKE EUROPE show floor-plan has room to cater for approximately 100 bikes.

There will be five classes at the AMD World Championship in 2013 – the now traditional and highly acclaimed FreeStyle class from which the 10th annual World Champion Custom Bike Builder will be chosen, plus four further classes to recognise specific sectors of the custom motorcycle market.

An all new Retro/Modified Class will showcase customs based on engines manufactured before 1984; the Modified Harley-Davidson Class will feature stock frame geometry customs with engines (minimum stock cases) from 1984 and up; the Production Motorcycle Class will feature customs with Certificates of Conformity that are designed for multiple production; and an all-new Street Performance Class to showcase custom design and engineering work where the primary objective is to improve the performance and handling of streetable customs.

To enter, follow this link – www.amdchampionship.com/worldchamps

For further information or for any clarifications contact the World Championship programme Director Neil Blaber at – neil@amdchampionship.com

One final Competitor Benefit – there is a generous series of expo-booth discounts available for all qualifying exhibitors, including a permanent 10 percent 'First Year Club' discount that will be available to all 2013/1st annual BIG BIKE EUROPE exhibitors only.

Additionally, AMD World Championship competitors who wish to have a booth also receive a further 10 percent discount from the standard rates. Full expo details can be seen at:www.BigBikeEurope.com

Yesterday, we went on the interweb and found this:

American-made electric motorcycle manufacturer Zero Motorcycles is the official ring sponsor for the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

The prestigious Motorcycle Hall of Fame ring is a symbol of the significant contributions made by an inductee to the sport, business and lifestyle of motorcycling. The gold ring, which is created exclusively for the Hall of Fame, bears the institution's logo, the "Glory Days" design and the name of the inductee. The rings will be presented to the 2012 inductees and Hall of Fame Legends during the gala event at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa on Friday, Nov. 16, in Las Vegas, Nev. 

Receiving the rings will be roadracing world championship tuner Nobby Clark; off-road racing champion Ty Davis; 1975 AMA Supercross Champion Jimmy Ellis; pioneering female motocrosser Sue Fish; world-class bike restorer Brian Slark; and representatives for the late-Rod Bush, KTM North America president and industry visionary, as well as the late-Al Wilcox, iconic race flagger. 

"It is refreshing to see Zero Motorcycles, a pioneering company that is taking electric motorcycle technology to new levels, honor motorcycling's storied history and pay tribute to pioneers of yesteryear," said Jeff Heininger, chairman of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which raises money for the Hall of Fame. "The Hall of Fame rings are an important piece of the induction ceremony and, for many inductees, the ring is an enduring symbol of their lifetime achievements. Zero Motorcycles' support is helping make all that possible." 

Two existing members of the Hall of Fame will be honored as Hall of Fame Legends and will also receive rings: 1998 inductees Malcolm Smith, a pioneer in off-road motorcycling, and Mert Lawwill, the 1969 AMA Grand National Champion. Both Smith and Lawwill starred in the classic motorcycling documentary "On Any Sunday." 

Scot Harden, who is vice president of global marketing for Zero Motorcycles and also a member of the Hall of Fame, said that Zero Motorcycles is proud to be a part of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 

"On behalf of the entire staff of Zero Motorcycles, it is a proud honor indeed to support the Hall of Fame as official ring sponsor of the 2012 induction ceremony," Harden said. "The men and women selected reflect the highest level of achievement and accomplishment possible in our sport. I can't think of a better way for a company like Zero Motorcycles, one that is clearly focused on the future of motorcycling, to pay tribute to, and acknowledge, the legends who built this sport by sponsoring the ring ceremony." 

The AMA Legends Weekend also includes one of the country's leading motorcycle shows and the finale of one of the most thrilling AMA-sanctioned national racing series. On Saturday, Nov. 17, the Red Rock will host the 2012 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d'Elegance, featuring many of the country's most impressive original and restored classic motorcycles. That evening, at the nearby Orleans Arena, fans can catch the last round of the 2012 GEICO AMA EnduroCross National Championship Series. 

Tickets for the AMA Legends Weekend are available online at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5r7zy8ea4316694&llr=vw9ldxbab or by calling (800) 342-5464. 

The AMA Legends Weekend will be held at the Las Vegas Red Rock Resort, a world-class spa, hotel and casino, featuring a range of entertainment, dining and family-friendly attractions. The facility's expansive ballrooms provide a stunning backdrop for the AMA Legends Weekend. Room reservations are available now at a special group rate by calling (866) 767-7773 and referencing group code RCIAME or AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST. Online room reservations are available at www.redrocklasvegas.com. 

For tickets to the final round of the GEICO AMA EnduroCross Championship Series at the Orleans Arena, see www.endurocross.com.

Ducati has given a preview of its highly-anticipated 2013 range by revealing exciting new Multistrada models that introduce new features such as enhanced aesthetics, a second generation Testastretta 11° engine, the very latest ABS and, on the “S” versions, the innovative semi-active suspension system, Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS).

The brand new range, full of owner-inspired improvements, signals the next stage of the Multistrada journey with a longlist of fascinating and high-tech features. It includes the Multistrada 1200 with the associated Riding Mode technologies of Ride-by-Wire (R-b-W) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) in addition to the very latest in ABS, while the Multistrada 1200 S Touring is now equipped with Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS), R-b-W, DTC and ABS with additional side luggage, heated grips and centre stand. The new touring flagship of the range for 2013 is the Multistrada 1200 S Granturismo with increased side luggage capacity, top case, additional LED illumination, enhanced wind protection and long-distance tires, while the enhanced Multistrada 1200 S Pikes Peak celebrates the sporting side of the model’s character with a replica of the famous 2012 mountain race bike in its stunning new race-winning livery.

The Multistrada’s award-winning Sport, Touring, Urban and Enduro electronic Riding Modes enable a truly enjoyable and customizable riding experience separated by just one click of a button. The four-bikes-in-one concept makes instant adjustment to power and torque delivery in addition to electronic adjustment of suspension settings, traction control, and now ABS and Ducati Skyhook Suspension, instantly transforming the Multistrada 1200 to suit its rider and environment with even more precision.

Hailed as a true ‘game-changing’ motorcycle, Ducati’s Multistrada 1200 has attracted all types of riders to the Italian brand by removing the borders between different motorcycle categories and creating a model that is not only powerful and playful, but also a comfortable and versatile adventure on two wheels. The eight-level DTC and new three-level ABS introduce the Ducati Safety Pack (DSP) concept to the Multistrada family; further underlining Ducati's focus on performance safety.

Ducati’s Multistrada 1200 International Press Test is set to take place in Bilbao, Spain from 20-27 September, while the first public showing of the 2013 Multistrada range will be at the INTERMOT motorcycle show in Cologne, Germany from 3-7 October. The brand new Multistrada 1200 models will be available via the official Ducati dealer network from December 2012.