IronWorks magazine  just announced the winners of the 2012 IronWorks Innovation Awards. The awards also known as the "Stempys" in honor of the magazine's founding editor Dennis Stemp, have been presented since 2003 specifically to recognize leadership and positive momentum in the motorcycle industry. "The IW Innovation Awards honor efforts that represent a fresh, forward-looking approach to our industry through creative action that advances interest or fills a need," said IronWorks Editor Marilyn Stemp. "Especially now, when 'wait and see' is the prevailing attitude in business, we feel it's appropriate to identify and acknowledge those companies and individuals who exhibit the courage to keep motorcycling not just viable but thriving." Five awards are being conferred this year. The winners are: ...

Motorcyclists should get liberty to go through red lights — in certain instances — according to a bill co-authored by Crawfordsville Republican Rep. Tim Brown. House Bill 1118 would amend Indiana motor vehicle code to allow operators of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motorscooters and bicycles to proceed through a steady red signal if they first: • Come to a complete stop at the intersection for at least 120 seconds; and • Exercise due caution as provided by law, treat the traffic control signal as a stop sign, and determines that it is safe to proceed. Brown, a physician and also a motorcycle rider, said there’s a simple explanation for his proposal. “A lot of these are magnetic-triggered lights ... and motorcycles ...

Ducati North America on Thursday announced record sales for 2012 -- the company's best year in the market, with a 21% increase over 2011 in total sales of motorcycles and a 42% jump in its apparel division. [For the Record, 7:20 a.m., Jan. 17: An earlier version of this post stated that Ducati North America showed a 42% increase in total sales of motorcycles in 2012. The increase was 21%] Tipping his hat to the American "Ducatisti," Chief Executive Cristiano Silei thanked passionate Ducati fans for driving 2012 U.S. sales up 21% over 2011. The region is, for the second year in a row, the Italian motorcycle company's biggest market. "One out of every four Ducati motorcycles sold [worldwide] is ...

Here's today's bizzaro news: The Motorcycle Industry Council has submitted comments opposing a proposed rule by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that would require electric motorcycles to emit a minimum sound to protect pedestrians. The NHTSA has published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for FMVSS No. 141, Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. The rule would set minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles, including but not limited to, motorcycles. Pursuant to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2010, FMVSS No. 141 is designed to ensure that blind, visually impaired and other pedestrians are able to detect nearby hybrid and electric vehicles in a range of ambient environments. The NHTSA has tentatively concluded that the ...

The 60-day "crowd-sourcing" pledge campaign to fund the production of a film about motorcycle off-road and innovation pioneer John Penton on Kickstarter.com, ended successfully on Monday night with $160,315.50 raised, eclipsing the goal of $150,000. The 562 "backers" of the film pledged between $1.00 and $10,000.00 to help the filmmakers, Pipeline Digital Media reach the goal so they can begin production beginning in March. These backers of "The John Penton Story" were made up of Penton and motorcycle enthusiasts, clubs, dealers and particularly industry companies KTM USA, Alpinestars, Acerbis, Motion Pro, Matrix Racing Concepts, and the Legends & Heroes Tour. Also supporting the project was a host of motorcycle legends including; Mark Blackwell, Bob Hannah, Brad Lackey, Torsten Hallman, Malcolm ...

DAYTONA Twin Tec will be running a training session on its products on Friday February 1st at the Cincinnati Convention Center prior to the V-Twin Expo opening on the Saturday. The training school, which begins at 3pm, will cover how to use the company's Twin Scan 2 and Twin Scan 3 plus kit to tune Twin Tuners, Super Tuners, Race Tuners, Direct Link and Master Tuners, and will be taught by Rob Swartz and Doug Lofgren. Anyone wanting to attend the session on should contact Allen Alvarez allen@daytona-twintec.com or by phone 386 846 1249 by Monday, January 28th, 2013. DAYTONA TWIN TEC www.daytona-twintec.com  

  Garage Coffee Builds a Man Cave in Nashville So who starts a business in this economic environment? I still haven’t figured it out, but it could be a gonzo caffeinated-addled serial entrepreneur. Rob decided to add a retail component to his business and found a perfect place in Nashville.  Check the story, quick!

Victory Motorcycles has several special attractions on tap for the International Motorcycle Show in New York City, Jan. 18-20, including the introduction of a limited-edition 15th Anniversary model. It was 15 years ago that the first Victory motorcycles hit the open road. Victory No. 1 – a V92C classic cruiser – was built on the Fourth of July 1998 at the Polaris/Victory production facility in Spirit Lake, Iowa. The limited edition 15th Anniversary Victory models will be produced on the same assembly line after the bike is unveiled in New York. “We are excited to celebrate 15 years with our passionate riders,” said Steve Menneto, Polaris VP Motorcycles. “Victory riders are men and women who demand the best Cruisers, Baggers, ...

Windvest announces a high performance sport windscreen for the Victory Cross series motorcycles that redirects the wind out of the rider’s face and chest area while looking over the top of the screen, creating a smooth airflow 3 to 4 inches higher.  Made of a high impact acrylic GE Plexiglas, DOT approved material and is available in a 10” height in our gun smoke color.  WindVest is guaranteed to have you covered.  For more information check us out online at www.windvest.com.     WindVest Motorcycle Products 16840 Joleen Way, Ste B2 Morgan Hill, Ca 95037 408-377-7323 or toll free 877-370-7326 sales@windvest.com

Manufacturers of electric motorcycles and scooters (e-motorcycles and e-scooters) are providing more robust features, including longer range capability and higher speeds, accelerating demand for these vehicles. Although still small, the market is expected to grow strongly as consumers become more aware of the products available. According to a new report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant's Energy Practice, annual worldwide sales of e-motorcycles and e-scooters will reach 18.7 million by 2018. The vast majority of these vehicles will be sold in China. "Two-wheel vehicles are growing in popularity as a form of transportation, particularly in large cities in the Asia Pacific region," says senior research analyst Dave Hurst. "Urbanization in Asia Pacific is expected to grow to 55 percent ...