According to a new proposal, more than 70,000 Arizona motorcycle owners could each save $19 a year by skipping annual emissions tests. Trevor Baggiore, deputy director of air quality with Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, said motorcycles make up 3.5 percent of vehicles on Valley roads and account for less than one percent of total emissions. "Most people especially here in Arizona in the summer don't drive their motorcycles," Baggiore said. "Also, just the emissions characteristics of a motorcycle are different from cars and they get better gas mileage." He said dropping mandatory tests will not impact air quality. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency supports the change and the requirement could disappear in early spring.

  An official report from the Australian government has sung the praises of bikers for enriching and improving city living.  The State of Australian Cities Report, which annually reviews the state of Australia's eighteen largest urban areas, concluded that the nations 700,000 motorcyclists and scooter riders produce lower emissions than car drivers, take up less space on congested roads and reduce pressure on city parking areas. Continue reading

  Harley-Davidson Inc. and other motorcycle manufacturers may have to include anti-lock brakes as standard equipment on all of their street bikes in only a few years. The American Motorcyclist Association says the European Parliament has approved a proposal to require anti-lock brakes on all new motorcycles and trikes with engines larger than 125 cubic centimeters beginning in 2016. That would cover the entire Harley-Davidson lineup, including Sportster bikes that currently don't have the technology as an option. Continue reading

  American Motorcyclist Association Director of International Affairs Robert Rasor has been re-elected as a member of the Board of Directors for the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the international governing body for motorcycle sport and touring. Rasor also serves as the appointed vice president of the FIM.  "It is gratifying to be recognized for contributions to the motorcycling community by FIM national federations from around the world," Rasor said. "I am honored to be in a position to continue serving motorcycling as the member of the FIM Board of Directors and to ensure that the interests of the AMA and riders in North America are represented on the world level."  Rasor was re-elected to a four-year term at the ...

One of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world has changed hands, yet again, as the British marque Matchless has reportedly been sold. Changing hands from Greek to Italian ownership, the Matchless brand is now in the hands of Franco Malenotti, of Belstaff apparel fame. Hoping to revitalize the motorcycle brand in a similar way as he did with Belstaff, Malenotti plans at first to build a limited production series of motorcycles, which will draw their inspiration from the G80, Silver Hawk, and Silver Arrow designs. Continue Reading

Bikernet  recently opened its new TRAVEL department check it out  BIKERNET TRAVEL Also check out the 8th Annual Travel and Adventure Show. A really  cool place to plan your next trip to Cleveland of Kathmandu California's largest travel show, the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, today announced its featured speakers, including explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, The Bachelor's Chris Harrison, and PBS television host Rick Steves, among others. Named as one of Southern California's top 10 trade shows or conventions by BizBash, the 2013 Travel & Adventure Show will also feature consumer seminars, interactive family-friendly activities, and industry-focused trade events.   The 2013 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show will take place January 12-13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at ...

Victory Motorcycles has a busy weekend planned for the Long Beach International Motorcycle Show, Dec. 7-9, including: The introduction of a Factory Custom Painted Cross Country, the debut of a Buffalo Chip Custom Bagger styled by Cory Ness, Victory demo rides, autograph sessions featuring Playboy Playmates and “The Gunny” (actor R. Lee Ermey), a Toys for Tots gift collection – and more. “The Long Beach IMS is always a high-energy show with a lot of Victory riders turning out,” said Victory Marketing Manager Josh Fulkerson. “Riders need to check out everything from the Victory demo rides outside the convention center to the incredible Victory Bagger Bar and accessory wall at our display inside.”  Victory Celebrates Baggers at Long Beach — Victory ...

  Valerie Thompson, owner/driver of Valerie Thompson Racing (VTR), will display her record setting BMW S 1000 RR race bike and host autograph sessions at the BMW Motorrad USA booth at the upcoming International Motorcycle Show (IMS) in Long Beach December 7-9. She will also make appearances at the Shorai Battery display in the Market Place area of the show.   Thompson set 3 new land speed records this year with her Martech Services Company sponsored BMW S 1000 RR. She also became a charter member of the “Mojave Magnum 200 MPH Club” after running a top speed of 209.5 mph at the event in June. Thompson holds three land speed records in East Coast Timing Associations (ECTA) events and two records ...

The 2013 edition of the legendary Mikuni American Carburetor sponsored Iron & Lace Calendar continues with features a 16-month look at the world's top custom motorcycles photographed with beautiful centerfold models by legendary photographer Jim Gianatsis featuring the LA Calendar Motorcycle Show's Calendar Bike Championship winners: Jim Giuffra and the AFT Customs Girls' Best of Show winner 'Sentoh" based on a legendary Honda CB750, Ben Beck’s radical 1st Place Street American V-twin Custom "Nitemare’, Ron Baldinado and Philip Lopez / Crown Customs 1st Place with their Sporty bobber "Nasty", and Hiroyuki Hirata / BB Group, Japan, wild 1st Place Pro Builder Class V-Twin winner. There's also a cool custom bobber named ‘Hot Shoe’ from Todd Silicato / ToddsCycle.com, the show winning Lamb ...

A motorcycle gang in Australia, where such groups have been targeted over violence and drug trafficking, has challenged the constitutionality of a law that would make it easier to declare them a criminal gang. Leaders of the Finks, whose motto is "Attitude with Violence", have asked Australia's highest court to overturn laws they say are draconian and threaten civil freedoms. Under the laws, police in tropical Queensland state have sought to have the Finks declared a criminal gang. Similar laws have been used elsewhere in Australia. Continue reading