Santa Fe Springs CA – April 26, 2021 – The Vance & Hines Racing Team will return to the road courses for MotoAmerica’s three-race King of the Bagger series, leveraging the staff at the company’s new Racing Development Center (RDC) to build this year’s entry. Fielding one of the highest performance Harley-Davidson touring bikes ever assembled, the team is building off of their successful podium finish in the inaugural King of the Baggers race at Laguna Seca in 2020. The Vance & Hines entry is a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, one of the most popular motorcycles sold today. It features a 131-cubic-inch v-twin motor, managed by a Vance & Hines Fuelpak FP3 custom tuned map. Intake is through a Vance & Hines VO2 Cage Fighter and exhaust is a Vance & Hines Stainless Hi-Output 2-into 1 designed for the Harley-Davidson 131 cubic-inch motor. The bagger rocket ship will be piloted once again by Hayden Gillim, whose got racing credentials in MotoAmerica, MotoGP, WERA and American Flat Track and has wins or championships in almost every class he’s ever raced. Gillim has a winning pedigree, too. He’s a cousin of Nicky, Roger and Tommy Hayden and hails from racing hotspot, Owensboro, Kentucky. “America’s favorite motorcycle, great performance products and a top notch rider, racing doesn’t get better than that!” said company President Mike Kennedy. “Vance & Hines was born at a race track, so it’s natural that we’d be in the series demonstrating the talent we have at our RDC and the great performance products we create.” The MotoAmerica’s Mission Foods King of the Baggers kicks off with a weekend event at Road Atlanta, April 30 through May 2, followed by events at Road America in Wisconsin in June and Laguna Seca in California in July. Website: https://vanceandhines.com/king-of-the-baggers Watch the Preview Video:  

ICYMI: Today, the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee is hearing AB 1223 to place an extra tax on your guns and ammo.

Other committees are hearing anti-gun bills this week as well. Please ask committee members to OPPOSE these bills.

Assembly Bill 1223 places an excise tax of 10% on the sales price of a handgun, and places an 11% excise tax on the sales price on all long guns, rifles, firearm precursor parts and ammunition to fund grants awarded through the Cal VIP program. It is unjust to saddle law-abiding gun owners with special taxes to fund social service programs.

Click this button to oppose AB 1223.

On April 27^th, the Assembly Public Safety Committee will hear Assembly Bill 1509. This bill reduces the penalties and sentencing enhancements for criminal misuse of firearms. Such an effort shows just how disingenuous Californian legislators are about stopping “gun violence.” The legislators who oppose holding criminals accountable for their actions are the same ones who continue to harass law-abiding gun owners.

Click this button to oppose AB 1509.

On April 27^th, the Senate Public Safety Committee will hear Senate Bill 538. This bill expands California’s program of suspending constitutional rights and seizing property by allowing electronic filing and witnesses to appear remotely. By allowing remote testimony, the due process protections are lessened, not enhanced, and may limit the opportunity to examine the credibility of a witness.

Click this button to oppose SB 538.

On April 28^th, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will hear Assembly Bill 311. This bill prohibits the display or sale of any “precursor firearm parts” at gun shows on state property. Such restrictions continue to cut off access to law-abiding individuals who are looking to acquire firearm parts in accordance with existing law. ​

Click this button to oppose AB 311.

Thank you for your support in opposing these bills and making your voice heard!

Yours in Freedom,

Ken Lan
NRA-ILA
Communications Coordinator
http://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

by Cristian Curmei from https://www.autoevolution.com

Delfast Bikes Does the Unthinkable and Starts Breaking Away From PRC Production

There’s no doubt that e-bikes are what booming in the urban mobility game. One company carrying the torch and leading the way for e-bikes is Delfast Bikes.

It’s possible you’ve heard of Delfast Bike by now. In case you haven’t, know that this is one of the e-bike manufacturers you should be keeping an eye on. Between 2014 and 2017, this company was hard at work delivering a different sort of product, parcels or packages, but behind closed curtains, Delfast was hard at work developing their own machine able to withstand the treacherous roads of Kyiv, Ukraine.

In 2016, this company began selling its first e-bike, and just a year later, in 2017, set a Guiness World Record for the longest e-bike ride on a single battery charge, 367 km (228 mi). How? Well, I mentioned the team had been working on something behind closed curtains, mainly, it was a battery management system.

Let’s face it, the e-bikes this team creates have way more to do than just simple battery management. Another aspect of design that Delfast seems to be partaking in, is that of creating an overall rugged and capable bike. How rugged? If you’ve been following along with autoevolution, you’d know that even the Mexicali Police are now using products from Delfast to monitor crime. Imagine seeing police officers silently chasing down fugitives. The days of horseback riding are over.

Recently, this EV company ran a $3,000,000 crowdfunding campaign to help expand and ease company operations. Now, anytime a company asks investors to throw in some cash, you’d better be sure they deliver. Such a doubt has no place if we’re to be talking about Delfast. By the end of the campaign, this team had raised $400,000 more than they initial sum aimed for.

“We are delighted to raise such a record amount in three months. This funding will take us one step closer to our goal to build an industry-leading e-bike manufacture and support a climate-safe transportation community around the globe,” said Daniel Tonkopiy, co-Founder and CEO.

But why was this campaign needed in the first place? I thought you’d never ask. Think if it this way. Before this crew launched the campaign, they already had $100 million in pre-orders. $100 million! Give the people $3,000,000! I wonder what the investor portfolios are looking like.

With the newfound cash, Delfast has invested in a production center in their own backyard and not in the current PRC. It looks like, slowly but surely, this team wants to transfer their e-bike production out of China, something a lot of e-bike companies see as out of the question.

A few days ago, the e-bike manufacturer released an announcement stating they’ve signed an agreement with Kyiv-based tech company ELMIZ. If you’ve never heard of ELMIZ, not to worry, your future Delfast e-bike will be assembled with the help of a company that has been specializing in the production of space docking systems, laser navigation and radio communication systems, and even automated devices for space vehicles. And that’s just a part of the story, ELMIZ also produces charging stations for electric cars, mining equipment, and porous cast aluminum for mechanical engineering, not to mention lighting systems.

“The factory has a wide experience in producing complex electronics, space systems and charging stations for electric vehicles. Considering its resources, expertise and qualified engineers, we can be sure that our e-bikes will be produced in a high quality and in accordance with our requirements,” says Tonkopiy about the agreement.

Currently, the new facility will be able to manufacture five e-bikes per month, while the goal is to increase production to 50 units per month by the end of 2021. One major benefit that Delfast customers can now look forward to is an increased production capacity, meaning you’ll get your bike sooner than anticipated; shorter delivery times for U.S. and E.U. clients by up to three weeks.

In my opinion, keep your eyes peeled as this company is setting a new standard for how an e-bike should perform. If you feel you’ve missed out on the investment opportunities this company has offered in the past, don’t. They are on a clear growing curve and even now is a good time to hop on the fastest e-bike for 2021 according to Forbes.

Right now, an Earth Day campaign is running on the manufacturers website that drops $1,556 off the 3.0’s starting price of $6649. So, you can get the freshest menace form this team for $5,256. Honestly, for that price, you’re buying an electric motorcycle that just happens to include a pedal-assist function.

 

by Kalyn Wolfe from https://www.pnj.com

What is it like to be an American? Is there any truth to the negative stereotypes that surround Americans?

These are the questions Claire Coleman and her husband, Nick, asked themselves as they left New Zealand more than 10 years ago. With a pickup truck and an RV, they spent a year meandering across the lower 48, learning about American culture with every dirt road, brewery and person they encountered.

It was these experiences that inspired Claire Coleman to publish a book called “The Back Of Beyond: A North American Road Trip, Kiwi Style!” not long after. But the inspiration didn’t stop there.

“It was this trip that inspired us to move to America,” she said. “We had positive experiences with every American we met.”

The next step involved obtaining visas.

“We needed to open a business in order to fulfill our visa requirements, and Nick spent years in the oil rig industry,” Coleman said. “I haven’t worked in the oil rig industry, so we had to figure out a business we could run together. Nick has worked on motorcycles since he could walk, so in 2016 we decided to open EagleRider Motorcycles Pensacola.”

Five years and two locations later, EagleRider Motorcycles Pensacola has recently moved to its third location at 3305 North W St. and held a grand opening April 8 to mark the occasion.

But Coleman would be the first to tell you that it was a celebration that almost didn’t happen.

“COVID killed us,” she said. “Everyone was canceling. We lost all of our international customers and we had no forward bookings. The borders closed, we initially closed shop, sold up our house and most belongings and planned on returning home to New Zealand. Then we literally drove past our new building on North W Street as they were banging in the for sale sign, so our plans changed and we got ready for round two in Pensacola.”

As soon as they closed on the location in October, the couple went to work on upgrades and renovations, which included new ceiling tiles, lighting, paint and a mural of Pensacola Beach for people to take selfies.

“Our new location is triple in size,” Coleman said. “We have a bigger showroom and have added repair work to our rental program.”

EagleRider Motorcycles Pensacola offers a wide variety of adventures, from daily, weekly to monthly rentals, with seven Harley Davidson models to choose from. A 10% discount is automatically applied for groups of four or more during select seasonal months.

If you’re not sure which way to travel, the website offers a host of guided and self-guided tours for people to browse and book for inspiration.

“It’s the best form of social distancing,” Coleman said.

EagleRider Motorcycles Pensacola is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit eaglerider.com/pensacola or call 850-748-3423.

Jochen Zeitz, the newest CEO of Harley-Davidson
profiled by J.J. Solari

When I read the Wikipedia entry on Jochen Zeitz, the new CEO of Harley-Davidson, up until then only Jesus of Nazareth held in my mind the Golden Humanity Award and the “Awesome-And-Yet-One-Of-Us” trophy for Entity Excellence.

Click Here to read the latest from J J Solari on Bikernet.

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“Walter: The Missing Link” Documentary
Final interviews are shot with Bator International and Jay Leno

Slinger, Wisconsin – April 25, 2021 – After eight years of development and delays due to the pandemic, The Edge Ltd. shot the final interviews for the “Walter” documentary with Bator International and Jay Leno in California last week. The Bator interview with motorcycle broker/restorer Glenn Bator was shot at the Bator facility northwest of Los Angeles and the Leno interview was shot at Jay’s Garage in Burbank. The interview topics included Walter’s provenance, restoration, and the caretaking of rare and historic motorcycles. Producer James Cutting thanks Glenn, Jay, and the EPIC Creative team for their support of the “Walter” documentary.

“Walter: The Missing Link – Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” is the story of the last-known Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Truck in existence, affectionately known as Walter. This documentary chronicles the life and times of Walter the forecar from its early days of service on the streets of Old Milwaukee, through many decades of desolation stored in a horse barn, and then decades of restoration to eventually become the most valuable service motorcycle in the world. Along the way, the producer explores the history of three-wheeled motorcycles; the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s development of commercial service and delivery motorcycles, and most importantly documents one man’s adventure in restoring a motorcycle that had been in his family for nearly a century. Independent producer James Cutting considers the discovery of Walter to be the most extraordinary barn-find of our times.

“Walter: The Missing Link – Discovery of a Centennial Motorcycle” documentary will be released in 2021. A late-summer premiere is planned in Milwaukee.

For more “Walter” documentary content visit www.walterdoc.com

by Ron Kantowski from https://www.reviewjournal.com

Rick Harrison’s seventh Pawn Stars Poker Run benefiting those suffering from epilepsy and their families will have an NFL quarterback riding shotgun this year.

Brett Hundley, the former UCLA star who started nine games for Green Bay Packers in 2017 in place of injured Aaron Rodgers and is now a free agent, will team with the TV reality star during this year’s motorcycle charity run set for May 29. The Hundley Foundation, dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in need, will be a benefactor of the rally.

Hundley’s older sister, Paris, was a budding track star before she started having grand mal seizures when she was 11, the free-agent quarterback said during a recent Las Vegas visit.

“This is where all the passion came from,” Hundley said about his charitable pursuits. “Football is still huge, but life is so much bigger.”

Harrison said he suffered violent epileptic seizures when he was a youngster and that he still has problems today because of them.

“I would tear all the muscles in my back and legs. I couldn’t walk at all. I’d be in bed for two weeks sometimes,” said the owner of Las Vegas’ Gold & Silver Pawn Shop featured on the History series “Pawn Stars.” Harrison wrote about the ravages of epilepsy in his 2011 biography that made the New York Times’ best-seller list.

Harrison and Hundley will lead riders on an excursion through Las Vegas and the surrounding area beginning at 10 a.m. at the pawn shop near downtown. To register or for more information, visit the Poker Run website at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lucky-7th-annual-pawn-stars-poker-run-tickets-138506447513

by Kyle Hyatt from https://www.cnet.com

2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport review: The Brits take on entry-level adventure

Can Triumph’s cheaper, leaner Tiger stand out in a crowded motorcycle class?

Middleweight adventure bikes are among my favorite motorcycles. They’re good at everything — comfortable, fun to ride, capable off-road and surprisingly competent on a canyon road. The middleweight Triumph Tiger is a bike I know and love, having owned a 2015 800 XCX. Now there’s a new, lower-cost Tiger 850 Sport. Is the middleweight magic still there?

The heart of the bike is its three-cylinder engine. This engine offers the torque of a twin but the increased top end of a four-cylinder, and makes its own unique set of noises. The Tiger 850 Sport’s triple is an 888-cc unit that produces 84 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 60 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm.

The engine is basically the same unit you’ll find in the more expensive Tiger 900. In the 850 Sport, the triple is detuned to make it a little more new-rider-friendly and help differentiate it from its sibling. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox with a chain final drive and a cable-actuated clutch. The transmission is accurate and direct, but not as slick as I’ve come to expect from other modern Triumphs. The clutch is light, though, and easy to modulate.

Off-the-line performance is reasonable if not thrilling, and I doubt that most people will notice the 9-hp deficit between the 850 Sport and the more expensive 900. The transmission’s gearing is well-suited to the triple engine’s power band. While it no longer sounds like the whistly, warbly Triumph triples of old, I still consider it and its derivatives some of the best engines in the business thanks to their smoothness, tractability and overall personality.

The Tiger 850’s Marzocchi-sourced suspension is a little more basic than I’d like in terms of adjustability, but the stock settings are comfortable and should work just fine for most riders. The 45-millimeter front fork isn’t adjustable, and the rear monoshock is adjustable for preload only. The Tiger’s braking system comes from Brembo, with some nice four-piston Stylema calipers up front gripping 320-mm rotors. The rear brake is a single-piston affair gripping a 255-mm rotor. Anti-lock brakes are standard.

The Tiger 850 Sport is a heavily road-biased adventure bike, and the lack of off-road pretensions is a good thing. Even with its large-ish 19-inch front wheel, the Sport feels agile on the road, where other, more off-road focused Tigers with 21-inch wheels can feel a little sluggish when changing direction. The suspension is also well-calibrated for road use, with the ability to smooth out rough pavement but enough stiffness to keep the bike from feeling too floaty when pushed hard.

Modern Triumphs are generally pretty well equipped in the electronics department. The Tiger 850 is a little less feature-rich than other models, but it offers plenty for its target riders. In addition to the standard two-channel ABS, you also get basic traction control and user-selectable ride modes. Regrettably, one of the ways in which Triumph opted to lower costs was to ditch the inertial measurement unit that adds lean sensitivity to the bike’s electronics. If you want that, you have to step up to the 900.

The Tiger 850 Sport doesn’t suffer much from the lack of more advanced electronics, thanks to its well-engineered chassis and fantastic ergonomics. The Tiger does an excellent job of riding the fence between being a capable adventure bike and an approachable, easy-to-ride touring motorcycle. The bike’s 31.9-inch standover height is still going to be a little tall for some, but it’s in line with other bikes in the class. It’s also relatively light for the category at 428 pounds dry.

The 850 Sport goes up against bikes like the BMW F750 GS, the KTM 890 Adventure and the Moto Guzzi V85TT. Out of these, the Triumph holds its own in terms of power with all but the KTM. It also lacks some of the BMW’s optional technical goodies, like a dynamic suspension, but that’s reflected in the Tiger’s price.

The 2021 Triumph Tiger 850 Sport retails for $11,995 before you add anything like accessories or luggage. For comparison, the higher-spec Tiger 900 will cost you $14,700, while the BMW F750 GS starts at $11,490. The KTM begins at $13,099 and the Moto Guzzi goes for $12,990.

In a segment with as much competition as the middleweight adventure bike category, would I buy the Tiger 850 Sport? Honestly, no. It’s not that it’s a bad bike, it’s just that the Tiger 850 doesn’t make a compelling argument for itself. With their added electronics and other niceties, the Tiger 900 or its European competitors are likely better buys.

from https://thekatynews.com

Motorcycles that are more than 25 years old are regarded as classic. If you want to buy a classic motorcycle, there are several factors that you must consider. Some of the things that you may need to take into account include budget, and how old of a bike you intend to buy. Choosing the right bike can be a daunting task since there are a lot of different bikes available on the market. Read on to learn the useful tips for buying a classic motorcycle.

Purpose of the Bike

First and foremost, you must clearly define the purpose you want the classic motorcycle to fulfill. There are different types of motorcycles, and these have been designed for various purposes. Therefore, you must select the bike style that best suits your needs. The common types of motorcycles that you can get on the market include the following:

• Standard motorcycles are ideal for general purposes and appropriate for beginners and regular commuting. With this type of bike, you can save money, but it is not appropriate for long distances.
• Cruisers are heavy, and they are good for style, comfort, and tall riders. However, the bikes are bad for small riders and off-road conditions.
• Sportbikes are built for high speed and performance.
• Touring motorcycles are designed for long road trips, and they offer comfortable riding. The bike also comes with additional features that make riding comfortable.
• Dual sport motorcycles are good for off-road riding, and they are also lightweight.

If you want the right bike, you should look into these categories.

Type of Bike

There are different types of motorcycles that suit the needs of every kind of rider. To determine the type of bike that is right for you, you must consider your intended use, where you plan to use the bike, and your experience level. Professional marketers at timeless2wheels.com explain that there are different factors you should consider when you want to buy a motorcycle. For instance, it is imperative to know the engine size that can fit your needs. The engine sizes for motorcycles range from 250cc up to about 1,400cc. If you want an entry-level and low-cost bike, smaller engines in the range of 250cc to 500cc can be ideal for you.

Smaller bikes are easier to handle, especially when you are a beginner. Other specifications that you should consider when buying a classic motorcycle include weight, top speed, and fuel tank capacity. You may also need to check if the seat height is suitable for your needs.

Price of the Motorcycle

It is essential to consider the price of the motorcycle. Different factors like the type of bike you choose and whether you want a used or a new one determines the price. For a used bike, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars. On the other hand, new bikes start from about $3,000. It is essential to define your source of funding. There are also additional costs that come with buying a motorcycle. These costs include riding gear, insurance, and licensing fees for your bike. More importantly, you must consider the maintenance costs of your bike and the availability of spare parts.

Buying a Used Motorcycle

When you are a beginner, a used motorcycle can offer you the best value and cost you less than a new bike. However, getting a reliable bike can be difficult if you lack knowledge about motorcycles. You must avoid motorcycles with high mileage, salvage titles, and excessive wear. The best way to get the right bike is to have it inspected first and do some research to get details about the value of the motorcycle.

Inspection of the bike should include checking for leaks, abnormal wear, rust, brakes, exhaust, chain, wheels, and others. You must ask useful questions to the seller of the motorbike so that you can make an informed decision. You can also check feedback about the seller before you buy a bike from them. Alternatively, you may also try to get referrals from other people like friends and family members.

Motorcycles are used for different purposes, and they come in various types and sizes. If you want to buy a classic motorcycle, there are various things that you should consider. The first thing to do is to define your needs so that you can get the right type of motorcycle. You also need to take into account other elements like the cost of the bike, availability of repair parts, and other related expenses. You should also procure insurance for your motorcycle so that you get coverage in the event of an accident.

The AHDRA All-American motorcycle drag racing series gave Atlanta Dragway a flaming, thundering, nitro Harley send-off, as the AHDRA opened its 2021 campaign at the soon-to-be-razed Commerce, Georgia speed facility on April 17-18.

Click Here to Read all the action that happened and the results on Bikernet.

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