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Updating the Bikernet Experience

Hey, Here’s the deal. We’ve worked and spent an entire year to move all Bikernet Free Content (16,000 articles) onto a fast-acting, mobile-friendly, google accessible, WordPress Platform. ...
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Marlio Escobar Converts Vintage Motorcycles Into Custom Electric Motorcycles

by Susanna Schick from https://cleantechnica.com Like many CleanTechnica readers, Marlio Escobar wanted an electric motorcycle, but not an ugly, expensive one. He wanted a cool electric motorcycle that fit within his budget. So he built one. And he’ll build you one too. Marlio takes vintage motorcycles (sometimes nothing more than an old frame!) and remakes them into cool electric motorcycles. He looked at the prices of electric motorcycles and thought “there’s no way I’m spending that much money on a bike I can build!” The first one cost him $60,000 to build, but now he builds them for $5,000. That cost includes the motorcycle, because vintage bikes are practically given away thanks to a dearth of parts. He bought a Honda CB200 frame for $100. But he will happily fix any bike, vintage to modern. Marlio has even converted a Suzuki Hayabusa. Four years ago, Marlio started this endeavor to save on gas money. He wanted something that would get him to and from work, a 60-mile commute round-trip. At first, he planned to build an electric bicycle for this purpose. As part of that project, he went to get a tire changed on a set of electric hub wheels. The mechanic was interested in his project and invited him to build an electric motorcycle together for display at the Philadelphia auto show. And now Marlio has kits that can work on many frames, to make an electric motorcycle capable of up to 200 miles per charge at 75-80mph. The Kawasaki Ninja 250 he converted is now a 550-pound electric beast. Marlio explains that by keeping the gearbox, he gets 40-50 lbs of torque per gear, which helps enormously with the range. This is on a 3 kW motor with a 4-speed transmission capable of a 90-mph top speed. Here is his video of that conversion. Specs are below. His kit for the CB200 was a little different, as he wanted to make it look appropriate to the vintage motorcycle. The motor is a hub motor, 8 kW 105 Ah, which matches the look of the rear wheel’s drum brake. His converted electric CB200 can blow away the 1/8th mile in four seconds, according to Marlio. To make it home after that run, just dial down the torque with the app and get 80-90 miles of range out of it. Marlio built this CB200 in just a few days. Marlio enjoys talking to people about what they want. He wants to bring custom electric motorcycles to the masses, to show people how to put it together and customize their build. Since the biggest concern with electric motorcycles is range, he wanted to be able to beat that. So he built a kit capable of getting up to 200 miles of range at highway speeds by minimizing the amps it uses. Marlio mentioned that a Zero is pulling 200-300 amps no matter what you’re doing, so the range is not ideal. I asked if he had an app like my Zero does. There is indeed an app for that. He developed an app which enables the owner to modify the watts, amps, and regenerative braking. When I asked him how he got into this, he told me he’s a big battery whiz and was interested in figuring out density and output, always looking for the ideal battery. He just played around with it while consulting for a battery company. Now he’s really into green energy and has his own green energy/development company. He works with developers on creating solar-powered buildings. Follow the adventures of DIY Guy and see what else he builds on YouTube and on Instagram. Marlio would like to thank the following people for helping him bring his dream to life: Raul, owner of Electric Motorsport in California, for moving him toward electric motorcycles and walking him through his first build. Ambler EV in Ambler, PA that specializes in EV conversions for allowing Marlio to work out of their shop. ASI technology in Canada produces some of the best controllers on the market and helped him to develop the right controller. Their product is great because you can change your power specs on the fly through their app. Escobar CB200 specs: CB200 frame GXSR 600 front forks ASI Bosch BAC8000 controller 3 LG chemical batteries 1 kWh 8 kW hub motor 70 mph top speed 80 miles of range Escobar Blue Ninja specs: Kawasaki Ninja 250 ASI Bosch BAC8000 controller 86v 480 a123 26650 cells 2 kWh 8 kW hub motor 85 mph top speed 50 miles of range 3.9 seconds in the 1/8 mile
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Mainstream Media Agree: Motorcycles Great for Social Distancing

The coronavirus pandemic has curtailed many pastimes, but motorcycling remains a great way for people to recreate, travel, and commute because it’s naturally a social-distancing activity. This is something the MIC continues to share with mainstream media journalists and influencers, and it’s getting results.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer Anthony Conroy had that idea in mind with his review of the Honda CB650R, in an article that ran online and in print, with the headline:

Motorcycle review: COVID blues? Honda’s ‘neo sports-cafe’ will turn that frown upside-down

By Anthony Conroy, Pittsburg Gazette

Isolation? Check. Face mask? Check. Distance between yourself and others? Check. COVID-19 preparation? Guess again.

When it comes to motorcycling, there’s no need for coronavirus concerns. And with Honda’s CB650R at our disposal, very little time was spent indoors, as the Honda checks all the right boxes in putting space between yourself and others.

American Honda, based in Torrance, California, was kind of enough to lend the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette a 2019 model (don’t expect many changes from the 2020 version) and we used that time exploring Pittsburgh’s rugged streets and beyond.

The CB650R is Honda’s middleweight offering for a style of bike the manufacturer calls a “neo sports-cafe.” It’s a name that hearkens back to the days of street racers buzzing from cafe to cafe in the English countryside, but unlike many of bikes from the 1950s and ’60s, the CB is a modern example of refinement. As a daily commuter, it was even, dare we say, gentlemanly.

The bike is powered by a 649cc, liquid-cooled, inline-four cylinder engine whose power was predictable — in the best possible way — and manageable. New riders will appreciate that most, as it inspires confidence. Experienced riders will find the engine so compliant, they’ll be tempted to tap into their inner daredevil.

When upping the pace, life best exists between 6,200 rpm and a redline that stops just short of 13,000. The biggest smiles are found in third and fourth gear, where the gearing and estimated 85 horsepower are best exploited. However, the bike’s power delivery seems smoothest in the mid-range and the 6-speed gearbox is ratioed accordingly.

For riders who insist on having more power, the 650’s bigger brother, the CB1000R, might be a better option. But the 650, whether it’s commuting to work or touring on the highway, is more than capable and in no way underwhelming.

Once off the throttle, the CB is slowed at the front wheel by two radially mounted, four-piston Nissin brake calipers, whose function was smooth — no bites or grabbiness. A stock slipper clutch meant less engine braking, but downshifts were seamless. No wheel-hop when braking aggressively for stops at the local 7-Eleven.

Of course, the overall package is only enhanced by handling that Honda’s engineers nailed. Even with a bigger rider like myself, the 450-pound CB requires only the lightest steering inputs to lean into turns and goes exactly where you want it to go.

Smiles were abundant while blasting up Sycamore Street to Mount Washington, dodging joggers along Stone Manse Drive — a short, isolated but favored stretch in South Park — and scooting around Riverview Park and Observatory Hill.

The bike’s all-around abilities shone on a ride to Tionesta, Pennsylvania, and the Allegheny National Forest, a chilly trip that included highway miles and back-country twisties. On that particular journey, a gas tank slightly larger than the standard 4.1-gallon unit would’ve been welcomed, but I never had an issue getting to the next stop.

Ergonomically, the bike was generally comfortable, with a seat that is plush compared to the other Japanese bikes in its class. The reach to the grips puts the rider in a sporty position — sportier than Yamaha’s FZ lineup, less aggressive than Kawasaki’s Z models and more in tune with Suzuki’s GSX-S line. The seat height is 31.9 inches, and women and riders under 5-foot-5 will appreciate how narrow the seat is at the tank. That waspiness allows for better reach to the ground.

Since Honda is trying to keep the CB650R affordable (MSRP is $9,000) for younger riders, that means the bike comes with little frills when it comes to electronic rider aids. In other words, there are no engine power modes. Traction control adjustability has two options: on and off. Honda was kind enough to include a toggle button, accessible with the left index finger, to activate the traction control.

The TC kicked in just once — that I’m aware of — during my stint aboard the CB. In third gear on West Liberty Avenue, I rode over a wet tar snake at lean. There was a slight loss in grip followed by a super-quick engine hiccup. I can only assume that hiccup — an electronic cut in power — was the TC kicking in and helped keep my keister from hitting the roadway. Thank you, Honda.

The CB also lacks adjustable front suspension. Optional ABS is available for about $200 more and is standard on the 2020 model. (Ours was ABS-equipped, but was not tested.)

Useful information — including speed, fuel, fuel mileage and warning lights — is relayed to the rider via a cellphone-sized and -shaped LCD display that was easily readable in both harsh sunlight and at night.

Aesthetically, the bike generally avoids a lot of the funky styling points seen on other motorcycles in the standard/naked classification. An instantly noticeable detail is the LCD ring that encircles the headlight. Bronze-colored details can be found on the fork tubes, wheels and engine cases and pair well with the Honda’s “chromosphere” red paint.

However, Honda’s designers seemed to do the CB a disservice by covering the most eye-pleasing part of the bike with the ugliest part: the radiator obscures the headers of four gorgeous exhaust pipes that wrap underneath the motorcycle.

Unless that’s a deal-breaker, consider it a minor flaw in an otherwise wonderful achievement: Honda has built a middleweight bike whose potential can be appreciated by riders of all shapes, sizes and experience levels.

First Published June 23, 2020

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Operation Gratitude is Supported by the Bikernet Staff

This morning I struggled to find the right words to describe how much I miss serving alongside YOU, our volunteers, and being part of something truly special — meaningful engagements that strengthen and unite communities. But then the right words came.

As I scrolled through my Facebook feed, post after post, I saw the extraordinary impact that Operation Gratitude made a year ago today. From Nashville and Bristol in Tennessee all the way to Baltimore our team did what we do best — we made important connections between those who serve and the citizens they protect. A year ago today we provided opportunities for Americans across the country to express appreciation in a hands-on way. And we went a step further.

Our volunteers were able to say “thank you for your service” in person, directly to active duty service members and their families, veterans, and first responders in the communities where they live and work. In return, they heard a local hero respond with the words, “thank you for your support.” And we didn’t stop there.

Those five simple words, in both directions, were the start of a conversation that led to a meaningful connection, which created better understanding and built bridges between civilians and those who serve our nation. So let me tell you more about what we did a year ago today and what it means for the future of our organization and the communities we serve, together with you.

NASHVILLE, TN
One year ago today, our team and our volunteers assembled 10,000 Operation Gratitude Care Pouches in just three hours, and we hand-delivered them to every police officer, firefighter, and EMT in Nashville, The words of Police Captain Daniel Newbern in this Tennessean article demonstrate the impact we made, “the items in the bag don’t mean nearly as much as the effort put into the bag. It touches every single officer. This lets them know this community supports them and welcomes them.”

That day our volunteers also delivered Battalion Buddies to children of deployed Troops from the 101st Airborne Division. I saw our volunteers hug those families, thank them, and for more than two hours, talk to them about what it was like to be away from their husbands and their fathers for months on end. As I walked one military spouse to the door she turned to me and said, “I’ve never experienced that before — everyone here was so kind and they listened to me. They really understand what we’re going through.”

As I reflect on that moment and type these words, I feel the same emotion that I did a year ago. My eyes are welling up with tears thinking about the impact we made. By saying thank you and enabling direct and meaningful connections, we sparked a bond in Nashville a year ago. And Operation Gratitude has been back to “Music City” several times since that day to go one step further and forge strong bonds in the community.

With the help of First Lady Maria Lee and through multiple deliveries to first responders and National Guardsmen during COVID-19 and a devastating tornado, we strengthened the resolve of the men and women in harm’s way.  As Captain Newbern said in an email last month, “Operation Gratitude lifted our spirits and provided much needed support.”

BRISTOL, TN
Literally seconds after I finished looking through the photos from Nashville, our COO, retired Marine Colonel Paul Cucinotta, posted a memory on his feed about his experience representing Operation Gratitude at Bristol Motor Speedway, 300 miles away on the other side of Tennessee. A year ago today, Paul and his son, Joey, helped forge strong bonds and build bridges, too. As I scrolled through the photos with Operation Gratitude’s logo emblazoned on the No. 18 M&M’s USA car, I thought about the conversation I had with Paul a year ago today when he excitedly recounted what he saw and experienced — Americans coming together not only around their common passion for NASCAR, but to celebrate our nation.
He met with drivers, mechanics and fans – including dozens of military veterans and first responders. They shared stories about service and sacrifice, and talked about the great work Operation Gratitude was doing in communities across America. I will never forget the tone in Paul’s voice as he told me how honored and proud he was to be part of our organization and “a movement that was bringing people together to thank and support the brave men and women who serve our country.”

Stay tuned for what Operation Gratitude will be doing with Mars Wrigley and NASCAR in the very near future to build community and shed a light on the important work we are doing to unite our country.

BALTIMORE, MD
An hour later I looked at my feed again, and saw another member of our team, Navy Spouse Monica Shea, and her Facebook memory from a year ago today, when she joined Baltimore police officers and their families to fill backpacks with items that Operation Gratitude had donated for children in underprivileged communities as they prepared to go back to school. I will never forget her text that night either. Monica expressed the same pride and used the same words as Paul — she was honored to be part of Operation Gratitude and to witness firsthand the impact of bringing people together in communities in a meaningful way.
Monica saw what it looks like to forge strong bonds and bridge divides. Those bonds were sparked when Operation Gratitude hosted an Assembly Day for the first time in Baltimore just two months before on June 1, 2019 with our volunteers and our partner, CSX.

After creating that first meaningful connection, Operation Gratitude’s team and our volunteers were invited back to deliver the Care Pouches in person to 10,000 first responders in police and fire stations throughout  Baltimore City and County. We were also invited back to join their communities for National Night Out in early August and yet again for their Backpack Giveaway on August 17. Operation Gratitude provided the opportunities for the officers and the citizens they protect to to come together in meaningful ways — and it all started two months earlier when hundreds of volunteers said “thank you for your service” 10,000 times.

As Richard Worley, chief of patrol for the Baltimore Police Department, said in this Baltimore Sun article, appreciation means “a tremendous amount to all of the officers because it gives them hope and encouragement for what they do.” And because of the connections we made with the citizens of Baltimore that day, he went a step further to say: “We need the community probably more than they need us. We need them to help us solve the issues that we have.”

As I read those words from Chief Worley above, I am filled with emotion yet again with the realization that we all need each other to help solve the issues facing our nation and our communities. Saying “thank you for your service” is the start of a conversation that leads to a meaningful connection and a better understanding of what service means.

Today is also a perfect day to highlight some of our volunteers who have embraced our mission. Over the course of our three week “Red, White and Blue” Paracord Challenge, 1,319 of you sparked a bond by saying “thank you” in a very tangible way, making 40,552 bracelets.

Special recognition goes to our top 3 crafters: Shelly Coulombe of Coventry, RI (1550 Bracelets), Charlotte Robles of Santa Ynez, CA (1201 Bracelets) and Melissa Keever of Stevensville, MD (1060 Bracelets). Our group winners are: National Charity League San Ramon Chapter (1830 Bracelets), National Charity League – San Marino Chapter (1000 Bracelets) and Oceanside Rotary Club (665 Bracelets).

As a way of expressing my own gratitude to you by sharing an email from a service member who already received one of these bracelets: “The paracord bracelet I received is now holding up our U.S. Flag in the housing area.”

These beautiful bracelets represent only one  of the myriad ways we build bridges and forge strong bonds every day — and it all starts with a “thank you.”

During these challenging times, as you reflect on what Operation Gratitude did a year ago today and what you have done to support us for the past 365 days, I am asking you to consider two things. First, what do you want to see our organization accomplish over the next 12 months; and secondly, how do you want to take action with us?

Please feel free to email me what you feel is most important, so the next time I send you an email with the subject line – “A Year Ago Today” – you will feel the same pride I experience every time I have the opportunity to serve alongside YOU and make an impact in all of the communities we serve nationwide.

With Gratitude and Semper Fidelis,

Kevin Schmiegel
Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.)
Chief Executive Officer, Operation Gratitude
#ActionsSpeakLouder

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Off-Road Expo in Pomona Postponed to 2021

POMONA, Calif. (August 18, 2020)— As a result of continued concerns over COVID-19, along with county and state restrictions in place in the state of California, Bonnier Events has made the difficult decision to postpone the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire, scheduled for October 3-4 at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA, to 2021.

Exhibitors who have already booked a booth for the Off-Road Expo in Pomona can transfer booth space to Off-Road Expo Arizona, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, AZ, October 17-18.

Individual Spectator tickets to the Off-Road Expo in Pomona that were purchased online will be refunded automatically within 30 days.

The staff of the Off-Road Expo appreciates your patience and support as we work through this unprecedented situation. We look forward to either seeing you in Scottsdale in October or back at Pomona in 2021.

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Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Rolls to a Close as Virus Tracking Remains Complex

The annual rally in Sturgis, S.D., drew hundreds of thousands of people. It will be challenging to track any coronavirus outbreak as bikers return to their home states.

by Mark Walker, NY Times

STURGIS, S.D. — And just like that, the roar of the motorcycles was gone.

Ten days after Sturgis, S.D., drew hundreds of thousands of bikers from all over the country to its signature motorcycle rally despite concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the parties ended and most of the crowds headed home on Sunday.

Uncertain still was what effect, if any, the event will have on the spread of the virus. Because of the time it can take for symptoms to appear and the way coronavirus cases are tracked in the United States, officials may never know whether the annual rally was a place where the virus was widely passed along.

There were no immediate signs that the rally had led to a significant uptick: The county that includes Sturgis has reported 104 coronavirus cases during the pandemic, 33 of them since the start of August. On Monday, state health officials said they knew of one case of the virus in someone who had attended the motorcycle rally, according to The Rapid City Journal. And Mark Schulte, president of Monument Health Sturgis Hospital, confirmed that some people in Sturgis for the rally had tested positive for the virus, though he would not say how many.

But if a flurry of new cases were to emerge — days from now or even longer — they would likely be reported by attendees back in their hometowns, and would not necessarily ever be tied to the rally.

It is a challenge that public health officials have faced repeatedly as they try to understand how the coronavirus is making its way through the country: When people gather for a large event and then return to states with different health departments, it is difficult to be sure whether the event was part of an outbreak.

The issue has stymied certainty about how the virus’s spread has been affected by events like a rally for President Trump in Oklahoma, protests in Minneapolis after the death of George Floyd, holiday weekend visits to the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and spring break trips to Florida.

The rally in Sturgis, one of the biggest regional events to proceed amid the pandemic, drew attention from all over. More than 350,000 vehicles had flocked into the small town during the first week of the event, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

“It’s more than we anticipated by far,” said Dan Ainslie, the city manager of Sturgis.

Local officials had set up precautions — hand sanitizing stations and capacity limits inside some buildings. But many people went without masks, and some supporters suggested that a mostly-outdoor event did not require face coverings.

“You have to be careful, but at the same time, you have to live,” said Mike Petrocco, a Sturgis resident who has long offered his lawn as a campsite during rallies. Mr. Petrocco, 64, said that at one point this year he was hosting 16 people, and that he offered hand sanitizer, did laundry and cleaned every day…

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Record-Breaking Benellis are Stars of Bonhams’ Most Successful Motorcycle Sale

The Summer Sale
LIVE AND ONLINE – BICESTER HERITAGE

14 – 16 Aug 2020

Bicester, Bicester Heritage
The ex-Tarquinio Provini, 1964 Spanish Grand Prix-winning, 1964 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix Racing Motorcycle
Frame no. T.X.1 Engine no. not visible

New World Record Set for Benelli at Auction

Sale total realised £3.67 million, with a 95 % sale rate

Most successful Bonhams motorcycle sale to date

Two 250cc Benelli Grand Prix racing motorcycles, offered from the much-anticipated sale of the Morbidelli Motorcycle Museum collection, broke the auction world record for the marque at the live and online Bonhams Summer Sale on Sunday 16 August at Bicester Heritage, the auction house’s most successful motorcycle sale to date, which achieved a total of £3.67 million over three days.

1950 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix motorcycle, ridden to world championship victory by Dario Ambrosini, was the first to set the new record, selling for £138,000, only for it to be broken minutes later by its stablemate, a 1964 250cc Grand Prix machine, winner of that year’s Spanish Grand Prix, ridden and signed by two-time world champion Tarquino Provini, which sold for £149,500, the top lot of the weekend’s sale.

Meanwhile, another record was set at the sale, with a concours 1979 Ducati 864CC Mike Hailwood Replica – a landmark model paying homage to ‘Mike the Bike’s’ historic Isle of Man comeback victory in the 1978 Production Race – realising £36,800, a new UK auction record for this particular model.

The Morbidelli Collection, offered as the finale of the three-day sale, comprised 200 mainly Italian post-war road and racing motorcycles, selected from the eponymous Motorcycle Museum in Pesaro, Italy.

With the late Giancarlo Morbidelli having a particular passion for Benelli, the oldest Italian motorcycle manufacturer also founded in Pesaro, the marque’s success in the sale was no surprise. An ex-works 1959 Benelli 250cc Grand Prix example, one of only four built, sold for £83,950.

Ben Walker, International Department Director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles, said: “We were very proud to have been entrusted with the sale of this stunning collection, carefully put together over 40 years by Giancarlo Morbidelli, which was a fitting tribute to this master of the motorcycling world.”

He added: “Here was a unique opportunity for international motorcycle collectors and enthusiasts to bid for some truly special lots and we were pleased that the collection received strong interest from across the globe. We’re also delighted that several lots will continue to be displayed publicly at various internationally acclaimed museums around the world.”

A contemporary rival of the Benellis – a 1963 Honda 250cc CR72 Racing Motorcycle also raced home to a new owner, selling for £89,700 on Day Two of the sale, while the ex-Texaco Heron Team Suzuki 1975 750CC XR11 Formula 750 racing motorcycle sold for £51,750.

Veteran and vintage motorcycles performed particularly well, with a 1916 Harley-Davidson, 1,000 Model J & Package Truck Sidecar realising £56,500, while a 1909 Minerva 31/2hp with Wicker Side car, a regular participant in the London to Brighton Pioneer Run, achieved £29,900. An extremely rare 1928 Montgomery 680cc ‘Twin Five’, a Banbury-concours winner known as ‘Rommel’, sold for £37,950.

Beautifully-restored machines were also stellar performers. The successful bidder of the aforementioned Mike Hailwood Replica also bought a 1956 BSA 499CC DBD34 Gold Star, the subject of a total restoration in the early 2000s, for £23,000 from the same vendor.

James Stensel, Head of Bonhams UK Motorcycles, said: “The new live and online format has performed incredibly well and exceeded all expectations, with more than 1200 bidders registering for the sale.

“The appetite for important motorcycles and for one owner collections continues to grow and the results achieved over our three-day Summer Sale clearly demonstrate a resilient and buoyant market.”

Consignments are now being invited for The Bonhams Autumn Sale on 10-11 October 2020 and for the Collectors Motorcycles and Motorcars Auction at the Barber Museum, Alabama on the same weekend. Potential sellers should visit www.bonhams.com/motorcycles and submit an Auction Estimate Request Form.

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MEETING OF THE MINDS 2020 – WHAT? WORKSHOPS TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF MOTORCYCLISTS’ RIGHTS ADVOCACY, THAT’S WHAT!!

With the future of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy deeply entrenched in the early days of bikers’ rights and freedom rallies, the men and women who started it all knew there were others with similar backgrounds, and they reached out to find us. In September 1985, a few more than a hundred of us met, many for the first time, in a cheap hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

There wasn’t much at that meeting except introductions and commitments to work together Today, that handful of bikers has grown to touch all corners of the U.S. From “just talking” when we met at the first Meeting of the Minds, the successors of that early group are now making strategic plans for the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.

Friday’s General Session is just the beginning of a weekend packed with nothing less than ten information fill presentations and 15 workshops!! Yeah, the MRF Board took a long look at how the Meeting of the Minds material sort of drifted away from the stuff we were famous for – information filled workshops that provided attendees with the nuts, bolts and tools to help build and maintain their organizations and legislative endeavors.

Workshops from Advocacy – Beyond Face-to-Face to “Kickin’ Ass & Takin’ Names”; from Media Madness to Public Relations; from With Freedom Comes Responsibility to Bridging the Gap between Clubs & SMROs. That’s the “What” of the Meeting of the Minds. That’s the “What” needed to protect your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle and there’s a lot more to come.

Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Call 317-767-4769 for Hotel reservations. The Meeting of the Minds is in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 24-27, 2020

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Electric Honda motorcycle in the works

from https://www.financialexpress.com

Electric Honda motorcycle in the works: Leaked patent images depict bike to be based on CB125R

Honda patent images reveal a new electric motorcycle that seems to be based on the existing CB125R. The patents show a Neo Sports Café inspired motorcycle with chassis parts of the CB125R but with an electric motor.

It was rather sudden focus on electric motorcycles grew but soon the global markets were dotted with electric two-wheeler startups. Did they pay attention to a segment that would see growth at a time when mainstream players didn’t? That may have been the case but now, the story got different when Harley-Davidson rolled out in its first electric motorcycle. Kawasaki is working on an electric Ninja and Royal Enfield has an ongoing electric motorcycle project. And now, the word is that Honda too is stepping in the game. According to a report by Visordown, Honda seems to be working on multiple electric motorcycle models.

The report mentions patent images that depict an electric motorcycle based on the Honda CB125R, adding that the manufacturer recently patented design for the electric CB125R hinting that the bike likely in its final stages of development.

There is so far no confirmation from the company and Honda have not given it a name yet either. But the patent images do show frame from a CB125R that houses an electric powertrain, along with drawings of the electric motor as well. The motor seems to be a slim pancake-style design with a large diameter that should make it easier to fit onto the slim frame of the CB125R.

The Honda electric motorcycle will not be one of those performance EVs and would likely have similar power figures as its petrol-powered counterpart. The ICE (internal combustion engine) CB125R puts out 13 hp and does speeds of up to 130 km/h. The electric version could offer similar speeds but initial acceleration may be quicker given that electric motors deliver maximum torque the moment you twist open the throttle.

The patent images suggest the electric version of the CB125R could share about 75% of its components with the petrol-powered Honda CB125R. That should make the development process simpler and hence easier and quicker to roll out in the market.

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Ana De Armas buys motorcycle for Ben Affleck

by Bang Showbiz from https://www.contactmusic.com

Ana De Armas bought Ben Affleck a motorcycle for his 48th birthday at the weekend.

Ana De Armas bought Ben Affleck a motorcycle for his birthday.

The ‘Knives Out’ actress celebrated her boyfriend turning 48 on Saturday (15.08.20) with the BMW vehicle, which was built from scratch for the actor by WYLD Garage Co., People magazine reports.

And that’s not all because the 32-year-old beauty also surprised Ben with his and hers matching helmets, in a similar shade of green to the bike.

The couple were seen riding the new motorcycle together in California over the weekend.

Sunday (16.08.20) marked the ‘Gone Girl’ star’s debut on Ana’s Instagram account, as she shared a black and white picture of them together.

But rather than add a gushing birthday tribute, the ‘No Time To Die’ actress simply captioned the photograph with a heart emoji.

Meanwhile, a source claimed earlier this year that Ana has been enjoying spending time with Ben’s kids, Violet, 14, Seraphina, 11, and Samuel, eight – as their romance has gathered pace.

A source said: ”Ben and Ana are happy together and have enjoyed spending time with his family.”

Ben and ex-wife Jennifer Garner are determined to make their co-parenting arrangement work for the benefit of their children.

And the current dynamic is one that works well for everyone involved – including Ana, who met Ben on the set of ‘Deep Water’ in 2019.

The insider explained: ”He and Jen continue to work together on co-parenting. They make it work. Everyone is in a good place.”

The loved-up duo went public with their romance in March, when they went on holiday to the actress’ native Cuba and Costa Rica.

And Ana has been blown away by how ”supportive” Ben has been during their relationship so far.

The source explained: ”Ben is very supportive of Ana and tells her how amazing she is.

”Ana’s friends are constantly telling her how lucky she is to have Ben and think he is so charming, cool and fun. They’re so happy for her.”

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FIVE DAY UNTIL LACONIA STARTS

Just 5 days to go until the 97th Laconia Motorcycle Week and your safety continues to be our top priority. We urge all residents and visitors to ride safely and just as importantly, follow the CDC guidelines for frequent hand-washing/sanitizing, social-distancing and wearing a face-mask. As per Governor Sununu’s recently announced state mandate, all riders will be required to wear a mask when indoors or in a scenario in which they cannot maintain 6 feet of social distancing. This includes all shops, restaurants, and bars where patrons will be required to wear their masks when not seated. Standing around and/or co-mingling is not allowed at restaurants or bars – patrons must be seated. To be clear, we want everyone to have fun but not at the expense of safety. Bring your mask! Sanitizer stations will be available in various locations along Lakeside Avenue.

As you know, there won’t be centerline parking on Lakeside Avenue and vendor booths will be limited to non-profit organizations (including Rally Headquarters) on the boardwalk of Lakeside Avenue. Entertainment will be provided by individual establishments only, such as the NASWA Resort, Tower Hill Tavern, and the Big House. What hasn’t changed is that we’re a ride-focused rally. You can look forward to exploring the wide open roads that wind their way around New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains as well as the 3 organized rides taking place during the week: The Peter Makris Memorial Ride on August 22nd, the USCRA Vintage Race Gypsy Tour Ride on August 23rd and the Mae West Memorial “For the Love of Pets” Ride on August 24th. Each of these rides lead to NH Motor Speedway for a lap around the track!

Although there will be no vendor displays, concessions or demo rides at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, there will be plenty of track action, including the U.S. Classic Racing Association’s FIM North American Vintage Championships, the 97th Annual Loudon Classic and the Granite State Legends Cars races.

 

Still Plenty of Scenary!

The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad will be running daily from both their Meredith and Weirs Beach stations for shuttle or scenic rides through the Lakes Region. The M/S Mount Washington will be open daily to the public for boating excursions on Lake Winnipesaukee as will the Mount Washington Auto Road for riders interested in a trip up the northeast’s highest mountain peak.

August is a busy time for the Lakes Region as a tourist destination – Please watch for motorcycles and help keep NH safe by wearing a mask, sanitizing often, and maintaining social distancing by getting on your bike to RIDE!

Any/all updates will be posted to LaconiaMCWeek.com, through their e-newsletter and on all LaconiaMCWeek social media channels.

For more information on visiting New Hampshire and our state’s guidelines relating to COVID-19, please visit: https://www.visitnh.gov/covid19/reopening

“Laconia – Where Rallies Were Invented”

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