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Here’s a string of emails between myself and some other enthusiasts about upcoming legislation in California related to bikes being emissions tested every other year all the way back to year 2000 models. Unlike several other states, California currently has no emission testing for motorcycles.

             From Terry

Biennial smog checks would be required for motorcycles manufactured in the 2000 model year and later under a bill making its way through the California Legislature.

Read more:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-smog-motorcycles5-2009may05,0, 6008850.story

From Chris

I gotta say .. I’m torn on this topic.

On one hand, I welcome getting the loud bikes off the streets. Here in Harley-Land there is no doubt that nearly every loud exhaust “upgrade” is done to stroke the ego of the rider

The 25th Annual Antique and Classic Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet sponsored by the Arizona Antique & Classic Motorcycle Enthusiasts Association will be held on 5 April 2009 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium and grounds, 552 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ. For more information call Karen at (623) 849-3049. It’s a good show; make it if you can.

Skid Lid

A recent article in Wired magazine purports that motorcycles are worse polluters than cars, dismissing them as a good alternative form of transportation.

Here’s a link to the article:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/06/motorcycles-pol.html

This started an email thread between myself and some fellow enthusiasts ………….
Someone:
 
 

 It’s just not true. The person has obviously done no research and has quoted someone else who has done no research. Typical sensationalist journalism.

 If you compare a car and bike from this past model year, the bike (even with a catalytic converter - very common on newer motorcycles) put out about double the “pollution” per gallon. But it also gets at least twice the gas mileage, which makes it a wash, especially since most people drive their cars alone. We (motorcycles)

Hmmm…this is actually a cool looking machine for being green.

SYNOPSIS: The Crosscage concept bike is a fuel cell motorcycle designed to achieve optimum performance using Intelligent Energy’s air-cooled fuel cell system. Photo credit: Bill Moore, EV World.Com.
Green transportation is coming whether we think its necessary or not.  Let’s face it, there is a mrket for these machines if they are viable for mass production.  A Suzuki partnership does give it hope, unlike these small private ventures that simply ‘have a dream’.

Some quick questions I have:

• What is the top speed (highway worthy or city commuter only)?
• What is the range?
• What is the distance per dollar travelled?
• Where are the fuel stations?
• Will it use the Suzuki deaker network?
• Where is the wind protection?
• Can I get neon
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I received this press release in my email the other day and thought it was pretty good stuff.  It’s a free online video narrative of the career Troy Bayliss as a roadracer.  There is probably an hour’s worth of video (and more).  Check it out if you’re a Bayliss fan.
Kapital Moto TV would like to announce our partnership with Amazon Entertainment, for the first time making available online the full length Troy Bayliss documentary, Troy’s Story .

Troy’s Story is the definitive exposé about this Australian and Ducati superbike hero. Covering Troy’s early racing history, his first World Superbike championship and battles with Colin Edwards, right up to his entry into MotoGP, this inspirational 99 minute documentary is now available online

I don’t mean due to ill-handling or from being overweight (that’s a joke to all the Buell loyal), I mean on purpose.  It seems that Burll is expanding into a new market - off-road “closed course competition”.  I have to wonder why.  Is it trying to capitalize on the fact that there is no mainstream American designed and manufactured dirt bike?  Will the be as odd looking (unique for those Buell loyal) as their street bikes?

Back in 1985, I was the pround owner of an overstocked new 1984 Yamaha IT490.  It was about $2000 and it was arguably the best al around enduro that the Japanese produced (Husky’s were still bad-ass back then).  That leads me to another question:  PRICE.  Buell

I will let an already well written article from www.raptorsandrockets.com tell the story as I need to find a towel as I’m drooling too much.
2008 World Superbike dreams 1-Aprilia V4 999 Prototype 0
The Aprilia V4 project utilizes a brand new V4 999cc engine destined both for world superbike and the road. The V4 will be Aprilia’s first ever four cylinder motorcycle. Already now at the very beginning of the project Aprilia stipulates a max power of more than 210hp from the superbike version. Aprilia surprised everyone when it last threw itself into World Superbike racing with the RSV Mille by being competitive and winning races in the first year. The new V4 project is a different ballgame and the engine

As I was perusing the comments from the two Harley Davidson articles I posted here and here, the last one from “T. Strain” was so well written that it deserved some attention…so here it is:
I say congradulations to the HD employees on strike. Because of them complaining about a small increase in health benefits, countless other people are being laid off at other companies that make products for Harley. I don’t know if anyone knows, but Harley does not make their motorcycles by themselves completely. A majority of the aluminum engine components are made by several aluminum factories in the US. Due to the strike, Harley has stopped ordering these parts. At some plants, (namely the one I work

…ummm…errr…its tomorrow really, but its tonight.  Damnit - 12:01AM on 2Feb2007.  Now its settled.

I am sorry, but I have no sympathy here.  A 4% wage increase GUARANTEED without some sort of performance evaluation is a golden parachute as far as I am concerned for an employee of a big company.  This is the average increase for us white collar folks on non-promotion years given a good review.

As far as benefits are concerned, I am amused to read that the major sticking point was that they had to convert to the ’salaried’ employees health car plan.  Two things scream short-sightedness:

1. The fact that the increase in the 401k matching contribution seemed to have been ignored (granted, no amounts are given below for
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I have a soft spot for Italian motorcycles (and shotguns) ever since I bought my first Aprilia.  On the one hand you have the Aprilia brand which is struggling to say the least.  Struggling to keep dealers open and sell bikes and struggling to support us owners with much needed OE parts.

On the flipside, Ducati NA seems to be in growth mode.  Not just a couple of years ago, the company was being kicked around by different owners and having its own financial troubles.  Maybe that tide has turned. 

What is even better is their new product line.  The future 1098 and Super ‘tard and the current Monster 1000 have been drawing a lot of interest in the brand.  I am a