Morning Reads: 23 May 2007

[mika]

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar

News:

webbikeworld.com
Moto Guzzi Norge 850
Similar to the Norge 1200 this new Norge will prove to be an interesting alternative to BMW’s F800ST. Limited information is available at this time. The price point will be key.

3viso.com/moto
The Board of Directors appoints Gabriele Del Torchio as CEO

thekneeslider.com
Hydrostatic Drive Diesel Motorcycle


brainbucketmagazine.com
Iowa: State honors Patriot Guard Riders

motocyclenews.com
MCN Video: Three-wheeled Spyder on the road
By Tom Rayner
MCN man Tom Rayner has spent the weekend blasting round the lakes of Austria on the new three-wheeled Can Am Spyder.

ridermagazine
Sit Down and Hold On!
2007 Boss Hoss ZZ4 Super Sport
By James Parchman

visordown.com
Dunlop Beer? Only on the Isle of Man

thescooterscoop.blogspot.com
Dragsters are on the boat!
Or, The attach of the killer Italjet scooters!

Update:
ktm-rci.net
KTM Sportmotocycles AG – updates its RC8 website

motorcycle-usa.com
AMA News & Notes – May 2007
Courtesy of the American Motorcycle Association

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

MRF LEADERS' REPORT

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)

NHTSA Quarterly Motorcycle Safety Network Meeting

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently held
its quarterly motorcycle safety network meeting. These meetings are an
update session held by the Feds to brief the motorcycle community at large
on what they are doing with regard to motorcycle safety. Of particular
note is the NHTSA "Share the Road with Motorcycles" planner and guide
located on their website (go to www.nhtsa.gov, then click on the "Traffic
Safety" tab at the top, then click on "Motorcycles" along the left side).
The planner provides a sample letter to the editor, posters and
promotional materials. Also noteworthy was the update from Honda on the
airbag-equipped Goldwing. Honda reported selling 700 units in the states
and recently had the first deployment in action. Turns out some guy in
sunny Florida t-boned a minivan and the bag inflated and kept him from
going over the bars. He walked away from the event unharmed. According to
the representative from Honda, this gentleman was exercising his right to
choose when the wreck occurred.

SAE Government and Industry Conference

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) held a multi-day conference in
DC this week that included two technical presentations with motorcycling
interests. The first was a presentation by NHTSA of the FARS data from
last year. I have seen this presentation by NHTSA dozens of times, but
what interested me about this presentation is that it seems NHTSA may now
actually trying to collect some of the data that has eluded them in the
past, while not entirely preventing the collection of half-baked numbers.
You see, right now although it's mandatory for states to report crash data
for automobiles, it's optional for states to report motorcycle crash data.
That hasn't changed, but NHTSA is now urging the states to collect and
present real world numbers instead of using mathematical equations as they
can (and many of them do) right now. To oversimplify, some states
currently use a formula to determine vehicle miles traveled for
motorcycles such as taking the number of registered bikes, and suggesting
that since bikes are "X" percent of all vehicles and cars traveled this
many miles then we can assume motorcycles traveled "X" amount of miles as
well. Of course, we know that's not how it works. I am sure very little
will change when it comes to motorcycle VMT and it's likely that once
again, as it has for many years now according to NHTSA numbers, no
motorcycles will travel in the state of South Dakota this year. Yeah
right!

The second SAE session relevant to motorcyclists dealt with novelty
helmets. Call them what you want - skid lid, half helmet, beanie - but you
know what I am talking about and you probably also know that should you
need head protection, you probably won't find it in a novelty helmet. Well
the good folks at NHTSA couldn't just accept that assumption, so they
apparently did a study on novelty helmets. This study has not yet been
released to the public, but NHTSA did hint at it in the session. NHTSA
spent who knows how many millions of taxpayer dollars to determine that
non-DOT-compliant helmets don't perform as well as DOT-compliant helmets.
Seems like a waste of money to me, especially when we can fully fund a
crash causation study that is nearly 20 years overdue. Stay tuned for the
results of this groundbreaking study.

Other News

The House Judiciary Committee soundly defeated an amendment to a sweeping
ethics reform bill that would have forced more reporting on grassroots
groups like the MRF. The amendment was the same language in HR 2093 a bill
the MRF has issued its opposition to. The Committee also voted down, by
5-27, a measure that would prohibit lobbyists from sponsoring lavish
parties at presidential nominating conventions. At the same time, the
panel exempted nonprofit organizations from having to disclose funding and
membership in political coalitions that lobby Congress.

A solid defeat in committee usually rules out any floor action on the
amendment in question. However, in Washington nothing is done until it's
done. The MRF will keep you informed of this legislative matter.

MRF Open House

The MRF DC headquarters will be open this Saturday, May 26 from 11am-2pm.
Coming to Rolling Thunder this year? Stop by Saturday for some light
refreshments and see the world-famous MRF office, located at 236
Massachusetts Ave NE, Suite 510, Washington DC 20002. Use the Union
Station Metro stop if you leave the bike in the 'burbs. You can contact me
with any questions at 202-725-5471 or jeff@mrf.org


Young Activists Needed

Once again the MRF is holding a competition for all of our younger
activists out there. The Meeting of the Minds, the MRF's annual multi-day,
multi-national motorcyclists' rights conference will be held this year
will be hosted by ABATE of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from September
20-23. Are you or do you know someone between 18 and 30ish who is involved
with your SMRO? Get them to apply! The winners get a free trip to Meeting
of the Minds! What are you waiting for?

Ride Free and Ride Often

Jeff Hennie


Blog Update:

Redleg’s Rides

twowheelsoapbox.com
Fat? Ugly? Terminally Unpopular? Try Motorcycling!

MotoLiam

Ride It Like You Stole It!

The Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour
Amazingly we get – Two Lightning Quick Pizza Reviews!


Gear:

Bikes in the Fast Lane
BlueVirtu – Bluetooth Communication Device for Motorcycles

Bikes in the Fast Lane
For the Next Motorcycle Concert – Motorcycle Guitar

Motorcycle Repair and Care:

ascycles.com
A&S BMW Motorcycles TV- BMW Bikes All Tied UP! – Don’t find yourself in a bind; watch the tie down instructional video!

crustythebiker..blogspot.com
Honda Rebel oil change and check up


Parts:

performance-motorcyle-parts.com
Via: dealernews.com - This site is intended to a consumer oriented site that will review motorcycle dealers and prices. DealerNews has some reservations about how it currently is set up.


Riding Skills:

As always I am way behind in my e-mail. Thanks to Statdawg for providing this link to a look at riding skills from a completely different perspective.

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Photography / Video:

heroeslegend.com
A video stage by stage with the best of Heroes and Legends 2007

defenselink.mil
Pentagon Motorcycle Safety Day
Link via uncagedlibrarian.blogspot.com


M.R. Traveler

touratech.blogspot.com
TOURATECH Travel Event 2007


Today’s RoadFood.com


Woot

Todays Woot

The Blog


Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City


All things BMW: Page 2




Gem??tlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.



Rahr-West Art Museum


Ozaukee – Washington Daily News

Fond Du Lac Reporter

The Sheboygan Press

Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam

Weather

West Bend WI
Current

10 Day Forcast

United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada


Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.


Bike Candy:

May is fall riding time in Argentina

THE END

 

[mika]

All things BMW: Page 2

adventureriderchallenge.com
The Adventure Riders Challenge
June 6th through the 9th 2007
BMW is providing ten G650 Xchallenges and Kawasaki will be providing new KLRs. Sounds like a chance for a layman rider comparison test.

visordown.com
Biker clocks up 1 million mile road-trip

pittedchrome.com
F800 BMW ÔÇô The laymanÔÇÖs review

mtoring.co.za
Small bike, big potential, from BMW
By Denis Droppa

thewest.com.au
BMW to test liquid hydrogen cars
BMW AG said it will conduct test drives of the world's first mass-produced liquid hydrogen-fuelled vehicles on public roads in Japan between July and December.

motoring.co.za
Why the new Rolls-Royce is just the ticket
By Sean OÔÇÖGrady

oliepeil.nl
Concept of the week: Maier BMW
Dutch to English translation by Dictionary.com translator

For its afstudeeropdracht to the FH Pforzheim Hans-Joachim Maier devised radical BMW with super low-rider zitpositie and so-called Feet Forward zitpositie. The design descends from 1987 but is still fresh and interesting and brings back the design optically to the basis of an engine bicycle: 2 wheels and an engine block-system.
f1complete.com
BMW ÔÇÿfancy chancesÔÇÖ for Canada - Theissen


World of BMW news

Premium rider training for the Polizei

BMW Sauber F1: Website

BMWOracleRacing.com the AmericaÔÇÖs Cup website.

The 32nd AmericaÔÇÖs Cup Official Website


BMW Group Press Club:

Tracking the news from BMW at their English language sites and Germany

PressClub USA with drawings from Motorsport PressClub Technical

BMW SAUBER F1 TEAM - INTERVIEW WITH WILLY RAMPF

Interview with Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team.
"Downforce is everything."

Munich/Hinwil, 22 May 2007. The Monaco Grand Prix not only rates as the classic race of the Formula One calendar, but also represents a unique test for the drivers and engineers. Willy Rampf, Technical Director of the BMW Sauber F1 Team, explains how the team gears up for this challenge.

In what way does Monaco differ from other circuits?

Willy Rampf, Technical Director: "Monaco produces the lowest average speeds of any race over the course of the year. There is no start-finish straight as such, which means top speed plays a very subordinate role. It's more or less a case of one corner following the next, and this highlights clear priorities."


What are the implications for the car's aerodynamics?

Rampf: "We run maximum levels of downforce in Monaco. And that means using parts which generate a lot of downforce but also produce a large amount of drag. Downforce is everything here. You carry as much wing as possible and sometimes also use extra wing elements designed specially for this type of track - all, quite simply, because aerodynamic efficiency is not as important as on other circuits."


Will you be using new parts for the BMW Sauber F1.07?

Rampf: "We have developed a new front wing generating maximum downforce, which we used for the first time - successfully - in Barcelona. We will modify this wing again for Monaco. Plus, we will be introducing totally new front brake ducts and modifications to the rear bodywork. In addition, we will also use for the first time a new power steering that provides more feedback to the drivers."

Did the supercomputer with Intel processors play a role in the development of these parts?

Rampf: "Our supercomputer Albert2 generally plays an important role in aerodynamics development. A large number of parts are developed using computer-aided airflow simulation prior to testing in the wind tunnel. The work of the supercomputer is particularly prominent in the development of brake ducts. These are highly complex components which can only be optimised to a very limited degree in the wind tunnel, as the temperature of the brake discs cannot be simulated there.


Monaco has the tightest corners of any race circuit - does this require you to carry out modifications to the car?

Rampf: "Monaco demands the heaviest steering manoeuvres of any track on the calendar, which is why we are using completely new front suspension components, i.e. new wishbones, push-rods and track rods."


What mechanical adjustments do you make to the car?

Rampf: "In Monaco the drivers often tend to skirt over the kerbstones, so we raise the ground clearance of the cars slightly and use softer settings for the springs and dampers. That also benefits traction under acceleration out of the many low-speed corners. The circuit is also open to normal road traffic, of course, which means it is pretty dirty and offers low levels of grip as a result."


How does that impact on the tyres?

Rampf: "In Monaco we will be using the softest-compound tyre Bridgestone has available, and keeping a handle on tyre wear is, therefore, critical. It is also important to find the right compromise when it comes to the traction control set-up, as this often comes into play through the many tight corners."


What is the situation as regards cooling for the brakes and engine?

Rampf: "This circuit places heavy loads on the brakes, since the lack of long straights barely gives the brake discs any time to cool. As a result, the cars need large brake ducts. The modest average speeds mean that airflow through the radiator is also reduced and, to make things worse, running maximum downforce makes cooling less efficient. With the front wing set at such a steep angle, some of the air is diverted to the point where it does not flow into the radiator. Monaco never fails to present the engineers with a serious challenge."


PressClub Argentina

Translation by Google Translator

1?? Escapada exclusiva para mujeres de BMW Motorrad.

Buenos Aires - 5 of May. BMW Motorrad summoned to the first exclusive exit in motorcycles for women. Sixteen were the participants who arrived very early and enjoyed this experience in 2 wheels. BMW Motorrad Argentina, decided to go beyond its well-known Program of Trips and to make a special exit: this time ÔÇ£theyÔÇØ were the special guests.

From the eight in the morning of Saturday 5 of May, the 16 participants, clients and potentials were arriving clients of the mark. After enjoying a Ravine breakfast of Alvear, the Martinez, received the instructions and measures of precaution on the part of Andr?®s Memi, Instructor of BMW Driver Training (Motos) and of the School of Handling of Motorcycles of BMW. Around 09:15 they started off for the stay of San Ceferino. Most of the participants they traveled in its own BMW motorcycles and to others, BMW Motorrad Argentina facilitated motorcycles to them.

The models that said presents were F 650 GS, R 1200 GS and the K 1200 S. Around 11:00, and with desire to continue leading his BMW, they were received in San Ceferino with a special entrance and empanadas soon to enjoy a pleasant lunch. After the lunch they made an exit towards Carlos Keen, returning to San Ceferino for a very special tea: they were surprised with a ÔÇ£show of photosÔÇØ where they could see in the course of the day leading his BMW. Each one received at the end of the day, a CD with the ÔÇ£show of photosÔÇØ. ÔÇ£An amused, different and specialÔÇØ day according to they defined the own protagonists. And mainly, the special order of one 2?? returned.


PressClub Belux

Translation by Google Translator

BMW Motorrad Belux proposes an exclusive version for Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the F 800 S Sport.

This version profits from a kit installed into after-sales developed with AC Schnitzer which is composed of a spoiler, a Akrapovic exhaust and a hiding place saddle for the place passenger.

Equipped with this kit, the F 800 S Sport is proposed at a price of 9.799 euro (TVAC) and is available in the BMW dealers as of now. Launched in 2006, BMW F 800 S and F 800 ST see the list of their options supplemented by a lowered suspension.

At the beginning of the factory, the height of the saddle can be lowered by 60 mm thanks to special equipment. This result is obtained by the use of the adjustment low already jointly existing with the shortening of two elements of spring of 30 Misters the kit of lowering of the suspension including the low saddle costs 125 euro but cannot be combined with the standard saddle.

 

[PAULBACH]

80 mpg for 900 lbs of bike and rider?

Mika finds the most amazing stuff

The bike gets about 65 to 70 mpg in normal riding but when he’s out for a leisurely cruise, Jeff says he can easily get over 80 mpg, not bad for an 1123cc diesel engine in a 700 pound bike with another 200 pounds of rider. The fuel tank holds the diesel fuel and there is a 2 gallon tank below it for hydraulic fluid. The bike will cover over 350 miles per fill up. He’s been to Sturgis for 3 years now and the guys he rides with fill up 3 times to his one when they’re on the road.

Link to website
Looks like the 800cc GS is due out next year.

The G650 X series is a whole new market segment for BMW and doesn't replace the more touring-orientated F650 GS; that will continue to sell for another year before being replaced by an 800cc version.

Website Link

 

[AZ-J]

Mika finds a great seat of pants review of the F800

Mika does finds the most amazing stuff!

the new BMW F800's caught my eye over at the British-USA booth. ... But if anyone is even thinking about one of these I say go for it. Go test one, go buy one. You won't be disappointed.

Oh, when I got back the B-USA owner asked what I thought, I said "It ROCKS".

I have a two-month old F800S, and I went on a 450 mile ride this weekend. I saw triple digit speeds once, and received 70 mpg all weekend doing the 450 miles.

The S was very nice for our AZ mountain curves, and the bike handles whatever gravity throws at it. I traveled from 1200 feet to 7400 feet territory, and back. What goes up must come down!

Tweety1, aka Jordan

 

[spiegeltuxer]

Mika does finds the most amazing stuff!



I have a two-month old F800S, and I went on a 450 mile ride this weekend. I saw triple digit speeds once, and received 70 mpg all weekend doing the 450 miles.

The S was very nice for our AZ mountain curves, and the bike handles whatever gravity throws at it. I traveled from 1200 feet to 7400 feet territory, and back. What goes up must come down!

Tweety1, aka Jordan

Must have went up to Jerome!! What a great place to ride a motorcycle.

 

[AZ-J]

Must have went up to Jerome!! What a great place to ride a motorcycle.

Actually, Scottsdale to Payson to Heber/Overgaard, on to Springerville, back to Heber (AZ Beemmer's Return of the Road Runner Rally), and back home.

Done Jerome run in the past, too, what fun, and we have an oral contest which is better; up or down Yarnell hill. Both are great!

Springerville had views of snow-capped White Mountains. That was nice to see from the Casa Malapais ruins.

 

[mika]

Thank you guys, I do love to wonder about.

I was a bit surprised that there were no comments on Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg getting their own special edition F800S

 

[AZ-J]

Thank you guys, I do love to wonder about.

I was a bit surprised that there were no comments on Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg getting their own special edition F800S

Just saw this post! The lower fairings and the exhaust are AC Schnitzer as I have seen them on the F800Riders.org forum, while the tailcover is standand BMW, I have it as well to match my yellow F800S.

Pretty enough for me to save the pic but I'd never cover that lovely aluminum engine. An ST is like that, but a purist S model, no way!

Tweety1