mika
Still Wondering
superbike.co.uk: 2009 BMW K1300S K1300R and K1300GT first test
Popular Mechanics makes its picks, how do they stack up against the Big Gigs?
popularmechanics.com: Top 10 Motorcycles ÔÇô NYC 2009 Cycle World International Motorcycle Show
H-D has taken it in the chops with sales and its sock but is pushing hard in other markets with their core H-D model and now with their new acquisition MV Agusta
monimoto.it: MV Agusta at the 15th Padova Bike Expo
Even with its efforts abroad some H-D are asking some dire questions about H-D.
cyrilhuzeblog: A bailout for Harley-Davidson?
Two different takes on VictoryÔÇÖs Core Concept cruiser. BMWÔÇÖs LoRider stirred a good amount of conversation around here. I wonder what this will do to the Victory community. These two bikes seem to be pointing toward a direction more manufacturers are heading. What is your take on this trend?
motorcyclenews.com: Radical Victory Concept bike unveiled
helforl.eathermagazine.com: Victory Core concept simplifies performance cruisers
thekneeslider.com: Victory Concept Motorcycle
Broadway promoters wondered how their new project played in Boston.
bikenewsonline.com: The Honda Fury ÔÇô Yet another VTX
Honda you may have a show that will close in Boston instead of a hit. Unlike the competition in the form of Victory that has another fan with its concept.
cyrilhuzeblog.com: Falling in love with the Victory Core Concept motorcycle.
Sorry Honda I have to agree with Mr. Huze, its all in the design.
The Victory Core seat rated comment in various blogs, look at the seat on this custom.
omnimot.it: Custombike-la-Fenice
OCC is soundly pan by the Norwegians over at mc24.no for their Stealth errrcustom.
gpone.com: Stoner beat Massa in the challenge on karts in Madonna di Campiglio
motorcyclismo.es: BMW G450X Jose Manuel Pllicer ÔÇô Africa Race
thevintagent.blogspot.com: 50 years of Bonnie
motorcycle.com: Book Review ÔÇô Caf?® Racer
visordown.com: 2009 Yamaha YZF ÔÇô R1
cycleworld.com: Long-term test update ÔÇô 2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
roadracingworl.com: TrackXperience changes ownership, releases 2009 track day schedule
motorcycles-usa.com: Red Bull AMA Rookies Challenge ÔÇô cancelled
eternalbiker.blogspot.com: Daytona WomenÔÇÖs Ride
motostation.com: Test ÔÇô Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bob
wired.com: Plug-in that scooter for a zero emissions commute
oliepeil.nl: Gekkekoeienziekte is terug
2009 Aprilia, Buell and Triumph shoot out
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Motorcycle-USA ÔÇô Ducati 1098S Corse sportbike review
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No lack of competitors on this grid - Steve McQueen rides the 197 Elsinore Grand Prix
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gnccracing.com: Quick Fill#3 ÔÇô This week in GNCC Racing
superbikeplanet.com: DiSalvo, Cardenas ride M4 Suzukis in ÔÇÿ09
While MotoGP struggles with rules retaining manufacturers and riders to put on a grid WSBK has an embarrassment of riches in manufactures and riders.
sportmediaset.it: Superbike, 2009 record: 32 pilots great success and 7 manufacturers
worldsuperbikenews.co.uk: World Superbike News
MCN Video: Haslam confident in level of new Stiggy WSBK Honda team
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RUMOR
oliepeil.com: Suzuki is out of MotoGP???
gpone.com: The cuts of 2009: via the post race test, shorter sessions
motorcyclenews.com: MotoGP talent search hit by credit crunch
See Page 2
See Page 2:
hydrogencarsnow.com: Wind to hydrogen energy storage has advantages
mtodisiac.com: Beating the bogus ticket
thenewspaper.com: Minnesota: $2.6 Million in Red Light Camera Tickets Refunded
Refunds proceed for illegally issued red light camera tickets in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
TED | Paul Scher ÔÇô Gets serious on design (not solemn)
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webbikeworld.com: Firstgear Carbon heated gloves
motorcyclistonline.com: Motorcycle security systems ÔÇô Safeguard your pride and joy
motorcyclistonline.com: Fieldsheer Adventure Jacket and Mercury pants
I spent a good deal of this weekend with the Barrett Jackson collector car auction on the TV. I watched my misspent gear head youth go across the stage and draw thousands and hundreds of thousands of dollars. I owned cars that were the same make model and engine as many of these shining beauties. They were not so shinny back then and definitely did not cost anything near what will be the tax bill on the auctioneer fee let alone the price paid in auction.
I watched realizing I grew up in a golden age for gear heads. I had the chance to own or work on every thing American from six cylinder engines to big block Corvettes, Spridgets to Jags and all sorts of Italian hardware; we messed around racing Datsun sedans and 240Zs. I have a ball working in the garage with my sons-law but the things we work on and what they have had exposure to; well they havenÔÇÖt a clue.
After a while you become numbed by the auction prices. I caught myself at one point and broke out laughing. The youngest pit crew member came into my office and asked what I was laughing about and did I want to play? How do you explain to a kindergartener that a really nice 66 Shelby Mustang in your favorite color just went across the and sold for six figures and that you just went through the mental exercise of asking yourself if you would rather have a new Ferrari or the Mustang? You donÔÇÖt explain, you go and play with him for a while.
My feeling that the prices cars were fetching was down from past years and was confirmed several times buy Speeds announcers. We seem to be in a major market correction. In the past I would watch auctions like this, go to motorcycle auctions and was often heard the voice of Alan Greenspan in the back of my head whispering irrational exuberance any time I considered bidding. The prices are not cheap now but they have dropped considerably even in the last year. I may have grown up in the golden era of the muscle car but this may be a golden time to buy a collector car. I donÔÇÖt hear Alan Greenspan anymore. I donÔÇÖt need to. I donÔÇÖt have the money.
I do not have the money to buy a car at a Barrett Jackson, but there are motorcycles out there I always wanted. Taking my time I could find something fun to work on again. We sold my daughters caf?® bike project. Not a one hundred point restoration but another caf?® bike on my own terms.
I enjoyed racing in any form my best memories of those old days are all of cold garage floors, banged up knuckles, the smell of oil and exhaust and the satisfaction of balancing a set of Amals on a Brit bike or timing a small block. These may not be the golden days I remember, but it looks like a careful shopper can find some fun new memory makers.
Some practical things:
I will be on the road for an extended time on business and fun. For the next few days I wonÔÇÖt have regular access to my computer or the internet. I will be back when I am settled in.
In case youÔÇÖre wondering, the Shelby Mustang GT hands down over a Ferrari.
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WOOT.com
Bike Candy
I was able to plow the driveway. My bags are packed and I am out of here to someplace warm. Motorreads will be back on line when I am settled in and thawed out.
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