Random Motorcycle thoughts unworthy of a new thread

[budman]

For those of you over 50. Time to stop buying bikes!!!

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Thankfully my garage won't fit nearly that many.

 

[ThumperX]

just cleaned out most of the container...now looking for the next unicorn. Duke 390 maybe?

 

[budman]

Perfect for me since I pack really light for rallies.

 

[budman]

Indian has reached out to 3 custom builders to create a special Indian Scout.
Story in RRW
Ed "Ironman" Kretz

 

[budman]

AMA Joins Legislative Leaders on Ride To Work Day​

Organized ride through Washington, D.C., emphasized awareness for motorcycles on the open road​

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — On June 12, members of the American Motorcyclist Association’s Government Relations Department celebrated Ride to Work Day by joining the Chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus and other motorcycle industry leaders on a ride through Washington, D.C.

Led by the Chairs of the House Motorcycle Caucus — Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Troy Balderson (R-OH) and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) — the inaugural Ride To Work Day at the Capitol took the group of riders on a loop from the U.S. Capitol Building, passing by the National Mall and other historic landmarks in the nation’s capital.

“As Chairs of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, it was an honor to host the first annual Ride to Work Day at the U.S. Capitol,” The chairs said in a joint statement. “Not only do we love to share this passion, but we appreciate the opportunity to bring safety and awareness issues up at a national level. There’s no better way to raise awareness than joining with nearly two dozen others to ride past the historic sites on the National Mall and into work at the Capitol Building. The estimated 30 million members of the motorcycling community across America are an important constituency, and we’ll continue our work to improve safety and awareness.”

The AMA was represented on the ride by Washington Representative Zach Farmer, Legislative Affairs Coordinator Jeremy Robinson and Eastern States Representative Max Colchin. In addition to the AMA, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Harley-Davidson, Motorcycle Industry Council and the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association all had a presence at Capitol Hill.

“It’s always great to see motorcyclists come together to raise awareness about the safety of riders on the open road,” Farmer said. “The motorcycling community is strongest when it works together, and Ride to Work Day is an excellent way to celebrate motorcycling while advocating for the safety of riders.”

The AMA remains at the forefront of the fight to protect the rights of motorcyclists. To learn more about the efforts of the AMA Government Relations Department, sign up for AMA Rights Updates at https://AmericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/subscribe-for-rights-updates/.

 

[CDONA]

Who says I can't have 51 motos,
or MORE ??
and bad news,
I have to go back to work, just to ride in??
Where is that "confused" thread??
A bad Monday, wind is up today, blowing 15 already, makes me cranky.

 

[budman]

Oh man... this Cycle News Cover warms my heart. So happy for Bobby.


I think most of you know, but for those that don't BARF sponsored Bobby his first and only year in the AFM. The kid went on to win both 600 classes and the overall points. BARF thread on the races HERE

 

[bcj]

 

[budman]

In a moto safety meeting. Great presentation going on regarding auto's automatically stopping for a moto.
This has just been started. More later.

Not all cars did the deed well. Some did.


Here are the rating on vehicles tested.

 

[budman]

As noted above I participated in CMSP Advisory Committee / CHP Moto Safety Meeting this AM.

We have not had a face to face since the Covid lockdown. I miss that personally as they are much more interactive, however it is still valuable.

Per the above we had a presentation from the IIHS group that does testing on safety devices for vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and through education of consumers, policymakers and safety professionals.

They of course do crash rating for the same to determine which manufacturers get the gold star for being safer. The Lincoln Nautilus landed highest accolade BTW.

Automated systems (technology) are a key to increasing safety and according to this article Manufacturers have some catch up to do[/url]

Last month, a group of six U.S. senators sounded the alarm about the hands-off approach to automation taken by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a letter to the agency, they warned that inappropriate use of partial driving automation systems, fueled in part by misleading marketing practices, is putting road users at risk. They also highlighted that highly automated vehicles — what the public often thinks of as "self-driving cars” — are being tested on public roads without having to meet any additional safety requirements or performance standards beyond those of conventional vehicles. The senators urged the agency to address these problems and require more complete reporting about the use of automation in a crash.

I have attached the letter below in case you want to see it. It does reference our favorite AV to hate Tesla.

The insurance boys think that All moto’s should have ABS.

Anyway good stuff, but there is more to the CMSP meeting than that. FYI Total Control just received the State training contract for the next 3 years. With 2 – one year options. 5 media/marketing companies have submitted response to the RFP for the new 3 year contract (extended from 2 to help facilitate the things that work). That is all the social media reach outs for training /awareness via the CMSP Program.

A bunch of stat’s on how many trained. Pass rates etc.
A lower % of students trained, deaths down, etc.

Total Control presentation included 3 wheel info.

1.Basic info: Trikes suck in handling, lack of rider aides etc. More difficult to ride.
2.Inverted trikes are much better. Think Can Am
Excellent braking (linked), hard to tip over, rider aides are great and power steering even.
Note: Can Am sells more of their rigs than Suzuki sell motorcycles in the US.
3. Then Moto sidecar rigs. Awkward, turn different left to right. Few aides
4. Auto Cycle. Think Polaris Slingshot.
Good handling, meant to oversteer before tipping over. Solid safety aides.
5. Leaning 3 wheelers Piogio MP 3 / Yamaha Niken.

They ride like moto’s, counter steer to turn and they lean.

The thought here is to have some training/ license for this application. Thought was #4 should have a drivers license. 5. Should be a moto license. Others separated accordingly.
Currently none require a Motorcycle endorsement.

More oversight?? I suppose it makes sense.

Other stuff:

1. E-Rider program (online classroom for the classes)
2. Road Construction signage updates specific to motorcycling (Washington does it right – CA not so much)
3. Trailer purchase for public events (Silversvs had one for Livermore and no that is filtering in the CMSP
4. CMSP branded marketing vehicle for training site visits and other promotions.
5. New outings: California Overland Adventure Show was one where the interactions were well above your standard moto event because they were not talking to only motorcyclist.
6. Use social media to expose the training schools when they do visits etc. Good go the individual training sites.
7. Possible microfiber cloth swag. Waaaaaaaay better than the vests. Well received more work to do.
8. SB 961 Speed limiter bill was discussed. 2029 this may come to be for cars and the application may include motorcycles (not sure). Safety issues for moto’s on that discussed and more to be followed up. Reduced to audio and /or visual warning at this time. The moto groups are opposing the bill and worries that tweaks once passed could be invasive.

Happy to answer specific questions on the above as I can.

All in all as always I am grateful to be involved and that is thanks to BARF

 

[budman]

A few other notes:
1. AB3102 is in process. That will allow the individual sites to do the DMV riding test. Probably good for plenty of people and less standing in line at the DMV is always a good thing!

2. Auto Braking on vehicles reduces crashes by 50%.

3. The IIHS is also testing vehicle systems to be aware of motorcyclists in left turn situations. That is in the works. There are sending a crash test moto dummy into intersections at 40-60 kph to see if cars will automatically stop. Not going well so far.

4. WayMo is serious about AV's. They went straight to level 4 in development (full automous) where others are trying level 3 (don't depend on the bot) and there are big concerns from the IIHS about that and the disinformation that is out there from the manufacturers... cue Tesla.

5. Tesla is not meant to be autonomous! However they said they are pretty good for the most part. Of course committee members jumped in on that due to several moto deaths.

6. And finally. Drivers training was brought up because humans suck and training helps. Well statistically there is no difference to car drivers being in a crash where on a Moto there is some benefit.

 

[berth]

Note: Can Am sells more of their rigs than Suzuki sell motorcycles in the US.

Are we talking those 3 wheeled trike things, or all things Can Am? I see those 3 wheel things, but would be surprised that they, alone, are more popular than all of Suzuki. But can easily see Can Am selling more gross units of everything than Suzuki motorcycles does in the US.

 

[budman]

I described 5 different types of 3 wheel things. Can AM and Polaris are the bigger players with Can AM being the affordable option that brings the danger from 2 wheels to 3 with a bit less danger and mobility.

I was a bit shocked with the statement that Can AM outsold Suzuki. Surprising as hell to me.

 

[budman]

Palos Verde closes road to all 2 wheel traffic.

Has the bicyclists up in arms. I heard that it is because of the roadway failing and potential crashes due to that.

I am thinking all bay area cities should do the same because the roads suck.

 

[budman]

Little birdy told me SNELL is coming out with a new standard in a couple weeks.

 

[two wheel tramp]

why can’t i get a set of tkc70s?

i fear change.

 

[littlebeast]

In a moto safety meeting. Great presentation going on regarding auto's automatically stopping for a moto.
This has just been started. More later.

Not all cars did the deed well. Some did.
View attachment 562611

Here are the rating on vehicles tested.
View attachment 562612

now if we could get subi drivers to stop making u-turns on blind corners

 

[budman]

Five influential motorcyclists to be inducted on Oct. 10 during the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days event in Pickerington, Ohio​

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Following weeks of voting, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announced the five inductees who will be honored during the 2024 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 10 in Pickerington, Ohio.

The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is Mike Lafferty, Debbie Matthews, Mat Mladin, Rob Rasor and Kevin Windham.

“This year’s class represents a wide range of individuals who have helped push motorcycling forward, both as a sport and as a lifestyle,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “Without the contributions of these racers, ambassadors and leaders, motorcycling would not be where it is today. We look forward to enshrining the legacies of these five outstanding motorcyclists into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame on Oct. 10.”

The Induction Ceremony will headline the AMA’s Hall of Fame Days, which is set for Oct. 10-13, and will include an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night and open house at the Hall of Fame Museum. The Induction Ceremony will take place at the nearby Violet Township Event Center on Oct. 10, followed by a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Induction Ceremony are now on sale and can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or mkula@ama-cycle.org.

Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors/Industry, Design/Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership/Motorcycle Rights, Motocross/Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.

MIKE LAFFERTY

Mike Lafferty was bitten by the enduro racing bug in 1982 when he was 7 years old, and he turned this passion into one of the most successful off-road careers ever. Racing throughout the 1980s, Lafferty broke through when he won back-to-back East Coast Enduro Association championships as a teenager in 1993 and 1994.

Lafferty hit a launching point in 1997, when he claimed his first AMA National Enduro Championship. In total he tallied 71 National Enduro wins — second all-time — and eight titles, which leaves him tied for the most all-time. Lafferty also raced AMA Grand National Cross Country and was a member of four U.S. ISDE teams.

DEBBIE MATTHEWS

Debbie Matthews has spent her life contributing to motorcycling and has done so by serving in — and excelling in — almost every role the sport has to offer to increase opportunities for women riders. Known for her smooth and effortless racing style, Matthews set the record for longest consecutive pro and amateur career in women’s motocross when she raced for 27 years.

In 1996, she co-founded the Women’s Motocross League, and Matthews further worked on behalf of women riders when she met with AMA Congress and drove the change to give women “A” Rider classification for the first time in history. Recognizing Matthews’ work promoting women’s motocross, announcer Erv Braun described her as the “Godmother of Women’s MX.”

MAT MLADIN

In a 10-year span from 1999 to 2009 that continues to defy belief in hindsight, Mat Mladin notched seven AMA Superbike titles and won 82 AMA Superbike nationals in the process — each of those numbers more than anyone in history.

Mladin also won the legendary Daytona 200 three times during that period, achievements that have him tied for third all-time behind AMA Hall of Famers and multi-time Daytona 200 winners Scott Russell (five) and Miguel Duhamel (four). In 1999, he won his first of seven AMA Superbike titles — achievements that would make him, according to series promoter MotoAmerica, “the most dominant rider in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship.”

ROB RASOR

For decades, Rob Rasor was instrumental in carrying out the AMA’s mission to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.

Hired in 1973 as part of the AMA’s Government Relations Department, Rasor helped ward off a federal “superbike” ban, helmet requirements and bike bans in several states and cities, and aided in the fight to ban healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists. Rasor was also a champion for off-road riding and led the AMA’s efforts to win public land access for off-road riders.

Rasor’s efforts extended beyond the United States, and he was awarded the FIM Nicolas Rodi Del Valle Gold Medal in 2019.

KEVIN WINDHAM

Kevin Windham’s 19-year AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross career is one for the history books.

During his long, illustrious career, Windham raced to 47 total AMA Pro wins and collected the third-most starts (325), third-most points (9,070) and the seventh-most podiums (130). While Windham saw success domestically, he thrived in international competition — winning the 1999 FIM United States Grand Prix and 2005 Motocross of Nations as a member of the American team.

Windham retired from AMA professional racing in 2013, marking the end of a dominant career in the AMA and international circuits.

Congrats to all!!

 

[budman]

A little time with Garrett Ger1off. This is pretty cool. Behind the scenes humor, fun and a barf salute at 3.31