Daily news about motorcycles http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/ en-us Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200 Thu, 17 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

For those of you who are like me, and can not sit through a whole hour in front of the TV seeing a motorcycle being built, or restored, here's the fast way.

A guy in India, with the help of some friends, restored a 1978 Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle from the ground up. He filmed the whole process, from start to finish, and using time-lapse, you can see his endeavor in only 2 minutes. Pretty impressive. In real life, it took 45 days.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-restoring-a-royal-enfield-motorcycle-in-2-minutes.htm Royal Enfield Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-restoring-a-royal-enfield-motorcycle-in-2-minutes.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-restoring-a-royal-enfield-motorcycle-in-2-minutes.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/video-restoring-a-royal-enfield-motorcycle-in-2-minutes.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-restoring-a-royal-enfield-motorcycle-in-2-minutes.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 16 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

The boys & girls at the Australian Traffic Accident Commission, TAC, have been making some nicely done motorcycle safety and awareness videos. Here's their latest, and IMHO, best safety advertisement.

The graphics are very well done, as is the message. You'll see a motorcycle accident in slow-motion and in reverse. The tag line is "Slow speed will not kill you".

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-motorcycle-reconstruction-safety-ad---tac.htm Ads Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-motorcycle-reconstruction-safety-ad---tac.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-motorcycle-reconstruction-safety-ad---tac.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/video-motorcycle-reconstruction-safety-ad---tac.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-motorcycle-reconstruction-safety-ad---tac.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 16 May 2012 13:45:00 +0200

I guess if you've not got the money to buy a real Yamaha R1 motorcycle, this is you best bet to have one in your living room.

Jack Chan from Australia spent quite some time making a 60% size Yamaha R1 motorcycle out of paper and cardboard. But it looks the bizz. All it needs is a coat of paint, and he'll have the perfect replica in his living room.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/guy-makes-big-paper-version-of-yamaha-r1-motorcycle.htm Entertainment Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/guy-makes-big-paper-version-of-yamaha-r1-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/guy-makes-big-paper-version-of-yamaha-r1-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/guy-makes-big-paper-version-of-yamaha-r1-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/guy-makes-big-paper-version-of-yamaha-r1-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

Recently we showed you a good print advertisement from Nolan, and now they've come up with another one.

This one is an astronaut wearing the full gear, and a Nolan motorcycle helmet.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/nolan-houston-we-do-not-have-a-problem.htm Ads Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/nolan-houston-we-do-not-have-a-problem.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/nolan-houston-we-do-not-have-a-problem.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/nolan-houston-we-do-not-have-a-problem.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/nolan-houston-we-do-not-have-a-problem.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 15 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

It's a wonder that the French government has not (yet) decided to make this product mandatory for all motorcycle riders, the same way they are making hi-viz clothing mandatory.

But there are a lot of bikers out there who want to be sure they are seen, particularly at night, so this product may be of use to them. The product, called "Fibre Flare MVP" (MVP stands for Maximum Visibility Protection) is a battery powered fibre tube that is fixed to the rear of your helmet. You can mount it horizontal or vertically.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/so-you-really-want-to-be-seen-on-your-motorcycle.htm Safety Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/so-you-really-want-to-be-seen-on-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/so-you-really-want-to-be-seen-on-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/so-you-really-want-to-be-seen-on-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/so-you-really-want-to-be-seen-on-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:00 +0200

When I saw these print advertisements, though meant for a car tire,s I immediately thought about some really bad roads I've been on on my motorcycle.

You know what I mean, right? The kind that will vibrate your teeth out of your mouth....

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ads-do-you-not-think-roads-are-often-like-this.htm Ads Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ads-do-you-not-think-roads-are-often-like-this.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ads-do-you-not-think-roads-are-often-like-this.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/ads-do-you-not-think-roads-are-often-like-this.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ads-do-you-not-think-roads-are-often-like-this.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

According to CSIAM, the French Association of International Vehicle Manufacturers, the sales of new motorcycles during the 1st quarter of 2012 in France was pretty bad.

Last year during the same time frame, 61,504 motorcycles were sold, this time this year it dropped by 7.8% down to 56,711 motorcycles.

Strangely enough, it's the 125cc market that has suffered the most, with a drop of -19.4%, while the best increase was that of three wheelers (MP3 etc) by +25.6%. Motorcycles and scooters over 125cc stayed stable, only increasing by +0.08%.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story for a brand by brand breakdown.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-net-decrease-in-new-motorcycle-sales-q1-2012.htm France Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-net-decrease-in-new-motorcycle-sales-q1-2012.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-net-decrease-in-new-motorcycle-sales-q1-2012.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/france-net-decrease-in-new-motorcycle-sales-q1-2012.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-net-decrease-in-new-motorcycle-sales-q1-2012.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 14 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

Part 2 of our series "Movies Posters With Motorcycles", 15 posters.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/15-movies-posters-with-motorcycles-in-them---part-2.htm Entertainment Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/15-movies-posters-with-motorcycles-in-them---part-2.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/15-movies-posters-with-motorcycles-in-them---part-2.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/15-movies-posters-with-motorcycles-in-them---part-2.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/15-movies-posters-with-motorcycles-in-them---part-2.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 14 May 2012 14:00:00 +0200

For more years then I can remember we've had the Four Corner Tour of the USA (as far as I can remember, it started in 1983), whereby members would ride their motorcycles to the four corners of the US. It is a great way of seeing an immense country, and still have a measure of competition, or should we say adventure, in it.

Well, now the USA is not the only one. The European Motorcycle Tour Operator Association, EMTA, is organizing a similar tour calling it appropriately "4 Corner Tour". The tour is sanctioned, and helped by, the organizers of the US version, the SCMA.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/european-4-corner-motorcycle-tour-coming-up.htm Travel Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/european-4-corner-motorcycle-tour-coming-up.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/european-4-corner-motorcycle-tour-coming-up.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/european-4-corner-motorcycle-tour-coming-up.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/european-4-corner-motorcycle-tour-coming-up.htm?opendocument&comments Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

The French MotoGP motorcycle race is on this weekend, and the French Angry Biker Association (FFMC) has put in place several motorcycle rest stops along the way, where you can tank up, get hot/cold drinks, eat, visors cleaned, mechanics, etc.

Here's a list and map of where they are, and when they are open.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-motogp-2012-motorcycle-rest-places.htm Racing Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-motogp-2012-motorcycle-rest-places.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-motogp-2012-motorcycle-rest-places.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/france-motogp-2012-motorcycle-rest-places.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-motogp-2012-motorcycle-rest-places.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

A week has gone by since last round-up of motorcycle articles you may have missed. Here's this week's batch.

- Drivers unaware lane splitting is legal (Orange County Register)
- Even Most Simple Rides Require Planning (Cecilie's Moto Journal)
- A Lot Like Polo, Only Faster and With Beer (New York Times)

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/top-internet-stories---11-may-2012.htm Web Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/top-internet-stories---11-may-2012.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/top-internet-stories---11-may-2012.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/top-internet-stories---11-may-2012.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/top-internet-stories---11-may-2012.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:00 +0200

#Ducati - Here's a TV commercial that reminds me a lot of the Honda car advertisement featuring a car that is assembled in fast motion from all sorts of parts. Except this ad is in reverse; the motorcycle is stripped of its parts to become part of a hair-do.

The ad is for Taft (hair products), an Italian subsidiary of Henkel/Schwarzkopf, for a competition involving Ducati. The motorcycle in question s a beautiful Ducati Monster. Not bad the ad.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-ducati---my-style.htm Ads Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-ducati---my-style.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-ducati---my-style.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/video-ducati---my-style.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/video-ducati---my-style.htm?opendocument&comments Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

The number of people going for a motorcycle exam in The Netherlands has decreased sharply compared to last year.

21% less exams, so lots less motorcycle riders out there. Good or bad sign?

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherlands-decrease-in-number-of-motorcycle-license-exams.htm Statistics Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherlands-decrease-in-number-of-motorcycle-license-exams.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherlands-decrease-in-number-of-motorcycle-license-exams.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/netherlands-decrease-in-number-of-motorcycle-license-exams.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/netherlands-decrease-in-number-of-motorcycle-license-exams.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 10 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

Money is a strange thing. Back in the beginning of time, when you needed something you didn't make or grow yourself, you traded it with something you did. Bartering it was called. Then came money, in the beginning it was natural denominations, like salt. If you had salt, you could "buy" anything. Salt did loose it value when it rained, so it slowly got replaced by coins and paper.

Nowadays, coins are commonplace; you'll find coins in almost every man's trouser pockets (except maybe the POTUS) and every woman's purse (except again maybe in Lady Gaga's). Coins, as we all know are small, usually circular, pieces of metal. Sometimes the coins aren't totally round, they may have edges.

But one country has said to itself "why must coins be round". And the answer is; NO REASON. A coin can be any shape. The country is war-torn Somalia, and in 2007, following the success of the guitar shaped coins, they made a series of motorcycle shaped coins.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/money-pay-in-motorcycle-coins---only-in-somalia.htm Entertainment Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/money-pay-in-motorcycle-coins---only-in-somalia.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/money-pay-in-motorcycle-coins---only-in-somalia.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/money-pay-in-motorcycle-coins---only-in-somalia.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/money-pay-in-motorcycle-coins---only-in-somalia.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:00 +0200

Back in 2003 London introduced a congestion charge for any car that wanted to travel into London. Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 18:00. The charge is £10 (about US$16) per day. The money is to be used to enhance the public transport system, and relive the traffic logged city from cars.

There was a lot of criticism, saying it would never work. But this graph below from the ITO World show the change. The red zones is where that was an increase of traffic, the blue zones where there was a decrease. I guess the red zones can be explained that it's commuter traffic heading for the train stations, and from there into the inner city by train or underground.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/uk-is-the-london-congestion-charge-working.htm Travel Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/uk-is-the-london-congestion-charge-working.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/uk-is-the-london-congestion-charge-working.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/uk-is-the-london-congestion-charge-working.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/uk-is-the-london-congestion-charge-working.htm?opendocument&comments Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

One of the last things the current French president has been able to push through before becoming unemployed, is the installation of 150 route trip radars.

Route trip radars consist of 2 sets of radars, one at the beginning of a road segment, the other at the end. When you arrive at the beginning of the segment on your motorcycle, the first radar makes a photo of your motorcycle license plate, recording the date & time. Then when you pass through the end part of the segment, another photo is made, and the average speed is calculated. If you have been speeding, and your average exceeds the maximum speed authorized, you'll get fined, and license points will be deducted.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-150-average-trip-speed-radars-to-be-installed.htm France Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-150-average-trip-speed-radars-to-be-installed.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-150-average-trip-speed-radars-to-be-installed.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/france-150-average-trip-speed-radars-to-be-installed.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/france-150-average-trip-speed-radars-to-be-installed.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 9 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

There are lots of sites out there that have route descriptions for great motorcycle rides, almost all using crowdsourcing. But here's a site that will tell you very well where to ride in Northern California, and all the rides have been created by several knowledgeable local "guides".

The site, MotoSFO, was created under the leadership of Carla King, well known adventure rider and author. Together with several other, mostly female, bikers she's put together a comprehensive database of routes to put your motorcycle on when you are in Northern California.

The itineraries are not some generic database, but a well laid out travelogue of the route. There are the inescapable Google Maps with the actual route, but also the recommended restaurants and hotels/B&Bs.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/know-where-to-ride-motorcycles-in-northern-california.htm Travel Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/know-where-to-ride-motorcycles-in-northern-california.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/know-where-to-ride-motorcycles-in-northern-california.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/know-where-to-ride-motorcycles-in-northern-california.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/know-where-to-ride-motorcycles-in-northern-california.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 9 May 2012 14:00:00 +0200

Any Dakar fan will know the name. You can't escape it if you watch the famous car & motorcycle rally. Cyril Despres, 4 time winner of the Dakar, and 9 times on the finish podium, needs no introduction.

Cyril is a mild manner gentleman, and an "alien" (to coin a MotoGP phrase) motorcycle racer. The Frenchman has published a book, entitled "4X Dakar", about his Dakar experience. As Cyril has said himself "Normally a rider waits until the end of his career before publishing a retrospective. Except that I have never been a fan of convention!".

The reason this factory KTM rider is publishing a book is to raise money for a school in Africa that he started after the untimely death of his friend Fabrizio Meoni in the 2005 Dakar rally in Africa. The school is located in the suburbs of Dakar, Senegal, and has 13 teachers and 321 children. But the area has 500 children who can not go to a school, so Cyril wants to expand the school and for that he needs money.

Click on the headline to continue reading this story.......

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/cyril-despres-write-a-book-and-why-you-should-buy-it.htm Books Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/cyril-despres-write-a-book-and-why-you-should-buy-it.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/cyril-despres-write-a-book-and-why-you-should-buy-it.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/cyril-despres-write-a-book-and-why-you-should-buy-it.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/cyril-despres-write-a-book-and-why-you-should-buy-it.htm?opendocument&comments Wed, 9 May 2012 08:00:00 +0200

Colorful, that's for sure. This guy is really flying the flag on his motorcycle.

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/fly-the-flag-on-your-motorcycle.htm Entertainment Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/fly-the-flag-on-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/fly-the-flag-on-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/fly-the-flag-on-your-motorcycle.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/fly-the-flag-on-your-motorcycle.htm?opendocument&comments Tue, 8 May 2012 18:00:00 +0200

Imagine using a Toyota pick-up truck as a motocross motorcycle? Going down a motocross track... I don't think so.

Anyone try this?

... ]]> http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ad-toyota-pick-up-truck-used-for-motocross.htm Ads Mike Werner http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ad-toyota-pick-up-truck-used-for-motocross.htm?opendocument&comments http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ad-toyota-pick-up-truck-used-for-motocross.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dxcomments/ad-toyota-pick-up-truck-used-for-motocross.htm http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/ad-toyota-pick-up-truck-used-for-motocross.htm?opendocument&comments