“‘Easy Rider’ was never a motorcycle movie to me,” Mr. Hopper said in 2009. “A lot of it was about politically what was going on in the country.”

 Selected obits:

• The Seattle Times
• The NY Times
• CNN

This collection includes 23 Harley Davidsons, 3 Three-wheelers, 1 Knucklehead, 2 Shovelheads, 2 Sportsters, 4 Flatheads, 11 Sprints to Bobcats, 4 Indians, many British, European, an antique 60’s factory Japanese race bike, and many antique Japanese bikes.

The memorabilia consists of signs, gas pumps, petroluem pieces, tools, clothing, pictures, posters, license plates, and so much more.

There are several semi loads of antique Harley, Indian, British and Japanese parts, and we even have 2 very old antique Harley side cars. The parts we have include: motors, wheels frame, tires, exhaust systems, front ends, gas tanks, engine parts, sheet metal, seats, etc., from several different brands of motorcycles.

If you are interested in bidding, visit http://sale.motionunlimitedmuseum.com for bidding instructions.

All the details and instructions on how to submit are listed here:
http://www.harley-davidson-mosaic.com

H-D’s goal is to collect at least 10,000 photos by Friday, May 15th. Once a photo is submitted, H-D will send out an email to confirm its receipt.  From there you’ll be able to review and locate your photo in the mosaic.

Good morning, Riders,

Grab that doughnut and cup of coffee, or perhaps a beer and a brat, and settle back.

The good news is that the motorcyclists in Washington State survived the good intentions of the Washington State Legislature for another year with one win and no serious damage. The irony is that the win and the damage were contained in the same bill.

HB 1403 (Addressing the detection of motorcycles and bicycles at vehicle-activated traffic control signals.) got caught up in the wrangling at cutoff in the house and did not see any floor action. This could have meant that we were going to be required to wait until next year to try to get SB 5387, the companion bill for HB 1403, brought into play in the senate. The lobbyist for the Bicycle Alliance of Washington (BAW) went to work looking for a bill with traction, related to motorcycling or bicycling, that the traffic signal language could be appended to. He managed to find an innocuous (in his eyes) little technical correction bill that might work. Here is where it gets to be fun. The bill he found was SB 5482.

SB5482 was a bill requested by Washington State Patrol. It started out as merely a technical correction bill, with the language being shopped out to stakeholders last summer. The problem developed when WSP changed it to add language referring to FMVSS 218 back into the helmet definition. This is contrary to what the riders of this state had enacted on their behalf in 2003. The WRRA and ABATE of WA were there to remind the committee that WSP had reneged on their original language and was trying an end run on ESSB 5335 (2003). In spite of our efforts the bill cleared the senate and House Transportation and was pulled to the floor calendar. ABATE of WA took the lead on the continued opposition to this change in the helmet definition. They were a major part of the coalition that drove the original legislation back in 2003. Donnie Landsman, their Legislative Affairs Officer, orchestrated a good campaign against the reinsertion of the FMVSS 218 language into the RCW, to no avail. The bill passed, with the HB 1403 language appended onto it. The senate concurred with the amendment and SB 5482 was sent to the Governor. It is scheduled to be signed at 10:00 on the 29^th of April.

So there you have it: a win and a loss in the same bill. While we may be faced with more of the old officer discretionary stops and the ensuing roadside debate on the definition of a helmet, we do have an avenue of relief when the traffic signal will not locate our bikes. I will be following up in a later article with my take on how to proceed with traffic signal issues.

Boards and Committees:

At the beginning of session the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board and the Non Highway & ORV advisory committee were on the chopping block. Of all of the bills looking at doing away with boards and committees (HB 2087, HB 2151, SB 5994 & SB 5995), only SB 5995 made it to the Governor’s desk. Every time the bills got a hearing I was there to speak against them, both as the Government Relations Specialist, and on behalf of the American Motorcyclists Association. After my testimony to the senate committee I got the opportunity to privately brief the Governor’s representative, and when we parted, she definitely understood that there was no fiscal imperative to eliminate either group. I also had the opportunity to follow up with her and the staff person actually working the bills. We also had good results in mobilizing the troops to call their representatives. It then became a game of “wait and see,” as these bills could be brought back to life at any time prior to the close of session since they were tied to the budget. It all paid off, because when the smoke had cleared the Safety Advisory Board and the Non Highway & ORV advisory committee both survived.

Now for the rest of the news:

These are the issues that had no traction at all. (None of them cleared committee, and only one got a hearing)

SB 5652 (Requiring a reduction in toll rates charged to motorcycles) has been dropped in the senate and forwarded to Senate Transportation. Representative Dan Roach (R-31) dropped HB 2093 (the house version) on Feb. 10. Considering the budget issues, neither of these bills got a hearing.

HB 1964 (Modifying motorcycle helmet use requirements) was introduced into the house. The original request was for language eliminating any requirement for helmet usage at the age of majority (18) with absolutely strings attached. Unfortunately, through a series of miscommunications, the language from last year that calls for health insurance or rider training got introduced instead. Neither the WRRA nor, to my understanding ABATE of WA, actually supported the health insurance or rider training language, but at the end of the day it was a moot point. Under the current legislative lineup there was absolutely no chance for this bill to gain any traction at all. It does serve as a starting point for conversation about accident prevention in lieu of injury prevention.

SB 5552 (Modifying restrictions on children riding motorcycles) is another attempt to regulate how responsible riders take their children riding. We have been there before and demonstrated many times the there is no problem, to there is no problem to solve, but some people just need to regulate any behavior that seems to look “risky.” The good news is that although the bill got a hearing, it did not pass out of committee prior to cutoff. Hopefully this one is dead for quite a while.

Finally, there is HB 1344 (Exempting enclosed, three-wheeled passenger vehicles from the motorcycle endorsement requirement) which exempts these high mileage three wheeled cars that are starting to show up from being designated as a motorcycle or having a requirement to be endorsed to operate one. It got introduced and then never saw the light of day.

That is about it for now. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting Wednesday evening.

Until the next time, Ride safe and legislate well.

“Texas” Larry Walker
Government Relations Specialist
Washington Road Riders Association
wrraleg@aol.com

Harley Davidson 883 Iron

Decked in black from fender-to-fender, the new Harley-Davidson Iron 883 brings the beat of an 883 Evolution engine backed up by a combo of gritty, old-school garage features like front fork gaiters, drag style handlebar and side-mount license plate holder.

The black powder-coated 883 cc Evolution powertrain with black covers takes the Iron 883 deep into the heart of darkness. With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and performance tuning with a flat torque curve, the Iron 883 delivers plenty of power for the city scene. The pipes on the straight cut shorty dual exhaust flow the distinctive American V-Twin sound.

The black chopped rear fender with its combination stop/turn/tail lights shows more of the 150 mm rear tire and black, 13-spoke cast aluminum wheel, while the front tire also rides on a black wheel. The rest of the Iron 883 gets a darker-suited presence with black front forks and fender supports, fuel tank, oil tank cover, belt guard, drag style handlebar and mid mount foot controls. All for $7899.

A classic Sportster solo seat with a height of 25.3 inches fits the lone rider, while a passenger seat and a backrest in complementing black finishes can be added as accessories.

Check out more on the Iron 883 and Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycles at www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom.

2010 Honda Fury

TORRANCE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Friday, January 16, at the New York International Motorcycle Show, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. introduced to the world what many have deemed the most radically styled production Honda ever built: the 2010 Fury. The Fury radiates attitude and delivers a total riding experience approaching the outer limits of motorcycling.

The Fury opens the door to the most extreme level of custom looks. But once you’re rolling, the Fury experience is all about that special bond between rider and machine: the unmistakable big V-twin pulse, the characteristic Vee engine note and the no-nonsense riding stance bring you back to the core elements of riding.

Destined to become a milestone machine, the Fury captures the pure, undiluted chopper essence, places it within easy reach of nearly every rider and then backs it up with the same quality and reliability built into every Honda. It’s a radical concept in a unique package, a combination never before offered—until today.

For more information and images of the 2010 Fury, go to Furyisunleashed.com and Powersports.honda.com.

FURY KEY FEATURES:

- Full-on chopper styling
- Longest wheelbase ever in a production Honda motorcycle
- Muscular V-twin power, sound and feel
- Clean looks, superior attention to detail
- Spacious riding position
- Low seat height
- Single-shock rear suspension features “hard tail” look
- Extra-wide 200-series rear tire
- Slim-look 21-inch front tire
- Legendary Honda fit, finish and reliability
- Unrivaled value

FURY SPECIFICATIONS:

Engine Type: 1312cc liquid-cooled 52° V-twin
Bore and Stroke: 89.5mm x 104.3mm
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Valve Train: SOHC; three valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI with automatic enricher circuit, one 38mm throttle body
Ignition: Digital with three-dimensional mapping, two spark plugs per cylinder
Transmission: Five-speed
Final drive: Shaft
Suspension
Front: 45mm fork; 4.0 inches travel
Rear: Single shock with adjustable rebound damping and five-position spring preload adjustability; 3.7 inches travel
Brakes
Front: Single 336mm disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear: Single 296mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tires
Front: 90/90-21
Rear: 200/50-18
Wheelbase: 71.24 inches
Rake (Caster Angle): 38.0°
Trail: 3.5 inches
Seat Height: 26.7 inches
Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons
Colors: Dark Red Metallic, Metallic Silver, Ultra Blue Metallic, Black, Matte Silver Metallic (2010 special color—limited production)
Curb Weight*: 663 pounds

*Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel—ready to ride.

(All figures are preliminary and subject to change.)

Garmin Zumo 660.

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, introduced the zümo 660, a new motorcycle device that integrates the slim and sleek design of the nüvi^® with specific features made exclusively for motorcyclists. The  zümo 660 was announced in conjunction with the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

“The  zümo can change your entire experience of touring or everyday rides because it helps you find amazing places to explore,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “Whether you’re charting your own course or you plan your trip from your computer and download the route to your GPS beforehand, your ride will be more enjoyable and stress-free because you’ll have peace of mind knowing the  zümo will help you find your way home.”

Ideal for a weekday ride or weeklong trip, the  zümo 660 has features motorcyclists will appreciate like a 4.3” sunlight-readable and customizable touchscreen display, glove-friendly design with left-handed controls and oversized touchscreen buttons. The ruggedized and waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards) device comes loaded with detailed, street-level maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico that have over six million points of interest including gas stations, lodging, restaurants, attractions and more. The  zümo 660 speaks street names so riders will receive turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions, such as “turn right on Main Street,” via the built-in speaker or through a compatible Bluetooth helmet or headset.

The  zümo 660 also comes equipped with advanced routing capabilities. Lane assist with junction view guides riders to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit, and realistically displays road signs and junctions on the route along with arrows that indicate the proper lane for navigation. In some major metropolitan areas, surrounding buildings are displayed in a 3D transparent view. A new multiple routing feature customers can see a map preview of the proposed fastest route, shortest route and off road route prior to choosing to navigate it. This capability gives riders additional situational awareness before they begin their journey.

The  zümo 660 also has enhanced Bluetooth Wireless Technology (A2DP) that amplifies audio for a crisp sound, and makes it possible to receive and place phone calls as well as receive navigational cues wirelessly to Bluetooth enabled headsets or helmets. The zümo supports over 200 Bluetooth enabled phones so riders can retrieve and dial numbers using a supported phone’s contact list or from the phone’s call history log. A user can also make calls from  zümo’s huge points of interest database.

While riding, it is easy to access trip information directly fr zümoom the ’s trip information page like speed, heading, altitude, and a customizable fuel gauge that can be modified to the motorcycle’s maximum fuel range. If a rider wants to leave the pavement for the trai zümol, the  accepts Garmin’s MapSource^® U.S. Topo maps for off-road navigation. Sharing rides with others or keeping a detailed log of trips is also easy thanks to  zümo Connect, an online community of routes and riders. Zümo owners can also plan routes online through Google or MapQuest and send the routes or points of interest to the  zümo before they begin their journey. In addition, riders can swap routes and waypoints with other  zümo owners via the unit’s microSD card slot.

Like other members of the  zümo family, the  zümo 660 has many security features. The mount is designed to withstand the severe vibration environment commonly experienced in motorcycle riding. The  zümo also includes Garmin Lock^®, a unique theft prevention system that disables the  zümo from performing any functions until the user types in a specific 4-digit PIN or takes the unit to a predetermined secure location. If the user does not know the PIN or secure location, the  zümo will be inoperative.

The  zümo 660 is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009 at $799.99. Additional information is available at www.garmin.com.

Photo by Jerry Reynolds.

Last year in Daytona, hundreds of women riders joined together on the Harley-Davidson Daytona Women’s Day Ride and raised $67,000 for MDA. Registration for the 2009 ride on Tuesday, March 3, is now open with a limited number of spots available for women riders.

The Women’s Day Ride, designed to celebrate women riders, as well as generate funds for the MDA, is open to the first 500 eligible female Harley-Davidson or Buell riders who register at http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders before Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. Aside from riding together through the streets of Daytona, participating women riders are also encouraged to secure pledges and donations from their families and friends, which will be used to support the MDA’s Summer Camp programs across the country. For nearly 30 years, the Harley-Davidson family of dealers, employees, riders and suppliers has helped raise more than $65 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

“Last year the Women’s Day Ride was a huge success,” said Leslie Prevish, Women’s Outreach Manager, Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “Riding down the road with hundreds of women riders was truly inspirational, and more importantly, we raised $67,000 for MDA. Hopefully this year, with the support of our generous female riders, as well as their friends and family, we’ll easily eclipse that mark.”

All participating riders will receive a 2009 MDA pin, as well as an MDA/Harley-Davidson bike flag. The top three fundraisers among the group will receive a Harley-Davidson jacket, and every rider who raises at least $600 will receive a special 2009 MDA Women’s Day Ride sterling silver charm.

Daytona Women’s Booth

Women have increasingly embraced the sport of motorcycling — seeking the freedom and control associated with the open road, polished chrome and a sweet sounding engine. In fact today, the Motorcycle Industry Council estimates that more than 12% of U.S. motorcyclists are women.

To help fuel that trend and encourage women to meet and talk about their experiences, the Motor Company is also hosting a Women’s Booth at the Ocean Center throughout Daytona Bike Week where experienced women riders or those just looking for information on how to get started can learn more about the sport. The booth will include bike lift seminars as well as information about learning to ride, “helmet hair” tips, healthy living while on the road and more.

Women that visit the booth will also have the chance to meet Karen Davidson, the great grand-daughter of one of the Motor Company founders, and are invited to share their riding stories or dreams of getting behind the handlebars by signing a banner featured at the booth.

What Else Harley’s Doing to Inspire Women to Ride

Harley-Davidson’s We Ride is a basic overview on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport. It features information on how and where women can learn to ride with details on the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course and the best way to fit a motorcycle for a woman’s ergonomic and functional needs. It also includes tips on getting involved and staying active with riding groups, as well as inspirational stories from real women who have answered the call of the open road. The special 48-page riding guide is available for free download at http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders or for free shipment when you order online and can also be picked up at any local Harley-Davidson dealership.

Harley-Davidson dealerships across the country are hosting free women-only Garage Parties to encourage them to get involved in motorcycling. The Harley-Davidson Garage Party event provides a non-intimidating environment for women to learn more about motorcycling and to meet other women who are interested in riding.

For more information about Harley-Davidson and women and riding, visit http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.

Photo by cogdogblog.

Overall satisfaction with the motorcycle ownership experience has increased for a sixth consecutive year to a record-high level, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Motorcycle Competitive Information Study(SM).

Now in its 11th year, the study measures owner satisfaction with new motorcycles by examining five major components of the overall ownership experience: product; quality; cost of ownership; sales; and service.

Overall motorcycle ownership satisfaction averages 814 (based on a 1,000-point scale) in 2008, up 5 points from 2007. While all five components driving satisfaction improve in 2008, the most notable increases occur in the areas of cost of ownership and product quality.

Overall, satisfaction with cost of ownership has increased steadily over time. In 2008, satisfaction with cost of ownership improves by 11 points from 2007 to an average of 707. In addition, 18 percent of owners in 2008 report that the cost of owning their motorcycles is “outstanding” (a rating of 10 on a 10-point scale), compared with only 10 percent of customers in 2005 who indicated the same. Furthermore, 30 percent of motorcycle owners in 2008 indicate that the value they received for the price paid is “outstanding,” compared with 21 percent in 2005.

The study finds that product quality has improved in 2008, compared with 2007, primarily due to a decrease in owner-reported problems. The overall number of problems reported averages 152 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100)-down 8 PP100 from 2007. In addition, the number of owners who report having a problem-free experience with their motorcycle averages 42 percent in 2008, an improvement of 3 percentage points, compared with 2007.

“Despite the fact that owners report paying 14 percent more for their motorcycles this year, they are also more satisfied with the value received for the money spent,” said Tim Fox, research manager of the powersports practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “There are several motorcycle models with a higher price point that owners have indicated are a particularly good value for the money. This demonstrates that if you make a superior product, consumers are willing to pay a higher price for it because they believe it to be an excellent value.”

The study also finds that the industry continues to struggle with attracting younger, first-time motorcycle buyers.

“Since 2001, the average age of motorcycle owners has increased from 40 to 47 years,” said Fox. “This indicates that the current population of motorcycle buyers is aging, and a large proportion of these owners are likely to soon exit the market. Because first-time motorcycle buyers comprise 22 percent of all new motorcycle purchases — a figure has remained relatively flat since 2001 — it is critical for manufacturers to focus on attracting first-time and younger buyers — primarily those in the Gen X and Y demographics — in order to ensure continued growth in this market.”

The study also includes the following findings:

• Among motorcycle owners who visit a dealer for repair work, 79 percent report that the repair was performed correctly the first time — an increase of four percentage points from 2007.
• The two problems that have the greatest negative impact on overall product satisfaction are rough paint and engines that overheat. Other problems that have a particularly strong impact on satisfaction include gearshift issues, lacking power, and the ride being too stiff or too soft.
• During the past seven years, satisfaction with the engine and transmission has shown the greatest improvement among product-related aspects.

The 2008 Motorcycle Competitive Information Study includes responses from 7,334 owners who purchased new on-road or dual-sport motorcycles between September 2007 and May 2008. Owners were surveyed in September and October 2008.