NBC News Reports On Old Motorcycles Finding New Life As Fuel-Saving Rides

The NBC Nightly News recently reported on the growing appeal of motorcycle riding to beat rising gas prices.  According to the NBC News story, New York State has seen applications for new motorcycle licences rise 20 percent over this time last year.

Motorcycle repair shops are full of old bikes that have been dragged out of the dusty corner of garages or old barns.  Their owners are having the old bikes repaired to hit the road and save on gas.

While veteran riders welcome the company on road, some are wary that inexperienced bikers are putting themselves and others at risk to reduce their fuel costs.



Source: The NBC Nightly News

Florida Motorcycle Riders Reflect On Eight Years Since The Repeal Of Helmet Laws

For over 33 years in the state of Florida, the only legal way to ride a motorcycle was while wearing a helmet.

That all changed on July 1, 2000, when the mandatory helmet law was repealed and anyone over the age 21 with $10,000 in personal injury could ride without a helmet.According to the Ledger.com, eight years later, the debate continues.

Are helmet laws lifesavers, or do they infringe on the right of motorcycle riders to make their own choices?

Right now, twenty states still require motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Source: TheLedger.com

LoJack Busts Two Las Vegas Motorcycle Theft Rings In Less Than 48 Hours

Las Vegas is the home of casinos, bright lights, and two busted motorcycle theft rings that were brought down by LoJack in less than 48 hous.

According to the LoJack Corporation homepage, LoJack For Motorcycles was instrumental in helping Las Vegas police and the Southern Nevada Auto Theft Task Force break up two theft rings June 14-16. The operations led to the recovery of four Honda CBR motorcycles, a Yamaha ATV and the arrest of 10 suspects.

“Motorcycle riders need to do everything in their power to protect their valuable assets, because professional thieves can steal a bike right out of your garage and hide it in theirs,” said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law Enforcement, LoJack Corporation.

It all started when a Las Vegas resident left his garage door open and later discovered his 2006 Honda CBR600 motorcycle stolen.

Once the LoJack Unit was activated, Las Vegas police and the Southern Nevada Auto Theft Task Force located the stolen bike in the garage of a known street gang member.

After a search warrant was obtained, officers discovered the stolen Honda CBR600 equipped with the LoJack, along with a stolen 2001 Honda CBR900 inside the garage. Seven suspects were arrested on a variety of charges including “Operating a Chop Shop,” “Possession of Stolen Property” and “Grand Larceny Auto.” A 2007 Yamaha ATV, which was reported stolen two days before, was also recovered without any known damage.

Source: LoJack Corporation

The Experienced Rider Safety Course Sharpens Riding Skills

A motorcycle safety course is a wise idea if you are a first time motorcycle rider, but what about former riders who have not been behind the handlebars in years?

The Chicago Tribune features a story on the Experienced Rider Course offered by Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

The Experienced Rider Course starts out on your own motorcycle, not the starter bike used in the beginners course.

The lessons for the experienced rider are about building on the skills you already have, then sharpening them for avoiding close-calls or accidents.

The course features a classroom section, driving tests with the orange cones you know and love, and practice on maneuvers ranging from tight turns to sudden stops.

Source: Chicago Tribune.

LoJack Recovers A Motorcycle From Thieves Four Times In One Year

Bike thieves are craftier than ever when stealing motorcycles. Thieves move so fast that a motorcycle can be stripped down to spare parts before the police have any chance of finding it.

LoJack's site features the story of a New York City surgeon who has recovered his Honda Motorcycle four times this year from thieves. Each time LoJack came to the rescue.

According to LoJack...

After walking out of a movie in Yonkers, N.Y. on a recent Sunday evening, a surgeon realized that his 2006 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle was stolen from the theater parking lot. Soon after contacting the Yonkers Police Department, the doctor's motorcycle was quickly recovered thanks to LoJack For Motorcycles. As a result of the timely recovery, his motorcycle was still fully assembled and only suffered minimal damage to the ignition lock.

This was the fourth time the owner had his motorcycle stolen by thieves and recovered using LoJack For Motorcycles in the past year. He had two motorcycles stolen prior to the 2006 Honda CBR. Neither bike was outfitted with a stolen vehicle recovery system and neither was ever recovered.

"I have a lot more peace of mind knowing that my bike is constantly protected. Even my wife said, 'don't worry about it, LoJack will get it back for you like

Source: LoJack

The Dainese D-air motorcycle airbag

Airbags on motorcycles have been proposed and tested by several motorcycle companies, some versions put the airbag on the bike, others on the rider.

According to Boing Boing, motorcycle gear manufacturer Dainese has created the D-air safety system, fully equipped with airbags. The Dainese site features video of a the D-air in action.



Here is more video of the D-air airbags helping cushion the fall of another rider. While the airbags probably saved this rider from serious injury, that fall still looks like it left a mark.



The D-air system should be available to consumers around 2010, so make sure to ride extra carefully till then.

Source: Dainese and Boing Boing