Yamaha 2009 YZF-R6S Features Light Weight And Big Horsepower

The Yamaha Motors homepage features details on the Yamaha 2009 YZF-R6S.

The key features of the Yamaha 2009 YZF-R6S are light weight, big horsepower, razor-sharp handling and a comfortable cockpit.

The suction-piston-type fuel injection with 38mm throttle bodies features short intake ports and a special vacuum-controlled intake system, ensuring instant throttle response all the way up to the 15,500-rpm redline.

Other features include a Deltabox III frame and Controlled-Fill swingarm, super-light five-spoke 17-inch wheels, and multifunction digital and analog instrumentation.

Source: Yamaha

Harley-Davidson Helps Divas Put The Brakes On Breast Cancer

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is participating in the third annual Divas For A Cure (DFAC) Annual Cross-Country Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run.

Hundreds of motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts will make their way to Atlanta, Ga., to kick off the event on July 19.

The annual motorcycle run is organized by DFAC, a service-based nonprofit organization dedicated to raising cancer awareness through early detection, education, screenings and supporting research for eradicating cancer. Last year DFAC raised $50,000 for breast cancer research. The organization is looking forward to reaching a target of $100,000 from this year's ride.

The DFAC motorcycle run is scheduled to take place from July 16 to Aug. 6 with donations presented to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center - Nellie B. Connally Breast Center.

The "Divas" are also scheduled to participate in a VIP tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum on July 22 guided by Curatorial Director, Jim Fricke. "We are very excited to have Jan Emanuel-Costley and her supporters tour our exciting new museum. Similar to Jan's commitment and passion to bring awareness to breast cancer, we are just as committed to support great efforts like the Divas For A Cure ride and other community-focused initiatives," said Jim Fricke.

The 6,000-mile ride is scheduled to depart from Brown Mills, N. J., to official kick-off city of Atlanta; Atlanta to Canada; Canada to the National Bikers Roundup in Pennsylvania; down the East Coast; and finally returning back to Atlanta. The meet and greet dates will begin following the initial departure from New Jersey. More details on the route are available online at www.DivasForACure.org.

Source: Harley-Davidson and Divas For A Cure

The Kawasaki 2009 Vulcan 500 LTD Is Friendly To New And Experienced Riders

The Kawasaki homepage features details on the 2009 Vulcan 500 LTD.

According to Kawasaki, the Vulcan 500 LTD is the answer to motorcyclists yearning to ride into the cruiser lifestyle.

With a low seat height, friendly power delivery and affordable purchase price, Kawasaki considers the Vulcan 500 LTD an excellent entry level motorcycle and an easy platform on which to develop those all-important riding skills.

More experienced riders will appreciate its ample power and comfortable accommodations, while the Vulcan 500 LTD’s practicality, efficiency and reliability as a transportation source are sure to be appealing to riders of all calibers.

The Ninja 500R-based parallel twin-cylinder engine gives the Vulcan 500 LTD serious cruiser muscle and a smooth, predictable torque delivery.

A stepped seat, bobbed rear fender, tank-mounted speedometer and chrome-plated wire-spoke wheels give it the classic cruiser looks sure to please the custom style crowd. The rider calming low, 28-inch seat height rounds out the Vulcan 500 LTD’s rider friendly chassis.

Source: Kawasaki

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 Best Electric Scooters Of 2008

The humble motor-scooter has received more attention lately thanks to rising fuel costs and frugal consumers looking for cheap transportation.

Electric scooters have now matched gas-powered models for speed and distance. Metaefficient.com features their ranking of the best electric scooters of 2008.

The juice to drive electric scooters comes from standard nickle-metal hybrid (NiMH) batteries, often upgradable to lighter but pricier lithium-ion batteries.

The Vetrix scooter (pictured left) is fast enough to rate as an electric motorcycle.

Source Metaefficient

Harley-Davidson announces events for Laconia Motorcycle Week

Harley-Davidson recently announced events planned for the Laconia Motorcycle Week in Laconia, N.H. from June 17 - 21, 2008 that include the following highlights:

• Product displays and experts for the 2008 line-up of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, along with the latest Genuine Motor Accessories and MotorClothes Merchandise.
  
• The Harley-Davidson Traveling Museum featuring unique displays of vintage Harley-Davidson products and memorabilia.
  
• Demo rides provide the chance to test ride any number of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Rides are free, but participants must bring a valid motorcycle license, wear a D.O.T. approved helmet and eye protection, and sign a release form.

The Harley-Davidson Festival at Laconia Motorcycle Week is located at Laconia City Hall in Downtown Laconia, N.H.

Source: Harley-Davidson

Willie G. Davidson Family Gifts Sculpture To Harley-Davidson Museum

Harley-Davidson reports the grandson of one of the founders of Harley-Davidson and his family unveiled a gift they are giving to commemorate the new Harley-Davidson Museum, which will open to the public on July 12 in Milwaukee.

Willie G. Davidson, senior vice president and chief styling officer for Harley-Davidson, and his family presented a sculpture featuring a motorcycle hill climber to the Museum. The one-and-one-half-times life-size sculpture pays tribute to motorcycle competition and enthusiast culture.

"The Harley-Davidson Museum means so much to me and my family that we wanted to leave something permanent here as a gift," Willie G. Davidson said. "We chose the hill climber as a subject because it portrays the thrill and adventure of the sport and because of the important role motorcycle competition played in developing enthusiast culture."

Jeff Decker, a Harley-Davidson licensed artist and motorcycle enthusiast, was asked by the Davidson family to design the sculpture. The piece was made of bronze and will be permanently placed at the end of Canal Street on the Museum grounds. Designed with organic shapes and lines that contrast with the industrial architecture of the Museum, the sculpture will be among the first things visitors see as they approach the Museum. Access to the Harley-Davidson Museum grounds will be available to the public, free of charge, 24 hours a day.

Source: Harley Davidson

Batman Motorcycle Offered As Prize By The Hershey Company To Promote The Dark Knight Movie

If you have seen the trailer for the new Batman film, The Dark Knight, you know that the caped crusader keeps the Batmobile in the garage for a few scenes to ride a new bike called the BatPod.

As part of a promotion for The Dark Knight, The Hershey Company is masking some of their candies in a Batman-themed black and blue color scheme or unique bat shapes.

Hershey is also offering a contest prize of a Batman-themed, hand built MV Agusta F4 motorcycle.

(Bat-suit and secret cave filled with high-tech crime-fighting gear not included.)

Source: The Hershey Company

The Launch Of The Star Motorcycles 2009 Vmax

StarVmax.com features video of the official launch event for the Star Motorcycles 2009 Vmax motorcycle.

The launch took place June 3rd on the deck of the USS Midway in San Diego, California. From the looks of this bike, an aircraft carrier is the perfect place to celebrate its introduction.

Here are some photos of the event.

Source: Star Motorcycles

Star Motorcycles Reveals The 2009 VMAX

The Star Motorcycles homepage features details on the long-awaited 2009 VMAX.

According to Star Motorcycles, 2009 VMAX delivers unmatched performance from its all-new 65-degree, four-valves-per-cylinder, 1679cc V4 and plenty of eye-opening, controllable acceleration from a compact engine that looks as powerful as it is.

Other features include a downdraft four-bore fuel injection with YCC-I intake technology and YCC-T fly-by-wire throttle provide awesome acceleration throughout the broad powerband.

The lightweight aluminum chassis puts the engine low and forward for mass centralization, resulting in a machine designed to handle curves as well as straightaways.

Borrowing liberally from advanced sportbike technology, VMAX features a slipper clutch, wave-style brake discs with ABS and Brembo® master cylinders and complete suspension adjustability front and rear.

The Engine is a new-generation V4: The thunderous 1679cc, 65-degree, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC engine pumps out astonishing power to reinvent the VMAX legend.

The sportbike-proven Yamaha Chip Controlled Intake (YCC-I) switches nearly instantaneously between 150mm and 54mm intake funnels as needed for a broad powerband that delivers optimum performance at any rpm.

Five-speed transmission has spaced gear ratios to take full advantage of the engine’s power in straight-line acceleration or through the canyons.

Delivering this power cruiser’s muscle to the street means a beefy shaft drive just like its predecessor. Special shaft design includes two cross joints to accommodate the fat 200/50 R18 rear tire.

The high-performance engine is cooled by two radiators for efficiency and clean looks. Lubrication is via a simple, reliable wet sump system.

Four-into-one-into-two-into-four exhaust system with EXUP (Exhaust Ultimate Power valve) delivers a broad, seamless powerband with the right VMAX look. The iconic VMAX aluminum intake covers are hand buffed by craftsmen for superb quality and individuality.

The newly designed chassis is light and compact, with a cast aluminum main frame, CF die-cast and extruded aluminum rear frame and cast aluminum swingarm. The result is superb rigidity balance for both hard acceleration off the line and corner carving.

There is a 2009 VMAX micro-site featuring more details on features and video.

Source: Star Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson Museum Opens On July 12th

Harley-Davidson is having a 105th birthday with the ultimate present: a new museum.

The Harley-Davidson Museum, located near downtown Milwaukee, will open its doors to the public on Saturday, July 12.

Described as an event 105 years in the making, the Grand Opening festivities will kick off with a Harley-Davidson-style ceremony at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the weekend.

The Harley-Davidson homepage reports The 130,000-square-foot Museum will add a whole new dimension to the Harley-Davidson experience.

Visitors will get a feel for the freedom, camaraderie and pride that Harley-Davidson riders experience every time they fire up their motorcycles.

Source: Harley-Davidson

Ducati 848 Superbike Breaks Sales Record

Ducati North America recently announced that the 848 Superbike has become Ducati's fastest-selling model ever.

According to Ducati, the 848 Superbike was unveiled in Milan last November as a lighter, more affordable alternative to Ducati’s 1098 Superbike. The 848 has surpassed every sales record set by its sibling in the Superbike range.

Since its release six months ago, over 1,200 848 Superbikes have been sold in North America; accounting for more than 20% of Ducati’s overall sales. The previous record holder was the 1098 Superbike, which revved its way into 1,000 new homes during the same period one year prior.

“The 848 has successfully bridged the gap for those aspiring to own a Ducati Superbike as well as addressing the desires of our loyal customer base,” said Jason Chinnock, National Sales Manager for Ducati North America. “In addition, Larry Pegram’s success on the track in AMA Formula Extreme is driving showroom traffic as the 848 proves it’s a serious contender for the title.”

Source: Ducati

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.