SEGAL FINE ART COMES TO BIKENET WITH DAVID MANN PRINTS–In Memory Of? features one of the boys cruising alone along a desert scene, remembering another time, whether it?s a girl or the pair on the bike in the shadow that are gone is unclear but the piece reminds us to appreciate what we have while we have it.
Our contact number is 800-999-1297. We don?t put prices on the ads.
–Stephanie
BIKERNET YEAR OF THE VETERAN CONTINUES WITH SEMINOLE HARD ROCK ROADHOUSE BIKER FUSION AT BIKETOBERFEST–As election coverage dominates the daily news, it’s easy to forget about those who continuously defend our freedom. To help support our troops, the Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse will host the second annual BIKER FUSION event to benefit Soldiers’ Angels, an organization committed to increasing the morale of deployed troops, helping veterans return home healthy, and bringing comfort to wounded soldiers.
This event will be held during Biketoberfest at the Main Street Doghouse Bar & Grill in Daytona and will give the public a chance to mingle with the motorcycle industry’s A-list while supporting a good cause.
–Ken Conte
WASHINGTON UPDATE FROM THE MRF– The US House passed the Health Insurance Restrictions and Limitations Act of 2008 (HR 6908) last week. This bill, as previously reported by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), would force insurance providers to disclose upfront, in writing, any activity they are unwilling to provide full payment for an injury sustained while participating in said activity. Currently the insurance providers need only refer to the federal loophole known as the “source of injury exclusion provision” to limit payment for any injury based on the source of the injury.
The bill passed with unanimous consent by the US House and is now being considered by the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The Senate has passed legislation that was farther reaching than HR 6809 in a previous Congress so the outlook remains bright but time is running short. The MRF will keep you informed on this important issue.
NHTSA Proposes New Helmet Standards
In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) earlier this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) set forth its proposal to modify the current safety standard for helmets, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 (FMVSS 218). The proposal focuses mostly on the least important part of any helmet, the DOT label. The NPRM outlines what NHTSA would like to see on the back of your helmet. A new label to replace the current football shaped sticker with the letters DOT printed in a contrasting color to the background.
NHTSA claims that due to entities printing and selling “Doing Our Thing” that closely resembles the DOT sticker the federal standard has been undermined and needs an upgrade to a bigger better sticker.
The changes the proposal outlines will require including the word “certified”, the manufacturer’s name, and the model of the helmet. The proposal also calls for the sticker to be larger and placed higher up from the bottom of the helmet. The new sticker has one other change, it’s not a> sticker. The NPRM calls for the new label to be a “water decal” to be applied under the helmet’s final clear coat.
A few problems arise with this portion of the proposal. What about helmets that don’t have a clear coat such as leather clad or the popular matte finish? What about the cost to manufacturing, which will certainly be higher than the government estimates? Lastly, how does this affect the 30 helmet choice law states? The answer to that one is, it doesn’t – other than the fact that when you choose to wear a helmet it would have to be DOT certified.
NHTSA also called for some changes to the testing of helmets. None of the changes provide for a more real world condition, just adjusting some of the allowable ranges for helmet puncture and retention.
What is troubling about the proposal is the underlying theme of “safer crashing”. We at the MRF believe that it is best to focus on crash prevention instead of injury mitigation. Helmets do not prevent crashes, educated riders and motorists do.
It’s true that motorcycle fatalities are near historic levels, but so are new unit sales and registrations. With the soaring price of fuel, expect that to continue for the foreseeable future.
So what does NHTSA expect this proposal to do in the real world? Let us refer to some of NHTSA’s own numbers from the proposal. First since this only really affects the 20 mandatory universal helmet law states and the District of Columbia where according to NHTSA’s numbers 15 percent of the riders in those jurisdictions use “novelty” helmets that don’t meet the current FMVSS 218. Reading further NHTSA says that this proposal, if enacted, would realistically reach 5 percent of the 15 percent of riders who now use “novelty” helmets in universal helmet law states. Using NHTSA’s method of guessing at helmet effectiveness, that amounts to about 17-32 lives a year. Now we can certainly all agree that any life saved is a huge success, but the original reason for this proposal was to bring down fatalities significantly. The low double digit decreases don’t really dip the numbers down enough to make this necessary. Again, all life is precious but with government resources running on empty, The MRF believes this is time and money better spent on motorcycle safety programs that focus on avoidance of the crash.
The MRF encourages you to provide your own public comment to this NPRM. You can read the entire 66 page proposal that includes instructions on how to apply. The comment period is open for 60 days. Use the link to view the document: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/DOT/NHTSA/Rulemaking/Rules/Associated%20Files/Helmets_Upgrade_NPRM.pdf or> http://tinyurl.com/4zcg7x
J.J. SOLARI 86’D FROM WEASELS MOTORCYCLE CLUB–Well have gotten my first biker-related trophy. It’sfor getting kicked off the weasels, given to me by awoman who was kicked off the weasels with me, a MissLynard Wolf, for whom I have only the highest regardand affection, especially after getting this.
I know what you’re saying, that’s impossible,nobody could possibly be that fucked up.
–jjs
DARREN HO FROM KUSTOM FAB IN HAWAII CAPTURES BIKERNET STAFF WORKING LAS VEGAS BIKE FEST–Would you believe it. I actually caught them being productive and not drinking Jack Daniels and chasing broads. Bandit judged the show and Nyla took detailed photos for Bikernet and future bike builds. Maybe he?s getting old?…Darren
KIWI STORY AND THE S&S X-WEDGE–You’ve got to check this story on the home page right now. It takes you through the entire delicate, one-off Kiwi build for the S&S 50th with a X-Wedge engine, the first of it’s kind in an Indian frame. This bike has a lot of tradition class mated with the very best in late-model engineering and design. Here’s an immediate comment from a Bikernet reader:
Thanks for the heads up, wow what a great story and article! Its one of the best I have seen and read, and pictures are top notch!!!! Mike, did you tell me in Sturgis you took these or was it someone else! I can’t believe how great they turned out, I will definitely add some to my site during the next update.
–Monte
HARLEY-DAVIDSON LAUNCHES NEW SUPERMODEL V-ROD MUSCLE CAMPAIGN —Harley-Davidson Launches New V-Rod Muscle Ad Campaign with Marisa MillerStunning American Supermodel a Perfect Match for Stylish and Powerful American Motorcycle
MILWAUKEE (Oct. 8, 2008) ? To emphasize the non-traditional pairing of sophisticated style and brute strength, Harley-Davidson chose to launch the new 2009 V-Rod Muscle in a distinctly non-traditional way?by teaming up with American Supermodel Marisa Miller in an innovative marketing campaign to introduce the latest addition to Harley-Davidson?s high-performance line of V-Rod motorcycles.
The new V-Rod Muscle features a powerfully sculpted new physique that exudes a contemporary and urban sense of style. The Muscle?s long, low profile and super wide rear tire are inspired by the drag strip, while the free-revving performance of the liquid-cooled Revolution V-Twin engine co-developed with Porsche give it an unmatched combination of power and sophistication.
?The V-Rod Muscle stands out in a crowd of copies and generic motorcycle profiles,? said Mark-Hans Richer, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Harley-Davidson. ?It stretches the very definition of what it means to be a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.?
Partnering with American supermodel Marisa Miller is a perfect match. The V-Rod Muscle?s sculpted body and commanding physique complement Miller, who not only represents classic American beauty, but also strength and athleticism. Miller is best known for gracing the cover of many prominent publications, but she also represents the return of the great American Supermodel. Miller grew up around motorcycles in California and has a strong appreciation for Harley-Davidson.
?To represent such an iconic American brand is incredible,? said Miller. ?I have grown up watching my dad and uncle ride Harleys. It’s amazing to circle back at this point in my career, and work with a brand I have so much respect for.?
Like the bike itself, Harley-Davidson chose a distinctly non-traditional marketing campaign for the V-Rod Muscle. Starting Oct. 13, an ad campaign launches that shows Miller stretched atop a sleek, black V-Rod Muscle. The black background and distinct lighting capture the aggressive styling of the bike contrasted by Miller, which brings the idea of American Supermodel to life. In lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Esquire, Complex, Road & Track and Trader, ads will make use of a new technology called SnapTell, which provides access to exclusive content upon photographing the ad with a mobile phone camera.
The campaign was pre-launched on Oct. 6 on Harley-Davidson?s official YouTube channel, with a ?making of? video that takes viewers behind the scenes at the Marisa Miller V-Rod Muscle photo shoot (http://www.youtube.com/harleydavidson). Motorcycle bloggers and Harley-Davidson fans and friends on Facebook and MySpace were exclusively tipped off to the campaign. The video will also be available on www.h-d.com/muscle which launches Oct.13.
The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle features a 1250cc liquid-cooled V-Twin engine with a five-speed transmission and high-performance Brembo triple-disc brakes with available ABS. Its race-bred clutch with ?slipper? action helps ease drive train effort during downshifting while its broad-shouldered presence is highlighted by a huge 240mm rear tire. New bodywork with integrated turn signals and a clipped fender combine to give it a clean, contemporary look. The V-Rod Muscle is available in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver, Dark Blue Denim and Red Hot Sunglo. For more information on V-Rod Muscle visit www.harley-davidson.com.
CHOPPERS INC. PARTNERS WITH 2WHEELERS ON MAIN AT BIKETOBERFEST– Choppers Inc. will be set up at Arlin Fatland’s Two Wheeler’s at 740 Main Street in Daytona. Two Wheeler’s is between Froggy’s Sallon and the Full Moon Saloon, and across the street from Dirty Harry’s- right at the heart of Main Street.
My Henderson, which is currently on the cover of Easyrider, will be on display there (when I’m not out riding it). I’ll also have a 1928 Harley JD custom I just finished there, and a new custom in progress.
I will be one of the judges at the bike show on Thursday at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo. A bunch of us- Christian Clayton from Sucker-Punch, Paul Cox, Bill Dodge, are going to get together one morning for a surf. I plan to drop in on all of them. Other than that, I will be riding around town with other like minded motorcycle lovers.
–Billy Lane
Designed for those times when you just don’t need a jacket but want protection. Ideal for warm weather riding.
The Men’s Race Shirt from Torian Chopper Leathers features 2 chest flap pockets and 2 hand warmer pockets in the seams and built with a full lining. Click here to get yours in the Black Market.
The shirt is made from the finest goat skin and wears like iron. The midnight black shirt has a feel of lamb and the durability of cowhide and comes in a light weight. The Race Shirt is ideal choice to wear under the Torian Race Jacket or Work Jacket.
New Motorcycle and Car Enthusiast Web Site, IgnitionNation.com Launches–A new dynamic web site launches for car and motorcycle enthusiasts called www.ignitionnation.com. Ignition Nation was created to bring the world together through the one true universal love – Cool Cars and Motorcycles.
Whether visitors are into Motorcycles or Cars, the site will connect them to people with the same interests. Everything from Street Bikes, Choppers, Bobbers and everything in-between, to Hot Rods, Dragsters, NASCAR and all things four wheels, the site will connect users with fellow enthusiasts who can trade information or tips, buy and sell rides and parts and find out everything they need to enjoy their hobby even more.
Ignition Nation?s Tom Curran explains, “From car shows to Daytona bike week, from cross-country rides to cruise night, users can find the information they need at the site and make connections, plan and book their trips and tell everyone about it. Users may share pictures, videos, and information and make new friends or even reconnect to old ones. The site shares the latest related industry news and offers users the opportunity to blog about things that matter to them. We plan to expand that news through both features and blogs to include the greatest industry sources and important web sites that provide valuable and entertaining information.”
For builders, clubs and businesses, the site provides quick, easy connections to share and sell their products and services, expand their visibility, build their fan base, customers or members, drive their popularity and boost their profits. Through search and ranking features, the site s users can build credible, measurable, bankable results that can become a strong marketing tool.
For enthusiasts, this site offers connection to the world’s most famous custom builders and industry legends. Users may follow their favorites and explore new talents and get news on industry happenings. They can enjoy pictures, videos and information and buy products and merchandise. Shop for a ride or even sell one. Get connected to builders, clubs and business web sites, blogs and upcoming events and even chat with fellow site members.
Users search by builder, business, club or event name, category, geographic area, appearance/event dates and more. Most importantly, users can connect with their fellow enthusiasts: people who share their same interests and passions. Ignition Nation gives users the tools needed to form interest groups, make new friends, share information or learn new things and rate and discuss events, builders, products and places and connect with other important web sites and resources throughout the web and the world.
With the new .MOBI features, soon users will be able to connect to the site from a blackberry or iPhone anywhere to find directions to events, local restaurants, bars and hotels and even book reservations or get roadside assistance.
The site was created by Tom Curran and Les Schachter, two fun-loving, carbon-monoxide breathing, combustible guys who were looking for a way to share their passion with all the other roadies, bikers, drivers, enthusiasts and fun folks out there. Along with NYC City Choppers? Nick Genender, they built a site to offer functions and resources unique to motorcycle and car sites and at the same time designed to complement and support all other enthusiast and industry sites. ?Our goal was to create a harmonious vehicle ? no pun intended ? that would do what Social Network sites have done for the general population, but at the same time offer unique features that make our site a resource for all bike and car people to use to help them organize their interests? said Tom Curran, ?You can meet people, communicate, find events and news, and also find other sites, publications and businesses that will enrich your experience.?
For more information on www.ignitionnation.com visit the site and sign up ? it?s simple to do, and free for every one.
ALL AMERICAN MADE LEATHERS–The little Joe originals are still around.
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