by Kalama Hines from https://www.eastidahonews.com ISP hosting motorcycle safety rally Saturday POCATELLO — Approximately 80 percent of motorcycle crashes can be attributed to operator error, according to Idaho State Police Sergeant Andrew Nakashima. That is why ISP is partnering with Grand Teton Harley Davidson to host a free motorcycle safety class Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Shiny Side Up Motorcycle Rally will be held at Hillcrest High School, and feature training for motorcycle riders from beginner to experienced veteran, because, as Nakashima told EastIdahoNews.com, there is a lot of “bad information floating around.” “There’s a lot of benefits to be gained from training,” he said. “I used to ride a motorcycle before I got this job, and everything I learned was from the guys I rode with — telling me to do this and don’t do that. Having gone through a formal training program to be a police motor, I realized how much of that was false.” Nakashima recently transferred to Pocatello’s new ISP Motorcycle division from Meridian, where officers host a motorcycle safety training event every year. He hopes this event will have a similar effect, providing local riders with necessary safety courses annually. The event, which will feature vendors and food trucks, is open to the public. To take part in the training courses, however, riders will need a motorcycle endorsement or training permit and proof of insurance. No experience is needed, though. “If you buy a motorcycle Saturday morning and you ride it on down to Hillcrest High School, we’ll have some riding coaches there and we’ll take you through the very beginner (course),” Nakashima said. “If you’ve been riding for a while, we’ve got some other patterns you can try your hand at. … But it’s not just for beginners. If you’ve been riding for 20 years, you might be surprised what you can learn just going through an intermediate cornering class.” Along with instruction from ISP, riding coaches from Grand Teton Harley Davidson and Idaho STAR — Skills Training Advantage for Riders — will be in attendance. Instruction will focus on the factors that play a role in operator-error crashes, including proper cornering and safe lane changing, along with collision avoidance. “One of the driving forces behind this event is getting people to realize that you are responsible for your own safety,” Nakashima said. “It’s not up to cars to watch for you. It’s not good enough to put a loud pipe on your bike and say ‘loud pipes save lives.’ We really want to push the training aspect for riders. “Motorcycles need training. That’s pretty much the bottom line.”

“I’ve got to get out of here,” Melody said as she woke up the next morning. “I can’t handle the pollution. Did you see all those trucks, the noise, and the smell. I can’t stand it.”

She continued to badger him. “What should I do now? I have a degree. I must get out of LA. You know about Global Warming, right?”

She burst out of the bathroom like a spring flower blooming, beautiful, fresh, and full of energy. “I did some research on my phone,” she said. “The governor of California is testing a Zero emissions community. Would you mind taking me to Nirvana.”

“Have you seriously reviewed this deal? Bandit said.

“Of course, I have,” Melody spat. “This will be the wave of the future. No carbon footprint.”

“Don’t we need CO2 to live?” Bandit asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Melody said pulling on her $1000 leather boots. “Carbon dioxide is pollution.”

“Will they allow you to wear those boots into Environmental Nirvana?” Bandit said.

“Uh,” Melody said. “I don’t know. I found an organic breakfast place is Venice.” They walked out to Marko’s stretched FXR in the parking lot. Melody stopped, stunned. “I can’t get to Nirvana on that!”

“Or I can drop you off at the airport,” Bandit suggested.

“No way, the covid, the masks, the crowds and the polluting planes,” Melody rattled. “Did you know they are banning air flights in Spain. Gotta save the planet. Where’s the Ferrari?”

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The 98th Annual Loudon Classic weekend by Mayhew Tools will feature three days of racing with the NorthEast Motorcycle Road Racing NEMRR) series from June 18-20. NEMRR is the premier motorcycle racing organization in the Northeast and is sanctioned by CCS, the largest club racing organization in the US with over 3,000 licensed racers who compete in 6 regional championships. The 2021 Loudon Classic event pays championship points in three CCS regions and as such riders will be attending from all up and down the east coast to compete in 30 separate race classes over the three days. The competition should be fierce!

New Hampshire Motor Speedway
https://www.nhms.com/

Racing will start at 10:20 AM each day and run until about 5PM. The feature races of the weekend will be held on Saturday from 1:30-3:30PM and are presented by Specialty Saw. Over $8500 in purse money is up for grabs in these feature events. First up will be the Seacoast Sport Cycle Lightweight Grand Prix, featuring smaller displacement motorcycles who utilize high corner speed and late braking to generate fast lap times. Next will be the Street and Competition Unlimited Grand Prix class which showcases the fastest motorcycles in the NEMRR paddock, reaching speeds in excess of 150mph down the 1200 foot front straight of New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The highlight of the weekend is the Loudon Classic by Mayhew Tools, which is presented in 2021 by Motorace and NHMS. Expect a field of 30 or more middleweight machines to battle wheel to wheel for 20 laps in a contest of speed, skill and tire management. Expect a host of hungry entrants from all over the East Coast to join an epic battle between past winners Scott Greenwood and Shane Narbonne on their 600cc machines. Other riders to watch over the course of the racing action this weekend will be current Moto America Superstars Ben Gloddy and Teagg Hobbs, home grown Granite State NEMRR riders who have both been winners at the highest level of road racing in the United States this season.

Spectators are welcome to observe free of charge from either the Concord Grandstands or the Turn 6 viewing area, and pit passes that provide full access to the paddock, winners circle and all inside viewing areas are available at the gate for $15/day or $25/weekend.

A video link that highlights some of the classic riders can be found here:

This Thursday, June 17th, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to vote on David Chipman’s nomination for ATF Director. If approved, his nomination would then be sent to the full U.S. Senate for a final confirmation vote. During Chipman’s nomination hearing on May 26th, he admitted that he supports not only a ban on commonly owned firearms, but thinks we should have more restrictive gun control than the European Union! We are asking that you please contact your Senators and urge them to oppose David Chipman as ATF Director by clicking the red button below.

CLICK TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS

As if Chipman’s history as a gun control advocate and his desire to ban the most commonly owned firearms in this country wasn’t bad enough, he also has a strong disregard for the facts surrounding “Assault Weapons”. Since the 1994 “Clinton Assault Weapons Ban”, there have been numerous government-run studies proving these bans to be ineffective, but these facts don’t seem to matter to Chipman, as he has repeatedly demonstrated.

If you have already sent your Senators an email, please take some time to give them a call as well. You can call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224- 3121 and they can connect you with your Senator’s office, or you can look up your Senator’s information on this chart.

NRA-ILA Grassroots Programs & Campaign Field Operations
http://www.nrailafrontlines.com/

by Graeme Jones from https://www.rideapart.com

Computer-assisted clutch would open up new possibilities.

Recent filings with the US Patent Office reveal that Honda is working on a clutch-by-wire system that has the potential to bring some pretty noteworthy tech advances to motorcycles. Patent filings aren’t very easy to understand nor digest, so here’s a Clutch-by-Wire For Dummies version of the basics.

Think about it like a ride-by-wire throttle system, which replaced the age-old throttle cable with an electronic setup. Ride-by-wire, or throttle-by-wire, uses sensors and actuators that control the fuel injectors rather than a cable controlling carbs. Similarly, Honda’s clutch-by-wire system would eliminate the use of a clutch cable or conventional hydraulic setup entirely. Instead, the clutch lever’s position would be monitored electronically, and that data would be fed to the clutch, telling it what to do without any physical connection between the lever and the clutch itself.

Sounds simple, and yet… whoa.

The patent drawings show a hydraulic pressure control unit, which would serve as the heart of this system. In addition to gear lever position, this unit would be fed instantaneous data from the ride-by-wire system like rpm, throttle position, and vehicle speed. The most obvious result would be improved shifting and smoother clutch operation at slower speeds, great for newer riders and possibly something that could bring new blood into the sport.

For experienced riders that still want the usual lever feel, Honda’s got a “reactive force generation device” to replicate the feel of a conventional clutch lever.

According to the patent drawings, this system will employ a traditional clutch lever setup on the handlebar. Hydraulic pressure would still be used to engage the clutch, albeit via an electric motor rather than any direct physical connection from your hand. Neat, huh?

What’s the point, you ask? Well, in theory, this type of setup opens up many possibilities. Like ride-by-wire—which has brought us things like riding modes, traction control and launch control—Honda’s clutch-by-wire will be able to recognize when the clutch lever position isn’t optimal compared to wheel speed, rpm, etc. Smoother, more precise shifts are an obvious reward to this setup, but think about launch control: the motorcycle can now incorporate clutch lever position in addition to existing data like rpm, speed and even wheelie height to further optimize acceleration.

Given Honda’s success with the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) setup, we see no reason why this technology won’t become reality in the near future.

The Final Escape to the Badlands

A buddy of mine came over yesterday. He’s from the old school Chicago streets and he’s a riddled with wild stories. He just bought a book about the Hangmen MC from back in the ’60s. For a minute I met and rode with some Hangmen and Outlaws, in Long Beach. They weren’t associated with the gang back east.

In the early club days, a group of riders would just pick up whatever club name they thought was cool and run with it. Sorta the deal applied to the Berdo Hells Angels and the bay area group.

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by Daniel Patrascu from https://www.autoevolution.com

Steve McQueen was an alumni of non-profit organisation Boys Republic and this motorcycle has the unique serial number matching from his bike.

Triumph Scrambler 1200 Steve McQueen Selling for Charity with Unique Perks

In April 2021, British bike maker Triumph announced the launch of the “highest specification Scrambler 1200 produced to date.” We’re talking about the limited edition Steve McQueen version, scheduled to hit the market this month.

One of them is being auctioned off by Triumph, via the Mecum sale in Monterey in August, to benefit a non-profit dedicated to troubled youngsters. The California-based organization is called Boys Republic, and Steve McQueen himself was a 1946 alumnus of the group.

The bike to be sold is serial number 0278, a number that matches the number plate McQueen used on his bike in the 1964 International Six Days Trial. Moreover, it is being sold with a unique certificate of authenticity with the signatures of Steve’s son, Chad, and Triumph CEO Nick Bloor.

As an extra perk, the buyer of the motorcycle will also receive an invitation to the annual dinner of the Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show.

Other than that, the bike is just like the other 999 slotted for production. It was designed to be reminiscent of the Triumph TR used in the 1963 movie The Great Escape, and comes powered by a 1200cc Bonneville twin engine.

The two-wheeler comes painted in Competition Green, like all others of its breed, but also boasts gold lining and heritage Triumph logos. Engine protection dresser bars, pressed aluminum radiator guard with laser etched Triumph branding, and a brown bench seat with stitched ribbing are also part of the deal.

Unlike the bike it is inspired by though, this one comes with a few modern-day appointments, including LED lighting, the My Triumph connectivity system, keyless ignition, and single-button cruise control.

There is no estimate on how much the motorcycle is expected to fetch during the auction, but it will probably be more than the $16,400 the bike maker is asking for the rest of the bikes in the series.

by Naoko Funayama from https://www.wmur.com

The 98th Annual Laconia Motorcycle Week kicked off on Saturday with big crowds, nice weather and COVID-19 vaccinations.

A National Guard Tent was set up at the rally headquarters to distribute the vaccine.

“We’re just appreciative of the opportunity to serve the state of New Hampshire. This is the highest level that we can do as Guardsmen for our state is to serve us in a public need,” said Staff Sgt. Dante Davis Jr. of the Army National Guard. “It’s just the sincere appreciation of not only our state but just Americans all around the world.

Event organizers also set up hand sanitizer stations to make hand sanitizer readily available.

COVID-19 guidelines weren’t the only safety guidelines event organizers emphasized this year. Organizers have asked Granite Staters to be cautious of traffic and speed, and ask that people try to maintain a safe distance from bikes when driving.

Twisted Road offers choice of classic motorcycles from popular brands
by Nick Marietta from www.twistedroad.com

Vintage motorcycles that have stood the test of time. While the mechanics of motorcycles have changed through the years, riders’ love of the open road has not — and you can rent one of these classic beauties on Twisted Road now to go explore.

These two-wheeled collector items never go out of style and, for that, we are grateful. There are more of these timeless beauties to be found on Twisted Road so take a trip down memory lane (literally, rent a bike and take a road trip) with these ever classic motorcycles — rent them while you can.

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by Emila Smith

It is hard to think about silver linings amidst a devastating pandemic. However, despite the crumbling health systems and faltering businesses, many people have found ways to keep their heads up. They are taking this as an opportunity to enjoy a COVID-triggered breath of fresh air.

The pandemic has kick-started a global motorcycle boom. More people are turning to their two-wheelers to break away from the stress and fears, enjoy the outdoors, and ease movement.

According to a Bloomberg report, motorcycle industry leaders are optimistic. Eric Pritchard of the Motorcycle Industry Council looked forward to the best run since 2016. Like tech-based companies, motorcycle companies look forward to explosive growth during this COVID-19 season.

But what are the reasons behind this motorcycle boom?

As the experts at McKinsey would say, “The pandemic reshaped what consumers buy and how they go about getting it.” Previously, motorcycle sales were low because people considered it a risky affair. Bike riders had a disproportionately high number of accidents, and people were grey concerning handling injury and claims. But it looks like the tide is turning. The pandemic has somehow caused a shift in how people perceive motorcycling. It is no longer a stressful, hair-raising activity, but one pursued its health benefits.

Read on and learn how wellness-craving buyers are causing a motorcycle boom.

A COVID-Triggered Breath of Life
Before the pandemic, dark clouds were hanging over the motorcycle industry in the US. There were not enough new buyers to replace those who were giving up their two-wheelers. According to  Statista.com, sales peaked in 2015 when industry sales stood at about 500,000 units. But the figures plummeted in subsequent years. Motorcycle companies like Harley Davidson were on the deathbed for a long time.

But then COVID-19 happened. Lockdowns, social distancing, and other containment measures meant stress. Mental and physical wellness were the words that would inject new hope into the struggling industry, and the global sales figures show it.

In Asia and Europe, motorcycle companies in countries like China, Germany, and the Netherlands surpassed their year-on-year growth projections. Overall, global industry leaders anticipate that the two-wheeler market will grow from about $74billion (a rate of 5.3%). There are economic reasons behind this growth as well as social motivations.

Growth in Supporting Businesses
The COVID-driven growth of e-commerce is primarily due to the shift to working from home. As people stay at home, the demand for courier services is surging.

Whether it is Uber eats or Deliveroo, motorcycles are the preferred transport solution for courier services. During the pandemic, industry leaders like Uber eats have reported exceptional growth, triggering an increase in the number of riders. The same was the case for Deliveroo in London. They added 15,000 new riders.

But it’s not only economic reasons that are driving the motorcycle boom. Riding a motorcycle can improve a person’s well-being. We think this takes the chunk of why the pandemic kick-started the motorcycle boom, and here is how.

Motorcycles are An Affordable Escape from COVID-19 Worries
Lockdowns and the demand to stay at home or work from home cause fatigue and tension. People need ways to blow off the steam, and motorcycles provide an excellent route to achieve relief.

Biking is an affordable way to escape the tumults of urban lifestyles and get lost in the open spaces of the countryside. The release and joy of riding is an excellent remedy for stress and tension.

According to the Bloomberg report, dealers in “open space states” like California, some regions in Florida, and Kentucky have experienced exponential sales in the last couple of months. Industry leaders have particularly noted an increase in demand for outdoor and adventure models.

Enthusiasm to Explore
As the pandemic continues to devastate lives and communities, people are turning to new ways to cope. More people are channeling their dreams and pains through their two-wheeled companions.

Many Americans have turned to their two-wheeled companions for stress relief and to build a sense of community. Founders of women’s biking movements, Kelly Yazdi and Porsche Taylor, told cntraveler.com how they saw this as an opportunity to inspire women to ride across the country and help ‘sisters’ cope. And it is driving the average number of riders up.

An Excellent Way to Commute
Travelling within cities and other urban spaces is often marred by traffic jams. Many people detest the downtime and opt to use public transport. However, COVID-19 rendered public transport a not-very-safe way to travel.

Many people who opted not to stay confined in cars chose motorcycles, driving the numbers up. Two-wheelers became a natural choice for urban dwellers who wanted to get to their destinations fast without compromising social distance or other COVID containment measures.

Riding is not only safer but also a faster way to get to your destination. Although lane splitting is not legal in many parts of the US, there is no doubt that it is easier to weave through traffic gridlocks when on a motorcycle. Every month motorcycle riders in London save an average of seven hours and about 140 (about $198) on their commute. Saving time and money has a tremendous positive impact on mental wellness. It is a good reason why the motorcycle figures are staying up.

Makes Environmental Sense
Beating traffic feels awesome; doing it while you are going green also boosts your mental wellness.

The carbon footprint of manufacturing and operating a motorcycle is a fraction of that of a motor vehicle. Manufacturing and running an electric bike leaves an even smaller carbon footprint. Environmentally sensitive buyers are aware of this, and they are saying they want more bikes through their wallets.

The pandemic inspired a 145% growth in electric bike sales in the US. They get to their destination faster, boosting their mood, and they feel good about the environment.

Bottom Line
Behind the pandemic-driven boom is the need for overall wellness. People have realized that biking is not the high-risk activity they perceived it to be. But by observing the safety guidelines and learning a thing or two about handling injury and compensation, riding a motorcycle can turn into a mentally rewarding pastime.

The wellness rewards of riding have kick-started the motorcycle boom.