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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 2008-09 INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOWS NATIONWIDE
Interactive Web Site Offers Lowest Ticket Price Available
The Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows® presented by Toyota kicks-off its 28th season with discounted tickets now available at the lowest price – online at www.MotorcycleShows.com. This is also a hub for information about the series of shows, which promise to deliver the latest and greatest in two-wheel transport and fun.
“Last year’s launch of the online discount tickets was a huge success and we are excited to bring it back for the upcoming 13-city series,” said Group Show Director Jeff D’Entremont. “Motorcycle fans and new riders interested in learning more about riding are encouraged to visit the site and buy tickets early at this special discounted price and check out all that’s in store for the coming year.”
The International Motorcycle Shows Web site houses, news, product information, interactive video clips, and in depth coverage of the shows across the country. The site also includes complete event and exhibitor information for each of the 13 shows.
From New York to California, this motorcycle extravaganza is an all access pass to the world of motorcycling with hundreds of the latest street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, scooters, ATVs, watercraft, and more, as well as vintage bikes, custom choppers, the largest ever fleet of manufacturer sponsored demo rides, fashion shows, and new interactive seminars. IMS shows also give motorcycle lovers of all ages the opportunity to check out the latest gear and aftermarket accessories and see live-action entertainment.
For more information call 800/331-5706 or visit www.MotorcycleShows.com.
LEGENDARY ACE CAFE IN STURGIS
Celebrating 70th Anniversary at Champions Park on Lazelle Street
Ace Cafe London Ltd. will bring the legendary gathering spot for millions of motorcyclists, the Ace Cafe, to Champions Park on Lazelle Street, during the annual Sturgis rally this week. The Ace Cafe will be a part of the Champions Park entertainment complex along with The Official World Championship of Custom Bike Building, Champions Park vendor row, and the S&S Cycle 50th Anniversary celebration.
"Our vision has always been to have Champions Park as a center of activity on Lazelle St. during the Rally", says AMD Publisher/Owner Robin Bradley. "We have always wanted to bring something to Sturgis that would be iconic for all bikers and what better than the Ace Cafe."
Originally opened as a 24-hour road side cafe in 1938, the Ace Cafe quickly began to draw motorcyclists who would hang out, fix bikes and listen to music. The height of the site’s popularity came in the 1950’s and 60’s with the "Ton Up Boys" and "Rockers" who established the Ace Cafe as a cultural center for rock and roll and motorcycles in England. The Ace Cafe was also the birthplace of many motorcycle clubs and the legend of "record racing," where riders would race one another by dropping a coin in the jukebox and race to a certain point and back before the end of the song. The cafe was closed in 1969 due to cultural changes, growth in the car market and the expanding highway system in and around London.
Re-opened in 1997 by Mark Wilsmore, with a major refurbishment in 2001, the Ace Cafe is once again the center of motorcycling for a new generation of enthusiasts. Hosting bike gatherings, hot rod and car clubs, rock n’ roll bands and industry events such as the recent S&S Cycle X-Wedge European launch, the Ace is, once again, the motorcycling destination in England.
"We are very excited, thrilled and honored with the opportunity, in this the cafe's 70th anniversary year, to not only be present at the world renowned and legendary Sturgis Rally, but also to be able to play our part at the prestigious World Championship of Custom Bike Building", says Mark Wilsmore, Managing Director.
The Ace Cafe will be open the entire week of the Sturgis Rally -- Sunday, August 3rd through Saturday August 9th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Champions Park and the Ace Cafe will be located at 3rd and Lazelle St. in Sturgis.
Piaggio Recalls Moto Guzzi Norge And Aprilia Tuono Models
In cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Piaggio USA voluntarily recalled a combined 1,623 Moto Guzzi Norge and Aprilia Tuono motorcycles because of fuel pump and electrical defects, according to the NHTSA.
The company recalled nearly 1,000 model years 2005-2007 Aprilia Tuono 1000 R and RSV 1000. Piaggio USA also recalled more than 600 model years 2007-2008 Moto Guzzi Norge motorcycles.
A defective fuel hose connection might cause Aprilia Tuono models to stall, increasing the risk of injury or death to the rider. A wiring malfunction in Moto Guzzi models might cause the motorcycle’s main fuse to blow, creating a loss of electrical power and also causing the engine to stall. Posted 07/28/08.
Buddy & Bob Arrive In Times Square!
Rosenbaum, left, and Chase
New York, July 14 -- Four weeks, 14 states, 500 cities, and more than 3,400 miles -- all for only $276 in gas money.
Bernard "Buddy" Rosenbaum, 71, from New York City, and Bob Chase, 72, of San Francisco, proving that in the world of motorcycling there really is "No Age Limit," rolled into drizzly Times Square on Monday after crossing the country on a pair of Piaggio MP3 500 scooters.
"The next time I come into New York through the Lincoln Tunnel with a police escort is when I'm elected President," Rosenbaum cracked to the crowd.
The friends set out from San Francisco on June 13, tackling the legendary Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental highway in the US. Buddy and Bob arrived in Times Square, the eastern terminus of the route, to a warm reception from a crowd made up of members of the Scooter Club of New York, representatives of Piaggio USA including President Paolo Timoni, and dozens of curious onlookers and tourists in town for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. There were also a number of journalists from news organizations such as CNN, AP, Forbes, BusinessWeek, and RoadBike magazine.
"No Age Limit" was the name of Piaggio’s promotion, and the adage proved true. Buddy and Bob traveled about 150 miles per day on their MP3s, staying at local bed & breakfasts along the way for a more down-home experience. Read all about Buddy and Bob’s experience on their travel blog, see photos from the trip, and trace the route of the Lincoln Highway at www.NoAgeLimitPiaggio.US. Posted 07/21/08.
70-Somethings On Cross-Country Scooter Trek
As we celebrate our nation’s independence this Fourth of July, let’s give a united "woo-hoo" to those early innovators who envisioned the benefits of connecting our East and West coasts and all the beautiful spots in between with a network of paved highways and byways. The historic Lincoln Highway was the first American transcontinental highway. It stretches from San Francisco to New York City, and it continues to charm travelers from around the world -- including two 70-something adventures on scooters.
As of yesterday, Bob Chase and Buddy Rosenbaum are deep in the heartland on Piaggio MP3s. You can see the latest photos, video, posts, 3-D maps and blogs at www.NoAgeLimitPiaggio.us/
You can check out where they’ve been and where they’re headed, including mini video travelogues of their experiences along the way -- like yesterday’s meeting with some big American V-Twin equipped riders.
 America’s sheer geographic magnitude continues to leave the guys in awe -- at the end of yesterday’s ride, Buddy writes:
"The Lincoln Highway demonstrates the development of roadside lodging. It’s progressed from campgrounds to bare cabins, from bare cabins to cabins with facilities and eventually motels. Our last night’s stay at Reed/Niland’s Corner, in Colo, at the junction of the Lincoln & Jefferson Highways (the Jeff runs from Ottawa to N’awlins) thoroughly immersed us in the Lincoln Highway tradition. The motel/cafe was perhaps the first 24 hour one-stop with gas, food and lodging. The pioneering spirits of the Lincoln Highway were with me last night."
Ride on, Buddy and Bob. Posted 7/11/08
848 Superbike Ducati’s Fastest-Selling Model Ever
Ducati announced recently that its middleweight champ 848 Superbike has become the brand’s fastest-selling model in the company's storied history. Unveiled in Milan last November (and slated for a review in the pages of RoadBike soon!) the 848 is a lighter, more affordable alternative to Ducati’s 1098 Superbike.
Since its release six months ago, more than 1,200 848 Superbikes have been sold in North America, accounting for at least 20 percent of Ducati’s overall sales.
"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." Ducati has won fourteen World Superbike titles and more individual victories than the competition put together.
Founded in 1926, Ducati produces motorcycles in five market segments: Superbike, Hypermotard, Monster, SportClassic, and Multistrada. The Company’s motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japanese and North American markets. RB Posted 06/03/08
NASCAR's Kyle Petty To Auction Motorcycle For Charity
 Kyle Petty, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, along with Bruce Rossmeyer, CEO of 15 Harley-Davidson locations including the world’s largest dealership located at Destination Daytona, have teamed up to auction off a special edition motorcycle this Fourth of July weekend.
Petty will auction off Motorcycle #60 of the NASCAR 60th Anniversary Motorcycle Series to benefit Petty’s charity for terminally and chronically ill children, the Victory Junction Gang Camp. The auction will take place on-line through the NASCAR Foundation’s web site starting on July 3rd at 12:01 a.m. at the NASCAR Foundation’s web site, and will continue through July 14th at 12 p.m. On-site bids will be taken at the kiosks at the Destination Daytona/NASCAR tent outside the Turn 4 tunnel (near the SPEED Channel Stage) from July 3rd through July 5th.
For more information, visit www.Foundation.NASCAR.com or www.VictoryJunction.org.
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is celebrating 60 years in 2008. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in more than 30 languages. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 US states, Canada, and Mexico.
Bruce Rossmeyer currently owns 15 Harley-Davidson locations, including the new Daytona Harley-Davidson located in Ormond Beach at Destination Daytona, the World’s Largest Harley-Davidson dealership. Posted June 06, 2008
AMA Discounts At Choice Hotels This Summer
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced a new benefit for the Association's nearly 300,000 members: a 15 percent discount at participating Choice Hotels.
"Choice Hotels is one of the largest hotel franchisors in the world and the AMA benefit applies to nearly 5,000 hotels across the United States and around the globe," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "We are thrilled to announce this relationship and benefit program with Choice Hotels to our AMA members."
AMA members will now be able to save money at the following hotels: Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, MainStay Suites®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, Econo Lodge® and Rodeway Inn® (subject to availability; not to be combined with any other discount or offer).
"Whether you're on a motorcycle tour, traveling to an AMA race or just on a family vacation, we expect lots of AMA members will be taking advantage of this member benefit,'' said Mary Sarkis, regional vice president of marketing programs at Choice Hotels. "And with so many hotels to choose from, you can find a place to spend the night that's just right for you and at a significant discount.''
AMA members can redeem their 15 percent discount whenever they make reservations through the Choice Hotels website, www.ChoiceHotels.com, or by calling the toll-free reservations number, 800/258-2847, and supplying a special AMA ID number.
Not an AMA member yet? Log on to Member Services at www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com and learn about the many benefits of AMA membership, including American Motorcyclist magazine, MoTow roadside assistance, insurance discounts and special product offers. Becoming a member of the only organization in America that is protecting and promoting the motorcycle lifestyle costs just $39 a year and pays for itself over and over again. Posted 6/17/08
Women & Motorcycling Event Taking Place at Ohio Bike Week
"Women Riders: No Limits!" June 12-14
The largest women and motorcycling event to hit Ohio in recent years is taking place during Ohio Bike Week. "Women Riders: No Limits" presented by Motolight is a three-day mini-conference focusing on educating and entertaining female riders. It happens on June 12-14 during Ohio Bike Week, a weeklong rally taking place in Sandusky, Ohio from June 6-15. Ohio Bike Week has attracted more than 100,000 people in recent years to the week-long rally. "Women Riders: No Limits" is organized by Genevieve Schmitt, columnist for our sister publication American Iron Magazine.
"Women Riders: No Limits! presented by Motolight is all about showing women riders that there are no limits to what they want to do when it comes to motorcycling," says Schmitt, president of Women Riders Now. "The event will give attendees the opportunity to learn how to become a better rider, and more about motorcycling through informative seminars and by meeting other riders. It also gives them a chance to visit with vendors offering female focused products all in one area."
The event consists of three days of women-focused vendors with a day-long slate of four seminars on Friday, June 13. The seminars are: "Know Your Motorcycle: an introduction to motorcycle maintenance," presented by Sara Liberte of Garage-Girls.com; "Lifting a Downed Bike & Other Confidence Builders"; "Secrets from Veteran Riders: Lessons Learned the Hard Way," consisting of a panel of esteemed female long distance riders and moderated by Schmitt; and "Be the Best Rider You Can Be: Street Survival Strategies," by Susan Rzepka Orion, an MSF Rider Coach and WomenRidersNow.com Riding Right columnist. The seminars are free and open to both women and men. The event takes place inside the Sandusky State Theater at 107 Columbus Ave. in Sandusky, Ohio.
There is a kick-off reception on Thursday, June 12 at 5 p.m. inside the Sandusky State Theater. There will be door prizes and giveaways, and the Motorcycle Hall of Fame traveling women's exhibit will be set up in the lobby of the theater. Again, the event is free and open to all. For more information visit www.WomenRidersNow.com and www.OhioBikeWeek.com.
Antique Motorcycle Club of America Gallery -- AACA Museum in Hershey, PA
The Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA) is pleased to announce its new partnership with the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum. To celebrate this alliance, they are proud to announce the new exhibit “MOTORCYCLES 1884-1973,” opening on Sunday, June 8. The AACA Museum facility will be the new international headquarters for the AMCA and will also serve as an exciting location for special antique motorcycle events and social gatherings.
The antique motorcycle exhibits will be located within the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey, Pennsylvania. Initially, 30-40 rare motorcycles will be on exhibit, the majority of which will be displayed in the new AMCA Gallery; however, don’t miss the chance to see these period-correct motorcycles intermingled with more than 100 historic automobiles in the eight-decade Time Line exhibit. Other museum highlights include:
- The largest collection of historic buses under one roof in the country;
- Recreated turn of the century machine shop and 1940’s gas station;
- 1950’s Drive-In theater scene (new for 2008);
- Cars from the 1930’s – 1950’s used in the movie The Good Shepherd;
- Special summer exhibit: “Fins! The Rise and Fall of the Tail Fin in American Automotive Design”;
- Interactive photo area with cars you can sit in and motorcycles you can pose on.
The Antique Auto Museum at Hershey, a member of the Smithsonian Institute Affiliations Program, displays beautifully restored automobiles in unique scenes and settings. This Museum is one of the nation’s newest and largest automotive museums, located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Regular admission $9, seniors age 61 and older $8, juniors age 4-12 $7, children age 3 and under are free. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For further information, call 717/566-7100 or visit www.AACAMuseum.org.
For information on joining the Antique Motorcycle Club of America please visit www.AntiqueMotorcycle.org or call Marilyn Hostetler 952/472-2622. The AMCA is actively seeking loaned or donated motorcycles for future exhibitions in the AMCA Gallery within the Antique Auto Museum at Hershey; please contact AMCA Acting Business Development Manager Geoff Ringlé via email GeoffAMCA@aol.com, or AMCA President Rocky Halter at Ha4280280@aol.com for more info.
CONQUERR RAISES $84,000 FOR CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMOR RESEARCH
Minnesota motorcyclist wins extraordinary custom bike
The ConqueRR is the most successful Ride for Kids® International Motorcycle Shows giveaway bike in history, raising more than $84,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation's medical research and family support programs.
The lucky winner is Steve Solberg of Hopkins, Minn., who purchased his tickets on the Ride for Kids® website last January.
Plans for the next motorcycle giveaway are in the works. See the bike in person at the 2008-09 International Motorcycle Shows, which get underway this fall. Many thanks to everyone who participated in the ConqueRR drawing, and to sponsors International Motorcycle Shows, the American Honda Motor Co., and Roland Sands Design. With your help, we're that much closer to a cure for childhood brain tumors. Thank you from the kids!
About the PBTF Ride for Kids®
Since 1984, the national Ride for Kids® program and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) have promoted childhood brain tumor research and provided family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. With the help of America's motorcycling community, the PBTF has become the world's largest non-governmental source of funding for childhood brain tumor research.
The 25th PBTF Ride for Kids® season continues across America all summer long. To find the Ride For Kids near you, go to www.RideForKids.org or call 800/253-6530. Posted 05/22/08.
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