MotorcycleInsurance.com » Motorcycle Expos

Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show Heads North to Minneapolis

Todd Halterman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:26:58 +0000

Last weekend almost 50,000 motorcycle maniacs from around the Midwest descended on Clevelandfor the Progressive International Motorcycle Shows – and to take in the eighth round of the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

Jon Shipley’s “Whiskey Bent,” which sports a copper oil tank fed by some hilland-holler country copper tubing, an antique brass headlight and a wooden bar stool for a seat, took the FreeStyle Class Ultimate Builder winner prize.

“Whiskey Bent,” created by Hoosier Daddy Customs out of Louisville, KY, moves down the road courtesy of a 1000cc 1977 Ironhead V-Twin engine. With a jockey shifter and a wooden handle topped by a shot glass, “Whiskey Bent” is built around a custom frame and the swingarm was stretched to match the lines of the frame, all details which cap off the vintage look.

Shipley put it all together and his stylish effort earned him the three-grand top prize.

Now it’s off to Minneapolis as The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Shows move north this weekend.

Think your bike has what it takes to compete with the masters of motorcycle customs? You’ve got time to enter your bike in the next round of the show, and you can do it by signing on at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show website here…

Photos by Sam Kanish of Iron Works

Tips for Buying Custom Motorcycle Insurance

Custom motorcycles require the correct insurance coverage package to protect what is, after all, a significant investment on your part .

We’re here to help you find the right motorcycle insurance for your custom bike…

Tips for buying motorcycle insurance for your custom:

Collision to pay for damage caused to your vehicle in an accident with another vehicle or any stationary object.
Comprehensive to cover such things as fire, hail, wind, vandalism, hitting an animal, etc.
Towing / Pickup
Medical payment or personal injury protection to cover the medical bills resulting from an accident.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist to protect us when the other driver is at-fault and does not have coverage or assets out of which your bills can be paid.
Additional coverage to replace or repair accessories specific to your bike.

Kurt Sutter Bringing Victory Motorcycles Into the Sons of Anarchy Mix

Todd Halterman — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:39:27 +0000

Kurt Sutter, the mad genius and driving force behind the only American television show dedicated to motorcycle culture which has captured the imagination of U.S. viewers since Then Came Bronson, says it’s time his show reflected the trend for serious club members to switch over to, or at least consider, riding machines from manufacturers other than Harley-Davidson.

Sutter’s gritty biker drama, Sons of Anarchy, is some of the best stuff on television, and his plans for Season 5 should keep pipes hot and grind the chicken strips off the rubber.

“The club is potentially facing a very dangerous foe because of their actions,” Sutter said. “I don’t know the level of threat yet. I’d love to be able to bring in the character of Damon Pope … that has a lot of swag and is just a few steps above the club in terms of influence and connections. I haven’t really given specific thought yet to what that conflict looks like and whether or not it will take precedent over internal conflicts. The internal conflicts will be on a slower boil, it won’t quite be as fast and kinetic as this season was with the cartel and Jax wanting to get out.

Sons of Anarchy will be back September 2012 on FX.

Kurt Sutter

Zach Ness on his custom Victory

Victory Motorcycles unveiled their latest motorcycle for 2013 and two new custom bikes created by Zach Ness and Klock Werks Kustom Cycles.

“This new model features signature Victory style and is inspired by the muscle car era,” according to the company. “Featuring outstanding power and handling, it promises to bring a new level of riding enjoyment to the class and will be comfortable for riders of all sizes.”

Victory handed over the first 2013 pre-production bike off the line and handed it over to Ness to apply his signature touches.

What Ness came up with is based around a new, high-quality chassis and the handling which is a Victory hallmark.

“I had to spend a weekend riding the new bike around the hills outside of Dublin to get a real feel for this bike,” said Ness, the grandson of custom builder and motorcycle legend, Arlen Ness. “We actually delayed starting to build the bike because there was so much inspiration gained after riding the stock machine — it changed completely what I first thought I was going to build.”

A Day In the Sun – Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Features Bikes Worth Millions

Todd Halterman — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:23:38 +0000

1929 Scott Squirrel

The Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction, starts this weekend and the catalog is chock full of amazing – and potentially pricey - motorcycles up for grabs.

From Ducatis to Harleys to classic machines from the pages of motorcycling history, the Las Vegas Auction features several expected to go for more than $100,000.

A group of the leading practitioners in the world of collectible motorcycles (and two members of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Hall of Fame) will be on hand to share their collective expertise at an exclusive market seminar presented by Auctions America by RM its debut Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle event, Jan. 12–14, 2012.

A true pioneer of the motorcycle industry, Sylvester Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts, slapped a steam engine, boiler and bicycle together in 1867 and he came up with may well become the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction at the end of this week.

A complete commercial flop, Roper’s second motorcycle, due mostly to its provenance and age, was based on a Columbia bicycle frame.

According to historians, Roper used this bike as a “daily rider” and actually died in the saddle. Accounts published in the Boston Globe say Roper suffered a fatal heart attack while riding the bike on auction this weekend at the Charles River track in Greater Boston.

Roper took his steam-powered beast around three laps that track in just over one minute – and set a new track record before enjoying his last ride while stunned spectators looked on, the 72 year old fell stone dead from the seat of his ill-fated, but now legendary, motorcycle.

1964 DUCATI 250 F3 CORSA

Estimated Auction Price $125,000

Fabio Taglioni, was a talented designer of fast motorcycles. In the 1950′s, Taglioni developed an overhead cam lightweight with desmodromic valves that became the bike to beat in international lightweight racing.”

1916 POPE

Estimated Auction Price $175,000

The 1912 Pope was the first V-twin to sport overhead valves made by a major manufacturer. The 1916 Pope has a three speed sliding gear transmission and a plunger rear suspension, something that was unheard of at the time.

1915 HARLEY-DAVIDSON FACTORY BOARD TRACK RACER

Estimated Auction Price $140,000

The 1915 Harley Board Track Racer was one of the original racing machines. Las Vegas Auctions writes: This time capsule is reportedly the earliest known Harley-Davidson factory team board racer. Serial number M503J identifies the bike. The frame carries number 505 and the engine number is 503. A unique opportunity to acquire a truly historical machine.

1929 SCOTT SQUIRREL

Estimated Auction Price $135,000

One of the most technologically advanced machine of its day, the Scott Squirrel was a liquid-cooled vertical twin two-stroke. This particular Scott Squirrel is in excellent condition and could blow away the estimated price?Why? Because this Scott Squirrel was once owned by Steve McQueen.

1910 Flying Merkel

Estimated Auction Price $200,000

The 1910 Flying Merkel has an estimated value of $200,000, but bidders could walk away with the motorcycle for much less as the Las Vegas Auction is not placing a reserve on this motorcycle.

“Exceptionally nice and very current restoration performed on a very complete motorcycle. The 1910 model is one of the rarest of all Flying Merkel’s with the one year only external oil pump mounted on the engine case. The Flying Merkel was a short lived brand with production starting around the turn of the century and ending in 1915. Many famous named such as Maldwin Jones, Don Johns and others raced the Flying Merkel to many race wins on the oval board tracks around the world.”

1928 BROUGH SUPERIOR SS 100

Estimated Auction Price $275,000

The Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction features plenty of noteworthy motorcycles, but the big ticket item this year is the 1928 Brough Superior SS 1000.

Considered the most desirable Brough Superior model, this SS100 is powered by its original 980cc, short-stroke V-twin engine.”

Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction Dates & Times

Thursday, January 12, 2012
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday, January 13, 2012
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday, January 14, 2012
9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Preview Dates & Times

Thursday, January 12, 2012
8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday, January 13, 2012
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Saturday, January 14, 2012
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission
Full Event Pass – $50
Single Day Pass – $20

You can see more motorcycles from the Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction here.

Insuring your collectible or vintage motorcycle

As for insurance for your collectible motorcycle? You should be able to get Agreed Value coverage on a classic 1959 BSA Gold Star Catalina valued at $15,000 for somewhere around $25 a month, and that gives you the whole shooting match of coverage.

You can spend a lot less, but if you plan to ride the bikes in your collection, the above pricing is a reasonable approximation of what you can expect to pay.

Progressive International Motorcycle Shows Are Heading Your Way And Bringing the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show

Todd Halterman — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:14:20 +0000

This series of traveling shows features a gear and accessory marketplace, hands-on tutorials, demo rides, and custom bike displays.

And the best part of the whole deal? The Progressive’s 2011 International Motorcycle Shows feature new bikes and personalities from the world of motorcycling sure to pique your interest.

The show travels to:

Novi, MI (January 6-8, 2012)
Washington, DC (January 13-15, 2012)
New York, NY (January 20-22, 2012)
Cleveland, OH (January 27-29, 2012)
Minneapolis, MN (February 3-5, 2012)
Chicago, IL (February 10-12, 2012)
Charlotte, NC (February 24-26, 2012)
Daytona Beach, FL (March 14-17, 2012)

Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show

If a great bike show isn’t enough to get you out in the snow, then how about a traveling buildoff which features the world’s leading builders of customized bikes – and offers the largest prize purse of any builder competition on earth - the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show.

If you make the scene, you’ll get access to the foremost custom bike building competition on the planet where you can see some incredible designs, precise engineering and painstakingly wrought paint-jobs. You’ll have the chance to meet the artists, maybe get an autographs or a picture (if that’s how you roll), and then take part in the great American biker democracy by voting for your favorite machine.

MotorcycleUSA.com is the official sponsor of the “People’s Choice” voting center in this year’s Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show, and they’re giving away – yup, giving away - a customized 2011 Honda Fury to the lucky person at the end of the 2011-2012 Progressive International Motorcycle Show season. If you check out the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show and vote for the “People’s Choice” award, you’re automatically entered to win the MotorcycleUSA Honda Fury

The official rules for the MotorcycleUSA.com Honda Fury Giveaway are right HERE…

If you have the skills and the sack for it, you can compete with the best custom motorcycle builders in the world simply by entering your bike into one of four competition classes – Freestyle, Hot Bike Modified Harley, Super Streetbike Performance Custom or Retro Mod.

Do it here now by submitting your form:

Step 1) Click HERE to Enter

Step 2) Click HERE to Pay Your Entry Fee

Official Rules Page – Click Here

All Competition Details – Click Here

Most Expensive Motorcycle in History at Las Vegas Collector Motorcycle Auction in January

Todd Halterman — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:30:29 +0000

Lee Hartung’s 1913 Flying Merkel

The Lee Hartung auction saw Lee’s unmolested 1913 Flying Merkel sell for $201,250 at Auctions America’s Hartung Collection auction Nov. 3-5, 2011 in suburban Chicago, and I can tell you from making the trip that it was hardly the only desirable collector bike on the property that day.

A group of the world’s leading experts in collectible motorcycles and two members of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Hall of Fame will be on hand to share their wisdom at an exclusive market seminar presented by Auctions America by RM its debut Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle event, Jan. 12–14, 2012.

This 1894 Roper Steam Motorcycle is expected to fetch half a million dollars at auction in January in Las Vegas – Photo by Todd Halterman

Hosted by well-known motorcycle guru and SPEED commentator Dave Despain, the one-hour seminar will be held in the main auction arena at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino on Saturday, Jan. 14, at 9 a.m. PDT.

The panel discussion will focus on the passion that drives the motorcyclists, including the continuing popularity of motorcycles as collectibles. They’ll also talk about market trends and predictions for the 2012 auction season.

The session will conclude with a Q&A with members of the audience, so you’ll get a chance to speak with the pros.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Dave Despain and our special guest panelists to Vegas as we work to provide an unforgettable event experience for motorcycle enthusiasts,” said Donnie Gould of Auctions America by RM. “Despain and each of our four panelists are among the best in their fields. The seminar promises an interesting and lively discussion, while providing a wealth of information about the collector motorcycle hobby.”

The panel includes:

Dave Despain, a 40-year broadcaster; Despain has been called the best-known TV personality in the history of motorcycling and is a member of the AMA Hall of Fame;
Mark Hoyer, lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and editor-in-chief of Cycle World magazine;
Doug Mitchel, regular Motorcycle Classics contributor and noted motorcycle photographer and author; Mitchel published his first book in 1994 and has since created more than 30 titles;
Buzz Walneck, founder of Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader and AMA Hall of Fame member; and
Joe Bortz, prominent classic car and vintage motorcycle collector; Bortz’s motorcycles have been featured in multiple magazines, including Motorcycle Classics.

“The collector motorcycle hobby continues to evolve,” said Despain. “Auctions America’s panel discussion will allow us to share personal anecdotes and stories about motorcycles that have touched or changed our lives. It’s a wonderful opportunity for both serious and amateur enthusiasts to learn more about the current state and future outlook for the hobby.”

But the real star of Saturday’s auction program is the the sale of a historic 1894 Roper Steam Motorcycle. The second of just two steam-powered motorcycles built by Sylvester Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts, the 117-year-old motorcycle is expected to establish a new world record for a motorcycle sold at auction.

If you want to make the scene, it’ll cost you some scratch just to stand around, gawk and dream.

You can attend the three-day auction by purchasing a full-event pass for $50 or a single-day pass for $20. Children under 12 years of age receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.

Collector car expert Donnie Gould, specializes in the sale of American classics, European sports cars, Detroit muscle, hot rods, customs, and collectible motorcycles.

Thinking about collecting motorcycles or just want to check out a calendar of events? Then visit www.auctionsamerica.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/auctionsamerica, or follow them on Twitter @auctionsamerica.

Insuring your collectible or vintage motorcycle

You can spend a lot less, but if you plan to ride the bikes in your collection, the above pricing is a reasonable approximation of what you can expect to pay.

Milan Is the Center of Fashion And the Motorcycle World – EICMA Product Reviews

Todd Halterman — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:43:14 +0000

The world’s biggest motorcycle show is taking place in Milan, Italy,and that’s where 1,462 bike brands and aftermarket parts brand makers from 43 countries are showcasing their products for the new season.

MV Agusta Brutale 675

Here’s a fast and furious rundown of what’s happening in Milan:

Moto Guzzi:
Famed for their longitudinal V-twin engines, Moto Guzzi brought unveiled a near-complete revision of the 750cc powerplant – and it looks new on the outside as well, with re-imagined valve covers, and larger head and cylinder fins for better air-cooling.

Aprilia:
The company’s SRV 850 makes it the largest displacement scooter on the market. Powered by a 90-degree V-twin which boasts a stunning 76 horsepower, the SRV850 is built for the long haul.

BMW:
The iconic German motor company may be best known for large motorcycles, but BMW rolled out two monster scooters as well with the C 600 Sport and the C 650 GT. Powered by advanced 650cc parallel twin engines with CVT automatics and ABS brakes, these are scooters at the bleeding edge.

Vespa:
The Quarantasei concept scooter is pure Italian with a modern style, retro flair and it’s, for lack of a better word, elegant.

Honda:
Honda believes the DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) that debuted last year with the completely automatic and mini-paddle-shifting VFR1200F is the wave of the future and Honda now features that tranny on four other bikes.

The Integra, while somewhat eccentric, is a cross between a scooter and motorcycle with a nearly step-through and sort of step-over frame, the Integra features a sport-bike diamond frame in steel.

Honda is offers the same 670cc twin-cylinder DCT engine in two different motorcycle packages as well. The NC700S is a naked bike with an upright riding position and steel-tube perimeter frame, and the NC700X has is styled to resemble supermoto machines.

The Crosstour is the company’s new flagship adventure-tourer and it’s also the only V-four in the market segment. Longer travel suspension and styling straight off the Dakar Rally drawing board make this 1,237cc machine capable of navigating dirt roads in the bargain.

Husqvarna:
New Nuda 900 and 900R models scream Supermoto and feature an off-road riding position, longer travel suspension and a skinny parallel-twin powerplant, combined with an optional luggage and wind screen package, make both these models capable commuters and off-road machines in the company tradition.

Husqvarna also rolled out its Moab retro concept scrambler, a 650cc bike which puts together current and classic styling.

KTM:
The Aussies’ leader best known for off-road racers and enduro machines added even more dirt bikes to the company’s lineup – but the real news is a couple of street bike models. The 200 Duke puts the firm’s smaller bikes on steroids, and this bike is aimed at entry-level riders or experienced bikers who want a lightweight, economical machine.

The new 690 Duke offers the same engine specs, but adds almost 500cc more displacement and a coole fly-by-wire throttle control.

A real ground-breaking addition comes in the form of the new Freeride E model, and this one makes KTM the first major motorcycle maker to sell an electric off-road motorcycle. Look out Brammo…

MV Agusta:
Known for complete dominance of Grand Prix racing back in the day, MV Agusta showed the Brutale 675, a naked street bike which boasts an advanced inline triple. The Brutale is a middleweight naked bike with an upright riding position, and it looks real, real fine.

Triumph:
The new 1,215cc Tiger Explorer boasts 137 horsepower from a three-cylinder inline engine, and if that’s not enough to get your adventure-touring blood flowing, it also offers ride-by-wire throttle control, multiple-setting traction control and cruise control.

Yamaha:
Yamaha’s TMAX is a whopping, 530cc machine made to compete with sport bikes. It’s a major update of the model line and features a liquid-cooled, parallel twin with four-valve heads. As far as scooters go, this is the king of the road and the best performing scooter on the market.

Ducati:
Ducati stole the show with the 1199 Panigale. Ducati’s flagship and the lynchpin the firm’s Superbike championship winning heritage, the Panigale features the company’s first totally new engine platform since the creation of the Pantah during the 1980s. A 1.2-liter powerplant is still a 90-degree V-twin with desmodromic valve actuation, the Ducati trademark, but inside the powerplant damn near everything is new. In a departure for the Italian firm, the engine is a stressed member of the chassis and does away with the Ducati standard steel-tube space frame. A cast aluminum monocoque connects steering head to the engine – and that doubles as an airbox.

The Panigale comes in three versions: the 1199, the 1199S and the 1199 Tricolore, whose a red, white and green paint scheme honors Italy’s 150th anniversary.

Buying Your First Bike? The Women’s Guide to Motorcycle Insurance

Whether you ride a sport bike or an American cruiser, your insurance needs can get complicated.
We’re here to help you find the right motorcycle insurance, whatever you ride…

Tips for buying your motorcycle insurance, coverage you need:

Collision to pay for damage caused to your vehicle in an accident with another vehicle or any stationary object.
Comprehensive to cover such things as fire, hail, wind, vandalism, hitting an animal, etc.
Towing / Pickup
Medical payment or personal injury protection to cover the medical bills resulting from an accident.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist to protect us when the other driver is at-fault and does not have coverage or assets out of which your bills can be paid.

Cooking With Steam – Roper Steam Motorcycle Expected To Bring Huge Money at Auction

Todd Halterman — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:52:23 +0000

All the Brough Superiors, Popes and Harleys can stand aside, there’s a new Sheriff on the auction block.

An 1894 Roper steam-powered motorcycle is expected to bring in a new world record at auction in a couple of months, and the hype has already begun. The Roper Steam Motorcycle is expected to establish a new world record for a motorcycle sold at auction when it graces the podium at an Auctions America sale in Last Vegas set for January 12 – 14, 2012.

If you can’t afford the half-million dollars this bike is expected to fetch, the multi-day auction also feature a list of 400 collector motorcycles.

The second of just two steam-powered motorcycles built by Sylvester Roper of Roxbury, Massachusetts, the 117-year-old motorcycle is said to be one of the world’s oldest, predating early examples produced by Orient, Indian and Harley-Davidson.

“We’re delighted to have been selected to present this historic and pioneering motorcycle at our inaugural Las Vegas sale in January. A significant piece of Americana, it is arguably one of the world’s most important motorcycles,” said Glenn Bator of RM’s Vintage Motorcycle Division.

The bike was based on the frame of a Columbia bicycle, and its revolutionary design features a compact rectangular boiler, burner and grate, and a small steam engine on the right side. A water tank located directly over the boiler provided the go and smoke exited from a vent styled at a rakish angle. The controls were located on the handlebars.

In addition to a pioneering – if impractical - design, the Roper Steam Motorcycle has a documented provenance from 1894, including a known, unbroken history from the time it was new. Regularly ridden by Roper, the bike averaged a record speed of 40 miles per hour on the Dorchester Road in Boston for a measured mile in May 1896.

After Roper’s death in 1896, this bike was sold by one of his heirs to a Long Island museum and then spent time in a series of other museums, including America’s Circus City Museum and Bellm’s Cars of Yesterday, formed part of two prominent private collections.

The current owner acquired the historic motorcycle in 1996 and most recently showed it at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio.

“With the only other Roper motorcycle ever built on long-term display at the Smithsonian Institution, the upcoming sale of this example presents an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime ownership opportunity for serious collectors. We anticipate strong interest in its sale,” Bator said.

Auctions America by RM’s debut Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction will be held January 12 – 14, 2012 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to the auction, the event will incorporate an exclusive motorcycle seminar on Saturday, January 14, featuring noted industry experts including Buzz Walneck, founder of Walneck’s Classic Cycle Trader; Doug Mitchell, noted motorcycle author; Mark Hoyer, editor of Cycle World magazine; and respected collector, Joe Bortz.

For full event details on Auctions America by RM’s Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction, or to view a frequently updated list of entries, please visit www.auctionsamerica.com or call Toll Free 1 269 927 9797.

Insuring your collectible or vintage motorcycle

As for insurance? You should be able to get Agreed Value coverage on a 1959 BSA valued at $15,000 for somewhere around $25 a month, and that gives you the whole shooting match of coverage. You can spend a lot less, but if you plan to ride the bikes in your collection, the above pricing is a reasonable approximation of what you can expect to pay.

Check Out The Bike That Made Racing Legend King Kenny Roberts Rethink His Career Choice

Todd Halterman — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:17:45 +0000

This 1975 TZ750 dirt-tracker is the bike that made legendary motorcycle racer “King” Kenny Roberts turn cold and reconsider his choice of careers.

“They don’t pay me enough to ride that thing,” Roberts said at the time.

The bike featured a TZ750 two-stroke, four-cylinder mill that pumped out 125 horsepower – and that’s a whopping 50 more horses than Roberts’ usual dirt-tracker.

Kenny Roberts Beastly Yamaha TZ750

The awe-inspiring 1975 Yamaha TZ750 dirt-tracker ridden by flat-track and roadracing champion Kenny Roberts is one of the prominent racing motorcycles that will be on display during the AMA Legends & Champions Weekend at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 18-20.

The one-of-a-kind machine will be displayed alongside Roberts’ world-conquering 1980 Yamaha OW48 grand prix roadracer.

The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM, takes place on Nov. 18 and again at the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Dave Mungenast Memorial Concours d’Elegance bike show on Nov. 19.

Roberts will be honored as Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legends during the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by KTM, for the Class of 2011. The incoming class includes industry leader Fred Fox, motocross promoter Stu Peters, roadracing champion Doug Polen, early motorcycling pioneer Norbert Schickel and noted magazine editor Phil Schilling.

Tom White (Motorcycle Hall of Fame Board Member & Owner of The Early Years of Motocross Museum in Villa Park, Calif.) says: “Roberts is a true legend, and to be able to see and hear him at a public event is an almost unimaginable treat for anyone interested in motorcycling. And when you consider he’ll be with his truly historic race bike, it’s mind-boggling.”

Roberts raced it for the first time at the 1975 Indianapolis Mile and had no small amount of trouble controlling the brute force of his machine. Ultimately, Roberts closed down the leading trio of Harley-Davidson riders on the last lap of the main event blew past them for the win.

Sadly, at least for race fans but not Roberts, he never used the bike for a main event again.

In 1978, Roberts went roadracing in Europe and won the premier 500cc Grand Prix class three years in a row – 1978-1980.

Also on display will be the Yamaha OW48 he raced in 1980 which featured a frame made of square-section aluminum tubing, was a first for Yamaha.

Tickets for the AMA Legends & Champions weekend are now available through this online registration form. Tickets may be ordered over the phone by calling (800) 262-5646.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Insuring your collectible or vintage motorcycle

As for insuring your collectible or classic motorcycle, well, you should be able to get Agreed Value coverage on a 1959 BSA valued at $15,000 for somewhere around $25 a month, and that gives you the whole shooting match of coverage.

You can spend a lot less, but if you plan to ride the bikes in your collection, the above pricing is a reasonable approximation of what you can expect to pay.

Six Dead in Unprecedented String of Biketoberfest Motorcycle Accidents

Todd Halterman — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:28:20 +0000

Six people had died because of motorcycle-related accidents at Biketoberfest over the weekend, and that represents the highest number of fatalities for Biketoberfest in the last five years.

Five of the six people killed since Biketoberfest 2011 began over the weekend were riding motorcycles and one man was riding a motorized bicycle that crashed into a motorcycle according to authorities.

Photo by Holly Marcus

Perhaps not surprisingly, none of the victims were wearing helmets according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The first two riders killed Sunday were struck in a hit-and-run accident by a driver at around 4:30 a.m. according to Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant Kim Montes.

Montes said the driver of a Ford Explorer struck the rear of one motorcycle carrying 32-year-old Allison Sellers of Sanford and then fled the scene. The driver of the motorcycle was also killed, but officials have yet to release his name. The driver of the bike was run over by at least two vehicles after the hit-and-run and Sellers was thrown onto the shoulder.

Police later found the Explorer broken down five miles away and questioned a woman they believe was involved in the deaths, but her identity is still unknown.

Officials said the driver of a car trying to avoid the crash went off the road, hit a tree and caught fire, but Montes said the occupants escaped from their car.

Two other two biker deaths happened that same evening around 5:30 p.m.. Assistant Police Chief Wayne Miller said a man and a woman on a motorcycle were killed at the scene when their bike collided with a small pickup truck. The identities of the motorcyclists and the driver of the truck were not released, and officials said it’s not yet clear which one of the two victims was driving the motorcycle. The pair were killed when they were thrown from the motorcycle, but the driver of the truck suffered only minor injuries.

A day earlier, 50-year-old Shirley Boone of Oklahoma died when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger skidded off the road. The driver of the that bike, Robert K. Jackson, 58, lost control of the bike and was critically injured as well.

The first bike-related death happened on Thursday, and witnesses said Rufus Jones, 48, had been weaving in and out of traffic on a motorized bicycle before being struck by a motorcycle driven by Scott Spencer, 56, of Ormond Beach, Florida. Spencer suffered only minor injuries.

One person died from a motorcycle-related accident during Biketoberfest in 2009 and two people were killed in motorcycle-related injuries in Biketoberfest 2008. In 2007, no traffic deaths were reported during the event, while five people died during Biktoberfest 2005.

Whether you ride a sport bike or an American cruiser, your insurance needs can get complicated.

We’re here to help you find the right motorcycle insurance, whatever you ride…

The Nine Greatest Places in the United States to Ride Your Motorcycle

Todd Halterman — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 20:25:35 +0000

I’ve ridden all around the country, and I tend to prefer the Midwest for the all-round combination of scenery and the rugged landscape, but these destinations have their own special thrills to offer and come highly recommended.

9. The Tail of the Dragon, this stretch of US 129 is the 318-proof shot of twisties over the course of 11 miles. It’s sure to challenge any rider as it move through North Carolina into Tennessee. The roads which bring you to the Dragon’s Tail are nothing if not scenic. It may not be a road for the novice rider as the bends are so close together there’s rarely time for gawking. At Deal’s Gap, you can take a break for a beer and enjoy the hard-tack, low-rent offerings of a highway stop with real, lowdown character.

8. The Pigs Trail Scenic Byway makes its way through Arkansas and the Ozark National Forest. The route is so-named for being a short cut from I-40 to Fayetteville and the home of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Soo-eee, hog. The 13-mile-long ride from Breashears to Turner Bend on Highway 23 finds you leaning over – alot – through a ton of slow hairpin turns. Rocky cliffs, steep drop offs, views of the river and enough wildlife to prove hazardous will take you all the way to Hot Springs and a relaxing hot bath…

7. The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway leading to New Orleans is truly a monster, and while a tad dull after awhile, it’s the longest bridge in the world. Starting off from the seaside at Mandeville, the causeway ends a mind-numbing 28 miles later in Metaire, La., a New Orleans suburb with some superb scenery of its own. It might take you some time to get there, but seeing the Crescent City loom on the horizon is not to be missed.

6. Route 66 was once the Great American Highway and covered the ground from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA in the days before you had long, boring strips of interstate to look forward to on a trip. There’s so much “Americana” along the way you’ll be glad to finally see the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX. The line of Cadillacs standing on their hoods in the dust will surely remind you that you don’t mess with Texas.

5. The Blue Ridge Parkway is 433 miles of Tourism Bureau Heaven. It starts – and oddly enough ends – in east Chattanooga, Tenn. Out to Cleveland and then north east to the Foothills Parkway and Gatlinburg through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Cherokee, N.C.

Real purty and along the way, if you’re adventurous enough, you can stop by and pick up some shine and all the fireworks you can carry in your saddlebags.

4. The Devil’s Tail through Hell’s Canyon and the Snake River Canyon in the Magic Valley of Idaho has a little motorcycling history attached to it. It just so happens that this destination is the place where Evel Knievel made a wholly unsatisfactory attempt to jump his rocket-powered and goofily-named “SkyCycle X-2” across the Snake River canyon back in 1976 on ABC’s Wide World of Sports. The journey begins in Oxbow, Oregon and crosses over into Idaho where, 22 miles later, it comes to an end at Hell’s Canyon Dam. It’s a real killer and the scenery makes it tough to keep your eyes on the road.

3. Iron Mountain Road in South Dakota winds back and forth on itself through the Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park. For your trouble and a few tanks of fuel, you’ll be rewarded with great views of Mount Rushmore and switchbacks which will leave your neck sore. Go there at the right time of year and you can check out the iconic Sturgis Rally.

2. The PCS, or Pacific Coast Highway, is just plain long and lovely. The scenery and the run through the California version of small town America make this an awesome ride. You can go from Coos Bay, Oregon to San Fransisco, CA and see redwood forests, whales, seals and the home of John Steinbeck along your journey. An awe-inspiring rocky coastline, the smell of seaweed and salt, and the quaint towns make this ride a photographer’s dream ride, so take your digital and plan to stop often.

1. US 31 in West and Northern Michigan is, in my humble opinion, the ultimate strip of riding Nirvana. Starting at the Michigan border just east of Chicago, this little jaunt will take you along lovely Lake Michigan, through the startling beauty of the Manistee National Forest and dumps you off in the most beautiful place in the world outside of Carmel, CA. in Traverse City. Along the way, you can jump off on side roads that will take you into some of the coolest spots on earth. Of course, you have to plan your trip for the five months of the year when Michigan has weather that won’t freeze grain alcohol rock solid, but it’s well worth the added planning and vacation time, and it’s our number one ride.

Do them all and keep the rubber side down, Amigo

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Schedule for the 7th Annual Barber Vintage Motorcycle Museum Event

Todd Halterman — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 14:47:20 +0000

Where:

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
6030 Barber Motorsports Pkwy.
Birmingham, Alabama 35094
Phone (205) 699-7275
Fax (205) 702-8700

The Barber Vintage Festival offers access to classic motorcycles and the legends that made the sport what it is today.

An added bonus? A truly epic motorcycle parts swap meet that can help you locate that part needed to get your latest project back on the road.

Here are some of the special programs take place in the museum during the event.

Saturday, October 8

7am Park gates open
7am-7pm Will Call/Ticket sales Credentials
7:15–8am AHRMA RoadRacing Registration Paddock
7:15–5pm AHRMA RoadRacing Tech Paddock
7:30am AHRMA RoadRacing Riders Meeting #2 Paddock
730-10am VJMC Pancake Breakfast LOT F
8:30am AHRMA Trials Sign up LOT D
8am Museum opens Museum
8am-5pm Swap Meet LOT E
8am Motorcycle Classics Registration for Moto Guzzi Vintage Motorcycle show begins EXPO
8–9am AHRMA RoadRacing Practice (one short round) TRACK
8am-5pm SVFFA Fire trucks EXPO
8am-5pm EXPO/Fan Zone open EXPO
8am AMCA Registration for Antique Bike Show EXPO
9am John Healy & Don Hutchinson Seminar/Theater Museum
9:30am AHRMA Trials Riders Meeting LOT D
9-11am AHRMA RoadRacing TRACK
9am-9pm Auction Preview LOT E
10am-5pm Wall of Death (shows every 30 minutes) EXPO
10am Max Nightingale Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
10am Motorcycle Classics Moto Guzzi Vintage Motorcycle show begins EXPO
10am–Noon AHRMA Cross Country Registration LOT D
10am-Noon VJMC Motorcycle Show Registration/Set up LOT F
10am AHRMA Trials Begin LOT D
11am Steve Hall Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
11am Leo Goff Seminar/Theater Museum
11am Race of the Century Riders Meeting Paddock
11am-Noon Motorcycle Classics Seminar with Matt Wiley “Motorcycle Suspension” EXPO
11am-3pm AMCA Antique Bike Show voting EXPO
11am–12:30pm LUNCH
Century Race
Air Show
Parade Laps
Ducstock Parade Laps
Noon AHRMA Cross Country Riders Meeting LOT D
Noon -3pm VJMC People’s Choice Bike Show Voting LOT F
12:30pm-5pm AHRMA RoadRacing TRACK
12:30pm AHRMA Cross Country Riders Sighting Lap LOT D
1pm John Healy & Don Hutchinson Seminar/Theater Museum
2pm Max Nightingale Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
2pm Motorcycle Classics Moto Guzzi Vintage Motorcycle show Judging begins EXPO
2pm-9pm Auction LOT E
3pm Steve Hall Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
3pm Leo Goff Seminar/Theater Museum
1pm AHRMA Cross Country Race LOT D
1pm AMCA Lunch EXPO
2pm Autograph Session in Museum Museum
3pm AHRMA Post Vintage Cross Country Race LOT D
3pm Motorcycle Classics Awards Ceremony EXPO
4pm AMCA Awards Ceremony EXPO
4pm VJMC Awards Ceremony LOT F
5pm-7pm VJMC “Member’s only” Barbecue (ticket required) LOT F
6pm Museum closes

(Please note all times are subject to change)

Sunday, October 9

Location

7am Park gates open
7 am AHRMA Motocross Registration LOT D
7am-3pm Will Call/Ticket sales Credentials
7:15–8am AHRMA RoadRacing Registration Paddock
7:15–5pm AHRMA RoadRacing Tech Paddock
8–9am AHRMA RoadRacing Practice (one short round) TRACK
8am Museum opens Museum
8am-5pm Swap Meet LOT E
8am-5pm SVFFA Fire trucks EXPO
8am-5pm EXPO/Fan Zone open EXPO
8:30am AHRMA Motocross Riders Meeting LOT D
9am AHRMA Motocross Practice LOT D
9am Motorcycle Classics Moto Guzzi Corral opens EXPO
9am Steve Hall Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
9-11am AHRMA RoadRacing TRACK
10am Max Nightingale Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
10am Motorcycle Classics Meet & Greet the Editors for Refreshments EXPO
10am-5pm Wall of Death (shows every 30 minutes) EXPO
10:30am AHRMA Motocross Legends of Motocross Vintage Racing begins LOT D
11am–12:30pm LUNCH
Airshow
Parade Laps
AMCA Parade Laps
VJMC Parade Laps
Ducstock Parade Laps
12:30pm-5pm AHRMA RoadRacing TRACK
1pm Autograph Session in Museum Museum
2pm Steve Hall Seminar/Restoration Area Museum
3pm Max Nightingale Seminar/Restoration Area Museum

5pm Museum closes

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Harley-Davidson Love Ride – People All Over the World, Join In

Whitey Hudson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:26:21 +0000

It’s the largest single day motorcycle-related fundraising event in the world, and it’s got some new friends.

The Southern California Harley-Davidson Dealers Association is joining the 28th annual Love Ride as a major supporter and all 22 Harley-Davidson dealerships in the group are serving as launch points for the Oct. 23 ride.

“The Love Ride is truly unique because it’s not just entertainment for charity,” says founder Oliver Shokouh. “It’s a full-immersion experience that lets people participate in a way that raises the spirit of giving to high levels, mainly because it feels so good.”

Organizers say the new approach will make it more convenient for bikers to start their rides while also improving logistical aspects for a smooth beginning to the day.

“Tonight Show” host Jay Leno will again lead thousands of riders to Castaic Lake for the ride. Other celebrity supporters expected for the ride include Robert Patrick, Peter Fonda, Lorenzo Lamas, Larry Hagman and Willie G. Davidson, plus you never know what other luminaries might show up. This year the award-winning country duo of Montgomery Gentry – also avid Harley riders – will be the featured attraction on the main stage.

The event activities include the music of Montgomery Gentry, vendors of souvenirs and hand-picked gourmet foods, motorcycle stunt shows, a ride-in bike show and special prizes for top fundraisers. All makes of motorcycles are welcome to participate in the Love Ride and organizers promise plenty of free parking for cars and trucks, too.

Love Ride claims status as the largest one-day motorcycle fundraiser in the country, with a total of more than $13 million given to children’s charities since 1984.

As in 2010, the Love Ride charity is Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism. Through the generosity of bikers and everyone involved year after year, the Love Ride can make a significant impact on the disorder.

Bad Economy Forces Halt to Harley-Davidson Office Development Plans Near Museum

Todd Halterman — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:01:55 +0000

Harley-Davidson Inc. is dropping a plan to build new offices near the company’s museum, and the proposal would end Harley’s obligation to develop the buildings, totaling 100,000 square feet, on the parking lots it owns across from the museum.

But backing out of the plan won’t come cheap, Harley-Davidson would pay the city $700,000 for the privilege of not building.

The bad news doesn’t end there for the iconic American motorcycle manufacturing company. If the company receives an offer to sell the parking lots they targeted for the building within the next five years, the local city council gets first dibs on buying the 3.5-acre parcel for $535,000.

The proposal to drop its development plan for the parking lots was prompted by a large drop in motorcycle sales which also forced Harley to reduce its workforce and cut other costs.

The city says the company’s promise to develop additional office and commercial space and generate more jobs was the main reason they approved the original museum plan seven years ago.

The for-profit Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley of Wisconsin currently has 30 full-time employees and 45 part-time employees. Company officials said the museum restaurant, Motor, security, and janitorial firms account for another 130 employees at the museum complex.

Over its life, Harley-Davidson says it has invested $85 million in the museum complex and attracted more development to the Menomonee Valley.

But fear not for the company’s bottom line, the original plan called for the city to compensate Harley-Davidson for an estimated $7 million in site development costs for the museum complex, and now that no parking lots will be developed, the firm will get back up to $5.76 million of that total.

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Sturgis Rally Trademark Post Mortem – Vendors Say They Got Killed

Todd Halterman — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 15:57:50 +0000

Attendance was down for the 71st Sturgis Motorcycle Rally from last year, and on one seems quite sure as to why that was.

The number of vendor permits issued by rally organizers was down to 719 this year from 761 in 2010 and 696 sold in 2009.

“So far I am the only person who is ahead of past years,” said Bob Davis, owner of Sturgis Photo and Gifts. Photographer Davis takes a Main Street group photo at noon every day during the rally and that puts him in a unique position to compare the size of the crowds from year to year. “Compare last year’s Monday noon picture with this year’s Monday noon picture, there were a lot more people last year.”

Several longtime vendors said the dispute over recently registered “Sturgis” trademarks would drive souvenir sales down.

The nonprofit group which now controls licensing for the event, Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Inc. (SMRI), was active in enforcing trademark registration for several rally-related terms this year, and many vendors were worried when the company began leaning on longtime suppliers and vendors to sign licensing agreements and pay fees to use terms like “Sturgis Rally” on their products.

That managed to peeve suppliers who have used their own designs for years.

“I was amazed it turned out as well as it did,” said Tom Monahan, owner of Tom’s Ts. “The stock market crashed in the middle of the rally. The economy was crappy before the rally. There was the trademark war that could have blown up. None of our customers paid any attention to whether stuff was licensed or unlicensed. I think there is a huge issue between the vendors on the trademark issue; but the customers, they’re on vacation. They buy something if they like it.”

Some merchants weren’t quite as happy with the situation and say enforcement of the” Sturgis” trademark hurt their businesses.

“We expected to do about half the business we did last year and we did a little more than half last year,” said Bob Quinn, owner of Express Art, a company that makes embroidered apparel. “We don’t think we will be able to go forward as we have in the past.”

Quinn said he didn’t sign the SMRI license agreement to use the Sturgis name on his products, and not being able to use the name “Sturgis” cut deep into his business.

One of those most vocally opposed to the Sturgis trademark enforcement, owner of Renegade Classics Kent Mortimer, said 2011 was better than he expected.

“We had a good rally. We got some licensed product. I did not sign a sublicense,” Mortimer said. “But I did get a cease-and-desist letter from SMRI on one shirt.”

Meanwhile, the battle over the trademark continues in the courts.

Concerned Citizens for Sturgis, in response to an early-summer lawsuit filed by SMRI asserting trademark rights against Rushmore Photo & Gifts in Rapid City, is contesting the recently registered rally trademarks. The group mounted a failed attempt at the last minute to get a court order allowing them to sell merchandise at this year’s rally without signing licensing agreements.

Dean Kinney, Chairman of SMRI, declined to say how many times his group attempted to enforce the controversial trademark agreement this year.

“SMRI did not seize or dismantle any booths or merchandise,” Kinney said. “The vast majority of the merchandise that should be licensed was licensed.”

Denny Bergers, owners of the Mr. Al’s T-shirt shops, said he sympathizes with business owners who have opposed the licensing requirement.

“I have very good friends on both sides of this controversy,” Bergers said. “I have chosen to be a licensed vendor, and I have all licensed merchandise.

“I don’t have any animosity toward this group,” said Bob Quinn about the SMRI group’s efforts to control the trademark. “I just don’t think anybody should have it. It’s all being done under the auspices of protecting the integrity of the rally. You drive around Sturgis and see half-naked riders. What integrity are we trying to protect?”

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Mon Dieu! There Are Angry French Bikers on the Prowl, Mon Ami

Todd Halterman — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 22:51:20 +0000

When the French get pissed about something, they storm the barricades.

These French bikers are just plain pissed.

The French plan to take to the streets again this coming weekend, and they’re being lead by the French Association of Angry Bikers (FFMC ). The groups allied in the protest have ambitious plans, among them road user organizations, drivers, trucks and bus organizations and some clubs and sports organizations are hoping they can pull together enough support to snarl traffic in most of the big French cities with their protest.

Targeted for Saturday September 10 and 11 leaders say local organizations will start a protest run from cities around their main targets and then meet at staging areas. At a predetermined time, the groups organize into huge parades of motorcycles, cars, trucks, sidecars, and SUVs which drive slowly through a city, blocking traffic for miles around and no doubt causing no small measure of consternation among other drivers.

Angry Frenchman take to the streets in a Biker Bastille Day

Organizers say most people support the protests even with the inconvenience they cause and the major traffic jams that result from them. According to organizers, an unpopular government is being taken to task for levying excessive fines and taxes. Similar protests are scheduled to take place in the UK on September 25, and Belgium on the 24th of September.

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Click here to view the embedded video.