Saturday, January 12, 2013

Faster and Faster: Andrea Forni: “A sportsbike is still the best for me…”


Andrea Forni says, “When I was younger, I had to buy a motorcycle, and with my money I could only afford one – I always chose the sport bike, because it is first of all fun. A sportsbike is still the best for me. I understand it is uncomfortable and it has some limits. But when I was younger, I overcame those limits by putting sidebags on my Ducati Pantah or Ducati F1, and travelling Europe on those bikes. If today I have to make the same choice again, even if now I am old, I will always choose the same, a sportsbike.”


'via Blog this'

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

2012: Best Year on Record for BMW Motorrad

Even pricy BMW had a good year last year. I think I've read that most of the motorcycle manufacturers had a generally good 2012.

via Facebook http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/1/15264/Motorcycle-Article/2012--Best-Year-on-Record-for-BMW-Motorrad.aspx

Saturday, January 5, 2013

What patents can tell us about your next motorcycle


Interesting: 4-wheel designs from Yamaha, twisted pistons, variable valve timing, sound systems and more.

'via Blog this'

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

New motorcycle laws you need to know


While going through my news feed, I saw an article about new motorcycle laws that go into effect in Illinois. It is now legal in IL for motorcycles to run a non-responsive red light--if you've ridden motorcycles at all on the streets you know what I'm talking about. The new law requires the motorcyclist to wait at least 2 minutes to determine that the light will not be triggered by the motorcycle and can then proceed after determining the intersection is clear. (Other new laws for IL include handlebars higher than the motorcyclist's head are illegal and riding a wheelie while speeding will incur a higher fine. You have been warned.)

This got me to wondering about new motorcycle laws in VA. I discovered this very same law (the one about non-responsive red lights) is in effect in VA, and has been since summer of 2011! The VA law states the motorcyclist must wait 2 minutes or 2 complete light cycles, whichever comes first. How relieved I am to learn I won't get a ticket at several stop lights I have had to routinely run because my bike won't trigger them to cycle. :)

This law, for both IL and VA, also applies to bicyclists, but I've never seen a bicyclist follow the laws so I guess that's moot. (I'm not saying there are no such things as law abiding bicyclists...I'm just saying I've never seen one.)

Guess what else is legal for motorcyclists in VA? No, not lane splitting, alas.
Starting in 2012, VA riders can ride two abreast in a lane just like the motorcycle policemen do. Yea!