New Speed Record Set By Hi-Tech Bike

Lightning Motorcycles set a 189mph record with their new solar-powered motorcycle, Nov. 13, 2012 on the 1.3 mile El Mirage Lake course in the Mojave Desert in Southern California.  
 
Lightning Motorcycles also holds the record on the longer, five-mile Bonneville Salt Flats: Their bike achieved 173mph in 2010, then broke the record again in 2011 with a stunning 215mph. 

The motorcycle is powered by a portable solar array (created by DC Solar Solutions featuring Sunny Island inverters.)  This feeds into the motorcycle via a 48-kWh battery pack that attaches to and fuels the bike’s on-board batteries. From a usability point of view, this should enable the bike to stay ‘fueled’ even when far from the grid, potentially indefinitely.

Lightning Motorcycles will be launching a manufactured version of this bike early next year that is mechanically the exact same bike, excluding the aerodynamic body. This should bring down the price of a Lightning Motorcycle sports bike, which is currently custom built at a starting price of $38,888.
Source: Solar Plaza.com

2012 Trail of Tears Ride Saturday in Alabama

The Trail of Tears Rememberance Ride: More than 150,000 motorcycle riders now participate in the original 225 mile ride from historic Ross's Landing in Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend a Native American Festival PowWow at McFarland Park in Florence, Alabama that commemorates the forced relocation of American Indians in the 1830's from the Southeast to reservations in Oklahoma.



This is a pretty nice video of some of the bikes in the Trail of Tears Ride, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.

Riders also start from Bridgeport, Alabama early Saturday and travel east along Highway 72 through Madison County, with a one-hour stop in Huntsville. The 19th annual Trail of Tears ride entered Madison County, Alabama on Highway 72 east at Gurley around 9:30 am. and  continued west into Huntsville between 9:45 and 10:15 a.m.


The riders were entertained at the Old Time Pottery shopping center on Madison Boulevard and continued the ride at 11:30 a.m, traveling west on Highway 72 to Athens and on to Florence and Waterloo.

In recent years, the ride has expanded to include an optional 4-day ride to the reservation in Oklahoma. For some American Indians it was a walk of 800 miles and a journey of three months without food or water. Many suffered from the elements, starvation and disease. More than 4,000 Cherokees and countless other Indians died along the way. Photographer Kelly Roper Gillespie joins many of her Native American family for this ride. "This truly is one event your soul feels clean leaving from," she said in a feature story interview.

 











The ride was started in 1994 by Bill Cason of Whitwell, Tennessee in an effort to have the historic route recognized. "It started out, I just wanted to make enough money to put a sign up on the highway," Cason said in a video interview.



Click map to enlarge for details.

The event has supported the placement of hundreds of signs marking the "Trail of Tears" along a 4-day ride route that traces the forced Indian relocation to Oklahoma. More than $230,000 has been donated to scholarships for Native Americans. Click here <-- Details.

Iconic Marlon Brando on 1950 Triumph Thunderbird

Marlon Brando on  his 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T valued at $20 million

Marlon Brando leaning on his 1950 Triumph Thunderbird 6T photographed during the filming of The Wild One in 1953, inspired Andy Warhol 13 years later to create a silkscreen print titled "Marlon." The legendary piece of motorcycle art is expected to sell for a cool $20 million when it is auctioned in November 2012 at Christie's in New York City.

Robbie Knievel Joins 2012 Sturgis Rally

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally -  Robbie Knievel will help kick off  the 72nd Sturgis Bike Week on Monday, August 6th, 2012. You can join him for the Fifth Annual Legends Ride, starting at the Silverado Franklin Hotel in Historic Deadwood. Robbie Knievel is among the stars that will be making the scenic ride through the winding roads of the Black Hills to attend a special reception at the Buffalo Chip.

100% of the proceeds from rider admissions will be donated to the Black Hills Special Olympics and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. Join the ride.

Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2012 events include machine gun shooting at the shooting range, the Tattoo Café and Piercing area located in the amphitheater from 1 p.m to midnight Aug. 3-12, the two Buffalo Chip zip lines located at CrossRoads and in the amphitheater, the homemade bikini contest at Bikini Beach, Rolling Sturgis roller derby at the CrossRoads, and the Miss Buffalo Chip Beauty Pageant taking place between each concert. Also don’t miss the Wall of Death at the CrossRoads as daredevils perform dangerous stunts, the burnout bridge, and the Biker Lube Games taking place at the Bikini Beach at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily and in the Kinison Playground area at 5:30 p.m. World famous motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter will have his Motorcycles as Art exhibit “Come Together – The Spirit of Born-Free” on display as well.

Follow links below for more Sturgis Rally stories and August Motorcycle Events.

Bikes On The Streets Of Paris

We have been in Paris for six days and these are some of the bikes you will find on almost every street -- From Champ de Mars near the Eiffel Tower, to the French Pantheon and the Latin Quarter to the high winding streets of Montmartre.


Click images to enlarge.

This cool old Harley was along Rue Amber near the Paris Opera.

This National Motos Honda Varadaro was parked just outside the
 Justice Building in front of the French Pantheon.

This Yamaha was outside a neighborhood cafe near the Eiffel Tower.

It is really beautiful in Paris in May
with lots of spring flowers - 45 to 70 (F)

Photos (c) MJ Reynolds, MJR Media.

10th Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Ride, June 16

The 10th Anniversary Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Ride will roll into Marseilles, Illinois on Saturday, June 16th to honor three decades of US Veterans killed during wars in the Middle East, since 1979. They will gather at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial.

For Directions To The Wall < - Click Here.
You can download a PDF event flyer < - here.  

Carla: Middle East Conflicts Wall

The Middle East Conflicts Granite Memorial Wall was dedicated on June 19, 2004 to commemorate the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in worldwide conflicts since 1979. The project was built with donated material and labor and is the first of its kind in US history to honor fallen soldiers by name, during the ongoing war.


It took 20 years to Honor our Vietnam Veterans. Almost 60 years to Honor our World War II Veterans. The names on the wall represent our fallen heroes from such diverse locations as Panama, Lebanon, the Balkans, Grenada, Somalia, Haiti, USS Cole, USS Stark, Terrorist attacks in Italy, Greece, Scotland, and the current conflicts in the Middle East.

The Purpose of the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run is to show "Our Brave Servicemen and Women, and their Families, that we support them, and to Honor Fallen Heroes." 

The route is lined with Americans waving American Flags and paying tribute. In the past we have had 10's of thousands of participants. The money raised through generous donations is used to update and maintain the Memorial, and to put this wonderful event together. Co-Founder Jerry Kuczera remains on board to assist the organization. The first Memorial erected was in the small town of St Anne, Illinois, the hometown of Capt. Ryan A. Beaupre, one of Illinois' first casualties in the war against terror. Since then, memorials have been donated to all of the veteran homes and hospitals in the State of Illinois in Honor of all our Veterans , Past and Present.

"We have assisted many of our Fallen Heroes Children, with funds for their education, in hopes that through education, they will learn to diplomatically resolve their problems." - ilmotorcyclefreedomrun.org/

National "Ride For Kids" 2012 Kicks Off in South Florida

The National Ride for Kids 2012 kicks off every year in South Florida to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. 

This year's kick-off was Sunday, April 15th at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach.

The 40-mile police escorted ride included a light breakfast, and lunch and "Celebration of Life" program. photos posted at   www.SFRideforKids.org

Learn more and find a ride in your area.

What's Happening at the 71st Daytona Bike Week 2012

 

Daytona Bike Week enjoyed nearly picture-perfect Florida weather, March 9-18, with temps in the low to high 70's. As usual, there were a couple rainy days.

Bike Week 2012 was one week later than usual, due to a scheduling conflict at Daytona International Speedway. So bikers mingled on the beaches and in the bars with spring breakers on the last weekend, but no one seemed to mind.

Cold beer, hot biker chicks, world-class racing, bike shows and hundreds of vendors draw an estimated 500,000 visitors to the Daytona Beach event every year. For upcoming rallies, visit the  Official Bike Week Daytona Beach.

Related story: 70th Bike Week Anniversary.

Click here for a Google Map of Key Bike Week event locations

Saturday, March 10th 2012 - many bike riders headed to DeLand (20 miles west on US 92) for the Pro-Am Bike Show & DeLand Rally that featured bands on two stages downtown and bike-only parking.

The historic downtown is filled with building-sized murals that make a beautiful backdrop for motorcycle photographs. 

Biker author, Edward Winterhalder was at the Seminole Harley-Davidson booth in DeLand on Saturday. He is also the creator and executive producer of the Biker Chicz reality TV series. 

Because NASCAR pushed the date of the 2012 Daytona 500 back one week, Daytona Bike Week 2012 started a week later in order to give Daytona International Speedway time to prepare for the Daytona Supercross and Daytona 200 motorcycle races.

Saturday, March 10th

Daytona Supercross by Honda.

The race draws the world's top Supercross riders such as Ryan Villopoto and Ryan Dungey to battle on a course designed by five-time winner Ricky Carmichael.

Thurs & Friday, March 15 & 16, The Daytona Flat Track hosted  AMA Pro Flat Track racing on a quarter-mile lime rock track in the West Lot, just outside Turns 1 and 2.

First Turn - by David Uhl

Saturday, March 17th, The Daytona 200 kicks off the AMA Pro Racing season with a 200-mile battle on Daytona's road course with America's top motorcycle stars.

During Bike Week 2012, the artist David Uhl was juggling events at two locations -- the Uhl Gallery at Destination Daytona (Ormond Beach) and the new Uhl Works Patio at Beach Street Harley-Davidson, downtown Daytona Beach.

Tuesday, March 13, David Uhl, Cris Sommer-Simmons and Pat Simmons (Doobie Brothers) signed signing limited-edition giclee prints of David's latest masterpiece, "Leading Ladies," and Cris's new book, "The American Motorcycle Girl's Cannonball Diary," along with a solo acoustic concert by Pat. Special appearances by Gloria Tramontin Struck, David's new "Woman of Harley," along with appearances by Laura Klock and Jodi Perewitz. David Uhl painted "Leading Ladies" last year, but waited to release it until Cris had completed her Cannonball book.

Tuesday, March 13, the 5th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women's Ride rolled out from Riverfront Park on Beach Street at 10am and returned at 1pm. Details:  mdariders.org.

The 2012 Bike Shows

This year, the Limpnickie Lot of "next generation" builders was at Stone Edge Skate Park, 1848 S. Ridgewood Ave. in South Daytona, with Led Sled/ Street Chopper across from Limpnickie and a new lot at Iron Horse, 1068 North US 1, Ormond Beach.

Progressive International Motorcycle Show at the Ocean Center,  101 N. Atlantic Ave. - March 14 to 17 featured the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike United States Championship, affiliated with the AMD World Championship Competition. There were Smage Brothers Stunt Shows every afternoon, and  "A Century of Motorcycling" historic bike display presented by Motorcycle Magazine. Staff from the National Motorcycle Museum was on hand to answer questions and relive stories of the historic bikes on display. The show floor was open Wednesday, March 14, from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday, March 15, 11 am – 7 pm; Friday, March 16, 11 am – 7 pm; Saturday, March 17, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Saturday, March 17 • Paul Teutul, Jr. of the Discovery Channel hit show "Senior Vs Junior American Chopper" unveiled a new custom bike and filmed an all-new American Chopper TV show that debuts March 26th on the Discovery Channel.

Victory Motorcycle demo rides weree open all week at Daytona International Speedway.Tuesday, March 13th, Big Engine was in concert for a Victory Motorcycle Bike Night at Dirty Harry's on Main Street.

Wednesday, March 14th was the 3rd Annual Victory Custom Bike Show at Volusia Motorsports, 1701 State Road 44, New Smyrna Beach.

Friday, March 16th, Victory owners rode with Zach Ness. Kickstands up at 10am from Volusia Motorsports. The ride ends at Halifax Harbor Marina, where Victory owners are invited to a luncheon from noon to 2pm at the Blue Grotto.

Thursday, March 15th - Bike Builders Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe played host to this year's Biker Fusion "Salute to the Troops" benefit, 7 to 10pm at  Dog House Bar & Grill on Main Street that featured a live auction, entertainment and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables. 100% of the proceeds went to Soldiers' Angels, a volunteer-led non-profit that provides aid and comfort to active servicemen and women of the US military, as well as veterans and their families.
 
  

Thursday, March 15th, Willie's Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Time Show at 824 S. Younge St. Ormond Beach. (click link for photos and details.) 

One of the biggest crowds, ever turned out for the 2012 Chopper Time bike show. Three bands performed this year: The Dirty Chucks, Hair of the Beast and The Kings. Bigger every year, excellent bobbers, choppers and rats, hot rods and hip place to spend the day: The lot is always packed, and is always a great "adult" party time, with BBQ and cheap beer -- noon to 4pm on the last Thursday.

Friday, March 16th, the 22nd Boardwalk Classic Bike Show @ Oceanside boardwalk at Main Street.

- 20 classes from domestic to metric with 50 trophies. Call Bill Chaffin at 386.871.0398.

      

Saturday, March 17th - the World Famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show celebrated a 40th anniversary at Daytona Bike Week with an all-day show at Daytona Lagoon: 601 Earl Street (north side of the Ocean Center.) Trophies in 23 classes.

Daytona Beach Chamber of Commers is the official sponsor of Daytona Bike Week.