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| December 08 Hot Flashes
U.S. DOT PROPOSES NEW HELMET RULES
The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a proposal to amend its current motorcycle helmet safety rules to require manufacturers to place a larger, tamper-proof DOT label on the back of certified helmets. According to an online news site, the proposed rules would also strengthen the tests helmets must go through to receive DOT certification. The site explained U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said the new rules will make it easier for riders to identify and use effective helmets and the proposal will also make it harder for riders to use novelty helmets in states that require DOT certified helmets. “The new labels will also make it harder for vendors to remove the labels on safe helmets and affix them to the unsafe novelty helmets,” it added.
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ANCRA ACQUIRES S-LINE
Ancra International reported it has acquired Dallas-based S-Line Cargo Control and Safety Products, which supplies cargo control products for flat bed trailers, van trailers and the motorsports industry. “The acquisition firmly positions Ancra as the force to be reckoned with in the North American cargo control products and services arena,” stated spokesperson Rick Ashley. Company President Steve Frediani added, “We see tremendous value in bringing our two thriving companies together. Customers of both organizations will benefit from an extended line of innovative products and services that are quite literally second to none, providing opportunities for significant growth in all markets.”
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BIKEMAN PERFORMANCE CLOSES ITS DOORS
Bikeman Performance announced it will no longer be in business and has closed its doors. The company told us it is currently in the dissolving process with the state of Wisconsin. No further information has been released at press time.
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MOTION PRO SAFETY RECALL
Motion Pro, Inc., has launched a voluntary recall campaign on one of its brake levers, company spokesperson Victor Inouye reported. “Motion Pro has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some of its aftermarket motorcycle brake levers with Part Number 14-0415,” Inouye stated, but the problem associated with this defect can only occur when these brake levers are installed on specific Suzuki and Yamaha street motorcycles. When these brake levers are installed they may not properly engage the motorcycle’s stop lamp, due to a possible size mismatch between the brake lever and the stop lamp switch, he explained. Inouye added, “If there is a mismatch the stop lamp on the motorcycle will not deactivate when the driver releases the brake lever. If the stop lamp were to remain on, a following driver would not be aware when the brakes on the motorcycle are applied, which could increase the likelihood of a crash.” For further information regarding which models are affected by this recall, call 877-438-7831, or visit www.
motoionpro.com.
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YAMAHA RECEIVES OVER $1M IN TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT SUIT
Yamaha Motor Co. has received final payment of more than $1.3 million from three Chinese companies that were found guilty of trademark infringement against the company, an online news site stated, which officially closed the suit Yamaha had pending against the companies. “Yamaha originally brought a suit against motorcycle manufacturer Zhejiang Huatian Industry Co. for trademark infringement regarding certain Yamaha Motor trademarks that were filed by Zhejiang in October 2002,” it explained. Besides supplying compensation to Yamaha, the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China also reportedly ordered Zhejiang, Taizhou Jiaji Motorcycle Distribution Co. and Taizhou Huatian Motorcycle Distribution Co. Ltd. to immediately stop infringing Yamaha’s trademarks and for the three companies to publish an apology in Motuoche Shangqing magazine.
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BREMBO BUYS 50% OF JV KBX FROM BOSCH
Brembo has signed an agreement with Bosch Chassis Systems India Ltd. for the acquisition of 50 percent of KBX Motorbike Products Private Ltd., reported
MarketWatch.com. The site explained the acquisition will most likely be executed by the end of 2008, after completing the mandatory legal fulfillments required by Indian Law. “This acquisition is another important step for the growth of Brembo in a fast growing market; Brembo will continue to search for further development opportunities also in other segments of its core business,” said Alberto Bombassei, chairman of Brembo
S.p.A.
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AMA CONGRESS PASSES NEW LOWER SOUND RULES
The 2008 American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Congress has passed a rule change in regard to the regulation of motorcycle sound levels at competitive events, informed spokesperson Peter
terHorst. The Congress passed a 94 dB(a) standard for all amateur and Pro-Am motocross and offroad competition, effective in 2011, however, the new standard will not apply to land-speed racing, speed trials or drag-racing events, terHorst explained. “The new level mirrors both the 2009 standard for professional motocross and Supercross racing in the United States, as well as the level mandated by the FIM (Federation Internationale de
Motocyclisme), which governs international motorcycle competition,” he continued, adding currently sound limits for amateur motorcycle competition are 99
dB(a) for closed-course competition and 96 dB(a) for cross-country racing. |
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STATE PATROL CRACKING DOWN ON MOTORCYCLE VIOLATIONS
The Seattle Times reported, “Washington State Troopers are on the lookout for motorcycle violations after a rash of fatal collisions in Skagit and Whatcom counties.” The paper explained there have been nine fatalities in 12 weeks and most recently, an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officer died after crashing his bike. “In the past, automobile drivers were usually at fault in motorcycle collisions, but in recent collisions, motorcyclists have been at fault,” the Times stated. It added State Troopers will be watching for speed, DUI, aggressive driving and failure to wear an approved helmet violations. |
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FEDERAL INDICTMENT CHARGES MOTORCYCLE GANG MEMBERS
According to the Las Vegas Sun, a 177 page federal indictment unsealed in October outlines some of the charges five Las Vegas members of the Mongols biker gang are facing. The indictment reportedly shows the members sold four AK-47 weapons and narcotics, the paper explained. The five members, including Jason Hull, 33, David Padilla, 38, Ismael Padilla, 33, William Ramirez, 38, Harry Reynolds, 40, and Jonathan Babcock, 43, all of Las Vegas could be transferred at a later date to face charges in Los Angeles, it told us. “Law enforcement agencies swooped into the homes of Mongols in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington state, Colorado and Ohio, seeking 79 gang members,” said the Sun, and a total of 67 gang members were arrested. |
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UT RECORDS HIGHEST NUMBER OF MC FATALITIES IN 20 YEARS
Thirty-three motorcyclists have died on Utah’s highways so far in 2008, The Salt Lake Tribune reported, which is the same number of fatalities for all of 2007 and is the largest number of deaths in the state since the early 1980s. “Just as noteworthy is the jump in the number of motorcycles registered in Utah over the last five years,” the Tribune explained, adding, in 2004, there were 40,964 registered motorcycles and that number now totals 64,376. Speed, a poorly maintained motorcycle, or following too closely were almost always a factor in the cause of these motorcycle fatalities, the paper concluded. |
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