American Honda announced it will withdraw Team Honda from participation in the 2009 AMA Roadracing Series. According to spokesperson Ken
Vreeke, “This was an extremely difficult decision to make as the racing spirit reaches to the very core of Honda.” He told us the primary factor contributing to this decision is the current global economic situation and its impact on the company. “Although Team Honda will not be in attendance, Honda will continue to be represented in AMA Roadracing through our ongoing support of both the Erion Honda Racing and Corona Honda Racing teams,” Vreeke stated, adding, “While it is unfortunate that the current economic conditions led us to take this action, rest assured that Honda’s deep-seated passion for racing has not been and will never be diminished.”
HARLEY-DAVIDSON PRESIDENT & CEO TO RETIRE
Harley-Davidson, Inc., President and CEO James Ziemer has informed the Board of Directors that he intends to retire in 2009, after serving 40 years with the company, spokesperson Bob Klein stated. Ziemer reportedly started with Harley-Davidson in 1969 as a freight elevator operator while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. “Upon earning his undergraduate degree in accounting at
UWM, he joined the accounting department where he spent the majority of his career,” Klein explained, adding, “He was named the company’s chief financial officer in 1990. In 2005, he was named president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.” He is also said to serve on the board of directors of Textron, Inc. “Working at Harley-Davidson has been an honor and privilege and has fulfilled a lifelong dream for me,” said
Ziemer, “I am extremely proud of what our outstanding team of employees and dealers has accomplished together … I have great confidence that the powerful combination of our employees, customers and dealers around the world and their passion will continue to fuel the strength of the brand.”
YAMAHA RENEWS CONTRACT WITH HSBC FINANCE
“Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. and HSBC Finance Corporation’s card and retail services business announced the signing of a new seven year agreement that extends their relationship through 2015,” Yamaha spokesperson Bob Starr stated. He explained HSBC provides revolving financing through the Yamaha Card program for customers who purchase Yamaha motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, side-by-side utility vehicles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, boats, outboard engines, golf cars, generators, accessories and apparel. “We are pleased to make this announcement,” said Ian Harper, general manager of Yamaha’s Financial Services Division, who continued by saying, “HSBC has been providing revolving financing for Yamaha’s customers since 1994 and, thanks to the concerted efforts of our retail finance team, we can look forward to continuing this mutually beneficial relationship through 2015.”
INDIAN MOTORCYCLES DELIVERED TO DEALER NETWORK
CyrilHuzeBlog.com reported that after almost five years of investment, product development, testing and dealer development, Indian Motorcycle has shipped its first batch of limited edition 2009 Indian Chiefs to seven dealerships across the U.S. “Production of the 2009 Indian Chief is limited to 750 units,” the site explained and the key people responsible for the company’s re-launch are Chairman Stephen Julius, President Steve Heese and General Manager Chris
Bernauer. “Indian Motorcycle is once again a premium motorcycle manufacturer dedicated to engineering and styling excellence,” said Julius, “We have assembled a dynamic team, developed an outstanding product and are selling motorcycles in beautifully branded Indian showrooms.”
BMW RECALLS GS MOTORCYCLES
BMW has recalled approximately 500 of its 2008 F650 GS and 2009 F800 GS motorcycles, informed
ConsumerAffairs.com. “The tightening of the chain sprocket fasteners may have resulted in various levels of torque being applied,” the site explained, and it is possible for the fasteners to work loose from the sprocket, increasing the risk of a crash. It added dealers will loosen and inspect the fasteners and replace any that have been damaged.
HONDA HOOT 2009 CANCELED
American Honda announced the 2008 Honda Hoot will bring to a close 15 years of “what has been one of the most successful rallies in history.” According to spokesperson Bill
Savino, “Over the years, almost a quarter of a million guests attended the Honda Hoot which was born in the hills of Ashville, NC, and eventually moved to Knoxville, TN,” Savino said. He continued, “Based on the current economic crunch, which may have significant impact on our customers during 2009, American Honda will take this time to seek out new and innovative ways to engage with our customers so that we can continue to ride together.”
NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL UNFAIRLY TARGETS MOTORCYCLE SOUND
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) spokesperson Pete terHorst reported the New York City Council is about to give final approval to a bill that the AMA says discriminates against motorcyclists and imposes severe, out-of-line penalties. “The AMA also complained that the measure languished in the Council for two years and then, in a surprise move, was revived just a week before the scheduled final vote, allowing little opportunity for public comment,” terHorst explained. He told us the measure would make it illegal for any motorcycle to be on city streets unless it has an exhaust system with a stamp that states it is approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which essentially means the bike must have a stock exhaust system. “Motorcyclists caught without an EPA stamped exhaust system would face fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and temporary forfeiture of the motorcycle until the fine is paid,” terHorst said, while a second offense would result in a fine of up to $2,000 and permanent forfeiture of the motorcycle. “City officials apparently believe that requiring motorcyclists to have EPA approved exhaust systems is easier to enforce than trying to prove a motorcycle exceeds the city’s vaguely defined 80 decibel sound limit,” he concluded.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, KAWASAKI ANNOUNCE RECALLS
“Harley-Davidson and Kawasaki have voluntarily recalled several model motorcycles due to potential hazards,” an online news site stated. The site explained Kawasaki has recalled roughly 4,600 ZG1400 A8F/A8FL and ZG1400B8F/ B8FL motorcycle models since trapped road debris can interfere with free movement of the rear brake, which can lead to overheating damage and possible brake failure. Harley-Davidson has recalled 349 2009 FXD8,
FXDC, FXDF and FXDL motorcycles, due to an error in the fuel tank vent tube assembly, which was produced with a defective ultrasonic weld on the anti-slosh valve, it said, adding, “If the valve separates and the bike is tipped over, fuel might leak out, creating a potential fire hazard.”
ADDITIONAL FELONY CHARGES FILED AGAINST LANE
According to CyrilHuzeBlog .com, Billy Lane was charged with one count of DUI manslaughter in connection with a Labor Day 2006 traffic accident in which 56 year old Sebastian Gerald Morelock died. “Court records show that prosecutors have filed an additional second vehicular homicide felony charge also punishable by up to 15 years in prison,” the site told us. DUI manslaughter reportedly requires proof that the defendant caused or contributed to the crash and had an unlawful blood-alcohol level; while a vehicle homicide is said to simply require proof of reckless driving. “This new charge ensures prosecutors to be able to proceed at trial, no matter the judge’s ruling on the blood evidence,” CyrilHuzeBlog.com said.
NIGERIAN BIKERS DODGE NEW LAW WITH VEGETABLE HELMETS
“Motorcyclists in Nigeria have been wearing dried pumpkin shells on their heads to dodge a new law forcing them to wear helmets,” the BBC News Web site reported. Motorcycle taxis are a cheap way for Nigerians to get around congested and chaotic city streets, the site told us, and according to the new law, all motorbike drivers and motorbike passengers must wear helmets. Kano Federal Road Safety Commission Commander Yusuf Garba said they were taking a hard line with people found using the improvised helmets and fifty motorbikes have been seized so far in Kano city alone. Drivers reportedly protested at the price of helmets, which can cost up to $29 (£20), saying passengers often steal the helmets once they reach their destination.
Passings
EX-TITAN MOTORCYCLES OWNER PROUDFOOT SHOT TO DEATH
“Donald A. Proudfoot, ex-owner of Titan Motorcycles (second era) was shot in the head and killed in his girlfriend’s home near Anthem, AZ,” informed
CyrilHuzeBlog.com. Proudfoot’s girlfriend, Hope Smith, was not injured during the incident and called 911, the site explained, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Homicide Unit is still investigating the shooting. The Sheriff’s Office said it was not clear if the incident was a home invasion and, at this point, Smith is not a suspect and nobody has been taken into custody. Proudfoot reportedly owned the largest Titan dealership in Florida and, in 2001, he bought Titan Motorcycles, which later filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in 2007.
