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HARLEY NAMES WANDELL PRESIDENT AND CEO Harley-Davidson Inc. has named Keith E. Wandell president and chief executive officer, succeeding James L. Ziemer, who is retiring, informed spokesperson Bob Klein. “Wandell, 59, currently serves as president and chief operating officer of Milwaukee based Johnson Controls, Inc., a $38 billion global company,” he told us, adding Wandell will start his new duties at Harley-Davidson on May 1. “Harley-Davidson has a remarkable record of success and limitless possibilities,” said Wandell, “I am honored and thrilled to join the Harley-Davidson family and to have this opportunity to help it fulfill dreams, create innovative, market leading products and expand its opportunities worldwide.”

MALCOLM SMITH SUCCESSFULLY PROTESTS CPSIA BAN KTM North America spokesperson Christy LaCurelle reported, “Multi-line motorcycle dealer Malcolm Smith Motorsports, in protest of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which prohibits the sale of youth motorcycles and ATVs deemed unhealthy for children less than 12 years of age due to supposed high levels of lead content, sold three youth race machines at its dealership in March.” According to LaCurelle two of the bikes were KTM 65SX models and they were sold to multi-time AMA National Champion Jeff Ward and Troy Lee, owner of Troy Lee Designs. “The group of motorcycle celebrities on-hand agreed to purchase the banned units as a sign of their support of Smith’s Kids Love 2 Ride Protest and hopefully bring more attention to a matter that is detrimental to the future of motorcycling, racing and recreational riding,” she explained. “Motorcycling has always been a family sport and the new act prohibits this from continuing – we need to work together now to put an end to the ban on mini-cycles,” added Todd Baldwin, general sales manager of Malcolm Smith Motorsports.

BRIDGESTONE PULLS OUT OF AMA MOTOCROSS / SUPERCROSS “After 18 successful seasons of competition in AMA Supercross and Motocross, the Bridgestone brand has made the decision to discontinue offering its tires to the two series, effective at the end of the 2009 Motocross season in September,” informed an online news site, which added this decision is a direct result of the current economic crisis. Since 1991, riders on Bridgestone brand tires have won 10 Supercross and 20 Supercross Lites championships, as well as 11 Motocross and 10 Motocross Lites championships, they explained. “In making this announcement, we would like to thank the hard working teams, individuals and Bridgestone staff who have contributed to the great success the Bridgestone brand has enjoyed in AMA competition through the years,” stated Bob Graham, senior manager, motorcycle products, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. He added, “Even though we are ceasing our involvement for the time being, the Bridgestone brand has left an incredible mark in the world of offroad motorcycle racing. All the hard work put into the development and servicing of our tires has left a lasting legacy upon which we can look back with pride.”

MAG APPOINTS HIGHLAND DIRECTOR Motorsports Aftermarket Group (MAG) announced the addition of Scott Highland as its new director of offroad and sport bike markets, a newly created role responsible for developing and expanding the company’s offroad and sport bike segments. “Scott brings over 22 years of industry experience in racing and powersports businesses, including four years as general manager of the high performance manufacturing company Xceldyne Technologies, where he was responsible for all facets of the business,” explained spokesperson Brad Wilson. Highland is also said to have held positions with JE Pistons and CV Products. “I’m elated to join the team of premier companies in the powersports industry,” Highland said, “The new leadership of MAG has a passion for the industry and understands the need to provide customers with excellent service, quality and promote the long term interest of the powersports industry.”

CPSC COMMISSIONER VOTES TO DELAY YOUTH MODEL BAN Acting Chairman Nancy Nord of the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted to delay enforcing the new lead law banning the sale of youth model offroad motorcycles and ATVs for a year, informed American Motorcyclists Association spokesperson Peter terHorst, who added Commissioner Thomas Moore, the second member of the commission, has yet to vote. The law, which went into effect in February, was meant to protect children from dangerous levels of lead in toys, but was written so broadly that it also governs such things as children’s books, clothes, motorcycles and ATVs, terHorst explained. In a statement Nord explained her reasons for voting for the delay by saying, “Application of the lead content mandates of the CPSIA to the products made by the petitioners may have the perverse effect of actually endangering children by forcing youth sized vehicles off the market and resulting in children riding the far more dangerous adult sized ATVs.”

MOTORCYCLE THEFTS DOWN NEARLY 5% The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released a new report that shows motorcycle thefts are declining following similar good news about four-wheel vehicles, informed an online news site. “In 2008, a total of 60,763 motorcycles were reported stolen in the U.S.,” it told us, adding, “That number is down 2.3 percent from the 62,206 reported in 2007 and down 4.8 percent from the 63,828 reported in 2006.” The report shows that motorcycle theft is more seasonal than other vehicle theft activity, with July and August logging the most thefts, while December, January and February had the least number of motorcycle thefts, it explained. “The five states with the most motorcycle theft activity are: California, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and Indiana,” it added these states reported 72,619 thefts, or 38.9 percent of the total thefts for all three years.

O’NEAL STOPS DISTRIBUTION OF MONSTER YOUTH ITEMS O’Neal Distributing will no longer be selling any youth Monster products, effective immediately, informed a company press release. “This is a standard throughout the motorcycle industry,” the release explained, “A quick reason for this is due to the government pressing on Monster not to promote to the youth audience because of their energy drink. There are too many cases against ‘energy drinks’ for kids having medical problems due to consumption of energy drinks.” The fastest way to fix the issue is to immediately stop selling and promoting to the youth crowd of Monster Energy paraphernalia, it said, therefore, Monster youth jerseys, pants, gloves, helmets, t-shirts and boots will no longer be available. “All adult items are still available, with the exception of the Monster clutch boots,” the release concluded.

ON-ROAD MOTORCYCLE BIENNIAL SMOG CHECK REQUIRED California State Senator Fran Pavely (D-Agoura Hills) introduced Senate Bill 435, requiring all on-road motorcycles, model year 2000 and newer, to get a biennial smog check, announced Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) spokesperson Meg Grossglass, who told us this bill is still in the early stages of the process and exactly how it will affect dual sport bikes is still uncertain. She explained the use of dual sport bikes has recently seen an increase in popularity and having the flexibility to travel from offroad to street is attractive to riders who continue to see a decrease in available OHV riding areas. “ORBA understands the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also believes that it can be done in a manner that does not harm our industry – an industry that has been particularly hit by the condition of the economy and the recent federal ban on youth ATV and motorcycle sales,” stated Grossglass. She added, “We are optimistic that we can work with Senator Pavely to fashion a constructive piece of legislation.”

HELMETS NO LONGER REQUIRED IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES “The Missouri Senate voted to allow people at least 21 years old to ride a motorcycle without wearing a helmet when not traveling on an interstate highway,” stated the Southeastern Missourian. The paper explained some attributed the bill’s success in the Senate to the helmet provisions having been attached to a larger bill related to motorcycle insurance, which, if approved, would ban insurance companies from assigning fault to a motorcyclist based only on his or her use of a motorcycle. Mark Chapman, Kansas City, MO, central committee chairman for the Freedom of Road Riders, a Missouri motorcyclist rights organization, is reportedly in favor of the bill passing, stating, “We’re in favor of freedom of choice for adults … If it does end up being allowed, I hope people ride responsibly.”

BRIDGESTONE RECALLS EXEDRA MOTORCYCLE TIRES ConsumerAffairs.com reported Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation (BATO) is recalling certain Bridgestone Exedra G850 G motorcycle tires, sizes 180/70R16 77H, sold as original equipment for MY 2008 and 2009 Triumph Rocket III touring motorcycles. “The motorcycle to which these tires are applied develops very high torque and can cause torque-induced degradation in a body ply which may result in inner liner cracking that may lead to a slow leak in the rear tire,” the site explained, however, this error does not affect the front tire. The affected tires may begin to vibrate at moderate speeds, it told us, and continued use of the tire could lead the vehicle to crash. “BATO is working with Triumph to notify owners and the defective tires will be replaced free of charge,” ConsumerAffairs.com said, “In addition, the front tire will be replaced free of charge due to the matching requirements of the motorcycle.”

SEMA ADDS POWERSPORTS & UTILITY VEHICLES TO 2009 SHOW “SEMA is adding two new sections to the 2009 SEMA show dedicated to powersports and utility vehicles,” informed a show spokesperson. They told us these new sections will be located in the south hall and will feature manufacturers of power-driven equipment, such as personal transporters, motorcycles, motor scooters, three and four wheel ATVs, pocket bikes, specialty golf carts, mini-bikes, dirt bikes, as well as accessories and services that support these vehicles. “We are constantly seeking new growth opportunities for our members and attendees of the SEMA show,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events, “The powersports and utility vehicle marketplace is of growing importance to our core buyers. Manufacturers in this area will discover a slew of potential buyers.”

CONGRESS VOTES TO CLOSE LAND TO OHV USE American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) spokesperson Peter terHorst told us U.S. House members voted 285 to 140 in approval of a bill that closes more than 2 million acres of public land nationwide to off-highway motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and all other motorized vehicles. “Following congressional maneuvering that breathed new life into the measure after it was defeated just a couple weeks earlier, the lawmakers approved H.R. 146, known as the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Battlefield Acquisition Grant Program,” terHorst explained, adding Congress’ first attempt to pass this measure, formerly known as S. 22, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, was defeated earlier in March in the House; however, the Senate leadership brought H.R. 146 to the floor, inserted the language from S. 22 and passed the bill on March 19 by a vote of 77 to 20. The bill then reportedly went back to the House for the March 25 vote. “Under the bill, areas where motorized vehicles won’t be allowed include parts of the Monogahela National Forest in West Virginia, Jefferson National Forest in Virginia, Mount Hood, Badlands, Spring Basin and Copper Salmon areas in Oregon, Sabinoso in New Mexico, Riverside County in California and Washington County in Utah,” said terHorst.

SENATE REJECTS MOTORCYCLE HELMET REQUIREMENT “Illinois senators have strongly said they don’t want to force motorcycle riders to wear helmets when they ride,” informed the Peoria Journal Star. According to the paper, the Senate voted 42-14 against Senate Bill 1351, which was pushed by Senator Donne Trotter (D-Chicago) who wanted Illinois to join the 47 other states with motorcycle helmet requirements. “The measure got less than half of the 30 ‘yes’ votes it needed to pass,” the paper explained, adding, “Trotter cited several statistics of higher risk of injuries to non-helmeted riders as a reason for the requirement. He said he’s been a rider for more than 40 years but taxpayers shouldn’t be saddled with higher health care costs because of riders who refuse to wear helmets and then suffer serious injuries.”

JURY AWARDS MAN $8.6 MILLION AFTER MOTORCYCLE CRASH According to the San Jose Mercury News, “A Monterey County, CA man will be getting millions of dollars from the state for the injuries he received when he crashed his motorcycle after hitting a wild pig.” The paper explained Adam Rogers is confined to a wheelchair after hitting the pig while riding his motorcycle late at night in September 2003. Rogers sued the state Department of Transportation, claiming the state was responsible for his injuries because it knew wild pigs were crossing the highway, the News said, and the jury agreed, awarding Rogers $8.6 million, with most of the money going toward future medical bills. “Jurors determined that state officials failed to take action even though they had evidence that a stretch of the highway was dangerous because wild pigs were crossing it,” they explained.

Passings

MIKE SCHIELD, 54 Mike Schield, former national sales manager for Shoei Safety Helmet, passed away Saturday, March 14 at his home in Cedaredge, CO, informed Helmet House spokesperson Richard Kimes. “Mike has been fighting severe health issues for most of his life and his body finally gave up the fight.” He told us Mike worked for Helmet House in the product development department in the early 1980’s before becoming national sales manager for Shoei, a position he held for over 23 years. “In 1992, Mike pioneered the Shoei University Seminar program, a national dealer training program that has served as a foundation for Shoei’s sales and marketing efforts, as well as a template for countless competitors within the motorcycle industry in training dealers on new products,” Kimes added.