July 08 Hot Flashes

CONTENTS

Home

Products/Services

Mfg/Distributors

Industry Catalogs

People Profiles

Articles

In The Pros' Words

July 08 Hot Flashes

V-TWIN NEWS HIRES NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paisano Publications, LLC, announced it has hired long time industry insider Robin Hartfiel as editor-in-chief of its dealer magazine V-Twin News. “Robin will replace Ben Lamboeuf as editor of the monthly dealer magazine. Ben will work in Paisano’s consumer division as an associate editor of Easyriders and V-Twin, as well as heading up a new automotive title,” stated a company spokesperson. “We at Paisano are very happy to welcome Robin as a member of our family É Robin will help V-Twin News become the voice of the American V-Twin aftermarket and a natural accompaniment to our V-Twin Expo dealer show, helping manufacturers, distributors and retail outlets do business,” stated President Gil Luna.

KC CREATIONS GOES OUT OF BUSINESS KC Creations owner Kim Suter told us, after 13 years in the industry, he and his wife Cheryl have decided to close KC Creations. Suter explained the poor economy and rising fuel prices have made it difficult for consumers to spend their expendable income on luxury purchases. With the closing of their store, Suter said he and Cheryl plan to pursue other business interests they’ve set aside for many years. “It is our hope that you, our friends and colleagues, will understand our decision and will stand by us as we go through this process,” he added.

MEYERS BUYS AMERICAN IRONHORSE “A U.S. bankruptcy judge in Fort Worth okayed the sale of American IronHorse Motorcycles to former defense-industry executive Scott Meyers for $6.7 million after rejecting a claim that colorful investor Lynn Tilton had offered more in a court-ordered auction,” stated the Fort Worth Star Telegram (TX). Meyers plans to move to Fort Worth to run IronHorse, the paper explained, and the total cost of the acquisition will be in excess of $8 million – this includes liabilities in the form of warranties on existing bikes. Meyers said he will honor the warranties on the bikes and, by doing so, hopes to rebuild the company’s image, the Telegram told us. Meyers reportedly operates IronHorse dealerships in Montana and Minnesota. He stated, “I am very proud to be chosen. Now it’s time to concentrate on rebuilding the business.”

PIRELLI CHANGES IDENTIFICATION CODES ON MOTORCYCLE TIRES Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. announced that for logistics reasons, its motorcycle radial tires, sold in the North American replacement channel will be manufactured solely with the markings required by local legislation. According to spokesperson Peter Jones, these codes will include regulated DOT markings. “To provide more consistent product information of motorcycle tires, these tires destined to be sold in North America will be no longer marked with the ‘CE’ sign, which is specific to the European markets,” stated Jones. He added, “This change is to protect the consumer and all tires used in any market must be purchased only through the legitimate distribution network.”

HELMET LAW REPEAL APPROVED BY HOUSE The Detroit Free Press (MI) reported for the second time in two years, the Legislature voted, again, to repeal a law that requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets. “But, like last year, they shouldn’t get their hopes up. Gov. Jennifer Granholm is again likely to veto the change,” the paper told us. The House reportedly passed the bill in a vote of 70-38, allowing bikers ages 21 and up to pay a $100 annual state fee to ride without a helmet. They would have to pass a motorcycle safety course and be licensed for two previous years, the paper continued, and the bill was also approved by the Senate and now goes to Granholm, whose spokesperson, Liz Boyd, stated, they support the current helmet law.

POLICE TO CONDUCT MOTORCYCLE CHECKS New York state police are anticipating an increase in the number of motorcycles on the road and they announced plans to conduct roadside safety inspections of motorcycles similar to those conducted on commercial trucks, stated the Schenectady Gazette. “We want to raise awareness of motorcycle safety throughout the state. Checkpoints will be set up to inspect safety violations including tires, lighting, helmets and operating licenses,” stated Sgt. Daniel Larkin. He added, “Motorcyclists will be alerted to stop by electronic signs and we will be conducting these checkpoints throughout the state all summer.”

ULTRA MOTORCYCLE CO. FILES BANKRUPTCY Robert Whitmore, trustee, told us he has filed a final report and account in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the Central District of California for Ultra Motorcycle Company. According to Whitmore, a hearing will be held July 1 in Riverside, CA, before U.S. BankruptcyJudge David N. Naugle.

VESPA INVITES CONSUMERS TO ‘GET SMART’ ABOUT THEIR RIDE “Vespa, the world’s most iconic scooter brand, is joining forces this summer with SUBWAY¨ restaurants and secret agents Maxwell Smart and Agent 99 from the action comedy Get Smart to fight the forces of evil – traffic congestion, fuel consumption, global warming and boring transportation,” announced spokesperson Elke Martin. The company will support its cameo appearance by a silver Vespa LX 150 scooter in the film with a national promotional campaign and placement within the SUBWAY¨ branded promotional online Instant Win Game and Sweepstakes, with a chance to win one of 10 Vespa scooters, as well as two exclusive offers to enjoy free food and gear, described Martin. “The Vespa brand is synonymous with smart, spirited transportation,” continued Paolo Timoni, president and CEO of Piaggio Group Americas, “Vespa riders will already know that scooters are a fresh way to tackle today’s fuel and congestion issues and we’re pleased that this promotion gives us the opportunity to help even more consumers uncover the facts about Vespanomics.”

RECREATION GROUP RESPONDS TO SO. CAL. FORESTS LAWSUIT BlueRibbon Coalition spokesperson Don Amador reported, “The California Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs led a coalition of recreational access groups seeking to enter the latest lawsuit challenging motorized recreation in California.” According to Amador, the lawsuit was filed by the California Attorney General’s office on behalf of the California Resources Agency, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the People of the State of California. “It was filed against the U.S. Forest Service’s ‘forest plans’ for the Angeles, Los Padres, Cleveland and San Bernadino National Forests in Southern California,” described Amador. The State contends the Forest Plans fail to both comply with various federal laws and to properly ‘harmonize’ the State’s input on ‘roadless area’ management with the long-range federal planning vision, he added. The motion to intervene is reportedly scheduled to be heard on Jun. 30, 2008, after we went to press.

SO. CAL. AUTHORITIES TARGET OUTLAW MOTORCYCLE GANG The San Jose Mercury News (CA) stated, “At least 15 suspected members of an outlawed motorcycle gang were arrested as they rode through Temecula.” According to the paper, San Diego County sheriffs deputies and other law enforcement officers arrested several of the bikers after they refused to stop and they were arrested on suspicion of failing to yield and their bikes were impounded. The bikers were said to be members of a group called the Mongols and were reportedly headed to a nationwide gathering at the La Jolla Indian Reservation campgrounds. “Authorities have designated the group an outlaw motorcycle gang,” said the News, “A 2002 fight between Mongols and Hells Angels in Laughlin, NV, resulted in the deaths of three bikers.”

MOTORCYCLE STUNT TEAM CHARGED WITH GRAND THEFT “Three members of a Clay County motorcycle stunt team have been charged with grand theft in connection with a string of motorcycle thefts in Clay and Duval counties,” announced Florida Times-Union. The paper explained the stolen motorcycles were used for parts on bikes ridden by Stunt 904 team members and as many as 20 motorcycles were stolen in the two counties. Parts that were not used were reportedly sold online. “Curtis Gill, 27, Ross Jackson, 25, and Dustin Richards, 24, all of the 1200 block of Dumpling Court, Green Cove Springs, were charged with grand theft and are being held in the Clay County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail apiece,” Times-Union added.

PROGRESSIVE & LOJACK PARTNER TO MAKE BIKE PROTECTION MORE AFFORDABLE Progressive Insurance announced a rebate offer and discount for motorcycle riders who purchase a LoJack for Motorcycles Stolen Vehicle Recovery System. “Now riders can get a $50 rebate from LoJack on their purchase of the system by downloading the online rebate form at www.motorcycle.progressive.com,” explained spokesperson Ashley Washington. She continued by saying, “In addition, Progressive customers who have LoJack installed on their bikes will also receive a 20 percent discount on their Comprehensive Coverage.” The rebate is good in all 26 LoJack states, Washington told us, while the 20 percent Comprehensive discount is now available in eight of these 26 states, with more expected to become available by the end of 2008.

Passings	`

MATHERSON DIES IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH Mission Motorsports owner, John Matherson, 53, died in a motorcycle crash after he apparently lost control of his bike on a curve at Rancho Carrillo Road south of Ortega Highway in an unincorporated part of Orange County near San Juan Capistrano, CA, stated an online news site. “Because the area is secluded, Matherson was not discovered until a few hours later,” the site explained, and he was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.