“Our theme at this year’s show is Dream Team 2008 and Honda enthusiasts will be pleased to see the number of dreams we’ve brought to reality for 2008,” said Honda Press Manager Jon Row.

Oakley, Inc., reported it has renewed its licensing agreement with Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. for an additional three years. The original agreement was established in 2003 and has yielded a historic collection of eyewear that exemplifies both companies’ passion for technology, innovation and design, the company told us. “Our partnership with Ducati has achieved tremendous success with past product offerings and we are excited to extend the ongoing alliance,” said Colin Baden, president of Oakley. New for 2007 is the signature edition Ducati Oil Drum, a salute to the world championship career of Ducati racer Loris Capirossi and features Ducati colors, graphics and ear stems with the racer’s emblem and competition number, Oakley described. Other special editions in the signature eyewear line reportedly include Ducati Fives 3.0, Ducati Gascan, Ducati Juliet, Ducati Monster Dog and Ducati Square Wire. “These products are available through Oakley’s sunglass distribution points around the globe and at exclusive Ducati stores and dealerships in Ducati’s distribution network,” concluded the company.

 “Our partnership with Ducati has achieved tremendous success with past product offerings and we are excited to extend the ongoing alliance,” said Colin Baden, president of Oakley.

Advanstar Communications, a provider of integrated marketing solutions to the automotive aftermarket, offroad and powersports industries, announced the acquisition of 2Wheel Tuner, a national monthly consumer magazine dedicated to the custom and performance sport bike enthusiast. The magazine was the first US magazine to target the rapidly growing custom sport bike market and it has matured into a dominant and well-respected brand in the powersports industry and reaches more than 35,000 sport bike enthusiasts, explained spokesperson Meghan Lee. “By focusing on the urban sport bike scene, 2Wheel Tuner has focused the attention of the powersports industry on an entirely new kind of motorcycle enthusiast,” explained Sarah Timleck, publisher and co-owner of 2Wheel Tuner magazine. She added, “Advanstar is ideally positioned to help 2Wheel Tuner deliver our unique blend of style and spirit in print, online and through events to sport bike enthusiasts.”

By focusing on the urban sport bike scene, 2Wheel Tuner has focused the attention of the powersports industry on an entirely new kind of motorcycle enthusiast,” explained Sarah Timleck.

Husaberg motorcycles will be distributed by KTM North America in the United States and Canadian markets, informed spokesperson Christy LaCurelle. She told us Husaberg has been owned and manufactured by KTM Sportmotorcycles AG since 1997. “KTM North America will form a separate division to ensure efficiency in distribution of Husaberg motorcycles,” she explained, adding, “The new division, Husaberg North America, will consist of dedicated sales, parts, accessories and technical departments.” KTM North America President Jon-Erik Burleson said, “Through the distribution of Husaberg motorcycles in North America, we now have the ability to better serve the dealers and customers of this unique brand. We are looking forward to growing our sales and bringing new innovative machines to the offroad enthusiast looking for a high-quality European niche product.”

“KTM North America will form a separate division to ensure efficiency in distribution of Husaberg motorcycles.”

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced it has partnered with Medical Air Services Association (MASA) to provide emergency medical services at a reduced cost. MASA is not insurance, but like the AMA it’s a membership organization that provides a variety of emergency services to its members, explained an AMA spokesperson. They added, an annual membership fee of $240 for an individual, or $360 for an entire family, earns AMA members all the benefits of MASA membership and the normal $60 initiation fee has been waved for AMA members. “A MASA membership includes a list of benefits that apply all the time, whether at home or on the road and could save you thousands of dollars, or even save your life,” the spokesperson said. They concluded, “Because MASA is not insurance, there are no deductibles to pay, no claims forms, no age limits and no overall maximum dollar limits per flight. MASA covers you anywhere in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos islands.”

MASA is not insurance, but like the AMA it’s a membership organization that provides a variety of emergency services to its members, explained an AMA spokesperson.

Matthew Gross, president of MMG Management (MMG) reported Primedia has defaulted on the second settlement agreement the two companies had agreed upon in regard to a copyright violation that occurred in Primedia’s Hot Rod Bikes magazine in 2003. He explained, “The original suit was filed in Los Angeles Federal court in 2004 and was dismissed after the parties achieved the first agreement.” Primedia reportedly breached and then defaulted on the first agreement in 2005, causing the parties to then enter into a second agreement, in which Primedia agreed to publish eight full page advertisements as Gross and MMG directed and/or authorized. However, Gross reported Primedia failed to run an advertisement submitted earlier this year and it also failed to timely cure the breach. In the suit, MMG and Gross are asking “for compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but in no event less than $169,920 for the value of the advertising that was given to [MMG and Gross] as consideration for Agreement Two.” Gross concluded by saying, “This is the second time that Primedia has not upheld their end of an agreement and we felt our best recourse was to once again return to Federal court. The provisions in the second agreement are very specific and we are extremely confident that we will most certainly prevail.”

Gross concluded by saying, “This is the second time that Primedia has not upheld their end of an agreement and we felt our best recourse was to once again return to Federal court."

The Wyoming Tribune reported the number of motorcyclists dying on the state’s highways is increasing with the addition of three motorcyclists who died in one week in August, bringing the total number of fatal motorcycle crashes so far this year to 12. “At the current rate, Wyoming could see 20 motorcycle fatalities this year,” the paper noted, adding, “The average number for each of the past five years was 16.” The total number of motorcycle crashes in Wyoming has reportedly increased from 237 in 2000 to 425 last year. “Wyoming is joining the national trend,” said Lorrie Pozarik, director of Injury Prevention Resources, a Lander-based nonprofit corporation that focuses on reducing highway deaths in the state. Nearly 40 percent of the motorcycle crashes in Wyoming last year involved unlicensed riders, 78 percent of riders who died in the state last year were not wearing helmets and alcohol was a factor in 32 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes last year, the Tribune concluded.

“Wyoming is joining the national trend,” said Lorrie Pozarik, director of Injury Prevention Resources, a Lander-based nonprofit corporation that focuses on reducing highway deaths in the state.

“A North Dakota motorcycle advocacy group says Bismarck is being overzealous in enforcing a city noise ordinance,” informed KXnet.com. The Web site explained officers have been using portable decibel meters since the beginning of August and of the 14 citations issued, eight of them have been to motorcycles. Lieutenant Fred Woolen, head of the Bismarck Police Department’s traffic division, said the 14 citations in two weeks is not a lot, but may be more than normal for the noise ordinance, the site said. “Woolen says that if someone is pulled over and asked to rev their engine, it’s their decision whether to do it,” KXnet.com said, adding, however, the officer can still take a reading as they drive off.

... officers have been using portable decibel meters since the beginning of August and of the 14 citations issued ... 

Federal authorities have charged 16 members of a motorcycle gang that rivals the Hell’s Angels with offenses including drug-dealing, illegal gun sales and engaging in violent acts, reported the Turkish Press (MI). According to Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, “Eleven of the 16 alleged members and former associates of the American Outlaws Association, also known as the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, were in custody and five were still at large.” The 18 count indictment “alleges that the defendants committed, attempted and threatened to commit acts of violence to protect and expand the gang’s criminal operations,” Gonzalez explained. The indictment reportedly came as a part of a five year federal, state and local crackdown on gang activity in Detroit, MI.

The indictment reportedly came as a part of a five year federal, state and local crackdown on gang activity in Detroit, MI.

Titan International’s Communication Coordinator Courtney Leeser reported the company welcomed the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to initiate antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on new pneumatic off-the-road tires from China. According to Leeser, the investigations were initiated in response to petitions filed jointly by Titan and the United Steelworkers union in June of this year. “Dumping and government subsidies have given Chinese tire producers an unfair advantage in our market and it is the U.S. industry and American workers who have suffered as a result,” noted Titan Chairman and CEO Maurice M. Taylor. “We are very encouraged that the Commerce Department voted to proceed with the investigation,” he said, adding, “We still have a long way to go, but the important part of this whole process is determining what is fair and lawful.”

According to Leeser, the investigations were initiated in response to petitions filed jointly by Titan and the United Steelworkers union in June of this year.

Wiley X Eyewear announced it has won a major court battle against Panoptx, Inc. for infringing upon Wiley X’s U.S. Patent No. 6,062,688. Spokesperson Vinny Rivas explained, “Under the settlement, Panoptx will have to stop selling its Velocity CV and Warrior products to the military by the end of the year and to all other market segments by the end of 2008.” Panoptx will also reportedly be required to pay Wiley X royalties on all 2008 sales of these products. Wiley X Vice President Dan Freeman stated, “While we would have preferred not to have to litigate, we are very pleased that our patent rights have been vindicated and that infringing products will be off the market as a result of this settlement.” Panoptx President and CEO Bob Hall added, “There will be no interruption in our business, either now or in the future. Every product we sell now we can and will continue to sell, unimpeded by this settlement, through 2008.”

Panoptx will also reportedly be required to pay Wiley X royalties on all 2008 sales of these products.