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| September 2008 Hot Flashes
HARLEY COMPLETES MV AGUSTA ACQUISITION
Harley-Davidson announced the completion of its purchase of the
privately-held Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group. “The
company has acquired 100 percent of MV Agusta Group shares for total
consideration of approximately 70 million euros ($108 million),
which includes the satisfaction of existing bank debt for
approximately 45 million euros ($69 million),” stated spokesperson
Paul James. He told us MV Agusta will add two motorcycle lines to
the Harley-Davidson family: a line of exclusive, premium,
high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta brand,
as well as a line of lightweight sport motorcycles sold under the
Cagiva brand. CEO Jim Ziemer said, “Our primary focus with this
acquisition is to grow our presence and enhance our position in
Europe as a leader in fulfilling customers’ dreams, complementing
the Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycle families.”
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MICRON EXHAUST GONE
According to Steve Larson, customer support head for Annitori
Distributing, former importer of Micron Exhaust, the pipe company
has liquidated all their assets. Final bids were due in mid-August,
just as this issue of MI went to press. Larson told MI they had been
importing the brand since the early ‘90s and Annitori’s contract
was due to expire the end of September. The distributor stated they
had been pulling away from exhausts for the last two years.
Apparently, Micron was slow to adapt to market conditions and
trends.
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SUOMY HELMETS U.S. UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
In response to a misleading press release issued Jul. 1, 2008, sent out by
the former U.S. agent and published in other trade publications, Suomy
Helmets would like to inform all dealers and end users that it is “business
as usual” in the U.S. market. The new release states that Parts
Unlimited, Romaha Distributors and Van Leeuwen Enterprises will remain as
strong Suomy distributors nationwide. “Along with their extensive dealer
network, these outlets will continue to provide sales for new and current
lines available to the U.S. market. Supporting this network is a Suomy
factory office dedicated to providing quality customer service as well as
warranty and technical support,” it added.
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BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE RAISES PRICES
Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) and Bridgestone Firestone
Canada (BFCA) announced price increases on the companies’ Bridgestone
and Firestone brand tire lines, as well as all associate brand tires. “The
announced increases, up to 10 percent, on passenger and light truck, truck
and bus, motorcycle and agricultural and off-the-road tires, will affect
the replacement, original equipment and export channels,” stated a
company spokesperson. “As a company we are faced with a shortage of the
basic, critical raw materials used to make our tires. The result is a
dramatic rise in prices for commodities such as butadiene, natural rubber
and other materials,” explained Asahiko Nishiyama, vice chairman and
president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, parent company of BFNT and BFCA.
He continued by saying, “Although we’ve worked continually to enhance
efficiencies and increase productivity in all areas of our business, these
efforts can not fully mitigate the escalation of costs that we are facing.
As a result, we have no choice but to implement this price increase.”
The price increase is reportedly scheduled to begin Sept. 1, 2008.
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AMA APPROVES SALE TO DAYTONA MOTORSPORTS GROUP
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reported its board of
directors has unanimously approved the final agreement regarding the
sale of certain AMA Pro Racing properties to the Daytona Motorsports
Group (DMG). According to an AMA spokesperson, “Under terms of the
sale, DMG will own the sanctioning, promotional and management
rights to AMA Pro Racing.” The sale reportedly does not include
the rights to the AMA Supercross and AMA Arenacross Series.
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MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES RISING IN TENNESSEE
The WZTV Fox 17 Web site reported fatal motorcycle accidents are
rising throughout the state as the number of motorcycle licenses
increase. “According to the Tennessee Department of Safety, the
number of motorcycle licenses increased statewide about 5 percent
each year between 2003 and 2006,” the site explained. It added,
“Also increasing were the number of motorcycle related fatalities
– from 88 in 2003 to 140 in 2006.”
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MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER CRASHES UP
Winston-Salem, NC, police have reported a 38 percent increase in the
number of motorcycle and scooter accidents this year, with 101 total
crashes so far, compared to 73 in 2007, stated the WXii 12 Web site. Sgt.
Jeff Stutts has attributed the increase to high gas prices and so many
people buying motor scooters, which can get anywhere from 80 to 100 miles
per gallon, the site added. “Another big draw for those considering
buying scooters is that North Carolina laws don’t require scooter
drivers to carry a driver’s license or have motor vehicle insurance as
long as the scooter doesn’t have an engine larger than 50 cubic
centimeters, an external shifting device or the ability to travel faster
than 30 mph,” WXii 12 said.
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MORE MONEY & PERSONNEL NEEDED TO MANAGE MOTORIZED RECREATION
“Countering criticism that off-highway vehicles damage public land, the
American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) told a congressional committee
that lawmakers need to provide more people and money for federal agencies
to responsibly allow for varied uses of the land,” stated spokesperson
Peter terHorst. He told us Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government
relations, testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources, saying that active management of different forms of
recreation on federal public land is needed rather than trying to cut the
costs of management or eliminating motorized trails. “The motorized
recreation community has a long history of volunteerism and is already
helping public land managers by maintaining trails, promoting ethical use
and advocating for appropriate funding levels,” Moreland explained. He
added, “While it remains incumbent upon the agencies to provide a
managed setting for recreation and a forum for users to engage in the
debate and help provide resources, education and expertise, it is the
responsibility of Congress to ensure that the agencies have sufficient
resources to accomplish their mission.”
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MOTORCYCLE DEATHS DECLINE IN VA
In the first five months of 2007, 41 people died while riding a motorcycle
in Virginia and in the same period of 2008, the state has recorded 20
motorcycle related deaths, informed the Richmond Times Dispatch. The paper
explained motorcycle related deaths in Virginia are at their lowest level
since 2005, even though there are more registered motorcycles in the state
than ever before – 136,953 as of May 31. “The 126 fatalities in
Virginia in 2007 marked a 10 year high and Virginia officials made safety
a priority for 2008,” it added.
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NEW SC MOTORCYCLE LAW DRAWS MIXED REVIEWS
The WTOC Web site reported South Carolina has passed a new law that will
allow motorcyclists to roll through red lights, but the privilege comes
with certain stipulations. According to the site, “Under the new law,
motorcyclists must come to a complete stop, put their feet on the ground
and if the light doesn’t turn green after two minutes, they can ride on.”
Some riders say the law is needed, it continued, while others are
concerned that the law will cause more motorcycle related accidents and
deaths, especially for those with little riding experience. One
motorcyclist, Joe Simkins, stated, “There are those who will look at it
as an advantageous law, like I don’t have to sit there any more and
wait. I would much rather wait. It’s not worth it in my opinion.” This
law also reportedly applies to mopeds, scooters and bicycles.
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STOLEN MOTORCYCLE FOUND AFTER 34 YEARS
A Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was stolen almost 34 years ago has
surfaced in central New Jersey, reported an online news source. It
told us Michael Meistrell bought the 1971 Sportster on eBay for
$2,400 and he learned the bike was stolen after contacting
Harley-Davidson for more information about the bike, which was
stolen on Halloween 1974 in Rhode Island. Meistrell and several of
the bike’s previous owners were not aware it had been stolen and
eBay will reimburse Meistrell under its policy protecting those who
inadvertently buy stolen vehicles, the site added. The bike’s
original owner is being traced and no arrests have been made at
press time.
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| Passings
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GREG WELD
“Greg Weld, the creative visionary who took racing and custom wheels to
a new level died at 64,” informed spokesperson Rick Raus. He continued
by saying, “Weld’s revolutionary view and his unconditional desire
allowed him to create the finest quality forged wheels in the industry.”
He founded Weld Wheel Industries in 1970, manufacturing forged alloy
wheels for various vehicles and, in 2007, started Greg Weld Competition
Wheels, Raus explained. “His continuous investments in technology,
research and development and talented people positioned Weld to be a
pioneer and undisputed leader in the aftermarket industry,” he added.
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