Peter Lenz, Teen Motorcycle Racer, Dies at Indy

Peter Lenz, 13, was killed yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway after his motorcycle crashed and he was hit by another racer. Here's an excerpt by Jonathan Welsh of the Wall Street Journal:

"The death of 13-year-old motorcycle racer Peter Lenz yesterday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway raises the question: How young is too young for kids participating in inherently dangerous motorsports? It is also sure to fuel debate over how motorsports sanctioning groups balance risk and entertainment when putting together programs (like Sunday’s races) that combine amateur and professional events." -- Jonathan Welsh

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Coast-to-Coast on a 95-Year-Old Harley

This story caught my eye. It tells of a coast-to-coast antique motorcycle race, the Motorcycle Cannonball Run, to start September 10, 2010 from Kitty Hawk, NC and end in Santa Monica, CA. One rider plans to ride a 1911 Harley-Davidson Silent Grey Fellow all the way. Here's an excerpt from an article appearing in the Simi Valley Acorn written by Angela Randazzo"

"While the antique motorcycle’s thrust pales in comparison to today’s street bikes capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph, Simi Valley resident Paul Watts, the proud owner of an 11F, is hoping the 95-year-old bike is capable of carrying him across the country." -- Angela Randazzo

Read the complete article.

Are You Being Discriminated Against?

Have you had the police single you out for a traffic stop? Are you a tiny minority as a motorcycle rider in your city? See what happened to one lady rider in New York City. Here's an excerpt from an article by Honey Berk in AOL Autos:

"Even more alarming are reports of the NYPD conducting allegedly unconstitutional motorcycle-only checkpoints, and regularly ticketing riders based upon incorrect interpretation of motor vehicle regulations. One of the most telling cases is that of Karen Perrine, a graphic designer from Staten Island, who was ticketed in October 2005 for riding her motorcycle in the high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lane on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Armed with the knowledge that federal law permits motorcyclists to ride in HOV lanes on federally funded roadways, Perrine decided to fight the ticket in court with the assistance of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)." -- Honey Berk

Read the complete article to see what's going on across the country.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Ken

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Ken with his 2009 Triumph Speedmaster. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Front Angle View

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Motorcycle

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Photos

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Sports Bike

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Rear Angle View

2011 Victory Vision Tour

2011 Victory Vision Tour Front View

2011 Victory Vision Tour Pictures

2011 Victory Vision Tour Rear Side View

2011 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 48 Photos

2011 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 48 Images

2011 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 48 Motorcycle

2011 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight 48 Photos

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Motorcycle

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Action

2011 Ducati 848 Evo

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Dashboard View

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Details

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Picture

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Black Color

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Motorcycle

Honda Recalls 2010 VT1300CR, CRA, and CT Motorcycles for Inaccurate Weight Label

Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 Honda VT1300CR, VT1300CRA, and VT1300CT motorcycles manufactured from December 17, 2009 through May 24, 2010.

These motorcycles fail to conform to the certification requirements of Part 567. The gross axle weight rating (GAWR) is incorrect.

3184 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2010 MTS1200 for Throttle Cable Problem

Ducati is recalling certain model year 2010 Multistrada 1200 motorcycles.

The throttle cables may come into contact with the upper edge of the radiator during normal operation of the motorcycle. This situation could cause the throttle cables to become chafed by the radiator resulting in damage to the motorcycle and a potential hazard to the rider.

396 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2010 MTS1200S for Center Stand Problem

Ducati is recalling certain model year 2010 Multistrada 1200S Touring Edition motorcycles.

The motorcycle's center stand mounting screws may come loose during normal operation. This situation could cause the center stand to possibly become displaced from its intended mounting position resulting in damage to the motorcycle and a potential hazard to the rider.

495 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Ducati Recalls 2010 MTS1200 for Steering Problem

Ducati is recalling certain model year 2010 Multistrada 1200 motorcycles.

During production an incorrect screw may have been installed in the motorcycle's steering head. This situation could cause the steering head to possibly become loose during normal operation.

196 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Yamaha Recalls 2006-2010 YZF-R6 for Reflector Problem

Yamaha is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 YZF-R6 motorcycles manufactured from August 2005 through March 2010.

The motorcycle's front side reflector was not placed at the proper height which fails to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108.

54,000 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Motorcycle Pictures of the Week - Bob

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Bob with his 2007 Suzuki Boulevard C50T w/Voyager trike kit. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

If you'd like to see your bike as Picture of the Week, submit a picture of you and your bike along with a description of the bike.

Might Harley-Davidson Leave Milwaukee?

This report from the Associated Press by Dinesh Ramde indicates that 107 years in one town may be enough for Harley-Davidson. Here's an excerpt:

"It's the roar that made Milwaukee famous — the distinctive throaty rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. But that much-loved racket could be rumbling away to another state if the company cannot bring down its labor costs." -- Dinesh Ramde

Read more.

Harley-Davidson to Quit Making Sidecars

According to Motorcycle.com, Harley-Davidson will soon discontinue making sidecars. Here's an excerpt:

"The Motor Company has been producing sidecars since 1914 but Harley-Davidson will stop accepting orders for sidecars once it completes its 2011 model year orders."

Read more.