With the 17th X Games wrapping up this weekend, I hope EVERYONE got a chance to see this awesome trick!
Ride for a cause, Scavenger Hunt!
Join HRCA and United Bikers 4 Children for a scavenger hunt ride on Saturday, August 27th! Everyone is invited, come help out a great cause and enjoy a Saturday afternoon ride! The ride will leave Heartland Honda at 4pm and end at Northern Exposure in Fayetteville. Give us a call if you have any questions: 1-888-853-8468. See you there!
Soldier enjoys his Honda while home on leave
We thought we'd share this touching story of an active military member who, while home for a short break from deployment in Afghanistan, enjoys his family and hobbies: including his Honda!
From thedailynewsonline.com:
"Byron native Brandon Downey spent the past week hanging out with friends, visiting relatives, riding his new Honda 750cc motorcycle and being feted at a family barbecue.
"Byron native Brandon Downey spent the past week hanging out with friends, visiting relatives, riding his new Honda 750cc motorcycle and being feted at a family barbecue.
It’s a far cry from the previous 12 months, which he spent in Afghanistan with the United States Army. Downey, who turns 23 in August, is a gunner with the 117th Headquarters Support Battery, a field artillery unit that is part of ‘‘The Big Red One,’’ the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.
The 117th HSB is stationed at Fort Sill, Okla.
Army Specialist Downey is home on a two-week leave following a year of active-duty deployment in the city of Gardez, Afghanistan.
This weekend Downey’s in New York City to catch a baseball game, New York Yankees versus the Oakland Athletics. He reports back to Fort Sill July 31, then gets another two-week leave starting Aug. 20.
Downey said his training is in artillery weapons such as the Paladin 155-millimeter cannon and the M777A1, a 155-millimeter light artillery howitzer nicknamed ‘‘the 777.’’
‘‘If something is four miles away, we can hit it with a round,’’ he said this week, while relaxing in his parents’ home on Ivison Road. The serviceman’s body bulged with muscles he developed training in the gym inside his unit’s forward operating base.
The family’s two dogs, Pomeranians named Izzy and Ashley, played underfoot.
Downey has a tattoo on his left arm of the Protection Psalm, 27:3: ‘‘Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.’’
On his right arm is a tattoo of the grim reaper wrapped in an American flag. Mr. Death holds a 240 Bravo machine gun..."
To read the rest of this story: http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_6a4972e6-b4de-11e0-83d9-001cc4c002e0.html
MotoGP News Update: Shell Advance Seven Riding Wonders of the World
Great news for ANY motorcycle fan! Stay tuned to MotoGP this season, as there will be a big announcement at the final race in Malaysia: the world's ultimate Riding Wonder. Read on to learn more from motogp.com:
"The Shell Advance Seven Riding Wonders of the World campaign is asking bikers from around the world to vote for their favourite road, route or track, which will determine the Seven Riding Wonders of the World. The seven panellists will all be at the grand final event at the 2011 Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, where they will unveil the world's ultimate Riding Wonder.
"The Shell Advance Seven Riding Wonders of the World campaign is asking bikers from around the world to vote for their favourite road, route or track, which will determine the Seven Riding Wonders of the World. The seven panellists will all be at the grand final event at the 2011 Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix, where they will unveil the world's ultimate Riding Wonder.
Nicky Hayden, the 2006 MotoGP World Champion and Ducati Corse rider: "There are many great routes that you can ride. I grew up on dirt bikes, but now I love the race tracks. I love being on the famous race tracks, just you and the bike, especially qualifying, just one lap, put it on the line and go for it."
Michael Knaak, Ducati Technical Partnership Project Leader: "The Shell Advance Seven Riding Wonders contains some incredible routes, some I have always wanted to ride! Being from Germany, my ultimate Riding Wonder is the 'Nordschleife' of the Nürburgring - it has a great history and the chance to ride on a real race track, combined with the forested scenery, is a great way to test my bike and the Shell products I work with every day."
Razlan Razali, Chief Executive Officer of Sepang International Circuit: "I am very privileged to have ridden many great roads in Asia, including the Sepang International Circuit, and the Seven Riding Wonders campaign is filled with so many roads that I would love to ride, especially the route from Bali to Yogya."
Javier Alonso, Dorna, Managing Director of Events and Representative to Race Direction: "I have been riding motorbikes since I was a child and have ridden on lots of different types of bikes and roads. In my job I am fortunate to see some of the best race circuits in the world, but for me, I enjoy exploring on my bike and my favourite route is the Bilbao to Perpignan route, although there are many others I would love to explore."
Tanmay Jaswal, Shell Advance Global Marketing Manager: "We are honoured to announce four new panellists, who are all experts in their field and share a deep understanding of motorbikes. We believe they will offer real insight into the selection of the Seven Riding Wonders, and ensure that the ultimate Riding Wonder is truly world class.""
For the rally junkies.
Anyone heading to Sturgis this year? Maybe you've been planning your trip all year, or maybe you'll decide to go last-minute. Either way, this year's rally is sure to be a good one for the books. Here's a great preview article from motorcycle-usa.com:
"There’s a restlessness that creeps into biker’s bones when August rolls around. The call to embark on an epic road trip echoes in their skulls and the ability to focus on the day-to-day becomes a challenge as the spell of the Black Hills spreads from coast-to-coast and beyond. Soon, a half million riders will seek the light of the Sturgis sign on the
The biggest, baddest biker rally around gets ready to rev up for the 71st time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It's Sturgis time once again and we've got the fever. Hopefully thousands of our readers will be joining us at the best party of the year.
hill and the rally will roar to life for the 71st time. Pappy Hoel would be proud.
Because there’s nothing like the party in the Black Hills. Maybe it’s the incredible rides through Spearfish Canyon or the Badlands. Maybe it’s the unpredictable weather, gale-force winds and baseball-sized hail that sweep through the area annually with apocalyptic force. Maybe it’s the tangible spirit you feel when riding below the great faces carved into the nearby mountains. Who knows? But there’s a sense of freedom you feel at Sturgis that started long ago in City Park that you just don’t feel anywhere else, a rawness that hails back to simpler times where it’s less about posturing and more about the party.
About now, motorcyclists are busy checking fluid levels, tread wear and tire pressures as they get their bikes ready for the road. Riders will start showing up by next week, but the thrust of activities will take place from August 8th to the 14th. Sturgis is one rally where the majority of motorcyclists still take pride in riding to, tramping in campgrounds and road side parks and dining off continental breakfast buffets at motels along the way. Tents will soon spring up in yards around town and spotlights will fill the sky, beacons shining the way to travelers of the night.
There are plenty of places to party at Sturgis, but “The Best Party Anywhere” title goes to the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground. The Chip is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which means it’s going all-in to live up to its reputation. They’ve got a star-studded concert lineup, from rock legends Alice Cooper, Edgar Winter and Stevie Nicks to heavier, edgier bands like Pop Evil, Buckcherry and Saving Abel. And this barely scratches the surface of the musical lineup. There are always bands jamming out at Bikini Beach and on smaller stages spread out around the campground. But there’s a lot more going on than just music at the Chip. Burnout king Nick Lee will be on hand entertaining crowds, the Triple Threat Roller Derby Girls will be on site bashing and crashing this year, they’ve got stunt riders who will be attempting world record jumps daily, the Miss Buffalo Chip contest will be going on all week and there’s tons more entertainment on tap as well. They’ve also strung a zip line over the Chip so we’re looking forward to throwing on a GoPro to film us zooming over the heads of the Chipsters.
Last year, Pee-Wee Herman led the Legends Ride out of Deadwood. The year before that, Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler did the honors.
The Chip also sponsors the annual Legends Ride. Heading into its fourth year, the Legends Ride is a charitable event which raises money for local causes. Celebrity riders generally lead the procession out of Deadwood, with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler doing the honors in 2009 while Pee-Wee Herman was the special guest last year. Pee-Wee was filming a piece for Jay Leno and The Tonight Showduring the ride. The event begins with a big social gathering in downtown Deadwood with the Deadwood Tobacco Company and the Silverado-Franklin Hotel & Casino hosting the party. Then it’s time to mount up for a 55-mile ride to the Legendary Buffalo Chip for a private catered dinner, drinks and a concert. This year, guests will be treated to a triple bill of Buckcherry, Def Leppard and Sweet Cyanide. The Legends Ride is growing into one of the must-do events at Sturgis. The best part is the help it provides local charities, as over $150,000 has been raised in the event’s first three years.
The Chip also hosts the annual Michael Lichter exhibit. Lichter has been capturing the evolution of the biker scene first-hand through the lenses of his cameras for the past 30 years. He got his start shooting for Easyrider magazine and his work can be found in countless books. For the past decade, Lichter’s “Motorcycles as Art” display at the Buffalo Chip has featured everything from ground-up custom motorcycles to iconic movie memorabilia to unique artwork. The theme of his 11th exhibit is “Slant Artist – An Eccentric View on Motorcycles and Art” and will showcase the work of Renaissance man Jeff Decker who is a master of the “lost wax” bronze casting process. Decker will have a wonderful collection of his bronze sculptures on hand and will be working on a new piece during the rally. Decker is also an accomplished bike builder and a walking encyclopedia of motorcycling history.
Michael Ballard, his right-hand gal Angie and the gang over at the Full Throttle Saloon know a thing or two about throwing a party at Sturgis, too. FTS is riding a wave of popularity since the truTV show shot at the joint hit national airwaves. Ballard’s got a strong musical lineup as well, kicking off with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd Sunday, Aug. 7, and blowing up on Wednesday with Throttle Fest 2011, a day-long affair featuring Theory of a Deadman, Hinder, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way, Emphatic and the Nigel DuPree Band. If that’s not enough to light a fire under you, then how about appearances by the Flaunt girls and the always popular Angieland? In between, Ballard’s got a host of acts guaranteed to make it a carnival-like atmosphere, from freak shows to midget wrestling. It’s worth a visit to the Full Throttle Saloon just to take in the ambience of its Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome décor.
Another popular place to party during Sturgis is at the Broken Spoke Saloon. The Spoke offers two locations, one on the edge of town on Lazelle run by Jay Allen and the bigger campground and saloon in the shadows of Bear Butte. The Spoke is famous for its huge pool complete with tiki bars and bikini-clad bartenders. It will host the Baker Smokedown Showdown, a drag-style, head-to-head burnout competition between 12 well-known custom bike builders. Guarantee there’s going to be plenty of smoke in the air from tires roasting, sometimes ‘till they pop. Classic rockers the Little River Band, .38 Special and Firehouse headline the musical entertainment at the Spoke, and there’s plenty of more fun scheduled like the Michael Lichter/Sugar Bear Ride and the International Master Bike Builders Association bike show.
Speaking of bike shows, some of the most talented custom bike builders in the world make the annual trip to Sturgis to showcase their talents. The granddaddy of them all has to be the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. The AMD’s is truly a world affair as competitors come from Europe, the Far East and beyond for a chance at the prestigious Freestyle title. What better way is there to sale a few more bikes than to have the title of World Champion on your resume? Freddie Krugger of Belgium won last year’s event with a radical bike which transformed at the push of a button from a low-riding cruiser with a healthy rake to a sportier ride with a shorter wheelbase and a tighter rake. The Rat’s Hole show, held at the Buffalo Chip, is another one of our favorites and annually attracts some of the best work out there. The Harley Ride-In Show is another popular draw. It’s amazing to see what level fans of the Bar & Shield can take a stock Harley and make it their own.
Bikinis and bikes have always gone hand-in-hand. (below) Another great night at the Chip draws to a close before they clean it up and do it all over again the next day.
Another reason to head to Sturgis is for the chance to be one of the first to see and ride the latest 2012 motorcycles. Victory Motorcycles will have its 2012 models available for demo rides at their location off of I-90 at Exit 30. Harley-Davidson is offering demos not far away at Hersrud’s Chevrolet Dealership, also off of Exit 30. Indian Motorcycles, recently acquired by Victory Motorcycles’ parent company Polaris, will be introducing its 2012 lineup at its rig at 4th and Lazelle. Just up the road in Spearfish, Lehman Trikes is holding an open house in addition to offering demo rides. Lehman has trike conversions for several models, from Harley touring motorcycles to Honda Goldwings.
In between going to concerts, hitting up bike shows and hopping in between bars, a trip to the vendors and manufacturers that set up along Lazelle and Main Streets is a must. Venture into the Loud American Roadhouse for some decibel-splitting fun or head into the dark, dank confines of The Dungeon with its unique wall décor. While you’re in the area, pay a visit to the classic collection of motorcycles and memorabilia at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The downtown area is a great place to get some eats at, then find a good corner to post up and just people watch. Sturgis attracts characters of all kinds and sooner or later they all eventually make their way to Main Street.
We opened our preview talking about the epic riding the area has to offer. From Bear Butte to Spearfish Canyon, Mt. Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Memorial, it doesn’t take long to get out of the rally grind for a refreshing ride through the South Dakota countryside. The Badlands offers some of the most unique rock formations around. Strike out in the opposite direction and you’ll end up at Devils Tower in Wyoming, another popular day ride. I’ll bet you didn’t know that Devils Tower is America’s first national monument, designated by President Teddy Roosevelt in the Antiquities Act of 1906.
Motorcycle USA is meeting up with its friends at Victory Motorcycles next week in Park City, Utah, where we’ll be riding the new 2012 Victory touring motorcycles to Sturgis. After that, we’ll be on scene bringing you as much as the action as possible, including blogs, articles, photos and videos. Climb On! with Motorcycle USA for full coverage of the 2011 Sturgis Rally. Time to rev it up and dump the clutch! "
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/800/10693/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Sturgis-Motorcycle-Rally-Preview.aspx
"There’s a restlessness that creeps into biker’s bones when August rolls around. The call to embark on an epic road trip echoes in their skulls and the ability to focus on the day-to-day becomes a challenge as the spell of the Black Hills spreads from coast-to-coast and beyond. Soon, a half million riders will seek the light of the Sturgis sign on the
The biggest, baddest biker rally around gets ready to rev up for the 71st time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It's Sturgis time once again and we've got the fever. Hopefully thousands of our readers will be joining us at the best party of the year.
Because there’s nothing like the party in the Black Hills. Maybe it’s the incredible rides through Spearfish Canyon or the Badlands. Maybe it’s the unpredictable weather, gale-force winds and baseball-sized hail that sweep through the area annually with apocalyptic force. Maybe it’s the tangible spirit you feel when riding below the great faces carved into the nearby mountains. Who knows? But there’s a sense of freedom you feel at Sturgis that started long ago in City Park that you just don’t feel anywhere else, a rawness that hails back to simpler times where it’s less about posturing and more about the party.
About now, motorcyclists are busy checking fluid levels, tread wear and tire pressures as they get their bikes ready for the road. Riders will start showing up by next week, but the thrust of activities will take place from August 8th to the 14th. Sturgis is one rally where the majority of motorcyclists still take pride in riding to, tramping in campgrounds and road side parks and dining off continental breakfast buffets at motels along the way. Tents will soon spring up in yards around town and spotlights will fill the sky, beacons shining the way to travelers of the night.
There are plenty of places to party at Sturgis, but “The Best Party Anywhere” title goes to the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground. The Chip is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, which means it’s going all-in to live up to its reputation. They’ve got a star-studded concert lineup, from rock legends Alice Cooper, Edgar Winter and Stevie Nicks to heavier, edgier bands like Pop Evil, Buckcherry and Saving Abel. And this barely scratches the surface of the musical lineup. There are always bands jamming out at Bikini Beach and on smaller stages spread out around the campground. But there’s a lot more going on than just music at the Chip. Burnout king Nick Lee will be on hand entertaining crowds, the Triple Threat Roller Derby Girls will be on site bashing and crashing this year, they’ve got stunt riders who will be attempting world record jumps daily, the Miss Buffalo Chip contest will be going on all week and there’s tons more entertainment on tap as well. They’ve also strung a zip line over the Chip so we’re looking forward to throwing on a GoPro to film us zooming over the heads of the Chipsters.
Last year, Pee-Wee Herman led the Legends Ride out of Deadwood. The year before that, Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler did the honors.
The Chip also hosts the annual Michael Lichter exhibit. Lichter has been capturing the evolution of the biker scene first-hand through the lenses of his cameras for the past 30 years. He got his start shooting for Easyrider magazine and his work can be found in countless books. For the past decade, Lichter’s “Motorcycles as Art” display at the Buffalo Chip has featured everything from ground-up custom motorcycles to iconic movie memorabilia to unique artwork. The theme of his 11th exhibit is “Slant Artist – An Eccentric View on Motorcycles and Art” and will showcase the work of Renaissance man Jeff Decker who is a master of the “lost wax” bronze casting process. Decker will have a wonderful collection of his bronze sculptures on hand and will be working on a new piece during the rally. Decker is also an accomplished bike builder and a walking encyclopedia of motorcycling history.
Michael Ballard, his right-hand gal Angie and the gang over at the Full Throttle Saloon know a thing or two about throwing a party at Sturgis, too. FTS is riding a wave of popularity since the truTV show shot at the joint hit national airwaves. Ballard’s got a strong musical lineup as well, kicking off with guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd Sunday, Aug. 7, and blowing up on Wednesday with Throttle Fest 2011, a day-long affair featuring Theory of a Deadman, Hinder, Black Stone Cherry, Adelitas Way, Emphatic and the Nigel DuPree Band. If that’s not enough to light a fire under you, then how about appearances by the Flaunt girls and the always popular Angieland? In between, Ballard’s got a host of acts guaranteed to make it a carnival-like atmosphere, from freak shows to midget wrestling. It’s worth a visit to the Full Throttle Saloon just to take in the ambience of its Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome décor.
Another popular place to party during Sturgis is at the Broken Spoke Saloon. The Spoke offers two locations, one on the edge of town on Lazelle run by Jay Allen and the bigger campground and saloon in the shadows of Bear Butte. The Spoke is famous for its huge pool complete with tiki bars and bikini-clad bartenders. It will host the Baker Smokedown Showdown, a drag-style, head-to-head burnout competition between 12 well-known custom bike builders. Guarantee there’s going to be plenty of smoke in the air from tires roasting, sometimes ‘till they pop. Classic rockers the Little River Band, .38 Special and Firehouse headline the musical entertainment at the Spoke, and there’s plenty of more fun scheduled like the Michael Lichter/Sugar Bear Ride and the International Master Bike Builders Association bike show.
Speaking of bike shows, some of the most talented custom bike builders in the world make the annual trip to Sturgis to showcase their talents. The granddaddy of them all has to be the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. The AMD’s is truly a world affair as competitors come from Europe, the Far East and beyond for a chance at the prestigious Freestyle title. What better way is there to sale a few more bikes than to have the title of World Champion on your resume? Freddie Krugger of Belgium won last year’s event with a radical bike which transformed at the push of a button from a low-riding cruiser with a healthy rake to a sportier ride with a shorter wheelbase and a tighter rake. The Rat’s Hole show, held at the Buffalo Chip, is another one of our favorites and annually attracts some of the best work out there. The Harley Ride-In Show is another popular draw. It’s amazing to see what level fans of the Bar & Shield can take a stock Harley and make it their own.
Bikinis and bikes have always gone hand-in-hand. (below) Another great night at the Chip draws to a close before they clean it up and do it all over again the next day.
In between going to concerts, hitting up bike shows and hopping in between bars, a trip to the vendors and manufacturers that set up along Lazelle and Main Streets is a must. Venture into the Loud American Roadhouse for some decibel-splitting fun or head into the dark, dank confines of The Dungeon with its unique wall décor. While you’re in the area, pay a visit to the classic collection of motorcycles and memorabilia at the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. The downtown area is a great place to get some eats at, then find a good corner to post up and just people watch. Sturgis attracts characters of all kinds and sooner or later they all eventually make their way to Main Street.
We opened our preview talking about the epic riding the area has to offer. From Bear Butte to Spearfish Canyon, Mt. Rushmore to the Crazy Horse Memorial, it doesn’t take long to get out of the rally grind for a refreshing ride through the South Dakota countryside. The Badlands offers some of the most unique rock formations around. Strike out in the opposite direction and you’ll end up at Devils Tower in Wyoming, another popular day ride. I’ll bet you didn’t know that Devils Tower is America’s first national monument, designated by President Teddy Roosevelt in the Antiquities Act of 1906.
Motorcycle USA is meeting up with its friends at Victory Motorcycles next week in Park City, Utah, where we’ll be riding the new 2012 Victory touring motorcycles to Sturgis. After that, we’ll be on scene bringing you as much as the action as possible, including blogs, articles, photos and videos. Climb On! with Motorcycle USA for full coverage of the 2011 Sturgis Rally. Time to rev it up and dump the clutch! "
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/800/10693/Motorcycle-Article/2011-Sturgis-Motorcycle-Rally-Preview.aspx
MotoGP mid-season update!
Casey Stoner has taken 5 race wins so far this season, Lorenzo and Pedrosa 2 apiece. With the Brno Cardion ab Grand Prix České republiky coming up on August 14th, we just have one thing to say: RIDE HONDA!
Motorcycles are for girls, too.
Ladies, did you know that Heartland Honda carries all kinds of apparel and accessories just for you? We even have some new, very sweet, helmets in! Just thought we'd take a moment to show you that motorcycles aren't just for the boys to have fun with! Come in and see our exclusive Ladies' Apparel department, and enjoy a little attention just for yourself...
MotoGP Laguna Seca: Go Stoner, Ride Honda!
Here's the article from SPEEDtv.com on the Honda results from yesterday:
"MOTOGP: Patient Stoner Rights The Ship
Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner displayed a master class in riding at the Red Bull U.S. GP in Laguna Seca today.
The young Australian who started from second on the grid, dropped to third place at the start and took his time before launching his attack on Repsol Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa on lap eighteen of thirty two. After passing Pedrosa, who was suffering from fatigue and fitness problems, Stoner chased down Lorenzo for nine laps and wasted no time in passing him around the outside of turn one on lap twenty seven. From this point, he controlled the race comfortably, finishing five and a half seconds ahead of the Spaniard. Stoner has now increased his lead in the World Championship standings to twenty points over Lorenzo.
After being passed by Stoner, Dani Pedrosa retained third position comfortably. He knew his fitness would be tested here, at a track that demands a huge physical effort. He has now moved above Valentino Rossi in the Championship standings to 4th position with 110 points.
Andrea Dovizioso who had a great start, jumping from sixth to fourth, maintained this position for the majority of the race. He struggled to maintain his consistency for the long race in Laguna and with three laps to go was passed by Ben Spies. He remains third in the Championship standings with 143 points.
On this high note, the Repsol Honda Team will now enjoy a well-deserved break before the next race in the Czech Republic on August 14.
CASEY STONER – 1st – World Championship Position: 1st with 193 points
"All weekend we've been struggling a little so we weren't too confident that we could run with Jorge and Dani in the race. However, this morning in warm up we found something I was a little happier with. Before the race I felt relaxed, confident and generally calm, we started a little slower to get the tires warm gently but also with a full tank of fuel, the bike didn't feel that great. So I was patient and took my time, staying with Jorge and Dani to control the gap and make sure they didn't get too far away. I felt I had more speed but decided to wait and watch. I saw Dani struggling a bit and he started to drop back from Jorge so I had to attack at this point. Once I caught up to Jorge, I watched to see if he made a mistake and kept the pressure on him, then chose my moment to make the move and was able to slowly open up a gap and bring the race home. It's really fantastic to come from such a difficult weekend and get a great win and I'm very thankful to all my team".
DANI PEDROSA – 3rd 1'21'385 – World Championship Position: 4th with 110 points
"I'm very happy with another podium, the second after my come back from injury. I could have predicted this result before coming to Laguna because I knew it would be physically very tough for me and it has been great to keep up with the pace of Casey and Jorge in these past two races. Today, by the middle of the race, I was very tired, almost finished, I couldn't get my left arm strong enough and here at this track you don't rest for a moment, so I had to drop. It's been quite difficult to set up the bike this weekend, I had a lack of grip generally, but the team worked very well. Now we have some holidays and it will be good for me to have some days off to rest and relax my muscles and be back training to arrive fully fit in Brno."
ANDREA DOVIZIOSO – 5th – World Championship Position: 3rd with 143 points
“We knew that it was going to be a tough race because this track is short, with very strong braking and it's also very demanding. I made a good start and I was able to move into fourth position. In the first laps I pushed hard to stay with Casey, Dani and Lorenzo. I was loosing a lot in some corners, such as T3 and T11 and to recover I was pushing in the other areas. I used up a lot of energy and I couldn’t be consistent for the 32 laps. I’m disappointed because today we had the speed to fight for a good result, in fact I lapped two tenths behind the fastest lap, but I couldn’t be consistent. I lost the battle with Spies and this is the first time I've lost a battle this year. The good point is that we were able to be fast. Now we have to focus and continue working, we are third in the championship and we want to keep on fighting. We will take advantage of the three week break to recharge the batteries and return in Brno more determined. My congratulations go to Casey and Dani.” "
New Product: Cooling Vests!
How it works: "The combination of unique fabrics creates a water management system; the unique HyperKewl(tm) fabric absorbs, stores and releases water within the multi-layered material. Water is "released" through evaporation, energy is consumed, and a chill effect is created. The HyperKewl(tm) fabric actually cools the body exactly the same way the body cools itself... through evaporation."
Staying cool while riding in high temperatures is very important to help reduce rider fatigue and avoid heat exhaustion (and more seriously, heat strokes).
Always remember to be safe, wear protective gear, and drink LOTS of water. Try out a cooling vest, and don't let the weather keep your bike in the garage!
Welcome back, Trey Canard!
Great news: Honda's Supercross/Motocross superhero is back on the track this weekend!
Here's the release from American Honda:
"American Honda Racing's Trey Canard will make his return to AMA Motocross racing this weekend at the Spring Creek Motocross National in Millville, MN. Canard returns to racing aboard his factory Honda–prepared CRF450R, having recovered from the leg injury that he sustained earlier in the year while training for the Motocross season.
"Knowing that I'm only days away from racing again and to be racing my first-ever 450-class Motocross event feels awesome," said Canard. "Since getting back on my bike and training for motos, everything has gone smoothly. I love riding the CRF450R and can't wait to race it outdoors. I've been riding a lot at home in Oklahoma, and I've spent time in Southern California testing with the Honda team. I feel really good and the team has given me a lot of support. However, I expect it will take a little while to get up to full race speed."
"We are excited to see what Trey can do at the remaining six rounds in the Motocross series," said American Honda Racing Team Manager Erik Kehoe. "Trey has made a lot of progress in a short period of time since getting back on his bike. He's an incredibly focused and determined racer, and I think that within a few races he will be mixing it up with the front-runners."
Here's to the AMA & ATVA, looking out for our rights!
Check out this article from Powersports Business, and see the AMA and the ATVA going to work concerning ethanol-blended gasolines.
"The American Motorcyclist Association and its partner organization the All-Terrain Vehicle Association are urging a U.S. House panel to include motorcycles and ATVs in any future studies of ethanol-blended gasoline.
The organizations sent a letter to the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on July 11 asking for the vehicles to be considered. The subcommittee had held a hearing on July 7 about E15, which is gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol. E15 has been approved for model year 2001 and newer automobiles, however on- and off-road motorcycles and ATV are not included. At the July 7 hearing, the subcommittee discussed that it may require the Environmental Protection Agency to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to study a full range of issues related to E15.
The AMA and ATVA wants the study to consider: E15 being put in motorcycles or ATVs mistakenly and damaging engines; the continued availability of gasoline that has no ethanol, or gasoline with only a 10 percent blend that is safe for use in motorcycles and ATVs; the possibility that "blender pumps" – which dispense multiple grades of gasoline through a single hose – could introduce enough ethanol into gasoline to be used in a motorcycle or ATV to damage the vehicle; and that ethanol absorbs water, which could be harmful to motorcycles and ATVs.
"In conclusion, to address our concerns, the AMA and ATVA urge that on- or off-highway motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study by NAS," AMA Washington representativeRick Podliska wrote in the letter. "Not only should the study focus on the short- and long-term impacts on vehicles and engines, but should consider financial implications of increased ethanol use in gasoline on consumers; fuel producers, distributors and retailers; vehicle and engine manufacturers, dealers and service facilities; and the environment."
To read the letter, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Rights_Documents_Federal/Harris_NAS_Ethanol_7-11-2011.sflb.ashx?download=true. "
The organizations sent a letter to the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee on July 11 asking for the vehicles to be considered. The subcommittee had held a hearing on July 7 about E15, which is gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol. E15 has been approved for model year 2001 and newer automobiles, however on- and off-road motorcycles and ATV are not included. At the July 7 hearing, the subcommittee discussed that it may require the Environmental Protection Agency to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to study a full range of issues related to E15.
The AMA and ATVA wants the study to consider: E15 being put in motorcycles or ATVs mistakenly and damaging engines; the continued availability of gasoline that has no ethanol, or gasoline with only a 10 percent blend that is safe for use in motorcycles and ATVs; the possibility that "blender pumps" – which dispense multiple grades of gasoline through a single hose – could introduce enough ethanol into gasoline to be used in a motorcycle or ATV to damage the vehicle; and that ethanol absorbs water, which could be harmful to motorcycles and ATVs.
"In conclusion, to address our concerns, the AMA and ATVA urge that on- or off-highway motorcycles and ATVs be part of any scientific study by NAS," AMA Washington representativeRick Podliska wrote in the letter. "Not only should the study focus on the short- and long-term impacts on vehicles and engines, but should consider financial implications of increased ethanol use in gasoline on consumers; fuel producers, distributors and retailers; vehicle and engine manufacturers, dealers and service facilities; and the environment."
To read the letter, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Libraries/Rights_Documents_Federal/Harris_NAS_Ethanol_7-11-2011.sflb.ashx?download=true. "
Mad props to those associations, always looking out for the rights of riders!
Scooters pay for themselves in savings!
I know you've heard the talk, gas prices are up, blah blah blah... How to survive the hit to your wallet? We've said it before, and we'll say it again: SCOOTERS!
With six great models in Honda's lineup of scooters, there's one for every style of rider, need for size, performance and distance typically traveled.
Keep Honda in mind when trying to come up with ways to save money in these hard times, and come give one of our great scooters a test ride!
With six great models in Honda's lineup of scooters, there's one for every style of rider, need for size, performance and distance typically traveled.
Keep Honda in mind when trying to come up with ways to save money in these hard times, and come give one of our great scooters a test ride!
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