Features

September 4, 2006 – Cycle Report

WyoTech celebrates new facility
A number of representatives of the powersports industry in Southern California stopped by WyoTech Fremont on Aug. 19 for an open house celebrating the educational institution’s new state-of-the-art motorcycle technology training facility.
WyoTech’s motorcycle technology programs provide students with the technical skills to diagnose, service and repair a wide variety of motorcycles, including Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, BMW, Ducati and Triumph.
The new 30,000 square foot motorcycle training facility houses nine classrooms, two labs, 48 lifts, two dynomometers and 14,000 square feet of motorcycle shop space.
A part of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., WyoTech has seven schools and more than 6,000 students nationwide. The campuses provide training in transportation technology and maintenance, including automotive, diesel, collision/refinishing, aviation, motorcycle and marine technologies. Campus locations include Blairsville, Penn., Boston, Mass., Daytona Beach, Fla., Laramie, Wyo., Fremont, Oakland, Calif., and Sacramento, Calif.
“We believe strong demand exists for motorcycle technicians and are excited about adding these new programs to our existing technical and trade offerings,” said WyoTech Fremont President Mark Millen.
All of the motorcycle technology programs offered by WyoTech are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.
Griffith Park Sidecar Rally scheduled for Oct. 22
Learn all about sidecars and see some of the most unusual hacks in the world at the 35th annual Griffith Park Sidecar Rally, scheduled for Oct. 22 at Crystal Springs Picnic Area in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park.
Presented by Side Strider, Inc. and the Sidecar Industry Council, the event is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free to spectators. For more information, visit www.sidestrider.com/event.htm or call Doug Bingham at 818/780-5542.
Team Sheriff Rides Honda
American Honda donated two Honda CBR600RR motorcycles to L. A. County based Team Sheriff Racing, Inc., a unique law enforcement outreach program designed to provide youth and adult motorcycle riders with alternatives to unlicensed motorcycle operation and illegal street racing.
Staffed by off-duty L.A. County Sheriffs, the program’s on- and off-track events create about 6 million impressions annually.
“Because we are a privately funded, non-profit organization, we depend on the support of our sponsors to ensure the success and longevity of this program,” said Deputy Michael Churney, Team Sheriff rider/director for the program. “American Honda’s donation of these bikes strengthens our ability to reach out to at-risk riders, and ensures our continued success.”
Other powersports firms sponsoring Team Sheriff include AiM Sports, 2Wheel Tuning, Arrow Special Parts, Chatterbox USA, Clear Alternatives Lighting, Constructors Racing Group, Dynojet Research, Galfer Braking Systems, Helimot Incorporated, IZYK Design Works, Kendon Trailers, Lockhart Phillips, Mechanix Wear, N-Style Graphics, OFD Racing, Pelican Products, Race Tech Suspension, RK Excel Racing Chains, Sharkskinz Racing Bodies, TyrSox Tire Warmers, Utopia Optics and Vortex Racing Components.
To learn more about Team Sheriff, Inc., including how to become a sponsor or start a similar program in your community, visit www.teamsheriffracing.com
Cycle Barn Sets Speed Record with ZX-14
The Lynwood Cycle Barn in Lynwood, Wash., has a new way to increase store traffic — a world record-setting motorcycle.
The Cycle Barn MotorSports Group, in cooperation with Faulkner-Livingston, recently set a world record for the fastest production motorcycle when rider Paul Livingston took a 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14 to 189 mph at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats.
The ZX-14 ran in the 1650PP class, which requires a stock frame, engine and appearance. Livingston set the record at El Mirage in California at 186 mph, and then outdid himself at Bonneville by attaining 189mph.
With the record set, a new rider has been given the opportunity to improve on the speed. Seattle rider Mark Briant already took the bike to 190 mph and has qualified for a second run in an attempt to better the speed reached by Livingston.
A sister bike to the record 2006 Kawasaki 2006 ZX-14 is on display at Lynnwood Cycle Barn.
“We want to prove that our ZX-14 is the fastest production motorcycle made,” said Jim Boltz, owner of the Cycle Barn MotorSports Group. “We look forward to taking the bike over 200 mph.”
Florida Cycle Theft Gang Nabbed
Motorcycle retailers and riders in South Florida can feel a bit more secure when parking their bikes in public following recent arrests in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
A year-long investigation into a motorcycle theft ring ended August 12 with raids at six locations, the seizure of dozens of stolen bikes and vehicles, and the arrests of six people facing charges ranging from racketeering and conspiracy to dealing in stolen property.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office says Fredrick “Tony” Woods, a former mechanic, was the key middleman in a group of thieves responsible for hundreds of brand new and late model motorcycles being snatched from South Florida streets. Many of the bikes were then smuggled onto container ships and sent to buyers in the Caribbean.
According to detectives, the ring would target only new or almost new motorcycles with retail values up to $23,000 each. They would grab them from private homes, businesses, or even look for opportunity to steal bikes from riders who happen to pass them on the road. psb

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button