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September 25, 2006 – Cycle Report

AMA plans lobbying seminar
The American Motorcyclist Association’s “Washington, D.C. Ride into Political Action” seminar is scheduled to take place Feb. 24-27 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The event allows participants to learn how to influence governmental decisions through lobbying efforts.
The AMA’s Washington staff, as well as other political experts, will discuss state and federal issues facing motorcyclists and offer participants tips on building relationships with government agency officials and on lobbying elected officials.
The event, open only to AMA members, also includes a welcome reception, luncheon and banquet. Registration costs $99. The registration deadline is Feb. 11.
For more information, contact Sharon Smolinka at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1252 or visit www.AMADirectlink.com.
Video Documents Women & Motorcycling Conference
“A World of Adventure,” a video documenting the 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference has been released by Solitude Ranch Communications.
Presented by Harley-Davidson and Buell, the 2006 AMA/FIM International Women & Motorcycling Conference was held June 30-July 3 in Athens, Ga., and drew 915 attendees from the United States and seven other countries. The 23-minute DVD is divided into five segments encompassing the major aspects of the conference: overview, people, demo rides, riding skills and vendors.
“We had so much footage to go through from the conference, it took six weeks to put the finishing touches on the production,” said Genevieve Schmitt, president of Solitude Ranch Communications and Women Riders Now. “I believe the result was worth the wait, and I’m confident that viewers will agree.”
“The AMA is thrilled with the success of this year’s women and motorcycling conference, and we’re equally pleased with ‘A World of Adventure,’” said Patricia DiPietro, AMA chief executive officer. “This DVD is a great memento for those who attended the conference, as well as a fitting tribute to women’s important role in the American motorcycling community.”
Credit card orders for “A World of Adventure,” which is priced at $15 plus $5 shipping and handling, can be placed online at WomenRidersNow.com or by calling 406/333-4491. Mail orders, accompanied by a check payable to Solitude Ranch Communications, can be sent to P.O. Box 435, Emigrant, Mt., 59027.
IMS Kicks Off in November
The 2006-2007 Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows presented by Toyota starts in November in Phoenix and continues through February with stops in Houston, Fort Worth, Seattle, Long Beach, San Mateo, Washington D.C., New York, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Chicago and Atlanta.
The event is produced by Advanstar Communications, which announced that Cycle World magazine, Toyota and Progressive Motorcycle Insurance all will return as sponsors.
“We couldn’t produce such a successful show series without the help of our great sponsors and we are thrilled that Cycle World will return as title sponsor for the series for the 14th consecutive year and will continue on as the sponsor through 2010,” said show Director Jeff D’Entremont. “Additionally, we are extremely pleased that Toyota will be back as the series’ presenting sponsor for the ninth consecutive year and Progressive Motorcycle Insurance will once again be the official product sponsor for the shows.”
Seventeen manufacturers are scheduled to show their 2007 model street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers and ATVs, as well as new concept bikes, vintage bikes and more.
Banister Leaves Yamaha
Brad Banister has left his position as Yamaha media relations manager after seven years.
“While my position as media relations manager over the years has been a blast, I’ve been craving personal and career advancement opportunities as well as new challenges,” Banister told Powersports Business from his home in Huntington Beach, Calif. “After seven years of creating some great memories while working for Yamaha, I’ve decided the timing is right for me to change things up.”
Kevin Foley has been tapped to fill the position Banister vacated. Foley will work under the direction of Bob Starr, division manager, corporate communications, Yamaha Motor Corp. USA.
AMA Launches Mobile Phone Downloads
AMA Pro Racing recently launched AMA Pro Mobile, a comprehensive menu of mobile phone content options that will provide fans easy cell phone access to information about the AMA championships, including text message alerts with up-to-the-minute race results.
Fans will be able to download race images and sign up for text alerts from the AMA Pro Mobile storefront. Powered by Digital Orchid, a provider of real-time wireless applications for major sports and entertainment brands, the offering gives motorcycle enthusiasts the ability to stay current on the latest news from their favorite sport.
The SMS text message race results started with the Sept. 10 AMA Toyota Motocross Championship season finale at Glen Helen Raceway.
San Diego-based Digital Orchid represents more than 65 major sports, entertainment, gaming, and media brands around the world, including AMA Motocross, NASCAR and ESPN.
Carr, BUB Enterprises Set New Land-Speed Record
AMA Grand National Champion Chris Carr is the fastest motorcyclist on the planet.
Carr piloted Denis Manning’s BUB Enterprises streamliner to 350.884 mph at the AMA/FIM International Motorcycle Speed Trials by BUB on the Bonneville Salt Flats.
The run broke a two day-old record of 342.797 mph set by Ack Attack, the first motorcycle to break the 16-year-old record of 322 mph achieved by the Easyriders streamliner piloted by Dave Campos.
Carr’s record won’t be official until ratified by the FIM in October.
KYMCO 50s cross United States
On July 7, 23 scooters, mostly KYMCO 50cc models, pulled into Myrtle Beach, S.C., after a 3,500-mile, 20-day two-wheel journey across the United States.
The ride was organized by “Wandering Wheels,” a group of riders between the ages of 65 and 80 years old, and was the idea of Bob Davenport, a former football All-American at UCLA and coach at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.
U of W-Madison Charges Two-Wheel Operators
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is now charging $55 for an annual permit to park a moped on campus.
The university says it instituted the permit system as part of an effort to bring order to the fleet of mopeds on campus. University policy states mopeds and scooters must be registered and licensed, must park entirely within an individually marked stall, and may not park at or near bike racks.
The university put in the first two-wheeler stalls a year ago, but began requiring the permits starting this month.
There are now 1,300 stalls sprinkled throughout campus. More than 550 permits have been sold.
Rates, approved annually by the UW Campus Transportation Committee, are effective from Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2007. Students must pay $55 for a moped permit and $70 for a motorcycle permit. On-campus automobile parking costs students between $445 and $1,035.
University officials said the cost of a permit reflects the cost for parking on campus, and said parking fees provide funds for construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of parking facilities as well as subsidizing alternative transportation options and programs.
Triumph Relocates Press Fleet
Triumph Motorcycle USA has relocated its Los Angeles press fleet to new fleet manager, Mickey Cohen Motorsports, Placentia, Calif.
Cohen has a long history with Triumph and is regarded by the company as one of the best Triumph mechanics in the country.

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