Features

Mar. 31, 2008 – Motorcycle Digest

Daytona Motorsports Group to Manage Several AMA Races

The American Motorcyclist Association has entered into an agreement to sell the sanctioning, promotional and management rights for its AMA Pro Racing properties to the Daytona Motorsports Group, based in Daytona Beach, Fla., the AMA said in a March 7 press release.
The Daytona Motorsports Group will assume responsibility for the AMA Superbike Series, the AMA Motocross Series, the AMA Flat Track Series, the AMA Supermoto Series, the AMA Hillclimb Series and ATV Pro Racing. The agreement does not include the AMA Supercross and AMA Arenacross series, which Live Nation holds the rights to. Daytona Motorsports Group will license the use of the AMA name and trademarks to promote its motorcycle racing activities.
The AMA will continue sanctioning amateur motorcycle racing and club activities.
Roger Edmondson, CCS motorcycle racing series founder and Grand American Road Race Series president, and Jim France, vice chairman and executive vice president for NASCAR, lead the Daytona Motorsports Group.

Triumph America Announces Return to Professional Racing

Following on the factory support of Stefano Caracchi’s World Super Sport team, many Triumph subsidiaries have chosen to back race teams in their respective countries. Along with pro teams competing in Italy, Germany, Britain and the World Super Sport championship, Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd. has officially announced support for three of its U.S.-based dealers and their professional road racing efforts with the award-winning Daytona 675.
Commonwealth Triumph/Team S-Works, from Louisville, Ky., will compete in the Formula Extreme series with 18-year-old Shane Narbonne.
D&D Cycles, from Pensacola, Fla., will compete in select Formula Extreme races and the AHRMA Sound of Thunder series with Robert McClendon III. Having won the AHRMA Triumph Thruxton Cup Championship the past two years in a row, McClendon is no stranger to winning on Triumph motorcycles.
Foothills Triumph, from Lakewood, Colo., will compete in the regional MRA series with Brad Hendry.

The Sportbike Company to Run Buell Demo Program

Buell has contracted with The Sportbike Company to manage its 2008 Inside Pass Track Days and on-track demonstrator program, The Sportbike Company said in a recent press release.
The Sportbike Company will manage all facets of the program, which is designed to bring track day enthusiasts and new Buell motorcycles together in a noncompetitive environment at 10 facilities across North America. The Sportbike Company will provide lead instructors and curriculum for the Buell program.

BMW Motorcycle Sales Drop in February

Although BMW’s automobile sales increased 9 percent in February, BMW motorcycles suffered a decrease in worldwide sales of 2.5 percent compared to February 2007, according to a BMW press release.
Last year, 6,413 new motorcycle units were sold during the month worldwide while this year only 6,254 units were sold. For the year to the end of February, it was a 5.8 percent decrease with 9,955 motorcycles sold.
Motorcycle sales numbers for the North American market were not available.
In other news, BMW has added a low suspension option to three of its models, the company said in a recent statement.
Low suspensions first became available in February. The option is available on the 2008 BMW R 1200 GS, R 1200 R and R 1200 RT models.
The low suspension option, which includes the low seat option on the above models, lowers the seat height to 31.1 inches on the R 1200 GS and to 29.5 inches on the R 1200 R and the R 1200 RT. The low suspension option is available as a factory-ordered option at BMW motorcycle dealers. MSRP is $175.

Big Dog Announces New 2008 Limited Edition Mastiff

Big Dog Motorcycles added to its pro-street offerings by launching a new 2008 Limited Edition Mastiff, now on sale in its nationwide network of nearly 100 dealers.
Clad in gloss black, the Limited Edition version touts a potent 117 cubic inch engine and the company’s award-winning six-speed Balance Drive system with a redesigned clutch mechanism for effortless shifting — all working to get the rider from zero-to-60 miles per hour in less than 4 seconds while getting more than 40 mpg.
Other standard performance features include 4-piston caliper brakes for confident stopping; speedometer with integrated LED tachometer; sweeping 2-into-1 exhaust; and an active hidden shock suspension to make the motorcycle ride smooth and comfortable, even over long distances.
“This is an exciting time for motorcycling enthusiasts,” Nick Messer, Big Dog’s executive vice president of sales and new product development, said in a press release. “Not only does the 2008 Limited Edition Mastiff pay respect to what has been the company’s top pro-street cruiser, but its winning combination of high performance features, together with all-black visual elements, hit all the buyer’s sweet spots.”
Complete specifications are available at www.bigdogmotorcycles.com.

H-D Expands Rider Training Program into California

Harley-Davidson is taking its rider training program to California, the company said in a statement March 11. Select Harley-Davidson dealerships in the state recently started offering the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course. Additional dealerships are preparing to launch the program within the month.
The Rider’s Edge New Rider Course California program is based on the curriculum of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse, while offering additions that provide longer classroom and range time.
The first Harley-Davidson dealerships in California to offer the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course are Orange County Harley-Davidson in Irvine and Antelope Valley Harley-Davidson in Lancaster.
Beyond additional classroom activities over the MSF course, The Rider’s Edge New Rider Course California program includes a group riding component and a Riding Straight module that focuses on the impact of alcohol and riding where students can experience simulations using Fatal Vision Goggles.
Upon successful completion of the course, graduates receive a California motorcycle license waiver, relinquishing the riding test the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles gives. Licensure also qualifies riders for insurance premium discounts with some select motorcycle insurers.

1098 R Features Upgraded Package for North America

Ducati North America says it will deliver each new 1098 R with an upgraded standard component package not available in any other world market.
Most noteworthy is the inclusion of a full Termignoni 70mm exhaust system, unlike the slip-on variant offered elsewhere. The 1098 R also will feature a machined number plate on the upper triple-clamp signifying its limited production status.
The aforementioned hard parts will be accompanied by a 1098 R owner’s kit that will be shipped directly to the owner. This kit will include a framed and autographed picture of the 2008 Ducati Xerox World Superbike riders with a plaque that corresponds to the owner’s numbered bike.

Sturgis Hall of Fame To Induct Industry Execs

The Sturgis Museum has chosen the six individuals it will induct into its Hall of Fame during a breakfast Aug. 6.
Inductees will include: Charlie St. Clair, who will receive the J.C. “Pappy” Hoel
Outstanding Achievement Award for his efforts to build relationships with the Sturgis rally; Kenny Price will receive the Hall of Fame’s Founders Award for his donations of items for display; Becky Brown, who founded an international women’s motorcycle organization nearly 30 years ago; Cristine Sommer Simmons, a long-time motorcycle journalist who has written for a variety of motorcycling publications and co-founded Harley Women Magazine; and riders and motorcycling proponents Malcolm Smith and Smiling Johnny Spiegelhoff. PSB

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