However, huge drama unfolded at Turn 1. Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) got a great launch from P12 on the grid, but the Japanese rider lost control of his RC213V when the field dived on the anchors for the first time. Nakagami wiped out Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and tagged Pecco too, seeing the Italian crash out with Nakagami and Rins. Quartararo, meanwhile, went from P3 to P1 and never looked back.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
In 1997, Melissa Holbrook Pierson published The Perfect Vehicle: What It Is About Motorcycles, a delightful book that chronicles her love affair with motorcycles as well as the unique cultural and historical landscape of the two-wheeled world. In 1998, while struggling my way through graduate school in Philadelphia, I bought a motorcycle and learned to ride.
Within the first year of my own love affair with motorcycling, I read – no, I devoured – The Perfect Vehicle. Not only did Pierson artfully articulate the full spectrum of emotions, sensations, and experiences that are familiar to any motorcyclist and evoke the “ride to live, live to ride” credo, she educated me about the exciting new world I had come to inhabit.
When I read Pierson’s account of buying a Moto Guzzi Lario from a small European bike shop called The Spare Parts Company tucked away on a narrow street in the Old City section of Philadelphia, an area I explored regularly on late-night pub crawls and weekend wanderings, I felt an even stronger connection to her book. I had been to the shop before, and my then-girlfriend was friends with the proprietor.
On the 25th anniversary of The Perfect Vehicle, considered one of the best books ever written about motorcycles, we reprinted a review published in the August 1997 issue of Rider and which can be found on our website here. We also reprinted Pierson’s introduction to the Spanish edition of the book, which was published in 2021 by La Mala Suerte Ediciones, the first and only publisher devoted to motorcycle books in Spanish.
Scroll down for that introduction, and visit MelissaHolbrookPierson.com to order her books.
– Greg Drevenstedt, Editor-in-Chief
By Melissa Holbrook Pierson
Twenty-five years have elapsed between the time I began writing The Perfect Vehicle and the moment you are reading these words. The impetus for writing was, quite simply, unbridled joy. Why had no one ever told me motorcycles were so transporting? Why didn’t everyone know how affecting they were, how they enriched and condensed experience? How they were a powerful force for personal good?
So I attempted to say in my book every last thing I could think of to say about these machines that both capture and express the human imagination. But no amount one can say about something that’s essentially infinite can comprise “everything.” Even I would go on to find more things, and more things, to say. I wrote articles and poems and another book about bikes. I’m not finished yet. The meaning of the ride is never-ending, which is why we ride: to taste immortality in the form of the resounding now.
Related: Melissa Holbrook Pierson: Ep. 9 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast
A quarter of a century is a long time. Time enough for everything to change – governments to rise and fall, species disappear, cities spread, new technologies revolutionize daily life and rewire our brains. In that long span, I can now report, much has changed about motorcycling. And very little. There have been technical advances in the bikes we ride – fuel injection, ABS, “ride by wire” (explained to me half a dozen times to no effect), things once visibly mechanical now directed in the dark by computer chips. No longer for me long garage bullshit sessions among friends, where I would marvel at the ingenious arrangement of parts mirrored in the minds of people who are to me equal marvels of nature: they manage to comprehend the way complex systems, the motorcycle’s biomes, flow together and apart.
I always knew my bike had a heart, but now it has a separate brain. In its advanced evolutionary state it may only be attended to at the office of the appropriate neurologist, I mean, dealer with the codes. This has put an unhappy distance between the soul of the machine and its rider, but the tradeoff is performance well beyond the imagination of the last century.
There are concurrent changes in the types of people who ride. The so-called adventure bike has become hugely popular, along with global journeys on it that once were rare but are at this moment being undertaken by astonishing numbers of people of every age, nationality, and gender. The percentage of riders who are female has more than doubled since I started riding, and these women are often pursuing it in cultures that openly disapprove. They don’t care; they do it anyway. That’s how powerful the allure is: we risk death to do it.
Related: Writers and Riders: Meeting Melissa Holbrook Pierson and John Ryan
Much verbal handwringing has materialized, in the United States at least, about the “graying” of the motorcyclist, and the sport’s diminishing hold on youth who are reputed to care more about virtual life than the real thing with its weather and difficulties and the 360-degree view onto a disappearing but still gorgeous planet. Economic factors are often discussed. But that is in the small corner from which I write. Shift the scope to India, which has emerged as the world’s biggest motorcycle market, and see (as I recently did for myself) throngs of young people enthralled by riding and the places it takes you. I’m not worried about the demise of the motorcycle. The planet itself will be destroyed long before the peculiar happiness riding confers.
I, too, have come closer to my end. Going toward it on my bike is the only reasonable mode of travel through these years.
Motorcycles amplify all that is glorious about living. It is not an adjunct to waking up in the morning, or an occasional occupation. It explains everything, gives a purpose to being alive, and a place in both community and history, which still and forever unreels, like the road itself. I have lost dear friends, who happened to die doing the thing they loved most. But that was happenstance, not cause. Motorcycling has brought me the deepest friendships I’ll ever know, acceptance into a worldwide brotherhood, and the ultimate knowledge that love is real – love for an inimitable collection of parts that mysteriously opens a window onto the most vital of experiences, as well as love between two people brought together by what I can only consider a magical agent. Yes, motorcycles are even matchmakers for the lovelorn.
So much has changed in the years between then and now. So much has stayed the same. I still feel boundless anticipation and hope and desire and a fleck of worry every time I engage first gear. The world becomes new on every ride. But now I know a deeper secret, one I have both lived and witnessed, again and again. Motorcycles save lives.
The post 25 Years of ‘The Perfect Vehicle’ by Melissa Holbrook Pierson first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
The latest episode of Fast Track is now live on Red Bull TV 📺:
https://www.redbull.com/au-en/episodes/fast-track-jack-miller-s1-e10
Bit of an emotional one looking back at it but a great episode to reflect on an epic year for the Ducati team, enjoy! 🍿
Source: Jack Miller on Facebook
Did you know that BMW was was the first motorcycle manufacturer in the world to present its own complete rider’s equipment and motorcycle accessories packages? (via BMW)
Well, now you have a know-it-all ice breaker for the coming season’s drop-and-go rides – and, in typical form, BMW has gear to go with that…the world’s largest range of gear, in fact.
For 2023, BMW has accumulated over 100 products for the safety-conscious rider. From helmets, gloves and boots to rider suits, jackets, trousers, casual wear, functional wear and accessories, the Bavarians are going all-out.
We’ll hyperlink the full collections further below, but let’s take a quick skim at what’s new for 2023:
Carbon composite shell meets 3D-shaped cheek pads, glasses easy-fit system, and a visor system with soft-close function + removable chin cover.
There’s no better kind of hide than nappa cow leather for the pinnacle in protection – and thanks to the elastic material in the shoulders/sleeves, you can add mobility to the list, too.
Celebrating the Bavarians’ anniversary in style! Featuring abrasion-resistant denim fabric and NP flex protectors, both of which complement the lettering and logo choices for this unit.
Refreshed for BMW’s 100-year anniversary, we’ve got an additional cowhide contender, complete with NP flex protectors in the elbows and shoulders.
Dedicated, of course, to the GS Adventure. Expect this lightweight jacket to work best in warmer weather, since she not only features excellent ventilation, but NP3 protectors on the shoulders/elbows/back and leather fasteners at the collar/elbows.
For when you want protection, but style and comfort can’t be compromised. An integrated ankle protection and 3D heel protector mean that this boot is registered as a Level 1 for protection. Not bad for a 3D knit.
GORE-TEX® takes full front-and-center for this unit; combined with the oil/fuel-resistant 1K sole, the integrated heel and ankle protection and the 70% leather, 20% polyurethane, 10% polyester, the Seoul GTX does its job and then some.
Here are the two collections BMW has gathered for 2023:
BMW RIDE Collection: Self-explanatory label for this particular rack of goodies, but you get the gist.
BMW STYLE Collection: Because sitting on the Caps key is the only way to scream the necessity of functional fashion at your readers – and hey, we’re here for it.
Excited to see the new 2023 gear roll out as we get closer to the turn of the year? We are too! Stay tuned, drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
They say it’s the thought that counts with gifts. Therein lies the problem. Thinking wastes valuable time during the busy holidays. But once you dispense with careful thought and empathy, you’ll speed through your holiday shopping in nothing flat. Best to save money and time for people who really matter. Motorcyclist already come up with a great list of gifts for that someone special. Here’s a list of last-minute gifts for people at the bottom of your list.
Helmet Mohawk
Sure, you pay taxes, wear polo shirts, and make vehicle payments like an adult. But isn’t there a little Toecutter inside you dying to express himself? Nothing says “I cheat death and spread casual mayhem” like a helmet mohawk. Fellow riders and motorists alike will think twice before taking issue with your lane changes and stoplight burnouts. Popular brands include PC Racing and Iron Horse, but it’s a crowded marketplace.
Perfect For: BMW riders, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, riders over 60
Helmet Cover
A delightful variation on the helmet mohawk is the popular helmet cover. Designed to make your helmet look like Santa, a reindeer, or Pokémon things, they’re the easiest way to express your inner identity with fake fur and unseeing eyes. Especially popular in the Midwest on winter rides, they have the comic effect of making your face look like a ravenous mouth or an angry void. The best known helmet covers seem to be from Moto Loot, but do your own research.
Perfect For: Sportbike enthusiasts, all-weather ADV riders, Ducati lovers
Lego Technic Ducati Motorcycle
Know someone who works on motorcycles? Inspire them with a gift they probably won’t screw up with this cool Lego Ducati Panigale V4. Imagine the fun of playing with a miniature version of a motorcycle you’ll never be able to afford or ride. Both front and rear suspension work, though the preload is garbage. Does not include Ducati dealer tech figure. Also comes in a BMW M 1000 RR model as well as a generic “motorcycle” chopper model.
Perfect For: Wealthy motorcyclists, minibike enthusiasts, motorcycle restorers
Motorcycle Bottle Opener
Non-motorcycle people never know what to get us. So they buy us ordinary household objects, but with motorcycles on them. These people are smart. Instead of wasting time learning about bikes, they see a bottle opener shaped like a motorcycle and say, “Good enough.” Real time-saver. It’s probably the reason they have disposable income and free time. The one shown here is from amazon.com, but consider buying one from a small business. Not like Jeff Bezos needs your measly $5.99.
Perfect For: Motorcyclists, people who drink beverages
Brown Seat Cover
Why are all motorcycle seats black? Boring. Brown seats harken back to a time when bikes were built by hand, completely unreliable, and powered by kerosene. Bring back the good ol’ days with a classic brown seat cover. For added thoughtfulness, get one with minimal padding in order to make long trips impossible. Bonus points if you get a brown seat cover that’s “universal fit.” This fine example came from Walmart, your home for all your motorcycling needs.
Perfect For: BMW R nineT owners, Instagram influencers, motorcyclists with mustaches
Guardian Bell
Nothing says “motorcycle safety” like a miniature pewter bell attached to your bike with zip-ties. If you’re not into things like learning, awareness, or cautious behavior, there’s always superstition. Guardian bells, or gremlin bells, allegedly date back to World War II pilots or English riders in the 1920s, depending on the source. Either way, they were spectacularly ineffective at warding off danger and mechanical problems. But hey. Not like they cause problems or anything. These lovely examples courtesy of victoryonly.com.
Perfect For: Trackday riders, BMW GS lovers
Flame Decals
Let’s face it. You could be a lot faster. Fortunately, there’s a safe solution to your speed problem: flame decals. Instantly add dynamism and danger (and speed, obv) with easy-to-apply decals on your motorcycle. Supposedly, the first flame-themed paint job was Kelly Petillo’s Indianapolis 500–winning Offenhauser in 1935. Anyway, one thing hasn’t changed since. Flames improve anything they’re affixed to. We believe this to be a classic design variation known as “Ohio Flames” from Etsy seller EastCoastVinylWerkz.
Perfect For: Amateur racers, minibike enthusiasts, slow motorcyclists
Headlight Tape
Let fellow motorcyclists know dangerous cafe racing may break out at any moment with real headlight tape on your bike. Originally meant to protect fellow cafe racers from broken glass in case of accident, they’ve become a style statement in their own right. Tell the world you’re up on the cutting edge of motorcycle culture, but 60 years ago. A cynic might think it’s just regular tape, but they come in real leather. Which then attaches to your headlight with tape. Whatever. This headlight “X” comes via caferacerwebshop.com, but everyone who sells these uses the same picture.
Perfect For: Cafe racer enthusiasts, fans of 2015 motorcycle culture, sportbike enthusiasts
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
Kawasaki has just issued a recall that effects a speed display that resets mid-ride – and apparently it affects 100% of all 2022 Ninja H2 SX / SE models produced between October of last year and February of this year.
200 H2 SX & SE units in total were produced for 2022, which means every single machine could potentially have this problem; spread the word to your fellow riders!
Here’s the details below:
Since these machines no longer comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) no. 123, (‘Motorcycle Controls and Displays’), we can expect speedy recovery and repair of the parts at fault. Typical routine would be to wait for Kawasaki to contact you and then relinquish the affected bike to your nearest Kawasaki dealership (or third party dealership, depending on the brand)
Should you wish to get the whole process started yourself, here are the relevant parties to contact:
Stay tuned, stay safe, and as ever – stay safe on the twisties.
Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
Our guest on Episode 51 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast is Forrest Hobbs, who took a “purist” approach to completing the TransAmerica Trail. Hobbs lives in Denver, Colorado, and he bought a 1,200cc Yamaha Super Ténéré adventure bike, rode it 2,000 miles to Nags Head, North Carolina, rode the entire 6,200 miles of Sam Correro’s TransAmerica Trail, added a couple thousand miles along the way to visit friends and family, and then rode from Port Ord, Oregon, back home. Over 73 days, he logged over 12,000 miles. Hobbs used only roll charts for navigation and didn’t even have a GPS as a backup, and he camped on the trail nearly every night. Hobbs is a passionate off-road rider. He didn’t start riding motorcycles until he was 30, and he has competed in the Baja 1000, the Red Bull Romaniacs hard enduro, and the Idaho City 100 ISDE qualifier – and he’s done each race twice. Hobbs’ plan was to make the TransAmerica Trail as challenging as possible to test himself, to break himself down mentally and physically, and he prevailed.
LINKS: Forrest Hobbs on Instagram, TransAmerica Trail
You can listen to Episode 51 on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud, or via the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.
Visit the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast webpage to check out previous episodes:
The post Forrest Hobbs | Ep. 51 Rider Magazine Insider Podcast first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
The pre-race headlines had been dominated by Marc Marquez, with the Repsol Honda rider announcing that he would undergo a fourth surgery on his problematic right humerus and shoulder in a bid to regain full fitness. It meant that after Mugello, we wouldn’t be seeing the eight-time Champion in action any time soon, and he signed off with a P10.
Source: MotoGP.com – Read Full Article Here
Content provided by Slawomir Platta, Esq.
The justification for lane splitting and lane filtering couldn’t be clearer: they allow motorcycles to get out ahead of traffic, thereby reducing the number of cars crashing into cycles, as cycles are far less visible than other vehicles. A no-brainer, right? A save-brainer, actually. So, it would seem logical that lane splitting and lane filtering should be the law of the land. And yet they’re not. At least not yet. Though things seem headed in that direction considering that a number of states have already legalized them.
To some, it’s a safe and practical way for motorcyclists to beat traffic and help ease congestion.
And it’s not just in favor of motorcycle riders. Of course, motorcyclists can filter to the front of traffic lines and that saves time on their journey, but it also frees up space for other motorists.
To others, lane splitting/filtering is a dangerous act that causes accidents and puts lives at risk. This difference of opinion has caused many a debate in recent years, especially as California made changes to its laws in 2016 that legalized the maneuver.
The American Motorcycle Association has long held that lane splitting makes roads safer for riders and relieves traffic congestion, a view based largely on the successful use of the practice in California and a research study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley. Led by the university’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center, the UC Berkley study found that lane filtering can be a safe practice if traffic is moving slower than 50 mph and riders aren’t moving more than 15 mph faster than the other vehicles on the road.
Rear-end collisions are the biggest threat to a motorcyclist in stop-and-go traffic; when cyclists get rear-ended, it’s not just an inconvenience and maybe a minor case of whiplash. It can be devastating. By moving out of the line of vehicles and into a clear path where cyclists can see what’s ahead and react, they’re out of harm’s way from behind and able to take control of their own fate.
Lane splitting has been legalized in several states. These include:
All other states have either banned lane splitting or simply don’t have laws addressing the issue, although a number of states have opened discussions about the possibility of making motorcycle lane splitting or filtering legal.
As an example of possible penalties from the states giving the thumbs-down to lane splitting, New York explicitly outlaws lane splitting in all of its different forms, per the Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) 1252. According to this law, motorcyclists cannot drive between designated traffic lanes or adjacent rows of vehicle traffic. (VTL) 1252 also grants motorcyclists several other privileges and protections, including the right to ride two abreast in a given lane. In addition, motorcyclists also have the right to the full use of a traffic lane. Subsection (d) also prohibits motorcyclists from riding more than two to a lane. On a defendant’s first conviction for lane splitting, the maximum penalty for lane splitting is a fine of $150.00, 15 days in jail, a surcharge of $88.00 and 2 points. However, motorcyclists can have significant leverage in motorcycle injury cases, if they are not wholly at fault. According to CBS 2 New York reporting, however, it appears unlikely that New York City would change this ban on lane splitting.
It’s worth noting that lane splitting is legal in many other countries, including most of Europe.
The biggest downside to lane splitting right now is that it’s not consistent across the country, and for it to be truly safe that needs to change. Every state needs to legalize and train drivers for it. It’s just the smart thing to do.
If you happen to live in a state where lane-splitting bills are still pending approval, stay up to date with legislation in your state, and contact your legislator to support lane-splitting legalization.
Slawomir Platta, Esq.
Founding Partner | The Platta Law Firm, PLLC
Slawomir Platta earned his degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He’s been trying motorcycle accident cases throughout the Courts of New York for almost 20 years and has been featured as a Super Lawyer consecutively since 2015.
The post Sponsored Content: Lane splitting remains controversial. Can it eventually become national law? first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com
Wolfman Luggage will now offer five of its legacy enduro bags in whatever print you want – hand-made in the USA.
Begin Press Release:
Fort Collins, CO — We are proud to announce the arrival of our NEW 2023 Wolfman Threadworks and PACK bicycle line! Wolfman Threadworks our new Made-to-Order, Made in US, and Master Crafted, direct to the adventure motorcycle consumer, product line! Threadworks will focus on our legendary Wolfman Enduro styles you have been missing. Made with our renowned Wolfman quality and durability. Select YOUR favorite color or pattern for these five bags—E-Tank bag, E-12s, Daytrippers, E-Duffel and the very special Greg Bag, a Multi-Sport Hydration waist pack! These originals are master crafted by Wolfman’s Eric Hougen for YOU! Limited. Original. Bespoke. This is the ultimate way to personalize your luggage to fit your next adventure!
Join the PACK!!! Our all-NEW PACK line of Bicycle Bags from legendary Wolfman Luggage! Many of our longtime Wolfman customers are riding both moto wheels and pedal wheels these days and many motorcycle manufacturers are releasing e-bikes in their 2023 motorcycle lines at your local dealerships. We wanted to be sure to have you covered for both sets of wheels! Our PACK paw logo was created to show community, a tribe and tie back to our beloved Wolf in Wolfman. Every PACK product is made-to-order in the USA. We believe in highly functional bicycle products designed for everyday use. Our line may be small, but it will make an amazingly substantial impact on your bicycling experience with our high quality and smart designs. From Mountain (MTB), Gravel, Road, City, to the Commuter Cruiser Bicycle, from Wee Bikes (kids bring your snacks) and E-Bikes we have a BAG for you! We have partnered with Voile for all our mounting straps. Every PACK product is manufactured from the highest quality 1000 Denier USA made Cordura and VX-21 “X-Pac” and we offer a wide range of colors to match your ride. So…from all of us: PACK for your adventure!
See our new bicycle PACK line at www.packforyouradventure.com or follow the links on www.wolfmanluggage.com for PACK and Wolfman Threadworks starting December 15th!
Wolfman Luggage, Wolfman Threadworks and PACK have you covered from awesome weekends to around the world travel.
Wolfman Luggage
Founded in 1992, Wolfman, a family-owned-and-operated company, is a world leader in motorcycle soft luggage and accessories. Our WP (welded products) luggage is 100% waterproof/water resistant RF-welded while our two new US-made sewn lines are for your favorite motorcycle or your bicycle or e-bike! Eric, the owner, designs and relentlessly evaluates each piece of Wolfman luggage. Our innovative designs and versatility allow each rider to configure the luggage to their needs. For the latest information check out our new website for all details.
The post Wolfman Luggage Announces Threadworks Made-to-Order Product Line appeared first on Motorcycle.com News.
