Supercross confirmed for May restart in Salt Lake City

News 15 May 2020

Supercross confirmed for May restart in Salt Lake City

Rice-Eccles Stadium to host all remaining seven rounds in Utah.

Image: Octopi Media.

Monster Energy Supercross will officially resume on 31 May at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, which will host the remaining seven rounds over a three-week period.

The ‘made for TV’ races will be broadcast on NBC networks and the Supercross Video Pass, staged with no fans in attendance due to COVID-19.

Following 10 rounds and with just three points separating Eli Tomac (Monster Energy Kawasaki) and Ken Roczen (Team Honda HRC), Supercross was paused following Daytona on 7 March. Upon restarting, the series will span between 31 May-21 June.

“We’re excited to continue our work with Feld Entertainment, Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah and the Utah Department of Health Services,” commented Jeff Robbins, president and CEO of Utah Sports Commission.

“Their continued support along with Utah’s Governor Gary R. Herbert, have made it possible for Supercross’ return to Utah. We also look forward to showcasing Utah worldwide via Supercross’ global footprint.”

The responsible return to racing will provide guidelines and protocols to competitors and essential staff that complies with all federal, state and local health guidance and mandates.

Mitigation efforts include mandated pre-screening, testing, temperature checks, face masks, increased sanitation efforts and social distancing to limit contact among individuals executing the events.

The racing format has been adjusted to reduce the number of athletes to stay within the minimum requirements and a standard race format will be used for all seven rounds, except for the finale which will be an Eastern/Western Regional 250SX Class Showdown.

The top 40 Riders based on current point-standings and 2020 top 100 number or combined season qualifying results will be permitted to compete. Two qualifying sessions, two heat races, LCQs and main events will be held across the 450SX and 250SX categories.

Events will alternate between Sundays and Wednesdays over the course of the remaining seven rounds. Rounds 11, 12, 13 and 16 will feature 250SX East, while rounds 14 and 15 will be 250SX West. The final round will be the 250SX Showdown.

Source: MotoOnline.com.au

Honda follows Harley-Davidson with Android Auto

Honda is adding Android Auto to its Goldwing infotainment system for music, phone calls and messaging with a software update next month

This follows Harley-Davidson which became the first motorcycle company to offer Android Auto in March.

It’s tit for tat really, as Honda Goldwing was the first with Apple CarPlay in 2018 and Harley followed a year later with the software update to its Boom! Box GTS Infotainment Systems on their Touring models.

Android Auto is similar to Apple CarPlay and allows riders to access some phone apps such as access Google Maps for navigation, traffic and weather reports, as well as some other apps such as Spotify.

Honda’s official press release says:

Android Auto is a simple, safe way to use your phone on the motorcycle. With simplified interface, and easy-to-use voice actions, it is designed to minimise distraction so you can stay focused on the road. Android Auto makes it easy to access your favourite music, media, and messaging apps on your motorcycle. With your Google Assistant on Android Auto, you can stay focused, connected, and entertained, keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the handle bar, while using your voice to help you with your day.

But Honda won’t just add it to the Goldwing.

They are planning to add both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration to more models.

Here's why Harley's Street Glide Special is our top tourer androidHarley Street Glide with Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Harley-Davidson Australia says they are not sure when the Android version will be available here nor the price, but the Apple version is a free software update, anyway.

As with the Apple feature, the phone must be plugged into the bike via its charging cable.

The screen will mirror the phone, allowing riders to access it through the touchscreen, Google Assistant voice control or a handlebar control.

Google Assistant is available in Australia, Canada (English), France, Germany, India (English), South Korea, United Kingdom, and United States.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Warning on online sales scammers

Riders are warned to be cautious about buying a motorcycle or other vehicle online after a surge in scammers.

In the latest scam operation, the vehicle is offered at a very cheap price by a member (usually female) of the armed forces who needs to sell quickly as they are being posted overseas.

The buyer is asked to submit payment into an escrow account which ends up in a bank account in Romania or Poland and the vehicle is never delivered.

So far this latest scam operation is only targeting cars and is being investigated by Victoria Police.

However, it is similar to scams that have been operating for online second-hand motorcycle sales and is becoming increasingly more common.

Among the many scams are sellers attempting to shift bikes which are unsafe to ride, have a hidden history or are stolen.

The used vehicle market can be a dishonest and dangerous place to conduct business.

But by being aware of common scams and how to avoid them, you should be able to find a reliable, safe and affordable motorcycle second-hand.

Here are a few of the more common scams to keep a look out for.

eBay, Gumtree and Craigslist scam

Ebay, Gumtree, Craigslist and other similar websites have become huge marketplaces for buying and selling used motorcycles. 

Unfortunately, there are many scams out there so always be wary with this route.

As in the above scenario, the seller demands a large downpayment to hold the motorbike. Once this has been received, communication ceases and they disappear.

Clocking2017 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 scams

Clocking involves winding back the odometer to make the bike appear newer (this is also very common with used cars).

Avoid this scam by looking for screwdriver marks around the casing, seeing if the general condition matches the mileage and by checking MOT and service documents to see if the displayed mileage adds up.

Stolen

You may think that you have found a huge bargain due to the surprisingly low asking price. However, you will then understand why when the police pull you over for riding a stolen bike.

Avoid purchasing a stolen motorbike by carrying out a vehicle history check, which will also uncover anything else that the seller may be trying to conceal.

This is available from the Personal Properties Security Register in Australia and companies such as HPI in the UK.

You should also be wary of low prices and sellers attempting to speed up the process.Motorcycle theft stolen motorcycles sick skunklock scams

Beating the scammers

Beating the scammers requires you to be sceptical. It sounds awful, but never trust anyone you don’t personally know.

Always view the bike in person, or have a close and trusted friend check it for you.

Do all the relevant checks on the bike’s bona fides. Click here for more information.

If they want you to pay into a third-party or escrow account, insist that you select the account.

Online sellers can also be scammed out of their bike. Click here for details and tips on how to beat the scammers.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

List of U.S. Motorcycle Tour Operators 2020

EagleRider motorcycle tour
Photo courtesy EagleRider.

With international travel in 2020 looking less certain by the week (and possibly risky, not just health-wise but also with the possibility of becoming stranded or quarantined outside the U.S.), this might be a great time to explore this beautiful country.

While you could certainly peruse back issues of Rider (or do some research here on our website) in search of ride ideas throughout the country, you’ll still be on the hook for logistical planning, hotel reservations and knowing whether or not the gas station in that tiny desert town is still open…not to mention handling the “what-ifs” of mechanical issues or a crash. Or you could let a tour company handle all of it, leaving you free to enjoy the ride.

All the companies on this list run scheduled, guided motorcycle tours in the United States using rental motorcycles — either their own fleet or rented from a local source — but you should obviously check with them right off the bat to make sure they’re still running tours this year.

Most have a chase vehicle to carry your luggage and gear and to deal with mechanical issues that may occur en route. Some companies will allow you to ride your own bike, but check for any restrictions. The information here is provided by the companies, and not guaranteed by Rider.

Ayres Adventures 

Tours Include: Alaska/Yukon Adventure, Prudhoe Bay Excursion
Accommodations: Upscale hotels
Length of Tours: 9-13 days
Rental Options: BMW GS models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: July-August
Typical Cost: 9-day Prudhoe Bay Excursion starting at $5,950 including bike rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Motorcycle license and touring experience required; for off-road adventures, off-road experience or training required
Tel: (877) 275-8238 or (972) 635-5210
Website: ayresadventures.com

Ayres Adventures prides itself in providing a premium tour experience, so if you want to ride Alaska this is a great way to do it. You’ll ride late-model BMWs equipped with chunky Continental TKC80 tires for the ultimate Alaska experience.

Bike Week Motorcycle Tours

Tours Include: All the major Bike Weeks, including Daytona, Laughlin, Myrtle Beach, Laconia, Hollister, Sturgis and Bikes, Blues & BBQ
Accommodations: RVs, private homes and carefully selected hotels/motels
Length of Tours: 12-14 days
Rental Options: Late model Harley-Davidson and Indian models
Equipment: Support vehicle with spare motorcycle
Dates: March-October
Typical Cost: $7,950, includes single room and motorcycle rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21, min. one-year experience on heavyweight motorcycles 
Tel: (619) 746-1066
Website: bikeweekmotorcycletours.com

Get the ultimate Bike Week experience, as you travel some of America’s most scenic roads on your way to one of nine legendary Bike Weeks. Let the party begin!

California Sunriders

Tours Include: Blue Ridge Parkway, California Dreaming, Route 66, Sturgis, DreamCatcher, The Mighty 6, Yellowstone
Accommodations: Selected 3- and 4-star hotels
Length of Tours: 11-13 days
Rental Options: Harley-Davidson, select other makes/models
Equipment: Support vehicle with spare motorcycle
Dates: May-October
Typical Cost: 13-day Route 66 tour starting at $8,972, single occupancy, includes rental motorcycle
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21
Tel: (310) 359-2353
Website: california-sunriders.com

California Sunriders wants to show you the best of the west — plus some fun roads back east too. You’ll explore California, the Rockies, the famous Blue Ridge Parkway and, of course, the legendary Route 66. 

EagleRider

Tours Include: Wild West I, II and III, Route 66, Triple B, Coast to Coast, Sturgis Bike Week, Florida Keys, Southwest Canyon Country
Accommodations: Hotels & motels
Length of Tours: 6-17 days
Rental Options: Varies by tour; fleet includes BMW, Harley-Davidson and Indian cruisers, tourers and trikes
Equipment: Support van with spare motorcycle
Dates: Year-round
Typical Cost: 15-day Route 66 tour starting at $7,179, single occupancy, includes rental motorcycle
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21, experience riding a touring motorcycle at highway speeds
Tel: (877) 557-3541
Website: eaglerider.com

Eaglerider is the largest and arguably most well-known motorcycle rental and tour company in the U.S. With 45 different domestic tours to choose from, you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes!

Blue Ridge Parkway motorcycles
Photo by Scott A. Williams

Edelweiss Bike Travel

Tours Include: Alaska-Yukon Adventure, American Dream, California Extreme
Accommodations: Comfortable hotels and motels
Length of Tours: 8-13 days
Rental Options: Select BMW, Harley-Davidson and Suzuki models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: May-October
Typical Cost: 7-day American Dream tour starting at $5,660 for a solo rider, including rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements: Age limits vary by tour; 5,000 miles riding experience required
Tel: 011 43 5264 5690
Website: edelweissbike.com

Tour the warm and beautiful Southwest or the wilds of Alaska with Edelweiss Bike Travel. Edelweiss has been operating guided motorcycle tours since 1980, and now offers 2,350 tours in 180 destinations worldwide.

Globebusters

Tour: North America
Accommodations: 3- to 4-star hotels
Length of Tour: 34 days
Rental Option: Triumph Tiger 800
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: July 23-August 27, 2020
Cost: $20,531 for a solo rider, double occupancy, including Tiger 800 rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements:No age requirement, recommended for experienced riders only, comfortable riding on unpaved/gravel roads
Tel: 011 44 (0)3452 30 40 15
Website: globebusters.com

This is an ultimate motorcycle tour of North America, showing you some of the very best riding from Anchorage, Alaska, north to Prudhoe Bay and then south all the way to the Mexican border.

Great American Touring

Tours Include: Pacific Coast North and South, Sturgis Bike Week, Canadian Rockies, Best of the West
Accommodations: Hotels
Length of Tours: 7-14 riding days
Rental Options: Harley-Davidson, select other makes/models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: July-Sept
Typical Cost: 14-day Best of the West starting at $8,995, solo occupancy, includes rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21 to rent motorcycle, no limit for own bike
Tel: (800) 727-3390
Website: greatamericantouring.com

How does Great American stand out? When it says “eight day tour,” that’s eight riding days. Other companies’ eight-day tours may be only six, or even just five riding days. It makes a difference.

Hertz Ride

Tours Include: Best of California, California, Miami & Deep South and Route 66
Accommodations: Minimum 4-star hotels
Length of Tours: 9-16 days
Rental Options: BMW models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: July-Sept
Typical Cost: 14-day Best of California starting at $6,995, single occupancy, includes rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 25, at least three years’ riding experience
Tel: 011 351 210 413 334
Website: hertzride.com

Car rental giant Hertz has entered the motorcycle tour market, and it offers four guided tours in the U.S. Hop onto one of its late-model BMWs and take a ride in California, along Route 66 or through the Southeast.

Leod Motorcycle Escapes

Tours Include: High Sierra Escape, California Curves to Laguna Seca, California Curvin’
Accommodations: 3- to 4-star hotels with a local flavor
Length of Tours: 3-9 days
Rental Options: Selected BMW and Ducati models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: June-Oct
Typical Cost: 9-day California Curves to Laguna Seca starting at $6,900, includes rental bike and two days’ track instruction at Laguna Seca with California Superbike School
Age/Experience Requirements: Intermediate riding level for track time tours
Tel: (866) 562-6126
Website: leodescapes.com

Although Leod Escapes offers guided and self-guided sport-touring rides out of its San Francisco headquarters, it specializes in combining a tour with track time on some of the most famous tracks worldwide — including legendary Laguna Seca in California.

MotoDiscovery

Tours Include: Heart of Colorado ADV, Moab Adventure Training, Heart of Idaho ADV
Accommodations: Quality accommodations
Length of Tours: 7-9 days
Rental Options: Select BMW, KTM and Suzuki ADV and dual-sport bikes
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: June-September
Typical Cost: 8-day Heart of Colorado ADV tour starting at $4,895 including rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements: Off-road riding experience required; training is available and included in some tours
Tel: (800) 233-0564
Website: motodiscovery.com

If you’re looking for adventure, this is the place. MotoDiscovery will lead you on bucket list rides to some beautiful and remote locations that can only be accessed via unpaved roads and trails. Off-road rider training is included in some tours. 

MotoQuest

Tours Include: Wonders of the West, American Southwest, Pacific Coast Highway, North to Alaska, Trail of Lewis and Clark, Alaska Women’s Tour
Accommodations: Lodges, hotels
Length of Tours: 4-13 days
Rental Options: BMW, Suzuki V-Strom 650, Harley-Davidson, Honda Africa Twin
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: Year-round
Typical Cost: 12-day Trail of Lewis and Clark tour starting at $6,450, includes Suzuki V-Strom 650
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21
Tel: (800) 756-1990 or (907) 272-2777 or (562) 997-7368
Website: motoquest.com

MotoQuest offers a number of tours of the last frontier, Alaska, during its short riding season. At other times of the year, tours are offered in the American West and Southwest, including Baja, out of its San Francisco, Portland and Long Beach locations.

Route 66 motorcycle
Photo by Mark Tuttle

Northeastern Motorcycle Tours

Tours: New England Fall Foliage, Gaspe Maritime Extended
Accommodations: Inns, hotels and resorts
Length of Tours: 6-12 days
Rental Options: Various models available from local rental agencies
Equipment: None
Dates: August-October
Typical Cost: 6-day New England Fall Foliage tour starting at $2,395, excluding bike rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 18, touring experience recommended
Tel: (802) 463-9853
Website: motorcycletours.com

Northeastern Motorcycle Tours is a small company that specializes in an extraordinarily beautiful and varied region of North America. The routes, hotels and dining used on the tours are regularly researched to always meet very high standards.

Pashnit Motorcycle Tours

Tours: El Dorado, Delta Bodega, Parkfield, Mosquito Ridge, Coast Range, North Pass, Mile High Xtravaganza, Santa Barbara
Accommodations: Hotels, motels
Length of Tours: 3-4 days
Rental Options: Various models available from local rental agencies
Equipment: None
Dates: March-October
Typical Cost: Most 3-day tours cost $425, excludes motorcycle rental, food, gas, accommodations and incidentals
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21, at least 5 years of riding experience is recommended
Tel: (530) 391-1356
Website: pashnittours.com

Pashnit Motorcycle Tours (“pashnit” = passionate, get it?) started out as a “best roads” list and now offers a full menu of California-based tours, many of which are held on long weekends. 

RawHyde Adventures

Tours Include: Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain Adventure Ride, Mid-Winter Adventure, California Adventure, Best of the West
Accommodations: Hotels and camping
Length of Tours: 5-10 days
Rental Options: BMW GS models
Equipment: Support vehicle, chuck wagon on camping tours
Dates: Year-round
Typical Cost: 5-day Mid-Winter Adventure tour starts at $3,495 including rental bike
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21, off-road riding experience required for ADV tours (training is available)
Tel: (661) 993-9942
Website: rawhyde-offroad.com

RawHyde Adventures is an official BMW off-road training center, and its tours offer you the chance to hit the dirt and see some of the most remote and beautiful parts of America. On-road tours, such as California Adventure, are also available.

Ride Free Motorcycle Tours

Tours Include: Route 66, Sturgis-Chicago to Las Vegas, Northern California, Wild West, American History Washington DC Battlefields, California Wine, Blue Ridge Parkway, American Music
Accommodations: Hotels and motels with local flair
Length of Tours: 4-14 days
Rental Options: Harley-Davidson models
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: Year-round
Typical Cost: Extremely flexible pricing and tour duration; example: 13-day American Music tour $6,789 including bike rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21, competent rider
Tel: (310) 978-9558
Website: ridefree.com

Classic routes with classy motorcycles (and classic cars) is what Ride Free specializes in. Based in Los Angeles, the company offers tours throughout the country.

Reuthers Tours

Tours Include: Route 66 Dream, Florida Sunshine, Wild West, Highway 1, Bluegrass Wonders and Pony Express
Accommodations: Midrange and top-class hotels
Length of Tours: 6-15 days
Rental Options: BMW, Harley-Davidson
Equipment: Support vehicle
Dates: Year-round
Typical Cost: 11-day Bluegrass Wonders tour starts at $4,795, double occupancy, including bike rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 21
Tel: (414) 455-4384
Website: reuthers.com

Reuthers is a worldwide entertainment, travel and leisure company with headquarters in Germany and a U.S. office in Milwaukee. With its touring expertise you’re guaranteed to be well cared for. 

Twisted Trailz Motorcycle Tours

Tours Include: Cowboy Country, Grand Canyon & Red Rocks, Unique Utah, Canyons & National Parks, Awesome Arizona, Monuments & Million $ Highways
Accommodations: Unique or historical hotels and lodges
Length of Tours: 3-7 days
Rental Options: Harley-Davidson
Equipment: Support vehicle on tours 5 days and more
Dates: February-November
Typical Cost: 7-day Monuments & Million $ Highways tour starts at $4,395 including bike rental
Age/Experience Requirements: Min. age 25, experience riding heavyweight motorcycles
Tel: (602) 795-8888
Website: twistedtrailz.com

All of Twisted Trailz’s motorcycle tours are planned and structured with the rider in mind. It encourages participants to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Southwest on one of its once-in-a-lifetime tours. 

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Gold Country Highs: Pass Bagging in Nevada and California

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
My Silver Fox Honda ST1300A and my honey’s Flying Purple People Eater BMW R1150 RT-P impatiently await our return so they can resume their romp down California’s Sonora Pass.

Late spring is a great time to do some pass bagging in the Nevada and California gold country. The passes are usually open by mid-May, and there is a beautiful mix of greenery, wildflowers and snowcaps in the high elevations. Today’s ride also contains a bit of adventure, as my honey and I are boldly moving into the 21st century with a pair of new helmets that have integrated headsets for bike-to-bike communication. I soon learn that it can be refreshing having voices in my head other than my own.

“I’m rolling,” I say into the microphone as we simultaneously turn northeast out of Virginia City onto Nevada State Route 341. We experience our first pass of the day within minutes as we reach 6,789-foot Geiger Summit and follow its winding path down into south Reno. Crossing U.S. Route 395, we stay on the same road, but it magically changes numbers to 431 and takes us to our second pass, Mount Rose.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
Map of the route taken, by Bill Tipton/compartmaps.com.

State Route 431 begins with a straight climb through the foothills, but soon changes into 20 mph curves, which are a bit tighter than the sweeping 45 mph curves on 341. We begin to see some patches of snow before reaching the 8,911-foot summit, and upon crossing it are rewarded with our first peeks at Lake Tahoe. The lake will dominate our view for many miles and we are able to take brief looks at it because the tight curves have widened out to 50 mph top-gear corners, which we follow down to State Route 28.

As we follow the roundabout left on 28, an emphatic, “I’m hungry,” booms from my headset speakers.

“Good timing,” I reply. “We’re almost to Incline Village and can stop at T’s Mesquite Rotisserie for a burrito.”

T’s is a little hole-in-the-wall place on Route 28 crammed between the Incline Village Cinema and 7-Eleven, but its lunchtime crowd shows it is a locals’ favorite. We are thoroughly satisfied sharing a tri-tip burrito and leaving their rotisserie specialties for the next time we’re in town.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
Even the author, pictured in his typical sedentary position, can’t detract (much) from the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Heading south on Route 28 again, we continue to steal glimpses of Lake Tahoe on the right as we ride along its shoreline. When 28 dead-ends, we turn right onto U.S. Route 50 and savor our last miles of Tahoe views as we head toward South Lake Tahoe.

Entering South Lake Tahoe, we avoid the worst of its traffic by taking Pioneer Trail as we cross into California. We turn left to rejoin U.S. 50 but only stay on it for a few miles because our next left onto California State Route 89 takes us to 7,740-foot Luther Pass.

Luther Pass is really only a connector road, but it is a beautiful one with granite cliffs rising on both sides and valley views to the east. Continuing on 89, we go through Markleeville and follow it alongside winding creeks as its name changes to State Route 4.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
Originally part of the 1860 Pony Express route across the Sierra Nevada, Luther Pass is now frequented by somewhat shinier steeds.

Route 4 continues following creeks upstream into the Sierra and soon the centerline disappears, making it a one-and-a-half-lane road. That’s where the fun really begins. The next several miles up to the Ebbetts Pass summit of 8,730 feet are full of first-gear switchbacks with extreme road cambers. Give any vehicles in front of you lots of space. If they choose to stop for any reason and leave you stranded in the middle of a highly cambered curve, it will lead to some truly exciting moments. There are also incredible views in all directions if you can ever spare a second to take your eyes off the road.

Soon after the summit, I hear in my headset, “Some doofus just passed me on the one-lane road and now he’s heading up your tailpipe.” I check my mirror and find said doofus right behind me. As I hug the right side of the lane to let him by, I think about how much I like our new intercom helmets.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
This playground called the Sierra Nevada runs 400 miles north to south and 70 miles east to west. The incredible views are owed to formations of granite that have been exposed by erosion and glaciers over millions of years.

The ride down Route 4 is much like the ride up, but it soon becomes two lanes again and mellows out. We then begin looking for our next left turn onto Parrotts Ferry Road, past the town of Murphys. This road has more enjoyable curves and takes us to our night’s destination of Columbia, California.

Columbia is a state park set up as an Old West mining town complete with museums, people demonstrating skills of the period and stagecoaches running through town. Contrastingly, Columbia’s airport was hosting a canard aircraft show during our stay, so we also had to check that out.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
Columbia, California, offers the best of both worlds! A 10-minute walk can take you from the Wild West experience of a stagecoach ride to the wild blue yonder with a visit to Canards West, the annual canard aircraft festival, typically held the first weekend of June at the Columbia airport.

After our tourist day, we continued on Parrotts Ferry Road and merged briefly onto State Route 49 south through the town of Sonora. We then turned left onto State Route 108 east, Sonora Pass Road, which was another highlight of our trip.

At 9,624 feet, Sonora Pass is slightly more civilized than Ebbettts Pass, with two lanes for its entire length. It has its share of first-gear switchbacks and my favorite views of the trip. The descent back into the valley is steep, and it quickly drops us off at an intersection with U.S. 395.

motorcycle ride Lake Tahoe
Watch out! It’s a long way down! Riders should pull off the road to ogle the Sierra Nevada views. Sonora and Ebbetts passes have many curves and few guardrails.

We blast north on 395 with our pass bagging nearly complete. A right turn onto U.S. 50 in Carson City and then a left onto Nevada State Route 341 several miles later takes us to our last pass of the trip. Approaching Silver City, we turn right and follow the Truck Route signs to Virginia City. This takes us up Occidental Grade with its 20 mph curves, offering a fine completion to our ride.

Source: RiderMagazine.com

Misano reopens as Italian riders lay down the rubber

The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli reopened its doors for the first time since the Covid-19 outbreak began as Michele Pirro (Ducati Team), Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team), Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), reigning FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup winner Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) and other Italian riders spun some laps on the Riviera di Rimini coast.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

British Talent Cup Round 4 postponed

A new, provisional BSB calendar – including the British Talent Cup, which races alongside the series – has been drafted, taking into account the roadmap of the British government’s phased reopening of activities. This has been undertaken in consultation with teams, broadcasters and circuits in order to provide the best conditions for a credible, competitive and sustainable BSB Championship in 2020 and beyond.

Source: MotoGP.comRead Full Article Here

Harley-Davidson And Bonhams Auction One-Of-One Livewire For COVID-19 Relief

All proceeds will go to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response & Recovery Fund.

Begin press release:


Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Bonhams will host an exclusive motorcycle auction with proceeds, excluding taxes and fees, to be donated to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.

Up for auction is a one-of-one LiveWire motorcycle customized by Harley-Davidson for this moment and accompanied by an exclusive delivery experience. The auction will be held digitally from Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 – Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 by Bonhams to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

“We are all affected by the current situation, and the impact it has on the most at risk portions of society,” said Jon Bekefy, general manager of brand marketing at Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “As a longtime partner of the United Way, and inspired by their continued resilience in this crisis, Harley-Davidson is honored to have a part to play in the relief effort and to inspire our community about the open road ahead.”

In addition to the custom LiveWire motorcycle, the winning bidder and one guest will take part in an exclusive delivery experience and “behind-the-scenes” Harley-Davidson tour. This private, hosted experience will include an archival tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum. It is an unparalleled look at the heritage and future of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

The LiveWire model up for auction is an exclusive version of Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle. The custom LiveWire motorcycle features a one-off paint scheme and unique graphics package created by the Harley-Davidson styling and design team for this opportunity. This model also features a full array of carbon fiber Genuine Parts and Accessories including carbon fiber Speed Screen Blade, Tail Section Cowl, and Tank Trim, and the motorcycle will be signed by members of the Davidson family.

“The Harley-Davidson design team created the custom paint and graphics on this motorcycle to accentuate the natural forms of the LiveWire,” said Bekefy. “It’s a very unique and stunning motorcycle that is truly one of a kind.”

To mark the historical significance of the motorcycle, the LiveWire model being auctioned is number #500 of the 500 “First Strike” edition LiveWire electric motorcycles. The First Strike edition LiveWire models are specially numbered versions created to celebrate the first 500 units produced by Harley-Davidson

This auction is available for participants from the United States.

“When entire communities come together to support people in times of need, organizations like United Way are able to make a real difference in people’s lives,” said Brian Gallagher, President and CEO of United Way Worldwide. “The funds raised by auctioning this customized motorcycle will allow us to better provide needed services for individuals and families recovering from COVID-19 and support our efforts to bring communities back stronger than before. Thank you Harley-Davidson, Bonhams, and everyone involved in supporting this special event.”

The auction will go live online here and opens for bids on Tuesday, May 12th at 10:00am EST, closing at Tuesday, May 26th at 4:00pm EST. All proceeds, excluding taxes and fees, will be donated to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund. Potential bidders can find more info about the bike and prize package at Bonhams.com/LiveWire.

Learn more about the LiveWire motorcycle at Harley-Davidson.com/LiveWire.

Harley-Davidson recognizes that we all need to do our part to help flatten the curve. We encourage you to act responsibly and stay up-to-date on U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and other regional guidelines.

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MotoAmerica Starts Back Up At Road America – Without Fans

The good news is racing is back. The bad news, at least for the first event, is it’s a closed-door event. But the follow-up race in June will include fans.

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MotoAmerica, the home of the AMA Superbike Serieshas announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the Governor of Wisconsin’s safer-at-home order being set to expire on May 26, the racing portion of the opening round of the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, May 29-31, at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, will continue, but without fans.

Although Road America and MotoAmerica worked diligently to find an alternative, the task proved impossible due to unknown restrictions that may be placed on public outdoor events. MotoAmerica, however, is planning to return to Road America, June 26-28, along with all previously scheduled activities, including Vintage MotoFest. The June 26-28 event will also feature the MotoAmerica Heritage Cup and the opening round of the Mini Cup by Motul.

All five classes of the premier National motorcycle road racing championship in the U.S. – Superbike, Supersport, Liqui Moly Junior Cup, Stock 1000 and Twins Cup – will compete in the series opener, May 29-31.

“We worked hard with Road America to try to make the original date work with fans, but after Governor Evers extended the safer-at-home order to May 26, we couldn’t make it work due to the unknown restrictions on public outdoor gatherings,” said MotoAmerica President Wayne Rainey. “But we still intend to run the event May 29-31, without fans and air it on Fox Sports and MotoAmerica Live+. This is not something we ever imagined, but then again we never thought we’d be faced with something like COVID-19. We will continue to work towards making the event special for everyone tuning into the broadcast and will keep everyone posted moving forward for the next event in June. In the meantime, we urge our fans, teams, and riders to continue to do the right things to keep them safe and healthy.”

“This event attracts competitors and fans, not only from the U.S. but around the world,” said Road America President and General Manager, Mike Kertscher. “As of today, we cannot predict when we will be at a point that our public outdoor events meet the proper criteria for mass public gatherings in the state of Wisconsin. Make no mistake, we intend to come back stronger and ready to continue with our existing June events – including the WeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints, June 12-14, and the IndyCar REV Group Grand Prix presented by AMR, June 18-21. We also anticipate by mid-June, there will be further transparency to safely host outdoor events, which is a primary factor for why we added a weekend in June.”

Customers who have already purchased tickets, camping or other items, for the May 29-31 MotoAmerica Superbike Series weekend, are encouraged to hold onto those items for the MotoAmerica Superbikes at Road America weekend, June 26-28.

For more information on Road America tickets, etc., visit https://www.roadamerica.com/ticket-exchange

For the full 2020 MotoAmerica Series schedule, click HERE

To purchase tickets to any of the 2020 series rounds, click HERE

For information on how to watch the 2020 MotoAmerica Series, click HERE

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Ducati Rewards ArtCenter Student Who Designed Future Scrambler With Internship

Peter Harkins submitted the winning design for Scrambler Ducati of the future. Now, he’s being rewarded with an internship at Ducati.

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On the occasion of the presentation of the new Scrambler Ducati 1100 PRO, which took place in February 2020 at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, Ducati involved students of the California institute with a contest to design a proposal for the Scrambler Ducati of the future.

After three months, all the projects have been submitted and evaluated. Jeremy Faraud, Designer, and Andrea Ferraresi, Director of the Ducati Style Center, together with the Scrambler Ducati Brand Unit, judged the students’ works based on their future vision, the presentation of the project, the quality of the technical drawings and, of course, on their design style.

In total, 10 complete, original and markedly different projects were presented but with some features in common. Many students imagined an electric Scrambler Ducati version linked to urban mobility, while others submitted all-round models, i.e. more versatile and suitable for many different situations. The winning project also chose the latter direction which proved to be the winner, as it respects the true spirit of the brand.

“The collaboration with the ArtCenter College of Pasadena has given rise to an interesting exchange experience with students from different cultural and academic backgrounds, who have reinterpreted our Scrambler Ducati in a creative way and with very distant points of view,” said Andrea Ferraresi, Ducati Style Center Director. “Peter Harkins was the best in transforming the brief into a decidedly spot-on project. His work proved to be particularly complete in the study of the proportions and in the development of the details. The reinterpretation that he proposed takes its inspiration from the values ​​of the brand and maintains the typical stylistic canons of the Scrambler Ducati, such as lightness, simplicity of lines and the headlamp characterized by the unmistakable X, now recognized as the signature of the bike.”

“I am thankful to Ducati and ArtCenter for working together to provide this opportunity,” said Peter Harkins. “I am extremely excited to be working alongside such a talented group of designers at Ducati and look forward to learning new skills and techniques. Thank you to my classmates who pushed me to do better and to our teacher, Alex Earle, for inspiring us through his Powersports Class. This is a dream come true!”






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