Jun. 30, 2008 – Motorcycle Digest

Honda Announces ABS for Sports Bikes

Honda developed an electronically controlled combined ABS system designed specifically for sport bikes, stated a company press release.
The new brake-by-wire control system has a stroke simulator and joins Combined and ABS systems in one package to address the requirements of a sports bike.
The components are divided into smaller units than in the past, which doesn’t add too much weight, Honda says. The electronic control of the CBS allows more advanced control of the braking forces and more distribution of these forces over both wheels under heavy braking situations. The system measures the rider input on each lever and the ideal braking force is generated accordingly. An ABS modulator then ensures late but smooth triggering of the ABS system.
All the basic functions of ABS and CBS are provided, including the prevention of wheel lock, improved balance, stability and ease of operation. The handling characteristics of a sports bike are unaffected by the electronically controlled Combined ABS system, avoiding the ‘pitching’ effect of earlier systems, so that cornering and sports performance are not interrupted.

Ducati 848 Becomes Company’s Fastest-Selling Model Ever

Ducati North America announced its 848 Superbike has become the brand’s fastest-selling model ever.
Unveiled in Milan last November, the 848 is a lighter, more affordable alternative to Ducati’s 1098 Superbike.
Since its release six months ago, more than 1,200 848 Superbikes have been sold in North America, accounting for more than 20 percent of Ducati’s overall sales. The previous record holder was the 1098 Superbike, which revved its way into 1,000 new homes during the same period one year prior. The 18 percent growth en route to the record is no doubt due to the 848’s user friendliness, affordability and visual similarities to Ducati’s larger displacement Superbikes.
“The 848 has successfully bridged the gap for those aspiring to own a Ducati Superbike as well as addressing the desires of our loyal customer base,” said Jason Chinnock, national sales manager for Ducati North America.
For more information about Ducati and the 848 Superbike, visit ww.ducatiusa.com.

Harley Starts Production on Overseas-Only Bike

Harley-Davidson began production for the overseas-bound XR 1200 May 12 at its Kansas City, Mo., facility, the company said in a press release that day. All initial XR1200 production motorcycles will be shipped to the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.
Initial production will be reserved to fulfill existing future customer orders and to provide each authorized Harley-Davidson dealer with a demonstration motorcycle to enable prospective customers to try the XR1200 for themselves. To date, more than 600 customer retail orders have been placed across Europe.
The XR1200 was first launched as a prototype at INTERMOT in Cologne, Germany, in October 2006 to gauge customer and media reaction to a new kind of performance-oriented Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

BMW’s Worldwide Motorcycle Sales Decrease

BMW’s worldwide motorcycle sales fell nearly 6 percent in May compared to the previous year period, according to the BMW Web site.
There were 11,580 units sold, which is down from 12,289 vehicles in May 2007. Data for North America was not available.
Through May, BMW’s worldwide year-to-date sales are down 5.5 percent. BMW sold 45,032 units this year compared to 47,632 vehicles sold during the same period last year.

Nesbitt Joins LS Motorsports as Sales/Marketing Vice President

LS Motorsports has hired Terry Nesbitt for the newly created position of vice president of sales and marketing.
“We are very excited to have Terry join our team,” Matt Solo, president of LS Motorsports, said in a press release. “He brings many years of industry experience and is an excellent fit for our company.”
LS Motorsports is the parent company of Diamo USA, a U.S. company designing and producing proprietary products for the worldwide market.
“My focus is to continue developing our dealer network, accelerate retail and build the Diamo brand while growing revenue,” Nesbitt said. “We already have a great market presence based on the efforts of an established dealer network and very high quality products.”
Solo said the company’s first-quarter sales grew by 61 percent compared to the previous-year period.

Can-Am Spyder Owners Attend Inaugural Homecoming Event

More than 350 Can-Am Spyder owners attended BRP’s homecoming event at its headquarters in Quebec, Canada, stated a BRP press release.
The Spyder owners rode to BRP’s headquarters from various starting points throughout the United States and Canada.
BRP executives greeted the riders upon arrival, and throughout the day, the company hosted numerous events. BRP CEO Jose Boisjoli says the event brought together the new, unique community.
“This is truly a historic occasion as it gathers the first pioneers of the Spyder community,” said Boisjoli in the release.

Kawasaki Recalls Nearly 1,400 motorcycles

Kawasaki’s MY 2009 KLX250T9F and KLX250T9FL models were recalled due to a throttle issue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
On 1,393 units, the throttle grip and handlebar grip might come loose and separate from the handlebar and throttle tube, creating the potential for a crash. Dealers will replace the grips as required.

Yamaha Returns as Motorcycle Sponsor of the U.S. Grand Prix

MotoGP returns once again to the historic Monterey Peninsula on the weekend of July 18-20 at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Yamaha Motor Corp. USA also returns as the motorcycle sponsor.
Three years ago Yamaha helped fund the required track improvements, enabling the prestigious series to return to the United States. Yamaha factory MotoGP riders James Toseland, Colin Edwards, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi have earned 13 world championships between them.
“Racing remains the lifeblood of our company,” said Bob Starr, general manager of Yamaha’s national communications, “and this event each year allows us to focus on our racing heritage and its importance to each and every one of us at Yamaha.”
The “Yamaha Weekend of Champions” will return to the Yamaha Marketplace featuring 18 Yamaha racing heroes.

Schedule Released for International Shows

The schedule for the 28th annual Cycle World International Motorcycle Shows has been announced.
This nationwide series allows motorcycle fans from California to New York to get an up-close look at more than 600 new model motorcycles, including street bikes, dirt bikes, fuel efficient bikes, cruisers, scooters, ATVs and watercraft from 19 major manufacturers.
The schedule includes: Oct. 31-Nov. 2, University of Phoenix Stadium, Phoenix; Nov. 14-16, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas; Nov. 21-23, Reliant Center, Houston; Dec. 5-7, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, Calif.; Dec. 12-14, Qwest Field Event Center, Seattle; Dec. 19-21, San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, Calif.; Jan. 2-4, Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, Mich.; Jan. 9-11, Washington Convention Center, Washington D.C.; Jan. 16-18, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, N.Y.; Jan. 30-Feb. 1, I-X Center, Cleveland; Feb. 6-8, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Chicago; Feb. 13-15, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis; Feb, 20-22, Carolina First Center, Greenville, S.C.

Saxon Motorcycle Company Appoints New Plant Manager

Saxon Motorcycle Company announced the appointment of Dustin Jair Petty as its plant manager.
In this position, Petty will manage the production team and oversee research and development with a focus on process improvement and partnership development.
Petty joined Saxon Motorcycle Company in December after graduating from Arizona State University with a bachelor of science in construction and a minor in business.From his academic achievements, he won the Del E. Webb School of Construction’s Outstanding Graduate.
Dustin Petty is the son of Saxon owner and co-founder Jerry Petty. PSB