Cycle Update – Rider Magazine receives AMA Excellence in Media award

Long-time motorcycle enthusiast and Rider magazine editor, Mark Tuttle, recently received the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) Excellence in Media award for his One-Track Mind column in the August 2003 issue titled The Ride is Enough. The column is about the dangers of drinking and riding as well as the launch of the AMA’s Ride Straight program.
“This is quite an honor for Mark and for our publishing unit,” said Steve Hedlund, president of Ehlert Publishing. “Mark has been Rider’s editor for the last fourteen years. He makes a very powerful contribution to the motorcycle riders with this column.”
Tuttle originally studied to be a photographer, then a motorcycle mechanic and finally a journalist. As he says, “My 20-year stint at Rider has meant that I never had to make up my mind.”
Before launching Ride Straight last year, the AMA previewed the program to dozens of motojournalists. They encouraged these influential editors and publishers to support the don’t-drink-and-ride message, either through editorials or by including Ride Straight public-service announcements in their publications.
“One of the first to get on board was Rider magazine,” said AMA President Robert Rasor. “Editor Mark Tuttle’s column entitled ‘The Ride is Enough’ spoke directly and intelligently to the issue of impaired riding. The AMA recognized his eloquent support with its first-ever ‘Excellence-in-Media Award,’ presented at the recent International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis.
In his One-Track Mind column Tuttle asks, “Isn’t the ride enough?” Tuttle challenges fellow riders to follow his lead when it comes to drinking and riding. “I never drink alcohol and ride. It just isn’t done, and I simply can’t understand those who do or would even want to,” stated Tuttle. For a copy of the column and more info on the subject see www.ridestraight.com.
Yamaha Key in China Trade
New Deals Involving Joint Ventures
China’s Jianshe Group, which runs a joint venture with Yamaha Motor Co., has reportedly paid 280 million yuan in a deal to take a 50% stake in a second of the Japanese firm’s joint ventures.
The China National South Aero-Engine Co. and the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Beijing Co. had previously controlled 44.23% and 5.77%, respectively, in the firm, which will be renamed Zhuzhou Jianshe Yamaha Motorcycle Co., China’s Xinhua News Agency reported, quoting Jianshe sources. The joint venture, set up in 1993 and based in Central China’s Hunan Province, has an annual production capacity of 120,000 motorcycles.
The equity transfer deal is seen as a plus for the two partner firms, which reportedly want out of the joint venture to concentrate on Aerospace products.
The joint venture between Jianshe and Yamaha, based in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, was created in 1992.
Jianshe aims to increase its annual sales to 16 billion yuan by 2009 from 3.1 billion yuan expected in 2004, and plans to produce 1.1 million motorcycles this year, becoming one of the industry top three players. Jianshe also has motorcycle plants in Shanghai and in South China’s Guangdong Province.
Motorcycle output in China reached 14.75 million units last year, according to the China National Automotive Industry Consulting & Developing Corp. (CAC), a year-on-year increase of eight percent. Motorcycle exports during 2003 numbered more than three million units.
INDY CHOPPERS BUILDING
COMMEMORATIVE BIKES
Indy Choppers, an Indianapolis-based builder of custom performance motorcycles, is building a limited-edition line of custom bikes commemorating the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. Indy Choppers also has become the Exclusive/Preferred Motorcycle of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
A custom Indianapolis 500 commemorative motorcycle — valued at $100,000 — will be presented to both the 2004 Indianapolis 500-Mile Race winner and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, respectively. Some features of the bike that the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winner will receive include: 147 cubic-inch Enginuity engine with dual carburetors and six-speed transmission; 180 horsepower and top speed of more than 200 mph. The features of the Indianapolis 500 commemorative bike available to the public are nearly identical to the winner’s bike except the rear wheel is slightly smaller. A limited quantity of 100 will be built for sale to the public. Indy 500 commemorative motorcycles available to the public retail for $75,000.
The Indy Choppers motorcycle to be presented to the Indy 500-winning driver was unveiled to the field of drivers at their pre-event drivers’ meeting on Saturday, May 8, and the bike built for IMS will be on public display in the Speedway’s Hall of Fame Museum throughout the month of May.
For more information on Indy Choppers’ products and services, log on to www.indychoppers.com or call (317) 244-4242.
PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION SELECTED BY ULTRA MOTORCYCLE
Ultra Motorcycle Company of Mira Loma, California has chosen Progressive Suspension of Hesperia, Calif. as its exclusive supplier of suspension components for the firm’s custom motorcycle line.
“Progressive’s commitment to quality and performance made it an easy choice for us” said Glen King, vice president of marketing and dealer development. “We tested their 413 Series shocks and were very pleased with their performance. We are also going to offer their new Airtail Series shocks as a upgrade. They make the best suspension in the business”.
The gas charged 413 Series shocks will be standard on the Ultra Line of motorcycles in the following models: 250 ST Chopper, Diamond Pro Street, Fat Pounder.
Indian Liquidation Now in Progress
When Gilroy, California-based Indian Motorcycle Corporation abruptly halted production and closed their doors in Fall 2003, the company had only manufactured 40 bikes for its 2004 line.
Bill Melvin, CEO of National Retail Equipment Liquidators (N.R.E.L.) purchased the entire 2004 production group, the company’s corporate motorcycle collection, plus all of Indian’s hard assets, including parts, manufacturing equipment and more.
National Retail Equipment Liquidators, Grand Rapids, Mich., deals in Store Fixture/Equipment Liquidations and Motorsports Liquidations, and Melvin says he’s eager to deal. “No reasonable offer will be refused,” he said.
In addition to the 40 2004 models, the company collection includes several motorcycles designed for Hollywood films, like “Terminator 3,” “Cat in The Hat” and “Scooby Doo 2” (signed by main cast members); the first 2000 Scout; a custom painted blue and red flame Indian signed by Jeff Gordon; plus about 30 other 2001-2003 bikes.
View Indian Motorcycle Liquidation specs, photos and PDF brochures at www.nrel.com or call (800) 613-6865 for details.
LOS ANGELES CALENDAR
MOTORCYCLE SHOW
Held at the Queen Mary Event Park in Long Beach, Calif., the 2004 Los Angeles Calendar Motorcycle Show will be held July 17 and 18, 2004, and willl include an Iron Works Charity Ride, Jardine Performance West Coast Dyno Shootout, America’s Top Builders, Live Blues and Rock Concert Festivals, Purrfect Angelz and Las Vegas Extremes.
The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show again supports an important charity, benefiting Olive Crest Children’s Shelters (the biggest shelter for orphans, abused children and families in Southern California), as its ride-to destination.
To find out more about The LA Calendar Motorcycle Show visit online at www.FastDates.com/BIKESHOW.HTM.
L V BIKEFEST TO HOLD MASTER BUILDER’S BIKE SHOW
The 4th Annual Las Vegas BikeFest will be held at Cashman Center, Las Vegas, Nev., September 16-19, and consist of more than 200 manufacturers and vendors. More than 30,000 bikers and enthusiasts are expected to attend.
Las Vegas BikeFest has also announced the premiere of, Artistry in Iron — Master Builder’s Bike Show to be held during the 2004 Las Vegas BikeFest. Artistry in Iron is an invitation-only competition for the world’s most talented professional bike builders.
Artistry in Iron will be open to the public September 17th-18th. Las Vegas BikeFest is produced by the Las Vegas BikeFest Partnership made up of ConvExx and Full Throttle Events. Las Vegas BikeFest information is available at www.lasvegasbikefest.com, or at 866-BIKEFEST (245-3337), or 702-450-7662, or e-mail info@lasvegasbikefest.com. psb