Ducati enjoys record motorcycle sales

Both the industry and motorcycle manufacturers themselves are reporting improved, if not record sales. Ducati seems to be more than happy to ride in the front of that popular pack.

Ducati North America said it enjoyed 2011 motorcycle sales growth of 43 percent compared to 2010 and a record market share in all of its territories: US, Canada and Mexico. This result established North America as Ducati’s number one market for the first time ever.

Ducati Performance line of apparel and accessories also recorded significant growth with a 50 percent annual increase.

States need motorcycle helmet laws study says

The states with the safest roads tend to have the strongest traffic safety laws according to a recently released study.

While many riders may long to live in the states with the safest roads, it comes at a price for some such a mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.

It was the ninth annual report released by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the 2012 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws gives report card grading all 50 states and the District of Columbia on their performance when it comes to adopting 15 basic traffic safety laws.

This year the report focuses on the state fiscal impact of highway safety gaps.

Jury deals with motorcycle accidents and manhood

Motorcycles and sex are often thrown together in marketing and everyday marketing. But it was the darker side of that combination that earned a rider $7.5 million in a recent court case.

A former sailor and at the time, newlywed, won the staggering damages over a car crash in California that shortened his penis by an inch and a half. The accident occurred in 2007 when Matthew Wall , 27, was riding his motorcycle to work at the US Navy submarine base in San Diego when he was struck by a shuttle bus from a nearby car showroom.

The circumstances will sound gravely familiar to riders with any time in the saddle. The jury heard that the van turned left in front of Wall who was unable to avoid the collision.

Remanufacturing program brings new life to old motorcycles

It could be considered cause for a new motorcycle saying, ‘Harleys don’t get old they just get faster!’

An announcement from the Milwaukee motorcycle manufacturer notes that new services have been added to the Engine Remanufacturing Program offered by Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories.

The Twin Cam 96, Twin Cam 103 and 2003-06 CVO Twin Cam 103 have recently been added to the “Reman” program that restores Harley-Davidson engines to factory specifications. All 1999-06 Twin Cam Engines will be upgraded with Screamin’ Eagle Hydraulic Cam Chain Tensioner and Oil Pump Kit.

This offer excludes ‘06 Dyna models.

Ducati makes motorcycle appearance in upcoming action movie

Fans of Ducati motorcycles have an action flick to add to their movie list.

Arriving in theaters on January 20^th, what’s being called a ‘dynamic action-thriller’ is the latest from director Steven Soderbergh (Contagion).

The movie boasts a talented cast that includes Channing Tatum (GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra), Ewan McGregor (The Ghost Writer), Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class), Antonio Banderas (The Legend of Zorro), Bill Paxton (“Big Love”), Michael Douglas (Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps), Michael Angarano (Almost Famous) and the womand soon to ride into biker’s hearts everywhere, mixed martial arts (MMA) superstar Gina Carano as Mallory Kane.

In a demanding lead role that has her performing her own high-adrenaline stunts she is also seen in the saddle of a Ducati Monster 696.

Steve McQueen leads Triumphs pack of new motorcycles

Triumph Motorcycles has released the United States retail prices of its new-for-2012 models and a legendary motorcycle-loving face from the age of the Silver Screen is leading the pack.

The motorcycles riding out for 2012 are the Tiger Explorer, Speed Triple R and Steve McQueen Edition along with a focus on offering customers a tremendous value for their money with high-specifications at competitive prices.

The Tiger Explorer is Triumph’s first entry into the premium adventure touring sector and features a class-leading specification as standard. Boasting an all-new 1215cc three-cylinder powerplant delivering a best-in-class 137bhp, the Tiger Explorer also features a durable shaft drive unit, electronic ABS brakes, cruise control and traction control, all as standard equipment.

BMW enjoys all sorts of motorcycle sales records

On the heels of BMW Motorrad reporting record global sales in 2011, BMW Motorrad USA posted a 7.4 percent growth in sales in 2011, nearly double the gain posted the previous year.

Sales were fueled by continued demand for BMW Motorrad USA’s best-selling model, the S 1000 RR Superbike, as well as for the popular core models R 1200 RT, R 1200 GS and R 1200 GS Adventure and the all-new six-cylinder K 1600 GTL and K 1600 GT.

BMW Motorrad’s K 1600 GT and GTL luxury tourers were named as the best motorcycles of 2011, beating tough contenders from some of the biggest brands in the business to take the top spot in the annual Supertest World Association award.

Mexican police ticket toy motorcycle rider

Call it the case of police harassing the biker spirit as soon as its sparked.

A six-year-old Mexican boy has been fined for riding his toy motorcycle, a Christmas gift, without a license and for reckless driving, after he crashed it into an SUV.

The incident occurred on December 27 in the Mexican city of Ciudad Juarez, when the boy, Gael Santiago was riding his bike near his home, and collided with an SUV that had jumped a stop sign, Fox News quoted a Mexican police spokesperson as telling Spanish news agency EFE.

Terming the charges as "ridiculous", the boy's mother , Karla Noriega said it showed lack of judgment on the part of the traffic police who fined the boy and impounded his miniature gasoline-powered bike.

Motorcycle legend and founder of Lehman Trike passes away

It’s a name everyone in the riding world knows and one that is synonymous with the three wheeled motorcycle or ‘trike’.

The founder of Lehman Trikes passed away on Thursday at the age of 60 years old. The suspected cause of death was a heart failure brought on by an embolism.

John Lehman was one of the most recognized, admired and respected individuals in the motorcycling industry, and is generally considered the Father of the Modern Trike. In 2009 John was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame.

Lehman Trikes announced the passing of its founder this morning in a press release noting Lehman is survived by his wife Linda, one son - Quinten, one daughter - Leann, three surviving sisters - Gladys, Linda, Carol, and three grandchildren.

More vintage motorcycles detailed for Vegas auction

An upcoming Las Vegas auction will feature more than sports stars ride in motorcycles and racing teams. A bevy of classis motorcycles will be featured later this month from some notable collections according to Auctions America by RM.

The Tony Parella Collection, featuring 35 vintage Harley-Davidsons offered at no reserve, is one of the eight motorcycle collections consigned to Auctions America by RM’s Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction Jan. 12-14, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

In addition to select motorcycles from the recently announced Michael Jordan Motorsports and Criss Angel MINDFREAK collections, Texas-based collector Tony Parella is selling his entire 35-motorcycle collection.