Moto-Brian

Why would he go for that gig? He's gonna be following everyone he races against...

I thought we were talking about racing. Not pretend racing... Are you really a racer? Wasn't too sure... Boom goes the dynamite. Love ya, Mads... You know that!!

Again... It is about ROI, guys. People like reality TV. Simple. They don't know about motorcycles as much. We ride, race and breath motorcycles on here. But, we are a HUGE minority. There are VERY few riders vs people that drive cars, that golf, that play sports. Think about football in this country and baseball. How many kids play either of these sports in school? Of the number of kids in school, how many ride motorcycles? There's your issue. In europe, soccer and racing are the baseball and football here. It is in their DNA. We had a little of that with the NASCAR stuff and why it is so attractive to people nationwide here. It is part of our history as Americans. Running whiskey and drag racing. It was a mainstay in the US and WAAAAAY moreso than motorcycles... We are a minority. If the sport cannot pay or provide attraction to sponsors, why would a cable company want it? Face the facts - until AMA gets it in their head to follow the formula of say, SX/MX, we will see road racing decline more and more until it just is all club racing... AMA used to be attractive. It used to be chock full of factory support and deep in talent. Now? It is really glorified club racing. It doesn't have the exposure it once had, it doesn't have the flow of money it once had and it certainly has talent in the ranks, but where do they go once they peak? The seats are full at the factory level (what is left) and the only way to excel in one's dream as a road racer in this country is to race overseas. AMA can fix it. Maybe. But, they should at least try. BUT, even if they come up with something, understand one simple thing. The motorcycle industry took a HUGE hit and while we didn't get bail outs to survive, it is bouncing back slightly in the US. HOWEVER, the rest of the world is suffering and the economic hit we all experienced is hitting Europe right now. The motorcycle companies are global and not US only. The issue is marketing and budgets and racing is part of Marketing. Until cash flow gets better, no matter what the series brings, the manufacturers can only pick what they feel is the best ROI and for the idea of racing, that is SX/MX right now.

NASCAR is watched so much because the fan base. We are all wanting road racing on TV for sure. But, we are a minority. The sport is not well followed and we can all crack on NASCAR all we want (Although I am a fan to a degree as I respect a lot of engineering and driving), but at the end of the day, it is all about the almighty dollar. The racing is still going to be on TV. The article isn't 100% factual as it misleads us to think there will be ZERO coverage. But, NBC and CBS's sport channels are working on deals. AMA supposedly has three events due. But, the bottom line is this... AMA killed road racing. Like they did with Supermoto... They have essentially a program series that is successful in SX/MX. Yes, they are organized by the AMA, but promoted and televised and everything via another group. But, what they do, how they promote and what they bring as far as a "show" creates gobs of fans. The stadiums are packed, the outdoors are well attended and even if AMA road racing got HALF of that attendance, they'd get more sponsors and more recognition of the sport. But, they don't. So, we get screwed on race coverage. But, to compare and complain about NASCAR, look at it with an unbiased set of eyes. The fan base and the number of people that follow, spend and attend NASCAR events makes it one of the top motorsport sports out there. Period. Certainly the biggest in this country. We suffer due to the fact that there isn't money in it. We see it in sponsors falling off, riders paying for rides, TV coverage at stupid hours and now, no AMA coverage possible...

Huh? Duc means Ducati...

I have a new sponsor and they do fully custom suits. No off the rack type of stuff and it isn't limited to anything. In fact, there is a young pup named Alex Wisdom and hopefully the Triple Crown AMA team this year. The company is called Arsenal Leatherworks and they do anything your brain can come up with. Alex has a SUPER awesome design. It is much more time consuming, but costs the same. They really have a tough time getting the little circles aligned correctly, but shows what can be done: http://www.alexwisdomracing.com/portal/sponsors/our-sponsors/ I did something more traditional, but added urban camo and different colors front to back, etc. You can basically have Tony at Arsenal create a basic starting point and then keep adding sponsors and colors or designs. You think it? He makes it. The suit costs are all the same so, hit me up, but they are all below $1500. Screen printed patches or actual patches, etc... If interested, shoot me a PM. I think Neyra is doing these suits also...

Race suits are not supposed to be comfortable when standing. If you get into a baseball catcher position for example and extend your arms forward, that should be comfortable. Basically, in the attack position on the bike, it is to be good. Standing, sucks... If they are too loose, you will also have serious issues. They need to fit tight and snug almost everywhere...

All you non-wussies can stop by and say "Hey" at the Duc booth.

You'd have to drop a cylinder then. It's all fair, dude...

Not a huge fan of the gold, but shoot me a price. No interest in the tire. So, I'd wanna get it without unless its free.

That guy must have sniffed the exhaust pipes too much at some of his prices. Hope he knows you can buy OZ wheels for the price he's asking. But, thank you for the link. I appreciate it!

OK, so the wife hit a deer (It actually hit her) this morning. It's a 2006 Infiniti G35 Coupe. Has under 14k a year average and is in excellent shape. Waxed, maintained, garaged, etc. Car was not damaged before we had this happen. Creased the fender on driver's side and maybe some damage to the bumper. Not positive at this stage yet. So, I call Progressive and I get told I can take it to one of their "certified service centers" or to one of my own. I'd prefer to take it to the Infiniti dealer and get authentic Infiniti parts and have their guy that probably can color match, blend and do a factory quality paint job. However, Progressive is saying that they will not authorize OEM parts, but rather aftermarket parts and will have their claim representative come out and give an estimate. That estimate is what they will approve and that amount only. So, if I want the OEM parts, quality paint job, etc., I can pay above and beyond what they approve. Is this accurate? I thought I had the right to demand who I take it to and if I gathered estimates, they would approve the lowest one from the places I went to. I am sure things have changed and by me asking, you can tell that I haven't had a reason to even deal with this in MANY years. I think it was like 1999 or something... Just looking for some guidance or what it is that I can do to ensure it is done well and to my standards. I found it funny for her to say that it will be just like new and like it was before the crash and when I said "Well, except with different parts and probably a poorer paint job" and she said that wasn't true. Anyways, can someone tell me that I am just going to have to deal with it or that I have some sort of rights in all this? I pay a ton of money per year for this shit and only am allowed to settle with what they say it is worth...

OK, Matte was sold then backed out on then sold and now back up. Freakin CRAZY!!! I either need to keep this one because it wants to stay with me or I am not supposed to sell it... ULTRA clean and a really great deal - at least I thought it was... Hit me up!!

Yes, the Bell transition shield is AMAZING and is probably what the industry will turn to at some point unless Bell has a solid patent on that technology within helmet shields.

The new Star from Bell is now incorporating the RS-1 type shell. So, here forward, the Star shell will fit better... Basically, Shoei, Arai, Top shelf Bells, the new HJC series that are renamed, etc are all great choices. You just need to get yourself fit and try things on and decide what fits you and fits into what you expect from it. Personally, I hate the inner shield lids. They have a deeper cavity and the eye port is weird when the shield is up. But, they kinda make sense. I just don't see the hassle of having a shield in your bag for when it gets dark, etc... But, that's why they make all different sorts of helmets these days...

Get with Bill Carr at Ducati Indy as he is working with Ohlins on a new fork for the Multi. Sounds very promising and Bill is going to slap it on his new 2013 and test it out. Might call him or email him and stay in touch about it...

You'd have to race MS or regionally to watch him race, man.

They are the same forks. But the internals are not. For example, on the 1199S with Ohlins, the internals need to be swapped. Race use is a different stack and setup than street use. Not a big deal, but it isn't the same forks as seen on AMA Superbikes... You got the forks for under $1k? That's a great deal!!

So, per a few of you, I took my better camera to the IMS show in Cleveland. I don't know if it made the pics any better, though! Anyways, some old school lovin. Note on the 4 bikes below. Northern Ohio Ducati/Triumph does a LOT of custom work on vintage style bikes as well as custom new model bikes. They do an amazing job due in part of their love of history and passion for motorcycles. They have a guy named Stan that is one of the most respected Vintage guys in the state if not east coast... Ducati 250: Nortons: My favorite and have been watching this thing for a while now. This is the owner's BABY and he finally has it from pencil to reality and it is amazing in person. It is a Paul Smart Monster replica... Doesn't look like much, but there is at least 10 hours in the headlight and dash. These are not like this in stock form and to make the headlight bezel come together properly, it had to be custom made by hand. The ring alone was about 4 hours! Exhaust. The slip-on is for an R6 and was purchased and lightly modded for mating with the header system. The header system was 100% custom. The bends, the welds and everything was done by hand and from scratch. Beautiful in person: Northern Ohio are the exclusive importers for the laced wheels. Completely billet and super lightweight. Finally, paint. Amazing job and the custom blue on the frame was dead accurate. OK, of course, I am going to give some Ducati love here. No advertising, just where I spend three days for each show... Screen saver : Mean sitting still: Added the white 1199 this show: We also had the new Diavel Strada. Had to be roped off and lifted to avoid sitting on. The accessories and such are all one off stuff and prototype and even made of wood, etc. Only one in the world and used for photo shoots, etc. Sexiest wheel in production: Monster Diesel Edition. Couldn't fit in our booth so, was at Dealer's Booth: MotoGP stuff: Added a couple of additional Moto 3 bikes: The Moto3 bikes are TINY. Look at the sprocket size and noted right side drive: Shock notes still intact on KTM Moto3 bike: Like I talked about after the MN show, the bikes are in somewhat rougher than I expected shape. Here's a rear rim to show what I mean. It's chewed up pretty good: For Parks. Bradl shots: Nicky's: Edward's bike. Showing how short the canisters are on these things: The tank and frame. The bike may have an OEM based motor, but everything else is prototype: KTM Booth was really bad ass. It was a custom cargo container that had it's own hydros so that it actually lifted itself off the trailer and lowered down. The sides then folded down and everything was contained within. It was really a cool booth and well done. RC8R love. Ah, the memories... Chris' setup for rear brake... Electronics shown in lower. DON'T CUT THE RED WIRE! Finally, even the kids were getting some lovin'

You will want to call Reuben or Carr and ask about the internals. I believe that you'll still want to buy a set of at least 25mm cartridges for those. They are R/T, but more road than track... Don't be fooled by the gold color, man. Take the money and buy a TTX rear and a 25mm cartridge kit. Rub gives a discount to OR riders...

Glad to see you guys liked our models at the booth. I will load some pics I took - yes Mr Parks, I had my good camera. The Hyper comments - I am 6'1" and it fits me rather well. I am with fingers crossed it is our demo this year. That being said, I can see that the Hyperstrada could feel small. But, it falls into that 800 class of bikes and not the Multi or SMT. If in the market for an SMT which is a solid and awesome bike (SEVERAL miles on that baby), the Multi is SOOOOOOO amazing and what I would say as better. At the price point of the SMT, you can get the Multi Standard. Anyways, pics to come tomorrow.

Give a jingle to Northern Ohio Ducati Triumph and ask to talk to Stan. Probably one of the top Vintage guys here in Ohio. He can tell you what to look for and what to ask about.

Buy the TTX. The older generation Ohlins is shit. The 30mm kit is cool, but you can buy the 25mm kit for CHEAP and would be totally fine to do. Get with Reuben and grab a deal on those. Actually, look at the JRI he is offering. That thing is really good. Neyra tried one and liked it on his ZX10. My personal opinion is if you skimp on suspension, you will need to upgrade sooner rather than later. Why spend twice the money when you can do it once and be done and focus on setup and quality of your riding. Anyone that preaches it is better than stock is true in what they are saying. But, quality will allow you to advance further without hitting a wall and then having to update again. Buy right and go.

Just as the titles says. Looking for STRAIGHT 1098/1198 wheels. Would LOVE to get them complete with rotors, etc...

Imprez- Send me a PM with your info...