Here is what the d30 website has to say about the material:

(dee-three-oh) is a specially engineered material made with intelligent molecules. They flow with you as you move but on shock lock together to absorb the impact energy.

This new technology has already been incorporated into motorcycle gloves (see Racer Gloves at www.racergloves.com) and a downhill slalom suit (see Spyder at www.spyder.com) to name a few.

One product, due out in this winter, that may be of particular interest to bikers is from a company called Sessions. They will be incorporating the d30 technology into their layering apparel. Details from the d30 website include the following:

Sessions have become the first to incorporate d3o into their range of first layers. This groundbreaking move has resulted in Sessions’ Thermatics d3o Crew and Pant being awarded the SnowPress Innovation Award 2007.

The men’s range of Thermatics first layer garments have d3o placed in the direct contact areas such as the elbows and knees to provide lightweight, flexible protection.

Thermatics d3o Crew: Wicking thermal knit; d3o protective elbow inserts; Thumbholes; Articulated body; Drop tail hem

Thermatics d3o Pant: Wicking thermal knit; d3o protective knee inserts; No side seams for reduced chaffing; Articulated body; Gusset fly with peek hole; Logo elastic waistband

Keep your eyes open for new developments with regards to the d30 technology and watch for more specific motorcycling applications to come.

And take a look at Charlie6′s post on this over at Redleg’s Rides, which you can find here.

Enjoy!

d30

Racer Gloves

Spyder

I want this when it comes out this Winter! [via Redleg's Rides]

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

The documents, ‘Executive Orders”, have to do with meeting emissions and air quality requirements in California. They also list the H-D models they pertain to for the different engine sizes.

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON M-005-0142 [PDF, 60KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON M-005-0141 [PDF, 60KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY-DAVIDSON M-005-0140 [PDF, 60KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON M-005-0139 [PDF, 64KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON M-005-0138 [PDF, 60KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON M-005-0137 [PDF, 60KB]

Executive Order: 2008 HARLEY DAVIDSON M-005-0136 [PDF, 24KB]

Interesting to me were the XL 1200 Custom Anniversary and XL 1200 Lowrider Anniversary models. Primarily because I ride a 2006 XL 1200 Custom.

It also appears that their may be a Fat Boy Anniversary model as well as other goodies in there.

Enjoy perusing these docs!

California Air Resources

Full List of 2008 Harley-Davidson Models [via Cyril Huze Blog]

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

Stating that a merger with HD would be “totally complementary”, Ducati CFO, Enrico D’Onofrio also said that Ducati Motor Holding would consider a merger with HD “anytime”.

Onofrio goes on to say that while HD could stand to benefit by expanding internationally, Ducati would certainly benefit on the procurement side as HD is able to get better quality products at lower prices.

Although it would be one to three years before Ducati would be in a position for a merger, it is interesting reading in any case.

Enjoy?

Ducati would consider Harley-Davidson merger ‘anytime’, CFO says [Heather West via Financial Times]

Ducati and Harley-Davidson To Merge ? [Mike Werner via Bikes in the Fast Lane]

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

The new models in the Rally Series include the Bandera, the Judge and the Classic Chop. We actually saw some of the Banderas and even posted a pic of one.

But for you die-hard fans who want your info straight from the source, you can now get it from AIH. Following are links to each of the three new models.

For the Bandera, click here.

For the Judge, click here.

For the Classic Chop, click here.

Take a look at these new offerings from AIH and let us know what you think. I see them as a great move by AIH to help get people into a quality, custom bike at a little lower cost. But what about you?

Bandera [via American IronHorse]

Judge [via American IronHorse]

Classic Chop [via American IronHorse]

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

If you have a chance to attend one of the V-Twin bike shows, I highly recommend it. Especially if you admire custom bikes and paint jobs.

Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

Sound like an odd question?

Well it may not be all that uncommon in the future thanks to a new hemi-head, V-twin motorcycle engine design by Revolution Performance Motors, based in Idaho.

The company, Revolution Performance Motors, is an offshoot of Renegade Motorcycles who, for the four-valve hemi motor, purchased the exclusive rights, trademarks and patents. They offer hemi-head conversions, complete engines and twin-carb conversion kits.

For more info on their products, visit the web site here.
Got a Hemi? [Rick Thomas via Coeur d'Alene Press Newspaper]

Revolution Performance Motors

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

As I understand it, the Bandera is one of three new models to be introduced by AIH as part of their Rally series. The Rally series is a push by AIH to garner a little more of the custom built bike market. These three models will be at a lower price point than the current models and should start around the $25,000 mark and are targeted towards the biker who is interested in ‘easing’ into the custom bike market.

In addition, the Rally series allows a rider to get on an AIH for a lower price, but without sacrificing all the many features people have come to expect from AIH. Unfortunately, one of the things you sacrifice with the Rally series is AIH’s patented digital speedometer. However, the more traditional speedometer on the Bandera models I saw gave it more of that ‘old school’ look. So this may not bother many people.

The Bandera is a cruiser style bike with, I think, air suspension. Also in the series are a chopper style bike as well as another cruiser style bike that is rigid. Please note, my memory is already a little fuzzy about the rigid cruiser style offering, so don’t hold be surprised if I am off on that one.

It will be interesting to see how the Rally series produces for AIH.

From my vantage point it was a well thought out decision and makes sense to try to expand market share on the ‘entry level’ end and lay the ground work for repeat business and brand loyalty as people are able to progress in the line to the more expensive models.

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

Actually, I got to ride two different choppers today as research for an upcoming Good Times article. And it was a blast!

I rode an American Iron Horse Texas Chopper and a Big Dog K9. Both were awesome!

At some point, I will add some details in a post. Or at least post the article when published. But, suffice it to say, that any of the myths you may have heard about choppers are probably not true. And if you get the chance, you really should take one for a ride.

American Iron Horse Motorcycles

Big Dog Motorcycles

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

There are rumors floating around The XL Forum for Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Enthusiasts that Harley-Davidson will be discontinuing several models for the 2008 model year. You can find a link to the thread here.

The flyer above is off the Denny’s Harley-Davidson site which you can find here. They have a scrolling ad on their home page that takes you to this flyer when clicked. The link to the flyer on the Denny’s H-D site is here (it’s actually on their ‘Finance’ page).

According to the flyer, H-D will not be offering the following models for 2008:

Road King Custom
Dyna Wide Glide
Softail Standard
Springer Classic
FXSTD Deuce
XL883R Sportster

The most surprising one on the list to me is the Dyna Wide Glide. It has always seemed to me to be a very popular model and I have even considered moving up to one from my current XL1200 Custom.

From my limited perspective, all the models on the flyer seem to be good sellers, with the possible exception of the XL883R. But then again, I am not privy to all of H-D’s sales numbers.

In addition, I wonder if this has anything to do with the recent strike at the H-D plant in York, PA. Or if it is just a way for H-D to ‘restrict’ the amount of available bikes for sell in 2008 by eliminating these models and not introducing replacements or increasing the production numbers on the remaining models.

It is also interesting to me that there are no V-Rods on the discontinued list. This is surprising to me in that I do not personally know anyone with a V-Rod. And, other than at the Texas State Hog Rally in Abilene last year, I have never seen one out in public.

I should note that I know that they get sold, or at least I think they do, in my local market, as I occasionally see a different one in the local H-D dealership. However, the turnover of the V-Rods in nothing in comparison to that of all the other models.

In any event, it will be interesting to learn about the rationale behind these decisions. In the mean time, I would welcome any and all ‘conspiracy theories’ from those of you out there much more knowledgeable about this than I.

The XL Forum for Sportster and Buell Motorcycle Enthusiasts

Denny’s Harley-Davidson

Technorati Tags: motorcycle

A couple of the only complaints mentioned about the bike include a small, 4.5 gallon fuel tank and a different key for the ignition, each saddlebag and trunk.

All in all, Carpenter proclaims the Victory Kingpin Tour a worthy alternative to a Harley with a price that is comparable as well.

Dependable, smooth-riding Victory Kingpin Tour [Susan Carpenter via LA Times]

Victory Motorcycles

Technorati Tags: motorcycle