Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2014 Honda Grom motorcycle - profile view, red

My very first turn at the handlebars of a motorcycle came courtesy of an MSF Honda CB125. Despite the fact that it wore a very stern sticker on the tank warning all who rode that it was for instructional purposes only and not for legal sale, I wanted nothing more than to ride it past the cones of my license test and straight home. There was just something about the lightweight, low-power machine that just felt right. Now Honda is giving American buyers the chance to take home something similar. Meet the Grom. Yes, it's basically a sexed-up scooter, but that's fine by me.

There's a fuel-injected 125cc single pushing the fat-tired bike around, and a four-speed gearbox handles shifting duty.The smallish 12-inch wheels give the Grom a bit of a goofball appearance, but the handsome bodywork and gold forks help offset the look. Something tells me this joker is more fun than should be legal. Check out a fun video of the bike in action by scrolling down, and while you're there, you'll find a full press release on all of the new Honda powersports models, including the Grom. You can also head over to the Honda consumer site for more information. The bike will land in showrooms this August with an MSRP of $2,999.

Continue reading 2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video]

2014 Honda Grom motorcycle is a 125cc-shot of awesome [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 May 2013 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>125cc2014 honda gromhondahonda gromhonda grom 125hondagrom125motorcyclevideoWed, 15 May 2013 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20568567/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/2014-honda-grom-motorcycle-is-a-125cc-shot-of-awesome-w-video/20568567/article-detail.xml 20568567 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-honda-grom-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2014-honda-grom-628.jpg <![CDATA[Motorcyclist rear ends truck, lands in bed and goes for a ride]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/motorcyclist-rear-ends-truck-lands-in-bed-and-goes-for-a-ride/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/motorcyclist-rear-ends-truck-lands-in-bed-and-goes-for-a-ride/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/09/motorcyclist-rear-ends-truck-lands-in-bed-and-goes-for-a-ride/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Just imagine for a moment that you're driving across a long stretch of secluded desert highway, and suddenly you see a hand waving at you from inside the vehicle in the rearview mirror. While this might seem like the stuff of scary urban legends, it is exactly what happened to a man last week as he was driving his Nissan pickup through California's High Desert.

According to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, a motorcycle rider rear-ended the man's pickup at a high rate of speed, throwing the rider into the bed of the truck. Since it was a rough stretch of road that was under construction, the driver mistook the impact for road debris. Witnesses claim the motorcycle rider was traveling "in excess of 130 miles per hour," and while the rider sustained "minor to moderate" injuries, we imagine that things would likely have been much worse if he hadn't landed in the back of the truck...

Motorcyclist rear ends truck, lands in bed and goes for a ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 May 2013 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>motorcyclemotorcycle crashmotorcycle safetyThu, 09 May 2013 07:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20559757/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/09/motorcyclist-rear-ends-truck-lands-in-bed-and-goes-for-a-ride/20559757/article-detail.xml 20559757 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/nissan-titan-bed-1367932812_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/nissan-titan-bed-1367932812.jpg <![CDATA[Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Local Motors, the company behind the Rally Fighter, briefly took its four wheels off the dirt and put two on the road for a crowd-sourced motorcycle project. Working with fellow Arizona company DP Custom Cycles, Local Motors invited its community to design a motorbike based on the Harley-Davidson Sportster. More than 200 entries from ten countries were received, and the winner has been chosen in the DP Racer by Andre Costa of Portugal. Second place was the NASCAR-inspired Talledega by Italy's well-known Oberdan Bezzi, third place went to Marc Senger of the US for his NASA-themed DP Customs Lander.

DP Custom Cycles will build Costa's Racer, but hasn't said how many of them will be produced. Serial Number 0001 is already taken, though, having been auctioned off to the Local Motors community. You can watch the selection process in the video and read about the contest and finalists in the press release below, and check out the top ten entries in the high-res gallery above.

Continue reading Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video]

Local Motors picks first-ever winner of motorcycle design challenge [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 May 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crowdsourcingdp custom cycleslocal motorsmotorcyclevideoyoutubeWed, 01 May 2013 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20550832/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/01/local-motors-picks-first-ever-winner-of-motorcycle-design-challe/20550832/article-detail.xml 20550832 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/local-motors-dpc-contest_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/local-motors-dpc-contest.jpg <![CDATA[Harley-Davidson killing six models for 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/harley-davidson-killing-six-models-for-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/harley-davidson-killing-six-models-for-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/30/harley-davidson-killing-six-models-for-2014/#commentsFiled under:

Harley-Davidson FLHRC Road King Classic - profile view

Harley-Davidson is making some room on its dealers' showroom floors. The motorcycle manufacturer has announced it will kill off a total of six models for 2014, including the XR1200X Sportster, FXS Softail Blackline and the FLHTC Electra Glide Classic. The company says it's pulling the plug on the bikes to "optimize the number of choices available," according to VisorDown, and to "reduce product overlap." We imagine it also has something to do with the fact that Harley-Davidson saw sales decline by more than 9 percent year over year despite an increase in profits in 2012.

Much of that sales decline can be attributed to lackluster demand in the US. The manufacturer will axe the FLHRC Road King Classic in North America only, while the FLHR Road King will fall off of the order books in other markets. Don't expect to see the FLTRX Road Glide Custom or the FLTRU Road Glide Ultra in 2014, either, though Harley-Davidson promises both bikes will return after a redesign.

Harley-Davidson killing six models for 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 harley davidson2014 harley davidson models2014harleydavidson2014harleydavidsonmodelsharley davidsonharley davidson fxs softail blacklineharley-davidsonharley-davidson flhr road kingharley-davidson flhtc electra glide classicharley-davidson fltru road glide ultraharley-davidson fltrx road glide customharley-davidson xr1200xmotorcycleTue, 30 Apr 2013 11:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20552168/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/30/harley-davidson-killing-six-models-for-2014/20552168/article-detail.xml 20552168 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/flhrc-road-king-classic-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/flhrc-road-king-classic-628.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Motorcycle Police Chase Video

Riding a motorcycle through high traffic can be a stressful experience. And we don't even want to imagine what it's like to have to actually pursue someone on a motorcycle. Fortunately, we don't have to. Officer Troy Gurley of the Florence, Alabama police force recently attempted to stop a vehicle for traffic violations. The driver, 24-year-old Justin Sanders, figured he could use his Mazda3 to outrun the bike cop. Turns out, not so much.

Gurley pursued Sanders for nearly five minutes as the Mazda driver ran stop signs, swerved through traffic and raced through residential neighborhoods, but the perpetrator couldn't shake the tenacious and experienced rider. Other units soon joined the pursuit, and Sanders thought it best to leave the protection of his car to attempt to flee on foot. From there, it didn't take officers long to apprehend him. You can watch the video below for yourself.

Continue reading Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view

Watch a high-speed chase from a motorcycle-mounted officer's point of view originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chasehigh speed chase motorcyclehighspeedchasemotorcyclemazdamazda3motorcyclemotorcycle copmotorcycle cop videomotorcycle officermotorcycleofficerpolicepolice chasepursuitSat, 13 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20538578/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/13/watch-a-high-speed-chase-from-a-motorcycle-mounted-officers-poi/20538578/article-detail.xml 20538578 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/motorcycle-police-chase-video-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/motorcycle-police-chase-video-628.jpg <![CDATA[Geico Allman Brothers motorcycle insurance ad criticised]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/geico-allman-brothers-motorcycle-insurance-ad-criticised/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/geico-allman-brothers-motorcycle-insurance-ad-criticised/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/28/geico-allman-brothers-motorcycle-insurance-ad-criticised/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Geico Money Man Allman Brothers commercial - video screencap

When Geico gave the go-ahead on a new ad for motorcycle insurance set to the iconic Midnight Rider by the Allman Brothers, we're guessing the company didn't realize band members Duane Allman and Berry Oakley both died in motorcycle accidents within a year of one another. The deaths are the stuff of rock and roll legend, as both Oakley and Allman perished in crashes in Macon, Georgia within a block of one another back in the early '70s.

The spot, titled Money Man, features a rider seemingly made of money cruising along on a tree-lined street with dollar bills floating off behind him. The idea is that the rider saved so much money by switching to Geico that cash is literally falling off of him. Still, we can't help but think The Martin Agency, the agency behind the spot, could have opted for a different soundtrack. We also can't help but wonder why the surviving members of the Allman Brothers Band or its label didn't think to nip this licensing deal in the bud, too.

We've reached out to The Martin Agency for comment, and will update this post as soon as we hear back. In the interim, check out the spot for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Geico Allman Brothers motorcycle insurance ad criticised

Geico Allman Brothers motorcycle insurance ad criticised originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allman brothersallman brothers bandgeicogeico allman brothersinsurancemidnight ridermoney manmotorcyclemotorcycle insurancevideoThu, 28 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20521734/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/28/geico-allman-brothers-motorcycle-insurance-ad-criticised/20521734/article-detail.xml 20521734 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/geico-allman-brothers-money-man-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/geico-allman-brothers-money-man-628.jpg <![CDATA[Check out 90 years of BMW Motorrad in 90 seconds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/check-out-90-years-of-bmw-motorrad-in-90-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/check-out-90-years-of-bmw-motorrad-in-90-seconds/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/check-out-90-years-of-bmw-motorrad-in-90-seconds/#commentsFiled under: , ,



After ninety years in business and first-to-market motorcycle innovations like the one-piece 'tunnel' crankcase, hydraulically dampened front forks and full fairings, as well as that trademark boxer engine, BMW Motorrad is celebrating its nonagenarian status with a video: You can follow the ride on BMW motorcycles from 1923 to now in just 90 seconds.

Okay, so there's more than a video - some anniversary-themed bikes and a new retro boxer model celebrating the R 32 "airhead' from 1923 also commemorate the occasion. But you can start with the video, and that's below.

Continue reading Check out 90 years of BMW Motorrad in 90 seconds

Check out 90 years of BMW Motorrad in 90 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anniversarybmwbmw motorcyclesbmw motorradmotorcyclevideovideosyoutubeTue, 12 Mar 2013 12:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496120/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/12/check-out-90-years-of-bmw-motorrad-in-90-seconds/20496120/article-detail.xml 20496120 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bmwmotorrad90-years_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/bmwmotorrad90-years.jpg <![CDATA[See this paralyzed motocross rider's inspiring story]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/see-this-paralyzed-motocross-riders-inspiring-story/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/see-this-paralyzed-motocross-riders-inspiring-story/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/01/see-this-paralyzed-motocross-riders-inspiring-story/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Darius Glover video

A little perspective goes a long way. While it's easy to get bogged down in the multitude of minor hurdles that constitute the daily grind, it's important to remember there are those out there with genuine struggles. Take Darius Glover, for instance. At seven years old, he figured out he wanted to become a professional motocross rider and proceeded to dive full bore into the sport. But an accident when he was 15 left the rider paralyzed from the waist down. While doctors were busy telling him he'd never walk again, much less ride, Glover had made up his mind not to let something as silly as a disability slow him down.

With the encouragement of a few loyal friends and plenty of hard work, Glover is back to riding some four years later. And by "riding" we mean competing in some of the sport's most demanding events. You can check out his story in the video below for yourself.

Continue reading See this paralyzed motocross rider's inspiring story

See this paralyzed motocross rider's inspiring story originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>darius glovermotocrossmotorcycleparalyzed motocross ridervideoFri, 01 Mar 2013 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20481345/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/01/see-this-paralyzed-motocross-riders-inspiring-story/20481345/article-detail.xml 20481345 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/darius-glover-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/darius-glover-628.jpg <![CDATA[Portland's Holiday Customs is your <i>American Chopper</i> antidote]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/portlands-holiday-customs-is-your-american-chopper-antid/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/portlands-holiday-customs-is-your-american-chopper-antid/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/20/portlands-holiday-customs-is-your-american-chopper-antid/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Holiday Motorcycles Video

We wouldn't blame you if you recoiled from every video about motorcycle builders you saw. After all, American Choppers has effectively conditioned each and every one of us to think stitching together custom bikes involves more drama than your average episode of Jersey Shore. But, as Jared Johnson of Holiday Customs so eloquently illustrates, real life building as all about crafting something that isn't "just a bolt on situation." Even better, the shop focuses on crafting accessible bikes for the masses instead of $25,000 bits of unobtanium. It's clear Johnson wants his bikes to be ridden, not sheltered in someone's forsaken garage.

Sunglasses maker Shwood Eyewear turned its attention to Holiday Customs for the latest in the company's Experiment With Nature video series. The clip succinctly sums up what we love about bikes, wrenching and, fittingly enough, wrenching on bikes. You can check out the video below, and be sure to head over to the Holiday Customs site for daily dose of drool-worthy metal.

Continue reading Portland's Holiday Customs is your American Chopper antidote

Portland's Holiday Customs is your American Chopper antidote originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>experiment with natureholiday customsjared johnsonmotorcycleshwood eyewearvideoWed, 20 Feb 2013 20:04:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20470104/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/20/portlands-holiday-customs-is-your-american-chopper-antid/20470104/article-detail.xml 20470104 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/holiday-motorcycles-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/holiday-motorcycles-628.jpg <![CDATA[Watch Nitro Circus and Gavin Godfrey roll the Eureka Casino motocross-style]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/watch-nitro-circus-and-tanner-godfrey-roll-the-eureka-casino-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/watch-nitro-circus-and-tanner-godfrey-roll-the-eureka-casino-mot/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/13/watch-nitro-circus-and-tanner-godfrey-roll-the-eureka-casino-mot/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tanner Godfrey of Nitro Circus rides in elevator with his motocross bike - video screencap

To promote being in Mesquite, Nevada during the Mesquite Off-Road Weekend, Nitro Circus sent co-founder Tanner Gavin Godfrey on a gambling spree through the Eureka Casino. Not exactly playing the penny slots, however, Godfrey takes a tour of the hotel and casino from the saddle of his motocross bike.

It's a good time, and the intro is priceless. You can watch him lay down chips and rubber in the video below.

Continue reading Watch Nitro Circus and Gavin Godfrey roll the Eureka Casino motocross-style

Watch Nitro Circus and Gavin Godfrey roll the Eureka Casino motocross-style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eureka casinomesquitemesquite off-road weekendmotocrossmotocross videomotorcyclemotorcycle videonevadanitro circusstuntstunt videotanner godfreyvideoWed, 13 Feb 2013 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20458516/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/13/watch-nitro-circus-and-tanner-godfrey-roll-the-eureka-casino-mot/20458516/article-detail.xml 20458516 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nitrocircuseureka_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/nitrocircuseureka.jpg <![CDATA[Husqvarna sold to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/husqvarna-sold-to-ktm-ceo-stefan-pierer/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/husqvarna-sold-to-ktm-ceo-stefan-pierer/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/husqvarna-sold-to-ktm-ceo-stefan-pierer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Husqvarna Nuda 900R

A couple of days ago the UK's Motorcycle News reported that BMW was in the final stages of selling Husqvarna to KTM, with a deal potentially confirmed as soon as this week. Following that came reports that Husqvarna Motorcycles wasn't sold to KTM but to a Pierer Industries, the company owned by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. Turns out the advance report was true, as was the follow-up: BMW has just announced a "strategic realignment" of its Motorrad division, explaining that it sold Husqvarna to Pierer Industries in order to focus on the urban and e-mobility segments. Husqvarna's off-road machines, obviously, don't fit into those categories.

BMW bought the Italian-based bike maker with centuries-old Swedish roots in 2007 - the rest of the Husqvarna company remains based in Sweden - and has invested huge sums to integrate the smaller company into the larger parent. Six years later, just when dividends should begin to truly pay off, the brand is sold.

Before BMW made its announcement, one of the theories that forum members put forward for Pierer's interest in purchasing Husqvarna was that he wants his own business to run his own way. The parent company of KTM, Cross Industries, is 47.27-percent owned by India's Bajaj Automotive, with Pierer the majority shareholder, and is on a quest for global growth, taking the fight to BMW in Europe and launching new bikes and technology into the Indian market. Compared to BMW's and KTM's 2012 sales of around 100,000 bikes each in 2012, Husqvarna sold 10,751 bikes, which was a 15.7-percent increase over the previous year. Pierer would have a lot more freedom in the running of a company of that size.

Now that the sale has been confirmed, ruminations will turn to issues like whether Pierer steps down from his position at KTM, what will become of the sub-brand Husaberg if Pierer doesn't step down and how Husqvarna and KTM might cooperate no matter what Pierer does.

In the press release from BMW below, along with urban and e-mobility initiatives the German firm says it will expand its interests in "core segments from the 650 single-cylinder entry-level bike to the six-cylinder luxury tourer." The sale is pending approval from European anti-trust authorities.

Continue reading Husqvarna sold to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer

Husqvarna sold to KTM CEO Stefan Pierer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bajajbmwhusqvarnaktmmotorcyclepierer industriesstefan piererFri, 01 Feb 2013 08:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20444435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/husqvarna-sold-to-ktm-ceo-stefan-pierer/20444435/article-detail.xml 20444435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/husky_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/husky.jpg <![CDATA[Biker blocks freeway to propose marriage in middle of road]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/biker-blocks-freeway-to-propose-marriage-in-middle-of-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/biker-blocks-freeway-to-propose-marriage-in-middle-of-road/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/biker-blocks-freeway-to-propose-marriage-in-middle-of-road/#commentsFiled under: , ,



There aren't quite words to contain our exasperation with stunts like this. Mere days after we watched a gaggle of jokers shut down an Orange County Oakland freeway for the sole purpose of doing donuts in the middle of the road, Hector "Tank" Martinez managed to talk some 300 motorcycle riders into helping him bring Interstate 10 in Los Angeles to a standstill. While Martinez used the moment as an excuse to execute a burnout of his own, his larger purpose was to get down on one knee in the middle lane and propose to his girlfriend, Paige Hernandez.

While we're all for romance, something tells us the magic would have been broken pretty quickly had the group been rear ended by an inattentive truck driver. We're not asking much, people. Just do us a favor and think past your own selfish ends. Or, more pointedly, just think. Watch the stupidity in the video below.

Continue reading Biker blocks freeway to propose marriage in middle of road

Biker blocks freeway to propose marriage in middle of road originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bikers shut down interstatei-10 marriage proposalmarriage proposalmotorcyclemotorcycle ridersvideoWed, 30 Jan 2013 12:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20442366/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/30/biker-blocks-freeway-to-propose-marriage-in-middle-of-road/20442366/article-detail.xml 20442366 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/bikers-shut-down-i-10-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/bikers-shut-down-i-10-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>RideApart</i> defends lane splitting on motorcycles [w/poll]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/rideapart-defends-lane-splitting-on-motorcycles-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/rideapart-defends-lane-splitting-on-motorcycles-w-poll/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/rideapart-defends-lane-splitting-on-motorcycles-w-poll/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Three devoted motorcyclists at RideApart have put together a video that goes soup-to-nuts through the practice of lane splitting (called "filtering" in the UK) - where motorcycles are ridden safely in between the cars in traffic. It's illegal in 49 states, California being the exception, and in numerous countries.

The riders say that lane splitting is safe, it aids the flow of traffic and having increased freedom of movement gives them more control of their own safety when being around cars in traffic. Car drivers often don't like it, but when it comes to the issue of actual safety versus perceived safety, the evidence appears to support lane splitting. One of the riders in the video cites a Belgian study that found that fatalities in which a motorcyclist was rear-ended by a car were 30 percent lower in California than in Texas and Florida, the difference being that lane-splitting is illegal in those latter two states.

On top of that, the California highway patrol vouches for its legality and CHP officers do it, a study by the US Department of Transportation declared that "lane splitting is safer than sitting in stop-and-go traffic" and according to a lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that "most accidents are the fault of motorists [car drivers]."

Have a watch of the video below, and then take the poll and let us know where you stand... or ride.

View Poll

Continue reading RideApart defends lane splitting on motorcycles [w/poll]

RideApart defends lane splitting on motorcycles [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivelane splittingmotorcyclerideapartsafetyvideovideosyoutubeWed, 16 Jan 2013 12:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20427075/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/16/rideapart-defends-lane-splitting-on-motorcycles-w-poll/20427075/article-detail.xml 20427075 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lanesplittingride-apart_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/lanesplittingride-apart.jpg <![CDATA[Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/watch-a-one-hour-documentary-on-the-isle-of-man-tt/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/watch-a-one-hour-documentary-on-the-isle-of-man-tt/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/31/watch-a-one-hour-documentary-on-the-isle-of-man-tt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Isle of Man TT Documentary

If you're looking for a little film to distract you from the inevitable approach of the new year, we may have just the thing for you. Al Jazeera Corespondent has taken an in-depth look at what is arguably the world's most dangerous motorsports event in a one-hour documentary. Isle of Man TT: A Dangerous Addiction follows the legendary motorcycle race from a variety of points of view. With interviews with small-budget privateer teams and glimpses at the biggest names in the race, the documentary does an impressive job of conveying the event's allure.

First held in 1907, the Isle of Man TT is largely held as the last great motorcycle competition. Held on public roads, the event sees racers course wide-open across a circuit of over 37 miles that puts them within a whisper of abrupt stone walls, lamp posts, deep ditches and steep drop offs. Riders aren't afforded the comfortable gravel pits or forgiving tire barriers of a well-manicured track, which mean a mistake here can mean serious injury or death. Sound insane? Check the video below to see what brings competitors back year after year.

Continue reading Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT

Watch a one-hour documentary on the Isle of Man TT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>isle of manisle of man documentaryisle of man ttmotorcyclemotorcycle racingmotorsportsracingMon, 31 Dec 2012 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20413581/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/31/watch-a-one-hour-documentary-on-the-isle-of-man-tt/20413581/article-detail.xml 20413581 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/isle-of-man-tt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/isle-of-man-tt-628.jpg <![CDATA[Harley-Davidson to produce an India-market bike for 2014]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/harley-davidson-to-produce-an-india-market-bike-for-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/harley-davidson-to-produce-an-india-market-bike-for-2014/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/28/harley-davidson-to-produce-an-india-market-bike-for-2014/#commentsFiled under: ,

Harley-Davidson

India remains one of the world's largest markets for motorcycles, and word has it Harley-Davidson may be preparing to take on the onslaught of low-cost, low-displacement machines popular with buyers there. The Indian automotive site Zigwheels reports the Wisconsin-based motorcycle manufacturer plans to develop and produce a new model in India for the country's buyers. The article says Harley-Davidson executives have already met with Indian vendors and dealers in early talks about establishing a dealer network, and word has it the new bike will debut at the 2014 New Delhi Motorcycle Show.

Details are somewhat scarce, but the report suggests the India-market motorcycle will boast a 400- to 500-cc V-twin engine and carry an MSRP of around $6,300. Of course, that sounds like plenty of fun to us, but a foreign-built, small-displacement bike runs against the grain of the company's US operations. Currently, the smallest bike on the company's showroom is the 883cc Sportster. That said, Harley-Davidson needs to grow and change if it plans to continue to be relevant moving forward, and a machine targeted at the motorcycle-hungry Indian market would be a great first step in that direction.

Harley-Davidson to produce an India-market bike for 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>harley-davidsonindiaindian harley-davidsonmotorcycleFri, 28 Dec 2012 10:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20411272/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/28/harley-davidson-to-produce-an-india-market-bike-for-2014/20411272/article-detail.xml 20411272 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/harley-davidson-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/harley-davidson-628.jpg <![CDATA[Buell may be coming back]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/buell-may-be-coming-back/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/buell-may-be-coming-back/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/12/buell-may-be-coming-back/#commentsFiled under: ,

Erik Buell Racing

Erik Buell Racing has secured financing from GE Capital to build a dealership network to sell its wares, according to the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Last we heard, EBR had rustled up $20 million from foreign investors in order to begin manufacturing a new line of affordable motorcycles. That's a change of tack from from the company's $40,000 EBR 1190RS. So far, the manufacturer has lined up around 30 dealers, some of which were formerly Buell Motorcycle Company outlets. Right now, EBR says the company isn't large enough to support stand alone dealers, so we can expect to see the manufacturer's hardware sold alongside competitive, high-end machinery for the time being.

GE Capital routinely provides financing for manufacturers, dealers and distributors, and has been a part of the motorcycle industry for years. EBR will likely use some of its financing to create a number of more accessible bikes, including a machine called the EBR RX, which is a lower specification version of the company's 1190RS. Likewise, a naked street bike called the SX is in the pipeline as well as an AX dual-sport adventure machine. Visor Down reports the lineup will very closely mirror the Buell lineup of five years ago before Harley-Davidson pulled the plug, though the new bikes will abandon their winded V-Twin engines in favor of modern, water-cooled powerplants.

Buell may be coming back originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buellebrerik buellerik buell racingge capitalmotorcycleWed, 12 Dec 2012 14:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20400914/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/12/buell-may-be-coming-back/20400914/article-detail.xml 20400914 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/erik-buell-racing-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/erik-buell-racing-628.jpg <![CDATA[Calculating the cost of a motorcycle accident]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/calculating-the-cost-of-a-motorcycle-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/calculating-the-cost-of-a-motorcycle-accident/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/06/calculating-the-cost-of-a-motorcycle-accident/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Motorcycle Crash

Like it or not, you're thirty times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in an automobile crash. There's little wondering why. As a rider, you're bouncing around at high velocities in close proximity to stationary objects and machines many times your mass. In a best-case-scenario, going off-bike will see you vying with pavement, other vehicles and your own bike with nothing protect you but some Kevlar, a little leather and a bit of Styrofoam.

According to the Government Accountability Office, 82,000 riders were injured in motorcycle accidents and a 4,502 individuals were killed in crashes. All told, the immediate cost of those downs was $16 billion or more. On average, a fatal motorcycle crash costs around $1.2 million, with non-fatal incidents carrying a price tag of anywhere from $2,500 to $1.4 million depending on rider injuries.

So, what's the solution? According to the GAO, the only measurable way to cut those costs is to mandate helmet use. Helmets reportedly cut the fatality rate of motorcycle crashes by 39 percent, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims helmets prevented 1,550 deaths in 2010. Likewise, the Center for Disease Control says the lids saved the economy a total of $3 billion in those crashes. Seems like cheap insurance to us.

Calculating the cost of a motorcycle accident originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdccenter for disease controlcost of a motorcycle crashgaogovernment accountability officemotorcyclemotorcycle crashnational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsaThu, 06 Dec 2012 09:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20393579/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/06/calculating-the-cost-of-a-motorcycle-accident/20393579/article-detail.xml 20393579 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/backwards-motorcycle-crash-628-1353961439-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/backwards-motorcycle-crash-628-1353961439-1.jpg <![CDATA[French motorcycle journalist hits pole, takes a plunge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/french-motorcycle-journalist-hits-pole-takes-a-plunge/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/french-motorcycle-journalist-hits-pole-takes-a-plunge/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/04/french-motorcycle-journalist-hits-pole-takes-a-plunge/#commentsFiled under: , ,

motorcyclist rides off pier

The man in the image above is Laurent Cochet, a journalist with the French magazine Moto Journal. He's testing a Yamaha FJR 1300 in Saint Martin en Ré, France next to the quai, and he's about to tape what he probably thinks will be a beautiful shot along the water, boat masts in the foreground, marina cafes and the back.

That is not at all what happens.

Bikes with hard panniers don't play well with bollards. When Cochet's luggage box hits the squat steel post, both Cochet and the bike take a spectacular ride over the edge of the quai. We're told that, thankfully, Cochet wasn't hurt beyond a few bruises and a sprained finger. The bike... not so much. Prepare to wince at the video below.

Continue reading French motorcycle journalist hits pole, takes a plunge

French motorcycle journalist hits pole, takes a plunge originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accidentcrashfjr 1300francelaurent cochetmoto journalmotorcyclevideovideoswreckyamahayamaha fjr 1300Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20392540/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/04/french-motorcycle-journalist-hits-pole-takes-a-plunge/20392540/article-detail.xml 20392540 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/motorcycle-pier-dont-mix_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/motorcycle-pier-dont-mix.jpg <![CDATA[Harley-Davidson incongruously aims Sportster 72 commercial at hipsters]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/harley-davidson-incongruously-aims-sportster-72-commercial-at-hi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/harley-davidson-incongruously-aims-sportster-72-commercial-at-hi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/19/harley-davidson-incongruously-aims-sportster-72-commercial-at-hi/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The official video for the new Harley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two XL 1200 V looks like the intro to a seventies biker flick, or like it was shot on Instagram. Part of Harley's Dark Custom line and a tribute to choppers of a Nixon-era yore, the V-Twin gets throwbacks like a 2.1-gallon "peanut" gas tank, downsized ape-hanger handlebars, chrome laced wheels on whitewall Dunlap bias-ply tires, chopped rear fender, a solo seat and a "Bigflake" paint schemes. And yes, you can get a chromed sissybar.

But instead of using a seventies biker type for riding duty in the vid, Harley went for a hipster - the slid-back beanie and the European stove top coffeemaker gave it away. We're not sure that's the target audience, but it's a neat vid and a cool looking bike anyway. Check it out in the video below.

Continue reading Harley-Davidson incongruously aims Sportster 72 commercial at hipsters

Harley-Davidson incongruously aims Sportster 72 commercial at hipsters originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chopperHarley-DavidsonHarley-Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two XL 1200 Vmotorcyclepromo videosportsterSportster Seventy-Two XL 1200 VvideovideosyoutubeMon, 19 Nov 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20380076/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/19/harley-davidson-incongruously-aims-sportster-72-commercial-at-hi/20380076/article-detail.xml 20380076 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/harleysportypromo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/harleysportypromo.jpg <![CDATA[Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/18/watch-the-see-see-motorcycles-ladies-play-tug-of-war-in-glorious/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/18/watch-the-see-see-motorcycles-ladies-play-tug-of-war-in-glorious/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/18/watch-the-see-see-motorcycles-ladies-play-tug-of-war-in-glorious/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

See See Motorcycles slow motion video

For the most part, cars shot in slow motion just look like they're going around 12 mph. Unless we're talking about some quivering carbon-fiber monocoque Formula One racer or a thrashing top fuel drag machine, slow motion footage is largely wasted on the mechanical. That rule of thumb doesn't apply to motorcycles, however. The crew from See See Motorcycles recently took time to go play in the dirt, and Greg Schmitt was on hand to capture the chaos in glorious slow-mo.

While the clip includes a good dose of hilarity with riders bolting through piles of leaves and even full bags of flour, we're more taken with a mighty showdown between two dirt-bike-riding ladies. Emily and Tori George square off in a good old-fashioned, high-stakes tug of war using a pair of vintage Hondas for the duel. With what looks to be a big, chilly puddle between the two riders, only one can come out clean. Place your bets, and check out the video below for yourself.

Continue reading Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion

Watch the See See Motorcycles ladies play tug of war in glorious slow motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondamotorcyclemotorcycle tug of warsee see motorcyclesslow motiontug of warvideoSun, 18 Nov 2012 20:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20382849/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/18/watch-the-see-see-motorcycles-ladies-play-tug-of-war-in-glorious/20382849/article-detail.xml 20382849 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/see-see-motorcycles-tug-of-war-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/see-see-motorcycles-tug-of-war-628.jpg -1 2