The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is beefing-up its website of state laws by using interactive maps of the United States that illustrate , with additional state law maps becoming available in the future. The maps provide geographic representations of the laws to illustrate the extent to which US states are addressing highway safety concerns.
The Piaggio Group Americas is opening a new national technical center in Costa Mesa, CA. The 12,000 square foot facility houses the company’s product testing and technical training operations, including factory product training and classroom instruction for service technicians from all U.S. and Canadian dealerships, as well as Latin American importers. Piaggio, which had all-time record-setting U.S. sales in 2008, continues to expand both its model line and dealer network with over 500 dealers serving customers in North America. The company also anticipates ongoing strong demand for its diverse range of scooters and motorcycles as consumers shift focus to more economical personal transportation.
UPDATE: Roberto Rolfo announced on his website that he would be leaving Stiggy Racing, due to “reasons beyond his control.” Those reasons beyond his control would seem to be: John Hopkins joining Stiggy Honda, having sponsorship coming with him, and generally not performing that well last season.
According to Roadracing World, John Hopkins is officially racing with Stiggy Honda’s World Superbike team. John Hopkins’ agent Bob Moore confirmed the news that that Hopper will be riding a Stiggy Honda CBR1000RR in the World Superbike Championship series, starting with the next round at Valencia, which starts April 3rd.
In an unlikely venue you may soon find one of the first mass-produced electric motorcycles. Starting in May, five Best Buy locations near the West Coast will begin stocking the Brammo Enertia, a $12,000, carbon fiber-intensive electric motorcycle that stores its power in large format, lithium-phosphate battery packs from made by Valence.
Back in October, about how motorcycle related deaths have killed more Marines in the past 12 months than enemy fire in Iraq. Similarly, the US Navy is finding a similar rise in motorcycle accidents by military personnel. Taking this cause to heart, Nicky Hayden has decided to help the American Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) promote safe riding to U.S. armed forces personnel.
The 2006 MotoGP title winner participated in a photo shoot to promote the safety campaign at the Los Alamitos air base in Southern California. The pictures and video from the photo shoot will be used in all U.S. armed forces bases here in the States, and in military installations across the globe.
Source: Two Wheels Blog
Ever wonder what a World Superbike contender looks like with its clothes off? Well here you go: Max Biaggi’s Aprilia RSV4 a la mode. In the details we can see the amazing number of data acquisition points that Aprilia, and likely other manufacturers, are using. Other points of interest are the CNC markings on the casings, and the styling to the carbon fiber tail.
Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Qianjiang Motor, which in 2005 acquired the Pesaro Benelli, is now investing an additional $26 million into Benelli to help revitalize the Italian brand. Talking at a press conference two days ago, Qianjang General Manager Haimei Yan stated that “[although] we have not yet turned a profit in the budget, we are here to stay, and believe in the company.”
When Marco Melandri signed with Hayate, he knew that Kawasaki would only be doing limited development on the ZX-RR in 2009. According to MCN that limited development will be quite limited after all, with Kawasaki ceasing to update the ZX-RR at the end of March, shortly after the Jerez tests. From then on, the factory will provide a maintenance service only, with no more upgrades, leaving Hayate to update the bike if they wish.
The FIM has released the official roster for the 2009 season. Notably absent is John Hopkins, who has yet to declare where he will be racing this season.
More action from Qatar on Saturday (Sunday for us in the US), as World Superbike completes Race 2 at Losail. The second race at Qatar for the year shows that we are in for quite the season, with riders old and new making waves. Continue reading for the races spoilers and results.
It was a three machines with three different types of motors battling it out for the top three spots in World Superbike’s first round of racing this year at Qatar. Continue reading to see the spoilers and race results.