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As we sit halfway around the world, essentially powerless to change the events unfolding in Japan, there still comes the feeling that we should be doing something, anything, to aid the people affected by the recent 9.0 earthquake, subsequent tsunami, and unfolding nuclear disaster.

Rising to a call of action, Moto for Japan is an effort by a group of motorcyclists that donates money to the American Red Cross via an inspired charitable platform developed by none other than Hollywood’s Edward Norton. The effort has been making the rounds on the internet the past two days, and its creators, Greg Hatton and Jon Bekefy, should be praised for their thoughtful thinking.

Perhaps a different take on how to best bring aid to Japan, I got an interesting message from Mark Gardiner, who pointed out “Japan is not Haiti. By the time we can actually deliver bottled water and blankets to the scene, people will have walked to parts of Japan that are relatively unscathed. If you want to help Japan, buy Honda stock.” I think ‘The Backmarker’ is grasping a key point here, and with permission, we’ve reproduced his article on the subject as a guest post after the jump. – Jensen

When it comes to Ducati motorcycles, none stands apart from the rest quite like the MH900e. Designed by the one and only Pierre Terblanche, the MH900e is more like art that you can ride than it is a motorcycle that looks good, which might explain the ridiculously high price tag on an eBay auction that is currently offering two low mileage machines for the measly sum of $995,000.

Before you spit your coffee out, that high price tag comes with a guarantee that 50% of the auction proceeds will end up going to charity (the auctioneer seems to prefer Habit for Humanity, but for that kind of money we’re sure you can pick the charity of your choosing despite words that he’ll “consider it”), which comes out to be at least a $497,500 donation because of the high starting price on the auction.

Of course that still means you are paying half a million dollars for two motorcycles that normally retail for about $20,000 each…but the author seems to think it could get you on TV for your efforts (let’s imagine the on-screen title to that one)…ok, now spit your coffee out. To us it all just seems like a ploy to use a charitable cause to make you forget about the fact you’re overpaying for two motorcycles by about $450,000. Greed is good, but apparently vanity is better.

The USGP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca kicked off on Thursday with the Riders for Health Day of Stars, a fundraising event that included a group ride along the scenic Monterrey Peninsula and private tours of the MotoGP pit boxes lead by American Grand Prix legend, Randy Mamola.

One of the highlights of the day’s events was the signing of the Rossi Yamaha M1. A project conceived by Daytona 200 winner Don Emde, the one of a kind street bike was signed by Valentino Rossi and will be auctioned this fall, all proceeds from the sale going to benefit Riders for Health.