Smog checks for bikes may be on the way, if California Senate Bill SB435 passes the legislature. Introduced and written by LA Metro Senator Fran Pavley, the bill proposes smog checks for all year 2000 and up motorcycles.
It’s a bill motorcyclists have feared for a long time—smog equipment has been mandatory on motorcycles in California for a generation, but enforcement hasn’t been part of the emissions equation, until now.

Emissions standards for motorcycles sold in California were  tightened in 2004 and again in 2008, so the year 2000 start date doesn’t make an awful lot of sense, but that doesn’t mean it won’t pass. And if it does, anyone who has modified the stock intake, exhaust or emissions equipment better start looking for the stock pieces, to put back on again for the inspection.
Don’t agree with emissions tests? Or even if you do, here’s a list of the California Senators on the transportation committee: District 05 (Solano and East Bay Delta) - Senator Lois Wolk District 07 (CoCo, Alameda) - Senator Mark Desaulnier District 11 (Marin Area) - Senator Joe Simitian
Reach the Transportation Committee Chairman at: Senate Transportation & Housing Committee, Chairman Alan Lowenthal
2032 Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814 Fax: (916) 445-2209
Chair’s Office Telephone: (916) 651-4027
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

A 24-HOUR DIRT BIKE RACE IN URBAN SAN JOSE?

This report on 24 Hours of Electricross by Blue Ribbon Coalition’s Don Amador:

Under clear blue skies and a starry night, on April 4-5, 10 teams and approximately 50 competitors raced each other for 24 hours straight only stopping to change batteries, cool the motor, and switch riders.  Many of the racers had motocross or enduro backgrounds.

Zero Motorcycles and its founder, Neil Saiki, have a lot to be proud of.  Team HotChalks/MDV, the winning group,  finished the grueling event by completing over 1000 laps covering 500 miles on its Zero X dirt-bike.  Collectively, over 4000 miles were covered by the 10 teams.  Those milestones resulted in the event claiming two Guinness World Records.

The sound measurement of the 10 teams at the start of the race (crowd cheering/bike sounds) was 79.6 dBA.  The loudest single bike trackside sound measurement (10 ft. from the bike/rider) was 74.0 dBA with most of the readings lower than 72.0 dBA.
Since the bikes were electric, the sound was coming from the drive train, suspension, and tires.  For reference, a busy restaurant or business office is typically 70.0 dBA.

Will all-electric OHVs replace clean-burning gas-powered dirt-bikes and ATVs in the near future for long trail rides or at dual-sport events?  I don’t think so.  In fact, I don’t think that was the intention of Zero Motorcycles founder, Neil Saiki.  Rather, his electric motorcycles were invented to give the consumer a choice where factors such as exhaust noise and vehicle emissions are an issue, their cost effectiveness is preferred, or when driving distances appropriately lend themselves to the use of an electric motorcycle.

Some may question if the off-road community is ready to embrace the electric dirt-bike as a new member of the family.  Since several of the winning teams were either BRC club members or had BRC members riding the event, I think the answer to that question is a loud yes.  It is also clear that electric OHVs are now an important factor in the land-use equation.

RIDE BY BRAIN
Communicating with your motorcycle came a bit closer on April 1 when Honda demonstrated a brain reader that can read thoughts and operate machinery. The subject, wired up with multiple sensors around the scalp, imagined four movements—raising one hand, then the other, running, and eating, all of which were then performed by Honda’s robot, Asimo.
Insisting the demonstration was not an April Fool joke, Honda says it has achieved the world’s most accurate brain-machine interface, with a process that does not require surgery (many companies are implanting electrodes into the brains of handicapped people, to help them communicate and control helping devices). Instead, Honda uses a rubber cap, lined with electrodes, that measures small changes in blood flow and electrical activity in the brain.

“In order to realise the dream to transmit human intelligence to machines, we are trying to develop a technology to control a robot by human thought alone,” said Yasuhisa Arai, director of the Honda Research Institute Japan.
The method seems ideal for use in motorcycle applications—the electrodes could be hidden inside a helmet, and with Bluetooth technology, you wouldn’t even need wires—but at the moment, the system is slowed by a seven-second time lag between thought and deed. So ‘Ride by Brain’ control isn’t coming along quite yet: but even at its present stage, Honda’s brain reading technique would be immediately useful for monitoring driver fatigue, or operating non-essential motorcycle functions (like air conditioning…)



LEAD LAW STILL STOPS SALES
Berkeley Honda Yamaha’s Scott Dunlavey appeared on local ABC station Channel 7 the other day, informing local viewers about the effects of the CPSC ban on lead in under-12s motorcycles. Here’s an excerpt from the interview, by Lyanne Melendez:
Owner of Berkeley Honda Yamaha Scott Dunlavey has to keep all of his small motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles in his warehouse. He is not allowed to display, let alone sell, any motorcycles or ATVs manufactured for children 12-years-old and under. In February, a law went into effect banning products sold to children that contain lead. The alloy casing in the small bikes and ATV’s fall under the ban.

“It started with the Chinese toys, it’s the fear of people ingesting them and I’m not quite sure how you ingest a motorcycle or an ATV but that’s where it came from,” Dunlavey said.
Industry representatives went to Capitol Hill to argue the ban has gone too far. And late Wednesday, April 1, the consumer product safety commission denied their request to exempt ATVs and motorcycles intended for children.
Want to change the lead law? Contact your congressional representative and ask him or her to support to support two bills aimed at righting this oversight: H.R. 1587 and S. 608.  There’s more information from the MIC at www.stopthebannow.com

COMING SUPERMOTO EVENTS
Here, thanks to CityBike contributor Bob Stokstad, is a list of Supermoto events:  April 19 SupermotoUSA Nor-Cal series, Prarie City Kart Track, Sacramento, CA
Infineon Kart Track, May 16, 17  (AMA Superbike is also running at Infineon the same weekend in May).
More information at www.supermotousa.com

WHO IS SAN JOSE TRIUMPH?
There’s a new dealer name in the South Bay. Moto Italiano in San Jose is now San Jose Triumph, and new people Graham Hunt and Maya Lai promise a new emphasis on the British marque. “We are very excited to be able to take over the established motorcycle dealership. We have a great foundation to build and we will announce exciting new changes soon.” Watch this space for more details, or phone (408) 287-6680.

WHERE’S HALTON?
CityBike’s Brian ‘Honduras’ Halton is traveling south of the border. Right now, he’s working on his BMW rear end on the lawn of a colonial mansion in Antigua, Guatemala. The elderly 1992 BMW GS apparently ground a couple of transmission bearings, and Brian’s checking the efficiency of BMW parts sources in Central America: see Brian’s updated story in this issue.

GUATEMALA BIKE BAN
Nothing to do with Brian Halton’s visit, we’re sure, but passengers have been banned on motorcycles in Guatemala. Bandits use motorcycles to hold up bus drivers stuck in traffic, demanding protection money. Sixty bus drivers have been shot this year, after they refused to pay up, and the government response has been to ban passengers.
Motorcycle passenger bans have been proposed in many violence-torn cities: Karachi, in Pakistan banned motorcycle passengers for three months recently, although women, children, and journalists were exempt.

WATCH AMA TESTS
Rockstar Makita  Suzuki and top rider Mat Mladin will highlight more than seven AMA Pro Road  Racing Series teams expected at a two-day test session at Infineon Raceway,  April 20-21. The test is part of the 4th annual Two-Wheel Thunder  bike week in Sonoma.
Mladin,  who is undefeated in 2009 AMA Pro American Superbike competition after the  first five races, will join other American Superbike and Daytona SportBike  riders in Sonoma to prepare for the upcoming Kawasaki AMA Superbike Showdown  at Infineon Raceway, May 15-17. The test session marks the first of three AMA  Pro Road Racing sanctioned tests during the 2009 season
Other teams  confirmed to attend include Corona Extra Honda, Monster Energy Attack  Kawasaki and Team Graves Yamaha, among others.
The test  session is open to the public and admission is free. Plus, fans are invited  to a question-and-answer session with riders during the lunch break on  Tuesday, April 21.  Fans will also enjoy Supermoto USA and SB Freaks Street Freestyle demonstrations in the main paddock.

FREMONT CYCLE SALVAGE MOVES
Fremont Cycle Salvage, part of the East Bay motorcycle community for over 35 years, is moving. As of May 1st it will no longer be on Dusterberry Way across from the Fremont DMV. It is moving across town to a bigger location with more parking and better freeway access. The new address will be 41535 Albrae St Fremont CA 94538, conveniently located next to Fremont Honda Kawasaki on the frontage road between Stevenson and Automall along I-880. For more information, call (510) 796-3131 or (510) 661-0100


SAN FRANCISCO MOTORCYCLE METERS TO PAY DEFICIT?
The cost of parking at a motorcycle meter in San Francisco will rise to $10 a day, an average 400% increase, from January 1, 2010, if a new proposal passes.
Want to make a difference? Contact the SFMTA, the body which governs parking in San Francisco, and object to their latest budget-boosting proposal. Current motorcycle parking rates are 25¢ hourly downtown, and just 10¢ per hour in outlying areas, which seems fair, given that six motorcycles spots take up the same space as one metered car-parking space.
If you are a San Francisco resident, you are urged to contact your local Supervisor to complain about this extortion attempt: any other interested party should contact the SFMTA.
Other proposals aired by the SFMTA (available on its website, www.sfmta.org) include Sunday meter charges, and extending daily meter charges until 10pm Monday through Saturday (most meters currently expire at 6pm)
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency contact info:
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Telephone: 311 or TTY 415.701.2323 or outside San Francisco 415.701.2311
Fax 415.701.4502 Mail: SFMTA Board of Directors, One South Van Ness Avenue, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94103
Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Information Meeting on the SFMTA Budget and Proposed Service and Fare Changes
One South Van Ness, 2nd Floor Atrium Conference Room.
Tuesday, April 21, 2 p.m.
SFMTA Board of Directors Meeting
Room 400, City Hall.
Thursday, April 30, 2 p.m.
Special SFMTA Board of Directors Meeting on fiscal year 2010 Budget
Room 400, City Hall
Note: The SFMTA Board of Directors is scheduled to vote on a budget balancing plan at this meeting.


RICH OLIVER JOIN REG PRIDMORE ON TRACK
Monday and Tuesday, May 11 and 12 at Infineon, Rich Oliver is guest instructor at Reg Pridmore’s Class Rides track school. Sparks should be flying, as Oliver shows the way around a track he’s been riding for many, many years. www.classrides.com

DODGE THE RACERS
Here’s a new wrinkle—at the AMA races at Infineon on May 15-17 spectators will be able to purchase a grid pass, that will allow the shorts-and-sneaker clad masses to mingle with their riding heroes on track as they line up for the starter’s gun.
“I think it’s very important  that we give the fans the opportunity to get sort of a backstage pass  so-to-speak. To get an experience that heretofore they’ve not been able to  buy,” said Roger Edmondson, president of AMA Pro Road Racing.   “To be able to get out on the racetrack, which to us is just the place  that we do business, but to many of the fans, it’s kind of hallowed ground, and to be able to walk up to those bikes just before they go out to do battle  is kind of a romantic and exciting thing.”
What the racers think has not been revealed, but we suspect that we’ll find out soon.
Each Grid Pass  is just $10 per day or $20 for the weekend, and includes access to the  pre-race grid one hour before race time.  Passes can be purchased in  advance by calling 800-870-RACE  or during race weekend at the entrance to the grid.

STEROTYPES EXPLODED
A recent survey explored the “softer side” of male bikers and non-bikers and looked at their online habits, what they like to read, charities they may be involved with, what brings them to tears, and more. The result? The stereotype of the “tough, burly, hard-core biker” is just that.
 For example, bikers are more likely to say “I’m a hopeless romantic” (40 percent versus 34 percent) when asked to describe their romantic side. And when it comes to what moves them to tears, most riders say it’s having their heart broken, while non-riders say it’s watching a dramatic scene play out on TV or in a movie.
 But, the hearts of riders and non-riders alike are filled with the need to give. Guys who ride motorcycles are only slightly more likely than non-bikers to be involved in a charity or cause (43 percent versus 39 percent). How they like to help, though, does differ: non-bikers prefer charities involving community and social services, while bikers are most passionate about those involving children.
 “We know riders are passionate about their bikes, after all we’ve been providing motorcycle insurance for more than 40 years and many of our own employees are riders too,” said Marcy Gray, Progressive Insurance’s motorcycle product manager and a long-time rider herself. “But what’s interesting about this survey is that it dispels some stereotypes about bikers, and shows they’re more than willing to get in touch with their ‘softer side.’”
 There is one stereotype that did bear out: tattoos. Riders are nearly three times more likely than non-riders to have a tattoo (32 percent versus 12 percent).
 But the types of tattoos they have might surprise you. Bikers are nearly twice as likely as those who don’t ride to have a tattoo of their significant other’s name (18 percent versus 10 percent). They’re also more likely to have slightly “softer” tattoos such as hearts and flowers and some motorcyclists even admit to having unicorn and cookie monster tattoos!


RIDE TO WORK EARLY AND OFTEN
This year’s annual Ride to Work Day will be a few weeks earlier in the season. The day is Monday, June 15th, and a record number of riders are expected to participate. All you have to do is ride your motorcycle to work that day: for more information see www.ridetowork.org
SPEECHLESS

At the Mugello 2008 Grand Prix race, Valentino wore a helmet that left everyone on hand speechless. The graphics of the Valentino’s Face helmet depicted – in the Doctor from Tavullia’s own words - “my expression when I bend into the San Donato curve after the straightaway in Mugello at over 300 km/h!” Val’s big face printed clearly on the helmet was so attractive that the Limited Edition proposed by AGV sold out in just a few days.
Now AGV is offering everyone the chance to show their face!
As of March, every motorcycle racing fan will be able to make his or her own helmet unique by personalizing it with a photo of his or her face or anything else they wish to print.

Just go to www.italianlegendaryprotection.com (or use the links provided in the Dainese.com and Agv.com websites) and you’ll be guided step by step through the creation of an absolutely unique helmet and unleash all your creativity.
Once your work of art is completed, you’ll be able to purchase your helmet directly on line and it will be delivered just 10 weeks after you place your order.

Your helmet will be completely made in Italy at the AGV productive unit in the province of Padova where all the original Gp-Tech helmets worn by Valentino Rossi during racing are produced.

The fun doesn’t stop here: an arcade videogame in which participants can challenge Valentino Rossi will be circulated on the famous Facebook.com social network. Wearing virtual versions of their own personalized helmets, Val’s fans can try to beat the Doctor’s time on the Mugello track and win one of the fantastic prizes offered by AGV. More info, if you need it, at www.dainese.com

MEANWHILE...
Arai Helmets has announced that its 2009 line includes no fewer than 11 different solid-color choices in its full-face line, nine solids in open-face (not counting its special Honda Gold Wing color-matched solids), 11 solids in the XD3 hybrid Crossover-Design model for adventure touring, dual sport, off-road, and street, and 5 in the VX-Pro3 dirt model.

It wasn’t too long ago you could get any solid-color helmet you wanted as long as it was Black or White. But with the advent of, and subsequent marketing emphasis on, more graphic designs, the solids took a back seat. Or so it looked. Ironically, it was commonly known that plain Black and White each continued to sell more than the graphics.
Of course, Arai’s solid-color helmets cost less than graphic designs simply because they cost less to make. Prices generally range from about $80 to $120 less than graphics, depending on model, which means that Arai solid sales are going to stay solid for a long time to come.

SUZUKI CUT BACK
Struck hard by a 43% first-quarter decline in auto sales, American Suzuki Motor Corp. recently terminated 15 percent of staff at its Brea, California headquarters. Although motorcycle sales were not affected as badly, job cuts also targeted the motorcycle division.


COME AND GONE OVER THE BRIDGE
All change in Marin County: Marin Cycleworks on Paradise Drive in Corte Madera recently closed its doors after many years as a Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki dealer (the dealership also carried several other brands). The company changed ownership five years ago, and was previously known as Motorcycles Unlimited.
Meanwhile, another motorcycle-related shop is opening up in 1345 East Francisco Blvd in San Rafael. Mojotown will specialize in riding gear and accessories, and can be contacted at 457-6656

CAN THIS MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR SAVE GENERAL MOTORS?
The Segway Puma, which may be produced in a partnership with General Motors as part of the de-emphasis on SUVs by the biggest car maker in the US.

Called the Puma (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), the vehicle would be powered by lithium-ion batteries and have a wireless communications network allowing users to avoid traffic and prevent crashes, the companies announced last week. The machine is designed to run at more than 30 mph and travel 35 miles between charges.
“Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them,” GM research and development vice-president Larry Burns said.
Well, we all ride motorcycles Larry, we have to deal with that stuff all the time...without the help of citywide radar and collision avoidance systems, which the Puma will need if it is to succeed.

 BRUCE OGILVIE passed away on April 13, 2009 after a two-year battle with cancer. Ogilvie fought cancer the same way he raced motorcycles all his life: with everything he had.

Most enthusiasts know Bruce Ogilvie as a master Baja racer—a champion whose personal victories in the San Felipe 250, Baja 500 and Baja 1000 spread out over four decades. The first was a Baja 500 win in 1975, with another victory in the 1000 later that year. Bruce was the only man in history to win the Baja 1000 overall in four different decades, and he posted his last overall win in 2003 at the age of 51. Bruce Ogilvie was as tough as they come.

Bruce O’s talents and accomplishments behind a handlebar are indisputable and well known. But there was another side to Ogilvie that was equally impressive. For more than 20 years, Bruce was in charge of coordinating Honda’s racing efforts in Baja. He led an army of racers and support team members for years while he applied his own personal philosophy to the challenge.

In 1984, Bruce was hired full-time at American Honda. He served in many capacities over the years. In addition to being in charge of everything off-road at Honda—including motorcycle and ATV racing—Bruce was most recently the Senior Test Evaluator for Honda’s Product Evaluation department. In this role, Bruce’s contributions to the direction and development of all Honda’s off-road and motocross products was unparalleled. If you can’t imagine racing or riding anything but your Honda off-road motorcycle or ATV, it is because Bruce Ogilvie helped make it that way.

A Web site in honor of Bruce’s life is in the works so people can contribute thoughts, stories and pictures. This tribute will allow all
of us the opportunity to share our feelings and life memories we have had with him, and this site can be here forever so we never forget all this great man has done for us.

Godspeed Bruce. You will always be remembered as our leader with that calm, assuring voice in our head guiding us through obstacles you conquered long ago.

Bruce Ogilvie was born on April 4, 1952. He died on April 13, 2009. He is survived by his wife Marcia, his 14-year-old son Nick and nine-year-old daughter Isabella. Bruce’s family will have a private service, and because blood transfusions were so important to Bruce’s battle with cancer for the past two years the family has asked for people to donate blood in Bruce’s honor. More information will be available about blood donations soon. Cards can be sent to American Honda, 1919 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501, attention Bruce Ogilvie.

Local Baja racer Scott Dunlavey (pictured above with Bruce in Baja)  knew him well, and was at his bedside shortly before he died. “It’s unbelievable, how hard he fought” said Scott. “You or I would be dead long ago.”
“Bruce taught me a lot about life, about dealing with people, not just about racing. I’m really going to miss him.”
Eddie Diaz
Eddie, 51 years of age passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after fighting a courageous battle with colon cancer. Eddie was loved by many; he had an amazing group of friends and colleagues.
He spent his life doing what he loved most, racing and riding motorcycles on and off the road. He had a passion for speed earning the nick name “Fast Eddie.”  Eddie was a life member of the Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club. Throughout his years of service at the club he served as President, Vice President and Competition Director. Ed was a life member of District 36 Motorcycle Competition where he served as past President and Motocross Stewart. He was also a life member of AMA (American
Motorcycle Association). Eddie was very active in the Blue Ribbon Coalition and as a member he was instrumental in re-
activating LAO (Legislative Action Office) fighting to keep riding areas open for future riders to enjoy.
Contributions can be made to:
Eddie Diaz Memorial Legal Fund
4555 Burley Dr. Ste. A
Pocatello, ID. 83202
or go to www.sharetrails.org