Welcome to Keep The Rubber Side Down’s peek inside of “Stealth Rider,” part of Speed Channel’s Wednesday’s Block. In this week’s episode Jason is visiting Las Vegas: Valley of Fire State Park, Hoover Dam, Freemont Street Experience, Las Vegas Boulevard [The Strip]
Be sure and check it out!
The fourth weekend in July is shaping up to be a motorcycle riders dream. The weather is going to phenomenal and there are rally’s and cycling events a plenty.
I have spoken to many of my fellow riders and a high percentage of them will be touring somewhere this weekend. Here’s a few places some of them are headed…
Wild and Wonderful Mountain Fest
Do you have any specific riding plans scheduled for this weekend? If so, let’s us know where you’re heading! Heck, maybe we will pass each other along the way!
Every so often we run across some websites we think you might want to know about. Here’s a few to check out.
Bonnevillestories.com a look at the Bonneville Salt Flats
Gallery.Americanmotorcyclist.com
Keep The Rubber Side Down, and several of my pals were given a little ink by the Motorcyclist Insurance website. We were listed as the top 53 Motorcycle Enthusiast blogs.
Congratulations to all of you.
BMW reports that an ad for its new S 1000 RR has become the most successful BMW YouTube video ever. So far, it has garnered more than 1.4 million clicks.
The award-winning “Dinner Spot” ad references the magic trick in which a magician pulls the tablecloth from a small table set up with china without damaging anything.
In “Dinner for RR,” the BMW S 1000 RR knows the trade even better: Thanks to its acceleration of 2.9 seconds from zero to 100 kilometers per hour, the bike is able to pull the tablecloth even from a huge banquet, leaving all the china and glasses intact.
BMW Motorrad USA has announced the opening of eight new dealerships within the past five months to better serve new and underserved markets.
“In 2010 and beyond we will continue to identify growth opportunities for the BMW brand in markets that do not currently have a BMW motorcycle dealership by partnering with new or existing motorcycle dealers in those areas,” Todd Andersen, the company’s marketing manager, states in a press release.
The newest BMW dealerships are
“Our dedicated dealer network was the key to our success last year,” says Andersen, citing the fact that BMW Motorrad USA outperformed the industry for the second year in a row in 2009 despite an overall motorcycle industry decline of 41 percent. “Our dealers continued to serve our customers well thanks to new products like the K1300 GT, K 1300 S, and the new S 1000 RR superbike, as well as attractive financing programs from BMW Financial Services.”
BMW says it now has 143 active dealers. In comparison, in February 2008 it had 136; last year it had 139.
2009 Sales Performance
BMW Motorrad says that worldwide, 87,306 BMW motorcycles were delivered to customers in 2009, a year-over-year drop of 14.1 percent and in line with company expectations.
BMW says that while the world market for motorcycles above 500cc was still about 1.5 million units in 2007, it shrank to about 900,000 units in 2009. This corresponds to a market drop of around 40 percent in two years. In 2009 alone, the world market declined by more than 30 percent, BMW says. The company did not cite sources for the statistics.
BMW Motorrad says that in the U.S., its third-largest market, 9,168 BMW motorcycles were registered, a drop of 22.5 percent compared to the previous year. But the company says it increased its share of the over-500cc market by 2.0 percent to 2.6 percent.
Husqvarna Motorcycles, the second motorcycle brand of the BMW Group, had worldwide sales figures of 13,052 units, a drop of 3 percent. BMW does not divulge U.S. sales, but does say they were up in 2009.
The entire collection was sold for a total of 1,038,400 euros (US$1.57 million), well over the pre-auction estimate of 590,000-780,000 euros. The collection was put up for auction by Neutken’s estate after the former BMW dealer died in 2008. The entire collection was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest motorcycle collection of a single make. See Motorcycle News for the entire story
Sunday mornings always seem to bring out the contemplative side of me. Yes, I have one of those! It is most often on Sunday mornings that I think about the blessings in my life, how I am spending my time, and what I am doing for others. I know most of you have thoughts like that as well because motorcyclist’s are some of the most charitable people in all of the world.
The two wheeled community regularly organizes charity rides for every cause imaginable. If you desire to have a charity ride you are organizing, or participating in, advertised. Check out Bikers Charities.
I spent an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day with friends and family, and like most of you ate more than I should have. Today I have posted three links that may give you a few ideas for Christmas gifts for you or another rider in your life.
How to fit a motorcycle jacket
If storing your motorcycle is an issue, this post may provide a solution. Speed-Way Shelters has a product you may want to take a look at. It’s a steel framed, fabric covered miniature rolltop shelter.
Fits all Standard / Sport and Touring Motorcycles as well as Scooters, many ATVs, Bicycles, Riding Lawn Mowers, General Storage and Firewood shelter.
100% Waterproof material.
Built-In Locking Hardware allows the Speed-way Shelter to be locked in the lowered position.
Provides full coverage protection from Sun, Rain, Snow, Dust and Debris.
Allows you to park and cover your bike even with hot pipes.
Fully Taped Seams for waterproofing.
Very fast assembly — less than 30 minutes.
Sturdy Steel Frame structure protects your bike from falling objects.
Includes a 48 lamp LED Bright Light for night parking or general night access.
Diamond tough Impact resistant floor available for additional protection and a complete Shelter appearance!
Well, what do you think?
Temps in the high sixties today means I am on the road. But here’s a few motorcycle links you may want to check out. By the way, thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it. Hope you will tell a friend about KTRSD!
The site bills itself as a one stop shop to locate great roads all over the country. There’s also a place to submit your favorite rides.
If you love the legendary Honda V4 you will love this site.
A new magazine highlighting classic dirt, street and mini bikes, from the 60’s, 7-’s and 80’s.
