More Features on Motorcycle Views

More features have been added to the Motorcycle Views Web site.

• Motorcycle Makes and Models - Click on a motorcycle make and get a page containing links to all motorcycle articles and features on the site for that make. Also included is a page containing all 2007 models each with a link to the make's official Web site giving all details for that model.
• Clubs and Associations - Gives links to motorcycle clubs, riding clubs, law enforcement clubs, rights organizations, and motorcycle associations.
• Classified Ads - Are you looking to buy or sell a motorcycle? Check out these online motorcycle classified ad sites.

I published my first Motorcycle Views Newsletter on Sunday night. It contains up-to-date information on site changes. It also gives links to forum discussions. If you're not yet a subscriber, please sign-up for the Newsletter now. When you sign-up, you'll see a link to view previous newsletters.

Motorcyclists Have Fun With Haiku Poetry

I have just released a new feature, Motorcycle Haiku Poems. These 3-line poems offer a simple way for riders to express their feelings about riding their motorcycles. Here's an example:

summer calls to me
come ride your motorcycle
live without your cage

Haiku is a three-line unrhymed verse with the first line containing 5 syllables, the second line containing 7 syllables and the last line containing 5 syllables. Sometimes the verse has a seasonal theme.

I have 39 original poems by motorcyclists in the collection. Take a look and maybe you'll be inspired to submit one yourself.

Peter Fonda Does Ghost Rider Without a Motorcycle

Peter Fonda, iconic star of Easy Rider, has done over 70 films. He appears in the current Ghost Rider film playing the devil. Peter continues to ride motorcycles as he shortly turns 67.

A piece by Susan Carpenter, Los Angeles Times, and reported in delawareonline.com discusses Fonda's career and his need for speed. He once went 189 mph on an MV Agusta F4-1000 sportbike. Here's an excerpt:

"I've had this puppy up to 189," Fonda said, not so much boasting as marveling at his own stupidity during a rest stop at Coldwater Canyon Park. "I never want to do that again. One road rut, and I would have been toast."

Read Carpenter's story for all the details.

Also, read my movie review of Ghost Rider as reported here in the Motorcycle Views Blog.

KTM Issues Recall on 950 Series Motorcycles for Brake Problem

KTM has issued a recall of certain 2004-2006 950 Adventure, SuperEnduro, and SuperMoto motorcycles.

On certain 950 Series motorcycles, the rear brake may feel spongy or soft when applying the brake. This could lead to improper rear braking.

2,684 units are affected.

Check out my new Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

New Blue Knights President from my Hometown

Got a Google Alert today from the Daily Pantagraph newspaper in Bloomington, IL about a local retired policeman, Mike Ripsch, who was just elected president of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc. I don't know Mike but Bloomington/Normal, IL is my hometown and I used to work for the Pantagraph when I was in college.

From the Blue Knights Web site:

"The BLUE KNIGHTS® is a non-profit fraternal organization consisting of active and retired law enforcement men & women who enjoy riding motorcycles."

Turns out Mike is the first president from Illinois.

Here's a link to the story.

I hadn't even thought about taking up motorcycling when I left Normal to head east to complete my education and settle in New Jersey. I go back there usually once a year for one thing or another. I've even ridden back the 900 miles on my motorcycle.

Well, I'm happy to see that a local has this new job. The Blue Knights is a respected organization everywhere that motorcyclists go.

Good luck Mike.

Polar Bear Pictures - Bahr's Landing

Both Jane and I had a busy day today. We started out at 7:40 a.m. by riding the trikes four miles up the road to the GWRRA Chapter NJ-F (F- Troop) monthly meeting. We are now the treasurers for the chapter which makes for a busy time during the meeting. Almost don't have time to eat, trying to keep up with continuous requests for reimbursements and taking in moneys from various chapter activities.

From there, we rode 30 miles over to Bahr's Landing in Highlands, NJ for a Polar Bear Grand Tour stop where I took pictures for the group's Web site. This Polar Bear stop is one of my favorites since it's nestled among the water, a bridge, and the Twin Lighthouses (see picture).

We are expecting to see snow late today and tonight. I just wanted to get through the motorcycle activities and get the trikes home in the garage before we saw the white stuff floating down.

I'm sending out the first edition of my Motorcycle Views Newsletter tonight. If you're not on the list please subscribe to keep current with what's happening on the Motorcycle Views site, Motorcycle Views Blog, and Motorcycle Views Forum. Here's a newsletter sign-up.

Ghost Rider - Movie Review

The number one movie this week was Ghost Rider starring Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes. Ghost Rider is based on the Marvel Comics series. I hadn't heard much about this flick except through watching the trailer and TV interviews with the stars. I was definitely going to see it.

I took my wife along and although she loves motorcycles, she hates action/adventure/science fiction/fantasy. She's also the type who wants to know the ending before she sees the movie. I was worried about what her reaction would be.

Not to worry. She liked it.

Here's my review of Ghost Rider.