Monday Morning Media (on Tuesday) - CB 350 Craigslist Ad

Any donut I want?  Now that's how you up the value of your motorcycle.

State Trooper Hits Couple on Motorcycle

On August 17th 2013, Ohio State Trooper Jacob Daymon rear-ended Corey and Amy Waldman while they were riding their motorcycle.  Apparently, Trooper Daymon was traveling 81mph in a 65mph zone when he crashed into the Harley.  I was unable to find many details about the accident but from watching the video he was clearly in the wrong.  Fortunately, other than some minor injuries and lots of road rash Corey and Amy Waldman are OK.  Trooper Jacob Daymon received a $150 fine and a six month suspension of driving privileges for his negligence.  

I will not pretend that a short video on YouTube provides all the necessary information to completely understand a situation.  We do not know about any distracting factors, lighting conditions, etc.  However, from what we can see the State Trooper is completely at fault. 

 Any operator of a motor vehicle, whether a police officer or not, is required to be in control of that vehicle at all times.  Trooper Daymon is clearly not.  He is speeding and he is either distracted or traveling faster than road conditions allow for him to react appropriately.  Either way he is not in control of his vehicle.  

I understand that there are a lot of distractions inside of a police vehicle.  However, those distractions are no more of an excuse for an officer than a cell or radio would be for a normal person.  

I also understand that accidents will happen which is why they are called "accidents," not "on purposes."  However, the most upsetting act of the video to me is Trooper Daymon's reaction after the accident.  He seems more concerned with the damage to his cruiser than with Corey and Amy.  His job is to protect and serve.  His job is not to worry about his car, Corey and Amy's tax dollars will pay that that.  

As I said earlier, the operator or vehicle is responsible for that vehicle and the consequences that occur while they are in control of the vehicle.  This holds true for a lay person but even more so for an officer of the law.  Just as doctors and lawyers are held to higher standards in their respective fields, a police officer should be held to a higher standard in his.  This is not the case in this situation.  In fact, it would be hard to imagine a normal citizen getting away with a $150 dollar fine for recklessly endangering the lives of others.

I am glad for all parties that no one was killed.    

Harley-Davidson Street 500 and 750

Harley-Davidson continues it's busy 110th anniversary year.  Yesterday it released two brand new motorcycles the Street 500 and 750.  Just a couple of months ago saw The Motor Company cater to its higher end customers with Project Rushmore.  The driving force behind Project Rushmore was "listening to the customers."  Well, I would say that Harley-Davidson continues to do exactly that but where Project Rushmore's focus was on its established and wealthier riders the Street 500 and 700 occupy the other end of the spectrum.  The fact is the world is becoming more urban, diversified, and the future of any brand is attracting new buyers.  The Street 500 and 750 reflect this demographic.  

The Week's End Roundup- Top Ten Harley's of All Time

No, you are not seeing double.  Look closer.  

Man and Machine

I am not sure if this was a bad attempt to show sexism in motorcycle culture or just a brilliant viral marketing campaign but someone had the idea to recreate the advertising photos for Ducati's Panigale.  I dare you to look at the rest of the photographs comparing the women and men models and not laugh.  Good luck.


Top Ten Harley's of All Time
Without a doubt, Harley Davidson is one the most popular and recognizable motorcycle companies in the world.  Their motorcycles have spanned decades and influenced generations.  See what a group of panelists gathered by Motorcycle.com came up with as their top ten Harley Davidson's of all time.


2013 Triumph Rocket III vs Ducati Diavel Strata
Motorcycle-usa.com compares the uber powerful cruisers from Triumph and Ducati.


Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle?
Are you creative?  Are you handy? Pablo de Chaves certainly is. Check about the link above to see his latest hand made creation, a naked electric motorcycle.

The Week's End Roundup

BMW Unveils the 2014 R nineT Roadster.
BMW celebrates 90 years of Motorrad with the release of the beautiful R nineT Roadster.  Find out more here.

Eric Buell Racing Unveils the 2014 1190RX
Who said America could only produce slow heavyweight cruisers?  Not Eric Buell that's who.  Eric Buell Racing's new 1190RX is light, powerful, and fuel efficient.  And it lists for less than $19,000, competition be warned.  Find out more here.

Harley Davidson Heritage Softail vs Indian Vintage Chief
For a rush of nostalgia, check out motorcycle-usa.com's comparison of the Harley Davidson Heritage Softail and Indian Vintage Chief here.

2014 Victory Ness Cross Country Limited-Edition Test Ride
Motorcycle-usa.com may have forgotten you Victory, but I didn't.  Check out what the great people of motorcycle.com thought of the Cross Country Limited here.

Get your cowboy on.  2014 Ural Gaucho Rambler.
A Russian interpretation the American West, using a classic German motorcycle.  I like it.  See the Ural Gaucho Rambler here.

"In Mother Russia Bus Stop Goes to You"

I found this gem on thechive.com.  No explanation or background was given as to why the original sidecar is missing and in its place there is now a wooden bench.  However, I think we can make an educated guess.  First of all, the bike looks to be a Ural.  Secondly, the landscape is barren and frozen.  And finally, we can deduce from the current sidecar design that the owner has a total disregard for safety and is proud of it.   This has Russian handiwork written all over it.  So why is there a wooden bench where a sidecar should be?  Easy, as they say in Russia, "In Mother Russia you don't go to bus stop, bus stop goes to you."

Motorcycle News

Cam-Am Gets a New Engine

Well, it looks like the new engines just keep on coming. Cam-Am has released its new Triple Rotax Engine. Named the Rotax 1330 ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency), the engine puts out a claimed 115 hp at 7250 rpm and 96 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm.  The engine only comes in RT platforms with the RS and ST models retaining the Rotax v-twin.  You can find out more about the new engine and other improvements here.

Suzuki Celebrates 50 Years 

Motorcycledaily.com has a great write up on Suzuki motorcycless with lots of colorful pictures of Suzuki bikes past and present.  Click here.