NEW MASS INSPECTION RULES

Changes to Massachusetts Motorcycle Inspections

Bob Stewart, the owner of Stewy's Customs in Wakefield, gave us a call to share with us the recent changes to the Motorcycle Inspection program in Massachusetts. "Quite a bit has changed" said Stewart. "The biggest change is that your inspection will be recorded electronically instead of the paper records we have used for years".

All motorcycle inspections will now be entered directly in a computer, transmitted to the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and only then the sticker is ready for your bike. But I'm getting ahead of myself....

Beginning on February 1^st the Registry of Motor Vehicles instituted a new inspection program where recording and reporting will be done via the internet – all motorcycle inspection information will be uploaded to RMV computers. Another new aspect of the program is that all inspectors must have a motorcycle license. During inspection, customers will not be allowed in the inspection bay. I always thought that this was an insurance requirement that the shop owner had to adhere to but it seems that the state is driving this requirement.

At beginning of the inspection the plate number, VIN, and inspector number are entered into the computer. Any mismatch will block the inspection from proceeding. The inspector is them prompted to confirm the motorcycle info by checking that the information on the registration match the bike (Year, Make, Model, VIN, Plate number, Plate type, and State of registration). The inspector is then prompted to confirm the options on the bike and record them in the computer.

• Presence of a swing arm (or is bike a rigid frame)
• Are there rear shocks installed
• Is there an odometer
• Are there turn signals and reflectors
• Any auxiliary lamps
• Is there a side car
• Does the bike have a windshield

Once these are recorded in the computer the inspector is prompted, step-by-step to perform the inspection. Here is another new item... The license plate must be mounted horizontally! Any bike with a vertical plate will be rejected.

Exhaust... Motorcycle muffler(s) must minimize noise and be functioning properly. It will be rejected if, the bike has cut-outs or bypass of baffle plates, screens, or other original internal parts that have been removed and not replaced. If a tailpipe is pinched or restricted or if the exhaust system components are not securely fastened with proper clamps/hangers. Lastly, the bike will be rejected if there is a straight pipe (none are allowed). The Registry defines Unnecessary Noise as "any noise which is louder than that emitted by the motorcycle with original manufacturer muffler and exhaust system equipment."

Handlebars.... The height of the grips cannot be higher than the operator’s shoulder level when they are seated on the bike. Additionally, a minimum of 18 inches is required between grip ends.

These are only a few highlights of the inspection requirements. After the inspection, the motorcyclist will be given a comprehensive Motorcycle Inspection Report (MIR) at the end of the inspection. This will be similar to the inspection reports that you get when you have your car/truck inspected today.

If your bike fails the inspection then you can have a free retest at the same testing inspection station within 20 days (as determined by the computer system). Only the failed items will need to be re-tested.

The online inspection report will be available to law enforcement. What this means is that if your bike fails inspection and you are stopped then the officer gets to see everything about your inspection. This is only a problem if your bike fails (lets say for bad tires and you haven't changed them), the officer knows this and now has you over a barrel. You cannot ride your bike if it failed for a safety related item. If you are stopped and the safety item(s) have not been repaired then your bike will be towed on the spot. Pretty serious stuff!

Jay leno's new gsxr 1000

Its good to be the King, at least the King of late night especially if you are as much of a motorcycle enthusiast as Jay Leno is known to be.

The latest news buzzing around the celebrity two-wheeled world is about American Suzuki Motor Corp. presenting “Tonight Show” host and long-time motorcycle enthusiast Jay Leno with one of the first 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 models off the production line. The presentation was held on Friday, April 10, 2009, at Leno’s famed Big Dog Garage in Burbank, Calif.

According to ASMC, the presentation was intended as a “thank you” to Leno, for his years of supporting the motorcycle industry and for bringing mainstream awareness to the motorcycle industry.

“Wow, what can I say to a new Suzuki but ‘thanks,’" said Leno, who is retiring from the “Tonight Show” this year. “Not only will this bike make a great addition to my already extensive Suzuki motorcycle collection, it’ll give me something to do with the free time I’m about to have on my hands. I’ve been a motorcycle enthusiast for years and I really appreciate Suzuki’s sentiment in presenting me with this motorcycle.”

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is the flagship sportbike for ASMC.

For 2009, the Suzuki GSX-R1000 was completely redesigned, boasting a brand-new frame, powerful and compact engine, and more aggressive and aerodynamic bodywork.

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 has won the last six AMA Superbike Championships, it won every AMA Superbike race in 2008 as well as the last 51 consecutive AMA Superbike races.

nice busa huh?

Dans 06 hayabusa limited. gone but not forgotten

Sickshooter gsxr 1000

Motorcycle manufacturers roll them out in a variety of fashions, from supermodels laying across the latest muscle machine to touring a limited number of next years models at rallies and biker events. But as excited riders can be to see next years models before they hit the showroom floors, this summer they have the chance to ride into the future of two-wheel possibilities as motorcycle are featured in two science fiction blockbusters hitting the big screen.

As if an answer to the classic Indian motorcycle featured in 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' and an exciting action sequence using a current Harley-Davidson model in the X-Men spin-off 'Wolverine', film makers are using everyone's favorite two-wheeled obsession to add depth to a storyline or character.

In the upcoming revision of the science fiction classic, the leading man is seen speeding across the desert in an early scene in 'Star Trek' being released nationwide on May 8th. On what appears to be a future version of a sportsbike, its certainly no V-Twin powering a scene reminiscent of Tom Cruise riding alongside a landing F-14 in Top Gun. With both characters using a motorcycle for the ride to their military destiny, painting an unconventional hero with a rebellious way of doing things.

Playing the most famous fictional captain in history actor Chris Pine had concerns about taking on the role of James T. Kirk, "As I kind of looked at it, I found that I was scared more by the prospect of bringing Kirk to life again, because he’d already been done, and done really well.”

Motorcycles seem to be regular prop for a certain cyborg series of movies, with Harley-Davidson's prominently appearing in past Terminator films. Since Arnold Schwarzenegger first wandered into a biker bar, the Terminator series of movies have cast the motorcycle alongside famous faces and always at the heart of the action. The latest edition of the science fiction blockbuster will continue that tradition with two-wheeled terminators, part-motorcycle, part-cyborg killing machines reportedly boasting machine guns and glowing red headlights as eyes.

Producers are changing lanes with the latest installment, 'Terminator Salvation', setting the movie in the future when Terminators are eliminating the human race. Warner Bros have said Terminator 4 will take place in post-apocalyptic 2018, where John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators.

But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.

Official renderings of the two-wheeled terminators, part-motorcycle, part-cyborg killing machines are also finding their way onto the internet offering customizations likely never seen on today's roads such as deadly machine guns, which appear to act as counterbalances in the brief appearance during the movie trailer.

An actor familiar with custom rides who stars as John Conner is Christian Bale, last appearing on the silver screen in the second Batman movie riding a motorcycle that could apparently give the Moto-Terminators a run for their money.

The movie will debut nationwide on May 22nd.

April 6th, 2009

The custom bike building show American Chopper with the Teutul family, the custom motorcycles and of course family dramas will return to the small screen this week on TLC.

Riding into its sixth season, TLC's popular series American Chopper returns on Thursday, April 9, at 9 PM (ET/PT) with all-new episodes with producers promising 'unmatched family drama that will change the dynamics of Orange County Choppers forever'.

A reality based series American Chopper follows Orange County Choppers (OCC), the world-famous custom motorcycle family business run by Paul Teutul Sr. and his fiery sons, Paul Teutul Jr. and Mikey creating unique, one of a kind bikes. Each episode of American Chopper captures the day-to-day drama inside one of the world's leading custom bike shops as the family battles impossible deadlines to build some of the most aggressive, creative custom choppers around. The new season documents the growing pains as OCC continues to expand in a challenging economy, as well as the evolving relationship between Paul Sr., his sons, the extended Teutul family and their OCC staff.

The heated arguments are set to take front stage in the upcoming season with mounting tension between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. exploding in a confrontation that results in serious damage not only to the family shop, but to their personal relationship.

American Chopper gets off to a quick start with OCC taking on the challenge of a double build. Two bikes, one commissioned by the National Hockey League and the other by Northrop Grumman, maker of the B-2 bomber. Both bikes feature cutting-edge designs and intense fabrications. In the second episode, the guys go tie-dyed in twisted metal, taking on a '60s-themed project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. And in the third episode, the OCC gang heads to Anchorage, Alaska, to build a motorcycle in honor of Alaska's 50 Years of Statehood Celebration.

April 6th, 2009

Italian motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati is taking the performance found in its top of the line models and injecting it into a unique financing offer.

The special financing started on April 1st, but Ducati appears to be serious giving motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to park a performance bike in their garage.

After winning the World Superbike Championship aboard Ducati's 1098 R during its first year in production, Troy Bayliss climbed on an 1198 S in stock trim at the press launch in Portimao, Spain and bested the 2008 World Superstock racing lap record. What could be considered the most advanced piece of Superbike technology in the world is being offered with financing at rates as low as 3.99%* on the 1098 and 1198 and 4.99%* on the 1098 S and 1198 S.

The 1198 is a race bike, pure and simple. It is immediately recognizable for its purposeful, no-nonsense attitude. Performance is first and foremost in every detail. The trademark Ducati features like the high tail section and compact front end combine with twin under-seat silencers and single-sided swingarm to express the sheer engineering beauty of aerodynamics and agility. Add the 1198 Testastretta Evoluzione engine as the hearts of the machine and the result is all-out performance Ducati Superbikes that look fast even when parked.

The 1198 features fully adjustable 43mm Showa forks, with an additional special low friction titanium oxide treatment applied to the sliders.

Producing 170hp (125kW) and with a dry weight of just 169kg (372.6lb), the new 1198 S now incorporates more World Superbike technology than ever before by taking the 1198 motor and adding top-of-the-range suspension, lightweight chassis components and a true racing-style traction control system designed for road use.

The high performance, fully adjustable 43mm Öhlins forks, which sport low friction titanium nitride-treated fork sliders, respond effortlessly to every imperfection in the tarmac. Beyond their advanced engineering solutions, one of the most important characteristics of Öhlins forks is their ability to communicate the condition and quality of the tire-to-road contact patch, a feature that puts every rider in superior control. The suspension set-up at the rear is complemented with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock equipped with a ride enhancing top-out spring and mounted to a single-sided swingarm for outstanding drive and traction. The front-to-rear Öhlins package is completed with a control-enhancing adjustable steering damper.

The 'S' sets the standard for lightweight performance. On any sport or race bike, the most effective area to reduce weight is its 'unsprung weight'. These are components like tires, brakes and wheels. Lighter wheels have a lower 'moment of inertia' that is beneficial with every direction change and application of the brakes. The 1198 S addresses this important area by mounting new 7-spoke GP replica Marchesini forged and machined wheels. Both front and rear are super lightweight and their benefit is immediately apparent. The weight saving is further enhanced with the application of a carbon fibre front fender.

The 1198 S is supplied with the Ducati Data Analysis (DDA) and Ducati Traction Control (DTC) systems as standard equipment. The DDA package enables the retrieval and analysis of data collected from track sessions or road trips. DTC monitors front and rear wheel speeds to detect rear wheel-spin under acceleration and electronically reduces engine power to restore traction.

The special financing includes new, previously untitled Superbike 1198/1198 S/1098/1098 S models and is available until June 30th with further details available at Ducati dealerships.