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Help needed to change law to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs Change the Law to Exclude Youth-Model Motorcycles and ATVs

Write your Representatives Today!

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to stay enforcement of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) that currently bans the sale of youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The stay, which extends through May 1, 2011, follows a unanimous vote by Acting Chairman Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas Moore.

AMA Fails Youth Riders, Turns to Motorcyclists for Direct Lobbying Efforts

While we applaud the CPSC commissioners' vote to stay enforcement of the law, this does not solve the real issue, which is the law itself. Despite the stay, it is unclear whether state attorneys general will also decline to enforce the CPSIA. The sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs is still technically illegal. Even though a stay means that dealers would not be subject to fines or penalties imposed by the CPSC, state attorneys general would still be able to prosecute violators if they chose to do so. Youth-model motorcycles and ATVs should be exempt from the law, and Congress needs to act to make that happen.

Motorcyclists and ATV riders need to let Congress know that we are concerned about the law, and that we want youth-model OHVs excluded from the law. We need your help to let our lawmakers know how we feel. Riders should contact their Representatives and ask them to support H.R. 1587, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg, to exempt youth-sized motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA.

You can find contact information for your elected officials on AmericanMotorcyclist.com, click on "Rights," then "Issues & Legislation," and enter your zip code in the "Find your Officials" box. Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available for you to send to your Representative immediately by following the "Take Action" option and entering your information.

For more ways you can help to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA or for more information about the issue, click here. Please write or call your Representative today and ask them to support H.R. 1587 to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA lead content requirements.

Man charged with running Colorado motorcycle chop shop

9News.com • April 23, 2009

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DENVER - The Attorney General's office says a man accused of running a statewide motorcycle chop shop for at least three years is facing several felonies.

An indictment handed down Thursday accuses Edward Degner, 54, of committing 18 different crimes. The indictment says Degner used his Rifle-based business, Ed's Custom Painting, to steal the bikes.

The motorcycles used in the chop shop were stolen from the Denver area and other parts of the state and targeted several brands including Harley Davidson and American Iron Horse, according to the indictment. Degner is suspected of stealing the bikes, switching and destroying the identification numbers in addition to re-stamping fraudulent VINs onto the vehicles and concealing their identity by repainting them.

Degner's charges include 14 counts of first-degree aggravated motor theft. His next court date is set for May 11.

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?