Bill Muneio

Published: June 21, 2009

Although it’s still early in the season, there are already signs that more Americans will be vacationing in campgrounds this summer. Bookings are up at many parks — in some cases by as much as 30 percent. And some campgrounds were filled on weekends even before Memorial Day, the traditional kickoff of the camping season.

Read the complete article here.

The Last-Minute Guide to Summer Camping – NYTimes.com.

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

We knew the day would come when the final Gold Wing motorcycle would be built in America after Honda announced last year that it would eventually close its motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio. Apparently, that time is now, as Honda has confirmed that the Gold Wing assembly line has halted. Moving forward, all Gold Wings – along with just about every other two-wheeler from Honda – will be imported from Japan.

Finished in 1979, the 330,000 square-foot Marysville Motorcycle Plant that has assembled the Gold Wing since 1981 was the first Honda manufacturing facility in America. Since then, over a million Honda Gold Wing motorcycles have made their way down the assembly line and four additional assembly plants have been erected in Ohio producing cars, SUVs, engines and transmissions.

While we’re sure it makes sound financial sense to close the Marysville Motorcycle Plant, it strikes us as odd timing to shutter its first U.S. manufacturing site given that Honda is right in the midst of celebrating its first 50 years in America. Conversely, Honda plans to further expand its automotive manufacturing footprint in the U.S. Currently, about 76 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the United States are produced in North America. Unfortunately, we can now strike the Gold Wing off that list.

Goodbye, Gold Wing: Honda officially ends U.S. motorcycle production — Autoblog.

Thursday, 30 July 2009 06:51

If lightning doesn’t strike twice, do two SPOT devices initiate rescues at the same time in the middle of nowhere? Well, that happened on Thursday, July 23, 2009 in the mountains of Strathcona Park, British Columbia, Canada. Two separate sets of hikers were each found within about five kilometers of one another after activating their SPOT Messengers. Read the complete story published by the Comox Valley Echo by clicking Read More.

High Tech Device Helps Save Hikers

Full link to article text found here.

High Tech Device Helps Save Hikers.

By Gabe Ets-Hokin

Since Ducati pledged to show three new models a year we’ve gotten a flood of red-painted metal from Borgo Panigale; a new Superbike, new Monsters and the popular Hypermotard. Rumors are thick that this year, we’ll see a Multistrada replacement-armed with the four-valve, 150 hp 1098 powerplant-aimed at the BMW GS crowd and perhaps even a VMAX-like power cruiser. That alone would make the Ducati crowd happy, but what about the fast-expanding scooter market?

Our man in the know, Italian designer Oberdan Bezzi, is convinced Ducati has something for them as well. He tells us that the latest news is that a prototype of a scooter (dubbed the “Scootster,” a contraction of “scooter” and “Monster”) will be unveiled at the 2009 Milan EICMA motorcycle show in early November.

Oberdan thinks the motor will be an 850 and offer a multi-mode transmission like the Aprilia Mana. That’s not a bad assumption; I just had a conversation with a source at Piaggio, who told me Piaggio loves to sell powertrain units to anyone who’ll buy them. “Would they sell one without heads so Ducati could install Desmo heads,” I asked? “Sure” was the answer. Oberdan’s drawing shows the Testastretta motor’s deep sump, so maybe that’s not what he had in mind, but it’d make sense, no? He also envisioned an “S” version, with Öhlins suspension and maybe some lightweight 16-inch wheels as well.

Oberdan and my mystery man at Piaggio think Ducati is working on a scooter, but I’m not so sure. Ducati has no need to expand the market for its bikes, as the factory is already near capacity. What Ducati wants is to strengthen its existing product line and build customer loyalty. A scooter, particularly something as big and expensive as this Scoot-strosity, makes no sense.

But if it does happen, it won’t be Ducati’s first scooter; the factory sold a 100cc scoot, dubbed the “Brio,” in the early ’60s. I saw one at a scooter rally a few years ago, and I thought the Ducati logo on the legsheild was a joke. Not at all, said the owner, pointing out the “Ducati” logo on the engine case and VIN plate. He bought it cheap and got it running easily, and discovered it was actually a fun and reliable little machine. It was just the wrong product, introduced at the wrong time. Will history repeat itself?

See the original article here.
Scoot-Cati To Be Shown In Milan?.

Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France

Here’s an interesting way of touring France on a motorcycle in style and luxury! If you have deep pockets, like being pampered while riding a motorcycle, like living the life in style and luxury, here’s a great tip for you. There are not that many companies that offer a comprehensive package for motorcycle lovers, specially not in exotic locations.
new company is organizing tours in France using different Ducati motorcycles. Columbus International offers the possibilities to see France while riding Ducati models like the latest Streetfighter, or Monster S2R 1000, Hypermotard 1100 and Supersport 848. 

Columbus organize high end motorcycle tours in Southern France. Several tours are scheduled, including a Gourmet Tour (eating at starred Michelin restaurants), a High Octane Tour(drive a F1 car on the race track, and ride a 1000 superbike under supervision by a Superbike pro), Offshore Ride Tour (riding, luxury yachting, barracuda fishing) and Nature Tour (riding through the natural parks, private yacht, restaurants). They also offer special MotoGP andFormula One packages. Two days of riding a Ducati motorcycle, then you are transferred by helicopter to the circuit, where you get a VIP treatment. Then, depending on the package (MotoGP or F1), you get to ride one of the beasts, a Superbike for the MotoGP package, a Formula One for the F1 package. There are winter packages available as well, since in the South of France, you can ride your bike in the morning and ski in the afternoon. If you are going to ask how much this costs, you can’t afford it. The cheapest touring holiday will cost you for a week or so of pampering and riding in style, about €5696, the most expensive will set your bank account back €11,696. The base will be Cannes, famous for its film festival, beaches and starlets. And who knows, maybe your riding partner might just be Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise… 
If you prefer to do your own thing, that’s possible too. You can rent the motorcycle for the day. A Ducati Streetfighter will cost  €245 per day, while Monsters go for €195 per day. 

Click here to read more about it. .

France: Luxury Touring On A Ducati Motorcycle from Bikes in the Fast Lane – Daily Motorcycle News.

By Adam Pash

Even though your iPhone snaps pictures at pretty decent resolutions (2048×1536 from the 3GS, 1600×1200 on previous iPhone versions), your device automatically resizes photos to a measly 800×600 when you go to email them. Here’s how to fix that.

The resized pictures may be enough under certain circumstances, but if you want your pics to make it through your email in their full glory, it’s a simple matter of copy and paste.

As weblog Geek stuff points out, the resizing only happens when you share photos from your photo library via your iPhone’s traditional Share button—which imports the resized pictures into an empty email. Instead of taking that route, either tap and hold on a single picture and then tap copy or select multiple pictures in album view and tap the Copy button at the bottom of your screen. Then head back to the home screen, fire up Mail, compose a new email, and paste the photos into the new message. Rather than the smaller, resized pictures, you’ll get the full resolution versions. Good to know!

Email Full-Resolution Photos from the iPhone [Geek stuff via Just Another iPhone Blog]

Send Photos in Full Resolution from Your iPhone – iPhone 3.0 – Lifehacker.

This looks like a great Package. Just needs a larger windscreen in my opinion.

With the R 1200 R, BMW Motorrad cultivates a tradition in roadster construction with stretches back over decades. With a spirited output of 109 HP, the naked bike of the flat twin “Boxer” series offers a virtually perfect synthesis of riding dynamics, agility and classic motorcycle design.

Now BMW Motorrad is going further still with the attractive package “Touring Special”, enhancing the R 1200 R in terms of comfort and travel/touring suitability, as well as providing a visual upgrade.

Fitted with this package, the R 1200 R not only has an on-board computer but also heated grips and a main stand.

In this version, the R 1200 R particularly does justice to more exacting demands in relation to touring/travel suitability with a new comfort seat which is exclusively available as part of this package. As in the standard version, the seat height is 31.5” but with an inner leg length of 72.4” (standard version: 70.75”), thus providing an ergonomic triangle designed for even greater comfort. The specific ergonomic needs of tall riders are addressed by the optionally available high comfort seat with height of 32.7” and an inner leg length of 73.2”.

The Sport windshield ensures perceptible relief for the upper body and further enhanced ride comfort, especially over longer stretches. For carrying luggage the special model of the R 1200 R has two 32-litre common locking panniers and a luggage rack.

The package “Touring Special” can be combined with all the standard paint finishes of the R 1200 R. A special touch is also added by the chrome exhaust system and the LED direction indicators.

Further options for individualization are provided by the extensive BMW Motorrad program of special equipment and special accessories.

An overview of the main features of the new R 1200 R “Touring Special” package:

• Air-cooled 2-cylinder flat twin engine with 1170 cc capacity and balancing shaft.
• Powerful engine with an output of 109 HP@7,500 rpm.
• High maximum torque of 85 lb-ft.@6,000 rpm for excellent pulling power.
• Electronic engine management BMS-K with dual ignition, knock control, oxygen sensor and closed-loop three-way catalytic converter.
• Light and stable, two-section frame construction made of steel tubing.
• Rigid Telelever with sensitive response and a high degree of steering precision.
• Outstanding maneuverability, extremely high running stability.
• EVO Paralever with light universal drive.
• Electronic spring strut adjustment ESA on request.
• Powerful brake system.
• New BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (optional extra).
• Automatic Stability Control ASC (only in conjunction with Integral ABS; optional extra).
• Dynamic, modern and yet timeless design.
• New comfort seat (seat height 31.5”, inner leg length 72.4”) or high comfort seat (seat height 32.7”, inner leg length 73.2”).
• On-board computer.
• Heated grips.
• Main stand.
• LED direction indicators.
• Chrome exhaust system.
• Sport windshield.
• Large pannier fastenings, including luggage rack and pillion passenger grab handles.
• Common locking panniers.

Think of the R 1200 R Touring as part 1200 GS Dual Sport in a classic roadster platform with the 1200 RT’s platform and cruising amenities.

Canadian’s receive an upgraded touring BMW R 1200 R – CleanMPG Forums.

Wednesday July 29, 2009

Touratech sponsored ecologist Chris Morgan uses his Touratech TT-39 equipped BMW F650GS in a quest to save threatened bear populations around the world. Originally from Britain, the 39-year-old ecologist navigates rugged tracks to reach some of the most remote bear habitats on Earth.

Sample video clips of Beartek documentary

More info about Chris Morgan and his adventures

Read the complete article here: One Wild Ride | RoadRUNNER Magazine.

SPOT Expands Product Line with the New SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger – 30% Smaller and Lighter Offering Advanced Capabilities and Feature-Rich Enhancements

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – (July 21, 2009) —SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT) and a leader in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications today introduced its new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™. The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ is 30% smaller and lighter than the original SPOT Satellite personal tracker, offers additional custom messaging modes, and uses a state-of-the-art GPS chipset and satellite communications to provide enhanced reliability and performance. SPOT LLC is showcasing its line of products and services this week at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Conference in booth number 36191 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Since market introduction, the award-winning original SPOT has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent millions of peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. We have listened to our customers’ suggestions and are proud to introduce today the second-generation SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger with its increased features and utility,” said Darren Bassel, director of global marketing, SPOT LLC. “Today’s announcement further demonstrates our continued commitment to expand our product line and develop integrated services like SPOT Assist roadside assistance providing advanced personal satellite communications to increase safety for our customers on a daily basis.” The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ will include the following new features designed to enhance customer usability:

• 30% smaller and lighter than the original model at 5.2 ounces
• New enhanced satellite antenna for improved performance in foliage or canopied environments
• Advanced GPS performance chipset
• GPS Acquisition light
• “Message Sending” indicator light
• Dedicated GPS Tracking button
• New, dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button
• Protective covers over S.O.S and Help button to prevent inadvertent message transmission
• Illuminated buttons
• Choice of orange or silver
• Included case and neoprene fastening band

The new model includes globally recognized symbols for its message buttons to accommodate use in international markets and stimulate distribution to a growing customer base in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

“The active outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, boaters, pilots, riders, remote workers and travelers will continue to enjoy the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger ™ for its ruggedness while its smaller compact size and weight is ideal for portable use,” continues Bassel.  “The smaller size and ease-of-use will appeal to our broader consumer markets including the family on-the-go or anyone who spends time in the areas with unreliable cellular service.”Equipped with two, notification LED’s and six function buttons the new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ transmits activated messages based on varying levels of need:

• OK/Check in lets contacts know where you are and that you’re okay
• Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress in real-time using Google Maps™
• Help notifies your contacts or SPOT Assist professional services of your GPS location and need for assistance
• SOS/9-1-1 Alert notifies an emergency rescue coordination center of your GPS location
• Custom Message button sends a pre-programmed message to your personal contacts

Since market introduction, the award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger™ has initiated more than 250 rescues and sent over 10 million peace-of-mind and track-me messages around the world. As of March 31, 2009 the Company had received orders to ship more than 120,000 units and it currently has a growing global network of more than 8,000 points of distribution.

Availability:

The new SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(TM) is scheduled to be available at select retailers later this fall.  To find a SPOT retailer in the United States please visit the SPOT dealer locator at http://findmespot.com/en/locateadealer/

.SPOT Unveils Next Generation Satellite GPS Messenger at Outdoor Retailer.

Check out this new ultra lightweight carbon fiber helmet. The Akuma Phantom II is one of the lightest helmets on the market and the first helmet to come with a genuine Solfx photochromatic visor that changes darkness based on the amount of UV light and the ambient temperature.

Available at HPC

Click on the link below for the full review.

Akuma Phantom II Helmet – webBikeWorld.