Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Two motorcyclists are hospitalized with major injuries after a crash Sunday afternoon

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, it happened just before 5 p.m. on Old Dixie Highway between Bunnell and Ormond Beach.

The FHP says a Lincoln driven by 82-year-old Faye Ryan turned left onto Plantation Bay Drive.

At the same time, a motorcycle with two people onboard was coming from the opposite direction.

The two collided head-on, sending the motorcyclists onto the hood and windshield of the Lincoln before landing on the pavement.

While Ryan suffered only minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital, the driver of the motorcycle, 53-year-old Joseph J. Terman and passenger Patricia Terman, also 53, were both badly injured.

Joseph Terman is listed in critical condition, and Patricia Terman is in serious condition.

The FHP is still investigating the crash, and charges have not yet been filed.

For more information please visit: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=145759&catid=3

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident because a motorist violated your right of way, please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Ducati unveiled a new version of its twitchy little torque monster today

The Italian manufacturer's much-loved Hypermotard will soon be available in a 796 cc version for $2,000 less than its 1,100 cc older brother.

Final specs for the bike aren't yet available, but the mini Hypermotard will be lighter weight with a lower seat height without sacrificing much of its Ritalin-esque appeal. The new 796 L-twin is a brand-new powerplant for Ducati, boasting a respectable 81 horsepower and 56 pound-feet of torque from its 368-pound dirt bike-inspired body. While the chassis has been redesigned to incorporate a new frame layout and the clutch is being upgraded for lighter action, the single-sided swingarm remains the same.

For more information please visit: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/uptospeed/2009/09/ducati-unveils-the-796-cc-version-of-its-popular-hypermotard.html

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

A Lake Placid motorcyclist remained in critical condition Tuesday after being injured in a one-vehicle accident over the weekend

Harold N. Brown, 43, was westbound on Crossview Street in Lake Placid and heading toward Hallmark Avenue when he failed to stop at the intersection, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Brown was thrown from his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle. He was taken by Aeromed to Lee Memorial Hospital is Fort Myers with critical injuries. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the FHP said.

For more information please visit: http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2009/sep/23/la-biker-injured-in-accident-remains-critical/

Friday, September 18, 2009

Harley-Davidson, Inc. Names John Olin Chief Financial Officer

Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) has named John Olin Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
effective immediately. Olin, 48, has served as interim CFO of Harley-Davidson,
Inc. since May 1, 2009, and as Harley-Davidson Motor Company's Vice President
and Controller since joining the organization in May 2003.

"John is a seasoned financial executive with domestic and global experience
who is deeply knowledgeable about our business," said Keith Wandell, President
and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "He has also demonstrated strong leadership
in guiding our financial group as interim CFO. After conducting a thorough
review of internal and external candidates for this key leadership position,
we are pleased to name John CFO and I look forward to continuing to work with
him and the rest of our management team as we lead Harley-Davidson forward."

As CFO, Olin will report to Wandell and have responsibility for all
Harley-Davidson financial and treasury operations, as well as for investor
relations, aviation and information systems.

For more information please visit: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS140485+18-Sep-2009+PRN20090918


Maitland Police have released details in an accident which claimed the life of 39-year-old Orlando man

On Wednesday at approximately 8:30 p.m., a traffic crash involving a motorcycle and a Ford Explorer occurred on West bound lanes of Interstate 4, just south of the Maitland Blvd overpass.

The 1995 Kawasaki motorcycle, driven by Terry Bass, was west bound on the interstate. An investigation revealed that Bass was speeding when he passed a slower vehicle in the right lane, then tried to move into the right lane.

An unidentified white sedan was entering I-4 from Maitland Blvd. at the same time and was trying to merge left. The vehicles did not contact each other but Bass took evasive action to the left and was somehow ejected from the motorcycle. The sedan veered to the right and continued down the road without stopping.

Bass tumbled several times in the roadway and then stood up and started running towards the median. His motorcycle continued west bound on the roadway until it eventually lost momentum and came to rest on the right side of the roadway over 400 feet away.

While running to the median, Bass was struck by the Ford Explorer, driven by Robert Schaedel, 25, of Winter Park. Schaedel tried to avoid the crash but the right front of his SUV struck Bass throwing him back onto the pavement.

For more information please visit: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/seminole_news/091709_Man_struck_while_crossing_Interstate_4_lanes

If you've been involved in an automobile or motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Funeral held for Clermont police officer killed in motorcycle crash

The funeral for Clermont police Officer Robert Sayers at Celebration Praise Church is over and a large contingent of law-enforcement officers will lead a procession to Oakhill Cemetery, where Sayers will be buried.

Sayers was killed Sept. 9 after crashing his motorcycle while returning to his home in Spring Hill.

A reception will be held later at Jenkins Auditorium, 691 W. Montrose St.

Sayers, 39, who lived with his wife, Sarah, and two young boys, was driving home from work, heading west on State Road 50 at about 4:30 pm Sept. 16 on his 2006 Triumph motorcycle when the crash occurred. A 2004 Volkswagen Golf in front of Sayers stopped behind a school bus at a sharp bend of the road near County Road 757, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Sayers' motorcycle then struck the rear of the Volkswagen.

The driver of the Golf had minor injuries.

Sayers was a two-year veteran of the department, hired in July 2007 straight out of the police academy. A native of Great Britain, Sayers lived in southern England before moving to the United States in 1998, police said.

For more information please visit: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-lake-clermont-officer-funeral-091809,0,2177763.story

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The latest speed record set by a motorcycle at the legendary Bonneville Speedway is absolutely electric

Fresh from its appearance at the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race and the the world’s first race for clean emission motorcycles the TTXGP, Mission Motors set a new AMA record earlier this month.

The zero-emissions Mission One electric superbike achieved a record 150.059 mph two-pass average run sustained for one mile at Bonneville Speedway on September 1st.

Lead up to runs for the record saw one-way speeds across the mile stretch at 161mph.

For more information please visit: http://www.clutchandchrome.com/News/MotorcycleNews0909027.htm

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Police in Ocala, Florida took notice early Tuesday morning of a naked motorcyclist's erratic riding

Mike Rolls, Marion County sheriff's captain, was on duty when he passed a nude man riding a silver motorcycle near Ocala's Interstate 75 nearly thirty minutes after midnight, the Associated Press reports. "I thought the driver of the motorcycle was not wearing clothing," Rolls reported as he began his pursuit.

When the bare rider drove through a red light, the police officer pulled the man over and later identified him as Dante Krauss.

Krauss, 45-year-old, reported that he didn't know where he had been that night, and had no explanation for his nakedness. He did, however, admit to having a few drinks.

After providing the streaking biker with a shirt and shawl, Rolls placed the man under arrest and brought him to the Marion County Jail, where authorities say Kraus registered a .178 blood-alcohol concentration.

Krauss was charged with his fifth DUI, and was later released on $20,000 bail.

Research by Mothers Against Drunk Driving estimates that one arrest for DUI is made for every 88 episodes of driving with a blood-alcohol concentration that is over the U.S. legal limit.

For more information please visit: http://www.avvo.com/news/naked-motorcyclist-collects-fifth-dui-452.html

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Buell is recalling around 400 2009 XB12S motorcycles. The factory routing of the front brake line may allow the tire to rub it during riding

Summary:
BUELL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009 XB12SS MOTORCYCLES. THE FRONT BRAKE LINE MAY CONTACT THE FRONT TIRE. THIS CONTACT COULD CAUSE A HOLE TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT BRAKE LINE, ALLOWING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION MIGHT CAUSE AN INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE AND LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE AND IF UNDAMAGED, INSTALL A GUIDE ON THE LINE. IF THE LINE IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPLACED AND RE-ROUTED. EITHER REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUELL DISTRIBUTION COMPANY AT 1-414-343-8400

For more information please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1293

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Troopers said a Rockledge man lost control of his Harley Davidson motorcycle in Brevard County on Friday and died

Florida Highway Patrol records show Robert Toupin, 48, had been traveling northbound on Interstate 95 at about 9:47 p.m. when he ran over a large piece of tire tread littering the roadway.

Toupin lost control of his motorcycle, ran off the roadway and veered into the right shoulder. The motorcycle overturned multiple times before tossing Toupin off the motorcycle.

FHP troopers said Toupin struck some trees along the roadway then landed in a flooded ditch. Reports show he died from his injuries.

The crash report shows Toupin had been wearing his helmet.

For more information please visit: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-fatal-motorcycle-crash-brevard-091209,0,3638847.story

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Charges are pending in a wreck that happened just before midnight on County Road 95A

The driver of a 1995 GMC SUV told Florida Highway Patrol investigators that she was traveling south when she turned in front of a motorcycle heading northbound. Tammy Marie Bellamy, a 22-year-old Moss Point, Miss. woman, told the trooper that she did not see the motorcycle.

The motorcycle's driver, 55-year-old Anthony Nalbone of Pensacola, was ejected from the bike and died at the scene. His passenger, 45-year-old Diana L. Oglesby of Pensacola, was also ejected. She was critically injured and taken to West Florida Hospital.

Neither of the motorcycle riders were wearing helmets, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.

The report also said that Bellamy violated the right of way by turning in front of the motorcycle.

It is not known whether alcohol was a factor, the report said.

Bellamy received minor injuries as did her 21-year-passenger, Kimberly O. Brown of Pensacola. They were taken to West Florida Hospital.

A second passenger, 29-year-old Frederick Devon Ricketts, was not injured.

For more information please visit: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/year-20552-motorcycle-old.html

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident because a motorist violated your right of way, please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Clermont officer was killed in a motorcycle crash while on his way home from work

The Florida Highway Patrol said that 39-year-old Robert Sayers was riding his own motorcycle when the crash occurred near the intersection of State Road 50 and County Road 757.

That's when troopers say Sayers crashed into a car that had stopped for a school bus.

Nobody else was injured in the crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

For more information please visit: http://www.wesh.com/news/20824593/detail.html

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A man was killed Monday when the motorcycle he was operating hit a speed bump

Ronn Terrell Deese, 38, of 429 Fairley St. in Laurinburg, was traveling north at 90 mph when the crash happened at 1:29 a.m., said 1st Sgt. Freddy Johnson.

Deese was in the middle of the road when his 2003 Harley-Davidson hit the slightly raised bump in a pedestrian crosswalk beside UNCP and then crashed into a street sign, Johnson said.

Deese was thrown from the motorcycle. He was wearing a helmet, but it did not meet approved safety standards, Johnson said.

Deese was pronounced dead at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Johnson said.

For more information please visit: http://www.fayobserver.com/Articles/2009/09/09/931888

A driver faces charges for turning into the path of a motorcycle, ejecting its rider on Thomas Drive

The Florida Highway Patrol charged Brandon T. Pearson, 18, of Panama City Beach, with violating right of way, according to a crash report.

Injured in the Sunday evening crash was 22-year-old Spencer J. Seymore, who was headed north on Thomas about 6 p.m. when the southbound Pearson made a left turn in front of him, troopers said.

Seymore’s 2002 Suzuki hit the right side of Pearson’s 1991 Chevrolet model, and Seymore flew off, landing in the road. He was wearing a helmet but suffered serious injuries.

He was treated and released from the emergency room at Bay Medical Center, hospital staff said.

For more information please visit: http://www.newsherald.com/news/crash-77253-thomas-seymore.html

Congressional hearing set for Thursday to get information on the law that bans the sale of dirtbikes and ATVs for kids

Federal lawmakers have scheduled a hearing for Thursday, Sept. 10, to receive an update on the status of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) that essentially banned the sale of kids' dirtbikes and ATVs, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The AMA is urging all concerned motorcyclists and ATVers to contact their federal lawmakers to exempt motorcycles and ATVs from the law, which took effect in February. The law stopped the sale of dirt bikes and ATVs designed for children age 12 and under, although the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) subsequently issued a stay of enforcement of the measure until May 2011.

Under the law, all youth products containing lead must now have less than 300 parts per million by weight. The CPSC has interpreted the law to apply to various components of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs, including the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other mechanical parts. Even though the lead levels in these parts are small, they are still above the minimum threshold.

For more information please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1275

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Friday, September 4, 2009

BRP introduces the new Can-Am Spyder RT roadster in response to specific consumer demand for a touring platform

The 2010 Can-Am Spyder roadster line-up now includes the Spyder RS (roadster sport) and the Spyder RT (roadster touring) models.

The introduction of the touring model coincides with a substantial gain in market presence on the heels of strong consumer demand since the roadster’s launch more than two years ago. Driven by a passionate owner community, the innovative three-wheel concept has become a global phenomenon in more than 50 countries to-date with authorized BRP dealers.

“The Can-Am Spyder RS is already a resounding market success, although, clearly, its full growth potential is only beginning to materialize,” said Yves Leduc, vice-president - general manager Can-Am and After Sales Operations, responsible for North American Sales & Marketing. ”We are delivering the expansion of our Can-Am Spyder roadster line-up as promised at its launch in 2007 and we believe the announcement of the Spyder RT will even further accelerate the momentum experienced thus far.”

The Can-Am Spyder RT roadster powered by a Rotax 991 engine with Electronic Throttle Control optimized for touring stays true to the brand’s promise to deliver a perfect balance of performance and peace of mind. The roadster features the same acclaimed BOSCH-engineered Vehicle Stability System (VSS) as found in the Spyder RS roadster, which includes Anti-lock Brakes, Traction Control and Stability Control systems. The VSS, coupled with the inherent stability of the roadster’s ‘Y-architecture’ and overall ease of use reinvents riding for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

BRP is also introducing an industry-first optional RT622 trailer package*, providing an additional 622 litres (22 cu. ft) of storage, designed specifically for the Spyder RT roadster and compatible with the vehicle’s stability system.

For more information please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1263

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

American Honda Motor Company’s Powersports Division announced today its third release of 2010 models

“We are very excited about announcing these four street bikes for 2010,” said Powersports Press Manager Bill Savino. “Within this mix we have a new cruiser, a new lightweight touring bike and two CBR sport bikes. The cruiser offers a whole new look for Honda, our new touring bike delivers light weight, nimble handling, a stylish fairing plus saddlebags for the long haul or daily commute. The CBRs continue to set the standards of performance for the full-on sporting genre. This sets the stage for a great year in 2010 and there will be additional street model announcements later this fall.”

More detailed information and images of Honda’s model line can be found on www.powersports.honda.com or see your local Honda powersports dealer.

For more information from the AMA please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1267

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

A motorcycle collided with a truck this morning along Indiantown Road

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, which is investigating the accident, the driver of a GMC Sierra had just left a gas station and turned onto Indiantown Road. The motorcycle, which was also traveling along that road in the eastbound direction, could not stop in time to avoid hitting the truck.

FHP identified the motorcyclist as 45 year old Richard E. Craig of Jupiter. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eastbound traffic was blocked for two hours.

No charges have been filed, but the accident remains under investigation.

For more information please visit: http://www.wptv.com/content/news/northpbc/jupiter/story/Motorcyclist-killed-on-Indiantown-Rd-in-Jupiter/1EiyHiOvXkO9qEDNWvVu6g.cspx

If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com