Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA suspends roadracing activities for 2010 season

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. announced the company will not participate in the AMA Pro Racing road racing series in 2010.

"While we've always considered road racing an integral part of our sportbike development process, the realities of the current economic situation dictate the temporary suspension of our U.S. road racing activities," said Bruce Stjernstrom, marketing director.

Kawasaki's long history of successful road racing includes 20 AMA series championships. Among the many champions who have worn the Kawasaki lime green racing leathers are Reg Pridmore, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Miguel Duhamel, Scott Russell, Doug Chandler, Eric Bostrom and more recently Tommy Hayden and Roger Hayden.

"We expect to see eventual improvements in the general economic condition and Kawasaki will reevaluate its road racing position as we monitor those issues," said Stjernstrom.

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. (KMC) markets and distributes Kawasaki motorcycles, ATVs, personal watercraft, utility vehicles and recreation utility vehicles through a network of more than 1,475 independent retailers, with an additional 8,000 retailers specializing in Kawasaki power products and general purpose engines. KMC and its affiliates employ nearly 3,300 people in the United States, with 400 of them located at KMC's Irvine, California headquarters.

For more information please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1619

A Brandon man was badly injured Monday when his motorcycle collided with a truck.

It happened just after 11 a.m. on Lakeland Drive in Flowood, near the Walmart and Hugh Ward Parkway.

Police say a pickup truck pulled out in front of 62-year-old Stephan Hinkle as he was driving his motorcycle east on Lakeland.

Hinkle was taken to a Jackson hospital with serious injuries.

For more information please visit: http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11713289

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

World’s First Hybrid Motorcycle Heads to India

The ET-120 will be heading to Indian shores and boasts a mpg rating of about 280 mpg and top speed of 40mph. Sure it won’t get you anywhere fast, but who’s going to complain with a retail price of $855?

The ET-120 will be offered by Bangalore based Eko Vehicles. Developed in collaboration with US based Emerging Technologies Inc the ET-120 could set the stage to grow a grass-roots hybrid moto following rather than the trickle-down to the masses approach you’ll see with the Mission One and Mavisen.

With a tandem 70cc gasoline engine and battery system, you can expect the power and torque of a 120cc gas-powered engine. Those specs may be laughable to you against our super-powered motorcycles, but small displacement motorcycles are a major mode of transportation throughout much of India. Having a 100-percent increase of hill climbing capability from almost four-degrees to eight, along with a tripling of fuel economy is life changing. And with roughly three-fold decrease in emissions, everyone can start breathing a little easier.

If none of that is surprising, a five-year warranty likely is. Is there a single bike on the market today with a warranty at all let alone for five years? According to their press release, they wanted to demonstrate “quality is not sacrificed even at the incredible pricing.” Well I’d say they got their point across.

It’s not the best looking or highest performing by any stretch of the imagination, but its getting the job done and bringing it to the masses. Of course we all think the ET-120 is more “scooter” than “motorcycle”, but who is going to argue that semantic with over a billion people?

For more information please visit: http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/12/worlds-first-hybrid-motorcycle-heads-to-india/

A motorcycle ride through the hills of rural east Pasco County turned deadly

Stephen Kopilchak, 60, of Frostproof, lost control of his motorcycle while riding on Blanton Road, east of Trilby Road, shortly after noon. He died before rescue workers could get him to a hospital.

Kopilchak was trailing three other motorcycles, heading west on Blanton Road, when a car ahead of the group slowed to make a right turn into a private driveway, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The other three motorcycles took evasive action to avoid the car, but Kopilchak lost control of his bike while trying to avoid them.

Troopers are still investigating the crash, according to the FHP.

For more information please visit: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/dec/20/motorcyclist-dies-rural-east-pasco/

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 www.lawfran.com