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

Former UCF student found guilty and convicted of DUI manslaughter

A 23-year-old former UCF student was sentenced to 18 months in prison Nov. 20 after killing a 19-year-old UCF student while driving under the influence.

Malcolm barnes pled no contest in an Orange County court for DUI manslaughter charges he faced from an accident in October 2006.

barnes was driving on the wrong side of Alafaya Trail between State Road 50 and University Boulevard near UCF when he hit Andrew Brannon, who was on a motorcycle, head-on, said Cpl. Diane Riberdy of Florida Highway Patrol.

Brannon, despite wearing a helmet, died at the scene, said Riberdy, who was the first deputy to arrive at the scene.

For more information please visit: http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/former-student-found-guilty-1.2099785

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident because a motorist was driving under the influence, please call our office 24/7 for a free case evaluation. 1-866-LAW-FRAN - for more information please visit http://www.lawfran.com/

Erik Buell to leave Buell Motorcycle Company and establish an independant race shop

Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that following the company’s recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop.

Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.

“I’m looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying,” said Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.”

“I’m pleased that Harley-Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much passion for over the years,” said Buell President and COO Jon Flickinger. “Harley-Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in this new endeavor to support Buell racers.”

Erik Buell Racing will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin and will be staffed by Erik Buell and a veteran team of personnel.

For more information please visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1545

A motorcyclist died after colliding with a Lee County school bus in Fort Myers

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the bus, driven by 68-year-old John Donohue, turned left in front of 57-year-old Robert Cook's bike on Tuesday. The bus hit the 1986 Harley Davidson motorcycle, and Cook died at the scene. Donohue was not injured, and no students were on the bus.

FHP reports that charges are pending in the case.

For more information please visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1350927.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

Toyota to fix gas pedal on recalled cars due to sudden accelleration issue

Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it would fix the gas pedal on four million vehicles the Japanese auto maker recalled in September over sudden acceleration issues related to floor mats causing the pedal to get stuck.

The remedy, which covers eight models of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, is expected to get under way in early 2010, the National Highway Transportation and Safety Department said.

The auto maker plans to change the shape of the gas pedal, alter the floor pan under the pedal in some cases, and install a brake override system in the affected Toyota Camry and Avalon models and the Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as an "extra measure of confidence." On Tuesday, Toyota already announced a recall of 110,000 Tundra pickups over a corrosion issue.

The recalls dent Toyota's reputation of leading in safety and come as the company is in the midst of turnaround efforts after posting its first annual net loss in 59 years in the previous fiscal year.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda in October apologized to the owners of the eight Toyota and Lexus models affected by the floor-mat recall. At that time, Mr. Toyoda said the auto maker was working on identifying the cause of the problem.

"The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern," Mr. Toyota said in a statement. "Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified."

Toyota declined to provide an estimate of the recall's cost. "We have not put a pencil to it," Toyota spokesman Irv Miller said on a conference call. "We really don't know what the costs are at this moment."

Mr. Miller added that the auto maker is confident that these measures have addressed the issue. "We believe that pedal entrapment is the major issue," Mr. Miller said referring to questions about the vehicles' electronic control systems as playing a role in the accidents.

Toyota said it would make the brake override system standard equipment in all Toyota and Lexus products starting with January 2010 production of Lexus ES350 and the Camry. It will be incorporated into new production of most models by the end of 2010.

The floor-mat advisory followed a fatal crash in San Diego in September that prompted Toyota to order dealers to inspect cars for mismatched floor mats. The models involved in the recall are: the Camry sedan, the Avalon sedan, the Prius hybrid, the Tacoma small pickup, the Tundra fullsized pickup, the Lexus ES 350, the Lexus IS 250, and the Lexus IS 350, all of varying model years.

For more information please visit: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703499404574557540432697208.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business

If you've been involved in an automobile 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

Palm Harbor Fall Bike Fest and Toys for Tots Ride is Saturday

You don't need to have a motorcycle or a reindeer-powered sleigh to put smiles on the faces of needy kids this year. • A new toy and big heart will do. • On Saturday, the seventh annual Palm Harbor Fall Bike Fest and Toys for Tots Ride will rumble into historic downtown Palm Harbor with an easy riders toy run, motorcycle and car shows, live music, food and festivities.

There is no admission charge for the street party, but festivalgoers are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

The celebration, with most activities from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, is presented by Old Palm Harbor Main Street, a nonprofit organization that seeks to preserve and promote the quaint little village.

"Proceeds raise money to maintain our historic district, and the toys will benefit children who may not otherwise have a Christmas," said executive director Robin Husbands-Cauchi.

A new twist this year is tonight's Poker Walk, when even a bad hand can win a prize.

At 6:30 p.m., players will assemble at the law offices of Fran Haasch, at Nebraska and Omaha (County Road 1). They will proceed to five historic district restaurants, where they will draw cards.

The play will end at 9 p.m. at Peggy O'Neill's Irish Pub with gift certificate giveaways and prizes awarded for the best and worst hands.

Each hand is $10, and players can opt for additional cards at $5 apiece. Proceeds benefit Old Palm Harbor Main Street.

On Saturday, bike registration will begin at 9 a.m., with kickstands up at noon. Bikers pay $10 to ride with the procession or $5 with a new toy donation.

For more information please visit: http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/palm-harbor-fall-bike-fest-and-toys-for-tots-ride-is-saturday/1052917

Help sought in what the Florida Highway Patrol call a hit-and-run 'outbreak'

In the final chapter of their lives, John Eaton and Kevin Hill shared something in common.

Both motorcyclists died tragic deaths in separate crashes when, after an initial wreck, a second motorist in each case ran them over and left them to die.

Eaton, 46, of DeLand, and Hill, 47, of Sanford, are two of five people killed in the last month in what Florida Highway Patrol officials called an "outbreak" of fatal hit-and-run crashes this year. There have been 13 fatalities from hit-and-runs in Central Florida this year and troopers have only solved three, FHP Sgt. Kim Montes said at a press conference Thursday.

Three of those fatalities occurred in Volusia County.

Families of the victims gathered at the FHP headquarters in Orlando to support troopers' efforts in asking the public's help to solve these crimes.

"These are people . . . left to die on the side of the roads by cowards," Montes said. "They are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters. They are people with families."

On Wednesday alone, troopers worked 19 nonfatal hit-and-run accidents and these cases show the number of this type of crash is on the rise, Montes said.

Hit-and-run crashes have left mostly pedestrians dead but motorcyclists, bicyclists, vehicle drivers and passengers have also been killed, Montes said.

Drivers that run most likely are under the influence of alcohol and drugs, have suspended driver's licenses or are wanted for other crimes, she said. These are not valid excuses to leave somebody on the side of the road, Montes said.

Jamie McWilliams, whose 20-year-old son was killed by a hit-and-run driver on private property seven years ago, agreed.

"There is no excuse to leave someone out like they were last week's trash," said McWilliams, who lives in the Orlando area.

Montes said someone might have information they may consider unimportant, but it can be the information they need to "complete the puzzle" of evidence to catch criminals.

"For some of these cases we need the public's help so these families can have closure," Montes said.

For more information please visit: http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlHEAD02112009.htm

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

H-D (Harley-Davidson) Florida Tour - Grab A Passport & Hit The Road!

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Fort Myers and Harley-Davidson of Naples are excited to announce their participation in the Florida Harley-Davidson Dealer’s Association (FHDDA) H-D® Passport Tour. The tour continues from now until February 28, 2010. With nearly every dealer in the state engaged, riders who wish to take the tour get a specially designed H-D® Tour passport, and are invited to visit every location with group rides coordinated to most participating dealerships.

Led by Ron Hall, the first group ride leaving Fort Myers will take place January 9-10, 2010. The group will start with their first stamp at Harley-Davidson/Buell of Fort Myers, then head north to get their passports stamped at Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson in Sarasota, Manatee River Harley-Davidson in Bradenton, Harley-Davidson of Brandon, Harley-Davidson of Tampa, both Jim’s Harley-Davidson on the Pass & Jim’s Harley-Davidson in St. Petersburg, and finally, Gulf Coast Harley-Davidson in New Port Richey.

Rooms have been blocked at the Dolphin Resort located at 4900 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach. Interested participants should call (727) 360-7011 and mention the Harley-Davidson group to reserve rooms at the discount rate of $79 per night.

For more information please visit: http://www.prlog.org/10420697-hd-harleydavidson-florida-tour-grab-passport-hit-the-road.html

Miami-Dade school bus drivers may soon be banned from sending text messages while driving

School Board member Larry Feldman has proposed a new rule that would prohibit bus drivers from using iPhones, Blackberrys and cellphones while on the road -- except in cases of an emergency.

If his proposal passes, new rules would also apply to every district employee driving a district-owned vehicle.

Those employees, too, would be banned from texting while driving. And they would have to use a hands-free device to make a call from the car.

The rules would apply to all employees except school police officers, Feldman said.

``People don't understand how serious of an issue this is,'' he said. ``It's really dangerous. But unless it's in black-and-white, people won't pay attention to it.''

The School Board will take up the proposal at its meeting Tuesday.

Over the past year, texting while driving has become a hot-button issue.

A recent study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers sending text messages from the road were 23 times more likely to crash or nearly crash than drivers who were not distracted.

For more information please visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/1460/story/1336865.html

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