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Riders Choice: Hands-Free Schitbag by LeSchitte

Los Angeles, CA (April 11, 2012) — With its famous logo and reputation for quality products, LeSchitte Designs is now featuring a stylish and liberating accessory that is perfect for female bikers. The Original Schitbag™ “Justin” style, which Forbes called “the new status purse,” is a cool-looking, highly practical accessory worn on a belt around the waist or hip, leaving hands free to hold the bars or riding partner. This signature Schitbag also leaves riders worry-free, knowing that their purse is securely attached to the body. And the bag is sexy. It sleekly conforms to the body unlike many other belted waist bags, which can be bulky and clumsy.

The “Justin” Schitbag™, an exclusive product of LeSchitte Designs, allows the rider to carry everything she needs. It’s the perfect design for motorcycle enthusiasts down to the last detail – small enough to wear easily on the hip, but large enough to hold all life’s necessities. There’s no need to carry a wallet with this bag, as it has compartments for everything including keys, cell phone, lipstick, money, checkbook, and much more. It even has a special interior slit for license and credit cards, and an exterior slot for a pen, pencil or even lipstick liner. This is a must-have riding accessory for women who ride.

The Justin Schitbag comes in leather, suede, and canvas, in a range of colors, priced to fit any budget. All Schitbags feature:

  • Exclusive high-fashion image plus streamlined function
  • Organized compartments for quick access to the tools of life
  • Optimum-quality materials (leather, suede, and canvas)
  • Impeccable detail-contrast topstitching and piping, frayed edges

In addition to the Original Justin Schitbag, there is an extended line of SchitteWear™, including a variety of purse styles ranging from the signature belted waist bag to a cross-body messenger bag, plus caps, scarves, and tee shirts – all great for riders.

LeSchitte Designs™ is distinguished by the combination of the highest-quality materials and craftsmanship, cutting-edge design, and its famous logo.

SchitteWear™ products are sold in a variety of stores including motorcycle, powersports, and online at www.LeSchitte.com.

All designs are SchitteWear™ products by LeSchitte™. LeSchitte’s address is 15332 Antioch St., #446, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. The telephone number is (888) 254-3986. Website: www.LeSchitte.com.

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Ribbon Riders Host "Go Pink! 2012"

WHAT:
Ribbon Riders, a grass roots Orlando-based nonprofit organization that promotes breast cancer awareness and provides financial assistance to individuals in Central Florida who are fighting the disease, is hosting a weekend of fundraising events for “Go Pink! 2012” on May 5 and 6.

On Saturday, May 5, Ribbon Riders will hold a 5K walk at Fort Mellon Park in Sanford. The first 100 people to pre-register will receive an event T-shirt and a goody bag. The opening ceremony begins at 8 a.m. and will honor cancer survivors.

On Sunday, May 6, the motorcycle ride will begin at the East Orlando Harley-Davidson on Lake Underhill at 8:30 a.m. and will end at the Route 46 Entertainment District in Sanford. The first 250 participants to pre-register will receive an event T-shirt, pin and goody bag. All registrants will receive a bingo card with a route map on the back, showing three stops on the scenic route through Orange and Seminole Counties.

Ribbon Riders encourage the entire community to participate. Cars and scooters are also welcome.

From noon to 2 p.m., bikers and members of the public are invited to enjoy discounted lunch meals, games, raffles, auctions and live entertainment by The MOB at Route 46 Entertainment District in Sanford.

Pre-registration for each event costs $20 per person, or $30 for both events. To pre-register and for more information, visit www.ribbonriders.org/go-pink.

WHEN:
Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 8 a.m.

(registration at 7:30 a.m.)
Go Pink! 5K Walk

Fort Mellon Park
600 East 1st Street
Sanford, Fla. 32771

Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
(registration at 8:30 a.m.)
Go Pink! Motorcycle Ride

Begins: East Orlando Harley-Davidson
1898 Lake Underhill Road
Orlando, Fla. 32825

Ends: Route 46 Entertainment District
4316 W. State Road 46
Sanford, Fla. 32771

www.ribbonriders.org/go-pink

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New Products | Kewlmetal Homura Style Front Fenders

Pimp out your Cross Roads with these slick fenders, perfectly cut to enhance the look of your Victory’s 21 – 30 inch front wheel. They’re designed to mount on KewlMetal’s 6-degree front end for Cross Country models and are available in different finishes, too. Choose from Raw Steel ($370), raw Aluminum spacers and boltsare included (installation of the fenders will require drilling).

www.kewlmetalstore.com

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Mods And Rockers To Take Center Stage At This Year's AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association is pleased to announce that the 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days rally — the country’s grandest celebration of old bikes and the people who love them — will highlight the classic “Rockers and Mods” two-wheeled subculture that is presently undergoing a popular resurgence in America.

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, set for July 20-22 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will shine a spotlight on British cafe-racer motorcycles and Italian metal-bodied scooters made popular by the self-described Rockers and Mods of the early 1960s. “If you’ve ever seen the TV show Cafe Racers, or watched the movie Quadrophenia, you know the amazing impact the British Mods and Rockers had on motorcycle culture,” said Grant Parsons, AMA director of marketing and communications. “At this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, it’s not just about the custom cafe racers and blinged-out Lambrettas and Vespas, but also the crazy and wonderful people who are bringing these icons back to life 40 to 50 years later, an entire ocean away from where the craze got its start.”

High-profile characters in one of motorcycling’s most colorful bits of history, Rockers sported pompadours, wore leather jackets festooned with pins, and rode Triumph, Norton, BSA and other Brit-bikes chopped into cafe racers. The Rockers stood in stark contrast to the Mods of the same era — dapper-dressed riders who prized the glorious cosmetic and performance enhancements of Italian metal-body scooters like Vespas and Lambrettas. For a Mod, the more shiny-chrome rear-view mirrors mounted on the front legshields, the better.

Both groups — and their machines — will be honored as the 2012 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days “Marque of the Year.” The Rockers and Mods showcase at Mid-Ohio will be most evident in bike and scooter shows focused on the two groups, and in a special tent devoted to the Mods and Rockers, with machines, memorabilia, history displays and live interviews and entertainment throughout the three days of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

All Mods and Rockers, and everyone else who enjoys vintage motorcycle racing, riding, building, watching and bench-racing, are invited to the family-friendly event in Central Ohio July 20-22. Tickets are available now to the general public through www.midohio.com. AMA members can get a special discount through May 28 by calling the AMA directly at (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646). Kids 12 and under are admitted free with a paying adult. Get your tickets today.

Heading up the cafe contingent and coordinating bike shows and memorabilia displays is Mike Seate, motorcyclist, author, founder of Cafe Racer magazine (www.caferacermag.com) and star of the Cafe Racer TV show (www.caferacertv.com) on Velocity.

“We’ve had a significant presence at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days for several years now, and we love the crowds, the energy, the fun and the very cool vibe you get there,” Seate said. “We’re glad to be at the forefront of the modern resurgence of the cafe racer motorcycle, and taking that enthusiasm to the next level by being front-and-center at this event will be awesome.”

Spearheading the Mods and their scooters will be Phil Waters of the Pride of Cleveland scooter shops (www.clevelandscooters.com), who is working with scooter clubs like the Columbus Cutters in Ohio, XYL in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh Vintage in Pennsylvania, to create one of the most unique opportunities for scooter enthusiasts to come together in years.

“This thing is just going to be great,” Walters said. “Scooter riders — all scooter riders but especially those who love vintage metal-bodied scooters — will find plenty to love with everything we’re pulling together for this event. We’ll even have a special area for the scooter crowd to camp, and a few surprises that I don’t want to give away yet but definitely involve field games. I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and new ones from six states at this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.”

All of this adds up to a three-day event like no other, and one that is sure to be memorable, said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

“We’re confident this edition of AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days will be even a bigger success than the events in years past,” Rust said. “The focus on Mods and Rockers will bring a ton of interest and fans to the facility, and we’re thrilled to transform our grounds into a motorcycle mecca for three days this summer.”

Parsons noted that all types of riders, fans, motorcycles and scooters are welcome at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.

“While the focus at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is clearly on vintage and classic machines, we also welcome riders with today’s interpretations of cafe-racer machinery and modern scooters, and all other motorcyclists as well,” Parsons said. “Some of the bikes being built in the cafe style from vintage and modern Japanese bikes are out of this world. At the same time, modern scooteristi and every kind of scooter imaginable will receive a warm welcome at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days.”

A number of special events and enhancements are planned for this year’s AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, and they will be announced in the coming weeks.

Making plans now reaps big dividends for AMA members, who can purchase a weekend pass for $35, a $10 savings off the regular advance rate, and a one-day pass for $20, a $5 savings off the regular advance rate. The AMA member discount is in addition to the regular $10 savings on advance ticket purchases, and there is no service charge for AMA members when purchasing through the AMA.

AMA member pricing, available through May 28, is only available by calling the AMA directly at (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646).

**About AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days **
A fundraiser for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic motorcycles and scooters of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous. Activities include the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships, which include amateur national championship roadracing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track; North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet; bike shows and awards; stunt shows; demo rides of current production bikes; an AMA Life Member breakfast; and seminars on a number of topics by noted motorcycling experts.

In addition to perusing the swap meet, enthusiasts also have the option of taking advantage of free on-site tent camping as swap meet vendors. If you have some vintage parts, bikes or memorabilia that you would like to sell while immersing yourself in AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days experience, you’re encouraged to do so. Swap meet vendor applications are available at www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com >Vendor and Swap Meet Info.

For updates about events and activities, as well as information about past AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, visit www.AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

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Polaris Pushes Indian

Polaris Industries Inc. recently announced its intention to add 89 jobs to its plant in the western Wisconsin city of Osceola, Wis., to support ramped-up production of its Indian motorcycles subsidiary, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Polaris acquired Indian last year and currently produces the motorcycles on a limited scale in Spirit Lake, Iowa, while engines for both Indian and Victory motorcycles are made at the Osceola plant.

The hiring, which will be done over the course of three years, makes Polaris is eligible for $595,000 in tax credits from the state.

At one time, the Osceola plant had a workforce of more than 500. Polaris had originally planned to close the facility back in 2010, but decided to keep workers on to reinforce motorcycle and snowmobile engine production. It currently has about 140 people at the facility, and the additional employees in Osceola will help increased motorcycle engine production, said a Polaris spokesperson.

Polaris plans to begin full-scale production of Indian motorcycles next year in Spirit Lake and is in the process of expanding that facility.

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Harley-Davidson Generates Buzz Around The Voices Of Women Riders

MILWAUKEE (April 5, 2012) – “Freedom to be.” “It’s Harley or Nothing.” “It’s in my blood.” “2 Wheels Move the Soul.” These are just a few of the things women – who either already ride a motorcycle or want to learn how – are saying on a new interactive website created by Harley-Davidson called the Buzz Wall.

Housed at www.harley-davidson.com/voices, the Buzz Wall is an extension of the Motor Company’s ‘No Doubts. No Cages.’ campaign and features real stories submitted by women from around the world about why they ride or why they want to learn to ride. Women can share their stories by tweeting with the Twitter hashtag #harleywomen, or they can upload them to the Women Riding Stories section on Harley-Davidson’s website.

“Women who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles – and those who are passionate about learning – have amazing stories of empowerment to share,” said Amanda Lee, Manager of Public Relations Outreach for Harley-Davidson. “The Buzz Wall showcases these stories and amplifies their voices in the hopes of inspiring others to take life by the handlebars.”

The Buzz Wall, which will be showcased through June 15, 2012, also features inspirational content, including videos from the popular Harley-Davidson ‘My Time to Ride’ series, tips to help those interested in learning to ride get started and details about upcoming women riders events, including Women Riders Month this May that kicks off on International Female Ride Day on May 4.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

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Saddlemen Introduces the Destination Pack

Developed by Saddlemen’s design engineers, the Destination Pack™ is a 44 liter portable security bag featuring Saddlemen’s exclusive Steel Cage™ technology. Every bag is lined with a cut resistant stainless steel wire mesh cage interwoven between two soft, scratch free liners that provide weather and theft resistant storage for gear while on the road. The Destination Pack™ is the perfect portable trunk for a jacket, helmet or gloves at the end of a ride or a stop along the way. The Destination Pack™ with Steel Cage™ protection simply opens up when needed and quickly folds away into a stylish carry bag when not in use. The supplied wire cable and lock not only positively prevent the bag from being opened or moved, they also double as a possible deterrent against bike theft.

Exclusive features:

  • Portable weather and theft resistant bag securely stores valuables within a Steel Cage™
  • The Steel Cage™ consists of steel wire mesh sandwiched between a scratch free, soft inner liner and a tough water resistant nylon outer bag to provide vault like protection
  • A six foot long flexible stainless steel cable with a keyed pad lock prevents unauthorized access to the bag and secures the bag to the bike or other permanent structure
  • Cable can be used to secure motorcycle
  • Easily holds a combination of most jackets, helmets, gloves and other gear; keeping them out of view and protecting them from thieves and the elements
  • The soft sided and flexible Destination Pack™ Folds into a small bag (included) that attaches to any motorcycle or can be worn as a pack – a portable trunk for your motorcycle
  • Destination Pack™ unfolds at destination and is easily and quickly secured
  • Size – 12 inch diameter opening X 24 inches long, 44 liter capacity
  • Available at Parts Unlimited and Drag Specialties Dealers. Part#: 4010-0260, MSRP $99.95

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Application Specific V-Twin Oil

Today’s American V-Twin motorcycle engines require lubrication capable of addressing excessive load operating temperatures and high performance stress like never before. Formulated by LAT’s in house development team, not just someone else’s product re-packaged, LATV-TWIN M/C engine oil is blended specifically to meet and exceed these unique requirements. Available in Synthetic and Petroleum based blends, LAT High Performance Motorcycle Oil provides superior levels of wear protection, high stability and exceptional resistance to thermal breakdown. Consisting of the finest group IV and V base oils treated with LAT extreme pressure additive, LFR, the new lubricant provides superior sustained high RPM protection, high flash point and extreme wear protection for maximum horsepower and torque. Additionally during independent tests LAT was shown to provide significant increases in horsepower and torque while reducing running temperatures.

For complete details call 888-528-6457 visit the LAT web site at www.latracingoils.com. Dealer inquiries invited.

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America's Car Museum and Ace Cafe to Debut "Summer Shakedown 2012" Vintage Motorcycle Festival

TACOMA, Wash. (April 2, 2012) – Ladies and gentlemen, kick start your engines. The “Summer Shakedown” will debut August 24-26 at LeMay – America’s Car Museum (ACM) on the Haub Family Field.

The show, co- promoted by the museum and Ace Cafe London, will be one of the signature events to debut at the four-level, 165,000 square-foot Tacoma museum following its June 2 grand opening and will feature an array of vintage bikes including Triumph, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Harley Davidson, BSA, Indian and Royal Enfield.

“This show will exemplify America’s love affair with the motorcycle the same way ACM puts a spotlight on America’s love affair with the automobile,” said David Madeira, ACM president and CEO. “I’ve been a vintage motorcycle aficionado since the ’70s, so my focus is to create an unrivaled vintage bike show in the Pacific Northwest.”

In addition to judged classes, the event will include motorcycle-related movies, a swap meet, motorcycle demonstrations, live music and a Sunday “Ride to Rainier” overseen by the Vintage Motorcycle Enthusiasts Club. Attendees can also enjoy panel discussions centered on the film “On Any Sunday” and a slideshow retrospective with Ace Cafe London Managing Director Mark Wilsmore.

“Our vision centers on creating a multifaceted event that draws motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the region to memorialize and celebrate motorcycle culture, said Burt Richmond, vintage motorcycle promoter and member of the ACM board of directors. “The Pacific Northwest has a vibrant motorcycle community, which puts Ace in position to become a staple of ACM for years to come.”

The Summer Shakedown is co-sponsored by Ace Cafe, a London-based transport cafe with a prominent motorcycle following, which re-opened in 1997 after originally operating from 1938 until 1969. The August event will mark the first time Ace Cafe London has produced a vintage motorcycle event in America.

Booth space is also available and can be purchased by contacting LeAna Reising, ACM sales manager.

For more information, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.

ABOUT America’s Car Museum (www.lemaymuseum.org)
State Farm Presents LeMay – America’s Car Museum, set for a June 2012 opening in downtown Tacoma, Wash., explores how the automobile has fulfilled a distinctive role at the core of the American experience and shaped our society. The spacious Museum with rotating exhibits is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library. The campus, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, also contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, cafe, banquet hall and meeting facilities. To become an ACM member, volunteer or make a donation, visit www.lemaymuseum.org.

ABOUT Mark Wilsmore & Ace Cafe London (www.ace-cafe-london.com)
Injected at a young age, petrol and motorcycles flow through Mark Wilsmore’s veins in equal measure. Early influences of revving bikes and rock n’ roll music began a lifelong love affair with the culture, clothes, music and the myths that surround them, making his knowledge and attention to detail legendary.

Time passed, as did the glory days of the British Motorcycle Industry and the rock n’ roll scene, but the dream lived on and in 1994, driven by his passion, he staged an event to mark the Ace Cafe’s closure in 1969. 12,000 people attended this first Ace Cafe Reunion, which has since been held every year, attracting over 150,000 visitors. It was Mark’s vision that brought the iconic cafe, back from dereliction, to the point where today it is the world’s most famous and charismatic destination and pitstop for the global “petrolhead” community. Visit www.ace-cafe-london.com.

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Cobra OmniPro App

Yorba Linda, CA – Cobra announces the next big step in electronic controls for motorcycles – and it’s as close as your smart phone! Used in conjunction with the award-winning Fi2000 PowrPro fuel-injection module, the new OmniPro App brings advanced features like traction control, theft protection, onboard diagnostics, weather forecasting, and super-economy fuel settings to Harley-Davidsons and Metric cruisers.

Taking full advantage of modern mobile devices, advanced GPS features, and tie-ins with online weather-forecasting services, OmniPro recognizes if a bike is being ridden on curvy terrain or in inclement weather, automatically and seamlessly triggering softer throttle response. If a rider is away from the motorcycle, OmniPro sends a text message warning of the approaching weather front and suggesting the appropriate riding gear.

“NASA fired John Glenn into low-earth orbit with less computing power than most of us carry in our purses or pants pockets,” said Cobra Special Project Division’s computer whiz Simon Router. The recent graduate of the prestigious University of Wossamotta explained, “With the OmniPro App and our Fi2000 system riders can benefit from that sophistication to make riding easier and safer. No longer is traction control the domain of high-end, high-performance sport bikes; now any motorcycle has access to this kind of advanced technology.”

In constant development for the past two years and with literally hundreds of thousands of miles in beta testing behind it, OmniPro has a myriad of other advanced features, one in particular that makes it right for today’s skyrocketing gasoline prices. Access SuperEco mode and the app recognizes when a bike is in top gear and at constant speed on level ground, cueing a far leaner fuel-air mixture that can significantly increase fuel mileage.

“In standard mode, Fi2000 monitors fuel delivery about 80 times every second,” said Router. “In SuperEco setting that jumps to 500 times per second. Results vary, of course, but at a constant 65 mph, we’re seeing an average bump in miles per gallon of about 35%. With gas approaching $5 per gallon, that’s like knocking $1 off the pump price, means that OmniPro could easily pay for itself on one long ride.”

OmniPro has the potential to do even more with optional plug-ins. By fitting Cobra’s accessory air-valve transponders, owners can quickly check tire-pressure readings with a simple scan of their cell phone. A rider can also determine fuel level, including distance to Reserve. If needed, the most direct route to the closest filling station is displayed on screen. Likewise oil level is given, as well as mileage until the next scheduled service and locations of nearby authorized dealerships.

In SysCheck mode, the motorcycle’s onboard diagnostics hardware is accessed, identifying any potential problem areas via a schematic display of the bike. If all systems check out, the bike can then be remotely started from as far as 50 yards away simply by pressing Start Motor on the OmniPro App’s display screen.

Advanced theft protection can be built into the system. Linked to crime-reporting sites, OmniPro alerts the rider if the bike is being parked in a high-theft area, and suggests safer locations. Additionally, once started, if the owner’s cell phone is more than 1.5 feet away from the bike, shifting from neutral automatically triggers OmniPro to shut the engine off, sound the horn, flash the lights, call the police and emit a locator beacon signal that can be tracked by law enforcement.

“The OmniPro app ushers in a new kind of motorcycling experience,” said Router. “Riders will be even more involved and engaged in their riding and their motorcycle than before. It’s the future made available today.”

Priced at $99.95, Cobra’s OmniPro will be available in app stores starting April 1.

WHERE TO FIND COBRA
Cobra products are sold exclusively through premier motorcycle retailers. Check our website- www.cobrausa.com for a dealer near you, or phone 714-692-8180 for a free catalog.