Taking notes from a liberal progressive organization, the ordinarily conservative American Motorcyclist Association has decided to export some good old passive aggression from its humble offices in Ohio back to California.

Specifically, the AMA has named Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as its Motorcyclist of the Year.

Why? Because he did more damage to the industry than any other person in 2010 by signing S.B. 435, an anti-noise law that is poorly crafted, discriminates against motorcyclists, will be difficult to enforce, and will hurt the already struggling industry.

Yes, he did damage, so he gets the annual prize. Makes sense, right?

AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman justified the award by saying, “the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the person(s) who has had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling, for better or worse, in the previous 12 months.”

Strange criteria to bestow an ostensible honor you say? Continue Reading »

RSV4 Factory has to be one of the most interesting and adrenaline-inducing literbikes around, and that’s just part of why we gave it an Honorable Mention in our Best of 2010 Sportbike category.

We recently had opportunity to put on a poor but passing Max Biaggi imitation with one particularly fine example. This RSV comes courtesy of our friend Kaming Ko, who often helps us on test rides.

Our short spin on this tricked-out speedster whetted our appetite for a racetrack rendezvous with Kaming’s even more rare Ducati Desmosedici for a tasty Italian V-Four exotic vs. semi-exotic shootout.

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Everyone knows brake lights are to alert drivers behind you, but what about when you roll off the throttle, and tailgating drivers fail to notice your decreasing rate of speed?

Would you like them to know you’re decelerating, rather than potentially becoming another statistic?

Nikkos Designs of Fort Myers, Fla. has a deceleration-sensing Safety Light pending that looks like a good idea.

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