Etc.
etc.
CALLING ALL BIMOTA OWNERS
Psst... Hey, you with the Tuatara, check this out. Bimota owners now have an association to call their own. Founded by U.S. importer Moto Point, the new Bimota Club North America is dedicated to the care and feeding of these exotic Italian sportbikes. Dues cost $60 per annum and include a quarterly newsiet ter, cap, pin, decal and membership card. To join, send a check payable to Bimota Club North America c/o Moto Point, Inc., 11 Brilliant Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15215. And you thought Studio 54 was an exclusive club...
CREAM OF THE CROP
Dairy giant George Barber has an nounced plans to build a new museum and racetrack on 700 acres of cityowned land in Birmingham, Alabama. The proposed Barber Motorsports Park will cost $33 million and should be completed by 2001. "We want to do this project for several reasons," says Barber. "First, we have the largest, and we think the best, collec tion of motorcycles in the Western Hemisphere, and we want to show them off properly. Second, we expect the museum and roadracing track to be a major tourist attraction. Third, we want to provide additional recreational opportunities for people in Birming ham and Alabama. A world-class mo torsports museum and roadracing track will help do that." Barber's cur rent museum has been open to the public on a limited basis since 1995.
DUTY-FREE
Contrary to earlier fears, motorcycles are not on the final list of European products, ranging from meat to soup, that will soon be subject to 100 percent import dufles. "We said all along that motorcycles had no place in a trade dis pirte over beef," says Edward Moreland, the AMA's Washington representa~ve. "This is really a testament to grass roots lobbying and to AMA members and other motorcyclists who made tele phone calls, wrote letters and sent e mails to their elected officials." Initially, motorcycles displacing less than 500cc made by Beta, Bu~aco, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Scorpa and TM were to be taxed.
HEAR ME ROAR
Kawasaki is targeting one of motorcycling’s top growth segments: women. To help promote its mid-displacement Ninja sportbikes and Vulcan cruisers among female consumers, the company has created a new marketing campaign, “The show’s much better when you’re sitting up front.” Kawasaki’s Bob Moffit says, “Women are-and will continue to be-a growing, vital part of the motorcycle market. This campaign shows that Kawasaki is responsive to women’s riding needs, and that Kawasaki offers a wide range of exciting motorcycles tailor-made to fit those needs.” According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, nearly one out of every 11 U.S. motorcyclists is a woman. Moreover, approximately 30 percent of MSF Ridercourse graduates are women.
DISCOUNT RUSSIANS
Ural America has reached an agreement with COSTCO wholesale stores to promote its line of Russian-made motorcycles. Under the program, authorized Ural dealers will display new IMZs and Urals in the 300 participating COSTCO stores. Special “show” prices allow discounts of as much as $800, depending on the model. COSTCO is not involved in the actual sale, financing, licensing or registration of the bikes. Buyers take delivery and receive service from the dealer.
MOVIN’, MOVIN’, MOVIN’...
Gotta get your motorcycle to Daytona or Sturgis, or parts in between? Then call JC Motors. The Costa Mesa, Californiabased outfit has inked a deal with North American Van Lines to transport bikes anywhere in the continental U.S. A telephone call schedules pickup and delivery times, plus cost. The latter varies, depending on bike(s) and location. “It’s important to remember that we are moving a very valuable item,” said JC Motors’ Clint Lawrence. “At the same time, the service must be affordable, and most importantly, easy to do.” Give ’em a call at 714/557-2558.
