Etc.

etc.

HALLMAN HUSKY ON THE BLOCK

Is this 1967 Husqvarna 250 the world’s most valuable motocrosser? Owner John LeFevre of Vintage Husky (www.vintagehusky.com) apparently thinks it is: He recently let it be known that the bike (serial #670001) is up for sale at a price that had Swedish bike owners the world over contem-plating early retirement. No ordinary Husky, LeFevre’s bike is the very machine that World Champion Torsten Hallman rode during his 1966 barnstorming tour of the U.S., wherein he introduced Americans to a new sport called “motocross.” How much for this rolling piece of moto-history? A princely $300,000—or $250,000 if the deal is in cash.

BROTHERS IN BIKING

Thanks to a newly formed partnership between the California Superbike School (www.superbikeschool.com) and Edelweiss Bike Travel (www.edelweissbiketravel.com), school-goers will receive free lodging on tour, and tour-takers won’t be charged for school gear. “On the road or track, a corner is a corner, and riders need to develop cornering skills to fully enjoy their experience,” said Keith Code, CSS creator. “It looks like we do something totally different, but there are really quite a few similarities in our passions,” added Werner Wachter, Edelweiss founder. “We don’t sell parts. We provide experiences.”

RENTAL RIDES

Attention sportbike fanatics: You need not reside in Southern California to experience the area’s legendary canyon roads. Sportbike Rental’s growing fleet currently includes all the latest Japanese middleweights and the Suzuki SV650S. Rates start at $125 per day, delivery included. For more information, visit www.sportbikerental.com.

ANDRETTI EXPANDS

Michael Andretti is opening a new 20,000-square-foot dealership in Leesport, Pennsylvania. The retired racer and longtime motorcycle enthusiast (his famous father, Mario, is a bike nut, too) currently owns three other shops, two in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey, where he sells Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki and Yamaha motorcycles and ATVs.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING, PT.1

Look out, California dual-sporters, the state doesn’t want you converting your dirtbike to on-highway use. Citing a 1978 emissions regulation, the DMV has ordered its offices to cease issuing license plates for converted off-road bikes made after that date. The AMA is seeking a postponement of the directive and working to ensure that dirtbikes already with paperwork will remain street-legal.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING, PT.2

Welcome to South Dakota, now pay up. That’s what the Department of Revenue is telling longtime vendors at the Sturgis Rally, no matter where the company is based!

Classing such firms as “permanent” licensees, the state wants sales tax from all South Dakota-based purchases, whether they be at the rally or by catalog, Internet or phone during the rest of the year! Some vendors are considering legal action, others are thinking about giving Sturgis a pass next year.