Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

ROUNDUP

UP: To the naked-bike movement, for going mainstream. Even The New York Times noticed the rapidly escalating popularity of “bare-all bikes.” Norman Mayersohn’s recent article, “The Trend to ‘Naked’ Lures Back Ex-Bikers,” cited “brazenly exposed” engines, “a cocky attitude” and affordable pricing as the main reasons why re-entry riders in particular are attracted to the concept. According to one interviewee, it all “boils down to bugs in your teeth and wind in your hair.”

UP: To Rukka, for its winning riding gear. The Finnish apparel-maker (www.rukka.com) won Design Forum Finland’s Fennia Prize 2003 for its all-new “Smart Rider’s Outfit.” High marks were given for the integrated safety features and use of leading specialists, such as Armacor, Gore and Outlast, as material suppliers. The two-piece suit was created in conjunction with a Schuberth carbon-fiber SRO helmet, which features a wireless Bluetooth headset, and Frey Daytona twin-shell EvoRider GTX/O boots.

DOWIv To New Mexico state Senator Allen Hurt, for attempted grave-robbing. Earlier this year, Hurt proposed legislation that would have allowed the harvesting of internal organs from any motorcyclist who didn’t wear a helmet and was declared brain dead as the result of an accident. Under pressure from the AMA and other rider’s rights groups, Hurt withdrew the bill.

UP: To the upcoming “America On the Move” exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, for not completely forgetting motorcycles. Scheduled to open in November, the installation will encompass nearly 26,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the museum. Among the approximately 300 objects is a 1975 Kawasaki used by the California Highway Patrol. Hey, maybe Ponch and Jon are available, too?