Etc.
etc.
MV’S MALAYSIAN CONNECTION
Cagiva is at a crossroads-again. Deep in debt, it can either focus on specialty brands MV Agusta and Husqvarna or find a partner. The latter option may be the most viable. Proton is said to be interested. Besides financial aid, Cagiva would like to acquire the Malaysian manufacturer’s low-cost, single-cylinder engines to develop a range of smallto medium-displacement machines. Threetime 500cc World Champion and Proton Team KR principal Kenny Roberts brought the two companies together.
COME RIDE WITH CYCLE WORLD
Got 10 days? If so, then have we got a ride for you! The inaugural tour of Cycle World’s “Great American Rides” series kicks off this May 28-June 7, bound for all points twisty in southwestern Colorado, plus a quick dash into northern New Mexico. Organized by our pals at Lotus Tours, the route covers about 1600 miles. Cost is approximately $3500 per rider, which includes hotels, breakfasts and dinners, tour guides and a luggage/chase vehicle. For more information, contact Lotus at 312/951-0031; www.lotustours.com.
HELPING HAND
Thanks in part to money raised at a silent auction last February benefitting the Cycle World Joseph C. Parkhurst Education Fund, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation recently granted 15 college scholarships to brain-tumor survivors across the U.S. To date, the foundation has passed out 24 scholarships.
MOTO MORINI RETURNS?
A few years ago, engine-maker Franco Morini bought the rights to the Moto Morini name. He was urged to do so by Franco Lambertini, who was the Italian bike-maker’s chief engineer when Gabriella Morini, daughter of the founder and cousin to Franco, sold out to the Castiglioni brothers, Claudio and Gianfranco. Most assumed Morini did it for sentimental reasons, and that there was no plan to put Moto Morini back in business. But now comes word that a Lambertini-developed 90-degree VTwin is in the works.
BARGAIN BRIT
More show for less dough? That’s the 2004 Triumph Daytona 955L Now retailing for $9999, $1700 less than last year’s model, the 955i boasts a redesigned upper fairing with twin-beam headlights, colormatched air Intakes, reshaped rear-view mirrors and a revised cockpit. The tallsection is styled to match. Claimed output for the fuelinjected Triple remains 147 horsepower and 74 foot-pounds of torque. Available colors include Jet Black, Tornado Red and Racing Yellow.
MAPPING MOTORCYCLING
San Francisco-based Mad Maps needs your help in its quest to discover the best of everything twowheeled for its forthcoming, postersized Motorcycle Madness USA. Submit your favorite roads, campsites, races, rallies, restaurants and museums at www.madmaps.com.
HONORABLE MENTION
Greg Robillard is the inaugural winner of Harley-Davidson’s Genuine Hero Award for dedication and military service. Nominated by his 13-yearold grandson Cody Thompson, the 52-year-old from Chico, California, served in the Army’s 4th infantry Division in Vietnam, after which he worked with autistic and severely emotionally disturbed children for more than 10 years before shifting his focus to assisting disabled adults. Robillard owns a 1985 FXRC, his second Harley, and will receive a $1000 prize package from H-D’s P&A division. Phillip Frasher and Roger Kasper were the secondand third-place winners.
