Etc.
etc.
BIKE BUYING MADE SIMPLE
New motorcycle sales are up for the 11th straight year-and so are average prices. So how best to ensure you get a good financing deal? Through www.capitalone autofinance.com, bike buyers can fill out a no-charge online application, and 15 minutes later receive a reply. With approval comes a no-obligation “Blank Check,” which is good for up to a specified loan amount, and can be used as a personal check at your dealership of choice for a new or used motorcycle.
FRAME OF THE CENTURY
The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme, a.k.a. the FIM, is celebrating its centennial by hosting a photo contest. Eligible photographs must have been taken during 2004 and the top three In the separate professional and amateur classes will win Canon cameras.
Deadline is September 30, with the winners to be selected during the FIM Congress in Paris, France, from October 18-23. For more information, log onto the Federation’s website at www.fim.ch.
DAYTONA RE-DO
“The World Center of Racing” is closed-for renovations, that is. “Without a doubt, this is one of the most expansive and aggressive projects at Daytona International Speedway,” said DIS President Robin Braig. Scheduled to take five months, the project involves building a new tunnel beneath NASCAR Turn One, creating additional garages and scoring towers, improving victory lane and the Fan Zone area, adding new special vehicle parking and expanding the media center. The track layout itself will not be altered.
ROUNDUP
STAND TALL
Attention 6-footers: Thanks to Dodge, you can now stand upright in a van while loading your motorcycle. Basically a re-badged, previously European-only Mercedes, the highroof version of the Sprinter cargo van boasts 73 inches of maximum interior height. Power is supplied by a 2.7liter, five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, and wheelbases range from 118 to 158 inches. Build your own at www. dodge, com/sprinter.
STOP, THIEF!
Forget traditional alarms and their blaring sirens, CycleTrak offers a nationwide global-positioning-based subscriber service intended to simplify the recovery of stolen motorcycles. Best of all, it’s guaranteed! If your motorcycle is stolen and not recovered within 30 days, or stolen and deemed “totaled” by your insurance company, CycleTrak will pay you $1000. For details, goto www.cycietrak.com.
TRAIL TAKEOVER?
The U.S. Forest Service is moving toward a designated off-highway vehicle route system, in which travel will be allowed, restricted or prohibited altogether on roads and trails and in specifically defined OHV-use areas. Citing unmanaged recreation as one of its key concerns, the USFS has formed task forces to guide development and implementation of just such a system.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Rider’s Edge, the Harley-Davidson Academy of Motorcycling, is introducing a new course aimed at experienced motorcyclists. Using the MSF curriculum, the course lasts approximately seven hours, and includes interactive exercises and plenty of riding. For dates and locations, log on to www.ridersedge.com.
