Ups & Downs
UPs & DOWNs
UP: To Dainese, for coming up with a compelling reason for riders to visit California: Tattoo Ykz. This two-garment collection comprises a fully armored jacket ($849) and a limited-edition one-piece suit ($3499) and features Japanese Samurai and Maori-style patterns laser-cut from kangaroo hide and stitched to proprietary D-Skin cowhide. The look is sensational-and best appreciated in person.
For directions to the Orange County or San Francisco D-Stores, log on to www.dainese.com.
DOWN: To
Arizona, for taking one more step toward George Orwell’s vision of Big Brother in 1984. AAA has designated the entire state of Arizona as a “strict enforcement area” in response to recent implementation of fixed and mobile photo radar. The state has installed 36 speed cameras and plans to install 42 mobile units by the end of this year. Information about the locations of these devices, how they work and how to challenge a citation can be found at www.photoenforcement.azdps.gov.
A UP: To
Colleen Millsaps, for keeping a flow of talented motocrossers in the pipeline via her training facility in Cairo, Georgia. The Millsaps Training Facility (MTF) began when Ms. Millsaps-mother of Honda Red Bull Racing’s Davi Millsaps— recognized the need for a place where aspiring racers could enroll in a structured program that would help them realize their dream of reaching the top level of motocross. The facility is fully equipped and staffed to provide cutting-edge training programs committed to rider education and bringing along young motocross hopefuls. For more information about MTF and scholarships provided by Dunlop Tires, log onto www.matfmx.com.
A UP: To customer service, for showing us that dealers care in the Pied Piper Prospect Satisfaction Index (PSI) U.S. Motorcycle Industry Study. The independent study sent more than 2000 anonymous “mystery shoppers” into motorcycle dealerships across the U.S. to observe and determine how customers are treated when shopping for a motorcycle. “For the motorcycle industry as a whole, the 2009 PSI results showed widespread improvement in the way salespeople interact with motorcycle buyers,” Pied Piper President Fran O’Hagan said. For 2009, Ducati dealerships topped the list, with Harley-Davidson (number one in 2007 and 2008) ranked second.
