Motorcycle USA's New Interactive "Ride Guide"

Locate a street ride, race track, drag strip, motocross track, dirt bike ride or OHV park anywhere in the USA with the Motorcycle USA Ride Guide.

I got their press release yesterday, and I would definetly recommend that you check out this new ride guide that is powered by a GPS sponsor. The press release is below.

I always read the Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show reviews by Bryan Harley at MotorcycleUSA.com. But I have also bookmarked this guide page. It's excellent.

Motorcycle USA announces the release of its Motorcycle Ride Guide, a one-stop, comprehensive tool for finding new riding destinations throughout the country. An interactive experience, the Motorcycle Ride Guide allows users to upload information about their own favorite local stretches of asphalt.

Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide is an invaluable resource for all riding styles. From short jaunts around the local countryside to long-distance tours Motorcycle-USA’s new Ride Guide has it all. Along with street routes, the Ride Guide includes listings for local race tracks and drag strips. Dirt riders are covered too, with listings of Motocross Parks, as well as OHV trail riding locations.
 
Motorcyclists looking for a riding destination can search by riding style and state to find all the vital information needed for their next two-wheeled adventure, including ride descriptions, points of interest, directions, elevation and terrain. Listings also include a downloadable map from Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide partner, Ride with GPS.
 
“We enlisted the folks from Ride with GPS for their mapping skills and as you can imagine, they were instrumental in allowing us to offer this new feature on Motorcycle-USA.com. These types of sites have been popular among mountain bikers and hikers so we figured it would be a natural fit for motorcycle riders as well,” said Motorcycle-USA Editor-in-Chief Ken Hutchison.
 
Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide will encourage riders to share their favorite roads, add points of interest, comment on a ride or add their own tidbits of advice about a particular route. User-friendly and technologically savvy, the new Ride Guide is bound to be a valuable resource for riders of all types.

 
“We’ve wanted to provide a place for riders to find and share rides so other motorcyclists have the opportunity to enjoy roads they might not have known about otherwise,” Hutchison adds. “I expect Ride Guide to be popular right away and I hope to see everyone contribute by submitting their favorite rides as well. We have over one thousand rides already in the system and are loading more each day. Once we start getting the public submitting rides too, there will be a ton more rides for people to enjoy so come check it out.” Find your next riding destination courtesy of Motorcycle-USA.com’s Ride Guide.

About MotorcycleUSA.com
MotorcycleUSA.com is the most advanced and diverse motorcycle content site on the Web. For more than a decade, MotorcycleUSA.com has provided breaking industry news, comprehensive motorcycle reviews and gear evaluations as well as extensive motorcycle racing coverage for both road and dirt. In addition there are more photographs, motorcycle specifications, rider impressions and online motorcycle videos than any Internet publication. www.Motorcycle-USA.com - your one-stop online source for all things moto. Climb on.

Hoka Hey 3/48 in August 2011

Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine shares what it was like for him on the 2010 Hoka Hey Run, covering over 9,000 miles from Key West, Florida to Homer Alaska. He interviews the people on the run and captures some of the incredible scenery.

The 2011 Hoka Hey Run will span 10,000 miles - 3 countries - 48 states

 In June of 2010; some of the most elite riders to straddle the iron horse set out together under the banner of the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™ and now it is time once more to GET ON YOUR BIKES & RIDE!!

On August 5th, 2011, riders will come together for a 10,000+ mile ride from San Diego, CA to Nova Scotia, Canada. Test your resolve and ride with us across 3 countries and through 48 states in the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™!!

This year's event will be open to two divisions.

* Division 1 is open to American-made air-cooled V-Twin motorcycles,

* Division 2 will consist of all other makes and models.

Each division will be departing separately and the riders will be vying against motorcycles within their own class for more than $1,000,000 in total event prizes!!!

Prepare to look within yourself and get ready to embrace the limitations and the strengths that you find there. Whether you make it to the first gas stop or all the way to Nova Scotia; participants who are in San Diego at the start of the Hoka Hey 3/48 Motorcycle Challenge ™ will be a part of something that is greater than any single one of us.

How many riders do you recognize on the 2010 Hoka Hey Finishers List?

Harry Potter Side Car Flying Machine in "Deathly Hallows"

The British engineering firm, Watsonian Squire provided seven custom-built three-wheelers for the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One that debuted in theaters around the world today.

Harry is seen flying through the air on the pale blue machine before crashing into a lake in the final scenes.

Watsonian Squire, based in Blockley, Glos., built the £8,000 machines from Royal Enfield motorcycles with a custom-built sidecar.

Staff at the base have had to keep quiet on the exciting news for 18 months.

Co-owner and director Ben Matthews was astounded at just how big the film was when he visited London at the time of the film premiere last week.

He said: ”I didn’t realise how big it was. We saw the promotions and trailers, particularly in London, and thought blimey, it’s fantastic. It plays a big part in the film.

”It’s literally everywhere you turn, on every bus stop, I just could not have imagined how big it was going to go.

”I’m not a Harry Potter fan but I will look forward to watching this film.”

The company was approached to make the bikes by Surrey-based Action Vehicles on behalf of filmmakers Warner Bros.

One scene features a machine speeding through the Dartford Tunnel in a high-speed chase.

Ben added: ”It makes me feel full of pride. It’s fantastic because about half of our sidecar manufacture is export and we’re getting massive interest from the States, Japan and India because they’re all massively into Harry Potter.

”Action took away one of them to have a look at it and thought it was fantastic.

”They ordered seven. There’s only one in the actual film, but they modified several lightening one to go on a flying rig and some to go faster for stuntmen to do their bit on them.”

Watsonian Squire has also supplied vehicles that have appeared in the Bond films and TV cooks Two Fat Ladies.

Source: Small World News Service

Visit the NEW "Motorcycle Event News" Store for Holiday Gift Ideas!
Surpport This blog... Happy Holidays!

IMBBA World Cup Competition Comes to Montreal in 2012

MONTREAL, Quebec - Nov. 5, 2010 (press release) - The International Master Bike Builders Association (IMBBA) is pleased to announce the IMBBA World Cup Competition that will take place April 20 to 22, 2012 at the SportXpo Centre in Laval, Canada near Montreal in Quebec.

IMBBA representatives from member nations have begun the process of choosing up to six top bike builders to represent each country in the IMBBA World Cup Competition. They will have more than a year's time to assemble their best work. The bikes must be shown publically for the first time at the 2012 competition that is being hosted by Canada's own, Pros Production as a featured event during the 2012 Classic Bike and Tattoo Show.

Sponsors thus far include: Accel Motorcycle Products, S & S Cycle, Wimmer Machine, Denver Choppers, B'Cool Products, Maximum Motorcycles, Independent Cycle, and Canada's Belt Drive Betty e-newspaper. Cash and prizes now exceed $30,000 and include a hand-engraved Billet guitar that is being custom built by Blair McGrath. There will also be plenty of motorcycle parts, including two front ends from Denver Choppers.

The event will be judged by the IMBBA's international judging team.

The competition at the SportXpo Centre will be hosted by Pascal Richard's Pros Production, which is the parent company of The Classic Bike and Tattoo Show, The Montreal Art Tattoo Show and Revolution Motorcycle Magazine.

Click the posters, published in English and French to view the enlarged version. High resolution posters are available for print media.

The event will be directed by Canada's IMBBA representative, Master Bike Builder Bob McKay.

Interested sponsors and supporters may contact bobmckay@masterbikebuilders.com

IMBBA Partners With FIC and Honors Italian Builder Fabrizio Favre

BRESCIA, Italy - Denver Chopper's Mondo Porras flew to the Kustom People Show in Brescia, Italy with Jeff Starke of the International Master Bike Builders Association to present a lifetime achievement award to Italian bike builder Fabrizio “Sugar” Favre.

The IMBBA, based in the United States, has been organizing builders worldwide for more than five years, and periodically singles out top master bike builders for world recognition.

This event also formalized the partnership between the IMBBA and the Federation of Italian Customizers that was announced by Favre at the recent European Bike Week in Faaker See, Austria - Europe's biggest bike rally.

  

"This agreement will open up international opportunities," said Favre. "We hope to bring other European member nations onboard, and we look forward to competing as a national team in a world competition in 2012 in Canada."

"I am honored to be included in the Hall of Fame, and honored to have met Mondo Porras and Jeff Starke, two great men."

"I would like also to thank the Kustom People Show organizers, who have shown great interest in the development of custom artistry within the industry."

Fabrizio Favre, affectionately known as "Sugar" due to his agreeable nature, was born on July 6, 1958 in Ivrea in north western Italy, where he first became an expert VW car customizer in his father's business. He established his own motorcycle fabrication company, "Tutto Guzzi Favre," which became "Favre Motorcycle" and is now operated by his son as "Favre RMB Custom Surgery."

Fabrizio fell in love with motorcycles as a teenager. His first bike was a 50cc replica Captain America chopper. At age 18, he graduated to a 1200 cc Harley Electra Glide.

The IMBBA Hall of Fame award was presented at 4 p.m. Oct. 17 during an on-stage ceremony at the Kustom People Show.

One of Italy's most respected custom bike builders, Favre began creating Moto Guzzi, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Triumph and BSA custom bikes in the 1980's and began competing in the 1990's at the annual Daytona Beach Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show.

His "Customizzati" show  presents the most famous and popular history of motorcycle customization with technical workshop-style shows as well as interviews with Italy's top builders. The show covers classic Harley-Davidson customizations to high-technology innovations, and includes coverage of major bike show competitions in the world.

In 2009, along with top Italian bike builder Jerry Caronte, they founded the Federazione of Italiana Customizers, an agency within the Italian Ministry of Transportation that oversees European standards within the Italian motorcyle customization industry.

Favre announced the FIC - IMBBA partnership at the recent European Bike Week in Faaker See, Austria.

The FIC will serve as the administrative arm in processing Italian builders and prospective Italian judges for IMBBA certification.

Mondo Porras, owner of Denver’s Choppers, started building custom bikes with his partner Denver Mullins in San Bernardino, CA in 1967 and was inducted into the International Master Bike Builder Association's Hall of Fame during the 2010 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Denver’s Choppers became famous worldwide in the early 1970’s. They were instrumental in starting the after market industry that is florishing today with custom parts including frames, custom choppers and springer front ends. Denver's Choppers was the first company to manufacture the long down tube stretch frames that are in vogue today. This was his first trip to Italy.

Jeff Starke, president of the IMBBA, also presented certification awards to several Italian builders during the Kustom People Show:

Fabrizio Favre - Master Bike Builder II

Jerry Caronte - Custom Bike Italy - Master Bike Builder II

Roberto Totti - Master Bike Builder II

Bori Giuseppe of Bepy Motor Service - Bike Builder II

Jonathan Minici - Bike Builder II

* Master Bike Buillder II is the highest IMBBA certification level.

Three Legendary Master Bike Builders Join IMBBA Hall of Fame

All photos courtesy of IMBBA photographer Jack Mcintyre, http://www.bikerpics.org/

Three legendary master bike builders joined the International Master Bike Builders' Hall of Fame at the 70th Anniversary of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally:   Master Bike Builders Ron Finch, Bob McKay & Mondo Porras.

The stage was filled with master bike builders and icons from the motorcycle industry, who enjoyed a night of camaraderie in front of a packed crowd of supporters, Sunday night, Aug. 8, 2010 at Broken Spoke Campground, 79 North, Sturgis, SD.

Jay Allen and Radical Randy of Broken Spoke were on stage when fellow hall of fame bike builder, Paul Yaffe of Bagger Nation upstaged Ron Finch with an impersonation of "Ron Finch."

Denver's Godfather of Choppers, Mondo Porras received numerous rounds of applause from a huge crowd of supporters in the audience.

"The IMBBA is proud to welcome Master Bike Builders Mondo Porras, Bob McKay and Ron Finch into the IMBBA "Hall of Fame," said Jeff Starke, founding president of the International Master Bike Builders Association. "Their lifetime achievements are in keeping with IMBBA high standards and it is with great pleasure that we present our highest achievement award for excellence and charitable contributions to these world renowned builders".

The IMBBA HALL OF FAME awards presented to Ron Finch, Mondo Porras and Bob McKay by the International Master Bike Builders Association salute dedication to the bike industry and decades of accomplishment. The IMBBA also presented Master Bike Builder awards during the ceremony to Donald Bitman, Steven Broyles Sr., Jim Nasi, Kyle Robinson, and Lee Wimmer. These awards symbolize their certification as experienced, skilled MASTER BIKE BUILDERS.

Ron Finch, Mondo Porras and Bob McKay join other legendary bike builders in the IMBBA HALL OF FAME that includes Arlen Ness and Indian Larry, Donnie Smith and Dave Perewitz, along with Fred Kodlin and Paul Yaffe. More than 200 bike builders and their guests attended a VIP dinner following the ceremony at Broken Spoke Campground.

The International Master Bike Builders presented three big events at the Sturgis 70th Rally - The IMBBA Bike Show and Hall of Fame Ceremony at Broken Spoke Campground. And a one day bike build by Athena "Chickie" Ransom with three high school bike builders from programs supported by the IMBBA that was staged at the Broken Spoke Saloon on Lazelle Street in downtown, Sturgis

IMBBA World Cup USA Team Member Chosen at Sturgis 2010 Bike Show

STURGIS - The Sturgis 70th Anniversary Rally kicked off with the International Master Bike Builders' (IMBBA) Bike Show & Hall of Fame Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 8th followed by a VIP dinner attended by more than 200 top bike builders and guests from around the world.

BEST OF SHOW - Radical bike builder John Shopes of Sinister Industries took the top award at the IMBBA - Sturgis 70th Bike Show. He was also invited by a team of judges lead by Kris Krome to join the US team of builders headed for IMBBA World Cup Competion in Canada in 2012.

Sam Baldi talks with MC Radical Randy about his bike, "Unforgiven" that took 1st Place in the IMBBA Show Aug. 8th at Broken Spoke Campgrounds during the 70th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, 2010.  - Photos by Jack Mcintyre, IMBBA photographer - Bikerpics.org.

Jay Allen presented Dawndra Baldi with a third place trophy in the IMBBA Bike Show for her 2010 Custom Pro Street Bike, "Bella Tuono." Second place went to Pat Briggs of County Line Choppers, NY.

See more photos in the IMBBA Bike Show Gallery. 

Quebec Rat Shop, "Blade" Wins Canadian Biker Build Off

BLADE by Fred Vaillancourt of The Rat Shop Custom Bikes, Quebec is the new Canadian Biker Build Off Champion.

The 6th Canadian Biker Build Off Competition was judged by the IMBBA, July 23rd, 24th and 25th in Welland, Ontario, Canada. See full listing of results.

Photos by Jack McIntyre, IMBBA staff photographer.

More photos are available in the IMBBA Canadian Biker Build Off Photo Gallery.