For 25 years and counting, the Ride for Kids® has raised millions of dollars every year for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The title sponsor is Honda Riders Club of America, but all brands of motorcycles are welcome to join the rides.
Riders across the USA continued to give generously to charity in 2010, defying the economic downturn by donating $4.5 million in 2010 via the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids® program.
The 2011 season kicked off with a ride on April 3rd in South Florida and closes with a ride and annual ceremony in Tampa, Florida in November. Ride for kids expanded to 40 cities in 2010 and those cities are on the 2011 Ride For Kids Calendar.
A few changes are in store this year: The South Florida and Philadelphia rides will have new start points; and the Houston, Kansas City, Knoxville and Los Angeles rides have moved weekend dates.
The PBTF is the official charity of the Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA), which has been the presenting sponsor of Ride for Kids® since 1991. Thanks to the significant support of American Honda Motor Company's motorcycle division, Honda dealers and other motorcycle industry companies, the program has raised millions of dollars for pediatric brain tumor research.
More than one million copies of the Ratty Rag have been distributed at major bike show events all over the world since it was first published for the 1974 Daytona Bike Week. "I still have six light tables at my house that were used to lay it out by hand," said Ted Smith, owner of Rat's Hole Custom Bike Shows. "There were no other motorcycle newspapers. The Ratty Rag was the first, and it's the oldest running FREE motorcycle newspaper in the country."
Click to enlarge or download the poster for advertising contacts.
20,000 copies of the Daytona Beach Ratty Rag will be printed for the 2011 Daytona Bike Week rally. 20,000 more will be printed for the Leesburg Bikefest in April; Thunder in the Valley in June; Sturgis - Buffalo Chip in August; Daytona Biketoberfest; and the Lone Star Rally in November. There will be interviews with the best of show bike builders and of course, photographs of the Miss Rat Mate contests.
Events and Schedule... The Travel Channel will film the 39th Rat's Hole Chopper Show - "World Bike Showdown" - so come join the party. Bike builders from all over the world, live on stage!Everyone through the gate will receive one ballot to vote for their favorite bike in the World Showdown.
- Click the poster to enlarge.
MC Radical Randy, tattoo and rat mate contests. The show is all day Saturday, March 12th at Daytona Lagoon water park, beach side at 601 N. Earl Street.
Registration in 22 classes with brand new custom trophy awards for first, second and third places.
The Ladies of Harley in Aruba joined women across the globe who have taken life by the handlebars. Their first ride around the island was May 23rd in celebration of Women Riders Month. ...
The Easyriders 2011 Bike Show Tour invades LA this Saturday, Jan. 8th with over 250 of the planets hottest bikes on display, the world's top bike builders, and the star of TV's #1 hit show "Sons Of Anarchy" Charlie Hunnam "Jax".
The Limpnickie Lot, next generation of bike builders has joined this year's tour. Look for the next generation of bike builders at upcoming shows in Sacramento, CA - Charlotte, N.C. - Knoxville, TN and Columbus, OH.
The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation. You can get $3 off admission @ easyridersevents.com.
The LA Show is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the L.A. Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles.
The Tour moves to Sacramento, CA - January 15 & 16 and to the Charlotte, N.C. Convention Center for shows on January 22 & 23.
February 5th - The Easyriders Show will be at the Knoxville Convention Center, 701 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN.
Then the tour moves to Columbus, OH for shows on February 11th to 13th 2011.
Click the tour flyer to enlarge for details.
The Limpnickie Lot is a collaboration of custom bike builders and American Parts manufacturers from the next generation of the American V-Twin industry. Comprised of small shops and individuals it is their mission to ban together to promote their unique blend of culture and style derived from many younger influences including Motocross, skateboarding, heavy music, BMX, and other aspects of the next generation.
By making appearances at several national and regional rallies throughout the year the group intends to bring as much attention to both this movement and their products as is possible.
Also at the top of their goals is to take the whole motorcycle culture a step back to a more basic time. With a large amount of respect for the history that it has, they hope that by focusing on the riding and adventure, self expression and freedoms that have always been inseparable from the culture that they may influence the direction of where it goes next.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) took the Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony out of a tent in Ohio and bought it to Las Vegas!
The class of 2010 inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame included legendary two-stroke engine tuner Eyvind Boyesen, who unfortunately died on Friday, Nov. 19th on the eve of the event.
Also honored was dirt-track racer Don Castro, sidecar roadracing champion Larry Coleman, off-road rights activist Clark Collins, AMA 250cc Roadrace Champion David Emde, competition apparel pioneers and JT Racing founders John and Rita Gregory, desert racing champion and team manager Bruce Ogilvie, and championship team owner and Pro Circuit founder Mitch Payton.
Here's the video:
The AMA welcomed a full house of AMA Racing champions and their families, friends and fans to the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 20, for the AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by World of Powersports. The banquet celebrated racers' championship seasons and awarded a number of special awards that acknowledged the standout performances of a few top competitors.
The AMA Racing Athlete of the Year award was won by Charlie Mullins, the overall champion of the 2010 AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series, presented by Moose Racing. Mullins excelled in the 10-round series, winning six rounds, while also competing in the AMA-sanctioned Can-Am Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) Series, where he finished second in overall points to Josh Strang.
"This is kind of a dream come true," Mullins said. "I never expected to win an award like this. It's a great honor, and I can't thank everybody enough. It's really special for me to win this."
Chris Borich won the AMA Racing ATV Athlete of the Year Award. Pennsylvania's Borich had a remarkable season in both the GNCC series and the AMA Racing ATV Hare Scrambles National Championship Series and won the overall title in both. Borich won 11 races in the 13-race GNCC series.
The AMA Racing Youth Rider of the Year was Jake Pinhancos. Jake won the national No. 1 plate in the 65 Stock (10-11) class at the AMA Racing Amateur National Motocross Championships, presented by AMSOIL. Pinhancos also won a World Championship in 2010. Jake led AMA Team USA to the overall win at the FIM Junior World MX Championship by taking the title in the Junior 65cc class.
"The most fun and exciting thing is going to all these races, hanging out with my dad and mom and seeing all these riders have fun," Pinhancos said. "To go out there and win this award just means so much to me." When asked about his aspirations, Pinhancos wasn't afraid to set high goals. "I dream of being the next Ricky Carmichael," he said, referring to the multi-time AMA Motocross and Supercross Champion believed by many to be the greatest motocross racer of all time.
Motorcycle Hall of Famer Jeff Fredette was named the AMA Racing Vet/Senior Rider of the Year. Fredette, already a legend in off-road racing, added to his reputation in 2010 by not only successfully competing in his 30th consecutive International Six Days Enduro, where he won another gold medal, but in winning two AMA Racing National Championships. Fredette won the Senior 40+ A class title in the AMA Racing Rekluse National Enduro Championship Series and claimed the 86cc-200cc Modern class No. 1 plate at the AMA Racing Vintage Grand Championships. After accepting his award, Fredette was asked what advice he had for younger racers. "The longer you ride, the easier it becomes," Fredette said. "Keep focused, and make friends along the way. They come in handy in every aspect of your racing career."
The AMA Racing Female Rider of the Year was Maria Forsberg, from Brier, Wash. Forsberg had a phenomenal year in the GNCC series, where she won 11 of 13 races in the Women's class. Forsberg rode for the RPM/KTM team.
Randy Texter, a longtime fixture in the dirt-track racing community, was named the AMA Racing Sportsman of the Year. This award is given to an individual who has elevated the sport of motorcycle racing through his or her unselfish demonstration of outstanding sportsmanship. Texter passed away on Aug. 28, 2010, from an extended illness.
In announcing the award, AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley recalled how Texter generously supported amateur dirt-track racers for decades and raised two children -- a son and a daughter -- who ascended to the highest levels of competition in AMA Pro Racing Grand National Championship competition.
AMA-chartered organizers, the clubs and promoters who run AMA-sanctioned events around the country, also were recognized for their efforts. Winners in those categories were Victory Sports, AMA Racing Motocross Organizer of the Year; Rausch Creek, AMA Racing Off-Road Organizer of the Year; BUB Racing Inc., AMA Racing Track Racing Organizer of the Year; Salinas Ramblers, AMA Racing Club of the Year; Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, AMA Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year; Buckeye Dual Sporters, AMA Off-Road Organizer of the Year.
Racer X Illustrated won the 2010 AMA Racing Media Award for its in-depth coverage of AMA-sanctioned events over the course of the season.
The AMA Racing Championship Banquet, presented by World of Powersports (WorldOfPowersports.com), was part of a two-day celebration honoring motorcycling's greats at Las Vegas' Red Rock. That celebration also included the 2010 Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by JT Racing (JTRacingUSA.com), and the annual Motorcycle Hall of Fame Concours d'Elegance bike show, which featured some of the country's most-stunning original and immaculately restored classic motorcycles.
In addition, the weekend featured the final round of the AMA Racing GEICO Powersports EnduroCross Championship Series on Saturday as well as the Las Vegas debut of the movie "Carlsbad USGP: 1980," a look at an iconic motocross race that has been dubbed "the Woodstock of motorcycling."
MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo will open Britan's biggest bike event -- The Carole Nash Motorcycle Live 2010, Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 in Birmingham -- and Honda will be unveiling three new 2011 models: The all-new Crossrunner 800 trail-style bike, the all-new CBR600F, CBR250R and updated CBR125.
The motorcycle giant is also putting on a "My First Licence" event for kids, ages 5 to 11. The kids will be able to experience riding a bike around a specially constructed street scene to experience the fun of two wheels, learn about road safety and come away with their own printed "licence." Novice riders over 16 will be able to try a motorcycle or scooter, with all safety gear supplied and fully qualified trainers on hand, in a specially-designated area.
Honda (UK) Racing will also be on hand, allowing show-goers to meet riders while learning about life in a race team and all about bike set-up. Saturday, Dec. 4 "Dirt Day" will be dedicated to dirt track racing. For more information, visit: http://www.motorcyclelive.co.uk/
UPDATE: Here's footage of the new Ducati Diavel 1200 super street bike unveiled at the 68th (EICMA) Milan Motorcycle Show. (Nov. 2 to 7, 2010.) While it has some of the dirt-tracker looks of a Harley-Davidson XR1200, it also resembles the recent wave of high-tech musclebikes from the Yamaha V-Rod and the BMW K 1200 R. The new Ducati, which is scheduled to go on sale in late winter or early spring of 2011, uses the same Testastretta engine used in the company’s top-of-the-line superbikes. The Diavel will also offer anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronically adjustable riding modes aimed at increasing safety and comfort.
Hosted in the trade fair district of Fiera Milano Rhò in Milan, Italy, the EICMA draws 400,000 to 500,000 visitors and is attended by more than 2,000 journalists from more than two dozen countries. It is the largest bike show in the world and includes MOTOLIVE demo raceway, and this year a Custom City devoted to custom-built motorcycles.
Here are also photos of the Honda Crosstour released at EICMA.
Click to enlarge images.
Harley-Davidson presented the new SuperLow, together with four new CVO models.
Key features of the 2011 XL883L SuperLow include: An air-cooled Evolution® 883cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 52 ft.lbs (70Nm) of torque at 3750rpm. It has a broad powerband for easy get-away from a stop and smooth power out of corners.
• 39mm Showa® fork with 4.1 inches (108mm) travel. • Coil-over pre-load adjustable rear shocks with 2.5 inches (54mm) of wheel travel. • The 17 Litre fuel tank offers extended range and helps give the SuperLow a low-profile appearance. • Mid-mount foot controls.
Yamaha presented an electric scooter, a city mobility prototype. Kawasaki, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Triumph and others, also launched new models at the Milan Bike Show. Read more.
Love Ride Retro 2010 will be a special day, thoughtfully created by founder Oliver Shokouh of Glendale Harley-Davidson to give back love to the riders and volunteers who have made the event so worthwhile over the years.
November 7th, Grand Marshal Jay Leno will lead a scenic 40-mile ride from Glendale Harley Davidson to the Calamigos Ranch in the Malibu hills for a carnival at the original site of the first Love Ride in 1984. This event is limited to 1,000 riders and is benefiting the Autism Speaks charity organization.
Tickets are $100 per person and open to all motorcycle riders. Information and registration forms are available online at www.loveride.org, or in person at Glendale Harley Davidson, 3717 San Fernando Road, Glendale, Calif.
Forms can also be obtained by calling the dealership at (818) 246-5618.
Schedule of events: 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Registration at Glendale Harley Davidson with staggered departures 10:30 a.m. Gates open at Calamigos Ranch 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Music and announcements 11:30 to 12:30 Waylon Krieger Band 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. Beverage service opens 12:00 to 2:00 pm. BBQ lunch served 12:30 to 1:30 Egg Toss, Slow Ride, and Victor McLaglen Drill Team 1:30 to 2:45 Robby Krieger Band 2:45 Final announcements, drawings 4:00 Event gates close
For latest information and updates on the ride, go to www.loveride.org.
The 68th (EICMA) Milan Motorcycle Show, Nov. 2 to 7 will feature the unveiling of the new Ducati 1200 super street model, “Diavel” and eight new models by Honda. It will also feature a new Custom City, dedicated entirely to custom bikes.
Hosted in the trade fair district of Fiera Milano Rhò in Milan, Italy, the EICMA draws 400,000 to 500,000 visitors. It is the largest bike show in the world.
More than 2,300 journalists from 31 countries attended the 2009 EICMA.
CUSTOM CITY is being introduced at the 2010 Milan Motorcycle Show as a “show within the show”, in the same way that “Green Planet” was introduced last year for hybrid and electric vehicles.
The idea matured thanks to the insistence of motorbike companies, manufacturers and enthusiasts, but finds its rational justification in numbers: against current downhill market trends, the share of vehicles dedicated to custom and touring bikes has slowly grown to represent 17.5% of the sales market.
CUSTOM CITY will be set up in Hall 2 of Fiera Milano, in collaboration with Terre di Moto srl, which will notably be putting on a show, and is fully sponsored by Biker's Life Motorcycle Magazine.
Biker's Life also supports the Italian Padova Bike Expo, and flies the top three winners and their bikes to compete each year at the Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show during Daytona Bikeweek. Bike builders from all over eastern and western Europe compete in the Padova Show in January for a large purse and prizes that include flights to compete in March during the Daytona Bikeweek rally that draws half a million bike enthusiasts worldwide.
So it will be interesting to see what may develop from this sponsorship.
The opening trade-show days (for press and industry) are Nov. 2 & 3, 2010.
EICMA will be open to the public Nov. 4 to 7 with opening hours from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., every day except Friday, when the show stays open until 10.00 p.m. Ticket and tavel info: eicma.it/moto
In recent years, MotoLive has been introduced and has become a "must see" event at the massive expo. In the brand new American Pavilion, seven new electric models by Brammo will be presented. The Scootergirls from Los Angeles made their fashion debut last year in the city known for fashion and they will be back to preview a colletion for men. The company speciaizes in protetive motorcycle garments with high fashion appeal.
UPDATE: Here's footage of the 2011 Ducati Diavel super street bike unveiled at the EICMA Show. In some ways, the stripped-down machine recalls the original Ducati Monster 900, a lightweight bike, elegant in its simplicity, that essentially saved the company nearly two decades ago.
The Diavel features a superbike-derived Testastretta 11° engine and 456lb of authentic Ducati performance, including ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes.
The new motorcycle is sure to excite longtime Ducati fans, especially those who long for the form-follows-function approach the company took to bike design in the 1970s and 1980s. Unlike many bikes nowadays, the Diavel looks more like a horse and less like a two-wheeled car, but it is also loaded with modern performance and safety features.
Its name comes from the “Devil” in Bolognese dialect, and is pronounced dee-AH-vel. The company says when an early prototype was assembled and shown to group of Ducati engineers and technicians, one person said: “Ignurànt comm’ al diavel!” that’s Bolognese for, “Evil, like the devil!”
While it has some of the dirt-tracker looks of a Harley-Davidson XR1200, it also resembles the recent wave of high-tech musclebikes from the Yamaha V-Rod and the BMW K 1200 R. The new Ducati, which is scheduled to go on sale in late winter or early spring of 2011, uses the same Testastretta engine used in the company’s top-of-the-line superbikes. The Diavel will also offer anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronically adjustable riding modes aimed at increasing safety and comfort.
Harley Davidson will present the new SuperLow, together with four new CVO models.
Yamaha will present an electric scooter, a city mobility prototype. Italian visitors will also have the opportunity to view the new ZX-10R, the Z750R by Kawasaki due to be launched on the market at the same time. KTM will present the Duke 125 in its naked version. Aprilia presents two 4-cylinder models: Tuono 1000 and RSV4 with traction and wheelie control, as well as the Dorsoduro 1200. And BMW presents two Touring motorcycles: a 6-cylinder K 1600 GT and K 1600 GLT.
At Triumph all eyes will be on the official presentation of the new Tiger 800 enduro with 3-cylinder engine. Piaggio presents a comeback of the Vespa Classica (the PX 125 with handlebar gear lever) and the Piaggio Typhoon.
The novelty at Moto Guzzi will be the V7 Racer. And the helmet manufacturer, Kali, will be presenting its ROAD Line series for the first time ever.
The 7th Annual Better Life Foundation Benefit in Tunica, Missisippi will include a chariy ride from Jackson Imports on Friday, Nov. 12th - Concerts by 3 Doors Down, Theory - Saving Abel and more. Saturdy events include a Clay Shoot, Auction, Bourget Bike Raffle, and concerts 6 to 11 p.m. Details: http://www.thebetterlifefoundation.org/
Bourget’s Bike Works has donated Citizen Soldier III – a 2010 Bourget Low-Blow Chopper to be raffled off on Saturday at the event that funds Gulf Coast Children's Charities.
You do not need to be present to win. $10 raffle tickets online at Bourget Bike Works.
The Galveston Island, Lone Star Rally will feature the first-ever World Famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show in Texas!
"We are pretty excited about it," said show owner Ted Smith. "We have the Rat's Hole Biketoberfest Show coming up, Oct. 16th in Daytona Beach and then we will be doing the first ever Rat's Hole Show in Texas at the Lone Star Rally, Nov. 6th."
To register a bike for Biketoberfest or Lone Star Rally - go to www.ratshole.com
The first Rat's Hole Chopper Show was launched almost 40 years ago by Karl Smith, Sr. A.K.A Big Daddy Rat in Daytona Beach, Florida during the annual Run to the Sun bike week festivities. The world-famous Rat's Hole Custom Bike Shows expanded from the original in Daytona Beach to Sturgis, SD, Leesburg, FL, Germany, France, Sweden, Canada, Colorado, South Carolina and Italy.
The Rat's Hole Custom Show is the largest custom bike show in the world.
Jason Smith, the grandson of "Big Daddy" Karl Smith is proud to be carrying on a long family tradition of shows all over the world. "Anybody that wanted to get exposure or any underdog who wanted to get exposed, came to The Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show to compete with some of the top bike builders in the world," said Jason. "If you think you've got what it takes, we hope to see you real soon at a show near you!"
Photo: Denis the Menace with Jason Smith and his Big Cheese 'Busa at the show in Tosaldorgh, Germany.
Join 350,000 plus people Nov. 4 to 7 at the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas to Celebrate The United States Military, past and present.
Events include a Biker Promenade and Best Decorated Bike & Rider Contest
Check out this example by 3D Custom Paint & Body Art
Then, get ready to promenade down Strand Street on your decked out bike to show your patriotism or just get wild and crazy. This year anyone with a costume and a matching bike can sign up on site to enter the decorated bike and rider contest. Grand Prize: $500. Costume Contest Promenade Rules.
Harley's Angels Cruizin' to a Cure women rider's event, Sat. Nov. 6th.
Outlaw Dave's Ride from Stubbs Harley-Davidson in Houston to the Seawall in Galveston, Nov. 6th.
Plus The Official 2010 Lone Star Rally Poker Run and Crawl
Register at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning at the Poker Run booth for a fun event that takes you around the island in hopes of ending up with the best hand. Donations of $10 will go to a worthy charity and the winner will receive a gift certificate for a 2 night stay in a Gulf view, 2 bedroom condo at the beautiful Galvestonian Luxury Resort Condominiums. www.galvestonian.com
So put on your red, white & blue and join in the fun!
