This has nothing to do with motorcycles but I couldn’t resist the story of Greg Pringle, a Denver man who created “Tillie,” a dummy to ride beside him while he used the HOV lane. Tillie—made with a styrofoam head, coat hanger and clothing stuffed with newspapers—failed to fool police who stopped and cited Pringle.

Pringle’s sentence included a $115 fine and holding for four hours alongside the highway a sign reading “HOV lane not for dummies.” He also must donate to to a driver safety program any profits from the “Free Tillie” web site—created to free Tillie after she was impounded by police.

Pringle, in true love ‘em and leave ‘em fashion, put Tillie up for auction on eBay. She fetched $15,000 from Video Professor a computer tutoring company who’s ads you cannot escape if you watch late night TV. They will take her to various events and then auction her off for charity. Seems poor Tillie will be pretty well used up before she reaches her final destination.

Pringle said it cost him $10 to create Tillie. Hmmm: $15,000 - $10 - $115 - 4 hours highway duty = not too shabby.

How about a Luis Vuitton logoed $130,000 Von Dutch Kustom Cycle? The motorcyle was created for Mary J. Blidge and will be on display at Terra, a Los Angeles boutique (that’s store to you and me), through April.

While you are browsing the wares at Terra you may enjoy complimentary cappuccino/espresso and private label bottled water, gift wrapping, concierge service, alterations and special order services. They also have electronically secured entry and paparazzi/privacy blinds.

That last item settled it for me. I’ll definitely stop by. I just hate to go places where the paparazzi are allowed to roam freely. They never take a picture of my good side and usually catch me choking and spitting up my private label bottled water.

I feel it in my bones. The day is coming when I’ll have to change rides. When you’re young it seems the day will never come. But it creeps up on you until one day it hits you over the head (and in all your joints, back and bowels) and you realize: ohmygawd, I’m old. But that need not end the adventures and shared trips. Click photo to see.

1 Comment | Trackback

From a Ducati North America press release: “Ducati North America announced an amazing start to 2006 in apparel and accessory sales. January and February year to date motorcycle related product (MRP) sales were up 66% over 2005 with the real highlights being an increase of 130% in accessories and 215% in apparel.”

Okay, but what about motorcycle sales? Accessory sales alone are not going to pay the bills.

Maybe a bit excessive but I’d take it as a gift. Don’t know what I would do with it though. This Kawasaki ZX-636 was plated with 24 caret gold and presented by Two Brothers Racing to racer James “Bubba” Stewart. The bike appears on the cover of Cycle World’s April 2006 issue. More photos on the Two Brothers web site.

A South Carolina rider was killed yesterday and his passenger injured when he lost control after his rear tire blew out. He was on an exchange ramp between two Interstate highways when the incident occurred.

I don’t know if this accident was caused by worn tires but…check those tires before each ride. Don’t take the risk of riding on tires that are iffy. The few dollars saved from postponing replacement just isn’t worth the risk.

HD is hosting “garage parties” for women in its attempt to attract women riders. I kid you not. I wonder if they are recruiting saleswomen from Tupperware and Avon? This is but one item in its bag of tricks to broaden its market. As baby boomers turn into seniors and that market declines, they need to attract new segments of the population. Women, Hispnics and African American’s are easily identifiable groups that they have begun to target.

My suggestion to HD is shake up your dealers and make them do a better job of presenting and promoting the Buell line. There are plenty of existing riders in the market for a new bike who might kick the tires on a Buell if their local HD dealers were not entirely Hog centric. Source chron.com

Would you believe Reese Witherspoon on a motorcycle? Nah, not in that outfit anyway. Though the Belstaff jacket is nice. This photo was taken during filming for the movie Penelope in London.

I can’t decipher her expression. Is she portraying a startled rabbit? Thinking “what am I doing here?” Or “Okay I’m seated, now what?” The outfit seems more appropriate for an extra in Mars Attack! or a National Lampoon biker flick.

Oregon State Police issued 464 citations to drivers/riders exceeding 100 mph in 2005.

• 79% were male
• 55% were male, age 15-24
• 53% were Oregon residents
• 81% were on interstates.
• 52% were on I-5
• 45% were on i-84
• 3% were on I-205
• 74% were for speeds 100 - 105mph
• Highest speed was 138mph

The penalty for exceeding 100 mph carries a 30 to 90-day license suspension and a $1,103 fine. The 464 citations were a low in the past five years; the high was 578 in 2002.

The latest offender is Ahmed Mohamed Hussien, 20, of Southeast Portland who police say was driving more than 100mph on Interstate 205 for the second time in less than three months—first in a ‘99 Nissan, this time on a Honda motorcycle going 110 mph.

In entertainment news today – The Hells Angels Motorcycle Corp is suing Walt Disney for trademark infringement. They claim Buena Vista Motion Pictures are illegally using the Angels’ trademark—a helmeted, horned and feathered skull—in the film Wild Hogs (in which John Travolta and Tim Allen are scheduled to star as “middle-aged wannabe bikers looking for adventure out on the open road”). Disney spokesman David Caouette said his company believed the case was without merit

1 Comment | Trackback