FMX pioneer Mike Cinqmars is dead

Celebrity website, TMZ.com, broke the news a little while ago that FMX pioneer Mike Cinqmars has died. Cinqmars, 31, died last night for reasons unknown; an autopsy is scheduled for next week.

Cinqmars made a name for himself during the first Freestyle event at the 1999 X Games where he won the silver medal. His motocross skills were further recongized when he filmed with "Senseless Acts of Video" for MTV where he jumped over his two-story home in Apple Valley, CA.

The end of his career came during the filming of "35/01 My Trip" where he crashed and broke his back.

As the saying goes, "only the good die young" and Cinqmars will be missed but well remembered for his talents on a motorcycle.

Buell Motorcycles Ends Production

Today, Thursday, October 15, 2009, an emotional Erik Buell announced that the Buell Motorcycle Co. will no longer produce motorcycles. This is a very sad casualty of the bad economy. Buell has produced some very nice motorcycles over the years. Buell is the only American made sport bike going against the “Big Boys” from overseas. It was a good run & we can only hope that Buell will someday return to it’s rightful place of prominence.

In the video, Erik notes that Harley Davidson will still honor warranties & provide parts & service to current & new Buell owners.

Watch the video on the homepage of the Buell website here: www.buell.com

Neiman Marcus Offers World's Fastest Electric Motorcycle

Leave it to Dallas-based Neiman Marcus to conjure up the world's fastest electric motorcycle for their 2009 Christmas Book.

"Mission One" sports a clean, pure ride of up to 150mph. The emphasis is on quiet so don't expect to hear any pipe action.

MO debuted as this year's TED Conference to rave reviews and many celebrities pre-ordered.

The critics agree that MO is not some lame techie's excuse towards the "green" movement.

What the bike does have is an obsolescence of internal combustion cycling. Crank it up to 150 with an amazing 100 ft-lbs. of instantaneous torque at every speed. (You shouldn’t speed or break traffic laws yada yada yada.)

With zero carbon emissions, the ear-splitting tailpipes and planet-killing exhaust are history (I'm still not sure if this is a plus).

Its liquid-cooled AC induction motor and single-gear transmission also eliminate the distraction of shifting. There’s no need for a gas tank, with a next-generation lithium-ion battery pack that runs a full 150-mile range between charges. Use the interactive interface (just like pro racing teams use) to collect data on your laptop, adjust the throttle maps and tweak the regenerative braking system to suit your riding style.

The amazing profile and clean lines are from world-renowned designer Yves Behar. Neiman's exclusive edition is limited to just 10 bikes tricked out with numbered NM plaques, exclusive wheels, and a special paint job. You are welcome to venture to San Francisco to meet your bike and the people who designed it. You’ll also receive one-on-one training with a pro on a test track, learning the nuances of handling for optimal performance.

Oh right, lest we forget the price: $75,000 (tax, title, and shipping not included).

Triumph Rocket III Has Even More Power

I am constantly amazed by how many people are unaware that Triumph has some stellar bikes out these days.

Case in point: the Triumph Rocket III. For the 2010 model, the bike will sport 165 lb of torque in a 2.3 liter inline triple engine which will provide about a 15% improvement over this year’s model.

Further, with 146 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and weighing in at a solid 807 pounds, you’ve got yourself a serious machine between your legs.

Triumph has also updated the brake components, updated Brembo brakes, and suspension. Further, there are 43mm upside down forks join the twin Kayaba shocks to keep the beast under control.

Now that you know some of the perks about the internal, we hit the external. It comes in black. You are allowed the choice of glossy or matte.

MV Agusta Launches New Models For First Time In A Decade

It's been a long time coming and now Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group has unveiled their first new models in 10 years. MVA believes that their purchase by Harley-Davidson, Inc. in 2008 is now beginning to pay off.

HD's purchase of MVA for $10M was a strategic move to broaden HD's presence in Europe. While many mistakenly believe that most HD's are sold in the U.S., this market actually accounts for less than 50% of new HD sales as the majority are in foreign markets.

There are two new bikes which are geared towards an affluent younger demographic of rider. The new versions are from the Brutale sport bike family and great for those that enjoy a sporty ride.

The 2010 Brutale 990R has a 990 cubic-centimeter engine and will be priced at $15,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S. at the end of this year or early next year.

The 2010 Brutale 1090R has a more powerful engine and will cost $18,000.

For more info:
MV Agusta
Harley-Davidson

Rick Fairless Stroker's Dallas

Rick Fairless is one person in the motorcycling community that has ridden through the economic downturn. Now granted, Texas wasn't hit nearly as hard as the rest of the country, a lot of high profile personalities have either had to close up shop or drastically scale back.

Not Rick and his venue, Stroker's Dallas.

Aside from having a good inventory of new and pre-owned motorcycles, he has doubled his facility by adding more offices, conference room, tattoo parlor, and much more.

The fabrication and repair bays are always kept busy with new custom builds and modifications.

Most people that visit Stoker's never get the opportunity to see the behind the scenes areas but what they do see usually impresses them. The retail shop is chock full of apparel, boots, jewelry, sunglasses, and yes even the token lapel pins and shot glasses for those of you traveling through.

Adjoining this is the Bar & Grill which is overseen by Rick's mother who runs the kitchen. When you consider that most of us have walk-in closets bigger than the kitchen, you have a whole new respect for the food they are turning out.

The bar is well stocked with beers and mixed drinks. You can also enjoy the many television monitors and pool tables.

Outside the bar/grill is where the "show" is. Motorcycle parking only, main stage for live music, beer stands operated by bikini-clad models, and lots of great people and bike watching.

Contact Info:
Rick Fairless' Stroker's Dallas
9304 Harry Hines Boulevard
Dallas Texas 75235
214.357.0707
http://www.strokersdallas.com/

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Harley-Davidson "Road Angel" Helmet

I received a new limited edition Harley-Davidson "Road Angel" Skyline half helmet as an anniversary gift and I thought nothing of the fact that it was marked a size "Medium" because that's what I wear.

Granted it's been about three years since my last new helmet but when I put the new one on, it felt odd like it was riding very high on my head. It has an inner strip of lining that can be unsnapped; however, once you do that, there's nothing but Styrofoam.

On a positive note, I did spot the bright orange Helmet Purchase Date label. As it was unmarked, I marked mine with a Sharpie to reflect September 2009. This is important because helmets can be recalled and they are typically listed by a specific month(s) / year. (My last helmet was on a recall, so I speak from experience.)

But my quandary now is how to get the top bit of lining to not be quite so puffy. It is such a noticeable difference that I have lined up the new and old helmets next to one another to make sure it wasn't my imagination. They are the same height - it's just the lining that is more insulated.

So this poses a unique situation. At some point the lining will depress and if I'd gone with a larger helmet, it would have been too big on my head which would then defeat the purpose of it being worn.

As I figure out this out, I must say that I am very pleased with the exterior look of the helmet. It has a black, very fine, metalflake as the base. The graphics are rich with intricate detail work but in no way garish. The helmet is DOT approved and has a removable sun visor.

The helmet retails for $175.00