Triumph Recalls 2012-2013 Daytona 675, Street Triple, Speed Triple, and Tiger 800 for Turn Signal Stem Fractures

Triumph Motorcycles (Triumph) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Daytona 675, Street Triple, Speed Triple, and Tiger 800 motorcycles.

Due to a manufacturing error, the turn signal stems on the front and rear of the motorcycle may fracture. If the turn signal stems break, the turn signals may not be visible to other vehicles on the road, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

3799 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

Learn to Be Safe on Your Motorcycle - Accidents ARE Happening

It's spring. It's time to take the bike out and give it some exercise. However, the bike needs a skilled rider. That should be you. When's the last time you took a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course to tuneup those skills?

Here's a quick story and video by Molly Waldron of ktnv.com from the Las Vegas area that could wake you up a bit. It describes a couple of typical motorcycle accidents and then provides a video interview with an MSF instructor. Here's an excerpt:

"It's spring, and a perfect time for Victor 'Doc' Moss to take a ride on his motorcycle. He's been riding for more than 40 years, and has never had an accident. 'I've never been down and I don't say I've never been down because of luck,' said Moss. 'After a half-million miles, it's because I'm thinking 'what do I need to do to stay alive in this?' Moss is a riding instructor, so safety is a priority for him. 'Motorcycles have certain inherent risks that are greater than a car, and if you don't understand those and how this machine works, you're putting yourself in danger,' Moss said." -- Molly Waldron, ktnv.com

Now, read the article and watch the video.

For more ways to be safe out there, read my 10 Ways to Be Safe on a Motorcycle.

Motorcycle Picture of the Week - John Fletcher

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See John Fletcher's 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL883C w/Trike Conversion under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Trikes Only, Women on Motorcycles, or Bikes Only this week. Send your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to Brian's H-D in Langhorne, PA on March 24, 2013

Check out pictures of the 22nd motorcycle run of the 2012-2013 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to Brian's Harley-Davidson, Langhorne, PA on March 24, 2013. It was also a celebration of the 75th birthday of Chairman, Bob Hartpence.

Mary Kay and a Motorcycle Show Too

Here's an interesting story of motorcycle people mixing with Mary Kay people. An article by Richard Chin of TwinCities.com reveals that black leather and red lipstick go together quite well. Here's an excerpt:

"Black leather jackets rubbed elbows with red tailored blazers Saturday, March 23, as the Donnie Smith Bike Show and the Mary Kay Career Conference rumbled into town and parked themselves next to each other at the St. Paul RiverCentre. The result: An only-in- St. Paul sight of guys in Hells Angels jackets sipping their noontime beers in the RiverCentre lobby next to dozens of cosmetics saleswomen queuing up for buffalo chicken wraps and turkey artichoke paninis." -- Richard Chin, TwinCities.com

Now read the complete article.

Motorcycle Views - Smartphone Access and the Future

As time goes on, more and more people are using smartphones to access Motorcycle Views.

I noticed recently that my Forum on Delphi can be accessed using a smartphone but the layout of the forum is different when using a smartphone. This is nothing I did. It's Delphi recognizing that the visitor is accessing my forum from a smartphone and then switching to a mobile version of my forum that is tailored to the smartphone being used. Pretty neat.

Just yesterday I was looking at another Blogger blog from my smartphone and noticed that its output was of a different layout. It too, was tailored to my smartphone. I never saw this same layout when I tried to access my own Blogger blog on my smartphone. I went to the Blogger control panel and noticed that they showed that I had not enabled a smartphone version for my Motorcycle Views blog. I never even saw the option as many times as I go to that control panel. So, I selected a style for smartphone use and activated it. Now, anyone using a smartphone who tries to access my Blog on the menu that appears on every page of my Motorcycle Views website, will see a new tailored version. Also, pretty neat.

I'd also like to mention that my Kindle Book, Getting Started Riding a Motorcycle, contains my Glossary/Dictionary, my How To's, and my Packing List. That book can be downloaded to a smartphone using a Kindle App just like any other Kindle book on Amazon. So, you can quickly access the three items mentioned above through an internal Kindle search once you own the book and load it on your smartphone. Pretty neat again.

It's hard to tell where the electronic revolution is taking us. It does seem to be allowing us to load up our smartphones, which we carry with us everywhere, with very useful information.

Now, I've been talking about smartphones so far. Most of these features can also be obtained on our tablets. Apparently, the tablets are a little bit behind right now. For example, my Kindle Fire (and also the new HD model) does not give the smartphone layout for either my Forum or my Blog.

I've been thinking about trying to convert my main Motorcycle Views website for smartphone use. However, currently, only about 25% of my visitors use a smartphone to access my site.

I have converted two of my other websites for smartphone use. One is for the Polar Bear Grand Tour. The converter I used does produce a version that works well on both my smartphone and my Kindle Fire tablets. I ran into a lot of difficulties when I converted the Polar Bear site. I had to process every HTML file on the site to use a new side menu on each page. There also were numerous situations where the converter simply jumped right over sections of my code and refused to convert them. I fully expect that I will have to anguish over the Motorcycle Views site to convert it. The size of the site is much larger.

I also have both Motorcycle Views and the Polar Bear Grand Tour on separate Facebook pages. I post every Blog post on Facebook as well as my weekly newsletter. I also use Twitter to announce everything I post on my Blog. Similarly, I use YouTube for all my videos, especially ones I take for the Polar Bear Grand Tour.

Sorry, I gave you so much to read. I just want you to be informed about my progress in trying to stay current with the technology.

Feel free to discuss in the Comments anything I've said here. All suggestions and comments are welcome, as always. -- Walter

Pinterest - Motorcycles

I'm not quite sure how Pinterest works but there are a lot of motorcycle pictures there that lead all over the place. I promise to check out Pinterest and start including it in my thinking. For the time being, here's a Search for Motorcycles on Pinterest.

How to Stay Dry While Riding in the Rain (Video)

I think most of us have learned how to deal with rain when we ride our motorcycles. Some riders just don't deliberately ride off on their bikes when it's expected to rain. However, most riders know that you can't take a long trip and not expect it to rain.

You're riding along and see the increasing darkness ahead of you. It gets darker and darker. You see cars approaching you with their lights on and then you see wipers going. The wind picks up. You begin looking for a temporary shelter where you can change into your rain gear. You finally stop and get as far off the road as you can in a sheltered place. You get your rainsuit from your saddlebags or trunk and fight it over your jacket, pants, and boots. Hopefully you have some special rain gloves or even a pair of yellow dishwashing gloves. Some even have rubber rain boots to slip on over their boots. Of course, you also have a fullfaced helmet to encase your head and keep driving rain out of your eyes. You are ready for the rain and cautiously ride off. Of course, an extremely heavy rain with puddling, lightning, and thunder should cause you to give up on your riding and seek some semi-permanent shelter to wait out the passing storm.

On the other hand, some riders ponder over better ways to keep dry in the rain. Here are some pictures and a video from core77.com that document one man's attempt to stay dry. You may or may not agree with his approach or want to buy his product. Take a look.

Custom Motorcycle Engineer, Shinya Kimura (Video)

Here's an interesting video about a japanese custom motorcycle engineer and how he got that way. It's a short video from highsnobiety.com. Learn more about Shinya Kimura (Video).

Motorcycle Picture of the Week - Rolf Beger

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Rolf Beger's 1993 Honda Gold Wing SE Special Edition w/Trike Conversion under Trikes Only. There are no Men on Motorcycles, Women on Motorcycles, or Bikes Only this week. Send your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to the Chatterbox, Augusta, NJ on March 17, 2013

Check out pictures of the 21st motorcycle run of the 2012-2013 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Chatterbox, Augusta, NJ on March 17, 2013, St. Patrick's Day.

Motorcycle Picture Gallery Updates - Harley-Davidson, Shadow, Sportster, Gold Wing, BMW, and Indian

I have added many more pictures to my motorcycle picture galleries to bring them up to 2013 models:

• 100 Years of Harley-Davidson
• 21 Years of Honda Shadow
• 47 Years of Sportster
• 29 Years of Honda Gold Wing
• 81 Years of BMW
• 58 Years of Indian Motorcycles

Check out these motorcycle picture galleries and see if you can contribute a picture of your own bike to help build out a gallery.

Motorcycle Picture of the Week - Uglicoyote

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Uglicoyote with his 2013 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Ultra under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Women on Motorcycles, Bikes Only, or Trikes Only this week. Send your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Police Begin Preferring Honda Motorcycles

The use of Harley-Davidson motorcycles for police work goes back almost to the origin of the Motor Company. However, there is more emphasis on catching criminals using fast acceleration and higher top speed. Therefore, police seem to favor Honda motorcycles in increasing numbers. BMW has also been supplying its motorcycles in this regard. Here's an excerpt from an article in Autoevolution.com by Florin Tibu that discusses this trend:

"The Augusta Chronicle reported that the local sheriff's deputies have tested two Honda ST1300 since back in 2009 and since then, the number of Japanese machines continued to grow. In fact 2008 was the last year the local PD bought Harley-Davidson bikes." -- Florin Tibu, Autoevolution.com

Read the complete article.

Top 20 Motorcycle Terms

I have just compiled my Top 20 Motorcycle Terms as judged by visitors to the Motorcycle Views site. My Motorcycle Glossary / Dictionary of motorcycle terms took me over 12 years to develop. These 225 motorcycle terms have been cross-referenced and linked to additional explanatory information in some of my articles. I've even set them up so you can also go from term to term in the dictionary without going back to the index. Guess which of the following is included in the Top 20: Ape Hangers, Naked Bike, Get-Off, or VIN?

Take a look at the Top 20 Motorcycle Terms. By reading through the whole dictionary, you can get quite an education as you link around to the various references.

By the way, Get-Off is included in the Top 20 Motorcycle Terms.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to the Long Valley Pub & Brewery - Long Valley, NJ on March 10, 2013

Check out pictures of the 20th motorcycle run of the 2012-2013 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Long Valley Pub & Brewery - Long Valley, NJ on March 10, 2013.

Indian Thunder Stroke 111 Engine Fires Up at Daytona

At Daytona Bike Week, Polaris has introduced the new engine that will power their 2014 Indian motorcycles. In addition, Indian introduced a streamliner, the Spirit of Monro that also housed the new engine, dubbed Thunder Stroke 111. This streamliner is in tribute to Burt Monro who set the world speed record for motorcycles under 1000cc in 1967 riding an Indian motorcycle. This story comes to us from an article in MotorcycleUSA.com by Bryan Harley. Here's an excerpt:

"The pulse of the new Indian Motorcycle Thunder Stroke 111 powered to life Friday night in front of a packed house at Dirty Harry’s on Main Street when elated American Picker Mike Wolfe flipped the switch. After whetting the appetite of the public with sound bites of the first Polaris-developed Indian V-Twin over the course of the last few months as the Indian display traveled across the country with the IMS, the striking new powerplant with the ribbed heads was a hit with the large Bike Week crowd gathered to witness this next evolution of Indian Motorcycles." -- Bryan Harley, Cruiser Editor, MotorcycleUSA.com

Read the complete article.

The history of Indian Motorcycles over the years can be found in my article, Indian Motorcycles. Also, check out my movie review, The World's Fastest Indian - A Review to learn more about Burt Monro and his world record riding an Indian motorcycle in 1967.

Motorcycle Club or Motorcycle Group Pictures Gallery

I have a motorcycle picture gallery called Motorcycle Club or Motorcycle Group Pictures. I know there are lots of motorcycle groups out there who have not submitted a group picture to me here at Motorcycle Views. Here's your chance to become a member of this gallery.

First, check out Motorcycle Club or Motorcycle Group Pictures. Then get permission from your group leader and Submit a Club or Group Picture to Motorcycle Views. Please make these pictures as large as possible, at least 900 pixels wide.

Group pictures like those shown in my Motorcycle Club or Motorcycle Group Pictures Gallery are similar to the pictures you've seen in museums of ancient motorcycle groups. Get your group's picture on the Internet on Motorcycle Views. Become a part of the history of motorcycling.

Motorcycle Tattoos Gallery - Send Me a Picture of Your Tattoo

I have a Motorcycle Tattoos Gallery on my Motorcycle Views site. I make it a requirement that each person submitting a tattoo must be a motorcyclist and must state what bike they currently ride.

Now some think that tattoos are done impulsively without much thought. Others create whole galleries of tattoos on their bodies to reflect their own outlook on life or to characterize their experiences. Still others view tattoos as art -- motorcycle art.

What's your take? Leave your comments below.

Have you got a tattoo to place in our Motorcycle Tattoos Gallery? Send me a picture of it and see your art in our Motorcycle Tattoos Gallery.

Cagers Cause Most Bike Crashes says Florida Study

A recent Florida Department of Transportation study has concluded that it's clear that many motorists don't see motorcycles coming. A Sun-Sentinel.com article by Angel Streeter gives some details. Here's an excerpt:

"So who's mostly to blame when four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles collide? According to a recent Florida Department of Transportation study, bikers are right. Motorists driving cars and trucks are mostly at fault, often failing to yield the right of way to the smaller vehicles." -- Angel Streeter, Sun-Sentinal.com

Read the entire article.

Also, read my 10 Ways to Be Safe on a Motorcycle for ways you can look out for yourself to improve your odds on the road.

Motorcycle Picture of the Week - Ms. Glo

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Ms. Glo on her 2006 Honda VTX 1300 under Women on Motorcycles. There are no Men on Motorcycles, Bikes Only, or Trikes Only this week. Send your picture in. We are showing an encore picture this week to encourage women to submit a picture of themselves with their bike. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Daytona Bike Week - Beginning of the Rally Season

The 72nd anniversary of Daytona Bike Week is being held March 8-17, 2013 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The start of Daytona Bike Week is often announced on the morning TV news shows. You know, where somebody sticks their face in front of the camera and announces: "We're at the opening of Daytona Bike Week. Good Morning America," and then you see a whole line of bikes roar off in front of the camera. Unfortunately, most of the remainder of Bike Week will not be seen by non-motorcyclists.

Check out my article, Daytona, for details.

Here in the frigid Northeast, I hear plenty of people talking about going to Daytona. Some are riding down with friends. Riding sometimes means riding in a car and towing a trailer with the bike on it. After all, the 1500 miles down with uncertain weather conditions has left many a rider stranded in a snow storm or Nor'easter. After that happens to you once, you tend to be a little more cautious the next time you go.

Maybe you want to skip Daytona and concentrate on planning to go to some smaller rallies this year. Be sure to read my article, Motorcycle Rallies, where I discuss rallies and give you information about the top rallies that I like. Of course, your views may be different -- this is Motorcycle Views after all.

I just got my registration information for the Americade Motorcycle Rally. That one is my favorite and I've gone almost every year since 1994.

It can get expensive going to lots of rallies, especially if you're taking two bikes. Double gas, double tolls. You just have to pick and choose what appeals to you most in these uncertain economic times. Motorcycle rallies are a lot of fun. If you've never attended a rally, you owe it to yourself to go. You just might find a rally or two that you'll want to go to every year, just like I try to go to Americade, regardless of the weather.

Polar Bear Grand Tour to the Firehouse Eatery in Rahway, NJ on March 3, 2013

Check out pictures of the 19th motorcycle run of the 2012-2013 Polar Bear Grand Tour season to the Firehouse Eatery in Rahway, NJ on March 3, 2013.

Normandy Motorcycles - How to Run a Repair Shop

This UK video features a 2-man motorcycle repair shop called Normandy Motorcycles. In an era where the complexity of motorcycles sometimes requires taking them to a dealer shop, these owners are finding a steady supply of customers seeking their friendly service. Take a look at the video. I wish them continued success doing what they love. Watch the Video.

Google Glass - the Next Generation Wearable Computer for Motorcyclists

I used to ride with my 10-year-old digital camcorder attached to an arm on my handlebars. Normally, my Garmin GPS was attached but I could remove it and add another extension to be able to screw the camcorder in and take videos while I rode. That technology was quickly replaced with much smaller camera modules that could even be attached to a helmet. Now, Google steps up to provide the next generation called Google Glass. Here's an excerpt from an article appearing in CycleWorld.com by Brian Schrader:

"'Google Glass' heads-up-display glasses have hit the tech world with a bang. A promotional video shows lots of different applications for these 'wearable computers,' from enhanced reality to video recording, picture taking and more. Now, everyone is thinking about practical applications. As motorcyclists, we were immediately concerned about an increase in distracted driving, already a huge threat to traffic safety. At the same time, we also wonder what it would be like to use Google Glass while riding." -- Brian Schrader, CycleWorld.com

Read more and watch a video.

Motorcycle Picture of the Week - Bert

Here are my Pictures of the Week as displayed on the Motorcycle Views Website. These pictures are taken from the Moto Pic Gallery. See Bert on his 2012 BMW R1200R GS Adventure under Men on Motorcycles. There are no Trikes Only, Women on Motorcycles, or Bikes Only this week. Bert is also a member of the Polar Bear Grand Tour. We need more pictures of men and women with their motorcycles. Get your picture in. For details, see Motorcycle Pictures of the Week.

Motorcycle Seat Heights - Added Indian and BMW

I have a list of motorcycle seat heights that I developed for 2006 makes and models. I'm currently adding the 2013 models to that list.

The updated list of motorcycle seat heights now contains seat heights for 2013 Harley-Davidson, Victory, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha models. In addition, I have added seat heights for some popular electric motorcycles: Brammo, Vectrix, and Zero. At this writing, I have added seat heights for 2012 BMW and 2013 Indian motorcycles. The data are arranged in a table from lowest to highest seat height. All motorcycle seat heights are given in inches. There is a listing containing all models taken together as well as individual lists for each make.

Check out Motorcycle Seat Heights.