Feds, Fairfax break up stolen-motorcycle ring
November 2, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
Federal customs officers say they have rolled up a motorcycle theft ring that stole bikes from Maryland and Virginia and smuggled them overseas.
Agents at the Port of Baltimore were alerted by Fairfax County police investigating an auto theft ring who said a shipping container bound for Bolivia might contain stolen motorcycles.
The agents used a database to find a container still in the seaport that matched the description offered by the police in Virginia.
Federal agents pulled the container from the ship, opened it and found four salvage cars or sport utility vehicles. Salvage vehicles are vehicles usually purchased at auction for their parts value.
Inside the salvage cars were boxes containing disassembled motorcycles — a 2009 Harley-Davidson Night Train and a 2007 Kawasaki ZX660J.
Harley Shuts Down Buell
October 21, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
Harley-Davidson will shut down its Buell high performance division and seek a buyer for Italy’s MV Agusta as part of a drive to bolster its core motorcycle brand.
The Milwaukee-based bike maker, which has been hit by a steep decline in sales during the recession, also said on Thursday that it would put a growing emphasis on markets outside the US. It aims to boost foreign sales from 31 per cent of the total this year to at least 40 per cent by 2014, appointing 100-150 new dealers outside the US.
Keith Wandell, who took over as chief executive in May, said that “growth is the single most critical need for Harley-Davidson right now”. The company announced an 84 per cent plunge in third-quarter earnings and a 21 per cent drop in revenues.
While the Harley brand is recognized worldwide, Mr Wandell said that “we have great conviction that there is much more we can do to tap into the power of that brand and extend it further”.
Lynchburg Base Milwaulkee Iron to Close at End of Month
July 15, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
After 26 years of building motorcycles and other metal work, Milwaukee Iron will close at the end of the month.
The company with a global reputation is riding off because of the economy.
Work hasn’t stopped inside the Milwaulkee Iron warehouse, but Randy Simpson won’t be welding here much longer.
“I don’t want to sit here and wait for the next phone call,” owner Randy Simpson said. “I want to get out and enjoy myself a little bit while I still can.”
Simpson has made a living building custom choppers. But low demand has put him on the chopping block.
“It’s a pure economic decision. I’m tired of putting money into the company to keep it open.”
Simpson is shutting down and selling the business.
Conditions may not be good for Simpson to run Milwaukee Iron right now, but he says several people have shown an interest in taking over, so he feels like his business will carry on.
“Someone could come in here and take a $300,000 a year company and turn it into a $5 million dollar a year company.”
Whether that happens depends on who makes a bid when the company get auctioned off August 27th.
With more motorcycles on the road, keep safety in mind
State Police say the number of motorcycle accidents in our area is on the rise. You may remember two deadly accidents that happened last Friday. State Police say 59-year-old Ralph Carroll, Sr. was killed when a car turned in front of his motorcycle on Route 220 in Henry County.
Then there was a second deadly motorcycle accident on the same day, which shut down part of Interstate 81. State Police say a motorcycle rider was merging on I-81 from I-77 in Wytheville, when it ran off the road and crashed.
Motorcycle fatalities jump 87 percent in Virginia
June 23, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
The Virginia State Police is hoping education and increased awareness will curb a dramatic jump in motorcycle-related fatalities over the past few years.
The commonwealth experienced an 87 percent jump in motorcycle fatalities in 2007, according to the most recent figures from the VSP.
As a result, the VSP launched its “Ride Smart, Arrive Alive” program to help curb the rise in fatalities.
The program consists of three objectives — education, enforcement and roadway management.
Motorcycle Riders Foundation Urges Congress to Swiftly Pass ‘Right to Repair’
Legislation Protects Individual Vehicle Ownership Rights Today and in the Future
BETHESDA, Md., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Motorcycle Riders Foundation strongly supports the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) and urges Congress to swiftly pass the legislation in order to safeguard individual vehicle ownership rights today and in the future.
“We have formally committed our support to the Right to Repair Act because we believe that consumers are entitled to the right to choose how their motorcycle, car or other type of vehicle is maintained or upgraded. The point of Right to Repair is to protect the freedom of American consumers to choose how they take care of their vehicles, be it in their driveway or at a trusted repair facility, and to ensure that they have access to all the information required to complete service and repairs,” said Jeff Hennie, vice president of government relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
Livin’ high on the hog: Annual Harley Owners Group state motorcycle rally roars into Roanoke
June 21, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
The average Harley-Davidson motorcycle is capable of roaring louder than 100 decibels, a noise that is eight times louder than a vacuum cleaner.
So it stands to reason that when about 1,750 Harleys descend on a city, as they will in Roanoke through the weekend, the thunder of all those bikes could compete with a jumbo jet full of screaming babies.
And, oh doctor, that’s the way Susan Thrift likes it. “It just makes your blood flow,” exclaimed the 56-year-old payroll administrator from Chesapeake, when asked about the roar. “It used to be annoying until you get on one.”
The state rally of the Harley Owners Groups, or HOGs, has begun. All 17 of the Virginia HOG chapters have rumbled into town on their Fat Boys, Sportsters and Road Kings for the four-day convention.
400 motorcyclists will visit Staunton beginning this weekend
June 19, 2009 by Hersey · Leave a Comment
STAUNTON — The sound of thundering exhaust pipes this weekend will be welcome music for many area businesses.
They’re expected to benefit from a stop by an estimated 400 out-of-town motorcyclists.
The Motorcycle Sport Touring Association’s riders will be staying Saturday through Wednesday at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel and Conference Center and other area hotels. The international group will be visiting area shops and driving local roadways as it makes Staunton its 2009 location for its annual rally and rendezvous.
