Last Saturday’s third place finish at the Dakar Rally was a stunning show from Italian manufacturer Aprilia, but North American RSV4 superbike owners might be less than thrilled by a recall involving one component which “failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures.” Though the component has not been singled out, there were rumblings among the motorcycle press that several bikes at the European launch of the RSV4R suffered connecting rod failure.

Aprilia clarifies that there have been zero warranty claims related to the RSV4’s engine, and that “in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.” Customers are advised to contact their local Aprilia U.S.A dealer, who will arrange complimentary transportation of the bike to the dealership.

Aprilia’s actions are honest and proactive– and I bring that up not just because I happen to think highly of the RSV Factory, but because this an attitude not always espoused by all manufacturers.

Related:

• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review: Introducing the New Premium Superbike Alternative
• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Photo Gallery

Engine cutaway © Aprilia; click to enlarge

Aprilia Recalls All U.S. Market RSV4s for Engine Replacement originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 23:57:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Between jumping out of a plane without a parachute, performing the first ever double backflip on a motorcycle, and his recent world record-setting, 269 foot car leap onto a floating barge, daredevil Travis Pastrana is no stranger to wanton acts of fearlessness and body wrecking tomfoolery.

Pastrana’s latest on-screen opus is Nitro Circus Country Fried, the seventh iteration of his co-venture with Red Bull and DC Shoes that captures eye (and sometimes vertebra) popping stunts that make Jackass look like Masterpiece Theatre.

I caught up with the master of mayhem a couple months ago at the LA premiere of Nitro Circus Country Fried, where we chatted about cars versus bikes, what he rides in his spare time, and why Pastrana says “with age, get a cage.”

Watch a Nitro Circus Country Fried trailer here, compare prices by clicking here, and check out my Travis Pastrana Q & A here.

Photo © Jeremiah Klein/Red Bull, Nitro Circus; click for Travis Pastrana Q&A

Travis Pastrana Q&A: On Nitro Circus, Cars vs. Bikes, and More originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 16:19:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Last Saturday’s third place finish at the Dakar Rally was a stunning show from Italian manufacturer Aprilia, but North American RSV4 superbike owners might be less than thrilled by a recall involving one component which “failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures.” Though the component has not been singled out, there were rumblings among the motorcycle press that several bikes at the European launch of the RSV4R suffered connecting rod failure.

Aprilia clarifies that there have been zero warranty claims related to the RSV4’s engine, and that “in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.” Customers are advised to contact their local Aprilia U.S.A dealer, who will arrange complimentary transportation of the bike to the dealership.

Aprilia’s actions are honest and proactive– and I bring that up not just because I happen to think highly of the RSV Factory, but because this an attitude not always espoused by all manufacturers.

Related:

• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review: Introducing the New Premium Superbike Alternative
• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Photo Gallery

Engine cutaway © Aprilia; click to enlarge

Aprilia Recalls All U.S. Market RSV4s for Engine Replacement originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 23:57:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Between jumping out of a plane without a parachute, performing the first ever double backflip on a motorcycle, and his recent world record-setting, 269 foot car leap onto a floating barge, daredevil Travis Pastrana is no stranger to wanton acts of fearlessness and body wrecking tomfoolery.

Pastrana’s latest on-screen opus is Nitro Circus Country Fried, the seventh iteration of his co-venture with Red Bull and DC Shoes that captures eye (and sometimes vertebra) popping stunts that make Jackass look like Masterpiece Theatre.

I caught up with the master of mayhem a couple months ago at the LA premiere of Nitro Circus Country Fried, where we chatted about cars versus bikes, what he rides in his spare time, and why Pastrana says “with age, get a cage.”

Watch a Nitro Circus Country Fried trailer here, compare prices by clicking here, and check out my Travis Pastrana Q & A here.

Photo © Jeremiah Klein/Red Bull, Nitro Circus; click for Travis Pastrana Q&A

Travis Pastrana Q&A: On Nitro Circus, Cars vs. Bikes, and More originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 16:19:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Last Saturday’s third place finish at the Dakar Rally was a stunning show from Italian manufacturer Aprilia, but North American RSV4 superbike owners might be less than thrilled by a recall involving one component which “failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures.” Though the component has not been singled out, there were rumblings among the motorcycle press that several bikes at the European launch of the RSV4R suffered connecting rod failure.

Aprilia clarifies that there have been zero warranty claims related to the RSV4’s engine, and that “in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.” Customers are advised to contact their local Aprilia U.S.A dealer, who will arrange complimentary transportation of the bike to the dealership.

Aprilia’s actions are honest and proactive– and I bring that up not just because I happen to think highly of the RSV Factory, but because this an attitude not always espoused by all manufacturers.

Related:

• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review: Introducing the New Premium Superbike Alternative
• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Photo Gallery

Engine cutaway © Aprilia; click to enlarge

Aprilia Recalls All U.S. Market RSV4s for Engine Replacement originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 23:57:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Between jumping out of a plane without a parachute, performing the first ever double backflip on a motorcycle, and his recent world record-setting, 269 foot car leap onto a floating barge, daredevil Travis Pastrana is no stranger to wanton acts of fearlessness and body wrecking tomfoolery.

Pastrana’s latest on-screen opus is Nitro Circus Country Fried, the seventh iteration of his co-venture with Red Bull and DC Shoes that captures eye (and sometimes vertebra) popping stunts that make Jackass look like Masterpiece Theatre.

I caught up with the master of mayhem a couple months ago at the LA premiere of Nitro Circus Country Fried, where we chatted about cars versus bikes, what he rides in his spare time, and why Pastrana says “with age, get a cage.”

Watch a Nitro Circus Country Fried trailer here, compare prices by clicking here, and check out my Travis Pastrana Q & A here.

Photo © Jeremiah Klein/Red Bull, Nitro Circus; click for Travis Pastrana Q&A

Travis Pastrana Q&A: On Nitro Circus, Cars vs. Bikes, and More originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 16:19:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

The following is from Harley-Davidson… The new Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight motorcycle is a factory custom in the legendary tradition of the hot rod Sportster line with the raw, elemental appeal of the Dark Custom bikes.

Full post can be viewed here: Yahoo! News Search Results for "custom motorcycles"

The new Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight motorcycle is a factory custom in the legendary tradition of the hot rod Sportster line with the raw, elemental appeal of the Dark Custom⢠bikes.

Full post can be viewed here: Yahoo! News Search Results for "custom motorcycles"

Asking your customers about your business is so important. If you are selling a product or service, both market trends and customer desires should be part and parcel of the decisions you make about your business, especially where those decisions concern a shift in your company’s orientation.

Full post can be viewed here: Yahoo! News Search Results for "custom motorcycles"

To be a catcher, a softball player has to be willing to get dirty.

Full post can be viewed here: Yahoo! News Search Results for "custom motorcycles"

Last Saturday’s third place finish at the Dakar Rally was a stunning show from Italian manufacturer Aprilia, but North American RSV4 superbike owners might be less than thrilled by a recall involving one component which “failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures.” Though the component has not been singled out, there were rumblings among the motorcycle press that several bikes at the European launch of the RSV4R suffered connecting rod failure.

Aprilia clarifies that there have been zero warranty claims related to the RSV4’s engine, and that “in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.” Customers are advised to contact their local Aprilia U.S.A dealer, who will arrange complimentary transportation of the bike to the dealership.

Aprilia’s actions are honest and proactive– and I bring that up not just because I happen to think highly of the RSV Factory, but because this an attitude not always espoused by all manufacturers.

Related:

• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review: Introducing the New Premium Superbike Alternative
• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Photo Gallery

Engine cutaway © Aprilia; click to enlarge

Aprilia Recalls All U.S. Market RSV4s for Engine Replacement originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 23:57:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Between jumping out of a plane without a parachute, performing the first ever double backflip on a motorcycle, and his recent world record-setting, 269 foot car leap onto a floating barge, daredevil Travis Pastrana is no stranger to wanton acts of fearlessness and body wrecking tomfoolery.

Pastrana’s latest on-screen opus is Nitro Circus Country Fried, the seventh iteration of his co-venture with Red Bull and DC Shoes that captures eye (and sometimes vertebra) popping stunts that make Jackass look like Masterpiece Theatre.

I caught up with the master of mayhem a couple months ago at the LA premiere of Nitro Circus Country Fried, where we chatted about cars versus bikes, what he rides in his spare time, and why Pastrana says “with age, get a cage.”

Watch a Nitro Circus Country Fried trailer here, compare prices by clicking here, and check out my Travis Pastrana Q & A here.

Photo © Jeremiah Klein/Red Bull, Nitro Circus; click for Travis Pastrana Q&A

Travis Pastrana Q&A: On Nitro Circus, Cars vs. Bikes, and More originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 16:19:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson’s newest bike is their just-unveiled Sportster Forty-Eight (or 48), and the low-slung Sporty joins the Nightster, Iron 883, Cross Bones, Fat Bob and Street Bob as members of the Dark Custom family. Priced at $10,499 in black ($10,789 in orange or silver), the Forty-Eight gets H-D’s air-cooled Evolution 1200 engine and a 5-speed transmission…

… but the Forty-Eight’s calling card is its styling, which features a low profile custom handlebar with under-mounted mirrors, chopped fenders with lightening holes, key blacked out components, and a 26 inch tall one-piece solo seat with an optional passenger seat, backrest, and/or pegs.

The release of this back-to-basics Sportster comes on the day Harley-Davidson has announced 2009’s fourth-quarter earnings, which we’ll cover in a separate post. In the meantime, enjoy this 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Photo Gallery.

Related:

• 2010 Harley-Davidson Lineup
• 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Lineup

Photo © Harley-Davidson; Click for 2010 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Photo Gallery

Harley Unveils the Latest Dark Custom: A Photo Gallery of the 2010 Sportster Forty-Eight originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 10:41:29.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Last Saturday’s third place finish at the Dakar Rally was a stunning show from Italian manufacturer Aprilia, but North American RSV4 superbike owners might be less than thrilled by a recall involving one component which “failed to meet stringent factory quality standards, resulting in an unacceptable risk of future engine failures.” Though the component has not been singled out, there were rumblings among the motorcycle press that several bikes at the European launch of the RSV4R suffered connecting rod failure.

Aprilia clarifies that there have been zero warranty claims related to the RSV4’s engine, and that “in line with the premium quality standards of Aprilia motorcycles and potential safety implications, the manufacturer and its dealerships are committed to immediate action to ensure complete Aprilia owner satisfaction.” Customers are advised to contact their local Aprilia U.S.A dealer, who will arrange complimentary transportation of the bike to the dealership.

Aprilia’s actions are honest and proactive– and I bring that up not just because I happen to think highly of the RSV Factory, but because this an attitude not always espoused by all manufacturers.

Related:

• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Review: Introducing the New Premium Superbike Alternative
• 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory Photo Gallery

Engine cutaway © Aprilia; click to enlarge

Aprilia Recalls All U.S. Market RSV4s for Engine Replacement originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 23:57:48.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles

Between jumping out of a plane without a parachute, performing the first ever double backflip on a motorcycle, and his recent world record-setting, 269 foot car leap onto a floating barge, daredevil Travis Pastrana is no stranger to wanton acts of fearlessness and body wrecking tomfoolery.

Pastrana’s latest on-screen opus is Nitro Circus Country Fried, the seventh iteration of his co-venture with Red Bull and DC Shoes that captures eye (and sometimes vertebra) popping stunts that make Jackass look like Masterpiece Theatre.

I caught up with the master of mayhem a couple months ago at the LA premiere of Nitro Circus Country Fried, where we chatted about cars versus bikes, what he rides in his spare time, and why Pastrana says “with age, get a cage.”

Watch a Nitro Circus Country Fried trailer here, compare prices by clicking here, and check out my Travis Pastrana Q & A here.

Photo © Jeremiah Klein/Red Bull, Nitro Circus; click for Travis Pastrana Q&A

Travis Pastrana Q&A: On Nitro Circus, Cars vs. Bikes, and More originally appeared on About.com Motorcycles on Thursday, January 21st, 2010 at 16:19:40.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Full post can be viewed here: About Motorcycles