Motorcycle Views Newsletter

Motorcycle Views Newsletter for 07/07/2019

By Walter F. Kern

Motorcycle Views Newsletter

Vol. 13, No. 3, July 7, 2019

Articles of Interest on Motorcycle Views:

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1. Recent Motorcycle Recalls Posted on the Motorcycle Views Website:

Ivolution Sports Recalls IV2 HY-901 Motorcycle Helmets, In Sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL. These Helmets May Not Adequately Protect the Wearer In the Event Of a Head Impact During a Motorcycle Crash.
Honda Recalls 2019 CB300R, 2018 CBR300R, 2018 CRF250L, 2018 CRF250L Rally, and 2018-2019 CMX300 Motorcycles. The Circlip, On the Transmission's Main Shaft, May Detach Allowing For Gear Misalignment.
Suzuki Recalls 2018-2019 GSX250R Motorcycles. Water Intrusion May Corrode the Rear Brake Light Switch Causing the Rear Brake Light To Fail To Illuminate Or Remain Illuminated Continuously When the Brake Is Not Applied.
Ducati Recalls 2018-2019 Panigale V4, Panigale V4 S, Panigale Speciale, and 2019 Panigale R Motorcycles. Excessive Pressure In the Fuel Tank May Cause Fuel To Spray When Opening the Fuel Cap.
Indian Recalls 2014 Chief and Chieftain Motorcycles. Due To a Problem Within the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), All Of the Front Lights, Including the Headlight, May Go Out While Riding.
Suzuki Recalls 2018-2019 Burgman 200/UH200 Scooters. The Rivet Connections May Fail and Allow the Movable Driven Face (Drive Plate) Of the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) To Break.
Strategic Sports Recalls Zox Sierra ST-560 Helmets, Sizes XS, S, M, and L. These Helmets May Not Adequately Protect the Wearer In the Event Of a Head Impact During a Motorcycle Crash.
Strategic Sports Recalls Motovan Zox Sierra Helmets, Part Number ST-560, I Sizes XS, S, M, and L. The Helmet Shell May Allow an Object To Penetrate Through To the User's Head.
Triumph Recalls Accessory Fairing Kits, Part Numbers A9708301, A9708412, A9938255, A9938257, A9938265, A9938267, A9938323, and A9938325 Sold For Accessory Installation On 2016-2018 Thruxton 1200, Thruxton 1200R, Thruxton 1200 Dual Seat and Thruxton 1200R Dual Seat Motorcycles. Insufficient Clearance For the Wiring May Result In Damage To the Harnesses Causing a Loss Of Headlights, Turn Signals Or Possibly a Stall.
Yamaha Recalls 2019 YZFR3. Porosities In the Front Brake Lever May Cause It To Break If It Is Gripped With a Strong Force.

2. Useful Motorcycle Safety Tips:

In my last newsletter, I presented my 10 Ways To Be Safe On a Motorcycle. I have more safety tips this time based on user submissions over the previous 18 years. Read Useful Motorcycle Safety Tips .

3. Funny Motorcycle Stories:

Many readers have indicated that they wanted more motorcycle stories similar to those contained in my first book, 50 Wild Motorcycle Tales . I have assembled 50 additional stories in my follow-on book, 50 MORE Wild Motorcycle Tales .

Most of these new stories were submitted to Motorcycle Views by visitors to the site. I lived and wrote 19 of these tales; eight of the 19 are fictional depictions of far-out motorcycle events that could happen.

Some tales are short, some are long. You'll find risk-taking, adventure, stupid tricks on bikes, hazards while riding, and lessons learned.

These stories of motorcycle adventures on the road will make you laugh.

50 Funny Stories From the Road by Motorcycle Riders

4. Antique Motorcycle Ads Gallery:

Here is my gallery of old motorcycle advertisements that contains 80 actual ads from the past.

The first ad, above, was for the year 1908. That happens to be the year that my dad was born in Bedford, Indiana. So far as I know, Dad was a car guy. He never rode a motorcycle.

The second ad, above, was for the year 1954. That was the year that I first thought about buying a motorcycle in Normal, Illinois. I was 16 years old, fresh from getting my driver's license. At that time, I had been reading the ads for Harleys in Mechanix Illustrated, very similar to the ad shown here. I also was at a decision point. I wanted to either buy a used Harley motorcycle, buy a used 1936 Plymouth, or buy a used Crosley. I opted for the Plymouth. It cost me $50. The Harley would sit in the back of my mind for another 35 years.

Now, take a look at these 80 great ads to see how motorcycles were advertised in the first 60 years of the motorcycle industry.

5. Motorcycle Videos:

First Woman Rider Guides the President
This video shows the first woman secret service motorcycle rider responsible for guiding and protecting the President and other dignitaries.

New Hampshire Crash Kills Seven Motorcyclists
Here's a YouTube video that shows the carnage resulting from a pickup truck pulling a trailer that strikes a group of Marine motorcycle riders.

6. My Memoir, Normal Secrets :

My memoir, Normal Secrets , is a departure from my previous four motorcycle-themed books. It covers much of my life and reveals some secrets that almost no one knows about me. In fact, many secrets I didn't even know myself until recently. You'll also find out how fate changed my course in life many times as I struggled to find out who I was, what I wanted to do, who I would love, how I came to become both a motorcyclist and a moto-journalist, and how I came to become an author in my late seventies. It's a true story that begins in the Midwest and spans more than a hundred years. The book is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, Audible, and CD editions.

Click the book cover to learn how to buy it on Amazon.

Check out my Podcast where my Normal Secrets Audible audiobook is discussed. You'll also hear both the Audible narrator and me in the Podcast.

7. Best Polar Bear Grand Tour Pictures and Videos for 2018-2019:

I have selected my best pictures and videos from the entire 2018-2019 Polar Bear Grand Tour season. Take a Look

8. Five Motorcycle Terms:

I am featuring five (5) of my Motorcycle Terms in each issue of the newsletter.

9. Audiobook Corner—A Surprise:

I was looking around on Amazon today and came across the Amazon 100 Best Sellers in Motorcycles. I found my Audible audiobook of 50 Wild Motorcycle Tales in 58th place! I was shocked! I'm told that items on this list change positions every hour. So, this may only be a temporary achievement.

You might also want to take a look at 50 Wild Motorcycle Tales in the Audible version and see why it's so popular. Sales are always appreciated—and they move me up too.

Of course, the next step might be to check out its follow-on companion, 50 MORE Wild Motorcycle Tales for 50 additional motorcycle stories. A 2-volume set of 100 tales might be just the ticket for your listening pleasure on that next car or motorcycle trip.

10. Here Are Some Popular Articles On the Motorcycle Views Site. Take a Look:

Motorcycle Salvage Yards : Where you can find motorcycle parts.
Motorcycle Seat Heights : Lists seat heights by motorcycle make.
Famous Motorcycle Movies : The great motorcycle movies are discussed.
Motorcycle Models : We give links to major motorcycle model pictures and specifications.
Motorcycle Recalls : Gives all motorcycle recalls for the last ten years by make and year.
Women on Motorcycles : These women ride their own bikes.
10 Ways to Be Safe on a Motorcycle : This article could save your life.
10 Motorcycle Myths : There are many myths about riding.

11. 2018-2019 Polar Bear Grand Tour Motorcycle Runs:

This is our 41st season of winter riding. (It is my 28th season.) I'll be bringing you links to what happens on each weekly run so you'll have access to all the pictures and videos. Since the last Newsletter, the Polar Bear Grand Tour has completed the final three runs in the 2018-2019 season, including an end-of-season get-together at the Pic-A-Lilli Inn. Click this link (or the picture) to see some of the pictures as they appear on Facebook.

Click the following links to see all the pictures and videos for these three runs:

Cape May V.F.W. - Apr. 7, 2019
O'Connor's - Apr. 14, 2019
Get-Together at Pic-A-Lilli Inn - Apr. 20, 2019

The 2019-2020 Polar Bear Grand Tour season begins in late October.

The Polar Bears consist of 550 riders from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware, who ride each Sunday to a different prescribed destination where they sign-in and receive points. There is, usually, a restaurant at or near the destination. It gets cold, windy, and snowy on these rides. I've been a Polar Bear member for 28 years, and I built and continue to maintain their website .

12. Newsletter Now Quarterly:

This newsletter is issued quarterly. Expect newsletters on the first Sunday of each quarter, namely in January, April, July, and October.

13. Newsletter Archive:

I have a Motorcycle Views Newsletter Archive to store all my newsletters. The archive gives the year, month, day, and subject for each newsletter. Each newsletter contains many links to the Motorcycle Views website. A link to the archive will also be included on the Home page of the site and on the page where users can join the newsletter list.

Visit the Motorcycle Views Newsletter Archive

14. The Motorcycle Views Website Is Also On Your Smartphone Or Tablet:

Are you relying more and more on your cellphone or tablet and less and less on your PC or MAC? Remember that the same motorcycling information on Motorcycle Views is as near as your portable device. Check us out anywhere you need motorcycle information.

15. Social Media:

See me on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , and YouTube .

Thanks again for coming along for the ride in this edition of the Motorcycle Views Newsletter. -- Walter

For New Subscribers:

Thanks for signing up for the Motorcycle Views Newsletter.

This newsletter is issued quarterly . Expect newsletters on the first Sunday of each quarter, namely in January, April, July, and October.

Please understand that the Motorcycle Views Newsletter is NOT the Motorcycle Views website. The newsletter provides a few links to content on the Motorcycle Views website. Once you click a link in the newsletter, you'll be getting access to content on the Motorcycle Views site.

If you'd like to view any of our past newsletters, go to the newsletter archives page.

See me also on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , and YouTube .

My Books and Audiobooks:

Click the following covers to learn more about my six books and four Audible audiobooks.

Buy My Books: