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Mika
01-05-2007, 05:57 AM
The motorcycling world viewed from the saddle of a BMW. A daily look at all things BMW, Euro-bike, products and things I find interesting on the internet. With links to news, reviews, events, riding skills, maintenance and racing series updates. Morning Reads is a one stop shop for motorcycling information.

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-1-5&c=1)

http://www.wegotbruce.com/weblog/images/birthday-cake-message.jpg

World of BMW news

South Africa on a BMW – on-road, off-road and everything in-between (http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=697&artDate=04/01/2007)

BMW Group Press Club:

BMW PressClub Canada

The Canadians report their bike sales along with the car sales.

BMW Group Canada achieves 16th consecutive year of sales increases.
01/04/2007

Whitby, Ontario. BMW Group Canada announced today record 2006 sales of 23,430 vehicles (BMW and MINI brands combined), an increase of 8.7% over 2005 sales. During the month of December, sales were up 13.3% over December 2005, retailing1,843 BMW and MINI vehicles.
“It was a milestone year for BMW Group Canada, stated Lindsay Duffield, President & CEO. We enjoyed our 16th consecutive year of sales increases, and at the same time set individual sales records for BMW, MINI and BMW Motorrad motorcycles. It was particularly satisfying to eclipse the 20,000 new BMW sales threshold in our 20th anniversary as a BMW Group sales subsidiary in Canada.”

“Our products deliver joy, excitement and strong customer value. Our product line-up will only get stronger in the months ahead. Combined with the most caring retailer network in the industry, we are optimistic heading into 2007. Everyone at BMW Group Canada and our Retailer body will work tirelessly each and every day to deliver the Ultimate Customer Experience.”

BMW Brand: Sales of BMW brand automobiles up 10.3% in 2006 to a new record high.

The BMW brand sold a record 20,020 units in 2006, which exceeds the 20,000 unit mark for the first time, and represents a sales increase of 10.3% over 2005. The BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and X3 Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) achieved best ever sales results for the year resulting in 10,721 3 Series sales, 2,577 5 Series units retailed, 433 6 Series units and 3,096 X3 SAVs sold in 2006. Sales of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé, voted "Best New Sports Performance Car over $50,000" for 2007 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), increased 43.6% over 2005, retailing 1,126 units in 2006.

BMW experienced its best ever December sales with 1,506 BMWs sold, a 1.8% increase over December 2005 BMW sales. Sales of the previously mentioned, award-winning 3 Series Coupé increased 388.1% in December compared to December 2005, representing 205 units sales.

BMW Motorrad Canada also celebrated its best sales year in history. 1,200 BMW Motorcycles were retailed in 2006, an increase of 4.3% over 2005 sales. In December, 28 BMW motorcycles were retailed in the Canadian market.


MINI Brand: MINI set sales record in last year of product life cycle.

MINI Canada sold a record breaking 3,410 MINIs in 2006, an increase of 0.3% over 2005. Record sales for the MINI brand continue its upward trend in Canada since the launch into the Canadian market in 2002.

MINI sales set a December record with an increase of 129.3%, translating to 337 new MINI owners taking delivery.

BMW Group Canada Pre-Owned sales enjoyed its best year ever with an increase of 21% in 2006 over 2005 levels as 7,952 BMW vehicles and 627 MINI units were sold. The company credits the work of our Retailer network and the Certified Series and MINI NEXT programs for the increase. Under both Pre-Owned programs purchasers receive additional protection up to 6 years, roadside assistance, complete reconditioning and a money back guarantee.

BMW Group Canada, based in Whitby, Ontario, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG and is responsible for the distribution of BMW luxury performance automobiles, Sports Activity Vehicles, Motorcycles, and MINI. BMW Group Financial Services Canada is a division of BMW Group Canada and offers retail financing and leasing programs on new and pre-owned BMW and MINI automobiles, as well as retail financing for new and pre-owned BMW Motorcycles. A total network of 39 BMW automobile retail centres, 18 BMW motorcycle retailers, and 22 MINI retailers represents the BMW Group across the country.

BMW MOA Chartered Club:

Connecticut River Valley BMW Riders, Inc (http://www.crvbmw.org/)., #164

Founded:
5/1/1986

Contact:
Larry Friedman (crvbmw@earthlink.net)
PO Box 791
Canton, CT 06019-0791 US
www.crvbmw.org

Meetings:
3rd Saturday or Sunday each month except December, July, and August.
location varies, see current newsletter at www.crvbmw.org

Events:
Charter Oak Rally, Memorial Day weekend,
see club newsletter or BMW ON When and Where listing

January banquet, September picnic, Michael Bristol Memorial fundraiser for MDA

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/120673248-M.png (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally07/rally07announce.htm)

Gemütlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.

http://www.cedarcreekwinery.com/images/sublogo.gif ( http://www.cedarcreekwinery.com/ )

Ozaukee – Washington Daily News ( http://www.dailynewsol.com/index.htm)

Fond Du Lac Reporter ( http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

The Sheboygan Press ( http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam (http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/)

Weather

West Bend WI
Current (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USWI0733?from=search_current)

10 Day Forcast (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USWI0733?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared )

United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov/)

Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada (http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/canada_e.html)


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/116822994-M.jpg (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally07/rally07announce.htm)

News:

doityourself.com (http://www.doityourself.com/stry/womenmotorcycles) Women and their motorcycles

inter-bike.co.uk (http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/tblnewspop.asp?news=1579): 2008 Kawasaki 1400GTR – Supersport tehnology. Continent crossing performance.

inter-bike.co.uk (http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/tblnewspop.asp?news=1580): 2008 Kawasaki KLX450R

Motorcycledaily.com (http://www.motorcycledaily.com/04january07_triumph2007tiger_p1.htm): 2007 Triumph Tiger – Ride review.

inter-bike.co.uk (http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/tblnewspop.asp?news=1576): Triumph sales grow 18% lead by the Daytona 675 and the Scrambler twin.

Dirtrider.com (http://www.dirtrider.com/video/141_0701_450_mx_shootout_video/): Video of Dirt Rider Magazine’s 450 shootout.


Feature:

I know it is a car thing but here is a simple explanation of under steer and over steer.
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Gear:

pupularmechanics.com (http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/upgrade/4206754.html): Review – Ballpoint pens – we carry them in our tankbags, use them in odd places and curse them when they don’t work in the rain. PM looks at 3 that are suppose to be adventure grade.

Motorcycle Repair and Care:

w6rec.com/duane/bmw (http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/head/index.htm): BMW motorcycle /2 cylinder heads, or “butterheads”

Parts:

Motorcyclist.com (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/122_0701_pirelli_diable_corsa_3/): Pireli Diablo Corsa III tested

Riding Skills:

Sportrider.com (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0412_you_are_where_you_look/): You are where you look

Technology:

popularmechanics.com (http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4208929.html): Review - Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick Puts Broadcast HD on your Laptop, for Free: Out of the Box - TV for the traveling rider?

Manufacturer of the Day:

BRIDGESTONE

Bridgestone – Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgestone)

jimtrader.com ( http://www.jimtrader.com/) –Jim’s Bridgestone Motorcycle Online

Google.com (http://www.google.com/search?q=Bridgestone+Motorcycle&hl=en&cat=gwd%2FTop)- Bridgestone Motorcycle

Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)

The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)

Bike Candy:

http://www.2tausend1.de/motors/normal/Buell-RR1000-Battletwin-1987.jpg

From: Motorcycles of the 20th Century ( http://home.planet.nl/~motors-20th-century/motors.html)


The Pit Crew View: Racing News:

All things BMW

X-Raid.de ( http://www.x-raid.de/index.php?id=10): BMW X-Raid

Dakar 2007

Turkishpress.com (http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=157945): Portugal wants to keep Dakar beyond 2008.

smh.com.au (http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Safety-a-prime-concern-for-Dakar-Rally/2007/01/05/1167777247239.html): Safety a prime concern for Dakar Rally

Dakar 2006
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Dakar 2006 the winning team
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kEgrjTpXzRg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kEgrjTpXzRg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

So all this rally talk has you wanting to start rallying. Gizmag.com (http://www.gizmag.com/go/6682/) reports that Subaru is selling made-to-order, race-ready rally cars. My to do list. Pick up groceries, go to bank, go racing, oops take groceries home then go racing.

http://www.dakar.euromaster.com/images/cheche.jpg

The official Dakar 2007 website. (http://www.dakar.com/indexus.html)

Versus (http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/673/?UserDef=true&catID=76): Now that you too are hooked on the event here is the TV schedule for your 2007 Dakar viewing pleasure.

Dakar Rally News via topix.net (http://www.topix.net/racing/dakar-rally)
NORTH AMERICAN ENTRANTS:

Here are the entrants from NA and their websites when available. This undoubtedly is an incomplete list and I will continue to refine it up to race time.

MOTORCYCLE

Chris Blais (http://www.blaisracing.com/): Red Bull / KTM

Paul Broome (http://www.dakarpaul.com/Home_Page.php): Honda

Terry Curtis - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha

James Embro (http://www.sundaysocialclub.org/42173.html): Team SSC / JJE Constructors

Timothy Hall (http://24.240.192.148/): Heatland Dakar 2007 / KTM

Sunny Irvine - Team Rally Raid Mexico / Yamaha

Christopher Jones (http://www.dakar101.com/): KTM

Mike Kary (http://www.rallysocal.com/Home_Page.php): Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna

Steve Laroza: Team JJE Construcors / KTM

Casey McCoy (http://www.rallypanam.com/ridersCM.html): Rally Pan America / KTM

Brian Schumckle (http://www.rallysocal.com/Home_Page.php): Team RallySoCal / Husqvarna


Elmer Symons (http://www.elmee.com/): Team SSC/JJE Constructors / KTM

Jonah Street (http://www.street2dakar.com/): Pai-Rally Pan America / KTM

CARS

Ron Bailey Motorsports (http://www.ronnbaileymotorsports.com/rbm/)

Team Gordon (http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/cat_index_60.shtml)

Volkswagen Motosport (http://www.volkswagen-motorsport.com/web/news/index.php?&flash=&lg=e&st=141&id=986): Drivers Mark Miller / Ralf Pitchford

Team SMG (http://www.team-smg.com/GB/saison.php): Divers – Michael Peterson / Matthew Stevensen

TRUCKS

Thomas Geviss / Paul Mitchell (http://www.robbygordon.com/cms/publish/cat_index_60.shtml): Team Gordon

Darren Skilton / Jose Grijalva / Hecotr Camachof

Here is another chance for you to do the digging: Google Directory: Dakar 2007 (http://www.google.com/search?q=Dakar+2007&hl=en&lr=&cat=gwd/Top&start=0&sa=N), approximately 598 sites to mine. Have fun.

Dakar Motorcycle Entrants as of 5 OCT 2007 (http://donald.hypermart.net/MCRide/Dakar07/DDakar07_Katilim%20Listesi.htm) This appears to be a complete list of the motorcycle entrants.
PAGE 2: A Link to Events and Racing Calendars (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=170690&posted=1#post170690)
Last update: December 17, 2006


Unless noted otherwise, I have no known commercial interest in any products, retailers or manufactures discussed in the Morning Reads. The links used in the Morning Reads are for informational use only. The use of all links is subject to the terms of use of the originating site.

THE END (http://www.fh.net/)

PAULBACH
01-05-2007, 06:14 AM
Don't Ride the Center Line

Another disturbing habit we see with some sportbike riders is the tendency to "hug" the center dividing line when entering left-handers. The problem with this practice is that while your tires are technically on your side of the road, your body and some bike components are in the oncoming lane. Should there be a car or truck (or even another bike) drifting toward the line as you’re headed in the opposite direction, you’ll be in for a nasty surprise if you don’t change your line.

For more good reminders read this (http://www.sportrider.com/ride/RSS/146_0412_you_are_where_you_look/).

bubbagazoo
01-05-2007, 10:11 AM
The oversteer, understeer explanation reminds me of some NASCAR driver's explanation of loose and tight. Tight is when you hit the wall with the front of your car. Loose is when you hit the wall with the back of your car.