Mika
02-03-2007, 05:55 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=2007-2-3&c=1)
http://www.shastahome.com/cards/birthday2.gif
World of BMW news
Adventure Down Under for award-winning comedian ( http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=712&artDate=02/02/2007)
BMW MOA Chartered Club:
A double header today which will complete the look at Chartered Clubs listed under the heading of Virtual/Global. My record keeping from the beginning has been a bit confused so if this is a repeat please accept my apologies.
http://www.idiots-r-us.org/GoodUn2_sm.jpeg
club:
The Village Idiots, #256
founded:
4/1/1996
contact:
Roozbeh Chubak (roozbeh@2468.com)
549 San Luis Road
Berkeley, CA 94707 Virtual
www.idiots-r-us.org/
events:
Lost Coast Luau, sometime in May
club:
Toxic Landfill Riders Club, #269
founded:
9/1/1997
contact:
Matthew Loudis (mloudis@juno.com)
350 Garey Rd.
Douglassville, PA 19518 Virtual
meetings:
Labor Day Weekend
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.wisconline.com/counties/door/pictures/08.jpg[/img] (]Ozaukee – Washington Daily News [/B] ( 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)
[img]http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/images/headers/logo-dot-header.gif (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/driving-cond.htm)
Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.
News:
inter-bike.co (http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/tblnewspop.asp?news=1612) : UK – Popularity of Royal Enfield motorcycles is undiminished thanks to classic looks and incredible fuel economy.
Bikes in the Fast Lane (http://blogs.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/02022007140005MWEH9M.htm) : French Motorcycle Cops Fed Up! After reading the article I wonder if it would play in Peoria or West Bend or Lilydale.
: Dusty Windshield Art
I like it. It is incredibly transient but I like it.
Harley Strike Articles:
As you read strike articles you may notice the facts differ.
[url=http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_5143060]EveningSun.com (damncoolpics.blogspot.com[/url): Two Hanover companies start layoffs. A metal polishing vendor is laying off its 44 workers as a result of the H-D strike / closure.
Motorcyclistonline.com (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0702_harley_davidson_union_strike/) : Harley-Davidson Disappointed With Union Vote - Press release courtesy of Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
wtov9.com (http://www.wtov9.com/money/10915794/detail.html) : 2800 Hog Builders Walk Off Assembly Line.
Beer News:
A local dairy developed and marketed a product called Hyper Cow, a strawberry, chocolate or mocha flavored caffeinated drink. It was good stuff. Now Seriouseats.com (http://www.seriouseats.com/required_eating/2007/02/milk_beer_bilk.html) reports about BILK. Milk + Beer = BILK. I don’t know. Growing up in Wisconsin all some people consumed as liquids were milk and beer. Not together. I am guessing Milk + Beer + M1ka does not equal a customer base.
Blog Update:
At the risk of starting another battery thread.Crustythebiker.com (http://crustythebiker.blogspot.com/2007/02/clickclickclickclick.html)
Hansonmat.blogspot.com (http://hansomat.blogspot.com/2007/02/alphabet-soup.html): Alphabet Soup!
MotoLiam.com (http://www.motoliam.com/)
Gear:
webBikeWorld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-gloves/teknic-speedstar/): Teknic Speedstar Gloves
Parts:
This is turning into a battery thread; from theKneeslider.com (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/02/02/lithium-ion-polymer-motorcycle-batteries/) – Lithium-ion-polymer motorcycle batteries. Here is a link to TekBattery.com (http://www.tekbattery.com/).
The prices are not for the faint of heart BMW rider. (Paul this is DEFINITELY NOT FREE) Prices on the website range from $444 for the least expensive motorcycle battery to $1348 for the top end car version.
The direction of the technology is interesting. Every pound you save either enhances performance or increases useable payload. In this case with the potential for some more useable storage space for the clever among us.
The diminutive battery will definitely open up a good deal of storage space in your wallet.
Wonderings:
The Harley Davidson Strike
Strikes have many and varied impacts. The obvious ones include the financial impact on the workers, the company and suppliers. All have revenue to loose as work stops. theKneeslider.com (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/02/02/harley-davidson-on-strike/) in its post ‘Harley Davidson on Strike takes a look at the issues in contention and some of the impacts. One paragraph in particular caught my attention.
“I’ve also noticed a lot of advertising from dealers looking to move bikes, the over retail pricing is a thing of the past and there are more than a few bikes sitting around unsold. A strike helps clear the backlog. If dealers can spend less on advertising because the bikes become just a bit more scarce and they can hold the line on prices instead of offering discounts, dealers make more money.”
Harley Davidson moved a record amount of product in 2006. It showed large sales increases in the European market. However; the fourth quarter sales did not meet there prediction. Very close but just short of the aggressive prediction. When you’re a motorcycle company and your business calendar is the calendar year I was not surprised.
I am very interested in how the strike impacts sales and prices in 2007. Will the strike be a breather that allows manufacturing capacity, inventory and customer demand to come back in line? Is it needed to build up a pent up demand for the lines with the new engine and transmission?
Strike observers are notorious for over analyzing and ascribing undeserved sophistication to the negotiating strategies on either side. I am not suggesting a planned strategy beyond hard negotiating of the issues on the bargaining table. This falls into a corollary to the law of unintended consequences; what I will call the law of unintended benefits.
A strike that is settled in a reasonable amount of time will have a short term loss of income for the worker. In the long run it could mean stronger sales and continued company growth.
If Punxsutawney Phil is correct spring will come early this year. Riders and buyers can be expected to return to dealers early, therefore. The danger is a strike that would drag out beyond the benefits of the correction I suggested. It seems reasonable to expect the repeat buyer will be more willing to wait for delivery. Will the first time Harley Davidson buyer be as willing? Or will they be captured by the growing number of quality models from competitors?
Industry sales figures for 2007 will give an insight into the answer to that question. For now I am just wondering.
Manufacturer of the Day:
FLEMING MOTOR VEHICLE CO.
The kit bike started early in motorcycle history. Fleming Motor Vehicle co., a US manufacturer sold engine kits for bicycles in 1900 and produced its first motorcycle in 1901. The company sold vehicles under the name of Ellis, Fleming and E&F.
Woot
Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)
The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)
Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)
Bike Candy:
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Honda%20Bikes/images/Honda-RC181-500cc-1967.jpg
Honda-RC181-500cc-1967 From VintageBike.co.uk
All things BMW
Egmcartech.com (http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/02/02/chicago-auto-showbmw-alpina-b7-set-for-us-debut/): BMW Alpina B7 set for US debut
theCarConnection.com (http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots_and_Future_Cars/2008_BMW_7-Series_Spy_Shots.S178.A11839.html) 2008 BMW 7 Series Spy Shots
motoringfile.com (http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/02/awd-for-all-minis-in-2008/): AWD for all MINIs in 2008?
400+ HP Mini (http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/02/mf-video-friday-fastest-street-mini/) 1.15 min
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/58nlghOLWig"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/58nlghOLWig" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
BMW Group Press Club:
PressClub USA
Still no bike sales report.
BMW GROUP REPORTS JANUARY SALES
02/02/2007
BMW Brand Sales Up 2.5 Percent for January
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 2, 2007... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI brands combined) today reported January vehicle sales of 21,811, down 1.8 percent from the 22,218 vehicles sold in the same month of 2006.
BMW Brand Sales
BMW brand sales were up 2.5 percent, to19,761 vehicles compared to 19,274 vehicles sold during January 2006.
BMW Automobile Sales
Monthly sales of BMW brand automobiles increased 0.5 percent in January, for 15,529 versus 15,455 in 2006.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicles
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were up 10.8 percent for the month, to 4,232 vehicles compared to the 3,819 reported last January.
MINI Brand Sales
MINI Automobiles
MINI USA reported a 30.4 percent decrease in January sales, to 2,050 cars compared to 2,944 cars sold in the same period a year ago. The all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops will go on sale February 17th, and sales reflect the lower inventory associated with the model changeover
Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-2-3&c=1)
http://www.shastahome.com/cards/birthday2.gif
World of BMW news
Adventure Down Under for award-winning comedian ( http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=712&artDate=02/02/2007)
BMW MOA Chartered Club:
A double header today which will complete the look at Chartered Clubs listed under the heading of Virtual/Global. My record keeping from the beginning has been a bit confused so if this is a repeat please accept my apologies.
http://www.idiots-r-us.org/GoodUn2_sm.jpeg
club:
The Village Idiots, #256
founded:
4/1/1996
contact:
Roozbeh Chubak (roozbeh@2468.com)
549 San Luis Road
Berkeley, CA 94707 Virtual
www.idiots-r-us.org/
events:
Lost Coast Luau, sometime in May
club:
Toxic Landfill Riders Club, #269
founded:
9/1/1997
contact:
Matthew Loudis (mloudis@juno.com)
350 Garey Rd.
Douglassville, PA 19518 Virtual
meetings:
Labor Day Weekend
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.wisconline.com/counties/door/pictures/08.jpg[/img] (]Ozaukee – Washington Daily News [/B] ( 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)
[img]http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/images/headers/logo-dot-header.gif (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/driving-cond.htm)
Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.
News:
inter-bike.co (http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/tblnewspop.asp?news=1612) : UK – Popularity of Royal Enfield motorcycles is undiminished thanks to classic looks and incredible fuel economy.
Bikes in the Fast Lane (http://blogs.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/02022007140005MWEH9M.htm) : French Motorcycle Cops Fed Up! After reading the article I wonder if it would play in Peoria or West Bend or Lilydale.
: Dusty Windshield Art
I like it. It is incredibly transient but I like it.
Harley Strike Articles:
As you read strike articles you may notice the facts differ.
[url=http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_5143060]EveningSun.com (damncoolpics.blogspot.com[/url): Two Hanover companies start layoffs. A metal polishing vendor is laying off its 44 workers as a result of the H-D strike / closure.
Motorcyclistonline.com (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_0702_harley_davidson_union_strike/) : Harley-Davidson Disappointed With Union Vote - Press release courtesy of Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
wtov9.com (http://www.wtov9.com/money/10915794/detail.html) : 2800 Hog Builders Walk Off Assembly Line.
Beer News:
A local dairy developed and marketed a product called Hyper Cow, a strawberry, chocolate or mocha flavored caffeinated drink. It was good stuff. Now Seriouseats.com (http://www.seriouseats.com/required_eating/2007/02/milk_beer_bilk.html) reports about BILK. Milk + Beer = BILK. I don’t know. Growing up in Wisconsin all some people consumed as liquids were milk and beer. Not together. I am guessing Milk + Beer + M1ka does not equal a customer base.
Blog Update:
At the risk of starting another battery thread.Crustythebiker.com (http://crustythebiker.blogspot.com/2007/02/clickclickclickclick.html)
Hansonmat.blogspot.com (http://hansomat.blogspot.com/2007/02/alphabet-soup.html): Alphabet Soup!
MotoLiam.com (http://www.motoliam.com/)
Gear:
webBikeWorld.com (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-gloves/teknic-speedstar/): Teknic Speedstar Gloves
Parts:
This is turning into a battery thread; from theKneeslider.com (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/02/02/lithium-ion-polymer-motorcycle-batteries/) – Lithium-ion-polymer motorcycle batteries. Here is a link to TekBattery.com (http://www.tekbattery.com/).
The prices are not for the faint of heart BMW rider. (Paul this is DEFINITELY NOT FREE) Prices on the website range from $444 for the least expensive motorcycle battery to $1348 for the top end car version.
The direction of the technology is interesting. Every pound you save either enhances performance or increases useable payload. In this case with the potential for some more useable storage space for the clever among us.
The diminutive battery will definitely open up a good deal of storage space in your wallet.
Wonderings:
The Harley Davidson Strike
Strikes have many and varied impacts. The obvious ones include the financial impact on the workers, the company and suppliers. All have revenue to loose as work stops. theKneeslider.com (http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/02/02/harley-davidson-on-strike/) in its post ‘Harley Davidson on Strike takes a look at the issues in contention and some of the impacts. One paragraph in particular caught my attention.
“I’ve also noticed a lot of advertising from dealers looking to move bikes, the over retail pricing is a thing of the past and there are more than a few bikes sitting around unsold. A strike helps clear the backlog. If dealers can spend less on advertising because the bikes become just a bit more scarce and they can hold the line on prices instead of offering discounts, dealers make more money.”
Harley Davidson moved a record amount of product in 2006. It showed large sales increases in the European market. However; the fourth quarter sales did not meet there prediction. Very close but just short of the aggressive prediction. When you’re a motorcycle company and your business calendar is the calendar year I was not surprised.
I am very interested in how the strike impacts sales and prices in 2007. Will the strike be a breather that allows manufacturing capacity, inventory and customer demand to come back in line? Is it needed to build up a pent up demand for the lines with the new engine and transmission?
Strike observers are notorious for over analyzing and ascribing undeserved sophistication to the negotiating strategies on either side. I am not suggesting a planned strategy beyond hard negotiating of the issues on the bargaining table. This falls into a corollary to the law of unintended consequences; what I will call the law of unintended benefits.
A strike that is settled in a reasonable amount of time will have a short term loss of income for the worker. In the long run it could mean stronger sales and continued company growth.
If Punxsutawney Phil is correct spring will come early this year. Riders and buyers can be expected to return to dealers early, therefore. The danger is a strike that would drag out beyond the benefits of the correction I suggested. It seems reasonable to expect the repeat buyer will be more willing to wait for delivery. Will the first time Harley Davidson buyer be as willing? Or will they be captured by the growing number of quality models from competitors?
Industry sales figures for 2007 will give an insight into the answer to that question. For now I am just wondering.
Manufacturer of the Day:
FLEMING MOTOR VEHICLE CO.
The kit bike started early in motorcycle history. Fleming Motor Vehicle co., a US manufacturer sold engine kits for bicycles in 1900 and produced its first motorcycle in 1901. The company sold vehicles under the name of Ellis, Fleming and E&F.
Woot
Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)
The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)
Over Heard in New York | Voice of the City (http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/)
Bike Candy:
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Honda%20Bikes/images/Honda-RC181-500cc-1967.jpg
Honda-RC181-500cc-1967 From VintageBike.co.uk
All things BMW
Egmcartech.com (http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/02/02/chicago-auto-showbmw-alpina-b7-set-for-us-debut/): BMW Alpina B7 set for US debut
theCarConnection.com (http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots_and_Future_Cars/2008_BMW_7-Series_Spy_Shots.S178.A11839.html) 2008 BMW 7 Series Spy Shots
motoringfile.com (http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/02/awd-for-all-minis-in-2008/): AWD for all MINIs in 2008?
400+ HP Mini (http://motoringfile.com/2007/02/02/mf-video-friday-fastest-street-mini/) 1.15 min
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/58nlghOLWig"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/58nlghOLWig" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
BMW Group Press Club:
PressClub USA
Still no bike sales report.
BMW GROUP REPORTS JANUARY SALES
02/02/2007
BMW Brand Sales Up 2.5 Percent for January
Woodcliff Lake, NJ - February 2, 2007... The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI brands combined) today reported January vehicle sales of 21,811, down 1.8 percent from the 22,218 vehicles sold in the same month of 2006.
BMW Brand Sales
BMW brand sales were up 2.5 percent, to19,761 vehicles compared to 19,274 vehicles sold during January 2006.
BMW Automobile Sales
Monthly sales of BMW brand automobiles increased 0.5 percent in January, for 15,529 versus 15,455 in 2006.
BMW Sports Activity Vehicles
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were up 10.8 percent for the month, to 4,232 vehicles compared to the 3,819 reported last January.
MINI Brand Sales
MINI Automobiles
MINI USA reported a 30.4 percent decrease in January sales, to 2,050 cars compared to 2,944 cars sold in the same period a year ago. The all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops will go on sale February 17th, and sales reflect the lower inventory associated with the model changeover