Moto Guzzi’s parent company, Piaggio told investors that the new strategic plan includes a „full renewal of the range of engines and products for the Moto Guzzi brand.” This means the age of overweight, under performing bikes has come to an end. The press release says, “On the European market, the Plan aims to consolidate the Group’s leadership in scooters and boost motorcycle market shares for the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi brands. New engines will be developed for Aprilia, accompanied by a full renewal of the range of engines and products for the Moto Guzzi brand.” The Italians also announced that they will expand their manufacturing facilities in India and Vietnam. Read the full article »

Wisconsin is giving Harley-Davidson $25 million in tax credits to preserve jobs at its factories in the state. The deal saves about 1000 blue-collar jobs in the Milwaukee area and Tomahawk. Unions at the two plants voted last week to approve a seven-year contract that will freeze wages, result in a loss of 200 to 350 permanent jobs and allow the company to hire casual workers. These workers will be paid about half what full time workers make. Governor Jim Doyle and Harley-Davidson President and CEO Keith Wandell issued a joint statement Friday. Read the full article »

Oklahoma riders have to start paying a new $3 fee that helps fund motorcycle safety and education training for both experienced and unexperienced drivers. The fee will be added to existing registration fees, and affects new motorcycles and their renewals. Despite the hit to the wallet, the Daily Oklahoman says motorcyclists of the state aren’t complaining. Tony Maxey, the owner of Maxey’s Cycles in Oklahoma City said, “you get people who have never ridden before, have some extra money and want to spend it on a bike. They want the fastest bike they can get. I always ask them about their level of experience first. But when it comes down to it, as a dealer, I sell it to them.” Read the full article »

During a ceremony at Castel Gandolfo, Ducati Motor Holding made the gift of two Multistradas to the Pope, the motorcycles specially prepared as special escort vehicles for the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City during official security duties for the Pontiff. The two 1200cc Ducati Multistrada motorcycles, finished in the special livery of the Pontifical State, were delivered directly to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Rome on 15 September. In the beautiful gardens adjoining the villa, a delegation of top management from the world-famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer officially presented the gift to His Holiness, Pope Bendictus XVI. Read the full article »

In what can only be considered good news for motorcyclists, federal officials have reported that motorcycle fatalities saw their first drop since 1998, marking the end of an 11-year, 175-percent increase. Among all types of motorists, motorcyclists had the second-largest reduction in fatalities, behind large-truck occupants, and the largest drop in alcohol-impaired fatalities – also a 16 percent reduction. "The death of any motorcyclist is one too many, so this news that fatalities are down is encouraging," said Ed Moreland, AMA senior vice president for government relations. Read the full article »

Wisconsin union workers at Harley yesterday approved a seven-year labor contract that keeps work at the Tomahawk and Menomonee Falls plants, although at a price. The new contract will establish a two-tier workforce similar to what the company has at its plants in the York, Penn. The deal preserves some full-time, union jobs, but transitions some part-time, „casual” positions. “It doesn’t feel good now, but we’re happy we kept jobs in Milwaukee,” told Mike Masik, president of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-209, the Milwaukee Small Business Times. Read the full article »

Union employees at Harley-Davidson Inc. will vote today on labor contracts that could determine the fate of their jobs and Harley’s production facilities in Wisconsin. The seven-year contract could cut hundreds of full-time employees. Harley says it needs to cut over $50 million dollars in labor costs at its plants in Menomonee Falls and Tomahawk. If the Steelworkers union does ot approve the new contract, Harley says it will close the two Wisconsin plants and move the production out-of-state where it is cheaper. Read the full article »

Italian manufacturer MV Agusta has just added a „virtual” museum to its website. The site, available under adress http://www.mvagusta.it/it/moto-storiche/moto-da-strada, includes pictures and specifications for all of its most historic road motorcycles from the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s beginning with the first 98cc “Turismo” in 1945 before chronicling and also chronicles the racing MVs which delivered 37 world championships between 1952 and 1976 in the hands of the likes of Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read. Read the full article »

The North American arm of Ducati reported an impressive 24-percent increase of sales last month. The Italian marque says these numbers display „a significant growth in a declining market for the second month in a row. The manufacturer credits their sales increase due to the new Monster 797 and the Multistrada 1200S, which continues to be one of the industry’s best sellers, and the arrival of the 848 EVO. Ducati says this lineup confirms that the motorcycling market wants „innovative, quality performance models.” Read the full article »

We have seen a few different ideas that try tackling the problem of speeding motorists but a school in Canada hase come up with one of the most thought-provoking methods of the bunch. The École Pauline Johnson Elemtary School, in Vancouver, is using a 3D optical illusion of a young girl crossing the road to make drivers slow down. The idea is based on the same optical illusion technique used on many sporting venues for advertising, jumps out of the road. Read the full article »