It was bold -- stealing from a bunch of bikers sounds like a potential trip to the hospital. But authorities say such thefts are hardly rare, especially during the summer.

Motorcycle deft has always been a pretty ballsy venture to me. Not everyone has the cajones to try and steal from a 300-lb bearded man in black leather.

Jaan Today reported that Harley-Davidson Japan said Wednesday it is recalling a total of 3,163 units of two motorcycle models due to defective braking systems.

The motorcycles were imported from September 2003 to July 2005, the company said in a report to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The company said the motorbikes' brake lamps may not turn off even when a driver lets go of the brake lever on the handle due to insufficient application of grease on the brake piston.

It doesn't conjure a very happy image trying to picture already-insane Japanese bikers flying around without the ability to brake properly. I don't even want to know how this is going to affect the demon-fighting contingency.

BMW will offer Automatic Stability Control (ASC), a.k.a. traction control, as an option on touring models in its K and Boxer Series motorcycles in 2007, according to a press release issued by the German motorcycle manufacturer.

"Automatic Stability Control prevents the rear wheel from spinning uncontrolled when accelerating all-out and thus avoids any loss of side forces and stability which otherwise would make the rear wheel swerve out of control," BMW stated in the release. "Lift-off detection and intervention serves furthermore to prevent the front wheel from moving up [wheelying] when accelerating under full power. Acting together, these two functions enhance riding stability and thus help to ensure a higher standard of safety on the road."

Let's hope this results in fewer accidents. It will certainly result in fewer idiots I see on the main drag doing wheelies and then biting the asphalt.

The summer brings more motorcycles to the road as owners take advantage of the nice weather to put on their leather and hit the streets. Motorcycles come in many shapes, and--according to a Popular Science article--they may now come in a form not yet seen before. The new motorbike featured in the article uses a rubber tread that covers the entire underside of the bike.

The Hyanide, as it is called, was created for this year's Michelin Challenge Design contest. Being that the Hyanide is on a tread, steering the motorcycle is a little different than what many riders may be used to. You actually use your hands and your feet to steer the bike, since both the front and rear of the bike rotate in a turn. Though the picture of the Hyanide is impressive, alas the treaded motorcycle only exists as a one-fifth scale model with no plans for production

I'm not sure whether this thing will be the coolest, or dumbest looking thing I've ever seen. I doubt it will replace "motorcycles" as we know them, but an all-terrain gimmick like this may give 4-wheelers a run for their money.

Someone found a reason to go to Idaho other than Napoleon Dynamite.

Idaho is one of the few states in the region where bikers can let the wind whip through their hair. That's why so many come to Idaho to ride motorcylces without helmets on the state's miles of scenic blacktop. Over the years, several attempts to rev up momentum for a helmet law have failed. Last year, Republican state Representative Tom Trail tried, but his bill was bottled up in committee. He said the law would have saved lives and money spent to cover catastrophic injuries of uninsured bikers. Plus a helmet law would allow Idaho to collect several million dollars in additional federal highway dollars.

But defenders of say it's an issue of freedom.

*Sigh* You know, it really is and should be an issue of freedom. If taking in the glorious scenic wasteland that is Idaho in your peripheral vision is more important than your brain-spattered asphalt picture showing up on Rotten.com, then don't wear a stupid helmet.

Motorcycle Jackets Overview

The Fine Points of Motorcycle Jackets

Mesh Motorcycle Jackets

Leather Motorcycle Jackets

Harley-Davidson Street Bikes Overview

Harley-Davidson Street Bike History

Harley-Davidson Street Bike Safety Tips

Harley-Davidson Dyna Street Bikes

Kawasaki Street Bike History

Kawasaki Street Bike Maintenance

Kawasaki Street Bike Ninja ZX-14

Kawasaki Street Bike Ninja ZX 10R

Honda Street Bikes Overview

History of Honda Street bikes

Maintenance of Honda Street Bikes

Honda 599 Street Bike

This guy isn't happy at all about some article some guy wrote about motorcycles in some paper.

Mr. Garfield seemed to have picked a particular type of motorcycle event which happens to be geared for speed and high performance but neglected to check into the other types of motorcycling. These events called "Bike Nights" usually are being sponsored by alcohol-serving venues and targeting the "younger risk-taking sport bike riding segment" of the riding public. It appears he attended one of these events and concluded that motorcycling is danger on two wheels.

Mr. Garfield was called by the local motorcycle safety program and offered a free learn-to-ride class, so he could get the full experience of motorcycling but didn't take them up on the offer. It seems he was bent on presenting motorcycling as dangerous and used personal emotion putting negative slants on the sport.

For the most part, he's right (if a little too defensive) - any sport or hobby is dangerous if it includes drunks or morons, so why come down on one specifically? - But on the other hand, it doesn't hurt to point out the obvious - motorcycling is dangerous. It just is, and everyone knows it. What you can do with that knowledge is be responsible...or don't.

Harley-Davidson Inc. is changing its stock symbol to HOG, a slang term for large motorcycles like those the company is famous for making. The new symbol will replace the current HDI on Tuesday. The Milwaukee-based company announced the change in a statement from Sturgis, S.D., where the largest annual gathering of Harley owners in the U.S. is taking place.

The Harley Hog, eh? It's not a huge leap, but expect some copyright lawsuits to take place once the Arkansas Razorback gets involved.

Dad-blasted outsourcing!

Honda Motor Co. plans to invest 48 billion yen or $417 million or euro 326 million, to build a new motorcycle plant in India by 2010 and boost local production in the country to 7 million bikes a year, according to media reports.

The new plant would have an annual capacity of 1.5 million motorcycles and increase Honda's overall production in India to about 7 million. Honda officials were not immediately available for comment.

Imagine calling tech support for your Honda now: "Yesm I'm in India, but that's where the plant is! Don't judge Gupta!"

The Commander-in-Chief is heading to a Harley plant near you!

According to White House spokeswoman Christie Parell, Bush will arrive in York on Wednesday to visit the Harley-Davidson plant in Springettsbury Township. Parell was unable to give any more details about the visit.

The White House Web site states that President Bush "will travel to York, Pennsylvania, where he will participate in a tour of Harley-Davidson vehicle operations there; also participate in a roundtable on the economy and attend a Lynn Swann for Governor reception."

Nice to see some positive, proactive action once in a while.

Several groups hoping to quell violence in the city are hosting a "Peace in the Streets" motorcycle ride next week.

"The goal is to bring back the peace."

More presidential stuff at the Davidson plant.

The following is the statement President George W. Bush made during yesterday's visit to Harley-Davidson Inc. in Springettsbury Township.

I'm impressed by the esprit de corps, I'm impressed by the fact that these people really enjoy what they're doing, I'm impressed by the fact that they're impressed by the product they make.