Motorcycle News Roundup: 50 Years of Yamaha. Better Training Needed? Triumph Recall.

Speed kills more than before. Your loud pipes will cause you trouble. Stock up on Honda? Jesse James: Mr. Congeniality? Why you should work for the Motorcycle Industry Council.

Yamaha's First Half-Century
The company displayed some of the memorable bikes from its first 50 years at its Las Vegas dealer meeting.
AMA DirectLink

Should U.S. Rider Training and Testing Be More Rigorous?
This writer believes that would make safer riders.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA

Speed Rising as a Factor in Fatal Accident, NHTSA Study Says
Speeding shows up in more fatal accidents than it has in over a decade, and can be a factor in 40 percent of the fatalities in curves. Dealers are expected to begin to replace the hoses in July.
NHTSA Study
Dateline Alabama
Reuters
WCIV TV, SC
Woman Motorist
Aberdeen News, SD

Bright Idea Might Save Lives, But Draws Tickets Instead
At night, a motorcylist's single headlight can be hard to identify and it can be difficult to judge its distance and speed. This rider thought that flashing lights would help solve the problem, but he discovered—as others who have tried adding lighting to make their motorcycles more visible and identifiable have—that it's against the law. Now he is trying to get the feds to change the standards to permit it.
Palm Beach Post, FL
Website with petition to change standards

The Rest of the World Hates your Noise
People are tired of noise, including loud pipes. Enforcement against noise is being increased around the country. Myrtle Beach is even thinking of getting rid of its two big spring motorcycle rallies, citing noise as a reason.
Appleton Post Crescent, WI
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC
Pioneer Press, MN
Miami Herald, FL

Gossip: Jesse James to Marry Sandra Bullock?
Will Miss Congeniality hook up with Mr. West Coast Choppers? Us Magazine says yes. Her people say no.
Bosh, NY
Hollywood.com
Monsters and Critics, UK
Us magazine
MSNBC

Some Triumphs Recalled for Coolant Leak
The NHTSA has order recalls of Triumph Daytona, Speed Triple, Sprint and Sprint with ABS models to replace a coolant hose.
Consumer Affairs
Office of Defects Investigation Insert "05V276000" in the "NHTSA Campaign ID Number" window.

Harley to Webcast Second Quarter Results July 13
With company reporting flat sales for the first quarter, there is tremendous interest in its report for the quarter ending this month.
Yahoo! Finance

Time to Buy Honda Stock?
Reuters sees value in the company's international growth in two- and four-wheel markets.
Reuters

Motorcycle Industry Council Named One of "Best Companies to Work For in Orange County" by OC Metro Magazine
The industry organization offers its employees child care and elder care referral services, a confidential support service for employees and dependents, and a motorcycle maintenance program that includes reimbursement of expenses.
OC Metro, CA

If you have questions or comments about the stories referred to here or know of an article or event that you think we should include, email Motorcycle Cruiser's web editor at Art.Friedman@primedia.com or at ArtoftheMotorcycle@hotmail.com.

High-Speed Pursuits End Badly for Fleeing Riders
The lucky one got away briefly, will end up in jail and lose his bike. Both his licenses were already suspended.
Santa Clarita Daily News, CA
Los Angeles Times, CA
Los Angeles Times, CA
In-Forum, ND
Grand Forks Herald, ND

Freak Wreck of the Week
A New Mexico rider touring Alaska was killed when a piece of steel fell off a truck. No word on whether the trucker or his company will be charged.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, AK
KTUU TV, AK
Seattle Post Intelligencer, WA

For more breaking motorcycle news, visit the home page of www.MotorcycleCruiser.com.