It was bound to happen.

Harley-Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle brand with a cult-like following, has announced it has chosen to build its second assembly plant ever outside the United States in India.

The “complete knock down” plant or CKD is expected to be up and running in the northern Indian state of Haryana in first half of 2011. Parts made in America will be put together for the Indian market in Haryana.

“What we are doing is made in USA, assembled in India, which will have a positive job effect back home which is why we are driving this investment as quickly as we are,” Anoop Prakash managing director for Harley Davidson India told CNN.

Re-posted from CNN

The cold weather is officially here. Be sure to protect yourself from the elements. The new shipment of gloves and chaps have arrived.

Click here to view the embedded video.

On October 22nd the Open Road Riderz Riding Group took a ride up to Deals Gap. The Riderz left the Open Road Cycles shop in Denver just after the sun came up and began the nearly 4 hour ride towards the NC TN border. After a short break to check into our rooms at the Two Wheel Inn, and a short rest, we left the Inn and headed out.

We hit Hellbender first, a nice ride with some decent turns. We came out right at the Deals Gap station and went right onto The Tail of the Dragon. Some of the group had been on The Tail before and new what to expect. For others it was a new and thrilling experience, twisting through the turns and trying to stay on the road. The group had separated into two somewhere on Hellbender. The first group didn’t realize this and made the run with no trouble. At the end of the run we pulled over to wait for the rest of our riders.

After a few minutes we realized that something must have happened and two bikes were sent back up the road. Right after that two of the 2nd group arrived and told us that one of the bikes had gone down in a curve. Luckily the fall was not too serious and the rider would be ok, although the bike had some minor damage which would be easily repaired. Now knowing what had happened we decided not to continue on to the Skyway and headed back up to the 2nd group, then headed back to the Inn.

Although we didn’t get to complete the day as planned, the day was still a success. All of the Riderz will remember this weekend and tell a good tale about it as well. We look forward to returning to run the complete route next year.

Kawasaki launched it’s new 2011 product lineup on October 20th. The new products include the Ninja® 1000, Ninja® ZX-10R, Vulcan® 1700 Vaquero Cruiser and the Jet Ski® Ultra® 300X.

The Vaquero paint is restricted to two choices, Ebony and Candy Fire Red. It is powered by a 1,700cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled V-twin engine with 108 foot-pounds of torque. The six-speed transmission boasts overdriven 5th and 6th gears.

Vaquero Features:

(Press Release)

Ducati is excited to announce that after months of speculation the long wait is almost over, the new Diavel will make its first public appearance at the EICMA International Motorcycle Show this coming November.Announcing the new model’s name ahead of the official presentation, the famous Italian manufacturer is about to turn another dream into reality. This dream comes true via using the local Bolognese dialect for “devil” in naming their new model the Diavel – pronounced Dee-ah-vel.

The idea for the Diavel name was born early in the development process of the bike, when the prototype was assembled and wheeled out in front of a group of Ducati engineers and technicians for the first time. One person looking from the rear of the bike saw its silhouette and exclaimed in Bolognese dialect: “Ignurànt comm’ al diavel!” Meaning: “Evil, like the devil!”

From that moment on, Diavel became the nickname for the project. Ducati now makes the name official as it approaches the unveiling in Milan. Reminiscent of how the “Monster” was named 20 years ago, the Diavel is now destined to follow the same Bolognese tradition. Ducati is proud to continue shaping the future of motorcycling while staying faithful to its Italian heritage.

Built to have a commanding presence, though lightweight and agile, the Diavel will take the man-motorcycle relationship to the next level in absolute comfort. For fans of technology ABS, Ducati Traction Control and Ducati Riding Modes will deliver a confidence-inspiring sophistication. Stunning looks, the Superbike-derived Testastretta 11° engine and 456lb of authentic Ducati performance will drive a comfortable sport lifestyle that could only be dreamt of until now.

Lehman Trikes unveiled it’s new trike concept. It’s based on the Kawasaki Vulcan 900.

“The new trike is being explored as Lehman’s next entry-level product for the rapidly expanding three-wheel segment of the motorcycle market.”

Read the full article at dealernews.com

Although we posted a news article citing a rise in NC motorcycle fatalities, the following information states a decrease in national fatalities.

It’s not surprising when accident rates increase in proportion to increased usage and number of miles travelled, but last year motorcyclist fatalities decreased more than any other category of road users despite more motorcycles being ridden more miles!

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System reports that 4,462 riders died in 2009, 850 fewer than in the previous year, representing a 16% drop in fatalities despite a 5% increase in miles traveled and 4.5% increase in the number of motorcycles on the road. The Motorcycle Industry Council recorded half a million more motorcycles in use in 2009, up from 11 million in 2008, and according to the MIC 2009 Motorcycle Owner Survey, they were ridden 1.3 billion more miles.

There was also a decrease in motorcycle accident injuries, down 6.3% from 96,000 in 2008 to 90,000 last year.

Overall U.S. traffic fatalities hit the lowest level ever recorded, since 1950 when the government began tracking such statistics, and the 33,808 road deaths in 2009 was down 9.7% from the year before. All traffic accidents, fatal or not, declined by 5.3% between 2008 and 2009, though motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 3 and 34, NHTSA said.

Carolina Harley-Davidson owner Diane Baldwin kept the motor running at her dealership even after the tragic death of her husband Click Baldwin in a motorcycle accident two years ago in Montana.

But on Oct. 15, she will close the business that she and Click started in Gastonia 22 years ago because she’s come to the realization that “without Click, there is no Carolina Harley-Davidson,” said Jodi Sandate, a friend and spokeswoman for the dealership at 2830 E. Franklin Blvd.

Diane Baldwin and Harley-Davidson Motor Co. entered a mutual agreement Tuesday to retire one of the largest dealerships on the East Coast along with the Carolina Harley-Davidson Museum.

Diane Baldwin could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

“Ultimately this was Click’s passion and Click’s dream and Click is no longer with us,” Sandate said. “When she (Diane) walks in that dealership, everything she sees is her late husband. All she sees are memories. This is hard for her.”

Click Baldwin died in July 2008 after his 2009 Harley-Davidson struck a 1999 Honda Civic on U.S. 12 outside Lolo, Mont., and he was thrown from his motorcycle. A tremendous memorial followed his death with hundreds of riders escorting his casket and tributes from celebrities like NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.

The loss of Click Baldwin was a personal and professional loss. In addition to her grief, Diane Baldwin also had to struggle with the collapse of the U.S. economy, Sandate said. A savvy businesswoman, she explored other options for the business, but eventually decided to retire, Sandate said.

“It’s too much for one person,” Sandate said. “Her partner died — in more ways than one.”

The Baldwins first opened the dealership in downtown Gastonia in 1988 with five employees. Over the years, the business grew, moving to a location on Remount Road and then to the 70,000-square-foot building near Franklin Square. During more prosperous economic times, the dealership employed 75. Today, there are 33 employees.

On Saturday, Diane Baldwin met privately with her management and then announced her decision to employees, who comforted her and told her, “We are with you until the end,” Sandate said. Several of the staff members were working there when Click died. They supported Diane through his death and they will continue to support her through this transition also, she said.

Sandate said Diane Baldwin plans to speak with her customers and the community Aug. 27 and 28 at the Eighth Annual Bikes, Boogie & BBQ , which will be the dealership’s final event celebration.

After that, her immediate plans will focus on selling the building and sorting through “Click’s toys.” The dealership is also a museum full of motorcycle memorabilia and vintage motorcycles, including a 1914 Harley-Davidson Model 10-B, known as the “Silent Gray Fellow.”

“[T]hat in itself will be a full-time job” Diane stated in a press release.

After October, Gaston County won’t have a Harley Davidson dealership and the Baldwin’s dealer number will be retired. Representatives of Harley-Davidson Motor Co. were not available Tuesday to discuss the closing.

At one time, Sandate said Carolina Harley-Davidson ranked in the Top 25 of the company’s 600 dealerships nationwide. And over the years, the Baldwins have been generous to the community, hosting charity events and motorcycle rides, she said.

“The community has been very supportive of Diane,” Sandate said. And the two of them have done a lot for the community.”

Originally posted at gastongazette.com

Time to change the oil in your cycle? We use Spectro 20W/50 synthetic oil, the better choice to make sure your engine runs smooth. This month, get your oil changed for $59.95.

If you’re thinking about switching out some new bars on your ride, or want to add some accessories, Open Road Cycles can get you what you’re looking for. We work directly with Vance & Hines, and Drag Specialties. We will also begin to work with Rinehart Pipes so keep your eye on our blog to find out when that happens.

AJ is still detailing so if you need to get that ride looking all shiny and new, give us a call. We use Spectro bike wash which has a 9.3 ph balance.

Call Open Road Cycles at 704.489.1100

Attention motorcyclists! Please mark your calendars. You are all invited to attend Crusing For A Cure IV on April 17th, 2010. This show is open to all cars, trucks and motorcycles. The show will be staged at the Lincolnton High School in Lincolnton, NC. Plaques will be awarded to the top 40 vehicles along with one People’s Choice Award, and goodie bags will be given out to the first 50 registrants.

Registration for the event will begin at 9am on April 17th at the show. If you would like to preregister, or donate, online you can do so at http://cruisingforacure.info/pre-registration.htm. Preregistration will be open until April 9th, 2010. T-Shirts are available for $15 and can be purchased with your preregistration.

Crusing For A Cure is organized by Anne and Tim Willis of the Carolina PT Cruisers group. In 2003 Tim lost one of his cousins, Renee Willis Anthony, to Ovarian Cancer. She was only in her early forties. Then towards the end of the year Anne was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer at 39. Anne underwent successful treatment and is currently in good health. After this Anne and Tim decided to organize the Crusing For A Cure shows to help raise awareness and donations for Relay For Life and The American Cancer Foundation.

Almost all of us have had relatives or friends who have battled cancer. By supporting the Cruise For A Cure IV show you can help in the fight against this terrible disease. All proceeds from the show will go directly to the Relay For Life and The American Cancer Foundation.

Links
Cruising For A Cure IV
Carolina PT Cruisers