Etc.
ETC.
TOURING INFO PLUS
When it comes time to start making motorcycle travel plans, one of the handiest reference books we know is Motorcycle Touring: An International Directory, 1991/92, from Whitehorse Press (154 W. Brookline Street, Boston, MA 02118; 617/241-5241). Now, Whitehorse Press has announced availability of its 1993/94 Supplement to the international directory. This contains updated listings of tour groups, motorcycle rental and shipping agencies, info on tour operators and, curiously, a listing of currency exchange rates that was obsolete even before it was published. Never mind, the supplement is as valuable complement to the directory. To get your copy of either or both ($24.90 for the directory and supplement, or $9.95 for the supplement alone) contact Whitehorse Press.
GEE, DAD, IT’S A GILERA-HONDA
Come October, the motorcycling world will turn its eyes toward the Milan Motor Show, where one of the stars of that show is scheduled to be an all-new Gilera sportbike. Well, almost all-new: This machine, which even now Gilera is hard at work upon, will be powered by Honda’s CBR600F2 engine. This pairing is the first fruit of a joint venture between the Italian and Japanese manufacturers (see Cycle World, May, 1993). The arrangement allows Gilera to expand its line much faster than otherwise would be possible, and gives Honda a strong toehold in the European economic community. Sources suggest that for it to be competitive in the European marketplace, this new Gilera-Honda will have to be light and small-perhaps as light as 350 pounds dry, a full 55 pounds less than the Honda.
PIGGY BANK OPENS
Emulating what other car and motorcycle manufacturers have been doing for some time, Harley-Davidson recently announced its own financial products and services company. The company, called Harley-Davidson Credit, provides financing for new and used motorcycles, and will issue Harley-Davidson credit cards offering a revolving credit line of up to $5000, good only at Harley-Davidson dealerships. Also available will be a full line of motorcycle and personal insurance programs. The company also will offer inventory financing for Harley dealers. Eagle Credit Corporation, 49 percent of which is owned by Harley-Davidson Inc., is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Credit.
GANGSTERS ON THE ROAD
If you’re one of the riders turned on by Harley-Davidson’s bad-boy image, you’re going to love this: Avon, the British tire manufacturer, recently announced a new line of 16-inch tires specifically for Harleys. The line’s model name? The Gangster, what else? Avon says it’s already sold about 4000 Gangsters in the U.S. Presumably, pearl-gray fedoras and fiddle-cased Thompson submachine guns don’t come as part of the deal.
FOR THE RECORD
Ooops! On page 16 of our 1993 Buyer’s Guide Annual, in a story titled “Motorcycling’s Movable Feast,” we listed the phone numbers of two insurance companies that specialize in motorcycle coverage. Unfortunately, we printed a number for Dairyland Insurance that rings in the right company but the wrong office; and getting people connected to the correct office has greatly inconvenienced both the callers and the insurance company. We apologize for our error and ask interested parties to call Dairyland’s correct policy-information number, which is 800-345-0335. □
