Etc.

etc.

GOODBYE, DOT

Dorothy “Dot” Robinson, affectionately referred to as the “first lady of motorcycling,” has died at age 87. Born in Melbourne, Australia, to sidecar-maker James Goulding, Robinson co-founded the Motor Maids and competed regularly in endurance runs. She topped the sidecar class in the Jack Pine enduro in 1940, becoming the first woman to win in AMA national competition. With husband Earl, Robinson owned and operated a Harley-Davidson dealership in Detroit until 1971. She was inducted into the Motorcycle Flail of Fame in 1998.

CAGIVA NAVIGATOR

Further distancing itself from its roots, Cagiva chose the Milan show to unveil the Suzuki TLIOOOS-powered version of its previously Ducati 900SS-equipped Gran Canyon. Now dubbed the Navigator, the bike is offered in both standard and “T” (for “touring”) guises, the latter equipped with saddlebags and a top trunk. Colors are soiid blue or burgundy. Also shown on the Cagiva stand was a biposto version of the MV Agusta F4S, with very un-MV solid-silver paint.

AMA NAMES PRESIDENT

The AMA has announced the hiring of J. Scott Thorton as president and CEO of the 240,000-member association. Thorton, who replaces Ed Youngblood, previously served as an AMA field representative. “The strength of the AMA is the sheer diversity of our membership,” he said. “But that is also our greatest weakness. My job is to keep the channels of communication open.”

WHERE THE CHICKS ARE

Sick of hearing about how many women are getting into bikes? Tough. Get used to it. With one out of every 11 motorcycle owners being a female, it’s clear that women are becoming a biking presence. Recognizing this, the AMA has scheduled its second Women & Motorcycling Conference for July 13-16, 2000. Plans call for workshops addressing issues concerning women in motorcycling, as well as ample riding opportunities. For more details, call the AMA at 614/856-1900.

GOING, GOING...

Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations has produced its last-and we mean /asf-Evo-engined FXR. The year2000 FXR4’s Screaming Yellow Pearl (or Candy Tangerine) paint and Eclipse graphics are comple• mented by more than a dozen Willie G.-okayed add-ons. Suggested retail is $17,995, and you’d better hurry: Only 970 examples will be produced.

OFF-ROAD OUTBAOKS

According to the AMA, President Clinton plans to shut down millions of acres of national forest land. The recently unveiled proposal would curtail a variety of activities on 40 million acres, mostly in western states. In addition, the President has requested that officials investigate whether an additional 10-15 million acres of public land should be subject to the same protection. “Those lands include the vast majority of motorized-recreation trails nationwide,” said Eric Lundquist, an AMA senior legislative analyst. “Most of those trails already have been subject to review and analysis, and have been determined to be appropriate uses.”