Etc.

etc.

THE “RIDE” STUFF

Portrayed as the “tough guy/girl ride to the end of the Earth,” the dual-purpose Alaska Expedition 2000 combines 3600 miles of mostly gravel roads with in-the-wild camping. “There will be no chase van, no guides and no motels,” says event organizer R.C. McQueen of Great American Motorcycle Adventures. “The expedition is ideal for adventurers who want to try their global-touring gear and share their experiences with like-minded motorcyclists.” Registration fee for the June 20-30 event is $995. For more information, contact JeannieMay Enterprises at 303/646-5303, or sign on at geniemay@earthlink.net.

JAWA’S JEWEL

Hoping to capitalize on its many speedway successes (including first-, secondand third-place finishes in last year’s world championship), JAWA has unveiled a new, liquidcooled, fourstroke Single. Displacing 500cc, the engine sports a Bing carb, vibekilling balance shaft and six-speed gearbox. Would-be applications for the Czech powerplant include ATVs and off-road bikes.

AMA NAMES MUSEUM HEAD

Mark Mederski is the new executive director of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, which runs the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum at AMA headquarters in Pinkerton, Ohio. “We have a great history to tell, from colorful promoters and groundbreaking inventors to riders, their motorcycles and their history,” he said. “With the support of the motorcycle community and time, we will make the museum a great destination.” Previously employed in the AMA’s marketing department, Mederski is credited with helping to boost association membership to more than 240,000.

SOLD!

As predicted, the entire 500-unit year-2000 production of Ducati's MH900e has sold out. Orders for the new Mike Hailwood-inspired V-Twin were accepted through the compa ny's website beginning one second past midnight Greenwich Mean Time at the turn of the century. Thirty eight percent of sales came from Japan, while North America and Eu rope accounted for another 30 per cent. The remaining orders came from as far away as Australia and New Zealand.

MOTOGLOBAL

Chicago's Lotus Tours has formed an internet-based global alliance with 15 other motorcycle-tour oper ators. Now, enthusiasts may choose from 270 tours to 65 destinations in 50 countries, including Asia. "Our customers will get more of every thing-more roads, more choices and more convenience," explained Diane Fitzgerald, company presi dent. "Every member of the alliance is committed to elevating the level of safety of our sport, and to finding charitable ways to give back to the communities through which we trav el." Lotus Tours can be reached at 312/951-0031, or through its web site at www.Iotustours. corn.

EASY ACCESS

KTM recently went to an IBM-based online communications system that allows its 260 U.S. dealers easy ac cess to a central database. When a customer requests a part, sales per sonnel can check inventory, quote prices and place orders via the Inter net. As a result, aftermarket and re placement-part sales are up 25 percent, and telephone inquiries re garding stock availability are down 50 percent. Dealers are thrilled with the new system. "KTM has made it a lot easier for us to place orders," said Bud Matto of Matto Cycle in Pennsyl vania. "We deal a lot with the racing crowd, where quick and easy access to parts is crucial. This system allows us to keep our customers riding."