Etc.

etc.

BOARD BOOST

Racer X Illustrated magazine Editor-in-Chief, motocross promoter, television commentator and CW contributor Davey Coombs was recently elected to the AMA Board of Trustees. The 12-member board manages the finances and operational policies of the 270,000-member Association. The 35-year-old West Virginia native replaces Lamar Williams, who retired in February.

SCHWANTZ SCHOOL

How best to reclaim your riding skills after a winter spent snarling snacklood and watching racing videos? Sign up for the Suzuki Motorcycle School at Road Atlanta Motorsports Center, of

course. Taught by 1993 500cc World Champion Kevin Schwantz, the school caters to various skill levels, and offers access to Suzuki's GSX-R600, SV650 and GS500. For more info, log onto wwwroadatlanta.com, or call 770/967-7207.

CAGIVA BUYOUT?

Piaggio is on the move. The Deutsche Bank-owned Italian scooter-giant al ready lays claim to Derbi and Gilera, and is reportedly pursuing Cagiva, which owns both MV and Husqvarna. The latter make is said to be the most attractive member of the trio, while the MV name is, of course, legendary. As for Cagiva, Suzuki supplies 650 and 1000cc V-Twins for its Raptor, V-Raptor and Navigator series.

SALES SWING

U.S. bike-buyers bought more than 1.3 million new motorcycles and ATVs last year, reports the MIC. That's a nearly 23 percent increase compared to 1999, and the eighth year of continued growth. Sales peaked at 1 .5 million in 1973.

NOW, THAT'S A TOUR!

Here’s your opportunity to see the California and Oregon coastline by bike. Boasting “curves for miles,” Motorcycle Tours of The World’s five-day Deluxe package costs $2995 ($1550 for passengers), and includes airport shuttles, accommodations, gas, insurance and meals, plus a deep-sea fishing trip and hydro jet-boat ride up Oregon’s Rogue River. Bike-wise, tour-takers can opt for a Suzuki Bandit 600S, Katana 600 or GSX-R600. For more information, call 888/459-3888 or log onto www.motorcycletours.tv.

MONUMENT MAKEOVER?

The Bush administration will not seek to overturn any of former Pres ident Clinton's national-monument designations, says Interior Secre tary Gale Norton. "I certainly disap prove of the process by which those monuments were generally creat ed," she commented regarding Clin ton's use of the 1906 Antiquities Act, "but I have not heard any calls to repeal any of the monument des ignations." Efforts may, however, be made to alter monument bound aries, as well as the rules governing commercial activities within them.

TOFU TO THE RESCUE

Fretting over the future of fossil fuels? Not Harold Benich. The selfdescribed "nobody" has created the first soybean-fueled Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. "I'm just a goober who makes things in my garage," jibes the 39-year-old Pennsylvania resi dent, who says a single gallon of the greasy concoction gives his modified Big Twin a range of 100 miles. Problems? Acceleration is "unremarkable" at speeds above 70 mph, and per-mile cost is roughly one-third more than gasoline. Soy bean oil won't catch fire, though, Benich argues, and it's so clean "even fish will eat it."