Etc.

etc.

FORZA...JAPAN?

Honda introduced in its home-market redone versions of its Forza 250cc fourstroke scooters, dubbed the X and Z. What makes the Z cool is that it is the first 250cc scoot to use push-button six"gear" shifting, dubbed S-Matic, similar to that used on Suzuki's 650cc Burgman. But the Forza Z ($6000 in Japan) outdoes the Burgman in trick options like the Smart Card Key that unlocks everything on the bike and allows starting based on proximity-just walk up, hit start and go! Will the Forza fly stateside? Said an American Honda rep, "The scooter market here is going really well for us, and we're looking at all kinds of product." Take that as a definite maybe.

MOTOGP GOES LIVE!

Can't afford to attend each round of this year's MotoGP world championship? Why not let wwwmotograndprix.com, the series' official website, take you there? Opt for the 30 euro (about $36) Premium package, and you'll enjoy live 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP practice, qualifying and race action, as well as access to videos, interviews, photos, results, rider biographies and much more. There is even a huge archive of umbrella-girl images, captured by the world's best racing photographers at every event.

OFFROADERS DEMAND AUDIT

Off-Road Business Association President Roy Denner went before two California senators and four assembly members at a public hearing this past May to examine how to eliminate waste and make state government more accountable. "Over $50 million is being spent annually by the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division of the California State Parks and Recreation Department with negligible improvements or additions to OHV recreation opportunities," said Denner. "We believe it is time for an independent audit of the OHMVR Division to see how our money is being spent." The formal audit request was put forth by Senator Bill Morrow, and is currently under consideration by the state government.

JESSE JAMES INC., CONTINUED

You’ve seen him in Cycle World, on Monster Garage, in AutoZone commercials, his West Coast Choppers Tshirts are everywhere and now this: The Jesse James Custom Six Pack. That’s right, likenesses of Jesse’s choppers now grace the sides of select Coors beer cans, bottles and 12-packs. He’s the beer’s new spokesperson and even built a “Coors Original” chopper, to be given away to the winner of a five-person “weld-off” at the WCC shop in Long Beach, California. Want to be one of the five? Enter the drawing at www.coorsoriginal.com through August 31.

TOOL UP

The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute wants you! To win a free, 57week motorcycle technician specialist course, that is. MMI, in collaboration with AMA Supercross promoters Clear Channel Entertainment, is accepting “creative” 2-minute video applications fpr the Jeremy McGrath/MMI Scholarship Award. Simply explain on tape why you’d like to be a moto-tech. The winner will be announced at the final round of the 2005 AMA Supercross Series in Las Vegas, and gets a personal phone call from McGrath himself! The ’04 winner, North Carolina’s Eric Salava, was stoked. For more information, call 866/664-6680.

BIKING JOB FAIR

Employment in the world of two wheels may be just a click of a computer mouse away, thanks to www.motorcycleindustryjobs.com. Billed as “the first Internet job board built specifically for the motorcycle industry,” the easy-to-use service is free for job seekers.