Etc.
etc.
NORTON’S NEW MODEL?
No, not the bike—that’s still a few months from production. Rather, the Portland, Oregon-based manufacturer of the all-new air-cooled parallel-Twins is searching for a new Norton Girl to help promote the brand in 2005. Are you over 21 and think you’ve got the right stuff or know someone who does? E-mail your resume and a lovely photo to nortongirl @nortonmotorcycles.com.
WALKER’S BIG TICKET
Getting caught is no fun. Just ask Kawasaki World Superbike rider Chris Walker, who was clocked on the freeway in England doing 130 mph in his hotrod Subaru, reports BBC News. The 33year-old Brit’s self-described “moment of stupidity” cost him a 60-day license suspension and almost $2000 in fines.
STRATEGIC MARKETING
Honda has its first “Tier Five”
powerhouse dealer, and it’s open for business. Located in central Tucson, Arizona Honda sits on a whopping 6.25 acres and boasts more than 28,000 square feet of showroom and dynamometer-equipped service space, with parking for more than 125 vehicles within its gated perimeter.
General Manager Tom Matte claims there’s room inside for 400 streetand dirtbikes, ATVs, scooters and personal watercraft. Out back, a decomposedgranite “test track” allows prospective customers to demo dirtbikes and ATVs prior to purchase.
According to an American Honda spokesman, Tier Five represents the crème-de-la-crème. “It’s the highest commitment a dealer can make, a dealership solely dedicated to Honda products on all levels. As such, customers can expect a higher level of service than they might receive from a multi-brand dealer.”
INTERNATIONAL CONVOY
You saw the behemoth CXT “pickup” offered by International last year, its 20-ton platform, optional torquemonster 860-foot-pound diesel and $100K price tag putting it out of reach for most. Well, now it has a slightly smaller but still huge stablemate: the RXT. It’s 22 feet long, weighs 5 tons and gets power from a 540 ft.Ib. diesel. At $70,000, it’s a relative bargain. Get yours this fall.
SUPERMOTO SHRINKS
AMA Pro Racing has announced that a four-stroke 250cc class will be added to the 2005 Supermoto Championship. “We have heard a tremendous amount of feedback suggesting that we include 250s,” said AMA Pro Racing VP and Director of Communications Kerry Graeber. “We want to be responsive to this demand while recognizing the equity that has been built up in the Supermoto (450cc) and Supermoto Unlimited (over 490cc) classes, so we will run all three, plus the Junior program, in 2005.” Other changes include the running of two Supermotoclass finals at each event. “Running two 450cc-class finals at each round will make the title chase more interesting and provide a better show for our fans,” Graeber said.
HELMET FOR KIDS
Citing increased injury rates for offroad-riding kids under 16 in recent years, the Snell Memorial Foundation has established children’s helmet standards. Dubbed Snell CM-2005, the standards address physiological differences in head size and neck strength of kids as compared to adults, as well as differentiating between riders age 6-12 and those 12-16. Approved helmets—smaller, lighter and with different energy-absorption rates than adult models—Snell says, are for off-road and motocross riding only.
