The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

EPA CARB and the Motorcycle Engine

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There are few things less interesting to the average motorcyclist than the latest emission regulations, they’re as easy and fun to read as the tax code. But, like taxes, you are directly affected whether you understand the regulations or not. Motorcyclists who never touch their bikes except to ride or wash them don’t have to think about emissions very often, if the bike … [Read more...]

The German Roots of Yamaha Motorcycles

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With Yamaha recently winning a court case against the Chinese manufacturers who copied the Yamaha scooter design, and even the Yamaha name, and an earlier case against Patriot Motorcycles over the Yamoto brand off road bikes they were selling, it was interesting to look at the history of Yamaha itself. I was digging again in the archives and came across a photo (shown above) … [Read more...]

Ducati Considering Harley Davidson Merger?

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Sometimes you don't know what to believe but this story has popped up almost everywhere in the past few days, which means very little on the Internet, of course, but according to the reports, "Ducati Motor Holding ... would consider a merger with US-based Harley-Davidson “anytime”, said Enrico D’Onofrio, CFO." If you read the reports carefully, you see this potential … [Read more...]

2008 Kawasaki Versys

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Kawasaki has introduced a brand new multi purpose motorcycle designed for all sorts of different riding styles and needs, the 2008 Versys. It's a 649cc 8 valve parallel twin that looks pretty good. Kawasaki press release follows: The new 2008 Kawasaki Versys is a machine which occupies a hard to define sweet spot in the motorcycling universe. Is it a practical commuter? … [Read more...]

China Builds and Sells Fake Yamaha Scooters

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Zhejiang Huatian, China's largest scooter manufacturer, was fined $1.1 million for selling scooters under the Yamaha brand name. The Chinese company, Zhejiang Huatian, registered a shell company in Japan’s remote Ishikawa prefecture in 2000 under the same three characters used by Yamaha to render its name in Chinese. This Japanese shell company then signed a licensing … [Read more...]

Harley Davidson Leaning Trike Patent Application

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Here's something a bit different from the Motor Company, it's a patent application from Harley Davidson for a leaning trike. It's looks like a cross between the Can-Am Spyder and the Brudeli 625 but it is distinctively Harley with the big twin power plant in there. Whether they are thinking of producing this or something similar, they probably wanted to get the paperwork in to … [Read more...]