This coming March 2008, the nation will witness one of the most prestigious motorcycle event presented by the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Called the "MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles", this event will feature hundreds of world renowned individuals who made significant contributions in the motorcycle industry.  In addition, the event will also display numerous machines and other memorabilia, as well as stories about the adventures of certain celebrities regarding their two wheel rides.

According to Mark Mederski, Executive Director of the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum: "The Museum extends its thanks to those who have already agreed to play a role in this significant exhibit. To make ‘MotoStars’ as diverse and comprehensive as possible, the Museum welcomes further support and assistance from industry colleagues, collectors and celebrities in gathering pedigreed machines and memorabilia."

Mederski added: "Motorcycling, whether an occasional hobby or lifelong obsession, has always connected individuals from very different walks of life. Whether you work in a factory, the corporate suite, or on a Hollywood set, you’ll always have a shared bond and make new friends if you spend time on two wheels. For that reason alone, we expect this to be our most popular exhibit ever."

Individuals who will showcase their memorabilia during the event include:

- Dan Gurney (auto racing legend and Alligator motorcycle inventor/manufacturer)
- Bob Lutz (General Motors Vice Chairman)
- "King of the Kustomizers" George Barris
- Neil Peart ("Rush" drummer and lyricist,)
- will.i.am, frontman for hip-hop group "The Black Eyed Peas"
- Carlos Mencia (comic and star of Comedy Central’s "Mind of Mencia")

These are only the few individuals who will participate in the "MotoStars: Celebrities + Motorcycles". Watch out for other celebrities during the event.

At the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show (IMS) that took place at the Long Beach Convention Center in California, American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) unveiled a new 2008 Hayabusa bike model that is designed and customized in conjunction with Lifted Research Group (L-R-G) and 2Wheel Tuner magazine.

According to Glenn Hansen, communications manager, ASMC, Motorcycle/ATV Division: "Beyond its well-deserved reputation for best-in-class performance, the popularity of the Suzuki Hayabusa can be attributed to the way it has long been embraced by the many facets of popular culture, including fashion, style, music and entertainment. Suzuki’s relationship with L-R-G provides us with a not-to-be-missed opportunity to vividly illustrate our iconic sportbike’s storied connection to urban culture."

The L-R-G Hayabusa will be featured as the January 2008 cover of 2Wheel Tuner magazine. Highlights of this unique bike model include:

- unique Pearl White Powder paint scheme
- Gator Customs-crafted lighted and see-through panels
- custom windscreen with L-R-G pattern by Sportech
- stator cover with CNC engraved L-R-G logo
- engraved Voodoo exhaust
- laser engraved L-R-G patterned seat
- rear fairing from a 2007 GSX-R1000 sportbike
- new tubular subframe and single-sided Gregg’s Customs swingarm
- revalved front and rear suspension by Race Tech and Eibach 900-lb. rear springs
- 18x8.5-inch (rear) and 17x4-inch (front) MHT clear wheels produced by CSC, and 240/40ZR17 (rear) and 120/70ZR17 (front) Pirelli Diablo tires
- steel braided brake and clutch lines
- four-piston radial mount brake calipers and brake and clutch radial mount master cylinders from Beringer Brakes
- fully adjustable lowering links
- steering stem nut cover
- swingarm axle covers
- rear brake reservoir
- custom oil filler cap and custom ignition switch cover by Ransom Machine Works.
- custom gauges and chrome bolts and accent pieces by CSC
- rearview camera system by Ant Systems

Unfortunately, Suzuki did not yet release the availability and the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of this customized bike model. Maybe you can try to upgrade your motorcycle or auto accessories (like Acura Integra car cover) while waiting.

Marco Melandri was the only rider to represent Ducati Marlboro team during the final test sessions at the Jerez circuit. This is because current MotoGP champ Casey Stoner was unable to get back on track due to his left shoulder injury from his crash on the previous testing. Melandri clocked in at 1m 41.619, finishing 12th overall in his 68 lap run, just 0.365 seconds behind Valentino Rossi.

The Italian rider commented after the testing: "Once again, we didn’t spare ourselves today - we worked very hard until quite late. Anyway, so far I haven’t found my best riding position, so I don’t feel enough at ease to use the bike to its maximum potential. We made a lot of changes to the settings but when we made the bike behave better into the corner, it got worse on the exit, and vice versa. That’s why we didn’t do so many tyre tests, because I couldn’t get the right kind of feedback. I nevertheless think I have given my technicians some useful information which will help me to feel more in tune with the bike when we start again in January."

Below are the complete results of the final testing in Jerez.

1.    Pedrosa      (Honda)                     1m 38.562
 2.    Hayden       (Honda)                     1m 38.848
 3.    Lorenzo      (Yamaha)                    1m 39.464
 4.    Dovizioso    (Honda)                     1m 39.747
 5.    Nakano       (Honda)                     1m 40.121
 6.    Edwards      (Yamaha)                    1m 40.184
 7.    De Angelis   (Honda)                     1m 40.185
 8.    Toseland     (Yamaha)                    1m 40.213
 9.    De Puniet    (Honda)                     1m 40.398
10.    Hopkins      (Kawasaki)                  1m 40.984
11.    Rossi        (Yamaha)                    1m 41.538
12.    Melandri     (Ducati Marlboro Team)      1m 41.619
13.    Okada        (Honda)                     1m 41.715
14.    Canepa       (Ducati)                    1m 41.793
15.    West         (Kawasaki)                  1m 42.343
16.    Guareschi    (Ducati)                    1m 42.850
17.    Ito          (Ducati)                    1m 43.001

Randall Dale Chipkar, the author of the recently published book entitled "Motorcycle Cancer?" said that riding a motorcycle can cause cancer. Whew! Just check out below what he said in the press release, why motorcyclists are at risk to have cancer.

"Unsuspecting riders may have a higher risk for cancer development from electromagnetic radiation shooting up right between their legs. Is it a paradox that thousands of motorcycle riders participate in fundraiser rides for cancer awareness when the event itself may be causing cancer? Various types of electromagnetic energies have been linked to cancer. I have met countless avid motorcycle riders diagnosed with similar forms of cancers and disorders. All of these riders had a type of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation shooting up from their motorcycle seats." He said.

Chipkar added:  "The motorcycle industry needs to further investigate this EM danger and implement protective measures to minimize rider radiation exposure. Consumer safety is priority. An ELF EMF radiation shielding seat can provide riders with peace of mind. ELF EMF radiation at close exposure is unnatural and over time may have devastating biological consequences. People should not have to gamble with their health because they love riding motorcycles."

Chipkar concluded:
"Historically, organizations claimed ‘inconclusive proof’ concerning electromagnetic health issues. However, inconclusive proof does not mean that something is safe. Governments need to reassess their position on EM health issues for public safety. Science proves electromagnetic danger. Now that a type of motorcycle ELF EMF has been exposed, I hope denial is not going to be considered as a solution."

Well, I think this is only Chipkar’s opinion. LOL! Anyway, we have to wait for experts to confirm this report. While waiting for that, I have to continue looking for some Acura CL parts like Acura CL oil filter.

Honda team wraps up the 6th and final race of the Best in the Desert (BITD) Silver State Series. Robby Bell and Steve Hengeveld of Team Honda Off-Road was up to the challenge and won the Henderson’s Terrible 400 race that took place in Nevada. Both riders are aboard the Honda CRF450X sponsored by Precision Concepts, Pro Honda Oils, and Dunlop. Hengeveld and Bell finished the 162 mile race in four hours, 15 minutes, and 28 seconds.

Hengeveld commented: "All we had to do was start to win the championship, but we come here to ride our best and to come out here and win and give a good showing for Honda, and that’s what we did."

Meanwhile, Brothers Kelly and Scott Fisher battled managed to take the second spot aboard their Team Tuna Racing/Pocatello Powersports-backed KTM 525 XC.

Other top five winners include:

3rd: Richard Birchfield and John Myers - North Valley Racing/M&M KX450F
4th: Seth Johnson and Cody Wallis - Speed Technologies/3D Reed/Reno Motorsports YZ250.
5th: Scott Glimp and Ron Purvines - Countrywide Estate Planning/Berkeley Honda/Motorex USA CRF450X

Anyway, watch out for my next post while I look for some Honda and Acura CL fuel tank on the web.