It is good to see that other places have as ridiculous legislation as we do, but as is often the case California has taken it one step further, The Governator has just signed SB 435, the "Anti-Tampering Act" so called because it is meant to stop the modifying of factory fitted exhausts, thereby retaining the emissions gear (so it is more hippy crap!? Mad Bike Boy). The upshot is however that you can be fined for excessively loud exhausts, now there is actually already a mandated level for exhaust noise, both factory and aftermarket are technically not meant to exceed 80 decibels however motorcycles have never really been targeted for this sort of infringement.
Ok, I know that concepts are most irritating at the best of times, a manufacturer will release a render, or a sculpture of the coolest looking thing on the face of the planet, everyone says "sweet mother of the apocalypse that is amazing, give me one!" and they bring out another modern/retro/stodgy/pile of the same. This silly concept business has now been extended... Electric Scooter Concepts... from not one but TWO car manufacturers!
I really hate ads, however if a company can put together something that "sells" me a product while at the same time entertaining me, and I mean ENTERTAIN here ad agency guy, not TORTURE, the Armadillo "Tough Enough" ad springs to mine, looks great, things blow up, I am interested in how a guy slides down the road in a hoodie and doesn't get grated etc.
The reason this springs to mind is that I just stumbled across a couple of "viral" (don't get me started! Ed.) video advertisements for 2011 model bikes. One is for Kawasaki's 2011 750R and the other for Ducati's Dorsoduro 750 (and 1200) now I understand that they are in slightly different market segments etc but the difference between the videos is insane.
One is a beautifully shot, well thought out and designed piece of film which makes you (or me at least) think "hmmm that's an interesting new bike, wouldn't mind having a go" the other... is bloody awful, and not in a good way... let me know what you reckon.
Good news for riders in New Zealand! The Bikers Rights Organisation of New Zealand (BRONZ) has come together from a group of regional bodies into a consolidated national body that will consult with government to promote the positive and safe treatment of bikers (yeah that's us scooter types as well). They will also hopefully manage to prevent ridiculous rises in charges to bikers like the recent hikes in ACC Levies.
The fact is that recent events in that particular area will, without a doubt reduce the amount of riders on our roads, that is the exact opposite to what the government should be promoting if they want to reduce emissions, reduce congestion, and generally improve quality of life for everyone who uses our roads, less people in cars means less traffic, crazy, knee jerk price hikes are literally pricing people out of bikes and scooters. Not to mention some decidedly questionable "safety" devices being installed on our Highways.
Either way I only spoke to the new president on the phone for a few minutes the other day but he instills some faith that this revitalized BRONZ will make some positive changes for bikers. Good luck.
