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Motorcycle Trivia, Interesting facts, Useless & Useful Knowledge.
The Story of Route 66
Route
66, also known as "The Mother Road", "The Main Street of
America", and as "The Will Rogers Highway", was commissioned in
1926 and runs from Chicago, IL to Santa Monica, CA. The road meanders through 8
states and three time zones. Route 66 is the classic icon for America's love
affair with the automobile. Route 66 was officially decommissioned in 1985, but
still lives on . . . .
Did you know that Oklahoma has more miles of the original Route 66 roadbed than any other state? Oklahoma also had the first Official Route 66 Association and started the Historic Route 66 Markers that you see if you travel the original path of Route 66. These special markers can now be seen in other states as well as Oklahoma.
To read about more history of Route 66 go to the official Route 66 Web Site or visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Web Site.
Return to the top.
Legend of the Bell
There are many versions of this legend floating around in biker land, this is just one that I have found. As far as I know, the author is unknown.
Have
you noticed that small bell on some people's bikes & wondered why it was
there? It's more than just a decoration - it has a specific function.
As we all know, life has many mysteries that have no apparent solutions. One of these mysteries is !!!!!!EVIL ROAD SPIRITS!!!!!!!
They are the little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride. They're also responsible for most of your bike's problems.
Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work, or the battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment or any of several hundred other things that go wrong.
Road Spirits can't live in the presence of a bell. They get trapped in the hollow of the bell and among other things, their hearing is supersensitive. The constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway (Have you ever wondered how potholes are created?).
The bell has served it's purpose.
The lower on your bike you place the bell the better it will work because as they fall the evil road spirits will try to grab a hold of anything on your bike to save themselves. If you have picked up a bell of your own, the magic will work, BUT if your bell was given to you, the power has doubled and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping to look out for you.
So, if you have a friend that doesn't have a bell, why not be the person to give them one? It's a nice feeling for the recipient to know that someone truly cares. The bell (plus a really good preventive maintenance program) will help eliminate . . .
!!!!!!! THE EVIL ROAD SPIRITS!!!!!!
Trivia- Answers below
| 1. | The first motorcycle was
created by? Gottlieb Daimler in 1885 Thomas Edison in 1881 Michel and Eugene Werner in 1897 Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 |
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| 2. | What kind of motorcycle did
Arnold Schwarzenegger ride in the movie Terminator 2? Kawasaki Ninja Honda Valkyrie Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Ducati Monster |
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| 3. | Honda's first true motorcycle
was build in 1950. What was it called? Helix Elsinore Monkey Dream |
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| 4. | What is the name of the
motorcycle gang in the 1953 film The Wild One starring Marlon
Brando? Black Rebels Motorcycle Club The Polecats Sage Valley Motorcycle Racers The Rottwheelers |
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| 5. | Who makes the Royal Star
Venture? Yamaha Aprilia Suzuki Vespa |
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| 6. | Gold Wing is associated with
what brand name? BMW Honda Moto Guzzi Kawasaki |
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| 7. | Which of these is not a type
of Motorcycle? Bobber Chopper Dipper Springer |
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| 8. | What kind of motorcycle did
both Ponch and Jon ride in the TV show CHiPs? Kawasaki 1000 P Harley-Davidson FLHPI Road King BMW R 1100 RT-P Harley-Davidson Servi-Car |
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| 9. | In the 1969 Easy Rider,
the character played by Peter Fonda is called: Bucky Captain America Ghost Rider Billy |
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| 10. | The famous T. E. Lawrence,
"Lawrence of Arabia" was killed in 1935 while riding what make
of motorcycle? BSA Brough Superior Norton James |
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| 11. | What movie star did most of
his own motorcycle stunts in the movie The Great Escape? James Garner Steve McQueen James Coburn Lee Marvin |
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| 12. | Jawa motorcycles are made in
what country? Czechoslovakia France Spain Switzerland |
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| 13. | In 2003 what did
Harley-Davidson celebrate? Launch of new logo Willie G. Davidson's 65th Birthday 100th Anniversary of the company The first Dyna Wide Glide |
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| 14. | What band released the biker
anthem, Born to be Wild in 1968? Cream Creedence Clearwarer Revival Steppenwolf The Who |
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| 15. | What is the name of London's
famous classic biker hangout? The Ace Cafe The Kick Stand The Iron Horse Saloon The Holiday House |
Answers to above
1. Gottlieb Daimler in 1885
2. Harley Davidson Fat Boy
3. Dream
4. Black Rebels Motorcycle Club
5. Yamaha
6. Honda
7. Dipper
8. Kawasaki 1000 P
9. Captain America
10. Brough Superior
11. Steve McQueen
12. Czechoslovakia
13. 100th Anniversary of the company
14. Steppenwolf
15. The Ace Cafe
| Harley-Davidson Trivia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Test your knowledge of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and their history.
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1. 1909
2. FX Super-Glide
3. Shortster
4. Night Train
5. XL 883 engines
6. Bar & Shield
7. FXDB Dyna Glide- Sturgis
8. 1340cc EVO
9. FLSTC Heritage Classic
10. The Heritage softail Nostalgia - (Moo-Glide)
11. Sparkling America
12. Detroit
13. 1997
14. 1986
15. False
16. Joe Petrali
17. William A. Davidson
18. September 17, 1907
19. Leslie (Red) Parkhurst
20. 1910
21. Elvis Presley
H-D Model Designations
(What does it all mean??? FLSTC, FLHR, XLCH, DILLIGAF.)
One of the longest traditions of Harley Davidson seems to be the manner in which the motor company assigns model numbers. While there appears to be some sort of rhythm or reason to some designations, others seem to make little sense. Harley model number designations can be really confusing, I'm often asked what the designations stand for. So I'll try to make some sense of it all with this basic breakdown:
The first letter of the model designator is the engine series:
First character:
G - Servicar three wheeler, 1937 to 1972
F - Overhead valve 74,80 or 88 cubic inch 'big twin'
K - Side valve 45 and 55 cubic inch sports bike that was replaced by the Sportster in 1957.
U - Side valve 74 or 80 cubic inch 'big twin'
V - Side valve 74 cubic inch 1930-36. Vrod series.
W - Side valve 45 cubic inch made 1937 to 1952
X - Sports and special construction. Applied to 1918-1922 opposed twin
Sport, 1944 military opposed twin, and 1957 to present Sportster.
The second letter of the model designator reveals the Front end (except Sportsters):
X - Narrow tire and sport forks.
L - Wide front tire and Hydra-Glide front forks.
D - 'Dyna' frame (with the rubber mounted motor)
HT - 'Highway Touring' frame
ST - 'Softail' frame
The next letter(s) indicates the model bike within the frame family:
A - Military (Army) version (except GA, Servicar without tow bar)
B - Battery start (early models), Belt drive (early 80's) Black paint.(1995-6 model, the Bad Boy) and night train.
C - Classic, Competition, Custom, various others meanings.
D - Dyna, the newest frame and engine mount design.
DG - Disc Glide
E - Electric start
F - Foot shift (when the standard was hand-shift) and from 1990 on 'Fat Boy®'
H - varied between High performance, hand shift and Heavy duty.
I - Signifies Fuel Injection.
L - Fat front tire
LR- Low Rider (though many Low Riders don't include LR in the model ID)
N - Nostalgia
P - Police version
R - Rubber mounted engine (some models) racing version (other models)
ST- Softail
S - Springer
S - (without following T) Sports version
T - Touring
WG - Wide Glide
X - Sportster or sportster-type front end and Skinny front tire.
Here is an interesting fact:
A LITTLE QUIZ TO TEST YOUR
KNOWLEDGE
When riding in groups, it is best to ride alongside another rider in the group, so you take up less room on the road.
FALSE
Question 2 :
Lane position is very important while riding a motorcycle. Which of the following should your lane position be?
B. Ride close enough to the car in front of you so if he cuts you off, you can throw stuff at him.
C. Ride parallel to a Beer truck so when the driver is not looking you can steal beer.
D. Always put yourself in a place where you can provide an escape route for yourself.
Question 3:
When carrying a passenger with you, you should always instruct them to.
B. Lean in the opposite direction you lean.
C. Lean in the same direction you lean.
D. Give you a full body massage, so you don't get fatigued.
Question 4:
If you find yourself being tailgated while riding, what should you do?
B. Change lanes and let them pass.
C. Slow down to piss them off.
D. Get behind them, so you can follow them home and scare the SH*T out of them.
Question 5:
Why are Bikers required to wear helmets, sunglasses, gloves and boots while riding?
B. It attracts members of the opposite sex.
C. Another reason to shop at "The Hog Shoppe."
D. Safety precautions.
Question 6:
If a tire goes flat while riding, it is usually best to.
A. Hold the handlebars firmly and stay off the brakes.
B. Jump on to the hood of a passing police car.
C. Brake on the good tire and steer to the right.
D. Call Dunlop on your cell phone and ask for Customer Service.
Question 7:
The front brake on a motorcycle supplies how much stopping power?
A. About half.
B. Only 10 percent.
C. Why would you want to stop anyway.
D. About three-quarters.
Question 1: FALSE
When riding in a group it is much safer to stagger your position at least 2 seconds behind the rider in front of you, and on the opposite side of the lane.
Question 3: (C) Before taking a passenger with you, you should always instruct them to lean as you lean. Never in the opposite direction.
Question 4: (B) As much as I want to say, throw stuff at their windshield the correct answer is change lanes and let them pass.
Question 5: (D) Safety precautions, these precautions are required by The Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
the high torque of the engine allowed it to accelerate from (almost) zero mhp to full speed with one gear???
Hint: At stops, the engine had to be turned off. Then you had to push the bike to get it started again.
A. OK... I know this was a really tough question, but this was a really cool motorcycle. It was the "Megola", which was probably the world's most unconventional motorcycle ever built. It had a five-cylinder engine mounted in the front wheel. It was introduced in 1921. About 2000 were built.
motorcycle blueprints, along with tools, dies and machinery so that country can produce H-D lookalikes.
What country signed this contract with H-D and what name did they sell their lookalikes under ???
however Japan kept building these models as late as the 1950's. These bikes were know in Japan as the 'RIKUO.'
In Japanese Rikuo means: 'King of the Road,' Hmmm...Makes you wonder.
F for Big Twin and X for Narrow tire and sport forks, and you would be right.
But when the FX Superglide was first produced FX meant something else, what did it stand for ???
A. FX originally meant 'Factory Experimental' The first one was the Super Glide FX.
the "Bobcat", the "Sprint", and the "Peashooter" ???
A. America's first production motorcycle was the Orient-Aster, introduced in 1898 by the Metz Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, which was powered by a copy of the DeDion-Buton engine connected by a drive belt to the rear wheel. Preceded INDIAN by 3 years and HARLEY-DAVIDSON by 5 years.
What was the list price and production run of that first Sportster?
A. The list price for the 1957 Sportster was $1,103, the same year an FLH Hydra-Glide sold for $1,243.
Only $140 dollars more than the new Sportster. HDs production run for the 1957 XL was 1,983 bikes.
A. The "Vincent" Motorcycle Company.
A. Arthur Davisond and his wife were both killed in an auto accident in Milwaukee on December 30th, 1950. In a sad twist of fate, Arthur Davidson's son, James and his wife died in an automobile accident in 1966.
A: 235 - B: 1,344 - C: 2,118
A. "The Largest Toy Run on record": A parade of 2,118 Harley Davidson motorcycles took part in the 17th annual Children's Hospital Toy Run at Denver, Colorado on December 8, 2002. I have escorted and blocked traffic for Toy Runs before but this one must have been a real challenge for the Road Captains.
Q. What motorcycle company's motto was "Built
like a gun, Goes like a bullet" ???
Hint: This company started making motorcycles before H-D, and still makes
motorcycles today.
A. Royal Enfield was the brand of the Enfield Cycle
Company, an English engineering company. Most famous for producing motorcycles,
they also produced, amongst other things, bicycles, lawnmowers, stationary
engines, and even rifle parts for the Royal Small Arms Factory in Enfield. This
legacy of weapons manufacturing is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their
motto "Built like a gun, goes like a bullet."
dreamed of manufacturing a motorized bicycle.
This dream would be realized with the help of
Walter and William Davidson.
Their efforts were the beginning of a motorcycle legacy.
Arthur Davidson, Walter Davidson, William S. Harley and William A Davidson.
Photo date 1915.
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1901 - In Milwaukee, William Harley, 21, and Arthur Davidson, 20, began experiments on "taking the work out of bicycling." They were soon joined by Arthur's brothers, Walter and William. 1902 - The 1902 prototype was a 10.2ci, (167cc), single with 2.125" X 2.875" bore and stroke with a 5" flywheel. [It would blow your hat off in a good breeze plus the almost 25mph it could attain.]
1903 - The company Harley-Davidson was founded. Many changes were made
to the engine design before its builders were satisfied. After the new
looped frame was finalized, they were ready to begin production. 1904/1905 - Production began in a shed behind the Davidson family home. The machine was a 30 cubic inch (494cc) single which was later nicknamed: The "Silent Grey Fellow" nickname coincides with the new standard grey color. 1906 - Harley-Davidson erected its first building at the current Juneau Avenue site in 1906. Catalogs are produced to advertise the new Silent Gray Fellow. 1907 - Harley-Davidson incorporated in 1907. A prototype V-twin motorcycle was built. Although only 150 motorcycles were made this year, 1907 saw the first Harley-Davidson® sold for police duty.
1909 - The trademark 45 degree V-Twin engine, introduced in 1909, 1912 - First clutch mechanism. 1913 - The original 28' x 80' factory had grown to 297,110 square feet. Harley-Davidson began to dominate racing events. 1913 production: 12,904 motorcycles. 1914 - Stepstarter and internal expanding rear brake. 1915 - Three speed transmission. 1916 - The first issue of "The Enthusiast" publication. 1916 - 1917 - 1918 - After Harley-Davidson motorcycles had proven their military value in border skirmishes with Pancho Villa, they were quickly called to duty when the U.S. entered WWI. Some 20,000 cycles would see duty before the war's end.
1920 - Harley-Davidson became the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the
world, boasting dealers in 67 countries. Harley-Davidson motorcycle
development was evolutionary rather than revolutionary with side-valve
machines replacing inlet-over-exhaust designs in the late 1920s. 1921 - In February 1921, on a Fresno, CA., board track, a Harley-Davidson became the first motorcycle ever to win a race with an average speed over 100 mph. 1922 - 74" Twin engine debuts. 1925 - The debut of the teardrop gas tank.
1928 - Front wheel brakes were introduced dramatically improving the
1929 - After the stock market crash of October 1929, Harley-Davidson
sales suffered with everyone else's in the industry. This year saw the
introduction of the first 45 ci (750cc) side-valve V-twins, the
"D" series. These used the same frame as the singles, which
was made possible by mounting the generator perpendicular to the engine.
Early Forty-fives
1932 - The 45ci Servicar model was introduced. Cost $450
1933 - The depression hit Harley-Davidson very hard. By 1933, 1936 - Harley-Davidson wasted no time building momentum out of the depression, introducing its EL model, featuring the 61 ci (1000cc) overhead valve engine, also known as the "Knucklehead." This engine, termed the "61 OHV" in factory literature and called the Sixty-one in every day circles was a mid-season 1936 model. This, in the opinion of many, is the motorcycle that saved Harley-Davidson. At that time, for the first time, a major American motorcycle company was building a big motorcycle with overhead valves (this coming shortly after the major engineering difficulties of the 1929 Forty-five and the 1930 Seventy-four. Also introduced this year was the 80ci side valve twin engine. Despite the specter of the depression Harley-Davidson produced almost 10000 motorcycles in 1936. 1937 - William A. Davidson dies.
1941 - Almost immediately after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, 1942 - Walter Davidson dies at age 65. 1943 - Bill Harley dies at age 66. 1947 - 74" OHV Big Twin engine. 1948 - Harley-Davidson introduced a new 74 cu in. engine with hydraulic valve lifters and aluminum heads. The "Panhead" was born. 1948 production: 31,163 motorcycles. 1949 - The Hydra-Glide debuts. 1950 - Arthur Davidson dies at age 69. 1953 - Harley-Davidson celebrates its 50th anniversary while its oldest and closest competitor, Indian, went out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as the sole survivor in a once overcrowded American motorcycle marketplace. Harley-Davidson expanded its line to include two-stroke engines and even a scooter. 1953 production: 14,050 motorcycles. 1957 - XLH Sportster debuts. 1958 - The Duo Glide (based on the earlier Hydra-Glide model) was introduced, featuring a hydraulic rear shock suspension to go with the hydraulically dampened front fork. Also in 1958, Carroll Resweber won the first of four consecutive AMA Grand National Championships. 1959 - XLCH Sportster.
1960 - The "Topper," a fiberglass motor scooter, was
introduced. Harley-Davidson teams up with Italian manufacturer
Aeronautica Macchi S.P.A. to produce a line of smaller bikes including
the Shortster and Sprint models. Italian-built lightweights were sold in
America under the 1963 - Willie G. Davidson joins Harley-Davidson as design director. 1965 - George Roeder set a world land speed record of 177.225 mph for 250CC motorcycles on a modified Harley-Davidson Sprint. Bart Markel, aboard a Harley, won the second of his three AMA Grand National Championships. With the addition of an electric starter, the Duo Glide became the Electra Glide in 1965, which was also the last year of the "Panhead" engine. Harley-Davidson became a publicly-held company when it issued stock in 1965. 1966 - The introduction of the "shovel head" engine. Production: 36,310 motorcycles. 1967 - Electric start Sportster. 1969 - Merger with American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF). 1971 - FX 1200 Super Glide, considered the first true factory custom. Joe Smith, riding a drag bike powered by a single Harley-Davidson motor, was the first to break the nine-second barrier in motorcycle drag racing. 1972 - 1000 cc XLH/XLCH Sportster. First disc brakes on a Harley. 1974/75 - Chassis manufacturing and final assembly operations moves to a plant in York, Pa. Engine and transmission operations remained in Milwaukee, along with the corporate headquarters. 1975 production: 75,403 motorcycles. 1976/78 - Continuing the Harley-Davidson tradition of racing dominance, Jay "Springer" Springsteen won the AMA Grand National Championship in 1976, 1977 and 1978. 1977 - FXS 1200 Low Rider and FLHS. 1978 - In 1978 Harley-Davidson sold the Italian operation (the old Aermacchi company) and the sales of Italian motorcycles with the Harley-Davidson name was halted. 1978 - 75th Anniversary models debuts. 1978 - FLH 80 Electra-Glide debuts. 1978 - First electronic ignition on a Harley. 1979 - FXS 80 Low Rider debuts.
1980 - The 80 cu in FLT Tour Glide, with five-speed transmission, 1981 - Senior executives at Harley-Davidson purchase the company from AMF. Harley-Davidson once again becomes a privately owned company. With improved manufacturing and quality process, many of the old flaws of the HD design were resolved. A new image was forming. 1983 - President Reagan imposes additional tariffs on all Japanese motorcycles 700 cc or larger. 1983 - The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) is established. 1984 - The Introduction of the "Evolution" engine debuts. The first Softail models and Air Assisted Anti-Drive. 1986 - By offering common stock and subordinated notes, Harley-Davidson once again becomes a publicly owned corporation. 1987 - In an unprecedented move, Harley-Davidson petitions the ITC for early termination of the five year tariff imposed in 1983. 1988 - Patented "Springer" front-end returns. 1989 - Spartanburg, SC Chapter # 4813 is Chartered! 1990 - Dyna model is introduced. 1991 - All Harleys change to five speed transmission. 1992 - All Harleys adopt a belt drive. 1993 - "90th Anniversary" homecoming. 1995 - First fuel injection models. 1998 - Harley-Davidson's "95th anniversary" homecoming. 1999 - New Twin Cam 88 cu. in. motor introduced. 2000 - New Twin Cam 88B with internal counterbalancers introduced. The Softail Duece makes its debut. New stiffer softail frame introduced. |
[1903 -1929 *The F-Head]
1903 ----------- First Single (25”, 1906-27”, 1909-30”, 1929-30.5”)
1909 ----------- First V-Twin - 50”
1912 - 1921 ---61” E, F, J
1919 - 1923 ---37” Horizontal W Sport Twin
1920 - 1929 ---74” JD (1930-36 = V, 1937-48 = U)
1926 - 1935 ---21” A, B & OHV AA, BB
[1930 - 1974 *The Flathead engine]
1932 - 1937 ---45” R
1932 - 1974 ---Servicar
1935 - 1937 ---80” VL
[1936 – 1947 *The Knucklehead engine]
1936 - 1952 ---61” OHV EL
1937 - 1942 ---80” UL
1937 - 1951 ---45” WL
1941 - 1947 ---74” FL
1942 - 1945 ---45” WLA Army, XA 750cc Army
[1948 - 1965 *The Panhead engine]
1948 ---------74” FL Pan
1949 - 1957 74” Hydra Glide
1952 ---------45” K
1954 ---------55” KH
1957 - 1971 55” XL Sportster
1958 - 1963 FL Duo Glide
1965 - 1970 FL Electra Glide
[1966 – 1984 *The Shovelhead Engine]
1970 - 1971 - XR750 (1972-80 = Aluminum, 1981- ? engines only)
1971 - 1980 - FLH1200
1971 - 1972 - FX1200 Super Glide
1972 - 1976 - XLH, XLCH 1000cc
1972 --------- Shortster
1974 - 1980 - FXE 1200
1977 -----------FLHS
1977 - 1979 - XLT
1977 - 1978 - XLCR, FXS Low Rider
1978 ----------FLH80
1979 ----------FLH80 Classic, FXS 80, FXEF1200, Fat Bob
1980 ----------FXWG Wide Glide
1980 - 1982 - FLT Tour Glide, FLHS, XLS, FXEF80, FXB Sturgis
1981 - 1986 - FLT Classic
1982 - 1985 - XLS Roadster
1982 ----------XLHA, XLSA
1982 - 1983 -FXR, FXRS Super Glide II, FXSB Belt, FXRT Tour Glide
(shovels)
1983 ----------FXDG Disc Glide
1983 - on-----FLHT, FLHTC
[1984 – present *The Evolution Engine]
(First years)
1984 ----------FXST
1984 ----------FXRDG – only year
1986 ----------FXR – re-introduced, FLST Heritage Softail
1987 ----------FXLR Low Rider Custom
1988 ----------FXSTS Springer Softail
1990 ----------FLSTF Fat Boy
1991 ----------FXDB Dyna Glide Sturgis
1992 ----------FXDB Daytona Dyna Glide – only year
1992 ----------FXDC Super Glide Dyna Custom
1993 ----------FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide, FXDL Dyna Low Rider
1995 ----------FXSTSB Bad Boy, FLHR Road King
Believe it of Note - Motorbike Trivia
Motorcycle culture and references pervade popular culture. There are references to them everywhere - if you care to look. So I've put up this page, that will contain all the more interesting bits of trivia !
Biker Boyz : The first movie to feature the Hayabusa ! However it is clear that none of the bike manufacturers where sponsors of the movie. Ie. bikes names where not referred to at all !
Interesting movie, in which
the Hayabusa features prominently. The acting is good but let down by the
poor script and not very efficient editing. The 'twists' where predictable
which was also unfortunate.
The lead character played by Lawrence Fishbourne of (The Matrix fame) rides a
modified Hayabusa. The 'King of Cali' and races against the modified ZX-12
and a GSX-R1000. The story told by the movie is not innovative or
particularly interesting and the racing is not exciting ie. only straight line
drags.
A blooper : Why was the Hayabusa and ZX12 clearly highly modified retain the standard instrumentation ?
Another blooper : All the drag bikes where lowered bar the GSX-R1000. The other 'most powerful bike'. Come-on. The GSX-R1000 is fast but on standard suspension come on.
Another blooper : The final race is on a dirt road.
The Hayabusa looks great despite the not so great colour scheme.
The good part of the movie is that least it doesn't send the message that motorcycles are bad, rather road racing is bad.
James Bond : Over the years 007 has had bikes make appearances as hero and villain vehicles. However unlike James preference for Made In England vehicles, esp. Aston Martins and the unforgettable Lotus Esprit, I have yet to see him or anyone else for they matter ride English motorcycles. So is a Triumph ever going to movies ? Apart from that he's been ridding a variety of BMWs over the years. From a disguised KT100, RS1200.
Return of the Jedi : Check out
the Endor Moon bike speeder chase. Sure they don't have wheels but you get
the drift.
The Phantom Menace : The first scene with 'Padme and Jar Jar Binks' on the way
to Tatooine. As she is cleaning R2-D2 you will notice that they have used
GIVI motorcycle cases (as well as other regular ones) as props. They do
look good.
Then you have Darth Maul riding what is definitely a flying motorcycle when he arrives to Tatooine.
Lara Croft Tomb Raider : The bike in the movie is not a KTM Duke or even vaguely KTM related, as originally reported but is as many pointed out but a proper movie bike. The frame appears to be based on a Ducati monster due to the trellis frame. The Engine is not from a Ducati as it has a kick start and the cylinder head is at an incorrect angle and the block its self is not the correct shape. Maybe an engine from a motorcrosser ? The wheels appear to be from a Harley. The overall look is still KTM Duke in my opinion.
Regardless the point is that this bike does suit the character of Lara as it is a decent customised and decent looking piece of work !
Tomb Raider - Cradle of Life : In this movie old Lara is on another de-badged KTM, unfortunately the bike stunts in this one is VERY sadly lacking.
Personally I do not find Lara driving a Jeep appropriate. Like 007 she really needs the Aston or Landrover she had in the first movie.
Next are TV Ads :
In Australia we have the KFC ad for their new food line - we have a youthful couple riding a motorcycle - or so it seems - its actually an amusement park ride ! However notice the mistake - The guy appears to use his right hand as a clutch prior to a ' virtual wheelie'. I'm sure we all know that using that particular lever ain't going do a wheelie. I think the bike was a real one - a Yamaha R1 ?
Music videos :
The first one that comes to mind is the Ducati in Britney Spears video.
Bike Names:
Africa twin Ok supposed to inspire the type of bike for Africa works OK for the bike.
Bandit The marketing burp says ‘The <country ad appears in> most wanted’ Its not exactly a best seller so I don’t get it. But it has kinda of adopted the image as a hoon bike of choice till recently.
Burgman What ? Quite inappropriate really. It a scooter though so fits the really weird scooter names standard.
Deauville Sounds like dull you see.. but then the bike is kinda of appropriate … also sounds French, though I don't see the French connection (ha ha - get it?)
Dominator Interesting name a bit over the top for this sort of bike though. Ie Single cylinder trail bike.
Diversion Interesting but I still don’t get it.
Drifter Very appropriate name for the bike. It is a cruiser after all !
Eliminator Interesting choice for this sort of bike but still not really appropriate. Ie cruiser style.
Fazer Has Star Trek connotations so unless the bike looks anything like a ray gun or space ship its not really going to work.
Fireblade Nice made up name and installs a good image for the type of bike.
Firestorm Interesting name but a bit over the top name for the bike.
Foresight Oh dear this is inappropriate.
Freewind Pleaaaase this is a very silly name.
Goldwing almost appropriate but more gold trimming pls.
Intruder - Not very good choice a bit silly. Especially for a cruiser. Also reminds me of Big Brother.
Katana Sort of appropriate when the bike was released by now definitely NOT.
Marauder Pirate inspired obviously but as a cruiser Ie. road version it doesn't fully work.
Majesty You have got to be kidding these are scooters you know.
Ninja Sort of competition to the Katana and Fireblade really, appropriate for the time but definitely not now.
Nighthawk This is totally inappropriate.
Pan-European Again an appropriate name though I think slightly over the top cause it also has former airline company aside from the more appropriate 747 connotations to me.
Rebel This is not a very good choice and utterly inappropriate. Ie a cruiser available as a 250cc twin based on the CB250.
Thunderace A made up name with little association to the bike
Thundercat Another made up name with little association to the bike.
Trans-Alp European mountain crossing type bike seems appropriate.
V-Max Think this is a great name, suits the bike during its day in the sun.
Virago Interesting but again don’t get it.
Valkyrie The look is appropriate ie big bike and the female warrior connotation is interesting.
Anyway I guess
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Choose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. Motorcycling is the act of riding a motorcycle. Motorcycling can done as an economical and effective mode of transportation, because motorcycles are cheaper to purchase, maintain and use than cars.
2. A motorcycle club (MC) is an organized club of dedicated motorcyclists who join together for camaraderie, strength of numbers, and peer group acceptance. Motorcycle clubs have a group of elected officers, a probationary period for new members, and a measure of privacy about their internal structure, bylaws, and membership. As part of becoming a full member, an individual must pass a vote of the membership and swear some level of allegiance to the club. Each club has a unique club patch (or patches) adorned with the term “MC” that are worn on the riders vest. What is the term known as?
3. Motorcycle club (MC) are historically divided into two types. What is NOT a type?
4. What is the year the oldest Motorcycle club (MC) in the United States began?
5. MC members are not usually referred to by their given names, but instead refer to each other by nicknames, or ___________, sometimes even displaying it on the club vest.
6. One of the earliest and most notorious biker event occurred in Hollister, California in 1947 and is now dubbed the Hollister riot. What was the movie made based on the event?
7. While one-percenters garner much publicity for their activities and misdeeds, there are many, many more motorcycle clubs and bikers. They instead identify themselves as what?
8. Who wrote Hell's Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, giving readers their first inside glimpse into the most notorious motorcycle club of all?
9. Who designated four motorcycle clubs as Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), which are the Pagans, Hells Angels, Outlaws MC, and Bandidos?
10. The 2007 Disney film Wild Hogs tells the story of four friends who have an encounter with the fictional Del Fuegos MC. The original script used what motorcycle gang’s name, causing them to sue Disney for trademark infringement.
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In the BeginningChoose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. Motorcycles are descended from the “safety bicycle,” a bicycle with front and rear wheels of the same size and a pedal crank mechanism to drive the rear wheel.
2. The inspiration for the earliest dirt bike, and arguably the first motorcycle, was designed and built in what country in 1885? The first petroleum-powered vehicle, it was essentially a motorized bicycle.
3. However, if one counts two wheels with steam propulsion as being a motorcycle, then the first one may have been American. The machine pre-dates the invention of the safety bicycle by many years, so its chassis is based on the “boneshaker” bike. In 1867, who from Roxbury, Massachusetts built the bike?
4. Boneshaker is a name used from about 1869 up to the present time, to refer to the first type of true bicycle with pedals, which was called “velocipede” (from the Latin for “fast foot”) by its manufacturers. “Boneshaker” refers to the extremely uncomfortable ride, which was caused by the stiff wrought-iron frame and wooden wheels surrounded by tires made of iron.
5. Chief August Vollmer is credited with organizing the first official Police Motorcycle Patrol in the United States in 1911. Where was the community?
6. By 1904, motorcycles were no longer just bicycles with engines; they had their own technologies, although many still maintained bicycle elements, like the seats and suspension.
7. By 1931, there were only two American manufacturers producing commercial motorcycles. Who was NOT an American motorcycle manufacturer?
8. What company purchased Triumph Motorcycles in 1951 to become the largest producer of motorcycles in the world claiming “one in four”?
9. Currently, the largest motorcycle market is the small machines market for the developing world, hence the claim from an Indian motorcycle company to be the world's new biggest bike firm.
10. The small-capacity scooter is very popular through most of the world. What Italian company is one of the world's largest producers of two-wheeled vehicles.
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Motorcycle ConstructionChoose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. The frame is typically made from welded aluminum or steel (or alloy) struts, with the ___________ being an integral component in the design. Carbon-fiber and titanium are used in a few very expensive custom frames. (Fill in the blank)
2. Modern designs have the two wheels of a motorcycle connected to the chassis by a suspension arrangement. However, a ‘chopper’ style motorcycles often elect to forgo rear suspension. Instead they use what?
3. For handling, what is the most critical part of a motorcycle?
4. The displacement is defined as the total volume of air/fuel mixture an engine can draw in during one complete engine cycle. In a piston engine, this is the volume that is swept as the pistons are moved from top dead center to bottom dead center. To the layperson this is what?
5. As applied to motorcycles, two-stroke engines have some advantages over equivalent four-strokes: cleaner, more reliable, and deliver power over a much broader range of engine speeds. But four-stroke engines are lighter, mechanically much simpler, and produce more power when operating at their best.
6. Modern motorcycles normally have five or six forward gears. Today, shifting on the world's motorcycles has been standardized to what shift lever?
7. From neutral, either first or second gear can be selected, but higher gears may only be accessed in order - it is not possible to shift from second gear to fourth gear without shifting through third gear. What is the most commonly used transmission?
8. Power transfer from the gearbox to the rear wheel is accomplished by a number of different methods. What is NOT a method?
9. Dirt-bike tires have knobby, deep treads for maximum grip on loose dirt, mud, or gravel; such tires tend to be less stable on paved surfaces.
10. There are generally two independent brakes on a motorcycle, one set on the front wheel and one on the rear. Front brakes are generally much more effective than rear brakes: roughly two thirds of stopping power comes from the front brake - mainly as a result of weight transfer being much more pronounced compared to longer or lower vehicles, due to the motorcycle's short wheelbase relative to its center of mass height. This can result in brake dive.
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Road MotorcyclesChoose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. Road motorcycles are motorcycles designed for being ridden on paved roads. They feature smooth tires with a light tread pattern and engines generally in the 125 cc and over range. What is the speed most of these bikes can reach?
2. One style of Road motorcycles is the Cruiser. These motorcycles mimic the style of American machines from the 1930s to the early 1960s. What is a feature of this riding style?
3. Chopper-style motorcycles would be categorized as a type of cruiser.
4. Cruisers are often modified to suit the owner's ideals, and as such are a source of pride and accomplishment. What is the modification name?
5. Sport bikes, sometimes called performance bikes are typically much smaller and lighter than cruisers, and are essentially consumer versions of the motorcycles used in production-based forms of Motorcycle sport road racing. What are these bikes also known as?
6. The bikes are designed with an emphasis on handling and speed.
7. Sport bikes are almost invariably capable of very low speeds as compared to most vehicles, with great stability in corners.
8. Motorcycle manufacturers have brought specific models designed to address the particular needs of long-distance touring and heavy commuting riders to market. What are these bikes called?
9. Also known as a "standard" or "street bike", this is the basic form of the motorcycle stripped down to its fundamental parts. What are these bikes called?
10. Large engine displacement versions of “street” motorcycles, especially those built in Japan, are often referred to as what?
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Harley-Davidson Motor CompanyChoose an answer from the three choices offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. The company considers 1903 to be its year of founding by William S. Harley, Arthur Davidson, and Walter Davidson. Where is the original city?
2. In 1907 William S. Harley graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree. What was his degree in?
3. By 1911, how many motorcycle manufactures were there in the United States?
4. Before World War I, Harley-Davidson motorcycles were used by the military in border skirmishes. The bikes were used against what border bandit?
5. In 1929, Harley-Davidson made 21,000 motorcycles. The Great Depression hit. By 1933, how many motorcycles did they sell that year?
6. Only two motorcycle manufacturers survived the Great Depression. How many motorcyles did Harley-Davidson produce during World War II?
7. In 1969, who bought the company, streamlined production, and slashed the workforce.
8. What year did a group of thirteen investors led by Vaughn Beals and Willie G. Davidson purchase Haley-Davidson for $80 million?
9. A team of farm boys, including Ray Weishaar, who became known as the “hog boys,” consistently won races. The group had a hog, or pig as their mascot. Following a win, they would put the pig (a real one) on the back of their Harley and take a victory lap. What year did this tradition start?
10. Who was NOT an owner of a Harley Davidson?
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Motorcycle DynamicsChoose an answer from the three choices and True or False offered after each question and then "Check Your Answers" at the end of the quiz. 1. Steering inputs counter lean to maintain balance. At high speeds, the input required to return the bike to upright only needs to be small; a much greater input is required to maintain balance at low speed. It is _______ to maintain balance at high speeds. (Fill in the blank.)
2. The farther forward (closer to front wheel) the center of mass of the combined bike and rider, the less the front wheel has to move laterally in order to maintain balance. Which means, the further back (closer to the rear wheel) the center of mass is located, the more front wheel lateral movement or bike forward motion will be required to regain balance.
3. A factor that influences how easy or hard a bike will be to ride is trail, the distance by which the front wheel ground contact point trails behind the point where a line through the steering axis, the axis about which the steering mechanism (fork, handlebars, front wheel, etc.) pivots, intersects the ground. What is this factor?
4. Another factor that can also contribute to the self-stability of traditional bike designs is the distribution of mass in the steering mechanism. What is NOT included?
5. In order to turn, that is change their direction of forward travel, bikes must balance the relevant forces: gravitational, inertial, frictional, and ground support. What must they do to balance?
6. Where does most of the braking force of standard upright bikes comes from?
7. What is it called if the rear wheel is lifted and the bicycle flips.
8. On motorcycles, light rear-wheel braking, sometimes referred to as dragging, can be a useful aid to stability when turning at low speed. What is it called?
9. How many moving parts does a bike have?
10. In vehicle acrobatics, what is the trick where the front wheel or wheels come off the ground and the vehicle is balanced on the rear wheel or wheels.
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