Street Level

2008-01-27T19:10:00.000-08:00

Final Audio Interview

2007-12-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for a link to an audio interview (in three small segments- hosted by Box.net) at Warehouse Bike Night with popular Las Vegas stunt rider Mike "Dirty Jersey" Miller. Enjoy...

When it all goes wrong....WEAR YOUR GEAR.

2007-12-06T23:08:00.000-08:00

This is one of the more horrifying crashes I have seen, and the rider walks away from the crash. I myself have crashed at half this speed with far worse results, because I was NOT WEARING GEAR. I can't stress enough to riders of all skill levels from beginners to experts, PLEASE never ride without the proper riding gear. It could make all the difference; as this video shows in scary fashion.

Kawasaki’s Concours 14 chosen 2007’s Best New Bike of the Year

2007-12-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

The editors of US Rider News have named Kawasaki’s early-release ‘Concours 14’ as 2007’s “Best New Bike of the Year.” Clearly Kawasaki has its sights aimed squarely at knocking Suzuki off its long held spot the top of the Sportbike pyramid. This certainly is one impressive sport-touring machine. Here is USRIDERNEWS.com's full review. I can't wait to see one rolling on our local Vegas streets.

Bridge Toll in England Waived for Bikers

2007-12-06T18:38:00.000-08:00

Some news from across the pond: British motorcyclists have successfully lobbied for the waiving of a toll over the popular Itchen Bridge in Southhampton. Maybe us local bikers could arrange something similar for the entrance to Red Rock National Park- a popular riding destination for local riders- myself included. Click here for the full story.

AMA Overturns Penalties

2007-12-06T18:35:00.000-08:00

(FROM AMA PRESS RELEASE)AMA Racing has overturned the penalties assessed to riders Martin Cardenas, Jake Holden and Aaron Yates at the season-ending AMA Superbike Championship event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sept. 16, 2007 after conducting a thorough review of the evidence submitted in appeal.

The infractions concerned page 31, section 3.5 Engines, b, of the 2007 AMA Superbike Rulebook: “Except as noted, all internal and external engine parts must remain stock with no modification…” Click here for more on this story...

KTM RC8 1190

2007-12-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

The soon to be released KTM foray into Supersport Motorcyles has just had new images released. To the left is a sneak peek from MCNEWS.com. One word: YIKES.

Snake may have caused motorcycle crash

2007-12-06T18:31:00.001-08:00

NEW ORLEANS, Dec. 6 (AP) -- A New Orleans motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash that apparently occurred when he became distracted by a rattlesnake he was transporting.

Investigators say the dead snake was tied to the back of the bike and may have been slipping off. The biker struck a curb and became airborne, landing in the street, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.

Matt Rutan, a truck driver who was the only witness to the crash Wednesday afternoon, said that as the cyclist passed him he observed what appeared to be a piece of rope dragging behind. The rope later turned out to be a 5-foot canebrake rattlesnake with its fangs and rattles removed.

Rutan said that he saw the motorcyclist "lift up a little and twist around in his seat like he was attending to something on the back of his bike."

Police said that the cyclist was hospitalized in "very critical condition."

"It was one of the strangest accidents I've responded to in my 37 years on the New Orleans Police Department," said Lt. Melvin Howard, assistant commander of the Traffic Division.

Female motorcylists

2007-10-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

Men aren't the only ones to riding sportbikes out there, the phenomenon is catching on with women as well. A group that calls themselves the "Chic Riders" is at the forefront of the female riding community, and is riding this wave of popularity and helping it grow. Click here for the full article.

2008 Suzuki Hayabusa

2007-10-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

Well, the new 'Busa is out for this year; and it is an ALL NEW bike for 2008. This bike set a new standard in sportbike performance when it debuted in 1999- and the new model looks to exceed all hype. It certainly appears amazing in all respects, and hopefully I will get a ride on one soon....click HERE for Motorcycle USA's full review.

Supersport Motorcyclists

2007-10-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

A very informative Canadian article on the statistical risks and rise in popularity associated with supersport motorcyles.

Trixstars\LVX Stunt Video

2007-10-02T16:42:00.001-07:00

The newest underground stunt video recorded on the mean streets of our own beloved Sin City. Enjoy.

Wednesday Night Street Wars-Midnight Madness-9/19- LVMS-(Cont'd)

2007-09-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

When I pulled up to the light I knew the race was on.
He was riding a Ninja 636; and I knew that I should be able to take him on my GSXR 1000 without much trouble- as long as I didn't make any mistakes.
When the light turned green he got a better jump- how did he react so fast?- and I immediately was playing catch up.
Once I shifted into second gear, however, I began to reel him in. By third gear it was simply a matter of letting the bike do what it was built to do- go blindingly, mind numbingly, scary fast. After I shifted into fourth I was close to 150mph- and the bike still had TWO GEARS left.

Sounds like enough fun to get you put behind bars? Not if you are attending Wednesday Night Street Wars at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

After participating in the Midnight Madness drag racing program at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, I am convinced this program deserves more national recognition. The event is second to none, offering an inclusive, enjoyable environment in which to participate in the activity of drag racing.

The turnout is huge, because the organization works hard to keep the cost to racers and spectators low ($5 to watch, $10 to race).

The hundreds of racers that flock to this event would normally be roaming the streets, pitting their machines against each other in a fight- in the far less controlled battleground of public roads. Illegal street racing is an activity that has become an increasingly large problem in urban environments nationwide.

According to NHRA.com (the National Hot Rod Associations official website),

In 2001, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) reported that police listed street racing as a factor in 135 fatal
crashes. The total was up from 72 street-racing-related fatalities reported in
2000.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, more than 800
citations for illegal street racing were issued in 2001.
In San Diego, where
the street racing problem has been termed "epidemic," 16 deaths and 31 injuries
were directly related to illegal street racing in 2001. The city's attorney's
office prosecuted 147 illegal street racing cases in 1999, 161 in 2000, and 290
in 2001.
In Florida in 2001, 7,216 citations were issued for racing on the
highway.
In 1999, the Florida Department of Highway and Safety for Motor
Vehicles reported 28 accidents related to illegal street racing, with 2
fatalities and 27 injuries. In 2000, the agency reported 39 racing accidents,
with 1 fatality and 55 injuries. In 2002, there were 48 racing accidents, 1
fatality, and 60 injuries.
According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents
are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 16 and 20.
The
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says 5,749 teens died in the United
States from motor vehicle crash injuries in 1999.
Nationwide statistics show
that 49 people are injured for every 1,000 who participate in illegal street
racing.

What is clear is that by offering this program LVMS is not only saving hundreds of potential accidents on the streets, but also allowing all of these individuals to experience the fun of drag racing without committing an illegal act, or putting themselves in mortal danger.

As for me, I didn't fare as well as I thought I would- 10.03 at 148 mph in the 1/4 mile, but at least I beat the Ninja 636 I was up against. Every time I push the capabilities of this motorcycle I am reminded that it is only my own that are slowing us down- the bike will do literally whatever is asked of it, with such speed that the thought has barely been processed by your brain and the bike is seemingly already executing it. It is as if the motorcycle can read your mind, but only the thoughts that tell you to go faster, faster, faster. The 2006 GSXR 1000 is a truly amazing machine. Regardless of what it reads on your time-slip, I know I those who attend will have a great time, and I will certainly be back at the next event. I can only hope this kind of program now catches on nationwide....

LVMS- Wednesday Night Street Wars

2007-09-18T12:05:00.000-07:00

I plan on attending Wednesday Night Street Wars- Midnight Madness- at Las Vegas Motor Speedway this wednesday (9/19); and report on the bike scene at that event. Supposedly there are some pretty fast bikes that turn out to run the 1/4 mile, and your's truly will of course see how his own pride and joy GSXR-1000 can hang in an all out drag race. It is garaunteed to provide some excitement- Stay Tuned.....

Bike Night- Seamless- 9/12/07

2007-09-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

This past wednesday (9/12) Seamless played host to a bike night sponsered by LBZ- however the turn out wasn't as large as the organizers had hoped.

Ordinarily events of this type should draw 50+ bikes, even on a weeknight; but there were only a maximum of about 25 bikes present at a given time. The stunting was almost non-existent, although next week there is a much larger stunting scene planned for next wednesday. The organizers, and those in the Trixstarz (who actually do the stunts), anticipated next weeks turn out would be much larger, "Next week is going to be huge, just bring your fire extinguishers because were gonna set the street on fire!". Here's hoping.......

Rally For a Fallen Brother

2007-09-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

One of the main things I feel is lacking online is someone entirely dedicated to the sportbike community in Las Vegas; with the desire to write about it. Hopefully this blog will served to keep those inclined in the know about the different events, and interesting rides one has available in the Las Vegas area.

Because we live in a city that never sleeps, in a climate that never rains, the sportbike community is continually active as well. There are people out there riding 24/7- be it stunters at their local stunt spot, or someone just out for a cruise.

Due to this constant activity, their is also the increased likelyhood of a horrible tragedy. This was the case last month, as a locally well known and loved mechainic was killed while doing what he loved most- riding. George Hernandez, (formerly of speed shop Racer's Edge) was known by all he encountered as someone who would give you the shirt off of his back; stained with oil and grease though it may be. While we all understand the inherent risks of riding, it is something that is- by neccessity- pushed to the back of our minds as we in turn push the limits of what our bodies and machines are capable of.

(From the Review Journal) Fatal motorcycle accidents have increased dramatically over the past five years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Nevada has seen its motorcycle fatalities jump 130 percent, from 24 in 2001 to 56 in 2005, compared with a 42 percent increase nationwide during the same period. Motorcycle accidents also make up a greater percentage of total fatal accidents in Nevada, increasing from 7 percent of all accidents in 2001 to 14 percent in 2005.

The death of such an experienced rider is something that stands as a harsh and shocking reminder of this risk, and the need to always remember the value of each new day.

So it was on one bright blue August morning that we rode, for George. Almost every affilated and non-affiliated 702 area sportbike group showed up to pay thier respects and memorialize George through a ride around his favorite roads.

Mission Statement

2007-09-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

This blog will- gulp- attempt to keep the Las Vegas community up to date on everything that is happening with Sportbikes in the city of Las Vegas; a unique environment to the riding community in that it is one of the few places in the country where one can actually ride 365 days a year.
However, as there seems to be a distinct lack of coverage in the "traditional" media, I also am going to be making it my mission to use the internet, and the blog specifically; to shed more light on an entire culture that remains largely underground.