We need them in every country. Thanks for that Trossik46

Thank you, Ruslan

I am going to post this in my Motorheads forum. It would be nice to have that barrier on the roads here in the USA.

and with gas prices the way they are there are more and more bikes on the roads....

Tammerz, are you noticing more people are now buying scooters? I am noticing that a lot so far this year!!!

scooters, bikes, lawnmowers...you name it....its almost like japan

Well it's the same here in Australian, bike sales are over the last 3 years are braking records every year. But it is motorcycles leading the way not scooters.
The only problem with it is way too many people are dying as a result.

This just in from Harley-Davidson:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO ACQUIRE MV AGUSTA GROUP
EXPANDING PRESENCE IN EUROPE
Italian Company Known for Premium, High-Performance Motorcycles

Milwaukee, Wis., July 11, 2008 -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to purchase the Italian motorcycle maker MV Agusta Group (MVAG). Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson will acquire 100 percent of MV Agusta Group shares for total consideration of approximately 70 million euros ($109 million), which includes the satisfaction of existing bank debt for approximately 45 million euros ($70 million). In addition, the agreement provides for a contingent payment to Claudio Castiglioni in 2016, if certain financial targets are met. MV Agusta Group is privately held, with the Castiglioni family owning 95 percent of MVAG shares.
The acquisition is expected to close in several weeks, pending the satisfaction of contingencies and receipt of regulatory approvals. Harley-Davidson intends to fund the transaction primarily through euro-denominated debt.
MV Agusta Group has two families of motorcycles: a line of exclusive, premium, high-performance sport motorcycles sold under the MV Agusta brand; and a line of lightweight motorcycles sold under the Cagiva brand. MV Agusta's F4-R motorcycle, powered by a 1078cc in-line four-cylinder liquid cooled engine, is rated at 190 hp. The company sells its products through about 500 dealers worldwide, the vast majority of them in Europe. In 2007, MVAG shipped 5,819 motorcycles. During 2008 MVAG has significantly slowed production due to financial difficulties.
"Motorcycles are the heart, soul and passion of Harley-Davidson, Buell and MV Agusta," said Harley-Davidson, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jim Ziemer. "Both have great products and close connections with incredibly devoted customers. The MV Agusta and Cagiva brands are well-known and highly regarded in Europe. They are synonymous with beautiful, premium, Italian performance motorcycles," Ziemer said.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. plans to continue to operate MV Agusta Group from its headquarters based in Varese, Italy. Following closing, the first priority will be to appoint a leadership team to include a new Managing Director and to resume the manufacture of current models.
Current MV Agusta Group Chairman Claudio Castiglioni will continue in a leadership role as Chairman and will play a major role in future product development. Design Chief Massimo Tamburini will continue his leadership of MV Agusta Group's world leading sport-bike design studio.
"We take enormous pride in MV Agusta and Cagiva motorcycles," said Castiglioni. "Our riders seek an uncompromising experience in premium performance motorcycles. And with Harley-Davidson's deep understanding of the emotional as well as the business side of motorcycling, I have great confidence that our motorcycles will excite customers for generations to come."
According to Ziemer, the acquisition is intended primarily to expand Harley-Davidson, Inc's presence and footprint in Europe, complementing the Harley-Davidson and Buell motorcycle families. Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles have grown at a double-digit rate in Europe in each of the last three years, as the Company has increased its strategic focus on global markets.

"The acquisition of MV Agusta Group will enhance Harley-Davidson, Inc's position as a global leader in fulfilling customer dreams and providing extraordinary customer experiences. We look forward to a long relationship with the MV Agusta and Cagiva families of customers and employees," said Ziemer.

I hope that doesn't mean they will redesign the MV Agusta or Cagiva to have any of the Harley-Davidson looks about them....I think Harley's are ugly...always have done & always will do (no doubt)
It's strange how Harley-Davidson would consider buying the MV Agusta Group considering they are at completely opposite ends of the motorbike market....or maybe that's the plan, to eventually be able to capture the complete biker market??!

At least we will still get to have the beautiful MV Agusta & Cagiva bikes available for the foreseeable future...so that's a big relief!!


@ Jossik, thanks for posting the article.

there is a harley dealership here in town that said they used to average 20 units a month sold, they are averaging 120 for the last 4

2009 Buell 1125CR

July 22nd, 2008 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
The [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important][COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]Buell[/color][/color] line is expanding on the 1125R with the new Buell 1125CR “cafe racer,” a more street oriented version with lower gearing and a flyscreen instead of the higher fairing. The engine has been tweaked slightly with new fuel and spark maps, the new maps will be available for the ‘08 1125R. Judging from the 1125R’s performance so far on the track, this 1125CR should be a real contender on the street.
From Buell:
Buell brings superbike performance to the streetfighter category in 2009 with the introduction of the 1125CR, a new model featuring a modern interpretation of “café racer” styling and the power of the Buell Helicon 1125 liquid-cooled V-Twin engine. The 1125CR is one of nine 2009 Buell Sportbike, Streetfighter, Adventure Sportbike and Blast models.
“Part superbike and part streetfighter, the 1125CR is my vision of a 21st century café racer,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “It’s got Clubman-style bars and a flyscreen instead of a fairing. Then we geared it down to optimize acceleration. With a class-leading weight-to-horsepower ratio, the 1125CR takes streetfighter performance to a new level.”
Also new for 2009 on the 1125R and 1125CR models are targeted fuel injectors, relocated O2 sensors, and updated engine spark and fuel maps. The combination of these features offers improved drivability below 6000 rpm, even crisper throttle response, improved heat management, and significantly improved [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important][COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]fuel [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]economy[/color][/color][/color]. The updated engine spark and fuel maps will also be made available for 2008 1125R models.
With a dry weight of 375 pounds, the 1125CR is the lightest liter-class streetfighter on the market, and combined with 146 horsepower, it offers the best weight-to-horsepower ratio in the category.
Buell 1125CR highlights
* Buell Helicon 1125cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke 72-degree V-Twin engine
* 146 peak hp @ 9800 rpm
* 82 ft. lbs. peak torque at 8000 rpm
* 76/27 [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important][COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]final [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]drive[/color][/color][/color] gearing optimized for acceleration
* Underslung muffler with Helmholtz chamber
* DDFI 3 Electronic Fuel Injection ECM
* Ram-air pressurized air box
* Twin side-mount radiators
* HVA (Hydraulic Vacuum Assist) Slipper Action clutch
* ZTL2 four-pad, eight-piston front brake
* Fully adjustable 47 mm Showa inverted fork
* Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber
* Fuel-in Frame 5.3-gallon capacity
* Dry Weight: 375 pounds
* Wheelbase: 54.5 inches
* Seat height: 30.5 inches
* Pirelli Diablo Corsa III [COLOR=#EE0000 ! important][COLOR=#EE0000 ! important]tires[/color][/color]
* Pre-Wired for Accessory Heated Grips