Kawasaki's 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R on Technical Hold - or the right way to handle a recall

I think that the auto industry could learn a few things from Kawasaki.


Kawasaki believes that there is nothing as sacred as their reputation for quality and in a move that surprised no one they announced that they are recalling all of the ZX-10R's.

Not only are all that are on dealer's floors being shipped back to the company but:
Those who have taken delivery of a unit will be instructed to return the unit to the dealership for a full refund and will be among the first to have the option of receiving a new unit once the technical hold has been lifted. 

No pussyfooting around, no putting profits before lives but holding true to the integrity that this company has long been known for...I like that and while I may never own a Kawasaki motorcycle, (I have never found one that fit me right - and yes I have test ridden a few)
I can honestly say that most people I know who have a Kawasaki are pretty happy with their dealer and their bike.

Pat Savage - our old friend has been over in Thailand and Norway for quite a while now...and the cat is out of the bag as to what he has been up to!
He has been working on a soon to be aired series called the Savage Roads and ''Ridin Hard... Livin Free''  is his new CD being recorded now in Legend Studios.
What a busy guy!  Anyway, Pat has a special offer for all you bike riding music buffs so make sure you read the article (It's a short one)!

Also in the music Genre is an upcoming band called the MeanStreet Riders.
If you haven't read the article done by MJ Reynolds of Motorcycle Event News in the US, you should take a look at her pick for 2010 stocking stuffers - the lady has got an ear for music! We got a hold of MeanStreet Mary and she sent us the bands digital bio and some downloads of their music...The downloads are on the Lifestyles - Music Page and they are free!

The winners for tickets to the Toronto International Super Show in January were
Mark W and  Willy P - thanks for playing our Trivia game! It was interesting to see how many people could not answer the first Question! (Over 100 people tried and failed!)

 

The question that stumped so many? 
Prior to Harley-Davidson, who made motorcycles for Evel Kneivel?   Answer - American Eagle

I welcome your thoughts and opinions on the topics of the day, the Kawasaki Recall and Music and TV done by riders...Join the discussion in our forums, on my Face Book page or our Face Book Fan Page or right here!

In other News:

China officially takes over as the world's LARGEST producer of motorcycles in the world - sorry Japan, mover over!

In London England, Prince Charles proves that a parent is a parent is a parent no matter what the title!

In California, David Mann was remembered and celebrated.

In shopping news - besides the great offer from Pat Savage, HaberVision is offering up some wicked specials!

And in Sports - Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada is planning on shaking things up in the National Superbike Series!

Have a FANTASTIC day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Answer two questions right and win tickets!

Today we begin a mini contest - the prize - two tickets to the Toronto International Super Show January 7-8-9...

The rules are simple: 
We will be asking a question each day for today - tomorrow and Saturday.
Each day our winner goes in to the semi finals...

On Sunday I will email three questions to those three daily winners - the first person to email me back the most correct answers wins Two Tickets to the Toronto International Super Show.

Be the first person to answer today's questions right to advance to the next round:

Prior to Harley-Davidson, who made motorcycles for Evel Kneivel?

Click on the link above (the question) Fill out your answer with your name and email...
I will announce round one's winner tomorrow when we will have the round two question.

Our Content Survey:
For everyone else who wants to win something but is not planning on attending the Toronto International Super Show I have some burning questions that ONLY YOU can answer regarding the content in our newspaper....We are only running this short survey for ten days so PLEASE, get your answers in ASAP - HAVE YOUR SAY!!!! (Click on the words HAVE YOUR SAY)
Speak now or forever hold your tongue...well at least until the next survey!
In a random draw one person who fills out the survey will get one of our new BDB Club Patches or a subscription to the paper....

Now on to the news of the day. The AMA in the US Annouced the Governator as their man of the year for motorcycling. At first I thought it was a cruel and sick joke considering various the black eyes delivered to the riding community by Arnold in his capacity as Governor of California - however - it was no joke. I have never really followed the AMA Awards but this year it caught my eye....


Awarded annually, the AMA Motorcyclist of the Year designation recognizes the person(s) who has had the most profound impact on the world of motorcycling, for better or worse, in the previous 12 months.

Yes - I agree with the AMA that the Governator has probably done the MOST damage to the riding community of anyone. I wonder if his unlicensed crash and subsequent embarrassment had anything to do with some of his choices and decisions. I wonder if the irony of his actions compared to what the Movie going American thought he would be is lost on the Governator or if he sees what a walking contradiction he is viewed as...Freedom Fighter - fictional movie role - Oppressor in his real role as Governor...

He truly does deserve the AMA Motorcyclist of the year for most negatively impacting the community and industry. I will never spend one penny to watch another of his movies - I know it is a drop in the bucket of the man's riches but it is the small and morally right decision in my heart that allows me to feel like I have done something!
How about you? What are your thoughts on the GOVERNATOR?

Join me in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com, on my personal Face Book Page - Belt Drive Betty, on my Fan Page - Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle or right here in my blog - I WOULD LOVE to hear your thoughts on this topic!

In the news today:
If you have $330 USD to spend on a toy for your toddler how about a Ducati?
Bikes in the Fast Lane shares info on a motorcycle helmet company with different skins you can put on your helmet...

In Fort Lauderdale Florida, what is believed to be the largest Toy Run held in the US saw 30,000 riders participate, sadly 4 went to hospital when on bike collided with the rear end of another.
For Book Reviews, New Motorcycle Model Reviews and Sports Updates - like the new AMA Schedule for Pro Road Racing, and the new WSBK European Junior Cup announcement visit www.beltdrivebetty.com

Have a FABULOUS day - I know mine will be...
Please if you are attending Christmas Parties, plan your way home in advance!

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com

Such exciting things happening in Motorcycling

In Nova Scotia - RFBA Members Harold & Wendy Nesbitt of Tour Guide Nova Scotia have announced their new App for IPhone.

You can download it for $4.99 in the Apple store. I have the press  release in the Busted Knuckle for your reading enjoyment on Thursday morning so be sure to watch your in box.

In fact this coming paper is to me, a thing of beauty...I hope you enjoy it thoroughly....
If you haven't already done so, please white list my email addresses: bdbetty@gmail.com and bdbetty@beltdrivebetty.com - you white list someone by putting them in your contacts list or email phone book, this way you will never miss your news letter or the Busted Knuckle Chronicles newspaper if you subscribe.

Also in the "I got a gadget for you section"...Ulitmate Motorcycling has come out with an app for that... their magazine is available for down load for around $10 for the year.

Belt Drive Betty .com works well on Blackberry and Android and our new site, set to launch early January will be Ipad ready as well.

While I have qualified for grants to help me hire a web tech for the specific purpose of taking the paper to the next level, I have not found anyone yet who is interested and more importantly has the skills - YET. We'll get there. It would be faster and easier if I had a partner or win the lottery.  Soon, one day really soon.

We have two ways for you to win tickets for two to the Toronto International Super Show January 7-8-9 2011...

The first way you can win tickets is by helping spread the word about Belt Drive Betty & The Busted Knuckle Chronicles weekly newspaper.

The first person to have 5 friends register our web site (get them to put in the "How did you hear about us box" - Your Name)

Then for those who do not feel comfortable asking their friends to register on our site we are going to host a little trivia contest...so get ready!

The first person, every day for 3 a day period (beginning on Thursday) who can correctly answer the daily question will move to the final level of competition...
I will post the question right here in my blog...

On the final day, we will ask three questions and the that answers the most questions correctly will win the tickets. If there is a tie - we do have tie breaker questions at the ready!
Remember we will begin the Trivia Contest on Thursday morning....


There is not a whole ton in the news feeds today....

Bikes in the Fast Lane has a great article on choosing a bike to fit you.

Hot Bikes Baggers mag has the 2011 Victory Touring Lineup featured

In Ontario a member of the North Wall Riders Association popped the question at the airport after his tour in Afghanistan


I hope you have a spectacular day and remember....

Drive Safely...and if you are attending Christmas parties - PLEASE - PLAN your ride ahead of time.


Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider
www.beltdrivebetty.com
www.bustedknucklechronicles.com