December, 2007

Heads up if you were planning to attend the Bud Ekins Memorial Service on Sunday, December 2. Due to the extremely high cost of hosting the memorial at the Petersen Automotive Museum, which was advertised as the venue for the event, the memorial has been moved to the Warner Bros. movie studio in Burbank. Entry is through Gate 4, which is on Hollywood Way. The proceedings, which will begin at 1 p.m. and run until 4 p.m., will include a tribute film screened at the theater on the movie set lot, guest speakers and refreshments.
Due to security on the studio lot, everyone who wants to attend the event must register in advance by calling (818) 954-5916. There is no charge; you simply call and leave your name, and it will be checked at the gate when you arrive. Make sure you bring picture ID that matches the name under which you RSVP’d. Free parking will be provided.
If you would like to take part in a special tribute ride to the event, meet like-minded motorcyclists at one of two locations--Johnson Motors, Inc., at 36 W. Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena (626-796-5666) or the Garage Company at 13211 Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles (310-821-1793). Rides leave each address at 12.30 p.m. See www.BudEkins.com for additional information.

Free 2 Wheel will return to this year’s Cycle World International Motorcycle Show at the Long Beach Convention Center. Continuing a tradition that has gone on for too many years for us to count, Free 2 Wheel will have a booth at the show, and staffers will be on hand throughout the weekend. We look forward to catching up with our current readers, enticing some new ones, stealing your ideas for future articles and hearing about anything we can do to improve the magazine. This year’s show runs Friday, December 7 (4 p.m. to 9 p.m.); Saturday, December 8 from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday, December 9 from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Free 2 Wheel is not the only exciting thing that will be at the show. KTM will reappear after a five-year hiatus with a massive orange-and-black display that will catch your eye almost as much as the impressive collection of new product that will be in the display, including KTM’s first-ever street bikes, new Sport ATVs and full line-up of off-road motorcycles. Attendees will be able to check out the new 990 Super Duke, 505 XC-F dirt bike, 690 Supermoto and more.
This year’s show is the 27th Annual and it will provide an up-close look at more than 800 new model street bikes, dirt bikes, cruisers, ATV's and watercraft from 19 major manufacturers, as well as new concept bikes, vintage bikes, and more. Participating manufacturers include Aprilia, BMW, Buell, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda, Hyosung, Kawasaki, KTM, Kymco, Moto Guzzi, MV Agusta, Piaggio, Star, Suzuki, Ural, Vespa, Victory and Yamaha. Demo rides will be available from some of the manufacturers on Saturday and Sunday, eight-time AMA National Drag Race Champion Rickey Gadson will be on hand in the Kawasaki display, you could win a Suzuki GSX650F by filling out an entry form on line or at the show, and that is just a few of the highlights.
Tickets and more information are available on the web at www.motorcycleshows.com. Admission is $13.00 for adults, $6.00 for children six through 11, and kids five and under are free. Be warned that it’s cash only at the Convention Center, so buy your tickets on line if you need to use a credit card. Parking is $8 for a car and free for motorcycles, so plan on riding, and we will look forward to seeing you there.

Just in time for the holiday gift-giving season, Triumph has announced $99 a month financing on all Daytona 675 models. The finance offer is good until December 31, 2007.
The offer is designed to make the Daytona 675, which has reigned supreme as the Master-Bike and Supertest ‘King of the Supersport’ for two years running, easier to own, so go and take another look at the bike right now. The Daytona 675 sets the standard for high performance sport bikes, offering the unbeatable combination of hand-ling, performance and looks. The unique triple engine delivers the power you are looking for, and it provides a glorious growl that will have heads turning to look at your cooler-than-thou Christmas gift.
Triumph has also extended the $1,200 Free Accessories offer it was providing with the purchase of any new 2007 America or Speedmaster. Due to the unprecedented success of this promotion, the deadline is extended, also until December 31, 2007. The America offers a relaxed seating position for an exceptionally comfortable riding experience, while the Speedmaster is the very essence of an old-school street rod. Both models feature 865 cc, parallel twin engines and distinctive styling for riders looking for classy, cool and relaxed cruising.
If you’re in the market for a new bike, you’ll want to check out the details of both offers. You can find them on the Triumph website at www. TriumphMotorcycles.com.