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Motorcycle Views Newsletter for 03/13/2016

By Walter F. Kern

 Motorcycle Views Newsletter

Vol. 10, No. 6, March 13, 2016

Articles of Interest on Motorcycle Views:

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1. Recent Additions to the Motorcycle Views Website:

2. Elio Motors Quest to Build a New Car in the United States - or Is It Really a Motorcycle?:

With this article and the next, I'm departing somewhat from motorcycles to talk about cars. But rest assured, each article will also quickly shift to motorcycles.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Let me assure you that I have NO financial interest in Elio Motors. I'm just interested in the concept and how Paul Elio has been leading the effort to make his idea come to fruition. It's an American story that deserves notice and support. You can decide for yourself. I'm only telling you what I know so far.

Elio Motors is a startup automobile company founded by Paul Elio. He's been working at this since 2008, building a series of prototypes to introduce the concept at various shows around the country. This is a 3-wheel car with one wheel in back. Technically, the Elio is a motorcycle in most states.

The Elio Mission statement is:

"To provide a fun-to-drive, super-economical personal transportation alternative, based on a list of consumer focused "must-haves" that keep our vehicles affordable, safe, and environmentally friendly. We are committed to the American dream, creating American jobs, and bringing American automotive ingenuity to every vehicle we build."

Paul Elio has a set of objectives for the car and he is driving all his technical people to get as close to achieving these objectives as is humanly possible:

Elio is American made, built in an American factory by Americans, targeting utilization of 90% North American content

Up to 84 MPG Highway

Engineered to deliver the highest safety standards

All for an unheard-of targeted $6,800 base price (Starting MSRP excludes options, destination / delivery charge, taxes, title and registration.)

I have been looking at this car for some time. It basically is half the width of a car with only two tandem seats. It comes with a 3-cylinder engine designed and manufactured specifically for the Elio. It has a manual transmission or available automatic transmission, heat/air conditioning system, a Safety Management System that includes three airbags, a reinforced roll-cage frame, Anti-Lock Braking System, 50% larger crush zones than similar vehicles, AM/FM stereo radio, Power windows, and Power door lock. There is only one door. The Elio uses a steering wheel.

I have become very accustomed to riding a Gold Wing Motor Trike. The Elio is also a trike but in addition, it has weather protection and crash protection. Elio has purchased an ex-GM fully equipped factory in Shreveport, LA. They have just listed stock on a new stock exchange allowing them to sell stock up to 50 million dollars. They have applications in to obtain financing for the remaining 200 million they need. They are taking reservations to put you in line for the first vehicles off the production line. They already have more than 50,000 people standing in that line. They are soliciting more reservations with a payment of $100, $250, $500, or $1,000. These can be setup as "I want in" (refundable), or "I'm all in" (non-refundable). They seem to be moving rapidly to make this all happen but bear in mind that this is not a done-deal and you could lose your investment.

Currently, they are projecting that the first cars will come off the line in late 2016. However, last year they were saying 2015 and the year before that they were saying 2014. It could well be 2017 or later. Now, they just announced on March 11, 2016 that they would be selling 100 pre-production Elios built in their Shreveport factory to one or more fleet customers before the end of 2016.

So, look at the pictures and go to their website for all kinds of information including progress reports, complete specifications, color choices, and videos of Elio test drives. You can get on their mailing list and receive an email whenever there is progress to report. I've been getting one or two emails from them almost every day.

Video: The Story of Elio Motors

Video: Paul Elio at TEDxDetroit

Now check out the Elio Motors website.

They are also on Facebook where you can ask them any questions you may have and read comments from their customers.

Maybe your next "motorcycle" could be an Elio.

Be sure to take my Poll, below, after you educate yourself about the Elio. The poll itself will contain an introduction that is the same as the above.

3. Beetles and Bikes:

Part 1 - Before the Bike Bug

"You cannot step into the same river twice; for other and yet other waters are ever flowing on." -- Heraclitus (500 BC)

Editor's Note: This article was written in 2003 when I was the Motorcycles Guide at About.com (Guides are now called Experts). All the Guides in the Automobile Channel were asked to write something about the fact that VW was soon to shut down all production of the Beetle. This was my contribution to that effort as related to motorcycles:

Not long ago I was walking through my family room on the way to my garage where I intended to check out my two motorcycle trikes for an upcoming trip. Just as I was about to open the door to the garage, I heard the TV blaring: "Volkswagen has just announced that it will be shutting down production of the Volkswagen Beetle at its Puebla, Mexico plant later this summer." What? I knew that Volkswagen Beetles were no longer being sold in the USA. In fact I had owned a 1974 Volkswagen Beetle and it was one of the last standard Beetles sold in this country. Soon thereafter, the VW Golf was introduced and then the Super Beetle was phased out. Competition and emission standards had taken their toll.

I reached the garage and stood there admiring my shiny red 2000 Gold Wing 1500 SE with Motor Trike conversion.

It stood on the left side of my garage. Directly across from it was my wife's white 1998 Gold Wing SE with Motor Trike conversion. There are no cars in my garage these days, only these two trikes. I know something about last models too, since my Gold Wing was the last model year for the 1500 before the Gold Wing 1800s were introduced in 2001.

I've lived in this house since 1966 and seen a succession of cars in this garage. I've raised three kids and helped with the raising of two of my five grandkids. The cars that lived in this garage have been a big part of that raising.

Motorcycles came into my life late, only 14 years ago. My last Volkswagen VW left this garage just two years before that. Maybe there was some part of me that missed the fun of owning a "people's car" and longed to again have a vehicle that brought spirit, independence, and freedom back into getting from point A to point B. Maybe that void ended up being filled by motorcycles. I don't know but I'm sure it played a part.

I remember the first Volkswagen I owned. It was the first new car that my wife and I had ever purchased. We got married in 1961 and drove from Illinois to Massachusetts in a 1953 Chevy Belair 2-Door Hard Top. That car lasted only two years and we wanted to get a new car. At the time we had one child on the way. I had seen all the cute ads for VWs that were everywhere and desperately wanted a Beetle. There was a shortage of some kind at the time and people had to order a car and wait for it to be shipped from Wolfsburg, Germany. I kept calling the dealer weekly but my car had not come in. Finally, after 75 days of waiting, I went to the dealer and he said that it was hard to get a blue one like I wanted, but he had a couple of other colors in the back that I could have right away. One was a gray Bug with a sunroof. It was more than I had wanted to pay -- $1750 -- but I told him I'd take it.

That was the beginning of my love affair with the Beetle.

Now, Read Part 2 to see what happened to the Gray Bug and learn fun uses for the sunroof. Later, hear about my Blue Bug and how to run out of gas and not need to go to a gas station. Still later, read about my White Bug and how three teenage drivers are more than any Bug can handle.

4. Today's Motorcycle Views Poll:

I'm running one new Motorcycle Views Poll in each issue of the newsletter. Please participate in each poll so we can all find out what's happening in motorcycling.

Here's Poll No. 34 (It may take a few seconds to load, so please be patient.): Would you be willing to put down a deposit to reserve an Elio?

The latest Motorcycle Views Poll also appears on the front page of the Motorcycle Views website.

ALL Motorcycle Views Polls

5. Five Motorcycle Terms:

I am featuring five (5) of my Motorcycle Terms in each issue of the newsletter.

6. NEW! My Latest Book, Motorcycle Kick-Starts:

My latest book, Motorcycle Kick-Starts, is available on Amazon in Kindle, paperback, and NEW! Audible audiobook editions.

This small book provides a condensed view of motorcycling information for new riders and returning riders who have been away from motorcycling for many years. It's based on articles I published while I was the Motorcycles Guide on About.com and also during my current assignment as Editor of Motorcycle Views.

My purpose in writing the book is to whet your appetite for more while sticking to basic motorcycle information and not overpowering you with details.

We start out giving you basic information about motorcycles and showing you how you might proceed to become an active, safe rider.

Then we present ten short motorcycle stories (tales) written by actual motorcyclists. These tales allow you to observe some unusual things that happen to people who ride motorcycles. Without a bike, you would most likely never have these experiences. You will find out that your own rides will be different, but they too will result in unforgettable memories. The first story relates my own journey as a newbie rider when I joined a small group and rode cross-country on a 6,000-mile adventure.

Between stories, some practical advice about motorcycles is given in the form of ten motorcycle How-Tos and ten motorcycle Tips that you will need to know to become a proficient rider.

It's available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and Audible audiobook editions. Click the cover picture for more information about how to purchase the book.

NEW! As of March 10, 2016, the book is also available in an Audible audiobook edition. It can be found on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes. Click the square cover to the right to hear a sample from the Audible edition.

7. Motorcycle Picture of the Month for March 2016:

Motorcycle Picture of the Month - March 2016 - 2014 KTM Adventure 1190R:
See the latest Picture of the Month and previous pictures. If you'd like to be considered for Picture of the Month, send me a picture and description of your bike. Submit Picture.

8. Here are some very popular articles on the Motorcycle Views Site. Take a look:

9. Latest Motorcycle Pictures:

See the latest received pictures by category.



"This is my first year as a member of the Polar Bear Grand Tour and have been a member of H.O.G. Ocean Thunder Chapter for . . . more. -- Mango"

10. My Four Motorcycle Books:

I hope you will take a look at my four motorcycle books, available in paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com. These books make great, inexpensive gifts. In fact, you can purchase all four for less than $30 total. I have reduced the price of my four Kindle editions to $0.0 (FREE) IF you also first purchase the corresponding paperback edition. That way you can always have the book with you if you have a tablet or smartphone with you. None of the paperbacks has color pictures in them owing to the high price of producing a book with color. However, every Kindle edition has color pictures, so the Getting Started Riding a Motorcycle and Motorcycle Haiku Poetry Kindle books are in full color.

NEW! My latest book (released December 1, 2015), Motorcycle Kick-Starts, also available on Amazon.com in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook (Audible) editions, contains a condensed view of motorcycling for new and returning riders. It's designed to whet your appetite for more while sticking to basic motorcycle information without overpowering you with details. The book starts out telling you what motorcycles are and showing you how you might learn to become an active, safe rider. Then ten short motorcycle stories, written by actual motorcyclists, are presented. These stories allow you to observe some unusual things that happen to people who ride motorcycles. Between stories, some practical advice about motorcycles is given in the form of ten motorcycle How-Tos and ten motorcycle Tips that you will need to know to become a proficient rider. Click the book cover to learn more about the book and how to buy it on Amazon.com. NEW! As of March 10, 2016, there is now an Audible audiobook version of Motorcycle Kick-Starts. You can get it on Amazon, Audible, or iTunes.

My book, 50 Wild Motorcycle Tales, contains a collection of stories that originally were only available on my website. Fifty of these stories were selected, intensively edited, and compiled into the book. I wrote five of the stories. The book is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook (Audible) editions. Click the book cover to learn more about the book and how to buy it on Amazon.com. The Audible edition is also available for immediate download on iTunes and Audible.

My book, Getting Started Riding a Motorcycle, was first published in 2011 but only as a Kindle edition. It was revised in 2014 and also made available in a paperback edition. Click the book cover to learn more about the book and how to buy it on Amazon.com.

My book, Motorcycle Haiku Poetry, also available on Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle editions, contains haiku poems about motorcycles. Haiku is a simple poem of three lines with five syllables in the first and last lines and seven in the second line. Each of the nearly 60 poems is coupled with a motorcycle picture and description related to the poem. I wrote seven of the haiku poems. Click the book cover to learn more about the book and how to buy it on Amazon.com.

11. Polar Bear Grand Tour Runs to Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown, NJ and Long Valley Pub in Long Valley, NJ:

Since the last Newsletter, the Polar Bear Grand Tour has completed runs to Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown, NJ and Long Valley Pub in Long Valley, NJ. Click this link (or the picture) to see some of the pictures as they appear on Facebook.

All the pictures and videos for these two runs can be found by clicking the following links: Lighthouse Tavern in Waretown, NJ and Long Valley Pub in Long Valley, NJ.

The Polar Bears consist of 550 riders from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware, who ride each Sunday to a different prescribed destination where they sign-in and receive points. There is, usually, a restaurant at or near the destination. It gets cold, windy, and snowy on these rides. I've been a Polar Bear member for more than 20 years, and I built and continue to maintain their website.

The picture to the right was taken at Long Valley Pub.

12. Help Grow Motorcycle Views:

The Motorcycle Views Website is here for you. We encourage you to submit a story, picture, poem, salvage yard recommendation, user review of your own bike, tattoo, YouTube video you made of your bike, motorcycle tip, etc. These will be evaluated for inclusion into one of our major features. Send us a submission today and share part of your motorcycling experience with our many readers. Read how to make a submission.

13. Send In Your Pictures:

We love pictures of your motorcycles. Even better is a picture of you with your bike. We also like descriptions of bikes so tell us all about your bike. What accessories do you have? What special paint job do you have? How long have you been riding? Tell us more. Women riders are especially requested to send their pictures in. Submit a Picture.

14. The Motorcycle Views Website is Also on your Smartphone or Tablet:

Are you relying more and more on your cellphone or tablet and less and less on your PC or MAC? Remember that all that great motorcycling information on Motorcycle Views is as near as your cellphone. It's also in a new format designed to fit your portable screen. Check us out anywhere you need motorcycle information.

Be sure to check out the Home Page on Motorcycle Views. It keeps changing daily, now containing links to hundreds of my original articles and features including Makes and Models, Picture Galleries, Motorcycle FAQ, Motorcycle Tips, Motorcycle How-Tos, Rallies, Videos and Movies, and User Reviews.

15. Social Media:

See me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Walter F. Kern's Author Page on AmazonThanks again for coming along for the ride in this new edition of the Motorcycle Views Newsletter. -- Walter.

For New Subscribers:

Expect newsletters on Sunday afternoon every other week.

Please understand that the Motorcycle Views Newsletter is NOT the Motorcycle Views website. The newsletter provides a few links to content on the Motorcycle Views website. Once you click a link in the newsletter, you'll be getting access to content on the Motorcycle Views site.

If you'd like to view some recent newsletters, just go to the newsletter sign-up page and look below where my three motorcycle books are described for links.

Thanks for signing up for the Motorcycle Views Newsletter. Using this Newsletter, I'll keep you up-to-date with what's going on in the Motorcycle Views Blog, the Motorcycle Views Website, and the Motorcycle Views Forum. The forum has a new look as of February 13, 2015. Take a look. Not sure what a blog is? It's like a daily readout of what I'm thinking about, similar to a diary at times. Most often, I'm using mine right now to tell my visitors what has been added to the Motorcycle Views site.

See me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube.

The Motorcycle Views Website is Also on your Smartphone or Tablet:

Are you relying more and more on your cellphone or tablet and less and less on your PC or MAC? Remember that all that great motorcycling information on Motorcycle Views is as near as your cellphone. It's also in a new format designed to fit your portable screen. Check us out anywhere you need motorcycle information.

END OF NEWSLETTER

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