EagleRider Offers Motorcycle Travelers and Enthusiasts An All Inclusive Motorcycle Mobile App

LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2013 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – EagleRider, the world’s largest motorcycle rental, tours, sales, service, and parts & accessories company, launches its new Android and iOS application for its customers and motorcycle enthusiasts alike. The application has an array of features making it the one stop mobile shop for motorcycle shopping. This is now available for free at the App Store and Google Play.

The EagleRider app is the first of its kind to enter the market. This application has a clear, easy to use dashboard giving users direct connection to all of EagleRider’s features.  The latest tech development is in lieu of the business’ rapidly growing customer base and product expansion. Motorcyclists and motorcycle travelers will have access to all of their motorcycle needs straight from one app on their mobile device.  The app will provide a new entry point for the following products:

• EagleRider’s motorcycle rentals and tours mobile optimized site to easily book a rental or tour.
• UsedMotorcycles.net’s mobile optimized site when shopping and browsing for used motorcycles.
• A quick easy way to set-up a service appointment for your Harley-Davidson at an EagleRider service center.
• Easy access EagleRider’s motorcycle super store for all motorcycle parts and accessories at highly competitive rates.
• Quick access to online motorcycle check-in for EagleRider motorcycle renters.
• The new instant roadside assistance feature for EagleRider rental and tours customers.

“The use of mobile apps is continuously growing and there aren’t many apps for motorcyclists out there, that’s what’s most exciting about the EagleRider app,” said Ryan Oreif, EagleRider’s Director of Product.  When asked what the best part about the app was, Ryan added, “Offering fast, easy mobile access for anything from setting up your next vacation plans, buying a motorcycle, setting up your service appointment, or buying a new exhaust or brakes.”

About EagleRider

Pioneering the motorcycle rental concept in 1992, EagleRider is now a full service motorcycle experience company offering Harley-Davidson®, Honda®, BMW® rentals, one way rentals, and guided and self-drive tours. With over 100 locations, EagleRider is the world’s largest motorcycle travel company also offering service, parts and accessories, and motorcycle sales including an array of features for individuals and dealers looking to buy and/or sell their bikes. For more information, please visit www.EagleRider.com for EagleRider rentals and tours, www.UsedMotorcycles.net for EagleRider sales, and Store.EagleRider.com for parts and accessories. Like us on Facebook and Twitter.

Contact: Bardia Peake , (310) 536-6777, bardia@eaglerider.com

SOURCE: EagleRider

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ATV Safety Institute Reminds Enthusiasts to Ride Responsibly, Especially Over Busy Memorial Day Weekend

ASI Safety Courses are Fun, Convenient Ways to Brush Up on Safety Rules

IRVINE, CA – May 23, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The ATV Safety Institute (ASI), along with the major manufacturers and distributors of ATVs, encourage all ATV enthusiasts to ride safely and responsibly this upcoming holiday weekend, and any time they ride an ATV. More than 35 million riders will be operating approximately 10 million ATVs over Memorial Day Weekend in the United States, and they can minimize their risk while increasing their fun by taking the ASI’s hands-on ATV RiderCourse or interactive E-Course to better understand how to safely operate their ATVs.

“The ASI urges all ATV enthusiasts to enroll in an ATV RiderCourse,” said Gary Higgins, chairman of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA). “Participating in the half-day, hands-on course really is the ideal way to kick off the summer riding season. Taking the course is free if you’ve purchased a new, qualifying ATV from an ASI member-company. And, most of the major ATV manufacturers offer incentives for completing the course in the form of cash or merchandise certificates worth up to $100. Really, taking the ATV RiderCourse is a win-win situation for everyone.”

To find an ATV RiderCourse near you and enroll, visit http://www.atvsafety.org. In addition to learning safe riding skills on the range, riders can also brush up on ATV safety principles online with the ATV E-Course. Three age-specific online courses are available: one for adults, another for teens, and one specifically aimed at children. All the courses include videos and interactive games to make them fun and effective learning experiences for every age group.

According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 92 percent of all ATV-related fatalities are the result of warned-against behaviors. As a result, the ASI strongly recommends that all ATV riders follow the warning labels on each vehicle. Finally, all ATV enthusiasts, no matter their age or experience level, can further minimize their risk by simply adhering to the ASI’s Eight Golden Rules of ATV Safety:

1. Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves, long pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
2. Never ride on paved roads except to cross when done safely and permitted by law – another vehicle could hit you. ATVs are designed to be operated off-highway.
3. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
4. Never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV, and no more than one passenger on an ATV specifically designed for two people.
5. Ride an ATV that’s right for your age.
6. Supervise riders younger than 16; ATVs are not toys.
7. Ride only on designated trails and at a safe speed.
8. Take an ATV RiderCourse; call toll-free at (800) 887-2887 or go to www.atvsafety.org to register. Or take the online e-course at www.atvsafety.org.

The All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute® develops rider training programs and promotes the safe and responsible use of ATVs. The ASI® works to reduce crashes and injuries resulting from improper ATV use. Formed in 1988, the ASI is a not-for-profit division of the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America®. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA® works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourse nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

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ZPP’s Legend Motorcycle Tour

VANCOUVER, BC – September 16, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Zongshen PEM Power Systems Inc. (Toronto: ZPP.TO ) is pleased to announce that the Company is sponsoring a 45 day-long motorcycle tour to promote the Zongshen motorcycle brand and to road test three upgraded motorcycle models.

Motorcycle Tour

Ten motorcycle enthusiasts were chosen from a pool of volunteer applicants that joined three ZPP employees for this motorcycle trip. Over the 45 day long tour, the riders will start the 5,300 km long trip in Chongqing and visit cities and townships in Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei provinces and end the trip in Chongqing. Each rider is tasked with a specific responsibility such as performing on-road repair & maintenance, blogging, and monitoring the performance of the motorcycles. They are also participating in a series of local promotional campaigns aimed at showcasing the Zongshen brand and motorcycles. The Company will provide for accommodation and logistical support for the entire trip.

This motorcycle campaign is named after the Company’s best selling sports motorcycle, Legend (ZS125-70) and has received press and television coverage since its launch on September 5, 2011 in ZPP’s manufacturing headquarters in Chongqing. Motorcycle enthusiasts can follow the trip virtually by logging on to the Company’s micro-blog at http://weibo.com/zsmotor.

Road-testing Upgraded Motorcycles

The riders will travel the entire trip together, but they are separated into three groups to road test the upgraded models of ZPP’s Legend (ZS125-70), ZS125-50 and ZS150 motorcycles which are equipped with new prototype engines developed by ZPP’s sister company, Zongshen Power. The riders will be test-driving the motorcycles in its natural environment, which includes paved and unpaved roads, steep inclines and uneven terrain over an extended distance. Data and feedback collected during the tour will be used to further enhance the quality of the motorcycles that ZPP is known to manufacture.

“The motorcycle tour is a chance to broaden our brand visibility and for our end customers to see our motorcycles in their everyday environment. The tour also allows us to collect data and observe first hand how these upgraded motorcycles perform as part of our continuous effort to improve the quality and power of our motorcycles,” said Mr. Zongshen Zuo, CEO and Chairman of ZPP.

About Zongshen Power

Chongqing Zongshen Power Machinery Co., Ltd (“Zongshen Power” or “ZS Power”) is one of China’s largest manufacturer and marketers of engines for use in motorcycles, three-wheeled motorcycles, power generators, lawn mowers and light marine vessels. In 2010, ZS Power shipped over 4.8 million engines and generated $610 million in revenue and profits of $65 million. Zongshen Power is trading on the Shenzhen stock exchange under the symbol: SZ001696 and currently has a $900 million in market capitalization.

About Zongshen PEM Power Systems Inc.

Zongshen PEM Power Systems Inc. is a public company trading under the symbol ZPP on the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company manufactures gas motorcycles, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles and other e-vehicles in China for the Chinese domestic and international markets. Zongshen PEM Power System’s largest shareholder is Zongshen Industrial Group, one of China’s largest manufacturers and distributors of engines and power equipment.

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Markel American Insurance Company Invites Motorcycle Enthusiasts to Vintage Bike Restoration Competition on Thursday, June 2nd

WAUKESHA, WI – May 17, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Motorcycle enthusiasts will want to mark their calendars for June 2nd. Six area high schools will showcase their vintage motorcycle restoration talents at the Iron Horse Hotel on 500 West Florida Street in Milwaukee through BUILD Milwaukee, a Moto Mentor program sponsored in part by Markel American Insurance Company.

The program is a new initiative by The Iron Horse Hotel that offers high school students an opportunity to learn motorcycle restoration while developing important business, trade and interpersonal skills. Each team was given 90 days (February 15th – May 15th) and a budget of $2,000 to restore and customize a vintage Honda BC or CL 160.

The bikes will be judged based on five sets of criteria: Fastest (dyno competition on June 2nd), Art Bike (panel of judges), MilVin Moto Best of Show (voted on June 2nd), Crowd Favorite (social media driven voting), and Best Documentation (presented to the team that captures the best documentation process).

Enthusiasts can vote for their favorite motorcycle on www.facebook.com/Buildmoto from May 23rd to May 31st and then see the bikes in person at The Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee on June 2nd.

After June 2nd, the bikes will be raced at Road America’s Vintage Classic Weekend in Elkhart Lake (June 10th -12th), and showcased at Mods vs. Rockers in Chicago (June 18th). Discovery World will serve as the official museum display for the program, where the bikes will be on site from June 21st to July 29th. The final viewing of the bikes will take place at The Rockerbox Street Festival in Milwaukee on August 6th.

“This is a great opportunity not only to help build some great motorcycles, but to help introduce local high school students to the art of motorcycle restoration,” said Ted Wentzel, Markel American’s Director of Marketing.  ”We’re so excited to watch the progress and to see all the bikes when they’re finished.”

Markel American Insurance Company (part of Markel Corporation) specializes in powersports insurance such as motorcycle insurance, boat insurance and ATV insurance. For more information, visit www.markelinsuresfun.com.

Markel Corporation markets and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs to a variety of niche markets.  In each of these markets, the Company seeks to provide quality products and excellent customer service so that it can be a market leader.  The financial goals of the Company are to earn consistent underwriting profits and superior investment returns to build shareholder value.  For more information on the Markel Group of companies, please visit www.markelcorp.com

SOURCE: Markel American Insurance Company

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Daytona International Speedway is ready for Bike Week

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – March 2, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – In addition to all the thrilling action on the track with road racing, supercross, flat track and sportbike freestyle, Daytona International Speedway will continue the tradition of exciting, must-see activities for motorcycle enthusiasts off the track during Daytona 200 Week on March 5-12.

Among the activities the “World Center of Racing” has planned include:

Racing: When it comes to motorcycle racing, Daytona 200 Week has something for everyone. The Daytona Supercross By Honda, the toughest and most grueling Supercross in America, kicks off the diverse racing schedule on Saturday, March 5 and is followed by the Daytona Flat Track, the opening rounds of the AMA Pro National Guard SuperBike, the XDL Championships and the historic 70th Daytona 200.

Free demo rides: Outside of historic Daytona International Speedway, motorcycle enthusiasts can test-ride the latest and greatest motorcycles with free manufacturer demo rides from top manufacturers Suzuki, Boss Hoss, Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Spyder, Triumph, Victory and more.

Daytona Motorcycle Marketplace: Bikers can find the nation’s top aftermarket parts, accessories and apparel companies at the Daytona Motorcycle Marketplace located in our Midway, D5X and Lot 1 demo/display areas.

Budweiser Cool Your Pipes Zone and Thunder Alley: Cool your pipes with two great names – Budweiser and Daytona International Speedway. Bikers can spend the day catching up with old friends at the Budweiser Cool Your Pipes Zone inside Thunder Alley in the Midway where they can enjoy a cold Budweiser and great food next to the area’s largest vendor, display and demo ride marketplace. Thunder Alley will also showcase entertainment, games and contests.

Bikini contest: The annual Hooters bikini contest and fashion show sponsored by Hot Leathers will be staged in Thunder Alley located outside Turn 4 on Saturday, March 12 from 1-3 p.m.

Spring Dash at DAYTONA: It’s the ride of a lifetime – two laps around the historic Daytona International Speedway motorcycle course. Bike enthusiasts will get that chance in the fifth annual Spring Dash At Daytona on Saturday, March 12th following the prestigious Daytona 200. For more information and to purchase tickets visit the Spring Dash Ticket Booth located in Thunder Alley.

Fan walk/autograph session: On Friday, March 11, all AMA Pro Road Racing riders and teams from every class will be on pit road for a fan walk/autograph session between 12:20 p.m. – 1 p.m. On Saturday, fans will have access to pit road between 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. prior to the 70th Daytona 200.

For more information on all the activities during Daytona 200 Week, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway).

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Motorcycle USA Chooses SLI Systems’ Learning Search for Publishers to Increase Page Views and Improve the Reader Experience

Online Magazine for Motorcycle Enthusiasts Makes It Easy for Visitors to Find Fresh, Relevant Articles, Videos, Blog Posts, Product Reviews and Other Sticky Content

SAN JOSE, CA – December 21, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Site stickiness and reader loyalty are primary concerns for online publishing sites. To improve these areas and make its digital content site more attractive to advertisers, Motorcycle USA (www.motorcycle-usa.com), a preeminent e-magazine devoted to the world of motorcycles, chose Learning Search for Publishers from SLI Systems (www.sli-systems.com).

With the on-demand Learning Search site search solution, Motorcycle USA visitors can now quickly find the content they seek, and are also guided to other useful material, which results in more repeat visits and more products purchased on its sister e-retail site, Motorcycle Superstore (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com).

Published by Motorcycle Superstore and based in Medford, Oregon, Motorcycle USA is a collection of motorcycle reviews, news and race coverage for motorcycle enthusiasts, updated on a daily basis. The digital publication implemented Learning Search for Publishers shortly after the site search solution was implemented on the Motorcycle Superstore e-commerce site.

“Our previous site search solution lacked the type of sophisticated segmenting of search results needed for our audience,” said Jason Miller, CTO and vice president of technology for Motorcycle USA and Motorcycle Superstore. “Readers have different needs when they search — some are looking for buyer’s guides, some want videos, and some want to read news articles or blog posts. Learning Search helps us showcase these content types separately within search results, which draws more clicks to content our readers might otherwise not know we have.”

Learning Search for Publishers provides customizable, SaaS-based site search for digital media sites, helping publishers drive more traffic to their sites, improve the findability of their content, and increase site stickiness. Higher traffic numbers and longer time spent on sites by readers can help publishers attract advertisers, sell subscription content, and draw attention to related products.

“Online publishers that rely on advertising revenue need to attract visitors to more content and encourage them to return to the site. With higher page views per visit, publishers can bring in more advertisers and even raise ad rates,” said Ed Hoffman, vice president of global business and corporate development for SLI Systems. “Learning Search for Publishers gives publishers tools to promote content and make it more accessible to readers, improving the visitor experience and generating more profitable click-throughs.”

Learning Search also enables publishers to control the order of site search results and create custom landing pages for high-traffic queries. For example, Motorcycle USA readers often search for “quarter-mile times,” a popular performance benchmark for motorcycles. The company created a specific category page for the term, including quarter-mile times for popular motorcycles — and the page is now highly ranked on Google. “By using SLI search to listen to the way our customers talk, we’ve been able to build pages they want to visit, and that they can easily link to when they discuss related content within blogs, forums, or message boards — all of which helps with search engine optimization,” Miller said.

With improved search refinements and more relevant search results, Motorcycle USA readers are now more likely to return to the site and to spend more time browsing content — which also benefits the site’s advertisers. Site analytics show that visitors who use search remain on the site 15% to 20% longer than visitors who don’t use site search.

“We have a lot of content on the site and articles on the homepage only remain there for a few days, so it’s easy for people to miss something,” Miller said. “Search has become one of the most valuable tools on our site to help readers find content of any kind. The ROI of Learning Search has been tremendous, as it continues to drive results for both our online publication and retail businesses.”

About SLI Systems

SLI Systems is the leading developer of Software-as-a-Service learning-based search and navigation solutions for corporate Internet sites, content publishers, e-commerce destinations and consumer Internet portals that Searches, Learns and Improves the user experience. SLI Systems’ SaaS-based site search and user-generated SEO solutions empower businesses to enhance customer satisfaction while increasing sales, reducing costs and yielding valuable customer information. Unlike traditional search software, SLI Systems’ patented technology continuously “learns” from the behavior of visitors over time to deliver more relevant results. SLI Systems is a privately held company, with offices in Silicon Valley, London, and Christchurch, New Zealand. For more information, visit www.sli-systems.com, or see the company’s blog at http://blog.sli-systems.com/.

SOURCE: SLI Systems

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Remedy in Montana OHV Case Reopens Motorized Trails; Restores Dispersed Camping

Many Routes and Trails Important to Montana Riders Among those Reopened

IRVINE, CA – July 2, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – On July 2, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana remanded the Travel Plan for the Little Belt, Castle, and North Half Crazy Mountains Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision to the Lewis and Clark National Forest and directed the Forest to reopen certain motorized routes and to restore dispersed camping on over 80,000 acres. Previously, the Court ruled on March 10, that the 2007 Travel Management Plan issued by the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Montana Wilderness Study Act (MWSA). The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (SVIA) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) had joined a coalition of recreation groups in filing a lawsuit challenging the Plan.

SVIA and MIC general counsel Paul Vitrano commented, “This is a very positive remedy for ATV and motorcycle riders in Montana as it restores riding opportunities on many of the routes and trails that were closed by the final Travel Plan issued by the Forest. The remedy is also positive as it shows that, when agencies issue decisions through a flawed process, off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and industry can work together to get trails reopened.”

The Lewis and Clark originally developed the plan in an effort to implement the national Travel Management Rule finalized by the U.S. Forest Service in November 2005, which requires each National Forest to undergo processes to designate roads, trails, and areas that are open to motor vehicles.

MIC and SVIA senior vice president for Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck said, “We applaud the Court for restoring many of the opportunities that would have been lost, and it is our hope that this positive result encourages OHV enthusiasts across the country to get or stay involved in Travel Management processes on their local Forests.”

Specific trails that have been reopened (with or without date restrictions) are outlined in the order, which can be accessed here. The Summer Travel-Map 5 Record of Decision Little Belt, Castle & North Half Crazy Mountain Ranges mentioned in the order can be accessed here.

Vitrano concluded, “We believe an appropriate remedy was meted out, and stand ready to defend this decision on appeal if necessary. This is a big victory and riders in Montana have even more to celebrate on this Holiday weekend.”

The suit that led to the remedy was filed by the Russell Country Sportsmen, Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association, Great Falls Trail Bike Riders Association, Great Falls Snowmobile Club, Meagher County Little Belters, Treasure State Alliance, Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and BlueRibbon Coalition.  Representing the plaintiffs are Paul Turcke of Boise, Idaho, Bill Horn of Washington, D.C., and Rob Cameron of Helena, Montana.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs.

Based in Irvine, Calif., the SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.

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