| Motorcycle Camping? Old made New? Posted: 17 Mar 2011 01:29 PM PDT  Growing up in the 60′s and 70′s there is ONE thing i distinctly remember….camping. Whether it was with the family, with my cousins at the farm or with a group of friends in some remote pasture. Those times were the best when a tent, a sleeping bag, and a few can’s of pork and beans, some smokes and a radio sufficed to set us off to the land of discovery. (Whether that was chemically induced or not). In a recent conversation with a friend in the industry that has tried to “educate” the big industry players of the pending resurgence, (as well as opportunities available) we discussed our own experiences of such times: his of recent and mine a long faded memory. So, why is “motorcycle camping” starting to have a resurgence? Is it that there are more motorcycle riders? More spare time? Weekend journeymen and women? A restless state of mind, reminiscent of my own past, where we were looking for something to bond to? To be part of? Something more than a temporal existence? Or is it just an inclination for “all things retro?” Not sure, but one thing i do know. It’s coming to a park, farm or drive-in near you! I’m hoping that someone catches on and realizes that there can be an opportunity to help shape this next gen of bikers. Will it be “you” mister magazine editor? Or ‘you” mister motorcycle manufacturer? Or “you”, mister event coordinator? Or ‘you” mister 40+ year old? One thing is for sure: This generation is embracing motorcycle camping. They are discovering for themselves the back-to-the-basic pleasures that their predecessors (aka me) on bikes enjoyed in a time when motorcycle gatherings were organic and not so commercialized (aka sturgis, daytona, las vegas, laconia, etc). They are doing it themselves and crystalizing their own community. Trend or fad? You call it, after you experience it. So next question is: Who’s ready to go camping?!
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| From Zero to $17 Million Posted: 17 Mar 2011 09:43 AM PDT  Whether your a proponent of alternative fuels or not, one thing is for sure. The whole “alternative fuels” market is growing. Whether it’s on two wheels, at homes, plants, restaurants, boats, planes etc. So it comes as no surprise that one of the leading two wheeled alternative vehicle manufactures, Zero Motorocycles, has secured $17 million in financing from a group of investors led by Invus. The Santa Cruz-based motorcycle manufacturer said today that it closed the financing deal on March 3 and plans to use the funds to increase its production capacity and expand its international sales. In addition to the initial funding, the company said it also has the opportunity for an additional $9 million in the coming months per the terms of the deal.
Zero Motorcycles, which is known for its all-electric drive train on street-legal motorcycles, does its manufacturing at a plant in the U.S., although some parts are imported from international suppliers. The company employees about 70 people. Its 2011 lineup represented a major overhaul of the Zero’s products. Most notably, the company introduced the ability to accept DC (direct current) power from fast-charging stations with the use of a plug-in accessory to fit a standard SAE J1772 plug. Zero also switched from a chain to a belt drive system, which in addition to making maintenance easier has also made the bikes very quiet for a motorcycle. Two of the motorcycles, the Zero DS and Zero S, also got battery upgrades, making it possible to drive more miles between charges. The 2011 Zero DS has a range of about 58 miles and retails for about $10,495. Its biggest advertisement seems to be that its 2010 version was adopted by a California police department, with several more departments evaluating the new version. You can watch a short video of the motorcycle HERE. Source: CNET news Go ahead, share the news with friends & enjoy. Best thing you'll do all day!: Related Posts You May Also Like |
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