Scientists believe that the extra concentration needed to successfully operate a motorcycle can contribute to higher general levels of brain function, and it’s that increase in activity that’s surely a contributing factor to the appeal of the motorcycles as transportation. It’s the way a ride on a bike turns the simplest journey into a challenge to the senses that sets the motorcyclist apart from the everyday commuter. While the typical car-owning motorist is just transporting him or her self from point A to point B, the motorcyclist is actually transported into an entirely different state of consciousness .

Riding a motorcycle is all about entrance into an exclusive club where the journey actually is the destination.

Dr Ryuta Kawashima, author of Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain, reported the outcome of his study of “The relationship between motorcycle riding and the human mind.”

Kawashima’s experiments involved current riders who currently rode motorcycles on a regular basis (the average age of the riders was 45) and  ex-riders who once rode regularly but had not taken a ride for 10 years or more. Kawashima asked the participants to ride on courses in different conditions while he recorded their brain activities. The eight courses included a series of curves, poor road conditions, steep hills, hair-pin turns and a variety of other challenges.

What did he find? After an analysis of the data, Kawashima found that the current riders and ex-riders used their brain in radically different ways. When the current riders rode motorcycles, specific segments of their brains (the right hemisphere of the prefrontal lobe) was activated and riders demonstrated a higher level of concentration.

His next experiment was a test of how making a habit of riding a motorcycle affects the brain.

Trial subjects were otherwise healthy people who had not ridden for 10 years or more. Over the course of a couple of months, those riders used a  motorcycle for their daily commute and in other everyday situations while Dr Kawashima and his team studied how their brains and mental health changed.

The upshot was that the use of motorcycles in everyday life improved cognitive faculties, particularly those that relate to memory and spatial reasoning capacity. An added benefit? Participants revealed on questionnaires they filled out at the end of the study that their stress levels had been reduced and their mental state changed for the better.

So why motorcycles? Shouldn’t driving a car should have the same effect as riding a motorcycle?

“There were many studies done on driving cars in the past,” Kawashima said. “A car is a comfortable machine which does not activate our brains. It only happens when going across a railway crossing or when a person jumps in front of us. By using motorcycles more in our life, we can have positive effects on our brains and minds”.

Yamaha participated in a second joint research project on the subject of the relationship between motorcycle riding and brain stimulation with Kawashima Laboratory at the Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer at Tohoku University.

The project began in September 2009 and ran until December 2010, and the focus of the research was on measurement and analysis of the cause and effect relationship involved in the operation of various types of vehicles and brain stimulation. The study measured changes in such stimulation over time by means of data gathered from a long-term mass survey.

The reason for Yamaha Motor’s participation in this project is pretty obvious and not a little self-serving, but further research into the relationship between motorcycle riding and brain stimulation as it relates to the “Smart Aging Society” will certainly provide some interesting results.

The second research project was divided into two time periods throughout 2009 and 2010 compared differences in the conditions of brain stimulation as they related to the type of vehicle and driving conditions. A second set of tests measuring the changes in brain stimulation over time involved a larger subject group.

Yamaha Motors provided vehicles for the research and made its test tracks and courses available for the study. What the study revealed is that what you’re thinking about while you’re riding – and your experience on the bike -  changes the physical structure of your brain.

Author Sharon Begley concurs with Kawashima’s findings. In her tome, Train Your Mind – Change Your Brain, Begley found much the same outcomes.

“The brain devotes more cortical real estate to functions that its owner uses more frequently and shrinks the space devoted to activities rarely performed,” Begley wrote. “That’s why the brains of violinists devote more space to the region that controls the digits of the fingering hand.”

And you may also get some mental and physical benefits from just thinking about going for a ride on your machine.

A 1996 experiment at Harvard Medical School by neuroscientist Alvaro Pascual-Leone had volunteers practice a simple five finger exercise on the piano over five days for a couple of hours each day. Pascual-Leone found that the brain space devoted to these finger movements grew and pushed aside areas less used.  A separate group of volunteers were asked to simply think about doing the piano exercises during that week as well, and they dedicated the same amount of “practice time.”

Pascual-Leone was somewhat take aback to discover that the region of the brain which controls piano playing finger movement expanded in the same way for volunteers who merely imagined playing the piano.

Along with the obvious benefits of riding motorcycles; like saving money (motorcycle insurance is relatively inexpensive), motorcycles take the edge off the grind of the daily commute, and that appears to make your brain a better place to be…

Chris Page riding. July 2nd 2011.

#44

Team Guzzi Nerd…

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Finch is, for lack of a more fitting metaphor, the Antonio Gaudi of Grease and Gasoline.

Metal worker, painter, artist, and custom bike builder extraordinaire, Finch is an eccentric and a legendary force in the history of custom motorcycle building.

Finch made his entrance into the world in Ferndale, Michigan in 1939. His mother worked as a seamstress and hand made all of his clothes. Dad was an expediter at Chrysler

“Kids at school made fun of me because I had homemade clothes, but I know mother was one of my artistic influences,” Finch said. “She made beautiful quilts, and I think that’s where I began to learn about the combination of colors. My father never missed a day of work, and I expect my work ethic came from him.”

Never one to enjoy formal schooling, Finch nonetheless got his diploma at the insistence of his parents.

His odyssey through his true calling began by customizing bicycles.

A 1952 BSA Golden Flash served as his first motorcycle, but after the addition of a peanut tank, an ass-busting Bates seat and a custom paint job, he’d found his way.

After stints working at real jobs and running his own business, Finch began experiencing a malaise he couldn’t shake.

“It was killing my creativity. As the business of running a business got bigger, I could feel my creativity melting away.” Finch said. “This is not how it was supposed to be. One day I fired everybody and turned all my attention to my art.”

Filmmaker Danny Grinnell’s documentary featuring Finch is in post-production and needs funds to help him complete the project. Watch the teaser to “Ron Finch – That’s All You Get,” and if you love custom motorcycles, I guarantee you’ll want to see the whole film finished.

Finch opened his Finch’s Custom Styled Cycles back in 1965, and independent filmmaker Grinnell has been working hard on a documentary about the legendary custom bike builder and could use help funding the final project.

Finch is a true American original and if you’ve seen his work, you know how important this project is.

“I’ve been filming a documentary about motorcycle legend Ron Finch since last June,” Grinnell says. “I’m in post-production now and I’ve started a Kickstarter Project to raise the completion funds. People that donate to the project get movie merchandise rewards such as digital downloads, movie posters, company logos in the credits, coffee mugs, t-shirts, signed movie handbills, and even signed Ron Finch Artwork.”

What more motivation do you need?

Check out the teaser here and make sure this doc gets seen by The People:

Check out some very nice photographs of Finch and his work at Sherry Kruzman Photography here… and thanks to Ed Youngblood for the historical background.

The bike? Should you be interested in what makes this machine go, you can check out a whole page of speculation from the cartoon-drooler types here at this page…

It took Teshima-san seven years and $120,000 to build and it was ultimately displayed at the Katsuhiro Otomo GENGA Exhibition, a celebration of original artwork by the creator of this “Akira” dude.

Also cool, the proceeds go toward support for relief and rebuilding after the horrific 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

It seems this bike has the official imprimatur of Akira’s creator, Katsuhiro Otomo.

Teshima is riding the bike across Japan to raise money for children’s autism as well.

Thede went over the top and broke the 200 mph mark (well past his previous record of 173.338 mph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

The new record is now 206.080 mph, or at least it was until a few days later when Thede broke his newly-minted record and reached 215.960.

That run featured a top speed of over 218 mph.

Thede, the owner and president of Race Tech, teamed up with Richard Hatfield from Lightning Motorcycles to accomplish this feat.

“Breaking the 200 mph barrier on an electric-powered motorcycle is so special because it isn’t just another record; it’s a step towards furthering ‘green’ technology around the world,” Thede said. “It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when.  If you swung a leg over and opened her up, you’d become a believer too”

Paul Thede rode the bike and he also tuned the handling characteristics of the motorcycle by providing industry leading Race Tech suspension components.

Thede is no stranger to motorcycles.  He is a former pro motocross racer, Pikes Peak Hillclimb winner, and has set numerous land speed records at Bonneville.

Thede’s first trip to Bonneville was in 2005, and he has broken 13 records over six years. Thede’s experience as a former pro racer, combined with his understanding of engineering and physics, helped him set the new record at Bonneville.

So how did Hatfield factor in?

He brought an extensive experience with electric motors to the table and built this incredible motorcycle.  Hatfield says his mission is to “push electric-motorcycle technology to parity with gas-powered motorcycles.”

After asking Thede if topping 200 mph this year means that 210 mph will become the goal for next year, he simply replied, “We’ll see what this year brings.”

Check out Thede and Race Tech at: www.racetech.com.

CONTACT:

Chris Riesenberg – (951)279-6655 – chris@racetech.com

Photo courtesy of Bebeto Matthews - AP

The gang sent out “steal teams” in stolen minivans to case upscale NYC neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, Brooklyn Heights and Tribeca on the lookout for Ducatis, Harleys and Hondas. The teams would roll up next to parked bikes, whip open the van doors and heft them inside before making a quick getaway.

“In most instances, this took no more than 30 seconds,” said NYC Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly.

Kelly and and District Attorney Cyrus Vance announced the filing of criminal charges against 33 people involved in the ring. The investigation began after a report of a stolen Yamaha in the ritzy Manhattan neighborhood, Tribeca. Following tips and gathering intelligence over the course of the next few months, the coppers discovered that the defendants had swiped more than 60 motorcycles worth about $500,000.

“The streets served as outdoor showrooms where crews would go shopping,” said Kelly.

The gang took in $2,000 on the black market from dealers for each stolen bike. The bikes were then disassembled, wrapped up and shipped to Caribbean and African nations under the guise of “household goods.” And it appears the gang wasn’t above making a little quick cash with ancillary businesses as well. Authorities say members of the gang dealt illegal guns in Harlem to pad the books. It’s alleged an undercover officer purchased some 15 weapons – many they say were smuggled in from Southern states – from the members of the gang. And we’re not talking just handguns. The haul included three semiautomatic assault rifles.

Though they clearly weren’t quite careful enough, investigators say the gang took actions aimed at avoiding detection. Gang members utilized countersurveillance tactics to identify unmarked police vehicles by taking photos of them and passing them out among members of the various “steal teams.”

He had a nice lead, but forgot to run the final lap.

Pulling up to fist pump and celebrate his “victory”, Russo took quite a long time to realize that he’d blown the deal. He watched the line of other riders blow by him, and thus entered the Hall of Shame.

A one-of-a-kind motorcycle owned by famed racer Mike Avila can now be yours for the tidy sum of $95K.  The bagger deluxe is on display at Arlen Ness’s custom shop in Dublin, Calif., and one Arlen Ness sales jockey calls it “rolling art at its finest.”

Hand-built and featuring hand-shaped metal construction and no visible welds, seams or fasteners, this awesomebagger took first place and the title of  “America’s Most Beautiful Motorcycle” at the Grand National Roadster Show back in 2010.

Named  Crazy Horse, this Ness wonder can roll off the showroom floor and into your garage for just $94,995. Back in 2008 the bike was designed and built by Avila, along with top designers Arlen Ness, Greg Westbury, Carl Brouhard and some mysterious gent named “Solis.” Paint was laid on by Mazz Enterprises.

“The bike has air ride on the back and is ready to ride,” Avila wrote of his custom creation.

Until someone ponies up the cash, you can check out this rolling sculpture seven days a week at the Arlen Ness showroom and museum in Dublin.

The Tata of motorcycles is coming and for only $500.

Yamaha Motor Co Ltd builds 175,000 bikes a year.

So what’s next for them? The company plans to up the ante on research and development  operations in India. At stake is their vision of designing the  lowest cost motorcycle in the market and shoring up their volume numbers in the fast-growing Indian domestic market.

“Until this year, basic development of products was being done by Yamaha at our headquarters in Japan. We have an R&D center to make minor changes on models in India. Our R and D team should be independent and capable of developing a new motorcycle in the commuter segment,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki, CEO and Managing Director of India Yamaha Motor.

The new rock-bottom priced model will be manufactured in Chennai, India and exported to markets in Africa and will be sold in India as well.

Yamaha is simply the latest entrant in the rush of foreign companies trying to use the enormous India doorway as a entre into emerging motorcycle markets worldwide. Hyundai of Korea makes cars in India for sale in Eastern Europe and Africa.  Honda is also making a low cost motorcycle in India, the $900  110 cc ‘Dream Yuga.’  Ford launched a new car model, the Figo, as a test bed for what the company hopes will be a series of models they can sell worldwide.

But Yamaha wasn’t content to just come up with a cheap model, they plan to develop “the world’s cheapest motorcycle” and plan to price it at an astounding  ‘sub-$500.’

The cheapest motorcycle on the Indian market right now is Hero MotoCorp’s CD Dawn.

“Our product benchmark right now  is the YBR 110 and Crux. The target is to make a bike that will cost $500. I think such a bike will have a lot of demand in Africa as well as in India,” Suzuki said.

In the Indian market, the entry level segment includes bikes like the Bajaj Platina, Honda CB Twister, Hero MotoCorp CD Dawn/Deluxe and Splendor, TVS Star Sport, the Yamaha Crux and the YBR110.