Free Republic

FULL TITLE: 'Something was off': Survivor says US troops were stalled by a village elder before they were ambushed by 50 terrorists in Niger for hours following a near 24 hour patrol operation The four American special forces killed fighting in Niger were ambushed by 50 ISIS terrorists after they were stalled by a village elder, a survivor of the attack has revealed. The group of 12 American forces had accompanied 30 Nigerien forces to an area about 85 kilometers north of the capital Niamey on a routine reconnaissance mission on October 3, when a dramatic new order came through...

It's not uncommon for bikers to hear all the negative aspects behind riding a motorcycle: "It's too dangerous" or "I don't trust the other people on the road" and by far the most ridiculous stereotype, "Are you going to join a gang?"Motorcycling isn't for everyone, which is fine. Because if everyone in the world rode a motorcycle, then it wouldn't be the symbol of rebellion, freedom, and independence that we recognize. It's for those of us who march to the beat of our own drum, step away from conformity and choose to fulfill our lives on our own terms. So...

I can’t think of a worse example of a corporate CEO misreading his customer base than this via the Robb Report (Hat tip: Ed Driscoll, Instapundit) “At some point in time, Harley Davidson will be all-electric,” the executive [Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz] recently told Dezeen. “But that’s a long-term transition that needs to happen. It’s not something you do overnight.” Zeitz’s pronouncement seems guaranteed to make a not-insignificant portion of the manufacturer’s customer base cringe. For many enthusiasts, the thing that really sets a Harley apart from other motorcycles—American-made or otherwise—is a thunderously loud internal combustion engine. But the company...

An Outlaws Motorcycle Club member who was arrested during Biketoberfest when his motorcycle ran out of gas as deputies said he tried to flee from traffic stops is in more trouble. He was recently accused of grinding down identification numbers on the motorcycle’s engine and transmission, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. Robert Patrick Wilson, a 31-year-old Ocala resident and Outlaws member, was charged with two felony counts of possession of a vehicle with altered vehicle identification numbers, according to a press release Wednesday from the sheriff’s office. Wilson has been locked up at the Flagler County jail since...

Last year, Kawasaki revealed plans to electrify all of its motorcycles in developed markets by 2035, and also have at least 10 electric or hybrid models in the range by 2025. Now, late-stage prototypes for both types of powertrains have been revealed thanks to a surprise demonstration ahead of the Suzuka 8-Hour motorcycle race in Japan. Kawasaki gave no prior notice of the demonstration and made no subsequent announcement, nor did it release any images. However, thanks to friends at the Japanese motorcycle magazine Auto-By who were present at the demonstration, we’ve acquired detailed images of both prototypes. Hybrid The...

The Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST in gray, long and low with saddle bags on a bright, sunny day. I expected to hate this -- but I didn't. In the motorcycle world, Harley-Davidsons are a lot like Jeeps: You either get them or you don't. And I'm not going to lie, I've always counted myself in the "don't" crowd. While I've been suitably intrigued and impressed by Harley's recent efforts at branching out, like the Livewire and the Pan America Special, the traditional big, V-twin cruisers that defined the company have never done anything for me. Even BMW's attempt at making...

It’s now legal in Brazil to kill motorcycle thieves. Compilation video is outstanding.

"It’s now legal in Brazil to kill motorcycle thieves. Compilation video is outstanding." Dunno if true or not. Video at site.

TOKYO -- Honda Motor and three Japanese rivals plan to discontinue about 20 motorcycle models by the end of this year, Nikkei has learned, in response to tougher emissions standards to be implemented in Japan in the fall. The retired motorbikes represent 10% of the roughly 190 models available from Honda, Yamaha Motor, Suzuki Motor and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. Going forward, the companies will shift to electrics. Honda will electrify its entire lineup of vehicles by the 2040s. Yamaha will make 90% of new vehicles plug-ins by 2050. Honda, the world's largest motorcycle company, will retire approximately 10 out of...

Ryan from Fortnine is one of the best bike personalities aside from Bikes N Beards. Holds a Physics background so he explains on his videos how an engine works so he does simplify the science behind motorcycles for each of Fortnine's videos..(meaning go back to your Physics high school class lol)

Harley-Davidson is suspending manufacturing for two weeks and has shut down operations in Wisconsin and York, Pennsylvania due to supply chain issues. The shutdown affects the Harley plant in Menomonee Falls. According to a company press release, the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution, is based on information provided by a third-party supplier to Harley-Davidson late on Tuesday concerning a regulatory compliance matter relating to the supplier’s component part.” The news sank Harley's stock price nearly 9% shortly before Thursday’s market open. Shares closed at $32.43, down 9.3%. In York, Harley announced the company would also suspend...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—A new report filed by the U.S. Department of Transportation finds that each and every time a motorist gets excited about a perfect parking spot at the front of a parking lot it turns out to be a "friggin' motorcycle." "Hey, here's one—GAH! A FRIGGIN' MOTORCYCLE!" shouted Norman Dodgson, a volunteer who agreed to drive with researchers for six months. "I hate this! I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE!" The phenomenon—dubbed "Interstitial Motor Mirage" by researchers—occurs in crowded parking lots when drivers are most desperate for a space. Because motorcycles don't sit back in a space as far as...

AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least 11 motorcycle crashes have occurred in Austin within the last three days. Almost all of these resulted in serious injuries and at least four were fatal, said Austin-Travis County EMS. On average, one motorcyclist dies in a Texas crash every day, the Texas Department of Transportation reported on its website. This means the Austin rate of motorcyclist deaths in the last 72 hours is at least 1.3 times the normal rate of all of Texas. Hunter Coleman, a shop manager at Austin City Powersports, said one of the reasons Austin is such a hard environment...

MILWAUKEE -- Harley-Davidson will take its electric motorcycle division public through a blank-check company, valuing the enterprise that has been part of the Harley for 10 years at $1.77 billion. The news gave a jolt to long-suffering shares of Harley-Davidson, which jumped 12% before the opening bell Monday.

Cedeno, 21, was shot dead last weekend on the way to a loved one’s funeral, according to the outlet. Police called the spooky stunt “an aberrant and unhealthy activity” — but they’re not investigating, because no one’s complained, the paper said.

A motorcycle is many things. It is an adventure, a lifestyle, a mode of transportation; but most importantly, a motorcycle is supposed to be reliable, cool, or at the very least, ergonomic to ride. In fact, if presented with the opportunity to purchase any of these bikes, turn tail, and run! These motorcycles are anything but reliable, cool, or ergonomic. Whether these bikes are unreliable, have awkward positions for pegs or handlebars, or even have some questionable design choices, these Motorcycles will have you regretting your purchase in no time! Some of these bikes are from well-known manufacturers such as...

Japanese auction house Bingo and Yahoo! Auctions Japan jointly sold the most valuable Japanese motorcycle in auction history on October 31 when a near-perfect 2016 Honda RC213V-S sold for ¥27,100,000 (US$237,700), eclipsing the previous record held by a one-of-four (two extant) 1968 Honda CB750 prototype that fetched £157,500 (US$221,600) at British auction house H&H in 2018. The sale of the RC213V-S for US$237,700 bodes well for the increased value of all collectible Japanese motorcycles because it’s just six years since the bikes were available new for $184,000 with the race kit costing an extra $12,000, for an all-up new price...

Tell Me About Your RideYesterday, I inadvertantly hijacked a Bible Thread in the Religion Forum to talk about my Motorcycle. Since I started riding in late Autumn of 1972, next year will mark my 50th Anniversary on two wheels. At the time, women were not as avid bikers as they are today. My Present Bike is pictured above, and is a 93FXR in "Sapphire Blue". I bought it at Hampton Roads Harley Davidson on the way home from attending Rolling Thunder. I traded in my Sportster and did the 700 mile ride home on that beautiful bike. From the VIN,...

STURGIS, S.D. — The Black Hills of South Dakota roared with motorcycles and crowds Friday as the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicked off, with mostly mask-less rallygoers packed shoulder-to-shoulder at bars and rock shows, despite a rise in COVID-19 cases in the state. Organizers expect at least 700,000 people during the 10-day event that is a rendezvous for bikers, who connect over their love for motorcycles. For some, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime goal to make it to Sturgis; others faithfully make the pilgrimage year after year. “It’s just a great big family atmosphere, everybody’s out here for the same purpose —...

Your dad doesn’t have to be Daedalus for you to know about the dangers of flying too close to the Sun. But the sad tale of Icarus is worth keeping in mind as you read this story. Because as cool as it sounds, taking a flying motorcycle 15,000 feet in the sky sounds like the start of a modern myth. Especially when it can reach speeds of 300 miles per hour. Jetpack Aviation’s “The Speeder” (which we first learned about at DesignTAXI) is a sci-fi dream made a reality. It’s like Star Wars speeders crossed with a Jet Ski and...