.

In the late 70's / early 80's there were lawsuits about kickstands.  One case I am familiar with, guy bought his first motorcycle with the attitude that "I know everything, you do not need to coach me."  He left the dealer lot with the kickstand down.... made it less than a mile and in a left-hand curve the stand hit the asphalt, bike tossed him off.  So he found a lawyer that made life hell for the dealer and the manufacturer - Yamaha.

So some manufacturers added a rubber extension that would catch the road and toss the kickstand up before the bike leaned over much.  Some added sensors / switches that would not let you put the running bike in gear with the kickstand down. 

Others changed the bike/stand design so that the bike only leans a few degrees.  That's what Honda did on my 1982 CBX 6 cylinder.  It had the bike stand so tall a breeze in the right direction would blow it over - and it did when I went to lunch with the Honda dealer service manager, and the district manager.  I parked right in front of them.  During lunch, waitress came over and asked "do one of you own that big beautiful bike with the pearl paint?  It fell over."  Shockingly, Honda paid to replace left luggage (saddlebag) and front fairing. 

So that bike, and all since, I take a file to the kickstand stop so the kickstand moves farther and lets the bike lean over more.

What are your kickstand horror stories ?

.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- If you find yourself rushing around to get ready for the holidays, you're not alone! It is a time of year when more drivers are on the roads, which increases the chance of an accident happening. For the second straight year, the most dangerous day to drive this month is expected to be December 23, according to a predictive analysis of Nationwide claims data.

'Tis the Season to be Driving
For the past few years, Nationwide claims frequency has shown other risky days are the Friday before Christmas (December 19 this year), with an increase in auto accidents peaking on December 23.

"The holidays are busy enough, don't add risk to the mix," said Casey Kempton, President, P&C Personal Lines. "The simplest way to stay safe is to keep your eyes on the road and your phone out of reach. A quick text or scroll isn't worth the danger it creates for you, your passengers, and everyone sharing the road."

Distracted Driving in a Winter Wonderland
There is a good chance while driving to do your holiday shopping, you'll see another driver looking at their phones behind the wheel.

According to the latest driving survey from Nationwide, the overwhelming majority agree driving has become more dangerous, reporting that other drivers are more often looking at their phones (92%). Even more alarming, 1 in 10 (11%) confess to reading or writing emails while driving.*

An analysis using Nationwide SmartRide data revealed that the average driver experiences five or more distractions in a 20-mile commute, with each distraction averaging 15 seconds at 45mph—this is equivalent to driving blind for over the length of three football fields!

Nationwide's 'Focused Driving Rewards®' Can Encourage Safer Habits
To help combat these issues, Nationwide has introduced the Focused Driving Rewards (FDR) program,** a first-of-its-kind initiative that rewards all drivers, both existing Nationwide members and non-customers, for reducing phone use behind the wheel.

Key details include:

    App-Based Participation: The program is managed through the Nationwide app, with participants earning points redeemable for gift cards when they avoid distractions over time.

    Rewards Pilot Success: FDR launched successfully across more than 40 states in 2025. Since the start, we've seen 38% of drivers enrolled have lowered their distraction levels, with those showing improvements averaging a 39% reduction. Notably, the most significant improvements have come from reduced phone tapping while behind the wheel.

    No Strings Attached: FDR is open to everyone, not just Nationwide customers, and offers up to $60 every six months in gift cards for those that keep their focus on the roads while driving.

    Simplicity & Focus: The program only considers phone handling events (like tapping, hand-held calls, or phone motion), making it an easy way to try out a telematics experience and be rewarded for improved focus.

Deck the Halls with Updated Insurance
The holiday season is a great time to review your insurance coverage with your agent to make sure you have the right coverage for your needs. The claims data shows that drivers have good reason to be apprehensive about driving around the holidays; knowing you're covered in case something does happen can bring some relief.

*Nationwide Driving Behaviors Survey 2025, a nationally representative online survey of 1,000 general consumers and 400 commercial drivers from March 5-18, 2025.
**Focused Driving Rewards is not currently available in AK, CA, FL, HI, LA, MA, NY or OK. Drivers 29 years and younger can earn up to $60 every 6 months. Drivers 30 years and older can earn $2.50 every 2 weeks, up to $30 every 6 months. Focused Driving Rewards is not insurance and does not require the purchase of a policy or a quote. Participation is optional and subject to terms and conditions. Nationwide may terminate the program at any time.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.

For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide's ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings -- Nationwide.

Name of Product:
X-Pro Eagle 40cc Youth ATVs and FRP Sahara 40cc Youth ATVs
Hazard:

The recalled youth ATVs violate the mandatory ATV safety standard. The youth ATVs' mechanical suspension fails to comply with safety requirements, posing a crash hazard. Additionally, the handlebars pose a laceration hazard if the child rider's body or head impacts the handlebars at high speed. ATVs that fail to meet the mandatory safety requirements pose a risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy:
Repair
Recall Date:
December 11, 2025
Units:

About 2,290

Description:
This recall involves the X-Pro Eagle 40cc Youth ATV, Model CARTOONS and the FRP Sahara 40cc Youth ATV, Model SHR 40-RED-M. The ATVs come in various colors. Look for "X PRO" labels on the sides of the plastic body or "FRP" labels on the front small plastic cover as well as the sides of the plastic body.
Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop using the X-Pro Eagle 40cc Youth ATVs and FRP Sahara 40cc Youth ATVs and contact Luyuan for a free repair from an authorized repair shop.
Incidents/Injuries:
None reported
Sold Online At:
X-Pro Eagle 40cc Youth ATVs were sold online at Walmart.com, Powersportsmax.com, and Xprousa.com from June 2025 through September 2025 for between $480 and $500. FRP Sahara 40cc Youth ATVs were sold online at Amazon.com, Temu.com, and Frpmoto.com from April 2025 through September 2025 for between $460 and $480.
Manufacturer(s):
Yongkang Luyuan Industrial & Trading Co., Ltd., of China
Importer(s):
Luyuan Inc., of City of Industry, California
Manufactured In:
China
Recall number:
26-148

American Roots. Carbon Fiber Future: Buell x Simpson Join Forces

When the chance to collaborate with Simpson Race Products came up, it wasn't even a question — it was a hell yes. Two forces in American motorsports, both built on performance, grit, and doing things our own damn way.



At Buell, our story started in the mind of a racer. Born from relentless determination and American grit, we built a reputation on performance machines that pushed boundaries and rewarded those who pushed harder. We revolutionized motorcycle design with fuel-in-frame engineering, and created heart-pounding sport bikes that challenged convention, and have spent decades crafting machines for those who live life wide open.


Simpson Race Products shares that DNA. Born from the heat of motorsports, Simpson has always challenged what safety gear could be — blending life-saving protection with race-proven innovation. From drag strips to dirt tracks, they introduced the first drag racing parachutes, created the iconic Bandit helmet, and have spent over six decades making products for those who live life on the edge.


So when the opportunity came to collaborate, it wasn't about marketing synergy. It was about shared values — speed, precision, rebellion, and a deep respect for the ride.


The result: a special-edition Simpson Mod Bandit, forged in carbon, draped in Buell's attitude, and built for the kind of rider who leans further in when the road gets wild.

Two brands. One mission.


Bring the edge back to the street — and look good doing it. Limited to 830 units to honor the start of our journey at Buell Motorcycle Co. in 1983.

Super Hooligan 2026 schedule

• March 5-7  Daytona
• May 15-17 Barber Motorsports Park
• June 26-28 Ridge Motorsports Park
• July 10-12 Laguna Seca
• July 31 - August 2  Mid-Ohio
• Sept 11-13  Austin, TX

https://www.superhooligan.com/schedule

Verify you are human before proceeding