http://www.metropulse.com/news/handlebars/news-features/briefs/?partner=RSSMetroPulse Stories: News Briefsen-ushandlebars/news-features/briefshttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/dec/03/wings-across-tennessee-raises-funds-childrens-hosp/?partner=RSSLast month, The Goldwing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) of Tennessee came through Knoxville on their annual trip across the state to deliver their donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20351-733744handlebars/news-features/briefsRuss TownsendKnoxville, TNWings Across Tennessee Raises Funds for Children's HospitalMetroPulsewings-across-tennessee-raises-funds-childrens-hospurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20351-733744Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/dec/02/new-bmwducati-dealership-slated-chattanooga/?partner=RSSBucking the current economic climate, Justin Prann, former parts manager for BMW Motorrad North America, is well on his way to opening a new BMW and Ducati dealership in Chattanooga. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:23:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20347-733743handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TNNew BMW/Ducati Dealership Slated for Chattanooga MetroPulsenew-bmwducati-dealership-slated-chattanoogaurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20347-733743Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/dec/02/local-dealers-sell-out-buells-wake-shut-down/?partner=RSSYou have probably heard by now that on October 15, Harley-Davidson announced that its third-quarter income was down by 84 percent. First on the list of fixes was the pulling of the Buell line. Buells justifiably have their fans, without a doubt. But marketing—in particular, articulating the bikes’ many strengths in rooms full of fawned-over Harleys—has always been a problem. So the move was both not surprising… and not expected. barrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:22:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20346-733743handlebars/news-features/briefsChris BarrettKnoxville, TNLocal Dealers Sell Out of Buells in Wake of Shut-Down MetroPulselocal-dealers-sell-out-buells-wake-shut-downurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20346-733743Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/dec/02/distracted-driving-gets-increased-attention-lawmak/?partner=RSSPresident Obama signed an executive order banning federal employees from sending text messages while driving government vehicles and while using government-paid cell phones when driving their own cars. The order also bans federal employees from sending text messages from hand-held devices while driving on government business. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:21:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20345-733743handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TN“Distracted Driving” Gets Increased Attention From Lawmakers, AMAMetroPulsedistracted-driving-gets-increased-attention-lawmakurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20345-733743Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/nov/05/hickman-and-parker-claim-wera-ahrma-titles/?partner=RSSRay Hickman of Corryton (129 Racing) claimed two WERA national championships for 2009 by taking two wins at the Nashville round on September 27, followed by a win and a third place at the WERA Grand National Finals at Road Atlanta on October 8. Hickman, in his 20th year as a WERA competitor, now holds the V6 Heavyweight and V7 Heavyweight titles with his 1989 Suzuki 7/11 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:45:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20080-733716handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TNHickman and Parker Claim WERA, AHRMA Titles MetroPulsehickman-and-parker-claim-wera-ahrma-titlesurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20080-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/nov/05/lady-bikers-hold-their-first-rally/?partner=RSSIn the May 2009 issue we mentioned a fast-growing group of women riders who call themselves, appropriately, The Lady Bikers. They ride together frequently. And at regular meetings and via their website, they stress safety and share information with women who like to ride but might be disinclined to ride alone. They’ve gone from three members to 139 members in less than a year. barrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:42:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20079-733716handlebars/news-features/briefsChris BarrettKnoxville, TNThe Lady Bikers Hold Their First Rally MetroPulselady-bikers-hold-their-first-rallyurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20079-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/nov/05/snell-gets-ece-program/?partner=RSSYou have probably encountered the news that the Snell Memorial Foundation intends to revise its helmet-safety standards, resulting in a new SNELL 2010 rating you can expect to see in stores soon. Based on reports elsewhere, the shift in standards may be seen as something of a victory for those who’ve claimed that Snell’s criteria has had improper priorities barrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:41:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20078-733716handlebars/news-features/briefsChris BarrettKnoxville, TNSnell Gets With the ECE Program MetroPulsesnell-gets-ece-programurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20078-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/nov/05/late-postscript-and-eulogy-buell-motor-company-rip/?partner=RSSAs I get a late start on a rainy Thursday afternoon, I get a voicemail from a good Buell riding buddy of mine: Buell Motor Company is closing down. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20081-733716handlebars/news-features/briefsJ. Brad HardinKnoxville, TNLate Postscript and Eulogy: Buell Motor Company, R.I.P. MetroPulselate-postscript-and-eulogy-buell-motor-company-ripurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-20081-733716Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/sep/22/12th-annual-fall-trail-ride/?partner=RSSSouthern Woods Riders will be hosting the 12th Annual Fall Trail Ride at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch Oct. 16, 17, and 18. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:57:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19708-733672handlebars/news-features/briefsRuss TownsendKnoxville, TN12th Annual Fall Trail Ride MetroPulse12th-annual-fall-trail-rideurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19708-733672Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/sep/22/ama-roadracing-vir/?partner=RSSThe penultimate AMA Roadracing round at Virginia International Speedway last month held many questions: After announcing he would retire at the end of season, could Matt Mladin wrap up the Superbike championship in Virginia? Could Larry Pegram put the Ducati on the top step again as he had done in Kansas or, would someone else bring a challenge to the dominating Yoshimura Suzuki team? Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:55:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19707-733689handlebars/news-features/briefsPhil FusonKnoxville, TNAMA Roadracing At VIRMetroPulseama-roadracing-virurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19707-733672Change733689Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/sep/22/local-racers-rebound-after-incidents/?partner=RSSRay Hickman of Corryton (129 Racing) had a great start to the July 26 Roebling Road WERA road racing round, and won the V7 Heavyweight race, before crashing and heavily damaging his bike when he encountered oil on the track in the V6 HW race. Meanwhile, two-time defending AHRMA 200GP champion Jack Parker of Knoxville) also had a win and a get-off earlier in the summer. Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:53:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19706-733672handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TNLocal Racers Rebound After Incidents MetroPulselocal-racers-rebound-after-incidentsurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19706-733672Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/wings-across-tennessee-flying-knoxville/?partner=RSSOn October 2, the 14th Annual “Wings Across Tennessee” ride will be coming through Knoxville, and anyone and everyone is invited to participate. This ride starts in Bristol, Tenn., and will head across the state, picking up other riders as it goes, until the group arrives at St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis where they will present a check to the hospital. Last year, the group had grown to nearly 200 motorcycles by the time it rolled into Memphis. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:47:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19574-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsRuss TownsendKnoxville, TN“Wings Across Tennessee” Flying into Knoxville MetroPulsewings-across-tennessee-flying-knoxvilleurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19574-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/37th-annual-bmw-international-rally-have-tent-will/?partner=RSSvery year for the past 37 years, the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association (BMW MOA) has held its international rally at a great motorcycle destination—and this year it was in our own backyard. Johnson City was picked for this year’s rally because of the excellent riding that surrounds the area, and thousands of BMW riders from across the country (and around the world) were happy to come check it out, July 16-19. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:46:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19573-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsRuss TownsendKnoxville, TN37th Annual BMW International Rally: Have Tent, Will Travel MetroPulse37th-annual-bmw-international-rally-have-tent-willurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19573-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/dragon-safety-seminar-launched/?partner=RSSOn Aug. 8, the first of what is planned to be an annual “Safety Awareness Day” was held at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, just across the North Carolina line on the infamous, and often deadly, stretch of road known as the Dragon. The event was put together by Ben Steinberg, the Resort’s manager (and Handlebars columnist). Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:45:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19572-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsPhil FusonKnoxville, TNDragon Safety Seminar LaunchedMetroPulsedragon-safety-seminar-launchedurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19572-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/world-traveling-limeys-delight-mesmerize-tea-room-/?partner=RSSMotorcycling world travelers Lois Pryce and Austin Vince, visiting Knoxville on a cross-country trip in a Ural sidecar rig, stopped by the Time Warp Tea Room Thursday evening, July 30, and gave a pair of presentations on their travels. Both were very entertaining, Vince a bit more ribald than Pryce, and both were hilarious and inspiring at the same time. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:43:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19571-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TNWorld-Traveling Limeys Delight, Mesmerize Tea Room CrowdMetroPulseworld-traveling-limeys-delight-mesmerize-tea-room-urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19571-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/overkill-motrheads-lemmy-kilmister/?partner=RSSThere may be a small cult of unbelievers out there, but their opinions count about as much as those of flat-earthers and moon-landing conspiracy nuts. The simple fact is that Motörhead is the baddest-ass rock ’n’ roll band in the history of everything, the beginning and end of modern hard rock, an amplified force of nature as intense and dangerous as a black hole. everettm@metropulse.com (Matthew Everett)Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:25:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19564-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsMatthew EverettKnoxville, TNOverkill: Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister MetroPulseoverkill-motrheads-lemmy-kilmisterurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19564-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/aug/27/cherokee-survivors-motorcycle-rally/?partner=RSSThe three-day Cherokee Survivors Motorcycle Rally and Concert kicks off on Sept. 11, in Cherokee, N.C. This annual event, going on 20 years old, began humbly in a local bingo hall. It was founded by Leverne and Susan Brown, and Mark Arnold has been handling the entertainment for the last 12 years. Crowds have peaked at over 12,000 riders, and at least 10,000 are expected this year. barrettc@metropulse.com (Chris Barrett)Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:50:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19559-733646handlebars/news-features/briefsChris BarrettKnoxville, TNCherokee Survivors Motorcycle RallyMetroPulsecherokee-survivors-motorcycle-rallyurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19559-733646Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/jul/17/johnson-city-promotes-motorcycling/?partner=RSSWhile many cities in East Tennessee benefit from the region’s global popularity among motorcyclists, they don’t usually welcome riders with open arms. Particularly those riders looking for curvy roads. But Johnson City recently launched a slick website that touts the area’s great motorcycle routes, boldly declaring, “if you want to ride, come to Johnson City.” Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:20:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19361-733605handlebars/news-features/briefsStaff WriterKnoxville, TNJohnson City Promotes MotorcyclingMetroPulsejohnson-city-promotes-motorcyclingurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19361-733605Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/jul/17/555-tribute-band-lands-knoxville/?partner=RSSThe Portland-to-Knoxville 555 “dumb-ass adventure” is complete. Twelve souls on 12 old heaps left Portland, Ore. on June 20 bound for Knoxville, under the same basic premise used by last year’s Knoxville 555: pre-1975 motorcycles, under 500 cc’s, and costing less than $500. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:17:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19358-733605handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TN555 Tribute Band Lands in KnoxvilleMetroPulse555-tribute-band-lands-knoxvilleurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19358-733605Change0Usablehttp://www.metropulse.com/news/2009/jul/17/local-racers-win/?partner=RSSParker Takes Point Lead: Defending AHRMA 200GP champion Jack Parker of Knoxville regained the 200GP class points lead with a win and a second place at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wis., June 13-14 and two wins at Grattan, Mich. June 20 and 21. Riding the same 175cc Yamaha CT1-based machine in both the 200GP and 250GP classes, Parker also took a 9th and a second place in the 250 class at Road America and two wins in the larger class at Grattan. Parker now leads the 200GP points race with 6,505 points over Honda-mounted Denny Poneleit’s 6,070. Fri, 17 Jul 2009 17:08:00 -0000urn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19351-733605handlebars/news-features/briefsFred SahmsKnoxville, TNLocal Racers WinMetroPulselocal-racers-winurn:publicid:www.metropulse.com:news-Story-19351-733605Change0Usable