Welcome to Season 5 of Chasing the Horizon! I know I don’t usually start the new season until September, but, well, I unintentionally took the entire month of June off, now we’re back with not one but TWO new episodes and I figured what better time to advance the season number? No time like the present!
Episode 114 features Kirsten Midura and Joonil Park, moto-activists from Engines for Change, which is based in New York City but has outreach to many other places. Kirsten founded the organization and drew her partner Joonil in; now they’re both as wrapped up in it as they can be. They’ve done beach cleanups, food drives and other activities, and helped facilitate a wider discussion about anti-Asian American discrimination specifically related to the motorcycling community, drawing together a number of influencers and activists to drive the conversation. Follow E4C on Instagram to keep up with their activities.
The Oregon lane-splitting bill I told you about in Episode 113 sailed through the state legislature, but was vetoed by Governor Kate Brown, who cited “public safety and noncompliance” as her reasons. I’m betting she’s never ridden a motorcycle, let alone had to sit in a construction backup while her bike (and body) overheated.
If you remember our focus on Riders Share in Episode 91, you’ll remember the company is basically like AirBnb for motorcycles. Now you can rent an off-road motorcycle through the company, opening up a whole new avenue of adventuring on other people’s motorcycles.
See that bike right there? The one just above this paragraph. We’re fairly sure that’s what Harley-Davidson’s new “The Nightster” is going to look like, and it features the same 1250 CC liquid-cooled V-twin as the Pan America. HD is eschewing the traditional trade show release process and running a virtual event on 13 July 2021 – you can sign up for it yourself, you don’t need to be part of the industry at all! Rounding off the HD news is the announcement of the LiveWire ONE from the spun-off EV division of The Mo Co. The only thing changed is the cost, which dropped $8,000.
Sure to leave the LiveWire ONE – and nearly every other motorcycle no matter what type of engine it has – is a new prototype electric motorcycle with a big hole in the middle of it. Yes, you read that correctly. A hole. In the motorcycle. On purpose! They’re saying it’s the world’s fastest electric motorcycle and will be capable of 250 MPH.
Thanks to webBikeWorld for funneling news our way, and be sure to check out their website for the latest motorcycle news and in-depth product reviews.
Since we don’t have a Patreon page for you to visit, the easiest way to support Chasing the Horizon is by joining the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America. Digital memberships are $39 a year and traditional memberships are $49 a year; each come with a wide range of member benefits, including access (digital or in your mailbox) to BMW Owners News, the MOA’s monthly magazine. You also get access to one of the best roadside assistance programs for motorcycles available (sorry, only applies to the US), become eligible for a $250 motorcycle training scholarship every year, up to $750 off a new BMW motorcycle, discount tickets to great events and much, much more than a Patreon subscription can offer you. Join today!