Top Motorcycle Examiner stories of 2009

The Full Throttle Saloon during the Sturgis Rally (Photo: Johnathon Evans)

Happy new year, and may this one be better than the last one for you even if last year was darn good.

There was a lot going on in the world of motorcycling last year, and the following are a few of the highlights.

Motorcycle ice racing is a chilly blast

The year started off on a decidedly chilly note, but a really fun one. Harry's Roamers puts on ice races every year starting just after the first of the year. We went and it a not-to-be-missed experience. We're going again, probably next week.

Who will fold first, Chrysler or Harley?

With the world economy reeling it looked early on as though Harley-Davidson might go down in flames. A year later, though, following lay-offs and plant closures, plus a bail-out from Warren Buffett, the Motor Company appears to be destined to survive.

High Plains Raceway ready to roll

The newest race track in the region debuted this year. High Plains Raceway, east of Denver, opened this year and held its inaugural motorcycle event on May 9.

Dedicated motorcycle parking pilot project looking likely this summer

Denver appeared to be ready to set up dedicated motorcycle parking this summer but when budget shortfalls raised their ugly heads, any expense that was not essential was dropped. Maybe this year.

Electric two-wheelers coming on strong

A variety of electric motorcycles made the scene this past year, along with electric motorcycle racing. This does not look like a trend that is going to fade.

Healing is focus of Denver-area biker couple's Run For The Wall

Thousands of bikers gathered in the nation's capital for the Rolling Thunder Rally, with many of them arriving via the Run For The Wall. We followed a Colorado couple making the run.

Broken wings: When a biker goes down hard

My personal favorite story of the year was this one, about the disaster that struck Randy Savely and the way in which he and his wife, Joan, fought their way back.

The best motorcycle road in Utah that no one knows

Motorcycle touring is all about discovering fabulous roads. This was the best one I found last year.

Sportbikers and ABATE: Can the twain meet?

The world of motorcycling has numerous subgroups, and they don't all have positive feelings toward each other. This series on relations between the cruiser and the sportbike segment opened up some cooperation, at least in Colorado.

Dual-sport motorcyclists combat cancer

The "Dirty Dozen" motorcyclist gathered to ride some great roads, challenge themselves, and raise money for breast and ovarian cancer research.

Busy practice day before Bonneville Vintage GP and Concours

Many bikers want the newest, hottest, and coolest bikes. Others feel that the very coolest bikes are the old ones. This event brought together those of the latter persuasion.

Harley rider covers 30K in 30 days for MDA

Jim Campbell rode his Harley more than 30,000 miles in 30 days, raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He made the ride safely but days after its conclusion he was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Jim is recovering.

New motorcycle safety study: Valid number of crashes to study is unknown

A long-awaited motorcycle crash study launched at last, but not without some controversy as members of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation deemed the limited study insufficient and withheld the money they had raised to fund it. A recently completed statistical analysis may help change that view.

Reunited riding buddies will fulfill Baja racing dream

The annual Baja 1000 race was held and we followed the event through the eyes of a first-time racing team.