Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/143886
.. BY PAPA WEALEY BMW announces industry first: motorcycle leasing CARLSBAD By Dale Brown RACEWAY CAUFOIINIA BEVERLY HILLS, CA, OCT. 19 BMW of North America not only unveiled their 1983 line-up of motorcycles, but also announced the industry's first-ever motorcycle leasing program; to be handled by General Electric Credit. The leasing program (involving 24- and 36-month leases) will begin in selected regional areas next spring, and will go nationwide soon afterward. "We need a few mOl'iths to get a grasp on the particulars, the key points a motorcycle buyer looks for," said Rick Morgenthaler, GE Credit's Marketing Manager of Import Auto Financing, adding, "We'll try to tailor the lease to the motorcycle buyer. The key is the m'onthly payment. Take someone who could normally afford to finance a smaller machine, and we can move him up to larger model. .. BMW sought out the lease program with GE Credit, the third biggest financial institution of its type, with $12 billion in loans and lease programs ranging from autos to DC10s. GE Credit will also offer dealer inventory financing. BMW also announced a three-year unlimited mileage warranty for all 1982-83 motorcycles.. Final point standings are in on the CMC/Miller High Life irans-Cal MX Series. In the 125cc Pro class, Honda's Jim Gibson took the title with ~~9 points, followed by Brian Myerscough (325) and Scott Burnwortl~ (~06). In the 250cc Pros, the top three were Broc Glover (~94), David Bailey (~79) and Ricky Johnson (327). In the 500cc Pro ranks, Mike Bell won with 364 points and was trailed by Steve Martin (356) and Phil Larson (~42). The closest class was Mini Expert, where Paul Denis took the title by a mere two points over Bobby Moore, 56-54. . Results of an AMA Pro short track at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Oct. 23 show Alex Jorgensen (C-A) winning the main event after ill battle with Scott Pearson (Hon). Super Junior Doug Chandler (Hon) was third, followed by the Yamahas of Jim Filice and Steve Eklund. Complete coverage next week. The British round of the World Road Racin~ Championship is expected to be televised over the Oct. 30-31 weekend by NBC. Check local listings for time and channeL 8 The Miller High Life Supercross Finals, the final round of the Wrangler Supercross Series, will see a special halftime ,race. The combatants will be World 500cc 'Motocross Champion Brad Lackey, Supercross promoter Mike Goodwin, and radio disc jockey Mike Berger. Lackey is expected to give the field some type of headstart. The last chance to qualify for the Nov. 7 California Racing Club Amateur Supercross at the San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium will be Oct. 31. That will be a CRC motocross at Saddleback Park. Superbikers entry list Motocross riders Road racers Dirt trackers' Mike Baker (Yam) Kris Bigelow (Hus) Danny Chandler (Hon) Donnie Cantaloupi (KTM) Terry Cunningham (Hus) Kevin Davis (KTM) Billy Grossi (Hus) Brad Lackey (Suz) Andre Malherbe (Hon) Jim Adamo (KTM) David Aldana (Yam) Kerry Bryant (Kaw) Dave Busby (Yam) Jim Filice (Yam), Michael Mercier (C-A) Roberto Pieti (Hon) Steve Wise (Hon) Thad Wolff· (Mai) Ted Boody (K-aw) Steve Eklund (C-A) Mickey Fay (Hon) Ricky Graham(H-D) Ronnie Jones (C-A) Alex Jorgensen (C-A) Steve Morehead (C-A) Bubba Shobert (C-A) Jay Springsteen (H-D) fo!, 15¢ each by writing Order Department, MSF National Headquarters, P.O. Box 120, Chadds Ford, PA 19317. All races in the Superbikers extravaganza at Carlsbad Raceway will pay money. Out of the $50,000 purse (second only to the Daytona 200 in 1982 motorcycle prize money), $23,000 will go to the final, $7000 to each heat and $6000 to the semi. Going fast is going to pay well, but getting stopped may bea key. To that end, the HarleyDavidson of new GNC titleholder Ricky Graham is reported to have been fitted with a pair, of 13" disc brakes from Kosman. In cooperation with the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety and ,the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Coliseum and Fairgrounds, the Arizona Motorcycle Rider Training Center announces on-eycle training courses for novice and experienced riders. Course information and reservations may be obtained by calling the Arizona Motorcycle Rider Training Center at602/971-6031. The novice and experienced rider programs are open to anyone of licensing age. The Arizona Motorcycle, Rider Training Center provides evening and weekend classes, held at the Arizona Veterans' Memorial Coliseum and Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Mike DiPrete from the American Motoreyclist Association called to say that th_Nov. 6 San Diego Miller High Ufe Supercross Finals will be run as scheduled and all the factory riders will be there. Check the eN calendar section for more details. The Bees Motorcycle Club of Widow maker Hillclimb fame are hosting the Paul Holt Memorial desert race in Knolls, UT, on Nov. 7. The purse is $2600 and $1000 of that will be given to the first place team. Pepsi Cola is also planning to give $100 to the fastest rider (radar tested) across the flats. The course is made up of three 35-mile loops, but the D-team Sportsmen will only go two. Teams will be made up of two members, riding two bikes of any size and the purse will only be awarded to the Pro A-team riders. For more info, call 801/561-1453. Reader Brian Bradshaw of New York pointed out that Jay Springsteen's San Jose Mile win on Sept. 19 was the 300th AMA Grand National win recorded by HarleyDavidson riders. The tally, accordingto Bradshaw, reads as follows: short track (11), half mile (124), TT (32), road race (4,1) and mile (92). Make that 301 total wins and 125 half miles, since Springsteen's teammate Randy Goss closed out the season with a half mile. win at Ascot. A new cycle safety information sheet will be published by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation·titled, "The Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs." The brochure describes the effects of alcohol and other drugs on motorcycle riding. Motorcylists can obtain a single copy for free and additional ones Don't forget that important California Air Resources Board hearing on motorcycle emissions standards. It's Thursday, Oct. 28, at the Sacramento Room of the Community Convention Center, 1100 14th St., Sacramento. The hearing begins at 9 a.m. Baylands Raceway Park in Fremont, CA, has switched its weekly motocross program from Thursday nights to Friday nights. Baylands plans to continue the program through the winter as long as the weather permits. For more info, see the eN calendar section.