Anthony Kodack
Filed in: Buell | parts accesories

Buell Accessories introduces three new pieces of soft luggage designed specifically for use with 2006-later Buell XB12X Ulysses models.

The new Top Case Interior Luggage (P/N 53607-08Y, $39.95) and Side Case Interior Luggage (P/N 91825-08Y, $79.95) are soft-sided nylon pieces designed to fit perfectly within the optional rigid Ulysses Top Case and Side Cases. Each features a large front pocket with built-in storage organizer, a shoulder strap and carry handle for easy transport off the bike, and the Buell logo in durable injected-molded PVC plastic.

The new Triple Tail Backpack (P/N 97020-08Y, $99.95) is designed to fit securely over the Ulysses Triple Tail pad as a storage bag that doubles as a backpack. Easy to remove and transport, the Triple Tail Backpack has a padded laptop pocket with secure strap for toting a computer. The padded shoulder straps are concealed behind a zippered panel, and there’s also a carry handle on top of the pack. Reflective trim increases night-time visibility, and a rain cover is included.

For additional information on Buell Accessories, see your local Buell dealer or visit the Buell website at www.buell.com. To find a dealer near you, call toll free 1-800-443-2153 in the U.S.A. or Canada.

Source: Internal

Source: www.topspeed.com

Leftlane recently attended a General Motors collections event held at the automakers Vehicle Dynamics Test Area — dubbed the Black Lake for its massive size — of its Milford Proving Grounds. In addition to a morning session in GM's Safe Driving Program, we were also given a chance to drive several 2008 GM models on a four mile section of GM's Ride and Handling Loop.

GM's Safe Driving Program consisted of four different stations — skid, evasive, reverse serpentine and backing and controlled braking — all of which were supervised by an in-car instructor.

Skid

The skid portion of the driving program found us in the drivers seat of a vehicle that had casters attached to the rear axles instead of conventional wheels. We were then taken to a section of Black Lake that had three orange cones setup, creating a two-lane course. With the instructor in the passenger's seat, we drove toward the center cone — at about 20 mph — and then were give a "left" or "right" call from the instructor. As we started to turn, the instructor released the pin holding the casters straight, allowing the rear-end to swing freely. Needless to say, the result was a lot of fun and useful if we ever found ourselves in the same situation on a slippery real-world road.

Evasive

The evasive section of the course was setup similarly to the skid portion of the program. We started out driving toward the center cone — at about 35 mph — and were given a direction call. Once we got the hang of swerving around imaginary pedestrians at 35 mph, we were able to increase our speed to 45 mph. The goal of this exercise was to teach us how to make evasive maneuvers while maintaining control of the car.

Reverse serpentine and backing

The reverse serpentine and backing portion on the program found us behind the wheel of one of GM's larger vehicles — a four-door Crew Cab Chevrolet Silverado. Just as the name implies, we had to back around cones in a slalom fashion and then back the pickup into a lane of cones that was not much wider than the truck itself. Because we could not see over the bed of the truck, this exercise forced us to use the truck's mirrors while backing.

Controlled braking

The last part of the driving program built on what we learned during the evasive portion of the program, but added braking and another turn. The course was setup similar to the evasive course, but you could only turn left at the first cone and then had to swerve back to the right, essentially creating a path shaped like a bell curve. We were able to get the test car up to 50 mph for this exercise and then had to mash on the brakes while completing the two-turn course. Like the evasive portion, this session was designed to teach us better car control.

Driving impressions

After a quick lunch, we were given a chance to drive several 2008 GM vehicles. We will post our driving impressions soon, but here is the rundown of vehicles you can expect to hear about:

-Buick Enclave
-Chevrolet Corvette
-Cadillac CTS
-Cadillac STS
-GMC Acadia
-GMC Sierra Denali
-GMC Yukon 2-Mode Hybrid
-Hummer H2
-Hummer H3
-Pontiac Solstice GXP
-Pontiac Torrent GXP
-Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
-Saab 9-3 Sport Combi
-Saab 9-7X Aero
-Saturn Sky Red Line
-Saturn Vue Red Line

Leftlane travel accommodations provided by GM

Source: www.leftlanenews.com

If Team Full Throttle NASCAR Driver Development racer David Latour seems relaxed and confident going into next weekend’s Fall Brawl 250 Presented by Pepsi at Hickory Motor Speedway, it’s because he is. The 16-year old Rookie of the Year candidate has been running awfully well as of late, qualifying almost consistently in the top five and finishing races there as well. Now he is preparing for a race that requires somewhat of a different approach than what he is used to.

“I know I need to slow myself down mentally for this race and concentrate on being patient, ” David said while taking a break from working on his NASCAR Whelan All American Series Bojangles Late Model car. “Everything I’ve ever raced before, with the Quarter Midgets and Micro Sprints, you had to go hard from start to finish. I’m learning that it’s different with the Late Models and it’s paid off with some better finishes in the second half of the season. I have a good team around me. I have a fast car. I just need to keep myself calm and have fun in the 250 and focus on staying out of trouble. ”

As for his personal goal for the race, Latour says there’s nothing like the joy of victory lane. “Obviously everybody wants to win any race they’re in, and this one is a big race. But if we could come out of there with a top five and all the wheels and fenders still on the car, I’d be really happy. ” The team is planning a run for the championship at Hickory next year, and is already looking forward to opening day. “We’re really excited about that, ” David smiled. “Going into this year, we were new to the track and I was new to the division, so it was a learning year. Being with Team Full Throttle has helped me a lot with my focus and my mental approach, and I know I still have more to learn. But we feel like we can be a consistent top three to five car next year and win races if I keep improving on the track. That would mean we’d be right in the hunt for the championship and that’s where we want to be. We’ll also go and run some other tracks on occasion and some of the bigger races as our schedule allows. For right now though, all I’m worried about is the Fall Brawl next weekend and doing the best I can in that race. ”

Source: www.autoracingdaily.com