In May, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the Trump Administration’s executive order regarding efficiency and deregulation. Within the framework of the request, the MRF submitted comments on rules instituted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and fuel economy standards. As you may remember, the attack on the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is occurring in three ways. First through emissions regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, second through the power of the California Air Resources Board and finally through increased fuel economy standards issued by NHSTA. Our comments in this submission related only to NHTSA’s new fuel standards as that is where the DOT’s jurisdiction exists. We highlighted four concerns the MRF has with the new fuel economy standards which would threaten the Internal Combustion Engine, in an attempt to promote more electric vehicles. Reduced availability of affordable support technologies and fuels for motorcycle riders Distorted market dynamics and limited consumer choice Decreased relevance and impact of the aftermarket parts industry Rural motorcyclists will be disproportionately impacted due to insufficient infrastructure We also offered three actions the DOT could take. Repeal or rollback of the 53.5 mpg target Consideration of non-EV pathways to efficiency that respect consumer diversity Protections for ICE technology development that support the motorcycling community These comments are another example of how the MRF is fighting to protect your rights and freedoms in a variety of different ways. No matter where the fight is, the MRF will be there. Stay vigilant. CLICK HERE TO READ MRF LETTER TO DOT Join The MRF — visit website http://mrf.org The post MRF Suggestions To DOT appeared first on Bikernet.com - Online Biker Magazine.

As someone who’s spent a career immersed in the world of motorcycles – from industry launches and product reviews to cross-continental rallies and the personalities that shape our culture – I’ve seen firsthand how the essence of two-wheeled travel extends far beyond the specs of the bike. The machine is the conduit. The real ride? That’s in the stories we gather, the people we meet, and the places that change us. From small town shop tech to famous celebrities – we share the same passion for new experiences.  In The Moment Collectors, Asia, veteran overlander and respected author Sam Manicom has curated a collection that understands this truth at its core. The result is an evocative, 400-page anthology of travel tales that dives deep into the heart of what it means to ride through the world’s most vast and culturally rich continent – Asia.  Manicom has long been regarded as one of the great storytellers of motorcycle travel, and here he takes on the role of editor and guide, gathering 20 diverse voices – from round-the-world legends to first-time road warriors. The book is as textured as the terrain it covers, enhanced with hand-drawn illustrations and photography that add authenticity without distracting from the text.  What’s particularly notable for an industry professional like myself is the range of contributors. Some, like Paul Stewart and Heike Fania, are established names in the adventure travel community. Others, including riders writing publicly for the first time, bring a raw and refreshing vulnerability. This spectrum is what gives The Moment Collectors its staying power – it isn’t just a “greatest hits” of veteran road tales; it’s a living, breathing collection of perspectives.  Elspeth Beard – another legend of global motorcycling – pens the foreword with a fitting reminder: It’s often the interruptions that become the journey. She echoes Ted Simon’s iconic sentiment, and the book’s stories prove it time and again. Plans fall apart. Routes get rerouted. Illness strikes. And somehow, those detours become the very essence of the experience.  Maria Schumacher and Aidan Walsh’s Indian adventure is a perfect example. Inspired by a chance visit to the London ExCeL motorcycle show, they land in Delhi with only visas, helmets, and hope. Their journey is as unpredictable as the traffic, veering from moments of physical trial to emotional revelation. It’s not a polished, Instagram-filtered version of travel – it’s real, and for that reason, it’s compelling.  Later in the book, Manicom and Birgit Schünemann share a different kind of narrative – traveling through Vietnam not on ADV bikes but on $6-a-day automatic scooters. For readers within the motorcycle press, it’s a reminder that the machine matters less than the mindset. It’s the story, not the displacement, that leaves a mark.  See all of Rider‘s product reviews here Each chapter transports the reader – from the remote white deserts of Chukotka to the high passes of Mongolia – without ever feeling formulaic or forced. As someone who’s viewed hundreds of rider submissions over the years, I can say with confidence: The editorial balance here is exceptional. Manicom’s curation is thoughtful, letting each story breathe while keeping a consistent rhythm throughout the book.  The Moment Collectors is more than a travel book. It’s a time capsule of the motorcycling spirit. It captures the essence of exploration, uncertainty, and resilience in a world that too often seeks control and predictability.   For those of us in the industry – writers, editors, manufacturers, marketers – this book is a reminder of why we do what we do. It reconnects us with the emotional core of motorcycling: the moment when the journey becomes more than the ride.  And for our readers, whether seasoned tourers or daydreaming commuters, this book doesn’t just make you want to ride – it makes you want to remember why you ever started.  Five stars for Sam Manicom and for the contributing writers.  Shop for The Moment Collectors, Asia The post “The Moment Collectors, Asia” Book Review – A Masterclass in Motorcycle Travel Storytelling  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Anyone who relished 1978’s “Superman: The Movie” winced over the saga’s fourth installment, 1987’s “The Quest for Peace.” That didn’t erase the mark Christopher Reeve left on the Man of Steel and pop culture writ large. Iconic. Then and now. Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images So, after Marvel’s “Iron Man” blew the doors off the box office in 2008 and ignited Hollywood’s new superhero craze, it made sense to bring the DC Comics hero back to theaters. He’s arguably the most recognizable hero in the men in tights genre, dating back to the late 1930s. So why can’t the industry get Superman right? Here’s hoping director James Gunn does just that with the latest “Superman.” The summer’s most anticipated release casts relative newcomer David Corenswet (“Twisters”) as the Krypton native. Early trailers suggest a lighter tone and emphasis on humor as much as rock ‘em, sock ‘em action. Photo by Courtesy of Warner Bros. Copyright: Warner Bros. Why is it so hard to make the Man of Steel as popular as the Hulk or Thor on movie screens?  We’ve had endless small-screen Supermen, from George Reeves’ ‘50s era here to Dean Cain in the rom-com-ish ‘90s series “Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.” The first major attempt at Superman came two years before Robert Downey, Jr. kick-started the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The 2006 film “Superman Returns” deployed a Reeve doppelganger (Brandon Routh) but underwhelmed at the box office. Something was missing, and not just the “American Way.” The film ditched the hero’s signature phrase, “Truth, Justice and the American Way” to placate foreign audiences or the industry’s Left-leaning sensibilities. By the time Warner Bros. hired Henry Cavill to play Clark Kent the superhero craze was in full swing, but this wasn’t your father’s Superman. Cavill’s “Man of Steel” (2013) was conflicted, a far cry from Reeve’s Boy Scout persona. Even the legendary suit’s colors were muted, a darker shade to reflect his inner turmoil. Chris Pavlich/Newspix/Getty Images The film made millions, but it didn’t rock the culture like Reeve did in the late 1970s nor did it generate a direct sequel. Cavill starred in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) and “Justice League” (2017). Cavill made a Superman cameo in the 2022 disappointment “Black Adam” before learning he was out of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe). It’s not surprising that Hollywood has struggled to make Superman “Superman.” Antiheroes are all the rage in Tinsel Town, from Tony Soprano to the misfit warriors of “Thunderbolts*” and two “Suicide Squad” films. It’s hard to make a Boy Scout-like hero pop off the screen in our cynical age. The writing must be rich and detailed, showcasing layers that make the “aw, shucks” heroism matter. Antiheroes offer far more shades of gray and opportunities to grab our attention. That’s what Walter White did for five mesmerizing seasons of “Breaking Bad.” “Say my name!” Goody two-shoes characters aren’t hip in the eyes of many screenwriters. White hat heroes need not apply. How many recent films have glorified hit men, paid assassins who serve as judge, jury and executioner? The “John Wick” saga is the tip of that morally dubious iceberg. So where does that leave this summer’s Superman reboot? It’s Gunn’s baby, through and through. The veteran writer/director is in charge of the DCEU’s reboot, and this is his coming-out party after working with the MCU on the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for ReedPop Gunn brings a quirky sense of humor to his work, but he’s hardly a traditionalist. He also has a dark side. He previously got canceled in 2018 for resurfaced pedophilia and rape jokes on Twitter. Disney later had a change of heart and hired him to helm the third film in the “Guardians” saga. Gunn also blasted then-President Trump, a common pose in his field. The Daily Wire’s Ben Shapiro, no fan of Gunn’s work, has low expectations for the new reboot after reviewing the trailer. “Two thumbs down.” A recent revelation suggests Hollywood didn’t learn from its past mistakes. Official “Superman” movie merchandise drops the “American Way” phrase once more in favor of “the human way.” Yet the director spoke to the character’s innate goodness in a late 2024 interview that suggests a Reeve-like take on the material.  “We can expect a Superman who is about the compassion of the human spirit, a Superman who is about kindness, love and compassion, while also being a very strong character. He is the best of humanity, even though he is an alien from outer space.” Maybe Gunn will rise to the cultural occasion. We could use a unifying hero like Superman at this point in American culture. We’re at each other’s throats over political differences, egged on by social media platforms that feast on conflict. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images Superman isn’t Right or Left, although his Midwest upbringing suggests he’d call the former camp home. Still, Reeve’s Superman never became a culture war talking point. His chaste pursuit of Margot Kidder’s Lois Land was PG-rated perfection. He’s true to his word and lives to save cats stuck in trees. That’s all for the good. Gunn teased Superman’s core strength as a character in the aforementioned interview, another tease that he might be channeling the Reeve model. “[He’s ]this symbol of really old-fashioned values and hope, and it’s an idea that’s been a bit battered over the years.” Gunn is no conservative, but he may realize “Superman” needs heartland values to connect with the character’s past … and the franchise’s future. That’s assuming he still has one. * * * Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic and editor of HollywoodInToto.com. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at HollywoodInToto.com. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire. Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%!

The Department of Transportation (DOT) is revising fuel economy standards to make cars more affordable for Americans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and medium and heavy-duty fuel efficiency programs (MDHD). NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards regulate how far vehicles must travel on a gallon of fuel. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975 directs the Secretary of Transportation and the NHTSA to prescribe average fuel economy standards for vehicles. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are making vehicles more affordable and easier to manufacture in the United States. The previous administration illegally used CAFE standards as an electric vehicle mandate – raising new car prices and reducing safety. Resetting CAFE standards as Congress intended will lower vehicle costs and ensure the American people can purchase the cars they want,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy stated. Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%! “EPCA was passed in the context of the Arab oil embargoes of the 1970s when American consumers and the U.S. economy were threatened by gasoline shortages and high fuel prices,” DOT notes, adding, “the purpose of the CAFE program was to induce automakers into offering America’s consumers more efficient vehicle options to advance the national goal of conserving energy … The statutory prohibition was clear at the time of enactment and has remained clear: it is impermissible for NHTSA to consider the fuel economy of dedicated automobiles in setting maximum feasible fuel economy standards.” “NHTSA will reset the CAFE and MDHD standards programs consistent with the law,” DOT stated. “This interpretation lays the appropriate groundwork for standard-setting rulemakings that will rest the agency’s regulatory programs as determined necessary to bring them into compliance with Administration policy and applicable substantive statutory requirements as enacted by Congress …” On the day he was inaugurated, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14154, in which he stated, “It is the policy of the United States to ensure that all regulatory requirements related to energy are grounded in clearly applicable law; to eliminate the ‘electric vehicle (EV) mandate’ and promote true consumer choice, which is essential for economic growth and innovation, by removing regulatory barriers to motor vehicle access; by ensuring a level regulatory playing field for consumer choice in vehicles; by terminating, where appropriate, state emissions waivers that function to limit sales of gasoline-powered automobiles …”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) dismissed Elon Musk’s argument that President Donald Trump and the Republican Party would have lost to the Democrats in 2024 if not for his contributions on behalf of the GOP. As the feud between Musk and Trump rages on, Johnson acknowledged in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Friday that Musk had a “big” role in the GOP’s 2024 election success, but added that Trump “is the one responsible” for defeating the Democrats. “Elon was a big contributor in the last election, but this was a whole team effort,” Johnson said. “President Trump is the most consequential political figure of his generation, of modern American history. He is the one responsible for that.” The speaker added that he, along with “all of our House Republicans,” worked tirelessly to deliver the House for the GOP in 2024. “We all worked hard,” Johnson said, adding, “I traveled the country nonstop. I did over 360 campaign events in over 250 cities and 40 states, and I logged enough miles last year to circle the globe five-and-a-half times. I mean, I contributed to it as well. All of our House Republicans did.” Johnson said he still respects Musk, calling him a “friend” and crediting him for his role in the “DOGE effort.” The speaker added that disagreements over policy shouldn’t become “personal.” “I don’t tell my friend Elon, I don’t argue with him about how to build rockets. I wish he wouldn’t argue with me about how to craft legislation and pass it,” Johnson said. After Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was “very disappointed” with Musk over his criticism of the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” the president added that he “would have won Pennsylvania regardless of Elon.” Musk quickly shot back on social media, writing, “Without me, Trump would have lost the election, Dems would control the House and the Republicans would be 51-49 in the Senate.” “Such ingratitude,” he added. Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%! Musk donated nearly $300 million to Republican causes in the 2024 election and was one of Trump’s biggest supporters, appearing with him on stage at some of his rallies. Trump rewarded Musk with a senior adviser role in the White House, and Musk spearheaded the effort to cut waste and spending in the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency project. The billionaire entrepreneur became a constant companion of the president, often appearing with him in the Oval Office and traveling with him to sporting events, and in February, Musk said he loved Trump “as much as a straight man can love another man.” But on Thursday, after Trump’s criticism of Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO quickly ratcheted up the tension, firing off numerous social media posts blasting the president and eventually accusing Trump of refusing to release the Epstein Files because he is implicated in them. Between posts going after Trump, Musk also suggested starting a new political party “that actually represents the 80% in the middle.” Last month, Musk said that he was “going to do a lot less in the future” in regards to campaign donations, but left the door open to jump back into the political world if he sees “a reason to do political spending in the future.”

San Antonio Police Chief William McManus walked back statements he previously made about his department finding “no evidence whatsoever” that actor Jonathan Joss’ death was a hate crime. Social media and mainstream media lit up following the death of the “King of the Hill” voice actor on Sunday. At first, news reports were saying that the Texas native was shot following a dispute with his neighbor. Soon after, a man claiming to be Joss’ husband said Joss was really the victim of anti-LGBT bigotry. While San Antonio police originally ruled out a hate crime, now McManus is walking back those statements. “That was way, way, way premature,” he said during a Thursday press conference. “Shouldn’t have done it. It was way too soon before we had any real information, and I will own that and simply say, again, that we shouldn’t have done that. It was way too early in the process for any statement of that nature to be issued.” “We understand that many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned,” he continued. “A lot of it has to do with that premature statement that we released, and again, I own that, shouldn’t have done it. The loss of Jonathan Joss was tragic and most, most heavily felt by the LGBTQ+ community.” Just two days earlier on June 3, the SAPD said that they “thoroughly reviewed all available information” and said there was no reason to believe Joss’ death “was related to his sexual orientation.” Gift Dad an All Access Membership. Use code DAD40 at checkout to save 40%! As some people have pointed out, the post from Joss’ alleged husband following the incident is full of extreme, unsubstantiated accusations, including one about angry neighbors burning down their home several months ago. But news reports from the time state that Joss admitted to using a propane heater, which may have caused the fire. According to a report from local station WFAA, Joss also had a long history of getting into altercations with his neighbors and was reported to have been causing a disturbance on the night he was killed. “Neighbors [said that Joss] was at the site Sunday night checking his mail, which he did regularly, when something went terribly wrong. A video shared by a neighbor who was present shows a man, who they identified as Joss, pacing up and down the street with a pitchfork and screaming,” the outlet reported. It went on, “The neighbors say it was common behavior over the years for Joss to scream while carrying weapons, and even though they say they didn’t like it, several neighbors said they were surprised when a man who lives just 50 yards away responded to the situation with a gun around 6 p.m. Sunday.” One person claiming to be a neighbor of Joss posted on Facebook saying the voice actor “started gun fights constantly” and “constantly threatened his surrounding neighbors.” Footage of Joss behaving aggressively at an event for the “King of the Hill” revival two days before his death also started circulating online. The voice actor had to be escorted from the premises by security. Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 56, who is described as a former neighbor of Joss, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His is currently under house arrest on $200,000 bond.

A roundup of mysterious, paranormal and strange news stories from the past week.

It is mind-boggling this rule was ever legal in the first place