Honda announced a donation to the Red Cross of more than $300,000, as well as portable generators, water pumps, and other Honda products for use during humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in Haiti.

The donation represents the collective contribution of the Honda family of companies in North America, which consists of sales, manufacturing, finance and research and development operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with employment of more than 31,000 associates.

"We want to help address the dire human need that Haiti is experiencing as a result of this disaster," said Tetsuo Iwamura, president & chief executive officer of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and chief operating officer of Honda's North American region. "Honda has a longstanding relationship with the Red Cross, and we will work continuously with them to assist with the effort to provide much-needed relief."

The Red Cross has emphasized that the greatest current need is funding to support on-site emergency response teams. Honda has also been in close communication with the Red Cross regarding its need for material and equipment such as generators and water pumps on site, and Honda will continue to work with the Red Cross to determine its need for such support in Haiti.

The FourTrax Rancher AT brings a true automatic five-speed transmission to the popular Rancher lineup that gives the rider the option to choose between a fully automatic mode and Electronis Shift Program (ESP), which allows for easy pushbutton shifting. Consider also an independent rear suspension, selectable 4WD/2WD TraxLok and a rugged torque-sensitive front differential plus a model with Electronic Power Steering. It's clear there's no better choice for reliable and rewarding ATV recreation.

Building on our longstanding legacy of innovation within Honda's V4 lineup, the 2010 VFR1200 embodies the new generation of V-4 technology and unsurpassed rider benefits, setting the stage for Honda's next 50 years. Honda's V-4 heritage and VFR tradition is fully realized in VFR1200F. It has been elevated in astonishingly innovative form through the fusion of advanced technology imported from MotoGP world and other cutting-edge environments. Net result: a fururistic sport motorcycle created for the sheer joy of riding, custom tailored for experienced hands who ride hard, ride long, and ride often.

Forgot to winterize your bike? It may not be too late!

Every Spring in our Service Department I repair many Motorcycles, ATVs, and Lawnmowers that were not winterized before they were put away in the fall. We clean tons of carburetors, and I cannot count how many batteries that I have replaced that were under a year old. These repairs are not cheap but they are 100% avoidable.

Why Gasoline Goes Bad

If you have ever seen gas fumes rise from your fuel tank while filling up at a gas station you have witnessed a property of gasoline called volatility. The usefulness of gasoline is determined by its volatility, or its tendency to vaporize. This property makes it work wonderfully in engines, but also puts a time limit on its usefulness because the combustible elements are constantly evaporating.

What that means for most people is that their motorcycles won’t start, or will run rough with gasoline that may only be a couple months old. Once gas gets into the three to six month range, almost all volatiles have evaporated and the only thing that is left is a thick, gummy residue that clogs up the fuel passageways and prevents the engine from running at all. This is why carburetors need to be taken apart and cleaned when they sit with gasoline over the winter.

Batteries

Chemically speaking, your motorcycle’s battery is not very different from your car’s battery. When taken care of, you can expect it to last around 6 years. The key to keeping your battery alive is keeping its charge up. As a battery sits (while the machine isn’t run), it slowly loses its charge. As the charge level lowers, so does the battery’s ability to hold a charge.

What this means for most people is that after about 1-6 months of sitting, their battery will no longer holds a charge and needs to be replaced.

It may not be too late for you!

So, it’s February now and maybe your bike wasn’t winterized before you put it away, still has some untreated fuel in it, or there’s a battery that is not on a tender. It may not be too late! Bring your machine in now so we can get these things taken care of before they get worse and more expensive. Want advice on how to do this at home? Just call me 801-572-9817

Create your own WAKE up call! From now through the end of the month, Honda World is offering great incentives on all in stock Watercraft. Stop in today and speak to one of our friendly Sales Associates and WAVE goodbye to your winter blues!