Q: I need your advice on how to break in a bike. I got the Girlfriend (Honda CBR600RR) instead of the Booty Call (Kawasaki ZX-6R). I heard from bike techs and friends that you should ride hard, revving between 3,000 to 10,000 rpm for the first 15 miles. Is this true? >>

Critics say even if the vehicles go uncited, some are too heavy for roads. And there's the issue of carbon output. >>

The 2007 Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance on June 17 will honor "Cars of California," celebrating the art of the state's car culture and elite design, with vehicles exemplifying the spirit of California in some way. More than 100 private owners are expected to exhibit their vehicles, from convertibles to woodies. >>

Californians slowed their fuel guzzling last year as prices hovered above $3 a gallon. >>

Ferrari's new 2007 599 GTB Fiorano gives the laws of physics a run for their money. Newton would approve. >>

THE market for 600 cc sport bikes is screaming. Japan's middleweight repli-racers aren't just moving faster than ever before, they're selling, and being redesigned, at record speeds. >>

Hyundai Motor Co., working to grow beyond its reputation for economy cars, said it would begin selling a high-end sedan in the U.S. in 2008 to compete with luxury brands such as Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus. >>

Stylish, speedy, secure. Volvo's S80 runs easily with the BMW-Lexus pack. >>

Alan Mulally, who became Ford Motor Co. chief executive six months ago, says the company's products are the best in its history. >>

Q: How far can you drop a helmet before you should replace it? My brand new Arai helmet just fell about four feet from a table top onto a carpeted floor. Do I need to go buy another or will it live? >>

Yes, your eyes are seeing correctly. The Austrians (KTM) are teaming up with the Germans (Audi) to create a new two-seater car. The X-Bow, which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last week, will have a carbon fiber chassis and a four-cylinder turbo engine, courtesy of Audi. The first 100 should be rolling off the production line this year. >>

A 1,100-mile trip on tricky terrain brings out the best in this cruising bike. But the puny gas tank forces frequent pit stops. >>

193 mph? No sweat >>

Q: Will we get the Gilera Fuoco 500 ie here in the U.S.? If so, when? >>

If your house seems too small, you can always move into the Bentley Arnage T. But you may have an even bigger mortgage. >>

THE Ducati 1098 S is so slick, so fast, so Elite Model beautiful that saints with sinner inclinations should beware. >>

They say Vermont rules are invalid because only the federal government can set standards. The trial is a preview of a bigger case in California. >>

Six million owners are being notified about a settlement over odometer calibration. >>

Cute? Yep, as a bug. But the carmaker skimped too much with its subcompact Yaris. >>

There's no clear choice. Laminated windows are stronger -- good in a wreck but bad if you're trapped underwater. >>

IN the world of cruisers, there are Gingers and there are Mary Anns — bikes that like to gussy up and make a grand entrance, and more understated models that can leave the house without double dipping the mascara. Star Motorcycles' new 1300 cc V Star is definitely a Mary Ann — unintimidating, low maintenance and just as happy to grab a burger as dine on filet mignon. >>

Ten neighborhood councils provide the funds to buy the LAPD three car-top digital cameras that trace and recover missing vehicles. >>

A new automatic transmission makes Maserati's Q-ship easier to drive. But is it easier to love? >>

THINK KTM, and a couple of words spring to mind: >>

Land Rover: A box accompanying a review of the Land Rover LR2 in last week's Highway 1 section gave estimates for the vehicle's fuel economy as 28 miles per gallon city and 19 highway. The correct figures are 19 city and 28 highway. >>

Hyundai Motor Co. plans to be producing 300,000 gasoline-electric or diesel-electric powered vehicles annually by 2015. >>

The maker of exotic $100,000-plus sports cars will be run by a consortium of investors. >>

The cost of self-serve regular soars 17 cents from the previous week amid strong demand and tight supplies. >>

The U.S. Department of Transportation budget request, unveiled last week, includes $6 million to fund motorcyclist safety grants through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for fiscal year 2008. >>

WASHINGTON — After dozens of reports of fires in Dodge Durango and Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicles, DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler Group recalled nearly 500,000 vehicles Friday. >>

The '08 LR2 has genteel charm, off-the-charts handling -- and plenty of star power. >>

A U.S. highway safety agency keeps information on fatal-accident locations away from the public. But why? >>

The world's biggest automakers say it could be several years before plug-in hybrids are ready for the marketplace. But Southern California's principal air quality regulator expects some of its employees and other drivers to be tooling around in such vehicles by the end of the year. >>

SAN FRANCISCO — The world's six largest automakers Tuesday asked a judge to toss out a novel federal lawsuit filed by California that seeks untold millions for future damage caused to the state by global warming. >>

Drivers face $3 fuel in parts of California. Experts blame refinery woes and other factors. >>

WASHINGTON — Those minor fender benders might cost more than you think, according to new crash test results released Thursday by the insurance industry. >>

Automakers can cut emissions by 40% with existing technology, says a scientists' group, as it unveils a blueprint for a climate-friendly model. >>

Japanese automakers once again claim all the No. 1 spots in Consumer Reports' annual survey. >>

Triumph pares a few pounds from the 2007 Tiger 1050, crafting a lean machine that's agile, peppy, ferocious and fun. >>

Q: I don't think Guzzi is pronounced with a "t" sound. >>

Taking over a vehicle may make great TV, but it's not usually like that on the street. 'We all laugh' seeing it on the screen, says a real-life agent. >>

The Lincoln MKX tall wagon offers a smooth ride but lags behind its peers in seating and cargo capacity. >>

DETROIT — U.S. sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles rose 28% from 2005 to 2006, but the rate of growth is slowing, an analysis of automotive industry data indicates. >>

Great mileage, big power, cleaned-up emissions. Only problem with Mercedes' E320 Bluetec diesel is you can't get it in California. Yet. >>

One in occasional Q&A; columns on bikes, riding laws and other motorcycle-related issues. >>

IT isn't easy being old. >>

Motorcycle review: A review of Bombardier Recreational Products' Can-Am Spyder in last week's Highway 1 section incorrectly stated it was the company's first motorcycle. The Spyder is BRP's first on-road motorcycle. In the 1970s and '80s, it also manufactured dirt bikes. >>

Tag along on an L.A. road trip with the original biker iconoclast, Peter Fonda. VIDEO >>

It's a different kind of triple threat as two new three-wheelers take on America. >>

Now, it's more likely that Dad, Mom and each kid will have one. Oh, the upkeep, never mind the environment. >>

Despite the price, BMWs remain hugely popular. The new 335i Coupe, with a seriously great turbocharged engine and fine interior, demonstrates why. >>

Italy's new Norge 1200 sport-tourer serves up a big, capable ride and adds the accessories to make it cushy. >>

Q: Which sport bike has the lowest seat height? >>

Harley-Davidson strike ends >>

The automaker may re-christen the flagging Five Hundred sedan. Analysts are unsure the change would help. >>

Kermit the Frog may have been right about the difficulties of being green, but a growing number of automakers are trying. >>

High-performance models planned include an SUV and sports cars. Enthusiasts are excited and skeptical. >>

Pump prices headed higher across most of the country over the last week, with costs jumping the most in the Midwest and along the West Coast, a government survey showed Monday. >>

The attorney general takes a conciliatory tone but says he'll press a suit if a deal is not reached. >>

Ford posts a 19.6% drop from a year earlier as it and other makers slash deals with rental firms. Toyota sees a 9.5% rise. >>

The revamped Escape hybrid gives Ford a much-needed victory. Perfect? No. Revitalizing? Definitely. >>

Those pricey tire hubs are susceptible to road hazards, can be hard to replace -- and safety issues surround repairs. >>

Sleek and slithery, the Jaguar XKR is a quicker breed of cat. >>

One in occasional Q&A columns on bikes, riding laws and other motorcycle-related issues. >>

In the '70s, Erik Buell was an AMA superbike racer. In the '80s, he added Harley-Davidson engineer and Buell Motorcycles founder to his résumé. Now, the Buell chairman and chief technical officer is fronting the Thunderbolts rock band and designing a line of guitars. In both fields, he says, it's all about making people feel good. >>

BUELL'S latest has a tongue twister of a name that rivals the military for acronymic ambiguity. It's called the Lightning Super TT XB12STT. >>

Motorcycle weight: A box accompanying a motorcycle review in the Jan. 10 Highway 1 section said the Hyosung GT250 Comet has a dry weight of 441 pounds. The bike's weight is 331 pounds. >>

WASHINGTON — Ford Motor Co. is joining the list of automakers working on a plug-in hybrid — with a twist. It combines the convenience of plugging in your car with a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell. >>

More than half a million Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs could get new ball joints after failures are reported. >>

Motor City is abuzz over alternate-power cars. But automakers still love their overweight, overpowered vehicles. >>

Driving records are the focus for insurance firms when they set rates, but traffic school classes can hide multiple incidents. >>

Don't be intimidated. These four motorcycles are geared for beginners. >>

The EPA is updating its fuel-economy ratings to factor in such variables as road characteristics and driver habits. >>

NO matter how expert we become at carving canyons and generally high-tailing it through the streets on two wheels, we have to learn the basics to get there. Since 1987, almost 500,000 Californians have learned those basics in a parking lot, where they could dump the bike and go wide in turns without shame. >>

Hybrid vehicles are proof of the old saw that you've got to spend money to save it, a new study shows. >>

Carmakers are set to unveil plans this week. A GM model owes much to the pioneering EV1. >>

The road to a certain enlightenment could begin with Nissan's Versa or Chevy's Aveo. Imagine: Contentment in less car than you can afford. >>

Crossover vehicles are replacing those old family haulers, and GMC's Acadia establishes its niche. >>

As Toyota sales speed up, 2006 may have been the last year of the U.S. auto brands' head-to-head battle to be No. 1. >>

The next stage of the company's turnaround may depend on global product development chief Bob Lutz. >>

The Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang bucks and charges like an untamed animal -- which is what fans have been waiting for. >>

Lawmakers hope 145 changes to the state's driving laws this year will mean a safer 2007. >>

Couple Toyota's battery and support hardware with a four-cylinder Nissan and you get the 2007 Altima hybrid. It's alive! It's alive! >>

VIDEO >>

Gawkers get whiplash when Confederate Motor's new Wraith rolls by. That alone may make it a worthy successor to the star-seducing Hellcat. >>

BMW's new physics-defying X5 adds power and inches -- and yards of luxury. And yes, driving it feels like rocket science. >>

High horsepower and diverse opinion exist in abundance on the issue of motorcycle safety, including from those who ride bikes, share the road with motorcycles, operate racing tracks and enforce the law. >>

Ratings for '08 models, especially hybrids, will drop in new EPA tests. >>

Try staying on Kawasaki's snortin' KX450F. It's no wonder supercross is soaring lately. >>

At the opening round of the Amp'd Mobile World Supercross GP on Saturday, James Stewart rode the '07 KX450F to a third-place finish. That was before Travis Preston ran into his foot but after Stewart and Chad Reed touched tires. We caught up with the 20-year-old Floridian the day after the race for a chat about what happened Saturday, his thoughts on the '07 KX450F and such things as his pre-race rituals. >>

Q: Regarding your article on the Buell Super Lightning TT XB12STT, try some WD-40 on those "whiteboard" side panels. It works wonders on my whiteboard at work. >>

OFFICIALLY, there isn't a theme to this weekend's 26th Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, but it might as well be "Extremes." Among the 600 bikes on display at the Long Beach Convention Center are the world's fastest, smallest, tallest and most expensive production sport bike motorcycles. >>

Question: Does the Environmental Protection Agency have a list of miles per gallon ratings for motorcycles? If not, where can I find MPG ratings for different motorcycles? >>

The redesigned compact is seen as crucial to the struggling automaker's U.S. recovery efforts. >>

The U.S. automaker's sales unexpectedly decline in November, as does its market share. General Motors posts a 6% gain from last year. >>

Motorcycle crash fatalities are rising fast -- and it's not just the cyclists who are dying. >>

Groundbreaking designs, new-fuel technologies, sexy road rockets. It's all there. But just as important, this year's showcase comes a month earlier and won't butt heads with Detroit's event. >>

In a test drive, the speedy, electric roadster shows what all the fuss is about. >>

Ford Motor Co. has developed a fuel cell electric vehicle it says will travel 350 miles between hydrogen fill-ups, farther than any other fuel cell vehicle that's been publicly shown. >>

The Acura MDX has race-derived handling, lots of safety features, cushy comfort and a great sound system. Not just for tony moms, it could be a tail-spinning hip-hopper's crash pad too. >>

This updated model is smoother than its predecessor, trimmer and more powerful too. >>

VW Eos endows its new sports convertible with a sunroof in the hardtop. >>

Somehow, `outgassing from PVC parts' doesn't sound quite as nice as `that new car smell.' >>

Looking for a hot sound system? How about a free guitar with your car? >>

Like a samurai, Infiniti's G35 is sleek, masculine and ready to roll. >>

WITH its nose sniffing around out front and a fat rear tire that could flatten a cat, the 2007 K-9 is the biggest and baddest V-Twin in the Big Dog kennel. Nine feet long, 117 cubic inches and heavier than a pallet of Iams, — this snarling bike is entering its second model year as the bestselling production chopper on the market. >>

Saturn's Vue hybrid sounds eco-friendly. But the effort seems half-hearted. >>

The words would seem to form an oxymoron, but a low sulfur gas is changing a dirty reputation. >>

Racing runs in her family, and the surface of choice is a dirt track. The Southland once boasted 15 of them, but now there are three. >>

The launch of a new CUV may be just what the ailing automaker needs. It's a credible, timely vehicle, and its flaws are few. >>

SMOKIN'. That isn't just a reference to the F4-1000R's top speed. It's what I wanted to be doing after riding MV Agusta's '07 model sport bike. I don't even like cigarettes, but there's something about a tach topping out at 17,000 rpm that makes a girl want to light up. >>

Adding a roof and a bit of back end, BMW deftly tones down the ludicrous Z4. >>

There is no indication that GM, Nissan and Renault are close to making a deal. >>

The state wants carmakers to pay for damage caused by greenhouse gases. >>

TOKYO — Toyota Motor Corp. announced an ambitious plan Wednesday to boost global sales to 9.8 million vehicles in 2008 — driving home a message of stellar success as its troubled U.S. rivals are closing factories and scaling back production. >>

Firm hopes its fuel-cell SUVs quell criticism that its products use too much gasoline. >>

The automaker has its work cut out as it attempts to come up with a new product line to lure back motorists. >>

The Freestyle and the FJ Cruiser perform the best among four vehicles tested. The other two models improve after air bags are added. >>

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi's drive to lower automobile and homeowner insurance rates is expected to pay off again today for consumers. >>

General Motors Corp. announced Wednesday that it would improve the warranty on its 2007 model year cars and trucks, hoping to stop car buyers from migrating to Asian automakers. >>

Diesel engines deliver great mileage but emit polluting gases. Fuel cell vehicles are zero-emission but look bulky. Honda's latest innovations counter the stereotypes. The latest fuel cell vehicle from the Japanese automaker, planned for limited marketing in Japan and the U.S. in 2008, has a slick, streamlined, close-to-the-ground look. Honda Motor Co.'s next-generation diesel engine delivers as clean a drive as a low-emission gas engine of comparable size. >>

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Automakers will be required to tell owners if their vehicle has an event data recorder, commonly called a "black box," and collect uniform data from the devices, the government said today. >>