Well here we are on the doorstep of a new year and that means, for many of us, the amount of riding will be cut back due to the weather.

Since we will be have more time to do "work" on the bike versus those long rides maintenance needs to be done.

Below, our friends from  J&P Cycles gives us 10 things to be aware of.

Its That Tine fo the Year Again......Toys for Tots!!!

Its that time of the year again when we as riders fill our calendars with toy runs for a variety of causes.

In the upstate of South Carolina, this will be the 10th annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots run and if this year is anything like previous events it will be chilly, huge and a great tine.

The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Toys for Tots began in Los Angeles as a charitable effort in 1947 by reservist Major William L. Hendricks. Major Hendricks was inspired by his wife Diane when she unsuccessfully tried to find an organization to donate a doll to a needy child. At her suggestion, he gathered a group of local Marine reservists, including Lieutenant Colonel John Hampton, who coordinated and collected some 5,000 toys for local children that year from collection bins placed outside of Warner Bros. movie theaters. Their efforts were so successful that in 1948 Toys for Tots was launched as a national campaign. Major Hendricks enlisted celebrity support including Walt Disney Studios, which designed and donated the famous red toy train logo.




The Greenville, South Carolina 2012 campaign is managed by Staff Sergeant Gustavo Villasenor. He is assisted by Staff Sergeant Jerod Mann. Together, these two Marines collaborate with more than one hundred individual collection location volunteers, fifteen event sponsors, and five nonprofit distributors to generate over 40,000 toys for local children. The success of the Greenville, South Carolina campaign is a testament to the dedication and charitable spirit of businesses and residents in the Upstate community.

This clip from the 2011 event will give you a sense of the spirit of hope and giving that is just part of the Toys for Tots Run each year.

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity is the fund raising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

Sales from book celebrating famous motorcycle enthusiasts help victims of Hurricane Sandy

Elvis

Sales from a new book celebrating the rides of famous motorcycle enthusiasts will go to help victims of Hurricane Sandy. The publication, titled “Rockin’ Garages: Collecting, Racing and Riding with Rock’s Great Gearheads,” explores the car and motorcycle collections of famous musicians, including members of iconic bands like AC/DC and Pink Floyd.

Billy Joel

Authors Tom Cotter and Ken Gross profiled a variety of musicians and their cars and motorcycles. They eventually compiled the stories behind how these individuals initially became involved with the auto and motorsports industries and began expanding their personal collection of rides.

Jay Leno

                                                                             
The hardcover book spans 192 pages, with hundreds of photographs detailing the extent of these famous collections. The kickoff will take place at 20th Century Cycles in Oyster Bay, New York,  and a portion of all book sales will be donated to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Proceeds from the sale of various motorcycle accessories and book paraphernalia sold at the event will also go to the efforts.

Motorcycle Sales Are Up....go ahead and smile.

Wandering from dealership to dealership here in the southeast, you get the sense business is good, and maybe better than expected.  Since aftermarket parts, clothing, accessories, etc follow bike sales, if unit sales are up, the rest of the business get healthier.  Recent numbers show a growing positive.

Data from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reports motorcycle sales holding steady through the third quarter of 2012. The MIC report, which tracks through the end of September, claims a slight 1.3% gain in year-over-year motorcycle sales with a 3.1% increase in ATV sales.

On-Highway motorcycles registered a 0.8% increase over 2011 data. The MIC reports 271,767 units sold, up 2062 from last year. On-Highway is by far the largest motorcycle market segment tracked of the MIC data and includes most street and sportbikes, as well as cruiser models.

Scooters continue to show the highest percentage gains of any segment, up 7% through the first nine months of 2012. Traditionally more volatile than the standard motorcycle market, Scooter sales often fluctuate with the cost of gasoline.

The ATV market continues to recover in 2012, though its 3.1% improvement through the third quarter has slowed from the more heartening 5.6% increase at the end of Q2.

Suzuki Stays with Motorcycles - Drops Cars in U.S

What to do ....what to do....  after nearly 30 years, Suzuki Motor Corp. will pull out of the U.S. car marke following Saab Automobile and Isuzu Motors Ltd. among automakers making their exits after failing to earn profits in the country.

Suzuki will stop the sale of new automobiles in the U.S., though it will continue offering motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and boat motors. The company’s U.S. distributor filed for bankruptcy protection in Santa Ana, California as part of the reorganization.

The withdrawal marks the end of a business that began in 1985 and never managed to win over U.S. consumers as Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. did. The move allows Suzuki, which has the smallest U.S. market share among Asian automakers, to focus on defending its lead in India, where the company is facing mounting competition from Hyundai Motor Co.

Suzuki’s sales in the U.S. will stop after its current inventory runs out.

American Suzuki Motor, the wholly owned U.S. distribution unit, agreed to begin reorganization proceedings under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code,. The unit had $346 million of debt and $233 million in assets as of Sept. 30, according to bankruptcy filings.

Lead Singer Mitch Lucker Dies from Motorcycle Accident

Fans are in mourning over the death of Mitch Lucker, a vocalist for the heavy metal band Suicide Silence who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Huntington Beach.

The band posted a statement on its Facebook page Thursday morning reading, "There's no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts."

Lucker, 28, who lived in Huntington Beach, was riding his black 2013 Harley-Davidson south on Main Street about 8:55 p.m. Wednesday when he hit a light pole near the intersection of 13th Street. According to a release from the department, Lucker apparently lost control of his vehicle and was thrown from it after hitting the pole.

The motorcycle continued moving forward after Lucker was ejected and collided with a pickup truck that was traveling north on Main. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Lucker, who was treated at the scene by paramedics, died shortly after 6 a.m. at UC Irvine Medical Center, according to the Orange County coroner's office.

The band has released three albums — 2007's "The Cleansing," 2009's "No Time to Bleed" and last year's "The Black Crown" — and is described on the website of its record label, Century Media, as "the defining modern death metal band for a new generation."

Winter Riding with the Right Tires

In our last post we looked at the Pitbull bike lift and it occurred to us that one of the winter projects we mentioned, would be replacing tires or at the very least changing tires for better handling during the wet winter months

Revzilla offers some great info on choosing the right tires.

Got ay suggestions for future posts? Send us your comments and don't forget to subscribe to the Motorcycle Riders Update.  Everytime we post....you get a short email letting you know, that way you never miss a feature.

Motorcycle Lifts.....we all need one.

For those of you new to the Riders Update, we like to offer a wide selection of topics.  During the course of each month we look at events, news, laws, and of course products.  This edition we turn an eye to motorcycle lifts.

As the country moves into winter and the inevitable winter projects and maintenance, their is one item we all need....a lift.  Pitbull makes a series of lifts we've seen demonstrated at a number of rallies. 

As always we welcome your suggestions and comments and please take advantage of the feature which allows us to send you a quick e-mail when we post each update.

Motorcycle Club Fights Fed over Logo

An unprecedented federal government effort to seize the Mongols Motorcycle Club’s trademark has quietly become a quarter-of-a-million-dollar headache for the Justice Department.

Four years after prosecutors grabbed attention by lassoing the Mongols’ logo – a ponytailed man riding a motorcycle – along with myriad club members in Southern California, an appellate court must sort out what the federal government might owe the club’s attorneys.

It could be a lot, in a free-speech case that’s also a cautionary tale about aggressive federal use of forfeiture to seize private property.

“What they did was an outrageous violation of the First Amendment, and an absolute abuse of forfeiture and trademark laws,” American Civil Liberties Union attorney David Loy said Monday in a telephone interview.

Forfeitures are big business for the federal government. Last year, the Justice Department seized some $1.8 billion worth of forfeited assets. Typically, these are ill-gotten gains from drug trafficking, financial fraud and other criminal activity.

The most recent Justice Department forfeited-assets inventory includes a $1.6 million Cessna Citation aircraft seized in Palm Beach, Fla., 10 million Vaquero cigars seized in Louisville, Ky., and 152 boxes of gold and silver taken in Charlotte, N.C. Officials also reported seizing lots of cash and real estate and, in Laredo, Texas, a big stash of “assorted fragrances.”

Los Angeles-based prosecutors claimed a huge haul in October 2008 when they announced mass indictments of those they called “violent Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang” members. The indictments followed a lengthy undercover investigation by four agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who managed to become patch-wearing members of the club.
Prosecutors subsequently secured more than 80 convictions, mostly on racketeering and conspiracy charges. Investigators also seized hundreds of firearms, thousands of rounds of ammunition, stacks of dollar bills and other items, opening one legal front that’s still active.

Myrtle Fall Rally - Smooth

 There were no major problems during the fall motorcycle rally at Myrtle Beach that concluded Sunday,

The weekend was busy for troopers, but South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins said there were no serious wrecks or deaths during the event that wrapped up over the weekend.

"Everything' ran smoothly," Collins said.

A crash did occur in North Myrtle Beach on Friday night that sent at least six people to the hospital with injuries, city spokesman Pat Dowling said.

A motorcycle hit a car that turned in front of the bike. The rider was hurt, as was a combat medic who stopped to help. The biker suffered a broken leg and arm injury. Five other people went to the hospital for treatment.

Collins says the fall version of the motorcycle rally is always smaller than the two big events in May. The fall also is easier because there are fewer tourists.

Organizers managed to avoid the controversy that plagued the two spring rallies, when there were questions about dates for the May events.

Free Motorcycle Parking in the Big Apple

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., an avid Harley-Davidson rider, is motpushing for legislation that would make motorcycle parking free throughout the five boroughs.

City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.

The Councilman, flanked by state Assemblyman Michael DenDekker and fellow riders, said the biggest issue facing bikers are muni-meters.  “There is no way for a motorcycle rider to affix a muni-meter (receipt) to their bike in a way that it won’t blow away and it won’t be stolen,”

DenDekker, a fellow motorcyclist, said after 34 years of riding he received his first $65 parking fine last week, due to what he sees as a faulty system.  “There’s no place on my motorcycle that I can attach this little piece of paper.”

DenDekker said making parking free for some 38,000 motorcyclists in New York City would put the brakes on the problem while being an environmentally sound move.  He said motorcycles generate less pollution, need little space and use minimal gas.

“The bicyclists get miles of bike lanes,” he said. “We pay $42.50 in registration fees and pay our taxes, too. We make our contribution and we’re not getting anything back. We just want a level of equality.”

A spokesman for the city Department of Transportation recommended motorcycle riders use clear plastic holders to attach parking meter receipts, as specified on the agency’s website, but did not elaborate.







Finally, while we don't condone intentionally breaking the law, I thought you may find this video interesting.  Conditions vary from city to city, and I concede NYC is more extreme than most locations.

Motorcycle Thefts Decline

Motorcycle thefts in the U.S. fell at a slower pace last year as declines in Texas and Florida were partially offset by an increase in California, the National Insurance Crime Bureau said.

There were 46,667 thefts in the U.S. last year, a decrease of 6 percent from 2010, even as motorcycle sales rose. Thefts dropped 13 percent in 2009 and 11 percent in 2010.

California, the most populous U.S. state and the one with the most stolen motorcycles since the NICB began collecting data in 1996, retained its top spot with 5,927 thefts last year. It was followed by Texas and Florida. After at least four straight years of declining thefts, California motorcyclists saw 265 more thefts than in 2010.

Thefts in Texas last year declined 10 percent to 3,950 from a year earlier. In Florida, thefts fell 5.3 percent to 3,927.

July and August were the biggest months for thefts in the U.S. last year, with more than 5,000 each, compared with 2,147 in February, the report shows. U.S. thefts declined because of advances in technology.. 

“Newer vehicles in cars and in motorcycles tend to have more secure features than ever before,” he said.

New York had 1,460 thefts in 2011, and New Jersey had 907. More than 500 motorcycle makes were among those stolen last year. Honda had the top spot with more than 11,000 motorcycles stolen, followed by Yamaha and Suzuki, the NICB said.

As referenced earlier in this post, new technology has helped reduce the number of thefts via more effective motorcycle alarm systems.  Here is a review of several types and brands.

Skyfall - New James Bond films opens with Bike Chase

The upcoming 23rd installment of the James Bond film franchise which is directed by Sam Mendes stars Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes and is scheduled for theatrical release later this year.

Skyfall is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as Agent 007 James Bond, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Ola Rapace, Helen McCrory, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th, 2012 and in North America on November 9th, 2012 (in IMAX on Nov 8th).

News......Both Good and Bad.

Connecticut  police say they've arrested a motorcycle club president and are trying to find his brother in connection with a stabbing at the group's clubhouse.

City police on Saturday evening charged 34-year-old Jose Roman of New London with first-degree assault and carrying a dangerous weapon and are seeking to arrest his brother, 31-year-old Juan Baptista-Roman, on similar charges.

Authorities told The Day of New London that 26-year-old Anthony Swift suffered life-threatening stab wounds and three other men were hurt on Sept. 22 in a brawl at the WildStyle Riders Motorcycle Club's clubhouse on Bank Street. Police say Jose Roman is the club's president.

Jose Roman is detained on $400,000 bail and will be arraigned Monday in New London Superior Court. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.

The stereotypical motorcyclist cruising down the interstate with a woman perched behind him is in danger of becoming a quaint memory.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council’s latest statistics, 25 percent of today’s riders are women. And they’re not on sissy bikes.

Motorcycles are being tailored to this evolving market and the accompanying riding gear modified for shorter bodies and legs.

That, said Claudia Garber, director of women’s outreach for Harley Davidson, has spurred women to take the leap. The  contagion spreads from one woman to another. 

Safety is the biggest concern, said Cathy Gustafson, a long-time rider herself and a seven-year instructor for the state’s Motorcycle Ohio riding courses. 

“What I’ve learned from teaching some all-ladies’ classes is that ladies learn differently than men,” said Gustafson, married and the mother of two. “But physically, it takes them longer to get a skill. You can talk about it and  show a video or an actual class demonstration. But they have to actually do it, experience it, to understand. I tell women if they are pondering it, take a class. Our classes are very safety oriented. I can guarantee you that after that class, they know if they want to ride or not.”

The 2011 Harley Street Glide Gustafson rides today is an attention-getter with its Sedona orange metallic paint job and outfitted to the max.

Watching her ride off, it is hard to imagine the job that pushed her toward two-wheel transportation.

“I worked as a bank teller and used to wait on the lady who owned a bike shop. She offered me a job and then they got me riding,” she said. Today, Gustafson is a service consultant at Adventure Harley Davidson in Dover.

“Even when I started riding, very few women did. In probably the last eight years, there’s been a great increase. Women come to talk to you. We have ladies’ garage parties. Women now talk to the dealership guys about quick and easy detachable parts that make your motorcycle fit you,” she said.

Sons Of Anarchy Actor Dead

"Sons of Anarchy" actor Johnny Lewis was released from jail less than a week before police say he fatally attacked his 81-year-old landlord, despite two convictions in August that earned sentences of significant jail time.

Lewis, 28, pleaded no contest Aug. 8 to one count of assault with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to 365 days in Los Angeles County jail with three years of probation, a district attorney's office spokeswoman said. Nine days later, he pleaded no contest to a burglary charge in separate case and received 291 days in jail.

He was released from custody Friday afternoon, online jail records show. It was not immediately clear why he was released.

Investigators have identified Lewis as the sole suspect in the death of Catherine Davis, 81, after a bizarre altercation Wednesday at her Los Feliz home, where Davis had rented a room to the actor. Lewis was later found dead in the driveway.

Los Angeles police were called to the 3600 block of Lowry Road about 10:40 a.m. after receiving several calls reporting a "screaming woman" and three men fighting in the usually quiet neighborhood near Griffith Park.

When police arrived, Lewis was dead in Davis' driveway about six feet from a wall. They later found Davis' body in her home.

Investigators said they believe Lewis died after falling from a nearby roof or balcony and Davis died from blunt force trauma. Coroner's officials said no official causes of death had been determined.

Best known for his two-season role as Kip "Half-Sack" Epps on "Sons of Anarchy," Lewis' list of credits include appearances on "Boston Public," "The O.C.," "Criminal Minds" and "The Guardian." The Los Angeles native also had several film roles, including a part in "The Runaways" and "Raise Your Voice," starring Hilary Duff.

He most recently played a prisoner in "186 Dollars to Freedom," released this month.

News. Clubs, & Products

Demon's Cycle Inc., a custom Harley motorcycle builder and custom motorcycle parts supplier, is pleased to announce that it has started to manufacture its new “El Diablo” ape hangers handlebars. These handlebars, rise far above the mounting point making the riders reach up to use them, are designed and manufactured to fit a huge number of Harley- Davidson Touring motorcycles.
Made specifically to fit various Harley-Davidson Touring Bagger and Dresser models, the new “El Diablo” ape hangers handlebars fit Harley-Davidson Dressers, Baggers, FLHT and FLHTC models from 1982 onwards.

After a confrontation between rival motorcycle gangs during Reno’s Street Vibrations resulted in a brawl at John Ascuaga’s Nugget and the shooting of a Hells Angels chapter president, a “no colors” policy will be enforced this year to avoid a repeat of last year’s violence. The Nugget, which is actually located in Sparks, Nevada, has led the charge on the ban and some downtown Reno hotel casinos are following suit. Legally, the wearing of colors can’t be banned outright in downtown Reno, but you can bet anybody that does will attract the attention of local law enforcement.

Cleveland CycleWerks, an Ohio-based manufacturer of small bobber and café racer style motorcycles powered by 229cc single-cylinder engines, is partnering with Darkside Scientific to offer the first motorcycles with electroluminescent paint. Darkside Scientific has a patent-pending coating process that will illuminate when energized by an electrical current. The company’s patent-pending coating technology, Lumilor Electroluminescent Paint, is applicable to almost any surface and is claimed to light up with the ease of flicking a switch. Cleveland CycleWerks will be offering the electroluminescent paint as a custom option on their motorcycles in the near future. 

Motorcycle News has released their road test of the 2013 Harley CO Road Glide Custom.

2012 Motorcycle Cannonball

About 70 motorcycles are being ridden in the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball – a 16-day endurance test of pre-1930s motorcycles that started Friday in New York state and will end in San Francisco Sept. 23 .

The tour includes about 200 participants, including riders from 11 different countries including Australia, Italy, and South Africa.

Cannonball Express media director Felicia Morgan said despite a difficult start to the journey – in the first three days two riders crashed, escaping with minor injuries, and several bikes succumbed to mechanical problems – the tour has been going well.

"It's been a really hard route -- we knew it would it be," Morgan said. "But this is what these rides are all about. Motorcycle people are different kinds of people, we're just happy to get out and ride. After today things will get much easier – prettier and more relaxed ... (The first days) definitely weeds out the sound machines from the infirm."

"Nobody's had enough sleep. First thing in the morning I wouldn't tell you they're having a great time. But by the end of the day everybody's happy to get to the hotel and hang out – enjoy the camaraderie," she said. "We're still in the honeymoon phase."

Destinations along the way will include Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. Morgan said riding along back roads are important to the trip, especially for the international riders, as visits to landmarks.
"We're sort of stitching together a quilt of little bits of Americana," she said. "These are very cool things they never have been able to see. It's the very best of America, and that includes the people here."

Tour participant Josh Wilson headed to the starting point in New York state from his home in Norfolk, Va., with a 1929 Indian 101 Scout that was still in pieces. Wilson said he appreciated the turnout and had enjoyed the ride so far, though he wasn't exactly sure where they had stopped.
"You can't really see bikes like this anywhere and it's a thrill for us to have all this support, just like I'm sure it's great for everyone to see the bikes."
Wilson is making the trip without dedicated support staff, and, following his exhaust pipe caught his saddlebag on fire atop "some hill in New York," without extra clothes. Still, despite being down to his one pair of pants until the tour takes a full day for rest and repairs Sept. 14 in Sturgis, S.D.
"She's running great. I've had a lot of help from people on the ride – there's a lot of expertise here – and from a lot of strangers," he said.

The tour was first run in 2010 along a different coast to coast route using pre-1916 bikes. Morgan said herself and co-organizers Lonnie Isam Jr. and John Classen are unsure if the ride will be held again after this year.
"We don't know if we'll ever do it again," she said. "Like most bikers we live every day like it might be our last."

I Was right...It's in My DNA!!!

According to a study by bike insurer Bennetts, the desire to ride motorcycles is in your DNA.

With input from a psychologist, the study has theorised that motorcyclists have a genetic predisposition in the form a of a 'novelty-seeking' (NS) gene, which brings out a tendency for impulsive, exploratory and risk-taking behaviour.

The research from Bennetts found that the majority of bikers, 85%, were introduced to two wheels by a family member, with 11% saying a friend and 4% responding that it was a non-relative, including a partner or colleague.

The findings also discovered that bikers had the matching personality traits associated with the NS gene, with risk-taking (72%), low boredom threshold (71%) and spontaneity (69%) amongst the responses.

It was also found that 68% of bikers were introduced by an immediate family member, 9% by an aunt, uncle or cousin and 8% by a grandparent.

Motorcycling often defines a person, and this was shown by nearly three-quarters (73%) admitting that their bike defines who they are. As many as 62% said they couldn’t live without their bike and others even revealed that they consider their bike a family member (61%) or an extension of their personality (70%).

Psychologist Donna Dawson said of the findings: “Psychologists know from studies on twins that up to 60% of personality traits are inherited; however, environment, in the form of upbringing and opportunity, also has a role to play.

"Our research tells us that most bikers were introduced to biking through a family member and that all questions related to the ‘NS’ gene personality traits (such as being a risk-taker) and the biker’s emotional attachment to his or her bike resulted in very high scores.

So all these years..when I've told people "riding is in my blood" I was right.  Even more to the point when I've said "it's part of my DNA"......I was even more on target. What about that.

We would love to ear your comments, feedback, suggestions etc.

Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride

The annual Trail of Tears Remembrance Motorcycle Ride will be Saturday, Sept. 15, beginning at 8 a.m., rain or shine. The official TOT Kickoff Party is Friday, Sept. 14.

In downtown Chattanooga, motorcyclists should travel West on Martin Luther King Boulevard to Riverfront Parkway where traffic directors will be present to line everyone up.

"The 2012 Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride will start in Chattanooga, and follow scenic highway 41/72 around Lookout Mountain to Jasper. In Jasper, the ride will leave the Drane Hood route and follow Highway 41 to Monteagle, Tn. This route is one of the most scenic and historic routes in the state. As the ride comes off Monteagle Mountain, it will pass thru Cowan, Tn., and on to Winchester, Tn.  We will take highway 64 at Winchester, which is the Bell Removal route.  This route went from Calhoun, Tn., to Memphis. We will remain on the Bell route to Fayetteville, Tn., where we will stop for lunch, gas, and restrooms. Official Trail of Tears Remembrance merchandise will be available during our stop at Fayetteville. We will depart at 11:30 a.m. or noon, CST. (Note:  Westbound off bypass from Lincoln County Junior High School to US 64 will be “motorcycles only).

"Upon departure, we will follow Highway 64 to Pulaski, Tn., the only point at which two land removal routes cross; the Benge and Bell routes.  This is a historical point on the Trail of Tears.  We will continue on highway 64 to Lawrenceburg, where the Trail of Tears was routed through downtown. Lawrenceburg holds a Trail of Tears reenactment each year in November. From Lawrenceburg we will head south on highway 43 to Florence, Ala., and the end of the main ride at McFarland Park.

"The last stop for Saturday’s official ride is McFarland Park in Florence, Ala., we will arrive at approximately 2:30 p.m. CST. Ride safe."

There is no registration fee. The ride will be police escorted and riders will be required to obey all law enforcement orders. Riders need to remember that helmets are required; they need to keep up with the pack and always stay in the right lane. 

The Official TOT Kickoff Party will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, at Thunder Creek Harley Davidson on Lee Highway. The party will feature live entertainment, vendors, lots of great food and cold beverages. Visit www.thundercreekharley.com or call 423 892-4888 for more information.

At the finish in Florence, Ala., there will be plenty of fun to welcome all riders. The two-day festivities (Sept. 14 and 15) - Native American & Motorcycle vendors, a Pow Wow, storytellers, beadwork activities, exhibition dancing and great food will be open from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. All area schools are invited on Friday afternoon for a day of education in Native American Culture.

On Sunday, Sept. 16, the “Extended Ride” will continue on to Wewoka, Ok. This will complete visits to the nations of the five civilized tribes. Please visit the website for information and details.

For more information visit www.trailoftears-remembrance.org  or call toll free 877 TOT-TRIP (868-8747)

Bikers or Riders - Misconceptions

There has been and will continue to be a "debate" as to the terms used regarding those of us who ride motorcycles.  Within that debate is a wide range of myths, misconceptions , and stereotypes .David Tatlock lives in Dartmouth and wrote an article that led to a number of very good points.

Terms used to describe people on motorcycles are simplistically: a) biker; b) motorcyclist. A biker conjures up the template image associated with Harley-Davidson, loud pipes, and the standard black T-shirt.
A motorcyclist is everyone else, from the quietly efficient BMW rider to the racy red scientific Ducati rider, to, the immature but expert riders out on I-385, T-shirts flying in the wind, and doing wheelies. They also tend to ride in packs. If they endanger or frighten cars by their speed and antics, one error they do not commit is riding in tightly bunched groups, in which reaction time is next to zero in case a rider gets into trouble. Both types are especially common in the U.S . Why? Decide for yourself.

Motorcycling, in general, like other pursuits, has been cranked up in excess of its reality. Bikers love to be seen, hence the skimpy riding gear, the tiny, useless helmets, etc. For others, a motorcycle is a canoe, a discovery machine, a device for exploring and discovering, rather than merely enhancing who you already are.

It is no surprise that once off the bike, bikers or motorcyclists turn out to be regular people. On the bike, riders tend to act frisky; it goes with the territory. Idiotic behavior adds another level for those who sense falsely that being seen out in the open translates to a lasting element of prestige. Stupidly, this is the impressionability of advertising. On many bikes, you can break the speed limit in first gear. There is a tremendous amount of technology packed between two wheels.

I say: If riding in a group, don't try to crawl up the muffler of the guy in front of you. Find your niche, be extra polite, and help campaign for "two-wheels only" parking spots in your town. David Tatlock lives in Dartmouth.

Welcome to Choppertown - Movies & Motorcycles

Thanks to the internet we can access more info regarding motorcycles, clubs, products, brands, events, than all the printed magazines from the past.  In fact, when the weather is lousy or your ride is on the lift, the world wide web is almost the next best thing to going to a loop around town.  I said "almost".

I stumbled arcoss "Chopperetown" while doing some research for another article and got hooked on their approach to bikes AND the pople.  These guys have a fablous product and if you have a few bucks in your jeans, you should do something shopping with them.  Afterall, winter is just around the corner....and we both know the bike will be on the lift, so......

Here some video about one of their films.

Here is yet another clip.  This is the first 10 minutes of one of their films.  You can rent a number of their movies and i think you will be pleased.

Victory Motorcycle - The Core

Part of our mission statement here at "Riders Update" is to expose you, the reader, to as wide a motorcycling universe as possible.  That scope spans as many brands, applications, people, and purposes as we can achieve.

This edition looks at one of the leading American made brands, Victory.  21st century engineering coupled with classic styling, Victory continues to refine is place in the market with cruisers that defy categorizing.

 

Victory Motorcycles is based in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and began production of its vehicles in 1998.

 

Its parent company, Polaris Industries, created the firm following the modern success of Harley-Davidson. Victory's motorcycles are designed to compete directly with Harley-Davidson and similar American-style motorcycle brands, with V-twin engines and touring, sport-touring, and cruiser configurations.

The first Victory, the V92C, was announced in 1997 and began selling in 1998. Victory has been modestly profitable since 2002.

As always, we encourage your comments and suggestions.

Do CA Cops Profile Motorcyclists?

While admitting many of them deliberately foster a "bad boy" persona, members of several motorcycle clubs went before the Butte County Board of Supervisors to say they don't deserve to be treated as criminals, and resent it.

With their Harley-Davidson motorcycles parked in front of the county Administration Building, and wearing vests declaring themselves to be "Americans," "Bishops," "Just Brothers" and others, they came to say they are good people and shouldn't be targeted for undue law enforcement attention.

Dave Gilbert, 71, president of the United Bikers of Butte County,  said they find themselves being stopped by deputies and other law enforcement who want to take their pictures, particularly pictures of their tattoos and the bike's license plates.

He went on to say he had talked to Butte County Sheriff Jerry Smith about the situation and he was "very nice."

Bonnie Salmon, who owns Scooters Cafe on Highway 70 with her husband, Dan,  said the riders were being "profiled." She said the bike riders were being asked about their tattoos and patches.

Her husband said their business has dropped off since officers stopped bike riders at the cafe.

Bill McPhillips, an attorney from Canoga Park, said he was there representing the clubs. He said motorcycle clubs are places where a segment of "blue collar workers" tend to congregate.

The attorney and several of the bikers said the effort to come to the board had begun a dialogue that should lead to greater understanding.

Paradise Supervisor Kim Yamaguchi said he belongs to a cycle club that is affiliated with his church.

Supervisor Steve Lambert, who chairs the board, said "I think a bridge has been built here."

Sheriff Smith, who was present during the presentation, said outside the meeting, "We're not harassing anybody."

He said his staff has noted an upswing in the number of people on motorcycles wearing club colors that "we can't account for."

Smith said there has been some "misconceptions, misunderstandings perhaps," and he hoped his office and the club members can come to some common ground.

Motorcycle Impressions?

We've heard of celebrity impressions, but motorcycle impressions?

Some kid in a YouTube video titled "Vanya the motorcyclist" blows our mind with a jaw-dropping trick involving a beer can and some awesome sound effects.

Singer Wynonna Back on Tour After Motorcycle Crash

Wynonna Judd is going back on tour after her husband lost his left leg in a motorcycle crash.

 She says in a statement that husband Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser "continues to improve every day as he begins his road to rehabilitation." Moser was also her drummer. Judd says they are looking forward to the day when they will be together again on stage.

 Moser was injured Aug. 18 in South Dakota, airlifted to a hospital, where doctors amputated his leg. 

Instead of gifts, the couple is asking people to donate in Moser's name to Homes For Our Troops. The organization helps members of the military with serious disabilities. Judd's tour resumes Thursday in Michigan

Electric Superbike - Lightning Debut

In the world of electric motorcycles, you might have heard of Brammo and Zero Motorcycles but the company cutting the lion’s share on the racetrack is Lightning. With its upcoming street legal electric motorcycle, Lightning will wow you.

With the arrival of the Lightning electric motorcycle, Lightning will show electric performance to stand toe-to-toe with any other sportbike out there, period. The Lightning will hold its own, teaching old dogs a few tricks.

Technically Speaking  the street Lightning will be built to order from top to bottom. You will find the same air and oil cooled 12kWh battery pack that is raced today standard on the street version. And that isn’t enough, you will be able to choose an optional 14kWh unit. If you are still weary about torque, then know the street version is being tested with a 22kWh battery pack. This should strain the mechanics enough to guaranty fun for any bone fide adrenaline junky.

The Level 2 charging station and its J1772 connector will recharge in as little as 2 hours and 8 with a standard 110v wall outlet. Using a Lithium Ion Polymer, LiPo battery pack, the Lightning should give you an average of 70 mph with more than a 100-mile range, depending on your driving style. The monocoque frame will make use of the battery and motor as the main stressed members of the chassis. Why the liquid-cooled IPM motor GM uses for its Tahoe SUV hybrid? If it can push a 6000 lbs pound truck, it will be even more fun on a 500 lbs motorcycle. And if you worry about the electric motor, just rest assured that it is certified 900,000 miles.

Motorcycle Helmet Debate Continues

It's summertime and for many motorcyclists, it's the ideal time to break out the bikes and hit the streets. But with more riders on the road, it might make some want to revisit the law about wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

Wearing a helmet is a controversial issue for many riders. Some riders feel everyone should wear a helmet no matter what age. However, there are others who feel helmets can sometimes do more harm than good.

Even most in law enforcement admit a helmet won't always protect a rider from an accident.

In some collisions that helmet is probably not going to matter because people will drive at a high rate of speed and it's not going to help you much..

But, in slower speed collisions, the helmet may keep your head from bouncing across the pavement and that's what it's designed to do.

Still, helmets are only mandatory for rides under the age of 21 in many states and the choice for bikers who are of age, is all about personal preference and the First Amendment.


It's a personal preference. Everybody is going to have that level of comfort and what they feel like doing,. Many don't think anybody should tell them what they can or can't do or what's required when they go ride.

Motorcycle & Deer Get Together!!!

We here at the Riders Updatestrive to bring you ALL facets of motorcycling.  Sometimes its a weekend event, others a bike night a local water-hole, developments in technology....and the occasional freaky piece of video. This is one of those video moments.

Late last month during a two-day motorcycle race through West Virginia, Braden Childers was cruising down the road, flanked by forest on either side.

If you grew up in a wooded area, you probably know what’s coming........a deer.

The doe bolted across the road just in time to make collision with Childers’ bike inevitable — and his head cam caught the whole thing.

A Motorcycle Riders Best Friend...and Passenger!

Last week we did a brief post about a rider hitting a deer during a West Virginia rally.  Today, something a little more pleasant.  OK....its a lot more pleasant.






This gem comes to us courtesy of Carolina Camera. In this report the term "mans best friend" takes on a whole new meaning.

Tax Credit for Electric Motorcycles

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden has included language to preserve and streamline the tax credit for purchasing new electric motorcycles as part of the tax extenders package being debated in the Senate Finance Committee.

Wyden, D-Ore., made the push with Ashland electric motorcycle maker Brammo in mind.

This amendment will combine existing tax credits into one credit covering all highway-ready vehicles. It will support red, white and blue jobs and a new American-led industry that has real promise to serve our growing transportation and environmental needs.

Brammo founder and Chief Executive Officer Craig Bramscher said such a tax credit would spur motorcycle riders to become early adopters of electric vehicle technology.

"With the extension of the tax credit, we are confident that the next wave of electric motorcycle owners will be encouraged to take to the road on zero-emission vehicles," Bramscher said in a statement.

Wyden's amendment combined existing tax credits for all electric vehicles to one credit that includes electric motorcycles.

It also eliminated low speed vehicles such as electric golf carts from being eligible for the consolidated tax credit. The renewed credit will provide up to a $2,500 tax credit to customers for the purchase of an electric motorcycle.

The industry is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs during the next 18 months and more than 16,000 jobs over the next five years.