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.

Motorcycle Wheelie - Fails!!!

Common sense says that if you must perform a motorcycle wheelie, you should at least avoid placing yourself or any other person in danger, which means stay away from public roads and places.

While this rider showed complete disregard about the safety of the people standing on the road only a short distance in front of him, he got what he deserved when the wheelie he tried to pull off went sour and he crashed down from the bike.

Luckily, the motorcycle didn't hit the two pedestrians but it did smash into a car that was parked on the side of the road.

Founder of H.O.G. Inducted into Motorcycling Hall of Fame

Steve Piehl was given a challenging assignment at Harley-Davidson Inc. when the company was fighting for its survival.

In the fall of 1982, he was told to organize a group for Harley bike owners who would support their passion for the brand and, hopefully, bring more riders into the fold.


At the time, Piehl thought that someday the Harley Owners Group would have tens of thousands of members nationwide. He never imagined that, today, it would have nearly a million members in dozens of countries.

This week, Piehl was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame in Sturgis, where the 72nd Sturgis Motorcycle Rally continues through Sunday.

Piehl said he didn't expect to be included in the Hall of Fame even as the Harley Owners Group grew into one of the motorcycle industry's biggest success stories.

Working under Clyde Fessler, Harley's general sales manager at the time, Piehl was given only about three months to launch the organization in January 1983.

Piehl was only three years out of college, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, when he was given the assignment to create the Harley Owners Group.



Early on, the organization bonded with Harley dealerships that formed local chapters for their customers to join in and socialize.

Then came rallies, tours, a roadside assistance program and other things aimed at making motorcycling more enjoyable and fostering customer loyalty.

Harley Owners Group is credited with boosting attendance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as local chapters made the event an annual pilgrimage where members could test ride the latest new motorcycles and meet company executives including Willie G. Davidson.

Looking ahead, Piehl says the Harley Owners Group must stay connected with younger motorcyclists, female riders and everyone else in the Harley family.

Wynonna's Husband Injured in Motorcycle Accident

Wynonna Judd

Wynonna Judd has postponed a series of concerts after her husband Michael Moser, 55, was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident August 18 near Hill City, S.D. Moser, who scored four No. 1 country hits in the '80s, as a member of the band Highway 101, plays drums in his wife's band.

The couple were riding their motorcycles prior to a scheduled concert at the Deadwood Mountain Grand Hotel and Casino in Deadwood, S.D., when Moser drifted across the center line of the highway and collided with the driver's side door of a Chevrolet Malibu. Wynonna, who was riding ahead of Moser, was not involved in the accident.

Wynonna & Moser

He was transported to an area hospital and is being treated for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Saturday's concert was postponed, as well as four other dates scheduled later this week in Canada.


 Judd and Moser were married on June 10 at her farm near Nashville.

American Motorcyclist Assoc. Publishes Voters Guide

American Motorcyclist Association members who want to know where candidates stand on motorcycling related issues heading into Election Day should check out the 2012 AMA Voter Guide. The online tool is an exclusive benefit of AMA membership.

Motorcycle-only checkpoints, restricted recreational access to public lands and health insurance discrimination against motorcyclists are just some of the issues used to rate federal congressional (and soon, state gubernatorial and presidential candidates) in the 2012 AMA Voter Guide.

"The 2012 AMA Voter Guide gives AMA members important information about political candidates," said Wayne Allard, a former U.S. representative and U.S. senator from Colorado who now serves as the AMA vice president for government relations. "The guide includes a rating for every federal candidate of the major political parties who returned an AMA questionnaire. Very soon we'll be adding the gubernatorial and presidential candidates as well."

The AMA 2012 Voter Guide is part of the AMA "Vote Like A Motorcyclist" campaign to help members decide how to cast their ballots in the upcoming elections.


"The AMA is a non-partisan organization and doesn't make political endorsements," explained Allard. "But we do provide tools to help our members make informed choices on Election Day and offer tips for getting involved in campaigns.

"The rating shows how closely the candidates' answers align with AMA positions," Allard said. "The 2012 AMA Voter Guide also features scorecards for federal incumbents seeking re-election that shows how closely their voting records and other actions match the positions held by the AMA."

Voting and getting involved politically are important because the results of Election Day lay the foundation for legislation and laws, Allard added. If anti-motorcycling candidates earn elected office, then they could legislate away opportunities to ride, cut back or eliminate funding for rider safety training, or even wipe out other programs that motorcyclists have spent years working to implement.

"We encourage AMA members and all riders to cast their ballots and work on political campaigns based, in part, on candidates' positions on motorcycling related issues, as well as other issues of importance to them," Allard said.

To learn more about the AMA's "Vote Like a Motorcyclist" campaign and to access the AMA 2012 Voter Guide online member benefit, go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/members_only/voterguide.aspx.

Multiple Motorcycle Clubs Busted In Metro Atlanta

According to federal prosecutors, dual FBI raids  of motorcycle clubs in southwest Atlanta and Buford netted 23 arrests on drug and weapons charges.

Members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club and its affiliates, Hoodlums Motorcycle Club , Southern Knights and Black Pistons, were charged in federal court with selling cocaine and methamphetamines, illegal possession of guns and, for several suspects, trying to make bombs.

Federal agents were seen just after dawn crashing down the gates of the Outlaw club in the 3900 block of Campbellton Road, witnesses said. Authorities also raided a club on the 2500 block of South Waterworks Drive in Buford.

The take-down was the culmination of a two-year FBI investigation, federal officials said.

Among those arrested were George Norwood of Cumming and Raymond Sellers of Dawsonville. Both were accused of trying to make a bomb.

Sellers gave an undercover agent a list of ingredients to get to build a bomb that Norwood described was "strong enough to destroy a house."

Larry McDaniel, president of the Outlaw's Silver Region comprising Georgia and Alabama, and Milledgeville's Howard Brown, the Georgia president of the Black Pistons, were both arrested on federal obstruction charges for telling bike club members throughout Georgia about an FBI informant at the Cleveland, Ga., chapter, according to federal indictments.

Others indicted include Howard Haney, 41, of Alpharetta, charged with methamphetamine conspiracy and distribution, and Davey Honeycutt, 41, of Gainesville, charged with cocaine conspiracy and possession as well as being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

Phillip Alexander, 49, and Benny Leverett, 46, both of Buford, were charged with aiding and abetting the possession of either cocaine or methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, and Reynol Castronjon, 21, of Gainesville was charged with conspiracy and methamphetamine possession.

Other men arrested and charged in connection with Thursday's sting, including one man arrested in Fort Worth, Texas, were from outside the eight-county Metro Atlanta region.

Motorcycle Clubs Vegas Trials Begin

 Jury selection began Monday in state court in Las Vegas for eight of 13 men facing felony and misdemeanor charges in a December 2008 wedding chapel brawl between Hells Angels and rival Mongols motorcycle club members.

Authorities say the brawl broke out as Hells Angels members leaving a wedding in downtown Las Vegas encountered Mongols members arriving for another wedding. Six people were hurt, including two who were treated for stab wounds.

Court spokeswoman Mary Ann Price said jury selection was expected to continue into Tuesday. Clark County District Court Judge Michael Villani has said he expects trial to last four weeks.

Each of the defendants pleaded not guilty following their indictment in July 2010 on 13 charges including attempted murder, battery, assault, conspiracy and taking part in activities of a criminal gang. Each is accused of aiding and abetting each other. If convicted, each could face decades in prison. All are free on bond.

Defense attorneys have said the men were acting in self-defense.

Defendants Jeffrey Murray and John Merchant are accused of stabbing one Mongols member who planned to be married, and Merchant is accused of also stabbing another man.

Murray and Merchant are standing trial with Dominic Orlando, Frederick O'Dell, Brandon Young, James Sexey, John Dawson and Armando Porras.

Defendants Charles Goldsmith, Brad Goldsmith, Joshua Ramos, Joseph Gennuso and Samuel Murray face trial July 30. Attorneys for Gennuso and Ramos have said their clients aren't Hells Angels members.

Authorities reported three Mongols members were among those hurt in the melee at A Special Memory Wedding Chapel. A woman was allegedly chased from the chapel by a Hell's Angel member who threw a bottle at her.


No one was arrested immediately after the brawl. Police spent months developing the case before serving search warrants in November 2009 at six sites in and around Las Vegas and Henderson.


Hells Angels and Mongols have feuded for years, including a 2002 gunbattle in a casino at an annual motorcycle rally in Laughlin, a resort town about 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas. Two Hells Angels and one Mongol member died in that fracas, and more than 12 people injured.

In California, a Mongols member from Modesto is serving life in federal prison without parole after being convicted of murdering the president of the Hells Angels' San Francisco chapter outside a bar in September 2008.


In South Dakota, two Hells Angels were convicted in January in a stabbing that sent two people to the hospital in a fight with Mongols members at the 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.