Star Motorcycle Debuts the "Bolt" for 2014 - Product Review

Star Motorcycles’ new Bolt strikes at the heart of the cruiser market with a 942 cc V-twin engine and a dose of very assertive style. In 2005, Yamaha launched the Star sub-brand to distinguish its cruiser lineup from its sportbike, motocross and sport touring bikes. The branding effort has recently redoubled, with new advertising, bike show displays and in-dealership materials, and the Bolt launches on the platform of these refreshed efforts.

It’s impossible to explore the new Bolt without comparing and contrasting it to the Harley-Davidson Sportster, its obvious and overwhelming competitor. I own a 1993 Harley-Davidson Sportster Deluxe named “Manny,” so I’m intimately acquainted with the model.

Starting with general stance, the Bolt compares nicely with the Harley. The short (61.8″) wheelbase, with 19″ front and 16″ rear wheels helps to define a muscular, compact geometry. Unlike the current generation of Sportster, the Bolt’s engine is solid-mounted to its tubular steel frame, and functions as a stressed member of the chassis. Sportster’s engine has been rubber-mounted and isolated from the frame since 2004. Bolt’s 60-degree air-cooled V-twin sits nicely in the chassis, and its blacked-out finish with polished fin edges conveys solidity. Sportster’s 45-degree air-cooled V-twin is available with a similar finish, and it’s one of my favorite looks for an engine.

In stock form, the Bolt gets a solo seat, dirt track style handlebars and mid-mount footpegs. Seat height is a low 27.2″, and the front of the seat is narrow. Riders with short inseams are going to love the short reach to the ground and to the handlebars. At 6’2″ tall, I didn’t find the riding position at all cramped, though I observed that shorter riders looked more natural on the bike. I’ve spent plenty of time and money tweaking the ergonomics on my Sportster over the years, and I’ve recently settled on a set of handlebars that are very similar to the ones that Bolt has already. Bolt’s seat is good looking in shape, but after a day of riding, I realized that I would choose to upgrade to a more comfortable, perhaps gel-cushioned example in short order.


Bolt’s hand controls are simple and will work very well for most riders. Those with smaller hands may need to seek aftermarket or accessory help, but the clutch and brake operate with such easy pull that the vast majority of riders will be very content. My Sportster’s clutch requires a pretty healthy grip, and can cause fatigue after a full day of riding in traffic. I had no problems with the Bolt’s buttery smooth clutch, or with its five-speed transmission. Engineers explained that the transmission dogs were straight cut, as opposed to the slight angle cut that is more traditional on Yamaha gears. As a result, the gearbox responds with a solid “thunk” when you push down into first gear, a reassuring sound and feel that lets you know that the transmission is engaged. Finding neutral is foolproof and effortless, even before the bike has warmed up — a big advantage over Harley-Davidson’s sometimes impossible-to-find neutral.


Braking is accomplished with conventional, non-ABS, non-linked single 298 mm discs front and rear. Just as you’d expect, the right hand lever controls the front brake, and the rear brake operates with the right foot pedal. Braking effort feels just right, and braking is predictable and solid. Riders interested in even better brake feel may wish to upgrade to braided steel brake lines, an available accessory from Star and the aftermarket. There’s no factory upgrade available to add a second front disc. My only braking challenge with the Bolt was ergonomic — my size 14 right foot was too big to rest comfortably on the footpeg without also resting on the brake pedal, so I was forced to ride with my foot at an angle. I found out later that it’s possible to adjust the position of the brake pedal and rotate it downward to alleviate this issue, something many riders will need to do to set up their own Bolts.

Bolt comes with a trick-looking two-into-one exhaust system, which includes an oxygen sensor and exhaust gas catalyst that works with the closed-loop fuel injection system. My old Sporty has a conventional carburetor, but the current generation of Harley employs fuel injection, too. Bolt’s stock exhaust is quiet but throaty, with a healthy note that impresses without offending. If you’re in the “loud pipes save lives” camp, you’ll need to modify or replace the stock system. Star employed an interesting set of bends to get the rear cylinder’s exhaust pipe to meet up with the front. Stylish brushed aluminum guards keep the hot pipes away from your right leg and boot. The guards were somewhat less successful at blocking heat transfer, as I experienced a little bit of toasting on my thigh when I was stuck in traffic, despite a mild, 70-degree riding day. On a triple digit day in traffic, that could be very uncomfortable. But that’s one of the hazards of riding an air-cooled, unfaired motorcycle — the Sportster does little better with heat management than the Bolt.


Riding the Bolt feels very familiar to me as a Sportster rider. Bolt’s 58.2 lb-ft of peak torque arrives at 3,500 rpm (the current Sportster’s 883 variant delivers 55 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm), which makes for lively starts from stoplights, and quick bursts through gaps in traffic. Star doesn’t report horsepower ratings (neither does Harley), because this bike isn’t really about top speed, it’s about grunt. Power delivery, via belt final drive, is smooth and predictable. At 540 lbs wet, the Bolt is about 33 lbs lighter than the Sportster Iron 883. Like its competitor, the Bolt is nimble and maneuverable, with a low center of gravity and a nicely balanced feel.

Suspension travel is pretty limited, with KYB components providing 4.7″ front and 2.8″ rear. With my big body in the seat, the rear shocks bottomed out over sharp bumps, sending a jolt up my spine if I caught one unprepared. Thanks to the mid-mount footpeg position, I was able to lift off of the seat slightly when I anticipated an unavoidable bump, which mitigated the jolt. I tried out both variants of the Bolt — standard and R-Spec — to explore the difference between standard and remote reservoir rear shocks, but I didn’t notice any improvement with the R-Spec setup. Smaller riders may not experience the same jolts that I did, but there’s definitely room for improvement in the rear shock department. Just as I did with my Sportster, I’d seek out suspension upgrades for a Bolt the minute I took ownership, and I’d advise the same for new owners.


Bolt has some cool contemporary stock features that aren’t standard on the Harley. Bolt’s traditionally shaped round tail lamps and turn signals have LED lighting elements. The round instrument panel is an LCD gauge with digital speedometer readout, dual tripmeters and a clock. It’s a little hard to read in the daytime while wearing sunglasses, but looks super cool and smooth in the bargain.

Out of the box, there are just two Bolt models: the standard Bolt (starting at $7,990) and the Bolt R-Spec (starting at $8,290). Beyond some cosmetics, the difference between the models is the R-Spec’s remote reservoir shocks, a sueded vinyl seat and blacked-out mirrors. Star is ready with over 50 new accessories for the Bolt, including two-up seats, sissy bars, saddlebags and quick release windshields. Sportster is available in five variants for 2013, including two displacement engines (883 and 1200). The closest competitor for Bolt is the Iron 883, which starts at $7,999. Harley-Davidson’s telephone book-sized Parts & Accessories catalog features hundreds of geegaws and doodads to farkle the Sportster, and the aftermarket support for the model is vast.

So, the big question – Bolt or Sportster? For some buyers, it’s not even a question. It’s a Harley-Davidson or nothing. But there’s a lot to like about the Bolt. Yamaha’s reputation for reliability certainly exceeds Harley’s, even though the Motor Company has made great strides in recent years. Harley has the advantage of authenticity and heritage, but that’s an emotional link rather than any practical advantage. Bolt has a great feel, genuine usability and solid build quality that is very appealing. I have grown accustomed to Harley’s hydraulic valves, which do not require regular adjustment. Star recommends valve inspection every 4,000 miles, which isn’t that big of a deal, but doesn’t thrill me, either.


I bought my Sportster for exactly the purpose that Star says they targeted for the Bolt — as a city bike for short hops and commutes. A Big Twin was too big and wide; a sportbike didn’t suit my personal or riding style. Bolt hits the target dead center, and if I were in the market for a new bike for a similar purpose, I’d have a tough time deciding. I would probably still buy the Harley-Davidson, but it would be an emotional decision, because I have really bought in to the H-D mystique. The Bolt may be an important step in building the Star Motorcycles mystique, bringing new riders who don’t yet have a brand connection into the fold. It’s a very good bike, and worthy of consideration.

CBA Swap Meet - Charlotte, NC - Get ready for a good time

A few days ago we referenced the upcoming CBA Swap Meet in Charlotte, NC.

This event is held twice a year with "spring" and "fall" events at the Metrolina Fairgrounds.  The next meet will be the the weekend of march 23 + 24.

Here is a clip of some folks getting on the road to the event.

and...here is a 4 minute peek at the event. 

Part 2 of Girls Garage

So, here it is....Part Two of the Girls Garage - Motorcycle Tips, from J&P Cycles.

Girls Garage - Motorcycle Tips Part 1

After a number of requests we are pleased to present a couple of "How To" videos, targeted for ladies.

Thanks to J&P Cycles for producing  Tech Tips for ladies.

Progressive Motorcycle Show - Charlotte, NC

The 2013 edition of the Progressive international Motorcycle Show visited Charlotte, NC a couple of weeks ago.  Since the show from last year was much the same as this one....here is a clip from 2012.

The Concerned Bikers Association show will be at the Metrolina Fairgrounds in Charlotte March 23.  If you've never been you really need to treat yourself to a few hours immersed in the biker culture.

Austin PD Find Parts Dumping Area.

More than a dozen motorcycles stolen over a number of years have all been found in the very same place....the floor of Lake Austin beneath the Pennybacker Bridge, Austin Texas.

Brent Mullinix with the APD Auto Theft Unit.said that parts to 15 motorcycles, one reported stolen as far back as 2005, have been recovered by the Department of Public Safety Dive Team.

The parts include a rusted out engine and several body frames.

Ckeck video from FOX-TV in Austin


Motorcycle thieves will strip a stolen motorcycle for valuable parts and discard the rest according to Mullinix.

“This is a good indication of what happens to those motorcycles that get stolen,” said Mullinix. “Based on what we are seeing, it is obvious it was someone’s pattern or some group’s pattern.”

The owners who reported the motorcycle stolen will be contacted, but Mullinix said environmental concerns are also a reason why they want all the parts recovered.

“We need to remove all the stuff from the bottom for the safety of other people and the environment.”

If California Can do it...Why Can't S.C.?

Motorcyclists who slide between cars on crowded Bay Area roads and zip to where they're going faster than everyone else - while infuriating more than a few drivers - now have the official blessing of the California Highway Patrol.

The practice, called lane-splitting, has always been legal in California. But state authorities have never, until now, told motorcyclists how to weave the white line safely.

California is the only state in the country where lane-splitting is legal.

The new rules, which the CHP introduced in January after consulting with other state agencies and motorcycle-rider groups, apply to city streets, highways and freeways across the state.

"You should lane-split no faster than 10 mph over the speed of traffic around you, and we recommend (motorcyclists) not split at all if the traffic is faster than 30 mph."


Some car drivers see lane-splitters as borderline cheaters cutting ahead of others, but  the practice is actually safer for motorcyclists than politely staying in line in a lane.

Now.....the big question is...why can't South Carolina, have the same rules in place?

Yamaha - 2013 title sponsor of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast

Yamaha, the brand that carried AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Scott Russell to two victories in the famed Daytona 200, will be the 2013 title sponsor of the AMA Yamaha Motorcycle Hall of Fame Breakfast at Daytona, presented by Motul, on Friday, March 15, at 7 a.m. in the Daytona 500 Club on the infield at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Russell, who won the Daytona 200 five times, plus numerous AMA roadracing championships and a World Superbike title, will be the featured guest.

Taking place during 2013 Daytona Bike Week, the fundraising breakfast will include a live interview with Russell on stage, an audience Q&A period and an autograph session with the AMA Hall of Famer and Daytona 200 legend. Longtime race announcer Ben Cheatwood will interview Russell.

Russell’s Daytona 200 wins are among the most impressive Daytona 200 finishes ever. His 1995 victory, which came after an opening lap crash that saw him remount in last place and battle for 199 miles to win over Carl Fogarty, is perhaps his best remembered. The photo of Russell jumping over his fallen bike to remount made the cover of Cycle World magazine, and cemented the Georgia native as a bona fide roadracing hero to millions of fans worldwide.

We Older Riders More Likely to Get Hurt

Motorcyclists over the age of 60 are three times more likely to be hospitalized after a crash than younger bikers, at least thats part of a report  in the journal Injury Prevention. They found that serious chest and rib cage fractures were very common.

The reports goes on to suggest that reduced bone strength in older adults and their ability to buy more powerful bikes may play a part.

Motorbike groups in the UK say they have seen similar trends.

The study analysed data between 2001 to 2008 from the US National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) which collects information from 100 US hospitals which have an A&E.

During this period about 1.5 million adults over the age of 20 needed emergency treatment due to a motorcycle crash.

Bikers over the age of 60 were three times more likely to be admitted to hospital compared with those in their 20s and 30s - and two-and-a-half times more likely to sustain a serious injury.

One of the conclusions, : "The greater severity of injuries among older adults may be due to the physiological changes that occur as the body ages, bone strength decreases, fat distribution may change and there is a decrease in the elasticity of the chest wall.

"Other factors such as a delayed reaction time, altered balance and worsening vision may also make older adults more prone to crashing."

They point out that underlying illnesses like cardiac disease, hypertension and diabetes may also increase the rise of complications.

'Keep skills up'

Data on motorbike size was not available to the researchers, but they suggested that older adults were more likely to buy bikes with larger engines - leading to more severe injuries.

Upper body fractures were more common in older adults while arm, shoulder and hand fractures were more likely in those that were younger.

This may be due to their faster reaction times - sticking their arms out to protect their fall.

Daytona Bike Week - Look Twice, Save a Life

With the approach of Dayton Bike Week,  bikers waved signs and stood together in the cold at Colonial Drive and Rouse Road, urging people to be watchful for motorcycles and to look twice before changing lanes or turning right at a red light.

Bike Week, the 10-day, rumbling homage to Harleys that is reputed to be the world's largest motorcycle event, filling Central Florida's roadways with hundreds of thousands of visiting bikers.

Cullen Ryan, 28, of Oviedo, was killed a few weeks before Christmas when a 77-year-old man turned his SUV into the path of Ryan's motorcycle. The Florida Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash on Alafaya Trail.

Almost all of those braving the chilly air Sunday knew a rider killed or injured by an inattentive motorist. Mike Wilcox, whose brother, Bryan, died in a crash in 2011, held a sign that read, "Da 4 Deadliest Words ... I DIDN'T C Him."

Heidi Weclew, 34, said she has lost three friends in crashes and sometimes mounts a camera on her bike to capture reckless motorists. She said she recently called the inattentive driver of an airport taxi to tell the woman, "You almost killed me today."

Hector Rivera, 51, who has been riding motorcycles since he was a boy, said he rides more carefully than ever on Central Florida's highways as, more and more, he has to share the road with careless and distracted drivers.

"They are texting and doing everything but watching," he said.

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.