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.