How To Handle A Fall (Assuming It's Inevitable) By: James R. Davis

Of all the Tips I have posted here, this one is clearly the least credible in the sense that I have no experience in the matter, nor can I imagine a way to practice that makes any sense to me (nor would I want to.)

Still, I will post the thoughts in the hope that the reader will not take them as advice, but purely my opinions on the matter. Further, I suspect that in real life one does not have time to do anything deliberate until after the first impact, and then there may be no decisions possible. On the other hand, since I have personally witnessed a deliberate and life-saving maneuver by a woman who had just suffered a highside accident, I know that at least some people retain enough presence of mind in an accident that the following couple of ideas just might help.

• The objective should always be NOT to fall - even if the bike is going down. That is why I teach my friends how to dismount their bikes (at slow speeds) if it is dumping, or to stay with it until after first impact at higher speeds, if possible.
• DO NOT TRY TO BREAK YOUR FALL WITH YOUR HANDS!!! In other words, try to impact with as much of your body at the same time as possible.
• If you are doing a lowside the bike is ahead of you and you want it to stay that way. Since the coefficient of friction between you and the ground/asphalt is higher than of a metal motorcycle, you want to get as much of your body on the ground at the same time as you can to slow you as quickly as possible so the bike will slide away from you. In other words, arms over head, feet first, butt down. Stay LOOSE (relaxed, in as large a configuration as possible.) LET GO OF THE MOTORCYCLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!
• If you are doing a highside you will be in front of the bike when you hit the ground. You want to move as fast as possible - in the same direction you were going and for as long as you can - in order to try to avoid getting crushed. In other words, you want to 'tuck' and roll as soon as you can after you hit the ground. Stay TIGHT (in as small a configuration as possible.)

Before you try to get up after taking a spill you must be sure that you have come to a stop first! Wait a couple of seconds until you are sure.

I don't think most people will have time to do anything deliberate at all by way of falling. But perhaps I'm wrong and the above thoughts can in some way be of assistance.
---
Following the posting of this Tip I received many e-mail messages which argued that a person simply does not have time to do anything that could affect the outcome of a fall. I responded with the following:

quote:

---

My comments had very little to do with how you hit the ground following a 'get off' as I don't think there is sufficient time to do anything very deliberate until after the first impact, and then there may be no decisions possible. Rather, I was trying to suggest that as you are coming to rest (assuming you can function at all) then you should try to END UP either loose (as much body contact as possible with the ground) or tight (as little body contact as possible with the ground - tuck and roll posture) depending on if you went down on the low side or the highside.

Despite the fact that I don't think most people would have either the time nor the presence of mind to do much 'thinking' during a 'get off', some do. I have personally seen, for example, a woman in her late fifties do a 50 MPH highside and when she landed, because (I believe - she can't remember) she was so afraid that the bike would land on top of her, began a rapid rolling maneuver that saved her life (the motorcycle stopped 1 foot short of where she did.) I have personally witnessed this same woman (honest) respond to a huge wind gust that knocked her bike over just as we were coming to a stop at a pullout on the top of a mountain and she was thrown over her bike, this time at about 5 MPH.

During this latter 'highside' she actually did a summersault before hitting the ground - a clearly deliberate move on her part (we all watched as she tucked her head down and 'kicked' away from her bike which allowed her to land on her curved back and then she 'unwound' and stopped her roll by spreading her legs. (She had gotten away from the bike that was following her, but wanted to stop rather than keep going.) Good thing, because had she gone another five feet she would have had a SEVENTY FOOT fall off the mountain. (There was no fence or guard rail that would have stopped it.) Incidentally, Elaine saw both of these 'highsides' , too.

Anyway, I mention these events because they left a very strong impression on me that some people DO have the presence of mind to determine how to END a fall, despite how fast things are happening to them. I'm not at all sure I'm one of those people, but at least I have thought about it and know that if I'm in front of my motorcycle I want to keep moving until I can't move any more - and I want as small an exposed profile as possible, just in case that bike catches up with me.

As to the lowside concept of trying to end up on your back, arms over your head, feet first - this was originally told to me by a motorcycle 'stunt man' in LA a couple of decades ago about how he tries to stop after a dismount. (Not that any of us are into that sort of thing, of course. )

Moto-art at Halifax boutique

.




By CMG Staff, via : http://cmgonline.com

You wouldn't normally expect to find art representing vintage motorcycle competitions in a fancy boutique, but Love, Me isn't your normal boutique.

The store on Birmingham Street in Halifax carries Canadian handmade, small-run, independent products for wearing, living and giving, according to their website.

More importantly, right now and until the end of October, they're featuring a display of art by Anna Stowe, a multidisciplinary artist and designer who seems to have taken a fancy to vintage motocross and other forms of the manly art.

Her show, Miles of Bliss, celebrates "the jumps, bumps, mud, rocks and dust of early motorcycle trials and scrambles," and is a mixture of mixed media paintings and inked line drawings.

If you love motorcycles and art, or even just shopping in fancy all-Canadian boutiques, get yer ass down there right now. If your ass can't get there, check out stodesigns.com for some inspiration.



.

SAVING TIME CAN COST YOU MONEY by Bill Bish

In the current economic downturn, cash-strapped states across the U.S. are charging huge fines for speeding violations and other traffic infractions. All across America, legislators have one eye on road safety and the other on depleted coffers, and depending on where you live a speeding ticket can cost from under a hundred dollars to a couple thousand or more, reports AOL Autos.

 

Drivers caught speeding in the states of Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Nevada and New Hampshire all are liable to be fined up to $1000, at a judge's discretion, for a first-time speeding offense, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The severity of the financial penalty also may depend upon the number of miles above the speed limit when clocked and the number of points on a driver's license, or if the offense occurred near a school or road works. A driver's license may also be suspended, their vehicle impounded, or they may face jail time. 

Some states including Michigan, Texas and New Jersey, operate under so-called "driver responsibility" laws, which, in some cases, can result in a further fine of up to $1000 leveled a year after the conviction. Virginia, which until 2008 had some of the strictest penalties for speeders, repealed its driver-responsibility laws last year after a public outcry. Georgia, meanwhile, has just voted to add $200 to the fine of what it terms "superspeeders," who travel more than 10 mph over the speed limit. Other states with fines of up to $500 -- which in many cases is then compounded with additional court fees -- include Maryland, Missouri and Oregon.

Daytona Blues Festival Kicks Off Biketoberfest 2010

Nationally known Blues artists roll into town for the Daytona Blues Festival, Friday to Sunday, Oct. 8 - 10 at City Island in downtown Daytona Beach, Florida.
Come for a day or come for all three days!

Tickets are available online.

The VIP package includes reserved parking and seating and the Saturday night VIP party.

SPECIAL ROOM RATES:  Book rooms at Ramada to enjoy $62 special room rates during the Daytona Blues Festival - Oct. 8 to 10. FREE HOTEL SHUTTLE to Blues Festival. 

STAY FOR BIKETOBERFEST for $115 per night with a 3-night min. or $159 single nights. For these Ramada rates, call the Ramada front desk at 386-255-2422 
or 800-352-2722.

Concert Schedule at Jackie Robinson Ballpark
105 E. Orange Avenue, Downtown Daytona

Friday, October 8 - beginning @ 6 p.m. - Matt "Guitar" Murphy w/The Nouveaux Honkies - Mike Zito - Damon Fowler - Ben Prestage.

Saturday, October 9 - beginning @ 12 Noon - Candye Kane Band -Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King - Victor Wainwright & The Wild Roots - Nico Wayne Toussaint- The Nouveaux Honkies - 6th Street Rhythm & Blues Review - Darren Johnson.

Sunday, October 10 - beginning @ 12 Noon - Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers - J.P. Soars & The Red Hots - Eden Brent - Sean Carney Band w/Paul Stott - Albert Castiglia & A.J. Kelly.

Lone Star Rally in Galveston To Top 350,000 For Military Salute

Join 350,000 plus people Nov. 4 to 7 at the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas to Celebrate The United States Military, past and present.

Events include a Biker Promenade and Best Decorated Bike & Rider Contest

Check out this example by 3D Custom Paint & Body Art

Then, get ready to promenade down Strand Street on your decked out bike to show your patriotism or just get wild and crazy. This year anyone with a costume and a matching bike can sign up on site to enter the decorated bike and rider contest. Grand Prize: $500.    Costume Contest Promenade Rules.

Harley's Angels Cruizin' to a Cure women rider's event, Sat. Nov. 6th.

Outlaw Dave's Ride from Stubbs Harley-Davidson in Houston to the Seawall in Galveston, Nov. 6th.

Plus The Official 2010 Lone Star Rally Poker Run and Crawl

Register at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Friday or Saturday morning at the Poker Run booth for a fun event that takes you around the island in hopes of ending up with the best hand. Donations of $10 will go to a worthy charity and the winner will receive a gift certificate for a 2 night stay in a Gulf view, 2 bedroom condo at the beautiful Galvestonian Luxury Resort Condominiums. www.galvestonian.com

So put on your red, white & blue and join in the fun!

Bart Markel

.



Bart Markel won the AMA Grand National Championship three times during the 1960s. His final national win in Columbus, Ohio, on June 27, 1971, marked his 28th career AMA national victory. That victory broke the record for most wins, previously held by Joe Leonard at 27. Markel's record of 28 Grand National wins held until 1982, when Jay Springsteen earned his 29th victory at the Houston Astrodome.

From 1958 until he retired from racing in 1972, Markel competed in more than 140 AMA Grand National Series races. When inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998, Markel's 28 wins placed him seventh on the all-time win list. He is still considered one of the best riders in the history of AMA racing.

Bartlett David Markel was born in Flint, Michigan, on August 19, 1935. He rode a few times on street bikes as a teenager, but didn't get into the sport in earnest until he came out of the Marine Corps in 1956. A good friend of Bart's named Ronnie Williams was racing in local scrambles events. Markel decided to get involved and went out and bought a Jawa for $25 and started racing.

"I did pretty well on that old clunker as long as it kept running, which wasn't very often," recalled Markel. "I raced four or five times on the Jawa before I went out and splurged and spent 50 bucks for an old BSA B33."

Before long, Markel entered the BSA in a flat track race in Wisconsin.

"I figured they paid a little money at dirt track races so I decided to give it a go. In my first race, I was doing pretty good until the bike blew up."

Markel didn't let that inauspicious start hold him back. He continued to race and soon began winning. Midway through the 1958 season, Markel was bumped up to the expert ranks. His first finish in a national came at the Peoria (Illinois) TT in 1958, where he took eighth. Markel began to make his mark in 1959, when he earned four top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the Springfield (Illinois) Mile. He ended the season ranked seventh in the series and earned a factory-backed ride with Harley-Davidson.

After a slew of podium finishes, Markel finally broke through with his first national win at the Peoria TT on August 28, 1960. He ended the season as the third-ranked rider in the Grand National Series. Markel came back to defend his title at Peoria in '61, but only finished fourth in the series.

Markel began earning a reputation of being a very aggressive rider and was dubbed "Black Bart." At one point, Markel was suspended from racing for rough riding.

"I didn't like following anybody," explained Markel, who was an amateur boxer in his younger years. "If I needed to give someone a little shove to get in front of them, that's what I'd do. I don't like to admit it, but I guess I was a little rough. Back then I figured if I settled for second one week I'd settle for third the next and so on. So I always rode as hard as I could."

In 1962, Markel came back to have his finest season ever. That year he won a total of six races, the most wins in a single season since Joe Leonard's incredible 1954 campaign, in which he won eight nationals. Markel earned his first national championship that year over second-place Carroll Resweber, whose career had ended after being seriously injured late that season... Read more @ : http://motorcyclemuseum.org



.

Hydroplaning Issues What is it? What to do about it? Are they making new tires less safe? By: James R. Davis

 

Hydroplaning is the result of your tires moving FAST across a wet surface - so fast that they do not have sufficient time to channel that moisture away from the center of the tire. The result is that the tire is lifted by the water away from the road and all traction is thus lost.

Of course the word 'fast' is a relative term. Tread design, tread depth, weight of motorcycle, tire pressure, depth of water and even the consistency of that water - (whether it is highly aerated or not, for example) - all play a part in determining at what speed the tire will begin to hydroplane. It is a pretty safe bet to assume that any speed in excess of 60 MPH is fast enough to support hydroplaning regardless of the other variables. This is not to say that at 55 MPH you are safe, however. (A formula that comes close to predicting the speed at which you will hydroplane, assuming at least .2" of water on the ground, is: 10.27 * Sqrt(tire pressure) which shows that if your tires hold 35 psi, hydroplaning can be expected at 60.76 MPH, while tires with 41 psi of air in them should expect hydroplaning at about 65.75 MPH. 

Another formula that is somewhat more accurate, though much harder to calculate, is: 7.95 * Sqrt(tire pressure * contact patch width / contact patch length). This formula shows that the wider the contact patch is relative to its length, the higher the speed required to support hydroplaning. I bring this to your attention because it is contrary to my understanding that a wider tire is more susceptible to hydroplaning than is a narrower tire, yet this particular formula seems to yield a closer approximation of the threshold hydroplaning speed. In other words, I cannot explain why the formula seems to work.

In any event, there are two absolutely essential NO-NO's to remember should you experience the beginning of hydroplaning:

• Do NOT apply your brakes
• Do NOT try to steer in any direction but straight ahead

Though I am not formally trained in the matter I would suggest that the only thing you can possibly do to help the situation is to feather your clutch to moderate your speed without the possibility of drive train 'snap' that would result from an abrupt change of the accelerator.

Hope there is an idea in there that you can work with. Frankly, I think if you start to hydroplane the odds are that you are going to go down unless you keep the front wheel pointed absolutely dead ahead and it is of the briefest of durations.

While on this subject I would like to make another observation about our tires. If you look at the stock front tire on all new GoldWings you will see a Dunlop K177.



If you look at the tire tread pattern you will also see that the grooves are cut in such a way as to tend to channel water away from the center of the tire if it is rotating in accord with the arrow stamped on the side of the tire. This seems to be consistent with what the Dunlop factory rep advised in his latest message to me on the subject.


However, if you look at the front tire tread pattern of the new Dunlop Elite II's (K491) they are aligned in exactly the opposite way. That is, they tend to channel water towards the center of the tire. This CANNOT be the most effective way to diminish the odds of hydroplaning! Either the K177 or the K491 is safer on wet streets based on those tread patterns. (I believe that most new street bikes (other than Honda) come with tires treaded like the K491's.)

If anyone knows why I sure would like to hear about it. Thanks.

I, of course, tried to find out the answer for myself. I wrote to the company that manufactures these tires and in my letter I explained my concerns, just as I did above.

Following is the terse response I received from the Dunlop Tire Corporation to those concerns. I think you can draw a few conclusions from this 'hedge" - at least one of which is that hydroplaning and braking compete with each other from a tread design point of view. It might also be concluded that if you start using these newer designs you should lower your speeds in the future when the roads are wet, below what used to work just fine for you (I will!).

quote:

---

Our development and testing during the design of the Elite II front tire determined optimum overall performance was achieved with this pattern which includes wet traction and braking.

Dunlop Tire Corporation

---

(This response was signed by a person named Tom Daley.)

Mind you that I am not of the opinion that Dunlop has made a mistake with this design! In fact, I think braking performance is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than hydroplaning resistance. This is particularly true since we can usually choose how fast we drive on wet streets but often cannot choose when it is necessary to stop quickly. I would have liked a little more candor from them on the issue, however.

For example, (because it is left to me to interpret their response), I do not know if they were actually saying that they had determined that the old design (such as IS being shipped on the front tires of new Wings) is better or not than the K491 design from an hydroplaning point of view.

Coast-to-Coast Motorcycle Cannonball Winners

.

by Bryan Harley


They’ve done it! After 16 days and 3294 miles in the saddle, riders participating in the Coast to Coast Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run for Pre-1916 Motorcycles pulled into the Santa Monica Pier this weekend after a grueling cross country race. Of the 45 vintage motorcycles that started the event in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 37 were still running at its end. Ten of those posted perfect scores of 3294 miles ridden within the allotted time frame. As miles wore on, metal fatigue began to take its toll and motor mounts, kick stands and fender tabs started breaking off, but the engines began running better than ever. This is a testament to the hard work of the support crews and the camaraderie between teams who helped out one another to keep the motorcycles running and in the competition.



Despite the fact that 10 riders finished the contest with perfect scores, Brad Wilmarth was declared the winner. His 1913 Excelsior was the oldest motorcycle with a perfect score, a fact that handed him the overall title. He also won Class II for twin- and four-cylinder, single-speed motorcycles. Wilmarth was awarded a painting by David Uhl entitled “Baker Cannon Ball” for his efforts... Read more




.

Glad-Handling those Bad Landings Tips on the Perfect Motorcycle Gloves by Gary IIminen

For many of us, gloves are gloves. If they fit fairly comfortably and prevent blisters or keep our hands warm in cold weather, we’re pretty much good with whatever we happen to have at hand—pun intended.

 

But, where power sports are concerned, selecting the right gloves can make a big difference in our enjoyment, comfort and safety.

Sizing seems pretty basic, but it makes the difference between day-long comfort and “can’t wait to take ‘em off” discomfort. Checking out the size of your favorite current gloves is a pretty good guide and manufacturers have handy sizing charts, as well for buying online.

One trick I’ve learned for riding in a climate that can be finger-numbing cold in the morning and toasty in the afternoon is to double glove. Wear a light, snug-fitting riding motorcycle glove with thin leather palm and mesh or stretch fabric back inside a heavier leather and/or insulated glove. As the temps rise, take off the outer glove leaving the lighter, cooler glove to provide protection without being too warm. Some snowmobile gloves feature a removable glove liner, but that may not be designed to act as a lightweight glove in itself.

I’ve found that tactic is particularly good for off-road ATV and motorcycle riding and for snowmobile riding, improving protection when trailside branches whack your hands. The thin gloves are also very good for handling tools in sub-zero cold when exposing bare skin can cause frost-bite in a matter of minutes and handling steel tools can literally cause them to freeze to the skin. It can be very difficult to use tools with the bulkier insulated gloves or mitts on. Getting the outer glove in a size or two larger than usual makes this work pretty well.

Depending on your sport and season, you may want motorcycle gloves that keep your hands warm, dry and protected, or cool, dry and protected.

A variety of approaches exist to meet both goals. Perhaps the most dizzying aspect of glove design these days is the variety of materials used in glove construction. Even basic leather gloves have variations: goat skin, lamb skin, buck skin, pigskin, full-grain cowhide, suede and combinations of more than one type. Solid, perforated, fingerless, non-lined, lined, insulated, non-insulated, gel-pad palms, you name it.

Leather has a natural beauty to it, tends to be supple and provides reasonably good weather and abrasion protection. Add some treatment to the surface and you have a waterproof, tough, comfortable basic glove that easily mashes down to fit into your pockets. These types of gloves tend to be reasonably priced, too, generally ranging from as little as about $20 for your basic styles to the $60-$70 range depending on the options.

But the real revolution in glove design is in the use of synthetic materials. Stretch mesh for the back and sides of the gloves allow near-total ventilation, which may be augmented by finger vents, while providing abrasion protection and second-skin fit. High-tack silicone rubber and similar materials added to palm and fingers prevents slippage on the hand-grips and levers, supple finger materials allow maximum “touch” for fine control, pre-curved fingers and palms virtually eliminate “break-in” for the grip. Add Kevlar® fiber in back, wrist and gauntlet with hard knuckle and finger armor and you’ve got a competition-grade protection package.

Speaking of competition, if you intend to use the gloves for racing, check the rules for the sanctioning body; some types of racing won’t allow some types of gloves. For example, in land speed racing no synthetic materials are allowed—leather only, a minimum three inch gauntlet is required and wrist closures are mandatory. European (CE) standards exist for professional motorcycle gloves: EN 13594:2002. No equivalent U.S. standards exist. Fully appointed racing gloves can range from $50 to about $200, depending on the required equipment.

Adjustable wrist closures with Velcro® or snaps assure the gloves will stay on when you need their protection most. They are a good feature to have for leisure riding gloves and are essential for competition. Elastic bands are ok for some applications, but to be effective in some situations, they’d generally have to be so snug, they may be uncomfortable.

Other features like battery-operated heaters, finger-mounted face shield wipers, reflective piping or panels, gel padding in the fingers or palms, or key pockets are all items to consider, depending on your riding plans.

Vintage Motocross pictures

.

All pictures via : http://leroipolet.exprimetoi.net

.

BIKER BABES -- HAPPY FRIDAY -- EYE CANDY

Biker Babes For The Guys and The Music Is Hot As Well By Journey, Enjoy!
Sorry ladies we did try to find video's somewhere anywhere that had Biker Hunks and there are none out there. So please don't be offended.

HINTS AND TIPS FOR RIDING IN THE RAIN by Shannon Duffy

It's 8AM Tuesday morning and you peer out your kitchen window. Although the weatherman on TV had announced the night before that clear skies were in today's forecast, dark grey rain clouds are looming in the distance. While sipping on your morning cup-a-Joe, you try to estimate just how soon they'll be hovering over your home and contemplate thoughts to yourself such as, 'If I leave now, maybe, just maybe I'll be able to make it in to work without getting wet.' After all, that shiny bike of yours, sitting in the garage all night is begging for you to take it for another spin. 

You glance back up at the clouds and decide that yet again, you will chance it and ride on into work. In case luck is not on your side, here are some tips on how to prepare for riding in the rain and to keep yourself as dry and as safe as possible without having to succumb to driving to work in a cage. Let's begin!

Gear - In an ideal situation, you'll have invested in some all weather riding gear including waterproof boots and if that's the case then good for you! The minimum investment you should have on hand when it comes to rain gear is waterproof gloves that fasten securely around your wrist. Not only do gloves keep your hands dry during a rainstorm, but they'll also help keep them warm too. Another option is purchasing a rain suit to wear over your leathers if you don't have all weather gear. Waterproof your boots prior to riding in the rain as an extra precaution. However if you still don't want to spend a few extra dollars on a rain suit and waterproofing boot spray, then another, albeit low-cost option is to wear a couple of large trash bags over your clothing and plastic grocery bags inside your boots wrapped around your socks to help with rain-proofing yourself. Riding in the rain is not fun, but it's even worse if you get soaked.

Tires - Tires with a good tread pattern on them are the safest type to use when it's raining. This is because, there's more rubber to grip the slippery road. Still, even with decent tread on the tires, pushing your two-wheeler to the limits in the rain, be it a drizzle or a downpour, is not advised unless you want to hydroplane or worse yet, lay your bike down in front of oncoming traffic.

Wait - Oil and grease on the road tends to loosen up and sit on the surface during the start of the rain, so allow a solid 15 minutes or so for cars to splash the excess muck off onto the side of the street. Otherwise, you're just asking for trouble!

Avoidances - Steer clear of the painted lines on streets and hi-ways because they become extremely slick when wet. Common sense should encourage you to ride in the path of the tire trails left by vehicles in front of you since it will be the area on the road with the least amount of water on it. Manhole covers and railroad tracks are very slick when wet too. Avoid them if at all possible, but if you must cross over them, heed with caution keeping a steady throttle.

Visor Care - To help eliminate rain from building up on your visor and impairing your vision, there are a few products on the market you can apply prior to riding such as Fog Off. This product and products like it encourage the water to roll and bounce right off of the visor. Your visor may also indeed become foggy while riding in the rain and although there are products on the market to help prevent that too, just cracking your visor open a smidge every now and again will help quickly eliminate this problem.

Though motorcycle riders generally avoid riding in the rain at all costs for obvious reasons, there is still that rare occasion that may sneak up on you and leave you in a compromising situation. Be prepared and alert so that you'll still be around to ride on future dry weather days as well!

SOUND REASONING SILENCES N.H. NOISE ORDINANCE by Bill Bish AIM/NCOM

Although North Hampton, New Hampshire voters approved a noise ordinance in May that prohibits motorcycles without an EPA sticker from being operated or even parked in town, a lawyer for the federal agency has expressed that just because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a label on all motorcycle mufflers indicating the noise the vehicle produces does not exceed 80 decibels doesn't mean a municipality has the authority to enforce that noise level.

"The Noise Control Act (NCA), which authorizes EPA to enact noise control regulations, states that 'nothing in this section precludes or denies the right of any state or political subdivision thereof to establish and enforce controls on environmental noise,” wrote EPA Senior Assistant Regional Counsel Timothy Williamson in an Aug. 31 letter to North Hampton Town Administrator Steve Fournier. "However, neither does it grant localities any additional authority to control environmental noise beyond that available to them under state and local law."

"The ordinance basically bans motorcycles from the town if they do not have an EPA label on their exhaust system even though the motorcycles comply with the state's noise level limit of 106 decibels," said Seacoast Harley-Davidson in court papers challenging the new law.

Even the town’s own legal counsel has indicated the ordinance is unenforceable, saying that the state has already determined the appropriate noise levels for motorcycles and that the town, therefore, does not have the option of creating its own more restrictive noise ordinance.

That opinion was clearly reiterated in Williamson's letter on behalf of the EPA. "Thus, neither the NCA nor the regulations in Part 205 (of the EPA code) grant municipalities the authority to enact or enforce ordinances that supersede any limitations on their authority under state law," he wrote.

Town officials decided not to fight the Harley dealer’s request for a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the noise ordinance. "The ordinance will remain unenforced until we have a hearing," Fournier said, indicating that the town’s new noise ordinance will not be enforced until after the judge issues a ruling on the matter.

10th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Rally Revs Up

Look for Wikked Steel's Area 51 bike at US Rider New's
Best Of The Beach Custom Bike Show, Sat. Oct. 2nd
at the 10th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Rally in Panama City, Florida. U.S. Rider News Custom Bike Show.

The biggest and best bike show on the Gulf Coast, the official bike show of the Thunder Beach Rally, presented by US Rider News. Free cleaning supplies given to every pre-registered bike. Over $10,000 in prizes and cash given away at this show. $1000 Best of Show winner!


Photos of the 2010 Best of Beach Show sponsored by HHI, Custom Dynamics, Kuryakyn, Best Western, Jireah Cycles, RC Components, Renegade Wheels, Two Brothers Tires, Wimmer Machine, Luster Lace, Wizards Products, and Steel Horse Law.


Bike show registration: 9:30 a.m. to noon, Sat. Oct. 2nd at Pier Park. Awards at 4 p.m.


The most beautiful beaches in the world are on the Emerald Coast in Northern Florida that hosts a spring and autumn Thunder Beach Motorcycle Rally, the first weekend in May and the first weekend in October.

Without a doubt, the Panama City area beaches are my favorite in Florida!

Both of the rallies are free to attend, but the 10th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Rally kicks off with two parties - at Shores of Panama and Bay Point Marriott, Sept. 29th and Sept. 30th 2010.

Then get ready for Edgar Winter and Molly Hatchet (FREE) concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 1st and Oct. 2nd. 

Back by overwhelming demand - "The Sauce Boss" will be playing the blues and cooking up some authentic gumbo at the Bay Point Marriott VIP Party. We saw him not long ago at the ZRooms in Orlando, and boy can that old boy sing and play and rock the place!... and his gumbo was not a stage prop - it was Delicious!

Bill Wharton, "The Sauce Boss" comes from the deep roots of the Florida Cypress Swamp. Haven't heard him play? You’ll never forget him once you do. With his distinctive slide guitar sound, wroght out of his ’53 Telecaster like a man beggin’ for mercy, and slung through a 1948 Fender amp like a dark horse running through the night, the Sauce Boss has a truly authentic sound that leaves you looking for something you thought you’d lost, but in fact you never knew you had. Read more.

Come check out the Old Skool Road Show, a one of a kind traveling antique motorcycle experience.  After approximately 20 years of collecting antique motorcycles and keeping them for private enjoyment, Alan Smith (founder and collector)  decided to take them on tour and let other people enjoy them as much as he did!  While most museums allow you to look at their bikes, Alan prefers you to look at, sit on and take pictures with his bikes.  They don't mind starting the bikes and showing what makes them tick, literally.  Presented by the 10th Annual Thunder Beach Autumn Rally - the first mobile collection of antique Harleys and Indians in the world, ranging from 1914 - 1957. 


Get details at Thunder Beach Productions.com.

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS HOPE TO HUSH LOUD PIPES by Bill Bish AIM/NCOM

California is home to the largest population of motorcyclists in the country, and if legislators have their way, it could also soon be home to one of the most onerous anti-motorcycle laws in America.

By a bare majority vote of 21-16 on August 30 the state Senate approved SB435 which will make it a crime to operate a motorcycle manufactured after Jan. 1, 2013 that fails to meet federal noise-emission control standards and that all new motorcycles sold after that date must display and maintain compliance labels from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

A similar bill last session would have required biennial smog checks for emissions violations, but after meeting resistance from bikers’ rights groups it has since been amended to target illegally modified exhaust systems. Supporters of the bill say that many motorcycle owners modify their exhausts to make them louder, but swapping a compliant tailpipe equipped with a catalytic converter for one without emissions controls produces more smog-forming pollutants per mile.  

Opponents of the measure counter that many aftermarket exhausts meet federal EPA emissions standards but aren’t labeled, and labeling on stock systems is often difficult to locate, meaning that law-abiding riders could be unfairly ticketed. SB435 has already passed the Assembly and its fate now lies in the hands of the state’s most famous motorcycle rider, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose office has not yet taken a position on the proposed legislation.

Belt Drive Betty's Cross-Canada Ride Lit A Fire

"I am back ....and a F.I.R.R.E. WAS LIT!"  - Belt Drive Betty, Sept. 20, 2010. 

If you would like to start a chapter of F.I.R.R.E., contact our Canadian National Chairman  - Scott Paulin at: firre@bikerider.com 

Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau traveled 34 days and spoke to more than 2,000 riders and community leaders in eight Canadian provinces on her Congo of F.I.R.R.E. en route from Alberta to the Wharf Rat Rally in Nova Scotia. 

This is her final account of the ride across 8 Canadian provinces that included the opportunity to meet Chelsea and Paul - students at Canada's only high school chopper building class - The Bike Klub in New Brunswick, where she sat on "Betty Bobber."

The bike named after her won the Donny Smith Invitational High School Chopper Challenge.... This is Rene, Belt Drive Betty's story:

The trip was gruelling and satisfying all at the same time. My husband and I crossed most of Canada - 8 provinces inluding 3 territorie - round trip in the same time it took the Motorcycle Ride of Dad 10th Anniversary Tour to cross Canada one way.

We visited about the same number of cities as they did too. It was challenging as we had to travel on average 500 KM per day plus meet people, and for me - meeting with the press and blogging about the trip.

The next time I do something of this magnitude I at least understand more about the time requirements and sponsorship needs to make this happen the way I would like it to.

 

Pacrim Hospitality along with Choice Hotels supplied rooms for our Awareness Conga and they also supplied special rates for riders who joined us along the way.

The trip itself was impressive and amazing - seeing our country by motorcycle has been rewarding. I have been across by car and train but this was my first time across the country on a motorcycle.

Th Go-Pher Run - A southern Alberta treat!

The road between North Bay & Sault Ste Marie in Ontario offer up some incredible sights along te shores of Lake Superior.

If you want to see more, visit my Travel Blogs - the links to them are located on the home page of beltdrivebetty.com/.

It was so rewarding meeting so many that until now I have only known by email or letters, including the Ontario Chrome Divas, Crystal, Danni & Members of the Kawartha's Bikers Church, Pastor Dave & his wife Karen.


It was equally rewarding to have interest for starting new chapters of F.I.R.R.E. - it looks like we will have new chapters in Saskatchewan before long - the paper work has just gone out to Terry Hartshorn and Dave Adrian (Preacher) of the Saskatchewan Lone Wolves. If you are interested in joining F.I.R.R.E. or finding out more about who we are and what we are doing please visit: www.firre.ca/

There will be a SPECIAL F.I.R.R.E Annual General Meeting for October 3, 2010 at the Carstairs Community Hall - 1100 Lackner Way in Carstairs Alberta. The meeting will begin at 2 pm - come find out what is on the go!

We are growing and for a group that is only 5 months old we are doing really well at helping our fellow riders and are working hard to get our three committees up to speed. Those committees are: Rider Down - for rider and family assistance and support, Riders Rights, lobbying and support and Education for both the rider and the general public....F.I.R.R.E. stands for the Foundation for Injured Riders, Rights and Education.

We are in the process of looking hard at how we can work with the Downed Rider Society in Nova Scotia - after a great discussion in Nova Scotia there appears to be great interest in the two groups working together to serve riders and their families...

I hope to see a ton of you get on board because if you read the news feeds at all on http://www.beltdrivebetty.com/ you will see that we need to start working together as a family, a community again. We have to start working on the issues that affect all of us motorcyclists from safety to discriminatory bylaws...if we don't those who are working together - the anti motorcyclists will mow us over and there will be little left of our way of life.

 United we ride, divided we ride stock or bicycles...

Bandit's Tour Rider Essentials

If you are plan on taking a road trip this fall or winter here is a check-list of items that should help you on your trip.

Here are a few items you might want to consider including in your own personal moto-touring packing list:

1. Clear Contact paper or low-tack tape (great for protecting motorcycle bodywork from luggage straps and bungee cords)
2. Soft-hook tie-downs (great for creating bungee cord hooks)
3. Bungee cords
4. Siphon hose
5. Ziplock bags (thousands of uses—you can even drain gas into a bag from one bike's petcock, then pour it into another bike)
6. Zip-ties
7. Duct tape and electrical tape (wrap a small amount around each leg of the pliers in your bike's tool kit to save space)
8. Flat repair kit (tube or tubeless, depending on your machine)
9. CO2 cartridge tire inflators, or another type of inflation device
10. Chain master link
11. Handi-wipes
12. Cellphone / GPS Device
13. Bike Cover
14. Flashlight
15. Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
16. Tire pressure gauge
17. Shop rags
18. Extra fuses
19. Extra ignition key
20. Towel
21. Aspirin
22. Earplugs
23. Sunblock
24. Chapstick
25. $20 bill hidden on Bike
26. Up-to-date license and registration
27. Spare glasses
28. Spare dark or light faceshield
29. Bandana (protect your neck from cold or your mouth from dust; or, in hot weather, soak it in water and tie it around your neck)
30. Laundry detergent (powder)/clothespins (for washing out a shirt in your room)
31. Space blanket
32. Lighter
33. Rain-X (check your windshield manufacturer for use)
34. Faceshield cleaner
35. Water (one of those backpack hydration systems can be a lifesaver in hot weather)
36. U-lock/disc lock
37. Raingear (with glove and boot covers)
38. Walking shoes
39. Weather radio
40. Spare helmet hardware (plastic screws)
41. Garbage bags (for rainproofing your luggage or even as an extra windproof layer on you in extreme cold)
42. Telephone calling card
43. Camera
44. Emergency medical and contact info in wallet